The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-04-03

- PDoI 'o1a- ne possessed
only brass tobac,.-uax sborf
Diaek pipe. and one smiling and gix-
pence; yet he was speedily deprived
VI mem by one who seemed to he the
leader Of the gang.
you rascally Jack spaniard," said
ON shaking his elenched fist in the
ROBBERS face. If ever haul alongside
Oh you elsewhere. look out for saualls,"
At this they all laughed and seized
US py the arms. dragged US into the
BACK part of the cavern or assure in
the rocks, leaving one of their num-
Der, armed with a mnsket. as sentinel
at the entrance. where he lit a paper
cigar, and stretching himself on the
grassy bank, placed his hands under
MS head, and proceeded to leisurely
smoke in the sunshine.
These proceedings filed us with
great alarm; now that they had rob
bed US OF everything save our
Clothes, what could their object be?
One Of them produced two pieces of
rope, with which our hands were
tied. Dragged by some, and receiving
severe blows and bruises from the
clenched hands and musket-butts Of
| accompanied by the impreca-
lions and coarse laughter Of alive
were conveyed through a low-roofed
grotto. or natural gallery in the rocks,
the echoes Of which repeated their
voices with thousand reverberations.
The only light here was by the re-
Election Of the sunshine at the en-
trance, where the basalt was coated by
white substance, tie debris Of some
old volcanic eruption; for the slope
| up which we had been ascending all
the morning formed a portion of the
great Peak. And now We became SEN
sible Of strange sound and a strange
odor pervading all the place.
Through rent in the rocky roof Of
| the grotto there fell a clear, bright
stream Of sunlight. that revealed the
terrors Of the place toward which our
captors dragged US.
On one side there yawned vast
black assure or chasm, in the somber
masses of obsidian and red blocks OF
lava which composed the floor of that
horrid cavern; and from this assure
there assembled, and doubtless still as
cends at times. a hot. sulphurous
steam, which rendered breathing diff
fcult and induced an inclination to
sneeze.
From the depth of that hideous
chasm, the profundity of which nc
mortal eye could Measure. and no hui
man being could contemplate without
awe and terror, We heard a strange
buzzing sound. as if from the bowel;
Of the inner earth, tar-heaEen alone
knows how far-down below.
In fact, we were upon the verge O.
one of those natural spiracles which
the natives term the nostrils," or ave
nues through which the hot vapors o
that tremendous Piton ascend: an'
the buzzing sound that made GU
hearts shrink. we scarcely knew why
was caused by some volcanic throe q
the bottom Of the mountain, who's
base is many a mile below the water
Of the sea
The fssure was also twelve fee
broad. and across it there lay a plank
forming a species Of bridge.
Two Of our eaptors crossed. and the
ordered US to follow them.
l followed like one in dream; hu
nv heart was chilled by terror s
deadly that l had no power O
thought Of resistance. Ny first fea
was that the plank might be trundle
from under our feet. and that W
would be launched into the black abys
below; but such was not the object c
these Spaniards. as Tom and 1 wer
permitted TO pass in safety.
The remainder OF the thieves fol
lowed. and we found ourselves in an
other grotto. the roof Of which wa
covered by stalaetites, that glittere
like gothic pendants Of alabaster in tn
light that fell from the upper tssur'
which formed natural window, an
through it we could see the thin, whit
steam ascending and curling in tn
sunshine.
Now. supposing that they had US !
rerfect security. our captors proceed
; cd 10 hold consultation as to wins
thew should do with us; and imagir
ing that we were both ignorant OF the
, language. or, what is more probaot
caring little whether we knew it
not they canvassed the most terrioI
resolutions with perfect eoolness an
!, freedom Of speech.