Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume I.djvu/183

 the morning, and returned without molestation; but incautiously attending to an after-dinner solicitation, when these heroes were under the influence of a less considerative deity than their morning genius, they ventured a second time into the cavern; the water rose, and had not the guide expeditiously forced them out, at the expence of their being drenched to the skin, they would in ten minutes have been prevented by the waters from returning, and confined within the bowels of the mountain for a fortnight, without the possibility of a rescue by any earthly power. It is to be observed, however, that these inundations may generally be foreseen; so that nothing but incaution, obstinacy, or fool-hardiness, can lead the visitor into so perilous a situation as we have described.

Commiseration for suffering is lessened, when brought on by causes that are voluntary in the patient; and we were not much affected with pity, when told of a similar misfortune that had befallen a certain nobleman better known than esteemed in the north-western part of England, about thirty years ago. This person, who was then a baronet, had visited the cavern with the father of the present guide, and paid him very sordidly for his trouble. Dekin remonstrated, but was answered with contumely and indignation. As no redress could be had,