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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a9438e4 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #67866 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/67866) diff --git a/old/67866-0.txt b/old/67866-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 299a22e..0000000 --- a/old/67866-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,12002 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Wolf-Men, by Frank Powell - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The Wolf-Men - A Tale of Amazing Adventure in the Under-World - -Author: Frank Powell - -Release Date: April 18, 2022 [eBook #67866] - -Language: English - -Produced by: an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer. - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOLF-MEN *** - - - - - -[Illustration: “FOR AN INSTANT IT HUNG POISED, THEN THUNDERED - DOWNWARD” - _Frontispiece_ (_p. 27._)] - -THE WOLF-MEN -A Tale of Amazing Adventure -In the Under-world - BY - FRANK POWELL - - _WITH EIGHT FULL-PAGE_ - _ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR_ - -CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED -LONDON, PARIS, NEW YORK AND MELBOURNE. MCMVI -All Rights Reserved - - - - - CONTENTS. - PAGE -PROLOGUE 1 -CHAPTER I. AT THE MERCY OF CONSPIRATORS 5 -CHAPTER II. HOW HAVERLY FOILED THE BOAT-STEALERS 12 -CHAPTER III. BEYOND THE GREAT BARRIER 21 -CHAPTER IV. TRAPPED! 32 -CHAPTER V. OVER THE CATARACT’S BRINK 38 -CHAPTER VI. THE LAND OF ETERNAL TWILIGHT 45 -CHAPTER VII. A REMARKABLE DISCOVERY AND ITS SEQUEL 55 -CHAPTER VIII. THE ELK-HUNTERS 61 -CHAPTER IX. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE “SEAL” 69 -CHAPTER X. THE COMING OF THE GREAT FISH-LIZARD 76 -CHAPTER XI. HOW HILTON ESCAPED FROM THE WOLF-MEN 83 -CHAPTER XII. “GEHARI--THE WILY ONE” 91 -CHAPTER XIII. THE FATE OF MERVYN 97 -CHAPTER XIV. “RAHEE THE TERRIBLE!” 105 -CHAPTER XV. FOR A FRIEND’S LIFE 112 -CHAPTER XVI. HOW HAVERLY CHECKED THE STAMPEDE 119 -CHAPTER XVII. A DUEL TO THE DEATH 126 -CHAPTER XVIII. THE SINKING POOL 133 -CHAPTER XIX. THE FIRE GULF 140 -CHAPTER XX. THE LAST OF THE AYUTIS 147 -CHAPTER XXI. “SUNSHINE!” 154 -CHAPTER XXII. THE TERROR OF THE JUNGLE 164 -CHAPTER XXIII. MUSWANI--MONSTER-FIGHTER 173 -CHAPTER XXIV. A GLIMPSE OF THE UPPER WORLD 180 -CHAPTER XXV. SEYMOUR’S FALL 189 -CHAPTER XXVI. THE FASCINATION OF THE PRIEST 195 -CHAPTER XXVII. IN THE VAULTS 202 -CHAPTER XXVIII. IN THE WOLF-MEN’S HAUNTS 207 -CHAPTER XXIX. RAHEE ASSISTS THE FUGITIVES 215 -CHAPTER XXX. THE SCROLL OF NEOMRI 222 -CHAPTER XXXI. “THE ‘SEAL!’” 229 -CHAPTER XXXII. THE DOOM OF NORDHU 236 -CHAPTER XXXIII. THE INVENTOR’S STORY 243 -CHAPTER XXXIV. ON THE CREST OF THE TIDAL WAVE 248 -CHAPTER XXXV. INTO THE SUNLIGHT 256 - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - -“For an instant it hung poised, then thundered downward” - _Frontispiece_ -“The next moment the rope parted behind him” - _To face p._ 92 -“The brute swung round and leapt again, missing his mark -by a bare three inches” 116 -“Amid the hideous forms of the Wolf-men the Ayuti towered -as a god” 148 -“The great saurian, reeling from the impact, lurched over -upon his side” 174 -“‘See, I have brought their weapons’” 180 -“‘Back, you dogs!’ he roared. ‘A step further and your priest -dies!’” 216 -“Scuttling down to the water’s edge with the giant elk pounding -along behind him” 234 - - - - - THE WOLF-MEN. - - PROLOGUE. - - -“YOU’LL come, then?” - -Professor James Mervyn’s voice quivered with eagerness as he put -this question to his companion, Sir William Seymour, in a private room -of a large London hotel. The baronet, a man in the prime of life, over -six feet in height, and broad in proportion, his bearded face tanned -by many a year of travel under a tropical sun, rose, and paced the -chamber for some moments ere answering. - -“Yes, I’ll come,” he said at length. “I had made all arrangements -to leave England to-morrow for a spell in India; but that must slide. -I can’t miss this chance of a trip to the Pole. But now tell me -something more of this wonderful idea of yours.” - -The professor’s spare form seemed to dilate with scientific zeal, -and his eyes flashed as he commenced to speak. - -“To begin at the beginning,” he said. “I have had the idea in my -mind for some years, but until the last six months I saw no chance of -putting it into execution. Although my theory has been ridiculed and -laughed to scorn by most, if not all, of my colleagues, yet I am still -convinced that it is not only feasible, but that it is the only way in -which the secret of the Pole, so jealously guarded by Dame Nature, may -be wrested from her grasp. - -“This was my line of reasoning: that it would be possible for a -properly equipped submarine vessel to dive beneath the great ice -barrier, and so reach the open sea which we know exists beyond. But -the submarines of the day were in no way suitable for the attempt. -Mere toys in size, and in some instances proving veritable death-traps -to their unfortunate crews, of what use were these to cope with the -perils of the Arctic seas? So my theory remained dormant until, some -weeks ago, I received a letter from Garth Hilton. You remember what a -fellow Garth always was for making model boats?” - -Seymour nodded affirmatively. - -“Well,” Mervyn continued, “it seems that he has had his old -school chum, Tom Wilson, the engineer, staying with him at Hilton -Manor for several months, and between them they have managed to -construct a submarine, which, if it but answer their expectations, -will prove the very thing I have been waiting for all these years. -This is Garth’s description of his craft,” and, extracting a letter -from the depths of a bulky note-book, Mervyn read as follows: - -“Total length, three hundred and fifty feet; beam, fifty feet; -torpedo-shaped, with turret or wheelhouse, from which the vessel is -governed, in centre of deck. Tanks for submerging or raising; air -reservoirs for supply whilst beneath the surface; liquid air engines, -a patent of Wilson’s, maximum speed of which is forty-five knots per -hour upon the surface, and thirty submerged.” - -“Whew!” The professor’s companion whistled in his astonishment at -this last statement. - -“Liquid air engines!” he said. “Why, I always thought that liquid -air was a powerful explosive agent?” - -“True,” returned Mervyn; “but you must also remember that steam -becomes an explosive when compressed, as witness the recent boiler -explosion, so that is no argument against the use of liquid air as a -propelling power.” - -“But I don’t quite see----” the baronet began in a puzzled tone. - -“Let me try to make it clear to you,” interrupted Mervyn. “Though -but eighteen, young Tom Wilson is already recognised as an authority -on the subject of liquid air and its capabilities as a propelling -agent. As you will recollect, his father was a famous engineer, and -the family talent appears to have descended to the lad. - -“Ever since he left school Tom has been working on his engines, -lack of funds alone preventing him from perfecting them before now. -With financial aid from Garth, however, he has at last been enabled to -complete them, and I give you my word they are the finest set of -engines I have ever been privileged to examine. - -“The huge boiler is somewhat similar in shape to that of an -ordinary marine engine, but is much larger, and contains a number of -immense tubes, in which is stored the liquefied air. From these the -stuff works direct upon the powerful cylinders. Heat, of course, is -entirely unnecessary; in fact, it would shatter the whole affair to -atoms, liquid air being many degrees colder than ice. - -“The first two gallons of the stuff cost Garth six hundred pounds -to make; but there the expense ends, the engines drawing their own -supplies from the air as they work.” - -“Wonderful!” Seymour cried; “and the vessel does forty-five knots -to the hour, you say? What will the world think of it when the news -becomes public?” - -“The news will never become public,” retorted the scientist, “if -we can avoid it. Garth has taken the greatest care to prevent the -facts leaking out. All his workers are picked men, and have been sworn -to secrecy with regard to the nature of the vessel upon which they are -engaged.” - -“It will leak out,” asserted Seymour, “despite his precautions. A -thing of that sort cannot remain a secret long. The very secrecy will -attract the attention of the curiously inclined.” - -“Exactly,” returned Mervyn, “that is what we are afraid of. -Already, it seems, some hint of the matter has reached the Continent, -in spite of Garth’s care. Two days ago I ran down to the Manor to look -over the boat ere the final details were completed, and while there, -Garth called my attention to a couple of suspicious-looking -characters--foreigners, evidently--who, he said, had been -hanging round the village for some days. Still, I think there is -little to fear. The dock where the submarine floats is guarded night -and day.” - -The scientist refolded the inventor’s letter, and replaced it, -ere resuming the conversation. - -“Of course, what I have read to you is a very bald statement of -the facts. When I went down I confess I was surprised at the singular -beauty of the craft. She is built of steel throughout, and furnished -in a most luxurious manner; in fact, she must have cost Garth a -fortune.” - -“When do you start?” questioned Seymour. - -“Within three days,” was the answer, “if the trial trip proves -satisfactory. You will come down for that, I suppose? Then there is -the affair of the christening to be gone through--we have not yet -decided on a name for the vessel.” - -“There will be room for a weapon or two, I suppose? I should feel -lost without my guns.” - -“Bring a whole armoury if you like,” replied Mervyn, smiling, -“though I doubt if you will find much scope for your sporting -instincts in the icy realms of the north. There is a special chamber -fitted up as an armoury aboard the vessel, and there are racks in the -turret in which a few weapons will be kept in case of emergency. Oh, I -forgot to tell you--Silas is coming.” - -“What!” cried Seymour, “Silas Haverly? That’s good. He’s always -ready for any adventure that may turn up. Is he down at Hilton -now?” - -“No,” returned the scientist; “he goes down to-morrow.” - -He pulled out his watch as he spoke. - -“By Jove!” he cried, “I’ve only twenty minutes to catch the -express. Are you coming down with me?” - -“Yes,” returned the other. “I’ll just leave word for my traps to -be sent on, and then I’m with you.” - -Three minutes later the two men passed out of the hotel entrance, -and, entering a cab, were driven rapidly away into the night. - - - - - CHAPTER I. - - AT THE MERCY OF CONSPIRATORS. - - -SILAS K. HAVERLY, millionaire and explorer, settled himself -comfortably back in the corner of a first-class smoker. He had ten -minutes to wait ere the express--which was to bear him sixty -miles across country to Stanwich, the nearest station to Garth -Hilton’s place--was timed to start. - -To look at him no one would ever have imagined that he was the -owner of a colossal fortune--one of the railway kings of America. -Yet such he was. Starting at the very foot of Fortune’s ladder, he had -worked his way upward, until he owned the greater part of the vast -network of rails upon which he had worked as a boy. - -A wiry figure of a man he was, with endurance written all over -him. He had a cool, determined face, and the firm set of his chin -revealed the dogged resolution which had enabled him to amass one of -the largest fortunes in the world. Altogether, he was not a man with -whom one would care to trifle. - -“H’m!” he muttered, blowing a cloud of smoke from a fragrant -cigar, “I guess I’m having it all to myself this trip.” - -Indeed, it did seem as though he was to travel alone, for the -time of departure arrived, and all the passengers appeared to have -taken their places. There was a whistle from the guard, a warning -shriek from the engine, then the iron monster began to glide out of -the station. As it did so, two men rushed across the platform, flung -open the door of Haverly’s compartment, and, despite the cries of the -officials to “Stand back,” precipitated themselves into the -carriage. - -“Only just in time,” one of them said with an oath, as he slammed -to the door behind him; “it would have been all up with the scheme if -we had missed this train, for----” - -He broke off short as he became aware of the presence of Haverly, -and took his seat, scowling darkly at the American, who appeared to be -blissfully unconscious of the existence of his fellow-travellers. - -Yet already the Yankee had “sized up” the twain as a pair of -rascally adventurers who would stick at nothing to secure the success -of their plans. That they were engaged in some nefarious scheme seemed -plain from the few words that one had let slip as he entered, and the -millionaire wondered what could be the nature of their enterprise. - -In low tones the two conversed as the train sped over the -gleaming rails, rapidly leaving the brick and mortar tentacles of the -London octopus behind. Through the smiling countryside the express -flew, belching forth a blighting, poisonous cloud of smoke, which hung -for a time almost motionless, ere dissolving into the atmosphere, so -still was the evening air. - -The first stop was at Granley, and here Haverly’s companions -alighted. - -“I wonder what their dodge is?” the millionaire muttered, as they -passed down the platform; then an exclamation escaped him. - -Just beneath the seat where the two men had been sitting lay a -crumpled sheet of paper. Promptly Haverly secured this. - -It was a letter. He opened it out quickly, and the first word to -catch his eye was “_submarine”!_ - -Instantly his alert brain grasped the significance of the -discovery. He connected it immediately with a message he had received -from Hilton some days previously, referring to the suspicious -characters hanging about the vicinity of the Manor, and to the fear -that an attempt might be made to steal the boat. At the time he had -dismissed the idea as absurd, but now----! Without further -scruple, he proceeded to make himself master of the contents of the -letter. - -It was brief, but very much to the point, running thus: - -“DEAR FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE,--It is imperative that the affair -be carried -out without delay, as we are advised that the expedition starts within -two days. Once the vessel leaves the dock, not all the plotting in the -world could ever give us possession of her. Therefore it remains for -you, my friend, to carry out your part of the programme with all -speed. You must gain possession of the submarine to-night. Let nothing -hinder you. We hear that Hilton Manor is a lonely house, and four -determined men, well armed, should be able to overcome all resistance -offered by the inventor and his friends. What matter a few lives more -or less, so that our plan succeeds and we attain our object? The -_Night Hawk_ will await you at the appointed spot, outside the -bay. _We remind you of the penalty of failure!”_ - -That was all, but it was enough to startle even the cool-blooded -Yankee for a moment. - -The missive was practically the death-warrant of his friends down -at Hilton, who were even now preparing for departure on their North -Polar trip. Hastily he placed the incriminating sheet in his breast -pocket, wondering the while why the conspirators had left the train, -instead of going straight through to Stanwich. - -Hardly had the thought crossed his mind ere the twain reappeared, -and climbed into the carriage. Haverly noted with secret satisfaction -that they seemed strangely uneasy, glancing about as though searching -for something. - -“Lost anything?” he inquired casually, as the train moved off -again. - -“No,” one of them snarled, but the look with which he favoured -the American made that gentleman glad that he carried a six-shooter in -his pocket. Ere long the express was once more racing over the country -at sixty miles an hour. - -The millionaire’s scoundrelly companions seemed by this time to -have given up their search, for they settled themselves back against -the cushions, muttering together in low tones, which the roar of the -train completely drowned. Haverly, whilst apparently studying the -flying landscape, contrived to keep his eye upon the pair, who had -evidently made up their minds that their fellow-traveller had picked -up their lost letter. - -At length one of them addressed the American. - -“Could you oblige me with a match?” he asked. He produced a -cigar-case as he spoke, and extracted one of the three cigars -within. - -“Pleasure,” muttered the Yankee briefly, offering his match-box -with his left hand, while his right closed menacingly about the haft -of the weapon in his pocket. - -“Thanks,” returned the stranger, “can I offer you a cigar?” and -he passed over his case, from which Haverly selected a weed. - -Some thought of drugged cigars flashed over the Yankee’s mind, -but he dismissed the idea, arguing to himself that the adventurers -could not have foreseen the loss of their letter, so could not have -prepared for it. Yet this good-fellowship did not deceive the -millionaire for a moment. That there was some purpose in the -conspirators’ action he did not doubt; but it would never do to let -the fellows think he feared them. Therefore, keeping a wary eye upon -the movements of the twain, he withdrew his hand from his pocket and -proceeded to light up. - -He was holding a match to the end of the cigar when the -stranger’s hand shot out suddenly. - -Match and cigar were dashed from Haverly’s lips, and a rag, -soaked with some sickly-smelling chemical, was pressed over his mouth -and nose. Holding his breath, he struggled to remove the suffocating -thing, mad that he should have been caught napping when he imagined -himself on the alert for an attack. With all his might he strove, but -the second conspirator came to the aid of his friend, pinioning -Haverly’s arms, and soon the chloroform did its work. Helpless and -unconscious, the Yankee sank back on to the cushions; and while the -express still rattled on at full speed, the two ruffians went through -their victim’s pockets. - -Everything they replaced save the letter they had taken so much -trouble to secure, despising the American’s cash as game too much -beneath them. With repeated applications of the chloroform rag, they -kept Haverly unconscious until the train reached Stanwich. Almost ere -it came to a standstill, they alighted, and, supporting their victim -between them, led him to a train waiting alongside the opposite -platform. - -Into one of the carriages of this they hustled him. Then, while -one remained in the carriage, the other moved off to the -booking-office, returning presently with a ticket, which he fixed -prominently in the American’s hat-band. Very few people were upon the -platform, and doubtless those that observed the movements of the -conspirators thought that their unconscious companion was drunk. - -A final application of the rag, and the scoundrels left the -carriage, closing the door upon the sleeping figure of the -millionaire. - -Within a few moments the latter was whirling northward, leaving -further and further behind him each instant the men who were -commissioned to rob his friend of the fruits of his genius, and -perhaps of his life. - -With every mile the train advanced the Yankee’s chances of -warning Garth lessened. - -An hour passed ere he recovered from the stupefying effects of -the drug, and by that time he was forty odd miles from Stanwich. - -At first his numbed brain refused to grasp the situation, but, as -his faculties recovered their normal condition, the recollection of -all that had transpired swept upon him. Inwardly cursing himself for -his folly, he moved to the window and gazed out. - -But the landscape, over which night was fast settling, presented -no familiar features. He pulled out his watch, and by the lateness of -the hour, he knew that he must be far from his destination. - -Suddenly the reflection in the window of his hat and its -pasteboard ornament caught his eye. - -He pulled out the ticket. It was for Carnmoor, a place he had -never before heard of. - -“They meant to get me far enough out of the way,” he growled -savagely. “If it hadn’t been for this the officials would have turned -me out at the first place they took tickets,” and he crumpled the -offending card in his hand. The slowing down of the train caused him -to glance once more through the glass. Soon they swept into a station. -The glimmering gas-jets, shining feebly through the gathering dusk, -revealed the name of the place. - -The conspirators had timed his recovery to a nicety. It was -Carnmoor! Hardly waiting for the motion of the carriages to cease, -Haverly leapt out, and made straight for the telegraph office. - -If he could not warn his friends in person, he could wire -them. - -Rushing into the office, the American startled the sleepy -operator by bawling for a form. - -“Tick that off,” he cried, after he had scribbled a message, “and -lively,” and over the wires there flashed this warning: - -_“Danger! For God’s sake, beware. Plan to capture the submarine -to-night. Will explain when I come.--Haverly.”_ - -Somewhat easier in his mind, the millionaire strolled forth to -inquire about the next train to Stanwich. - -“There ain’t none,” was the brusque reply of the porter he -questioned, who appeared to be the only specimen of that genus upon -the station. - -“Then I guess I must have a special,” returned Haverly. “Where’s -your boss?” - -“Here he comes,” was the response, as the station-master -approached. “This gent wants a special, Mister Burnside.” - -“Special, eh?” remarked the official; “it’ll cost you sixty -pound.” - -“If it cost six hundred I should have to have one,” returned the -millionaire. “I haven’t the dollars with me, but I can give you a -cheque.” - -“Cheque!” exclaimed the station-master scornfully. “I ain’t -taking no risks. How do I know as the bank would honour it? Nice sight -I’d look with a cheque as wasn’t worth the paper it’s wrote on, and -the comp’ny coming down on me for sixty quid. What say, William?” - -The porter agreed heartily with this verdict of his chief. - -“Say,” put in Haverly, somewhat irritably, “here’s my card. I -reckon you’ve heard of me even in these God-forsaken parts. I’m Silas -K. Haverly, the millionaire.” - -The station-master took the proffered card, but without troubling -to read it, he placed a finger beside his nose and gently closed one -eye, which piece of dumb show greatly pleased the worthy William. - -“Well?” asked Haverly sharply. - -“You must think we’re green to swallow a yarn like that,” -retorted the official. “Do you think a bloomin’ millionaire would go -about without a few quid in his pocket?” - -At that moment the _phut! phut!_ of a motor sounded from -without the station gates, and a car pulled up at the entrance. - -“Hullo! Doctor Oswyn,” cried the station-master, as a tall, -good-looking young fellow loomed through the gloom; “here’s a fellow -as professes to be Haverly, the American millionaire.” - -“And so he is, you thundering blockhead!” cried the newcomer, as -he gripped the Yankee’s hand. - -“Frank!” exclaimed the latter, returning the pressure; “this is -great!” - -“Whatever brings you to this hole, Silas?” Oswyn asked. - -Withdrawing beyond earshot of the astounded porter and his -equally astonished chief, Haverly gave his friend a brief outline of -his adventures in the express. - -“I can go one better than a special,” averred Oswyn; “my car’s -outside, ready for a run; come along; we’ll be at Hilton in about an -hour.” - -“That’s the style!” cried Haverly. “I’ll be a heap in your debt -for this, Frank.” - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - HOW HAVERLY FOILED THE BOAT-STEALERS. - - -WITHIN a few seconds the two men were flying between the hedges of a -country road, with the powerful engines of Oswyn’s “Panhard” throbbing -beneath them. - -“Say,” the Yankee asked, after a few moments’ travelling, “how -far do you reckon it?” - -“About forty-five miles to Hilton Manor,” was the response. - -“What speed have you got on?” was Haverly’s next question. - -“Forty,” returned Oswyn. - -“I guess she’ll do better than that. Chuck the lever over.” - -“It’s risky in the dark,” warned Oswyn, yet he obeyed his -companion’s order notwithstanding. Beneath the added power the car -leapt forward like a thing of life, her monstrous headlights glaring -through the gloom like the eyes of some huge animal. Her every bolt -and rivet quivered and sang with the throbbing of the mighty -cylinders. - -She was a veritable projectile, yet the doctor’s hand was as -steady as a rock as he gripped the wheel. Presently Haverly consulted -his watch. - -“Is she doing all she knows?” he asked. - -“Every inch,” was the reply. “Great Scott! You surely don’t want -her to do any more? We’re going over fifty now. What would happen if -we struck an obstruction?” - -The American smiled grimly. - -“I guess we’re going to strike nothing this side of Hilton,” he -remarked. “We’ll do the striking when we arrive.” - -Round sharp corners they whirled on two wheels, the other pair -high in the air. A hundred times the car seemed like to overturn, yet -somehow the catastrophe which appeared inevitable never happened. -Always, at the last moment, Oswyn’s consummate skill and his knowledge -of the road saved the situation. - -The dark stretch of road trailed swiftly away behind them as the -moments flew by, and once again Haverly drew forth his watch. - -“How much further?” he questioned. - -“Nearly there,” his friend replied. He shut off the power as he -spoke, and the car, rounding a curve by its own momentum, came to a -standstill before a massive pair of iron gates, flanked by a -lodge. - -Leaping out, the millionaire pulled the great bell-handle which -hung down from the pillar. - -Ere the clanging of the bell had ceased, the door of the lodge -opened, and the keeper stepped out, carrying a lantern. - -“What do you want?” he asked suspiciously, throwing the light -upon the two men and the motionless car. - -“Open the gates,” Haverly demanded. “I must see your master at -once. I’m Haverly.” - -“You might be, but then again you mightn’t,” was the dubious -reply. “Anyway, I’ve got strict orders to keep a sharp look-out for -anybody suspicious-looking.” - -“You darned fool!” cried the Yankee, “do you size me up as a -suspicious party?” - -“Orders is orders,” retorted the man sullenly, without budging an -inch. - -“Say, Frank,” Haverly said, “give us a leg up, will you? This -fool means to keep us out here all night.” - -With the aid of his friend, Silas swarmed over the barrier, and -dropped lightly down on the other side. Quickly he flung open the -gates, and the next moment the car was spinning up the drive, leaving -the lodge-keeper staring blankly after it. - -“It’s agin orders,” he muttered at length, and, shaking his head -sagely, he closed the gates, and withdrew to his room. - -Up the broad, gravelled track Oswyn drove the automobile, at a -speed that made the shrubs which bordered the drive dance past in one -dark line. - -Soon the lights of the Manor gleamed before them, and from afar -the sound of the sea came to their ears. - -Bringing the car to a standstill before the porch, the doctor -sprang out, followed by his friend. - -“I guess we’re in time,” Haverly said. “You’ll see this through, -Frank?” - -“Rather!” replied the young doctor enthusiastically. “We’d better -take a look round before we make an entrance.” - -Leaving the car where it stood, the two men crept round to the -rear of the building. - -The light, streaming through the open French windows of the -dining-room, attracted their attention, and Oswyn with difficulty -stifled an exclamation of rage as, crossing the lawn, they peered -in. - -Within sat Seymour, the inventor, and Mervyn, before a table -which still held the remnants of a meal; but each was bound securely -to his chair and gagged. - -In one corner of the room stood Haverly’s two companions of the -express, and with them two others, one in the dress of a footman. They -were conversing in low tones, and at intervals a gleam of metal -beneath the electric light showed that all were armed. - -“Well, gentlemen,” one of them said at length, addressing the -helpless trio, “I think we may venture to leave you. You will be -perfectly safe for the night, but I am afraid your proposed Polar -expedition will have to be indefinitely postponed.” - -The scoundrel’s words floated distinctly to the ears of the -watchers, and Oswyn was seized with a mad desire to rush in upon the -plotters. Haverly restrained him, however. - -“Got a gun?” he questioned hoarsely. - -“No,” was the reply, “worse luck.” - -“Wal, I guess we can’t tackle the hull crowd with only one -shooter. See here: I’m going to skid down to the dock, an’ if I don’t -get the drop on ’em before long, my name ain’t Si. K. Haverly!” - -“But where do I come in?” asked the doctor. - -“You stay right here,” replied Haverly, “until them greasers come -out, then you can nip in an’ unfix our pards.” - -“Couldn’t we rush ’em?” suggested Oswyn eagerly. - -“If you want a couple of funerals knockin’ around,” returned the -millionaire grimly. “No, my son, you take it from me, it’s best to -play a waiting game.” - -“Very well,” assented Oswyn, “get off down to the dock; I’ll wait -here.” - -At that the Yankee turned, and vanished into the darkness of the -surrounding shrubbery. - -For ten minutes Oswyn waited outside the window, then the four -scoundrels filed out, the footman switching off the light ere he -left. - -“Good-night, gentlemen,” he called mockingly, as he closed the -window behind him, and it was all Oswyn could do to restrain the hot -rage which rose within him, prompting him to knock the rascal down as -he passed. But he controlled himself by a strong effort, and the four -plotters, striding over the lawn, passed down the drive towards the -dock gates. These the footman opened with one of a bunch of keys, and -the quartette passed through into the yard. - -Around them, wrapped in darkness, lay the great workshops, -wherein the various sections of the marvellous submarine had taken -shape. - -Past these deserted buildings--which but lately had rung -with stroke upon stroke of the workmen’s hammers--they went, -under the guidance of the footman, until they stood beside the great -dock, wherein lay floating the craft they had dared so much to -obtain. - -Producing an electric lantern, the footman cast its beams over -the gleaming hull of the vessel. - -“Wonderful!” the conspirators cried, as their eyes drank in the -singular beauty of the boat. For a few moments they stood lost in -admiration. On the quay alongside stood the piles of stores, awaiting -shipment on the morrow, should the trial trip prove satisfactory, and -the sight of them reminded the leader that that vessel was not yet -theirs. - -“Aboard with you,” he cried, and led the way over the -gangway. - -His two colleagues followed, leaving the footman on the quay. - -A moment later a blaze of light came from the turret of the -submarine. - -The boat-stealers had switched on the great searchlight which -topped the turret of the vessel, and its beams illumined the whole -dockyard. - -“Sharp there, Benson!” the leader called, and at the words the -footman moved to a great winch, which stood beside the dock. - -Putting forth his whole strength, he commenced to turn the -handle, thus opening the gates of the dock, and making a free passage -for the submarine to the North Sea. - -The plotters had chosen their time well, for the tide was at its -flood. Casting off the mooring ropes, the footman leapt aboard, and -passed down the steps to the engine-room. - -Three minutes later the submarine crept out into the bay upon -which the dock gave. The object of the conspirators’ plotting had been -attained; the scheme was a gigantic success. - -The three scoundrels were not a little pleased with themselves as -the boat glided swiftly across the bay under the guidance of the -leader. - -They jested and laughed, flavouring their conversation with many -an oath, as they pictured to their own delight the mortification of -the inventor, whose craft they had stolen. - -Their mirth would perhaps have been less hilarious had they noted -the grim figure creeping along the corridor below, towards the foot of -the steps. - -“Jesting apart,” said the leader at length, “it’s a marvellous -vessel. With this craft, armed in an up-to-date manner, we shall have -the shipping of the entire world at our mercy. Not a warship on the -seas will be able to resist us.” - -“For which we have to thank our estimable friend, the inventor,” -returned one of his companions with a grin. - -At that moment there came a flash, twice repeated, from the -darkness far ahead. - -“The _Night Hawk!_” cried the leader; “it -is----” - -“Checkmate, gentlemen,” drawled a quiet voice behind them. - -At the words the three turned, to look into the gleaming barrel -of Haverly’s revolver. - -“Hands up, you scoundrels!” he cried. - -“Ah! would you?” - -This last to the leader, who, with a savage oath, had made a grab -for his breast pocket. - -A vicious spurt of flame leapt from the millionaire’s weapon, and -as the report rang through the turret, the fellow fell back with a -shattered wrist. - -“Out west,” snapped the Yankee, “when I say put ’em up, they -generally calculate to put ’em up at once! I shouldn’t advise you to -play tricks; this gun’s kinder impatient, and might go off again. Say, -sonny! Just grab them spokes, and turn her round for the dock.” - -The scoundrel addressed moved trembling to the wheel, and, under -the watchful eye of the American, brought the submarine round. - -“That’s the style,” Haverly said, “keep her there. I reckon -you’re in for a warm time when Mr. Hilton gets hold of you. You should -never attempt to run a picnic of this sort; it needs brains, -gentlemen, and----” - -What Silas would have said further will never be known, for he -broke off suddenly and ducked, just in time to escape a bullet from -the revolver of the footman, who, aroused by the Yankee’s shot, had -crept from the engine-room. - -Quick as thought Haverly’s weapon answered, and the footman, with -a neat little hole in the centre of his forehead, dropped like a -log. - -“Any more comin’ along?” Silas asked coolly; but the scoundrels -had no heart left for resistance. - -“Get down to the engine-room, you there,” the millionaire -continued. “Drop your barker first; that’s better. Now slope, an’ -let’s have no tricks, or you’ll get hurt.” - -Like a beaten hound, the fellow slunk below, never attempting to -possess himself of the dead footman’s revolver, which lay beside the -corpse. - -The American was master of the situation. - - * * * * * - -As the sound of the plotters’ footsteps died away, Oswyn flung -open the window of the dining-room and rushed in. - -One moment he fumbled for the switch, the next, a dazzling flood -of light poured into the room. - -Before the three bound men had recovered from their surprise at -his unexpected appearance, Oswyn had cut their bonds and removed the -gags. - -“Where have you sprung from, Frank?” cried the inventor, stamping -about the room in his efforts to restore the circulation to his numbed -limbs. - -Briefly the doctor told him of his fortunate meeting with Haverly -at Carnmoor, and the succeeding events. - -As he finished speaking, Seymour left the room, returning in a -moment with a brace of revolvers. - -“Come,” he cried, “we may yet be in time to take a hand in the -game.” - -Out into the night the four men plunged, and raced down to the -dockyard; but they were a few moments too late. The submarine had -gone. - -The shock of this discovery stunned them for a time. - -They had counted on Haverly keeping the scoundrels from boarding -the vessel; but it seemed clear to them that their American friend had -failed in his undertaking, and had paid the penalty of his daring. - -“Silas must have got wiped out,” Oswyn muttered sadly; “he would -never have let them get possession of her otherwise,” in which -statement, as the reader knows, Frank was mistaken. - -“What’s the next move?” Seymour asked. “Your craft’s too swift to -think of pursuit, I suppose?” - -“It’s hopeless to think of recovering her,” returned the -inventor. “What’s that?” - -A brilliant light had flashed over the dark waters of the -bay. - -“There she is!” Mervyn cried, and an instant later the -torpedo-shaped craft became visible to each of the watchers. - -But her movements puzzled them; she appeared to be making for the -dock entrance. - -Slowly she crept forward, seeming to feel her way as she -advanced, until the four standing on the quay could make out the three -forms in her turret. - -Then comprehension burst upon them! - -“Good old Silas!” cried Seymour; “he’s got the drop on our bold -conspirators this time.” - -Garth laughed boisterously in his rapture at the recovery of his -invention. - -Through the dock gates the vessel crept to her old mooring-place. -Almost ere the engines had ceased to throb, the four had leapt aboard, -and were crowding into the turret. - -Within a few moments the two uninjured rascals and their wounded -chief were securely trussed, and locked away in one of the workshops, -there to await removal to the local jail. - -The body of the footman was laid upon the quay and covered with a -sheet. Only when these matters were attended to would the American -satisfy the curiosity of his friends as to the manner in which he had -managed to turn the tables upon the boat-stealers. - -“Where’s your watchman?” he asked, after dismissing the subject -in half a dozen pithy sentences. - -“You’ve locked him up,” Garth returned; “it was the fellow who -steered you in. He must have been heavily bribed by the plotters. Had -Wilson been here, this would not have happened, for he has been -guarding the boat himself at night.” - -“Where’s he gone?” asked the doctor. - -“Down home,” was the reply, “to say good-bye to his people. We -thought of starting at midnight to-morrow, but, of course, this -job”--pointing to the corpse of the footman--“will delay us -for several days. There will have to be an inquest, and no end of fuss -before we can get away.” - -“I wish I were coming with you,” Oswyn said impulsively. - -“I wish you were, old chap,” Garth agreed; “but I suppose it’s -impossible?” - -“Utterly,” replied the doctor; “the practice would go to beggary -were I away for a month or two, just now. All the same, you have my -best wishes for the success of your trip. May you return safe and -sound!” - -“Thanks, old man; I sincerely hope we shall.” - -Moving to the winch, Garth closed the gates of the dock; then, -leaving the Yankee, at his own request, on guard, the rest of the -party adjourned to the house to finish their interrupted meal, and to -seek a much-needed rest. - -As they went, the inventor pondered over an idea of -Haverly’s. - -“Say, Garth,” the millionaire had remarked, as the party passed -out of the yard, “if you’re wanting a name for your boat, I guess you -might do worse than call it the _Seal._” - -“_Seal_ it shall be,” Garth muttered to himself, and so it -was. - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - BEYOND THE GREAT BARRIER. - - -THE _Seal_ sped swiftly over the rolling waves of the northern seas, -her whole hull vibrating with the throb of her powerful engines. - -Her inventor, a huge cigar between his lips, lounged over the -rail which surrounded the vessel’s deck, scarce seeming to feel the -bite of the keen wind as he gazed dreamily into the distance. - -At the wheel, his wiry hands holding the polished spokes in an -iron grip, stood the American, his watchful eye fixed upon the masses -of ice which rolled and wallowed around the vessel. - -The explorers had been glad to don their heaviest furs, but found -even the thickest of them poor enough protection against the icy -breath of the Frost King; yet they were occasionally obliged to have -the turret door open, despite the cold, when the renewal of the air -supply became a necessity. - -Two months had passed since the events recorded in our last -chapter; the first part of the voyage had been almost completed, and -the _Seal_ was rapidly nearing the great barrier, beneath which -she was to dive to the North Pole. - -It was the Arctic summer; but little of summer was visible in the -gloomy scene around; and above a leaden canopy of a sky hung, grey, -dismal, and depressing. - -For three days the sun had not appeared, and there was every -indication of a heavy snowstorm ere long. - -Little the party cared for this, however; storm or shine, within -twelve hours they would know the result of their quest; would know -whether the professor’s theory was a fact or a delusion, and all were -eagerly awaiting the moment of decision. - -Here, amid the towering crags of the icebergs, some hardy seafowl -wheeled, uttering at intervals a shrill shriek of defiance; there a -seal, waiting until the submarine had approached to within a few yards -of the ice-floe on which it lay, would dive with scarce a splash into -the swelling green waters. But beyond these no sign of life was -visible. - -Unless there was more game in the realms they expected to find -beyond the barrier, Seymour’s weapons were like to grow rusty through -disuse. Suddenly a cry came from Garth: - -“The barrier! At last!” - -The _Seal,_ obeying a slight movement of her wheel, had -rounded a monster berg, and ahead, many miles distant yet, but looming -nearer with every yard the vessel advanced, rose the towering peaks of -the barrier ice, the grim and silent guardians of the secret of the -Pole. - -Crag upon crag, pinnacle after pinnacle, they towered, glittering -with an unearthly brilliance, through the rarefied air of these high -altitudes. - -The inventor’s shout brought Seymour and the scientist up, and -out on deck in an instant. - -One glimpse they got of the marvellous range of ice mountains, -then a giant berg floated across the line of vision. - -“Ugh!” the Professor shivered, “let’s get inside. It’s too cold -to stand out here.” - -Forthwith the three passed into the turret, and closed the door. -As they did so, a score of feathery flakes drifted across the vessel’s -deck. - -“Snow!” cried the baronet. - -Ere a moment had passed, the submarine was surrounded by a -dazzling white veil, through which it was impossible to see more than -a few yards ahead. - -“Better submerge her,” Garth said; “we shall be less likely to -collide with any of the bergs beneath the surface. This smother is -worse than a London fog.” - -He touched a button on the switchboard beside the wheel as he -spoke, and instantly the throb of the pumps sounded through the -vessel, and she began to sink. - -Soon, with her searchlight gleaming brightly before her, she was -gliding swiftly along beneath the surface. - -The water was filled with life: hundreds of strange fish flashed -past the turret, their gleaming eyes reflecting the electric rays in a -myriad rainbow hues. - -Once or twice, through the grey-green water, came the ghostly -shimmer of ice, as some berg trailed into view, to be left rapidly -behind. - -So for an hour the _Seal_ moved onward; then the searchlight -gleamed on a glistening white wall some distance ahead. - -The inventor grasped the telephone, which communicated with the -engine-room. - -“Stop your engines,” he called, “and sink her.” - -“Right you are,” came the answer. - -Gliding gently forward by her own momentum, as the propellers -ceased to revolve, the _Seal_ nosed almost up to the edge of the -barrier; then she sank slowly, her crew keeping a sharp look-out for -an opening in the grim wall. - -Fifty--sixty--eighty fathoms she sank, and still the -ice glittered before her. A hundred--and still no opening, and -Mervyn’s face grew strained and white as the moments sped by. - -What if the base of the great ice barrier rested upon the ocean -bed? What if it were not a floating chain of ice mountains, as he -believed, but an immovable line of cliffs, their icy feet gripping the -sandy bed of the Polar Sea? - -Such might easily be the case; and if so, what then? - -Ay! what then? - -The scientist answered the question for himself. - -A humiliating retreat from the barrier which had battled them; a -still more humiliating return to their native shore, there to endure -the scoffs and sneers of every dabbler in science who could put pen to -paper. - -He had staked so much on the outcome of this expedition. His very -reputation trembled in the balance. Never again would he be able to -lift his head among his rivals, should this, his pet theory, prove a -delusion. - -Still lower the submarine sank, and no sign was there of an -ending of the ice; lower, every plate in her hull creaking beneath the -enormous pressure. - -Mervyn glanced uneasily at Garth. - -“Will she stand it?” he asked, in a hoarse whisper. The inventor -consulted a small dial set in the turret wall. - -“Yes,” he replied; “she was built to stand greater pressure than -this.” - -“Thank heaven!” muttered the scientist. “You know what this means -to me, Garth? Failure spells ruin!” - -“We’re not going to fail,” Garth retorted, cheerfully; “we’ll -pull through if I have to blow the barrier into fragments first.” - -His hopeful words somewhat revived the drooping spirits of the -professor, and he turned once more to the window with renewed -hope. - -But still no break appeared in the grim face of the -ice-cliffs. - -Caves there were in plenty, small openings worn in the ice by the -action of the water, but not one was large enough for the _Seal_ -even to insert her nose; yet each of these Mervyn eyed anxiously as -the vessel sank past them, hoping to discover in one of them a passage -through the heart of the barrier. - -Then, amidst the creaking and groaning of the vessel, came a -slight shock, and she ceased to sink. - -“I guess we’ve struck bottom,” the Yankee said, glancing keenly -at Mervyn. - -He grasped the tube. “Ease her up half a dozen yards,” he called, -“and start your engines at four knots.” - -Almost ere he had ceased to speak, the _Seal_ rose for a few -feet, until her keel no longer rested on the sand; her screw: -commenced to revolve, and, under the millionaire’s able guidance, she -crept slowly along the base of the ice-cliffs. - -Not a word passed between the occupants of her wheelhouse. - -Each was anxiously looking for an opening, even the cool-blooded -Yankee being somewhat concerned at this deadlock. - -As the moments went by without their hopes being realised, a fit -of gloomy depression swept over them all, which was lifted at length, -as a sharp cry broke from Seymour. - -“Look!” - -The submarine had crept round a great out-jutting spur of the -ice-cliffs, and before her, in the face of the glittering wall, loomed -a monstrous archway, full one hundred feet in width and almost as much -in height. - -Before this enormous cavern the millionaire brought the -_Seal_ to, with her brow pointing directly into the darkness, -which even the rays of the searchlight failed to dispel for more than -a few yards distant. - -“I reckon we might do worse than try this,” he suggested. - -“Take her in,” Mervyn said eagerly; “there is a chance. We can -but return, should it prove to be a _cul-de-sac.”