The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1909-10-06

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times hts arm appeared. then he
was out OF sight again. and a few
minutes later was seen higher up
cllnglnE to the rocks. His siEe con.
stantly decreased with the fantastic
rapidity Of objects rising upwards
In the air In half an hour be was
only half hia size,
The air was full of the deep
rumbling noise OF the volcano, and
the mountain shook aud trembled'
From time TO time a loud fall was
heard behind. and the travellers
would see some enormous rock re-
bounding from the heights TO en-
gulf itself IN the polar basin below
Hatteras did not even turn once
to look back. but marched straight
on, carrying his country's flax at.
tached 20 his staff. His terrified
friends watched every movement,
and saw him gradually decrease to
microscopic dimensions. while Duke
looked no larger than u big rat.
Then came a moment OF Intense
anxiety. for the wind beat down
on them an immense sheet OF flame.
and they could see nothing but the
rcd glare. A cry of agony escaped
the doctor. but an instant after
wards Hatteras reappearod. waving
his flag.
Fearful Spectacle.
For a whole hour this fearful
spectacle went on-an hour Of bat.
tie with unsteady loose rocks and
Quagmlres OF ashes. where the fool.
hardy climber sank up TO his waist
Sometimes they Jaw him hoist him
self up by leaning knees and loins
against the rocks In narrow. lntri
cate winding paths. and sometimes
he would be hanging on by both
hands TO some sharp crag. swinging
to and fro like II withercd tuft.
AT last he reached the summit of
the mountain. the mouth Of the era
ter. Here the doctor hoped the In
fatnaied man would stop. al any
rate. and would. perhaps. recover
his senses. and expose himself to
no moro danger than the descent
Involved.
Once more he shouted:
"Hatterasi Hatteraai-
There was such a pethoa OF en-.
treaty In his tone Tint Aitmout felt
moved TO his lnmoat soul.
.t'il save him set" he exclaimed.
and before Ciawbonny could hinder
him. he had cleared with a bound
the torrent OF fire and was out OF
sight among the rocks.
Meantime. HatterAa had mounted
a rock which overhunK the crater.
and stood waving bis flag amidst
showers OF stones which rained
down on him Duke was By bis
side. but the poor beast was grow-
ing dizzy In such close proximity TO
the abyss
CRY Of Horror.
Hatteras balanced hts staff with
one hand. and with the other sought
TO find the precise mathematical
point where all the mersdians Of the
globe meet. the point on which Il
was his sublime purpose to plant
his foot.
All at once the rock gave way
and he disappeared. A cry of hor-
ror broke from his companions. and |
rang TO the top Of the mountain. !
Ciawbonny thought HIS friend had |
persisted. and lay buried forever Ia /
the depths OF the volcano. A sec
ond--only a second. though Il seem
ed an age--elapsed. and there was
Altamont and the dog holding the !
Inflated Hatternsi Man and dog
had caught him AT the very mo
ment when he disappeared Ia the |
abyss.
Hatteras was saved Saved In |
spite OF himself. and half an hour
later he lay unconscious In the !
arms Of his despairing companions
When he came to himself the |
doctor looked at him In speechleHs
anguish. for there was no glance !
OF recognition In his eye. II was |
the eye OF a blind man. who gazes
without seeing.
Hstteras 10 insane.
Good heavensl' exclaimed John.
son. "he is blind,g
moi" replied ClawbCnny. moi |
my poor friends. we have only saved |
the body OF Hatteras, his soul IL
left behind on the top OF the vol. |
cano. His reason Is gone,"
'Insanei" exclaimed johnson and |
Altamont. in CONSERVATION.
''fnsanel" replied the doctor. and
the big tears ran down his cheeks.
Three hours after the whole party |
we're back once more In the grotto. |
What was 10 be done now was
the next question.
well. friends. said the doctor.
we cannot stay longer In this
island, the sea Is open. and we have
enough provisions. We ought 10 !
start at once and get back without |
the least delay 10 Fort Providence.
where we must winter"
That II MY opinion. too" said Al. I
lamont. THE wind Is favorable.
SO tomorrow we will get 10 sea"
Name Carved on Rock.
The day passed In profound de I
lection. The insanity OF the captain /
was bad omen. and when they I
began 10 talk over the return voy. 4
age, their hearts failed them for
fear They missed the intrepid I
spirit Of their leader.
However, like brave men. they
prepared TO battle anew with the (