,,hovey',s ,,h&-,,book ,,( ,! ,mammo? ,cave ,,( ,,k5tucky ,a ,,practical ,,guide ,,to ,,! ,,regulation ,,r\tes ,) ,maps & ,illu/rations ,,by ,,horace ,,c>t] ,,hovey1 ,d4,d4 ,f4 ,g4 ,s4 ,a4 ,copyright1 #aiji1 by ,john ,p4 ,morton ,company1 ,incorporat$ ,l\isville1 ,k5tucky ,,john ,p4 ,,morton ,,company ,incorporat$ #aiji ,illu/ration3 ,,guide ,,map ,,( ,,! ,,mammo? ,,cave ,,k5tucky ,drawn by ,horace ,c4 ,hovey #aiji 7,f =m] surveys1 ) rec5t additions7 ,copyright #aijg #aiji by ,horace ,c4 ,hovey ,,table ,,( ,,approximate ,,di/ances ,to ! ,k5tucky ,cliffs ab\t #chj yds4 ,/&+ ,rocks #fdg ,giant's ,c(f9 #hge ,/> ,*amb] #aejj ,ultima ,?ule #dbjj ,limitation ,hill #ahdj ,angelica's ,grotto #aieg ,mammo? ,dome #ahgj ,e*o ,riv] 7,a7 #bcbj ,end ( ,e*o ,riv] 7e/47 #cjjj ,jessup ,domes #dbjj ,m>y's ,v9ey>d #fjjj ,hovey's ,ca!dral 7e/47 #ibjj ,mael/rom #ifjj ,,note3--,no in/rum5tal survey ( ! :ole cave has ev] be5 made1 & no exact scale c be giv54 ,! above are "s ( ! di/ances z pac$ along ! av5ues4 ,domes1 halls & pits are relatively enl>g$2 & riv]s & pools are black5$4 ,! data = ?is new ,guide map is f ! e>li] maps ( ,bog]t 7#ahad71 ,w>d 7#ahaf71 ,lee 7#ahce71 ,bi%op 7#ahde71 ,blackall 7#ahag-pub4 #ahii71 ,=wood 7#ahge71 ,hovey 7#ahhg7 & ,call 7#ahig71 & f writt5 & oral in=mation by manag]s & guides1 modifi$ & greatly add$ to by ! au?or's own obs]vations dur+ ! pa/ tw5ty-sev5 ye>s4 ,,note ,no4 #b3--;,9 ! ye> #aije ,max ,kaemp]1 a ,g]man ,eng9e]1 0 employ$ to make a complete survey exclusively = ! use ( ! own]s4 ,"s ( 8 sugge/ions are embodi$ 9 ?is map ( #aiji1 & o!rs 9 ! sep>ate *>ts = ! sev]al r\tes4 ,,key ,,to ,,! ,,map #a4 ,! ,iron ,gate #b4 ,hut*9s' ,n>r[s #c4 ,k5tucky ,cliffs & ! ,corkscrew #d4 ,! ,*ur* #e4 ,boo?'s ,amphi!atre #f4 ,/&+ ,rocks #g4 ,gr& ,ar* #h4 ,giant's ,c(f9 & ,dante's ,gateway #i4 ,acute ,angle & ,cottages #aj4 ,proctor's ,arcade #aa4 ,wright's ,rotunda #ab4 ,! ,cat>acts #ac4 ,fairy ,grotto #ad4 ,/4 ,ca!r9e ,city #ae4 ,symmes' ,pit #af4 ,mummy's ,ni*e #ag4 ,regi/] ,hall #ah4 ,! ,bridal ,alt> #ai4 ,! ,arm ,*air #bj4 ,lov]'s ,leap #ba4 ,elb[ ,crevice #bb4 ,napoleon's ,dome #bc4 ,wilson's ,way #bd4 ,lake ,purity #be4 ,annette ,dome #bf4 ,lee's ,ci/]ns #bg4 ,wood5 ,b[l ,room #bh4 ,! ,lo/ ,way ,f\nd #bi4 ,way to ,pits & ,domes #cj4 ,side-,saddle ,pit #ca4 ,bottomless ,pit #cb4 ,cov]$ ,pit #cc4 ,scylla #cd4 ,*>ybdis #ce4 ,putnam's ,cab9et #cf4 ,d>nall's ,way #cg4 ,ariadne's ,grotto #ch4 ,%ort ,cut f ,bottomless ,pit to ,gor9's ,dome #ci4 ,revell]'s ,hall #dj4 ,gr& ,cross+ #da4 ,p9eapple ,bu% #db4 ,angelica's ,grotto #dc4 ,scot*man's ,trap #dd4 ,fat ,man's ,mis]y #de4 ,b&it ,hall #df4 ,brigg's ,av5ue #dg4 ,*>let's ,dome #dh4 ,wyatt's ,domes #di4 ,balanc$ ,rock #ej4 ,! ,dead ,sea #ea4 ,*>on's ,cascade ,d4 ,jan9's ,l&+ #eb4 ,cascade ,hall #ec4 ,s]p5t ,hall #ed4 ,valley-,way ,side-,cut #ee4 ,! ,great ,we/]n #ef4 ,vale ( ,fl[]s #eg4 ,! ,jessup ,domes #eh4 ,ole ,bull's ,conc]t ,hall #ei4 ,fly ,*amb] #fj4 ,%eep ,%elt] #fa4 ,cor9ne's ,dome #fb4 ,black ,hole ( ,calcutta #fc4 ,p>ri%'s ,pa? #fd4 ,crypt ( ,jewels #fe4 ,wa%+ton ,hall #ff4 ,sn[ ,ball ,room #fg4 ,floral ,cross #fh4 ,orpha's ,g>d5 #fi4 ,wisdom's ,pa? #gj4 ,p>adise #ga4 ,zoe's ,grotto #gb4 ,flora's ,g>d5 #gc4 ,vale ( ,diamonds #gd4 ,hel5's ,hall #ge4 ,*>lotte's ,grotto #gf4 ,s]5a's ,arbor #gg4 ,dismal ,holl[ #gh4 ,cl>k's ,av5ue #gi4 ,h>lan's ,av5ue #hj4 ,ni*olson's ,av5ue #ha4 ,boone ,av5ue #hb4 ,p9son's ,pass #hc4 ,hawk9s' ,way #hd4 ,violet ,city ,illu/ration3 ,fairy ,grotto ,,preface ,a ,p]sonal ,^w4 ,i imbib$ an e>ly ta/e = ! sci5ces f my fa!r1 ! late ,pr(essor ,edmund ,otis ,hovey1 ,d4 ,d41 "o ( ! f\nd]s ( ,waba% ,college1 & a pione] geologi/ 9 ,indiana4 ,my annual vacations1 dur+ a busy pr(essional c>e] spann+ ov] fifty ye>s1 h l>gely be5 giv5 to und]gr\nd explorations4 ,:5 fifte5 ye>s old ,i began cave-hunt+ amid ! *>m+ grottoes ne> ,madison1 ,indiana4 ,an en?usia/ic comrade1 six ye>s my s5ior1 !n propos$ t we visit ! ,mammo? ,cave4 ,= c]ta9 reasons1 :ile he w5t on1 ,i got no f>!r at t "t ?an ,l\isville2 :]e1 h[ev]1 ,i b\ght1 at ! book/ore ( ,morton & ,griswold1 a copy ( 8,rambles 9 ! ,mammo? ,cave1 by a ,visitor40 ,x 0 j out4 ,x fir$ my boyi% imag9ation1 & x gave %ape to mu* ( my aft] life4 ,m ?an f\r hundr$ books1 pamphlets1 sci5tific reports1 & magaz9e articles h be5 publi%$ by diff]5t writ]s1 besides innum]able newspap] contributions1 ab\t ,k5tucky's great cav]n4 ,copies ( mo/ ( ^! are 9 ! au?or's libr>y4 ,yet !re is a dem&1 & !re seems to be room1 = su* a practical1 cond5s$1 & up-to-date h&-book z is n[ (f]$4 ,x does n claim to tell all t might be told2 & x omits mu* mat]ial t might int]e/ ! hi/orian or ! sci5ti/4 ,its design is to aid ! av]age visitor z he foll[s ! f\r regulation r\tes by :i* ! ,cave is ord9>ily exhibit$4 ,^? :o covet m abundant in=mation z to places n (t5 visit$1 or conc]n+ ! cav]n fauna & flora1 or z to details ( local hi/ory1 or z to ,mammo? ,cave bibliography1 are ref]r$ to ! l>g] ,illu/rat$ ,manual ( ,mammo? ,cave1 by ,hovey & ,call1 publi%$ by ,john ,p4 ,morton & ,company1 & = sale at ! ,cave4 ,my /ill m compreh5sive "w on 8,celebrat$ ,am]ican ,cav]ns10 n[ out ( pr9t1 may be f\nd on ! %elves ( mo/ public libr>ies4 ,! revis$ ,guide ,map 7#aijg & #aiji7 9 ?is volume1 & = sale 7on a l>g] scale7 at ! ,cave hotel1 0 made by me f an orig9al p>tial survey1 e>li] *>ts be+ consult$1 especially ^? by ,/eph5 ,bi%op & ,dr4 ,c4 ,r4 ,blackall1 ) a few corrections & additions sugge/$ by ,mr4 ,max ,kaemp]1 to :om ?anks are also due = important facts conc]n+ 8 discov]ies 9 #aijh4 ,! r\te-sket*es f\nd 9 ?is h&-book 7 r$rawn f ^? made by him4 ,ackn[l$gm5ts are likewise due to my son1 ,dr4 ,e4 ,o4 ,hovey1 ( ,new ,york ,city2 to my =m] comrade 9 cave-hunt+1 ,dr4 ,r4 ,ellswor? ,call2 to ,b5j4 ,f4 ,e9bigl]1 ,norman ,a4 ,p>ri%1 & o!rs1 = valuable correspond5ce & memor&a2 to ! late ,mr4 ,b5 ,ha9s & ,mr4 ,h4 ,m4 ,p9son1 photograph]s2 to ,mr4 ,h4 ,c4 ,gant] = use ( copyright$ cuts2 to ! (ficials ( ! ,l\isville & ,na%ville ,railroad = additional illu/rative mat]ial1 z well z = o!r c\rtesies & favors2 & p>ticul>ly to ! tru/ees1 manag]s1 & guides ( ,mammo? ,cave = he>tily & g5]\sly facilitat+ explorations 9 =m] & m rec5t ye>s1 )\t :i* ?is "w w\ld h be5 impossible4 ,f9ally1 = in=mation z to tra9s via ! ,l\isville & ,na%ville ,railroad & connections at ,glasg[ ,junction ) ! ,mammo? ,cave ,railroad2 = ! arrival & dep>ture ( /eamboats on ,gre5 ,riv]2 = t]ms ( ,cave r\tes & guides1 & = hotel rates by ! day or ! week1 & = o!r details n )9 ! scope ( ?is h&-book1 application may be made to ! ,mammo? ,cave ,manag]1 at ,mammo? ,cave1 ,k5tucky4 ,our simple aim is to aid & ent]ta9 ! read] 9 8 subt]ranean rambles4 ,horace ,c4 ,hovey4 ,newburyport1 ,mass4 ,! ,mammo? ,cave ,,( ,,k5tucky ,a ,%ort ,lesson ,9 ,geology & ,*emi/ry ,_m hurry to & ?r\gh & away f ,mammo? ,cave2 b let u g 9 a m leisurely mann]4 ,suppose we beg9 by a /roll amid ! r\nd$ hills t environ ,c9c9nati4 ,we f9d _! flanks full ( corals1 %ells1 cr9oids1 & o!r m>9e objects by myriads4 ,^! are fossils1 yet p]fect z if fre%ly ca/ up f ! sea4 ,b we obs]ve t ! lime/one lies 9 ?91 level lay]s1 ) no signs ( volcanic or e>?quake action4 ,!y 7 g5tly cut d[n by an und]m9+ process t left no cav]ns1 because ! /rata are s ?9 t !y c n hold toge!r4 ,?is is ! same ,l[] ,silurian =mation t else:]e made ! fam\s 8bluegrass region10 caus+ ,c5tral ,k5tucky to be ! faire/ bit ( ! globe's surface kn[n4 ,g by /eamboat d[n ! ,ohio to ,madison1 ,indiana1 & ! sc5]y *anges ) ! geology4 ,ne> ! riv] are /ill se5 ! ?9 blue lime/one /rata t we saw at ,c9c9nati1 b capp$ by ! m>ble heights ( ! ,upp] ,silurian4 ,cascades f ! cliffs wa% out ! ?9n]1 s(t] mat]ial1 mak+ wide1 %all[ grottoes1 ea* be+1 z a rule1 at ! head ( a rav9e1 :i* is a cave 9 ru9s4 ,at ! *>m+ city ( ,l\isville we enc\nt] ano!r geological *ange1 & meet a /rik+ pro( t ! region 0 once flood$ by ! ocean1 namely1 ! gr& old coral reef ov] :i* tumble ! ,falls ( ! ,ohio4 ,x us$ to bri/le ) bran*+ corals l /ag-horns & 0 /rewn ) t5s ( ?\s&s ( m delicate v>ieties1 c>-loads ( :i* h s9ce be5 c>ri$ away2 b en\gh rema9 to %[ t all ?is c\ntry 0 uplift$ by cont95tal =ces f a primeval sea4 ,probably its altitude 0 once above ! pres5t level1 to :i* x has be5 r$uc$ by causes "s ( :i* are /ill at "w4 ,rambl+ ?r\gh ! valleys & exam9+ _! rocky b$s1 we f9d fissures no d\bt caus$ by t cont95tal uplift+ to :i* we h ref]r$4 ,^! cracks1 or 8jo9ts10 are visible ov] l>ge areas1 :]ev] ! c\ntry rock is expos$4 ,usually !y run at ne>ly "r angles ) "o ano!r1 nor? & s\? l9es cross+ ^? f ea/ to we/4 ,! jo9t-walls may closely fit1 or h be5 p>t$ to make *annels by :i* fall+ ra9 might be dra9$4 ,y h notic$ t soda-wat] r\gh5s & eats away ! m>ble slab on :i* ! soda-f\nta9 re/s4 ,on ask+ ! reason y are told t x is due to ! c>bonic acid gas 7c>bon dioxide7 ) :i* ! wat] is *>g$4 ,9 nature ?is same gas is =m$ by ! decay ( animal & vegetable matt]4 ,ra9wat] absorbs x f ! atmosph]e & :ile s9k+ ?r\gh ! loam & soil4 ,x also takes up hum\s acids1 :i* aid 9 ! "w ( corrasion effect$ on rea*+ ! lime/one4 ,me*anical en]gy assi/s *emical action 9 sl[ly dissolv+ & remov+ ! lime/one p>ticles4 ,all lime/one caves1 great & small1 7 c>v$ by ?is sl[ yet irresi/ible process4 ,! d[nw>d fl[ foll[s ! jo9ts till a lat]al 8b$d+-plane10 or some?