The Elbert County tribune., 1906-11-01

he could scarcely effect an entrance,
and should he enter, there would be
little hope of his emerging from these
vast caverns alive, as there are many
confusing passages leading in all di-
rections. He might wander for days.
and yet not discover either our treas
ure or other damaging evidence. This
he might do were he not hurled to
death or swallowed up by some yawn-
ing abyss. Still l have a fear of that
man. and had | not been sure of our
resources l would have killed him long
since"
The path grew wider, the walls rose
higher, and as we talked a gust of
wind swept against us, almost extin.
gushing the fiaring torches and
drowning our voices, as 1t roared
among the rocks and dashed into the
dark passages, bowling as 1t passed
away into some distant chamber
1--WE are now approaching one of the
most phenomenal formations in this
series of strange caverns." said vals
dermere, as we paused at the entrance
of hollow cavern.
The walls of the cavern were rough,
and rose to a hundred feet above us.
\ yellow sheet of water, diffnsing n
sufficient light to illumine the cham
ber, poured forth from the walls and
dashed down upon the immense rocks.
transforming, with its golden CLEAN.
their rugged outlines, until they re-
sembled the spectral shades of an In
ferno. and forming at their base a
beautiful lake, that lay shining below,
resembling a huge topaz.
The lights from these waters gave
no warmth, but the air was filed with
delicious perfume, like the odor of
jessamine common to Southern coun-
tries.
We had provided our satchels with
wine, dried beef, and biscuit, and the
thought of them increased my hunger.
Suddenly, Valdermere. who was al
ways in the lead. turned his face to-
ward me, saying:
I'VE are now approaching that part
of these caverns which is midway be-
tween the two entrances, and you will
now witness sight that will be of
more interest to you than the obelisk.
the crystal chamber, or the luminous
waters, though it is not the work of
nature. but of genius. Then we will
take some refreshment. for we have
travelled for fourteen hours
pushed on with renewed strength,
for l longed for a gulp of that rare
wine, and so eager was to reach the
4 af ctr ,,iI
grimage, that / failed to see a yawn-
ing black hole at my feet, and before
could secure my footing. had
plunged down, down, into the black
ness, shouting and screaming. in my
frantic efforts to clutch at the sides of
this hideous hole. At last was driven
with the force of cannon ball into
the Shiny mud below
Valdermere had reached the mouth
of the pit and was lowering n rope.
seized it with frantic eagerness, and
when he had drawn me out. he assist
ed me in scraping the mud and slime
from my garments.
AS we proceeded on our journey.
noted smile on Valdermere's lips,
but | made no protest, for | felt as
though | resembled the devil himself.
as | emerged covered with filth and
mud.
Suddenly our view enlarged. The
passage spread out like funnel. and
we had entered the great chamber of
which he had spoken. and from which
led a perfect honeycomb of smaller
rooms. This. place was tenfold larger
than any other we had yet passed. and
bleak, frowning walls rose several
hundred feet in height, their rugged
surface bristling with treacherous
boulders, which seemed ready to fall
upon US.