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Page 260:-
the bottom we were shown a crevice, where we might descend to the
subterranean channel, which would lead us to Ginglepot, and
perhaps much farther: we were also shown above a shallow passage
between the strata of rocks, along which we might crawl to the
orifice out of which the cascade issued, where it was high enough
to walk erect, and where we might have the honour of making the
first expedition for discoveries, no creature having yet
proceeded in that passage out of sight of day-light: but as we
were apprehensive the dangers and difficulties to be encountered
in our progress, would not be compensated by the pleasure, we did
not attempt to explore these new regions [1]. After a little rain
another cascade, similar to the former, falls nearly from the
same height on the west side of the cave, appearing and
disappearing, with great variety, amongst the rocks, as if it
fell down the chimney of a ruinous building, where several holes
were made into it in the gable end. If the rains still increase,
a large stream sets in out of the room by the side of the little
cave; and in great floods, a vast river falls into the great
cave, down the precipice on the eastern side. Nothing can be more
grotesque and terrible, than to view this cave when about half
full of water: a variety of cascades issue from crannies in every
quarter - some as small as a tap in a hogshead, and others as
copious as rivers - all pouring with impetuosity into this deep
and rugged bason. With their united streams they are sometimes
able to fill the whole capacity of the cavern, and make it
overflow; the subterranean crannies and passages of this leaky
vessel not being able, with the increased pressure from above, to
carry off the water as fast as it is poured
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[1]
The writer of this Tour, in company with the owner of the cave,
and some others, has since been in the passage out of which the
cascade issues, but is not able to tell how far it extends, as it
was high and wide enough to admit passengers much farther than
they were. The owner of the cave, and others, have been in the
passage beneath, half way to Ginglepot: they have no doubt but it
leads thither: they did not get so far, owing to the water
deepening, more than the height lessening. Another subterranean
river, that from Gatekirk above, meets this cascade directly
underneath it, along which there is a passage, and which the
above party, in some measure through mistake, explored, having
missed their way in their return, and gone far beyond the
cascade, before they were convinced of their error by the noise
of the cascade gradually decreasing.
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