+ else1 turns ! /ream horizontally1 :5 !re results a wid5+ ( ! passageway4 ,%\ld ! ro( collapse !re w\ld be 8a tumble-d[n0 )9 & p]haps a 8s9k-hole0 )\t4 ,%\ld ! cave cut ?r\gh f "o b$d+-plane to ano!r1 a s]ies ( gall]ies w\ld result2 ! upp] ones dry z t9d] & ! l[] ones wet ) wat] t f9ally rea*es ! dra9age level1 :5ce x em]ges into "s op5 valley4 ,occasionally ! :irl+ wat] bores /raight d[n ?r\gh all gall]ies1 mak+ :at is t]m$ a pit1 or a dome1 accord+ to ! po9t ( view4 ,/&+ pools deposit nitr\s e>? & v>i\s o!r m9]al sub/ances4 ,wat] trickl+ ?r\gh ! ro( evaporates1 ea* drop lay+ d[n its load ( ! bic>bonate ( lime to create a /alactite2 or a /alagmite if x fir/ falls on ! floor4 ,a g5]al & conv5i5t t]m is 8drip/one10 masses ( :i* are f\nd at almo/ any cross+ ( ! jo9t-planes4 ,%\ld 8fix$ air0 7c>bon dioxide71 :i* is fifte5 times z heavy z ! atmosph]e1 settle into ! l[] p>ts ( any cave1 x w\ld make visit+ dang]\s or fatal4 ,b air curr5ts & o!r causes make e "p ( ,mammo? ,cave free f any except ! sweete/1 pure/ air ev] inhal$4 ,approa*+ ,mammo? ,cave ,accord+ to an au!ntic article 9 ! ,l\isville ,c\ri]-,j\rnal = ,septemb] #bi1 #aija1 ! manag]s ( ,mammo? ,cave1 hav+ occasion to exam9e ! records at ,b[l+ ,gre51 f\nd t cave designat$ z a corn] ( a section ( l& 9 #agig2 :i* ant$ates by "s ye>s ! ?readb>e leg5d ( ,h\*9s & ! w\nd$ be>4 ,dur+ ! saltpet] times1 #ahab-ahaf1 else:]e describ$1 m5 came & w5t 9 c>ts or on horseback4 ,sev5ty ye>s ago ,dr4 ,davidson told ! ,transylvania ,univ]sity ab\t visit+ ! 8,gre5 ,riv] c\ntry10 s call$ 9 honor ( ,g5]al ,na?aniel ,gre51 ! h]o ( ,eutaw ,spr+s--n = its em]ald t9t4 ,he hir$ a b>\*e at ,h5d]son & trav]s$ a doz5 c\nties to ,mammo? ,cave1 :i* ,dr4 ,john ,croghan _h j pur*as$ = #aj1jjj1 int5d+ to 8cle> out ! av5ues & make !m accessible = an omnibus to ! di/ance ( ?ree or f\r miles1 & erect a sort ( hotel 9 ! ,temple0 7! old "n ( ! ,*ief ,city74 ,*>m+ly did ,julius ,b5$ict1 sixty ye>s ago1 n>rate ! adv5tures ( ,j5ny ,l9d & h] p>ty1 z !y w5t 8by ! v wor/ road 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 b amid mo/ delightful =e/ sc5]y10 f ,na%ville to ,b[l+ ,gre51 & !nce to ,bell's ,tav]n1 t fam\s old ho/elry4 ,! re/ ( _! j\rney lay along ! edge ( 8jagg$1 abrupt gl5s1 along sweep+ mead[s & budd+ woodl&s10 to ! que] old build+ :]e 8,dr4 ,croghan did ! honors ( 8 subt]ranean dom9ions 9 ! mo/ agreeable mann]40 ,z rec5tly z my own e>ly visits a l9e ( /age coa*es ran f ,cave ,city1 own$ by ,&y ,mc,coy & manag$ by ,h5ry ,c4 ,gant]1 :o /ill ent]ta9s will+ li/5]s at ! ,cave hotel by 8 racy /ories ( pione] days4 ,h[ gr&ly ! bugle-fl\ri% us$ to h]ald ! com+ /age-coa*1 & h[ ev]ybody us$ to ru% to greet ! pass5g]s1 & h[ eag]ly ! negro s]vants c>$ = ! luggage6 ,gue/s /ill come by c>riage1 on horseback1 or by automobile2 & _m avail !mselves ( ! /eamboats ply+ on ,gre5 ,riv]1 :]e a sy/em ( locks & dams has made x practicable to l& )9 half a mile ( ! ,cave entrance4 ,no m delightful riv]-ride ?an ?is c be f\nd 9 ! ,middle ,we/1 or m div]sifi$ by fr[n+ cliffs1 wild =e/s1 op5+ amphi!atres t smile 9 summ] ) ru/l+ fields ( corn1 ) "h & !re attractive villages & fl\ri%+ cities4 ,b ! majority avail !mselves ( ! ,l\isville & ,na%ville ,railroad1 connect+ ) ! ,mammo? ,cave ,%ort-l9e1 ^: t]m9us is ne> ! ,cave hotel4 ,"o enjoys ! com=ts ( mod]n travel :ile pass+ by a magnific5t panorama ( hill1 valley1 & undulat+ pla94 8,knobs0 sev]al hundr$ feet high1 capp$ by ! ,*e/] s&/one1 above ! solid ,/4 ,l\is lime/one1 appe> z cones or pyramids1 ^: /rata rema9 horizontal f base to apex4 ,amid ! ,knobs run /ream-swept valleys4 ,9 level regions are f]tile f>ms1 ?\gh frequ5tly ! soil is iron-/a9$ a fi]y r$4 ,"o c\ld h>dly f9d any:]e a m *>m+ trip by rail ?an f ,l\isville to ,glasg[ ,junction1 or "o m unique ?an f ! latt] /ation to ,mammo? ,cave4 ,illu/ration3 ,9 ,cave ,co/ume ,oval depressions ab\nd1 /yl$ 8s9k-holes10 because ?r\gh !m ! surface wat] s9ks out ( sight4 ,s num]\s are !y t "o might trav]se ! cave-region on horseback all day long & n cross an op5 /ream2 all ! ra9wat] be+ dra9$ ?r\gh !m to und]gr\nd ga!r+-b$s1 to re-appe> 9 su* cave-f$ /reams z ,gre5 ,riv]4 ,! ,%ort-l9e ,railway f ,glasg[ ,junction to ,mammo? ,cave passes a numb] ( rem>kably l>ge s9k-holes1 "o ( ! wide/ be+ 8,ed5 ,valley10 cov]+ two ?\s& acres1 ) no inlet or outlet except ?r\gh pits t are conjectur$ to lead to ! ,colossal & ! ,mammo? caves4 ,on ! au?ority ( ! late ,pr(essor ,%al] x is said t !re are f\r ?\s& s9k-holes & five hundr$ kn[n cav]ns 9 ,edmondson ,c\nty alone4 ,9 ?is little h&-book we c n be expect$ to give a li/ ( !m4 ,9 ! vic9ity ( ,mammo? ,cave are sev]al t h celebrity1 & w\ld amply rew>d ! att5tion ( a visitor4 ,among !m may be m5tion$ ,gant]1 ,diamond1 ,proct]1 ,salt1 & ,:ite caves4 ,! la/ two belong to ! ,mammo? ,cave e/ate1 & are occasionally visit$ by t\ri/s4 ,! ,salt ,cave is rem>kable = prehi/oric relics1 & ! ,:ite ,cave = its /alactites4 ,dixon ,cave also is notewor?y z hav+ probably be5 ! orig9al m\? ( ,mammo? ,cave4 ,x is an imm5se *amb]1 fifte5 hundr$ feet long1 f sixty to eighty feet wide1 & f eighty to "o hundr$ & tw5ty-five feet high1 & 0 once work$ = saltpet]4 ,! ,colossal ,cav]n1 belong+ to ! ,l\isville & ,na%ville ,railroad1 is b a mile & a half di/ant1 & is not$ = its magnific5ce4 ,?us f> ! woodman's axe has sp>$ ! gr& old =e/ trees on ! e/ate1 except z ne$$ = firewood1 & _m delightful rambles are to be _h among !m4 ,game us$ to ab\nd1 & /ill rew>ds ! skillful hunt]1 & ,gre5 ,riv] ab\nds 9 fi%4 ,own]%ip ( ! ,cave ,mr4 ,mc,lean b\ght ! ,cave & two hundr$ acres ar\nd x1 9 #ahaa1 = =ty doll>s1 & soon sold x to ,mr4 ,gatewood1 :o 9 turn sold x to ,messrs4 ,gratz & ,wilk9s1 :o s5t ,mr4 ,ar*ibald ,mill] f ,philadelphia to manage saltpet] works = !m dur+ ! ,w> ( #ahab1 at a "t :5 an emb>go cut (f =eign s\rces ( supply4 ,! ,cave e/ate1 ) sixte5 hundr$ acres ( l&1 pass$ into ! h&s ( ,mr4 ,james ,moore1 a ,philadelphia m]*ant1 9 #ahaf1 & :5 he 0 ru9$ by ! ,burr & ,bl5n]hasset fiasco1 ,gatewood took x aga9 & made x a 8%[-cave40 ,mr4 ,frank ,gor9 b\ght ! prop]ty 9 #ahcg1 & made ,mill] & ,moore 8 ag5ts1 ) ,/eph5 ,bi%op & ,matt ,brans=d z guides4 ,discov]ies foll[$ s fa/ z to draw public att5tion at home & abroad4 ,! fame ( ?is natural wond] rea*$ a "y physician ( ,l\isville1 ,dr4 ,john ,croghan1 :ile travel+ 9 ,europe1 & on 8 return he became s *>m$ ) ! ,cave t he b\ght x f ,mr4 ,gor9 = #aj1jjj1 & also pur*as$ two ?\s& acres ab\t x1 9 ord] to control any o!r possible entrances ?an ! ma9 "o4 ,to ! orig9al m9]'s cab91 ,mr4 ,james ,mill]1 8 ag5t1 add$ 9 #ahce ! long r[ ( log cab9s /ill us$ by gue/s2 s9ce jo9$ by wide por*es & mod]niz$ by frame additions & all conv5i5ces4 ,among ! ag5ts :o h exhibit$ ! ,cave or run ! hotel1 or bo?1 are ,messrs4 ,ar*ibald1 ,james1 ,william1 & ,w4 ,scott ,mill]1 ,l>k9 ,j4 ,proct]1 ,mr4 ,owsley1 ,d4 ,l4 ,graves1 ,francis ,klett1 ,w4 ,c4 ,com/ock1 ,h5ry ,c4 ,gant]1 & ,l4 ,f4 ,*>let4 ,! w ( ,dr4 ,croghan1 probat$ ,febru>y #e1 #ahdi1 left ! entire ,mammo? ,cave e/ate 9 ! h&s ( tru/ees = ! b5efit ( 8 n9e nephews & nieces1 namely1 ! sons & daught]s ( ,colonel ,george ,croghan & ,g5]al ,t4 ,s4 ,jesup2 ) ! proviso t :5 !y %\ld all h di$1 ! tru/ees %\ld sell ! e/ate at public auction4 ,unless "s ( ! heirs %\ld buy x1 a desirable pur*as] might be ! ,l\isville & ,na%ville ,railroad ,company2 or ! entire gr\p ( cav]ns 9 ! vic9ity might be conv]t$ into a ,/ate or national p>k4 ,mean:ile we are cont5t t x %\ld rema9 "u ! excell5t managem5t ( ! pres5t tru/ees4 ,no guides are employ$ b ^? :o are tru/wor?y4 ,/eph5 ,bi%op & ,matt ,brans=d h pass$ away2 s h ,ni*olas ,brans=d & ,william ,g>v94 ,tom ,lee1 my fir/ guide1 & ,john ,m4 ,nelson1 ) :om ,i h made _m an und]gr\nd trip1 are n n[ 9 s]vice4 ,^? :om "o is likely to meet at pres5t are ,edw>d ,bi%op1 ,william ,brans=d1 ,rob]t ,lively1 & ,jo%ua ,wilson1 ) sev]al o!r capable guides at h& = em]g5cies4 ,all are h]oes ( _m adv5tures1 & _! /rong arms h rescu$ _m a visitor f disa/]4 ,_! ^w is law1 & no "o is all[$ to ent] )\t a guide4 ,h5ce accid5ts are ( r>e occurr5ce4 ,! fact s widely h]ald$ t1 9 ! spr+ ( #aiji1 a p>ty ( 8,%r9]s0 got lo/ 9 ! ,cave = eight h\rs1 0 :olly due to _! refus+ to obey ! guides1 & break+ away f _! comrades "u ! volunt>y & unau?oriz$ lead]%ip ( "o ( _! own numb]4 ,z soon z possible guides 7 dispat*$ to _! rescue1 :o br\ght !m safely out to ! op5 air4 ,= ! conv5i5ce ( visitors1 z well z ) reasonable consid]ation = ! guides !mselves1 c]ta9 h\rs & r\tes are fix$1 f :i* x is n cu/om>y to dep>t1 unless by special arrangem5t ) ! managem5t4 ,f\r r\tes are mapp$ out1 ! uni=m *>ge = ea* be+ two doll>s4 ,= t]ms = ! season1 or = l>ge p>ties1 etc41 z well z = in=mation z to hotel rates1 & inde$ = any?