Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-12

Der that We lay very close together, and while
We were trying to go to sleep. Balser said:
90 You won't leave me, will you, Tom Andy
Bill
And said. No, and you won't leave me,
will you, Balser.'
He grasped my hand in answer, and then l
shut my eyes and tried to again go to sleep
We lay on the floor for long while; but sleep
would not come to We had no way of
knowing the time: but We supposed that We
had rested several hours, when the whirring
noise that had preceded and accompanied
trouble again approached.
Just think of it, Tom Andy Bill! said
BalSer. The bats are going out again. 1t IS
twenty-four hours since they knocked us down.
1t seems like month. m almost choked with
thirst, and I'm SO hungry that I'm weak
Il will not try to describe the horror of that
time. All the sufferings OF my life cannot be
compared with what l endured in the cave.
my legs are cramped, and l am going to
move about, said Balser.
So we got up and CROPPED about the cavern
after wandering about the chamber for long
time, we lay down, and finally sleep came from
sheer exhaustion. OF course We did not KNOW
how long We slept: but on awakening we again
heard the whirring noise over our heads.
Good Lord the bats are gso,ing, out again
for the night said Balser. I'VE have been
that we should die but now am afraid we shall
not.
Again we rose and CROPPED our way about
the ROOM After what seemed long while We
rested again. and after weary waiting we once
more heard the whirring noise. We had lost
all trace Of time; but, Judging by the flight of
the bats, We supposed We had passed three
days in the cave.
1--WE felt SO weak for lack of food and sleep
that We could hardly walk. At periods of every
few hours, as We supposed, We moved about In
the darkness for exercise.
DURING one of these hopeless wanderings,
- We suddenly caught faint giimmer of
light. All, the joy of it! In five minutes time
we were climbing through the slippery chute.
and within two minutes more we were out in
the glad daylight. The cleaning was just
turning to night: but compared to the dark
ness of the cave, we felt as if we were looking
into the full glare of the midday sun
81 must have water! said Balser, who was
hoarse from weakness and thirst.
While he was drinking mechanically drew
out my watch and looked at it.
"'Say, Balser, my watch is still running
said l, and | haven't wound it since We went
into the cave
Then we looked at each other, and began to
laugh; for it was only seven o clock. and We
had been lost IN the cave just two hours
wasn't nearly so hungry or thirsty or weak
when found how we had been fooled regarding
"'I was actually weak from hunger and
thirst said Balser, that could hardly stand
Don't say word, said l.
Well we were mighty glad to get out but
two boys more thoroughly disguised with
themselves than Balser Brent and Tom Andy
Bill Addison didn't live at that particular
moment on the face of the earth.
I'VE had no hope of finding Wyandotte's
treasure in that cave SO We left next morning.
and made Our way back to Cincinnati, where
we arrived in due time, wiser if not richer boys
than when we left.
TIL tell you about the trip home tomorrow
: evening, if don't 60 to church, said Uncle
Tom Andy Bill.
You'll tell us too about the girl you found
won't your" asked Nab.
Yes. I'll tell you about her too"
The next story by Uncle Tom Andy Bill, The
Robbers tn the Swamp" wiH be published
July 2o