Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1916-01-22
CHAPTER MI
IfntOmbed.

For some time we proceeded in
silence, keeping as much as possible IN
the shelter of the forest which upon
our right crowded the path with the
river upon our left and the glare of
the volcano behind and above us. We
went in single file, our now ally III
front, l close behind, alert for any
signs of treachery and Cross and Ben
saba bringing up the rear.
After about a mile we came to
wooden bridge which spanned the
stream, here considerably narrowed
On the farther bank was only mar
row fringe of trees, while beyond, not
moro than a quarter of a mile away,
lowered the black wall of the cliffs, IN
the face of which tWinkled the lights
which Ben Saba's keen eyes had
deserted from the base of the pinnacle
where we had SO nearly met our
deaths.
"There, mein Herr said the Ger
man, stopping and pointing to the
lights, the prison is of the Herr
Baldwin. The chamber where he con-
fined is is where you the light see
farthest north and low down.
And the lady who was brought here
this morning, where is she?" | asked.
"She is the chamber in where you
the light see above the Herr Bald
wins"
THAT ] will show you. Come"
Following our guide across the
bridge and through the belt of trees
that fringed the farther shore, we
presently emerged upon grassy slope
leading downward from the foot OF
the cliffs to the river. Waking rap
idly, Zarnhorst led the way up the
slope, keeping a little to the right OF
the direct line. About half way be-
tween the cliff and the river stood
conical mound, so regular in form
that it might have been built by the
hand of man. Here the little German
halted. and pointing to the left
There, mein Herr, you may the
steps see leading to the cliff city where
lived the Indians you have TINS nlght
departing from the valley seen; and
that SO rude stairway also leads to
dhe caves and rock-heWn chambers
where our brotherhood their strong
hold have. But ] another entrance
know, north from the stairway, which
is from ancient days, and to me alone
known and TO the Indian, Cherakis.
| had time while Zarnhorst was
speaking to look about me, following
his gestures. In front, and little to
the left, / could see in the red semi
darkness a vast creVasse high up IN
+he face of the cliff, and make out in
fantastic patterns of red light and
black shadow the vague outlines OF
terraced buildings resembling the
architecture of the Pueblos, while
leading downward from the crevasse
q steep stairway, heWn in the face of
the cliff. descended to the grassy slope
scarce two hundred yards from where
we stood. This, then. was the very
heart of the stronghold of the PIRATES
of the Sky. the den of the demons
who had filled half the world win
inc
ceased speaking, l looked back upon
the way we had come. From where
Iya stood we had a fair view of the
valley. and | thought as ! looked upon
il that in the glory of troplc night
il would have been most oeautltul.
But now, in the red, smoky murk
through which the volcanic llShlnlnSs
flickered, and which the threat of
more dreadful doom seemed to per-
wade, it seemed a place of weird, ter
rifle shadows, a fiery Gehenna, fitting
home for such as were its inhabitants.
Turning to Zarnhorst, | said;
This is terrible place and yet
more terrible things are about to nap
pen in it. The sooner we make our
wav in yonder," pointing to the cliff.
"and out again. If out we are 10 COME
the better. Come
"Right. right, mein Herr! ! also
think that things more terrible 10
happen are. Herr Gott.'
From the crevasse in the cliff rifle
shot rang out, followed by a yell OF
rage and a clamor of voices In furious
altercation, which reached us even
where we stood. The next instant, and
evidently in response to the throwing
of an electric switch, the crevasse was
flooded with light which streamed out
across the valley, adding its bizarre
brilliance to the eerie terrors of the
volcanic fires.
lTo he Cnntinued.l