_ - -Forthwith the submarine passed cautiously through the archway -into the great domed chamber which opened beyond. - -Through this she crept, with searchlight flashing on the -alabaster walls, till a second archway loomed before her, smaller than -the first, yet wide enough to give her passage. - -Her pace within this narrow tunnel was scarcely a crawl, but no -faster dared Haverly drive her, lest, through the sudden narrowing of -the passage, she should collide with the ice. - -Two hours dragged by, and still the eternal ice gleamed around -them in dazzling monotony, and they grew sick of gazing upon its -never-ending sameness. Mervyn alone knew no weariness. - -Close to the glass he stood, his nervous hands clenching and -unclenching as he gazed ahead. - -Suddenly a glad cry pealed from his lips. - -“At last!” - -The ice tunnel had ended; the _Seal_ had passed out into -open water. - -“Raise her,” roared the American down the tube. “I guess we’ve -struck the Polar Sea!” - -The scientist could scarcely control his eagerness as the -submarine slowly rose. Back and forth he paced, as the tinge of the -water without faded from deep green to grey. Then the dim light gave -way to a flood of brilliant sunshine, and Garth switched off the -searchlight, as the _Seal_ emerged into the full glory of the -Northern sun. - -For here no leaden grey sky overhung the scene, but a pure blue -vault of matchless brilliance, its beauty unmarred by a single -cloud. - -As, in response to Haverly’s signal, the engines stopped, Mervyn -flung open the door, and a flood of bracing air poured into the -turret. - -Keen it was, but without the sting of the frost, and its -sharpness was tempered by the warming rays of the sun. - -Stepping out on to the wet and glistening deck, Silas moored the -vessel securely by her stern cable to a projecting pinnacle of ice, -then turned and gazed about them. - -Above rose the heights of the barrier range, towering peak above -peak for thousands of feet into the splendour of the Arctic sky; -before him, silent and deserted as a sea of the dead, rolled the -mighty waters of the Polar Sea. - -“Glorious!” breathed Mervyn rapturously. “Glorious!” and he -shaded his eyes from the glare of the sun, as he gazed in an ecstasy -of enthusiasm across the shimmering wave-crests. - -Then, from far away, came a low, rumbling roar, as of distant -thunder. - -“What was that?” the scientist asked sharply; “not thunder, -surely?” - -“Hardly,” returned Seymour; “but now let us turn in for a spell. -It’s been over forty-eight hours since we had a wink of sleep.” - -“You’re right, Seymour,” admitted the scientist; “do you all go -below for an hour or two. I will take the watch; I cannot sleep until -I know the result of our quest.” - -Despite the persuasions of his comrades, the Professor’s -determination remained unshaken, and at length they left him and went -below. - -For an hour Mervyn paced the deck excitedly, listening to the -thunder-like detonations, which rolled up at frequent intervals from -the far horizon; then, for the first time, he became conscious that -the vessel was quivering beneath him, as though in motion. - -He glanced astern. - -The _Seal_ was straining at her cable like a thing of -life! - -“The current must be strong,” he exclaimed to himself, and -walking aft he tried the lashing of the rope. - -It was secure, for the American was an adept at knotting. -Retracing his steps, Mervyn leaned against the rail and fell into a -reverie. - -What could there be beyond? he thought. Was there a great island -in the midst of this sea, an undiscovered realm whose forests afforded -refuge to strange animals, or perhaps stranger men? - -The deserted sea around seemed to give little hope of this. - -Surely, if there were habitable land within the Arctic circle, -within the confines of the barrier ice, some flying creature would be -visible; some seafowl would be disporting itself above the waters, or -diving for its food beneath the curling crests of the sparkling waves? -But no sign was there of bird; not even a seal furrowed the lifeless -waters. - -_Crack!_ - -A pistol-like report startled Mervyn out of his abstraction. - -_Crack!_ Again it sounded, from directly overhead, and the -Professor looked up quickly. - -A thin, dark line was spreading rapidly along the face of the -ice-cliffs, and even as he gazed it widened, and a huge mass of ice, -thousands of tons in weight, leaned outward. For an instant it hung -poised, then thundered downward. - -The enormity of the peril appalled Mervyn! He stood as one -spellbound. It seemed as though naught could save the _Seal_ and -her crew from utter destruction; yet, in the very instant of her dire -peril, deliverance came in a marvellous manner. - -There came a sharp snap from the stern, and the _Seal,_ -leaping forward like hound from leash, passed clear beneath the huge, -descending mass, and sped seaward. Her cable had parted! - -A fearful roar, a mighty wave which almost swept Mervyn from the -deck, an avalanche of falling fragments, then the whole thing was -over. - -As the last of the _debris_ plunged into the seething water, -and before the scientist had recovered from the shock, his comrades, -awakened by the uproar, darted out on deck. - -“Whatever has happened?” Garth gasped, gazing in amazement at -Mervyn’s ashen-white face, and then at the rapidly receding -ice-cliffs. - -Somehow Mervyn stammered through his explanation. - -“Great Scott!” Seymour cried, as the scientist finished, “if the -cable hadn’t parted, the _Seal_ would have been crushed like an -egg-shell!” - -“It was a close call,” Haverly broke in. “I guess we must ha’ -struck a fairly healthy current, to snap the cable like that. However, -all’s well as ends right side up.” - -He grasped the wheel as he spoke, and the engineer, who had -hurried on deck with his friends at the alarm, went below once more to -his engines. - -A moment later the _Seal_ was leaping forward, with her -engines running at twenty-five knots. - -For some little time Garth stood watching the wall of foam flung -up by the _Seal’s_ sharp prow as she raced over the waters of the -Polar Sea. - -A vessel to be proud of was she, and none were more thankful than -her inventor for her marvellous escape. - -At length he turned towards the stairhead. - -“I think I’ll go down and prepare a bit of grub,” he said. “I -dare say you fellows can manage a feed?” - -“Rather,” Seymour returned, and at the word Garth left the -turret. - -Some moments later Haverly noticed a decided increase in the -speed of the vessel. - -“Say!” he growled down the tube, “what speed have you got -on?” - -“Twenty-five,” came Wilson’s answer. - -“I guess we’re doing more like fifty,” returned the Yankee. “Ease -her off ten knots and stand by.” - -For a time the way of the _Seal_ slackened, but not for -long. Within ten minutes she was sweeping on as fast as before. - -Again Silas grasped the tube, and there was a note of irritation -in his voice as he called sharply, “Half speed astern!” - -There came a clank from the engine-room as Wilson flung over the -levers; then a jarring, grinding crash, that shook the vessel from -stem to stern, and the purr of the engines ceased. - -With an exclamation of annoyance, Mervyn left the turret, and -went below. As he disappeared a cry broke from Seymour. - -“Land ho!” - -Far away on the horizon a dark, cloud-like shadow rose out of the -sea, growing in size each moment as the vessel raced on. - -Glass in hand, Seymour sprang to the door; but though he exerted -all his huge strength, it defied his efforts to open it. - -“Lock the wheel for a second, Silas,” he said, “and give me a -hand with this door; it’s got jammed somehow.” - -“I guess the wheel don’t need any locking,” retorted the Yankee, -as he loosed the spokes. - -“What do you mean?” Seymour asked. - -“The steerin’ gear’s got jammed, too,” returned Silas, with a -grim smile, and he applied himself to assist Seymour with the -door. - -But the thing refused to budge, and at length, sweating from the -violence of their exertions, they gave up the attempt. - -“What the plague has taken the things?” Seymour cried angrily. -“First the engines break down, then the door jams, and now you say the -steering gear’s gone wrong!” - -As he spoke, Mervyn re-entered the turret. - -“They can’t make out what’s wrong with the engines.” he -announced. “Nothing is out of place, yet they will not run. It seems -as though something were holding them back!” - -“Exactly,” returned the millionaire. “I guess we’ve struck the -magnetic attraction of the Pole!” - -For an instant this announcement, given in the coolest of tones, -staggered his comrades; then Mervyn spoke: - -“Then this is no current which is urging the vessel on?” he began -interrogatively. - -“But real fifty thousand horse-power magnetism,” replied the -Yankee; “and I guess it’s goin’ to take an extra large-size miracle to -get the old boat out of its grip.” - -His companions stared at him incredulously for a few seconds; -then, as the full significance of this statement became clear to them, -both turned and glanced out of the window. - -“You say the door’s immovable?” the scientist questioned. - -“Hopelessly!” returned the baronet; “but we can smash the glass -if we wish to get out.” - -“I reckon there’ll be no call to smash the glass,” Silas said; -“another ten minutes and the hull outfit’ll be bust.” - -He pointed ahead as he spoke. - -Scarce a mile away, looming nearer each moment, a terrible line -of cliffs rose black and beetling from the water’s edge; and above, -veiling their summits, hung a threatening black smoke cloud, from -somewhere in the heart of which came the rumbling explosions they had -heard at frequent intervals since their entry into this sea. - -The speed of the _Seal_ increased as the moments flew by, -until her pace could not have been less than forty knots an hour, and -that without any aid from her engines. - -“This is terrible!” muttered Mervyn. “Have we escaped one peril, -only to be dashed to pieces against those cliffs?” - -He was pale to the lips, and his hands shook as with an ague; the -nearness of that terrible wall, upon which the _Seal_ was rushing -so blindly, unmanned him. He turned to his comrades. - -“I’m afraid the old boat’s doomed,” he murmured brokenly; “she -will go to pieces like matchwood against that barrier. I am sorry that -our trip will have so disastrous an ending----” - -“Say,” the Yankee interrupted, “don’t you be too previous, -Mervyn. I guess we ain’t done yet, by a considerable piece. If I ain’t -dreamin’, there’s a gap in the darned barrier, and the old -_Seal’s_ a-shovin’ her nose straight towards it.” - -“You’re right, Silas!” Seymour cried. “Heaven grant she clears -the entrance!” - -Ten seconds later, the _Seal,_ rushing madly forward, -cleared by a fraction of an inch the mighty rocks which guarded the -entrance, and plunged into the darkness of a canyon. - -As she did so, Haverly switched on the searchlight. - -Thirty feet above her hung a dense, poisonous cloud of smoke, -blotting out the light of the sun like an immense black curtain, and -making the canyon dark as midnight. - -The rugged walls of the canyon flashed past in a gleaming line as -the electric light danced upon them, and around the vessel a shower of -ashes began to fall, converting the spotless paint of the deck into a -mass of sooty-grey blotches. - -_Boom!_ A thunderous explosion reverberated down the canyon, -shaking the instruments in the turret lockers, and a burst of flame -leapt up some distance ahead, its vivid crimson glow paling the beams -of the great searchlight. - -It died away in a moment, - -“A volcano!” gasped the scientist. Then the _Seal,_ narrowly -escaping collision with the rocky wall, swept out of the gorge. - -Before them, seen dimly through the falling ashes, lay the black -and silent waters of a great lake; and, in the midst, its fiery crest -glowing like the mouth of the Pit, towered a mighty volcano. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - TRAPPED! - - -SWIFT as an arrow the submarine swept forward towards the volcano, the -foam leaping from her steel nose in two mighty, diverging lines. - -Without a doubt she was the first vessel to furrow the waters of -the lake; yet the explorers would gladly have dispensed with the empty -honour of being the discoverers of this barren and desolate region, -if, in exchange, they might have retraced their course. - -But the magnetic power held them too tightly! - -With a shock which flung the occupants of her turret to the -floor, the _Seal_ struck the beach immediately below the crater, -burying her prow deep in the yielding sand. - -As her quivering hull came to a standstill, another booming -explosion burst from the volcano, and once more a lurid flash of flame -leapt from its glowing mouth, far into the sulphur-laden air -above. - -“Great Heaven!” cried Seymour, “we’re done now for sure!” - -As the words left his lips Garth entered the turret. - -“The engines are absolutely useless,” he said gloomily. “Heaven -alone knows what’s come to them----” - -Glancing outside, he paused in the middle of his sentence, -stricken dumb by the perilous position of the _Seal._ - -“Let me introduce you to the North Pole,” Silas said -sarcastically; “nice cheerful location, ain’t it?” - -“And this is the lodestar of the explorers!” Garth exclaimed in -disgust, “to reach which so many lives have been sacrificed on the -ice-fields of the Arctic Seas.” - -“It is a terrible disappointment,” muttered Mervyn. “I thought to -find here a habitable island, with perhaps men and beasts; but even -the sense of disappointment wanes before the peril of the position -into which we have been dragged by this magnetic attraction.” - -“Magnetic attraction!” cried the inventor; “whatever do you -mean?” - -“This,” returned the scientist: “the mysterious force which is -holding your engines, which prevents us opening the door, and has also -jammed the steering gear, is the same power that causes the needle of -the compass to point to the north!” - -The inventor stared in amazement. - -“Then what hope have we of ever getting away?” he asked at -length. - -“None whatever,” was the reply, and at that Garth relapsed into -silence. Each man was busy with his own thoughts, each was striving to -find some way of escape from the perilous situation in which they -found themselves; but, try as they might, no gleam of hope presented -itself. - -The vessel on which their very existence depended was helpless as -a log in the grip of the giant natural forces of the magnetic -mountain; and, added to this, was the ever-increasing peril from the -crater, which was now flinging out a veritable cataract of glowing -stones, to the accompaniment of numerous awe-inspiring explosions. - -“I’m afraid it’s a case,” Seymour said at length. “Twenty-four -hours will see the last of this expedition, unless the sulphur cloud -lifts so that we can get some air. How long do you reckon the air will -last, Garth?” - -The inventor’s answer was drowned in a thunderous detonation, -which shook every plate in the _Seal’s_ hull. - -The side of the cone above her burst open, and a torrent of -glowing lava, leaping forth, plunged downward towards the lake. - -For an instant it seemed as though the ill-fated submarine would -be overwhelmed; but, changing its course at the last moment, with a -deafening roar the lava river emptied itself into the lake. - -The uproar which followed baffles description. - -A series of fearful reports rang out as the two elements met, and -the maddened waters, driven backwards for a moment by the fury of the -molten torrent, rolled shoreward once more in one tremendous wave, -beneath which, for a short time, the _Seal_ was completely -submerged. - -The water hissed and boiled as it poured over the cooling lava, -and a cloud of sulphurous vapour rolled upward from the surface of the -lake, to lose itself amid the whirling wreaths of the brooding cloud -above. - -The heat became terrible as the time went on. - -The atmosphere of the boat was like that of an oven, and great -beads of sweat poured off the watchers, as they stood, with straining -eyes and haggard faces, gazing on all the awful grandeur of the -eruption. - -Their furs they had long since laid aside, and, ere long, their -jackets followed; but the feeling of oppression seemed to lessen not a -whit. - -Their tongues were dry as parchment, despite the copious draughts -of water with which they attempted to slake their thirst. - -The food which Garth had prepared lay untasted on the saloon -table; for their terrible situation had, for the time, at any rate, -driven all thoughts of eating from the explorers’ minds. - -The engineer was still below, striving even yet to discover the -cause of the--to him--inexplicable behaviour of his -engines. - -“I am sorry for this, my friends,” Mervyn said at length, with a -strange, unnatural quiver in his voice. “Would God I had never led you -on this fatal voyage! As for me, I have almost reached the allotted -span; my work is done, and I may as well face death here as elsewhere. -But you had many years of life before you yet, had it not been for -this ill-fated journey, and my own death will be embittered by the -thought that I have led you into yours.” - -The American fixed his piercing eyes upon the scientist’s face as -he finished speaking. - -“See here, Mervyn,” he said, “don’t you go blamin’ yourself for -what ain’t your fault. I guess not one of us reckoned on strikin’ this -yer magnetic volcano, else we’d ha’ come in a wooden boat, ’stead of -this old steel tank. What we’ve got to do as I figure it out is to -keep a stiff lip to the last. I calculate me an’ Seymour’s been in -tighter corners than this before now, an’ come out right side up after -all, eh, William?” - -“Yes,” Seymour replied, “we’ve pulled some big things off -together, you and I, Silas, but I am afraid this is the end. We only -realise our own weakness when we are pitted against the forces of -Nature. Great Heaven!” - -His sentence ended in a startled exclamation, as a monster -boulder, white-hot from the crater-mouth, hurtled close over the -turret roof and splashed into the lake, hissing and spluttering scarce -three yards from the stern of the _Seal._ - -But of all the showers of glowing missiles which followed, not -one came near the boat. - -Her very nearness to the base of the cone proved her salvation -from this frightful peril; for the flying boulders, any one of which -could have crushed the _Seal_ to scrap-iron, whizzed high -overhead, illuminating the waters of the lake with a fiery glare, as -they plunged, hissing, beneath the surface. - -The beach beneath the vessel heaved and fell, and tongues of -flame leapt from the lake, to meet the glowing hail of stones. - -The outer line of cliffs bent and swayed as though shaken by a -giant hand, and, amid all this fearful confusion, rang the thunderous -reports from the crater, deafening and terrible. - -Crash succeeded crash, explosion followed explosion, and the -waters of the lake, lashed to fury, once more roared over the helpless -_Seal._ - -For the second time since her arrival in this gloomy lake the -vessel was submerged. - -When the waters again receded the din of the eruption had ceased, -but the brooding silence--pregnant with sinister -meaning--which had followed, was almost worse than the volcanic -outbreak. - -The character of the surrounding cliffs was altogether -changed. - -Where the canyon had been a steaming wall of rock towered, its -summit lost to sight in the overhanging veil of smoke, so that there -was now no possible means of escape to the sea! - -The watchers gazed with despairing eyes upon this fresh -misfortune. - -It was the last straw. - -“Wal, I guess that fixes us,” the Yankee snapped; “unless there -happens to be a miracle knockin’ around, this yer outfit’s on its last -legs.” - -His words sent a shiver through his comrades. Knowing Haverly as -they did, knowing the indomitable spirit of the man, the words sounded -as their death-warrant. - -Bad indeed was the case when Silas gave up hope. - -“Say, Mervyn,” he continued, after a pause of a few moments, “you -call this location the North Pole? I reckon if I had the naming of it, -it ’uld be the ‘Gate of Hell,’ spelt large. Of all the God-forsaken -parts I ever struck, this romps in an easy first. The Yellowstone -Badlands are a paradise to this yer settlement!” - -Hereafter a gloomy silence settled upon the party, broken at -length by the appearance of Wilson. - -“The thing’s beyond me!” he exclaimed; “not a rod is out of -place, not a screw is missing, yet never a stroke can I get out of -them for all my trying.” - -In a few terse sentences Garth explained to the engineer the -cause of the breaking down of the machinery. - -“Great Scott!” cried Wilson, “you don’t mean----?” - -He broke off short, as a rumbling explosion burst from the -crater. - -The eruption had recommenced! - -Moving to the window, Wilson peered out through the steam-covered -glass. As he did so a great shaft of flame shot upward from the water -alongside, scorching the paint on the vessel’s hull. - -With a startled exclamation the engineer shrank back from the -window. - -“Can nothing be done?” he asked, turning to Garth. - -“Nothing,” returned the inventor, “for, see, even could we get -the engines to work, the passage to the sea is blocked.” - -“But you cannot mean that there is no hope?” Wilson persisted. -“Surely there is some way out of this accursed lake?” - -“Then I guess it’s got to be found,” the Yankee broke in sharply. -“This is how the thing pans out: if we stop here it means suffocatin’; -if we bust the glass and clear outside, the sulphur’ll do the trick -for us in a little less than no time.” - -“It resolves itself into a choice of deaths,” remarked Seymour, -“one slow and terrible, the other terrible enough, but mercifully -swift.” - -“Precisely,” agreed the millionaire; “but I reckon there’s no -manner of sense in rushin’ on your fate. I’m stayin’ right here.” - -Even as the words left his lips, a series of deafening explosions -rang out, each one louder than the preceding: the whole culminating in -one stupendous crash, which shook the island to its very -foundations. - -While yet the last echoes of this fearful cannonade reverberated -amid the cliffs, a giant wave roared furiously up from the bed of the -lake, and tearing the _Seal_ from her sandy bed, bore her fifty -feet into the air. - -For one brief instant it swayed there, then its crest curled -over, and with a thunderous roar, it plunged downward. - -Downward--the water seething and boiling around the vessel, -threatening each moment to beat in the glass of the turret; still -downward--the _Seal_ whirling like a straw in the grip of -the maddened waters, and the occupants of her turret clinging for dear -life to the walls. The deck of the vessel sloped like the roof of a -house as she surged downward in the glissade of waters. - -Behind her an inky wall curled and foamed, urging her into the -depths. Then suddenly she righted for a moment, and Haverly, gazing -out anxiously over the waste of waters from his post at the wheel, -caught a glimpse of a fearful black chasm, which yawned where once the -bed of the lake had been, and into this the waters were plunging in a -mighty cataract. - -“My God!” cried the American hoarsely, and even as the prayer -left his lips, the vessel lurched, heeled over, and was borne swiftly -downward into the depths of the abyss. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - OVER THE CATARACT’S BRINK. - - -TWICE the _Seal_ turned turtle in the course of that terrible dive, -dashing her crew with stunning force against the turret walls. In vain -they strove to regain their balance. Helpless as logs they were hurled -to and fro, until, battered beyond all human endurance, they one and all -sank into insensibility. - -And still the submarine plunged downward, still she lurched and -wallowed in the rioting waters. - -Suddenly she was brought up with a fearful shock that snapped off -both propellers like rotten sticks. A veritable avalanche of water -thundered down upon her, battering her hull so that the steel plates -groaned beneath the enormous strain. - -Each instant it seemed as though the stout glass of the turret -must be beaten in; yet it held bravely, and at length the downpour -ceased, and the _Seal_ shot forward like an arrow. - -Two hours went by, and then Haverly recovered his senses. -Staggering to his feet, he steadied himself against the wheel, and -gazed outside. - -The rays of the great searchlight gleamed white and dazzling on -the walls and roof of a rocky tunnel, through which the _Seal_ -was racing at headlong speed, urged on by the fearful force of the -torrent, on whose foaming bosom she was borne. - -With an effort--so enfeebled was he by his terrible -experience--Silas moved to the door. To his great joy it opened -easily, and he flung it wide, admitting a flood of life-giving -air. - -“Thank Heaven!” he murmured fervently, damping his parched and -blackened lips, while he drew in deep draughts of pure, cool air; -“another hour and we’d all have passed in our checks.” - -Turning, he found his friends already stirring, their recovery -hastened by the beneficent influence of the refreshing atmosphere. - -Crowding to the door, they stood for some moments filling their -exhausted lungs. - -“Whatever have we struck?” Seymour asked at length, gazing in -amazement at the dripping, glistening walls of the passage. - -“A subterranean river, I reckon,” responded Silas, “an’ one with -a fairish slope, judgin’ by the speed we’re travellin’ at.” - -“I have no doubt,” Mervyn began, “that this strange tunnel is of -volcanic origin; at one time probably a lava passage, through which -the molten metal was forced from the bowels of the earth to the crater -of the volcano we have left far behind us.” - -“If that is true,” interrupted Seymour, “we are plunging each -instant deeper and deeper into the bowels of the globe, and at the -present moment must be far down below the bed of the Polar Sea!” - -“Exactly!” returned Mervyn. “We started upon this trip as a North -Polar expedition, but it seems we are to end up with a journey to the -centre of the earth. Whether we ever return therefrom depends wholly -upon Providence.” - -“Then where shall we end up?” the inventor asked, his face a -picture of incredulous amazement. “I mean, what is there below?” - -“Heaven alone knows,” the scientist returned gravely; “yet, as we -have been delivered in so marvellous a manner from the grip of the -magnetic mountain, we will hope for the best.” - -“I guess we’ve just got to sit tight and see it through,” cried -the Yankee. “Without her screws the old boat’s as helpless as a log, -though I doubt if they’d ha’ been any use against this darned current. -I calculate that feed you was preparin’ would be acceptable at the -present period, Garth.” - -Taking the hint conveyed in the last sentence, the inventor -withdrew, and soon from below came the rattle of crockery and the -clatter of knives and forks. The walls of the tunnel still flashed by -in an eternal monotony, and long, pendant mosses, trailing their slimy -lengths from the rocky roof, seemed to writhe and twist like dark -green snakes as the vessel swept past beneath them. - -And with every yard of her advance--and this was the thought -that haunted her crew--the _Seal_ plunged deeper into the -unknown depths of the earth! - -Her pace became terrific as the time went by, and the eyes of the -watchers in her turret were strained ahead, expecting--yet -dreading--each moment that some fearful abyss would yawn before -them, in the black depths of which their faithful vessel would be -swallowed up. - -Steering was utterly out of the question, even had the vessel not -been damaged; for so great was the speed, that no sooner had they -sighted a dangerous curve in the tunnel, of an out-jutting rock, than -the _Seal_ was upon it. The swiftness of the current alone -prevented the submarine from shattering herself to fragments against -the numerous obstacles. - -Glad were the party when Garth’s voice summoned them below, and, -leaving the vessel to take care of herself, they retired, to forget -for a while the danger of their novel position in the pleasures of the -table. - -Then, when their hunger was satisfied, they resumed their places -in the turret, wondering what would be the end of their marvellous and -terrible journey. Now the roof of the passage would sink, until a few -inches only separated the rock from the top of the turret; anon it -would rise and become lost to sight as the _Seal_ swept into some -vast subterranean chamber, whose midnight darkness the light of the -great arc-light seemed but to render more intense, as it trembled -through it for a brief moment, then vanished as the vessel swept -on. - -Where would it end? - -The fateful question hammered at the watchers’ brains as they -stood through the long hours, silently awaiting the end. - -“For Heaven’s sake, speak, some of you!” Seymour cried at last, -after a long interval, during which no word had been spoken, “this -silence is enough to drive one mad!” - -“Of what should we speak, my friend?” the scientist asked -gravely. “The while our fate is trembling in the balance, our lives -hanging, as it were, upon a thread, there seems but little attraction -in conversation, however interesting in the ordinary course of events -the subject may be.” - -“I hold there’s no call to despair yet awhile,” Silas interrupted -sharply; “the old _Seal’s_ a stayer, an’ so long as she keeps her -end up, we’ll pull through.” - -“Good old Silas!” Seymour cried, clapping his friend on the -back. - -“Wal, it’s this way,” Haverly went on, “I’ve come out of so many -tight corners with a whole skin, that one more or less makes no -difference. You Britishers pride yourselves on your ‘never say die’ -motto. I guess this is a suitable time to apply the same. Say, -William, you recollect that little bit of a scrap on the Amazon, six -years back?” - -“Rather,” Seymour returned. - -“Wal, I reckon as that was considerable tighter than the present -situation. You see, professor, it----” - -He broke off abruptly, as from somewhere far ahead came a -murmuring drone, like the first low note of some giant organ. - -“What is it?” Mervyn asked. - -The millionaire flung open the door. - -A cool, damp wind, laden with spray, whistled up the tunnel, and -the drone grew in volume as the submarine swept on. - -A puzzled expression passed over Haverly’s features as he stood -listening for some moments. - -Then his brow cleared and he slammed to the door. - -“I guess we’re nearing the end,” he said; “it’s the sound of a -waterfall.” - -His comrades gazed despairingly into each other’s faces. What -they had feared for so long was about to happen. - -Somewhere, not far ahead, the river thundered into space over the -brink of some subterranean precipice, and towards this spot the -_Seal_ was racing. - -The water hissed and foamed about her stern, and long lines of -bubbles, gleaming like pearls beneath the searchlight’s glare, danced -far ahead, to lose themselves in the darkness of the tunnel. - -And ever the drone grew louder, moment by moment, until the -_Seal,_ flashing round a curve, swept out into a huge, arched -cavern, and the droning note changed to a thunderous roar--the -voice of a mighty cataract! - -Every plate, every rib which went to form the vessel’s frame, -sang with the vibration of the falling waters. - -Ahead, the watchers could see the waters leaping, tumbling, -foaming in mad confusion, and, beyond, a mighty cloud of mist hovered, -veiling, like a white curtain, the terrors of the fearful abyss into -which the river plunged. - -“Hold tight!” roared Haverly, his voice ringing clear and true -above the din of the falling waters. - -The others gazed, half fascinated, in spite of the peril at the -scene before them. Swiftly the vessel sped on to her doom, the dancing -waves lapping her hull playfully as they hurried her forward. - -Helpless as a log, the splendid craft was turned and twisted in -the grip of the cataract. She paused for an instant as she reached the -verge, like some terrified animal shying from a leap; then a tremor -passed through her plates, and she plunged swiftly over into the -depths. - -Pale as death were her crew, yet never a cry escaped them as -their stout vessel pitched downward, stern in air. - -Through each man’s mind ran the same question: was there deep -water beneath the fall, or a row of jagged rocks, on whose giant teeth -the unfortunate _Seal_ would shatter herself into a thousand -fragments! - -The time seemed interminable! Would she never stop falling? - -In reality a few seconds only were occupied by the descent, but -to the explorers ages seemed to pass, ere, with a terrible crash, the -submarine struck the foaming whirlpool below the cataract. - -High above the boom of the waters sounded the shock of that fall, -and a huge column of spray was flung upward by the impact of the -vessel’s hull. - -Her crew, shaken from their hold, were hurled like puppets -against the walls of the turret, and a merciful oblivion once more -swept over them. - -Quickly the vessel was beaten downwards by the enormous weight of -the plunging water. Lower and still lower she went, whirling madly, -until it seemed as though she would never rise again. - -Thrice she was swept round in the grip of the whirlpool, only to -be drawn back once more to the foot of the fall, as the needle is -drawn to the magnet. By some miraculous chance she escaped collision -with the rocky walls which formed the basin of the boiling cauldron, -although many times within an ace of destruction. - -Then she was once more swept forward, and this time, escaping the -power of the eddy, sped out into the river beyond. - -A mile lower down she came to the surface and drifted on, her -searchlight gleaming through the darkness like the eye of some huge -aquatic monster. Hour after hour passed, and still she was borne -gently forward on the bosom of the subterranean river. The roar of the -fall died to a murmur as she floated on, and at length ceased -altogether. - -Past iron-toothed rocks she drifted, which reared their jagged -crests threateningly amid the swirling waters; past huge caverns and -grottoes, the stalactites of which flashed crystal like as the -electric light penetrated for an instant into their dark obscurity; -past seething mud-banks, in the midst of which foul, loathsome forms -sprawled and wallowed. - -And still her crew lay unconscious in the wheelhouse, knowing -naught of the perils through which their craft was passing. - -Slowly the force of the current expended itself, and at length -the _Seal,_ drifting into shoal water, grounded gently on a -shelving bank of mud. - -Then, out from the filth and mire of the mud-flats on either -hand, hideous heads were thrust, and monstrous goggle eyes glared upon -the motionless vessel. - -Moving with a strange, shuffling motion, full a score of these -horrible river-creatures--loathsome beyond all -imagination--shambled towards the _Seal._ - -Their great claws--hideous in their likeness to men’s -hands--were outstretched eagerly, ravenously, and their green -eyes were aglow with fiendish desire. Soon they reached the rail, and, -gripping it, dragged their misshapen bodies aboard. - -Gibbering and snarling, the monsters crept along the deck until -they reached the turret, the glass of which appeared to puzzle them -for some little time. Then one shambled to the rail and plunged over, -returning shortly with a fragment of rock, with which he presently -began to batter the glass. - -_Bang! bang!_ Even the stout, specially-toughened glass of -the turret could not long withstand those blows. _Bang!_ The -creature’s arms rose and fell with tireless, machine-like monotony. -His fellows, squatting upon their haunches, awaited his efforts -impatiently. - -Ere long the sound of the blows penetrated to Haverly’s brain, -and he stirred uneasily. As it noted the movement, the river-creature -paused in its attack, and, pressing its hideous face against the -glass, glared ferociously at the American. - -Slowly Silas rose, steadying himself against the wheel; then, as -his eyes swept round the turret, he encountered the malignant gaze of -the horror without, and, with a startled exclamation, he leapt back, -drawing his revolver. - -At that the river-creature once more raised its clumsy weapon, -and dashed it with terrible force against the glass of the door. - -With a splintering crash the door burst open, and, as one, the -whole band of waiting monsters rose, and, with teeth gnashing -savagely, plunged towards the doorway. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - THE LAND OF ETERNAL TWILIGHT. - - -_Crack!