192 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE 



of Biddle's Stair, the guide to ihe Cave of the Winds. 

 He was in the prime of manhood large, well built, firm 

 and pleasant in mouth and eye. My interest in the scene 

 stirred up his, and made him communicative. Turning 

 to a photograph, he described, by reference to it, a feat 

 which he had accomplished some time previously, and 

 which had brought him almost under the green water of 

 the Horseshoe Fall. "Can you lead me there to-mor- 

 row?" I asked. He eyed me inquiringly, weighing, per- 

 haps, the chances of a man of light build, and with gray 

 in his whiskers, in such an undertaking. "I wish," I 

 added, "to see as much of the fall as can be seen, and 

 where you lead I will endeavor to follow." His scrutiny 

 relaxed into a smile, and he said, "Very well; I shall be 

 ready for you to-morrow." 



On the morrow, accordingly, I came. In the hut at 

 the head of Biddle's Stair I stripped wholly, and re- 

 dressed according to instructions drawing on two pairs 

 of woollen pantaloons, three woollen jackets, two pairs of 

 socks, and a pair of felt shoes. Even if wet, my guide 

 assured me that the clothes would keep me from be- 

 ing chilled; and he was right. A suit and hood of yel- 

 low oilcloth covered all. Most laudable precautions were 

 taken by the young assistant who helped to dress me to 

 keep the water out; but his devices broke down imme- 

 diately when severely tested. 



We descended the stair; the handle of a pitchfork do- 

 ing, in my case, the duty of an alpenstock. At the bot- 

 tom, the guide inquired whether we should go first to the 

 Cave of the Winds, or to the Horseshoe, remarking that 

 the latter would try us most. I decided on getting the 

 roughest done first, and he turned to the left over the 



