246 THE FOGOTJ AT HALLIGEY, TRELOWAEREN. 



Having descended by the steps to this black hole, I thrust 

 myself in, — legs first, backward and downward, — and was soon 

 standing on a pile of large loose debris in a low, narrow, stony 

 corridor, extending in a curve to my right and left. It was 

 pitchy-dark in each direction. The dead stillness of the place 

 was broken only by the constant drip, drip of water soaking 

 down from the deep earth overhead. It has been said that in 

 consequence of the prevailing atmosphere being so heavy, and 

 the Fogou so deeply imbedded, no sound made within the 

 dungeon-like walls can be heard by anyone outside. 



I kindled a light, but before proceeding adopted a precaution. 

 Fearing that some accident might befall the light I carried, and 

 that being alone I might in consequence miss my way, I planted 

 a second lighted candle in the loose earth of the cave-floor to 

 guide my return. I then began to explore. What I saw in my 

 lonely wanderings agreed with the plans. I had come into a 

 long curved tunnel-like vault, across the end of which I found a 

 straight one a,t right angles, and a low passage connecting them, 

 through which I passed by stooping. In conjunction with each 

 I observed chambers or cells, entered by little portals. These 

 miniature doorways, like the passage-ways, are uncomfortably 

 small creeps, but there is room enough for walking erect in the 

 chief parts of the two main corridors. 



I noticed the stonework roughly but carefully piled together, 

 each wall as it was built higher having been made gradually to 

 approach that opposite. I also noticed the roof formed of granite 

 slabs or posts laid across, with smaller stones — as earth stoppers, 

 — ^peering down as it were, from between. 



It is said that rats frequent the place ; one was seen at the 

 entrance. The air is dank, and the depth of gloom profound. 

 Especially dark did I find the straight inner part of the Fogou. 

 Not only is it far removed from that portion of the cave into 

 which one small ray of day -light does enter (through the only 

 breathing hole), but it seemed to be pervaded by a dark mist. I 

 found it apparently filled with a thick black fog, so dense as to 

 be almost impervious to the candle-light. The flame I carried 

 burned lower as I entered, and it was only by straining my sight 

 that I could dimly trace the position of the bare stonework, 

 blackened as it is by the damp of ages. At one time it seemed 

 doubtful whether or not I should be able by its aid to find again 



