The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-06-03
NmNTTEN ~ MonIInnelI

CHAPTER Nv Continued
Never was our expedition in none
Imminent danger OF complete an.
utilization. The Inflated memhi5pe
: SHOT up with fusbml velocity into
tbe air I'M an instant Challenger
Nus pulled OF his feet and dnggcd
after b. I had inst time 90 throw
: luy sums round DTS ascending waist
. when I was myself whipped mp into
,nr ava. Lord John had me with
a rattnp grip round the legs but
lsfelt that Do also was coming on
the ground For moment / had
(. a vision Of four adventures float.
: ms like a string on sausagcs over
:. thc land that they had explored
- But happily, there were limits TO
the strain which tho rope would
stand tho none apparently TO the
: hning powers Of this Internal ma.
> Chine. There was sharp crack.
!. and We were la a heap upon the
sEround with coils OF rope all over
us. When we were able 90 staggcr
10 our feet Nc SAW lar OF Ia the
deep blue SKY one dark spot where
tiie lump OF uisalt was speeding
upon It's way.
"Splcndid.' cried the undaunted
: Challenger rubbing his injured
arm. a most thoro and satisfac.
:. tory demonstration! I could not
have anticipated such q success,
Within a week. gentlemen. | pro,
niso that second balloon viii DO
prepared. and that you can count
upon taking in safety and comfort
- The first stage OF our homcWard
!. Journey
= 80 FAR | have written each %
tlie foregoing events as il occurred.
Vow am rounding of my nara.
tive from the old camp, whore Fam.
DO has waited SO long. with on our
difficulties and dangers left like
dream behind us upon tho summit
OF those vast rudy craEs which
tower above our heads. We have
descended In safety. tho IN mos,
unexpected fashion, and all is well
with us. In SIX weeks or two
months We shall he in London. and
II, Is possible that this letter may
not reach you much earlier than
NC do ourselves. Already our
hearts yearn and our spirits 1y
towards tho great mother city
which holds so much that is dear
to Us,
II was on the very evening OF our
perilous adventure with ChalIcngcr's
homemade balloon that the change
came IN our fortunes. | have said
that the one person from whom
We had had some sign OF sympathy
IN our attempts 90 set away was
the young chief whom We had res.
cued. He alone had no desire to
hold Us against our will IN a
strange land. He had told Us as
much By his expressive language
OF signs. That evening. after dusk.
he came down 10 our little camp.
handed me flor some reason he had
always shown hts attentions 10 me.
perhaps because was the one who
was nearest his agcl small roll OF
the bark OF a tree, and then point.
ing solemnly up az the row OF
caves above him. he had put his
finger to his lips as a sign Of
secrecy and had stolen hack again
to his people.
took the slip OF bark to the
freight and we examined IL 20.
ycther I WIS about a foot square.
and on the inner side there was a
singular arrangement or lines
(which here reproduce:
They we're neatly done in charcoal
upon the white surface, and looked
20 me at first sight like some sort
of rough musical score.
whatever It is. I can swear that
II is Of Importance TO u.s." said /.
4 could read that on his face as he
give H."
..'unless We have come upon
primitive practical joker" Summer.
Ice suggested. which j should
think would be one or the most Gle.
mentary develops OF man"
IT is clearly some sort OF script"
said Challenger
Looks like guinea puzzle com.
petition" remarked Lord John.
cranlng his neck to have a look al
q. Then suddenly he stretched out
his hand and seized the puzzle.
by George he cried. II he.
.lieve I've got IT, The boy guessed
right the very first time. Sec herel
How many marks are on that
paper7 Eighteen. Well. IL you
come to think OF It there are IS