_ The Yankee’s revolver spoke viciously, and the foremost, -with a shuddering death-sob, dropped in his tracks. - -Two others, stumbling over his prostrate form, also fell to -Haverly’s unerring aim; whereupon the rest, gibbering savagely, paused -in their advance, seeming to be undecided whether to resume the attack -or no. - -At that instant, whilst they still hesitated, and the American -was hoping that they would retire, Garth--aroused from his swoon -by the din--sat up. - -One glimpse he caught of the nightmare-like forms clustered -beyond the doorway, then a terrified cry burst from his lips. - -“Great Heavens! What devils!” - -He leapt to his feet, and at that, as though aroused to fresh -fury by his movement, the river-creatures burst _en masse_ -through the doorway. - -Never will Garth forget that terrible moment! - -Often, long afterwards, he would awake, trembling in every limb, -from some hideous dream, wherein he was once more at close grips with -the loathsome inhabitants of the subterranean river. - -The whole thing was a nightmare of glaring eyes and grabbing, -misshapen limbs, and through it all the inventor, scarcely yet -recovered from his long period of insensibility, was conscious of but -one thing, the intermittent cracking of the millionaire’s weapons. - -The turret was filled with smoke, through which the ghastly forms -of the attackers loomed monstrous and terrible. - -Suddenly the sound of Haverly’s revolvers ceased: his last -chamber was empty! - -But the creatures had had enough. Eight of their number lay dead, -while two or three of the rest were badly wounded, and, obeying a -common impulse, they dragged themselves through the doorway, shambled -across the deck, and plunged overboard. - -“Thank Heaven!” Haverly’s voice was a trifle shaky as he mopped -his smoke-grimed brow. - -“Amen!” Garth responded fervently; then, fearing that his nerve -would give way unless he exerted himself, he applied his energies to -the restoration of his unconscious friends; while the Yankee, dragging -the hideous relics of the narrowly-averted disaster to the rail, flung -them far out into the stream. - -Soon Garth had the satisfaction of seeing his three friends once -more upon their feet. Badly shaken they were by their terrible plunge -over the cataract, yet thankful that they had been spared the ordeal -which had fallen to the lot of Garth and the Yankee. - -“I guess there’s no call to make a fuss,” the latter said as they -crowded round him. “I couldn’t have been knocked about so badly as -you, or I wouldn’t have come to in time to check those brutes.” - -“Thank God you did!” the scientist cried. “This must be a warning -to us in the future. Knowing that this subterranean river contains -such monstrous creatures, we must be ever upon our guard, lest upon -another occasion they should succeed in overcoming us.” - -His listeners shuddered at his words. - -Though none but Silas and the inventor had seen the -river-creatures--mud devils, Garth called them--yet the -latter’s vivid description of the things had aroused in the three an -unspeakable horror and loathing. - -For a week the _Seal_ remained aground on the mud-bank, -while Garth and the engineer, often up to the waist in water, -thoroughly overhauled her, fixing duplicate propellers in place of -those broken, and replacing the shattered glass with new panes from -the store-room. - -Numerous minor damages which the _Seal_ had sustained in her -leap they also repaired. - -And over them, while they worked, Haverly and the baronet took -turns on guard, but no further sign came from the river-creatures, -save that once a hideous head rose out of the mud fifty feet from the -_Seal,_ to vanish like a flash ere Seymour, who was on guard at -the time, could draw trigger. - -No attack followed this appearance, however, and at length all -was completed. The last rivet had been driven into place, the last -bolt fixed, and nothing remained but to get the _Seal_ afloat -once more. - -Grasping the wheel, Haverly signalled for full speed astern; the -propellers began to revolve, and, slowly but surely, the submarine -glided off the mud-bank into deep water. An instant’s pause while the -engines were reversed, and then the _Seal_ moved forward on the -bosom of the subterranean river at ten knots to the hour. Between the -heaving mud-flats she glided, from the surfaces of which arose a -nauseous odour of decaying matter, and a dense, malarial vapour -ascended, to lose itself in the inky darkness that veiled the cavern -roof. - -For here neither walls nor roof were visible. Nought met the eye -but the water--wherein slimy water-snakes writhed and -twisted--and the seething mud. Scarce a wave rippled the placid -surface of the stream, save those occasioned by the passage of the -_Seal,_ and not a sound broke the profound stillness of the vast -cavern but the purring note of the engines. - -So two days went by, with nothing to disturb the dreary monotony -of the depressing voyage. Ever the same muddy, grey prospect stretched -before the explorers, and they had begun to wonder whether they should -ever find a way out of this loathsome river, when something -happened. - -Haverly was at the wheel, the others being below, engaged in -their several duties, when a shout brought them rushing into the -turret. - -“Look!” cried the American, pointing ahead. - -The _Seal_ had passed out of the river, and, before them, -shimmering in the rays of the searchlight, rolled a vast, subterranean -sea. - -To starboard, a cable length away, a low, sandy shore was -visible, clothed almost to the water’s edge with a weird and curious -vegetation which sparkled and gleamed with a dazzling lustre. - -Flinging open the door, Seymour stepped out on deck, quickly -followed by Garth and the professor. - -“The heart of the globe!” the latter cried excitedly. “A -subterranean world! My friends, we have the honour to be the -discoverers of an unknown world. Steer her close in, Silas; I am -curious to know what manner of growths those are.” - -There was cause for the old scientist’s excitement. An absolutely -unknown world lay before them, untrodden--for aught they -knew--by any human foot, a world whose stupendous size was veiled -as yet from their knowledge by its weird and ghostly twilight. - -Above them the gloom hung thick as a funeral pall, a dense -eternal canopy of midnight darkness. - -How far down they were beneath the earth’s surface they dared not -think. Sufficient for them to know that, somewhere above them, perhaps -thousands upon thousands of feet, was the vast dome which formed the -inner roof of this subterranean world. They could but stare upward -into the darkness, open-mouthed, and marvel at the immensity of it -all. - -The weird growths ashore puzzled them not a little, even Mervyn -for a while being perplexed to give a name to the things. Fleshy as a -cactus, and having a somewhat similar branching habit of growth, each -glowed throughout its entire length, as though an electric bulb were -hidden within its pulpy heart. - -The things were weirdly beautiful as they towered -there--many of them over twenty feet in height--flashing a -rainbow-hued challenge to the great arc lamp of the _Seal._ They -were Nature’s own illuminants, without which this underworld would -have been dark as Hades. - -Suddenly a cry came from Mervyn. - -“I have it!” he cried. “They are fungi--luminous fungi!” - -“Fungi!” exclaimed his comrades in a breath. - -“Luminous fungi!” repeated the scientist triumphantly, “but of -such vast size that they more nearly resemble trees. If we ever -succeed in making our way back to civilisation our news will astonish -the world.” - -“I don’t know,” Garth murmured. “It seems to me that you will -have great difficulty in getting anyone to believe your statements. -For instance, who will believe that the interior of the globe is -hollow and contains an immense sea, and probably a great continent. -See, there is a range of hills.” - -It was true. Far away in the distance, their existence betrayed -by the glittering vegetation which clothed their slopes, rose a line -of hills; and between them and the shore stretched a vast forest of -luminous fungi--a gleaming jungle of fleshy growths. - -“I’m afraid you’re right, Garth,” said the professor somewhat -ruefully, “yet that will not prevent me revealing my knowledge should -we ever return.” - -“Do you think there is any game in the jungle there, Mervyn?” -asked the baronet at this point. - -“Probably,” returned the scientist, “but I would not build upon -it if I were you, lest you are disappointed. A run ashore will be -acceptable to all of us, I expect?” - -“Rather!” replied Garth. “See, there’s a little bay into which we -might run the vessel.” - -Already Silas had sighted the spot the inventor mentioned, and, -putting the wheel over, he steered the submarine for the entrance. - -Ere long she was lying securely moored to a huge black rock which -thrust its scarred surface some feet above the wave-crests; then -Haverly and the engineer joined the group on deck, and they fell to -discussing the proposed trip ashore. - -“We must go well armed,” the baronet said. - -“That goes without saying,” replied Haverly, “and I guess yer -Uncle Sile ’ud better go along with you to see as you don’t get into -trouble. You see, you might get lost in this yer plaguey jungle -without the guidance of yer humble.” - -“Oh. come, Silas!” Seymour laughingly retorted, “draw it mild, -you know.” - -“As legal adviser to this yer outfit,” returned Silas drily, “I -feel kinder called on to keep an eye on you young fellers.” - -“Oh, dry up, you old fraud,” Garth cried, rolling up a pellet of -paper and dexterously flipping it on to the tip of the Yankee’s -nose. - -“See here, sonny,” the latter remarked in mock severity, rubbing -his offended nasal organ the while, “I reckon you’re considerable -lackin’ in due and proper respect for yer elders. What was yer mommer -thinkin’ about to bring you up in such a style? I’m shocked, young -feller, real shocked!” - -A roar of laughter greeted this quaint speech. - -“Well, if you don’t take the proverbial biscuit, Silas,” the -engineer said; then a gigantic ripple passed over the water -alongside. - -“What was that?” Mervyn cried sharply. - -Quick as a flash came the answer, but in a terrible and -unexpected manner. - -A long, lithe, whip-like tentacle, its under-side armed with -hundreds of terrible suckers, writhed up over the rail, swayed for an -instant high above the _Seal,_ then fell heavily across the -deck. - -The startling suddenness of this attack paralysed the explorers -for a moment, and, ere they could recover their wits, a second great -arm hissed upward, and flung its wet and glistening length around the -rail. - -“A squid!” gasped the Yankee. - -As he spoke, a third tentacle wriggled into view, and the -_Seal_ listed slightly beneath the grip of those terrible -arms. - -Recovering from his stupor, Haverly made a dash for the turret; -but, ere he could reach it, with a curling snap--for all the -world like the crack of a whiplash--a giant feeler coiled about -his waist. - -High above the deck he was lifted, struggling desperately, yet -vainly, against the grip of the suckers which seared his flesh like -red-hot iron. - -His fearful plight aroused his comrades to a sense of their own -peril, and, as two more tentacles flashed over the rail, Seymour leapt -into the wheelhouse. - -Escaping by a miracle the writhing, groping arms of the -cephalopod, and urged to action by the feeble groans of the -American--fast becoming exhausted by the unequal -struggle--Seymour entered the turret. Snatching down a couple of -axes from the rack, he skimmed them towards his friends; then, with a -third, he commenced a furious attack upon the nearest tentacle. - -Two lusty blows, with all the baronet’s giant strength behind -them, and the great arm fell with a whack across the deck, wriggling -still, although severed from the monstrous, pulpy body which gave it -life. Springing forward, the baronet was about to lop in twain the -tentacle which held his friend, when the _Seal_ heeled over, -almost flinging him from the deck. With great difficulty he regained -his balance; then a cry escaped him. Out of the water alongside came a -huge, black body, armed with many more feelers. Slowly it dragged -itself, clutching and clawing, over the rail, falling heavily inboard -with a shock which threatened to capsize the _Seal._ - -The octopus had come aboard! - -There was something so weird, so uncanny in the appearance of the -brute; something so diabolical about the writhing, twisting arms, as -they groped and waved over the deck, that Seymour stood for an -instant, half fascinated. - -The creature’s great eyes glared like green lamps, and its -parrot-like beak snapped viciously, while from its pulpy body came an -overpowering odour of musk. - -Suddenly a shrill cry of terror burst from Wilson. One of the -great thrashing feelers had gripped him, and, dropping his axe in his -deadly fear, the unfortunate engineer strove with all his strength to -dislodge the suckers. - -As he was dragged slowly towards that terrible beak, an -inspiration swept into his brain. - -“Quick, Seymour!” he gasped. “Your elephant gun!” - -Quick as thought the baronet leapt back into the turret, and took -down the great gun from its rack. - -Slipping a couple of shells into the breech, he took a quick aim -at the great, glaring orbs of the cephalopod, and fired both -barrels. - -The recoil of the weapon sent him reeling backward against the -wheelhouse wall, but he recovered himself in a moment, and sprang -forward to note the result of his shot. - -The explosive cartridges had almost shattered the monstrous, -pulpy body, and the mighty tentacles were feebly beating the deck. - -A few strokes with the hatchet quickly freed the two victims, -both of whom were more dead than alive by this time. - -Carefully they bore them below to their cabins; then, leaving -them in the care of the scientist, Garth and Seymour returned to the -deck, to clear away the remains of their terrible visitor. - -“What a brute!” the inventor exclaimed with a shudder, as he -plied his axe upon the ghastly, slippery mass; “if it hadn’t been for -that gun of yours, Seymour, he’d have had the lot of us.” - -“True enough,” replied the baronet; “but who would have imagined -the brute would board us?” - -Three hours it took to clear the deck of the mass of jelly-like -pulp, Garth chopping it into fragments, which Seymour shovelled over -the rail. And even then there was life in the creature, the severed -feelers twitching feebly when they were touched. Two of the longest of -these latter they measured, finding both to be over twenty feet -long. - -Two days passed ere the Yankee and Wilson were able to resume -their duties, and for long afterwards a great ring of scars about the -waist of each testified to the narrowness of their escape from the -grip of the giant octopus. - -On the third day after this adventure--the explorers could -but reckon days by the calendar in this gloomy subterranean -world--the engines were once more started, and the _Seal_ -soon left the scene of the struggle far behind. - -Along the low, sandy shore she sped for many miles, until -Seymour, no longer able to restrain his restlessness, announced his -intention of going ashore. - -“I’m with you,” Garth said, and rushed below to make -preparations. - -Steering the vessel close inshore, Haverly brought her to. -Seymour ran out the gangway, then followed Garth below, returning -shortly with a magazine rifle slung over his shoulder, while from his -pocket bulged the grim outline of a revolver. - -“Who is coming?” he asked. - -“I guess I’ll stay and look after the old boat,” returned Silas, -and Wilson--still feeling somewhat shaky from his terrible -adventure with the great cephalopod--decided to remain with -him. - -Strapping on a specimen case, the scientist joined Garth and -Seymour, and the three, passing over the gangway, stepped ashore. - -“Take care,” the engineer called after them. - -“Never fear,” was Garth’s cheery reply; and so they departed, -light-heartedly, on a trip which was to bring at least two of them -face to face with death in its most terrible form, vanishing at length -from the sight of their friends amid the towering growths of fungi -jungle. - -Around them the strange and lustrous growths rose in lavish -confusion, the ground between being thickly carpeted with glorious -mosses, the flowers of which gleamed like pearls on a background of -dark green velvet. - -The professor was in raptures over the rare treasures of this -subterranean world, and soon his specimen case was packed full as -possible, and his pockets were in a like condition. - -New beauties dawned upon them with every step they took. Fungi in -every fantastic shape towered around, shimmering silver-like through -the ghostly twilight. - -“It is a land of eternal twilight!” Mervyn exclaimed, pausing for -a moment to rest. “Nowhere else would these strange, uncanny fungi -grow to advantage; but here, in this dim land, they fulfil a useful -mission. See what curious forms some of the growths take!” - -Here rose a towering fungus, like nothing so much as a giant -hand; there one like an immense mushroom; others there were like -spectral palms, but all glowed with a brilliance that was dazzling to -the eye. - -The baronet, less interested than his companions in these natural -beauties, kept a sharp look-out for game of any description, well -knowing that fresh meat, were it obtainable, would be a welcome -addition to their stores. But the jungle seemed silent as the grave. -No form moved amid the fungi, and the scientist was not slow to remark -upon this strange absence of life. - -“It is very strange,” he said, “that hitherto we have seen -neither reptile nor beast. One would have thought that amid these -jungles many forms of life would have found a home; yet perhaps this -absence of life is a peculiar feature of this weird world?” - -“It’s a bit slow,” growled Seymour, “after the forests of the -upper world, with their myriads of animals----” - -The words died on his lips, as, out of the distance, trembled a -weird howl. - -“Wolves!” he cried grimly; “we were mistaken about the absence of -life, Mervyn,” and, unslinging his rifle, he examined the -magazine. - -Again that thrilling cry vibrated through the silence, like the -wail of a lost soul. - -Mervyn paused irresolute, glancing anxiously at his comrades. - -“Need we return?” he asked of Seymour. He was longing to -penetrate further into this unknown land, yet his natural discretion -suggested a speedy return to the safety of the vessel. - -“It’s no use turning back now,” Seymour answered, “if the brutes -have scented us, they’ll be down upon us before we can reach the boat. -So forward, and let each of us keep a sharp look-out for a place where -we can stand at bay if necessary.” - -For the third time that wolfish howl broke upon the ears of the -three comrades, then a grim silence fell once more upon the land. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - A REMARKABLE DISCOVERY AND ITS SEQUEL. - - -BUT the mood of the adventurers had changed. No longer did this -underworld appear to them as the paradise of beauty they had first -thought it. Its very silence seemed full of menace, and Mervyn found -himself repeatedly listening to imaginary rustlings among the fungi. - -Garth’s interest flagged, too, as time went on, and he longed to -retrace his steps, yet, while his comrades held on, he could not for -shame suggest return. The boy--for he was little more--was -brave enough, but these ghostly jungles were so weird, so unnatural, -in their stillness, that it was scarcely to be wondered at that he -felt nervous. - -And, added to this, was the knowledge that somewhere in these -wilds lurked wolves or, at least, some beast with the voice of a -wolf. - -Yet no sign did Garth show of his growing uneasiness, save that -his hand tightened on the butt of the revolver in his pocket. - -Seymour alone--his sporting instincts fully -aroused--was in his element; indeed, it is not too much to say -that he was longing for an encounter with some beast; his finger -itched to press the trigger; yet, although he looked around keenly, he -could discover nothing on which to test his aim. - -Mervyn moved a few paces in advance, for the discovery of a fresh -fungus of rather peculiar growth had rekindled his scientific zeal, -and, despite Seymour’s repeated warnings as to the danger of such a -course, he plunged fearlessly in among the fungi in search of fresh -treasures, often being lost to the sight of his friends for some -moments, then reappearing with a choice specimen for their -inspection. - -Suddenly an excited cry burst from his lips, and his friends, -fearing that some accident had befallen him, hurried in the direction -of the sound. - -They found him standing upon the crest of a rocky ridge, which -broke away sharply upon the other side, descending precipitously into -a small valley, the sides of which were fairly ablaze with a mass of -trailing fungi, somewhat after the habit of ivy in growth. - -“What is it?” they asked as they joined him. - -“Sh!” was the whispered warning. “Look there!” - -Then they saw. In the midst of the fairy-like glade, with its -mighty sides rising and falling by its heavy breathing as it slept, -lay a monstrous animal. - -The glowing light of the fungi revealed with startling -distinctness the huge bulk of its body and the great, rhinoceros-like -head, which, armed with three fearful horns, was further protected by -a ridge of bony plates about the base of the skull. - -It needed nought else to enable the explorers to identify the -creature. - -“Triceratops!” gasped Garth and the baronet in a breath. - -“Triceratops!” repeated Mervyn triumphantly; “one of the first -inhabitants of the globe! It seems too good to be true. That it has -been permitted for us to discover the monster here, in these wilds, -when the whole species was thought to be extinct eras ago, is a slice -of luck which we cannot too highly appreciate.” - -“What a monstrous brute!” Seymour exclaimed. “Of course, I have -often read of the creature, but never, in the wildest stretch of my -imagination, did I dream of a monster so vast. Why, the brute must be -thirty-five feet long if it’s an inch!” - -“And look at the armour plates along its back,” Garth added; -“nothing less than a six-inch shell would penetrate that hide!” - -The professor, note-book in hand, was busily scribbling down a -description of the monster. - -“Total length,” he murmured as he wrote, “thirty-five feet. I -think that is what you said, Seymour?” - -“About that,” replied the baronet. - -“Length of skull, eight feet,” Mervyn went on, standing -perilously close to the edge of the ridge, and leaning far over in his -eagerness to obtain a good view of the Triceratops. - -“Take care!” Seymour cried sharply, “or you’ll fall.” - -Scarcely had he spoken when the catastrophe he feared -happened. - -The treacherous ground crumbled beneath the scientist’s feet, -and, amid an avalanche of loose stones and _debris,_ he pitched -headlong into the glade. - -But for a fortunate chance he would assuredly have broken his -neck in the fall. Instead of striking the solid ground below, Mervyn -landed with a thud upon the back of the sleeping monster. - -The shock awoke the creature, and, with a hoarse snort of rage, -it rose to its feet, shaking itself furiously to dislodge its -unnatural burden. - -Terrible enough it had looked as it lay asleep, but now, in its -rage, its appearance was enough to daunt the boldest. - -Small wonder that Mervyn was half mad with terror, as, clutching -desperately at the monster’s bony necklet, he strove to prevent the -brute unseating him, and pounding him to a jelly beneath its terrible -hoofs, which, even now, were trampling the floor of the glade in a -paroxysm of fury. - -At length, finding himself utterly unable to get rid of the -encumbrance, the monster broke out of the glade at a lumbering trot, -and thundered across the plain which lay beyond. - -As for Garth and Seymour, they stood for a few seconds as though -stunned. The thing had happened so suddenly that it had paralysed -their powers of action, dried up the fountain of their energies. - -When at last they recovered their scattered wits, the two -scrambled recklessly down the side of the ridge and hurried out on to -the plain. - -But the thunderous tread of the Triceratops had already died -away, and there was no sign of their friend. - -“We must follow the trail,” Seymour muttered, pointing to the -broadly-defined track made by the monster’s hoofs, which stretched -away into the darkness. - -“Yes,” Garth assented, with a quiver in his voice, “and may -Heaven grant we find him safe!” - -The plain looked particularly gloomy and uninviting, owing to the -almost total absence of fungi, save for a few isolated clumps, whose -presence but made the twilight more gloomy by contrast. - -Yet over it the twain must go if they would find their friend, -daring its hidden dangers, and braving all the terrors of this unknown -land. So, looking well to their weapons, the two comrades stepped -out. - -Hardly had they taken half a dozen paces when once more that -thrilling, wolfish cry arose, but this time it came from somewhere -close at hand. - -Seymour pulled up sharply, listening intently. - -“By Jove! they’ve scented us!” he cried as the howl was repeated. -“Back into the valley; we shall stand a better chance there.” - -Quick as a flash he turned, and leapt for the glade they had -left. - -Garth, following, tripped over a trailing fungus, and, losing his -footing, pitched heavily to earth. Ere he could rise a bony hand -gripped his neck; he received a sharp blow on the head, and then -consciousness left him. - -“Where are you, Garth?” Seymour called; “this is the way.” - -Alarmed at receiving no answer, the baronet retraced his -steps. - -“Garth!” he cried. “Hilton! Where are you, old chap?” But there -was no answer, save the echoes which seemed to mock; even the -wolf-like howls had ceased, and Seymour appeared to be the only living -thing in the whole ghostly underworld. - -Anxiously he searched the ground around, but not a trace could he -find of his comrade. For over an hour he sought diligently, eagerly, -yet all his efforts were vain. It seemed as though the earth had -opened and swallowed the unfortunate inventor. Mervyn’s accident had -seemed terrible enough, but Garth’s disappearance eclipsed even that. -It was so appallingly mysterious! - -Not a sound had Seymour heard but the wolf cries, yet his friend -had been snatched almost from under his nose, and that without the -baronet catching even a glimpse of his abductors. - -“It’s maddening!” he burst forth at length. “Something must have -carried him off. He cannot have disappeared into thin air! I’ll fetch -Silas, and between the pair of us we may pick up some sort of a -trail.” - -So ruminating, with his mind still exercised with the baffling -problem, he turned, climbed the ridge, and retraced his steps through -the jungle. - -Suddenly he stopped, thinking he heard a footstep behind him; but -nothing could he see moving, and, telling himself that the -disappearance of his friend had shaken his nerve and made him -fanciful, he pressed on once more. - -Three minutes later he pulled up again, and this time he knew -there was no mistake. Something was dogging his steps, moving when he -moved, and stopping when he came to a halt! - -For an instant a wild, unreasoning fear swept over him, urging -him to break into a run, but, with an exclamation of disgust at his -own weakness, he shook it off, and moved forward again, cool, -determined, and watchful. - -But once more behind him came those ghostly footsteps. - -Roused to a fury by the grim persistency of the thing which was -tracking him, Seymour faced round with a jerk, and fired point-blank -into the fungi behind him. As the report of the rifle rang out, a -fearful death-scream awoke the echoes of the underworld, a scream so -full of diabolical rage and impotent fury that the usually iron-nerved -baronet trembled like a child as he heard it. - -Controlling his agitation with some difficulty, he moved -cautiously towards the spot whence the cry had come; but, though he -searched long and well, he could see no sign of the creature he had -shot, save in one place, where the green of the moss was disfigured by -a dark, red stain. - -At length he moved on again, with that fearful cry still ringing -through his ears, and his heart throbbing madly with a nameless -fear. - -What creature was it, he wondered, that could give voice to a cry -like that? What animal could it be that tracked him with such devilish -cunning? Doubtless when he discovered that, he would have found the -key to the mysterious fate of the inventor. He shuddered still at the -mere thought of the cry. - -Then, of a sudden, his heart seemed to stand still. Behind him, -tireless as ever, came the pad-pad of feet upon the moss! - -So there were more than one of these creatures, and they meant to -track him down to the end. A cold sweat broke out upon Seymour. - -If he could only see the Thing which menaced him; if he but knew -the extent, the nature of his danger! - -Against visible foes he would have fought with the bull-dog -courage which was his chief characteristic, but against the phantom -inhabitants of this land of shadows he was helpless. - -The jungle, hitherto silent and lifeless, seemed, to his excited -fancy, to be full of strange, ghostly sounds. Weird rustlings sounded -amid the gleaming vegetation, but above all these noises came the -sound of the relentless footsteps of his invisible pursuers. - -A choking sob rose in Seymour’s throat, but he crushed it down -with a strong effort of will. It seemed so terrible that he, who had -come scatheless through so many dangers, should meet his death amid -these wilds, at the hands of the terrible creatures that inhabited the -jungles. - -Yet, in spite of all, he was determined to sell his life dearly -if the chance of a fight came to him, and with that intention he swung -round suddenly, rifle at shoulder, and for the second time the report -of his weapon broke the silence. - -At the sound a dark brown shadow leapt up from the shelter of the -dense growth, and, with a choking sob, fell back again. - -It all happened too quickly for the baronet to catch more than a -glimpse of the Thing, but, as he moved forward to discover what -creature it was that had fallen to his aim, something flashed through -the twilight. - -Startled, he pulled up, and the missile, humming past him, stuck -quivering in the ground ten paces to the rear. - -_It was a great, broad-bladed spear!_ - -While yet the baronet stood hesitating, the wolfish howl he had -heard before arose from the jungle around him. - -It rose, fell, and rose again, then died away in a series of -snarling yelps that made Seymour’s blood run cold. - -What could these creatures be, he thought, that howled like -wolves, and yet used spears? - -Once more that terrible chorus rose, until the whole underworld -became hideous with the sound. - -At that Seymour turned and broke into a run, tearing through the -jungle like one possessed. And after him, spectre-like, flitted a -crowd of dusky figures, grim and menacing. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - THE ELK-HUNTERS. - - -FOR some time after the departure of their friends, Wilson and Haverly -sat yarning, the latter arousing the admiration of the engineer by his -thrilling stories of train robberies and Indian fighting on the early -railways of the States. Then their talk turned upon their absent -comrades, and the American had many a tale to tell of Seymour’s daring -in the face of dire peril. - -So the time passed pleasantly enough, until suddenly, in the -midst of a particularly thrilling yarn, Haverly leapt to his feet and -strode to the door. - -“What is it?” asked Wilson. - -“Listen!” was the reply. - -From somewhere in the jungle came a chorus of wolfish yelps, -succeeded by a faint cry, “Help!” - -“It’s Seymour!” cried the engineer, and snatched up a rifle. - -Silas darted out on deck, revolver in hand. - -“Help!” The cry was repeated, this time much nearer than -before. - -Quick as thought, Silas skimmed over the gangway, and leapt -ashore, closely followed by the engineer. - -As their feet touched the shingle, some heavy body burst out of -the jungle. - -It was the baronet! Gasping for breath and sweating at every pore -from his terrible exertions, he plunged madly down the beach, his eyes -fixed in a glassy stare of terror. - -Suddenly he stumbled over a loose stone and fell heavily. It was -the most fortunate fall he ever had; for, as he pitched forward, three -great spears hummed out of the fungi, passing close over his prostrate -body. - -Had he not tripped, he would certainly have been impaled by the -murderous weapons. - -Emptying his revolver into the undergrowth to secure immunity -from further attack, Haverly assisted his friend aboard, and, after a -short rest, Seymour told his story. - -“Wal!” exclaimed Silas, when the baronet had finished, “I allow -this licks all I ever heard! Mervyn carried off by a -tricera--what do you call it?--an’ Garth wiped clean out as -though he never existed, without you clappin’ eyes on the brutes that -attacked him.” - -“What do you advise?” asked Seymour hoarsely; “we must act -quickly, whatever course we decide upon. There is a -chance--faint, I admit--that our friends are still alive, -and if we go well armed we may manage to effect their rescue.” - -“And you don’t know what sort of brutes these are, that jumped -you?” the American questioned. - -“Haven’t the least notion,” was the reply; “but I’ll admit they -fairly scared me. Those wolfish cries of theirs completely unmanned -me. There was something so devilish about the whole thing that my fear -got the better of me, and I bolted for my life.” - -“Small blame to you,” replied Silas. “We heard a bit of the -entertainment here. But now for business. This is how I figure things -out. We’ll sink the boat, an’ trot her along a bit further up the -coast, in case any of the gentry that trailed you are hidin’ in the -mushroom bed there. Don’t think I funk meetin’ ’em; you know that -ain’t my style. But it won’t do to take no chances on a picnic of this -yer sort. With the lives of our two pards hangin’ on our efforts, I -guess we’ve got to hustle some. I assume you can find that gully you -mentioned again?” - -“Blindfold!” returned Seymour. - -“That’s well. If we don’t strike some kind of a trail, my name -ain’t Si. K. Haverly. You don’t mind stoppin’ aboard alone, -Wilson?” - -“Certainly not,” answered the engineer; “but for Heaven’s sake be -careful. If you don’t return, and I am left alone, I think I shall go -mad in this ghostly hole!” - -“I guess it’ll have to be a mighty smart nigger to get the drop -on me and Seymour,” Haverly asserted. “Just skip down to your engines, -like a good chap, an’ we’ll get a move on.” - -Within a few moments the _Seal_--totally -submerged--was moving cautiously up the coast, under the able -guidance of the American, while Seymour hastily packed a couple of -knapsacks with provisions necessary for their expedition. Not knowing -for how long a time they might be absent, Seymour, with the -forethought of an old sportsman, stowed away the greatest possible -amount of food in the limited space at his command. - -Then, filling a couple of cartridge belts, and chopping a handful -of cartridges into his pocket in addition, he judged the preparations -for the perilous undertaking to be complete. - -For four miles the _Seal_ crept along the coast line, then -she was once more raised to the surface, and the two friends made -ready to disembark. - -“Don’t shift the _Seal_ from here,” Silas said as they -stepped ashore. “If we are beaten back we shall make straight for the -boat.” - -“You may depend on me,” Wilson called, and, at that, the two -would-be rescuers plunged into the jungle. - -For an hour they pressed on, and, realising full well the need -for haste, they put forth every effort, while yet making their passage -through the fungi as noiseless as possible. - -Scarce a word passed between them, and what little was said was -in whispers. - -To Seymour, fresh from his terrible experience, every fungi-clump -concealed an imaginary foe, and every moment he expected to hear the -terrifying cry of his enemies. - -But they reached the ridge in safety, and, with a final glance -round to assure themselves that they were not followed, they descended -into the valley, and passed out on to the plain. - -Here Silas produced a small electric lantern, which, with his -usual forethought, he had brought with him; and, while Seymour kept a -sharp watch for enemies, animal or otherwise, he made a thorough -examination of the ground around the entrance to the valley. - -The footsteps of the mighty Triceratops were plainly to be seen, -but of Garth or his captors there seemed no trace for a time. - -Then suddenly a smothered cry left Haverly’s lips. - -“Jupiter! I’ve got it!” - -Seymour hurried to his side. In the ground at his feet, plainly -revealed by the light of the lantern, was the impression of a -horrible, ape-like foot, and close beside it was the imprint of a -boot. - -The baronet gave a whistle of astonishment. - -“The brute must have been close behind Garth when we turned for -the valley,” he said. “See, here are more footprints leading out -across the plain.” - -With eyes bent upon the trail, the two comrades moved forward -over the spongy ground in the direction of the distant hills. - -Two miles they covered, then a certain peculiarity about the -trail struck Haverly. - -“Say, Seymour,” he remarked, “have you noticed? The footprints of -the critturs we’re followin’ run close alongside the trail of the -Triceratops. I reckon that looks considerable queer!” - -“I think I can tell you what it means,” replied the baronet, -after a moment’s thought. - -“Wal?” Haverly inquired. - -“The brutes must have seen Mervyn carried off,” Seymour asserted, -“and have followed the trail in the hopes of his being pitched off the -animal’s back, when, of course, they could capture him, if he were -still alive, without much trouble.” - -“I guess you’re right,” returned the American, and once more -silence fell between them. - -Three hours went by, and then Silas called a halt. - -Flinging themselves down in the shadow of an enormous -boulder--only one of many with which the plain was -dotted--they made a hasty meal. - -They were sitting resting for a short time, ere resuming their -journey, when, sudden and terrible, the hideous wolf-cry they knew so -well trembled over the plain. - -Thrice it was repeated; then, as the two men sprang to their feet -in expectation of an attack, the sound of running feet broke upon -their ears. - -The next instant, through the twilight, loomed the monstrous form -of a gigantic elk. - -“Jupiter!” - -“Great Scott!” - -The exclamations burst simultaneously from the two men, as the -huge bull--almost as large as an elephant--flashed past -them. His great tongue was lolling out, and his mighty sides heaved -madly, as the breath poured, hissing, through his nostrils. - -He was evidently nearly spent, for, when he had covered a score -yards or so, he swung round and stood at bay, with his back against a -boulder almost opposite to the one in the shadow of which the rescuers -were flattening themselves, with their rifles at the ready. - -His towering antlers gleamed like silver in the light of a great -fungus growing close at hand; yet, for all the vast size of the -creature, for all his great strength, there was something -indescribably pathetic in the droop of the proud head, and a great -feeling of pity rose in the hearts of the watchers for the hunted -brute. - -“What a magnificent creature!” Seymour whispered; “but where are -its----” - -His sentence ended in a choking gasp, and his face paled beneath -its tan, as, silent as phantoms, six sinister forms glided out of the -shadows. - -So hideous were they in form that the two comrades stood as -though stunned, every energy being completely paralysed by the horror -of the things. - -Had the creatures attacked Seymour and the Yankee at that moment -theirs would have been an easy victory, for neither man could have -lifted a weapon in defence; but they apparently had no idea of the -presence of other than themselves. - -Their long, fearfully-distorted limbs, their hideous feet and -hands, armed with talon-like nails, their lean, emaciated bodies, -covered with coarse, brown hair; their low, receding foreheads, flat -noses, and immense, protruding, wolf-like fangs--all this, -crowned by a mass of thickly-matted hair, which hung almost to the -loins, seen in the dim, ghostly twilight of the underworld, made up a -picture of diabolical horror such as would be difficult, if not -impossible, to beat. - -Their thick, coarse lips were drawn back in an everlasting snarl, -and their bloodshot eyes gleamed savagely as they sighted the -motionless figure of the giant elk. - -“What are they?” Haverly whispered hoarsely, when the first shock -of their appearance had passed, “men or devils?” - -“Heaven knows!” was the low answer. “They are more like wolves -than either!” - -No scrap of clothing did the creatures wear, save a hide girdle, -in which was stuck a broad-bladed knife, fit companion to the -deadly-looking spear which each carried in its hand. - -Straight towards the great ruminant the creatures glided, their -faces aglow with savage expectancy. - -Half a dozen paces from their quarry they paused, and, squatting -on their haunches in a semicircle, raised a series of ghastly howls -which thrilled the two spectators. - -The great bull trembled at the sound. Doubtless he knew these -wolfish brutes of old; perhaps had been hunted by them, and had -managed to shake them off. But now his time had come. - -Planting his forefeet firmly, he stood with lowered head, -awaiting the end. - -Suddenly one of the hunters rose. Gripping his spear firmly with -his teeth, he crouched for an instant, then leapt into the air. - -The amazing height of his leap staggered the watchers, while -rousing a grudging admiration. - -“The brute must have sinews like watch-springs!” Seymour -whispered, then---- - -A swift, upward flash of the great palmated antlers, a sound like -the ripping of sacking, and, with a fearful death-cry, the daring -leaper pitched heavily to the ground. - -The elk had drawn first blood! - -But it was his last effort in a hopeless struggle. Quick as -lightning another of the elk-hunters sprang. - -High above the bull’s drooping head he leapt, and, ere the -ill-fated animal could make another move, the wolfish creature was -upon his back, stabbing out his life with his great spear. - -A few moments of feeble struggling, and then the elk fell with a -crash, the life-blood pouring from his severed arteries. - -Scarcely was he down ere the waiting four were upon him, rending -the still quivering flesh with their great nails. - -“Poor brute!” Seymour muttered compassionately; “let those demons -have it, Silas.” - -The reports of the two rifles rang out as one, and a couple of -the fearsome elk-hunters rolled over upon the carcase of their quarry, -the rest diving like a flash to cover behind it. - -“I guess we’ll have to wipe them out now,” said the Yankee -grimly, “or they’ll bring a hull hornet’s nest about our ears in half -an hour.” - -A spear flashed up from behind the carcase as he spoke, and, -missing Seymour by a hair’s-breadth, shivered itself to fragments -against the boulder. - -“A close call,” remarked Silas. - -“Close indeed,” Seymour returned. “They’ll have one of us next -time, sure as fate, if we remain here. Let us move round in opposite -directions, and outflank them. Down!” he hissed suddenly, pushing -Haverly violently to one side, as a second missile hummed towards -them. - -His quick action saved the American, who would undoubtedly have -been transfixed by the great weapon but for that. - -An instant later a hideous head poked up from behind the dead -elk. - -Seymour let drive with a jerk, but, owing to the uncertain light, -missed, his shot striking a monstrous puff-ball growing within a few -feet of the spot whereon the carcase lay. - -A vivid sheet of flame leapt from the fungus, followed by a -terrible explosion, the shock of which hurled Silas and the baronet -violently to the ground. - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE _SEAL._ - - -SOME moments later, when the shock had somewhat passed, the two friends -rose, not a little dazed and bewildered. - -But their astonishment knew no bounds when they saw that the dead -elk and its late hunters had vanished, blown to fragments by the -bursting of the explosive fungus. Even the boulder, in the shadow of -which the bull had met his doom, had been partly destroyed. - -By what marvellous chance the two comrades had escaped the flying -fragments they themselves could not imagine, and they moved on their -way, feeling deeply thankful that they had escaped the fury of the -elk-hunters, and had also come safely through the explosion. - -“I guess we’ll have, to be careful what we’re shootin’ at,” -remarked Haverly. “This pesky mushroom stuff seems to be made of -gunpowder!” - -“It got us out of a tight corner, anyway,” returned Seymour; “we -should scarcely have come off scatheless but for that explosion. What -do you think of the natives of the underworld?” - -“I guess they don’t improve on acquaintance,” was the answer. -“For sheer devilry they romp in an easy first. Heaven help Garth and -Mervyn if they’re in the power of them critters!” - -“I reckon ‘wolf-men’ would be a suitable handle for the brutes,” -Silas went on, “with a fair marjority of the ‘wolf.’ They’re real -stunners! Say, I guess old Darwin could ha’ had a hull heap of missing -links if he’d only ha’ burrowed his way down here.” - -“I wish the brutes were missing literally,” Seymour retorted. - -“We’ll do our best to give ’em that same distinction,” replied -the Yankee. “I guess this old planet ’ud wobble along quite as well -without these lantern-jawed freaks trottin’ around in her innards. -Anyway, the population of this yer desirable location is going to find -itself considerable reduced at an early date if our two pards ain’t -handed over safe and sound. My barker’s kinder impatient -occasionally.” - -Another hour went by, and still the dual tracks of Garth’s -captors and the great Triceratops stretched before them. - -The plain grew more and more gloomy as they advanced, the fungi -failing entirely, so that the two had to grope their way as best they -could through the dim twilight of this subterranean world; and, though -haste was so necessary, Haverly dared not use his lantern, save -occasionally, when the trail grew indistinct, lest the light would -attract some of the hideous creatures whom he had well named -“Wolf-men.” - -Suddenly the baronet stumbled over some bulky object lying beside -the track. - -Recovering himself, he stooped and picked it up. - -_It was the scientist’s specimen case._ - -“I assume the professor must have got pitched off somewhere -hereabouts,” remarked the Yankee. “You can gamble on it he’s in the -same boat as Garth. See, here’s the identical spot where he struck -earth,” pointing to a deep impression in the clayey soil. - -“Perhaps the fall killed him!” Seymour suggested. - -“It may be better for him if it did,” retorted Silas; “Heaven -alone knows what tortures these darned, red-haired freaks will be -trying on him if he’s a prisoner in their hands; but I guess they’ll -hardly have taken the trouble to cart his body off, if he’d been -killed by the drop, so let’s get a hustle on.” - -Nothing loth, the baronet stepped out briskly again. - -Now the trail of the wolf-men led over stony ground, and many -precious moments were lost in tracing the faint tracks, sometimes all -but invisible. Then it would pass through the midst of some quaking -morass, where a false step meant death, and that in a form so hideous -that even the boldest could not face it calmly. Yet they kept -tenaciously to their task, determined to do their utmost to rescue -their friends, or, failing that, to avenge them. - -For the most part they proceeded in silence, with hearing -strained to catch the first sound of approaching foes; then suddenly -to their ears came the noise of rushing waters. - -A few paces farther and a great, black chasm yawned before them, -splitting the plain in twain. At its depth they could only guess, but -in width it appeared to be about thirty feet, and from its black -depths arose the roar of a mighty torrent. - -“See!” cried the baronet, “the ‘wolf-men,’ as you call them, must -have crossed here.” - -He pointed to where a frail, hide rope bridge--formed by two -long strands united by numerous cross-ties after the manner of a rope -ladder--swayed giddily above the abyss. - -“It will take a bit of nerve to cross that flimsy thing,” he went -on, “but I suppose there’s no other way; so here goes.” - -He placed one foot carefully upon the first rung of the bridge, -and was about to commit his whole weight to it, when suddenly he was -dragged forcibly backward by his companion. - -The next moment a knife flashed through the twilight on the -farther side of the chasm, and the hide bridge, severed from its -fastening, swished downward into the depths, and hung dangling against -the rocky wall. - -Quick as thought the Yankee’s revolver spoke, and a dark figure, -leaping high into the air, hurtled over the brink of the abyss. - -“I calculate he was a trifle too previous,” drawled Silas. “The -flash of his knife gave the show away, or you’d ha’ been down there by -now.” - -Seymour gazed into the darkness below, then turned and gripped -his friend’s hand. - -Not a word of thanks did he speak, but that grip expressed more -eloquently than words his gratitude to Haverly for the prompt action -which alone had saved him from a fearful death. - -“I assume it’s a case of checkmate,” the American remarked after -a few moments, gazing ruefully at the dangling bridge. “We’ll have to -get back to the _Seal,_ and bring her round past the mouth of -this plaguey river.” - -“I suppose there’s no chance of the chasm being narrower higher -up,” Seymour hazarded, “so that we might jump it?” - -“Not an eyeful of a chance,” was the reply. “You can bet your -last dollar that if this yer land-crack was jumpable anywhere -hereabouts these wolfish brutes wouldn’t ha’ troubled to sling a -bridge across. I take it the sooner we get back to the old boat the -better for Garth and the professor. Say, what’s that?” - -Far away on the plain beyond the chasm an arch of light arose, -flashing and scintillating with dazzling brilliance. High into the -darkness it towered, like a golden rainbow, and, as the two men -watched in amazement, against its shimmering surface appeared a number -of strange, black figures. - -A few moments it hung thus, then vanished as mysteriously as it -had come. - -“Wal,” remarked Silas, “I reckon that’s a real caution. What do -you make of it, William?” - -But the baronet did not answer. He was puzzling over certain of -the figures--weird, animal-like forms--which had appeared -upon the arch. - -Strangely familiar they seemed to him, yet, try as he might, he -could not call to mind where he had seen them before. - -He was still pondering the matter when they turned to retrace -their steps towards the coast, and Haverly, though not knowing the -cause of his abstraction, forbore to question him. - -A mile of the return journey they had covered when light came to -Seymour’s mind. - -“I’ve got it” he cried. - -“Got what?” asked the millionaire. - -“The meaning of those signs on the arch,” was the answer. “I have -been trying to recall where I saw those figures before. It has just -flashed across me. Do you remember that visit Mervyn and I paid to an -island in the South Atlantic?” - -“Ayuti?” - -“The same. Well, it was there I saw the signs. Both Mervyn and I -learnt the language during our stay.” - -“Then I take it you can read them hieroglyphics?” - -“I can,” returned Seymour. “The six signs meant ‘_Leino yos -tragumee!_’” - -“I’d be almighty obliged if you’d translate the same. I guess my -list of languages don’t include Ayuti.” - -“It is a warning,” Seymour murmured reflectively, “and one that -we cannot afford to neglect, though I cannot imagine why it was given, -or why it should be in the language of Ayuti.” - -“But the translation?” - -“Let the white strangers beware!” - -“Jupiter! That’s kinder queer,” cried Silas, startled for once -out of his composure. “The fireworks were mysterious enough, without -this message. I reckon the citizens of this yer location are educated -some, for all their peculiar appearance.” - -“You surely don’t consider that the wolf-men were responsible for -the warning?” asked the baronet in surprise. - -“Seems more like a threat than a warning to me,” Haverly -rejoined. “I guess they’d hardly hang a message up that all the -wolfish freaks in the underworld could see, if they intended to warn -us. No pard, you take----” - -A screech awoke the echoes of the underworld; there was a -whirring of mighty wings, and out of the gloom swooped a monstrous -black shape, swift and terrible. - -Seymour was knocked sprawling to the ground as the creature -flashed past him and vanished again into the darkness whence it had -emerged. - -The millionaire stared in amazement, then, as his friend rose, he -found voice. - -“I guess that’s the biggest bat I ever struck!” - -“Bat!” ejaculated Seymour, “you don’t mean to say that was a -bat?” - -“It was nothing more or less,” retorted Silas; “but here he comes -again; now’s your chance to get your own back.” - -Simultaneously the two men pulled trigger, and the huge creature -swooping down upon them, flapped wildly for a moment, then sank -heavily to earth, beating the ground madly with its mighty wings. - -Its eyes glared savagely at the two comrades, and it made a -futile effort to drag itself towards them, seeming to know that they -were the cause of its injury. - -Half a dozen shots they fired into the great body ere the -creature lay still; then, when all movements of the wings had ceased, -they moved forward to examine the carcase. - -It was, as Haverly had said, a gigantic bat or vampire, armed -with hyaena-like teeth and great curved claws that made it a terrible -enemy. - -Its membranous wings, outstretched, could not have been less than -fifteen feet from tip to tip, and it would apparently have had little -difficulty in carrying off either of the comrades had it succeeded in -gripping one of them at its first swoop. - -“What hideous monsters this underworld contains!” exclaimed the -baronet disgustedly, as they pushed on once more. “Mervyn would be in -raptures could he see that brute. Anything new or strange attracts him -like a magnet.” - -“I reckon we’ll have to flicker if we’re to save him and Garth,” -returned Silas shortly, and increased his pace. - -Pressing forward with redoubled speed, every nerve and muscle -strained to the utmost, they reached the glade. - -A brief rest, then on again until they emerged upon the beach, -off which they had left their vessel. - -Eagerly they looked for the welcome gleam of the searchlight. But -they looked in vain. - -_The “Seal” had vanished!_ - -A despairing cry burst from the baronet as this fresh misfortune -became apparent. - -What hope was there for Garth and Mervyn? What chance of their -ultimate rescue now? - -Even Haverly grew depressed as he thought of the issues at stake. -It seemed as though fate itself were against them. - -That now, while their comrades’ lives were perhaps trembling in -the balance, the vessel, upon whose aid they had relied, should fail -them, was a blow indeed. - -“Perhaps Wilson’s been attacked, and had to put out from shore,” -Seymour suggested gloomily, after standing for some time in moody -silence; but the hopelessness of his tones belied his words. In his -heart he fully believed that the faithful _Seal_ had vanished for -ever. - -Vividly to his mind came the adventure of a few days -before--the attack of the giant octopus. What if another of the -huge cephalopods had attacked the vessel, and had dragged both it and -the engineer below the surface! - -He shuddered at the thought. - -“I reckon we’ll be getting used to reverses shortly,” said the -Yankee bitterly. - -“He may return,” Seymour answered. - -“I wouldn’t gamble on it,” was the retort; “but we’ll camp here -awhile, and see if he turns up. If he don’t, I guess it’s a case!” He -finished with a significant gesture. - -For ten long hours they waited on that dreary beach, waiting -vainly for the vessel that was their only hope in this land of eternal -twilight. - -They slept and watched by turns; but no welcome flash from the -searchlight of the submarine made glad their aching eyes, no voice -answered their repeated hails. - -At intervals they discharged their rifles, caring nought for the -risk they ran in so doing should any wolf-men still remain on this -side of the abyss. - -But no answering report echoed over the water, and at length, -fully persuaded that their faithful vessel had disappeared for ever, -they turned reluctantly inland once more. - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - THE COMING OF THE GREAT FISH-LIZARD. - - -“HEAVEN grant they may return in safety!” muttered the engineer as his -two friends vanished amid the fungi. - -For a while after their departure he amused himself by gazing at -the weird and glistening growths ashore; but ere long he grew tired of -the monotonous gleam of the things. - -They were so uncanny, so spectral in their splendour. - -Securely fastening the turret door, he went below, determined to -give his beloved engines a thorough clean. - -Although to an unpractised eye the gleaming cranks and levers -appeared spotless, the engineer found sufficient to occupy his -attention for three hours, ascending at intervals during this period -to the turret to assure himself that all was well. - -Only when the engines glistened like burnished silver did Wilson -cease his efforts; then, cleansing his grimy hands, he returned to the -wheelhouse, to await the return of his comrades. - -Little did he think what the future held in store for him; little -he dreamed of the perils through which he was to pass ere he saw his -friends again! - -Slowly the hours dragged by, and there came no sign from the -absent ones, and no sound broke the appalling, death-like silence of -the underworld. - -Once Wilson thought he heard a faint explosion, but the sound was -too indistinct for him to judge with any certainty. - -Within the boat and without all was silent as the grave. - -To the lad’s excited imagination even the homely interior of the -_Seal_ seemed to partake of the ghostly character of her -surroundings. Every plate in the vessel he knew, every bolt had been -adjusted under his own supervision, yet he found himself continually -fancying that queer noises came from below. - -The eternal ticking of the saloon clock seemed to intensify the -unnatural stillness. He craved for some noise--anything, he cared -not what--as thirsty men crave for water, yet no sound came to -him. - -At length, unable to bear the strain longer, he flung open the -door, and stepped out on to the deck. - -For some time he paced to and fro, the ring of his boots upon the -steel plates sounding cheerily in his ears. - -Then suddenly he paused in his stride, and glanced sharply -astern. - -One hundred yards away a strange, rippling eddy appeared on the -swell of the heaving water. - -Remembering that the attack of the octopus had been heralded in -like fashion, Wilson bolted into the turret and closed the door. A -moment later, with face pressed against the glass, he was watching -eagerly for developments. - -“If it’s another squid,” he muttered, “I’m afraid he’s a trifle -too late. That ripple gives the show away. By Jove! he’s keeping it -up,” looking with surprise at the violently eddying water. - -Still the water boiled and hissed and foamed, racing round in an -ever-increasing circle. - -Then, “Great Heaven!” burst from the lips of the engineer. -“Ichthyosaurus!” - -Up in the midst of the eddy, with a rush and a swirl, appeared a -monstrous reptile. Never before had the engineer seen aught to equal -the thing; yet instinctively he knew what the creature was, recognised -it in an instant as the great fish-lizard, that old inhabitant of the -prehistoric seas. - -Full two hundred feet the reptile was in length, and its body was -covered with great, overlapping, scaly plates. The gaping jaws -revealed a double row of yellow fangs, and its monstrous eyes glowed -like moons, as the brute fixed them curiously upon the motionless -vessel. - -So for a few minutes it remained. - -Then, in a flash, its curiosity turned to furious rage as it -noted an unfortunate movement of Wilson’s. But for that the creature -might have departed as it had come, silently and peaceably. - -Its four mighty paddles churned the already racing water into a -mass of froth as, snorting furiously, it swept down upon the -_Seal._ - -Just for a moment the lad stood petrified. The suddenness of the -thing, and, above all, the fearful size of the attacker held him -spellbound. - -He realised only too well the need for instant action if the -_Seal_ were to be saved, yet his trembling limbs refused to obey -the prompting of his brain. - -But to him came the recollection of his friends’ dependence upon -the vessel; if she were destroyed his absent comrades were lost! - -The thought gave him strength. - -With a bound he leapt to the stairhead, and darted down to the -engine-room. Thrusting over the lever to the last notch, he dashed -back again into the wheelhouse, just as the _Seal,_ straining -under the full power of her engines, snapped her mooring cable like a -cotton thread and sped seaward. - -Past the raging reptile she flashed like a meteor, and for a few -moments the engineer’s heart bounded with hope that the giant brute -would not give chase. - -But not so easily was the ichthyosaurus shaken off. With a sweep -of his tail he turned and swung after the flying vessel. - -Fast as the submarine was travelling, it soon became evident that -the reptile could travel faster. With a few powerful strokes he drew -alongside, and his mighty teeth snapped within an inch of the vessel’s -rail, Wilson turning the _Seal_ only just in time to avert -disaster. - -This temporary failure appeared to increase the reptile’s rage, -and he swept forward again like a flash of light. - -Four walls of green, foam-capped water poured from his thrashing -paddles, and washed clear over the submarine’s deck. - -The monster’s tail, swinging, rising, and falling, lashed the -water with strokes that rang like the reports of guns. - -Something must be done, and that quickly, Wilson thought. But -what? That was the question. - -If that swinging tail once smote the _Seal,_ her course -would be ended on the instant. Stout as were her plates, they could -not stand a blow of that sort. Glancing desperately about him, the -engineer’s eye fell upon Seymour’s elephant gun. - -It was a forlorn hope, yet, in his desperate plight, he -determined to try a shot with the great weapon. - -Giving a turn to the wheel, to alter the course of the vessel, he -locked it, then took down the gun. - -It was loaded, for, since the octopus’s attack, Seymour had -insisted on its being kept ready for action; so, opening the door -cautiously, Wilson stepped out. The rush of water, knee-deep, almost -swept him off his feet, but, bracing himself against the wheelhouse, -he raised his weapon and aimed carefully at one of the moonlike eyes -of his pursuer. - -_Bang!_ The kick of the great gun almost dislocated the -lad’s shoulder, but the pain of this was as nothing compared to his -chagrin when he found that he had missed. - -The terrific speed of the vessel and of her mighty enemy made -aiming exceedingly difficult, and, added to this, the elephant gun was -a weapon to which Wilson was entirely unaccustomed. - -Once more he raised it to his shoulder, and fired the second -barrel. - -This time the shell struck the reptile’s head, but glanced off -the gleaming scales without exploding. - -“The brute must be made of steel,” the engineer muttered savagely -as he retired, disheartened by his failure. As the net result of his -effort he had succeeded in still further enraging his huge opponent, -and had badly bruised his own shoulder. - -The floor of the turret was awash when he entered, but he cared -little for a discomfort of so trivial a character. - -The peril of the moment completely dispelled all other thoughts -from his mind. As he once more grasped the wheel-spokes, a half-formed -resolution came over him--that, if he and the _Seal_ were to -be destroyed, the great reptile should perish with them. - -He had partly turned the submarine for the purpose of ramming his -terrible enemy, when a filmy wisp of vapour drifted across the -deck. - -He looked up quickly. - -A moment later a vast cloud of blinding mist rolled down upon the -vessel, blotting out the surface of the water and enveloping pursued -and pursuer in a thick white veil. - -“Thank God!” the engineer cried fervently, as the _Seal_ -raced on into the friendly shelter of the mist. - -Gradually the sound of the reptile’s paddles grew fainter. Like a -hunted hare the submarine twisted and doubled, ever drawing away from -her monstrous foe; yet, even when all sound of the brute had ceased, -Wilson still held on, determined not to fall foul again of the peril -he had so narrowly escaped. - -But now danger arose from another source. - -The _Seal’s_ excessive speed made travelling within the -enveloping mist highly dangerous. Each moment the engineer expected -some obstruction to loom before him--a rocky island, perhaps, -upon which the submarine would dash blindly and shiver herself to -fragments. - -Dared he leave the _Seal_ to her own devices for a few -seconds, and slip below to slow the engines? He asked himself the -question over and over again, ere he summed up courage to loose the -wheel-spokes and make a quick dash for the engine-room. - -Quick as thought he pulled back the lever, almost to its -resting-place, then raced to the stairs. - -As he reached them there came a grating jar which shook the -vessel, and, with a crash that jerked him off his feet, the -_Seal_ came to a standstill. - -Somewhat bruised by his fall, the engineer rose, and, retracing -his steps, entirely stopped the engines, after which he betook himself -once more to the turret, anxious to know the full extent of the -accident. - -It was as he thought. He had slowed the engines a few moments too -late, and the vessel, racing madly forward by her own momentum, had -piled herself high and dry upon a shingly beach. - -This much Wilson could discover by leaning over the rail, but the -mist was still too dense to allow him to make out the character of his -surroundings. - -Whether he was anywhere near the spot from which he had started -he could not tell; but, realising that he could do nothing until the -mist lifted, he prepared himself some food and made a hearty meal. - -As the hours went by, and there came no sign of the thinning of -the cloudy veil around, the engineer grew anxious. - -What if his friends returned while he was still absent? -Naturally, after his promise they would instantly believe that the -vessel had been destroyed in some manner, and perhaps would leave the -beach, never to return. - -The thought maddened him, and he had just determined to make an -effort to get the _Seal_ afloat again without waiting for the -lifting of the mist when, as suddenly as it had come, the cloud rolled -upward and vanished. - -Then the full extent of his misfortune became apparent to the -engineer. The submarine had grounded for almost her entire length, and -it needed but a glance to tell him that her re-floating would be a -matter of great difficulty, if, indeed, it could be managed at -all. - -By the character of the ground around Wilson surmised that he -must be far from his starting-place, and this afterwards proved to be -the case. - -Before him lay a stretch of stony beach, perhaps one hundred -yards in width, and beyond that rose a towering wall of cliffs, -looming grim and gaunt through the twilight. - -The engineer’s first movement was to start the engines at full -speed astern; but, though the propellers whirled madly, the vessel -remained motionless, and it became apparent that, despite his wish to -be moving, Wilson would have to wait for the turn of the tide ere -making any effort to once more float the _Seal._ - -Part of the time Wilson passed in making an examination of his -craft, both inside and out, and glad indeed was he to find that she -had sustained but little damage, and that only of a minor -character. - -All too slowly the water rose, the incoming waves lapping the -submarine’s hull playfully as they danced and shivered in the rays of -the searchlight. - -At intervals the engineer tried the engines, and at last, after a -long wait, the water rose high enough to answer his purpose. - -A tremor passed through the vessel; her propellers churned and -thrashed; she bumped, rolled, then slid gently off the beach. - -“Hurrah!” shouted Wilson, and flung up his cap. The _Seal_ -was afloat once more. Over the rolling waves she flew at full speed, -the engineer’s one thought being to regain the beach from which the -attack of the great ichthyosaurus had driven him. - -Two hours later, after a long search, Wilson found himself back -at the old mooring-place. Securely fastening the vessel, he stepped -ashore to stretch his limbs. - -As he paced backward and forward across the beach, he wondered -whether his friends had returned from their expedition during his -absence. - -Suddenly, as he turned to go on board again, he noticed something -gleaming in the sand, almost at his feet. - -Stooping, he picked the shining object up. It was the baronet’s -revolver! The truth burst upon him in a flash. - -“So they came back,” he muttered, “while I was away, for I know -Seymour took this with him when he went off the second time.” - -Gloomy and depressed beyond measure by the discovery, he stepped -across the gangway. Then an idea struck him. Perhaps his friends were -still within hearing! - -On the impulse of the moment he snatched down a rifle from the -rack and fired it into the air. - -But no answering report came back to him. Again and again he -fired, but with no better result, and at length he gave up in -despair. - -Then suddenly the silence was broken by a hideous clamour of -wolfish howls. Distant though they were, the cries almost froze the -blood in Wilson’s veins, so full were they of deadly menace. - -Louder they grew, and it soon became evident to the engineer that -the creatures who uttered them were advancing towards the -_Seal._ - -He was hesitating whether to cast off the mooring-rope or not -when, out of the jungle, some three hundred yards from the vessel, -burst a number of figures. - -Straight for the vessel they made, one in advance seeming to be -pursued by the others. - -In a flash comprehension came to Wilson. Snatching up the -magazine rifle he had but just laid down, he bounded through the -doorway, crossed the deck at a leap, and sprang ashore. - -As he did so the runner in advance raised his head, and a cry -trembled from his lips. - -“For God’s sake, fire, Wilson!” - -“Garth!” the engineer cried, then raised his weapon. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - HOW HILTON ESCAPED FROM THE WOLF-MEN. - - -THE report of the rifle was followed by a piercing death-scream, -and one of the pursuers dropped in his tracks. - -The rest, four in number, raised a hideous howl and came on. - -As they approached, Wilson got a full view of the creatures, and -the devilish horror of the Things paralysed him. - -“Fire!” cried Garth again, and, stumbling forward almost to the -engineer’s feet, he fell headlong, utterly exhausted. - -His fall roused Wilson from his stupor, and, raising his rifle -again, the engineer fired thrice in quick succession. - -At the reports two more of the creatures fell, either dead or -badly wounded, but the remaining two, with a snarling yelp, leapt -close in to the attack. - -One Wilson dropped almost at the muzzle of his rifle; then, ere -he could fire again, the knife of the last flashed straight and true -for his heart. - -Quick as thought he leapt aside, but he was too late to escape -the blow entirely. - -With a shock that staggered him, the great blade buried itself in -the fleshy part of his arm. - -The sting of the knife seemed to rouse all the murderous hate in -the engineer’s nature, and dropping his rifle, he gripped his fearsome -opponent by the throat, and bore him, struggling furiously, to the -ground. - -In vain the creature writhed and twisted; in vain he clawed and -tore at the engineer. Try as he would, he could not unloose that -vice-like grip. - -He gnashed his yellow fangs in a paroxysm of impotent fury, but, -for the moment, Wilson seemed possessed of the strength of a -giant. - -Letting the murder lust within him have full sway, the lad beat -his enemy’s head to a shapeless pulp against the stones of the -beach. - -Only when all motion of the writhing body had ceased for ever did -Wilson relax his grip; then, as he staggered to his feet, a red mist -swam before his eyes, and he fell, swooning, across the corpse of his -hideous opponent. - -When consciousness returned he found the inventor kneeling by his -side, endeavouring to staunch the gaping wound in his arm, from which -he had withdrawn the knife. - -“That was a narrow shave,” he said, as Wilson attempted to sit -up. - -“It was,” the engineer returned; “he almost had me, the brute!” -and he shuddered. - -Rising with the help of his friend, he moved down the beach and -got aboard. - -“Now for your wound,” Garth said, and, ripping up the sleeve of -Wilson’s jacket, he skilfully dressed and bandaged the gash. - -“Where are Haverly and Seymour?” he questioned, when the engineer -was feeling somewhat more comfortable. - -“They went off to find you and Mervyn,” was the reply. -Continuing, Wilson told him how Seymour had returned, and all that had -befallen the _Seal_ since. - -“Great Scott!” Hilton ejaculated, “you’ve had a marvellous -escape. I don’t feel easy about that saurian though. The old gentleman -may take it into his head to turn up again, and we can’t expect the -mist to be on hand a second time. However, there’s no need to worry -about that until he comes.” - -“How did you manage to escape?” the engineer asked. - -“It’s too long a story to tell you now,” Hilton answered. “I’m -just dying for a few hours’ sleep so, if you feel fit enough to keep -watch, I’ll slip below for a time. Call me at once should anything -turn up,” he added, and, turning, left the turret. - -A short rest, followed by a bath, quickly restored the inventor’s -vitality. - -Re-entering the wheelhouse, he found that Wilson had spread an -appetising meal upon the lockers. - -“I thought it best to bring the grub up here,” the engineer -explained, “so that we can keep a look-out while we eat.” - -“Quite right, old man,” Garth returned, and at once fell to. - -For a while they ate in silence, then, at a question from his -friend, Hilton told his story. - -“No doubt Seymour explained how Mervyn was carted off?” he began -interrogatively, “and how we scrambled down into the valley after -him?” - -Wilson nodded. - -“Well,” Hilton continued, “we soon decided that the only course -open to us was to follow the trail of the Triceratops, on the chance -of Mervyn being pitched off the brute’s back. We had just started -when, close at hand, came a chorus of howls, as though a whole -menagerie of wolves were upon our track. Turning, we made for the -valley again. Seymour got safely in, but I tripped over a fungus and -fell; something caught me a crack on the head, and for a time I knew -no more. - -“I came to with a splitting headache, and for a long time I could -remember nothing of the preceding events, so great was the pain of my -head. As my brain grew clearer, memory came back to me, and the -incidents of the last few hours flashed through my mind in a long -procession. Then, for the first time, I became aware of the fact that -I was being carried. Jolly good of Seymour, I thought, to cart me -along like this. I opened my eyes dreamily. Imagine my horror, if you -can, when I discovered that it was not Seymour who was carrying me, -but one of those Things!” Garth indicated the motionless forms which -still lay as they had fallen upon the beach. - -“The creature bore me in its arms as easily as though I were a -child,” he went on, “and for some moments I felt too dazed by the -discovery of my terrible position to do aught but lie still. Then a -thought came to me that, if the creature were alone, I might manage to -escape from his grip. Vain hope! I gazed about me, only to find that a -few paces ahead were a dozen more of the brutes, who appeared to be -following a trail of some sort. I could see by the deep depressions in -the clayey ground that it was the trail of the Triceratops, but for -what reason they should follow the monstrous brute I could not -imagine--until I remembered Mervyn. Then I perceived their -motive. - -“Sure enough, before we had gone much farther, the foremost of -the trackers set up a howl. The rest, and among them my bearer, -hurried forward. Beside the track, unconscious, with a great wound on -his temple, lay the professor. Picking him up, one of the brutes slung -him roughly over his shoulder; and the whole band set forward again at -a rapid trot. The rest of the journey seemed to me like some terrible -nightmare, with only one impression standing out clear in my mind, and -that was the hideous forms of the Things that flitted, spectre-like, -before me. - -“But all things have an end, and this journey was no exception to -the rule. Ere long the creatures pulled up on the brink of a ravine, -from the depths of which arose a sound of a mighty torrent. Above this -chasm hung a frail hide bridge, and I shuddered as I became aware that -my captors were preparing to cross. - -“Gripping Mervyn more firmly, the creature who carried him -stepped upon the swaying ropes. Luckily, the professor was still -unconscious, or I do not doubt he would have made some hasty action, -the result of which would have been disastrous in the extreme. I -marvelled how the creature, burdened as he was, kept his precarious -balance, but he managed it somehow, and at length laid down his -captive upon the farther side of the gorge, while he awaited the -crossing of his fellows. - -“Then came my turn. My bearer advanced to the head of the bridge, -and had already placed one foot upon it, when, wildly furious at the -appalling prospect before me, I writhed out of his arms. For an -instant I had some mad hope of making a run for it, but before I could -take a step the brute had me again. Recklessly I struggled, determined -that I would not be taken across that abyss, to meet a terrible death -at the hands of these wolfish creatures. Far rather leap into the -depths, and perish in the dark waters below! - -“But the creature had a grip like a Polar bear. Struggle as I -would, I could not again escape from his arms, and, at length, with my -ribs almost cracking beneath the strain, I ceased my efforts and lay -passive. With a hideous chuckle, which made me long to shoot him, he -raised me again, and began the passage of the bridge. Still as death I -lay until he had almost reached the centre. Then, when his grip was -somewhat relaxed, and all his efforts were centred upon keeping his -balance, I kicked out strongly. The sudden move, as I had intended it -should, completely destroyed our equilibrium. The bridge seemed to -sway from beneath us, and we hurtled into space. - -“I remember my captor relaxing his grip of my body to make a -desperate clutch at the swinging ropes; a terrible fall which appeared -almost endless in duration; the roaring of many waters; then came a -shock, which knocked me senseless for the second time since leaving -the boat. But I am wearying you with my yarn?” - -“Nothing of the kind,” returned Wilson eagerly; “your tale’s -every bit as good as a book!” - -“To resume, then,” continued the inventor. “The next thing I -recollect is awaking from my swoon on the sandy beach at the mouth of -the river. How it came about that I was not drowned amid the rushing -waters I cannot make out, even now. It seems incredible that I should -have been carried, helpless as I was, through the foaming rapids of -the gorge, and washed safely ashore at the river-mouth. Yet the fact -remains. - -“For some considerable time I lay, drenched and thoroughly -exhausted, upon the sand; then, when my strength had returned in some -measure, I rose, and, though still very faint, made my way along the -beach, knowing that by following the coastline I must, sooner or -later, come across the _Seal._ As my blood began to circulate -more briskly my faintness vanished, and soon I felt as well as -ever. - -“Save for the discomfort of my wet clothes, I really believe I -should have enjoyed my tramp. The thought that I had succeeded in -escaping from the clutches of the brutes who had captured me gave me -great satisfaction. I will hurry on, I thought, and, if Seymour has -returned, we will get up a rescue party at once. Then it will not be -long before we have Mervyn out of the power of these wolfish savages. -You see, I had forgotten that a considerable time must have elapsed -since my fall; that I must have lain unconscious for many hours. - -“On I tramped, but as the time went by, and still no _Seal_ -came in sight, I grew very uneasy. As I rounded each bend in the -coastline I looked eagerly out for the glare of the searchlight. But -never a glimmer did I see. Hours passed, and I grew faint with hunger, -yet still toiled on, hoping that in a little while my quest would be -ended. At length my hunger became unbearable. Plucking several fleshy -fungi, I tore off the thick outer skin and bolted the pulp eagerly, -caring little whether they were of a poisonous character or not, so -that the gnawing pain at my stomach was relieved. - -“To my surprise, they proved not merely palatable, but -stimulating. The stagnant blood began to course with fresh vigour -through my veins, and I arose, refreshed and strengthened, to resume -my quest. It was pleasing to think that, at any rate, I need not -starve, even if I could not find the boat for a time. But should I -ever find her at all? The question, flashing through my mind of a -sudden, almost caused my heart to stand still. - -“What if she had been moved from her old mooring-place, and taken -I knew not where? The thought made me desperate, and I raced madly -forward, shouting occasionally in hopes of hearing an answering hail. -Suddenly I came out upon the beach there. I recognised the spot in an -instant, but my worst fears were realised when I saw that the -_Seal_ was gone. - -“For awhile my rage and despair knew no bounds, and I raced up -and down the beach like a madman, feeling that I was hopelessly lost -in this subterranean world. Presently I grew calmer, and began to look -at my position from the standpoint of common-sense. It was terrible -enough in all conscience. Alone, entirely defenceless--for I had -lost my revolver when I fell into the hands of the savages--in a -land inhabited by monstrous beasts and wolf-like men, it was a -situation, you will admit, that would have tried the stoutest -heart. - -“Remember that then I fully believed the boat had gone for -ever. - -“Suddenly, as I sat thinking out my future movements, a weird -howl broke upon my ears. In a fright I started up, and rushed off at -headlong speed down the shore, determined that I would not again be -taken. For how long I kept on I cannot tell, but I know that at last, -footsore and completely worn out, I flung myself down upon the sand -and fell fast asleep. I awoke ravenously hungry, and my first action -was to make a hearty attack upon a fungus. That done, I felt -better. - -“Telling myself that I had been a fool to allow the cry of the -savages to startle me, I commenced to retrace my steps. I had covered -perhaps a mile, certainly not more, when, rounding a monstrous -boulder, I came plump upon those fellows”--and he pointed to the -beach again. - -“They were squatting in an angle of the rock, eagerly tearing at -a carcase of some sort. For the moment they did not notice me, and I -was hoping to get past unobserved, when, as luck would have it, I -kicked against a stone. In a flash the brutes were up and after me. -Thinking to escape them amid the fungi, I plunged into the jungle. I -ran as I had never run before, but I could not shake them off. The -beasts seemed absolutely tireless. - -“I had almost given up hope when I heard the reports of your -rifle. The sounds gave me fresh strength, and I dashed furiously on -until I emerged yonder. The rest you know.” - -Garth rose as he finished his story, and glanced out through the -glass. - -Then a startling cry burst from him. - -“Great Heaven! Look there, Tom!” - -Wilson turned quickly. - -Through the ghostly twilight, a cable’s length astern, loomed the -monstrous form and vast, glaring orbs of the great fish-lizard. