About half a mile below the Whirlpool, on the American side, a gloomy
cavern in the bank has received the above title. It is about one hundred
feet in depth, and from its forbidding aspect might well be regarded as
the property of his Satanic majesty. Tradition makes this locality the
scene of the massacre of the English supply train and escort in 1763, by
the Seneca Indians, instigated by the French traders. The train was on
its way from Fort Niagara to Fort Schlosser, and only three of its
number escaped alive, while of the escort only eight returned to Fort
Niagara.
[Illustration: NIAGARA RIVER BELOW THE WHIRLPOOL.]
Much that would be of interest to the reader might be written concerning
the Falls and the surroundings, but we have already devoted a large
amount of space to the subject, and must close with a few necessary
particulars. For the convenience of those who may need the facts, we
tabulate the rates of toll, carriage hire, etc., the latter being the
rate fixed by law as permissible. It may be well to add, however, that
most of the drivers are willing to make a special rate, considerably
lower than those given, and, as previously remarked, this should be
expressly agreed upon before starting out, including an understanding as
to the payment of the tolls and gate fees.