Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-02-26

irAYA THIN half an hour the gig had
 ME reached the mouth of the cave.
 IVl AS the cockswain had predict c ed, the seas ran into the lofty
 entrance. Elsewhere the surf fell i whitely, but through the arch the waves rolled unbroken into a heavy
 stiffness. Only as the boat lowered for
 moment at the face of the cliff could
 the exploring party hear, far within,
 the hollow boom that told of breakers on distant subterranean beach.
 Run her in easy" came the cap- tain's order Keep sharp lookout | for hidden rocks"
 To the whispering plash of the oars they moved from sunlight into twi- light, from twilight into darkness Of
 a sudden the oars jerked convulsively. A great roar had broken upon the ears
 of the sailors. The invisible roof above
 them, the water heaving beneath them, the walls that hemmed them in,
 called with multiplication of reso-
 nance upon the name of Darrow. The
 boat quivered with the start of its oc-
 cupants. Then one or two laughed
 weakly as they realized that what they had heard was no supernatural voice.
 It was the captain hailing for the ma rooned man.
 No vocal answer came, but an inde- terminable space away they could hear low splash, followed by a second and third. Something coughed weakly in front and to the right Trendon's hand went to his revolver. The men sat stiffened. One of them swore in a whisper.
 Silence in the boat" said the cap tain in such buoyant tones that the men braced themselves against the ex- pected peril.
 Light the lantern and pass it to me-" came the order. Keep below the gunwale, men,
 As the match spluttered, Do you see something few rods to port?' asked the captain in Trendon's ear.
 Pair of green lights" said Trendon Eyes. Sealsr'
 Seals! Seals! Seals" shouted the walls, for the surgeon had suddenly released his voice. And as the mock cry boomed the green lights disappear ed, and there was more splashing from the distance. The crew sat up again.
 The lantern spread its radiance. It was reflected from battlements 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 sub terranean world which they had en- tered. In most places the walls rose sheer and unscalable from the water. | In others turreted rocks thrust their | gleaming crags upward. Over to star board little beach shone with Quak- | CT grayness in that spectacular display The end of the cavern was still beyond | the area of ligl,.
 Must have been a swimmer to get | in here,' commented Trendon, glanc- ing at the walls ~. .....,
 Unless ne had a boat" said the captain. But why doesn't he an swer?"
 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 summons. Silence, formidable and unbroken, succeeded.
 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 tiny islet loomed before her. Scattered bones glistened on the rocky shore, but they were not human relics. Occasionally beaches tempted landing. but all of these led back to 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 mar  row as to send q visitor to his knees. But inside it seemed to open out. there were fish bones at the entrance. The captain. the surgeon and COngdOn. the cOckswain, landed. Captain Parkinson reached the spot first Stopping. be thrust his head in nt the OTifce. 4 sharp exclamation broke from him. lie rose to his feet. turning a contorted face to the others.
 Poisonous. " he cried.
 More volcano" said Trendon. He bent to the black hole and sniffed eau tiOusly.
 I'll go in. sir" volunteered Cong don. I've had fire practice
 My business" said Trendon briefly. decomposition: unpleasant. but not dangerous. B.
 Pushing the lantern before him. he wormed his way until the light was bIotted oat. Presently it shOne forth from the funnel. showing that the ex- pl0rer had reached the inner Open s~s1.a Esnw+-F- ps s-t-fwunvs. d-nwrts.T