1875 - 
90 
camped there over night. In the morning, after an 
early breakfast, we started for the cave. 
Entering the main opening, we proceeded about fifty 
feet to a smaller opening in the right-hand wall of the 
cave, and about ten feet from the floor. Climbing up 
into that we kept on through a narrow passage-way to 
a point about thirty feet from the entrance, where the 
passage dwindled into a small hole just large enough to 
admit a man’s body. Here we hesitated for an instant. 
Horrible visions of rattlesnakes and tarantulas, and bot- 
tomless pits, rose up before us and kept us back, but 
only for an instant. I happened to be the first through 
on the other side, and found this low archway led to 
another passage similar to the one we had left. On we 
went, turning several corners, but along a floor which 
kept nearly level till we came to a second archway sup- 
ported by round crystalline limestone pillars on either 
side. Here the level line of the floor became depressed 
to an angle of perhaps thirty degrees. The very black- 
ness of darkness prevailed, which the candle we had 
with us seemed to only make visible. So intense was 
the darkness that the candle’s rays did not enable us to 
see six feet away from us. Everyone stopped involun- 
tarily; no one wanted to begin the descent before us, 
and it is fortunate that no one did, as the sequel will 
show. Presently some one proposed to throw a stone 
down the incline and listen to its descent. We did so. 
There was a breathless silence. The stone rolled along 
the incline, then bounded off and struck again far be- 
low, then again, and again, the sound reverberating as 
if it came from the depths of the earth. We were ap- 
palled. Two steps further in the dark passage-way be- 
fore us would have been instant death. Ropes were 
now brought, and more lights, and before long we had 
a rope ladder constructed, about twenty feet in length. 
It was lowered down into the abyss, but did not reach 
the bottom. A strong line was fastened to it and it was 
again lowered. After paying out thirty feet of the rope 
the lower end of the ladder rested on something solid. 
A lantern attached to a sixty foot rope was then lowered 
down, and though ils very feeble light was wholly in- 
adequate to the requirements of the situation, we could 
see that there was a landing place of some sort at the 
foot of the ladder, though whether it was at the edge of 
another abyss or not, or whether any substantial foot- 
hold there, could not be discovered. The place might 
be full of rattlesnakes or tarantulas, or it might be a 
bear cave, with other openings on its own level for all 
we knew’. I confess I had no disposition to swing off, 
and slide down the dangling rope into the impenetrable 
darkness, without any assurance of a foothold at the end 
of it 
But not so with the brave fellows who were with me, 
they even contended among themselves as to who should 
be fli'St to make the descent, and as soon as the word 
was given, they sprang eagerly to the rope and swung 
themselves off’ without a faltering nerve. Imagine a 
rope dangling loosely from a church tower fifty feet 
in height in the middle of a dark night, and a man 
without any special experience in that sort of thing, 
swinging himself out on it for a descent, and even with- 
out knowing what was at the lower end of it. The 
case in question was worse, if anything, for here there 
was all the grim surroundings and mysterious associa- 
tions of a dark, forbidding, and unpleasant cavern 
Dick (Richard Hubbard) begged earnestly to be the first 
to descend, but the lot had fallen to Green (Myron 
Green) and in a moment more he was seen on the rope, 
dangiing in mid air, and in the next he became entirely 
lost to the sight of those above. It seemed an age be- 
fere he called out that he had reached the ladder. This 
hung so loosely that it was hardly better than the single 
rops, except that it gave a chance to rest. 
Another long silence at the end of which he 
shouted that he had reached the bottom, when Dick 
sprang to the rope and swung ott'. Just at this moment 
the lantern which had been lowered to Green fell over 
and went out, and he was left in the impenetrable dark- 
ness. With perfect presence of mind, however, he felt 
for it, found it, and lighted it again, and reported a 
foothold at the bottom, sufliciently large, at least, for 
a landing place. Waldo Hubbard immediately followed 
Dick, and soon all thiee were at the bottom, ready to 
proceed with further explorations. The opportunity 
was now afforded to the rest to make the descent, but 
no one came forward, and it soon became evident, that 
Dick, ^V aldo, and Green, wouldbe the only ones that 
day to ex 'lore the abyss. 