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - “GEHARI--THE WILY ONE.” - - -“I OPINE it’s got to be done.” - -Once more Silas and the baronet stood upon the brink of the great -abyss which had barred further progress upon their first journey. - -“You see, it’s this way,” Haverly went on: “there’s just a -glimmer of a chance that Garth and Mervyn are still alive. It ain’t -the general thing with savages to kill their prisoners off-hand, and I -guess these wolf-men are no exception to the rule. That being so, we -may still be in time to pull this job off if we adopt my plan. You’ll -allow that if we’ve got to foot it twenty or thirty miles along the -edge of this yer crevice, we’re safe to arrive considerable too late -for business?” - -“Tramping along the brink on the chance of finding a place -sufficiently narrow for us to jump is utterly out of the question,” -replied Seymour. “Your plan is really the only feasible one, although -it sounds decidedly risky.” - -“Then here goes,” cried the millionaire. He flung himself down -upon the very verge of the chasm, and, leaning far over, hauled up the -dangling ropes which had formed the bridge. - -With Seymour’s aid he cut the fastenings that bound it to the -rocky brink; then the twain applied themselves to the task of -unlashing the cross-ties, a piece of work that proved very tedious, -and which was accomplished with no little difficulty. - -It was finished at length, though, and then Haverly skilfully -knotted the two long strands, each of which was about thirty feet in -length, testing the knots again and again to assure himself of their -firmness. - -“I guess that’ll hold,” he remarked; “if it gives at all it won’t -be at the knots.” - -At one end of this hide rope he made a running noose, and, -coiling it lasso-fashion about his arm, he rose. - -“Now for a suitable rock to sling it over,” he went on, “and then -we’ll have a first-class bridge: a bit fragile, perhaps, but ‘needs -must when the old man drives,’ you know.” - -Along the edge of the gorge the two men strode, searching -carefully for an out-jutting spur of rock upon the opposite side. - -For a time their efforts were unrewarded, and Seymour began to -grow impatient. Every instant was of priceless value; each moment the -odds against their being able to carry out their desperate plan of -rescue increased. - -Then suddenly they came in sight of a crag which appeared as -though it had been made for the purpose. - -Whirling his roughly made lasso above his head, the Yankee made a -cast. - -But the noose fell short, and the rope swished downward into the -gorge. - -“Better luck next time,” Silas muttered, as he recoiled it. - -Once more he threw the noose, and this time fortune attended his -efforts. The rope settled over the rocky spur, and was at once pulled -taut. - -“I guess we’ll have to risk the rock cuttin’ the hide,” the -Yankee said, as he securely fastened his end of the rope to an -adjacent boulder. - -Creeping to the verge, he took a firm grip of the hide with both -hands, and lowered himself over into the gorge. - -The frail rope creaked ominously beneath his weight, as, hand -over hand, he commenced to drag himself across that yawning gulf. - -Each instant it seemed as though the swaying thread on which his -life depended would snap. Beads of sweat stood out upon Seymour’s -forehead as he watched his friend’s perilous progress. - -The American’s lithe body swayed and danced like a puppet, as his -hands clasped and unclasped upon the rope. - -Halfway across he paused for a brief rest, then on he toiled once -more, until he reached the crag to which the rope was fastened. - -With a supreme effort he dragged himself upon the rock, and lay -panting awhile as the result of his tremendous exertions. - -When he had somewhat recovered, he rose, and made a careful -examination of the rope at the point where it encircled the crag. - -“Unlash it for a moment, Seymour,” he called, his voice echoing -strangely from the depths of the chasm. - -As the baronet complied with his request, Silas removed the -noose. Taking off his jacket, he wrapped it closely around the rock, -replacing the rope over it. - -“I guess that’ll keep it from wearing through,” he said. “If -you’ll do the same your side, it will lessen the risk of it -snapping.” - -Sir William followed his example, then launched himself -cautiously over the brink. Inch by inch, foot by foot, he advanced, -though the rope cut his hands like a knife. His arms seemed to be -leaving their sockets through the strain, and his eyes grew dim and -bloodshot, yet he still dragged onward. - -Longingly he gazed upon the opposite lip of the gorge, where -Haverly sat at ease. Would he be able to hold out? It seemed doubtful, -for his strength was ebbing fast. His great weight made his crossing -ten times more difficult than the lighter-built Yankee’s had been. - -His goal appeared to recede as he advanced. What would he not -give to rest his aching arms for just one moment? - -“Courage!” cried his friend, and the word gave him strength. - -Haverly had made the passage; why not he? - -Slowly the distance between him and his goal lessened; ten feet, -nine--he would soon be in safety now--eight; -then---- - -_Crack!_ A pistol-like report echoed across the gorge. - -“Grip for your life!” cried the Yankee; “the rope’s giving!” - -_Crack!_ Again it sounded, like the knell of doom in -Seymour’s throbbing ears. - -The next moment the rope parted behind him, and he dropped like a -stone into the depths. Instinctively his clutch tightened upon the -hide. - -[Illustration: “THE NEXT MOMENT THE ROPE PARTED BEHIND HIM”(_p. 93._)] - -A swift rush through the air, then, with a shock that forced a -groan of agony from his bloodless lips, he struck the canyon wall. - -For a few seconds he hung, twisting and swaying, at the end of -the rope, until his feet found hold on a narrow ledge in the face of -the rock. On to this he drew himself. - -For the moment he was safe. - -As he stood there, gasping and panting, feeling as though he had -not a whole bone in his body, the glare of Haverly’s lantern pierced -the gloom. - -Looking upward, Seymour saw his friend’s face peering anxiously -down from the cliff top. - -“It’s all right, Silas,” he panted; “I’ll be with you at soon as -I’ve got my wind.” - -“Jupiter!” exclaimed the American, “I reckoned you’d passed in -your checks for sure that time. It was a narrow squeak! Take your -time,” he continued, as the baronet commenced to haul himself up. -“Don’t overdo it.” - -Four minutes later Seymour’s head appeared above the edge of the -cliff, and, with the millionaire’s ready help, he dragged himself over -into safety. - -“I wouldn’t go through that again for a king’s ransom,” he -said. - -“I guess you’d hardly come out of it so well another time,” -returned Silas; “it’s the closest call I’ve struck for a considerable -stretch. Say when you’re ready and we’ll hustle.” - -“I’m ready at once,” was the answer. - -A little over half an hour it took the two friends to pick up the -trail of the wolf-men, then they pushed on once more at their utmost -speed. - -The character of the country changed entirely as they advanced, -the level plain giving place to a series of rolling ridges, which made -progress extremely difficult. - -Added to this, the temperature appeared to be gradually rising, -and soon their bodies were bathed in perspiration. - -“Warm work,” remarked Haverly, pausing on the crest of a ridge to -mop his forehead. - -“Too warm to be pleasant,” replied his friend. “I should imagine -that we are approaching a subterranean fire of some sort. What’s -that?” he broke off sharply. - -A shrill scream, thrilling with agony, rose from the ravine at -their feet. - -“Look to your shootin’ iron,” said the Yankee; “sounds as if -you’ll need it.” - -He jerked his own revolver from his pocket as he spoke. - -“I must have lost my barker,” Seymour muttered, feeling through -his pockets. - -“I guess your rifle will manage,” was the reply. - -Once more the cry arose, and at that they commenced the descent -of the ridge. - -As they neared the base, two wildly-grappling forms loomed -through the twilight. In a moment Haverly switched on the light of his -lantern, and focussed its rays upon the combatants. - -Struggling desperately in the coils of a monstrous serpent was -one of the fearsome wolf-men. - -Three of the reptile’s great glistening folds encircled the -savage’s body; the mighty jaws gaped expectantly above him, while the -beadlike eyes were fixed in a fascinating stare upon the unfortunate -creature. - -“We can’t stand by and see him crushed to death by that brute,” -cried the baronet impulsively, “even though he is a wolf-man.” - -“Best not to interfere,” returned the Yankee shortly. - -At that instant the wolf-man, attracted by the light, turned his -head towards the two friends and raised his hands imploringly, while -from his lips came another agonised scream. - -That settled the question for Seymour. Quick as thought he raised -his rifle and fired. At the report the great, yawning head vanished, -shattered to atoms, and the body, relaxing its grip of the savage, -thrashed up the ravine as though still endowed with life. - -As it vanished into the gloom the wolf-man rose, rushed forward, -and cast himself down at Seymour’s feet. - -“I’ve no small notion that we’ll strike trouble over this job,” -said Haverly ominously, “and that before a great while either. What -the Barnum we’re to do with this long-shanked freak I know no more’n -Caesar.” - -“He may prove useful,” the baronet suggested. - -“He may,” was the Yankee’s unpromising answer, “but I guess the -odds lie the other way. Hi, Pharaoh!”--addressing the cringing -savage--“get up from there right now. You’re black enough without -wiping your face in the mud.” - -As though conscious that he was addressed, the creature raised -his head, and glared fiercely at Haverly. - -“Get up,” the latter repeated roughly; then, seizing the wolf-man -by his girdle, jerked him to his feet. - -A baleful light flashed from the creature’s eyes, and, for an -instant, it appeared as though he was about to spring at the -millionaire’s throat, but he checked himself, and well it was for him -that he did so. - -“He’s got neither knife nor spear,” Seymour said, “so he cannot -be very dangerous.” - -“Umph!” Silas snorted, “I wouldn’t trust the brute out of sight. -I guess we’ll have to keep a tight hand over him, or he’ll be settin’ -a hull crowd of his pards on our trail in a brace of shakes.” - -“Gehari!” - -The harsh, guttural cry came from the wolf-man’s throat, and he -beat his breast with his clenched hand. - -“Gehari!” he repeated, fixing his piercing eyes on Seymour’s -face. - -“What’s he jawing about?” asked Silas. - -“Ayuti again,” replied the baronet. “However came these brutes to -speak that language?” - -“I reckon it don’t matter a heap,” retorted the Yankee, “so’s we -can turn it to our advantage.” - -“Gehari!” For the third time the word broke upon the ears of the -two friends. - -“What the plague does he mean by his eternal ‘gehari’?” asked -Haverly. - -“It must be his name,” was the reply, “but it isn’t exactly a -classy title. The word means ‘the wily one.’” - -“Jupiter!” cried Haverly with a grin, “that kind of gives the -show away. I guess he can’t grumble the handle don’t fit him, for he’s -got ‘wily’ writ large all over him. Say, couldn’t you get no news of -our pards off the fellow?” - -Turning, Seymour put a few brief questions to the wolf-man. - -“What’s he say?” asked Silas as he finished. - -“He professes to know nothing of two white prisoners, but he says -that all captives are sacrificed to the sacred beast of his people in -the temple of Ramouni.” - -“Then tell him to lead on to this yer temple, quick as he knows -how,” the Yankee snapped, “if he wants to keep his skin entire.” - -The baronet interpreted the words in their full significance, and -at once the savage started off across the bed of the ravine at a -trot. - -Up the opposite ridge he clambered, at a pace that severely taxed -the powers of the rescuers. Within a few moments they topped the -crest. - -Before them the plain stretched level as a table for half a -league; and beyond rose the fungi-clad heights they had first sighted -from the boat. - -Onward they pressed until they stood at the foot of the range; -and here, deciding to seek a few hours’ rest ere entering upon the -final stage of their perilous journey, the two friends passed into a -small cave amid the rocks. And with them, closely watched by the alert -American, went Gehari--the wily one. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - THE FATE OF MERVYN. - - -BUT what of Professor Mervyn? How was he faring the while his friends -were making such strenuous efforts to effect his rescue? - -For a time his terror at finding himself in so perilous a -position completely overcame him. - -With each stride of his monstrous steed he was being borne -farther and farther from his friends; deeper and deeper into the -unknown wilds of this subterranean world. He knew that ere long, -unless he took prompt action, he would be carried beyond all reach of -aid, yet, so great was the fear that gripped him, for a time he could -do nought, save cling convulsively to the armoured hide of the brute -he rode. - -As his first panic subsided, and his brain resumed its sway of -his trembling body, he began to cast about for some means of escape -from his predicament. - -Full twenty feet he was from the ground, and the Triceratops was -travelling at the rate of at least thirty miles an hour, so that a -leap could not be other than dangerous. Yet it must be done if he -would ever see his friends again. - -The thought that perhaps he might break a limb in descending -deterred him for some time, but at length he summoned up courage to -make the attempt. - -To do so, however, he must first rise to a standing position upon -the huge back of the Triceratops, in order to obtain sufficient spring -to leap clear of the pounding hoofs. - -This feat he accomplished, after considerable difficulty; then, -while he stood essaying to leap, the brute beneath him swerved -suddenly to the right. - -It might have been that the scientist’s movements irritated the -creature, and so caused it to change its course, or it may have been -but a whim on its part. - -However it was, the sudden move destroyed the professor’s -balance; he was flung headlong and dropped, in a stunned and bleeding -heap, beside the track. - -Nought he knew of the coming of the wolf-men who had already -captured Garth; nought of the passage of the bridge; even the rough -journey thence to the caves of the savages did not rouse him. - -When he did at length return to a sense of things around him, two -impressions forced themselves upon his brain. One was the sensation -that utter, impenetrable darkness shut him in--darkness, thick -and tangible; the other, that every bone in his body had been broken -and re-set. - -Of the twain, the former gave him the more uneasiness. - -His aches and pains, he knew, were the result of his fall, but -this other he could not explain. - -Where was he, that this darkness surrounded him? Surely, if he -lay where he had fallen, the twilight of the underworld would be about -him? - -Then of a sudden the thought that he was blind swept over him. -_The shock of his fall had perhaps destroyed his sight!_ - -“Oh, God!” he cried despairingly, and raised his hands. - -The clank of metal startled him, and he became conscious of -something which, in his state of semi-bewilderment, he had not felt -before. - -His arms were chained at the wrists! - -A low gasp escaped him at this discovery, yet with it came a -feeling of relief. The darkness, then, was the result of his -surroundings, and not of any accident to his eyes. But into whose -hands had he fallen? What beings were they who held him captive? - -As yet he was unaware of the existence of the wolf-men, and it -was well that he knew nothing of the horrors, or surely his brain -would have given way beneath the strain of his terrible situation -during the long hours he spent in the darkness of his prison. - -His first action was to attempt to slip the chain from his -wrists, but this he found before long to be an utter impossibility. -Evidently the creatures who had fastened him had a shrewd idea as to -the method of securing a prisoner. - -Luckily, his feet were not in a like plight, so that, after a -time, he made shift to rise, and, with manacled hands outstretched -before him, feel his way about his prison. - -As nearly as he could judge, his cell was about four yards in -length by rather less than half this in width. Its rock walls, -rough-hewn and rugged for the most part, were, in one particular -place, smooth as glass. - -Carefully Mervyn passed his fingers over this slab, suspecting -that it was the door to his cell yet not a crack could he find. - -The rock there seemed not less solid than elsewhere. Again and -again he tried, but never with the same result. - -As the hours dragged by, and no one came to him, the scientist -began to think that his captors had forgotten his existence. - -Whoever they were, whatever they were, they surely could not -intend him to be entombed alive? They would scarcely have troubled to -chain him had they meant him to be shut away here for ever. - -So thinking, Mervyn raised his voice in a shout. - -The sound rang round the walls of his prison in an appalling -uproar, yet apparently it was unheard without. - -Allowing some moments to elapse, he repeated his effort. - -The cell rang again with his cry, but still there came no answer, -and at last he flung himself down upon the floor again. - -Scarcely had he done so ere to his ears came the creaking of -machinery, and a dazzling light flooded his cell. - -Looking up, he saw that the stone slab, which he believed to be -the door, had been pulled aside, and in the doorway, his features lit -up with a look of fiendish glee, stood a man--but such a man! - -Tall he was, and lean as a greyhound. Yet his bare, brown arms -looked strong as iron; from his shoulders a fur mantle fell in -graceful folds to his feet; his face--distorted now by its -malevolent expression into the semblance of a fiend--must have -been pleasing once, if not handsome. But passion had left its mark -upon the features, and the eyes, cold and merciless in their glitter, -betrayed the hideous cruelty of their owner’s nature. - -Upon the forehead of the man, bound in place by a tiny metal -chain, was a stone, the like of which Mervyn had never seen -before. - -In fashion it was like a rough-cut diamond, but much larger than -any gem ever discovered in the mines of the upper world, and from its -glowing heart proceeded the dazzling light which illumined the -cell. - -All this Mervyn noted in the first few seconds of his -surprise. - -A little while he sat gazing at the man, then, scrambling to his -feet, stood upright before him. - -“Wabozi!” The word rang mockingly from the lips of the fellow, -and the scientist recognised it in a moment. - -“How comes this fellow to speak Ayuti?” he questioned mentally. -“Perhaps----” - -“Wabozi, zea!” - -The mocking voice, this time with a note of menace in it, broke -sharply in upon his reflections. - -Quick as thought Mervyn answered in the same tongue, using the -same words, “Wabozi, zea!” (“Greeting, dog!”) - -“So,” continued his captor, “thou knowest the language of the -underworld? ’Tis well. Thou wilt have need of it ere long, when I -question thee concerning thy presence in my kingdom. Know you that I -am Nordhu, High Priest of Ramouni, Ruler of the Under-world! Who are -ye? Take heed that ye speak naught but the truth, for I know more than -ye think.” - -A faint hope flickered up in the scientist’s breast that, by -telling his story in its fulness, the priest might be induced to set -him free, that he might return to his friends. - -So he began narrating the misadventures and accidents which -landed him in so unfortunate a position. - -But never an atom of interest did the priest show. His features -were inscrutable as a mask. - -“What is that to me?” he asked, as Mervyn concluded with a plea -for his freedom; “what need was there for ye to seek out this secret -place in your upper world, which ye call the ‘Pole’?” - -“None,” was the scientist’s answer, “save that it was a mystery, -and we were minded to solve it.” - -“Granted there were need for that,” pursued the priest, “there -were none for ye to set foot upon my land--the land of my -people.” - -The arrogance of the fellow was fast arousing Mervyn’s temper, -yet he strove to keep it in check, unwilling to make an open enemy of -the man he had--all unwittingly--offended. - -“We knew not that the land was inhabited,” he explained, “and -even had we, we could not have known that the law forbade the landing -of strangers. Our desire now is but to return to our own world.” - -“Doubtless,” was the mocking answer; “but ere ye return, ye must -recompense me for the loss of those of my people whom thy friends have -slain. Hearest thou?” - -“Ay!” returned Mervyn angrily, “yet remember, if any of thy -savages have been slain, they must first have attacked my friends. But -how know ye that any are slain?” - -“Cease thy baying, dog!” snapped the priest in answer, “lest I am -tempted to deal hardly by ye. Listen! I am minded to know more of -these fire-weapons ye use. Show me the secret and ye are free.” - -For an instant the professor hesitated. Here was a chance at -which his heart leapt, yet he feared to take it. On the one hand was -life and liberty; on the other, death, and that as terrible as the -priest of Ramouni could make it for his helpless prisoner. - -What if he showed Nordhu the secret he wished to know? - -He would be arming the people of the underworld with weapons that -would make them the equals of any nation on the face of the globe; but -would there be harm in so doing? - -While he stood wavering the priest clapped his hands, and, into -the light of the flashing jewel, slid two of the fearful wolf-men. - -It was the scientist’s first view of the creatures, and his brain -reeled with the horror of the things. - -His tongue clove to the roof of his mouth, his limbs trembled -beneath him. - -Nordhu grinned broadly at the obvious terror of his victim. - -A wave of his hand, and the two wolfish figures vanished into the -gloom again. - -“Well?” the priest demanded, “will ye show me the secret? Five -millions have I of these people; what think ye of them? Would’st like -to be given into their hands, that they might make sport with ye?” - -At the words Mervyn’s terror vanished; in its place came a cool, -dauntless courage that surprised even himself. - -Better that he should be torn to pieces by these fearsome brutes -than that he should be the primary cause of arming them with the -weapons of civilised warfare. Should the brutes ever find their way to -the upper world, they would overwhelm the whole globe. - -“No,” he returned, drawing himself up, “I will not show ye the -secret of the fire-weapons. Do with me as thou wilt.” - -“So,” snarled the priest, “ye defy me. Bolder wills than thine -have I overcome. ’Tis an evil moment for ye when ye cross Nordhu.” - -He bent his piercing eyes upon Mervyn, and his look seemed to -sear the scientist’s very soul. - -With all the force of his brain Mervyn struggled against that -fascinating gaze. It was a contest of wills. - -Could the priest but succeed in bending his prisoner’s will to -his this once, hereafter the unfortunate man would be as clay in the -hands of the potter. - -Knowing this, Mervyn fought on, although the desire to submit -grew almost overpowering. Never before had he taken part in so fierce -a struggle. His eyes seemed starting from his head beneath the strain, -and still the merciless ones of his enemy glared into his brain. - -Then, when he was almost upon the point of yielding, the gaze of -the priest changed to a look of baffled fury. - -“So ye resist the supremacy of my will,” he hissed. “So be it; I -have other methods. But mark this: if thou wilt not yield me this -secret, upon which I have set my heart, I will make thee wish that -thou had’st never been born.” - -“Do your worst,” returned Mervyn doggedly. “Rather would I be -torn limb from limb than reveal to you the secret of our weapons.” - -A sneering laugh broke from the priest. - -“Dragged limb from limb, sayest thou?” he cried. “That were an -easy death to the one I will give thee if thou wilt not obey me.” - -Once more he clapped his hands, and the two savages -reappeared. - -“Bring him forth,” he commanded, and the wolf-men, their faces -aglow with diabolical cruelty, hustled Mervyn out of the cell. - -Following the priest, a guard on either side of him, the -scientist moved down the passage on to which the door of the cell gave -access. - -It was apparently a natural tunnel in the rock, rough-hewn in -places where it had been too narrow to admit of the passage of the -savages. From it, on either side, opened galleries, which seemed to -run deep into the bowels of the earth. - -Up these openings, as captive and captors passed them, came -strange sounds, boomings and clangings, as of a mighty forge, and at -times a lurid glow would flash up for an instant, then die away -again. - -Past all these openings the priest went, pausing at length before -the open doorway of a rock chamber. - -“Enter,” he commanded, and, realising the futility of resistance, -the scientist obeyed. - -The light of the priest’s stone illumined every corner of the -chamber. A rough rectangle it was in shape, about twenty feet by -twelve. Across the floor, parallel with, and about a couple of feet -from, the doorway, ran a strange crack, not more than three inches in -width at its widest part. - -Over this Mervyn stepped, then turned and faced his captors. - -“I will give thee time to decide,” Nordhu said, “whether ye will -do my bidding or be delivered to the sacred beast of Ramouni. See, -here is food”--flinging a couple of mushroom-like fungi towards -his prisoner--“eat, and think well over your answer. Thy fate is -in thine own hands.” - -“Stand back against the further wall,” he added, a moment later. -Without a word Mervyn obeyed. As he did so Nordhu stamped with his -foot upon the floor of the passage. Instantly, from the crack in the -floor leapt a dazzling sheet of flame, forming an impenetrable barrier -between the scientist and the doorway. Almost to the roof the flaming -wall towered, darting and flashing in innumerable little tongues. - -The heat from the barrier was terrible; its glare seemed to -shrivel Mervyn’s eyes, and his ears throbbed with the roaring of the -flames. - -The fungi lay untasted at his side, and he sat with his head -buried in his hands, the personification of despair. - -His fate was in his own hands, so the priest had said; his own it -was to decide whether he should earn freedom or a terrible death. - -A subtle temptation came to him as he sat there in the fiery -cell, to yield to circumstances, to drift with the tide. - -Almost it overcame him, but to his aid came another thought. What -guarantee had he that Nordhu would fulfil his promise and set him free -if he obeyed him? Would not the priest rather keep him captive, that -he might wring from him knowledge of other things besides -firearms? - -It was scarcely likely that he would allow such a prize as Mervyn -would prove to slip through his fingers, promise or no promise. - -“No,” the scientist muttered; “he can shrivel me to a cinder if -he likes. I will not obey him!” So was his determination taken. - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - “RAHEE THE TERRIBLE!” - - -“WHAT sayest thou? Wilt live or die?” - -Many hours had passed since Mervyn made his decision. - -The flaming barrier had sunk back into the depths whence it -sprang, and Nordhu stood once more before his captive. - -The scientist faced the priest boldly. - -“This is my answer,” he cried: “I utterly refuse to reveal to you -any of the things you wish to know; but hear this ere ye destroy me: I -have friends who will exact a terrible vengeance if I be harmed. Not -all your hordes of wolfish followers will save you from their -fury.” - -“Think you to fright me with such talk?” returned the priest -scornfully. “What doth hinder me to take your friends captive also, -and put them to the torture? Are they such mighty warriors that ye -think they can stand against the hosts of the underworld? I know of -their movements. I know that they be approaching the haunts of my -people in hope to rescue their brother. I have warned them by a fire -message, but I fear me they will not heed. Though they force an -entrance into our caverns, they shall never return, I swear it by -Ramouni, and by Rahee, sacred beast of Ramouni! Soon will I have all -of ye safely in my power, and it may be that I can wrest the secret -from one, if ye are stubborn. But come, Rahee waits.” - -Stepping over the fire-crack, Mervyn passed out of the -chamber. - -On once more down the tunnel the priest and prisoner made their -way, and behind, silent and terrible, came the two wolfish guards. -Round numberless bends and curves they went, sometimes crossing a huge -vaulted chamber, to plunge into a tunnel on the farther side. And ever -around them, from the numerous galleries on either hand, came the -sounds of machinery. At length they reached a doorway, before which -hung a curtain of skins. This Nordhu pulled aside, and the four passed -through into a dazzling glare of fungi light. - -So brilliant was the glow that it paled the light of the priest’s -stone, and, for a few seconds, Mervyn was compelled to veil his eyes -with his manacled hands. Presently, as they became accustomed to the -glare, he was able to take note of his surroundings. - -He was standing in a vast natural amphitheatre in the heart of -the mountain range. Around him, ledge upon ledge, terrace after -terrace, rose the cliffs, and every cranny of the towering walls was -crowded with fungi. Everywhere the luminous growths flourished, the -floor of the amphitheatre alone being free from them. - -But not for long was Mervyn allowed to stand gazing upon this -scene. - -“Come,” snapped the priest, and moved on across the floor. - -Soon before them loomed a gigantic idol, rudely carved in -stone. - -It was a monstrous, misshapen, half-human figure with but one -eye, and that in the centre of its forehead. Immediately in front -stood a flat stone slab, which evidently served as an altar, and -Mervyn shuddered as he noted the dark stains upon the surface of the -stone. - -Doubtless many a score of victims had been sacrificed beneath the -murderous knife of Nordhu upon that slab; many a savage had gone -screaming to his death to satisfy the lust of the devilish priest. - -The two guards had instantly prostrated themselves before the -monstrosity, and now lay upon their faces, muttering some doggerel or -other in praise of the image. - -Nordhu himself bowed low, then turned furiously upon his -prisoner. - -“Kneel!” he screamed, “kneel to Ramouni, that ye may hear his -will.” - -But the scientist stood rigid as the idol itself. He knew well -that he was face to face with death, and he was not minded that his -last few moments of life should be spent in bowing himself before the -repulsive figure which served these people as a god. - -“Dost hear?” thundered the priest; “kneel, ye white dog, before -the god of my people.” - -“I will not kneel,” Mervyn answered calmly, “to this misshapen -block of stone that ye call a god. Think you to deceive me with this -craven figure! If it be a god, let it speak.” - -“So,” returned Nordhu mockingly, “ye would fain hear Ramouni -speak? Hearken then.” - -Raising his arms above his head, he gabbled out a long formula, -punctuated with sundry bowings and scrapings that made Mervyn long to -kick the fellow. But the yearning to do violence to the priest’s -person vanished, and the scientist stood absolutely dumbfounded, as a -thin, cracked voice from the lips of the idol answered Nordhu’s -plea. - -“Let the white stranger be delivered unto Rahee, the sacred -beast.” - -“’Tis well, oh Ramouni,” replied the priest, “it shall be done. -Well, art satisfied?” he continued, turning to Mervyn. - -“No,” cried the latter; “I am persuaded that the idol speaks but -by a trick.” - -An expression of fiendish rage swept over the face of the priest, -and he raised his clenched fist threateningly above his victim. For an -instant it seemed as though he would strike Mervyn to the earth, but -he restrained his fury. - -“Hound!” he hissed frenziedly, “dost dare to say Ramouni hath no -voice?” - -“I go further,” pursued Mervyn firmly--to him in a flash had -come the revelation of Nordhu’s trickery--“I know the means by -which ye make the idol speak, and will expose you to your people. -Think you that you alone can give Ramouni voice? Listen!” - -Once more a voice came from the image, but this time different -indeed in tone; no weak, piping voice this, but strong and of full -volume. - -“Hark ye, Nordhu,” come the words--and at the sound of them -the two wolfish worshippers raised themselves, staring in astonishment -at the lips of the god--“do no harm to this white stranger, I -command ye. It is my will that he should depart in peace. See to it, -lest my anger be visited upon my people!” - -It was Mervyn’s last card, his final effort in his struggle -against death. - -Himself a ventriloquist of no mean ability, the scientist had -quickly perceived the method by which the crafty priest gave speech to -Ramouni. A faint hope flickered up in his mind that, by means of his -talent, he might compel Nordhu to release him. - -Vain hope! One moment the priest stood as though turned to stone, -the next his clenched fist shot out, and Mervyn dropped like a -log. - -Ere he could rise again the priest, tearing the hide girdle from -the loins of the nearest savage, was upon him, and, binding the filthy -strip of skin firmly across his mouth, effectually gagged the -prostrate scientist. - -For an instant it seemed as though the two wolf-men were about to -interfere. Doubtless they were afraid that they would suffer for -Nordhu’s rash action if Ramouni fulfilled his threat; but the high -priest was quite ready for the emergency. - -With consummate skill he flung his voice between the lips of the -image. - -“Thou hast done well, O priest,” came the piping tones. “I did -but try thee, whether thou wert faithful to me or no. Let my people -make merry over the death of this white stranger, for he is mine -enemy.” - -Every word of this speech Mervyn heard, as he struggled painfully -to his feet; yet he was powerless to resist the devilish schemes of -the merciless monster beside him. With a fiendish grin overspreading -his features, the priest raised his voice in a piercing cry: - -“Ayoki! Ayoki!” - -The word pealed twice from his lips, and, ere the echoes had -died, into the temple filed a score of dark figures. Right up to the -altar they glided, moving with scarce a sound, and formed a semicircle -about the high priest and his prisoner. - -At their advent the wolf-men rose and vanished, seeming glad to -leave the presence of the image, which their ignorant superstitious -minds credited with supernatural powers. - -The newcomers, each of whom was clad somewhat scantily in a -coarse skin mantle, were creatures of the same type as the high -priest, save that, if anything, their faces were more brutalised and -repulsive. They glared fiercely at the scientist as they stood waiting -for Nordhu to speak. - -“Priests of Ramouni,” he began at last, “our god hath decided -that this white stranger shall be delivered unto Rahee, the sacred -beast. Let the people of the underworld be summoned.” - -Instantly one of the priests raised a horn to his lips. - -As the weird note trembled through the temple, the whole band -closed about Mervyn and hustled him forward towards the further end of -the amphitheatre, where stretched a line of bars. Straight towards -this barrier the scientist was thrust and driven, until he was close -enough to see that beside it stood a huge stone windlass. - -Here the priests halted, and once again the blast of the horn -echoed amid the cliffs. - -At that a multitude of sinister forms poured into the vast -enclosure. Rank upon rank, they thronged in and took their places -silently, until the whole floor of the temple, up to within a few -yards of the spot where stood Nordhu and the priests, was covered with -a heaving sea of bodies. - -As he noted the wolfish forms of the creatures, their terrible -aspect, Mervyn, despite his terror, felt thankful that he had not -revealed to Nordhu the secret he so longed to know. - -Fervently he prayed that his comrades might not fall into the -hands of the devilish priest through any mad attempt to rescue -him. - -The hopelessness of any such effort, the utter impossibility of -it, was plain to him. An army would be overwhelmed in a few moments by -these countless hordes! What chance, then, had his friends? At most -they were but four in number, and, with all their daring, they would -not be able to pluck him from out the clutches of the priest. - -So thinking, the scientist commended his soul to his Maker, -waiting, pale faced but undaunted in spirit, for the terrible death -which he knew would soon be his. - -What form it would take he knew not; but he was aware that -somewhere behind that row of bars lurked the beast to whose murderous -appetite he was to be sacrificed. The suspense was terrible. Anything -was better than this drawn-out agony, and he was glad when, suddenly, -the high priest raised his hand. - -Instantly a thunderous shout of “Nordhu! Nordhu!” pealed upward -from a myriad throats. It ceased abruptly, and a tense, brooding -silence followed, broken a few moments later by the harsh voice of the -chief priest. - -With many violent gestures he harangued his people, and Mervyn -listened with fast-beating heart as Nordhu pronounced his doom. - -As his voice trailed off into silence, half a dozen of the -priests sprang forward to the windlass, while the rest, opening a gate -in the barrier, thrust Mervyn into the enclosure beyond. Then the -scientist observed that there was a second row of bars within the den, -forming a barrier before the mouth of a large cave in the temple wall. -The use of the windlass without became apparent to him in a -moment. - -Even as the thought crossed his mind, the huge wheel turned -beneath the united efforts of the priests, and the rails--the -only barrier between the captive and the so-called sacred beast of the -wolf-men--rose, until the mouth of the cave was uncovered. - -As the great windlass ceased to move, another thunderous shout -swelled up from the ranks of the savages. - -“Hail, Rahee! Rahee the terrible!” - -On the instant, as though in answer to the cry, a sound came from -the depths of the cave. The beast was coming forth! - -Fascinated, Mervyn stood watching for the appearance of the -redoubtable Rahee. - -_“My God”_ - -Like the wail of a soul in torment, the despairing cry trembled -from the captive scientist’s lips as the sacred beast emerged from the -cavern. - -Never in all his wildest dreams had he imagined that so hideous a -creature could exist. Long afterwards the terror of the brute haunted -him. Its glaring eyes seemed to be ever before him, and the gnashing -of its jaws dinned in his ears for days. - -With a stealthy, sidelong motion the spider-like brute crept -towards its fascinated victim. Every hair on its great, brown body -bristled with fury; each of its eight, claw-armed legs seemed to -quiver with eagerness as it advanced. - -The horror of the awful thing stunned Mervyn--held him -powerless, as though he were fixed to the floor. He could do naught -but stare. - -Then suddenly a wave of fury swept over him, and with might and -main he strove to release his hands from the manacles. Like a madman -he fought and tore, but the chains held him like a vice, and -presently, with bleeding hands and wrists, he ceased his efforts. - -Bowing his head that he might not see the grim form of his -destroyer, he stood awaiting his doom. - -Yet at that moment, although he knew it not, help was at -hand. - -Even while he thought himself within an ace of Eternity; when the -great spider, but a few yards from its victim, was crouching for a -spring, and the savage hordes in the temple were watching eagerly for -the final scene of the tragedy, a shout came pealing downward from -above. - -Aroused, Mervyn looked up. The sight that met his eyes sent the -hope rushing back into his heart, and set every nerve in his body -tingling with a wild desire to live. