The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-05-15


waiting for the rising Of the tide to
enter and seize his victims! Such
was the position in which the au-
thor and his companion found them
selves. What happened afterwards
Is graphically told in the subjoined
narrative
was in San Francisco taking my
late employers advice-a rest. One
morning he had failed to meet his
Biabilities-and me. He just left
clean pair of heels and little note.
The note advised me to follow his
seeding example, or remain and take
a moneyless rest. acted on the lat
aer; had to.
After weeks very active "rest"
my liabilities were sold to newly
formed copper syndicate, "The San
Francisco and California Copper
Company" | was to accompany an
other gentleman as surveyor on a
copper prospecting expedition in
Southern California.
That week one of the Pacific Mail
anna, / think-sailed for Mexico and
Peru, and in her we took berths. In
few days we were dropped at Maza
liant, a port on the west coast of
Mexico. From there we crossed the
Gulf of California to La Paz-an
1dle-born, listless town, having then
but little, If any, excuse to offer for
its existence. Here we procured
some over-ripe Mexican "plugs"-a
species of quadruped, or, rather, ac-
tive volcano on four legs-to jolt us
into the mountains. l do not intend
to inflct upon the reader the results
Of scientific expedition which had
for its object the examination of the
copper-bearing rocks in that region;
bet it suffice to say that during this
metal-chasing trip DR.. Butler, geo.
aogist, of Chicago, and myself were
the unaspiring victims of very
nerve-trying adventure, which befell
us on the southwest coast of the Gulf
of California.
One sun-bathed morning fifty or
sixty miles south of La Paz, DR.. But
Der and l found ourselves upon the
coast. He was examining and obtain
ing specimens of basaltic and irachy-
tic rock l accompanied him ready
\ to take bearings and measurements
Of the locality if necessary.
We had just wended our way
hpund the foot of bluff and rocky
\dland when we saw before us a
shaped inlet, rock-girt on three
about $50 feet across al its
Nodest part, the cove penetrated sew
eral hundred feet into the rocky
coast. Precipitous were its sides and
Sullen its outlines, but Its deep and
sparkling waters looked cool and in
viting.
In the blank and shrubless cliff
ACROSS the iniet we discerned the gap
ing mouth of a cavern, with its lower
lip, to the extent OF a few inches, ap-
Dearing above the waters edge.
Il shoul. like to examine the rock
formation of that cavern's INTERIOR"
r said the doctor, presently, half to
himself and half to me- Then, after
. momentary pause, he added, "But
how the dickens are we to get there,
Bailey?"
1t could be seen at glance that
there was no land approach to the
cavern. Neither was there any ma
tarial around us with which to con-
struct raft. However, it needed no
sixth sense to solve the problem.
Il guess there is only one way,
DOCTOR said I, "and that is to
swim!"
Both of us. were fairly good swim
Mfrs and cared little for the watery
. stretch tnat separated rs from our
object; indeed, the project melted
within US great and pleasant expec-
tations. In the overweening fit of
enthusiasm that inspired us we con-
stdered danger o. every sort out
Of the question. Accordingly. we
stripped, dived, and struc,, out with
all the vigor commensurate, with our
high spirits.
Up the other side we crawled, and
sSo>eASa PACpdlC Gu " tut6T Qdrk
unknown. With my eyes attuned to
business I noticed that the cavern
was about thirty feet long and
shaped like trumpet. Inside it was
about fifteen feet wide by six or
seven feet high. Once we were we'll
inside, the damp, salt-laden air. to-
sether with the half-lit shadowy
rocks, had depressing effect upon
my spirits. Next to a tomb, 1 de-
eided, it was the most uncomfortable
place in which I had ever been.
However, in this ocean cubicle DR..
Butler pursued his investigations. for
It promised something tangible to our
business hopes. Meanwhile, accout-
red in the unobstrusive costume of
Adam, l squatted on the floor and
watched him. He fitted from one
one point to another with business
like zeal. Presently he commenced
to trace towards the entrance a side
hssure in the rock. So intent was his
mind on his task. and SO glued were
Il =