Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-27
CHAPTER XIV-Continued.


1t wa difficult enough for US to climb
as it was. The heap of stones evidently
had not been mounted for years, and the
stones had broken and fallen away in
many places. Indeed, We had to rebuild
the pile here and there, which entailed
some hours of arduous labor on my part,
in which my lady would participate until
I laughingly threatened to take my belt
and strap her to the nearest tree unless
she desisted. Whereat, smiling strangely.
she stopped and, sitting down nearby,
watched me " rk in silence.
l peered within, but could see nothing
but the blackness. When we left the ship
We had taken a lantern and a few can
dies. l had brought the lantern with me
that day. We now lighted it with the
flint and steel and finder and stepped si-
lently in. My lady followed me close, be-
ing, as she had said. unwilling to be left
alone, and ever read to face any peril
in my company.
Above the low entrance the cave wall
rose to a height of perhaps twenty feet
making a vast vaulted chamber with
gothic suggestions about it. for the coral
before it hardened had been built into
curious shapes and fantastic figures. We
didn't notice this so much at first. for.
with a wild shrek, my gentle companion
suddenly caught my arm and pointed
downward.
The floor, like that of the central altar,
was covered with human bones. a grue-
some sight for any one, and certainly for
a woman, and made more gruesome be-
cause of the dull lighting of the cave.
The bones were bleached white. also, and
had evidently been there a long time
We could scarcely take a step without
treading upon them. / had all could do
to keep my mistress from running back
toward the mouth and thence to the
ground. and it was not until 1 had reas-
sured her that she would consent to go
on.
AS we had been compelled to pass on
by our desire to get our bearings before,
so if we were to get the treasure we
would have to suffer this now. I think
If it had not been that her previous ex-
perience in the hillock had somehow
given her some confidence my lady could
not have endured this sight, treasure or
no treasure. But she was a brave little
woman. and when 1 urged that We were
not to be baked in our search of thou
sands of leagues by dead mems bones.
which though horrible were after all
quite harmless, she summoned her cour-
age and We went on.
AS our eyes became accustomed to the
light. for. indeed, the candle lantern cast
but dim radiance over the vast apart
ment-the entrance was so small that
little daylight came through-we saw the
same kind of altar, built Of the same
stones as on the HILL though much small
er. Bones of human beings. men, wom-
en- and children, l judged from the differ
ence In sizes, lay upon it and there were
heaps OF bones on the floor around 1t.
1t came across me that 1t was another
altar of sacrifice and that the worshipers
had been also eaters Of f1esh-cannibals.
For / reasoned that in that island. and
especially in that dry cave. the bodies
would have been dried up, assuming the
shape of mummies. If left to them
selves. And l wondered If every cave
possessed a similar altar, and If the
whole island had simply been a place of
sacrifice and death for some prehistoric
races living in other islands round about.
like those on the horizon We could still
in some great cataclysm Of nature and
sunk beneath the ocean these thousands
Of years -
Turning away from the altar to the
right. we found the way clear, and with
a sigh Of relief I drew Mistress Lucy re-
luctantly on. She chung to me and was
SO frightened that I finally slipped my
arm about her waist, whereat she made
no objection. She has confessed since
that she was indeed greatly pleased. and
strength and power Of my grasp.
Holding the lantern before me, we cau-
tiously proceeded farther into the cave
toward the inner wall. The cave wall
opened out into rooms apparently,
didn't dare go any distance from the
main entrance for fear that I should lose
my way. SO stopped. undecided what to
do, which opening to enter. that is.
"Oh. let's go back begged my mis-
tress: there is no treasure here, l am
sure"
Nay" I answered; with your permits
sion. Mistress Lucy, 1 intend to explore
farther into the matter. Let's see."
held the lantern high above my head as
1 spoke. There. above a certain en-
trance. l saw a rude Latin cross! Look
/ continued, some one has been here;
it's the sign OF the crossv'
Yes" she said. her hopes reviving
and her spirits returning little at the
sight Of that sacred symbol Of ourfaith;
don't you remember on the map mark