Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-06-24

saw what looked to ne like cliff Ct
solid gold. 1t had been dug out into a
cavern in which saw Il vessel like this
and men in diving suits digging and
loading it,"
This took the Enrlishman's breath
away for a moment; then he remarked,
THAT accounts for the heel tap VT
found. Who knows, these people may
be possessors of the richest gold and si
yer mines Oh carth.'
The bell rang again. "We are ris
Ing" said Johnston. eff this is thu
only way Of reaching the kings 90
main, we can never get back to civ,
ilization unless they release us Of their
own uccord-that's certain
Heavens, ism it still" exclaimed
the Englishman. 1.-THE machinery OF
this thing moves as noisclcssly as tho
backbone Of an eel wish I could un
derstand its works"
Il am more concerned about where
we are going. tell you we are being
taken to some wonderful place. People
who can construct such marvels OF
mechanical skill as this boat will not
be behind in other things; then look at
the physiqucs of those giants"
Just then the man who had drawn
down the shade came in and raised it.
Both the captives pretended to be unin-
terested in his movements, but when he
had withdrawn they looked through
the glass eagerly.
"Sec," whispered Thorndyke in tht
ear of his companion, 1.-The walls arc
close to us and are as perpendicular a9
those of the lake in which they found
us
Johnston said nothing. His attention
was riveted to the walls of rock. Tie
vessel was rising rapidly. An hour
passed. The soft music had ceased, and
the air seemed less dense and fresher.
Then the waters suddenly parted over
tho roof and ran in crystal streams
down the oval glass.
They were On the surface, and tho
vessel was slowly gliding toward the
shore, which could not be seen, owing
to there now being no light except thaf
inside the boat Captain Tradmos Ell
tered, followed by two of his men hold
ing black silkcn bandages.
"Wc must blindfold you," he said
"Captives arc not allowed to see the
entrance to our kingdom.
Without word they submitted.
"This way" said tie captain kindly,
and holding to an arm Of each he pilot
cd them out of the vessel to the shore.
Then he led them through what they
imagined to be a long stone corridor cr
arcade, from the ringing echoes of their
feet on the stone pavement. Presently
they came to what seemed to be All e.c-
vator, for when they had entered it al
sat down they heard Il metallic dopI
slide back into its place, and they De
sccnded quickly.
They could form no idea as to tno
distance they went down. But Thor.
dyke declared aftcrward that it Wa"
over 10000 feet. When the elevate
stopped, Captain Tradmos led them
out, and both Of the captives were cor
scious CT breathing the purcst, most Ill
vigoruting air they had ever inhaled
Instantly their strength returned, an
they felt remarkably buoyant as they
were led along over another pavemeM,
of polished stone.
Trndmos laughed. lyon like the at
mosphere?"
"I never heard Of anything like it, -
said Thorndykc. 1T is SO delightful
can almost taste it.
"It was that which made Alpha wha:
it is-the most wonderful country ~
the universe" said the officer. "IheEo
is much in store for you
The ears of the two captives Wee
greeted by a vague, indetinable hu1A,
like and yet unlike that of busy city.
1t was like many farof sounds carefully
mutfled. Now and then they heard hu.
man voices laughter and singing i'll 'no
distance and the twanging Of musical
Instruments.
Then they knew that they were en-
tering building of some Sort for th2'
heard key turn in a lock, and tho
humming sound in the distance was CUE
off. They felt soft carpet under their
feet, and the feet Of their guards 10
longer clinked on the stones.
When tho bandages were removed,
they found themselves in sumptuous
chamber, alone with the captain. The
brilliant light from a quantity shapoG
candelahrunl, in tho center OF the cham
Der, dazzlcd thom, but i'll few minut'a
their eyes had become accustomed to Il,
Tradmos seemed to be enjoying tho
looks of astonishment OH their faces a.
they glanced at the different objects il
the room.
"It is night" he said smilinglg.
"You need rest after your voyage. J."
down on the beds and sleep. Tomorrow
you will be conducted to the palace Of
the king"
With bow he withdrew, and they
heard a massive bolt slide into the socI,~
ct Of a door hidden behind CURTIN
The two men gaZcd at each other WIN
out speaking for a moment, and then
they began to inspect the room.
In alcovcs half veiled with sillz't
curtains stood statues i'll gold alG
bronze. The walls and ceilings W.
decorated with pictures unlike any thy
had ever seen. Before one, the pictrro
Of an angel flying through a dark
star filled sky, they both stood, enchalt~
ed.
"What is it?' asked Thorndyke, fir.
ing voice finally. lit is not done wiz
brush or pencil. The features seem
alive, and, ly Jove, you can actuallT
see it breathe. Don't you see the clouds
gliding by and the wings moving?'
"It is light-it is formed by light
declared the other enthusiastically, and
,I~ co. Foot f.,
the picture, and put his hand on "