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

nearly seven days, hunting Tor something tnat
was right under our noses!
THAT happens to many man. said Balser.
We needn't worry about the work we have
done. Let go into the cave
I'VE stopped low and entered. Within ten
feet of the opening we passed INTO a high
vaulted dim1y lighted chamber. We waited
for our eyes to become accustomed to the dim
light, and then proceeded to look about:
by GeorgeH whispered Balser as if he
was afraid some one would hear him, this room
is just as Wyandotte described it!
"'It is, indeed / answered. i do believe
we have stumbled into the gods home. Isn't
it the most marvellous thing that ever hap
pened?'
When we could distinctly see objects about
US, we began our search for the treasure but
the floor was of unbrokcn rock, and the side
walls were smooth. Ten minutes work con-
WINGED us that there was no treasure in the
cave.
I'VE had noticed small opening in the
back of the chamber, and we felt sure IT led to
the main cavern,-or caverns, since Wyandotte
had said there were many chambers and cor
ridors. We remembered what he had told us
about the danger of getting lost; but We classed
that with the wolves and the guardian demons,
and gave no heed to his warning. The second
even by STOPPING. We examined it, and found
that the floor consisted of fiat rock incljning
downward at very steep angle.
1--WE did not stop to consider that Wyan-
dotte might have been wrong in his description
of the cave, or that the cave we were in might
not have been the one he described. For all
we knew, there might have been bottomess
Dit at the end of the little chute; but we were
intoxicated with our dreams OF gold, and took
no thought of possible dangers ahead OF us.
Il looked down the slanting passageway;
but could see nothing but darkness. The fact
that did not know where | was going to land
did not deter me. put my feet into the mar
row chute, lay down on my back, and pushed
myself forward. -, =.
THE inclining rock was covered with mois-
ture, and was so slippery that started down
at much greater speed than had expected.
After it was too late, began to wonder where
was going to land, and visions of a bottom
less pit, broken bones, and lingering death
flashed through my mind: They were soon
dispelled, however; for in less than three sec
onds / had accomplished my descent, and
found myself sitting safely in little pool of
very cold water at the foot of the incline.
felt about me with my hands, and discovered
solid rock floor similar to that OF the first
cavern.
Hello, Tom Andy Bill shouted Balser.
Il answered back, All right Come on!
and the next instant Balser was sitting IN the
cold water.
THE second cavern was much darker than
the first but faint stream of light entered
through the narrow chute. and in little while
We could dimly see objects close to us.
well have to have torches to examine
this cave said l. I'VE can't see anything in
this Egyptian darkness.
IF we prowl about without light said
Balser, we are apt to find ourselves at the
bottom of hole and stay there. Let's go OCT
and get torches and return.
7 STARTED to climb back over the slick in
cline, and though it was not over fifteen
feet from the bottom to the top, ] failed to
make it. If l made a little Roadway, imme-
diately slipped back. At first we laughed, and
Balser tried to ascend; but after we had each
failed many times We began to grow frightened.
The incline was much sleeper than We had sup
posed it to be. The thought of dying there
fifteen feet from light and life, was maddening
I'VE struggled frantically in onr efforts to
climb out, and soon were almost exhausted
by excitement, fear, and exertion. Trembling
and drenched with perspiration, We stood at
the foot of the incline, and in our hearts We
cursed the treasure that had led US into trouble
For time we could hardly speak The OBJ
stacle to be overcome was so small; but the
task of overcoming it was so great that We
were in despair. Suddenly Baser began to
laugh, and ! thought he was going mad. l
took his hand to comfort him, and he said:
tom Andy Bill, l s'pose that two such
fools as you and l were never before turned
loose on the world
81 hope you're right said l. 1t would lie
terrible infection on the world if there are
many like us; for we certainly were great fools
L