The Lamar register., 1913-11-26

When after arduous labor ] peered
/ within the ave / could see nothing
but the blackness. When We left the
ship we bad taken a lantern and few
candles had brought the lantern
with me that day. We now lighted 1t
with the 6int and steel and finder and
stepped silently in Ny lady followed
me close. being. as she had said. IN
willing to be- left alone and ever ready
to face any peril In my company.
Above the low entrance the cave
wall rose to a height of perhaps TWEEN
ty feet making a vast vaulted chamber
with gothic suggestions about 1t. FOR
the coral before 1t hardened had been
built into curious shapes and fantastic
figures We didn't notice this 80 much
at first. for with a wild shrek, my
gentle companion suddenly caught my
arm aud pointed downward.
The floor. like that Of the central
altar. WAS covered with human bones.
grewsome sight for any one and Ger
tainly for a woman, and made more
grewsome because of the dull lighting
Of the cave The bones were bleached
white also and had evidently been
there long time. We could scarcely
take 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 II was not until had treasured
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 II we were to get the treas
ure we would have to suffer this now.
She summoned her courage and we
went on
As our eyes became accustomed to
the light. for. indeed. the candle Ian
tern cast hut a dim radiance over the
small that little daylight came through.
we saw the same kind Of altar. built
Of the same stones as on the hill.
though much smaller Bones OF bu-
man beings. men. women and children.
I judged from the difference In sizes.
lay upon IL and there were heaps OF
bones on the door around IL II came
across me that II was another altar Of
sacrifice and that the worshipers had
bsen also eaters OF flesh cannibalsl
Turning away from the altar to the
with a sigh Of relief. I drew Mistress
Lucy reluctantly on She chung to me
and was 30 frightened that 6nally
slipped my arm about her waist.
whereat she made no objection. She
has confessed since that she was In
deed greatly pleased and that II was
q comfort to her to feel the strength
and power Of my grasp.
Holding the lantern before me. we
cautiously proceeded farther Into the
cave toward the inner wall The cave
wall opened out Into rooms apparently.
didn't dare 20 any distance from the
main entrance for fear that ! should
lose my way. 30 | stopped. undecided
what to do. which opening to enter
that L.
"Oh. let's 20 backv begged my mis-
tress There IL no treasure here.
Am sure
May I answered with your per
Mission. Mistress Lucy. I intend to Ell
olore further into the matter Let's
zee ! held the lantern high above
my head HI spoke. There above o
certain entrance | saw n rude Latin
cross Look continued Some
one has been here TIs the sign Of the
crossr
Yes" she said her hopes reviving
and her spirits returning little nj the
ught Of that sacred symbol Of our
faith Don't you remember on the
map marking the position Of the cave
there was a little crossT''
so there VAST I exclaimed. al
though the reading did not mention It"
mo. but 1t Is there nevertheless"
l stopped down-the entrance was
scarcely three feet high. but quite
broad-and made to go through.
wait" She seized me In great
alarm. You can't go there and leave
me herer' she cried.
81 promise you that will not stir
three feet from the entrance If you will
suffer me that far" I answered
Il must come. too, them" she urged.
81 will see what Is there first. and II
II Is safe you shall come with me-"
answered.
As ] spoke | crawled through and
found myself In another smaller cham
Der There being no danger. ] stretch
ed out my hand to her and brought her
through after me From some distant