The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-07


Tho color and character Of the rock did not escape
the notice Of the youthful Observer and at started
train Of thought in his mind with which be became 8.
absorbed he made reply to tho question Professor Bar
ton had just asked him. That gentleman, howeve did
not seem surprised at the lads silence BE was himself
pice On which he Stood and did not speak again until tho
SUM- almost with bound, above the distant hori
below them with its rays. Then he said:
nor as this ve sr Is Bod n we must mot
our comrades, begin Descent
Mechanically the Lad, still busy with his
thoughts followed him back up the plateau to the nook
they found up and on the lookout for them
"Good morning. professor, have you and Rod figured
out just where in this great connent9'' the
manufacturer greeting as he caught sight of the aero
naut
tHardly,'' the professor confessed with smile:
cat fix longitude, but our latitude win
not be easily determined I sure, however, that
still north Of the equator. -
But know right where are - was Rods start
ling interruption.
His three companions stared at him moment if
trying to decide whether he had lost
merely joking. He proved that he speaking in
all seriousness Taking his wallet from his pocket, he
opened it, and took out small slip evidently clipping
Professor he asked, "did you hear of
Mount Roraima9''
81 certainly have'' answered he cit is the sacred
mountain of Venezuela, tho little is known of it, and no
man has explored it,
'tWhy notq' persisted Rod.
~ remember,'' broke in Todd; "you found de-
scripton the of the New York papers
had the steamer Knckerbocker and called my at
tention to it, saying you going to the item,
and study up the matter thoroly when you re-
turned home That is the article you have there in your
t'Yes,' admitted Rod "But read the sketch, pro-
fessor, and then tell if not right Surely the
great wall yonder answers to this article IN every par
AS the boy spoke he passed the clipping to the aero
''There is yet field for the explorer well within
access of country Near the border between
Venezuela and British Guiana, but on the Venezuelan
side there lies curious mountain mountain chain
This the Indians call Rorama and hold IN suPersttous
veneraton Its red sandstone walls rise abrupt and rug
ged to height of thousand five hundred feet 1t
is inaccessible all Sides far known In size 1T IS
rather lofty tabeland than mountain, its summit be-
ing fairly level plain, estimated to be more than one
to be covered with vegetation. -
"There are your red sandstone walls, - Rod
claimed when the reading finished, and pointing to-
ward the great precpice he had just left land there Is
pointing down the th the
are two mountains in the world that will that
description Again recall the of our balloon and
and tell me- does Mount Rorama lie almost directly
in paths I've worked the problem thru since saw Jaw
that red cliff sir, and IN sure I'm right This is the
Professor Barton was silent few moments, appar-
emily reviewing his young colleagues argument Then
''The description of the mountain is entirely
side, Rod, and viewing the problem from all sides, am
disposed to agree with you and believe this summit 70
be that of the sacred mountain. -
eff SO, have another interesting problem before
u.s. remarked Todd. CIT is how to get down. -
essay, rather have two and most interest
ing problems thrust upon u.s." answered the aeronaut
with laugh. 'We must first explore region on which
man never before set foot, and then find TO carry
our discoveries to the civilized world. -
''You think the mountain uninhabited, then?'' in
CURED MI. Todd.
."Undoubtedy," responded the professor.
'fThen this passage is natural one the manufae
turer commented, glancing up and down the cliffs Zone
them too the looks if had been worth smooth
with the tread of many feet. -
tNothing but the action Of the elements upon the
soft stone replied Mr.. Barton, somewhat brusquey.
'How have scaled those PERCEPTIONS clifs'
No. we shall have the great plateau to ourselves, you
may be sure and first duty is to what it offers
Us in the way of food. Come on''
He started off down the passage, and his comrades
hacto