58 THE MAMMOTH CAVE. 



in the morning to be lengthened out to at least 

 three times that distance ! Then we were ready 

 to exclaim, " 0, for a horse !" 



Upon reaching the entrance, which we (Jo 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 



