The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-10-05
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larger than a 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 red glare. A cry of agony
escaped the. doctor; but an instant
aftrwards Hatteras reappeared,
waving his flag.
For a whole hour this fearful
spectacle went on-an hour of
battle with unsteady loose rocks
and quagmires Of ashes. where
the foolhardy climber sank up to
his waist. Sometimes they saw
him hoist himself up by leaning
knees and loins against the rocks
in narrow, intricate winding paths
and sometimes he would be hang
ing on by both hands to some
sharp crag, swinging to and fro
like a withered tuft.
At last he reached the summit
of the mountain, the mouth of the
crater. Here the doctor hoped
the infatuated man would stop,
at any rate, and would, perhaps,
recover his senses, and expose
himself to no more danger than
the descent involved.
Once more he shouted
i "Hatteras! Hatteras!"
There was such a pathos of en-
treaty in his tone that Altamont
felt moved to his Utmost soul.
"I'll save him yeti" he ex-
claimed; and before Clawbonny
could hinder him, he had clear
ed with a bound the torrent of
fire, and was out of sight among
the rocks. "
Meantime. Hatteras had mount
ed rock which overhung the GA
ter, and stood waving his flag
amid showers of stones which
rained down on him. Duke was
by his side; but the poor beast
was growing dizzy in such close
proximity to the abyss. -
Hatteras balanced his staff with
one hand, and with the other
sought to find the precise mathe-
matical point where the meridi-
ans of the globe meet, the point
on which it was his sublime pur-
pose to plant his foot.
All at once the rock gave way,
and he disappeared. A cry of
horror broke from his compan-
ions, and rang to the top of the
mountains. Clawbonyy thought
his friend had persisted, and lay
buried forever in the depths of
the volcano. A second-only a
second, though 1t seemed an age
elapsed, and there was Alta
mont and the dog holding the ILL
fated Hatteras! Man and dog had
caught him at the very moment
when he disappeared in the abyss.
Hatteras was saved! Saved In
spite of himself; and half an
hour later he lay unconscious in
the arms of his despairing COM
panions.
When he came to himself, the
doctor looked at him in speech
less anguish, for there was no
glance of recognition in his eye.
1t was the eye of blind man,
who gazes without seeing.
Good heavens!" exclaimed
Johnson, che is blind!"
mol" replied Clawbonny, mo!
My poor friends, we have only
saved the body of Hatteras; his
soul is left behind OH the top of
the volcano. His reason is gone!"
| "Insane!" exclaimed Johnson
and Altamont, in CONSERVATION.
"Insane!" replied the doctor,
and the big tears ran down his
cheeks.
Three hours after the whole
party were back once more in the
Igrotto.
| What was to be done now, was
the next question.
| "Well, friends" said the doc
tor, 1--WE cannot stay longer in
this island; the sea is open. and
we have enough provisions. We
ought to start at once, and get
back without the least delay to
Ft. Providence, where we must
winter"
i THAT is my opinion, too" sale
lAltamont. 1.-THE wind is favor
liable, so tomorrow we will get to
sea-"
| The day passed in profound dvE
lection. The insanity of the cap
tain was a bad omen, and when
they began to talk over the re.
turn voyage, their hearts failed
them for fear. They missed TIE
intrepid spirit of their leader. Al
1 However, like brave men. thet
prepared to battle anew with the
elements.
| Next morning they made all
READY to sail, and brought tile
ltent and all its BELONGINGS on