Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-05-20

S and resumed his progress
along the pathway. SO closely did he
now examine the ground that he hard
ly noted his direction. The track led
straight toward the wall of rock. The
distance was not great-abOut forty
yards. At first the brushwood imped-
Ell him. but soon even this hindrance
disappeared. and a well defined passage
meandered through belt Of trees.
some strong and lofty. others quite i'm
mature
More bushes gathered at the foot OF
the cliff Behind them he could see
the mouth OF a cave. The six months
old growth OF vegetation about the en-
trance gave clear indication as to the
time which had elapsed since human
foot last disturbed the solitude.
A few vigorous blows with the stick
cleared away Obstructlng plants and
leafy branches. The sailor stopped and
looked into the cavern. for the opening
was barely i've feet high He per
ceived instantly that the excavation
was mans handiwork applied to
fault in the hard rock. 4 sort OF nat
ural shaft existed. and this had been
the entrance the cave became more
lofty. Owing TO its position with ref
erence 20 the sun at that hour jerks
imagined that sufficient light would
be obtainable when the tropical luxu-
rance of foliage outside was dispensed
with.
At present the interior was dark.
with the stick he tapped the walls and
roof A startled cluck and the rush OF
wings heralded the flight Of two birds
alarmed by the noise. soon his eyes.
more accustomed % the gloom. made
out that the place was about thirty
feet deep. ten feet wide In the center
and seven or eight feet high.
A the farther end was a collection OF
objects inviting prompt attention. Each
moment he could SEQ with greater dis
tinctnosS Kneeling ou one side of the
little pile. hc discerned that on a large
stone serving as rude bench were
some tin utensils. some knives. sex
tant and quantity Of empty cartridge
cases Between the stone and what "a
miner terms the face" OF the rock was
"A four foot space. Here. half Embedded
In the sand which covered the floor.
were two pickaXes. shovel. "a sledge
hammer. a fine timber Telling AK and
three crOwbars.
I'm the darkest corner of tho caves
extremity the "wall' appeared 20 be
very smooth lie prodded with the
stick. and there was sharp clnng ~
tin. tie discovered six square kerosene
oil cases carefully stacked up Three
We're empty. one seemed 90 bee half full.
aud the contents OF two were UNI
touched With almost feveriSh haste
he ascertained that the half dllcd tin
did really contain OIL
"What fiud" ne calculated aloud.
So lar as he could judge the cave
harborcd no further surprises Return
ing toward the exit. hiS boots dislodccI
more empty cartridges from the sand
They were shells adapted % a revolver
or heavy caliber. At short distance
from the doorway they were present In
dozens.
"Ihe remnants OF fight" he
Thought. The man was attacked and
defended himself here. Not expecting
the arrival Of enemies. he provided no
store OF food or water. He was killed
while trying TO reach the well. proba-
bly, M night"
He wildly pictured the scene-a
brave, hardy European keeping at bay
boat load of Dyak SavageS. enduring
manfully the agonies OF hunger thirst.
perhaps wounds: then the siege. fol
lowed by Il wild effort TO gain the life
giving well. the hiss OF a Malay parang
welded 10y Il lurking zoe and the last
deSpairing struggle before death came
He might be mistaken. Perchance
there was a less dramatic exclamation
But he could not shake of his first i'm
pressions
What was the poor devil doing
here:' he asked why did he bury
himself in this rock. with mining uten-
sis and few rough storesg He could
not be a castaway. There is the indi-
cation Of purpose. Of preparation, OF
method combined with Ignorance. for
none who knew the ways Of Dyaks and
Chinese pirates would venture TO live
here alone il he could help il. and if he
really were alone"
There was relief in hearing his own
voice. He could hum and think and
act Aiming himself with the AK. he
attacked the bushes and branches OF
trees in front OF the cave He cut a
fresh approach 10 the we'll and threw
the litter over the skeleton. At first
he was inclined 10 bury il where il
lay. but he disliked the idea OF Iris
walking uncOnsciously over the place.
No time could be wasted that day. He
would seize an early opportunity to
act as gravedigger.
After an absence Of little more than
an hour he rejoined the girl She saw
him from afar and wondered whence
he obtained the AK he shOuldered.
You are successful explorer" she
cried when he drew near.
Eyes. Miss Deane have found wa
ter. implements. shelter. even light"
''What sort OF light?'
"On."
And the Shelters it a house?'
''No. cave. II you are sufficiently
rested you might come and take pos
session"
Her eyes danced with excitement.
He told her what he had seen. with
reservations and she ran on heforo