I tasted a piece. This was a cavern of
rock-salt. There was no doubt about it--here was an unlimited supply of
the best and purest salt!
But one thing detracted from my entire satisfaction and delight--large
crystals lay scattered here and there, which, detached from the roof,
had fallen to the ground; this, if apt to recur, would keep us in
constant peril. I examined some of the masses and discovered that they
had been all recently separated, and therefore concluded that the
concussion of the air, occasioned by the rockets, had caused their
fall. To satisfy ourselves, however, that there were no more pieces
tottering above us, we discharged our guns from the entrance, and
watched the effect.
Nothing more fell--our magnificent abode was safe. We returned to
Falconhurst with minds full of wonder at our new discovery, and plans
for turning it to the best possible advantage.
Nothing was now talked of but the new house, how it should be
arranged, how it should be fitted up. The safety and comfort of
Falconhurst, which had at first seemed so great, now dwindled away in
our opinion to nothing; it should be kept up we decided merely as a
summer residence, while our cave should be formed into a winter house
and impregnable castle.
Our attention was now fully occupied with this new house.
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