The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-04-10

KNOWN ucptus L 10 AoN6S
they had been cast was evidently very
narrow, and almost as slippery as ice
and Jack being encountered with the
loaf, and Pierre badly bruised against
the rocks, they were not in the best
condition for climbing.
But the roar of the next wave as 1t
came bursting in, splashing them from
head to foot where they sat, was won
derfnl uuickener to their movements,
and away they scrambled through the
pitchy blackness, clinging like limPets
to the rough side of the cavern as they
felt their feet slide upon the treacherous
rocks, and thought of the unseen gulf
below.
Onward, onward still, deeper and
deeper into the heart of the cold, silent
rock, fearing at every moment to feel
their way barred by solid wall, and
find themselves cut off from escape and
doomed to be drowned by inches. But,
no: the strange tunnel went on and on
as If it would never end, their only con-
ISOLATION being that they were unmis-
takably tending upscard, and already
Gas they calculated) beyond the reach
of the food-tide.
Suddenly Jack uttered a shout OF Joy:
Hurrah, Pierre! here's one OF the
lantern candles in my inner pocket, and
l know I've got my matches some
where. Well be able to see where we
are at last, my boy!"
The matches luckily still dry were
produced, the candle was lighted, and
our heroes took survey of their sur
roundings.
They were in long, narrow passage,
rising to a considerable height over
head, and with another ledge on its OPP
posite side, sleeper and more broken
than the one on which they were. In the
center lay the chasm already mentioned;
but, instead of the frightful depth
which they had imagined, it was only
six or seven feet deep at the most, and
more than half full of water.
"There's our terrible Yrecipice,'
laughed Jack, STOPPING over it. 81
don't think that would hurt us much.
But-holloa! l say, Pierre, this isn't
sea-brine; it's fresh scater, running
water! It's a stream that's tunneled
its way through the rock; and if we
follow 1t far enough wen get out. Hur-
rah!"
"Hurrahi" echoed Pierre. brighten
ing up. 1--WE sha'n't run short of
water, anyhow; and as for food, we
may as well have a bite of that loaf be-
fore starting again"
The under ground breakfast was soon
finished, and the adventurous lads start
ed once more.
But the pain of Pierre's bruises,
which he had manfully concealed hith-
erto. began to master him at last. His
tired limbs began to drag more and
more heavily; lis feet slipped again and
again, and only the strong hand of his
comrade saved him from more than one
serious fall.
Better sit down and rest bit, old
fellow" said Jack, kindly; ''there's no
hurry, for this candle win burn long
while yet. I know you won't own it,
but you dad get nasty bump against
that rock yonder."
81 fancy you're right there" an
swered Pierre, sinking YEARLY upon the
ledge. But we don't need the candle
while we're sitting still, you know.
Blow it out, and light it again when we
start"
Jack did SO, and they sat silent in the
darkness. All at once Pierre heard his
comrade call out:
81 say, don't you hear water falling
somewhere"
"To be sure do" replied Pierre,
after listening q moment. 1--WE must
be close to the place where this stream
falls down into the tunnel, and now
we'll have a chance of getting out al
last. Bravo!"
Jack slapped his hands together, with
shout that made the cavern echo
"I've got an idea. Pierre, my boy
What fool was not to think of it be.
fore! This stream that we've been fol.
lowing is the Larve, and we've got tc
the very place where it falls through
the cleft. Now if we can only get out
with whole bones, it's fifteen hundred
franks apiece to us. Come along
quick!"
All Pierrc's WEAKNESS was gone in 9
minute. Already, in his minds eye,
he saw his ailing father comfortably
provided for, and Jack and himself
standing out to sea in brand-nev
boat. The instant the candle wa
lighted they were off again at q pace
which would have seemed impossible q
few minutes before.
Guided by the increasing din of the
waterfall, they were not long in reach
ing a huge perpendicular funnel OF
chimney in the rock, down one side @
which poured stream of water, while
through a cleft above, dazzlingly ra
diant after the darkness of the buriei
passage, came bright CLEAN of sun
shine. just then a big stone, funf
from above, came laundering dowr
into the chasm, falling close to the fee
of the two explorers.
s.That's the boys at their fun" sale
Jack, laughing. live done it many 1
time myself. Above there-hoy!"
The only answer was howl Of terrol
and the sound of flying feet. Pierre
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