Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-07-31

Inc American lelu 10 MS companion
with one hand and the rock with TIT
other, and they slowly made their way
along the narrow ledge. pausing every
now and then to rest. At every step tn,
path grew more perilous and narrower
and the chIf On their left rose highe,
and higher, till the reflected light of thu
sun had entirely disappeared. AT Ger
tain points the hot wind dashed upol
them rs furiously as the whirling mis-
in the Cave of the Winds at Niagara
falls. Once Johnstons foot slipped anG
he fell, but was drawn back to safety
by the strong arm of the Alphian.
''Be careful Hold to the cliff s face, >
warned Branasko indifferently, and HI
moved onward as if nothing unusua
had occurred. Presently they reached
a point where narrow bowlder juttei
out over the chasm toward the opposite
side, and Branasko cautiously crawlet
out upon it. When he had got to it
end, Johnston could not see him in thu
gloom, but his voice came to him on
Of the roaring Of the chasm.
II can see the other side and am 60
ing to jump" An instant later thu
American heard the chatter Of tho Al.
ohian's shoes on the rock and his grunt
If satisfaction. Then Branasko called
,ut: "Come on. Crawl out till you feel
the end Of the rock, and then you can
zee me-"
In great trepidation the American
slowly crawled out on the narrow rock.
Below him yawned the hot darkness;
above hung that black, ominous canopy
Of nothingness. Slowly he advanced on
hands and knees, every moment feeling
the sharp rock growing narrower, till
finally he reached the end He looked
ahead. He could but family see the
ledge and Branasko's tall form si!hou.
cited upon it.
"See. this is where you have to
alight," cried the Alphian. Jump.
will catch you"
II am afraid I shall topple over when
I stand up" replied The American.
"The rock is narrow, and my head is
already swimming. I fear I cannot
reach you. It is no use.'
Tut, tut" exclaimed Branasko.
Stand up quickly and jump at once
Don't stop to think about it,
Johnston obeyed. He felt his feet
firmly braced on the rock, and he sprang
toward the opposite ledge with all his
might Branasko caught him.
Good" he grunted. "There is an
other place; we must jump again. It is
farther on" Along this ledge they
went for some distance, Branasko lead
ing the way and holding the arm Of the
American.
''Now, here we are. The chasm is q
little wider, but the ledge on the other
hide is broader" As he spoke he re-
leased Johnston's arm and prepared to
Jump. He filed his lungs two or three
times But he seemed to hesitate.
'Pshawl Watching you back there has
made me nervous. never cared before.
II I should happen to fall, go back to
where we met 1t is safer there without
, guide than here"
Without another word Branasko
hurled himself forward. Johnston held
his breath in horror, for Branasko's foot
had slipped as he jumped. The Alphian
bad struck the opposite ledge. but not
with his feet, as he intended. He
clutched it with his hands and hung
there for a moment, struggling to get a
toothold in the emptiness beneath him.
Its no use; I am falling. I can hold
no longer" Ard Johnston, too terrified
to reply. heard the poor fellows hands
slipping from the rock, causing q guam
tity of loose stones to go rafting down
below. With a low cry, Branasko fell.
An instant later Johnston heard him
strike the ledge beneath and heard him
cry out in pain. Then all was still ex-
cept the echoes Of Branasko's cry, which
bounded and rebounded from side to
side Of the chasm and grew fainter and
fainter, till it was submerged in the
roaring below. Then there was rattle
of stones, and Branasko's voice sounded.
IA narrow escaper' he said family.
II am ON another ledge" Then, afte,
. slight pause: at is much wider-l
dcA't know how wide. Are you listen.
inG?"
Eyes; but are you hurt?''
''Not at all. Simply knocked the
brea.h out of rae Tor moment. There
is cave behind me, and (for a mo-
ment thero ,sa3 silence) ! can see :
light ahea; =: !is. cas, .think it mus
be tis reelection o. 40 internal fire.
Come dow: to me, and we will explore
the cavern and see where the light
comes FROM"
II can't get down there" shouted
Johnston to make himself heard above
a sudden increase in the roaring in thu
chasm. '"There is no way"
"Wait o moment" came from thu
Alphian. "This ldgc seems to inclin.
upward"
Johnston stool pes:ectly motionless
afraid to move from the ledge either Il
right or to left, and heard Branasko'l
footsteps along the rock beneath. "Al
right 80 far" he called up, and hi.
voice showed that he had gone to a con
o4uoIdU40 0Abto0Co W LILO 1c1t. Luz
ledge seems to be still leading gradu
ally upward. I think I can reach you. y
Fifteen minutes passed. The lons
American could no longer hear Branas
kos footsteps. Johnston was becoming
uneasy, and the hot air was causing hi
head to swim. He was thinking Of try
ing to retrace his footsteps to place d
more security, when he heard footstep,
and then the CHEEKY voice Of Branaskt
nearly opposite him across the chasm:
"Are you there?"
"Yes."
1T is well. I have discovered q gooi
pathway down to the cave and pool o.
fishes besides. I have saved some 70,
you. was so hungry I had to eat
Now, you must jump over to me-"
Il cannot" declared the American
II cannot jump so far: besides yor
failed"
Branasko laughed. II did not leaf
in the right direction. It Is this poinI
on which I am UNDERSTANDING that
should have tried to reach. Come,
will catch you"
Johnston could not bear to be con
sidered cowardly, so he stepped to thu
verge Of the chasm and prepared t
jump. His head felt more dizzy as b,
thought of the fathomless depths be