The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-10-10

~HE statues or images rose from
Il kind of terrace a foot or so
above the level of the PLATFORM
paved as before. They formed
a sort of clOiSter. or colOnnade. around
the central platform. which rose TWEEN
ty or twenty-five feet above. On the
center of the raised platform or altar
stood three or more of the same mon
ster heads. placed one after another.
the largest one being in the middle.
They were in line. all looking in the
same direction which my compass told
me was due west They We're staring.
therefore. toward the setting sun.
At the front end or west end the
great platform was approached by
fight of steps. The stones of the pave
ment We're 50 cunningly fitted together
that only here and there had Il seed
lodged and grass grown. The stones
of the platform or altar We're also laid
up without mortar and fitted in the
same way The altar was in perfect
repair.
Standing SO high. the fierce winds
that swept over the plateau and plat
tOiM had probably assisted in keep:u.
It Clear of vegetation. of anything il
ia It. Cor save for ii few scattered lines
Of grass it was as bare as the palm OF
my hand.
Well. we stood upon the platform
and surveyed the scene in silent awe
Nothing in the parchment had led us
to suspect al. this. although | recOllec,
1,n nj h.,
niche With the big palm tree. the spot
IN the wall by which We We're to To-
rate the treasure cave.
Come" said | at last, breaking the
silence We will have nearer look
at these gentry.
1t seems like the temple of a van
ished race" breathed my lady softly.
staring about her in growing wonder.
Aye, and OF Il vanished Cod l
said. extending my hand.
There was something weird and eerie
about the plateau. and we felt better
for the touch of each others hand. ut
least | did. | always felt happier
when | touched her little hand. but in
this instance the feeling was some
what different. In Il certain sense it
seemed like PROCLAMATION for us TO be
there, yet we went on steadily. if slow
ly. We passed by the colonnade of
statues around the inner platform anC
deliberately mounted the stairs.
Something. | know not what. made
ME bid my mistress pause before we
reached the top. and | looked to my
pistol and looSened my sword in its
sheath as did SO. although why | did
so aud what anticipated cannot SAY.
At any rate. | mounted to the top
alone. There before me lay platform
which was sunk beneath me for Il
depth of two feet and which was sur
rounded by low wall. on the top of
which stood The three images rose
from a smaller platform on Il level
with the top of this wall in the midst.
and the whole place was filled with u
horrible and frightful mass of human
bones. Skulls. legs. thighs and small
err bones. heaped in terrible confusion.
lay bleaching before me. and the space
between them was filled with fine
dust. doubtless the dust of earlier
bones which had mouldered away
through centuries. Those that still
preserved their shape We're the top
layer and were bleached perfectly
white. They lay in all directions. as
If they had been cast aside careleSsly
and at random. yet there were indica-
tons that there had been a path from
where | stood to the platform Of the
three images. which l perceived was
Just about long enough to lay human
body on.
l stared apprehenSively. | must con
fess. at this frightful charnel house OF
the centuries. The only evidences OF
humanity we had discovered were
these frightful skeletons. | would
have prevented it. but my mistress
! suddenly came and stood by my side
! Then thought she would have faint
ed as the full horror of the scene burst
upon her.
| Men have been here" she faltered
j Horrible. cruel men.
1 Yes" said |. but centuries ago
Look. the bones are beached white
| You have naught to fear"
+ Let US leave this frightful place
! she said
/ presently" | answered. but y"r
! will remember the directions OF til,
| chart. | must stand upon that aItal
and get my bearings. The treasure
i cave should be in line with the statue
/ and nick or depression in the wall OF
! the farther side.
Yes" she replied. Il remember
We'll. then" | said. will YOU 2,
| down To the platform out of sight 81
| this horrible place ana wait for me-"
| No she answered nervouSlv