The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-11-23

Egypt had penetrated the secret Of this
rock hewn abode Of the dead. Since
the deep and solemn chorus Of the de-
parting priests of Osiris had died away
in hollow echoes through the long cor
ridOrs about them no sound had broken
the silence Of the ancient dead. What
If they were to wake and ask me of the
doings Of the world since they had
slumbered there? Not history's self
could answer them.
These and similar thoughts flashed
through my mind, mixed with a tri-
umphant feeling of exultation and self
graduation. But it was already late. l
had eaten nothing since morning and
my fellahs were tired and grumbling,
SO l was compelled to abandon my dis
Coveries until the morrow, though sore
ly against my will. So jealous was | Of
my findings that, after seeing all of my
workmen out of the tomb, l had my ten
pitched before the outer entrance, in
order that none might gain access to
the new treasures which were within
the inner chambers.
After a restless night | was up with
the dawn, and, eating a hasty break
fast, FASTENED to the scene of my dis
covcry but before repairing thither l
sent II messenger to Professor Batesi,
who was then considered tho greatest
living Psychologist, and who was su.
p~erintending some excavations at q
point about ten miles from my camp,
announcing my discovery and begging
him to como to me at once. This was
IN unselfish act OH my part, as I knew
very we'll that tho scientific world
would be apt to give him entire credit
for my discoveries if he were to arrive
on tho scene so soon and should desire
to appropriate my %laurels, but my de-
light was so great that felt tho neces.
sity Of q companion to share it with me.
The first task l set for myself was the
removal Of the grand central s%arcophu-
gus. l had pretty we'll made up my mind
that his was the real coffin Of Thothmes
III and that the one found in the outer
tomb had been merely a blind. / sent
to my camp for tackle and q small der
rick sc constructed as to be capable of
being taken apart in small pieces and
readily put together. While awaiting
its arrival 1 examined the great golden
ibis closely. 1t was apparently of solid
gold, ten feet high, and the finest speci-
men Of the goldsmith's art l had ever
seen. The modelling was perfect and
the minuteness of the work remarkable.
The tjniest feathers, tho smallest scales
on the long, slender legs, were repro
duced with scrupulous exactness.
There has never been found anything
to compare with it," l said exultantly
to myself.
In n short time the men returned
with the apparatus, the derrick was
erected and clamps were placed across
the polished surface of the massive lid.
AT my command the men at the wind
lass began to turn, and the great slab
rose slowly from its place and was
lowered carefully to the floor. Leaping
upon a coil Of rope at hand, l looked
down into the ~sarcophagus. AS 1 did so
the light from my torch brilliantly re-
Elected from "a huge mummy case Of ap-
parently solid and massy gold. AS is
usual with mummy cases, tho head of
the case was modelled into the form of
a face. These faces are supposed to be
likenesses of the inclosed mummies as
they looked in life. The face was that
of a man still young, Of pleasing and
yet commanding presence. Two crystals
inserted for eyes gave it q lifelike and
almost terrifying appearance. The case
was carved with many and elaborate
designs and was studded with the bod
les of many scarabs, which were set
deep in the gold
These details | observed at q glance,
but an object lying at the side Of the
case and partly upon it low attracted
my attention. This was u large vase or
flask of the purest rock crystal, elabo-
rately carved with mystical devices,
which was filled with a limpid, color
less fuid-perhaps four or five quarts
which seemed to be luminous. At least
1T reflected the torchlight with an in
tenslty that was almost binding. 1t
was a wholly novel discovery. Sar-
cophagl and mummics were common
enough, but never had I seen or heard
OF the finding of anything like this.
Had found 1t in n Grecian or Roman
tomb, l might have called it u lach-
rymal vase, but so far as 1 knew no
such utensil was used by the Egyptians.
Reaching down into the great stone
box, l managed to grasp the flask and
take it up. AS l held it aloft the fell
lahs set up a terrified shout az the
light of their torches was reflected
from it In streams of dazzling bril-
lianoy.
"Body of Bacchusl So you are mel.
Their crazy nor hoaxin9."
it was the voice Of my friend. DR..
Batest, who entered the tomb at this
moment.
DIR. Batesi was III Italian, some e5
years of age though yet vigorous and
OF an extremely nervous temperament,
His figure was tall, but thin and gaunt,
and his meager face was decorated by a
long and flowing white beard. His ewes
were small, bright and restless. ANY one
would have readily known him as an
enthusiast in whatever study he might
be interested. He always spoke in a
jerky, excitable manner, and his USUALLY
nervous demeanor was now heightened
a dozenfold by the strange nature of
our surroundings.
mo, you're not crazy. But, great
heavensl What a ~discoveryi'
Yes" 1 replied, striving hard to ap-
pear cool. II think this is something of
a find. See here" And I made way for
him to stand upon the coil Of rope in
order that he might look down into the
sarcophaRus..
AS tie glittering mummy case met
his sight he began a series OF %e1acula-
tions In his native tongue, apparently
unropscious ne nu proao,oo ~