Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-24

FERROUS, my companions sat LOOKING D4dHkly
at me like set of idiots.
My indignation rose. Don't you believe
tl' asked, gulping down my muddy camr
coffee, and turning TO my friend Chandler
at my elbow.
"Why, Thurber, you were not absent
from the camp yesterday" he exclaimed
in establishment at my audacious reitera
ton.
"Don't 1 know that / explored a cave,
down the ridge there?" l retorted hotly,
pointing across tiny cascade tumbling
down over little rocky shelves and messy
tree-roots with a dash and gurgle to the
basin below.
Don't know what am talking about?'
"Ihardly think you do Thurber, for two
reasons" returned Chandler; " oneis, you
were not away from camp yesterday On ac-
count Of rain; and the other is that, had it
been possible for you to have had your ad-
venture, you certainly would have men,
toned it last evening around the fire, in
stead of looking glum as an owl until bed
time"
Completely exasperated by the words and
manner of my companions. rose abruptly
from the table, saying: " Never mind, gen.
tlemen; it seems to be your good pleasure
20 doubt the whole story; but | will bring
the proof. In my coat-pocl1et rests the
curious tablet Of stone picked up on the
floor Of the cave. | brought it with me,
hoping that Ned here might be able to de-
cipher the strange inscription covering its
face. l knew him to be a good one at trans
latlng. Wait moment, please, and will
proceed to substantiate my assertions
Chandler rose from the half-fnlshed meal
also, and, with guizzical look on his face
followed me into the tent.
There hung my jacket on its accustomed
hook just where l had placed it on my re-
turn; taking 1t down, l thrust my hand
confidently into an inner pocket. Not there
Somewhat confused, l rummaged the 9TH
ers, and they were also empty.
1t was now my turn to stare blankly, and
did my best at Chandler, who stood calmly
regarding me.
''Ten me-" gasped, 'am 1 daft, or what
does this all mean! If 1 did not visit cave
yesterday where was II"
"Here all day." he answered, as if he
feared fat contradiction.
C"Humphi" said l "then explain the rest
of it."
ga dream most likely" answered he,
twlrling hIs mustache, thoughtfuly; 1--WE
heard Of such things.
"Every body Dreams" replied, "but they
don't carry home mementoes in their
pockets from their mind iourneyings; not
as general thing"
mo; neither did you, or else your search
would have been more successful re-
turned my friend, with provoking laugh.
''The devdP' CIRCULATED l, 'thats SO;
guess Il must have been a dream after all.'
Somehow it was dawning slowly on my
beclouded brain that it had only been a
vision Of slumber, this delightful visit to
the underground regions. The rest of the
party had by this time|slipped into the tent,
following US out Of sheer curiosity.
'Never mind, gentlemen l said again,
with wave ofmy hand; this matter must
be sifted. l am positive that l can go di-
rectly to that cave, at any rate know every
step Of the way. o, you may laugh,n con-
tinued, as smile went round the circle;
'but that doesn't alter the case. tciu find
that cave"
"Do soi' exclaimed Ned Ainscourt
Lead and Wen follow; should enjoy the
search, whatever comes of itn
In less than ten minutes | was out on the
point indicated, and looking about me.
snow, where was itr' | questioned,
slowly walking along, trying to locate my
dream, vision, or whatever it may have
been"
"Ohi have itr' 1 shouted in exultation
an hour later; ''it is over there, underneath
that mass of vines near that leaning tree"
l ran swiftly forward, with the whole
party at my heels, and soon came to the
familiar spot-that is, familiar as connected