The excavation is high enough and broad enough for two tall men to walk
abreast, and on its winding way, screw fashion, doubling upon itself, it
leads down one hundred and fifty feet into the bowels of the earth, all
the way through solid rock that had remained undisturbed for centuries
on centuries, until the work of this ill-directed Marble commenced.
Down, down we went, out of the warm sunlight into this cold, damp
subterranean passage, winding hither and thither, till we reached an
ice-cold pool of water which is constantly being supplied from some
hidden fountain, and, were it not removed by pumps, would fill the
place to the brim.

This rock-hewn passage is lighted with lanterns hung at the various
turns, so that the descent and ascent, notwithstanding the way is rough,
can be made with safety. Though the day was warm outside, we were in a
very short time chilled through and glad to make our escape. How these
men could have endured many long years of labor in this vast
refrigerator, and retain any degree of health, is a problem. Faith and
zeal doubtless kept the blood moving through their veins. It is said
that a knife, or dirk, and a pair of scissors of very ancient origin,
which we were shown, were found by Mr. Marble in a fissure of this solid
rock. That they were left there by pirates, years on years ago, no sane
man can for a moment believe. The probabilities are that some one
deceived Mr. Marble.

When this misguided adventurer commenced this work, he was possessed of
about fifteen hundred dollars, which he expended long before his death,
after which, he depended upon the charities of those who sympathized
with him in his undertaking.