The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-10

EHtOmbGd for Three Days in a Cave
Near TranSVaal, Africa.
Lost in the Domain of Amahaaga, in Which
She Who Must Be 0beyed," the Heroine
Of Rider Haggard's Novel, Reigned.

The city Of Pretoria, capital of the Trans
vaal, South Afrc,, is located in a most
beautiful spot. 1t stands in valley between
two ranges Of mountains clothed with rich,
dark yerdure all the year round.
Vines loaded with ripening grapes, month
ly roses and pOmegranates forming blaze
Of bloom amid tie food of sunshine SHIN
merlng like golden water. Under these
mountain ranges are vast cayerns, only
few of which have been entered. and these
only partly explored.
These caves are the original Haggard's
caves Of the Amahaaga, in which the won
deriul She dwelt and ruled. Right under
this mountain and through these dark cav
ern5 runs a clear. sparkling river of water
The source of this river, which furnishes
the water supply for this city, has never
been discovered. A curious fact is that its
waters are highest during the dry season.
This points to the theory that it is fed by
rains and that these rains do not reach the
river till about four or 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 aqua
tic animals have been bred in and inhabited
this dark Stygian stream for thousands OF
years, have never had any use for eyes, and
so after many generations that organ has
entirely disappeared from their structure.
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 to the outer
world. Mr.. Saunders of the American
Consulate at Cape May thus relates their
experience while
IN THE BOWELS OF THE EARTH.
Mr.. J. II. Leroy of the Northern Pa
clhc Railway Of the United States OF Amer
j a, Mr. John Sydney and TWO ladies, Miss
Webster and Miss GOotch, and myself
stated to explore the Fountain cave. Armed
with two lamps and provisions enough for
two meals, we started.
We got through the entrance, which is
very narrow, with difficulty. Going a few
yards, We found it necessary to light the
lamps. Proceeding, we found on each side
Of the main passage numerous sideways
and alleys, apparently hewn out OF the solid
rock.
IAN around there were evidences of the
caves being inhabited by swarms Of bats
winch constantly kept flying in ouC faces.
Pursuing our way for considerable time
we came 10 "a spot where the roof Of the con-
Germ, hitherto lofty. santed down, gradu-
ally becoming lower and lower until we
were unable TO walk erect.
Finally we came to where the floor was
on All inclined plane, and got more head
room. We then descended a steep bill, at
the foot Of which was dead wall which
completely barred further progress IN that
direction.
"On the right hand a narrow passage pre-
Sentcd itself just wide enough 20 permit of
our walking Indian file. The air hitherto
cool ana bracing, became damp, and cold
clammy dew settled on our faces.
40 the sides Of the passage clung pale,
Shiny, snake-like substance which tn the
touch produced 4 shiverv sense of abhOr-
renee 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,
should judge, Of 800 yards, when We arrived
ut an uctagOnal court, from which ran eight
different passages. the four main ones being
about width Of fifty feet, and the four
narrow ones about four fee. each.
Under our feet could be heard Il sound
as OF the running 2fa river and the violent
brCabing OF the water upon the rocks. We
could perceive no mode OF descent, and the
ground ander our feet seemed solid.
Being weary, ana the ladies sOmeU hat
faint, we resolved to 60 back. altogether
disappointed win the result OF our eXplOra-
ton. However, before starting again we re-
freshed ourselves with the vlctudls we had
brought, and. fortified by few draughls Of
Cape sherry, felt our spirits rise, and, Gu
r0sity as the cause Of the sound under our
feet getting the better Of our Judgment, we
began searching for a way to descend, and
finally found a place where there were stone
steps al 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 very feeble. However, we arrived on
a broad MA farm n laval grpunh
The sound OF the water had by this time
increased to that Of a roaring torrent aud
on our let 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, ana the lamp, which had been
burning more ieebly, went out altogether.
Breathing became very difficult owing to
THE ABSENCE OF OXYGEN.
''In this dreadful place and in total dark
ness we were stun bling about trying to
find 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 this state l do not
know.
ION awakening. with a great effort we
aroused ourselves and finally hit on a pas
sage which we 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 bat thick
darkness and a nOisOme. peStilential air
We CROPPED about for hours from one
passage 10 another amid silence deep and
dreadful. The sound of our voices appeared
uunaturally loud, and echoing through the
vaults gave the impression that the place
was haunted by countless demons who were
knocking our distress.
"Quite exhausted by eXertOn, anxiety and
want Of fOOd, We sank down in despair, Civ
ing ourselves up for lest. After "a 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 and en-
abet us H. see our way about We made
better progress along the darksOme passage
and soon We're overjoyed at seeing my faith
full Newfoundland dog jumping and bound
ing toward US
I'VE now knew we were saved. Follow
ing the dog, which seemed to nave correct
view of the situation, we soon discovered
streak of light at the entrance to the cave.
The spirit Of enterprise being damped by
three days spent in the tOmbs, we resolved
in our minds not lightly to make another at
tempt OF this nd."-From letter to the
Omaha Bee.