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

CHAPTER Nv.
The sun was, indeed, slowing up.
The two men peered ont at the door.
1t would be unlucky for US if it
should not come so near to tie earth as
it did on the other SIDE" whispered
BXanasko
Il can hardly feel any motion to the
thing at ALL" replied the American
Look! For some reason it is not SO dark
below. I can see the rocks Surely we
have already passed over the wall "
That's So" returned the Alphian
Come; we must be quick ana watch
our opportunity to land. can't imag-
inc where the light comes from unless
it be from the people waiting for the
arrival Of the SUM-
Every instant the speed was lessen
ing. Overhead the cables were begin
ming to crcak and groan, and low and
then the great globe swung perilously
near some tall, stony peak or passed un-
der a mighty stalactite. Slower ami
slower it got till, when within few
feet Of the ground, - stopped its on
ward motion and only swung back and
forth like pendulum.
"Quick!" whispered Branasko I'VE
must get down while it is swinging; no
time to lose-not an instant" And n.
the sun moved backward, with his hand
Oh the doorsill, he leaped to the earth.
Johnston followed him. They were not
a moment too soon, for about 80 yards
away they saw a body Of 60 or 20 men
with lights in their hands Fastening
toward them.
Just in time," exulted Branasko,
and he quickly drew Johnston into q
little cave in the face of cliff. Crouch
ing behind great rock, they saw and
heard the men as they approached.
Some of them walked around the sun,
and two, evidently in authority, enter
ed the door. The others were placing
ladders against the side Of the sphere,
when suddenly there was loud clatter-
ing in the interior, awhirling Of wheels
under the platform above, and the sur
face of the sun burst into light.
The two refugees were momentarily
blinded. Branasko had the presence Of
mind to quickly draw his companion
down close to the earth behind the rock.
''They could see us in the light, he
whispered.
There was q Joyous clamoring Of
voices among the men, and they with
drew several yards to look at the sun.
This drew them nearer the hiding place
Of the two refugees.
sSO,,1u ooo,Iov1k oo,I n ~,o:oo
won't happen again."
Then one Of them went into the sun,
and the lights died out In a moment
the sun began to move. Slowly and ma
jestically it swept over the rocky earth,
followed by the crowd, till it reached a
great hole and sank into it.
"Gone into the tunnel" said the Al
phian as the crowd disappeared behind
the cliff.
"What are we to do nowy' asked
Johnston. I'VE certainly can't 60
through with the SUM-"
''Wait till the next trip" grimly re-
piled Branasko.
The rumbling noise from the big hole
gradually died away, and the two men
left their hiding place.
"What is thatp" asked Johnston. Hc
pointed to the west, where a red light
shone against the towering cliffs.
ut must be the internal fires," an
swered Branasko, with q noticeable
ahudder. Lets go nearer Ihave heard
that there is Q point near here where
one can look down into the Lake Of
Flame"
1.-The Lake of Flamer' echoed the
American. ''What is that?''
1T is where all Of the dead Of Alpha
are cast by the black 'vultures Of
DEATH"
Johnston said nothing, for it was diff
ficult to keep up with the Alphian, who
was bounding over rocks and dangerous
assures toward the red glow in the dis
kance
At every step the atmosphere got
warmer, and they detected a slight gas
eous odor in the air. Finally, after an
arduous tramp Of an hour, they climbed
up a steep hill and looked sharply down
into a vast bubbling lake Of molten
matter more than 1000 yards below.
Branasko noticed a stone weighing sew
eral tons evenly balanced ON the verge
Of the great gulf and pushed it with
both his hands. It rocked, broke loose
rom its slender hold ON the cliff and
bounded out into the rod space Down
1t went, lessening as it sank till it be-
came a mere black speck and then dis
appeared.
That's where the dead CO." said
Branasko gloomily.
Just then the American, happening to
glance up. saw something like q huge
blackbird with outspread wings circling
about in the red light over the pit
Branasko saw it, too, and his face paled,
and tremolo was in his voice when he
spoke.
1T is one Of the vultures Of death.
Don't stir. We won't be seen If we re-
main where we are" The.strange ma