Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-23
CHAPTER XII.

In the Prophets cave. where slept
Captain Brandon, Louis Kyle and How
ard blanchard, there was no variation
81 light to tell the changes that were
going on in the outer world. The
Prophet had that rare gift, an intuitivc
conception Of the passage of time. He
carried no watch, and he but rarely
looked up ut the sun, for which he had
M idolatrous y reverence as the fire wor-
ahipers. who. in the far back ages in
habited thsss mountains and kept their
sacrihcial affairs burning on the highest
summit.
awake, arisel Tho Philistines be in
our borders!' shouted the Prophet,
when the time allotted 1ur slumbcr had
passed. At the sound Of tho deep sono-
rous voice the men sprang from the
ground, some Of them selling their
arms in alarm. Howard Blanchard, who
was wholly ignorant Of che methods of
this remarkable man, stared wildly
about him NJ IL expecting an attack.
AS the Prophet spoke he brought out
dried meat from the rccesses that honey.
combcd the immense chamber, and set
ting the example he would have the
others fellow he ate heartily and filed
pouch slung over his shoulder.
"Sec that your arms and ammunition
arc in good order. Grid up your loins
m did the Gideonites Of old, for, as my
soul live,h. it will not fare well with
them who bcsct our paths in these
mountains
"wc are all ready" said Captain
Brandon.
1T is well. Now. that we may nd
vance with more rapidity. I have pro-
vidcd torches Here are three" He
handed tho captain, Howard Blanchard
and Louis Kyle each one. Light them
at this altar
There was always light burning on
the altar when n fire was not blazing
there. The Prophet lit four Large earthen
lamps. and placing one on each corner
muttered prayer that sounded like an
incantation, then shouldered his rifle
and strobe away in advance.
To Howard Blanchard it looked as il
their course lay into the heart Of the
Titanic cliff that lowered above the en-.
trance OF the cave, and such in truth
was the case. On they went past the
fountain where they had bathed that
morning. and along gloomy galleries
whose vaults the torches failed to reveal
and whose black glistcning walls looked
like the mythical furnaces Of the lower
world in which the fire had been Ions
cxtinguished. On and on and ND and
mp, through this awful temple Of silence.
this cave Of the shadows this hiding
place Of night The lishtest football
echoed and re- echoed farther and farther
Oh till lost in shadowy whispers Up and
on. tho chambers becoming smaller and
tho passaees or galleries shorter and
narrower. until at length the most slcn.
der had difficulty in getting through.
Without any premonitory glimmer Of
twilight the Prophet led them through
q narrow opening and out into the gold.
en- sunlight aud under the deep blue
vault
THANK God for the lghtv' exclaim.
cd Howard Blanchard N he tossed away
the smoking fragments Of his torch.
The Prophet waved his arms and
turning to Captain Brandon said:
Now you take the lead"
THE horses are near by in the
Prophets glen. I" said Louis Kyle.
Then We must 60 there FIRST"
The captain stepped into the advance.
and within mile he led them to bowl
shaped valley, in which were many
hcrrrs. the two herden left back b. Louis
Kyle keeping watch over . number that
were stake<l ~
II have here hogus cd snadlcs
enough Tor all The plandesezs Do no,