Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-26
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
DISCOVERING A CAVE
By JOHANN n. WYSS.

Johann Rudolf wyss, iTsl-isso, Was
famous Swiss author. HIS book The
Swiss Family Robinson" has become
ncuseheia s.l. ,,, the ,h ssss1sst1s
and how they exist alone. aided only by
the fathers knowledge OF natural MIS-
tory. botany and other scientine SUP
I resolved 70 contrive some safe and
stable Winter quarters before the ar.
rival Of the next rainy season. FTitz
proposed that We should hollow out
cave in the rock, and though the DIM
culties such an undertaking would pre-
sent appeared almost insurmountable,
! vet determined 10 make the attempt.
We might not, thought. hew out q
cavern OF sufticient size to serve as q
room, but we might at least make q
cellar for the more valuable and per-
.shaoie OF our stores saved from the
wreck.
on the smooth face Of the perpen-
eicular rock, at the point selected
20 cnisei the cave, drew out In chalk
the sire OF the proposed entrance, and
then, with minds bent on success, We
battered away. Six days Of hard and
incesSant toll made but little impress
sion. ] do not think that the hole
would have been a satisfactory shelter
and were presently rewarded by COM
ing TO a softer and more yielding sub
stance. Our work progressed and our
minds were relieved.
On the tenth day, as our perseyer-
ing blows were falling heavily, Jack,
who was working diligently with ham
n7er and crowbar, shouted:
Gene, father. Fritz my bar has
gone through the mountaini"
Run around and get it" laughed
Fritz. Perhaps il has dropped into
Europe-you must not lose good crow
bar
But, really. it Is through. 1t went
right through the rock. / heard 1t
crash down on the inside. Do come
and see!" he shouted excitedly.
We sprang to his side, and / thrust
the hammer handle into the hole. It
met no opposition. ! could turn it in
any direction chose Fritz handed
me long pole-T tried the depth with
that Nothing could / feel. thin
vail, then. was all that interviewed be-
tween Ms and great cavern.
With . shout OF JOY the boys bat
tered vigorously at the rock. Piece by
piece fen, and soon the hole was large
enough for Us 70 enter. ] stepped near
the aperture, and was about to make
rush Of poisonous air turned me giddy.
and. shouting TO my sons TO stand OF,
] leaned against the rock
When came 70 myself explained
70 them the danger Of approaching
any cavern or other place where the
air has for long time been stagnant
Unless air Is necessarily renewed
It becomes vitiated," said, land fatal
70 those who breathe It, The safest
way OF restoring It to It's original state
Is TO subject It to the action Of IRE.
A few handfuis Of blazing hay thrown
INTO tais hole may, IL the place be small,
Sufnclently purify the air within to al-
Low us 70 enter without danger
We tried the experiment. the fame
vas extinguished the instant 1t entered.
Though bundles Of blazing grass we're
thrown IN, no difference was made.
! saw tnat we must apply some more
emcaciols remedy, and sent the boys
k1or a chest Of signal rockets we had
orougnt down from the wreck We let
my some e1zens Of these fiery serpents,
which wtnt whizzing In, and disap-
peaxed at apparently a vast distance
from U.s. Some few like radiant
naeteors round. lighted up the mighty
circumference and displayed, as by a
n1agicaan6 wand, . sparkling, glittering
roof. They looked like avenging
dragons driving a foul, malignant nend
out OF beauteouS palace.
We waited for a little while after
1nese experiments, and I then again
threw in lighted hay It burned clear
~. The air was purified.
Fritz and enlarged the opening.
while Jack, springing on his buffalo,
Numbered away 10 bear the great and
astonishing news to mis- mother.
Great must have been the effect of
Jacks elonuence on those at home, for
Ane tinabers Of the bridge were soon
again resounding under the swift but
heavy tramp Of his steed: and he was
quickly followed by the rest Of our party
IN the cart.
All we're in the highest state OF en-
element. Jack had slowed in the cart
al the candies he could find. and we
now. lighting these, shouldered our arms
and entered. ! led the way, sounding
the ground A. I advanced With a long
pole, that we might not fall unexpected
ly into any great hole or chasm. Silent
~ we marched. the mother. the boys