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - FOR A FRIEND’S LIFE. - - -“SAY, Seymour?” - -“Well?” inquired the baronet sleepily. - -“I guess it’s time to be moving.” - -Yawning, Seymour rose and stretched himself. - -“Just rouse Pharaoh there,” Haverly went on, as he slung his -rifle over his shoulder. - -Moving over to a corner of the cave, the baronet prodded the -sleeping savage in the ribs. With a guttural cry the creature rose, -shook himself like a dog, and stood awaiting orders. - -“I guess you’d better drop it to him as we want to strike for -this yer temple right now,” drawled the Yankee. - -Seymour interpreted the message, whereupon Gehari affirmed, with -many vigorous movements of his hands, that he could lead the great -chief and his friend by a secret road, known only to himself and to -one other who was dead, which would take them right to the den of the -sacred beast. - -“Lead on, then,” cried Seymour, “but beware how you deal with us. -Serve us well, and you shall be rewarded; betray us, and you shall die -by the fire-sticks.” - -He tapped his rifle significantly as he spoke, and the savage, -having been a witness of the death of the great serpent, seemed to -fully comprehend. - -He flung himself down upon the cavern floor and pressed his -forehead to the baronet’s boots; then, rising, he moved swiftly -outside. - -The two rescuers followed, Haverly covering with his revolver the -hideous form of their savage guide. - -Amid the boulders which lined the base of the hills the three -threaded their way, darting into hiding occasionally to escape the -notice of some passing savage. - -For perhaps a mile they moved in this fashion, then Gehari turned -into a narrow gully, between two enormous peaks. - -So high were the walls on either side that the defile was dark as -midnight, and the American was strongly tempted to use his -lantern. - -“What an ideal spot for an ambush!” Seymour remarked in a -whisper. - -“That’s so,” returned Haverly in the same low tone; “I’ll be -considerable relieved when we’re through.” - -Stumbling and tripping over the loose stones which formed the bed -of the gully, barking their shins against projecting boulders, the two -toiled on after their wolfish leader. - -They could but dimly discern the form of the savage in the gloom -ahead, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that they managed -to keep in touch with him. Had Gehari chosen to have deserted them, -nothing would have been easier. But the thought seemed never to enter -the savage’s mind, for he flitted on in front, tireless as ever. - -Then of a sudden before them loomed a towering wall of rock, -apparently blank. - -The defile had ended. - -Had Gehari played them false? the twain wondered. Had he led them -into a _cul-de-sac_? - -Quick as thought Haverly produced his lantern, and an instant -later the glare of the electric light shattered the darkness. - -“Zu!” The low, buzzing sound came from the lips of the wolf-man, -and he pointed to a dark aperture which showed low down in the face of -the cliffs. - -Into this, with much wriggling of limbs, he proceeded to crawl, -beckoning the two friends to follow. - -“Looks a bit risky,” Seymour demurred, “but we’ll have to go the -whole hog now.” - -He dropped to his knees as he spoke, and disappeared after the -savage. - -“It’s all right, Silas,” his voice came back after a moment, -“there’s standing room inside. Just pass me the lantern, and then you -can follow.” - -Reassured by his comrade’s words, Haverly passed through the -opening, to find himself in a cave of considerable dimensions. Across -the floor of this the rescuers moved, still preceded by the savage, -and plunged into a natural tunnel on the further side. - -Half an hour’s steady progress along this, sometimes crawling on -hands and knees where the passage was too narrow to admit of their -upright advance, and then the Yankee shut off the light of his lantern -with a snap. - -Before them a brilliant, silvery glow was visible. Half a dozen -paces, and they emerged from the passage into a flood of fungi -light. - -A cry of rage burst from Seymour. - -They were standing upon a narrow ledge in the cliffs which formed -the temple walls. Twenty feet below them was the den of Rahee, in -which their friend was awaiting his doom. The sight of the devilish -brute advancing upon the professor roused all the fury in their -natures against the savage creatures who had delivered him to such a -fate. - -In a delirious rage, Seymour raised his rifle. Another instant -and Rahee the terrible would have been no more; but, ere the baronet -could fire, Silas gripped his arm. - -“Don’t plug the brute,” he cried sharply, “it’s the only thing -that’ll keep those fiends back when they tumble to our game. I’m goin’ -down.” - -Ere Seymour could restrain him, Silas had laid down his rifle, -swung himself over the edge, and, with a cheery shout to Mervyn, -commenced the descent. From ledge to ledge the wiry American -descended, as cool and collected as though it were an everyday matter -for him to venture into the den of a giant spider. A hoarse roar of -rage rolled up from the assembled wolf-men as they became aware of the -Yankee’s daring move; but Nordhu looked on calmly, confident that -Rahee would destroy rescuer as well as prisoner, which event would -have well satisfied the murderous lust of the priest. - -But it was not to be! - -Rahee had paused in his spring as he saw this new development, -seemingly startled by the barefaced audacity of the intruder. -Doubtless it was the first time that any had entered his den -voluntarily. - -His pause gave the American just the interval he needed to carry -out his plan. Descending the last few feet with a jump, he rushed -between the monstrous spider and his victim. Quickly he forced a link -of the chain which bound the scientist’s wrists with his sheath-knife, -then pushed his friend sharply aside. - -“Flicker,” he cried, “for your very life. I’ll keep this brute in -check.” - -With his heart beating madly against his ribs, the professor -bounded across the rocky floor, and, never even pausing to remove the -gag from about his mouth, commenced the ascent of the cliff. - -Haverly seemed likely to pay dearly for his heroic action. -Enraged by the escape of his victim, Rahee launched himself upon the -American. Like a flash the latter skipped aside, and the spider landed -with a thud upon the spot which his agile enemy had but just -quitted. - -With a hoarse gurgle of fury the brute swung round and leapt -again, missing his mark by a bare three inches as Haverly darted aside -once more. - -[Illustration: “THE BRUTE SWUNG ROUND AND LEAPT AGAIN, MISSING - HIS MARK BY A BARE THREE INCHES” (_p. 116._)] - -“Whew!” the Yankee whistled, “that was a close call!” - -Just then a glad shout from above told him that his friend was -safe, and that he too might venture to make his escape from this foul -den. But, even as he turned to put this thought into execution, Rahee -the terrible rose once more in a spring. - -Bang! The report of Seymour’s rifle echoed through the great -amphitheatre, and one of the spider’s glaring orbs went out like an -extinguished candle. - -Swerving in his leap beneath the shock, Rahee missed his victim -by a couple of feet. Ere he could gather himself together for another -spring, Silas had reached the wall and was clambering upward into -safety. - -Halfway up the American paused and looked back. The great spider -was lying motionless beside the gate of his den, giving no sign of -life save an occasional snap of his mighty jaws. - -As Haverly resumed his climb the voice of the high priest rang -out in a thunderous order to the wolf-men. What the command was Silas, -of course, could not tell, but he noted that the savages instantly -thronged towards the exits, and his alert brain quickly perceived the -danger. - -“Hustle!” he roared to his friends above; “the brutes are going -round to outflank us. I’ll be with you presently.” - -“Right!” Seymour called in return; then he and Mervyn vanished -into the tunnel. - -Three minutes later Haverly reached the ledge. He was drawing -himself up on to it when something dark shot downward, striking him -full in the face. With a groan he toppled back, swayed for an instant, -lost his balance, and pitched heavily into the den. - -As he lay, almost stunned by the shock of his fall, a fiendish -chuckle floated down to him from the ledge above. Looking up he saw -the hideous face of Gehari peering down upon him, every feature aglow -with malevolent triumph. - -With a jerk the American drew his revolver and fired at the -grinning mask; but the wolf-man promptly ducked, and the shot passed -harmlessly over his head. - -The shot had one effect, however; it aroused the great spider. As -Haverly struggled to his feet the brute leapt towards him, its -remaining eye gleaming wickedly. - -Though still somewhat dazed as the result of his fall, Silas had -yet the presence of mind to jump aside; but he was just a second too -late. A great, hairy leg struck his shoulder; he was sent reeling to -the floor, and his weapon, flying from his grasp, skimmed between the -bars of the den far out into the temple. - -Save for his sheath-knife the Yankee was entirely -defenceless! - -With this weapon, however, poor though it was, he prepared to -meet his terrible foe. He could see that his only chance was to take -the creature in the rear, to stab it from behind. - -Once let him get within the grip of those terrible claws and no -power on earth could save him. - -A gurgle from Rahee put him upon his guard, and again he evaded -the clutch of the giant spider by a bare hand’s-breadth; but he had no -opportunity to take the offensive. The brute was far too agile in his -movements to give Silas the chance he needed, and a savage chuckle -burst from the wolfish brute, who watched the scene from above, as he -saw Rahee preparing for another leap. - -But the chuckle died in his throat, and a hoarse scream of terror -rang out over the temple as he felt himself seized from behind. - -Struggling and clawing, he was swung from his feet, lifted high -above the ledge, then hurled with the full force of Seymour’s arms -into the den below. - -He struck the floor with a crash, two feet in front of the -crouching spider, and in an instant the brute was upon him. - -With the screams of the dying savage ringing in his ears, Haverly -mounted the wall again, and this time the baronet assisted him up the -last few feet of the ascent until he stood on the floor of the -passage. - -Here, turning for an instant, Silas looked back into the den. - -Gehari had paid a terrible penalty for his treachery! - -“Come,” cried Seymour, and the Yankee, sickened by the sight of -the ghastly tragedy, followed him. - -“What brought you back here, anyway?” he inquired as they hurried -on. - -“I missed the savage,” Seymour explained, “and guessed he was up -to some mischief or other. He’s paid a fearful price for his little -trick.” - -“I reckon it was a near thing for me,” Silas admitted. “I was -just crawlin’ on to the ledge when the brute lashed out with his fist -and tumbled me back into the den again. You fixed him proper.” - -Ere long the two reached the end of the tunnel, where Mervyn -awaited them. - -“We’ll have to hustle considerable,” remarked Haverly, “if we’re -to get through. I guess the wolf-men won’t lose any time in strikin’ -our trail.” - -He started off down the gully as he spoke, and the others -followed, pressing on as fast as the difficult nature of the ground -would allow. - -“Which way?” asked Mervyn as they reached the mouth of the -gorge. - -“To the left, and run like blazes,” cried Haverly, “or we’ll be -seeing the inside of the temple again ’fore long.” - -Scarcely had he spoken ere from behind came the long-drawn howl -they knew so well. - -The wolf-men were in pursuit! - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - HOW HAVERLY CHECKED THE STAMPEDE. - - -FOR half an hour the fugitives raced on, every muscle straining in a -mad effort to outdistance their pitiless pursuers. Their feet seemed -shod with lead as they turned and twisted among the boulders; their -breath came and went in great, panting gasps that shook their bodies, -yet for all their frenzied endeavours, their relentless enemies drew -nearer. Foot by foot, yard by yard, the wolfish creatures gained upon -them. - -Then, in the grim wall of cliffs upon their left, appeared the -dark mouth of a canyon. - -“Quick!” gasped the Yankee; “in here with you!” - -Like a flash the fugitives turned, and--with what was almost -their last effort--plunged into the great cleft that split the -range of hills in twain. Six yards from the entrance they swung round -and stood at bay, Seymour and the millionaire fingering the triggers -of their rifles. - -Some time passed, but there came no sign of their pursuers; even -their howls had ceased, and the three grew puzzled to account for the -strange silence. It was not natural! They knew the character of the -wolf-men too well by this time to think for a moment that they had -given up the pursuit--had abandoned the chase! What could be the -meaning of their sudden silence? - -“They’ve got some devil’s card up their sleeve,” Silas muttered. -“I guess they ain’t gone dumb all of a sudden for nothing. Say, -there’d be no harm in prospecting a bit further along this gully? If -there’s no back entrance, we’ll be in a darned awkward position.” - -“You’re right,” assented the baronet. “Mervyn, if you’re in want -of a feed, you can peck a bit as we go along.” - -Cautiously they crept along the canyon, pausing occasionally to -listen for any sound of their foes. But the underworld might have been -deserted for all they could hear. Never had the silence been more -profound. - -The cliffs on either side rose steep and inaccessible as the wall -of a house. Not a crevice or foothold of any description presented -itself in the face of the towering walls. As straight were they as -though the hills had been split asunder by the stroke of some giant -sword. Here and there, at the base of the cliffs, grew a solitary -fungus or a cluster of puff-balls, the weird, bloated forms of these -latter betraying nothing of their terrible explosive power. - -For an hour, perhaps, the three men moved forward, plunging -deeper and deeper into the heart of the hills, and still there came no -sound from the wolf-men. They had almost begun to -believe--incredible though it seemed--that they had shaken -off their pursuers. What else could be the meaning of their -inaction? - -Had they known of the _coup_ which, even then, the crafty -Nordhu was preparing against them, they would have lost little time in -making their way out of the gorge. As it was, they took their ease, -resting at intervals during their journey. Their future movements they -had not decided upon, their time being fully taken up with the -exchange of their experiences. - -The loss of the _Seal_ seemed to the professor an -overwhelming blow. - -“We are lost indeed without the vessel,” he remarked -gloomily. - -“I guess if there’s a road out of these infernal regions, we -shouldn’t ha’ struck it with the _Seal,”_ was Haverly’s sharp -answer; “but that ain’t the trouble at present. You say you’ve seen -nothin’ of Garth?” - -“Not a sign,” was the reply. - -“Wal, that’s a licker! Say, Seymour, what do you make of it?” - -“He’s either been murdered by the savages or else he has -escaped,” answered the baronet. - -“Put your money on the last of them two; I calculate they’d -hardly be likely to knock him on the head, seeing as how all prisoners -are reserved for spider-meat. Anyway, we’ll assume he’s got clear, -though what he’ll do now the _Seal’s_ gone, Heaven alone -knows!” - -“What of Wilson?” asked Mervyn suddenly. - -“When we know his fate,” returned Seymour, “the mystery of the -_Seal’s_ disappearance will be a mystery no longer.” - -Hereafter silence fell upon the trio. Each man’s thoughts were -busy with the things of the future. Would they ever find a way out of -this underworld, or were they doomed to wander in its ghostly wilds -until death released them? At the moment their prospect was not an -alluring one! - -Without any settled plan for the future, save to put as great a -distance as possible between themselves and the wolf-men, they seemed -helpless. Haverly’s active mind revolved all the expedients which -presented themselves, yet, even to him, the case seemed almost -hopeless. - -“Say, professor,” he cried, breaking the long silence, “ain’t you -got----” - -His sentence was never finished, for at that instant, from far -behind, came a series of hideous yelps. Softened by distance though -they were, the sounds were frightful enough to the ears of the -fugitives. - -“They’ve struck our trail again,” remarked Seymour, stopping for -a moment. Then a puzzled expression passed over his features, as a -low, rumbling roar, not unlike far-away thunder, rolled up out of the -distance, accompanied by a further series of wolfish cries. - -“I opine we’re going to strike trouble very shortly,” averred -Silas, “though I allow I don’t hardly tumble to the meanin’ of this -yer rumbling.” - -Quickly the rumbling grew into the pounding of giant hoofs, and -the ground shook beneath the fugitives’ feet. - -“A stampede!” the baronet cried. “The devils have stampeded a -herd of animals! Run for your lives!” - -But his friends needed no urging. They ran as men with the fear -of death upon them, gazing eagerly to right and left in hope of -finding some cave or cleft in the cliffs in which they might hide. - -But never a crack or a crevice appeared in the iron walls, and -ever the pitiless thunder of the great hoofs drew nearer. It seemed as -though nought could save the ill-fated trio from the vengeance which -the devilish priest had designed for them. Then, almost at the last -moment, an inspiration flashed into Haverly’s mind. - -He pulled up short, and, drawing his sheath-knife, sprang to -where grew half a dozen or more huge puff-balls. Three of these he -detached, handling them with great care. Carrying them out into the -very centre of the gorge, he piled them in a heap. - -His friends had stopped their flight as they noted his strange -actions, and now stood watching him, Seymour admiringly, Mervyn with -blank astonishment depicted on every feature. - -“You’re a genius, Silas!” exclaimed the baronet, as, under the -American’s orders, they placed a safe distance between themselves and -the puff-balls. “I should never have thought of that.” - -“But surely,” Mervyn began, “you don’t mean to say that those -things are explosive? Why----” - -“It was one of them same that bust the elk-hunters we told you -about, anyway,” retorted the Yankee, his voice almost lost in the -thunder of hoofs. - -The next instant a dozen huge forms loomed through the twilight, -racing three abreast down the gorge. The foremost of them were almost -upon the fungi pile, when Silas and the baronet fired, their shots -crashing simultaneously into the puff-balls. A dazzling sheet of flame -leapt high above the pile, illuminating for a moment the great shaggy -bodies and huge curved tusks of the stampeding animals. - -“_Mammoths!”_ gasped the scientist. - -His exclamation was drowned in the shrill trumpeting of the -terrified pachyderms, which was drowned in turn by the thunderous roar -of the explosion as the puff-balls did their work. - -The fugitives, flung violently to the earth by the shock, were -scarcely conscious of what followed. The ground rocked furiously -beneath them, creating a violent nausea, which left them sick for -hours; immense masses of rock, torn from the face of the cliffs by the -frightful force of the explosion, crashed heavily into the gorge, and -above all the terrible uproar rang the shrill screaming of the dying -animals. - -But the din ceased at length, and then the three comrades -staggered to their feet. Badly shaken they were, but otherwise they -had received no hurt, and they gave thanks as only men can who have -escaped from the very jaws of death. - -The vengeance of the high priest of the wolf-men had failed! - -“I guess we scored that time,” Silas said; “but I’m sorry for the -tuskers. It was real cute of the niggers to stampede the brutes.” - -“Thanks to you and the puff-balls,” put in Seymour, “the trick -didn’t work.” - -Mervyn had not yet recovered from his stupefaction at the -marvellous explosive agent which was hidden away in the quaint fungi; -but when he did at last find voice he could scarcely find words to -express his wonder. - -“It passes all belief,” he cried, “that such curious growths -should have so deadly a power! They are natural bombs!” - -The scene of the explosion entirely bore out this statement. The -gorge was completely blocked by an enormous mass of _debris,_ -still quivering flesh and rock splinters being mingled in sickening -confusion. Of all the herd of monster quadrupeds not one had escaped -annihilation. - -Turning, the three friends strode forward on their way, Mervyn -dilating as they went on the subject of the explosive fungi. - -“I guess them niggers’ll be considerable riled,” Haverly asserted -with a chuckle, breaking in on the scientist’s discourse. “It ’ud be -almighty elevating to see the old priest’s face when he knows we’ve -pulled through an’ that his trick’s gone bust.” - -“The fellow possesses terrible power,” Mervyn returned. “He -almost succeeded in hypnotising me, though I struggled against him -with all the force of my will. I tremble now to think of what might -have happened had he effected his purpose.” - -“Great Scott!” Seymour ejaculated. “Though I only saw him from a -distance, it struck me that he had remarkably weird eyes, but I never -imagined that the fellow was a hypnotist. We must fight shy of him for -the future.” - -“I guess it’s goin’ to take us all our time,” drawled the Yankee. -“You can gamble on it the old man’ll lose no time in gettin’ on our -trail again.” - -“You think he’ll pursue, then?” queried the baronet. - -“Think!” Haverly repeated. “I guess we can put it stronger than -that. It’s a dead cert. the galoot’ll be on our trail again within a -couple of hours, an’ then there’ll be a circus.” - -“The heap of _debris_ may check pursuit for a time,” -suggested Mervyn. - -“It may,” was the dubious reply, “but I doubt it. I calculate if -you could pile the hull range of the Rockies way back there it -wouldn’t stop them wolf-men for more than a second or two. Their -shanks seemed to be built of watch-springs. Anyway, with that old -priest urgin’ ’em on, it’ll be little short of an earthquake as’ll -check ’em. What the blazes is that?” - -A scream rang out through the silence, menacing and terrible. - -“Vampires!” cried Seymour, and examined the breech of his rifle. -As he snapped to the lever an immense vampire dropped swiftly downward -through the twilight. On the instant the baronet fired, and the brute, -lurching, recovered itself with difficulty, and flapped out of -sight. - -“Whatever was it?” gasped the scientist, amazed at the vast size -of the creature, of whose shape he had caught but a fleeting -glimpse. - -“A vampire,” Seymour replied; “the same kind of brute that -attacked Silas and me as we were returning to the boat.” - -“I had forgotten for the moment,” returned Mervyn. “What terrible -brutes they are! Who would have dreamed that such creatures existed? -Truly this----” - -“Jupiter! If this don’t lick all! I guess we must ha’ struck a -blamed cemetery!” - -There was good cause for the Yankee’s interruption, for, rounding -a curve of the gorge, the adventurers had come suddenly upon a valley. -On either hand towered monster fungi, their unearthly radiance making -the valley as light as day; and between the growths the ground was -thickly covered with bones. - -Everywhere the bleached and ghastly relics lay, a veritable -harvest of death. - -The bones were, for the most part, those of animals, but here and -there among them a human skull grinned up mockingly at the -intruders. - -“What can it mean?” the Professor asked in a hoarse whisper, -stepping cautiously amid the gleaming piles. - -“I assume this is the feedin’ ground of the vampires,” the Yankee -answered. As he spoke there was a rustle amid a fungi-clump some yards -away, and a huge, black form emerged, to flap heavily away into the -shadow of the surrounding cliffs. Parting the fungi, Haverly peered -down at the spot whence the creature had arisen. - -Lying with outstretched limbs, its ghastly outline revealed with -hideous distinctness by the glistening growth around, was the carcase -of a wolf-man. - -But something else caught the Yankee’s eye. In the hand of the -savage, tightly clenched in the stiffened fingers, was a white -handkerchief! - -A whistle of astonishment escaped Silas. What brought the -wolf-man with that in his possession? Kneeling, Haverly forced open -the hand of the dead savage, and, removing the handkerchief, held it -out for the inspection of his friends. - -“It’s Wilson’s,” cried Seymour. “See, here are his initials,” -pointing to the letters, “T. W.” embroidered in one corner. “How the -dickens did it get here?” he continued. - -“Perhaps the savage had something to do with Wilson’s -disappearance?” suggested the scientist; but Haverly shook his head. -He was busy trying to figure out the puzzle, which as yet defied -him. - -“I allow it beats me,” he admitted at length. “What brings the -engineer so far from the coast?” - -“He may not have been here at all,” Seymour replied. - -“I guess this handkerchief ain’t walked here!” - -“What about the savage?” persisted the baronet. - -“You can gamble on it as he picked it up. Say, has it struck you -as bein’ kinder peculiar that we should find the nose-rag in this yer -valley?” - -“You mean?” interrogatively. - -“Have the vampires had anything to do with it?” - -“Heaven forbid!” cried Seymour; “the thought’s too horrible!” - -“We shall see,” the Yankee answered as they moved on again. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - A DUEL TO THE DEATH. - - -TO return to Garth and the engineer. - -For a few seconds they could do naught but gaze helplessly at the -approaching monster; then all the fighting spirit of the inventor -rose, and he prepared to resist to the death, if need be. - -Darting out on deck, he cast off the mooring-rope, bellowing the -while to Wilson to start the engines. Within three minutes of the -appearance of the great fish-lizard, the _Seal,_ passing close to -the towering side of the brute, flashed seaward at her topmost -speed. - -And now began a chase in the like of which Garth had never taken -part before. With all his skill at the wheel he could but barely keep -the _Seal_ away from her monstrous enemy. The reptile seemed bent -on the destruction of the craft this time. He spared no effort to -overtake her. Perhaps his previous failure had rendered him the more -furious? - -With every plate on his body gleaming with a brilliant, -phosphorescent light, he swept on. His breath hissed through his -gaping nostrils like steam from the escape valve of an engine, and his -mighty paddles were buried beneath a smother of foam. - -Swiftly he overhauled the flying vessel, until he was almost -alongside; then, swift and sure, he snapped at the _Seal’s_ rail. -Quickly as Garth turned the faithful craft, he was a moment too late. -The great fangs closed upon the polished steel bar, and, with a jerk -that almost overturned the boat, a six-foot length of rail was torn -bodily from its boltings. - -The narrowness of the escape brought the sweat pouring from the -inventor’s body. Apparently the shock had not injured the saurian, for -he swept on again in pursuit, giving utterance to a booming roar as he -advanced. - -A dangerous gleam came into Garth’s eyes as he noted the grim -persistency of the monstrous reptile. Staving off a second attack of -the brute by a quick turn of the wheel, the inventor took down the -tube. - -“Stand by to reverse her when she strikes,” he cried. “I’m going -to ram the brute.” - -“Be careful!” warned Wilson in return, and then Garth dropped the -tube. - -Bringing the _Seal_ round in a perilously close circle, he -steered her straight and true for her monstrous enemy’s side. This -offensive movement seemed to puzzle the saurian, and he attempted to -avoid the swooping vessel. - -But she was too quick for him. With a shock that almost jerked -Garth from his feet, the vessel’s sharp prow struck the reptile’s -heaving side, about midway between the two starboard paddles. A -crimson torrent spurted from the wound, deluging the _Seal’s_ -bright plates, and turning her spotless deck into a veritable -shambles. - -On the instant Wilson flung over his levers, and, under reversed -engines, the submarine leapt back from her stricken foe. Yet, quick as -she moved, the great tail of the ichthyosaurus moved quicker. With a -stroke like that of a steam hammer, it struck the _Seal’s_ hull -just below water, starting a couple of plates, through the interstices -of which the water commenced to pour in an ever-increasing stream. - -Though sorely stricken the great fish-lizard was not yet -defeated. Swinging round, he churned after the retreating vessel, his -roar changed to a shrill screaming. - -Again the inventor signalled for full speed ahead, and, for the -second time, the vessel plunged down upon her relentless pursuer. With -marvellous swiftness the huge brute swerved from his course, but -Garth, with a turn of the wheel, followed his movement. The inventor -was determined that he would finish this reptile once and for all. - -The bleeding side of the creature offered an excellent mark, and -straight for this Garth drove the vessel. Like a rocket she shot -forward, and the saurian’s ribs snapped like matchwood as once more -she struck the towering carcase. - -There came a terrible death-cry from the huge reptile; then, as -the _Seal_ drew slowly away, the brute leapt clear out of the -water, and fell with a thunderous crash across the submarine’s deck. A -savage exclamation burst from Garth as the _Seal_ commenced to -sink beneath the enormous weight of the monster’s body. The brute’s -paddles were thrashing madly in its death flurry, and the booming -strokes of the giant tail seemed to make the whole underworld -ring. - -Alarmed by the uproar, the engineer came rushing up into the -turret. - -“What’s happened?” he cried; then his eye took in the peril of -the situation. The water was fast closing over the _Seal,_ and, -despite all his efforts, Garth could not shake her clear of the dying -saurian. Once let her touch bottom with that great weight across her -deck, and no power on earth could raise her again. - -“Sink her!” Garth cried at length, turning to his friend, “it’s -our only chance. If we can’t get her clear of this brute we’re -done.” - -Quick as thought Wilson darted below again, and a moment later -the throb of the pumps broke upon the ears of the inventor. - -Would it be possible for the vessel to sink from under her -monstrous burden? - -Anxiously Garth looked out into the swirling waters, but the -saurian appeared to sink quite as fast as the _Seal._ The strokes -of the brute’s paddles, though now feebler, were yet enough to -occasion the inventor no small uneasiness. - -Neither forward nor backward could the vessel move, although -urged on by the full power of her engines. The enormous weight across -her deck held her almost motionless. - -So the minutes dragged by, each one fraught with the suspense of -a lifetime, and there came no change for the better in the situation -of the _Seal_ and her occupants, save that the last spark of life -had flickered from the monster, and he lay still in death. Yet even -this was something to be thankful for. While he lived there had ever -been a danger that, by some random stroke of his paddles, he might -have smashed in one or other of the vessel’s deck-plates. Now that -danger was past. - -But still the vessel sank in the crimsoned waters. Soon, unless -this sea was of unusual depth, she must touch bottom; and then--a -slow, lingering death for the two men aboard her--death by -suffocation, deep down in the gloomy depths of this subterranean -sea. - -The lonely vigil grew too much for Garth at last, and, placing -the tube to his lips, he summoned the engineer. - -“It’s no use,” he remarked hopelessly, as the latter entered the -wheelhouse; “we might as well let things take their course. The -brute’s jammed too firmly across the deck for us to move him.” - -“It’s what Silas would call ‘checkmate,’ then?” questioned -Wilson. - -“That’s it; but it seems jolly hard, just as we’d bested the -brute, too. How’s that crack going on where his tail caught us?” - -“I’ve fixed the door of the room--it’s Mervyn’s study, you -know, where the smash is--so that the water cannot spread to -other places. I say, it was a good thing we decided to have -water-tight doors to all the compartments!” - -But Garth did not answer. He was gazing fixedly outside. The -water, stained until now to a crimson hue by the life-blood of the -saurian, was clearing rapidly. - -“Look!” the inventor cried suddenly. Wilson followed the -direction of his gaze. Close alongside a jagged, black rock was -thrusting itself upward as the vessel sank. - -“If the brute’s body will only catch on that we may escape after -all,” Garth cried excitedly. “Get below again, Tom, old man, and start -your engines like blazes when you hear me ring.” - -The next few moments were full of painful anxiety to the engineer -as he waited, gripping his levers, for the signal which should tell -him that the vessel was free. It came at length, and a wild huzza -almost escaped him as he felt the _Seal_ begin to move. Ere long -she was sweeping through the water at her usual pace, and then Wilson -felt free to raise her. When she reached the surface the lad rejoined -his comrade in the turret. - -“Thank heaven we came through all right!” Garth breathed -fervently. “That squeak was narrow enough to turn one’s hair grey. But -for that rock we’d have been done, sure as fate. The brute’s head -caught against it, and the old boat simply dropped from under. How’s -your arm?” - -“Aches badly,” was the reply. “I knocked it as I went down the -last time.” - -“That’s bad. I’ll dress it soon as ever we get back.” - -Straight for the beach Garth steered the _Seal,_ running her -aground in preparation for repairing the damages sustained in the -struggle with the saurian. Then, when Wilson’s wound was redressed, -Garth rolled up his sleeves and disappeared below, leaving the -engineer to keep watch. - -For awhile Tom sat listening to the clang of the inventor’s tools -as he refixed the damaged plates. He knew well that the job would be a -difficult one for Garth to carry out alone, yet his wounded arm -precluded him from assisting in the work. So, though he would far -rather have been below, plying wrench or hammer, he had perforce to -remain inactive. - -Time dragged heavily. Outside nothing seemed stirring. Long since -he had given up hope that his friends would return. Doubtless by now, -if still alive, they were far away in the heart of this mysterious -underworld. - -Suddenly a screech floated across the water, breaking in upon his -meditation. - -“What’s that?” he muttered to himself, and striding to the door, -opened it cautiously, wondering what fresh attack the strange cry -heralded. Again it came, and at that he stepped out on deck, his -revolver ready for action. - -Then through the gloom flashed some monstrous flying creature, -and Wilson fired almost point-blank at the swooping body. But a blow -from the creature’s wing knocked his weapon from his hand, and felled -him like a log to the deck. As he struggled to rise, the brute’s great -teeth fixed themselves in his shoulder; he was borne swiftly aloft, -his terrified cries for help falling vainly on the ears of Garth, who, -alarmed by the shot, came rushing up from below just in time to catch -a glimpse of the disappearing form of his friend. - -For a time the unhappy engineer became unconscious, recovering -from one swoon only to fall into another. He remembered nothing of his -terrible journey; his mind was a complete blank until the shock of a -fall roused him, and he opened his eyes. - -He was lying upon a carpet of spongy moss. Around, entirely -enclosing the spot where he lay, towered a forest of fungi. Of his -captor he could at first see nothing, and, thinking to make his escape -if the brute had vanished, he sat up and peered cautiously around. -Then, as his glance strayed upward, a shudder passed through his -frame. - -Twenty feet above, his soaring wings almost grazing the topmost -branching arms of the fungi, hovered the great vampire. As the brute -noted the engineer’s movement, its savage eyes glared threateningly, -and Wilson subsided, trembling. - -Still as death he lay waiting, wondering why the fearsome brute -did not at once attack him, instead of hovering there in mid-air. His -curiosity was quickly satisfied. - -Like a flash a second vampire swooped into view and hurled itself -upon Wilson’s ghoulish guardian. In an instant the twain were fighting -tooth and nail, their mighty wings raising a deafening clamour. - -Not a move dared the lad make, fearing that the great bats might -unite forces against him did they see him stirring. Round and round -the brutes circled, rocking, reeling in their frenzied efforts to -destroy each other. Now they sank until they were whirling but a few -feet above Wilson’s head; anon, they would soar into the gloom far -beyond his sight. - -For an hour the duel raged, the creatures’ efforts growing -feebler as the time went on, while the crimson rain which sprinkled -down over the engineer bore grim testimony to the sanguinary nature of -the struggle. - -Suddenly, with a shrill scream, one of the vampires pitched -heavily earthward. Its adversary swayed unsteadily for a moment, then -fluttered to the ground beside it. - -In a second Tom was upon his feet. Knife in hand, he moved -towards his foes. One was already dead, and the other, too exhausted -to move and bleeding from a score of wounds, fell an easy prey to the -engineer’s weapon. - -Feeling deeply thankful for his escape from a terrible death, the -lad stood looking down on the carcases for a few moments; then, -striding forward over the moss, he plunged through the encircling -fungi. As he emerged from the glistening growths a startled cry -escaped him. - -The ground before him was thickly covered with bones! - -At the sight of the ghastly relics his already overstrained -nerves almost gave way, but, exerting all his self-control, he pulled -himself together and strode down the valley, hoping ere long to regain -the coast. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - THE SINKING POOL. - - -FOR some time Wilson plodded on, his one idea being to escape from the -ghostly valley. The weirdness of the place, enclosed as it was on every -side by towering cliffs, its unnatural stillness, and, above all, the -grim remains with which the ground was littered, sent an uncanny thrill -through the engineer; and, despite his resolution, he found himself -continually glancing backward, to make certain that no spectral form -was dogging his steps. - -All unconsciously he was moving in exactly the opposite direction -to that he wished to take, straying farther at each step into the -interior of the underworld. The valley seemed to be endless, and the -lonely traveller grew tired after awhile of the eternal monotony of -the scene around. More, he grew afraid; afraid that he would never -find his way out of these ghostly wilds, where reigned an everlasting -silence--afraid that he would never again see the _Seal_ or -the comrade from whom he had been snatched so suddenly. - -The fear grew. Try as he might he could not shake it off. It -seemed to be gripping his heart with icy fingers, paralysing his every -energy, and turning him into a craven coward. He started at his own -footsteps. The shadow of a boulder, cast in a grotesque, distorted -form by the fungi light upon the ground at his feet, brought him up -with a jump, and only with great difficulty did he restrain a cry. - -The valley seemed to grow full of strange sounds. Ghostly voices -whispered in his ears, hideous faces peered out from the shelter of -the fungi. - -He was in the grip of a terror such as he had never known -before! - -Then, upon the heels of this wholly imaginary fear, came a real -one. Footsteps--stealthy, all but noiseless -footsteps--sounded behind him, He glanced backward. A score of -yards behind him a black shadow was moving, a shapeless smudge against -the green of the moss. - -For one terrible instant his heart seemed to stop beating. What -was the _Thing?