Traces of Troglodytes. 291 



that for centuries had sheltered man in pre-Co- 

 lumbian days. At least so ran the tale. 



It is "never wise to build largely upon hearsay. 

 Accept one per cent, as probably true, and if that 

 does not tempt you, stay at home. The excess, if 

 there proves to be any such, is the bonus awarded 

 your courage. The sun went down, not upon our 

 wrath, but our rejoicing. We had ninety-and- 

 nine per cent, in our favor. Rumor for once had 

 held to the straight path, and now our camp-fire 

 chased the dark shadows from a huge rock-shelter. 

 There had been Indians upon the upland fields ; 

 this we knew ; that they had fished in the moun- 

 tain-stream that rippled by we had proved beyond 

 a doubt, and it was now left us to determine what 

 of the yawning cave near which we camped. Do 

 not ask, " Why not in it ?" One of us drew the 

 line at sharing a bedroom with bats, and then it 

 was dangerously damp so near the water. But 

 this was of little moment. The cave would not 

 run off in the night, and we were within arm's 

 reach if it attempted it. Until long after midnight 

 we rejoiced. There were chattering squirrels and 

 hooting owls to keep us company, and the over- 



