Geology 



of water forming on the ends of the stalactites were 

 blown slightly to one side by the air current, and thus 

 the curvature was produced. 



There did not appear to be any way out of the 

 chamber except the one by which we had entered, but 

 the strong draught led us to search for a further orifice. 

 This we were successful in finding by means of the 

 candle flames, and, after breaking away a screen of 

 stalactites, were able to enter a passage even lower than 

 the first. Luckily, after the first few yards the roof rose 

 rapidly, and we were soon able to walk upright, though 

 we were in constant danger of knocking our heads 

 against small stalactites, or other projections from the 

 roof. We could now hear the sound of running water, 

 though it was impossible to say whence it came. 



It is extremely difficult to estimate distances under- 

 ground, and we were unable to determine how far we 

 were from the main chamber or in what direction we 

 had been travelling, when we suddenly came upon a 

 wide opening the end of our passage. The opening 

 appeared to be high up on the wall of a subterranean 

 chamber, as below us was a vertical cliff, while above 

 we could dimly discern what appeared to be an irregular 

 roof. Throwing lighted matches into the gulf, we 

 variously estimated its death at 50 to 80 feet, and a 

 small pebble flung outwards striking rock and not water 

 assured us that there was a safe landing below. We 

 found it impossible to climb down the slippery face 

 without the aid of a rope, and therefore returned to our 

 friends in the main chamber, who were becoming anxious 

 for our safety, as we had been away from them for 

 nearly four hours. 



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