Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-27
KINGS PARTY FINISHES EXPLORATION
OF THE CAVE OF HUMAN SKULLS

made our way to the narrow passaa
through which we had passed as w
entered in single file and as l had bea
first in, I was last going out feet fore
most, in order to meet any hob goblt
that might appear face to face. Wha
we arrived at the boulder we foun
Duane sound asleep and the skeleton
had brought from the cave of skull
still where I had left it.
We at once started for the entrano
where we could soon see the light of tn
lantern glimmering in the distance lih
a twinkling star. When we arrived
the entrance we found several Of TIL
Transfers forming rescuing party
and they had large amount Of torchd
and such other things as might "
needed. Irish Mike was in charge Of tn
party and we were all glad to reach tn
outer world once more.
| We started for camp where we SCOT
arrived and after chuckin up we weN
all soon in blankets bound for the LIANT
of dreams. We had plenty of wood ant
pure spring water. but our food supply
kept growing rapidly less, but so long 81
wild meat could be had there was nj
danger of starving. 1t appeared to mi
as If had just closed my eyes whel
l was awakened and told 1t was tim(
| to be up and going. ! was on my fed
| in jiffy. The herd was coming II
and the morning meal was ready ant
was soon dispatched and in short orde
| we We're once more headed toward thu
setting sun. The weather was fine ant
good water was plentiful. but grazinl
was poor and we were compelled Il
| conserve our mules strength to the beA
| advantage.
| On our third day after leaving thu
| camp OF human bones we were travel
ing through a country dotted with mani
| small earth domes upon which grew =
heavy growth OF cactus and bear grasi
and about mid day a cloud Of dust ap.
peared on the horizon to the southwest
| and appeared to be bearing down di.
| rectly on our outfit. Nothing save dust
could be seen through our glasses bu!
| soon the dust cloud swerved from iti
course and was waited away by gem
tie breeze leaving in plain view about
| one-fourth Of mile distant, herd OF
animals. the like Of which we had not
seen enroute thus far.
They were a fine drove OF elk. but az
we were not in need Of wild meat. we,
refrain from doing any shooting. There
| was on magnificent beast that APP
preached within easy gunshot and he
remained standing on a small uplift
and as he shifted the air and paved the
earth he seemed to proclaim himself
| exalted ruler of this tribe and seemed
: to welcome US as new candidates for a
good social time. examined the grand
animal through my glass and he was
| fine specimen of the elk tribe. handed
| Irish Mike the field glass and after sur
veying the animal for brief moment.
he returned the glass saying that it was
| the devil with horns on.
The noble animal viewed us for some
time as we moved along and then with
an apparently welcoming shake Of his
mighty antlers, he trotted back to join
his clan. They filed across our bow,
travelling toward the mountain and as
they did so we counted them carefully
and found three hundred and forty
seven as fine elks as ever wore antlers.
| James King
In my next letter l think we will
have good luck far from home