I did not deem it safe
for us to go in the cave in the dark, for there might be pools or deep
dry pits in the ground.
Fritz and I had just thrown up on the bank the last spade full of earth
that had been dug out, when we heard a loud shout. We got up on the top
of the cave, and saw that Jack had brought back a tribe at his heels.
The large cart, drawn by the cow and the ass, came on at a slow pace,
led by Jack on a black ox, and in it were my wife, Frank, and Ernest.
By the help of a flint and steel I soon lit some of the wax lights, and
gave one to each. I went in first and led the way, and the rest kept
close at my back. We had not gone on more than a few steps when we came
to a dead stop, struck with awe at the grand sight that met our
view. The walls and roof of the cave were lit up, as it were, with
star-like gems, while some hung down like glass drops from the roof,
and some rose up from the ground at its sides like blocks of spar. I
broke off a piece and put it on my tongue.
"What does it taste like?" said Jack.
"I find," said I, "that we are in a cave of rock salt."
"We shall not have to scrape the rocks to get our salt now," said
Ernest, "for there is more here than would serve a whole town for a
lifetime."
When we went back to The Nest that night we laid out a plan for our new
home, for there could be no doubt that the cave was the best place for
us to dwell in, though we should still sleep in The Nest when we went
on that side of the stream.
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