A Light through the Cave

By Gordon Saunders and Anna Coleman

Kentucky, 1836. Joshua and Marie were only going to tour Mammoth Cave. Amanda and her Daddy's slave, Steven, were only going for a picnic in the cave. Only the way out didn't lead out. It led in. In to another world where they were desperately needed to save the lives of dozens of women and children.

But it wasn't what they th

• Language: English
• Publisher: mediaropa
• Release date: Sep 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781733872706

Gordon Saunders

Over a period of twenty-five years, Dr. Saunders lived in four countries in Europe--working in more than three dozen countries both before and after the end of communist rule--with the purpose of describing and purveying grace. Overcoming cultural differences and ways of communicating gave him insight both into what divides people and into what unites them. It also helped him understand elements in various cultures, baggage some call it, that keep people from hearing one another. Writing fantasy gave him a way to minimize the baggage and show truths to people they might otherwise be unable to see.

Book preview

1

Ispri flying to right

MAMMOTH CAVE

The stagecoach swayed heavily and suddenly the occupants saw Joshua’s head appear upside down in the window. Can we stop for a...

Joshua! his mother interrupted, almost shrieking. Get back up there before you fall and break your neck! The stage stopped rather abruptly and Joshua’s body flew by the window. There was a thump and a muffled oomph.

Get up and see what happened to him, George, Joshua’s mother said.

He’s all right, said the driver, clambering down the side. Jes’ a little winded’s all.

Joshua appeared again, right side up, looking at least eleven of his thirteen actual years of age, and smiled into the window. Can we stop for a minute to see a sinkhole? he asked, eyes pleading with his father. His mother shot a hard look in the direction of his father and then turned away. She glanced at the velvet trim of her wool cape and brushed it off even though there was nothing on it.

It’s bad enough we have to jolt through this wilderness, she said, without having to stop every five minutes.

Joshua’s dad winked at Marie from his seat beside their mother. He pushed the dust flap all the way up and stuck his head through the window.

Driver, he said pleasantly. Why are we stopping?

The horses stomped and the stage rocked from side to side as the driver fiddled with something under it.

Joshua jumped up on the step and stuck his head and one arm through the window in the door. He says that since we’re the only ones riding with him today we can stop and see a sinkhole if we want. He has to adjust the hitch or something.

Joshua’s mother glared at Joshua’s father again, and then turned to stare out the other window. The driver poked his head far enough out from under the stage to be seen.

This won’ take long, he said. Joshua bounced on the stair and made the stage rock.

He says it’s so big that four horses once fell into it. Joshua turned and waved his arm toward the hilly grassland off to the left of the stage. The whole area’s covered with these sinkholes and underneath it’s filled with caves. Then he looked back at his father. Can we go father? It will only take a minute.

S’just a short piece, sir, said the stage driver, backing out from under the stage and straightening up. Might like to stritch your legs some.

Want to go, Emily? asked Mr. Duncan of his wife. She gave him a stony look.

Marie?

Even though she was two years older than Joshua, and becoming a young lady, she didn’t hesitate for a moment. Sure! she said, standing and jerking the door open.

The driver helped her and Mr. Duncan out.

You keep track of Joshua, George, said Mrs. Duncan. See he doesn’t fall in.

Yes, dear, he said.

Taking the hands of both Joshua and Marie, he followed the driver into the field.

When they had gone a few hundred feet the driver pointed. Right over there, he said. That’s a big ‘un, but the barrens is dotted with ‘em. Got some mighty big caves hearabouts, too. Fact, right by the next stop’s a big ‘un. Jes’ put up a new hotel, too.

What’s it called? asked Marie.

You ain’t heared’ve it?

Well, said Mr. Duncan, we’re coming from Boston, and we don’t always get news from the west.

The stage driver looked at him and nodded. Figured you for eastern folk, he said, seein’s how yer all gussied up an’ all.

Mr. Duncan flushed and looked away. He took his hand from Joshua’s and awkwardly adjusted the bow of his cravat.

S’called Mammoth Cave, the driver went on. Ya stop at Bell’s Tavern, up here, an’ have to take a wagon t’ the cave. But’s worth the trip. He pulled out his watch. ‘Scuse me. We got to be goin’ ‘cause I cain’t be late. Y’all take a look an’ please come right back.

