Page:Awful phenomena of nature (1).pdf/19

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I had determined to employ the first fine morning in visiting the cavern beneath the fall. The guide recommended my companion and myself to set out as early as six o’clock, that we might have the advantage of the morning sun upon the waters. We came to the guides house at the appointed hour, and disencumbered ourselves of such garments as we did not care to have wetted: descending the circular ladder, we followed the course of the path running along the top of the rubbish of the precipice, which I have already described. Having pursued this track for about eight yards, in the course of which we were completely drenched, we found ourselves close to the cataract. Although enveloped in a cloud of spray, we could distinguish without difficulty the direction of our path, and the nature of the cavern we were about to enter. Our guide warned us of the difficulty of respiration which we should encounter from the spray, and recommended us to look with exclusive attention to the security of our footing. Thus warned we pushed forward, blown about and buffeted by the wind, stunned by the noise, and blinded by the spray. Each successive gust penetrated us to the very bone with cold. Determined to proceed, we toiled and struggled on, and having followed the footsteps of the guide as far as was possible, consistently with safety, we sat down, and having collected our senses by degrees, the wonders of the cavern slowly developed themselves. It is impossible to describe the strange