Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-08-25
CHAPTER XII.

In the Prophets cave, where slept
Captain Brandon, Louis Kyle and How
ard Blanchard. there was no variation
Of light TO tell the changes that were
going on in the outer world. The
Prophet had that rare gift, an intuitive
conception Of the passage Of time He
carried no watch, and he but rarely
looked up at the sun, for which he had
as idolatrous "A reverence rs the fire wor-
shippers. who, in the far back ages in
habited these mountains and kept their
sacridcial altars burning on the highest
summit.
Awake, arise, The Philistines be in
our bordersr' shouted the Prophet.
when the time allotted for slumber had
passed. At the sound Of the deep sono-
rous voice the men sprang from the
ground. some Of them seizing their
arms in alarm Howard Blanchard, who
was wholly ignorant Of the methods of
this remarkable man. stared wildly
about him aS If expecting an attack
As the Prophet spoke he brought out
dried meat from the recesses 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.
See that your arms and ammunition
are in good order. Gird up your loins
rs did the Gideonites II old. for, as my
soul liycth, il will not fare well with
them who beset our paths in these
mountains
We are all ready" said Captain
Brandon
1t Is well Now. that we may ad-
vance with more mpidity, / have pro-
yided torches Here are three. He
handed the captain, Howard blanchard
and Louis Kyle each one. Light them
AT this altar.
There was always light burning ON
the altar wlcn fire was not blazing
there. The Prophet lii four large earthon
lamps, and placing one on each corner
mu,,ercd prayer that sounded like an
incantation, then shouldered his rifle
and STRIDE away III advance.
To Howard Blanchard it looked ~ 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 20 reveal
and nose black glistoning walls looked
like the mythical furnaces of the lower
world in which the fire had been long
extinguished On and ON and up and
up. through this awful temple Of silence,
this cave uf the shadows, this hiding
place II night. The lightest football
echoed and rc-echoed farther and farther
of till lost IN shadowy whispers. Up and
on, the chambers becoming smaller and
the passages or galleries shorter and
narrower. until at length the most slen-
der had difficulty in getting through.
Without any prcmonitory glimmer 81
twilight the Prophet led them through
q narrow opening and out into the gold
en- sunlight and under the deep blue
vault
Thank God for the light!' exclaim-
I'd Howard Blanchard H. 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. said Louis Kyle.
Then We must 20 there first
The captain stepped into the advance,
and within a mile h. led them 10 bowl
SHAPED valley, in which Were many
horses. the two herders left back by Louis
Kyle keeping watch over number that
We're staked.
Il have here horses and saddles
enough for all The plunderers do not
lay hands on my property. The Proph-
et went 10 little hut near the center
Of the valley and came out with three
sets Of equipments
In a short time all the horses neces-
sary 10 give each man q mount were
saddled The delight Of the herders
who were half centaurs, was unbounded
at being again mounted
"Are you not going with us:' asked
Captain Brandon, seeing the Prophet
hold back.
Not unless You command it, said
the Prophet.
Il cannot command il you have q
better reason for going i'll another direc-
ton. "
Leave my own plan 10 myself.
The Prophet raised his hands in bene-
diction and said, with great solemnity:
MAY the God Of Abraham and Isaac
and Jacob and all the prophets guard
you and watch over you. Amen and
amen.
Without halt, over hills, into valleys,
across streams, the men kept on for
hours, Brandon in the advance and
leading the rush Of horsemen. In three
hours the horsemen reined i'll on the
summit Of hill, and the Indian who
had been i'll advance extended his arm
and pointing down said:
''See the fires in Bouton's camp!