Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-30

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 stump"
That is certainly good evidence"
said Summarize. 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 a white ar
row upon the rocks. 1t was at point
where the face Of the cliff was for the
first time split into q 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 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
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 it rapidly closed IN
til it ended in an acute angle. too
straight and smooth for an ascent
Certainly it 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
a 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
" It could only be the opening of a
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 it there was
marked once again the sign Of the ar
row.
Here was the point and this was the
means by which Maple White and his
Ill fated comrade 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. 1t |
was of such a size that a single man !
could just lit through by STOPPING. For /.
fifty yards 1t ran almost straight into /
the rock. and then it assembled at an /
angle Of forty-fve. 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.
It's blocked" said he.
Clustering behind him. we saw in the /
yellow field Of light wall of broken |
basalt which extended to the ceiling.
The roof has fallen in"
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. It was evident that the
obstacle was far beyond any efforts