Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1908-05-05
CHAPTER xxx.

Jul lAlOuSA tuc ulCu tuc
waves rolled unbroken into a heavy
stiffness. Only us the boat lowered for
a 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 a sharp lookout
for hidden rocks"
To the whispering plash of the oars
they moved from sunlight into twi-
light, from twilight into darkness. OF
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 n 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.
1t was the captain hailing for the ma
rooned man.
No vocal answer came, but an indie
terminable space away they could hear
a low splash, followed by second and
a third. Something coughed weakly
in front and to the right. Trendon's
hand went to his revolver. The men
sat stiffened. OneAof them swore in
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 1t 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! Sealsr' shouted the
walls, for the surgeon had suddenly
released his voice. And as the mock
cry doomed the green lights disappear
ed, and there was more splashing from
the distance. The crew sat up again.
The lantern spread its radiance. 1t
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 We're able 10
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
cleaning crags upward. Over to star
board little beach shone with Quak-
er grayness in that spectacular display.
The end of the cavern was still beyond
the area of light.
"Must have been swimmer to get
in here" commented Trendon, glanc-
ing at the walls.
UNLESS he 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 will
the summons. Silence, formidable and
unbroken, succeeded.
| blouse to house search is now IL
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 gllstened on the
rocky shore, but they were not human
relics. Occasionally beaches tempted O
landing, but all Of these led back tc
precipjtqus 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 visitor to his knees
But inside it seemed to open out
Moreover, there were fish bones at the
entrance. The captain, the surgeon
and Congdon, the cockswain, landed
Captain Parkinson reached the spo
first. STOPPING, he thrust his head II
at the orifce. A sharp exclamation
broke from him. He rose to his feet
turning contorted face to the others
Poisonous, he cried
sMore volcano" said Trendon. HI
bent to the black hole and shifted eau
tiously.
"I'll go in, sir" volunteered Cong
don. 1--WE had fire practice"
MY business" said Trendon briefly
Decomposition; unpleasant, but no
dangerous"
Pushing the lantern before him, hi
| Wprmed his way until the light wa
blotted out. Presently 1t shone fortl
from the funnel, showing that the ex
plorer had reached the inner opel
space. Captain Parkinson droppe,
down and peered in, but the evil odo
was too much for him. He retired
gagglng and coughing. Trendon wa
gone for what seemed an interminabl
time. His superior officer fdgeted un
easily, At last he could stand It NJ
longer.
"Dr. Trendon, are you all right7" h
shouted.
"Yup," answered a choked voice
Clubbing oud dow.
Again the funnel was darkened. !
pair of feet appeared, then the sur
geon's chunky trunk, his head and tn
lantern. Once, twice and thrice he in
haled deeply.
nPhew!' be gasped. Thought wa
tough, but phee=ee=ee-e#!''
"Did you find"-S