236 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE. 



describe all this.' He rightly thought it indescribable. 

 The name of this gallant fellow was Thomas Conroy. 



We returned, clambering at intervals up and down, 

 so as to catch glimpses of the most impressive portions 

 of the cataract. We passed under ledges formed by 

 tabular masses of limestone, and through some curious 

 openings formed by the falling together of the summits 

 of the rocks. At length we found ourselves beside our 

 enemy of the morning. Conroy halted for a minute or 

 two, scanning the torrent thoughtfully. I said that, as 

 a guide, he ought to have a rope in such a place ; but 

 he retorted that, as no traveller had ever thought of 

 coming there, he did not see the necessity of keeping 

 a rope. He waded in. The struggle to keep himself 

 erect was evident enough; he swayed, but recovered 

 himself again and again. At length he slipped, gave 

 way, did as I had done, threw himself towards the 

 bank, and was swept into the shallows. Standing in 

 the stream near its edge, he stretched his arm towards 

 me. I retained the pitchfork handle, for it had been 

 useful among the boulders. By wading some way in, 

 the staff could be made to reach him, and I proposed 

 his seizing it. ' If you are sure,' he replied, ' that, in 

 case of giving way, you can maintain your grasp, then 

 I will certainly hold you.' Remarking that he might 

 count on this, I waded in, and stretched the staff to 

 my companion. It was firmly grasped by both of us. 

 Thus helped, though its onset was strong, I moved 

 safely across the torrent. All danger ended here. We 

 afterwards roamed sociably among the torrents and 

 boulders below the Cave of the Winds. The rocks 

 were covered with organic slime, which could not have 

 been walked over with bare feet, but the felt shoes 

 effectually prevented slipping. We reached the cave 

 and entered it, first by a wooden way carried over the 



