The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-21
AN AERIAL RUNAWAY
By W. P. and C.. p Chibman.
Copyright 1ao4 Lothrop Publishing Company
At Chochima.
CHAPTER TX.

Rapidly the troopers travelled it did not prevent
the occupants of the filters from obtaining very good
view of the country thru which they passing.
At the point where the highway touched the stream
another road smoothly paved but not ten feet
wide in from the NORTH and spanning the brook
by stone BRIDGE swept on far the eye could
the southern border of the plateau It the
first of several such roads which crossed the great high
way at right angles There was second at what seemed
to the travellers to be distance Of about mile-tho
later it found that these built at
uniform distance from each other of 1000 feet thruout
the entire country.
The sections between the crossroads were divided
into farms nearly Of the size and shape to
cause one to marvel at the exactness; while similar
in the rotation of the grain fields the vegeta
BILE patches and the fruit orchards tired the be-
holder with it's monotony
cit looks tho each Of these natives has the
samesized farm and the amount of the
crops Rod called back to Todd after while.
''Yes,'' he responded, ''and exactly the same num-
Der of animals, and fowls, and-childr
Possibly the last word added because at that
they passing thru hamlet and in the door
way of nearly every house the number of children
tho of different ages, to be circumstance
respecting the native families impressed itself
upon the professor and Mr.. Todd we'll as the lads,
but which they unable to account for until long
time after.
In half hour the road crossed large brook,
it's juncture with the stream which had been for
some sight their left and there just before
them large town, containing certainly several
thousand inhabitants
They had just time enough to note these facts when
heavy metal gates in the WALL directly opposite the
termination Of the great road suddenly flew open and
large body Of soldiers FORTH At the word of
mand this squad divided and formed two solid nes per-
haps twenty feet apart the markeplace-keep-
ing back the hundreds of natives who were rushing for
ward to the strangers Between these columns OF
soldery the filters borne into the walled enclosure,
the troopers followed the gates were swung quickly TO-
and then the carriers halted.
In a moment the captain of the escorting party
beside his guests, motonng for them to alight When
they had done the bearers picked empty tters
away the entire body of troops quick
ly marched toward long of low buildings built
south
Left alone with the officer the castaways looked
with interest about them. Directly in 'front.' and at
the very of the walled square, huge stone
structure twenty-five feet high and hundred feet
Deep 1t however, perfectly plain with the
ton of single ornamentaton- immense golden image
of the above its spacious portalsand which pro-
claimed it to be temple Of the shining orb.
IT wonder how long they going to keep stand
ing in this hot sung'' Todd asked petuantly
81 had rather lie down under those trees, sit by
Before either of his comrades could reply,
dressed in flowing yellow robes, with scarlet image of
the sun on breast appeared the roof of the
pe He carried rod of gold in hand and horn of
gold in the other Stepping close to the edge of the build
ing he placed the rod in the socket apparently arranged
for it, and which in perpendicular Then
with horn raised to his lips he waited, his
fastened upon his rod. Two or three minutes passed.
and then he blew few soft notes that foated out
the square like gentle benediction.
s'The sun has touched the meridian and he has pro-
claimed the fac exclaimed the professor who had been
intently watching every movement of the priest. s. If
mistake not it is for this we have been wating.'
AS he spoke sound of chanting voices hoated out
from the temple ITSELF Nearer and nearer the singing
came until thru the doorway imposing procession
peared. .... - ="
At it's head a company Of men whose uniforms
were similar to that by the officers in charge Of
VISITORS and it easy to surmse that they were
army officers. - 49,. .- H. - -
a.. Behind these two men, walking side by side,
whose dress at veed the attention of the watching
aeronauts. One of them scarlet uniform eabo-
ratey trimmed with gold while the embems of the sun
on his breast and helmet gttered and sparkled with
stones Of various hues The other dressed in the
flowing yellow robes of the PRIESTHOOD but the scarlet
image of the his bosom had at its center single
stone, that flashed with the briancy of the diamond,
while in the red turban mitre which he
other gem of equal size and luster .-g $50
''The head and priest!' exclaimed the pro-
fessor under his breath, he them and making,
it afterward proved, good guess They the
chief officials Of Chochima. 9..z.
The chanters of maidens dressed in
white robes emblazoned with golden sun, their heads