+ special1 visitors %\ld apply to ! ,mammo? ,cave manag]4 ,cave suits are to let1 & prop] me?ods ( illum9ation are provid$ by ! guides4 ,ev5 a few h\rs ( w&]+ bel[ gr\nd w be wor? :ile2 b ^? :o c rema9 amid ^! wond]ful sc5es = a long] p]iod w be amply repaid by incessantly v>y+ sights & exp]i5ces4 ,illu/ration3 8,m>?a ,wa%+ton's ,/atue0 ,illu/ration3 ,,copyright #aijh ,,by ,h4 ,c4 ,,gant] ,,r\te ,i ,,e*o ,,riv]1 ,,pits & ,,domes ,,o!r ,,features #a4 ,,payne',s ,,pass #b4 ,,d>nall',s ,,way #c4 ,,%elby',s ,,dome1 ,,bridge ,,( ,,sighs #d4 ,,revel]',s ,,hall #e4 ,,valley ,,( ,,humility #f4 ,,lively',s ,,pass #g4 ,,bu*anan',s ,,way #h4 ,,odd ,,fell[s' ,,hall #i4 ,,%akespe>e',s ,,face #aj4 ,,sn[ ,,cl\ds ,,r\te ,i ,e*o ,riv]1 ,pits & ,domes ,a pa?way f ! ,hotel w9ds ?r\gh ! g>d51 d[n amid ! =e/1 cross+ a wagon road to ,gre5 ,riv]1 & !n br+s u to ! only kn[n entrance to ,mammo? ,cave4 ,evid5tly x is :]e ! ro( broke d[n long ago2 = ! l[] valley 0 d\btless once "p ( ! cav]n1 & s 0 :at is n[ kn[n z ,dixon ,cave4 ,! pres5t ,cave m\? is sev5 hundr$ & ?irty-five feet above sea level1 "o hundr$ & n9ety-f\r feet above ! level ( ,gre5 ,riv]1 & "o hundr$ & eighte5 feet bel[ ! cre/ ( ! ov]hang+ bluff4 ,! lime/one /ratum is ?ree hundr$ & tw5ty-eight feet ?ick1 measur+ f ! s&/one above to ! dra9age level bel[2 & )9 ^! limits all ! va/ labyr9? ext5ds its ramifications4 ,"o ( ! fir/ ?+s notic$ by ! visitor is ! /rong curr5t ( cool air t fl[s f ! ,cave m\?1 frequ5tly too /rong to all[ ! c>ry+ ( light$ lamps until a po9t is rea*$ _m y>ds )91 :]e ! gale dies away4 ,z we desc5d ! solid /one /airway we obs]ve ) pleasure a wat]fall t leaps f ! l$ge1 gleams 9 ! sunlight1 & vani%es amid ! rocks on ! floor4 ,ar\nd u hang fe/oons ( v9es & f]ns1 & be=e u is ! noble ve/ibule to a temple ( et]nal night4 ,an iron gate is unlock$ = u1 put !re to prev5t unpaid intrusion & v&al spoliation4 ,pass+ ?r\gh1 we bid f>ewell to daylight1 & dep5d on ! simple iron lamps giv5 to ea* ( u by ! guide4 ,! leg5d t a hunt] nam$ ,h\*9s1 9 #ahji1 *as$ a w\nd$ be> into ?is ?roat ( ! cave1 :e!r au!ntic or n1 is p]petuat$ 9 ! "n giv5 x1 ,h\*9s' ,n>r[s1 made /ill n>r[] by ! blocks ( lime/one pil$ 9 walls on ei!r side1 ?us leav+ a passage only a few feet wide4 ,to ! left is ! tomb ( two ,indians f\nd 9 e>ly days & reburi$ "h4 ,no monum5t m>ks ! grave ( ^! nameless aborig9es4 ,consid]+ ! fact t ! ,cave 0 resort$ to by _m g5]ations ( r$ m51 x is rem>kable t s few human rema9s h rew>d$ dilig5t se>*4 ,:at are ^! wood5 pipes along ! floor8 ,!y 7 laid !re by ! saltpet] m9]s to convey ! wat] f ! cascade at ! entrance d[n to ! lea*+ vats t are n[ po9t$ out to u 9 ! ,rotunda4 ,! ruts ( old ox-c>ts are visible 9 :i* ! 8pet]-dirt0 0 c>ri$ to ! vats f ! op5 av5ues1 :ile sacks 7 us$ = ^? m remote4 ,! solution 0 pump$ out to op5-air boil]s1 run ?r\gh a%-hopp]s1 cool$ 9 cry/allization tr\ghs1 & pack$ = transportation to ! seabo>d1 mo/ly by mules4 ,?us did patriotic ,k5tucky supply ! gov]nm5t ) "o ( ! +r$i5ts ( gunp[d]1 at a "t :5 =eign s\rces 7 cut (f4 ,! yield ( nitrate 0 f\r p\nds to ! bu%el ( soil1 & ! va/ heaps ( lixiviat$ e>? seem to w>rant ! boa/ t ,mammo? ,cave alone 8c\ld supply ! :ole population ( ! globe ) saltpet]40 ,! l(ty ar* ( ! ,rotunda is directly "u ! ,hotel2 & x w\ld be possible1 by means ( a %aft1 to supply e room ) ! sweete/ & pure/ air1 trans=m+ x into a 8lime-air0 sanit>ium1 z has actually be5 done 9 "s o!r localities4 ,by a s]ies ( temp]ature obs]vations ) v]ifi$ !rmomet]s1 ! writ] has prov$ t ! uni=m temp]ature ( ! ,cave is #ed ,fahr41 w9t] & summ]2 & ! air is *emically & optically pure4 ,light$ by magnesium fire ! gr&eur ( ?is fir/ ( _m halls is made visible1 z are also ! op5+s ( two broad av5ues1 "o ( !m be+ ! ,ma9 ,cave & ! o!r ! entrance to ,audubon ,av5ue & ,little ,bat ,av5ue4 ,"h 9 w9t] assemble myriads ( bats f all ! region ar\nd1 clu/]+ 9 nooks & crevices = _! long sleep ( hib]nation4 ,illu/ration3 ,entrance to ,mammo? ,cave ,leav+ ,audubon ,av5ue to be describ$ 9 ,r\te ,,ii1 we ent] f x1 at a po9t "s five hundr$ feet f ! ,rotunda1 & by a l[ ar*1 ! w9d+ way kn[n z ,little ,bat ,av5ue1 *iefly rem>kable z lead+ to ! ,crevice ,pit1 :i* is imm$iately ov] ! ,ru9s ( ,k>nak4 ,! /ory is told by ! late ,dr4 ,r4 ,m4 ,bird t a =m] own]1 ,mr4 ,wilk9s1 let a lamp d[n ! pit by a rope t caught fire1 ) ! loss ( ! lamp4 ,a rew>d ( two doll>s 0 (f]$ = its recov]y4 ,a little d>key agre$ to be let d[n1 z a sort ( liv+ plummet1 to s\nd ! dep? ( ! *asm4 ,he told su* a tale z to ! magnific5t temple und]nea?1 ) its tall columns & spl5did adornm5ts1 t nobody believ$ him4 ,?irty ye>s lat] ! lo/ lamp 0 f\nd by old ,matt1 ! guide1 :o gave x to me4 ,! ,ma9 ,cave1 or ,gr& ,gall]y1 or z we l to /yle x ! 8,broadway0 ( ?is subt]ranean metropolis1 ext5ds f ! ,rotunda to ! ,cat>acts1 & mu/ be trav]s$ to rea* any o!r "p ( ! cav]n4 ,9 ?is fir/ r\te only ab\t eight hundr$ y>ds ( x are %[n4 ,high ov]head spr+s an ar* eighty feet wide & re/+ on v]tical walls4 ,pres5tly ! guide calls our att5tion to ! exit ( ! ,corkscrew1 on our left1 an extraord9>y passageway by :i* we are to return aft] visit+ ! ,riv] ,hall4 ,if we happ5 "h z ano!r p>ty is return+1 a curi\s effect is produc$ by _! tor*es em]g+ "o at a "t 9 a procession w9d+ d[n ! ,k5tucky ,cliffs4 ,b n[ we advance along ! worn c>t-road made by ! saltpet] m9]s1 /rewn by _! anci5t log-conduits1 :i* are /rangely pres]v$ dur+ ! c5tury t has elaps$ s9ce "s ( !m 7 fir/ br\ght hi!r4 ,lift "o & y w be a/oni%$ to f9d h[ light !y are4 ,at ! junction ( ! ,ma9 ,cave & ,ar*ibald ,av5ue is ! 8,*ur*10 :]e ! pi\s m9]s us$ to he> ! message ( salvation taught by it9]ant prea*]s1 & :]e 9 m rec5t days _m a s]mon has be5 prea*$ & _m a psalm be5 sung1 awak5+ e*oes f ! cav]n walls4 ,illu/ration3 ,leav+ ! 8,corkscrew0 ,res]v+ ! ,go?ic ,av5ue = ano!r visit1 we note1 z we pass along1 ! grotesque figures ( animals & birds made by ! deposits ( ! black oxide ( manganese ov]head4 ,m>k well ! ,/&+ ,rocks1 :i* fell edge-d[nw>d ages ago1 set free f ! ro( possibly by "s e>?quake %ock4 ,n[ we walk awe-/ruck "u ! ,gr& ,ar*1 :]e ! guides effect a m>vel\s surprise by means ( simple illum9ation4 ,!y burn *emical fires at a po9t ne> ! saltpet] vats1 "s five hundr$ feet to ! re> ( u1 & ! cont\r ( ! walls br+s out a /atuesque effect :i* is aptly /yl$ 8,m>?a ,wa%+ton's ,/atue40 ,x requires b little play ( ! imag9ation to fancy x a m>ble repres5tation ( t em95t lady ( ,colonial times4 ,an imm5se rock lies ne> ! "r-h& wall1 =ty-five feet long1 eighte5 feet wide1 & fifte5 feet high1 :i* us$ to be call$ ! ,/eamboat2 b x is n[ kn[n z ! ,giant's ,c(f94 ,! quasi-s>cophagus may h be5 torn f ! adjac5t wall by "s convulsion1 or x may simply h fall5 & lodg$ 9 its pres5t sugge/ive position4 ,its weight is e/imat$ at two ?\s& tons4 ,x is "o ( ! great l&m>ks1 & ?\gh we %\ld pass x _m times x is impossible to d s )\t be+ impress$ by its solit>y gr&eur1 rival+ z x does ! blocks ( ,baalbec 9 ,syria4 ,! r\te n[ tak5 leads u beh9d ! ,giant's ,c(f91 ?r\gh a l[ & n>r[ passage :i* w\ld nev] h be5 discov]$ _h n ! mon/] rock fall54 ,?is is /yl$ ,dante's ,gateway1 f :i* a rude /airway leads u into ! ,wood5 ,b[l ,room1 s nam$ ei!r f its peculi> %ape or because an ,indian wood5 b[l 0 f\nd !re4 ,to ! left is ! op5+ to :at has v>i\sly be5 /yl$ ,indian ,av5ue1 ,blacksnake ,av5ue1 & ,welcome ,av5ue4 ,really x is a comb9ation ( sev]al av5ues1 runn+ = ! di/ance ( eight ?\s& five hundr$ feet1 z measur$ by ! writ]1 :i* h be5 made passable by ! skill & indu/ry ( ,mr4 ,h4 ,c4 ,gant] :5 he 0 manag] ( ! ,cave1 & :i* = ?is reason is g5]ally call$ ,gant] ,av5ue4 ,its inn] end is at ,s]p5t ,hall1 & x gives an exit = any "o :o may get caught beyond ! riv]s by a sudd5 rise ( wat]4 ,our pres5t pa? goes ?r\gh ! 8,dog-,hole10 d[n a /airway fancifully call$ 8,! ,/eeps ( ,"t10 lead+ into ! region ( pits & domes4 ,we pause a :ile by ,ri*>dson's ,spr+1 :i* is a small pool fill$ by a runn+ /ream t has worn = itself a n>r[ *annel 9 ! rock1 illu/rat+ :at has be5 done = ! entire ,cave on a gr&] scale4 ,small cru/aceans are f\nd 9 ?is cle> pool1 & bl9d insects ab\nd "u ! flat rocks ne> by4 ,numb]less bl9d crickets leap away f u1 & :ite eyeless spid]s1 br[n beetles1 ?\s&-legg$ worms1 & o!r abnormal =ms ( life are f\nd by c>eful se>*4 ,no?