The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-10-09
Bv CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY
copysisht. 1919. by Cyrus TownssaA Bad,

Copyright. 1912. ~
"You are SAFE" said gently. Tho
horrors are all behind US. See, there
d before you naught but the beautiful
greenery Of the island, and
An expression Of gratitude came
across her face.
"Let us go down." she replied. I'VE
must never come near here again."
"Please God, no." I repeated as we
retraced our steps down the clih and
along the winding path, Mistress Lucy
gaining strength and color as we pass
ed out Of sight of the hideous platform.
It was necessary to go back along
the path to the foot Of the stairs. There
were savannas here and there in the
way where we rested and lovely
brook Of cool, delicious water, where
we broke our fast, though it was not
yet noon, but the openings all stopped
before they reached the foot of the
wall which was almost hidden in vege-
tation. l remembered the paths which
had led of on either side from the
stairs too. We followed one Of them
easily.
The wall to our left was dotted with
openings to caves, but none OF them
seemed to at the description we carried
in our memories. The underground
deepened and grew denser as we pro-
crossed, and finally had to open a
way with my ak. The tangled masses
soon gave way before my sturdy en-
ergy, and we entered little clearing
which extended to the wall. There
above us were the three openings be-
meath the depression in the crest sure
enough, the one in the middle being
greater than the others, the entrance
high enough to admit me. who am
much above the usual stature, without
bending my head. It was elevated
half way up the surface Of the cliff,
and approach to it was by a pile OF
stones, not laid with the order and reg.
ularity Of the giant stairs, but ap-
parently piled together haphazard by
people unskilled to make any other
practical way of ascent
It was difficult enough for us to
climb as 1t was. The heap Of stones
evidently had not been mounted for
years, and the stones had broken ana
fallen away in many places. Indeed
had to rebuild the pile here and there.
When after arduous labor l peered
within the cave could see nothing
hut the blackness When we left the
shin we had taken lantern and few
candles. had brought the lantern
with me that day. We now lighted it
with the flint and steel and finder and
stepped silently in. My lady followed
me close, being, as she had said. un'
willing to be left alone and ever ready
to face any peril in my company. j.
Above the low entrance the cave
wall rose to height Of perhaps TWEEN
ty feet, making vast vaulted chamber
with gothic suggestions about 1t. for
the coral before it hardened had been
built into curious shapes and fantastic
figures. We didn't notice this so mucn
at first, for with 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 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 I could do to keep
my mistress from running back toward
the mouth and thence to the ground.
and it was not until I had treasured
her that she would consent to go on.
r. AS we had been compelled to pass
on by our desire to get our bearings
before, SO If we were to get the treas
ure we would have to suffer this now.
She summoned her courage and we
went on. s
AS our eyes became accustomed to
the light, for, indeed, the candle Ian.
tern cast but dim radiance over the
vast apartment, the entrance was SO
small that little daylight came through.
4 we saw the same kind Of altar, built
Of the same stones as on the hill.
though much smaller. Bones Of hu-
man beings, men, women and children,
/ Judged from the difference In sizes,
lay upon It. sand there were heaps Of
bones on the door around It It came
across me that IL was another altar q
sacrifce and that the worzhipen had