Evening star., 1933-03-19
BY ". BOYCE MORGAN.
INSTALLMENT v,


-H HEY gazed in silence at the powder
horn which Bob had found, while
its significance penetrated their
minds. Keith was the first to speak.
but why do you suppose we found
it here, when there are no bones,
or anything?" he inquired.
Probably somebody dropped it while looking
for way out of the cave" Bob suggested.
According to Mary Peabody's story, you re-
member the women and children we're In the
cave for three days before they discovered
that the entrance was closed up. Then they
searched frantically for a way out, while their
food supply grew smaller and smaller. And
Mary was the only one who ever got out
But we still aren't sure this Is the same
cave although the powder horn makes it look
that way" Jean said. Lets try the other end
of this passage, you suggested, Bob"
It took them only few moments to retrace
their steps to the point at which they had
entered the broad passage. Bob picked up the
dropped stone chips as they proceeded so that
they should not be confused when they fol-
lowed their trail back out.
A ND as they moved in the other direction
downstream, as Bob called 1.-THE wis
dom Of the stone chips was apparent. For
soon they ran into regular labyrinth of pas
sages, going off from this main one at all
angles Meanwhile the going became harder,
the roof got lower and finally they came to q
place where the underground stream which
they were following ran under ledge Of rock
and disappeared. Above it was a hole less
than feet square, while other passages
led off at either side
THAT hole doesn't look very inviting" Bob
said, "but think we'd better go that way
instead Of trying any of these side passages.
RYRa~ A114n H~l
the stream. ard if this is Lost Cavern We can
be sure that the women and children hiding
here would have stayed near water"
This seemed like good reasoning, so Bob led
the way into the narrow hole It was nece6-
sary for him to proceed on hands and knees,
with the others following close after him.
Jean still held the light, and they still had
the rope wound about their wrists for greater
safety.
1t was hard work. scrambling through the
narrow passage and it was made more dim
cult by the fact that it led downhill dropping
deeper and deeper into the bowels of the earth
But Bob's judgment was justified when, a few
moments later they heard the tinkle Of water.
A dozen yards farther along the Underground
along the passage.
But here it filled almost the whole floor.
and there was only the narrowest ledge along
which they could walk. However, the height
Of the roof made it no longer necessary to
crawl on hands and knees.
\A/ITH redoubled caution, they made their
w way along the narrow ledge clinging to
the cavern wall and staying close together.
And 50 they came finally to another large
room, filled with formations of inspiring
beauty.
But it was not the grandeur Of the rocks
that thrilled them this time. AS they emerged
into the chamber, Bob pointed excitedly to the
other side.
'IOOk!" he cried. There are stairs cut out
of the rock! I'll bet they lead up to the surface,
and this was the entrance by which the old
settlers got into the cavern to protect them
selves from the Indians"
They rushed across the room and excitedly