Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-09-11

<oeTilour. 1897. " the MERRIAM COMPANY.
pered Branasko, "some great calamity,
for surely SO many people do not die in
Alpha i'll a single day"
For an hour they watched the COM
ing and going Of the vultures, till final
ly tho last one lowered over the lake Of
fire. Suddenly the machine swerved SO
near to Eranasko and Johnston that
they shrank close to the earth to keep
from being seen. Something was evil
IDENTIFY wrong with the machine, for
there was wild look Of desperation on
the drivers face as he tugged excitedly
at the pilot wheel. But all his efforts
only caused the airship to dart irregu-
larly from side to side, and now and
then to strike the rocks Of the pits
mouth. to shoot up suddenly, or to sink
dangerously down toward the fire.
''He is losing control of it,, whisper
ed Branasko. HE does not know what
to do. See; he is trying to tighten the
load by kicking out the body"
That was true, and as the machine
made sudden plunge toward the cliff
few yards to the left Of the refugees
the dead body, which the driver had
managed 20 move to the door with his
feet. fell out and lodged upon the edge
Of the cliff, instead Of falling into the
fiery depths The machine bounded up
few yards and paused, now apparent
~ under the control of its driver. The
man looked down hesitatingly at the
corpse for a moment and then lowered
the machine to the sloping rock near
where the body lay. He alighted and
cautiously crept down the steep incline
to the body. He raised it in his arms
and was about to cast it from him when
his foot slipped, and with cry Of hor-
ror he fell with his burden over the
cliffs edge into the red abyss.
Johnston uttered an exclamation of
horror, but Branasko was unmoved. Aft
er a moment he rose and, carefully
scanning the space overhead, he crawled
on hands and knees toward the ma
shine. Johnston heard him chuckling
10 himself and uttering spasmodic
laughs, and he watched him closely as
he reached the machine. For several
minutes he seemed to be inspecting it
critically, both inside and out; then he
stood away from it, a bold. black sill
houette on background Of fame, and
motioned the American to come to him.
Johnston promptly but not without
many misgivings obeyed his signal.
What are you up tor" asked be az the
Alphian assisted him to rise from his
hands and knees.
Branasko touched the machine and
smiled. His face was shining with en-
thusiasm.
1.-The question Of our returning to
Alpha is settled, he said sententiously.
"How?''
I'VE can 60 in this"
"Oan you manage it?''
! ''EaEily. That fellow must have been
drunk. The machine is in good order, ]
think"
when do you propose to start?"
And the American eyed the funeral cal
obviously.
1.-The night is before us. We could
not get better time" As he spoke he
entered the car and laid his hand O.
the wheel Johnston, obeying his nod.
followed, shuddering as he remarked
the traces Of blood ON the floor.
"All right" Branasko turned the
wheel slowly, and the wings outside be.
gan to flap, and the Car mounted into
the air like q startled bird and few out
quickly over the pit.
Branasko bit his lip, and Johnstoa
heard him stifle an exclamation Of i'm.
patience. As for the American, he wat
at once thrilled and fascinated by the
awful sight below. He could now see
beneath the overhanging mouth Of the
pit and look far down into boundlese
lake Of molten matter that seemed AZ
restless as an ocean in q storm.
Then the air became SO hot he could
hardly breathe. He looked at the
Alphian in alarm. The latter was
whirling the wheel first one way and
then another, with startled look Of fear
in his eyes, and then Johnston noticed
that the walls Of the pit were rising
about them and the black canopy over
head rapidly receding.
They were sinking down into the fire.
Almost wild with terror, the Amer
lean sprang toward the wheel, but
Branasko pushed him away roughly.
"Stand backr' ne ordered gruf1y.
cit is the heat. Let me alone."
The American sank into his seat. The
heat became more and more intense.
Both men were purple in the fade, and
the perspiration was rolling from theil
bodies in streams. Down sank the ma
chine.
II can't manage it," said Branasko
hoarsely. "We'd as well give up"
Just then Johnston noticed the mouth
Of cave behind Branasko.
Look" he cried; "can't we get in
to it?''
Branasko looked over his shoulder,
and as he saw the cave he uttered Q
glad cry. He quickly turned the wheel
and drew out lever at his right. The
machine obeyed instantly. It swerved
round suddenly and dived into the cave.
The cool air soon revived them. and
Branasko had little trouble in bringing
the Car to resting place ON the rocky
floor Of the cave. Before them hung i'm
penetrable darkness, behind curtain Of
red light
I'VE are In q pretty pickle now, I"
said Johnston despondently a. they
alighted from the car.
Nothing to do but to make the best
Of it." sighed Branasko perhaps this
cave may lead out into some place Of
safety"
Johnston g eyes had become somewhat
accustomed to the gloom, and he began
to peer into the darkness.
II see light" he exclaimed. ut
cannot be a reflection from the fire in
the pit, for 1t is whittier"
The Alphian gazed at it steadily for
. moment; then he said decidedly, I'VE
must go and see what it is" Without
another word he started toward the
white. starlike spot, sliding his hand
over the rocky wall and springing over
Q fissure In the floor
Gradually the light grew brighter
till. as they suddenly rounded cliff, q
grand sight burst upon their view. They
found themselves in vast dome shaped