The Republican journal., 1914-04-09
CHAPTER X.
EXPLORATION. THE ROBBERS DEN.
FOOD A NECESSITY.

FOOD A NECESSITY.
MIR. Over was tanning small f1re ana
feeble rays of daylight had crept INTO
the cave, when the girls turned ana
twisted awake upon their stony bed. ana
stretched and rubbed their benumbed
muscles into feeling and activity. 80,
s.See the ogre bending over the nre!
cried Alice. half awake:
cit ia James, my dear; DO not De
afraid" said Mrs. Dyer. =.
''The bright flame is a good omen OF
breakfast, though fear we must be on
shorter allowance even than yesterday,
remarked Mary resignedly..
"Where are Mr.. Wendell and Doctor
Chapman?'' asked Alice with alarm.
"They made a torch and have gone be-
vond the bend to explore the remainder
Of the cave" answered Dyer:
The stream had fallen considerably and
by quiet pools the girls made their toilets
and dabbled playfully, Az. .
"What was that" asked Alice, as
dark object passed quickly between her
and the freight. ..
'tOnly bat. There are lots OF tnem
farther in the passage. One I'll, NY naS
when | was making the hre' repiieo
Dyer. .,:,, rhav some-
line uncaNily IuluSS' lazy
times suck ones blood.
ssNot those little fellows. They are
mot larger than a mouse, although they
seem immense when their wings are ex-
tended"
"Hellov' echoed distant call:
ssHellop' answered Dyer loudly.
There were splashing, crunchlng SOUNDS
and Wendell and the Doctor came slowly
into the light and greeted the ladles'
GOOD morning." ,,.-
1--WE are delighted to see our deliver
ers back; was worried over your ao-
sence," said Mrs. Dyer. o.,
"How far have you fellows peen!
"About a mile. l think; haven't we
Wendell?" replied Chapman.
~ should think it. We had wonder
full experience walking in the shadows
and frightening bats and fishes. See the
fish we caught in the pools" saying
which. he took from his pocket lot OF
sOh. the little beauties! all spotted
blue. yellow and red!" exclaimed Alice,
passing her hand over them.
"Are they blind like the fish in the lake
of Mammoth Cave?" asked Mary.
.'No, indeed! See their little ildle 3
ewes still bright. We caught them WIZ
our hands on the way back and they nave
been only short time out of the water.
"Smart fishermen! l guess you tooh
your hats" nsinuated Dyer.
Chapman had kept his hano oehlno
him and he now presented trying pau
and said, eve shall have fish for break
fast
The ladies were astonished and Mrs
- a.;od sEor hoaven's sakei Where
did you get that"
Sin a robbers den." o.,
"Haye YOU been out of the cave!'
eyes. at another end than the one by
which we entered"
Zone cannot fry fish without fat. ="
''Oh, know. Therefore l prougn
along some" and the smiling doctor pro
duced from his coat pocket large piece
"Wonderful foresight! Whence came
this manna?' >,
'From the robbers den. !"
you had better join the band since
you steal SO easily" .e.o
s.Of course, we shall-after break1as
appropriate the den and furnishings;
answered Chapman, laughing at TN
puzzled faces around him.
"You have been out in the world again
Mr.. WENDELL" asked Mary, susplclously
eyes, on the mountain, little dlstanc
only. The sun is up again, hot and merry
but not as bad as yesterday. We can 5
leave our refuge today. We have fallel
into luck, however, and shall not starve
thank God! Doctor, tell them OF our eX x
ploration, l am too tired" said Wenaeli
reclining YEARLY upon the ledge, and tn
others sat near him.
Chapman continued the story. ''W'
went splashing, slipping and stumblns
along in the bed of the stream; falling
occasionally against its walls; creeping
over barriers; admiring fish imprisoned
in shrinking pools; striking at bats wit,
our hats; two men in globe of light, ad
vancing through the murky darkness un
til we came to second passage to thu
right.
eve followed this lead until it ende'
against shelving ledge with grea
pelIucid spring at its base. We retrace
our steps to the left passage and follow
ed it to it's entrance on the side OF tn
mountain, which we concluded was mort