Catoctin clarion., 1900-12-20
UNDERGROUND.
a True California Aduerst,sre.)

enlarging. We could no longer touch
both sides of it. Evidently it was ex-
panding into another cavern. In vain
| strained my eyes to catch gleam Of
light ahead showing an outlet. could
not even See the new dangers close at
hand. Like stony stumps, stalagmites
rose up before US, while stalactites made
our already aching heads sorer by many
a cruel bump. 1t was painfully exas-
perating, and further progress meant
almost unbearable torture. Moreover
the thick black air seemed to be grow
ing warmer. A sitting stencil met US
! Something wrong ahead here Sam
called out huskily; smells like soap
factory
Hardly had he spoken when ! heard
a heavy splash. smothered yell, and
then a long, shuddering moan.
Sam Y J shouted in dismay, sprihging &
toward the sound and driving my
forehead. with crushing force, full
against big stalactite. Showers Of
sparks, and I fell back completely
stunned.
How long l lay there don't know,
bu1 | finally heard some one near me
sobbing. and u weak voice saying:
Don't cry 80, Annie; I'm all right
now
What's the .natter?'I wildly inquired
'Hallool' Sans voice replied, Where
have you been lately? Dora has smashed
her skull, and I tumbled into q hot
sewer. Oh, Ijust love to explore cavesY
Annie laughed woefullv, and not
withstanding the lump as big IS hen g
egg rising on my forehead | could not
help laughing too. But it WAS short
lived mirth. The air was hot aud sick,
ening. began to feel drowsy. If we
fell into stupor l was sure none of US
would ever wake.
We shall die if we stav here; let's go
back l cried, staggering to my feet
Which way is bsck?' said Sam IN a
tone of bitter disgust.
We shall never get outl Never, nev.
erl gasped Dora, while Annie began
laughing and CRYING as if crazed. Shut
up!' l said, as roughly as l could. We
shall get out. You're not dying. Its
this foul air; follow me I They meekly
obeyed, end very shotly the cool atmos
phere of the tunnel met and revived US
greatly. Dora, however. was really fast
becoming helpless, tried to encourage
her by saying we could 60 back to the
big cave again all right now. But the
bearv she replied hopelessly. Us gone,
mumbled Sam He isn't fool enough to
stay IN this dirty trap when he knows
how to get out Father will find us
any way. declare confidently. when?
eroaned Annie. He will think us safe at
Uncle Joe's 6 for three or four days, and
BY the end Of thet time I'm sure for
one shall be deadl> In gloomy silence
we plodded on, after this, for it seemed
miles, until l became DULY aware that
the walls were again widening and the
old sickening yapor enveloping US The
miserable truth flashed over me. We
had come back to the same deathly
hole that We left hours agol The mount.
ain was honeycombed. and We lost in a
black labvrnth miles underground.
Turning about | teebly explained that
we had again gone wrong. The girls
exclaimed in dismay that We might as
we'll give up here as anywhere. They
sank down and Sam and I were obliged
to literally drag them out Of the poi
sonous den
We coaxed and begged them to make
at least one more determined effort to
escape. Poor Sam even tried to make
them laugh by declaring that no self
respecting grizzlie would touch such q
walking glue pot as he was. But he
had scarcely begun TO laugh at his own
misery when he came abruptly into
another cavern, and also it seemed into
a very demons den.
A bedlam of harsh sounds, Tapping
of wings, dashing of invisible soft forms
about our faces, claws and beaks pulling
and scratching about our barred heads
nothing to be seen but scores of round,
garing eyes! Even the girls had life
enough left to scream in terror But
Sam and l quickly OWNED the nature
of the new tormentors.
BATS and owlsl Nextl' shouted
Sam. If an owl strikes me he will
stick. I'm tar barrel from Tar City.
Follow them, Sam I shouted. They
know which way to get out. Watch
which way they CO.
AS We tried to run after them they
seemed to vanish magioally through the
solid rock, and leave US chasing only
darkness in the endless galleries.