The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1906-11-23

the roof.
At length the passage widened and
the roof became higher, go that could
stand erect, and consequently get
along faster. 1t was always uphill.
The floor was series of terraces, in
places several feet apart, but always
easily climbed by aid of the jagged
stones.
After making my way from one of
these terraces to the next higher by
feeling my way over q path more diff.
cult than usual, became family
aware of peculiar sensation. could
see? Yes. there was actually a faint
glimmer of light dlscernible by no
eyes save OF one who had been in total
darkness for long time.
l still had TO feel my way, for while
the delicate organism Of eyes felt the
sensation Of light it was not enough
to guide NY footsteps. However, the
light was steadily growing brighter. l
was going toward it! After passing
up slight incline, I could see the
floor OF the cavern and far ahead
small spot of light was discernable.
[ shouted with joy. 1 half ran TO-
ward my beacon light, which gradu-
ally grew larger. Now, l was behold
the beautiful light of day and was
breathing the pure air; for l stood at
the bottom Of q jagged opening, which
| instantly recognized as one of the
pits on Blackburn's Bluff.
gaz"d upward and fairly drank in
the pure air and sunshine. A little
bird p-rched on limb high above
twittered gaily and seemed to be sing.
ing to me song OF good cheer. /
was elated at once more coming into
the light, but my hopes sank IS 1 rea.
lized the utter improbability Of any
one coming to my rescue in this rc-
mote place before night; and after
dark l stood in deadly peril from the
beasts that made their dens in the
cave.
The slanting rays of the sun told
me it was late in the afternoon. II
I planned escape l must work quick.
ly. carefully examined my prison.
could scale the wall almost to the
top. Here an overhanging rock would
stop further progress. However,
growing out from the base of this rock
was stunted pinoak, while from the
branches of large elm which stood
on the verge above huge grapevine
dansled within four feet of the stunt
ed pinoak. II l could only climb out
on the pinoak and from there jump the
intervening four feet and catch the
grapevine! Was the grapevine dead
and rotten? Or would | miss it and
be dashed to pieces on the rocks be.
low?
Laying aside my natural t;midity,
| resolved to use every means of
escape, and forthwith began the as
cent. [ had some difficulty in making
my way to the stunted oak, but pull
ing myself up by the scant bushy
growth along the face of the cliff l
soon found myself balanced on the
horizontal trunk ready to make my
spring into space for the friendly
grapevine.
Only four or five feet to safety! 1t
was a supreme momentl Life itself
depended on the success Of this leap
ln'o spac' Ncrving myself for the
final effort jumpedl l caught at the
vine; it slipped through my hands for
an instant, bu: the grasp of despera
tion held it. Slowly pulling myself
up hand over hand, I soon reached a
firmer hold IN the branches of the elm
and thence to the ground.
The sun had set when l at last set
foot on the surface of this dear old
planet, and the familiar sounds of the
early twilight greeted my ears, and,
OBJ, such music! In few minutes
was at home, having travelled three
quarters of a mile underground and
that in total darkness. Searching
parties were out after me, but strang,
ly enough, no one had been TO tb,
"hog wallow" land.
A later visit revealed only sunken
place ten feet across and some six feet
deep to mark the spot where | fell in
to the cave. Years later a party OF
adventures fully explored the cave
and found a labyrinth of passages. By
the merest accident | had taken the
one leading out. Amy of the others
would have taken me miles through
winding passages, beset with chasms
deep and dangerous.
The clasa was ha vino lpasona in moi