The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-21
CHAPTER ~.

homeward journey.
CHAPTER Nv.
TIE suBrERRANEAN JOURNEY.
The next ~exening Maurice and Goucha-
Nichin were again at Goul-Hek, but this
time with a force of a score of laborers who
had arrived one by one, silently and like so
many shadows in the deepening gloom!
Leila and Catherine were together in the
fire-worshipper's cavern, guarded by young
Hassan and the panther.
The men at once set to work in the direc-
ton which Maurice indicated to them, and
it was soon apparent to him that the old
mans boast concerning the fidelity of his
gueber followers was we'll founded. At
sunrise all ceased from work and having
mounted to the upper ground quietly dis
persed in different directions, Maurice
eventually returning to the camp In COM
pany with his sister Catherine. So it went
on for several days. At first the work of
excavation was most difficult, the rock
through which they had to cnt their way be-
ing of the hardest description. Neverthe-
less the guebers, encouraged by their leader,
were untiring in their labor, and steadily
pierced through the rock in the direction of
the north. After a time the rocky forma-
ton came to an end, and they struck into a
bed of soft, decomposed soil. and it now
became apparent to Maurice's practiced
eye, that in some previous age, the passage
had been filled with earth by human hands.
BY the seventh day they had completed
the hundred and seven cubits of which
Goucha-Nichin had spoken, and they then
turned westward at an exact right angle.
The soil was still soft and easy to penetrate,
and at the end of anothe three days their
spades struck against a wall of brick in
which was an open doorway formed of
massive slabs of granite.
The Waterman at the mount of the we'll
now signalled to them that day was break
ng, and, impatient as Maurice was to ex-
lore the open passage before them, it was
thought best to cease their work as usual.
On their homeward way Goucha-N ichin
md earnestly. The past nights work had
convinced them that the way to the buried
city was now open to them. 10
tts minds of both it had occurred
Tint, for the present at least. it would be
wi,er to dispense with the services and
presence of the workmen and to contine
fuEher exploration to themselves. Maur-
iceb first thought was of his sister and of
thedelight it would be to her to accompany
then on their secret journeys. On suggest
ing this, however, to the tire-worshipper,
his proposition was met by such strong, and
on the old mans part that he finally con-
scented to abandon the idea. His next pro-
possl was more favorably received. As the
length of time for which they would be alb
sent WAS uncertain, and as the fatigues of
such a journey would certainly be great,
other stores with them. For this a third
party would be necessary, and Maurice at
once decided that his servant Aristomene
should complete the trio. The fre-wor-
shipper assented, and as the discussion of
their plans came to an end they reached
their destination.
GATHERINGS Joy on hearing of the dis
covery was as great as her disappointment
at having to remain behind and have no
active share in the venture which was be-
fore her brother. Her good sense and unset
fishness, however, soon reasserted them
selves md she cheerfully acquiesced to the
should remain in her new friends COM
pany. :
sister returning to their camp, Hassan was
Despatched with a note to GarGaridi in
structing him to make the necessary prepar-
atoms and to join his master during the
day at Goucha-Nichin's cave. This being
done, the two men INDUCED in some much
needed rest. and awaited the coming of the
evening. To Maurice, especially, the day
seemed to drag slowly on. The prospect
before him, with its possible adventures
and discoveries, was most exciting, and his
pleasure was only marred by one thing; the
necessity for leaving his sister behind.
Evening came at last, and with it the
faithful Aristomene. AS soon rs it was
fully dark Maurice and the fire-worshipper
bade farewell to the two young girls, eau
toned Hassnn as to the care of them, and
together they set out for Goul-Hek, fol
lowed by Gargnridi, who struggled manfully
under the weight of a huge basket of pro-
visions.
iured air when Maurice remarked upon the
quantity of eatables. II need nothing, and
could go for twenty-four, yes, for forty
eight hours even, without eating a mouth
full; but monsieur himself plays no mean
knife and fork, md as for the old man
there, he doesn't look as if he lived upon
air."
"As you please, but, mind YOU we have q
long wav to go, and you will find it no easy
task to carry that burden"
"Oh, monsieur cried Gargaridi, his
good humor returning. 81 wager We shall
my word for it, we shall have none toe
much" and he pressed the basket to his
side as if fearful of its safety. The three
explorers soon came to the bottom of the
incline. The gallery. which they entered
by a door over which was an inscription il
some unknown language, was quite spa
cious, and decorated with a certain degree
of mngnifcence. Thick pillars had beer
carved from the solid rock, representing
sheaves of reeds, their capitals being fash
Toned like q hRlf-closed lotuS-tlower. Or
lamentations. chaste and graceful ara
: besques, inscriptions in the same strange
, tongue as that above the entrance, formed
a frieze around the long passage. The
ground rose with a gentle slope. and the OK.
plorers, even Gargaridi, burdened with his
large basket, traversed the gallery withou,
fatigue.
, After half an hour of walking Maurice
: who was in front, moving his lantern 30 n,
to illumine both roof and ground, noticed
the surroundings suddenly change. Tn
[ passage suddenly widened out, and the,
/ found themselves in II lofty cavern. Here
and there brilliant stalaotites shone Xix,
diamonds in the lanterns light. The roo
was supported by natural pillars, and tn,
moss which covered the sides of the CROFT,
seemed like a covering of soft green velvet
For some time they sought an exit from tn,
cavern. At first it seemed ns if they hat
t reached tho very end of tho subterraneat
t gallery, but at last. to his great joy. behint
an enormous boulder. Maurice discovered
4 door similar to the one by which they hat
I entered the gallery.
At the same moment Gargaridi uttered
CRY.
''See here, monsienr! An opening .imme
diately opposite yours. How will you dc
eide which ia the right one?"
Maurice and the fire-worshipper hastene,
to the spot and found themselves in from