The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-07-11

d nave wondered d. Jul IdStS !
e keeping such a pet.
Over the entrance leading t
t the museum and library il
scribed these words: mo admit
; lance for asses.
t The double meaning OF thi
sentence pleased us all immensely
CHAPTER XII
The greatest danger to whicl
we had yet been exposed was nov
over, but there remained mucl
anxiety in my mind lest anothe.
serpent might, unseen by us, hav,
, entered the swamp, or might ap
pear, as this had done, from thu
country beyond Falconhurst.
| projected then two excursions
the first to make a thorough ex
animation of the thicket and MOI
ass; the next right away to the
Gap, through which alone the
arch-enemy could have entered our
territory.
On summoning my sons to &C
company me to the marsh, found
neither Ernest nor Jack very
eager to do so, the latter vowing
he had the cold shivers each
time he thought how his ribs
might have been smashed by the
last flap of the snakes tail; but
l did not yield to their reluctance,
and we finally set about crossing
the marsh by placing planks and
wicker hurdles on the ground, and
changing their places as we adj
vanced.
Nothing was discovered beyond
tracks in the weeds and the crea-
lures lair; where the rushes,
grass, and bog-plants were beaten
down.
Emerging beyond the thicket we
found ourselves on firm ground,
near the PERCEPTIONS wall of rock,
and perceived a clear sparkling
brook flowing from an opening,
which proved to be a cave or
grotto of considerable size.
The vaulted roof was covered
with stalactites, while many form
ed stately pillars, which seemed
as though supporting the roof.
The floor was strewn with fine
snow-white earth, with a smooth
soapy feeling, which I felt o
vipoa6 wac f1,1Iorfc oartb
well, this is a pleasant dis
~covery!" said 1. This is as good
as soap for washing, and will save
me the trouble Of turning soap
boiler"
P~erceiving that the streamlet
flowed from an opening OF some
width in the inner rock, Fritz
passed through in order to trace
it to it's source, presently shout
ing to me that the opening widen
ed very much, and begging me
to follow him.
did so, leaving the other boys
in the outer cave, and fired a
pistol-shot-the reverberating ech-
oes of which testified to the great
extent of he place; and lighting
the bit of candle | always carried
with me, we advanced, the light
burning clear and steadily, though
shedding a very feeble light in SO
vast a space.
Suddenly Fritz exclaimed:
q verify believe this is a sec
ond cave of salt! See how the
walls glance! and how the light is
reflected from the roof"
These cannot be salt crystals"
said l; "the water which flows
over them leaves no track, and
tastes quite sweet. I am rather
inclined to believe that we have
penetrated into a cave of rock
crystal"
ooh, how splendid! Then we
have discovered a great treasure
Certainly, if we could make
any use of it; otherwise, in
situation, it is about as valuable
as the lump of gold found by
good old Robinson Crusoe."
Anyway, will break off a
a fine bit, only rather dull, and
piece for a specimen. See, here is
not transparent; what a pity!
must knock off another"
you must go more carefully TO
work, or it will look IS dull as
the first. You destroyed its true
form, which is that of a pyramid,
six sides or faces"
We remained some time in this
interesting grotto, but our light
burnt low after we had examined
it in different directions; and
having secured a large lump,
exhibited several crystals
in perfection, we quilted the
place, Fritz discharging a farewell
shot for the sake of hearing the
grand echoes.
On reaching the open air we
saw poor Jack sobbing bitterly,
but as soon as we appeared he
joyfully toward us, and threw
into my arms.
MY child, what is the natter"
cried anxiously.
ooh, | thought you were lost!
[ heard a noise twice, as if the
rocks had shattered down; and
you and Fritz were crush
I'd in the ruinsi It was horrible!