The Irish standard., 1915-06-12
CHAPTER XVIII.
FURTHER EXPLORATIONS.

CHAPTER XVIII.
FURTHER EXPLORATIONS.
Like Robinson Crusoe, of whom I Of
ten thought, I kept an almanac. One of
the largest and smoothest powders was
used by me for this purpose. Like him,
made stroke for each day-a long
stroke for Sunday-and at the beginning
of each month wrote it's name, all, of
course, with the point of my knife.
After had accustomed the seals to my
presence, though before I had taught
them to bring me fish, I began to explore
the remainder Of the cavern and in the
same way as l had explored it from the
window to the seal pool-by lighting
series of fires. A little beyond the
pool found that the cavern forked, one
gallery, which was the smaller, ter,ni-
mating in another pool of unknown
depth-I tried, but could not sound it
in which the tide rose and fell-a terri
BILE and mournful place, which, after that
sounding, or trying to sound, never
afterward visited. The other gallery
was of huge extent and ran far inland.
When first penetrated this gallery,
noticed at one point that the air seemed
to be fresher than elsewhere and could
perceive slight motion in the flame of
my torch. This, Of course, was evidence
that somewhere here there was commu-
nication with the outer world. Though
scanned eagerly the roof of the cavern,
could perceive there no welcome slit
of sky. Nevertheless felt sure that a
way to the outer world existed at this
point, though probably SO winding as
not to permit the access of light. Then,
as recalled the physical character of
that outer world under which l was
entombed, l remembered cleft opening
into deep and horrible abyss which
had always possessed fascination fol
myself and my younger brothers. 1t
was called the Devils Parlor," and
many times we rolled down stones here
and listened with awestruck delight to
their clashing and rafting as they went
down into subterranean depths. l
used to maintain that it was bottomless
and penetrated into the center of the
earth, because I never could hear the
final clash which told that the stone
was at rest below. Then l sea1ched
around, and here, sure enough, did find
a variety of stones, cast down no doubt
by the hands of many boys at many
times. Also l found many bones of an
finals, goats and sheep, which from
time to time during past centuries had
fallen thither while they grazed care
lessly on the edges of the abyss or had
been driven into it by dogs or wolves.
IF only one such would fall in here
now" thought to myself ruefully as
my imagination drew pleasing pictures
of roast meat. In truth, l was becom-
ing heartily tired Of my fish diet. which
was beginning to affect my health and
still more noticeably my strength.
blazed my way to the end of this gal
lery, the extreme limit Of my gloomy
kingdom. Here I made singular dis
covery. Against the black wall of the
cave there stood on end a great white
bowlder, lozenge shaped-that is to say,
somewhat fiat and oblong. Examining
this, l discovered upon 1t not only va
riety of circles, but curious engraving,
something like bent bow with straight
strokes upon it on the concave side.
noticed, too, upon the edges variety
Of scorings which Travelled around to
the side Of the slab, which was hidden
from view. Feeling all around with
my hand, / came to one point where
could pass it between the slab and the
rock. There was hollow space behind,
how large could not tell, but appar-
emily considerable. AS it was evident
that this slab had been set up here by
mems hands and In order to block &C.
cess to the cavity behind, at once con-
cluded that this we'll protected pocket
was treasure chamber or perhaps q
tomb. l threw III some lighted timber,
and ainging more upon the top of it and
making blaze I applied my eye to the
cavity. saw an earthen crock about
the size Of a large fowerpot, filed with
something which could not distin-
guish, but did notice, both there and
elsewhere, what looked like metal of
some kind. Owing to the smoke, which
rapidly gathered there, I saw nothing
distinctly and after q moment or two,
owing to the same cause, saw nothing
at all. "This," said, lis surely old
Curry the smuggler's treasure cham
Der. If I ever get alive out of this den,
l will come back with my brother Ned.
Together we will blast away this bowl
der or contrive in some other way to
rife the old villains treasures