The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-08-09
CHAPTER K. :;;sSE

tunity to escape from the horrors of
this island in twenty years the
prospect before Miss Arnold and my
self began to look very dark. But it
would not do to give way to despair
before her. She must be assisted in
her noble efforts to be brave and
calm. We stood talking in low tones
for several minutes, when we heard
footsteps on the stone floor of the
cave. : heard the gentle step of Mr..
Avevy and the heavy tread of giant.
From another section of the cave they
appeared, Mr.. Avery walking ahead
with another lamp. After him came a
man of stalwart build, brown-skinned
and with a sullen look in bis rugged
face. In his hands he carried two
chairs.
When this man had set down the
chairs he advanced to Miss Arnold,
and getting down on one knee, he
took her hand and kissed it. He
saluted me in the same manner, much
to my amusement. Mr.. Avery, how
ever, stood silently and grsvely assent
ing to the homage. I OWNED that it
was part of the plan he had mentioned
but had not unfolded to US, to have
these simple people regard US as
supernatural beings. When the giant
kissed my hand he uttered the word
"Oolek." I learned afterward that
the word meant, in the native language,
s'Savior," or "Deliverer."
"Let Oso-Bark come with two more
chairs" said Mr.. Avery, in tone of
mild authority. To my surprise the
brown giant seemed to understand
English perfectly, and bowlng low,
march out. The fact he understood
English was not surprising, for Mr..
Avery, during his twenty years resi-
dence among them, had taught many
of these people the language.
CT don't understand where that fell
low came from," said in bewildered
way. "You have fashion of spring
ing out of the earth here that is posi-
lively uncanny. And where did the
chairs come from?"
"There is another giant and two
more chairs" said the Englishman,
with the nearest approach to gayety
which I had yet heard from him. And
it was SO. A man of great stature
came in, bringing two chairs. He re-
peated exactly the performance of the
first one and disappeared.
81 did not tell you," said Mr..
Avery, /" that this cave has two en-
frances. One by which you come in,
and one opening into the channel OF
an extinct river that runs nearly the
entire length of the island wholly un-
der ground. This channel runs al
most under the centre of Galneor, and
I have had a passage dug from it into
my own cellar. Neither the cave nor
the subterranean river-bed is sus-
pected by the Chinese"
Glow far is Galneor from here?" I
asked. IT saw no house when I was
in the tree"
"No, you could not see them, though
they were not far away. They lie be-
yond the forest trees p"
Again the heavy tread of the two
giants sounded in the cave, and they
came in bearing table and some
dishes.
Iresolved to speak to them.
"What are the names of our friends
here, Mr.. Avery?"
"Oso-Bark and Garu-Saak," he re-
piled.
"Oso-Bark and Garu. u.Saak, I said,
eve thank you for your kindness. Will
you not sit down."
The one named Oso-Bark turned to
me, and bowing low, he replied:
"Oolek, some time shall with pride
do as you ask. But even now there
is much to be done, and Garu-Saak
awaits me. We are happy to-day.
The songs of the Jumar women are
heard to-day for the first time in twen-
ty years. The spirit of the Jumars
grows light with hope, for at last our
deliverer has come"
Both giants bowed and marched out.
I was astonished. "Why, that
fellow speaks better English than I
do" I said.
"He is very capable" replied Mr..
Avery, "and he is proud Of his
knowledge of English. I have taught
him all he knows"
"Wonderfull wonderful" I ex-
claimed. "With an army of men
like that empires could be over
thrown"
Mr.. Avery smiled. eff my wishes
could only resolve themselves into
action, an army of them would have
overthrown Hen-Ko-Hi long ago."
What! Have you more like
these?"
eyes, plenty. They are in truth
the two noblest men of their race, but
there is hardly man among them who
is not rugged aud powerful. The one
other who equals these in intellect is
called Bado-Ror. His home is in
Bronporrah, the farther city, and We
do not see much of him"
A gentle footstep, like that of a
woman, was now heard, and a woman
it was who came toward us. She
saluted US both in exactly the same
manner as the two giants had done.
She brought cloths and spoons and
knives and forks. She was evidently
. serving-woman in Mr.. Avery's
house.
s'This woman will remain with you"
said Mr.. Avery. "It is positively un-
safe for you to be in any place but this
cave, and it will perhaps be pleasant
for Miss Arnold to have a woman who
can talk English with her as a com