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 AValk 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 w^as 

 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 



