The Delta independent., 1916-06-30

could he come by his broken bones and
how could he have been stuck through
by these canes with their points so
high above our heads?'
We moved off in silence and contin-
ued to coast round the line of cliffs,
which were as even and unbroken as
some of those monstrous Antarctic ice
fields which ! have seen depicted as
stretching from horizon to horizon and
towering high above the mastheads of
the exploring vessel.
In five miles we saw no rift or break.
And then suddenly we perceived some
thing which filed us with new hope.
In hollow of the rock. protected from
rain. there was drawn rough arrow
in chalk. pointing still to the west
ward.
Maple White again." said Professor
Challenger. He had some PRESENT.
ment that worthy footsteps would fol-
low CLOSE behind him.
He had chalk. them"
"a box of colored chalks was among
the effects found in his knapsack.
remember that the white one was
worn to a stump
"That is certainly good evidence"
said Summerlee. I'VE can only ac-
cept his guidance and follow on to the
westward"
We had proceeded some five more
miles when again we saw white ar
row upon the rocks 1t was at point
where the face Of the cliff was for the
first time split into narrow cleft. In
side the cleft was a second guidance
mark. which pointed right up it with
the tip somewhat elevated. as If the
spot indicated were above the level Of
the ground.
1t was a solemn place, for the walls
were so gigantic and the slit of blue
sky so narrow and so obscured by
double fringe of verdure that only a
dim and shadowy light penetrated to
the bottom. We had had no food for
many hours and were very weary with
the stony and irregular journey, but
our nerves were too strung to allow
us to halt We ordered the camp TO
be pitched however. and leaving the
Indians to arrange It, we four. with
the two half breeds. proceeded up the
narrow gorge.
1t was not over forty feet across
at the mouth but 1t rapidly closed un-
til II ended in an acute angle. too
straight and smooth for an ascent
Certainly 1t was not this which our
pioneer had attempted to indicate
We made our way back-the whole
gorge was not more than a quarter Of
mile deep-and then suddenly the
quick eyes of Lord John fell upon
what we were seeking. High up above
our heads amid the dark shadows there
was one circle of deeper gloom. Sure
ly it could only be the opening of 4
cave.
The base of the cliff was heaped
with loose stones at the spot. and 1t
was not difficult to Chamber up. When
we reached it all doubt was removed.
Not only was it an opening into the
rock. but on the side of 1t there was
marked once again the sign of the ar
COW.
Here was the point and this was the
means by which Maple White and his
I'll fated courade had made their as
cent.
We were too excited to return to
the camp. but must make our first ex-
ploration at once. Lord John had an
electric torch in his knapsack. and this
had to serve us as light. He advanced
throwing his little clear circlet OF vel
low radiance before him. while in sin
gle file we followed at his heels.
The cave had evidently been water
worn. the sides being smooth and the
floor covered with rounded stones. II
could just fit through by STOPPING. For
fifty yards II ran almost straight into
the rock. and then 1t ascended at an
angle OF forty-ive. Presently this In
cline became even sleeper. and we
found ourselves climbing upon hands
and knees among loose rubble which
slid from beneath us. Suddenly an ex
clamation broke from Lord Roxton.
Its blocked" said lie.
Clustering behind him. we saw In the
yellow field OF light wall Of broken
basalt which extended TO the ceiling.
The roof has fallen i'm
In vain we dragged out some of the
pieces. The only effect was that the
larger ones became detached and
threatened to roll down the gradient
and crush us. II was evident that the
obstacle was far beyond any efforts
which we could make to remove IL
The road by which Maple White had
ascended was no longer available.
Too much east down to speak. We
stumbled down the dark tunnel and
made our way back to the camp.
One incident occurred. however, be-
fore we left the gorge. which is of I'm
portance in view of what came after
ward.
We had gathered In little group
II the bottom of the chasm some for.