58 THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 
in the morning to be lengthened out to at least 
three times that distance! Then we were ready 
to exclaim, “‘QO, for a horse !” 
Upon reaching the entrance, which we do by 
descending the steep bank leading to it by 
means of rough stone steps, the guides im- 
mediately proceed to light the lamps, which 
are kept within the mouth of the Cave for the 
use of visitors. 
Proceeding a few steps, each with lamp in 
hand, we plunged into almost total darkness, 
our aids to sight appearing to afford but little 
light to our unaccustomed eyes. We were 
ready to despair of ever getting a view of the 
beauties of the Cave with such limited means 
of illumination. But in a few moments, our 
pupils having had time to expand, and adapt 
themselves to the sudden change from light 
to darkness, we were gratified to discover that 
we could obtain a very satisfactory view of the 
dark interior. 
Upon entering the Cave for the first time, we 
feel the force of the words of Dante: 
“Who enters here leaves hope behind.” 
This is literally true, but not, however, in the 
terrible sense implied by the poet. We not 
