26 THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 



wont to say, they were 'grand, gloomy, and 

 peculiar.' 



" Many attempted descriptions of the Cave 

 have been published in the newspapers ; and 

 several pamphlet publications have been made ; 

 but I know of none now existing. Many of 

 the newspaper articles were utterly false. 



" Stephen was a self-educated man ; he had 

 a fine genius, a great fund of wit and humor, 

 some little knowledge of Latin and Greek, and 

 much knowledge of geology ; but his great 

 talent was a perfect knowledge of man.* 



" I have been compelled to write you this 

 letter in great haste, but you may rely upon 

 the facts as stated. 



" Yours truly, 



" F."^ GORIN." 



* It has been said that Stephen was partly of Indian ex- 

 traction. In reply to a subsequent letter addressed to Mr. 

 Gorin, on this and other points, he remarks, " There was not 

 any Indian blood in Stephen's veins. I knew his reputed father, 

 who was a white man. I owned Stephen's mother and brother, 

 but not until after both of the children were born. Stephen was 

 certainly a very extraordinary boy and man. His talents were of 

 the first order. He was trustworthy and reliable ; he was com- 

 panionable ; he was a hero, and could be a clown. He knew a 

 gentleman or a lady as if by instinct. He learned whatever he 

 wished, without trouble or labor ; and it is said that a late pro- 

 fessor of geology spoke highly of his knowledge in that depart- 

 ment of science." 



