The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-01-08

! for it sounds like an incident from a
nightmare.
| 'Heralded by a rumbling sound
which was perceptible above the roar
| of the fire below, the center block in
the roof slid open.
| LAS if conjured up by magic, a
monstrous column of blue flame arose
| swept up scorchingly. and licked like
the tongue of a hungry dragon upon
! the roof Of the cavern Instantly the
trap was closed again; the tongue Of
! fire dropped back into the lake from
which it had arisen on the draugha
OF air.
and right past me where I stood
rigid with horror, looking through
those bars, fell a white-robed figure
whether man or woman 1 could not
determine! Down. down into the fiery
pit, a hundred feet below!
zone long drawn, dying Shrek
reached my ears.
''Of my return to the place at which
I had left my bundle and rifle retain
absolutely not one recollection. was
aroused from q sort of stupor OF hor-
ror by the sight Of a faint light NOV
ing across the platform ahead of me.
as I was about to emerge from the
tunnel
1T was the light of a lantern, car
ried by a man who might have been
the double of that yellow-rObed men,
dicant who had first unconsciously
led me to this accursed place.
"As the light of the lantern was
-,
nv bundle and rife and set out to
follow the man. Four PAGES brought
ne TO the foot OF more steps. I walked
berefooted, frequently pausing to lis
ten There were many carvings upon
the walls. but had no leisure to ex-
anime them.
Contrary to my anticipations. how
ever, there were no branches in this
zigzag staircase, which communicated
directly with the top of the lofty
plateau. When presently I felt the
fresh mountain air upon my face, I
wondered why 1 could perceive no
light ahead OF me. Yet the reason
was simple enough.
"Since I had passed through that
strange water-gate to the City Of
Fire, the day had ended. It was night.
And when, finding no further steps
ahead OF me, 1 passed along a level,
narrow corridor for some ten PAGES
and, looking upward, saw the stars, I
was astounded.
THE yellow-robed man had disap
peared. and I stood alone. looking
down upon that secret city which 1
had cOrne S0 far TO see
'I found myself standing in deep I'M
dergrowth, and, perssing this gently
aside, I saw a wonderful spectacle.
Away to my left was a great white
marble building. which I judged to be
a temple; and forming a crescent be
fore 1t was a miniature town, each
white-walled house surrounded by a
garden. It was Damascus reduced 20
fairy dimensions, a spectacle quite I'M
forgettable.
THE fact which made the whole
think awesome and unreal was the
presence. along the top Of the temple
(which. like that of Hatshepsu at DER
el-Bahari,' seemed to be hewn out OF
the living rock. but was faced with
white marble) Of seven giant fam
beaux, each surmounted by a darting
tongue Of blue flame.
II was afraid to move too far from
the mouth Of the TUNNEL, but never
theless, was anxious to obtain a good
view Of the little city at my feet. Gin
gerly, moved forward, ever craning
out for a glimpse Of the buildings
more Immediately below me. forget
full OF the fact that walked upon the
brink Of a precipice.
Suddenly my outstretched foot
failed to touch ground. I clutched
wildly at the bushes around me. Their
roots were not firm in the shallow
soil, and, enveloped like some pagan
god in mass Of foliage, toppled over
the cliff and fellr'