Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-08-19
THURM0NT Frederick County, Maryland Thursday August 10, 1897


he explained. 1.-THE king has often said
that not drop of the ocean has ever
entered the great cavern"
Branasko stopped and wet his hand
in little pool at his feet. II am al
most afraid to taste it," said he, hold
ing his hand near his mouth. 1T would
settle all our fates." He waited mo.
ment and then touched his fingers to
his tongue.
"Saltl" That was all he said for sew
eral moments. He folded his arms and
looked mutely toward the boiling lake.
Presently he raised his eyes to the great
hole in the roof and groaned,
"The break is gradually widening.
These stones are freshly broken, and
the great bowl Is filing"
"1t will fill all Alpha with water
and drown every soul in it," added the
terrified American.
THAT however, is not the most Inn
mediate danger" said Branasko wisely.
"They would first suifocate, and later
their bodies would be swallowed up in
the stomach Of the earth"
what do you mean3"
Branasko shrugged his shoulders. GAS
soon as this bowl is filled with water,
which would not take many hours, it
would run over into tho lake of fire and
produce an explosion that would rend
Alpha from end to end"
"Who knows but it might turn tho
whole Atlantic into the center Of the
earth and destroy the entire earth."
But Branasko was unable to grasp the
full magnitude Of the remark, for to
him the world was simply vast cavern
lighted by human ingenuity. He fas-
tened narrow splinter Of stone upright
in the shallow water at his feet, and,
lying down on his stomach, with his
eyes close to it, he studied it for several
minutes. When he got up, desperate
gleam was in his dark eyes
1T is rising FAST" he said 1--WE
must attempt tosget to the capitol and
warn the king. Il is possible that he
may be able to stop the opening. The
only thing left to us is to try our ma
chine again"
Johnston found it hard to keep pace
with him as he bounded out Of the mist
and on toward the faint glow ahead.
Reaching the flying machine, Branasko
entered it and turned on small electric
light.
"Ahl' he grunted with satisfaction.
Il have found light, I can now sec
what is the matter with il"
Johnston stood outside and heard him
hammering Oh the metal parts in the
car and became SO absorbed in thinking
of the peril of their position that he
was startled when Branasko cried out
to him: "All right. l think we can
make it do. A pin has lost out, but per-
haps can hold the piece in place with
my foot. If only we can stand the heat
Of the pit long enough to rise above 1t,
we may escape
Johnston followed him into the car
Branasko seated himself firmly and
gave the wheel little turn. Slowly
the machine rose. 'Seo!" cried Branas-
ko. 1T is under controll We must not
be too hasty. Now for tho pitr'
The heart Of tho American was In bis
mouth as the long black wings waved
up and down and the airship, like some
live thing, shuddered and swept grace
fully out Of the mouth Of the cave into
the glare and heat Of the pit.
Hold your breathI' yelled Branas-
ko. and he bent lower into the Car to
escape tho shower Of hot ashes that was
falling about them. Far out over the
lake in straight line they glided, and
there came to sudden halt Johnston's
eyes were glued OH his companion's
face Branasko sat doubled up, every
muscle drawn, bis eyes bulging from
their sockets. Would he be strong
enough? To Johnston everything SEEM
cd in whirl. The walls of the pit were
rising around them.