The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-30

line along to tie~around my ankle-one end of 1t, you know-and the other around something outslde sos we can't git lost in the cave You know lots of people haye been lost in caves and starved to death--many tlmes." Pete shuddered. "Huh," he grunted. "We don't want no slch experieace.'
 Nor we don't have 1t so long as Thomas Andrew Long Is leadin the ex-pi-dition,s assersed Tom, with a wise shake of the head, as he tied one end of the string about his ankle, and the other about huge rock lying at the outer edge of the spring. Then he dragged his body through the small aperture that led into the earth through solid rock. Pete followed Tom and soon the two found themselves some entered and through which only the dim nest light penetrated Say, I'm power full glad I've got some matches tied up in saI, rag nhaa in my yr, cap" said Tom. T knowed
 Just then they came to a sharp angle, around which they. crawled into total darkness. 'WhewI' whispered Pete. a light"
 Tom took the box of matches from his emp and made light. The dim flicker they we're in a frst-class cave, high and dry. Opening from the sides were dark recesses which the boys supposed were other chambers leading further Into the nropa19 @What dla asloI, l tell you3" esksd rom, ind more, treasure here than you can of here sSf ana h P er r Tese rasssg g9 m to git out whose ground this Is. What work we do must be done by night It would be awful to go this far an then hnve some body else come in an claim the gold"
 They crawled back through the little tunnel entrance, and after quickly dress Ing themselves they began to undo all the s work or the previous night by filling up the outlet for the water and covering the signs of their work by hiding the new earth with stones, dry leaves and dead tree branches. This work kept them busy till late In the afternoon. Then they be- gan to look about the neighborhood of the cave for human habitatlon. The barking Of dog led them over the mountain side. the distance of half mile, where they fallen tree trunk was an old hermit with face oyergrown with long beard. Ton and Pete advanced toward the old man. and Tom, lowing respectfully, asked If they might get n drink of water there. The old hermit pointed to spring near the door, where the boys refreshed them Then Tom remarked in an or-6and man. nan ner: You've got nice spring up here. Any others round here on this mountain ?''
 Yep, there's, the Magic Spring down apiece" the old man answered
 Tom and Pete pretended surprise. "Ob. that sof Where 'bouts2' And Tom looked interested.
 ''Oh, down under that big ledge" ex- pained the old man. Then he puffed ut his pipe and became uncommnnicatiye But Tom pressed more questions. Don't reckon there's any caves about here, eh P And he slyly wlnked at Pete, who grlnned behind his hand in knowing way
 Yep, there's one whoppin' big one down at Mqgic Spring. the old man an swered. But It's full of rattlers and wildcats. Besides all thet it's hanted" ]"
 Tom almost gasped. Pete felt cold shivers running ID his spine and chilling the roots of his hair. Pete yentured a re- mark, in n weak voice:
 "Is It certain It's hanted-an' full of rattlers an wildcntsr'