Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-02-15

because we did not count, but it was
vast number. should think that the
stock must have been low about Babyans
peak for many years afterwards. From
that day to this, however, have always
avoided balloons, feeling more afraid of
them than any beast that lives.
The path was clear, and we rushed for
ward up the water-course. But first we
picked up little Tota. The child was not
in a swoon, as had thought, but par
alyZed by terror, so that she could scarce
ly speak. Otherwise she was unhurt,
though it took her many week to re-
cover her nerve. Had she been older,
and had she not remembered Hendrika,
doubt if she would have recovered it.
She knew me again, and flung her little
arms about my neck, clinging TO me SO
closely that did not dare to give her to
any one else to carry lest | should add to
her terrors. So l went on with her in
my arms. The fears that pierced my
heart may well be imagined Should
find Stella alive or deadl Should find
her at allP Well, we should soon know
now. We stumbled on up the stony wa
rer-course; Notwithstanding the weight
of Tota, led the way, for suspense lent
me wings. Now we were through, and
an extraordinary scene lay before us.
We were in u great natural amphithea-
tire, only it was three times the size of
any amphitheatre ever shaped by man,
and the walls were formed of precipitous
cliffs, ranging from one to two hundred
feet in height. For the rest, the space
thus inclosed was level, studded with
park like trees, brilliant with flowers,
and having stream running through
the center of it that, as afterwards dis
covered, welled up from the ground at
the head of the open space.
We spread ourselves out in line,
searching everywhere, for Tota was too
overcome to be able to tell us where
Stella was hidden away. Fer nearly
half an hour we searched and searched,
scanning the walls of rock for any pos
sible opening to cave. In vain-we
could find none. Iapplied to old Indaba-
zimbi, but his foresight was at fault
here. All he could say was that this was
the place, and that the "Star" was hidden
somewhere in cave, but where the cave
was he could not tell. At last we came
to the top of the amphitheatre. There
before us was wall of rock, of which
the lower parts were here and there
clothed in grasses, lichens and creepers.
walked along it, calling at the top of
my voice.
Presently my heart stood still, for l
thought heard faint answer. drew
nearer to the place from which the sound
seemed to come, and again called. Yes,
there was an answer in my wife's voice.
1t seemed to come from the rock ]
went up to it and searched among the
creepers, but still could find no opening.
"Move the stone," cried Stella's voice,
"the cave is shut with a stone"
took spear and prodded at the cliff
whence the sound came. Suddenly the
spear sank in through a mass of lichen.
i swept the lichen aside, revealing q
bowlder that had been rolled into the
mouth of an opening in the rock, which
1t fitted so accurately that, covered as it
was by the oyerianging lichen, it might
well have escaped the keenest eye. We
dragged the bowlder OUT it was two
mems work 10 do it. Beyond was a
narrow, water worn passage, which
followed with a beating heart. Pres
emily the passage opened into a small
cave, shaped like a pickle bottle, and
coming To a neck at the top end. We
passed through and found ourselves in a
second, much larger cave, that at once
recognized as the one of which Indaba-
zimbi had shown me a vision i'm the
water. Light reached it from above
how know not-and by it could see
form half sitting, half lying ON some
skins at the top end of the cave. l
rushed TO it. 1t was Stella! Stella bound
with strips of hide, bruised, torn, but
still Stella, and alive.
She saw me, she gave one cry, then as
i caught her in my arms she tainted. 1t
was happy indeed shat she did not faint