The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-18

ana their widespread membFauous wings
slowed the crimson tracery of the veins as
they stretched themselves into transparency
against the dark walls. on which they
chung after reaching the light, and instead
OF the black, beady eyes of their dark COM
like rubies
After an hour of anxiety we heard the
low rumble that we recognized as the last
sound we had heard from the explorers.
Our hearts leaped gladly, and we shouted
our exulUation. For we had become really
alarmed at their long absence in that dark
hole that appeared like the mouth of hell. ="
In a few minutes the lights began to reflect
In the water. Then our friends came
hurriedly in sight from around the jutting
point and they made rush for the snore.
We Immediately stood ready with ak and
hatchet and pistol to ward Off some terrible
monster that we thought was pursuing
them. But they soon quoted US on that
score and told us between spasms of chatter
Ing teeth and shiverings of bodily ague that
they we're nearly frozen.
I'VE had to swim a large part of the
time" chartered DR.. Barnitz, and every
one of them was blue around the lips and
! shaking IN every muscle. They had gone
| over mile in that icy air and water.
They reported most gorgeous ceilings and
vaults, and glittering domes and resplendent
arches, but found no place to walk, except
here and there where the river dipped to
one side Of the cave. Ard they had seen
many fish OF large size with no sign of
eyes, but on account of the GOODNESS of the
warer and the air they had to hurry back.
We will have two boats made especially
TO navigate the river and take a locomotive
light and e up until we find the end of it,
1t will, without doubt, prove to be one Of
the greatest geological discoveries of recent
times. We will take compass, note its
variations and make a map of the rivers
course.
About 200 feet south of the mouth of the
cave the lost river gushes out. The hill
sheers away for the base upward at an angle
OF forty-iive degrees, thus hanging over the
valley more than $50 feet. All along the
sides Is a rich growth of maiden-hair fern
with its jet-black stems like raven tresses.
At the foot of the bluff, along the sides of
the hill, by the margin of the pool
formed by the river as it comes to
view and along the stream as it breaks over
the top and rushes on to the GUADALUPE,
are luxurious fan and palm-leaf ferns with
prolific growths of feather ferns and beau-
tiful semi-tropical flowers and shrubbery.
A huge mass Of rock has segregated itself
from the hill and lies just beneath, and
seems great table and resting place. 1t is
a spot of beauty and GOODNESS and freshness,
and we enjoyed it to the full as we ate our
late dinner on that rock, surrounded by a
rich bank of tropical plants with ice-cold
water flowing around US and In reach as we
dipped it up to wash down well-earned dim
ner.
Before the war the cave was used by
those who hid out" from the conscript
officers. They thus escaped going 10 the
war-and are now distinguished generals
and colonies. 1t is needless to say they
never explored the cave very far. They did
not care for it; did not feel like it. Tho,t
XII nd OF generals never do. But we will il
a few days.