Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1899-10-20


were trustworthy, did pretty much as
they liked. They were under the i'm
mediate command of lieutenant, who
lounged along, smoking q pipe, now
and then sitting down by the river to
read book, then rushing ahead to
catch up with us.
We did very little talking, we three,
each being too full of his own thoughts
to care for conversation. This was at
least true of Gordon and myself. Sea.
camp, no doubt, would gladly have
Chartered, but we paid no attention
to him. We tramped on, keeping o
lookout for human beings or their
habitations.
Late in the afternoon we reached a
small settlement which we judged to
be that spoken of by Orcutt.
1t was right on the river-bank, and
stretched along it for a little distance.
1t was q typical native village, but
there was no person there.
Deserted" said Gordon, coming to
o standstill before an empty grass.
house, and looking around him.
"Yet there are signs that the place
ia inhabited" I said. "See, there are
the remains Of a fre--not an old one,
either. The people who live here are
not far away"
81 agree with you, replied Gordon.
Gas they did not pass us on our way
here, they have probably gone further
up the valley. Let us proceed"
This time Gordon ordered the sol
Giers to keep together and to preserve
silence. A scout was sent on ahead
with orders to observe without being
observed, and at the first sight of
human being to come and warn us.
'I don't like the looks of the
thing" said Gordon. "There is
something up. Some more fool-wor.
ship, suppose"
''Let's shoot them Gll," suggested
Jollroy Seacamp.
''No; that hardly seems advisable
- unless they oppose us, said Cor.
don.
We cautiously continued our way
up the winding course of the river.
The falls were passed--a beautiful
scene, that would have attracted
either of us under pleasant circum-
stances--but we were in no mood to
appreciate natural beauty.
"Stw came voice ahead.
The growth of trees and shrubs and
tall grasses was now thicker than had
been found lower down. A slight
path could be seen leading through it.
We were following this when we heard
the voice ahead. 1t was the scout.
We crept slowly up to him.
"There's something going on" he
said. "See that opening between the
bougbs OF these two trees ahead?
Look through them. Do you see
that fellow up on the ledge? Way up
on the side Of the precipice.
We looked in the direction indi-
Gated.
"I see him." I whispered.
$50 do T." said Gordon.
"Where? Where?" asked Seacamp.
"That fellow is sentinel" CON
tinued Gordon, ignoring Seacamp.
Ellis position is apparently inaccessi-
BILE. We can gain nothing by show
Of force now. We must reconnoiter. "
General, wait here" said the
scout. "Wait for me. L will return
soon."
"He can be trusted" said Gordon.
That was all that was said. We
waited, almost breathlessly for about
twenty minutes.
The rustling of grass and swapping
twigs told us of the upproach of the
scout.
cts temple" said the scout.
"Cau we reach it without being dis
covered?" asked Gordon.
eyes. That sentinel is Watching
the path. found way to get up be-
hind him. Two of us could gag him
AMI prevent his giving the alarm"
"Good," said Gordon. "What sort
Of temple is it?"
"I don't know. didu't wait to learn
any more. heard voices as if pray
ing"
Slowly and stealthily we, followed
the scout. He led us through mar
row defile and up rough Jagged rock
way, He paused and held up his
hand. We waited. He motioned for
another soldier to follow him. A mo-
ment after they were gone We heard a
short scufle.
"Como on" said the scouts voice
ahead of us. Hes quiet"
We erept over the lesess-o of So.
Now we could hear the monotonous
voices of praying priests.
"Somemor Observation-Disclosures,
whispered Gordon.
"Here is an entrance" said the
scout.
We advanced to n position from
which we could see the worshipers.
They were in temple, ornate with
rude embellishments carved from lava
stone aud coral, The temple was
lighted with huge candles-a native
article that sputtered great deal, but
gave a good light.
There was an altar-of coral rock
and in it was q man apparently seven
ty-fve years old. His hair was white.
His face was bronzed. He had the
pose, tho look of Frenchman.
"Jean Chicot" whispered Gordon.
81 believe it," L replied, trembling
with excitement There was little
doubt in my mind that 1 beheld the
father-in-law Of my uncle and grand
father of the heiress to his fortune.
Before the altar knelt about twenty
priests, all uttering what / recognized
from horrible familiarity as prayers to
tie goddess Pe,e.
Back of the priests sat few women
aad children, all natives. Evidently
the entire population of the village
we had passed was inside the temple.
"We must surprise them by show
of force now" said Gordon.
He gave his orders in whispers,
Tho man ware ready TO marsh in with