"Suddenly I find myself emerging from the ground into a very hot
world, with the evening sun blazing so that the air feels like the
scorching heat of an oven; and my late companions are scattered
about under the trees, no doubt wishing themselves back in the cool
regions below the hot cliffs.

"My final conclusions in regard to Fairy Cave were that it was
about six hundred feet long by from fifteen to forty feet wide and
from eighty to ninety feet high: that in the upper story there are
rooms that I could not reach, that will amply pay the scientist
and explorer to investigate in the future: that probably we reached
all the accessible parts in the level we traveled: that the
temperature was fifty-six or very near that degree: that small as
it is, it contains the finest formations and grandest scenery I
have ever seen in a cave: and I have examined over one hundred of
various sizes. I believe that for interior beauty its equal is not
to be found in America, and I sincerely believe that the verdict of
future exploration will establish the truth of the assertion, but
as equally good judges differ on such matters, time will be
required for a true and just decision. There are yet many promising
caves to be explored in this region, and if my strength holds out a
few years I hope to see them all.

"T. S. Powell."


POWELL CAVE.

As a measure of consolation for the disappointment of not seeing the
beauty of Fairy Cave, Mr. Irwin suggested that only a quarter of a mile