The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-10-12
TALES OF PLUCK
and ADVENTURE.
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Lost in the Cataconbs.

Henry Hangell, one OF the American
students who were lost FOR twelve
hours in the Catacombs AZ Rome de
scribcs his experience in the New
York Journal as follows: Our tour
Ing company, numbering about eighty
students. descended into the Cata-
combs OF 81. Domitilla on Tuesday
afternoon. The guides carried large
waxen lights. and each OF US was also
supplied with lights.
Not being able 10 circulate all in one
body. we dispersed into various parts
Of the catacombs. My comrade. George
Laughny. and wished 10 see every
thing with closer attention than the
rest of the party. The place inter
ested ms so much that we uncon-
sclously strayed from the other stu
dents, and suddenly discovered our
selves alone. Laughny grasped my
arm and started down a passageway.
eXclaiming. Come on, they will be
reascending 10 the open air"
But | wished 10 remain longer 10
examine an ancient shrine. Finally
We started 10 retrace our steps. but
could not tell which gallery to take.
Selecting one. which seemed the same
we had come by. we walked quickly
along for five minutes. discovered we
were on the wrong track. and tried
10 retrace our steps. We only went
further aStray The situation was get
ting alarming when we came upon a
sort OF chapel from which six gal
lier!es dlvcrged. Which one ought we
10 take? We examined all. puzzled
and confused. Laushny selected one
ana said. This is the way. am sure
if we follow it few hundred yards
we shall come into the open air"
So we plunged along, shouting for
help at the top OF our voices. There
was no response, deadly silence
everywhere. For two hours we wan
dered aimlessly about. our lights
burned low, and | extingushcl mine
SO as 10 have some left when
Laughny's went out. We tried first
one and then another gallery, but on
l.. btttlllt more tOlll NNti.
We returned 10 the chapel, realizing
We were lost. We knew the immcnsity
of the Catacombs. some parts of which
are still uneXplored, and the hopeless
ness Of attempting to eXtricate our
selves. We decided to remain in the
chapel awaiting rescue.
Laughny broke down, and tried TO
encourage him | did not fear, as
felt sure that sooner or later we would
be delivered. | told him IL was mere
ly question of passing the night or
perhaps n day or two before we were
found. My comrade was less opti-
mistic and feared we should die of
starvation.
The chapel had a hole in the center
OF the ceiling through which a sombre
SKY could be discerncd. We tried to
climb the walls and failed. Then we
crouched ourselves together at the side
OF the altar and prayed. Our lights
burned out and left us in darkness.
Happily a faint ray of light came
through the roof.
For hours we remained silent. wait
ing for the long night TO pass. The
stiffness was horrible. At last
thought heard n faint sound far Off.
We raised cries for help at the top Of
our voices and clutched each others
hands and listened lntcntly.
Did you hear anything" l OK
claimed.
Yes, surely" replied Laughny.
For few moments we hardly dared
to breathe, listening for repetition Of
the sound. Then we shouted again.
After a moment n welcome answer
came, and with our voices we guided
our rescuers to the chapel. The min
utes seemed hours. Suddenly the
chapel was flooded with the light OF
blazing torches. II was Professor
Bevignani, with four guides, who had
been searching all night for US.
Quickly they led us out. 1t was four
o'clock in the morning when we
breathed the fresh air again.