The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1895-06-06
IN TOTAL DARKNESS.
lost for Three Days In nn Undcrgroun
InhYrlnih lm Airlcn.

labyrinth In africa. 4
Tho city OF Proioria, capital Of the Trans
vaal, South Africa, is located in most
beautiful spot. IL stands IN valley be-
tween two ranges OF mountains clothed
with rich, dark verdure al the year round,
vines loaded with riponing grapes, monthly
roses and pomcgranates forming blaze OF
bloom amidst tho flood OF sunshine SHIN
mering like golden water Under these
ranges are vast caverns, only
fow OF which have been entered, and these
only partly explored.
These caves arc tho original Haggard's
caves Of the Amahaaga, In which the won
dorful "Shen dwelt and ruled. Right under
this mountain and through these dark
ravines runs clear sparkling river Of wa
ter. The source OF this river, which fur
nishos tho water supply for this city, has
never been discovered. A curious fact IL
that its waters are highest during the dry
season. This points to the theory shat IL Is
fed by rain, and that these rains do not
reach the river until about four or fivo
months after they fall. 4
This river is inhabited by fish and q
strange kind OF crabs aud Holsters, all Of
which have no eyes. This species OF aquatic
animals having been bred In and inhabited
this dark Stygian stream for thousands OF
years, have never had any use for eyes,
and 80, after many generations, that organ
had entirely disappeared from their struct-
uro.
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 tho outer world, writes
correspondent OF the Omaha Bee. MIR.
~ hA A...,
Cape May, thus relates their experience
while in the bowels OF the earth:
"Mr. J. II. Leroy, Of tho Northern Pacific
railway Of the United States of America;
Mr. John Sidney and two ladies', Miss Web
ster and Miss Gootch, and myself started to
explore tho Fountain Cave. Armed with
two lamps and provisions enough for two
meals, we started We got through the
entrance, which is very narrow, with DIM
Guilty. Going few yards we found IL nee
essary 10 light the lamps. Proceeding we
found on each side OF the main passage
numerous sideways and alleys apparently
hewn out OF the solid rock.
Gan around there were evidences Of tho
caves being inhabited by swarms Of bats
which constantly kept flying In our faces.
Pursuing our way for q considerable time,
we came TO spot where the roof OF the
concern, hitherto lofty, slanted down, grad
ually becoming lower and lower until we
were unable TO walk erect. Finally we
came 10 where the floor was on an inclined
plano 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. On tho
right hand narrow passage presented it.
self Just wide enough 10 permit Of our
walking Indian file. The air, hitherto cool
aud braclng, became damp and cold
clammy dew settled on our faces. To tho
sides OF tho passage chung pale shiny
snako-lilSo substance which TO tho touch
produced a shivory sense OF abhorrenco
We began 10 wish ourselves well out Of the
undertaking. However, being In, there
was nothing for II but 10 20 on.
1--WE walked up this passage n distance, 1
should judge, Of three hundred yards, when
wo arrived at an octagonal court, from
which ran eight different passages, tho
four main ones being about width OF fifty
feet, and the four narrow ones about four
feet each. Under our feet could be heard
sound as of tho running of a river and the
violent breaking of water upon rocks. We
could perceive no mode OF descent, and tho
ground under our feet seemed solid.
"Being weary, and tho ladies' somewhat
faint, 1--WE resolved 70 go back, altogether
disappointed with tho result of our oxplora-
ton However, before starting again wo
refreshed ourselves with the victuals we
had brought, and, fortified by a few
draughts Of cape sherry, felt our spirits
rise, and, curiosity as to the carso OF tho
sound under our feet getting the better OF
our judgment, wo began searching for n
way 10 descend, and finally found place
where there were stone step3 at irregular
intervals. =
"Sidney and / descended, leaving Leroy
and tae 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 q
broad platform Of level ground .
"fhe sound Of the water had by this time
increased 10 that Of a roaring torrent, and
on our left we saw the black, inlSy stream
rushing past. We sounded, and found the
river very deep and cold. Passing along
the banks the air became heavier still, and
tho lamp, which had been burning more
foebly, went out altogether Breathing
became very difficult, owing TO the absence
OF oxygen. In this dreadful place and In
total darkness we were stumbling 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 do not
know.
"On awakening, with great effort we
aroused ourselves, and finally hit on pas
sage, which we followed. As we went tho
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, pestilen-
| tial air.
"we CROPPED about for hours from one
passage 10 another amidst silence deep
and dreadful. The sound OF our voices ap-
peared 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 eXertlon, anxiety
and want OF food, we sank down In despair
| giving ourselves up for lost After time
| however, we determined 20 make another
effort for life. We found that the LAM
would now keep lighted This gave vi
| fresh hope and enabled us 10 see our wal
about. We made better progress alony
the darlKsome passage and soon were over
| joyed at seeing my faithful Newfoundland
dog jumping and bounding toward us. w,
knew wo were saved. Following the dog
which seemed TO have a correct view Of To-
situation, We soon discovered a streak o
light at the entrance 10 the cave. Tb
spirit OF enterprise being damped by thI e
days spent in the tombs, we resolved IN on
minds not lightly 10 make another attem ?
Of the kind