Echo River varies in width from twenty to two hundred feet, under an archway averaging thirty feet in height, the depth varying from five to twenty-five feet, and its level being only about twenty feet above that of Green River. The portion over which visitors are taken is perhaps half a mile or more long. All along its margin, where the rock abruptly meets the water, are countless cavities that have been washed out by the stream. These gave a wag in our party on first crossing the river his chance, and he cried, “Oh, see these little bits of caves, three for five cents!” Then awoke the echoes and carried the sound away and away till he was ashamed of himself. Then a lady in black velvet Cave costume, with tiny bells along the fringe to keep her from getting lost, sang the “Sweet Bye and Bye.” A revolver was fired, answered by a “Rebel Yell.” Flute and cornet were played with magical effect.
On Echo River
The term “echo” misleads; for what is given is really a wonderful prolongation of sound, lasting five, ten, or even twenty minutes. The tunnel’s own key-note when struck excites harmonics of depth and sweetness, along with a profound undertone. When the guide agitates the water a myriad tiny silver bells tinkle, followed by heavier ones as the waves strike the cavities along the walls. This tempest of harmony dies away with strange mutterings, as if of an angry mob. Mr. Ganter tells of a time when the writer fooled him by causing unearthly shrieks, as of wretches in mortal agony, at an hour when none were on the river but themselves.
Here ends the First Route. We retrace our steps as far as Bandit Hall, where some one raises the question if there is no way out but by Fat Man’s Misery. The guide answers, “Yes, by the Corkscrew,” adding the warning, “Those who come in by the Fat Man’s Misery go out by the Corkscrew, and those who come in by the Corkscrew go out by the Fat Man’s Misery: and whichever way they take, they wish they had taken the other.” So, up we scramble like so many rats, under or over great ledges, leaping from rock to rock, or climbing ladders, through what seems like an enormous pit that had been filled in with gigantic rocks, till at last, breathless, we emerge upon the Kentucky Cliffs in the Main Cave. A few steps carry us past the saltpeter vats, through the Rotunda, and the iron gate is unlocked to let us into the vestibule, whence we climb the stone stairs to daylight.
“Bridal Altar”
COPYRIGHT 1908 BY H. C. GANTER
ROUTE II
STAR CHAMBER, GOTHIC AVENUE etc.
REMINDERS OF THE WAR 1812 1. WOODEN PIPES IN THE FLOOR 2. FIRST SALTPETER VATS 3. PIPE LINES 4. TRACKS OF OXEN AND CARTS 5. SECOND SALTPETER VATS 6. HEAPS OF LIXIVIATED EARTH OTHER FEATURES 7. MUMMY’S NICHE 8. REGISTER WALL 9. PILLAR OF HERCULES 10. CAESAR AND POMPEY 11. BRIDAL ALTAR 12. HORNETS’ NESTS 13. NAPOLEON’S BREASTWORKS 14. LOADED CAMEL 15. ELEPHANTS’ HEADS 16. PICTURE FRAME