+ h>mful1 h[ev]1 appe>s1 ei!r "h or else:]e4 ,z a rule cave-life is timid4 ,side-saddle ,pit1 fifty feet deep1 0 nam$ f its imag9$ resemblance to a lady's saddle4 ,above x rises ,m9]va's ,dome1 ?irty feet high4 ,! spot us$ to be dang]\s1 b is n[ gu>d$ by a /\t rail+4 ,once a t]ri] leap$ d[n ! ,*asm aft] a fire-ball flung by a guide4 ,! guide's wife all[$ h]self to be l[]$ by a rope & rescu$ ! poor dog1 :i* did n seem to be s]i\sly hurt by 8 p]il\s adv5ture4 ,calypso's ,av5ue1 to ! left1 leads to ! ,cov]$ ,pit & ,scylla & ,*>ybdis1 :i* are r>ely visit$4 ,ne> ! entrance to ! ,labyr9? is a w9d[ ?r\gh :i* we behold ! wond]ful & l(ty *amb] discov]$ by a =m] own] ( ! ,cave1 ,mr4 ,frank ,gor91 9 ^: honor x is nam$ ,gor9's ,dome4 ,p]haps ! e>lie/ acc\nt ( x 0 t publi%$ by ,dr4 ,davidson4 ,its height1 z measur$ by myself ) ! aid ( a clu/] ( small balloons1 is "o hundr$ & sixty feet1 its wid? is ?irty-five feet & its l5g? sixty feet4 ,its v]tical walls sweep 9 an ,s-%ap$ curve & spr+ f ! riv] level to ! apex ( ! dome1 ) project+ bosses ( coral & ) cascades t awake ! e*oes z !y fall4 ,d>nall's ,way 0 cut ?r\gh ! s&bank1 9 #ahif1 to ! summit1 :]e a bridge ca/ directly across ! abyss gives u ! mo/ complete view to be _h ( ! locality4 ,"o rem>kable feature is a fold$ alaba/] curta9 "o hundr$ & n9ete5 feet high4 ,by ca/+ fire-balls d[n ! :ole int]ior is gr&ly illum9at$4 ,davidson desc5d$ to ! bottom1 z o!rs h occasionally done s9ce1 by means ( a well "s ?irty feet deep1 d[n :i* "o clamb]s l a *imney-sweep4 ,he f\nd !re 8/ret*+ away 9 midnight blackness a horrid pool ( wat]40 ,9 #ahfc ,mr4 ,f4 ,j4 ,/ev5son1 ( ,london1 _h a boat made & l[]$ ?r\gh ! w9d[1 on :i* he float$ away = sev5 long h\rs on a p]il\s voyage t no man has s9ce !n repeat$4 ,! wat] n[ sett+ back f ,gre5 ,riv] has clos$ ! entrance to :at we t]m 8,/ev5son's ,lo/ ,riv]02 b 8 old boat /ill lies :]e x 0 /r&$ at ! bottom ( ,gor9's ,dome4 ,ano!r huge abyss1 ! ,bottomless ,pit1 0 long reg>d$ z end+ fur!r progress1 till ,/eph5 ,bi%op cross$ x 9 #ahdj by means ( a sl5d] c$> sapl+ ?r[n ov] ! yawn+ gulf2 s9ce :5 x has be5 spann$ by a sub/antial & safe bridge4 ,in/ead ( be+ 8bottomless0 x is exactly "o hundr$ & five feet deep4 ,above x is ,%elby's ,dome1 nam$ = ! fir/ ,gov]nor ( ,k5tucky4 ,balls ( cotton wa/e saturat$ ) coal-oil are flung d[n by ! guides1 :i* gr&ly display ! wr9kl$ & corrugat$ walls ( ! pit4 ,look+ directly across1 we see an op5+ ?r\gh :i* ! writ] & ,william ,g>v9 em]g$ f _! explorations ar\nd ,scylla & ,*>ybdis4 ,!re are o!r ways ( approa*1 "o f ,gor9's ,dome1 ano!r f ne> ! ,scot*man's ,trap1 & /ill ano!r f ,riv] ,hall to ! v bottom1 f :i* ! upw>d view almo/ equals t f ! base ( ,gor9's ,dome4 ,all ?is great gr\p ( pits is connect$ bel[ to =m an imm5se hall1 ab\t f\r hundr$ feet long1 :i* at high wat] is flood$ by ! ov]fl[ f ,riv] ,hall4 ,by ,special p]mission1 ( =m] ,presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,b5jam9 ,h>rison1 ?is va/ room 0 nam$ ,h>rison ,hall4 ,illu/ration3 8,bottomless ,pit0 ,on cross+ ! ,bridge ( ,sighs we f9d an enl>gem5t ( ! ,cave =m]ly us$ z a d9+ place1 & h5ce kn[n z ,revell]'s ,hall4 ,p5sico ,av5ue1 along :i* we g1 is cross$ und]nea? by an invisible passageway1 caus+ s\nds to be reproduc$ 9 ,e*o ,*amb] ) m>vel\s rev]b]ations4 ,w5d+ our way amid ! huge rocks t encumb] ,wild ,hall we next rea* ! ,gr& ,cross+1 & beyond x ! s+ul> dry /alactite1 ! ,p9eapple ,bu%1 & end our pa? 9 ,angelica's ,grotto1 ) its curi\s ,hang+ ,grove4 ,retrac+ our /eps to ,revell]'s ,hall1 we desc5d by an op5+ ov]hung by an enorm\s slab s pois$ z to make x seem z if a c>eless brea? might make x fall4 ,?is is ! ,scot*man's ,trap1 s nam$ = a canny ,scot :o refus$ to g f>!r le/ he %\ld be entrapp$4 ,b we dive "u & g on1 com+ pres5tly to ! ,fat ,man's ,mis]y4 ,?is is a s]p5t9e passage1 its walls *ang+ direction eight times 9 two hundr$ & ?irty-six feet1 its wid? b eighte5 in*es & its height 9 places only five feet4 ,x is inde$ en\gh to try a fat man's s\l & body4 ,! sides are m>k$ by ripples & waves1 & are poli%$ by ! friction ( _m vex$ visitors4 ,! fatte/ man t ev] w5t ?r\gh weigh$ two hundr$ & eighty-two p\nds at ! />t1 b av]s t he lo/ tw5ty p\nds 9 ! process4 ,ano!r1 a jovial son ( ,er91 /uck fa/ & 0 left to 8 fate4 ,lat] he turn$ up all "r & expla9$ matt]s 9 8 own way4 ,he said t he rememb]$ e s9 he _h ev] committ$2 & :5 he call$ to m9d h[1 at a c]ta9 rec5t hotly conte/$ election1 he vot$ ! wrong ticket by mi/ake1 x made him feel s small t he got free f ! ,fat ,man's ,mis]y q easily4 ,! room into :i* we em]ge is fitly /yl$ 8,great ,relief02 & f x we ent] ! ,bacon ,*amb]1 :]e ,nature 9 a frolicsome mood has c>v$ ! lime/one into masses resembl+ r[s ( hams & %\ld]s 9 a pack+-h\se4 ,ne> by is ! ,d9+ ,hall1 :]e1 on occasion1 well-fill$ tables are spread4 ,a special trip c be made ?r\gh ,sp>k's ,av5ue1 ent]$ f ,b&it ,hall1 & lead+ on to ! ,mammo? ,dome4 ,we fir/ visit$ x 9 #ahgh1 & 7 assur$ t no "o _h be5 !re = sev5 ye>s4 ,a trea*]\s old ladd] 0 !n ! only means ( desc5d+ to ! floor1 :i* slop$ away to a pool ^: wat]s receiv$ a cascade fall+ f ! l(ty apex4 ,! ladd] has be5 replac$ by a sub/antial /airway1 by cross+ :i* we rea* ! ,egyptian ,temple1 or ! ,ru9s ( ,k>nak4 ,six columns eighty feet high & tw5ty-five feet 9 diamet] /& 9 a semicircle1 ea* deeply flut$1 v5e]$ by yell[ /alagmite & cov]$ by mimic trac]y4 ,ov]head is ! black op5+ already m5tion$ z ! ,crevice ,pit2 & und]nea? are ext5sive catacombs r>ely visit$4 ,dr4 ,call's measurem5t ( ! extreme height1 f ! cascade pool to ! summit ( ! dome above ! ,crevice ,pit1 0 "o hundr$ & fifty feet2 :i* 0 lat] confirm$ by my balloon sy/em ( measurem5t4 ,! total l5g? ( ! room is n f> f f\r hundr$ feet4 ,riv] ,hall1 to :i* we n[ return1 might be said to ext5d = miles1 7 we to include all ! kn[n bran*es ( subt]ranean wat]s4 ,s unlike is x to ! ,ma9 ,cave t we might almo/ be said to h ent]$ ano!r cav]n--:i* w\ld really be true4 ,:at is call$ 9 a g5]al way ,mammo? ,cave is a cong]ies ( diff]5t caves1 ^: walls & floors 7 fir/ ?9n$ & !n brok5 ?r\gh by ! ag5cy ( wat]1 until 0 =m$ ! imm5se & greatly div]sifi$ labyr9? ^: mazes we are explor+4 ,"h is ! ga!r+-b$ ( hundr$s ( s9k-holes op5+ f ! surface4 ,! exit is 9 deep1 bubbl+ pools along ,gre5 ,riv]1 ( :i* ! ,upp] & ,l[] ,big ,spr+s are examples4 ,& :5 ,gre5 ,riv] is flood$ by fre%ets its wat]s back ?r\gh su* secret *annels & also flood ,riv] ,hall by a body ( wat] f ?irty to "o hundr$ feet 9 dep? & fully two miles long1 ) caprici\s curr5ts & p]il\s :irlpools4 ,navigation at su* times is =bidd52 b at l[ wat] x is entirely safe1 "u ! c>e ( our skillful guides4 ,sull5 wat]s repos+ at ! foot ( a cliff sixty feet high are call$ ! ,dead ,sea1 ?\gh n bitt] b sweet1 z ^? may f9d :o v5ture d[n to ! m>g94 ,an iron rail+ gu>ds ! way z we desc5d to a l[] t]race4 ,pres5tly1 on ! "r1 we see a cascade1 t falls into a funnel-%ap$ holl[ & vani%es4 ,ne> by1 9 #ahha1 ! writ] f\nd a natural mu%room b$1 t sugge/$ ! idea ( a mu%room f>m1 b ) meag] results because locat$ 9 ,audubon ,av5ue1 :]e irrigation is impracticable4 ,! black wat]s ( ! ,riv] ,/yx w9d betwe5 /eep walls = "s f\r hundr$ feet1 & ) an av]age bread? ( =ty feet4 ,=m]ly x 0 pass$ ov] by boat1 b n[ by a natural bridge protect$ by a gu>d-rail4 ,lake ,le! is next 9 ord]1 along ^: bord] we g cauti\sly1 9 hope ( see+ specim5s ( ! fam\s eyeless fi% 7,amblyopsis speleus7 t ab\nd 9 ^! wat]s4 ,!y seldom exce$ ?ree or f\r in*es 9 l5g?1 are colorless1 h c>tilage in/ead ( bones1 are vivip>\s1 & are s s5sitive to approa* t !y d>t away if a gra9 ( s& falls on ! wat]4 ,! bl9d :ite crawfi% 7,camb>us pellucidus7 is (t5 se54 ,^! creatures 7 fir/ describ$ by ,dr4 ,davidson1 two ye>s previ\s to _! be+ m5tion$ by ,de,kay1 :o 0 cr$it$ by ,agassiz z _! discov]]4 ,illu/ration3 ,banquet ,hall 9 ,mammo? ,cave ,! ,great ,walk = f\r hundr$ y>ds us$ to be admir$1 b n[ its beautiful yell[ s& is cov]$ by ! back-wat] f ! riv]s4 ,! ro( "h is mottl$ l sn[-cl\ds4 ,midway ! mask ( ,%akespe>e is po9t$ out1 & o!r objects ( int]e/ are visible4 ,/eph5 ,bi%op1 ,john ,craig1 & ,brice ,patton fir/ cross$ ^! riv]s1 ov] :i* ?\s&s h s9ce safely voyag$4 ,a fleet ( flat-boats awaits u1 ! mat]ial = :i* 0 br\ght 9 by way ( ! ,crevice ,pit4 ,ea* boat has seats = "s tw5ty p]sons1 :ile ! guide propels ! primitive craft by 8 paddle4 ,f\r ar*es op5 to ! ,e*o ,riv]1 only ! f\r? be+ ord9>ily available4 ,to rea* ?is we cross ! ,s&y ,sah>a & fl\nd] ?r\gh ! ,sl\gh ( ,purgatory4 ,! voyage ab\nds 9 mo/ enjoyable adv5tures1 ?\gh c>e mu/ be tak5 n to upset amid wat]s t h no %ores except at ! l&+-places4 ,a few ye>s ago a p>ty1 ma9ly ( j\rnali/s1 manag$ to swamp _! boat1 b 7 rescu$ by ! pres5ce ( m9d ( all conc]n$1 p>ticul>ly ! /rong-arm$ & fai?ful guide1 ,john ,m4 ,nelson1 ^: ord]s !y obey$4 ,e*o ,riv] v>ies 9 wid? f tw5ty to two hundr$ feet1 "u an ar*way av]ag+ ?irty feet 9 height1 ! dep? v>y+ f five to tw5ty-five feet1 & its level be+ only ab\t tw5ty feet above t ( ,gre5 ,riv]4 ,! portion ov] :i* visitors are tak5 is p]haps half a mile or m long4 ,all along its m>g91 :]e ! rock abruptly meets ! wat]1 are c\ntless cavities t h be5 wa%$ out by ! /ream4 ,^! gave a wag 9 our p>ty on fir/ cross+ ! riv] 8 *ance1 & he cri$1 8,oh1 see ^! little bits ( caves1 ?ree = five c5ts60 ,!n awoke ! e*oes & c>ri$ ! s\nd away & away till he 0 a%am$ ( himself4 ,!n a lady 9 black velvet ,cave co/ume1 ) t9y bells along ! fr+e to keep h] f gett+ lo/1 sang ! 