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

declared. else he would make 1t ac-
cessible to his people and call it one Of
the wonders of Alpha. By accidentally
sinking into the pit we have discovered
it; but" he concluded, I'VE must at
once try to find some way out other
than that by which we came''
They turned from the beautiful foun-
tain. and, holding to each others hands
and aided by the light behind them,
they stumbled laboriously through the
semidarkness. Branasko's ears were
very acute. He paused to listen.
"Hark vel" he cautioned.
The combined roar of the pit and the
fountain of lava had sunk to a low muir
muir. but ahead of them they now heard
a rushing sound like distant tornado.
Come on, said the Alphian, and he
drew his companion after him with an
eagerness the American was slow to un-
dcrstand The light in the cavern grad
ually grew brighter. By circuitous
route they were again approaching the
pit of fire, though it was still hidden
from sight.
Finally they reached u point where
the wind was blowing stiffiy, and farther
on a volume Of cold spray suddenly
dashed upon them and wet them to the
skin, and when their eyes had become
accustomed to the rolling mist they saw
q great lake, and pouring into it from
high above was mighty waterfall
Mercy! CALCULATED the Alphian Ill
great alarm IF this is salt water, We
are lost. All Alpha will come to an
end"
What do you mean?" And Johnston
wondered if Branasko's trials and strug
giles could have turned his brain.
"If it be salt water, then it has bro
ken in from the ocean above Alpha"
he explained 1.-The king has often said
that not a drop of the ocean has ever
entered the great cavern"
Branasko stopped and wet his hand
in a little pool at his feet. II am al
most afraid to taste it," said he, hold
ing his hand near his mouth. 1T would
settle ali our fates." He waited a mo-
ment and then touched his fingers to
his tongue.
"Salt" That was all he said for sew
eral moments. He folded his arms and
looked mutely toward TIE Loiling lake
Presently he raised his eyes to the great
hole in the roof and groaned:
1.-THE break is gradually widening.
These stones are freshly broken. and
the great bowl is filing"
1T will fill all Alpha with waite,
and drown every soul il it," added the
terrified American.
THAT, however, is net the most i'm.
mediate danger, "said Branasko wisely.
"They would first suffocate, and later
their bodies would be swallowed up in
the stomach Of the earth"
what do you mean?"
Branasko shrugged his shoulders. Gas
soon as this bowl is filled with water,
which would not take many hours, il
would run over into the lake of fire and
produce an explosion that would rend
Alpha from end to end"
"Who knows but it might turn the
whole Atlantic into the center Of the
earth and destroy the entire earth"
But Branasko was unable to grasp the
full magnitude Of tie remark, for tc
him the world was simply a vast cavern
lighted by human ingenuity. He fas-
tened narrow splinter Of stone upright
in the shallow water at his feet, and,
lying down on his stomach, with his
eyes close to it, he studied it for several
minutes. When he got up. a desperate
CLEAN was in his dark eyes.
1T is rising FAST" he said. 1--WE
must attempt to get to the capitol and
warn the king. 1t is possible that he
may be able to stop the opening. The
only thing left to us is to try our ma
chine again"
Johnston found it hard to keep pace
with him as he bounded out Of the mist
and ON toward the faint glow ahead.
Reaching the flying machine, Branasko
entered it and tqfned on small electric
light.
"AhP' he grunted with satisfaction.
II have found light, I can now see
what is the matter with it."
Johnston stood outside and heard him
hammering ON the metal parts in the
car and became 80 absorbed in thinking
Of the peril Of their position that he
was startled when Branasko cried out
to him: "All right. l think we can
make it do. A pin has lost out, but per-
haps can hold the piece in place with
my foot. If only we can stand the heat
Of the pit long enough to rise above it.
we may escape"
Johnston followed him into the car.
Branasko seated himself firmly and
gave the wheel . little turn. Slowly
the machine rose. 'Seei" cried Branas-
ko. 1T is under controli We must not
be too hasty. Now for the pitr'
The heart Of the American was in his
mouth as the long black wings waved
up and down and the airship, like some
live thing, shuddered and swept grace
fully out Of the mouth of the cave into
the glare and heat Of the pit
Hold your breathr' yelled Branas-
ko, and he bent lower into the car to
escape the shower of hot ashes that was
falling about them. Far out over the
lake in straight line they glided. and
there came to sudden halt Johnston's
eyes were glued ON his companions
face Branasko sat doubled up, every
muscle drawn. his eyes bullying from
their sockets. Would he be strong
enough? To Johnston everything SEEM
ed in awhirl. The walls Of the pit were
rising around them.
70 h C0Hfinuedl