Thank you, said Marie.

Can we go to the cave, father? asked Joshua after the driver had left. We’ve never seen inside a real cave.

Mr. Duncan pursed his lips as they wandered over and looked into the sinkhole. It was about thirty feet wide and very deep, with almost vertical sides of gray stone. Here and there plants grew in the cracks between layers of stone.

We’ll see, said Mr. Duncan after awhile. I’ll have to talk it over with your mother. We were hoping to get further today. He looked over at Marie. But a stop might do her good.

Marie nodded vigorously.

Boy, said Joshua, gazing into the depths of the sinkhole, I’d hate to fall in.

And it’s just the sort of thing you’d do, said Marie, laughing. Joshua looked at her sideways, and took his father’s hand silently. They started back.

Can I sit up with the driver this time? asked Marie when they had returned.

Absolutely not! said a voice from inside the stage. You’ll get dust all over your bonnet and ribbons that we took so much trouble about last night.

Marie placed both hands on her ruffled, be-ribboned bonnet, with a face of mock fierceness, and made as if she would tear it off. But when the driver opened the stage door, she smiled sweetly and allowed him to help her in.

This new hotel, asked Mr. Duncan, is it a good one?

Not as good as Bell’s, they say. Fella name ‘a Gorin bought it, bin fixin’ it up, I’m told. Got a slave boy takin’ people through the cave. Boy’s bin findin’ new passages an’ caverns, I hear.

After Joshua and the driver had returned to the seat and the stage was underway again, Mr. Duncan spoke softly with his wife for a few moments. Marie watched the expression on her mother’s face to see if she was softening.

Suddenly Mrs. Duncan blurted out, Oh, George, really! She shook her head as she looked at him in irritation. On a wagon? Isn’t it bad enough we have to leave Boston for some God-forsaken French city...

It’s been American for thirty-five years now, Mr. Duncan interrupted quietly.

...some God-forsaken French city...New Orleans - why it even sounds French -and we can’t take a clipper or even a river steamer because Marie gets sick, so we have to bump, rattle, and jolt through the wilderness on a stage -- and why Marie doesn’t get sick on this monstrosity is a mystery to me -- and now you want me to ride in a wagon? Oh, George, really. It’s too much.

Well maybe you could stay at this Bell’s Tavern and Joshua and I could go, said Marie quickly.

Out of the question, said Mrs. Duncan.

Emily, said Mr. Duncan softly, when will they ever again have the opportunity to see a cave?

Mrs. Duncan looked at him for a moment. Well, she said in a softer tone of voice. Then she buried her face in his coat and the rest of what she said was muffled. The brim of her bonnet against his shoulder completely hid her face, but Marie thought she was crying. After a few moments she raised her head a bit.

Oh, George, she said quietly. I’m sorry to be so contrary. But this is.... She broke off, stifling a sob.

Mr. Duncan put his arm around her and spoke gently. It’s difficult for all of us, dear, but it’s a great opportunity.

Yes, I know, she said, barely audible over the creaking, rattling stage.

How about taking Marie’s suggestion? I think you could use a little extra rest tonight, anyway.

Is the cave safe?

I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t be.

It was shortly after their mid-day meal that Joshua and Marie found themselves on a buckboard which had been fitted with benches, on their way to Mammoth Cave. All three benches were full of would-be cave visitors like themselves. The four horses were being driven by a black boy about their own age.

Do you suppose he’s a slave? whispered Marie to Joshua.

Could be, said Joshua. Remember the driver said that there was a slave showing people the cave? Maybe it’s him.

Marie looked off into the scrub pines, with here and there a stand of walnut, chestnut, beech, and ash trees. Birds flew languidly among them, chattering. Marie held tightly to the front of the seat with fingers extending from the long white gloves which went up under the flounce of her enormously puffed sleeves. They jolted and banged along. Sunshine smiled warmly on them, brightly emphasizing the corkscrew patterns of dust which rose behind the wagon’s wheels.

I wonder what it’s like to be a slave, she said softly. Always having to do someone else’s work.

Joshua pulled his wide, starched collar away from his neck on both sides and took off his short green jacket, laying it across his pantaloons. Always having someone telling you what to do, like, ‘You have to wear that shirt, Joshua,’ ‘No, you can’t leave your jacket at the tavern, Joshua,’ ‘You stay right with Marie, Joshua, and don’t go off on your own...’

