78 THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 
impressing the senses through the sight alone, 
the Star Chamber, in the Main Cave, excels it ; 
but all who are capable of being agreeably 
affected by the “concord of sweet sounds” will 
recall the voyage over Echo River as the most 
charming reminiscence connected with their 
visit to the Mammoth Cave. It is the fairy- 
river that wafts upon its bosom the wandering 
traveler to the mystic regions beyond. 
Echo River extends from Great Walk to the 
commencement of Silliman’s Avenue, a distance 
of three-quarters of a mile. 
The avenue at the entrance of Echo River, 
under ordinary circumstances, is about three 
feet in height, which, as can be easily imagined, 
is rather a contracted space for a boat with its 
human freight to pass beneath. A large flat- 
boat is kept here, which we found large enough 
to carry the entire number of our party at a 
single trip. Considerable stooping was _neces- 
sary to pass under this low arch on our out- 
ward-bound voyage; but before our return the 
river had risen several inches, so that it was 
necessary to get down on the hands and knees, 
and even lower, in order to pass the arch. The 
unpleasantness of the situation may be inferred, 
when it is stated that the boat, in consequence 
