The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-01-30

was very thirsty, but I could see no
way of getting any drop to drink. l
then fell to considering of what was
best to do, and at first 1 thought
would slip down the rope and get back
to the part of the cave where we had
been so long, but I soon decided against
it, and on these grounds, namely:
| Firstly. should stand a chance of run
ming plump into the arms of the men
" NO " tic IOOn4IrS - -ss-,-r ----t' 49,
ondly, my hands We're so sore that
doubted if I could go down the rope.
Thirdly. I was in the only part of the
cave where there was any hope of get
ting out. and if 1 went down might not
be able to get up again (though l had
not forgotten the pole). Fourthly, L
had food and seemed 20 be fairly safe
from being found, and it is always best
to leave we'll enough alone. Filthy
and lastly and most Importantly q
say it who shouldn't, but I defy any
one to show that am a boaster), l
wanted to stay as near poor Captain
Archway as 1 could. hoping that I
might be able to do something for him.
shortly after eating. being pretty
tired. fell asleep and had a good nap,
and one I suspect. of some hours.
When 1 Weakened I found all still. and
without much waiting began break
fast. But I could do no sort of JUS
tice to it, being now half consumed
with thirst. I had seen some pools OF
water not far off. but 1 was afraid to
get down to them, knowing full well
that I could never again spring up tc
nv perch, being now stiff and my
hands sorer than ever.
j Law there for what I suppose was
( several hours. though it seemed to ms
rather like days. my thirst growing al
the time greater. Once two of the mer
stopped at the pit to see If the ones be
low had come UP.
"They amt up yet" one of then
said: the ropes down"
'Reckon they amt having no bette
luck finding Gil than we've had will
the young Teller"
ooh. he's gone down the Slide Pit,
answered the other. Il knowed i
soon's I seen his lantern. But I'll be
he'll never come up again"
They turned to go back, the othe
saying: "That's so, but Ike would rath
er of throwed him down"
1 should have been again half scare
to death had 7 not been by this tim
so far gone with thirst that I coul
pay no attention to anything else.
tried to eat. but could force no morse
down my swollen throat. At last
could stand it no longer. I felt that
must have water or perish miserabl
where I lay. So I slipped off, blur
dered along to the pools, and, [ max
bold to say, drank half enough for
horse.
crept back and, my thirst bein
now gone, of course wishing I had NJ
come down, we'll knowing that l coul
never get back up. AS I crawle
across the rope, having a care for III
edge of the pit, I felt it taut under m
knees. and on putting my hand on
could clearly feel that someone we
climbing UP it, My first thought We
that the two men had got back, and
whipped out my knife to repeat m
plan of rope-cutting. I had the blat
. fairly under it and ready to pull. whe
I reflected that I heard no voices ar
= all was dark. and paused. Just the
= the man reached the top breathir
= very hard from the work of climbin
=, and (you may smile if you please)
:, knew from this breathing that it W;
. Dauphn. Indeed, ] had been so mut
in the dark that I was becoming like
l.. very bat, with no least need for eye
;, and I knew both the Captains an
q Dauphn's manner of breathing ;
. we'll as their voices. When he he
;, pulled himself up I spoke to him in
+ whisper.
'Is that you. Harry" he said, mut
I surprised. I answered Yes, and the
|
+ as fast as I could told him what Ihf
d happened since l had come up, al
how matters stood. He then told n
y. that he had first gone up the Goph