Yesterday I was one of a company to visit Crystal Cave, in Lawrence County, Dakota. We left our little village in the morning, and wended our way up the valley until we came to Crook City, which bears the name of America's great Indian general, and is now deserted and desolate. Soon after leaving there, we passed through a gulch whose stream is made deep red by the mines that are worked along its course. As we slowly wound our way over rocks, stumps, and trees, we were held in awe by the grandeur of the scenery on each side. The mountains and rocks towering far above us, crowned with beautiful pines, mosses, and running vines, were picturesque in the extreme.
Our attention was attracted by Americans, Swedes, Chinese, in fact, by all nationalities, burrowing in the earth for the precious ores. When within half a mile of the cavern, we had to discard our team, and follow a narrow footpath. This led us to a flume, which carries the water for the miners. With difficulty we walked in this flume for some rods, and crossed the rapid and red stream by means of a footlog, before reaching the foot of the mountain. Looking up, we could see the cave almost two hundred feet above us.
Then we began the laborious ascent. By grasping the shrubs, trees, and vines, we with difficulty, and by frequently resting, gained the mouth of the cave. It is a wondrous phenomenon of nature, completely walled and ceiled with crystals. As we entered the first, or outer chamber, which is seventy-five feet deep, thirty feet wide, and fifteen feet high, with here and there a niche capable of completely hiding one from view, our exclamations were those of wonder and admiration. Going up about two steps, we found ourselves in the second chamber,—not quite as large, but beautfiul and grand. Last, but not least, we explored the upper chamber, by climbing, perhaps twelve feet, the rugged wall, which landed us in the hallway, leading to a chamber of immense size, whose crystal walls shine like the stars. The thought came to me: And this is God's idea! Oh that we could see it spiritually!