Joshua did such a good imitation of his mother’s voice and facial expressions that Marie had to laugh.

Well, she said, you may be glad to have that jacket before long. I forgot they said it’s only about fifty-four degrees inside the cave. I’m afraid I’ll wish I had my cape.

That’s a switch, said Joshua tartly. You forgetting something. I thought you were perfect.

Very funny, she replied. After a moment she said, Though sometimes I wish I could forget. I wish I could forget all my friends back home so I wouldn’t miss them so much.

Joshua nodded. I know what you mean. Only our home is gone, now. We’ll have to make a new home when we get to New Orleans. Right now we don’t have a home.

And, said Marie, I wish I could forget how much mother hates traveling on a stage.

Oh, I love it! said Joshua, turning toward Marie.

But Mother and Father still consider you a child, and you’re a boy, anyway, so you usually get to ride up with the driver, Marie said.

Joshua snorted.

Then, turning from him, Marie continued, And mother doesn’t keep saying it’s because you get sick that we have to take the stage.

Joshua nodded. It’s too bad, he said. I’m sure you don’t want to get sick.

Well, I don’t think mother really means it, Marie said, brightening. She’s sick of the stagecoach. And I know she’s homesick. It’s not so bad for us. Marie looked over at Joshua. We’ve only been there almost fourteen and sixteen years. She’ s been there thirty-four years.

True. And we’ll probably be able to get back there someday if we want, but she might not. And her whole family’s there. I guess it’s awfully hard.

They continued up the heavily rutted trail, straddling stumps and boulders, shaking jarringly as they went.

It would be nice for mother to see the cave, said Marie. But if she doesn’t like the stage, she certainly wouldn’t like this ride.

After more than an hour, the wagon arrived at a rough looking building mostly composed of newly hewn logs. Split rail fences set off new corrals and made boundaries for the roads. The Mammoth Cave Hotel was the result of putting several previously built buildings together with a new center section.

As they came up to the door, they were greeted by several young uniformed serving men who helped them down. They were ushered into the wood-planked lobby and the whole group stood in a little knot in one corner.

Suddenly a girl who looked to be just a little older than Marie came stomping into the lobby from a side room.

Steven, she said, whirling back to the room from which she had come and placing her hands belligerently on her hips, you git in here this second an’ git the basket an’ go! Daddy said you could take me an’ I don’ care what Mr. Miller says. No response was forthcoming.

Oh, how quaint! said Marie to Joshua. A country girl. Marie pointed at the girl. Look! A taffeta dress with a muslin apron and pockets. And little curls under her bonnet!

Who you pointin’ at? asked the girl, turning swiftly on Marie. Marie was too startled to reply. The girl looked her up and down thoroughly. My, she said sarcastically, ain’t we the prettified one.

A black boy a few inches shorter than Joshua but who seemed to be a few years older, came striding swiftly into the lobby, looking worried. He carried a wicker basket covered with a red and white checkered cloth.

It be ready now, Missy Amanda, he said quickly.

She turned without a word and stomped out the front door, the boy hot on her heels. The group watched, immobile.

Well! said Marie. The gall of that girl!

Joshua grinned slightly. Maybe she didn’t like being pointed at and called ‘quaint’, he said.

Marie gave him a disgusted look. Well that’s no excuse for rudeness.

Ah, Ladies and gentlemen, said a man’s voice. So nice to have you here. Do hope your stay will be pleasant.

Joshua and Marie turned to see a clerk approaching them rapidly from the same room from which the girl and the black boy had come.

Hope you’ll pardon that, ahem, unfortunate outburst, he said. So sorry we won’t have the inestimable Steven as our guide, this afternoon. He paused long enough to smile brightly, and then his smile fell as if he’d dropped it. But as it was I, myself, ah, he continued, who taught Steven the routes, you can be sure that your, uh, tour will be every bit as good. He wiped his brow with a handkerchief. Steven was, ah, unfortunately, called away.

Dragged away is more like it, whispered Marie to Joshua. Ooh! I really don’t like that girl!