This having been announced to those below, the ex- 
plorations began, the result of which was as follows: 
A chamber was found 150 feet long and 40 feet wide, 
with a floor sloping slightly downw’ards from the 
point of entrance. The chamber was, of course, the 
depth of the descent, or from 50 to 00 feet Stalactites 
and stalagmites of beautiful crystalline structure 
as is common in limestone formations, were found, 
and all the usual curio -ities of a limestone cave, but 
what surprised all of us most, was the discovery of sev- 
eral bones partly coated with a limestone petirfaction. 
Whether they were human bones or otherwise, we 
could not tell, but no one could help reflecting on 
the awful death that the creature, whether man or beast, 
to whom the bones belonged, must have endured, nnder 
the combined horrors of solitude, darknes.s, thirst, and 
starvation, nor could we help indulging in curious, 
though profitless speculations as to the circumstances 
which led this hapless creature on to its terrific end. 
After spending about an in exploring the cave 
without finding an outlet, the explorers cut the letters 
U. S. F. C. in the rock, and filled a bag with the curios- 
ities they had collected, which was fastened to the end 
of a rope and pulled up by those outside. 
Then commenced the difficult and dangerous ascent. 
All three reached the top in safety, though nearly ex- 
hausted, and after retracing their steps to where we 
could once more see the welcome light of day, the party 
cheered the explorers, fired a salute and returned to 
the camp. 
TWO WEEKS m THE ADIRONDACKS. 
BY BAR LOCK. 
[concluded.] 
the water opened the bushes which lined the banks of 
this little less than a mud-hole, some half a dozen or 
more large ducks feeding, I made a slight noise and as 
they started to fly sent an ounce and a half of No. 4 
shot into their midst, taking aim at one particularly 
large one. Ben rushed up to see what the result wa.s, 
and found four of the “ broad-bills” w’ho were unable 
to leave with their companions, tcree dead and one 
winged. We managed to secure them all as the pond is 
not more than six or eight rods w'ide at any place. 
Now then, I could return to camp satisfied and com- 
forted with the thought of partial success, shot two 
grouse on our way back, arriving at the bay about dark, 
found Hank asleep and not very w’ell satisfied with his 
day’s sport. The ladies welcomed us to camp, pro- 
nounced the ducks just splendid and said they had 
enjoyed a pleasant day in their way, making mats and 
other ornaments from the inner bark of the white birch, 
also, writing letters on the same material to friends at 
home. Next day we concluded to try the trout again. 
Bon said we must work away from shore farther and 
see it we could not capture some of the large fellows. 
We had very good success, and as the wind was blow- 
ing quite fresh from the south, with a prospect I'f rain 
soon, I concluded to reel up, be content with what fish 
we had. As Ben was waiting for me to get ready before 
starting foi camp, we heard a splash and knowing by 
the noise, that it must be a large fish we turned and saw 
his “wake” near some lily pads about forty feet from 
the boat; I forthwith concluded to make his acquaint- 
ance if possible. Clearing my line I soon sent my red 
ibis to the place when he “broke water.” Like a flash 
he took it and I knew I had hooked my “boss” trout. 
“Give him the but of the rod;” cried Ben enthusiasti- 
cally, and Mother who was in the same boat, in her 
anxiety to see the fun leaned so far over that we almost 
shipped water over the gunwale. I had all I could do 
to keep him from doubling on me, but the little bamboo 
did its dut}' and the music of the reel, as he made an 
extra dash, lent interest to the fight. Ben backed into 
deeper water as fast as it was prudent, and when I had 
him clear from the pads, I could manage him; two or 
three times I had him up to the boat, and Ben was 
about to use the net, when oflf he would start seemingly 
with renewed strength, and after a few sharp turns 
allow himself to be led back. Finally, he came toward 
us with his mouth open and partly turned on his side, 
then I knew the field was mine. Ben deftly lifted him 
into the boat, he made a few faint struggles and all was 
over. Mother exclaimed “isn’t he a beauty?” I took a 
long, long breath of satisfaction, and to'd Ben to head 
for shore, for I wished to know how much he weighed. 
We reached camp in time to escape a smart shower, 
weighed the trout and found he tipped the scales at 
three pound and two ounces. 
