The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-07
THREE DAYS IN A TOMB.
LOST IN AN AFRICAN UNDER
GROUND LABYRINTH
A Strange Story OF the Adventure of

A Strange Story OF the Adventure OF
Two Ladies' and Three Gentlemen,
Who Lost Their Way in Haggard's
Caves OF the Amahaaga.
From the Omaha Bee.
The city of Pretoria, capital OF the Trans
vaal, South Africa, is located In a most
beautiful spot. 1t stands in valley be-
tween two ranges OF mountains clothed
with rich. dark verdure all the year round.
Vines loaded with ripening grapes :,
monthly roses and pomegranates forming a
blaze of bloom amid the flood of sunshine
shimmering like golden water water. Under
these mountain ranges are vast caverns,
only few of which have been entered, and
these only partly explored.
These caves are the original Haggards
caves OF the Amahaaga, in which the won
derful She dwelt aud ruled. Right under
this mountain and through these dark cav
ems runs a clear, sparkling river Of ARater
Some friends OF mine. two ladies and
three gentlemen, went on an exploring ex-
| petition through this cavern, got lost in its
maze and were three days before they found
their way back to the outer world Mr.
Saunders of the American consulate at Cape
May thus relates their experience while in
the bowels of the earth:
~. H. Leroy of the Northern Pacific rail-
way Of the United States of America; John
| Sidney and two ladies'. Miss Webster and
Miss Gootch, and myself started to explore
the Fountain Cave. Armed with two lamps
and provisions enough for two meals we
started.
1--WE got through the entrance, which is
very narrow. with difficulty. Going few
wards, we found it necessary to light the
lamp. Proceeding. we found on each side
Of the main passage numerous sideways and
alleys, apparently hewn out of the solid
rock.
"All around there were evidences of the
caves being inhabitated by swarms of bats,
which constantly kept flying in our faces,
| Pursuing our way for considerable time
we came to a spot where the roof of the
concern, hitherto lofty, slanted down,
| gradually becoming lower and lower until
we were unable to walk erect
| FINALLY we came to where the floor was
on an inclined plane and got more head
room. We then descended a steep hill, at
the foot OF which was dead wall which
completely barred further progress in that
| direction
ION the right hand 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 cold,
clammy dew settled on our faces
| ~ bhO oANSH VI Juc pdSSttS6 CHUNG a DAle,
Shiny. snake like substance, which 60 the
touch produced a shivery sense of abhor-
ence. We began to wish ourselves well out
| Of the undertaking. However, being in.
there was nothing for it but to go on.
| I'VE walked up this passage a distance, l
should judge, of 300 yards, when we arrived
at an ocsagonal court, from which ran eight
different passages, the four main ones be-
ing about a width of fifty feet, and the four
narrow ones about four feet each.
| Under our feet could be heard a sound
as or the running OF river and the violent
breaking OF water upon rocks. We could
perceive no mode of descent, and the ground
under our feet seemed solid.
| being weary, and the ladies somewhat
faint, we resolved to 60 back altogether
disappointed with the results of our ex-
ploratlon. However, before starting again
! we refreshed ourselves with the victualg We
had brought, and. fortified by few
draughts OF cape sherry, felt our spirits rise,
and, curiosity as to the cause of the sound
under our feet getting the better OF our
| judgment, we began searching for a way 60
descend and finally found a place where
there were stone steps at irregular intervals.
| Sidney and descended, leaving Leroy
and the ladies above. We followed these
steps for about fifty feet. The descent was
very difficult. The light Of the lantern
grew feeble. However, we arrived on a
/ DIOdQ pldkLOIuu Vi l6N6l RrOulQ.
THE sound of the water had by this time
decreased to that Of a roaring torrent. and
on our left we saw the black, inky stream
rushing past. We sounded and found the
river very deep and cold.
| Passing along the banks, the air became
| heavier still. and the lamp which had been
burning more feebly, went out altogether.
| Breathing became very difficult. owing tn
the absence Of oxygen.
| I'm this dreadful Dlaca and in kofaI dorl-
| ness, we were stumbling about trying to
tnd the steps by which to return for hours.
| until becoming quite weary we sat down
and fell into torpid heavy sleep. How
| long we remained in thia state 1 do not
| know.
ION awakening with a great effort we
| aroused ourselves, and finally hit on a pas
sage, which was followed. As we went the
noise of the waters became less audible.
| and finally we lost the sound altogether
| Still there was no ray of light; nothing but
thick darkness and noisome, pestilential
| air.
I'VE CROPPED about for hours from one
passage to another amid silence deep and
| dreadful The sound Of our voices appeared
unnaturally loud. and echoing through the
vaults gave the impression that the place
| was haunted by countless demons. who
were mocking our distress.
quite exhausted by exertion, anxiety
and want of food, we sank down in despair,
giving ourselves up for lost After time.
however, we determined to make another
effort for life.
| I'VE found that the lamp would now keep
lighted. This gave us fresh hope aud en-
abled us to see our way about. We made
better progress along the darkJome passage,
and soon were overjoyed at seeing my faith
iul Newfoundland dog jumping and bound
| ing toward us.
| I'VE now knew we were saved. Following
the dog, which seemed TO have q correct
view OF the situation, we soon discovered a
streak OF light at the entrance to the cave,
The spirit of enterprise being damped by
three days spent in the tomb, we resolved
in our minds not lightly to make another
attempt Of the kind"
What He Took Il For,