按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
were disappointed； although we found and brought up with us a musket。
On the seventeenth we set out with the determination of examining
more thoroughly the chasm of black granite into which we had made our
way in the first search。 We remembered that one of the fissures in
the sides of this pit had been but partially looked into； and we were
anxious to explore it； although with no expectation of discovering
here any opening。
We found no great difficulty in reaching the bottom of the hollow
as before； and were now sufficiently calm to survey it with some
attention。 It was； indeed； one of the most singular…looking places
imaginable； and we could scarcely bring ourselves to believe it
altogether the work of nature。 The pit； from its eastern to its
western extremity； was about five hundred yards in length； when all
its windings were threaded； the distance from east to west in a
straight line not being more （I should suppose； having no means of
accurate examination） than forty or fifty yards。 Upon first
descending into the chasm； that is to say； for a hundred feet
downward from the summit of the hill； the sides of the abyss bore
little resemblance to each other； and； apparently； had at no time
been connected； the one surface being of the soapstone； and the other
of marl； granulated with some metallic matter。 The average breadth or
interval between the two cliffs was probably here sixty feet； but
there seemed to be no regularity of formation。 Passing down； however；
beyond the limit spoken of； the interval rapidly contracted； and the
sides began to run parallel； although； for some distance farther；
they were still dissimilar in their material and form of surface。
Upon arriving within fifty feet of the bottom； a perfect regularity
commenced。 The sides were now entirely uniform in substance； in
colour； and in lateral direction； the material being a very black and
shining granite； and the distance between the two sides； at all
points facing each other； exactly twenty yards。 The precise formation
of the chasm will be best understood by means of a delineation taken
upon the spot； for I had luckily with me a pocketbook and pencil；
which I preserved with great care through a long series of subsequent
adventure； and to which I am indebted for memoranda of many subjects
which would otherwise have been crowded from my remembrance。
This figure （see figure 1） ｛image｝ gives the general outlines of
the chasm； without the minor cavities in the sides； of which there
were several； each cavity having a corresponding protuberance
opposite。 The bottom of the gulf was covered to the depth of three or
four inches with a powder almost impalpable； beneath which we found a
continuation of the black granite。 To the right； at the lower
extremity； will be noticed the appearance of a small opening； this is
the fissure alluded to above； and to examine which more minutely than
before was the object of our second visit。 We now pushed into it with
vigor； cutting away a quantity of brambles which impeded us； and
removing a vast heap of sharp flints somewhat resembling arrowheads
in shape。 We were encouraged to persevere； however； by perceiving
some little light proceeding from the farther end。 We at length
squeezed our way for about thirty feet； and found that the aperture
was a low and regularly formed arch； having a bottom of the same
impalpable powder as that in the main chasm。 A strong light now broke
upon us； and； turning a short bend； we found ourselves in another
lofty chamber； similar to the one we had left in every respect but
longitudinal form。 Its general figure is here given。 （See figure 2。）
｛image｝
The total length of this chasm； commencing at the opening a and
proceeding round the curve _b_ to the extremity _d_； is five hundred
and fifty yards。 At _c_ we discovered a small aperture similar to the
one through which we had issued from the other chasm； and this was
choked up in the same manner with brambles and a quantity of the
white arrowhead flints。 We forced our way through it； finding it
about forty feet long； and emerged into a third chasm。 This； too； was
precisely like the first； except in its longitudinal shape； which was
thus。 （See figure 3。） ｛image｝
We found the entire length of the third chasm three hundred and
twenty yards。 At the point _a_ was an opening about six feet wide；
and extending fifteen feet into the rock； where it terminated in a
bed of marl； there being no other chasm beyond； as we had expected。
We were about leaving this fissure； into which very little light was
admitted； when Peters called my attention to a range of
singular…looking indentures in the surface of the marl forming the
termination of the _cul…de…sac_。 With a very slight exertion of the
imagination； the left； or most northern of these indentures might
have been taken for the intentional； although rude； representation of
a human figure standing erect； with outstretched arm。 The rest of
them bore also some little resemblance to alphabetical characters；
and Peters was willing； at all events； to adopt the idle opinion that
they were really such。 I convinced him of his error； finally； by
directing his attention to the floor of the fissure； where； among the
powder； we picked up； piece by piece； several large flakes of the
marl； which had evidently been broken off by some convulsion from the
surface where the indentures were found； and which had projecting
points exactly fitting the indentures； thus proving them to have been
the work of nature。 Figure 4 ｛image｝ presents an accurate copy of the
whole。
After satisfying ourselves that these singular caverns afforded
us no means of escape from our prison； we made our way back； dejected
and dispirited； to the summit of the hill。 Nothing worth mentioning
occurred during the next twenty…four hours； except that； in examining
the ground to the eastward of the third chasm； we found two
triangular holes of great depth； and also with black granite sides。
Into these holes we did not think it worth while to attempt
descending； as they had the appearance of mere natural wells； without
outlet。 They were each about twenty yards in circumference； and their
shape； as well as relative position in regard to the third chasm； is
shown in figure 5。 ｛image｝
~~~ End of Text of Chapter 23 ~~~
CHAPTER XXIV
0N the twentieth of the month； finding it altogether impossible to
subsist any longer upon the filberts； the use of which occasioned us
the most excruciating torment； we resolved to make a desperate
attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill。 The face of
the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone； although
nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent （a depth of a
hundred and fifty feet at the least）； and in many places even
overarching。 After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about
twenty feet below the brink of the gulf； upon this Peters contrived
to leap； with what assistance I could render him by means of our
pocket…handkerchiefs tied together。 With somewhat more difficulty I
also got down； and we then saw the possibility of descending the
whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm
when we had been buried by the fall of the hill…that is； by cutting
steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives。 The extreme
hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived； but； as there was no
other resource； we determined to undertake it。
Upon the ledge where we stood there grew some filbert…bushes； and to
one of these we made fast an end of our rope of handkerchiefs。 The
other end being tied round Peters' waist； I lowered him down over the
edge of the precipice until the handkerchiefs were stretched tight。
He now proceeded to dig a deep hole in the soapstone （as far in as
eight or ten inches）； sloping away the rock above to the height of a
foot； or thereabout； so as to allow of his driving； with the butt of
a pistol； a tolerably strong peg into the levelled surface。 I then
drew him up for about four feet； when he made a hole similar to the
one below； driving in a peg as before； and having thus a
resting…place for both feet and hands。 I now unfastened the
handkerchiefs from the bush； throwing him the end； which he tied to
the peg in the uppermost hole ； letting himself down gently to a
station about three feet lower than he had yet been that is； to the
full extent of the handkerchiefs。 Here he dug another hole； and drove
another peg。 He then drew himself up； so as to rest his feet in the
hole just cut； taking hold with his hands upon the peg in the one
above。 It was now necessary to untie the handkerchiefs from the
topmost peg； with the view of fastening them to the second； and here
he found that an error had been committed in cutting the holes at so
great a distance apart。 However； after one or two unsuccessful and
dangerous attempts at reaching the knot （having to hold on with his
left hand while he labored to undo the fastening with his right）； he
at length cut the string； leaving six inches of it affixed to the
peg。 Tying the handkerchiefs now to the second peg； he descended to a
station below the third； taking care n