8,sweet ,bye & ,bye40 ,a revolv] 0 fir$1 answ]$ by a 8,rebel ,yell40 ,flute & cornet 7 play$ ) magical effect4 ,illu/ration3 ,on ,e*o ,riv] ,! t]m 8e*o0 misleads2 = :at is giv5 is really a wond]ful prolongation ( s\nd1 la/+ five1 t51 or ev5 tw5ty m9utes4 ,! tunnel's own key-note :5 /ruck excites h>monics ( dep? & sweetness1 along ) a pr(\nd und]tone4 ,:5 ! guide agitates ! wat] a myriad t9y silv] bells t9kle1 foll[$ by heavi] ones z ! waves /rike ! cavities along ! walls4 ,?is tempe/ ( h>mony dies away ) /range mutt]+s1 z if ( an angry mob4 ,mr4 ,gant] tells ( a "t :5 ! writ] fool$ him by caus+ une>?ly %rieks1 z ( wret*es 9 mortal agony1 at an h\r :5 none 7 on ! riv] b !mselves4 ,"h ends ! ,fir/ ,r\te4 ,we retrace our /eps z f> z ,b&it ,hall1 :]e "s "o raises ! "q if !re is no way out b by ,fat ,man's ,mis]y4 ,! guide answ]s1 8,yes1 by ! ,corkscrew10 add+ ! w>n+1 8,^? :o come 9 by ! ,fat ,man's ,mis]y g out by ! ,corkscrew1 & ^? :o come 9 by ! ,corkscrew g out by ! ,fat ,man's ,mis]y3 & :i*ev] way !y take1 !y wi% !y _h tak5 ! o!r40 ,s1 up we scramble l s _m rats1 "u or ov] great l$ges1 leap+ f rock to rock1 or climb+ ladd]s1 ?r\gh :at seems l an enorm\s pit t _h be5 fill$ 9 ) gigantic rocks1 till at la/1 brea?less1 we em]ge ^u ! ,k5tucky ,cliffs 9 ! ,ma9 ,cave4 ,a few /eps c>ry u pa/ ! saltpet] vats1 ?r\gh ! ,rotunda1 & ! iron gate is unlock$ to let u into ! ve/ibule1 :5ce we climb ! /one /airs to daylight4 ,illu/ration3 8,bridal ,alt>0 ,illu/ration3 ,,copyright #aijh ,,by ,h4 ,c4 ,,gant] ,,r\te ,,ii ,,/> ,,*amb]1 ,,go?ic ,,av5ue etc4 ,,rem9d]s ,,( ,,! ,,w> #ahab #a4 ,,wood5 ,,pipes ,,9 ,,! ,,floor #b4 ,,fir/ ,,saltpet] ,,vats #c4 ,,pipe ,,l9es #d4 ,,tracks ,,( ,,ox5 ,,& ,,c>ts #e4 ,,second ,,saltpet] ,,vats #f4 ,,heaps ,,( ,,lixiviat$ ,,e>? ,,o!r ,,features #g4 ,,mummy',s ,,ni*e #h4 ,,regi/] ,,wall #i4 ,,pill> ,,( ,,h]cules #aj4 ,,caes> ,,& ,,pompey #aa4 ,,bridal ,,alt> #ab4 ,,hornets' ,,ne/s #ac4 ,,napoleon',s ,,brea/works #ad4 ,,load$ ,,camel #ae4 ,,elephants' ,,heads #af4 ,,picture ,,frame ,,r\te ,,ii ,olive's ,b[]1 ,/> ,*amb]1 & ,go?ic ,av5ue ,aft] a suitable p]iod ( re/ & refre%m5t at ! ,hotel we resume our way along ! same pa? tak5 = ! fir/ r\te1 b pres5tly deviate to explore ,audubon ,av5ue1 ( :i* we _h only se5 ! beg9n+4 ,x is relat$ t :5 ! great orni?ologi/ visit$ ,raf9esque1 ! =m] sma%$ a f9e viol9 9 8 eag]ness to capture a unique specim5 ( ! bat family4 ,z a k9d ( amicable rev5ge ! latt] affix$ ,audubon's "n to ?is av5ue1 :]e s _m myriads ( bats annually hib]nate4 ,x is fitt+ t ! great bran* to ! left1 sweep+ = ?ree hundr$ & fifty feet & sudd5ly end+ 9 a tumble-d[n1 %\ld be nam$ ,raf9esque ,hall4 ,unless our visit is 9 late fall or w9t]1 we f9d b few clu/]s ( bats2 b 9 cold wea!r !y ga!r "h f ne> & f> & hang head-d[nw>d till someh[1 by a s5se n expla9$1 !y "k x is w>m wea!r out-(-doors1 & !n fly =? to ! =e/s4 ,dr4 ,call boa/s ( a s+le cat* t gave him six hundr$ & sev5ty bats1 ( _m v>ieties1 mo/ ( :i* 7 s5t to ! ,national ,museum4 ,advanc+ ?r\gh ,audubon ,av5ue1 we soon f9d ! ro( & floor approa*+ to =m :at is call$ ,bunk] ,hill1 ar\nd :i* we pass by a n>r[ defile4 ,! ,mu%room ,b$s attract our att5tion1 to :i* we h already ref]r$ z hav+ co/ f> m ?an !y ev] return$ by way ( pr(it1 al?\gh ! idea itself is feasible4 ,above a floor encumb]$ by debris hang =mations ne$+ an explanation4 ,limpid drops trickle ?r\gh ! ro(1 saturat$ ) bic>bonate ( lime4 ,! supply ( wat] is con/ant1 b s meag] z to drip in/ead ( fl[2 & z ! dripp+ goes on ea* drop lays d[n its load z a r+ slight en\gh = a fairy's f+]4 ,r+ foll[s r+ till a p5dant is =m$ l a pipe/em4 ,! pipe/ems ?ick5 to ! size ( c&les1 & (t5 gr[ z l>ge z tree-trunks4 ,occasionally !y broad5 into elegant drap]y1 or are twi/$ into fanta/ic %apes4 ,all ^! /one icicles are call$ 8/alactites40 ,su* lime-lad5 drops z fall spla% ab\t & on evaporation deposit1 n r+s1 b films ?9 z tissue-pap]1 build+ up /alagmites t are solid f _! base upw>ds4 ,(t5 ^! d[nw>d & upw>d gr[?s meet z /ately %afts1 l ! pill> nam$ ! ,s5t9el1 :i* gu>ds ,olive's ,b[] a few /eps beyond x4 ,! g5]al t]m 8drip/one0 is conv5i5tly appli$ to all ^! deposits1 & _! f9] v>ieties are kn[n to ! m9]alogi/ z 8ori5tal alaba/]40 ,a c5tral /alactite 9 ,olive's ,b[] is v l>ge & cone-%ap$1 amid _m small] ones4 ,bel[ is a ramp>t1 look+ ov] :i* we see1 "s tw5ty feet bel[1 a limpid pool t reflects ! ov]hang+ =mations4 ,be=e leav+ ! subject ( drip/one x %\ld be rem>k$ t1 *emically reg>d$1 x is simply ! h>d c>bonate1 n ! bic>bonate1 z is (t5 alleg$2 ! latt] be+ an un/able comp\nd1 readily *ang+ on any *ange ( its conditions4 ,! pit :i* arre/s our progress beyond ,olive's ,b[] might1 if explor$1 prove ?is locality to be connect$ ) ,:ite's ,cave1 ^: features x resembles4 ,on return+ to ! ,rotunda we aga9 inspect ! hi/oric relics ( ! ,w> ( #ahab1 & m>k ! grooves cut 9 ! lime/one walls by ! hubs ( ! primitive c>t-:eels t 7 sl[ly drawn along by ox5 to collect ! nitr\s e>? = ! saltpet] vats4 ,we notice t ! bottoms ( ^! vats 7 made ( small logs halv$ & groov$ & laid 9 lay]s on supports2 ! l[] lay] ) its groov$ surface up1 to receive ! second lay] 9 rev]s$ position1 mak+ a me?od = convey+ ! lye into res]voirs1 :5ce x 0 pump$ out to ! cry/allization tr\ghs4 ,dr4 ,call 0 ! fir/ to direct att5tion to ?is +5i\s device4 ,aga9 we =sake ! ,ma9 ,cave = a ramble ?r\gh ,go?ic ,av5ue1 :i* is rea*$ by a /airway j beyond ! vats4 ,at ! entrance to x is ,boo?'s ,amphi!atre1 :]e ,edw9 ,boo? is said to h recit$ a "p ( ! play ( ,hamlet4 ,9 e>ly times a mummy 0 f\nd 9 an adjo9+ cave1 & br\ght hi!r = exhibition4 ,! alcove :]e x repos$ /ill be>s ! "n ( ! ,mummy's ,ni*e4 ,x 0 aft]w>d c>ri$ ab\t ?r\gh ! ,we/ on exhibition1 & x 0 ! writ]'s privilege to see x at t "t4 ,x 0 naturally dessicat$1 & ) its ornam5ts & g>m5ts 0 reg>d$ z a great curiosity4 ,x rema9$ 9 a museum at ,worce/]1 ,mass41 = _m ye>s1 & is n[ 9 ! ,national ,museum at ,wa%+ton1 ,d4 ,c4 ,hundr$s ( visitors h record$ _! names 9 ,regi/] ,hall1 ei!r by scrat*+ !m on ! wall ) ! knife or smok+ !m !re by _! c&les1 or else by ! less conspicu\s way ( deposit+ _! c>ds on ! l$ge set ap>t = t purpose4 ,"h1 & also 9 p>ts ( ! ,ma9 ,cave1 s-call$ 8monum5ts0 are built by pil+ up flat fragm5ts ( /one 9 honor ( individuals1 ,/ates1 or b5evol5t organizations2 a practice :i* incid5tally has help$ to cle> ob/ructions f ! pa?way 9 :i* we walk4 ,! l>ge/ ( !m all is q prop]ly ! ,k5tucky ,monum5t4 ,! effect 9 g5]al1 h[ev]1 is to div]t att5tion f ! natural attractions4 ,! ho>y old /alactites1 great & small1 9 ,go?ic ,av5ue got _! gr[? ages ago4 ,! signs %[ t long ago ! ,cave /ream 0 div]t$ to l[] *annels1 leav+ ! place z dry z a t9d]-box4 ,! ,po/-,oak ,pill>1 ! ,pill>s ( ,h]cules1 ,pompey & ,cs>1 & ! ,alt> 9 ,go?ic ,*apel1 are int]e/+ & picturesque1 & give ! guides occasion = _m leg5ds & jokes2 b d n w>rant ! conclusions drawn by ,dr4 ,b9k]d & o!rs z to ! age ( ! ,mammo? ,cave1 judg+ by ! alleg$ sl[ gr[? ( drip/one 9 a locality :]e !re is n[ no gr[? at all4 ,!re is no d\bt z to ! va/ antiquity ( ! great cav]n1 ^: remote orig9 is by _m ref]r$ to ! ,t]ti>y ,p]iod2 b x mu/ be rememb]$ t geological *anges are by no means uni=m1 & t cata/rophe has evid5tly play$ a conspicu\s "p 9 cave-mak+4 ,!re is n en\gh moi/ure n[ 9 ,go?ic ,av5ue to make ! atoms float 9 ! air4 ,toss a h&ful ( du/ up1 & x falls back l s mu* %ot4 ,i saw a p>ty ( "y p :o came "h directly f ! ballroom1 & n a p>ticle ( du/ spott$ ! trail+ robes or clung to ! poli%$ boots4 ,wood "h und]goes t>dy decay1 & fre% beef & o!r meats keep sweet = a long "t1 & !n dry up l ! old mummy :i* 0 m5tion$ z hav+ once be5 plac$ "h4 ,pompey ,pill> is nam$ = a negro m9]1 a raw h&1 :o 9 old times trudg$ 9 "h alone = 8pet]-dirt0 & lo/ 8 way4 ,he /umbl$1 put out 8 lamp1 & 0 9 a fr5zy4 ,:5 at la/ he saw 8 half-nak$ negro comrades approa*1 sw++ _! tor*es & %\t+1 he took !m = demons1 & %\t$ lu/ily = m]cy4 ,x took no little %ak+ & pun*+ to conv9ce him t he 0 yet alive & 9 ,mammo? ,cave1 in/ead ( else:]e4 ,x may tax ! imag9ation to f9d ! resemblance to an ,elephant's ,head 9 ! /alactite s call$2 b once f\nd ! grotesque lik5ess is vivid4 ,a curi\s leg5d told ( ! ,go?ic ,*apel & its ,bridal ,alt> is v]ifi$4 ,a ,k5tucky belle gave h] he>t to a gallant ,s\?ron4 ,b h] "m1 :o oppos$ ! mat*1 made h] swe> nev] to m>ry any man on ! face ( ! e>?4 ,%ortly ! lov]s elop$ & 7 hotly pursu$2 b be=e !y 7 caught !y 7 m>ri$ 9 ?is novel ,gretna ,gre54 ,tax$ ) h] brok5 pl$ge1 ! bride repli$3 8,"m1 de>1 x 0 n m>ry+ any man #8on ! face ( ! e>?' to w$ my own true love 9 ?is und]gr\nd *apel40 ,illu/ration3 ,m>riage 9 8,go?ic ,*apel0 ,few ladies fail to re/ a:ile 9 ! ,old ,arm ,*air1 a /alagmite naturally fitt$ z a seat4 ,j5ny ,l9d sat "h & sang "o ( h] sweet songs2 & _m a song has be5 sung "h s9ce4 ,a sl5d] projection beyond x is call$ ! ,lov]'s ,leap1 f ^: po9t an illum9ation %[s a wild mass ( rocks amid :i* runs a n>r[ pa? /yl$ ! ,elb[ ,crevice1 ^: walls are fanta/ically fold$4 ,we escape f ! ragg$ edge ( :at is kn[n z ,joseph's ,pit1 & note 9 pass+ ! ,devil's ,cool+ ,tub4 ,gatewood's ,d9+-,table is a huge flat rock directly "u ,napoleon's ,dome1 f ^: apex x fell4 ,gratz ,av5ue1 into :i* we ent]1 is n on ! same ,cave level z ! ,go?ic ,av5ue4 ,unless we take c>e we may walk directly into ! exquisitely cle> wat]s ( ,lake ,purity1 a small mirror-l pool4 ,beyond x we g1 w9d+ to & fro1 till at ! foot ( a small cliff we f9d ! entrance to ,annette's ,dome1 "o ( ! prettie/ 9 all ! ,cave4 ,%al]'s ,brook sp\ts f ! wall & runs m]rily & musically into a small] room1 :5ce x vani%es1 fall+ by a leap ( sev5ty feet into ,lee's ,ci/]n4 ,9 ,gratz ,av5ue are f\nd bl9d cru/aceans1 crickets1 & o!r =ms ( life describ$ by ,dr4 ,call4 ,we n[ retrace our way to ! ,ma9 ,cave1 pass+ v>i\s objects notic$ 9 ! fir/ r\te4 ,%ortly beyond ! ,giant's ,c(f9 ! ,ma9 ,cave turns sudd5ly to ! left at ! ,acute ,angle1 :]e ! burn+ magnesium makes visible ! va/ dim5sions ( ! cav]n by illum9at+ x 9 two directions at once4 ,a village 9 ! vic9ity =m]ly %elt]$ a colony ( consumptives :o1 9 #ahdc1 & by m$ical advice1 took up _! abode "h1 hopeful = relief or cure because ( ! uni=m temp]ature & ! naturally oxyg5at$ air4 ,! sunless days pass$ sl[ly by till ! pitiful exp]im5t 0 ab&on$ z a failure1 z 0 also ! exp]im5t by ! invalids to make trees & %rubb]y gr[ ar\nd _! dismal huts4 ,"s ( ! victims ( ! 