Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-03-09
CHAPTER XII.
FAILED FOR THE PRESENT.

FAILED FOR THE PRESENT.
Next day, for, as think 1 have re-
marked, l observed the seasons of day
and night, made another and moro de-
termined exploration of the seals tun-
mel. l got into my first blowhole with
out difficulty, though at the cost of
bad cut on my right ankle, which panied
me good deal and which no doubt
bled profusely. Arrived here, | felt
about for the ledge on which had stood
the day before. The tide was higher
now and the ledge covered with water,
SO l clambered to it with greater ease.
l first made fast my INV and the stick
on which it was wound to a projection
of the rock, and afterward moving along
the ledge felt about in the dark With
my hands. The tide was not yet at its
lowest, nor would it be for some time.
and of course my efforts to thread the
continuation of the tunnel would be best
undertaken with the water at its lowest
ebb for the reasons that have already
mentioned. In the meantime 1 desired
to explore the cave as we'll as l could.
1t was just possible that the continual
ton of the tunnel might be at this point
overland OF rather overlook. At all
events l determined to utilize the time
at my disposal by cropping about the
cave. Presently found my right hand
going round corner of rock, and stretch
ing it out and away from my body, but
still in forward direction, found moth
ing there but empty space. Scrambling
into this empty space, l was soon salts
fled that was either in the continuation
of Jes hot hn
provided in this place with a pocket of
unknown dimensions. Though keenly
bent upon exploration. 1 determined not
to travel beyond the sound of the water
lest l should lose my way in the dark
ness. The day after l slid down from
Curry's Window l had had in the great
cavern a horrible experience of that
kind which was a lesson to iNe. The
sound of the water, however, reached
great way here, owing to the rever
beration of the hollow roof. To any
one else, no doubt, the huge, sucking
noises, as of some great monster drink
ing, and the sullen dismal echoes of the
fux and rehux of the water, would have
been very horrible and impressive. But
was now too steeled to suffering and
view of those noises. kept to that side
of the pocket by which had first enter
ed 1t and penetrated some 20 yards with
out coming to the end or meeting with
anything more noteworthy than dry sea-
weed and a good deal of rotten drift
timber. Il know where to get fuel" l
said to myself, should my storehouse
in the big cavern ever give out" All
this time I kept listening for the flop
ping sound which my seals would make
If this were their avenue to the sea.
Hearing nothing of the kind, my hope
that this might be the tunnel subsidized.
Nevertheless determined on some fu-
ture occasion to explore this pocket or
whatever it might be more thoroughly.
Returning to its entrance, I slid into the
water, taking my clew with me, swan
to the point where, on the occasion of
my last visit, seemed to have found
the continuation of the tunnel, and
Owed. / went straight down, but in
front of me and on my left hand found
nothing but rock; then, turning to the
right, discovered what seemed to be the
tunnel, certainly some opening of con-
| siderable dimensions. At this moment
something soft, yet solid and seemingly
alive pushed against my breast and
throat. l was so frightened that In my
terror dropped the clew and sucked in
aquantity of water. Recovering my self
control, l got to the surface as quickly
as could. Fortunately was only at
the mouth of the tunnel. Had been in
'he interior when this happened I wouM