Evening journal., 1889-05-24
THREE DAYS IN A TOMB
TWO MEN LOST M AN AFRICAN us<-
DERGROUND LABYRlNTH.
Leff IA Total Darkness In "a OoaHeerpart OF
tfze ReSidezioa OF Haggard's ~Sks~-The
Mysterious H1acss Istvsz-s~psd by a
Faithful Ne,xvfnunrq and Dog.

Llul spot III BE11nuS III Niitey uobWeHn Two
ranges Of mountains clothed with rich, dark
verlure all the year round
Vines loaded with ripening grapes, monthly
roses and pomegranates forming q blaze Of
bloom amidst the food Of sunshine simmer.
ing like golden water Under these noun
tain ruIseyes are vast caverns, only few of
which have been entered, and those only part
ly explored.
These caves are tho original Haggartl's
caves Of the Amahaaga, in which the wonder
full "Shen dwelt and ruled Right under this
mountain and through these dark caverns
runs a clear, sparkling river Of water.
The sourceof thisriver, which furnishes the
water supply for this city. has never been dis
caverod. A curious fact Is that its waters are
highest during the dry season. This points 70
the theory that 1t is fed by rain, and that
these rains do not reach the river till about
four TO five months after they fall.
This river is inhabited by fish and a strange
kind of crabs and Holsters, all of which have
no eyes. This species of aquatic animals hav-
ing been bred In and inhabited this dark Sty-
gian stream for thousands Of years, have
never had any use for eyes and SO, after
many generations, that organ had entirely
disappeared from their structure
INTO THE BOWELS OF THE EARTH.
Some friends Of mine, two ladies and three
gentlemen, went on an exploring expedition
through this cavern, got lost in its maze and
were three days before they found their way
back 10 the outer world. Mr.. Saunders, of
the American consulate at Cape May, thus
relates their experience while in the bowels
Of the earth:
Mr.. ]. II. Leroy, Of the Northern Pacific
railway Of tho United States Of America
Mr.. John Sidney and two ladies, Miss Web
ster and Miss Gootch and myself started to
explore the Fountain cave. Armed with two
lamps and provisions enough for two meals,
we started.
We got through the entrance, which isvery
narrow, with difficulty Going few yards
we found it necessary to light the lamps
Proceeding we found ON each side Of the main
passage numerous sideways and alleys ap-
parently hewn out of the solid rock.
All around there we're evidences of the
caves being inhabited by swarms of bats
which constantly kept flying in our faces.
Pursuing our way for considerable time, we
came to a spot where tho roof of the cavern.
hitherto lofty, slanted down, gradually be-
coming lower and lower until we we're unable
10 walk erect
Finally We came to where the floor was or
an inclined plane and got more head room
We then descended q steep hill, at the foot OF
which was a dead wall which completely
barred further progress in that direction
On the right hand a narrow passage pre-
sented itself just wide enough to permit Of
our walking Indian file. The air, hitherto
cool and bracing, became damp and a colo
c,ammy dew settled on our faces.
To the sides Of the passage clung a pale
Shiny, snake-like substance which TO the toucl
produced shivery sense Of adherence. w,
began to wish ourselves well out of the under
taking. However, being in, there was moth
ing for it but TO go on
We walked up this passage distance,
should judge, of three hundred yards, whei
we arrived at an octagonal court, from whicl
ran eight different passages, the four mai
ones being about width Of fifty feet, and th
four narrow ones about four feet each
Under our feet could be heard sound as
the running Of river and the violent breal
ing Of water upon rocks We could perceiv
no mode of descent, and the ground under ou
feet seemed solid
Being weary, and the ladies somewhat faini
we resolved TO 60 back, altogether disaT
pointed with the result Of our exploration
However, before starting again we refreshe
ourselves with the victuals we had brough
and, fortified by a few draughts of cap
sherry, felt our spirits rise, and curiosit
as to the cause OF the sound under our fee
| getting the better Of our Judgment we begal
searching for a way to descend, and fnall
found place where there were stono steps a
irregular intervals
AN UNPLEASANT SITUATION.
Sidney and descended, leaving Leroy an,
the ladies above. We followed these step
for about fifty feet The descent was yer,
difficult The light Of the lantern grow fee
bic. However, we arrived on broad plat
form Of level ground.
The sound Of the water had by this tim
increased to that Of a roaring torrent, and oi
our left we saw the black, inky stream rush
ing past. We sounded and found the rive
very deep and cold.
Passing along tho banks the air becam
heavier still, and the lamp, which had beel
burning more feebly, went out altogether
Breathing became very difficult, owing to tn
absence Of oxygen
In this dreadful place and in total darlnes
we were stumbling about trying to find tn
steps, by which to return, for hours, until be
coming quite weary we sat down and fell int
torpid, heavy sleep How long we remain
ed in this state do not know
On awakening, with a great effort W
aroused ourselves, and finally hit on a pas.
age, which we followed. AS we went thl
noise of the waters became less audible, an,
finally we lost the sound altogether Still
there was no ray Of light; nothing but thic
darkness and a noisome, pcstilential air.
We groped about for hours from one pas
| ago to another amidst a silence deep an
dreadful The sound Of our voices appeare
unnaturally loud, and echoing through th
vaults gave the impression that the place wa
haunted by countless demons who wee rnocs
ing our distress
Quite exhausted by exertion, anxiety an
want Of food, we sank down in despair, Civ
ing ourselves up for lost. After a time, how
ever, we determined TO make another effor
for life.
We found that the lamp would now lee-
lighted. This gave US fresh hope and enables
us TO see our way about. We made bette
progress along the darksome passage an,
soon were overjoyod at seeing my faithful
Newfoundland dog jumping and bounding
toward us.
We now knew We were saved. Following
tho dog, which seemed 70 have correct viey
Of the situation, we soon discovered streal
Of light at tho entrance TO the cave Tn
| spirit Of enterprise being damped by thre
days spent in the tombs, We resolved in ou
minds not lightly 10 make another attempt O
tho kind.-Omaha Bee.
Telling Her How.
Cook next day after her arrivaD-I an
often little hasty, madam, and then l an
| apt % be saucy: but YOU Needn't mind-rnl