The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-02-20

.E l s1EhE was LnaL taWuy-SkluneO
= half-breed a-stalking along about
six steps ahead of me in the moon
light" The captain had started one
If his famous yarns and every boy Of
MS ten listeners sat in rapt attention.
The captain relighted his pipe, then
1;he story went on.
Imagine now. if you can, my situa-
ion: Here | was in the heart Of
:ropical forest. It seemed the, man
Who led me either was gone crazy, or
Else we were being pursued by some
Invisible spirit, native Of these wild
launts. On top Of this, remember
that the man with me spoke not one
word Of any language which could
understand. I was lost entirely; and
more afraid than would have cared
at the time to admit.
'The plan had been that the native
was to lead me by secret path into
the rear part of the great temple
which sheltered the idol we sought.
Once inside, l was to find the idol and
also see If there was any way which
could let in my three comrades who
we're supposedly waiting in boat on
the river bank. at the front side Of the
great temple, to which spot they had
oeen guided by another of the natives
earlier in the evening.
"As I stumbled on through the for
est this plan now looked like the very
widest and most foolhardy of schemes.
at was in this frame of mind, with
a perspiring brow, and heart heavy
as stone, that l at last reached the
edge Of the great clearing In which
the temple stood.
THE whole scene before me was
lighted In shadowy way by the moon
which was about one-quarter full.
Before leaving the seashore had
put on the. clothing Of a native.
"Since was so we'll disguised. my
indian guide found small trouble in
taking me along with himself into the
temple. Once inside, l did my best
to find out the things had been sent
to learn. The main room of the tenn
pie was great. square, box-like sort
of place, with pillars of hewn stone,
and rows of idols on each side. None
Of these idols was like the one for
which sought. The one looked for
was said to be the chief idol of all the
minor ones. The Great Smiler' was
the native name for him. No. white
To-, M
rould say exactly what he was like.
But it was known that in some way
a fortune in precious jewels was dis
played ON his body.
which stood several priests, evidently
set there as guards. were seated with
their backs to the wall and all of them
asleep and. snoring deeply. Stepping
across the very bodies OF some of them
made my way at last into separate
chamber. This was hung all about
with Grapes and a monstrous big idol
was at the far end of it. As stood
looking about me. bell In some dis
tant part of the temple began to
chime. Almost at once there followed
the sound of sandaled feet coming to-
ward me- The best thing saw to do
vas to slip behind one OF the hanging
drapes.
"Tien viewed one of the strangest
sights it has ever fallen my lot to cast
eyes on. About eight or ten of the
head priests came shuffling into the
room. They chanted some barbaric lay
which rose higher and higher in pitch.
At the last note they threw themselves
on their faces. After they were down.
Il great lamp was placed behind the
head of the idol by the high priest.
Then this priest fused about behind
the idols back and must have worked
some hidden spring. The mouth Of
the idol suddenly swung open. /
caught my breath, and almost cried
aloud. The entire inside of the idols
great mouth and throat was encrusted
with precious stones.
'FThe priests on the floor rose to
their knees Slowly they raised their
eyes to the face of the Great Smiler.
At word from the high priest they
all cried out together and once more
fell prone upon the floor. The great
stone jaws of the idol were clamped
together. The lamp was blown out.
Then at, word from the high priest
all silently departed.
Later, made my way from the
place unnoticed. 1t seemed the guards.
trusted the Great Smiler to take good
care of himself When the men who
were waiting heard my story they
thought it best to delay until some
plans could be made TO break open
the idols massive stone head. We
went back TO our ship. AS far as
know, the idol is there. in the same
place. today"