Evening star., 1925-01-13
CONTINUED from Yesterdays starr

We padded deeper into the cavern.
and found that it extended the whole
width of the plateau in a winding
course of waterway. At the other
side, the south, egress was given by
an opening with little headroom TO a
small creek joining the backater of
the Rio Innominata. There vas some
flow of water from the fan to this
outlet, but the main run was to the
northern opening. The land about
the plateau was very fiat.
We returned and our leader showed
the way into cave near the main en-
trance on the west side. We had to
climb into this cave, which was so
close to the plateau side that light
uercolated through from the open by
several cracks. The cave was one of
a series on the same level. high and
dry, and apparently well ventilated.
These. it was easy 10 decide, would
be the living quarters of the crew
when it was formed.
While Higgins and Grum stock
brought out stores into the living
cave by means of a hastily rugged
block and tackle, I found a pick-ax
and began to widen one of the
crevices to the open air. 1t was easy
labor, for the rock here was friable
and l soon had hewn a bigEish win
dow permitting view of the cup
like hollow TO the north of the
plateau. The stores were brought up.
Grumstock and Higgins fell to set
ting out shipshape sleeping quarters
and presently TO cooking a meal. We
passed the night in better conditions
than either the master or myself had
ever experienced among the upper
waters of the Amazon. We were
thousands of miles from the nearest
civilization, right in the heart of
virgin forest, and as cut off from the
knowledge of man as if we had been
in another world.
In the morning. after an invigorat-
ing plunge and swim in the clear
cool waters of the cave, we set about
forming a laboratory for our chief.
We had wood with which to set
up benches, so we cut deep ledge
into one of the walls of the cave and
shoveled the debris out of the win
dow opening. When we had made
good enough ledge 10 set out all the
instruments and the plant our leader
required and had undercut it go that
he could have comfort in standing
close, we leveled the floor.
Meantime the chief had been ex
ploring alone. Grumstock. with his
ready wit had fixed thole pins in
the after part of the canoes thwarts
and had provided a long paddle oar
so that the master could maneuver
the little craft with his single hand.
He had been away several hours and
] was beginning to think it time l
went in search of him when he re-
turned.
Gould you spare half an hour from
your labors, Seton, to come with me-?
he asked.
Certainly, sir
II shall require a wide-necked
nd Cllph q
thing, Grumstock?'
Il dunno about a bottle, sir" the
seaman said doubtfully. What about
q pickle-jar. sir?"
.'Excellent-if it has stopper"
stopper. sir-yes, sir. It's got one
of them that works with a lever
expanding thing. sir said Grum-
stock, with an air of being metIcu-
lously accurate to the man of science.
The seaman washed the jar care
fully and with this and a bundle of
candles we set out.
L have found light gas, Seton.
the master explained. in one of the
high caves beyond the fall. I was
climbing up into it with the naked
light of a candle when suddenly /
found difficulty in breathing and the
candle went out. l quickly retreated
and now we are about to take a
sample l need your two hands and
strong lungs"
We were padding across the main
cavern and he stopped over the side
10 the water and filled the jar which
lac carefully stoppered. We lanaed
on the eastern side and began to climb
into sort of tunnel, he leading. e
had mounted some distance when sud
denly his candle went out and he
came back hurriedly. We now were
outside a smaliish cave above the
level so I imagined, of the main
cavern roof.
Now. Seton" the chief said, this
Is what l want You to do. Take the
pickle jar How long could you hold
Your breath"
About half minute, pfopaols
more"
That will do. I want you to run
ND into the gas holding your breath.
{afse the jar above your mead anu
let the water pour out. Keep the jar
mouth down and as soon as IT is
empty of water stopper H. 1neh
come back as quickly as posslple.
II understand, sir.
The idea is to get as far into the
gas as is safe
Two steps higher when your candle
goes out will do. Just see how long
You can do without breath
| tested myself with the stop-hand
of my watch, and found l couiu 90
45 seconds easily
Excellent Now, don't run any
risks. Tn not powerful enough TO
drag you out. you understand?
Right, sir. I'll take care.
l took the candle and the jar, ana
began to climb. holding the light over
my head. AS soon as the light went
out | dropped the candle and took
breath easily. then ran up about four
PAGES | let the water out of the jar
as / held it up, and quickly replaced
the stopper. l retreated with some
wind to spare.
''WeT done, Seton cried the master.
And now to see the nature of the
gas. 1t is light and l should say
inert"
We returned to the cave in the cliff,
and spent the rest of the day in ar
ranging the scientific instruments,
helping our chief to prepare for his
first test of the gas. He explained
that it could not be a thorough test,
but that he might be able determine
the nature of the stuff.
That night l retired to the cavern
where the two seamen slept, and
turned in alongside them, leaving our
leader working by lamplight.
In the early morning | wakened TO
find him standing by my bedside.
Seton" he said, II believe we have
discovered a new light uninflammable
- and | ;bink we have enough to