8:ite plague0 lie buri$ 9 ! grove back ( ! ,hotel g>d51 :ile o!rs di$ soon aft] return+ to _! homes4 ,!re 7 orig9ally ?irte5 cottages & t5ts1 ! only ones n[ rema9+ be+ two ro(less /one /ructures beyond ! ,acute ,angle4 ,illu/ration3 8,old ,arm ,*air0 ,a /rangely beautiful trans=mation sc5e is wr\ght = u 9 ! ,/> ,*amb]1 a hall sev5ty feet wide1 sixty feet high1 & sev]al hundr$ feet long4 ,! ceil+ is coat$ ) manganese dioxide1 & ?r\gh ?is black backgr\nd em]ge hundr$s ( brilliant :ite />s1 made by ! effloresc5ce ( ! sulphate ( magnesia4 ,^! are invisible at fir/1 & ! magnific5t ar*way sweeps above u 9 midnight blackness4 ,long b5*es are rang$ aga9/ ! "r-h& wall1 on :i* ! guide seats u1 :ile he collects our lamps & vani%es ) !m beh9d a jutt+ rock4 ,!n comes ! m>vel\s illusion4 ,! ro( seems lift$ to an imm5se height4 ,inde$1 we seem to gaze f a caon directly up to ! />ry sky4 ,cl\d-%ad[s are ?r[n a?w>t x by adroit manipulation4 ,a meteor %oots across ! vault4 ,we behold ! mild glory ( ! ,milky ,way4 ,sudd5ly ! guide breaks 9 ^u our exclamations ( delight by say+1 8,good night4 ,i w see y aga9 9 ! morn+60 ,he plunges into a gorge4 ,we are 9 utt] d>kness4 ,! sil5ce is s p]fect t we c he> our he>ts beat4 ,pres5tly a glimm] comes f ano!r direction1 l a fa9t /reak ( dawn4 ,! aurora t+es ! tips ( ! rocks2 ! horizon is ba!d 9 a rosy gl[2 a conc]t ( cock-cr[+1 ! l[+ ( cattle & o!r b>ny>d s\nds1 answ]$ by ! b>k+ ( ! h\se-dog1 seem to h]ald ! ris+ sun2 :5 ! v5triloquial guide appe>s1 sw++ 8 clu/] ( lamps & ask+ h[ we lik$ ! p]=mance4 ,our response is a he>ty encore2 aft] grant+ :i* ! guide tells u t ! second r\te ends "h1 & he mu/ pilot u back to ! m\? ( ! ,cave & to ! ,hotel4 ,^? :o h witness$ ! wond]s ( ! ,/> ,*amb] _m times te/ify t ! *>m nev] wanes4 ,illu/ration3 8,! ,acute ,angle0 ,illu/ration3 ,,copyright #aijh ,,by ,h4 ,c4 ,,gant] ,,r\te ,,iii ,,ma9 ,,cave & ,,new ,,discov]y ,,r\te ,,iii ,f ! ,/> ,*amb] to ,violet ,city ,famili> n[ ) ! features ( ! fir/ "p ( ! ,ma9 ,cave1 we trudge along rapidly1 till ! guide cries 8,halt60 ,we seem to he> ! measur$ tick+ ( an old-fa%ion$ clock4 ,we f9d ! natural timepiece to be b ! dripp+ ( wat] into a small bas9 hidd5 beh9d "s rocks4 ,! drops fall only a few in*es1 "o by "o1 z !y may h fall5 = a ?\s& ye>s2 b su* are ! ac\/ic prop]ties ( ! place t ! musical tick+ is he>d = a long di/ance4 ,! guide %[s u also ano!r pretty pool1 made by a t9y rill gu%+ f ! solid wall2 & he tells u ! /ory ( a rambl+ bl9d boy1 :o won a liv+ by 8 viol91 & :o said t he 8want$ to see ! ,cave0 = himself4 ,someh[ he got ap>t f 8 companions1 & :5 !y f\nd ! little boy he 0 s\nd asleep beside ?is t9y bas91 :i* has ev] s9ce be5 kn[n z 8,w&]+ ,willie's ,spr+40 ,ha/5+ on to ! ,/> ,*amb]1 we resume our exploration ( ! ,ma9 ,cave4 ,beyond t hall ( con/ellations1 ! ,gr& ,gall]y--z x us$ to be call$--sweeps to ! "r1 & ! />ry canopy *anges to a 8mack]el-sky10 caus$ by ! scal+-(f ( ! black deposit on ! ceil+1 ?us expos+ ! :ite lime/one4 ,?is is ! ,float+ ,cl\d ,room4 ,z we look al(t at ! fleecy masses t seem to float along1 we notice a /\t oak pole jutt+ f an inaccessible crevice4 ,:51 :y1 h[1 & by :om 0 x put !re8 ,9 ,lee's 8,notes ( ! ,mammo? ,cave10 9 #ahce1 anci5t fireplaces are m5tion$1 :i* 7 also %[n to myself by old ,matt1 9 #ahha1 & :i* 7 hidd5 by broad slabs along ! m>g9 ( ! ,cave4 ,curi\s objects are po9t$ out z we walk ?r\gh ,proct]'s ,arcade & ,k9ney's ,ar5a1 l(ty & symmetrical enl>gem5ts ( ! passageway4 ,"o ( !m is ano!r /\t pole 9 a rift 9 ! ro(4 ,! ,keel-,boat 7or ! ,:ale7 is an enorm\s rock sev5ty feet long1 & a tilt$ slab ( lime/one is ! ,devil's ,look+-,glass4 ,pres5tly x beg9s to sn[2 & our %\ts make ! flakes fall fa/]4 ,wav+ lamps & light$ fire-balls augm5t ! /orm4 ,seek+ an explanation1 we f9d t ! ceil+ is cru/$ ) native ,epsom salts1 ^: cry/als are ?us dislodg$1 z well z m sil5tly by ! gr[? ( new cry/als1 fall+1 z sal9e sn[ till ! br[n l$ges are :it5$ by mimic sn[drifts4 ,no /oop+ or crawl+ has to be done 9 ! ,ma9 ,cave1 & ! floor is ev]y:]e dry4 ,=m]ly ! tilt+ slabs ( lime/one made walk+ difficult1 b n[ ^! are remov$ s z to give u a fairly smoo? road ?r\gh\t4 ,! s]p5t9e w9d+ kn[n z ! ,s-b5d exp&s to a wid? ( "o hundr$ & sev5ty-five feet & keeps t wid? = five hundr$ & fifty feet2 b midway x meets a gr& cross+1 t increases ! wid? to ab\t f\r hundr$ feet4 ,fox ,av5ue1 ne> by1 encloses a l>ge cave-isl&4 ,dr4 ,nahum ,w>d & o!r e>ly explor]s fanci$ ! ,ma9 ,cave z =m]ly an und]gr\nd ,nile1 & its rocky masses ru9$ cities2 & on ! fir/ maps !y 7 numb]$ ,fir/1 ,second1 ,?ird1 ,f\r?1 & ,fif? ,city4 ,! fir/ 9 ord] 0 call$ ! ,*ief ,city1 :ile ! f\r?1 n[ famili> to u by t "n1 0 ! ,temple4 ,?is fact expla9s "s conflict+ acc\nts by e>ly & m rec5t au?ors4 ,rob]t ,m4 ,bird 0 responsible = ^! *anges1 giv+ ! "n ( ,wright's ,rotunda to ! ,fir/ ,city 9 honor ( 8 fri5d1 ,pr(4 ,c4 ,a4 ,wright1 ,m4 ,d4 ,?is is "o ( ! mo/ spaci\s rooms 9 ! ,cave1 be+ %ap$ l ! lett] ,t1 its l5g? ab\t five hundr$ feet & its wid? at ! transept ab\t ?ree hundr$ & fifty feet4 ,! ceil+ is q level ?r\gh\t1 b ! floor is irregul>1 caus+ ! space betwe5 ro( & floor to v>y f t5 to =ty-five feet4 ,:5 sev]al *emical fires are ignit$ at di/ant po9ts simultane\sly ! effect is sup]b4 ,ragg$ cliffs divide ?is prodigi\s area1 mak+ a sort ( great isl&1 beyond :i* by climb+ ?r\gh ! s-call$ ,*imneys ^? :o wi% c rea* ! ,black ,*amb]s above1 ext5d+ = sev]al hundr$ feet4 ,! walls & domes ( ^! *amb]s are coat$ ) ! black oxide ( manganese1 & ! enorm\s rocks lie scatt]$ 9 ! wilde/ disord]4 ,return+ to ,wright's ,rotunda & tak+ ! o!r arm ( ! ,t1 we pres5tly f9d ourselves look+ directly into a /eep holl[1 or pit1 into :i* ! ,cat>acts tumble f orifices 9 ! ro(1 & ) res\nd+ =ce aft] a ra9fall4 ,^? :o risk a desc5t "p way d[n ! pit & climb ov] a wall may f9d _! way into ! ,solit>y ,*amb]s & ! ,fairy ,grotto1 ?\gh ! difficulty ( access prev5ts ^! places f be+ ord9>ily exhibit$4 ,a 8tumble-d[n0 to ! left ( ! ,cat>act *asm might correctly be reg>d$ z ! t]m9ation ( ! ,ma9 ,cave4 ,a passage to ! left op5s f ,cat>act ,hall to a l(ty av5ue commonly spok5 ( z a cont9uation ( ! ,ma9 ,cave1 b really on ano!r level4 ,! lime/one slabs t us$ to clatt] "u our feet & endang] our equilibrium h be5 made firm or else remov$1 & we easily proce$ ?r\gh ! ,gorge & across ! portal ( :at once 0 /yl$ ! ,temple1 b has long be5 kn[n z ! ,*ief ,city4 ,by my measurem5t ! room is f\r hundr$ & fifty feet long1 ) an av]age wid? ( "o hundr$ & sev5ty-five feet2 b o!rs h made ! dim5sions l>g]4 ,! utmo/ height does n exce$ "o hundr$ & tw5ty-five feet4 ,! maximum wid?1 z measur$ by ,dr4 ,call1 is two hundr$ & eighty-sev5 feet4 ,! area cov]s ab\t two acres4 ,& ov] ?is va/ space spr+s a solid & seamless canopy ( gray lime/one1 t has ?us lift$ its maje/ic ar* = ?\s&s ( ye>s4 ,dr4 ,bird f\nd "h1 9 #ahcg1 aborig9al relics 89 a/oni%+1 unacc\ntable quantities40 ,=m]ly ^! 7 heap$ z bonfires to illum9ate ! *amb]2 b ev5 yet c>tloads rema9 ( half-burnt cane-tor*es1 fragm5ts ( wov5 moccas9s1 & o!r objects ( int]e/1 to rew>d se>* amid crevices & crannies4 ,! !ory is t ! ,indians made ?is place _! c\ncil *amb]1 or else _! /ronghold ( refuge f enemies4 ,fasc9at$ ) ! local attractions & possibly too =getful ( ! we>9ess ( my guide1 ,i l+]$ once till midnight1 pr[l+ amid ! fa/nesses ( ! ,*ief ,city4 ,notic+ pres5tly ! utt] sil5ce t prevail$1 ,i return$ to :]e my guide _h be5 left on gu>d1 only to f9d a c\ple ( lamps & a /rip ( br[n pap] on :i* he _h scrawl$ ! words1 8,x is midnight & ,i got tir$ & w5t out40 ,! guide _h really des]t$ me1 & ! only ?