THERE is a most singular cave on the Atlantic Coast, connected with which are some of the most daring adventures and strange stories that were ever known.

And though the description will be meagre compared with its realities, yet, it will be best to present what light we can, hoping that from so doing the reader will be enabled to imagine the other untold facts.

It was discovered in a very remarkable way, and had its discovery remained a secret, the adventures and strange transactions to be related would never have been told: while it is in and of itself, one of the greatest wonders in existence, and all connected with it, whether of adventure or romance, partakes of the same nature.

Four men who had been out in an open boat fishing, about one mile from their homes, which consisted of three small houses, were caught in a squall, and were under the necessity of making for the nearest shore. They finally made for a small cove-like opening in the side of the mountain-like shore, thinking to be free from the wind, as after entering it, the space, after about twenty feet, became about four times as wide as the entrance, which was about twenty feet wide, hence the width, after entering the first twenty feet, became a fine little miniature bay or cove.

They had often visited this place for refuge or pleasure, but never at any other time than about low water, at which time it was just deep enough for a boat to float without grounding, and have several feet "sea room" either side; and above their heads at the entrance, it was as high in comparison to the width after entering, as the height to the width at entering: then, beside a fine little cove, it was much like entering a dark house, for all the light was from the entrance; and as there was plenty of "drift wood," they had on several occasions built a fire on the shore of the cove to be enabled more fully to see its beauties and examine its size.

On this occasion they at once did so, thinking to make themselves comfortable and happy.

But what was their consternation to remember that the tide was rising as well as the wind and storm: for it commenced to come through the entrance like a race horse, and to as suddenly rise as the squall had, extinguishing their fire.

Securing a quantity of pitch pine, which makes a fine torch. for as the tide arose it shut off the light, and as it arose far above the open space, it came in with a deafening roar, which to the now imprisoned men appeared appalling.

One of their number was inclined to seek escape through diving and swimming out, but upon reflection saw that he could not go against such a current, though it would have been an easy feat had the tide been going out: yet they had nothing to fear, as the distance over head was far above the reach of high water, and having their boat, and being provided with torches, they could go on an inspection tour around the basin; and this they did, discovering the cave which we will now describe.

As they rowed around, they were much surprised to find on one side another open space, just level with the top of their boat; and it was about twenty feet wide, by about twelve feet high, about like the opening from the outside to the basin; and having plenty of time on their hands, they thought it best to look further.

Landing, and taking a long rope to secure the boat, giving it sufficient play should the tide ebb before they were through with their explorations, fastening it securely to an upright stone pillar, apparently made for the purpose, with torch in hand to light them on their way, they started forth to explore a natural wonder.

They passed through this hall-like entrance into another chamber: the entrance as to size, length, termination and all was just like the one below, excepting the water in one, and the stone column in the other, to which they had fastened their boat.

Still going on and around, they found another entrance about five feet above the floor of the first; they succeeded in climbing into this, and in all particulars it was the same as the other, excepting the stone column; and yet they found another, making three above the basin.

The atmosphere was good as on the open land, had the same appearance in all respects, the smoke passing away as readily as though in open air, leading them to think that there must be an outlet as well as an inlet; and looking sharply they finally discovered an opening which they concluded led out above: it was like a gradual winding stairs.

Observing that there was a draft of air so powerful that they could not keep their light, unless they could contrive some means to shut off the draft; this they in part accomplished by forming of their jackets of oil cloth, a shield to the light. In this way they come out upon the very pinnacle of the highest land on all the coast for miles, and about half a mile from the shore.

The outlet was slanting, just enough to be a comfortable up-hill walk, and in width and depth as the inlet below.

Finding it now quite clear, they concluded to go to the shore in the vicinity of their boat, for they hardly felt like retracing their steps; they knew it would be of no use to go direct, and also that they could not reach their boat but by swimming or having another boat.

As the outlet was in a great piece of woods, and among great rocks, and as there were many places among them looking just like the land entrance to the cave, there was but little probability of seeing or finding it without marking; this they did for future guidance.

Following the direction indicated by their pocket compass, they soon found themselves at home; and after refreshing themselves, and resting sufficiently long for the tide to recede, they, taking another boat, went for the one they left, which they found all right; but they had to sacrifice a portion of their rope, as the distance from the floor above to the boat was more than they would like to jump; they therefore concluded to fasten a small piece of drift wood to the portion left, to direct them at any future time.

Now, this place could be nade into anything desired--a fort, a palace, or a den for pirates or smugglers, or for any kind of good or evil purposes; and the reader will think it was as wonderfully occupied as the wonderful cave required to correspond with itself.

Whether those four fishermen were the first who ever entered this wonderful place, is unknown; but probably they were. It was never any advantage to them, other than what we will now relate.

In their vicinity, the population was very sparse; and before they had time to gossip among their neighbors, they took a small lot of fish to the nearest market, which was a small city a few miles distant; and while disposing of their fish, they mentioned their discovery to a very distinguished looking man in the prime of life.

He told them to say nothing further of their discovery, and himself and a few friends would visit the place, for they were curiosity hunting, and if it afforded them enjoyment, they would pay them for the pleasure.

Full arrangements were made, and next day the stranger, with three others, arrived in a fine pleasure boat; and, accompanied by the fishermen, they went to explore their singular discovery.

Great satisfaction was expressed by the strangers upon concluding the examination of the cave; and upon inquiry, they found the fishermen poor, unambitious men, as willing to gain a livelihood by entering the employment of others as to fish with and on their own hook.

