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

seemed 10 DO all Officer Ill COllludHu,
bowed politely.
II am Captain Tradmos. gentlemen,
in the kings service. 1t is my duty to
make you my prisoners must escort
you to the palace of the king"
'"That's cool," said Johnston, to con-
ceal the discontinue that he felt. "We
had no idea that you had q kingdom.
We have tramped all over this island,
and you are the first signs Of humanity
we have met"
He would have recalled his words be-
fore he had finished speaking if he
could have done so, for he saw by the
manner of the captain that be had been
overbold.
"Follow NO." answered the officer
curtly, and with motion of his hand
to his men he turned toward the odd
looking vessel.
The two adventures obeyed, and the
cloaked men fell in behind them. Nci-
ther Johnston nor Thorndyke had ever
seen anything like tho peculiar boat
that was moored to the rocky shore. 1t
was about 40 feet in length, had n hull
shaped like n racing yacht, but which
was made of black rubber inflated with
air. 1t was covered with glass, save for
doorway about six feet high and three
feet wide in the side, and looked like
great, oblong bubble floating On the still,
dark water. AS they approached the
searchliGht was cxtinguished, and they
were enabled to sec the boat to better
advantage by tho aid of the electric
lights that illuminated the interior. 1t
was with feelings Of awe that the two
adventures followed the captain across
the gangplank into the vessel.
Tho electric light was brilliantly
white, and in various places pink, red
and light blue screens mcllOWcd it into
an artistic effect that was very gooth-
ing to the eye The ceiling was hung
with festoons Of prisms as brilliant as
the purest diamonds, and in them, ow-
ing to tho gently undulatory movement
of the vessel, colors more beautiful than
those of a rainbow played ,ntrancing-
ly. Rare pictures in frames Of delicate
gold were intCrsperscd among the clns-
ters Of prisms, and the floor was cover
cd with carpets that felt us soft beneath
tho foot ms pillows of cider down.
AS he entered the door the officer
threw off his gray cloak, and his men
did likewise, disclosing to view the
finest uniforms the prisoners had ever
seen. Captain Tradmos' legs were
clothed in tights of light blue silk, and
he wore a blue sack coat of silk plush
and belt of plant gold tho buckles of
which were ornamcntcd with brilliant
gems. His eyes were dark and penctrat-
ing, and his black hair lay i'll glossy
masses On his shoulders. He had the
head of an Apollo and a brow indica-
two Of the highest intellect.
Leaving his men in the first room
that they entered, he gracefully con-
ductCd his prisoners through another
room to small cabin i'll tho stern of
tho boat and told th,m to make them
selves comfortable on the luxurious
coucles that lined the circular glass
walls.
"Our journey will be of considerable
length, he said, "and as you are no
doubt fatigucd, you had better take all
the rest you can get. see that you need
food and have ordered a rcpast which
will refresh you. AS he concluded he
touched button in the wall, and in
stantly table laden with substantial
food, rare delicacies and wines, rose
through trapdCor in the floor. He
smiled at the expressions of surprise on
their faces and touched green bottle
of vino with his white, tapcring hand.
1.-THE greater part Of our journey will
be under water, and our wines ure spe-
cinlly prepared to render us capable OF
subsisting on rather limited quantity
of air during the voyage, go advise you
to partakc Of them freely. You will
find them very agreeable to the taste. "
1--WE are very grateful " bowed
Thorndyko from his scat Oh q couch.
Il am sure no prisoners were over more
graciously or royalty entertained, To
be your prisoner is a pleasure to be re-
membcrcd. "
Till our heads are cut off, anyway"
put in the irrcpressible American.
Tradmos smiled good humorcd.y.
II shall leave you now" he said.
And, with bow, he withdrew.
This is an adventure in earnest"
whispered Johnston. my stars! What
can they intend to do with us?'
Zone Of the first things will bo to
take US down to the bottom Of this lake
where we saw them awhile ago, and |
dcn't fancy it at all. What if this blast
ed glass case should burst? We may
have dropped into den OF outlaws on
q gigantic scale, ard it lLay be neccssa-
ry to put us out of the way to keep our
mouths closed.
Il am hungry and am going to eat"
said the American, drawing cushion
ed stool up to the table. Here goes for
some of the wine. Remember, it is a
sort Of breath rcstorer. l am curious
enough rot to want to collapse till
have seon this thing through. He said
something about palace and king.
Where can we be going?"
"Down into the center Of the earth,
possibly" And the handsome English
man moved stool to the table and took
the glass of green colorcd wine that
Johnston pushed toward him. "Some
scientists hold that the earth is filled
with water instead Of fire. Who knows
where this blamed thing may not take
us? Here is to a safe return from the
amphibious land" "
Both drank their wine simultaneous
ly, lowered their glasses at the same in
slant, and gazed into each others eyes.
"Did you ever taste such liquor?'
asked Thorndyke. lit seems to run like
streams of fire through every vein
have"
L 1 =. l. .4clxx Il