Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-04-30

Tock, which ne Shared with an igu-
ana and a huge rock python. whose
shiny scales glistened in the flame
from the heavens.
The two reptiles cuddlcd up 10 the
explorer. The big snake ran his
fat head between Ninccnfs cont
and his back. and lay motionless.
The lizard was more nervous, and
ran back and forth along the mar
row ledge, but lay most of the time,
with his crested back resting against
Ninccnt's right arm.
81 was not afraid of them" Vim
cent explained later. "Thc :. orm
was so much more frightful than
they that 7 did not mind them. 7
knew that both of item were harm
less. though that snake was big
But he was as scared at the storm
rs | was, and | tell you any com
pnny was welcome that night. +
went asleep finally. and when | woke
MP the storm was over and the snake
and lizard were gone"
tDlIllDIl renee WAS vent turing f1l1T nr
his dungeon when the storm swept
in from the sea. He heard tho roar
and dropped back in time to miss a
palm tree. torn up by the roots and
hurled over his head IN instant
later one of the huge monoliths fen
from its pedestal and crashed
through the floor to the south of
whore he stood He ran back and
forth shouting and waving his hands
in terror. From hundred crevices
the rain poured in streams upon the
floor. At first it ran down the black
corridor. but as the storm increased
it began TO rise. Inch by inch IL
rose. The millionaire splashed
through the muddy food and took
refuge on slab Of stone which had
fallen from the floor above. here
he remained all night. the waters
steadily creeping toward him until
at last IT seemed to find an outlet
to the west and remained station
airy. The idols and images in the
far corner were half buried in de-
hris and water. The larger one
lifted its head above the flood. and
his wicked eyes cleaned in their
sockets in the flashes of lightning.
the walls of the cavern: balls of fire
and tongues Of phosphorcscent flame
glowed in its depths. Above the
roar and turmoil of the storm. Mr..
Pence could hear wailinr cries as of
some soul in torment. II was prob
ably his imagination. but there were
sounds as if giants were struggling
on the shattered floors above his
head.
Through the long night Mr.. Pence
remained in this cavern and heard
the storm lashing above his head.
No sleep came to his eyelids. When
day came and the last rumble of the
thunder died away IN the north.
he was SO cramped he could hardly
move. He succeeded in wadinr
through the water. and after much
effort crawled out into the open
air bringing one of the idols with
him. In the warmth of the sun his
clothes soon dried He sat down
beneath a tree where he could watch
the opening of the cave. He closed
his eyes for moment and fell
asleep.
When Vincent nwokc and found
himself alive and not much injured.
except for confusion on the back
of lis head. he hunted for the idols
and soon found them. He was lust
starting to return to the ruined city
when he heard a shout TO the north.
and the next instant the report of
4 gun. Vincent shouted in return.
and in a few minutes saw Sidney
Hammond and Palmer j. Morton
coming towards him. Briefly he en-
planned what had happened, and the
three set forth for the temple where
Mr. Pence was guarding the treas
urc. The Indignation of Sidney and
Mr.. Morton was tempered by fear
that the millionaire had not sur
vived the fate which his avarice had
tempted
They soon reached the temple. At
first they did not observe Mr.. Pence.
Vincent had crawled down into the
cavern and announced that no one
was there before Sidney discovered
the slumberng guardian under
calabaSh tree.
, 1t was pathetic figure which these
Three men approached. His hat had
fallen to the ground. and the matted
gray hair half covered the eyes of
the sleeping financier. One hand
was firmly clutched To the idol. In
the relaxed fingers of the other hand
was stout club. The linen clothes
were bedraggled in mud and slime.
The right foot was in a pool of wa
ter. We're it not for the Slight but
regular hcaying of the soilcd shirt
bosom they would have thought him
dead.
Mr.. Morton pushed the idol with
his foot. The hand Of the sleeper
instinctivcly lightened its grip. He
awoke with start, and with sur
prsing agility sprang to his feet
Back, back" he shouted. You
shall not have it! will die first"
lie brandished the club detiantly
and swung a blow at Mr. Morton,
who stepped back, and narrowly
eNaded il.
Wake up, Mr.. Pence" said Sidney
Hammond. You are all right. Come
ont of your trance; it is time to so
home"