Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-05

terminable space away they could hear
low splash followed by a second and third.
| the right. Trendon's hand went to his re-
volver. The men sat stiffened. One of
them swore. In whisper. and the oath
came back upon them, echoing the name of
the Savior in hideous sibilance.
Silence in the boat" said the captain,
in such buoyant tones that the men braced
themselves against the expected peril
Light the lantern and pass it to me-"
men,
AS the match spluttered: DO you see
something a few rods to port?" asked the
captain in Trendon's ear.
Eyes. Seals!
Seals! Seals! sealsr shouted the walls,
for the surgeon had suddenly released his
voice. Ard as the mockery doomed, the
green lights disappeared and there was
more So as hing from the distance. The
crew sat up again.
The lantern spread It's radiance. 1t was
reflected from battiements of fairy beauty.
Everywhere the walls were set, as with
gems, in broad wales of varied and vivid
hues. Dazzled at first, the explorers soon
were able to discern the general nature of
the subterranean world which they had en-
tered. In most places the walls sheer
am unscaleable from the water. In others,
turretted rocks thrust their cleaning crags
upward. Over to starboard little beach
shone with Quaker grayness in that spec
tacular display The end Of the cavern
was still beyond the area of light.
Must have been a swimmer to get in
here" commented Trendon, glancing at the
walls.
UNLESS he had boat said the captain.
But why doesn't he answer"
Better try again: No telling how much
more there is of this
The surgeon raised his ponderous below
and the cave roared again with the sum-
mons. Silence. formidable and unbroken,
House to house search is now in ORDER"
| he said: Must be in here somewhere
| unless the seals got him."
Cautiously the boat moved forward. Once
she grazed on a half submerged rock. Again
a tiny islet doomed before her. Scattered
bones glstened on the rocky shore, but they
| were not human relics Occasional beaches
tempted landing, but all of these led back
| to perceptions cliffs except one, from the
! side of which opened two small caves. Into
! the first the lantern cast its glare, revealing
| emptiness, for the arch was wide and the
| cave shallow. The entrance to- the other
| was SO narrow as to send a visitor to his
knees. But inside it seemed to open out.
| Moreover, there were fish bones at the en-
| trance. The captain, the surgeon and
! Congdon, the coxswain, landed. Capt.
! Parkinson reached the spot first. STOPPING.
| he thrust his head in at the orifice. A
sharp exclamation broke from him. He
rose to his feet, turning contorted face
| to the others.
More volcano" said Trendon. He bent
| to the black hole and shifted cautiously.
"Pu go in, sir,' volunteered Congdon.
| i've had fire practice"
MY business, - said Trendon briefly. DE
composition; unpleasant, but not danger
| GUS"
| Pushing the lantern before him, he
| wormed his way until the light was blotted
out. Presently it shone forth from the
! funnel, showing that the explorer had
! reached the inner open space. Capt. Park
inson dropped down and peered in, but the
evil odor was too much for him. He re-
| tired, gagging and coughing. Trendon was
| gone for what seemed an intePminable time
His superior officer idgetted uneasily. At
| last he could stand 1t no longer.
DIR. Trendon, are you all right?' he
! shouted.
"Yup.' answered a choked voice Cub
| bling oud dow"
Again the funnel was darkened. pair
| of feet appeared; then the surgeons chunky
| trunk, his head and the lantern. Once,
twice and thrice he inhaled deeply.
| tough but-Phee-ee-ee-ew!'
Did you find"
mo, sir. Not barrow. Only poor devil
of seal that crawled in there to die"
The exploration continued. Half a mile
| as they estimated from the open, they
| reached a narrow beach, shut off by a
! perpendicular wall of rock. Skirting this,
| they returned on the other side, mnutely
| examining every possible crevice. When
| they again reached the light of day they
! had arrived at the certain conclusion that
no living man was within those walls.
| would a corpse rise to the surface soon
| in waters such as these, DR.. Trendon?'
| asked the captain.
| might sir. Might not. No telling that"
| The captain ruminated. Then he beat his
| fist on his knee.
| THE other cave!'
What other cave?" asked the surgeon.