Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-12-17

In the haunted crater. L begged he
to show me the way. With shud
der she replied that there were spec
tres and monsters in the crater o.
what was called the Black Mountain
not far to the west. l gave to the
pretty girl,---Milkaway was hel
name, so-called, presume, because
she was so white and ethereal--f
looking. glass and comb, and made
lavish promises of rich gifts, if she
and he foster-father would go with
me, but to no avail. Quivering like
the aspen tree, she grasped my hands
exclaiming, in Spanish, Don't go
Canyon de Inferno is terrible, most
horrible, your hair will stand like
that, (pointing to the tall Spanish
dagger with its sharp, erect leaves.
But the eloquent pleading was use.
less while [ gazed at the amethysts,
rubies, emeralds and other glittering
stones about her wrists, ankles and
neck.
l determined to visit the crater,
and Amejo readily agreed to go
with me. At midnight we took
leave of the disconsolate Milkaway,
who alone knew of our intention, and
who had kindly prepared on broad
piece Of bark a rude chart of the
route and location of the treasure.
A walk of two hours took us out
of the fertile valley, and, passing
through cedar brake we began the
ascent of the mountain. Thickets
of pinyon impeded our PROCESS, and
as we clambered over great boulders
OF laya rock, up, up, always up, we
rested at times beneath the sombre,
black pine. 'Oh, Senor Americana,
L wish we were above the pines,
above the timber line, The wind
playing among the needles sounds
like funeral dirge.' So whisper
ing to me, the brave boy made the
sign of the cross and dropped his
head as if in silent prayer.
1t was cold at the summit, but
the vision that burst upon our
view was glorious. All Mexico,
with its infinite variety Of scenery
lay at our feet.
We descended by way of land
slide, with great difficulty into a
grassy park. In the light of the
setting sun it was so attractive that
is seemed as if all the beauty and en-
chantment of all the pretty parks of
all the world could here be seen at a
glance.
After eating of the dried venison
and parched corn which Milkaway
had prepared, we went to sleep un-
der maple tree.
AT daylight, observing the chart,
we went directly to a spring that
rushed out from q mountain gorge,
the deep, wide stream flowing a
short distance, then tumbling, with
thunderous roar, at a single leap,
amid mighty booming and clouds of
of spray, into the canyon, at least
two hundred feet below.
Around the enchanting park, in
the center of which was the box
canyon leading into deeper depres-
sion we're abrupt precipices,
their pinnacles being resting places
for vagrant clouds. The precipitous
declivity seemed to say, He who
enters here leaves hope behind;' and
it was evident that wild beasts could
find no egress.
At great risk and much labor we
descended into the canyon below the
the falls. Following the dim lines
Of the chart to the very mouth of a
yawning abyss, we found stones of
value Incompatible. Opals, the gar
net, emerald, amethyst, onyx, car
buncle and other stones in quantity
and quality that would make the
owner of Africa's richest diamond
mine envi0us beyond expression.
For moment we gazed in aston
ishment. Then Amejo exclaimed,
All, Senior, we will give precious
Milkaway a palace and fill it with
gold.'
Yes, and my lovely Senorita in
the far-away orange grove will share
it, my noble Amejo,' 1 replied.
But there was rumbling above
the sound of the cataract. We were
palsied with fear.
The mountain, the mountain is
trembling y exclaimed Amejo.
We were thro~ " with violence to
the earth, but in spite of fear we
filled our pockets with the pre-.
cious jewels, and, regaining our feet
we ran up the canyon toward the
falls. A second shock of the earth.
quake caused the mountain to sway
to and fro as tall pine in a heavy
wind. Rocks were loosed and came
laundering from the overhanging
cliffs. Huge stones filed up the
canyon below us. The water was
damned. We could not scale the
smooth walls of our prison. The
water was up to our necks-we
AnataH