The strangers then made a bargain with them to enter their employment; and the wages to be paid were so large that they were anxious to conclude the agreement. Of course, the work was to be of that nature they could perform; but there were to be obligations on their part, as well as on the part of the other men.

The fishermen were now informed that they were organized discoverers of natural curiosities, and the founders of cities; that all who entered their employ became members of the order for discovering natural curiosities and founding cities. They thought this a queer name for an order; but they concluded, if the name and workings of the order corresponded, that the cave would prove a suitable acquisition; and if their connection with the order proved profitable and pleasant, they would be content.

Accordingly, they were informed that they must be regularly initiated; to this they readily complied.

From the boat was brought a human skull, and a long pointed double-edged sword, having in plain letters thereon, "the sword of justice."

They were then requested to place their hand on the skull, and repeat the following oath:--

"I, in remembrance of the certainty of my own mortality, do solemnly pledge my own life and soul, that I will keep the secrets of the order for the discovery of natural curiosities and founding of cities inviolate till death, and will hold him guiltless who shall pierce my heart with the sword of justice, should I break my oath and perjure my soul, and will raise my own hand to slay the guilty."

Each one in turn took this oath, and each were handed one hundred dollars in gold. A password was then given them, which was the "sword of justice," with some further instructions.

After the ceremony, they were told that they might attend to their own business for ten days; on the eleventh, they were to visit the cave in the same way as now, at the earliest hour in the morning that the tide would serve them; to come without light, and to climb up by the rope, or the best way they could. This day arrived, and the four men kept their appointment.

Entering the cave on the flood tide, they sought, in the dim light, for the rope they had left, and they were surprised to find what appeared to be a vessel's shrouds; and by them, they, one after the other, ascended; and, as they passed along, they were greeted by a loud command to halt, which they, in still further surprise, did. They ere then commanded to march in single file, ten paces apart, and give the counter sign. They followed this order also, one after the other giving the password, as they had been instructed.

And now another surprise awaited them, for at the inner termination of the entrance, they came to a partition, a door was opened, and they entered the extensive hall, at the farther side of which a small taper was burning; they were told to cross to the light, and to ascend to the next hall; here they found stairs; wondering and amazed, they proceeded, and again ere met with the command to halt; then to advance and give the countersign as before; after which they were told to enter the hall of justice.

They entered and were in total darkness, and in every direction in all parts of the hall, a most singular noise met their ears; they ere in a complete circle of curious musical sounds, no harmony, as all seemed to play to suit their own fancy; there were one hundred Jews-harps being played at once; this lasted about one minute, then all in the circle spoke up, saying, "Let justice be done."

And, in the twinkling of an eye, the great and spacious hall was so brilliantly lighted, that all, the new comers especially, were obliged to shade their eyes from a score of great lights on either side; with great magnificent reflectors, the light was made exceedingly great.

All was silence again for one minute, when a most gigantic man in a mask, with the identical sword of justice in his hand, approached the four men and said, "Strangers as yet to the sternness of the sword of justice, advance to the altar."

Great letters forming this word were painted on a very transparent cloth, which was stretched in front of a bright light, clearly showing where was indicated for them to appear.

Here, on a table, was the identical skull upon which these men had placed their hands when taking the oath, and the same giant, who was about eight feet tall, and large in proportion, again addressed them in the following manner:

"Place your hands on the emblem of mortality, and answer my questions."

Here they all placed their hands on the skull.

"You will answer each for himself, just as you choose."

"Have you drew the sword of justice as though in readiness to slay them, should they reply in the negative; but each replied, "I have."

He then asked them, they still holding their hands on the emblem of mortality, "Do you renew your oath?"

To which they all said, "I do."

"Do you regret having entered the order for the discovery of natural curiosities, and founding of cities?"

"I do not."

"Do you regret that you discovered this great natural curiosity, the cave?"

"I do not," they each replied.

He next said, "brothers sing," and one of the best songs, thought the fishermen, that they had ever heard, was sung by a score of voices.

The giant then gave a sort of kick, and sent two feet or more of his height, with his sailor-like trowsers, half way across the hall; he then removed a large padded coat and his mask, and then stood before the astonished men, the fine look- ing man who had first been informed of the cave; and grasping each by the hand, the meeting was most cordial.

Calling each by name, he introduced them as the original discoverers of the cave; "and in their honor," he added, "we will now repair to the upper banqueting hall, and spend a few hours."

They then went up the next flight of stairs, and passed through the hall entrance, which was brilliantly lighted, to the spacious hall above, which was as magnificently lighted as the one below, and beside, it had been floored and richly carpeted and most elegantly furnished with all kinds of furniture that could be named, even to a piano, and all the luxuries that could be brought together.

The halls were warmed by a large and substantial stove placed in the centre of the middle hall, with a large funnel reaching to the height of ten feet, then extending along to the next hall entrance, through which it passed, and through the next hall, and on, all the way up and out of the steep and winding way to the outer world, completely warming the second and third apartments, and all the passage way out.

And to as fine a repast as could be provided, they all sat down; consisting of all kinds of meat, fish and fowl, and a rare dessert; everything desirable that money could procure, and taste desire, was on the occasion in abundance. In fact, it was the dedication of the great, grand establishment.

Untold gold and a hundred men could do a great deal in a few days, and to celebrate the occasion with conferring the second degree on the initiates, was very proper and calculated to impress the new recruits that the greatest of secret organizations was a stupendous reality.

After doing justice to the food and injustice to their stomachs, they proceeded to do injustice to their heads, by freely using the juice of the grape and other kinds of costly drinks, and in story-telling with toasts and songs, they spent quite a large portion of the day.