The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-15

this purpose. We arst v!sited Dlamsad
Cave, two miles from Bells Tavern. Ne
mouth Ii located IN a. open, cultivated
field, in a depression Of tie ground that
cannot be noticed until you stand upen
its edge. We let ourselves down Oh Q
sort Of ladder about II feet like going
into a well. A few steps Down q steep
incline landed us In q lsns, irregular
chamber. about 500 feet in extent. The
scene that burst upon Us surpassed the
picture in our minds Of Ailadin's Gave.
The light Of our torches YVES reflected
from top and sides, apparently from Ia
Vulnerable diamonds. Stalacttes hung
pendant from the ceiling in various stages
of formation, congealing slowly from the
water trickling over them. A few reached
the floor, forming stone columns. At the
| farthest end was a clear, running stream,
issuing from ono side and disappearing
in the other. 1t contained many small
fish without eyes, the darkness rendering
these organs unnecessary. We made but
short stay in this beautiful cave, as our
time was limited for visiting the great
Mammoth Cave.
A rapid walk Of seven miles brought
us to the mouth of the Cave, just in time
to Join party OF so officers about to
enter under charge, of guide. 1t was
steep leading down to the threshold Of
the Cave, which yawned high above our
heads, an irregular arch Of solid rock.
We stopped in the dim light, just inside,
to light candles provided by the guide,
one for each man to carry In his hand.
The first objects to attract our attentios
were furniture from tho hotel strewn
about in confusion. A party Of Confed-
crate soldiers had brought these articles
and quartered themselves In the Cave.
but departed In great haste when our ad-
vance reached Bells Tavern. Here, also,
in the twilight, where the Gave was very
wide and high, were several cabins, oc-
cupied, at various times, by consump-
tives, who hoped to prolong life in its
unvarying temperature.
As we moved on our guide next called
attention to myriaGS Of bats, clinging In
layers to the sides and roof, and warned
US not to disturb them, else they might
fly about in confusion, knock US down
and extinguish our lights. We soon passed
their haunt, which was near the dividing
line of light from without and darkness
within. We followed the main passage
nearly two miles into .ae depths Of the
earth, widening in places to the capacity
of theater, again contracting until
scarcely large enough for Us to crawl
through on hands and feet. 1t led US
up, now down, now right, now left. Open
ngs appeared in the sides at every few
steps, the entrances to numerous side
passages, many too dangerous to be eI-
plored. At one of these openings, a small
one, the guide halted and allowed two of
US at time to squeeze in and stand on
a narrow ledge of rock overhanging the
Bottomless Pit, so called because no NOR
tai has explored its depths. A fragment
of rock dropped in can be heard rebound
ing from the sides until the echo is too
faint to be distinguished, indicating that
it continues its flight beyond hearing, how
far no one knows.
Other side passages conducted US 20
Rodman's Dome, Star Chamber, Gothic
Chapel, Rotunda, Giants Coffin, and Ma
poleon's Breastworks, names suggestive
of the various cavities and masses of rock
ilumined by torches. Two miles from
the mouth, a stream flows across the
Cave, called the River Styx. In low
water it can be crossed in boat, but
when il is high, as we found it, there Is
not space for the passage between the
surface of the water and the roof of the
Cave. 1t rises and falls in sympathy with
Green River, with which it is connected
by some mysterious passage.
Leaving the River Styx, we returned
TO the mouth of the Cave and emerged
into the sunlight again, having traversed
now found We had no time to lose, and
Immediately started on our return to
camp, but stopping within half mile Mt
a small farmhouse to get drink Of
water. A stout fellow came to the door
in answer to our summons, with a baby
in his arms, and we had short CONVEX
sation with him while his wife provided
US with water.
We remarked: "You must have been in |
the Cave very oftenW "Oh, no." he re-
piled; II often pass the mouth OF the |
Cave looking for my cows. but it always
looks so dark j never care to 20 in" He
had been born, raised and married within
n mil M n
inside.
We hurried toward camp, as we had |
nearly nine miles to walk before sunset |
to reach it, when our passes would ex-
pire, leaving US outside the line OF guards
without the countersign, and liable to be
mistaken for enemies, IL we approached
after nightfall. We found presently that
we could not accomplish the task in time
by the main road, and determined to save
time by q cut across the country. Dark
ness overlook us in the woods, and we
realized that we had lost our way. There
was no moon, and the stars were obscured
by dark clouds, that threatened rain. We
stumbled along as best we could until we
caught sight of glimmer of light. toward
which we CROPPED our way, that led us into
n field of briars and sorry time we had
trying, in vain, to avoid what we could
not see, but felt only too plainly, rasping
our hands and faces. Working our way
NlInln ldlHIP distance Oh the mousse WnPre
the light appeared, our calls brought rhe
farmer to the door, with candle in his
hand, and startled look on his face, as
he saw dark forms struggling toward him
through the briars apparently to sur
round his citadel. He quickly came to
our aid, and eagerly directed MS how to
move on, evidently considering us unde-
sirable guests.
Under his guidance we found the main
road. and, attempting no more short cuts,
we hurried toward camp as fast as our
tired limbs would permit. We reached
our lines and, fortunately, were allowed
10 pass in without detention to our quar-
ters.
(To be continued)
Start a pyramid" this ueek For
'TDidndtion read d" HON TO act 600