_ - -Nearer it crept, sliding from shadow to shadow with a sinister -movement horrible to witness. And still the lad stood motionless, his -very soul withered by the fear that gripped him. - -Nearer still--but a few feet separated the thing from the -engineer; then the latter recovered the use of his limbs, and, with a -wild yell of terror, dashed madly down the valley. As he did so, the -creature behind rose from its crouching position, disclosing to view -the hideous form of a wolf-man. - -A moment the savage stood gazing after the rapidly-vanishing -Wilson, then, picking up something the latter had dropped, he turned -without troubling to give chase, and, plunging in among the fungi, -disappeared. - -Like a hunted stag Wilson bounded over the ground, all other -thoughts lost in the one mad desire to get away from the creature -behind. He never turned to look if the brute was following. He rushed -on blindly, madly, the fear that gripped him lending him fictitious -strength. He knew nothing, saw nothing, until, utterly exhausted, his -trembling limbs refused to carry him farther, and he dropped full -length upon the ground. - -A long while he lay where he had fallen, too wearied to move, -thoroughly disgusted with himself for so allowing fear to overcome -him. When at last he arose he was astonished at his surroundings. -Although he had no recollection of so doing, he must, in his flight, -have emerged from the valley of bones, for he was in a gloomy defile, -between towering cliffs. - -From which direction he had come he could not tell, but, trusting -to luck, he strode forward into the darkness of the defile. - -His terror had gone, but it had left him weak and trembling as -with an ague. Not a single fungus grew in the gloomy gorge; not even -the twilight peculiar to this strange subterranean world relieved its -dark obscurity. Yet, despite this absence of light, Wilson felt safer -than amid the fungi. If the darkness concealed dangers, it also hid -him from the sight of Lurking enemies. - -For a little over a mile he strode on between the cliffs, then a -bright light ahead warned him that he was approaching the end of the -defile. - -Redoubling his caution as he advanced, he soon emerged from the -gorge into another valley, much smaller than the one he had left, but -lit by the same weird growths. At first he hesitated to advance into -the light, the memory of his recent fright being still very vivid; -but, putting a bold face on the matter, he moved forward at length -from the shadow of the cliffs. - -As he stepped into the light of the luminous growths, clear and -distinct to his ears came the clang of a bell. - -He pulled up short in sheer astonishment, and stood listening for -a repetition of the sound. - -Clang! Once more it rang across the valley. Drawing his -sheath-knife, Wilson moved forward, determined to investigate the -mystery. What could be the meaning of the sound, he pondered? Had he -reached the haunts of the wolf-men, and was the ringing of the bell -some signal? Whatever it was he was resolved to get to the bottom of -it. - -Clang! For the third time the musical note echoed amid the -cliffs. The sound seemed to rise from a dense thicket of fungi, which -covered the further end of the valley, and towards this the engineer -hurried. Amid the towering growths he threaded his way, moving -cautiously, having no wish to fall foul of any savages; then, with a -low exclamation, he checked himself upon the edge of a clearing. - -Before him, tottering in the last stage of decay, rose a ruined -building. Gaunt and ghostly, its roofless walls stood, the relics of -some past civilisation. Fascinated, Wilson moved nearer. What was the -history of this crumbling pile, the one sign of civilised life that he -had seen in this underworld? For what purpose had it been erected, and -by whom? - -The pillars, which once had graced its front, lay half buried in -the spongy ground. Climbing fungi ran riot in the gaping cracks in its -walls, and its stone pavement was covered with a carpet of moss. Its -air of desolate grandeur strongly impressed Wilson, and for a while he -forgot what had brought him thither. - -His engineer’s eye took in the monstrous size of the blocks which -had formed the walls, and he marvelled how they could have been raised -to their places. Surely they who erected such a building must have -been men of gigantic stature and strength, unless indeed they were -equipped with the appliances of modern engineering? - -Dare he enter? The place seemed as deserted as the grave. If -there were savages about, they would, without a doubt, have shown -themselves ere now. He longed to examine the ruins more closely. There -appeared to be no danger, and, if it came to that, he was not safe -where he stood. Thus reasoning, curiosity got the better of his -prudence, and he strode across the clearing. - -Just outside the great arch that had once been the doorway he -paused, and stood for a moment with ears strained for any sound from -within; but the place was wrapped in silence as in a shroud, and, -reassured, he crossed the threshold. - -There was danger in his enterprise other than that from savages. -At any moment a block of stone might come crashing from the walls, -and, were he beneath such, his career would be ended on the spot. -Knowing this, he made his examination as brief as possible, keeping -well back from the walls. - -The building appeared to have been used as a temple at one time, -for in the centre stood a stone altar. Time, the destroyer, had not -quite obliterated the rude hieroglyphics with which the side of the -sacrificial slab had been covered, but Wilson could not gain from them -the information he so much desired. To him they were mere meaningless -scratches. Mervyn, perhaps, could have read in them the life-history -of the builders of the place; but the engineer’s education did not -include the sign languages of defunct races. - -Suddenly, clear as ever through the silence, came the -bell-note. - -The sound recalled to Wilson the object of his search, the -mysterious bell-ringer. Not a little curious as to the identity of the -being, whoever it was, he thoroughly examined the interior of the -temple--but in vain. The place was entirely deserted. Not a hole -was there large enough to conceal a dog, yet the engineer was certain -the sound came from the building. - -Was there a vault beneath the temple? It seemed probable, but how -came it that the sound was so distinct if the ringer were underground? -The thing puzzled him. - -Determined to solve the mystery, he examined the moss-grown flags -of the floor, but with no better result. Outside the building, when he -essayed to search there, failure still attended his efforts. The time -flew by, and, though at intervals the musical peal still fell upon his -ears, he was no nearer the discovery of the mysterious being; bell and -ringer seemed invisible. - -Probably he would never have hit upon the true solution of the -mystery but for an accident. As he moved amidst the fallen blocks -which strewed the ground at the base of the walls, he stumbled and -fell, whereupon, from the shelter of a stone close by, scuttled an -enormous beetle. The creature was almost a foot in length, and its -branched antennae, held over its back as it ran, beat furiously upon -its metallic body-covering, thus producing the clanging sound which -had puzzled Wilson for so long. - -“Well, I’m hanged!” was the engineer’s graceful exclamation as he -rose; “to think that it’s only a beetle, after all! But now ‘to get a -move on,’ as Silas would say,” and with that he turned his back upon -the mysterious temple and resumed his way. - -Around the valley he tramped, but no opening could he find in the -encircling wall of cliffs, and soon he found himself back at the -defile by which he had entered. Loth though he was to return to the -valley of bones, there was nothing else to be done. - -So through the gorge he hurried, and stood once more, ere long, -in the feeding ground of the vampires. He paused a while to consider -his course, deciding at length to move along the base of the cliffs -until he came to some gorge or pass which would lead him out of this -weird valley. To this end he started off at a swinging stride, keeping -a sharp look-out for vampires as he went. Before he had covered many -yards a distant report broke upon his ears, followed by an explosion, -which awoke every echo in the valley. - -At the sound, hope leapt into his heart. That first was surely -the report of a rifle, which meant that his friends--whom he had -deemed lost--were within a few miles of him. Instantly he started -off at a run in the direction whence the sound had come. No further -reports reached him, yet he did not doubt that he should be able to -find his comrades. Occasionally he shouted as he ran on, hoping to -attract their attention should they be anywhere within hearing. - -He took little heed to his steps as he went, tripping and -stumbling among the scattered bones, but ever pressing forward. Had he -been more cautious the accident that befel him might have been -avoided. - -He was moving through a thick clump of fungi, when once more the -report of a rifle echoed across the valley. At that he quickened his -pace, raising his voice in a lusty shout as he did so. But there came -no answering hail. His friends were as yet too far distant to hear his -call. Then straining every muscle in his headlong race, he suddenly -burst out of the fungi. Before him, almost at his feet, its placid -surface unbroken by a single ripple, lay an eerie-looking pool. Its -banks rose steeply from the water’s edge, making it impossible to note -its presence until close upon it. Wilson, striving in vain to check -himself, blundered over the brink and pitched with a splash into the -water, eight feet below. - -He was a good swimmer, and, though unfortunate, the situation did -not cause him the least uneasiness. His wounded arm was now healing -rapidly, thanks to Garth’s attentions, so he anticipated little -difficulty in escaping from the pool. With a couple of strokes he -reached the bank, but failed to touch bottom. Evidently the pool was -of considerable depth. - -Digging his fingers into the side, he commenced to claw his way -up. He was almost clear of the water when the rotten earth crumbled -beneath his clutch, and he fell backward, sousing clear under. - -“Hang it!” he gasped as he rose spluttering. “I must try another -place.” - -Treading water for a moment he looked round for a place where the -bank would be easy to scale. A spot quickly caught his eye, and -towards this he was about to strike out, when a strange phenomenon -startled him. _The bank appeared to be rising slowly out of the -water!_ - -He could scarcely believe the evidence of his own eyes. The sides -of the pond had not been more than eight feet in height when first he -struck the water; of that he was perfectly sure; yet now, at the very -lowest point, they were twelve feet, and seemed to be getting higher -each moment. - -Was he the victim of some delusion? He rubbed his eyes, he -pinched his arm to assure himself that he was not dreaming. - -Then, with startling suddenness the truth came to him. - -_The water of the pool was slowly sinking!_ - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - THE FIRE GULF. - - -THE shock of this discovery aroused him to action. Swimming to the spot -he had picked out, he commenced once more to scale the bank. Eight feet -he climbed; his goal was almost within reach, when, without warning, -the whole face of the bank to which he was clinging gave way, and he -plunged down again into the water, the earth rattling over him as he fell. - -He was somewhat alarmed when he rose again. The water was still -steadily sinking, and he was no nearer escape than at his first -attempt. Indeed, he was further from his object, for the lower the -water sank the higher he would have to climb. Escape from the pool did -not appear so easy as it had done some time before. - -Once more he made an attempt to scale the side, but with no -better luck than before. After this he contented himself with treading -water for a time, reserving his energies for a final effort. - -How much lower was the water going to sink? he wondered. It was -twenty feet below the level of the valley now, and its motion had not -yet ceased. - -He thought nothing of the strangeness of the phenomenon. His mind -was centred upon escaping from his alarming predicament. - -Suddenly the water began to swirl and eddy. He was expecting each -instant to be sucked down into some dark hole, when, with a dull roar, -that seemed to come from the very bowels of the earth, the water -foamed upward. - -Five minutes later it was as Wilson had found it, a silent, -somewhat ghostly-looking pool, scarce a ripple remaining to tell of -its recent movement. - -Now or never! thought the engineer. - -Exerting all his remaining strength, he made a desperate effort -to ascend the slippery bank. Again and again he tried, but ever with -the same result. Failure, heartbreaking failure! And upon it all, -while he rested from his last attempt, the water began to sink -again. - -At that his courage failed. He had almost decided to let himself -sink beneath the surface, and so end the apparently hopeless struggle, -when the sound of voices fell upon his ears--the voices of his -friends. - -The blood rushed madly through his veins at the sound, and a cry -for help rang from his lips. An instant later--it seemed an hour -to the unfortunate lad--the form of the baronet appeared on the -brink of the pool. - -“Great Scott!” he cried as he saw Wilson’s white, despairing face -looking up at him; then he plunged in to his friend’s assistance. - -With Seymour’s strong arm about him the pool lost its terrors for -Wilson. Together the two sank with the water, not attempting to do -aught but keep afloat until it rose again. When it once more reached -its highest level, Seymour assisted his friend to scale the bank, -while Haverly, leaning far over from above, quickly dragged him into -safety. - -But the baronet’s escape had yet to be accomplished, and seemed -likely to prove a lengthier job than Wilson’s. He made no attempt to -climb unassisted, recognising the futility of such a course after the -engineer’s experience. Instead, he set his wits to work to evolve a -method of escape. - -Rope they had none, and at first thought it appeared as though -there was nought at hand they could use in place of one. Presently -Haverly’s inventive genius found an expedient. - -“Your belts!” he cried. “I guess we can manage it.” - -He tore off his own as he spoke and buckled it to those which -Mervyn and Wilson tendered. Within a few seconds Seymour had been -hauled up out of the pool, and the four friends--so strangely -reunited--were resting upon the brink of the funnel that had so -nearly become Wilson’s tomb. - -Mervyn had eyes for nothing but the curious phenomenon of the -sinking water, until the engineer recovered sufficiently from the -effects of his immersion to tell his story. Then even the motion of -the pool ceased to interest him, when Wilson told of the great -ichthyosaurus, and how Garth slew it, of the vampires, the -bell-beetle, and the ruined temple in the valley. - -The professor drank in every word. - -“We must see this temple,” he cried as the engineer concluded; -“it’s the chance of a lifetime. Where is this valley you speak of? Can -you find it again?” - -“Yes, I can find it,” was the dubious reply; “but will it be safe -to hang about here?” - -“It’s worth the risk,” Mervyn returned eagerly; “let us move on -without delay.” - -Seymour and the Yankee, although they knew that the course -suggested by the scientist was not the most prudent one, had not the -heart to refuse him; so they rose, and, under the guidance of the -engineer, moved on up the valley. - -“I guess we’ve got to be slick over this deal,” the millionaire -remarked, “an’ then we’ll strike for the _Seal_ right away. If -the old boat can’t carry us out of this darned underworld, we’ll be -considerable safer aboard her than knockin’ around here.” - -“How about the abyss?” Seymour questioned, “you forget the bridge -is gone.” - -“Not for a second,” retorted Silas. “I calculate we’ve got to -pull for the mouth of that there river and take to the water. How much -further to this yer location of yours, Wilson?” - -“We’re close upon the defile now,” answered the engineer; “but -it’s a good mile through to the valley, and----” - -He broke off abruptly, as the weird howl of the wolf-men trembled -out of the distance. - -“I guess this picnic’s off,” snapped the American. “Mervyn, we’ll -postpone this visit to Wilson’s temple, if you don’t object. The -niggers must ha’ struck our trail again, and I take it none of us are -real anxious to be trapped in a blind gully?” - -The force of Haverly’s remark was plain to each of his friends. -Even Mervyn, whose scientific zeal would have carried him onward, -dared not drag his comrades into danger. Had he been alone he would -have turned aside into the valley of the ruins at all costs, and -doubtless would have lost his life in consequence. - -“We’ve got to find a road out of this,” Silas went on, “an’ real -smart, too. Them brutes’ll be on our heels in half an hour. I should -advise as we hustle some.” - -With that he broke into a trot, and his comrades followed his -example. The cliffs on either side closed in steadily as they -advanced, and it soon became evident that they were approaching a -pass, or that the valley would end in a blank wall. What the latter -meant they knew only too well. - -Their supply of cartridges would not last for long. Surrounded by -a shrieking mob of savages, it would not be long ere sheer numbers -would carry the day. - -The air grew strangely oppressive as they raced on, and a strong -smell of sulphur came to their nostrils. What these signs portended -they did not stop to consider. “Faster!” was all the cry, and, spurred -onward by the yelping cries of their pursuers--each moment -getting nearer--they put forth every effort. - -Suddenly a gasping cry broke from Seymour. - -“A pass!” - -Just ahead of them was the mouth of a gorge, and into this they -plunged. Impenetrable darkness surrounded them, hedged them about as -with a wall, until, of a sudden, the triangular beam from Haverly’s -lantern dispelled the gloom, and made progress practicable. Every -nerve, every muscle was strained to the uttermost, yet the savage -cries of their murderous pursuers drew nearer moment by moment. It was -a hopeless race; indeed, it could not be otherwise, pitted as they -were against such runners as the wolf-men; but if it came to the -worst, they could stand at bay until their ammunition gave out, and -afterwards--death by their own hands, rather than fall into the -power of the devilish priest. - -Their throats were choked with sulphur, their tongues dry and -cracked, and the heat became intense as they advanced. - -Yet they still held on, until, dashing furiously round an angle -in the wall of the gorge, they stopped dead, petrified by the terrific -grandeur of the scene before them. - -To right and left the cliffs still towered, beetling and immense; -but ahead the gorge broke sheer away in a mighty chasm. And, two -hundred feet below, its molten bosom heaving, and falling in giant -waves, rolled a sea of liquid fire. All else the fugitives forgot; -they could do nought but stare, until their eyes could look no longer -upon the glaring flood. - -“Stupendous!” Mervyn gasped, veiling his eyes. “Saw you ever the -like before?” - -The chasm appeared to be about sixty feet in width, but the -cliffs prevented them judging of its length. As their eyes became more -accustomed to the glare they discovered that from the rocky ground at -their feet the span of a stone bridge ran out, its unfinished end -hanging about one third the way across the great gulf. The dazzling -glow had prevented their perceiving it before. - -This occasioned them less surprise than might have been the case -had they not heard Wilson’s story of the ruined building in the -valley; yet, for all that, they stood amazed before this mighty work. -Unfinished though it appeared to be, it excited their wonder no less -than their admiration. What beings were they who could span this -fearful gulf with a structure that would have reflected credit upon -the finest engineer in the civilised world? Not the wolf-men, of a -certainty! Creatures of their brutish intellect could never have -planned and carried out so stupendous an enterprise; and if not they, -then what other beings dwelt in this wild and ghostly land? - -“Look!” cried Seymour suddenly, “it is a drawbridge! The centre -span is drawn up.” - -It was true! The bridge was not imperfect, as they had -supposed. - -From the further side of the gorge a second span ran out, and -above the end of this the centre span towered, secured by chains. - -“It’s what you might call real picturesque,” drawled Silas, “but -I guess it’s fixed us proper. We’re trapped like rats. Say, Mervyn, -you’d better take this knife,” and he handed his sheath-knife to the -unarmed scientist. - -As he did so, from close at hand arose the hunting cry of the -wolf-men. - -“Keep well within the shelter of the rocks there,” said Seymour -to Mervyn and the engineer, then moved a few paces into the gorge. -Haverly took his place beside him, and together they awaited the -coming of the foe. - -Four minutes passed--minutes so full of suspense that each -seemed like an hour--and then the foremost of the pursuers dashed -round the curve. He paused as he noted the grim figures, standing -motionless as statues in the shadow of the cliffs. Before ever he -could retreat, a shot from Seymour’s weapon stretched him dead upon -his back, his piercing death-cry ringing shrilly in the ears of his -fellows as they rushed into view. - -With a fiendish clamour of yells they swept down upon the -fugitives, their spears raised threateningly. - -“Fire!” the baronet cried, and at that the rattle of the magazine -rifles broke out, the cliffs flinging back the echoes in a deafening -uproar. - -Crack! Crack! Even the brutish courage of the wolf-men quailed -before that leaden hail. They retired precipitately, leaving eight of -their number dead upon the ground. - -“That’s the style,” the Yankee said cheerily, refilling the -magazine of his weapon from his rapidly-vanishing store of cartridges; -“we’ll teach ’em a lesson ’fore we go under.” - -“We must keep them back at all costs,” rejoined Seymour. “Once -they get close in they’ll sweep us over into the chasm by sheer force. -How are you two feeling?” turning to the non-combatants. - -“Out of it,” the twain replied together. “I wish we had weapons,” -Mervyn went on, “that we might take a hand in the game.” - -“On your guard!” Silas burst out; “here they come again, full -rip.” - -Around the bend a horde of wolf-men came charging, uttering their -weird, long-drawn howl. Evidently the brutes thought to intimidate the -fugitives by their fearsome cry. But the baronet’s nerve was never -more steady than at that moment, and Haverly’s splendid courage did -not fail him. Shot after shot they poured into that yelling horde, -with a coolness and precision that excited their two friends’ keenest -admiration. - -Savage after savage fell to rise no more; and still the levers of -the repeaters worked for dear life--still the fiendish forms -rushed through the glare, almost up to the smoking muzzles of the -rifles, ere once more they fell back in a disorganised mob. - -The pile of dead they left behind bore witness to the deadly -accuracy of the two friends’ aim. - -“Hot work,” the baronet panted, mopping his sweat-covered brow. -He thrust his hand into his pocket, then withdrew it with a startled -exclamation. An instant he fumbled with his cartridge belt, his face -paling the while. - -“I say,” he asked hoarsely, “how many cartridges have you -left?” - -The Yankee put his hand to his belt. - -“Jupiter!” he gasped, “not a blame one.” - -“Then God help us!” Seymour returned. “I’ve fired my last!” - -A groan broke from the scientist as he heard the words. “We’re -done, then?” he said bitterly. - -“Not by a hull piece,” Silas replied. “It’s clubbed guns for the -next scrap, an’ hit hard as you know how. I guess this is where your -tooth-picks’ll come in, professor,” and, reversing his rifle, the -American gripped it firmly by the muzzle. - -Seymour followed his example. Despite the millionaire’s bold -words, each man felt that the end was near; that the next rush of the -savages would sweep them into the fire gulf. Taken alive they were -determined not to be, even though they had to leap over the brink into -the glowing depths below to escape capture. - -Suddenly, while they stood awaiting the end, a sound floated -across to them from the further side of the gulf. - -_It was the baying of a hound!_ - - - - - CHAPTER XX. - - THE LAST OF THE AYUTIS. - - -FOR a moment the familiar sound, heard in the trackless wilds of the -underworld, set each man’s heart throbbing with a mad yearning for home. - -Home! Would they ever again look upon the glorious blue of the -vault of heaven? Ever more behold the glowing splendour of the sun? -Would they again set eyes upon the white cliffs of the Homeland, whose -shores they had left so full of hope and enthusiasm? - -Like the death-knell of their hopes rang the thrilling cry of -their enemies as they moved once more to the attack. - -But their two previous receptions had taught the wolf-men a -lesson. No mad charge did they make this time. Evidently they had -conceived a wholesome dread of firearms. Stealthily the creatures -crept forward, seeming to wonder why the fire-weapons of these mighty -white strangers were silent. - -When they discovered that the rifles were not only silent, but -useless, the end would not be long in coming. - -The glare from the fire gulf lit up the hideous features of the -savages with startling effect, giving them an even more diabolical -expression, if that were possible. Nearer they came, gaining courage -with every yard they advanced, their bloodshot eyes rolling horribly. -Then suddenly, in a veritable living avalanche, they hurled themselves -upon the gallant quartette. - -The rifle butts rose and fell with sickening monotony, and at -each stroke a wolf-man crashed to earth. The knives flashed like -lightning through the crimson glare as Wilson and the scientist flung -themselves pell-mell into the combat. - -The engineer, plunging his weapon into the breast of a savage, -tore the spear from his grasp, and fell to with this new tool with -tremendous energy. Back and forth the struggling group swayed, one -moment perilously close to the brink of the fire gulf, the next many -yards away. - -But the fight was too hot to last. - -Slowly the four were beaten backward; then Wilson went down with -a jagged wound in his thigh, and Mervyn, stumbling over his prostrate -body, was struck senseless by a blow from the flat of a spear. - -Another instant and Seymour and the Yankee would have fallen -before the weapons of their foes, but, in the nick of time, a shout -came pealing across the gulf. - -“Aswani!” (“Courage!”) - -At the word the wolf-men wavered in their attack, and a cry arose -from their midst, “Yos toreal Ayuti!” (“The last of the Ayutis!”) - -While they hesitated the drawbridge fell with a clang across the -abyss, and over it an elk came galloping, his antlers gleaming like -gold in the ruddy glow from the gulf. But it was not upon this -magnificent creature that the gaze of the savages was fixed. - -No: for astride the elk rode a man taller than any of the sons of -earth, and his form was as that of a god. A battle-axe flashed in his -right hand, and at his back swung a great embossed shield. This latter -he unslung as he came on. - -Checking his giant steed at the end of the bridge by the pressure -of his knee, he sprang to earth and hurled himself upon the wolf-men. -Like a thing of life his great axe whirred and hissed, and before it -the savages fell as grain before the sickle. - -For a while the two comrades stood astounded by this unexpected -reinforcement. Their case had appeared so hopeless, so utterly -desperate, that they had resigned themselves to destruction. They had -not expected to accomplish aught, even by their most strenuous -exertions. To sell their lives as dearly as possible had been their -only object. But now, by the timely arrival of this gigantic stranger, -whom the wolf-men called “The last of the Ayutis,” the tables had been -completely turned upon their enemies. - -Against the Ayuti’s great flashing blade the savages hurled -themselves in vain. Vainly they cut and hewed, vainly they hacked and -slashed. Cut and thrust alike fell harmless; their spears shivered -themselves to fragments against the Ayuti’s shield. At every sweeping -stroke of the great axe a savage crashed to earth. - -Amid the hideous, misshapen forms of the wolf-men the Ayuti -towered as a god among demons, and ever and anon a thrilling war-cry -pealed from his lips, ringing clear as a bell above the din. Not all -their ferocious courage could serve Nordhu’s savages now, nor could -their cunning aid them. Their gigantic enemy seemed to be wholly -without fear. - -[Illustration: “AMID THE HIDEOUS FORMS OF THE WOLF-MEN AYUTI TOWERED -AS A GOD”(_p. 149._)] - -The pile of dead grew, and soon, of all the wolfish horde which -had first attacked the fugitives, but a dozen were left. These, seeing -that all was lost, that further fighting was in vain, turned to -flee. - -“Not one must escape!” roared the Ayuti, leaping forward in -pursuit, and Seymour, translating the words to the American, followed -him. Within five minutes not a savage remained on his feet. What the -axe of the Ayuti had missed the rifle butts had accounted for. - -For a few moments hereafter the three men stood leaning on their -weapons, and now the two fugitives had a closer view of their splendid -rescuer. Over seven feet he was in stature; his splendid limbs were -left partly bare by the skin cloak which he wore suspended from one -shoulder. His curling hair fell in rich masses to his shoulders, and -his skin was little darker than the baronet’s own. The beauty of his -features, his exquisitely-proportioned form, and the grace of his -every movement made up a picture of god-like majesty, before which the -two friends felt inclined to bow the knee. - -Instead of doing this, however, Seymour held out his hand. - -“Friend,” he said in Ayuti, and there was a strange break in his -voice, “we cannot thank you for the service you have rendered us.” - -“’Tis naught,” replied the Ayuti, grasping the proffered hand -warmly; “I would that I might aid ye again. But, see, thy brothers -still sleep. They must be awakened.” - -An application of the spirit flask carried by Haverly quickly -aroused the two senseless men. Then, while the American dressed the -engineer’s wounded leg, Seymour told the Ayuti of the means of their -coming to this weird land, and of all that had befallen them -since. - -A long recital it was, but deeply interesting, and the eyes of -the giant glowed with admiration as the baronet proceeded. - -“Ye are men indeed,” he cried, when the story was finished, and -once more gripped Seymour’s hand. “Fairhair, thou and I must be -brethren, for thou art a man after my own heart. What say ye?” - -“Gladly,” answered the baronet, smiling at the Ayuti’s quaint -reference to his golden hair and beard. “By what name are ye -called?” - -“I am Chenobi, which should have been king of the city of Ayuti,” -was the reply; “but I am the last of my race, a king without subjects. -See, Fairhair, let us cast this carrion into the gulf of fire, that -Nordhu discover not the manner of your escape.” - -With that the Ayuti commenced to pitch the bodies of the slain -wolf-men over the brink of the abyss. Overcoming his repugnance with -an effort, Seymour aided him in his horrible task, the Yankee also -lending a hand when he had made Wilson comfortable. - -Then suddenly, at a moment when all seemed to be well, when all -danger appeared to be past, a catastrophe happened that appalled them. -Silas had stooped to grasp a corpse which lay almost on the verge of -the gulf, when, without a scrap of warning, the savage--who had -evidently been playing ’possum in hope of effecting his -escape--grabbed for his ankles. Taken entirely by surprise, the -Yankee tripped, lost his balance, and fell headlong over the -brink. - -The Ayuti was the first to recover from the shock of this -terrible thing. With a roar of fury, he strode forward, gripped the -shivering savage by his girdle, and swung him, screaming madly, far -out into the abyss. - -Fascinated, the adventurers watched his fall. Twice he turned -over in mid-air, then his body seemed to shrivel up in that terrible -heat, and it was naught but a cinder that struck the glowing sea -below. - -“The dog!” Chenobi cried, a fearful passion blazing in his eyes, -“the cursed dog, may----” - -A startled cry from Seymour checked his further utterance. - -“Great heaven! Look!” - -Shading their eyes from the glare, his friends looked over the -brink, the Ayuti, though not understanding the words, following their -example. On a ledge in the wall of the abyss, twenty feet below, lay -the senseless form of Haverly. His limbs dangled perilously over the -edge of the narrow shelf, and it was apparent to all that the -slightest movement would precipitate him into the molten billows which -rolled far beneath. At any moment he might come to and attempt to sit -up; then--his comrades shivered at the thought. - -Yet how was his deliverance to be accomplished? Even had they a -rope, who would dare to descend into that fiery gulf, to dangle over -that flaming sea? - -Chenobi answered the question in a fashion that sent a thrill -through the three spectators of his daring action. - -Launching himself over the brink of the precipice, the Ayuti -began to make his way down to the ledge. Breathlessly his new friends -watched his perilous progress. From crag to crag he swung, at times -having the greatest difficulty in finding foothold. Once he slipped, -and the watchers gasped and averted their eyes, seeing him in -imagination hurtling into the raging sea below. But he recovered -himself, and, with splendid perseverance, continued the descent. - -To the watchers it seemed an age ere he reached his goal and -stood beside the unconscious American. Then a new difficulty arose, -another predicament had to be faced. - -How was he to get Haverly up the face of the cliff? - -That he would need both hands free for his return journey was -absolutely certain. For a few moments Chenobi stood, thinking out the -best method by which to effect his purpose; then to his mind came a -daring idea. Unloosing the girdle which confined his skin cloak at the -waist, he bent down, passed it beneath Haverly’s belt, and rebuckled -it. First testing both straps to satisfy himself that they were -perfectly secure, he commenced to lift the American from the -ledge. - -To any but one of his gigantic strength the attempt would have -ended in failure, and probably a swift and terrible death. The ledge -was very little over a foot in width, and it seemed utterly impossible -for the Ayuti to raise the dead weight of the unconscious man. But now -his magnificent strength revealed itself. - -His mighty muscles stood up like knotted ropes beneath the skin; -his shoulders cracked again with the strain of his effort. Yet he -accomplished his purpose; slowly he raised his senseless burden until -he could stand once more upright on the ledge, with his back to the -cliff, and with Haverly dangling before him at the end of the -girdle. - -“What a man!” Seymour cried admiringly, as he watched eagerly for -the Ayuti’s next move. “He’s a veritable Hercules!” - -“Never have I seen so fine a man!” Mervyn exclaimed. “What a -noble race these people must have been! But, see, he is moving -again.” - -Although their eyes ached with the glare, the watchers could not -tear their gaze from the scene below. There was a fearful attraction -about Chenobi’s heroic efforts. All natural law seemed to proclaim -that what he was about to attempt was an impossibility. - -“He’ll never do it,” Wilson groaned, forgetting the pain of his -wounded limb in his anxiety. “Haverly’s weight will drag him over as -soon as he begins to climb.” - -“We shall see presently,” the baronet answered; “if anyone can do -it he can.” - -Gripping the American by the waist with his left arm, Chenobi -slipped the looped girdle about his own neck. Another pause of a few -seconds, and then, relaxing his grip of the limp body, he took all the -weight upon his neck. The strain must have been tremendous, yet he -kept his balance; more, he commenced to turn round upon the -ledge--thrusting Haverly behind him as he did so--until he -stood facing the cliff, ready for his climb. - -The first part of his task had been accomplished in safety; but -what of the next? Would not the weight of his swinging burden drag him -backward, as Wilson had said? It would soon be seen, for now Chenobi -was commencing his perilous journey. Hand over hand he clawed his way -up, moving deliberately, and as one who was sure of his ground. - -How he finished that fearful climb the spectators never knew, -for, appalled by the peril of his position, they retired from the edge -of the cliff, not daring to look lest they should see the daring -climber fall headlong into the fiery sea below. Each moment they -expected to hear a cry of alarm from the abyss--evidence that -Chenobi had lost his balance--but it never came. Soon the Ayuti’s -head appeared above the cliff top, and Seymour leapt forward to -relieve him of his burden. Haverly was saved! - -Staggering a few paces from the edge, Chenobi flung himself down -upon the rocky ground, exhausted but triumphant. And here he lay for a -time, while Mervyn and the baronet used their utmost endeavours to -restore their senseless friend. Half an hour passed ere the American -came round, and for long afterwards he was weak and ill as a result of -his terrible experience. His gratitude, when he knew of Chenobi’s -heroism, was touching to behold; yet he said little. Only his eyes -showed how deeply grateful he felt. - -Seeing him moving, the Ayuti rose and came towards him, whereupon -Silas tottered to his feet and held out his hand. - -“Shake!” he said, and Seymour translated his words. “You’re a -white man all through!” - -Chenobi showed all his magnificent teeth in a smile of pleasure, -as he gripped the Yankee’s hand; then turned to where the great elk -still stood, motionless as though carved in stone. - -“Muswani!” he cried, “kneel!” - -At the words the giant brute dropped to its knees. Lifting the -engineer, whose wounded limb made walking a matter of great -difficulty, Chenobi placed him across the elk’s back, himself mounting -behind. A further word of command, and the Ayuti’s strange steed rose -and stepped out upon the bridge. - -“Come!” Chenobi cried, and the three friends followed across the -fire gulf. