The Delta independent., 1916-07-14

and here was the chart which would
save us a months blind cropping among
unknown dangers. Each of them shook
me solemnly by the hand.
But before they discussed the details
of my map l had to tell them Of my
encounter with the ape man among the
branches. This l did without omitting
any of the details.
He has been there all the time
said l.
How do you know that?" asked
Lord John.
Because / have never been without
that feeling that something malevolent
was watching us. / mentioned 1t to
you, Professor Challenger. Try to re-
fresh your memory"
"Our young friend certainly said
something of the kind. He is also the
one among US who is endowed with
that Celtic temperament which would
make him sensitive to such impress
sions.''
That evening by the light Of the fire
and of single candle the first map
of the lost world was elaborated. Ev-
cry detail which l had roughly noted
from my watchtower was drawn out
in its relative place. Challenger's pen
Gil lowered over the great blank which
marked the lake
What shall we call itr' he asked
at length.
why should you not take the chance
of perpetuating your own name?" said
Summerlee. with his usual touch of
acidity.
Il trust, sir, that my name will have
other and more personal claims upon
posterity," said Challenger severely
ANY ignoramus can hand down his
worthless memory by imposing 1t upon
a mountain or a river. need no such
monument. Let our young friend give
it a name"
Then" said 1, blushing. 1 dare say,
as l said it. ''let it be named Lake
Gladys"
Don't you think the Central lake
would be more descriptiveY remarked
Sunmerlee.
81 should prefer Lake Gladys" de-
clared blushingly.
Challenger looked at me sympathet-
ically and shook his great head In
mock disapproval. Boys will be boys, I"
said he. Lake Gladys let it be. Ma
lone shall have his way"
CHAPTER XIV.
at Was Dreadful In the Forest"
- HAVE sailor perhaps / have not
said. for my memory plays me
sad tricks these days = that l
glowed with pride when three
such men as my comrades thanked me
for having saved or at least greatly
helped the situation. AS the youngster
Of the party, not merely in years, but
In experience, character. knowledge
and all that goes to make a man. had
been overshadowed from the first. And
now l was coming into my own.
warmed at the thought. Alas for the
pride which goes before fall! That
little glow of self satisfaction, that
added measure of self confidence, was
to lead me on that very night to the
most dreadful experience Of my life.
ending with a shock which turns my
heart sick when think of it.
1t came about In this way: had
been unduly excited by the adventure
of the tree, and sleep seemed to be i'm
possible. Summerlee was on guard.
sitting hunched over our small fire, a
quaint. angular figure. his rifle across
his knees and his pointed, goatlike
beard wagging with each weary nod of
his head. Lord John lay silent. wrap
ped In the South American poncho
which he wore. while Challenger
snored with roll and rattle which
reverberated through the woods. The
full moon was shining brightly, and
the air was crisply cold. What a night
for walk! And then suddenly came
the thought, why notT Suppose
stole softly away. suppose ! made my
way down to the central lake. suppose
i was back at breakfast with some
record of the place. Would not In that
case be thought an even more worthy
associatei Then II Summerlee carried
the day and some means Of escape
were found we should return to Lon
don with first hand knowledge Of the
central mystery OF the plateau. "a
which / alone OF all men would have
penetrated. thought OF Gladys. with
her There are heroisms all round us.
l seemed to hear her voice az she said
It, thought also OF McArdle. What q
three column article for the paper
What foundation for career! A
correspondentship In the next great
war might be within my reach
clutched at a gun-my pockets were
full of cartridges : and, parting the
thorn bushes at the gate OF our zarebn
quickly slipped out. My last glance
showad u,a tho unconscious Summer
lee. most futile OF sentinels, still nod
ding away like q queer mechanical toy
In front OF the smOldering FIRE. He was
fast asleep.
The night had been exceedingly still.