arch or hollow, but beneath the low flat bank,
where its width and its winding course give it
rather the appearance of a large pond. About
half a mile off it again reappears in the same
undisturbed manner. The intermediate country
is a flat and swampy wood, but about a quarter
of a mile in another direction is one of the
largest caves that has yet been explored. The
entrance to this is from a rocky bank in the
midst of the thick wood. There is nothing in
the aspect of the place to suggest the idea of
the vast and magnificent amphitheatre that lies
hidden within. The ground rises slightly by a
tangled path, a rocky bank, to the top of which
one can reach to pluck the gorgeous wild flowers
that, under the Florida skies, are luxuriant,
even beneath the thickest foliage. There is a
low irregular arch in the rock, and down, quite
close to the ground, on one side is an opening
barely large enough to be crawled through head
foremost.

This cave is a favourite resort for pic-nic
parties and " fish frys," to which all the young
people within twenty miles delight to resort.
The Chipola river abounds in delicious fish, and
the day's entertainment consists, first in getting
the fish, and afterwards in eating them. While
the anglers are busy at the Natural Bridge,
others are rambling about the woods and twining
garlands with which to decorate the spot
chosen for the feast; and, at a cool and respectful
distance, the black attendants of the party
are "building" great fires, and preparing for
the "fry."

The feast of fishes over, an excursion to the
cave is next on the programme. Each member
of the party must be his or her own torch-
bearer. Yet not exactly so; for the smoking
torches that were first used to illuminate the
place were found to deface the delicate whiteness
of the roof, and have been, by general
consent, discarded for the more dainty wax-taper,
with which each person is now provided. The
next business is to select a guide. Moreover,
gentlemen do not go unarmed into those dark
recesses, which are not unfrequently resorted to
as hiding-places by runaway negroes and lawless
ruffians: and some very terrible encounters
have occurred between such people and the
picnic party of intruders upon their concealment.

Our experienced and deliberate guide, therefore,
first bends low with his ear to the ground
at the mouth of the cave, and listens cautiously.
All is silent. Slowly and quietly he creeps
through the aperture into the darkness. Again
he listens breathlessly, while the party in the
outside world await his voice with eager expectation.
At length the welcome sound, " All
right!" is heard from within, and the next of
the pioneers throws himself upon his knees, and
stretches forth his hand with a lighted taper to
his invisible comrade. When some half-dozen
gentlemen have disappeared, and announced
themselves to be safe within, the ladies grow
courageous, and, attired for the occasion, creep,
hands and knees, into the cave. The first
danger is the greatest, for on entering they find
themselves upon a narrow and slippery ledge,
along which they must crawl several feet before
they can stand upright, and thence leap down
upon what may be called the floor of the cave.
The jumping gives rise to much merriment; but
at last the timid maidens are all fairly landed,
and as every person after the jump lights a
taper, the effect of the gradual illumination is
very exciting. As each additional taper casts
its glare around, column beyond column and
arch above arch appear, till there is light
enough to show the wide chamber, embellished
with cornices, pedestals, candelabra, and hanging
imagery of every conceivable form; beyond
which the distant walls are lost in impenetrable
darkness. Stalactites of various lengths hang
from the roof, or have dripped into fretwork
down the walls. The exact reverse of the
proverb that " the dropping of water wears a stone"
is here observed, for the droppings from these
rocks have added stone to stone. On one side
is a series of arches, through which visitors
pass to other chambers; on another is a massive
pedestal, upon which seems to rest a Grecian
vase. Here and there columns, fluted or
beaded, and crowned by capitals which are
adorned with spreading feathers, support the
shoulders of magnificent arches. One may
ramble for hours in this labyrinth of grotesque
architecture, on ground as varied as the roof.
Now the taper must be held low to avoid a
chasm; now all must cling fast to the nearest
object while clambering along a slippery acclivity;
now one can walk erect, and lift the
taper high to examine the rich beauty of the
roof; and presently creep under a low gallery
to reach a crystal spring, of which every one is
eager to drink—for much good fortune is
supposed to be secured in a draught of its icy
water.

Of course there is a "lovers' leap," the
Rubicon of the enterprise. It is a sudden and
difficult descent of some six or seven feet,
where the ladies are fain to submit to be lifted
down, or run the risk of breaking their necks
by a " lone leap" off the dangerous rock. Nor
are the gentlemen slow to relate to their fair
companions how a reckless and too independent
"Northern girl" fell with great violence from
this rock in attempting to jump from it alone,
and was borne back, with a broken leg and
almost lifeless, over the intricate ground; how
she was compelled to be dragged unconscious
through the narrow opening to the light of day,
and was with difficulty conveyed home; and how
the accident had put a stop to all that year's
pic-nics and explorations.

Not the least picturesque beauty of the place
is the grouping of figures about this " lovers'
leap." On each side some of the party range
themselves to concentrate the light upon the
spot. An artist can wish for no better opportunity
of studying attitudes, and the play of
lights and shadows, than he would see here.
Two stalwart figures at the foot stand with
uplifted arms, to assist the slender girl who bends