There were several openings on either hand in the walls that seemed to
lead into other caverns; but, these we did not explore at this time. We
also observed that the ceiling was curiously marked in many places, as
if it were the fretwork of a noble cathedral; and the walls, as well as
the roof, sparkled in the light of our torch, and threw back gleams and
flashes as if they were covered with precious stones. Although we
proceeded far into this cavern, we did not come to the end of it; and
we were obliged to return more speedily than we would otherwise have
done, as our torch was nearly expended. We did not observe any openings
in the roof, or any indications of places whereby light might enter;
but near the entrance to the cavern stood an immense mass of pure white
coral rock, which caught and threw back the little light that found an
entrance through the cave's mouth, and thus produced, we conjectured,
the pale-green object which had first attracted our attention. We
concluded, also, that the reflecting power of this rock was that which
gave forth the dim light that faintly illumined the first part of the
cave.
Before diving through the passage again we extinguished the small piece
of our torch that remained, and left it in a dry spot; conceiving that
we might possibly stand in need of it, if at any future time we should
chance to wet our torch while diving into the cavern. As we stood for a
few minutes after it was out, waiting till our eyes became accustomed
to the gloom, we could not help remarking the deep, intense stillness
and the unutterable gloom of all around us; and, as I thought of the
stupendous dome above, and the countless gems that had sparkled in the
torchlight a few minutes before, it came into my mind to consider how
strange it is that God should make such wonderful and exquisitely
beautiful works never to be seen at all, except, indeed, by chance
visitors such as ourselves.
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