In the afternoon Hank fished the same ground and 
succeeded in capturing a trout nearly as large as mine 
which made him feel very proud as it was about the 
first fishing he ever did with a fly. Mother who was 
baitfishing in the boat at the time, declared when Hank 
hooked his big trout and got his first sight at him, his 
(Hank’s) eyes stood out like door knobs. Toward night 
Ben’s dogs came back Irom Chateaugay and Ave held a 
council where it was best to go for some venison, as Ben 
was supposed to know best, vje took his advice and 
agreed on Chateaugay. We remained in camp one day, 
to let the dogs recruit from their last chase, and all 
things being ready we took our way for the above men- 
tioned place, leaving the ladies to take care of them- 
selves, they prefering to remain alone rather than take 
a seven mile tramp through the woods. We did not 
hurry as Ben said we could not have any sport until the 
next day. About .sunset Ave arrived at our destination, 
found it a more public resort than Chazy, there being 
several dwellings there for the accommodation of sports- 
men and tourists, also, a small steamboat for the use of 
pleasure parties. I thought it a “poor show” for deer 
and said as much to Ben, he said “ I Avill shoAv you 
to-morroAv.” We took lodgings with a man who lived 
near the lake, bargained for the use of his boats on the 
morrow, and at an early hour retired to dream of the 
proposed hunt. At three a. m., next morning, we were 
aroused by Ben and received our marching orders. 
IlanK Avas to go up the lake about tAvo miles to a place 
called Indian point, and I was to take a boat and go to 
some rushes off shore about one hundred rods from, 
where we slept and eight, or ten rods from shore. Ben 
took the dogs and started for Birch ridge. About day- 
light I heard the deep voice of old “Sport,” Ben’s favorite 
dog. I AA’aited anxiously to see which A\’ay he was going. 
I soon made up my mind Hank would be the lucky mau 
as the dog seemed to be going that way. I was just 
about to light my pipe, AA’hen I heard a crashing in the 
brush off shore and a noble buck made his appearance 
on the beach. My astonishment was great, his visit 
being quite unexpected as the dog did not seem to be 
coming that way. I dare not move, for I had been told, 
not to shoot if a deer came until he took the water, be- 
cause, if I should miss the first time, it would be more 
likely to give me a second shot. The deer seemed un- 
decided whether to take the water then, or coast dowa 
the lake; he decided on the latter and made a start, I 
thought now or never; the little breech-loader cracked, 
and down Avent the deer; then I As-as so anxious to get 
to him that I think I must have rowed twenty rods or 
more to accomplish eight or nine. After a time ha 
was reached, and with some little difficulty placed ia 
the boat. Before I succeeded in getting away, old 
“Sport” made his appearance on the scene, and finding 
I had his game, was contented to obey me once and get 
into the boat; a thing he never Avould do before, alway* 
receiving my advances Avith self-satisfied indifference, 
I rowed back to the landing with my game, and AA'hea 
Ben came, he, with the help of our host, divested th» 
old fellow of his skin leaving the head and neck intact 
for the purpose of mounting, as Ben said there was a 
man at Dannemora who did such work. We sent some 
of the meat to the kitchen to be prepared for dinner, 
and I think that we did ample justice to it, for I was 
so anxious in the morning for a hunt, that I forgot my 
breakfast. About the middle of the afternoon Hank 
made his appearance, said he did not hear or see any- 
thing Avhere he had been, and had made up his mind 
that there Avasnot a deer within ten miles. I took hita 
down to the shed and showed the result of my shot, 
when he concluded possibly he might have been mis- 
taken. We had calculated on another chase in the 
afternoon, but it commenced to rain end we concluded 
to make for Chazy. I shouldered the head, the 
horns making a good yoke, and taking a gun ia 
each hand left Hank and Ben to manage the skin and 
meat. They said I stepped about a foot higher thaa 
Ave came over, and wondered if shooting the deer had 
anything to do Avith it. 1 was in good shape to bear 
their fun, and let them carry on all they pleased. We 
reached Seine bay about dark, tAvo miles to camp acro.se 
the lake, and the wind blowing very hard, I was not 
anxious to embark, but after waiting for a short time 
my courage was renewed, for 1 though I might as well 
be drowned by water as devoured by mosquitoes. So 
“all-aboard” Avas the AA ord, dogs and all. A hard pull 
against the wind, a good wetting doAvn from the spray, 
and we arrived safe and, so far as I was concerned, 
happy. 
The ladies had their own adventure to tell of, 
a bear had Ausited camp and given tliem a little .scare. 
They told their story and we were inclined to think 
