The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1900-05-29

Provisions, lights and aims we're pro-
vided and at 6 a. m. we entered the
cave. Without mishap we reached
the place where Ben had fled and
found that the passage WAS stopped
by large stone set in the passway.
Judge Caudel soon found that it was
locked with secret spring and in q
few minutes had swung the stone
out Of place. After we had tern the
stone loose we proceeded along the
passage, each man eager to be behind.
We plodded along for some few rods
when we come upon the source of the
music that had frightened Ben. The
passage widened and In the censer of
a large room fountain of water play
ed, and by an ingenious arrangement
the water PLAYED alternately on set
of chimes and produced melody Of
sound. This was evidence enough
that we were in the land OF strange
people and six shsky hands sought
the butts of revolvers. Had there
been 8 proposition to return l believe
it would have carried unanimously.
Henry Gose led the way and we start
ed along the passage that was to lead
us into the most thrilling experience
of our lives. The passages now led
off on every hand, and on every side
evidence of human occupancy appear
ed. Il noise at our feet caused John
Ponder and Robt Hovermsle to dis
charge their pistols simultaneously,
and we found that they had killed a
small animal somewhat larger than
cat, but nearly similar to our hog.
1t was evidently full grown. We
held hurried council aud found that
it was 3 p. m. We ate hearty lunch
and proceeded, Gose, as usual in the
lead. We were now about nine miles
from the entrance and in the distance
we beheld light. Our fears now re.
turned and Ben Williams insisted that
We were entering the rendezvous of
the moonshihers who have recently
troubled us so much. His poetical
and experienced eye detected the fit
ness of the place for the business.
Caudel's Irish blood was up and, he
declared he would solve the mystery
or die in the attempt. All along we no.
ticed the absence of the stAlsgmites
and stalactites so common in limestone
caves, and could attribute this
fact only to their removal by the in-
hsbitants of this wonderful region.
After following the lights for some
four or five miles we noticed that the
walls of the passage were rapidly re-
ceding, and at last we emerged into a
room several thousand acres in extent.
This room was brilliantly lighted by
what seemed to be a network of wires
overhead, along which flame seem
ed continually PLAYING. The top of
this great room was arched, and only
at the sides were supporting pillars.
We stood spell-bound-before us was
spread a panorama that inspired us
with awe and wonder; about over the
floor were bubbling fountains and
from them minute canals spread out
criss-crossing the.earth throughout the
limit of our vision. In the plats of
'ground between, many hued vegeta-
zion abounded, though nothing green
vas seen. Shrubbery and vines Gov.
Eed the ground, the predominating
elor being yellow. After we had
Efficiently cslmed cur nerves we be-
: an to investigate. A small shrub
n unlike the banana plant was cover
ewith bsnana-like fruit, and when
ohed yielded substance that look
ednd tasted like honey. A vine
yided melon filed with milk.
Amber small vine or shrub bore a
3 fruilike weed. Birds and fowls
wei in profusion. We noticed that
the ountaius aud all the artificial
= wor was made of a metal that
reseped gold in everything, sa G
, that was transparent. About half
: way hrough this wonderful garden
spot +, noticed that on the other side
was village. The houses, as were
everyIng else, were constructed of
this tAsparent gold. Caudel, Gose,
Pondeand Bob Hovermale at once
. | sfartenfOm ward fho xri1lIaoo D.