The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1914-11-21

| Wtfe tohutu Win OihflnN ruhiob. INT
alien sound that drove the mute,
crouching back came from the gignn
tic statue. And then Lucille saw that
a huge orang outang souatted compla
Gently In the palras OF the Idol, his
wrinkled. old mans face puckered
curiously,
As though their fear had subsidet
the underground creatures once NOR,
closed In upon Lucille. Some impulse
made her dart toward the orang as
though for protection, The foul crea.
lures were about her clawing at her
with their horrible. uncertain paws,
like giant bats. The monkey seemed
suddenly 10 waken 10 the situation.
With a shrill note OF rage he leaped
from his squatting posture and snatch
ed the necklace OF rubies from about
the IDOLS neck. fiinging II squarely
into the center OF the mob II had the
effect OF drawing them bach for a mo-
ment. With shrlll squeaks the orang's
hairy paw plucked Jewel after jewel
from the idol, hurting them az the crea-
lures with the speed OF bullets. Again
and again he drove them back from
her and Lucille constantly fought her
way closer to this strange protector
Her heart sank as she saw the crea-
ture had no more missiles. She caught
flash Of hairy arms and body as no
leaped toward her, his huge. round
arms failing about him. dropping the
| a,,hterra oaa, loha ahttonsa "a av.~y
swing. Lucille, guided by some Inn
pulse. stopped and picked up the blaz.
Ing necklace. extending II to the ornng.
He seemed not 20 notice. Wildly he
thrashed about the creatures dropping
like ninepins. Backward, ever back
ward, Lucille felt her way. edging
through the mob AZ her protector clear
ed n passage. The rock ribbed vault
echoed aud re-echoed hideously with
the shrill squeals OF rage from the
orang. the gutturals Of terror ana
pain from her assailants. Now they
were lighting among themselves. tum-
bling about In Wild chaos OF arms
and legs and bodies.
she closed her eyes against the ter.
rible sight. Suddenly Lucille felt her
feet slipping from under her: felt her
self going down toward ripping.
musical sound: gently falling through
he blackness as though she sank
within soft mattress Of feathers.
Cold waters rose up and broke her
fall. closing about her and edging her
gently 10 and fro. Instinctively she
reached out. her hands closing about a
narrow strin OF wood. With every
atom OF strength in her frail body she
cmng, making out nnally that the OBJ
ject was a canoe. Slowly sho slipped
down the current until flicker OF mar.
row light glowed far ahead.
The sight inspired her with fresh en-
ergy. She drew herself up. carefully
balanced the canoe against her weight,
then slipped into the bottom and lay
there exhausted. She groped about as
the sides OF the subterrancan cavern
expanded The light grew broader. A
paddle encountered her fingers. and she
thrust II out into the water Came
crunchlng OF wood as Il ripped against
the rocky sides OF the shallow ravine,
aud she stared In dismay at the use.
less handle that alone remained 10 her.
Gently. iaziiy the canoe noated down
toward the ever expanding wedge OF
light Slowly, very slowly. the fresh
air OF the jungle met her quivering
nostrils. And even AZ she opened her
mouth. laving her throat with the In.
toxicating odor that had been 40 re- j
pulsiye to her before. the canoe was
lifted up. snatcbcd up and whlrled
about In a gigantic swishing circle.
Lucille instiDcfively thrust the bro.
ken shaft OF paddle into the water.
finding II useless. She crouched low.
Round aud round In sver narrowing
circles she was whirled, the black wa.
ter white now AZ II lashed itself into
raging circles from the exact center OF
which rose jagged toothed rock-a
rock that imperturbably. cruelty waited
this dainty morsei being brought him.
Faster. faster. In ever shortening cir
lies the creamy foam OF savage waters
irew the frail canoe toward the ugly,
RACK rock that rose from out It's cen.
er.
Round and round In the circles OF
waters the frsIi craft sped. Then for
! brief fraction OF . second the circu-
ar progress was halted, tho canoe be-
ng held steady, quivarlng as another
orce seized II and tried 10 fght against
he whirlpool Lucille beld her breath.
measuring the length of time new
Iope arrived in hours instead OF the
econds II really was. Thea the craft
hot out OF the current and continued
pom It's wild chase toward tho rock.
IL was now matter OF but two rev.
lutions at best before the end. Lu.
ille saw this with eyes that filnched
ot. yet that refused to hold any dread.
slashed against her cheek.
nd her hands ipafinctively reached up,
lutching. grasping. clinging 10 thick
angle OF creepers.
The canoe whiried Ouf from under {
er while she clupg there. the savage
Tater leaplng, swapping at her feet
Desperation loaned her strength For
ist second she rested. then bravely d
sached out and clambered along the {
lick vipe AbtU she saw the earth be-
cath, then dropped and lay painting :
pom the ground. sbAkjng with a ner- \
ous chill as the raactiop seized her. g
Loud voices speaking IN English
mes wakened her from the state of =
II pity which followed the chill. She 3
oked up swiftly. nov that the dense h
stnesses encircling her were really s.