The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-07

when their clothing was dry, land II
may be a long time before we get a
chance 10 get it. Let us lie down in the
shadow of that rock and rest. "
Johnston consented, and, lying down
together, they soon dropped asleep.
They slept soundly.
Johnston was the first to awake. He
felt so refreshed that he knew he must
have been unconscious several hours
He touched Branasko, and the latter sat
up and rubbed his eyes and looked about
him bewildered.
Il had horrible dream" he said,
shuddering. Il thought that we were
in the sun and over the capital city,
when it fell down. l thought the fall
was awful, and that all Alpha was
aflame. Then the fires went out. Every
thing was black, and the whole world
rang with cries of terrified people. Ugh!
don't want TO dream so again; I'd
rather not sleep at all. But, hush, what
is that
Far away, as if IN the center of the
earth, they heard low monotonous
rumbling. They listened breathlessly.
Every moment the sound increased.
They could feel the ground trembling as
if shaken by an earthquake.
at is the coming sun" said Branas-
ko ''We must get nearer the tunnel
and see what can be done. 1t would be
useless TO try 20 60 back now"
Stealing along in the shadow of the
cliffs to keep from being seen by the
workmen on the plateau above, they
climbed over rocky incline and saw
in the side of towering cliff great
black hole. 1t was the mouth of the
tunnel. Into it ran eight wide tracks of
railway and six mammoth cables, each
90 or 30 feet in diameter
THE sun cannot be far away now,"
remarked the Alphian.
Is it not lighted?"
II presume not. l think it comes
through in darkness. The light is saved
for its passage over Alpha.
Would it not be as safe for us to at
tempt TO walk through the tunnel to the
palace Of the king?"
Never. 1t would be over 90 miles in
utter darkness. There may be 1000
trestles and bridges over frightful
chasms. For the most part l have heard
the tunnel is natural channel or sue
cession of caverns united by tunnels.
The other is the safer way, though it
certainly is risky enough.
Louder and nearer grew the rumbling
noise, and faint light began to shine
from the tunnel and flash on the cliff
opposite.
1T is the sun S headlight, explained
Branasko.
Johnston was thrilled to the center Of
his being as he saw the light playing
over the polished tracks and cables and
Illuminating the walls of the great tun-
mel.
Suddenly there was deep, mellow
toned stroke of bell in the sun, and as
the two men shrank involuntarily into
the deeper shade of the cliff the great
globe, a stupendous ball of crystal 800
feet i'll height, slowly emerged from the
mouth of the tunnel and came to a stop
under the opening in the rock which led
to the space above.
"What had we better do now?' said
Johnston.
Wait" cautioned Branasko, and he
drew the American to great bowlder
nearer the sun, from behind which they
could, without being seen, watch the
action of the crowd of workmen that
was hurriedly approaching They placed
ladders of steel against the sides of the
sun and swarmed over it like bees.
a., 1. 1. 1 4
justing the lights, said the Alphian.
wait till they go round to the other
side. Don't you see that square opening
near the ground?''
The American nodded.
cit is the door, said Branasko, land
we must try TO enter it while they are
on the other side. Let us slip nearer
There is another rock ahead that we
can hide behind" Suiting the action to
the word, Branasko led the way, stoop-
ing near to the ground until both were
safely ensconced behind the bowlder in
question. They were now so near that
they could hear the electricians rubbing
the glass.
One who seemed to be superintend-
ing the work opened the door and went
into the sun and lighted bright light.
From where they were crouched John
ston and Branasko caught view of
little hall, a flight Of stairs and some
pictures on the walls.
Presently the man extinguished the
light and came out.
They are removing their ladders
from this side," said Branasko in a
whisper. 'Be ready. We must act
quickly and without particle of sound.
Run straight for that door and climb
up the steps Immediately.
The men had all gone round to the
other side, and DO one was in sight.
Quick! Follow me-" And bending
low to the earth the Alphian darted
across the intervening space and into
the doorway. Johnston was quite as
successful. AS he entered the door he
saw Branasko crawling up the carpeted
stairs ahead of him, and, on his all
tours, he followed. The first landing
was large, and there in the wall they