Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-05-03
CHAPTER xvI.-(Continued.)

circle of cataracts was 1t shrank into
comparative inSignifcance in view of the
wonderful exhibition presented in the cir
Gle Of this vast basin. Jets Of steam, as
R from the escape valve Of some mighty
subterranean engine, shot into the sky
with a kissing roar, and a power that
seemed irresistible. Cones innumerable,
while as alabaster and flashing like IL
Ranic gems, studded the level eXpanse,
and from them fountains, with a steady
upward sweep, hurled the sparkling tor
rents into the air, from which they fell
back in showers of liquid jewels.
Semi-tropic ferns grew in giant clusters
back from the moist, torrid heat Springs
of ice cold water burst from the cliffs,
and flowed down to the boiling lakes. 1t
was, indeed, wonderland, with that awe
inspiring element in it that raises the
beautiful into the sublime.
What place is this?" asked Mabel.
at is the park of the fire god" replied
Mon-nah.
did you ever hear of the Yellow
stone" asked Armand.
Both the girls had heard something
of it, but at that time the fame Of its
wonders had not become world known.
'"These waters are a tributary of the
Yellowstone. There are other and great
er wonders beyond. But let us have
some breakfast and be moving" said Ar
mand.
While they were eating breakfast Mon
nah explained that trout could be caught
In abundance in the cooler streams, and
chat there were hot springs not fifty
CARDS from these streams where the same
fish could be cooked as quickly as if
broiled in a fire
The mysteries of the night before were
now explained but the fact that they
had a wholly natural origin did not les
sen the awe with which the white girls
beheid them.
Breakfast over, they mounted their
horses, and left the valley of boiling
springs by a tortuous path that forced
Khem to ride in single file. When they
reached the plateau, extending away to
Bellevue, the sun was about an hour
high, but the mirage peculiar to these
regions in the early morning had not yet
disappeared.
Let us look for our pursuers," said st.
Armand, dismOunting, an example which
Mon-nah followed.
but where are you expecting to see
khem?" asked the perple~ed Mabel, when
she beheld her guides, with their faces
raised, looking into the sky.
The mirage will lift them up" said
st. Armand. You have seen the mirage
on the, plains?'
VERY often"
+ at is always in these mountains at
khis season"
See. See"' cried Mon-nah There
Ehey are
She pointed to the sky south of Belle
wue, and there, as distinctly as if they
were on the level earth not three hundred
yards away, they saw a cloud Of horse
men. But they were giants on giant
steeds, and their appraised lances were
bike flag stats tipped with flame.
The Unca-pah-pahs," said Mon-nah.
And they see us added st. Armand.
How do you know that? asked Jen-
ME Greyson.
Because they are signalling to people
I'VE cannot see, and riding this way"
The giant riders could now be seen
waving their ponderous lances, and the
huge horses appeared to be galloping
across the sky.
They see us, just as we see them, in
khe sky" said Mon-nah.
But why wait here? Let us fly urg-
ed Jennie.
They are miles away. We can wait"
was the calm reply.
AS the mirage dispelled the horsemen
Bhrank in size, and came down from the
sky to the solid earth, where, four miles
off, they looked to be pigmies.
Now" said st. Armand, confidently,
''we know what to do. Let us be NOV
sng"
They rode slowly along the rim Of tie
great basin in which they had spent the
night and having gone half round it,
8hey descended through Il gap, at the bot
tom of which was the clear, deep river
that drained the springs and fountains
of the wonderful valley.
They rode down this stream till noon,
the rugged channel expanding into a val
ley of indescribable loveliness, and the
waters flowing into lake -bordered with
drooping willow and shimmerng cotton
wood, while the mirror-hke surface was
alive with aquatic fowl that tioated as if
to admire their own wondrous reflections.
Stay here" said st. Armand, while
I go up to the hills to watch
CHAPTER NNII.
Tho VIII, attacked Ttho