+ to d 0 to await ! com+ ( comrades1 :o w\ld surely hunt me up1 z !y did aft] ! lapse ( an h\r or s4 ,ext+ui%+ ! lamps mean:ile1 fancy 0 giv5 full play to p ! my/]i\s c\ncil *amb] ) gho/s ( dusky w>riors1 till !re seem$ to be a ru% ( :isp]s & o!r imag9>y s\nds t 7 really caus$1 ,i suppose1 by ! c\rs+ ( ! blood ?r\gh my ve9s4 ,x 0 easy to realize t a p]son actually lo/ 9 ,mammo? ,cave might soon be s bewild]$ z to lose 8 reason4 ,ev5 9 my own case x 0 a relief to break ! spell1 z ,i did1 by simply /rik+ a mat* & trimm+ anew ! flick]+ flame ( my lamps4 ,e obs]vant visitor has se5 ) pleasure ! assemblage ( rocks & ! ov]>*+ canopy agl[ ) ,b5gal lights or burn+ magnesium1 & has comm5t$ on ! s+ul> fact t ! l(ty dome seems to foll[ him z he retires f its protection4 ,/4 ,ca!r9e ,city1 :i* lies beyond1 is at ! int]section ( ! ,blue ,spr+ ,bran* & ,blackall ,av5ue ) ! ma9 passageway4 ,! latt]1 rec5tly nam$ 9 honor ( ! vet]an cave-hunt]1 ,dr4 ,c4 ,r4 ,blackall1 ( ,philadelphia1 ends 9 a funnel-%ap$ pit be>+ ! "n ( ,symmes' ,pit1 probably 9 memory ( ,capta9 ,john ,cleves ,symmes1 ( ,newport1 ,k5tucky1 ^: !ory ga9$ mu* att5tion =m]ly--t our globe 0 a holl[ sph]e ) an op5+ at ! poles1 & t )9 7 races ( m5 & animals diff]5t f ^? on ! surface4 ,at a public meet+ held at ,frank=t1 a resolution 0 adopt$ to ! effect t ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,congress %\ld fit out an exp$ition to ! ,arctic ,circle "u 8 comm&1 9 ord] to f9d1 if possible1 ! my/]i\s ,pol> pit = :i* ?is ,cave pit 0 nam$4 ,our c\rse1 h[ev]1 leads u to ,walda*'s ,dome 79 memory ( ,*>les ,walda*1 ! pione] 9 cave-photography7 & ,ha9s' ,dome 79 honor ( 8 successor1 ,b5 ,ha9s71 bo? ( !m symmetrical & noble domes1 ris+ to oval ceil+s above smoo? floors ( s&4 ,9 ! ,g>ret we f9d flakes ( ,epsom salts l ^? f\nd 9 ! ,sn[ ,room4 ,b5d+ l[ ?r\gh ,mayme's ,/oopway1 we rea* :at to ,dr4 ,call & myself seem$ to be an imp5etrable wall1 to :i* we gave :at we ?\ght ! fitt+ "n ( 8,ultima ,?ule40 ,9 ! ye> #aijh ,mr4 ,max ,kaemp]1 ( ,g]many1 und]took a complete exploration ( ,mammo? ,cave1 assi/$ by ,edw>d ,bi%op1 guide1 ! results ( :i* are exclusively = ! own]s ( ! ,cave4 ,_! obs]vations l$ !m to suspect t a c]ta9 tumble-d[n 9 ! ,s&/one ,av5ue might be id5tical ) ! tumble-d[n kn[n z ,ultima ,?ule4 ,h5ce !y attack$ a crawl-way ne> ! latt]1 & by pati5tly remov+ _m lime/one fragm5ts !y worm$ _! way ?r\gh to an oval hall1 "o hundr$ & sixty feet long by "o hundr$ & tw5ty feet wide & sixty feet high1 n[ nam$1 = its discov]]1 ,kaemp] ,hall4 ,an unse5 wat]fall1 by ^: music !y _h be5 l$ onw>d1 0 n[ se5 to da% d[n an abyss !y nam$1 = ! guide1 ,bi%op's ,pit4 ,ano!r is ! 8,p>ri% ,pit10 s call$ = ,norman ,a4 ,p>ri%1 ( ,buffalo1 ,new ,york4 ,^! are ! fir/ ( a s]ies ( elev5 pits1 ! o!rs n yet be+ nam$4 ,fifty /eps to ! "r is a %ort passage :]e an iron gate is n[ fix$1 op5+ into a symmetrical *amb] sev5ty-five feet 9 diamet] & ( ab\t ! same height1 ris+ by vault$ ar*es & clos+ above 9 a beautiful circle4 ,?is is ,elizabe?'s ,dome1 nam$ = a si/] ( ,mr4 ,kaemp]4 ,! exit is by ! ,gr& ,portal1 an ar* sixty feet wide & fifty feet high1 comm&+ "o ( ! mo/ magnific5t views 9 all ! und]gr\nd _w4 ,on visit+ ! locality soon aft] its discov]y1 ,i seat$ myself on ,alb]t's ,/airway1 :ile "o ( my companions ignit$ ,b5gal lights "h & !re1 & ! o!r us$ an automobile se>*light br\ght 9 = ! purpose2 & ?us !y gave me my fir/ view ( ! wond]ful region1 to :i* ! g5]al "n ( ,violet ,city is giv51 9 honor ( ,mrs4 ,violet ,blair ,jan91 ! wife ( ,tru/ee ,alb]t ,c4 ,jan91 & ! fair own] ( "o ?ird ( ! ,mammo? ,cave e/ate4 ,special features are ,blair ,ca/le & ! ,m>ble ,temple1 ^: environs are /yl$ 8,walhalla10 = ! fabl$ realm above ! cl\ds :]e dwell ! h]oes & demigods ( old ,g]man my?ology4 ,pick+ up our tor*es aga91 & c>ry+ my acetyl5e bicycle lamp1 to :i* ,i _h fix$ a conv5i5t h&le1 we foll[$ a natural pa?way ne> ! wall on ! left1 t l$ u f place to place4 ,we f\nd t ,violet ,city is two hundr$ & fifty feet long by "o hundr$ & tw5ty-five wide1 rival$ only 9 size by ,wright's ,rotunda & ! ,*ief ,city1 & greatly exce$+ !m 9 beauty4 ,a s&/one cave-9 at ! end seems to l5d color to ! idea t ,s&/one ,av5ue1 or "s simil> place1 is ne>4 ,^! fall5 blocks are cem5t$ toge!r by a pr(usion ( onyx4 ,/alactites & /alagmites ab\nd ev]y:]e1 v>y+ 9 color f ! pure/ :ite alaba/] ?r\gh e imag9able %ade4 ,! upp] c5tral "p ( ! hall is cr[n$ by ?ree masses ( flut$ :ite onyx1 gli/5+ ) exquisite cry/als1 :ile f ! ro( hang 9 f9e array /alactites eight or t5 feet long4 ,! "r wall is decorat$ ) pure :ite =mations1 & ! left wall is coat$ ) ri* br[n onyx4 ,a r[ ( /alactites ( v>y+ l5g? emit musical tones :5 /ruck by ! knuckles1 & by skillful p]cussion simple airs c be play$ on !m4 ,^! are ! ,*imes4 ,illu/ration3 ,! ,*imes ,o!r attractions excite surprise4 ,! ,be] ,mug1 l a mug ( foam+ ale1 ! ,ripe ,tomato1 a r>e bit ( r$ onyx1 & o!r odd specim5s ( natural mimicry are "h4 ,"o famili> ) ! brilliant creations f\nd 9 ! wond]ful cav]ns ( ,luray might easily imag9e himself 9 t ,virg9ian fairyl& in/ead ( 9 ,mammo? ,cave4 ,?us f> ^! m>vel\s treasures h be5 kept unt\*$ by v&al f+]s1 su* z h robb$ or de/roy$ else:]e :at %\ld h be5 mo/ jeal\sly gu>d$ 9 ! greate/ cav]n kn[n4 ,9 8 zeal to op5 a passage f ,violet ,city to ,s&/one ,av5ue ,mr4 ,kaemp] obta9$ p]mission to use explosives4 ,?us he made consid]able progress4 ,h[ev]1 ! indications 7 t he 0 likely to bur/ ?r\gh to ! surface some:]e1 in/ead ( into ,s&/one ,av5ue1 & accord+ly he desi/$4 ,9 ei!r case ! result might h be5 advantage\s4 ,an op5+ into ,s&/one ,av5ue w\ld enable visitors to make ! circuit ?r\gh ! ,ma9 ,cave & ,violet ,city1 & return by ! ,long ,r\te1 )\t hav+ to retrace _! /eps4 ,on ! o!r h&1 an exit to ! surface f ne> ,violet ,city w\ld enable !m to return by coa* to ! ,cave ,hotel )\t a we>isome tramp ov] gr\nd already trodd54 ,illu/ration3 ,! ,m>ble ,temple ,to conv9ce ^? :o1 l ! writ]1 are skeptical z to ! proximity ( ,violet ,city & ,s&/one ,av5ue1 ,kaemp] & ,bi%op repair$1 "o to ! fir/ place & ! o!r to ! second1 agree+ on a fix$ mom5t by ! wat* :5 !y w\ld fire revolv]s & likewise hamm] on ! rocks4 ,! pi/ol %ots 7 inaudible1 b ! bl[s on ! walls 7 fa9tly he>d4 ,by simil> s\nd-te/s x 0 det]m9$ t ,wright's ,rotunda is directly above ! ,s]p5t ,hall 7beyond ,e*o ,riv]71 s t x might be possible to connect !m by a /airway ?r\gh an artificial %aft4 ,incid5tally ,i may /ate1 h[ev]1 z %[+ h[ f> s\nd may travel ?r\gh ! rocks & _! my/]i\s crevices1 t1 :ile 9 ! ,*ief ,city1 we he>d ! /eam-c>s runn+ ov] ! ,mammo? ,cave ,railroad4 ,b n[ no %ort cut is provid$ = u1 & we return z we came1 c>ry+ ) u delightful memories ( ! ,new ,discov]y4 ,illu/ration3 ,william ,g>v91 ! ,guide ,illu/ration3 ,9 8,violet ,city0 ,illu/ration3 ,,drawn ,,& ,,copyright$ ,,by ,h4,c4 ,,hovey #aiji4 ,,walk] ,,li? ,,pub ,,co1 ,,bo/on ,,r\te ,,iv ,,to ,,! ,,mael/rom ,,& ,,to ,,hovey',s ,,ca!dral ,,r\te ,,iv ,to ! ,mael/rm & ,hovey's ,ca!dral ,let no "o 9 ord9>y vigor =ego ! rem>kable sc5es ( :at is frequ5tly kn[n z 8,! ,long ,r\te10 simply because long] ?an ei!r ( ! o!r ?ree4 ,! trip is v>i$ by ! boat-ride1 ! midday lun*1 & ! occasional /ops at po9ts ( int]e/4 ,! spirits are also su/a9$ by ! exhil>at+ ,cave atmosph]e4 ,we may imag9e ourselves1 !re=e1 z hav+ l&$ at ,rocky ,inlet1 on ! f>!r %ore ( ! wond]ful ,e*o ,riv]4 ,soon we are greet$ by ! music ( ! wat]fall 9 ,cascade ,hall4 ,to our "r are ,/eph5son's ,av5ue1 ^: pr9cipal attraction is ,neptune's ,cups1 & ! ,aqu>ius ,av5ue1 lead+ to ,ro>+ ,riv]2 bo? ( :i* (f] matt]s ( int]e/ to ! sci5ti/1 b are nev] visit$ by ord9>y t\ri/s1 :o ha/5 on to o!r sc5es m accessible4 ,well+ton's ,gall]ies are peculi> %elf-l projections4 ,at ,dripp+ ,spr+ we f9d a few /alactites4 ,we pass 9 safety :at ! guides irrev]5tly "n ! ,inf]nal ,regions1 ,pluto's ,dome1 & ,old ,scrat* ,hall--! latt] be+ surpris+ly scrat*$ all ov]1 :ile ! only trails ( s]p5ts 9 ,s]p5t ,hall are ! freaks ( nature obs]v$ z w9d+ *annels ov]head4 ,! fact %\ld be not$ t ?is is high-wat] m>k = ,e*o ,riv] 9 "t ( flood4 ,h5ce we take p>ticul> int]e/ 9 ! op5+ f ,s]p5t ,hall to ,gant] ,av5ue z our only exit at su* times1 runn+ z x does = eight ?\s& five hundr$ feet to ! ,wood5 ,b[l ,room1 ne> ! ,giant's ,c(f9 9 ! ,ma9 ,cave4 ,we are assur$1 h[ev]1 t visitors are seldom s unlucky z to get caught by su* a sudd5 rise ( ! wat]s4 ,we h n[ ent]$ ,silliman's ,av5ue1 nam$ = ! late ,pr(essor ,silliman ( ,yale ,univ]sity4 ,9 ! ,valley-,way ,side-,cut are s+ul> cry/als ( gypsum t gr[ 9 ! gr\nd1 :5ce !y are dug up1 l s _m potatoes4 ,beyond ! ,hill ( ,fatigue /&s ! ,great ,we/]n1 resembl+ an ocean /eam]1 h] helm h>d-a-port4 ,by m\nt+ a l$ge betwe5 ! ,vale ( ,fl[]s & ,rabbit ,rock1 & foll[+ ,rhoda ,arcade = ab\t five hundr$ y>ds amid int]e/+ incru/ations1 we f9d ?ree domes1 nam$ = diff]5t memb]s ( ! ,jesup family1 ! highe/ & mo/ symmetrical be+ ,lucy's ,dome1 connect$ by a l(ty ar*way ) ! o!r two4 ,imm5se alaba/] curta9s hang on ! walls1 & ! effect :5 illum9at$ f ! ar*way is gr&4 ,on ! left ( ,silliman's ,av5ue is a hall ) f9e ac\/ic prop]ties1 ?irty feet wide1 =ty long1 & tw5ty high1 :]e ! fam\s ,norwegian viol9i/ ,ole ,bull is said to h once giv5 a special p]=mance2 & h5ce x be>s 8 "n1 ,ole ,bull's ,conc]t ,hall4 ,! wild & rugg$ pass :i*1 on ! map1 seems to be a cont9uance ( ,silliman's ,av5ue1 is really on a l[] level1 & is well nam$ 8,el ,ghor0 7,! ,gorge74 ,x w9ds ab\t l a =sak5 riv] b$1 :i* x und\bt$ly is1 & (f]s _m surpris+ sights4 ,"o su* is ! ,fly ,*amb]1 9 :i* sw>ms ( h\se-flies seem to h settl$ on ! walls & ceil+4 ,exam9ation proves !m to be s _m cry/als ( black oxide ( manganese4 ,! ,hang+ ,rocks1 ! ,%eep-%elt]1 & ! ,victoria ,cr[n are =mations ^: names sugge/ _! %ape4 ,imm$iately ov] ,el ,ghor is ,cor9ne's ,dome1 n9e feet wide & ab\t =ty feet high4 ,! guide po9ts out :at he /yles ,suicide ,rock1 & :5 y innoc5tly ask him 8,:y80 8 ready reply is1 8,because x hung itself40 ,! ,black ,hole ( ,calcutta is an ugly black pit on ! left ( ! pass4 ,el ,ghor cont9ues on = "s di/ance1 b we leave x aft] refre%+ ourselves at ,hebe's ,spr+1 a cle> pool f\r feet 9 diamet] by a foot & a half deep1 & said to be impregnat$ ) sulphur2 a fact ( int]e/--x might easily come f ! r$uction ( gypsum or ,epsom salt4 ,/ev5son1 :o 0 "h 9 #ahfa1 says1 8,!re is a %ort av5ue1 or r a hole1 lead+ f ,el ,ghor to a %eet ( wat] call$ ,my/ic ,riv]1 :i* has n be5 explor$1 z !y h nev] be5 able to get a boat 9 !re40 ,o!r e>ly writ]s m5tion ,my/ic ,riv]1 b ,dr4 ,call & myself 7 unable to f9d x4 ,possibly x is id5tical ) ! /ream 9 ,m>tel ,av5ue2 b no "o w\ld ev] ?9k ( a 8boat0 9 connection ) ! latt]4 ,boone ,av5ue1 div]g+ f ,el ,ghor to our left at a po9t five ?