2

CAVE PASSAGES

The group went down the crude wooden stairs behind the hotel into a ravine which curved as if it were a letter ‘J’ engraved into the earth. Around the curve was the mouth of the cave. Suspended over it was a cloud, jagged and uneven at the top, and completely flat along the bottom, as if sliced. As they approached the entrance, a blast of cold air greeted them.

Brrr, said Marie, hugging herself. I wish I had my cape.

They descended the rickety stairs into the cave, and the guide told them about the saltpeter mining operations which had been conducted here during the war of 1812, about twenty-five years earlier. They examined the hollowed out tulip trees which had been used to pipe water into the cave for the leeching vats. They found the vats themselves in a huge cavern called the Rotunda, which the guide told them had been carved from the rock by a whirlpool.

That’s one whirlpool I’m glad I never saw, said Joshua to Marie. It must have been enormous!

It makes me sick just to think about it, said Marie.

The Rotunda was two to three-hundred feet across and probably sixty feet from floor to ceiling at the highest point. From there, two very large passages went off in different directions, forming a ‘Y’ with the passage through which they had come in. The guide’s torch threw light a short distance down each passage, and a little light could still be seen through the entryway. Even so, it was quite dismal.

It’s so gray, said Marie. "I wish I could see some color.

But, I suppose since it’s all rock... she trailed off.

However, gray or not, it was certainly worth the trip. They went off along the left hand passage, and here and there the guide would explain some aspect of the mining operation or show them a place where ancient Indians had put a torch or taken gypsum from the ceiling or walls. Most of the little group stayed with the guide in the center of the passage, which was covered with sand and gravel and so was fairly smooth. Joshua, however, decided to jump from boulder to boulder in the rubble that had fallen, ages past, beside the smooth area.

Be careful, Joshua, said Marie. You know how clumsy you are.

Marie, he replied tartly, don’t you start. I get enough of that from mother.

Well, I’m only saying it for your own good.

Why don’t you join me, instead. It’s fun!

Marie wrinkled her nose and looked carefully at the rocks ahead of Joshua. Well, she said, I guess I could.

She lifted her skirt and petticoats above her ankle and jumped lightly toward Joshua. He reached a hand out to her and she caught it as she made a final hop to where he was. Suddenly, the torch went out. Marie screamed, lost her balance, and fell into Joshua; toppling them both. They heard the guide muttering something about an unexpected gust of wind, he’d get the torch relit in an instant, and then there was silence.

Joshua and Marie expected to see a light shortly, so the said and did nothing. But after too much silence and darkness, Joshua spoke.

Would you mind getting off my stomach?

Marie moved. Sorry, she said. Where’s the guide?

I don’t know, Joshua replied. You would think he could have the torch lit by now.

And you would think that the other people would make a little noise, too, wouldn’t you?

Um hm, agreed Joshua. Well, I have a few matches. I’ll light one to see what’s going on.

He lit a match. They were sitting on gravel and it seemed as if the boulders on which they had been jumping were now beside them, rather than under their feet.

The match went out.

That’s strange, said Marie. It didn’t look like that to me when we were on top."

No it didn’t, said Joshua, standing and striking another match. He moved the match back and forth in front of himself.

Hello! Hello! Guide? he called. There was no reply.

Marie got to her feet and brushed off her full white skirt. What on earth is he doing? she asked.

I don’t know, answered Joshua. Hello? Hello?

No response.

He lit another match and they looked around more carefully.

There shouldn’t be a ceiling here, said Marie, pointing. We were in a very high passage.

Maybe we fell into a hole.

Did it seem like it to you?

Ow! exclaimed Joshua, shaking out the match. Darkness. No, it didn’t. He lit another match and they continued to look around.

Joshua, whispered Marie, grabbing his free arm. I’m getting scared. What if we’re trapped?

Well, said Joshua, matter-of-factly, they have to start looking for us soon. They’re bound to find us.

But what if they can’t? Panic was rising in Marie’s voice. The match went out. Light another one, Joshua, she said. Please!

I don’t have too many, Marie. Shouldn’t we wait?

Help! Help! Marie shouted.

Silence.

Oh, no, she whimpered, and sat down once again.

After awhile she asked, What time is it?

Joshua took his watch from his pocket and lit another match. A little after three, he said.

What are we going to do?

I don’t know, said Joshua as the match went out. He sat down with his back against Marie’s shoulder. "I didn’t see anything