Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1903-04-08
MR. FENCE DIsCovEKs COLI.

MIR. PENCE DISCOVERS GOLD.
With much difficulty Mr. Simon
Pence scaled the heights overlook
ing the bay, and, aided by Vincent,
finally reached the top. lie cast one
lingering look behind, and followed
his young and sturdy companion into
the half-jungle which lay before
shem. They found it possible. by
following the cliffs along the ocean.
10 make fairly rapid progress Their
march was hindered by frequent
gorges, but thcy proceeded laborious-
~ but steadily in a southern direc-
ton.
Shortly after noon they ate their
luncheon. They rested ON "A ledge
fronting the sea. Two miles To tho
south huge crag reached out into
the blue water, and beyond no land
was visible. They decided TO make an
attempt 10 climb the promontory,
believing that ii would afford view
Of the south shore. and perhaps q
general survey of the island
The brush thickcncd. They slowly
forced their way through thicket;
Mr. Pence in advance. Suddenly he
f'ANt - ~ VI N'IIbI. ana zen over
Vincent in his wild retreat
Before them stood monster the
grotcsque figure Of human being.
with outstretched arms. hideous face
and prOtrudng teeth. At a glance
Vincent recognized il as a stone i'm
nge, and shouted reassuringly TO the
fleeing explorer.
In the open space before them
were the massive ruins Of temples
and palaces: the tomb Of CITY
which had tlouriShed and decaved
long before the dawn Of recorded
history. On mound and terrace
were crumbling relics Of former
grandeur.
The ruins covered many acres. and
lay back from the cliffs distance
not exceeding 100 yards There
were traces II ancient fountains.
with figures half-buricd I'm the mud
and slime If what once were pleas
ing pools
In the center Of the ruined city
was u pyranidal mound. ~urmount-
ed by the wreck ~ what once must
have been au imposing structure.
Vincent climbed up this mound and
Pazrd with awe ON the grcwSome
figures which were scattered i'm odd
posturcs around the stone floor Of
the temple. ln one corner the floor
had cayed in and rctcalcd "a eubter-
Tanean vault or chamber of I'M
known extent. Vincent lowered him
self 10 tho floor below. 50 first il was
80 dark hc could not survey his sur
rounding but DIS cvcs became ac-
customcd fO tho gloom. He stumbled
over the uneven surface and entered
pa agoWay leading 10 the left
Mr.. Pence called 90 him from over
head. and Vincent answered. his
voice sounding scplcbraI as it
echoed through the corridors. 4
fallen stone block half closed the
opening into smaller room Vim
cent Dit match and entered. The
walls were covered with a growth
Of fungus. but his eyes were riycted
e. Is collection II carved figures Of
various size which lined three sides
OF the wall.
iney evidently were images or
idols, and were ugly enough 80 have
scared the worshippcr- into any con
fession or belief They rested ON
stone shelf formed 10y the top ID
n mosaic wainscoting which project
ed from the walls. Vincent picked
up one Of the smaller images and
started back 10 examine il more
carefully in the daylight IL seemed
remarkably heavy. but he imagined
1t TO be bronze or copper furnished
by the rust OF ages. Vincent found
Mr.. Pence looking down into the
hole. but making no move 10 quit
terra frma
See what have found" said