The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1895-02-06
CHAPTER XXXIV, CONTINUED

and were come to the edge of the ice cap
that Is made by the melting of the snow
with the heat of the inner fires, or perhaps
by that Of the sun in hot seasons, know
not, and it's freezing in the winter months
or in the cold of the nights. At least there
Is such a cap on Xaca, measuring nearly
mile in depth, which lies between the snow
and the black rim of the crater. Up this
Ice climbed De Garcia, and the task is not
of the easiest, even for one Of untroubled
mind, for a man must Step from crack to
crack or needle to needle Of rough ice, that
stand upon smooth surface like the bristles
on hogs back, and woe to him If one
break or he Slip for then, as he falls, very
shortly the flesh will be filed from his
bones by the thousands Of swordlike points
over which he must pass in his descent to-
ward the snow. Indeed many times I
feared greatly lest this should chance to
De Garcia, for did not desire to lose my
vengeance thus. Therefore twice when
saw him in danger shouted to him, tell
ing him where to put his feet, for now I
was within 20 PAGES of him, and, strange
to say, he obeyed me without question, for
getting everything in his terror of instant
DEATH But for myself I had no fear, for
I knew that should not fall, though the
place was one which I had surely shrunk
from climbing at any other time.
All this while we had been travelling to-
ward Xaca's fiery crest by the bright moon
light, but now the dawn broke suddenly
on the mountain top, and the flame died
away in the heart of the pillar of smoke.
1t was wonderful to see the red glory
that shone upon the ice cap and on us two
men who crept like flies across it, while
the mountains breast and the world be-
low were plunged in the shadows of night.
'Now we have better light to climb by,
comrade!'' called to De Garcia, and my
voice rang strangely among the ice cliffs,
where never mans voice had echoed be-
fore. Is
Now, I thought, he will surely make a
stand, for could he have found courage it
had been easy for him to kill me with his
sword, which he still wore, as I climbed
from the ice to the hot lava. 1t seemed
that he thought of it, for he turned and
glared at me like devil, then went on
again, leaving rue wondering where he be-
lieved he would find refuge Some 800
PAGES from the edge of the ice the smoke
and steam of the crater rose into the air,
and between the two was lava so hot that
in places 1t was difficult to walk upon it.
Across this bed, that trembled as passed
over it, went De Garcia somewhat slowly,
for now he was weary, and followed him
at my ease, getting my breath again.
''At length, De Garcial'' said. "Now
let us make an end. You have your sword.
Use it if you can. 1t will be easier to die
fighting"
II cannot" he groaned. my doom is
upon me-"
LAS you WILL" and came at him,
sword up.
He ran from before me- moving back
ward and keeping his eyes fixed upon
mine, as [ have seen rat do when snake
Is about to swallow it. Now we were upon
the edge of the crater, and looking over [
saw an awful sight, for there, some 80
feet beneath us, the redhot lava, glowing
sullenly beneath shifting pail of smoke
rolled and spouted like thing alive. Jets
of steam flew upward from it with a
screaming sound; lines of noxious vapors,
many colOred, crept and twisted on it's
surface, and hot and horrid stencil poi
soned the heated air. Here indeed was such
gate as I could wish for De Garcia to
pass through to his own abode.
looked, pointed with my sword and
laughed. He looked and shrieked aloud,
for now all his manhood had left him, SO
great was his terror of what lay beyond
the end. Yes this proud and naughty
Spaniard screamed and wept and prayed
for mercy He who had done so many vii
Ia1nies beyond forgiveness prayed for mercy
that he might find time to repent. stood
and watched him, and so dreadful was his
aspect that horror struck me even through