\s& eight hundr$ & tw5ty y>ds f ! m\? ( ! ,cave1 0 = _m ye>s block$ by a /one /airway1 rec5tly remov$4 ,important discov]ies 7 made 9 ?is direction 9 #aijg1 to :i* we %all pres5tly give att5tion4 ,n[1 h[ev]1 we climb up ?r\gh an un9vit+ hole at our "r t admits u to an upp] ti] ( cav]ns4 ,:5 ! la/ man is ?r\gh we burn blue fire1 & are surpris$ to f9d ourselves 9 a /one v9ey>d4 ,nodules & globules simulate clu/]s on clu/]s ( lusci\s grapes1 gleam+ ) p>ti-color$ t9ts ?r\gh dripp+ dew4 ,no covet\s h& is all[$ to pluck ! m>vel\s v9tage ( ,m>y's ,v9ey>d2 :i*1 aft] all1 ! m9]alogi/ expla9s z simply calcium c>bonate coat$ ) ! black oxide ( iron4 ,wa%+ton ,hall1 smoke-/a9$ & its floor /rewn ) relics ( hundr$s ( lun*-p>ties 9 =m] days1 is ma9ly int]e/+ z ! place :5ce two gr& av5ues div]ge1 namely1 ,m>ion ,av5ue1 n includ$ 9 our r\te1 & ,cleavel& ,av5ue1 s nam$ = ! late m9]alogi/ ( t "n4 ,?is av5ue is "o ( ! great 8lions0 ( ,mammo? ,cave1 & _m ?9k m ( x ?an ( all ! o!r ,cave lions put toge!r4 ,x has inde$ a m>vel\s beauty peculi>ly its own4 ,walls & ceil+ ev]y:]e are decorat$ by mimic leaves & fl[]s1 9 an inf9ite v>iety ( =m4 ,!re is h>dly a plant kn[n to botany t does n f9d its c\nt]p>t "h2 b roses1 camellias1 & *rysan!mums are ! mo/ common v>ieties4 ,9 _m p>ts ( ?is treasury ( cry/als !re is n a space z l>ge z y\r h& t is n decorat$ by dazzl+ blossoms2 & ev5 ! floor sp>kles ) bright fragm5ts ( fl[]s demoli%$ by v&al visitors4 ,dr4 ,john ,locke1 ( ,c9c9nati1 gave ^! ,cave rosettes ! "n ( 8oulopholites10 mean+ lit]ally 8curl$-leaf-/ones40 ,among descriptive names assign$ to diff]5t p>ts ( ?is en*ant$ realm are ,sn[ball ,room1 ,flora's ,g>d51 ,orpha's ,g>d51 ! ,cross ( ,fl[]s1 ! ,la/ ,rose ( ,summ]1 ,crypt ( ,jewels1 & ,*>lotte's ,grotto4 ,^! are n all ( !m 9 ,cleavel& ,av5ue1 b "s are 9 its vic9ity4 ,x is a va/ cry/all9e region1 ?r\gh :i* "o may w&] = fully two miles & occasionally f9d1 9 "s seclud$ nook1 ! trail+ v9es1 /alks ( cel]y1 & /ag's antl]s describ$ by e>ly t\ri/s4 ,surfeit$ at l5g? by su* floral spl5dors1 we sudd5ly em]ge into ,call's ,rotunda & clamb] up ! loosely pil$ blocks ( lime/one call$ ! ,rocky ,m\nta9s1 f ^: summit we look d[n into ! ,dismal ,holl[1 ^: gloom our r$ fires h>dly succe$ 9 dispell+4 ,?ree av5ues bran* f ,call's ,rotunda2 "o to ,s&/one ,av5ue1 :i* ,kaemp] consid]s to be 9 proximity to ,violet ,city2 ano!r1 ,frankl9 ,av5ue1 ends 9 ,s]5a's ,arbor2 & ! ?ird leads directly to a l>ge room nam$1 = ! =m] own] ( ! ,cave1 ,croghan's ,hall4 ,x is sixty feet 9 diamet] & ?irty feet high4 ,"h we f9d1 ! yawn+ *asm kn[n z ! ,mael/rm1 :i* by my measurem5t is eighty-eight feet deep1 ?\gh (t5 describ$ z f> deep] ?an t4 ,x is claim$ t ,w4 ,c4 ,pr5tice 0 ! fir/ to desc5d to ! bottom ( ?is abyss4 ,accord+ to ,mr4 ,proct] ! same feat 0 aft]w>d accompli%$ by ,mr4 ,ri*>d ,babbitt4 ,mr4 ,f4 ,j4 ,/ev5son1 ( ,london1 9 8 lett]s to 8 "m1 tells ! /ory at great l5g? ( 8 own desc5t into ! ,mael/rm 9 ! pres5ce ( ?irty witnesses & ) ! help ( two guides1 ,ni*olas ,bran=d & ,frank de ,monbrun4 ,on ! #ae? ( ,may1 #aije1 ,mr4 ,b5jam9 ,f4 ,e9bigl] & ,john ,m4 ,nelson1 guide1 7 l[]$ by ropes held by ,edw>d ,hawk9s & ,levi ,woodson1 guides1 ! rope-l5g? be+ exactly n9ety-sev5 feet eight in*es4 ,_! acc\nt diff]s mat]ially f ! =m] descriptions1 b we w n try to adju/ _! /atem5ts 9 ?is manual4 ,! mo/ t ! visitor w be apt to d w be to pe] ov] ! br9k & wond] t anybody %\ld v5ture d[n su* an awful abyss4 ,?is is e/imat$ to be n9ety-six hundr$ y>ds f ! entrance to ! ,cave1 & is (t5 spok5 ( z 8! end ( ,mammo? ,cave40 ,b :o c tell :]e ! real 8end0 ( s va/ a labyr9? may be8 ,at any rate "h we turn & retrace our /eps ?r\gh ! p>adise ( ,cave fl[]s until we rea* ,m>y's ,v9ey>d & desc5d to ! level ( ,el ,ghor4 ,"h1 if we h ! "t1 /r5g?1 & incl9ation1 we may ent] ,boone ,av5ue1 :i* has be5 kn[n = _m ye>s1 & visit :at is practically a new "p1 ( ! ,cave1 ?\gh !re are signs ( its hav+ be5 explor$ long ago by unkn[n visitors4 ,a well-worn pa? leads u to a *asm1 d[n ^: slope we pick our way to a l[] level kn[n on ,/eph5 ,bi%op's old map z ,miriam ,av5ue4 ,a n>r[ & w9d+ way1 call$ ,p9son's ,pass1 leads into a long & noble av5ue :i* is nam$ ,m>tel ,av5ue1 9 honor ( ! fam\s cave-hunt] ( ,france1 ,edw>d ,a4 ,m>tel4 ,! po9t :]e we ent] x is call$1 f its peculi> %ape1 ,bottle ,hall4 ,7 we to g to ! left 9 ,m>tel ,av5ue we %\ld f9d ! pa? rugg$ & difficult1 b w\ld be rew>d$ by see+ ,helictite ,hall1 :]e ab\nd ^? curi\s twi/$ & di/ort$ /alactites kn[n z helictites4 ,sev]al small passages bran* (f f ! av5ue1 :i* f9ally t]m9ates 9 ,gall[ay's ,dome4 ,! "r-h& portion ( ,m>tel ,av5ue br+s u soon to ! b$ ( a brook t mu/ at times be deeply cov]$ by fl[+ wat]4 ,ripple m>ks ( s& alt]nate ) flat masses ( jet-black poli%$ fl9t4 ,knots ( wood1 roots ( corn-/alks1 & o!r objects indicate t !y 7 rec5tly swept d[n hi!r f ! surface4 ,two adjac5t domes are nam$ = ! intrepid guide1 ,john ,m4 ,nelson1 b beyond !m "s h>dy pione] _h inscrib$ on a rock ! date #ahdh4 ,mr4 ,norman ,a4 ,p>ri% came z f> z ?is 9 #aijd1 b ! di/9ction ( avail+ himself ( foo?olds ov] a risky lime/one slip & cross+ :]e o!rs _h turn$ back belongs to ,mr4 ,b4 ,f4 ,e9bigl]1 already m5tion$ z hav+ desc5d$ ! ,mael/rm4 ,= him ! great ov]hang+ dome is nam$1 :ile a /ill gr&] "o ab\t a hundr$ y>ds beyond 0 nam$ by him 8,edna ,dome0 = 8 si/]1 :o subsequ5tly visit$ x4 ,in/ead ( n>r[+ to an apex1 z mo/ domes d1 ,edna ,dome broad5s at ! top1 seem+ to op5 into a cross-cav]n4 ,?is conjecture rema9s to be v]ifi$ by "s climb]4 ,edw>d ,hawk9s scal$ ! wall ( ! pit und]nea? ,e9bigl]'s ,dome1 ,may #ae1 #aijg1 be+ foll[$ by ,e9bigl]1 ,brans=d1 & at ano!r visit by ,mr4 ,h4 ,m4 ,p9son1 :o took along ! head-light ( an automobile = illum9ation4 ,?is se>*light 0 /ill !re on ! occasion ( my own visit1 on ! #ah? ( ,june1 #aijg1 a mon? aft]w>d1 9 company ) ,william ,brans=d & ,frank ,b>ry1 guides4 ,pass+ ?r\gh ,hawk9s' ,way & scal+ a wall at its end1 we 7 on ! level floor ( a dome sixty feet 9 diamet] & f "o hundr$ & fifty to two hundr$ feet high4 ,a tall ar*$ gateway op5$ f ?is into a second dome ( equal size2 & ?r\gh simil> gateways we ent]$ 9 succession five va/ domes arrang$ z a sigmoidal gr\p4 ,f ! fif? a w9d[ op5s into an irregul> room1 :]e a d[nfall ( rocks blocks fur!r progress4 ,9 ?is fif? dome also a wat]fall leaps f ! apex to ! floor1 :]e x vani%es into a *asm4 ,! maje/ic walls rise 9 horizontal ti]s1 ea* ti] ab\t t5 feet 9 ?ickness & fr+$ by beautiful /alactites4 ,! mighty masonry asc5ds 9 n>r[+ circles till ! p[]ful se>*light b>ely enables u to disc]n ! oval :ite tablet =m+ ! apex1 girt by onyx p5dants4 ,v]tically ! walls are ri*ly corrugat$ f top to bottom4 ,! entire s]ies ( five unit$ domes is f\r times ! magnitude ( ,gor9's ,dome4 ,ages on ages 7 ne$$ = ! *emical & me*anical action :]eby ?is surpris+ ca!dral 0 c>v$ 9 sil5ce brok5 only by ! wild1 patt]+ wat]fall or ! heavi] cat>act4 ,let me anew express my obligation to ! ,mammo? ,cave managem5t = hav+ m>k$ _! appreciation ( my long-cont9u$ & en?usia/ic int]e/ 9 _! wond]ful cav]n by nam+1 ) ! approval ( ! discov]] & ! guides1 ?is rem>kable gr\p ( domes 8,hovey's ,ca!dral40 ,a glance at ! map w %[1 t ,kaemp] & ,bi%op w5t beyond :at has j be5 describ$1 & f\nd two domes1 to "o ( :i* ,mr4 ,kaemp] gave ! "n ( a ,g]man lady1 call+ x 8,g]ta's ,grotto10 & ! o!r he nam$ 8,creighton's ,dome10 = an e>ly & o!rwise unkn[n explor]1 ^: footpr9ts 7 f\nd !re1 & :o left 8 "n c>v$ on ! rocks4 ,9 conclusion1 let x aga9 be /at$ t ! aim ( ?is h&-book is ma9ly to help ! visitor to und]/& ^? r\tes ov] :i* guides ord9>ily conduct p>ties4 ,! kn[n av5ues & m9or passageways1 if plac$ end to end1 w\ld exce$ "o hundr$ & fifty miles by a cons]vative e/imate4 ,sixty-n9e pits & ?irty-n9e domes1 c\nt+ only ^? ( great magnitude1 are kn[n & locat$ on ! surveys ( #aijh1 besides _m lat]al enl>gem5ts1 aft] ! /yle ( ,wright's ,rotunda & ! ,*ief ,city4 ,yet we d>e n say t ?is imm5se cav]n has be5 completely explor$4 ,^? mo/ famili> ) its surpris+ dim5sions ?9k x possible t resolute m51 beg9n+ :]e o!rs h left (f1 might f9d z mu* m new t]ritory z has already be5 describ$ 9 ! va/ subt]ranean realm kn[n z ! ,mammo? ,cave ( ,k5tucky4 ,illu/ration3 ,transcrib]'s ,notes --,sil5tly correct$ a few typos4 --,reta9$ ! orig9al1 inconsi/5t spell+s 8,jesup0 & 8,jessup04 --,reta9$ copyright notices1 al?\gh ?is e,book is public-doma9 9 ! c\ntry ( publication4 --,9 ! text v]sions only1 text 9 italics is delimit$ by und]scores4