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"This led to a great sloping
rock which ended high up in a hole, which would have been quite big enough for a
person to pass through lying down, if a spiteful stalactite had not formed a
column halfway across it such that one could only pass one's head through.
Beyond the hole we could see a waterfall cascading into some kind of great abyss
to end goodness knows where below. But that column, which prevented us from
seeing the full extent of the splendid waterfall, inflamed the irritation of all
against it and a unanimous cry burst forth: `Break it down!' Our courageous and
skilful Diversi (the restricted space would admit no more than one) used pitons,
chisels, and mattocks against it; he assailed it from in front and behind; he
hammered and beat it terribly, obstinately, but the column stayed firm and
seemed almost to respond to its desperate would-be destroyer: In vain do
you exert yourself: above it is written `None May Enter Here!" NOTE THE HAMMER MARKS IN THE PICTURE.. |
The Pillar of Hercules
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