The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-11-07

that, and then it was plain they
were made by the hand of man.
Figures come to view-moren a
hundred foot high. And all Of 'emI
were Mason stuff. There was
work for hundred thousand men
for twenty year, in that canyon.
But they had no time to look. Al
ways. hurry, hurry, hurry!
This canyon run plumb north
and south. Soon the climbing sun
lit up the west wall. At this the
lnjun put on more speed. AL
though the breath was whistling in
Johnson's lungs, nothing for it but
to plug ahead. He was so tuck
cred he began to hate the whole
works, and went along stumbling
and cussing and wondering what
he was such damn fool as ever to
come along for.
But soon they reached level
grass, like a park, and the going
was easier. From the head of the
canyon came the roar OF falling wat
er. and Johnson, clearing his eyes
of sweat. made out a waterfall.
They went straight to this, and
Just as Johnson begun to wonder
what the blazes could be next, the
Injun started up an old trail, that
led behind the waterfall. Johnson
had noticed in what slick. clean
curve the water fell and as they
passed under the jutting rock over
which it came, he saw the rock was
curved, to shape, the stream. 1t
was clever business, for it made
the fall like the bull's-eye of a Ian
tern.
In behind was a cave, or a
room, rather, for man had made it.
Into this skipped the Injun, and
flung himself on the floor for a
breath of air. Johnson, likewise,
for he'd begun to think of giving
up breathing, either as a business
Or a pastime.
when his eyes got used to the
soft green light of the cave, john
son noted a square in the back, like
a big frame. This was all carved
with Mason -jiggers. In the mid
die, through a round hole, he
caught the CLINT of copper. 1t was
a queer place, for fair, and john
son was wishful, whatever the bust
ness was, it would get itself done
quick, and let 'em out of that He
was no kind of a man for funny
business at all, Johnson, but a SIM
pie, straight sort of monkey, who
liked three squares per day. and
the cash to pay for 'em.
Well says he, 'Chung-koo-
kah. old horse, what's next?
Wait says the Injun. You
seer
That's just what l don't want
to do, says Johnson, but he had to,
anyhow.
"All of sudden, a dazzle of
light sprung up on the edge of the
square. 1t brought Johnson to
his feet, half blinded. What the
hellP says he, and made to step
ahead.
"'Ouanitchp wells the Injun,
grabbing him and yanking him
back. You die, damn quickr To
show him. he held his coup stick
out. Then Johnson saw there was
a path of light, leading through the
waterfall to the frame at the back,
and when the Injun's coup stick
touched that path, it burst into
flame. Lemme gor hollers John
son, 4 don't like this
sit STILL commanded the In
jun. Nothing hurt you!
so they sat and watched the
light on the frame. 1t was like a
Jelly of light, trembling and quiv-
ering and rolling of itself. Flash
ing out at the edges in a ragged
sort Of way, but always doing good
business in the center. Steam
poured out from the damp rocb
wall, and snappings of the stone
! The light crept sideways to,
ward the circle in the center, be,
hind which was the copper. AS il
neared the edge the Injun grabbed
Johnson by the wrist. Listen
says he, in a tone of voice thai
proved he meant exactly what hC
said, and a little more to boot
When l say come-Come! What
say do, Dor
"I'll go you once if l lose,' say:
! Johnson. You're the only party
understands what's the right anc
! left bower in this game
4 They crowded as close to tht
! wall as they could, and watched
that little light devil prance anc
dance toward the copper. Sc
close, Johnson noted that the rock
was heated to dull red.
There they stood, two big
strong cats. ready to leap. John,
son said he felt hot chills go ut
and down his back at the rate o.
ten a second. The Injun wa:
! aI,:,I,, ,,arf,o,,e ,,J tb,t ,,,,iI $50,