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - “SUNSHINE!” - - -THE great flags of the bridge felt almost red-hot to the feet of the -adventurers, but they trudged bravely forward through the glare, Seymour -supporting Haverly as they went. There was no parapet to the bridge, and -the sight of the molten flood below, visible to right and left as far as -the eye could see, sent a thrill through each of the trio. - -The massive span, which had seemed so solid a structure viewed -from the gorge, now appeared a very flimsy affair, dwarfed to -nothingness by the stupendous dimensions of the great fire gulf. With -their eyes fixed upon the giant form of their guide, the three -comrades moved on as steadfastly as possible. Over the vast, vibrating -sheet of metal that formed the drawbridge they tramped, and glad -indeed were they when they had crossed the last span, and their feet -touched solid ground. - -Here the Ayuti dismounted and strode to where a great lever -projected from the masonry of the bridge. This he pulled over, and -instantly, with a clanging rattle, the drawbridge swung upward into -place. - -“Now that your foes are all destroyed,” he remarked, turning to -the baronet, “Nordhu, the priest, will not know whether ye have -escaped or no.” - -But he was wrong; for, as the party once more moved on, a -wolf-man crept from his hiding place amid the rocks on the opposite -side of the gorge. A moment he stood there in the glare, shaking his -spear menacingly towards the retreating figures of the fugitives, then -turned and vanished into the gloom of the defile. - -Forward went the adventurers, the glow from the fire gulf growing -fainter as they advanced, until the towers and walls of a city loomed -before them through the twilight. The sight aroused the interest of -the scientist. Hitherto he had moved in an apathetic manner, very -different from his usual brisk style. His nerves had received so rude -a shock that he was as yet scarcely himself. Even the sight of -Chenobi’s monstrous steed--rare though the creature was--had -failed to arouse him. But now, with the walls of the mysterious -subterranean city within sight, his scientific zeal revived. - -Instinctively he felt for his note-book, forgetting for the -moment that he had lost it in his adventure with the Triceratops. - -“Don’t worry,” Seymour said, noting his look of disappointment; -“I happen to have one on me that will suit you down to the ground.” -Forthwith he produced a bulky pocket-book, at sight of which Mervyn’s -eyes glistened. - -“Many thanks!” he cried, taking it, and at once commenced to -scribble down a graphic description of the giant elk. - -Ere long the party passed through a great gateway, the stone gate -of which had fallen from its hinges, and now lay crumbling in the -dust. On either hand towered the palaces of the Ayutis, now, alas, -tottering to decay. Built of some dazzling white stone, they gleamed -through the twilight as though bathed in a flood of moonlight; the -effect--accentuated by the silence of the whole place--being -indescribably weird. The footsteps of the adventurers raised a volley -of echoes from the deserted streets as they moved over the pavement, -and from ahead at intervals came the muffled baying of hounds. - -The Ayuti was strangely silent as he strode beside Muswani, the -elk--he had not mounted since raising the drawbridge. Perhaps he -was thinking of the time when the streets had rung with the voices of -his people, when the palaces had throbbed with life. - -Although he was burning to question their guide concerning the -past history of the city, Mervyn forbore, fearing by some indiscreet -query to offend him. But he need not have feared. The Ayuti’s grief -for the desolation of his city had long since lost its acuteness, and -he had resigned himself to a life of solitude, living for but one -object, which, later on, he revealed to the baronet. What fearful fate -had overtaken the inhabitants of the place, the explorers could not -imagine. It could have been no ordinary catastrophe that wiped out the -Ayutis. That they had become extinct, save for Chenobi, by natural -means, none would believe. - -So, while each puzzled his brain for a solution to the problem, -they passed into a vast square, in the centre of which stood a great -temple. Around this the Ayuti led them to the further side. The -familiar style of the architecture struck Wilson at once. The building -was almost a duplicate of the one he had discovered in the valley, -save that it was many times larger, and that here a huge flight of -steps led upward to a broad terrace which ran the whole length of the -temple front. And upon this latter, looming gaunt and spectral through -the twilight, towered a monstrous idol. - -“Wait!” Chenobi commanded. He lifted the engineer from his mount, -and led Muswani through a door in the temple wall at the base of the -steps, his entry being greeted by a clamorous baying. In a few moments -he reappeared and, picking up the engineer as one might a child, -commenced to ascend the steps. Climbing close upon his heels, his -new-found friends soon reached the terrace. Here they passed behind -the colossal figure of the god and entered the temple. - -A murmur of astonishment went up as they crossed the threshold. -The whole vast hall was ablaze with a dazzling radiance, unearthly as -it was brilliant. The origin of the light became apparent at once. In -the centre of the temple floor was a huge basin, wherein bubbled a -strange, phosphorescent liquid, like nothing the explorers had ever -seen before. On one side it overflowed, and ran in a glistening stream -across the floor, to disappear in a dark recess in the wall. - -The scientist, his first surprise over, would have moved forward -to examine this uncanny liquid more closely, but Chenobi restrained -him. - -“Nay,” he said gravely, “there is death in the stream of light! -None can touch it and live. Sit ye here awhile, till I prepare -food.” - -With that the Ayuti passed out of the building, leaving his -friend wondering wherein lay the deadly power of the extraordinary -liquid. - -“There seems no end to the marvels of this weird land,” Mervyn -remarked. “If ever we return to the upper world, what a tale we shall -have to tell.” - -Haverly closed one eye. - -“You’ve got considerable standing amongst science men, -professor,” he said, “but I guess you’ll have a real stiff job to make -’em believe you. A yarn of this sort ain’t goin’ to be sucked down as -gospel all at once.” - -“You wouldn’t have me keep silent?” retorted the scientist, -somewhat indignantly. “Knowing what we do it would be little short of -a crime to suppress our knowledge.” - -“That’s so,” returned the Yankee imperturbably, “but I’d sooner -you face the music than me. If we ever manage to burrow our way back -to daylight, I guess your yarn’ll kinder upset some of the accepted -theories as to the way the inside of this yer planet’s built.” - -“No doubt,” Mervyn answered, “yet that will not deter me. My -first work will be to write a book on the underworld.” - -“Bravo!” Seymour cried; “I like your pluck, Mervyn. When we have -found Garth and the boat, we can consult Chenobi about getting back to -the upper world. If there should be any way out of this gloomy hole -the Ayuti is sure to know of it.” - -“What if there is no exit?” the engineer asked anxiously. - -“In that case I guess we’ll have to make ourselves at home down -here,” the Yankee replied, “though I allow the prospect ain’t over -cheerful. However, I calculate your humble has kept his end up in -tighter situations than the present--darned tighter situations, -sonny. Say, I hope our new pard won’t expect us to dress for dinner. I -guess my portmanteau ain’t come along yet.” - -“Oh, he’ll excuse your not turning up in evening dress,” Seymour -replied laughing. “But seriously, Silas, what chance do you think we -have of getting back to the upper world?” - -“Wal, I guess that’s a question as ain’t to be answered all of a -sudden,” the Yankee returned; “it kinder needs figurin’ out some. -Hullo! here comes our pard with a hull heap of grub. I calculate we’ll -postpone this yer confab till we’ve refreshed the inner man.” - -As he spoke the king re-entered the temple, bearing on a metal -tray some strips of dried venison. These, together with a number of -small edible fungi, he placed before his guests, bidding them eat. - -Strange though the food was to their taste, it was none the less -welcome, and they felt greatly refreshed at the conclusion of the -meal. - -Hereafter for some hours they slept, Chenobi keeping guard the -while upon the terrace. - -When next they looked upon the Ayuti he wore a metal band about -his forehead, and in the centre glowed a great stone, similar in -form--as Mervyn took pains to inform them--to that which -Nordhu, the priest, wore, but much larger. It was the symbol of -Chenobi’s kingly rank. - -“Would ye look upon the city?” he asked as they rose yawning. -Mervyn answered at once in the affirmative. - -“How about Wilson?” Seymour questioned. - -“Oh, I can manage to hobble a bit,” replied the lad cheerfully; -“my leg’s going on finely.” - -“Don’t overdo it, lad,” the baronet warned. “If the wound breaks -out afresh it will be the very deuce of a job to get it to heal. I’ll -stay here with you if you’re not feeling fit.” - -“I’m feeling fit enough,” replied Tom; “if one of you will help -me down the steps, I can manage the rest.” - -Seymour whispered a few words to the Ayuti, whereupon the giant -advanced, smiling broadly, and took the engineer in his great -arms. - -“Here, I say, I can walk now, you know,” the latter remonstrated; -but his friends laughingly told him to hold his tongue. - -With the light from the king’s jewel flashing before them, they -passed out on to the terrace and so down the steps. At the bottom -Chenobi put the engineer down, and, detaching a massive key from his -girdle, thrust it into the door through which he had taken the elk. It -turned easily in the lock, and, flinging open the door, the king -passed through. - -An odour as of a stable greeted the nostrils of the explorers as -they followed him, and once more the baying of hounds came to their -ears. Down a steep incline they went, until they stood within a large -chamber. At the further end of this four great hounds lay, chained to -the wall. They were something like bloodhounds in build, but of -tremendous size, being much larger than mastiffs. Seymour, who was -somewhat of an authority on dogs, could not restrain his -admiration. - -“What splendid brutes!” he cried, and moved fearlessly forward to -make their acquaintance. Within a few moments he was on excellent -terms with the great creatures, they receiving his advances with -pleasing friendliness. - -The others could not at first bring themselves to approach the -monstrous dogs. They were so fearsome in their strength; but at -length, on Chenobi assuring them that they need not fear, they moved -closer. - -“I guess these ’ud take the shine out of some I’ve observed,” -remarked the Yankee, patting one of the great heads, “and I’ve seen -some fairish-sized ones, too.” - -“They’re immense,” Seymour replied. - -Stepping to a recess in the wall, the king dragged forth the -carcase of some small animal--probably a fawn--and this he -flung to the hounds; then, leaving them feeding, the party passed -through the chamber into a second, much larger. This, they could see, -had evidently once been used as a stable, for by the light from the -Ayuti’s stone they observed that a row of stalls ran along each side. -These, built throughout of stone--even the feeding troughs being -of the same material--were empty save for one, wherein the great -elk was chained. He greeted his master with a thunderous bellow, and -Mervyn at once approached to get another view of the magnificent -creature. Whilst the scientist stood lost in admiration Seymour -questioned Chenobi concerning the purpose for which the stables had -been built. - -“My people kept elk,” the Ayuti replied. “Threescore there were, -whereon rode the body-guard of the king. Muswani is the last, as I am -the last of the Ayutis. But come, let us move forward again.” - -Into a third chamber they went, and in this were great stone -tanks, filled to the brim with clear, sparkling water. - -“Marvellous!” Mervyn cried, as he examined the massive masonry of -the tanks and the conduits which fed them. “What an intelligent race -these people must have been! Whence comes the water?” he asked of -Chenobi. - -“I know not,” was the reply, “save that it comes -underground.” - -Out of the tank chamber the Ayuti led them, by a small doorway, -into a narrow passage. This they followed for some distance, ever -descending as they moved on, with the temperature steadily rising each -moment. At length they emerged into another vault-like chamber, and a -cry of astonishment burst from the four explorers. - -Along one side of this hall a number of metal doors were set in -the rough-hewn rock which formed the wall. The sight of these, -together with the intense heat of the place, quickly revealed to the -comrades the purpose for which the chamber had once been used. It was -the ancient cooking-place of the city. - -“The heat comes from the gulf of fire,” explained the Ayuti, as -he flung open one of the oven doors that his friends might examine the -interior. - -“It’s a cute dodge,” the Yankee drawled admiringly. “I assume -this rock forms the wall of the fire gulf, an’ they get their heat -natural-like, without havin’ to stoke up.” - -“I wondered where Chenobi managed to dry his meat,” the scientist -mused; “the thing’s clear now. Truly these Ayutis had no lack of -inventive genius!” - -Retracing their steps to the outer door, the little band crossed -the square and entered one of the surrounding buildings, -which--so Chenobi informed them--had been the palace of the -kings. Here, as elsewhere--save for the temple, which appeared -well preserved--time had laid its destroying hand, but there -still remained much of the former beauty of the place. The pillars of -its bold front were covered with carving that would not have disgraced -the exterior of a cathedral, and the broad flight of steps leading up -to it, though cracked and broken in places, still added somewhat to -the dignity of its appearance. - -These steps Wilson managed to climb, refusing the Ayuti’s offer -of assistance. Across an inlaid pavement they went, and through a -great entrance hall, in which stood numerous cunningly-carved statues. -Some of these stone effigies had fallen from their pedestals, and now -lay crumbling amid the dirt which ages of neglect had deposited over -the floor. Assuredly, if Professor Mervyn ever wrote his proposed work -on the wonders of the underworld, he would have no lack of matter. A -description of the palace alone would almost have filled a volume. The -throne-room they saw, with its curiously canopied throne, whereon a -long line of kings had sat in royal state; the musicians’ gallery, -from which sweet music had beguiled kingly ears grown weary with the -pleading of innumerable malcontents; the banquet hall also, with its -great stone tables, around which many a merry company had gathered. -But now all were silent as the grave! The gay crowds which once had -thronged these halls had vanished, and, ere many years had passed, the -Ayutis would have ceased to exist; with Chenobi, the king, their -dynasty and race alike ended. - -Such thoughts as these poured into the minds of the adventurers -as they moved through the silent halls. There seemed something -uncanny, unnatural, about the place. It was as though the spirits of -the long since dead still hovered round, and it was with a feeling of -relief that the party left the palace. - -Mervyn, his scientific zeal unquenched, was for visiting other of -the buildings, but the united voices of his comrades were against -this. - -“No,” Seymour said, “if you go at all you must go alone. I’ve had -quite enough of these ghostly halls. What say you, Silas?” - -“The same,” replied the American. “The place kinder gets on your -nerves. I shouldn’t advise you to poke around by yourself, Mervyn. -There don’t seem any danger, but I wouldn’t put my money on it. If -that old priest ain’t on our trail again before long my name ain’t Si. -K. Haverly!” - -Seymour slipped his arm through that of Chenobi, and, with the -others close behind, they recrossed the square and ascended to the -terrace. Here for some time the party occupied themselves in examining -the colossal figure of the great idol. High above the flat roof of the -temple the monstrous image towered. Through the twilight they could -make out little of its features, but this much they observed, that it -had but one eye, of enormous size, and placed in the centre of its -forehead. - -The singularity of this coincidence struck Mervyn at once. How it -came about that a people so obviously intelligent as the Ayutis should -worship the same deity as the wolfish barbarians of Nordhu he could -not imagine. But, further, not alone was it the same in form, the -inscription on the base of the altar proclaimed that the name was the -same. Translated, it ran thus: “To Ramouni, God of Light. Worship and -honour.” - -Turning, the scientist questioned the Ayuti concerning the -ancient worship of the dead race. Ere the king could answer a -startling cry broke from Seymour: - -“Great Scott! Sunshine!” - -A ray of light stabbed the darkness like a golden sword, striking -full upon the monstrous eye of Ramouni, which flashed and scintillated -with a dazzling lustre. - -“Sunshine!” echoed the others in a breath, and then, somewhere in -the interior of the image, a bell began to toll. Astounded, the -explorers stood gazing at the wonderful beam of light. - -“It comes through a passage in the dead fire-mountain,” Chenobi -volunteered, “and lasts for but a few moments. See, it fades -already.” - -Even as he spoke the tolling of the bell ceased, and the sunlight -vanished as suddenly as it had come, leaving the twilight of the -underworld the more gloomy for its brief visit. - - - - - CHAPTER XXII. - - THE TERROR OF THE JUNGLE. - - -“IS there, then, a way out of this underworld?” - -Seymour’s voice betrayed his agitation as he put this question to -Chenobi. So much depended on the Ayuti’s answer that each of the -adventurers held their breath to listen. - -“Yea,” came the reply, “there is a passage through the heart of -the dead fire-mountain, by which my people entered this land, but it -lies far away through the jungle.” - -Rapidly Seymour translated this intelligence to Wilson and the -American. - -“I guess we’ll strike for this yer passage right now,” cried -Haverly. “If it pans out all right we can come back and look for -Garth; if it don’t, we’ll be no worse off than we are now. What do you -say, professor?” - -“Why not find Garth first?” suggested the scientist -cautiously. - -“Wal, it’s this way,” returned Silas; “I reckon it’ll hardly be -safe to prospect for Hilton’s trail for a considerable period yet. We -must give them niggers a chance to settle down some. I guess they’re -too almighty riled at the present moment to be pleasant neighbours. -Seein’ as how our rifles are useless, it ’ud be worse than madness to -go pokin’ along the coast again; so I’d advise as we visit the Ayuti’s -fire-mountain an’ give the wolfies a chance to forget us.” - -“That they’ll never do,” retorted Mervyn; “yet there is a good -deal in what you say. If Nordhu discovers that we have escaped he will -be mad with fury, and it may be well that we should be beyond his -reach for a time.” - -“Then you’ll go?” questioned the baronet eagerly. - -“Silas has succeeded in convincing me that it will be for the -best,” Mervyn answered smiling, “but we must leave the arranging of -the matter to Chenobi.” - -The latter, who had been watching the faces of the speakers -intently during this conversation, pricked up his ears at the mention -of his own name. - -“We wish to seek this passage ye speak of,” Seymour told him, “if -it be possible. Can you guide us thither?” - -“Ay,” returned the Ayuti, “but the jungle is full of monstrous -beasts, terrible to look upon, and your fire-weapons, ye say, are -useless. Think well ere ye decide, for it is a perilous journey. Once -only have I been, yet I have not forgotten the track.” - -“Have you no weapons you could lend us?” the baronet asked. - -“I have but the spears taken from the wolf-people,” was the -king’s reply; “to them ye are welcome. I would I could supply ye with -worthier weapons, but I have none save my own.” - -“The spears will do,” cried Seymour; “they are deadly enough -tools in the hands of a determined man.” - -“Ye speak truly,” Chenobi answered, “yet they are scarce the -weapons for such warriors as ye. Howbeit, since we have no other, they -must needs do.” - -And so the perilous expedition was decided upon. Little the -explorers thought, as they made ready for their trip, of the perils -they were soon to face, or they would scarcely have gone about their -preparations so light-heartedly. - -Ere the sunlight had flashed again upon the eye of Ramouni they -had left the city, and were making their way over the plain on which -it stood towards the distant gleaming line that marked the beginning -of the great jungle. - -Chenobi was mounted upon the back of the great elk, and behind -him rode Wilson, his limb being still somewhat stiff, though healing -rapidly. The air of the underworld seemed to have a peculiarly -beneficent effect upon wounds. - -Beside the track the four great hounds ranged, nose to ground, -occasionally giving voice to a deep-throated bay as they struck the -trail of some wild animals. But the well-trained brutes never strayed -beyond their master’s call, a word from him bringing them to heel in a -moment. - -The ground gradually rose as the party advanced, until they -topped a low ridge, on the crest of which they paused a while to rest. -Scarce three hundred yards away, like a wall of light, arose the -towering growths of the jungle. The vast size of the fungi amazed the -adventurers. Those they had already seen on the other side of the fire -gulf were but pigmies compared with these. - -“Say,” the Yankee drawled, “I reckon some of them fellows ’ud -make good lighthouses.” - -“Excellent,” returned Mervyn; “but I am afraid they would not -take kindly to the climate of the upper world. The sunlight would -shrivel them up directly.” - -“No chance to float a company, you see, Silas,” said the baronet -laughing, “were you thinking of starting a ‘Luminous Fungi Supply -Syndicate’?” - -“Wal, scarcely,” the Yankee returned; “I guess a mushroom -business ain’t exactly in my line. Say, I wonder if we’re goin’ to -knock up against any of Nordhu’s crowd this trip? I reckon it ’ud be -kinder awkward if they jumped us in the jungle there.” - -“We’ll give ’em a stiff fight for their money if they do,” -rejoined Seymour, his fingers tightening upon the haft of his spear as -he spoke. - -“I guess I’d feel considerable more comfortable with a gun in my -pocket,” resumed Silas. “Tooth-picks like these yer are all right in -their way, but when it comes to a scrap, give me a barker. There’s a -sorter tonic in the feel of a shootin’ iron. Makes you feel real -good!” - -“What an old fire-eater you are, Silas!” laughed Wilson; “I -believe you’re spoiling for a fight now.” - -“I guess not, sonny,” was the reply. “Your Uncle Sile as had -enough scrappin’ to last him for a considerable period. Say, Mervyn, -this yer picnic of yours has panned out rich in the way of trouble. If -we’d a gone lookin’ for that same commodity we couldn’t ha’ struck a -bigger pile, an’ I calculate we ain’t through yet, not by a hull -heap.” - -“That we’re not,” agreed the baronet, “and it strikes me we shall -have the very old lad of a job to find the _Seal_ again. If we -had but a few rounds of ammunition apiece I should not care for all -the wolf-men in the underworld, but without it we are no better armed -than the savages themselves. Still, we’ve got to see this job through. -Garth must be found in spite of Nordhu’s savages.” - -“That’s so,” replied Haverly. “As I figure it out, the sooner we -strike Garth’s trail--after we’re through with the present -deal--the better for him an’ us. This yer old underworld ain’t so -dusty, but I guess I prefer the daylight. It’s kinder more -natural-like. Down here you never know when to go to bed, and I’m -blamed if you know what time you’re getting up. Why, it might be -midnight at the present period, for all we know--midnight, pards, -an’ we a-waltzin’ around here ’stead of bein’ tucked away snug in our -little beds. I guess we’ll be developin’ inter real giddy young -night-howlers if we have to hang out long in this yer location. Say, -William, I reckon it’s about time we were progressin’ some. If you’ll -kinder intimate the same to our big pard, we’ll get a move on.” - -A few moments later the party plunged in amid the fungi, the -great elk trampling a broad passage which made progress easy for the -three on foot. - -Never had the explorers seen anything to equal this subterranean -jungle. The tropical forests of the upper world, with all their floral -magnificence, could not compare with the weird beauty of this -wonderland. To the mind of the scientist it seemed almost a shame that -such superb growths should be produced only to flourish where the eye -of man could never drink in the wondrous beauty of their varied -forms. - -The ground was hidden beneath a mass of trailing fungi, which -rioted in luxurious confusion between the larger growths. From its -shelter as the party passed numerous small creatures broke, to scurry -into the denser growth on either side. A bell-beetle, its antennae -clanging furiously, flashed across the track almost beneath the hoofs -of Muswani, and disappeared ere Mervyn could catch more than a bare -glimpse of its form. - -“I must have one of those fellows,” the scientist cried -enthusiastically. “If either of you should see another, just knock it -over with the butt of your spear.” - -As he spoke a second started up almost at his feet. Quickly he -pounced upon it, but he released it even more quickly, giving -utterance to an exclamation of pain. The creature had bitten his hand -severely. - -“The brute!” gasped the scientist, binding his handkerchief about -the wound, “he’s got jaws like a vice! What’s the matter?” This latter -to Chenobi, who had pulled up and leapt from his steed. - -“Poison!” the Ayuti cried in his own tongue. “I should have -warned you. The bite of the bell-beetle is death!” - -“Great heaven!” the scientist gasped; “I did not know. Is there -no hope?” - -His comrades did not, could not, answer. With haggard faces they -looked on, while the king fought the deadly stupor that fast stole -over their friend. - -Lowering Mervyn gently to the ground, the Ayuti tore up a small, -flat fungus from among a number of others growing close by. This he -forced between his patient’s teeth, bidding him eat. Mechanically the -scientist obeyed. - -His three friends were horrified at the terrible power of the -beetle’s venom. Though scarce three minutes had passed since Mervyn -had been bitten, his lower limbs were already paralysed, and the -poison seemed fast mounting to his brain. He appeared unconscious of -anything around him, gazing upward with eyes death-like in their -glassy stare; the slow movement of his jaws as he munched at the -fungi, and the twitching of his eyelids, alone telling that he -lived. - -Piece after piece of fungi Chenobi forced between the unwilling -lips, almost ramming it down the scientist’s throat. But, for all his -efforts, Mervyn seemed to grow steadily worse, and, as the moments -passed, his three comrades--helpless to check the action of the -subtle foe working in his veins--watched with dimmed eyes the -grey hue of death mounting to his forehead. - -His lips grew blue and pinched, his eyelids ceased to twitch, and -it appeared to the watchers as though the last spark of life had -vanished. - -Suddenly Chenobi rose, and at that Wilson cried out, thinking -that the king had given up hope. But he was mistaken. Plunging in amid -the fungi, Chenobi slashed off the top of a peculiar palm-like growth, -and with this he returned to the side of the motionless scientist. -First dipping the point of his knife-blade in the juicy sap which -oozed from the fungus, he gashed Mervyn’s arm. Thrice he repeated this -mysterious operation, then bound a handkerchief tightly over the -gashes. - -What this strange method of injection might mean the comrades -could not tell. Sufficient for them to know that the Ayuti was doing -all in his power to give back life to their friend. They felt that -this was Chenobi’s last effort. If it failed, Mervyn was lost. With -bated breath they watched for some movement from the silent form at -their feet. Even the great hounds seemed to be aware of the nearness -of death, for they lay quiet, only occasionally giving voice to a low -whine. - -Each of the three comrades passed through a lifetime of suspense -during the few moments that Mervyn’s fate trembled in the balance. The -engineer, dismounting from Muswani, had drawn close in, and now stood -beside Seymour. Slowly the minutes dragged by, until, of a sudden, a -cry came from Chenobi. - -“He lives!” Rapidly the baronet interpreted the joyful news to -his friends, and a thankful prayer went up from each man’s heart as -they saw that the words were true. - -All too slowly for them the life came back into Mervyn’s -enfeebled frame, and it was not until two hours had passed that he was -anything like himself again. Even then he was very shaky, and Wilson -insisted on him riding behind Chenobi when he felt well enough to -proceed. - -Nothing the scientist remembered of his experience. He knew -naught of what had taken place since the king had lowered him to the -ground. The action of the venom had been painless, and, but for -Chenobi’s prompt surgery, Mervyn would have drifted away over the -Borderland into the Great Silence. - -His hand trembled as he gripped that of his saviour, and murmured -a few stammering words of thanks, to which Chenobi replied with a -quaint Ayuti proverb, whereat the others, when Seymour had translated, -laughed uproariously. - -The inevitable reaction after the suspense had set in, and each -man felt ready to sing for joy that their beloved chief had been -restored to them. - -Ere long, with the scientist mounted in Wilson’s place, the party -were again on the move, Haverly and Seymour beguiling the journey with -many a jest. - -Deeper and deeper they plunged into the jungle, the sound of -their own advance being all that broke the silence which brooded over -all things. The ground grew marshy beneath them as they went on, their -feet sinking deep at every step into the mire. It was evident to all -that they were approaching a watercourse. Soon the ripple of water -came to their ears, and, splashing through several shallow pools, they -stood at length upon the bank of a sluggish river. - -Almost opposite to them, in the centre of the stream, a small -island rose, its low beach being so covered with fungi that scarcely a -yard of it was visible. It seemed one mass of glistening -vegetation--an island of silver against the dark background of -the muddy river. The hounds were already splashing across the stream, -and, following their lead, the party entered the water, wading past -the upper end of the island. The water was at no point above their -hips, so that they found no difficulty in gaining the further bank. -Here the hounds set up a clamorous baying, nosing about amid the mud -of the river side. Stooping, Seymour examined the ground, and what he -saw caused him some uneasiness. - -A call brought Chenobi off his steed to his side in a moment. - -“See,” said the baronet, pointing to certain great impressions in -the mud, “what tracks are these?” - -The Ayuti’s face grew white as he noted the footprints. - -_“The terror of the jungle!”_ he muttered; “may Ramouni -preserve us!” - -With a word he stilled the noise of the hounds, and they retired, -whining, to heel. - -“We must move with caution,” he said to the wondering Seymour; -“the prints are those of the most fearsome beast of the jungle, whom -my people called ‘the terror.’ I fear me that the baying of the hounds -will have roused them if any be within hearing. Howbeit, we will move -silently.” - -Though they knew not what this beast might be, the adventurers -were aware that it must be terrible to encounter, else Chenobi, who -seemed almost fearless, would not be uneasy at the proofs of its -presence in this part of the jungle. Accordingly their advance was as -noiseless as possible, and their caution was redoubled. Every rustle -from the fungi on either hand brought them to a halt, wondering if the -jungle terror were upon them. - -But as the time went by, and there came no sign of the beasts, -their spirits rose. They ceased to listen for suspicious sounds, and, -though their progress was just as silent, their thoughts were fixed -rather upon the end of their trip than upon the monstrous inhabitants -of the jungle. What was to be the result of their quest? Would they -find a way of escape through the passage whence the light came, or -would their journey end in failure? They were tired of this -underworld, wonderful though it was. They longed for the sunlight and -the singing of birds, for the murmur of the wind amid the tree-tops. -As the blind man craves for sight, so yearned they for these -things. - -Even Mervyn, with all his scientific zeal, would gladly have -exchanged the rare treasures of the land of eternal twilight for the -humbler ones of his own sphere. - -So they pondered, until suddenly they were recalled to a sense of -the dangers of their present position as a cry broke the stillness of -the underworld, a cry so full of dreadful menace, so thrilling with -murderous purpose, that the adventurers pulled up, trembling in every -limb. - -“Great Heaven!” Seymour cried, “what was that?” - -“The terror of the jungle!” replied the Ayuti hoarsely; “look -well to your weapons, for I doubt not ye will need them ere long.” - -With every nerve quivering with a nameless fear, they stood for a -moment, expecting, yet dreading to hear the cry again. But it did not -come, and at length, shaking off the nightmare-like terror that -gripped them, they pressed on, intent only on placing a safe distance -between themselves and the author of the cry. - -Then once more it arose, weird and terrifying, and at that -Chenobi turned his steed abruptly to the right. To this course he kept -for perhaps a hundred yards, then swerved again, this time to the -left. Following close behind, his comrades found themselves within -what at first they took to be a small valley, but a second glance -corrected this impression. It was a disused quarry! - -From this, perhaps, in the past ages, the great blocks had been -hewn which now graced the walls of the city of Ayuti, though how they -could have been conveyed such an incredible distance, and over so -rough a route, passed comprehension. The implements of the long-dead -quarrymen still lay where they had been left; picks and shovels of -quaint and curious make were scattered over the floor, while not a few -stone trolleys, broken now and useless, lay upon their sides amid the -scattered clumps of fungi which managed to flourish in the crevices of -the stone. - -But they had no time to examine the quarry. Scarcely had the -Ayuti alighted and assisted Mervyn to dismount, ere, for the third -time, the cry of the jungle beast arose, and the hounds answered with -their deep-throated bay. Evidently they had no fear of the creature. -They seemed rather anxious than otherwise to meet him. - -“He has scented us,” Chenobi announced, placing himself at the -narrow entrance to the quarry. Seymour and Haverly took their stand -beside him, and, fixing their eyes upon the fungi belt a few paces -distant, they awaited the coming of the jungle terror. Soon came the -sound as of some heavy body forcing its way swiftly through the fungi. -The towering growths swayed as though shaken by a strong wind. - -Suddenly the fungi parted, and a hideous head was thrust forth, -at sight of which Silas and the baronet involuntarily sprang backward. -At the same instant a terrified cry burst from the scientist: - -“Great Heaven! _Megalosaurus!”_ - - - - - CHAPTER XXIII. - - MUSWANI--MONSTER-FIGHTER. - - -AY, Megalosaurus! One of the most terrible of the monstrous reptiles -which roamed the prehistoric forests of our globe. Often had Mervyn -described this fearful brute in his lectures on the subject; often had -his students listened open-mouthed to his vivid word-pictures of this -and other monsters of the same period; but never did he think to come -face to face with the creature, to stand in peril of his life from its -fury. - -For a moment the brute remained glaring upon its victims, then, -giving voice once more to its fear-inspiring cry, it lurched forward -from the shelter of the fungi and stood revealed in all its diabolical -horror. Terror-stricken as they were, the adventurers gazed with a -kind of fascination upon the reptile. There was something so devilish -about him as he stood there in the full glare of the fungi, the scaly -plates of his hide shimmering like a silver sea with every move he -made, and his sabre-like teeth gnashing with fury, that they could do -naught but stare. Not one could lift a weapon, save the Ayuti. He -alone had not succumbed to the paralysing fascination of the -creature. - -Moving upon his huge hind legs, his short fore-limbs held -kangaroo-wise before him, the saurian shambled through the quarry -entrance, the Ayuti, watching keenly for a chance to attack, -retreating before him. - -“We’re done,” Seymour groaned; “of what use are spears against -such a brute? Great Heaven! be careful!” - -Forgetting for an instant that he did not understand English, the -baronet addressed the warning to Chenobi, who had leapt forward to -slash with his great axe at the saurian’s side. He sprang back only -just in time to escape the great teeth, which snapped within a -hair’s-breadth of his uplifted arm, having gained nothing by his -effort. - -“This is horrible!” Mervyn cried, “waiting here for death. Can we -do nothing against the brute?” - -His question was answered in an unexpected manner. With a furious -bellow the great elk leapt forward, pawed the ground for an instant, -then launched himself like a thunderbolt upon the monstrous reptile. -Utterly unprepared for this attack, the latter swerved in his advance, -attempting to avoid the advancing elk. But Muswani was too quick for -him. With a shock that flung him back upon his haunches, his antlers -struck the saurian’s scaly hide, and the huge brute staggered beneath -the blow. Ere he could recover, the elk had leapt out of reach and -stood pawing the ground, preparatory to another charge. - -“Be ready,” Chenobi cried eagerly, gripping the handle of his -great weapon; “if Muswani should overthrow the beast, then we will -speedily make an end of him.” - -The fury of the megalosaurus was now directed against the elk, -who, with all the cunning of an old warrior, was prancing about his -enemy, seeking to draw him on to attack. And he succeeded, for -suddenly, with a movement so swift that eye could scarce follow it, -the reptile’s claw-armed fore-limb lashed out. - -With a nimble leap Muswani evaded the stroke, charging in an -instant later upon his adversary. The shock of the meeting rang like a -thunderclap through the quarry, and the great saurian, reeling from -the impact, lurched over upon his side, exposing his only vulnerable -part, the belly. - -[Illustration: “THE GREAT SAURIAN REELING FROM THE IMPACT, - LURCHED OVER UPON HIS SIDE” (_p. 175._)] - -“Now!” cried Chenobi, and leapt forward. Gripping their weapons -firmly, his comrades advanced to complete the work which the elk had -begun. But Muswani was before them. While yet the reptile strove to -rise, the king’s gallant steed hurled itself again upon him, the -terrible antlers tearing deep into the monster’s vitals. A scream of -agony burst from the huge brute’s throat, and he grabbed savagely at -his agile enemy with his sickle-like claws. At that moment Chenobi’s -axe swept downward, almost severing the monster’s left fore-limb, -while the adventurers, rushing in, plunged their spears deep into his -gleaming white belly. - -“Back!” hissed the Ayuti, and retreated swiftly. - -’Twas well the others followed his advice so promptly, or -assuredly one or other of them would have been crushed; for, rearing -upward to its full height in the agony of its death struggle, the -megalosaurus pitched over with a crash, driving the spears to their -full length into its vitals. - -Madly he thrashed the ground with his great tail, as he rolled -from side to side in the bloody pool already forming round him, -keeping up the while a hoarse scream which told how sorely he was -stricken. - -The great hounds were mad with excitement; indeed, Chenobi had -the greatest difficulty in keeping them away from the dying monster. -All through the combat they had been restless, snarling, and baring -their great fangs, as they raced to and fro behind their master. His -word alone had prevented them from hurling themselves to certain -destruction against the saurian’s claws; but now, with the smell of -blood in their nostrils, their lust to kill proved too much for their -obedience. With their lean flanks palpitating with eagerness, the -whole four bounded, swift as light, across the quarry, and leapt for -the monster’s throat. A hoarse command from the king they did not -heed, although twice repeated, and for this disobedience one of the -four paid dearly. - -As he sprang the reptile’s jaws opened, and, with a sickening -crunch, the great teeth closed upon the hapless hound’s skull. A -moment later the lifeless carcase of Chenobi’s pet was flung almost at -his master’s feet. - -But it was the saurian’s last effort. One great choking gasp he -gave, a torrent of blood poured from his nostrils, then he plunged -heavily forward, almost crushing the three hounds, hanging like grim -death to his throat. - -“Thank God!” Mervyn cried, “we have been marvellously delivered. -Chenobi”--turning to the Ayuti--“your steed has saved -us.” - -“Muswani is an old fighter,” the king replied, striding over to -the elk, who had retired into the background again after overthrowing -the reptile. He patted the brute’s glossy hide and murmured words of -endearment into its ears, which Muswani seemed perfectly to -understand. - -“I guess the old elk’s a stayer,” remarked Silas; “we’d ha’ been -in a real tight corner but for him. Say, Mervyn, what do you think of -the beastie yonder?” - -“Horrible!” returned the scientist with a shudder. “The brute’s -far worse than Triceratops, for it’s a wholly carnivorous feeder.” - -“I assume we were down on its bill of fare, then?” asked the -Yankee, moving forward to examine the carcase, at which the hounds -were still tearing. - -“Nothing would come amiss to the brute,” Mervyn assented, -producing his note-book and pencil. - -“H’m,” Haverly remarked, as he surveyed the dead monster, “a -fairish-sized sort of tadpole. Fifty foot from nose to tail, and -perhaps a bit over. Say, William, come and have a look at your uncle. -You an’ Wilson are mighty quiet over there.” - -“I’ve seen as much of the brute as I want,” Seymour replied as he -joined the American. “If there’s many more of his sort in the jungle, -some of us will lose the numbers of our mess before long.” - -“He’s done us out of our weapons, anyway,” growled Silas; -“there’s no heaving him over to pull ’em out. After all, a spear’s -kinder handy if you prick ’em in the right place. Sort of touches the -spot, you know.” - -“What’s to be the next move?” asked the engineer. - -“Wal, I guess this outfit’s earned a rest. The present ’ud be a -suitable occasion for a feed. Mervyn’s got enough to keep him on the -trot for a while, an’ we might as well improve the passing hour. -William, perhaps you’ll oblige by informing Chenobi as it’s -dinner-time.” - -Smiling at Haverly’s quaint speech, the baronet complied with his -request; and there, but a few yards from the carcase of the -megalosaurus, the explorers made a hearty meal. The Ayuti, despite the -loss of his hound, was in high spirits. He had never dreamt that they -should be able to slay the monster, his only motive in entering the -quarry being to escape the notice of the brute if possible; but, -having scented them, the saurian invaded their refuge, with the result -already recorded. - -But for Muswani, the affair would have had a vastly different -ending! - -For the greater part of two hours they rested, the professor -obtaining from Chenobi a whole budget of information respecting the -quarry. He learnt, among other things, that at one time a great stone -causeway had connected the quarry with the subterranean city, along -which the blocks had been conveyed on stone trucks. By the gradual -sinking of the swampy ground, over which it was laid, the causeway had -been engulfed, and now not a vestige remained. Gladly would Mervyn -have remained longer in the quarry, amid the relics of a dead race, -but his comrades were anxious to move on, and so, giving way to their -desires, he prepared to leave the spot which had so nearly proved the -scene of their destruction. - -“It’s a bit risky without weapons,” Haverly said, as they plunged -once more into the jungle, “but I guess we’ll have to manage. ‘Tread -lightly’s’ the word, and keep your weather eyes lifting for -beetles.” - -However Chenobi could find his way amid the tangled growths of -the jungle the adventurers could not imagine. He had no compass to -consult, and he had not the light of the heavenly bodies by which to -steer. Yet he never hesitated for one moment, guiding his antlered -steed as though perfectly familiar with the route. - -Mervyn, perched behind him, pored over his notes, and several -times came within an ace of being swept from his seat by the branching -arms of the fungi giants on either side, the Ayuti avoiding these by -bending low over his mount. The journey seemed terribly long to the -three on foot. The glistening monotony of the eternal fungi wearied -their eyes. Talk, save in whispers, they dared not, lest they should -rouse another of the jungle beasts, perhaps even more terrible than -the megalosaurus. Their entirely unarmed condition made them -apprehensive almost to fearfulness. But, for all the sound that -reached them, the whole underworld might have been without -inhabitant. - -Suddenly Chenobi checked his steed, raising his hand as a warning -to his friends. Wondering what new peril threatened, the three moved -cautiously alongside the elk. Parting the fungi, they peered through. -Before them lay a clearing--an open space of some sixty square -yards in area. At first sight it appeared to be empty, but in a few -seconds they became aware of the presence of a monstrous black shape, -sharply outlined against the glistening wall of the encircling jungle. -Ere they could observe more, the hounds, who had been trailing at -heel, burst into a savage bay, and broke through the fungi. Only a -glimpse the explorers had of a huge, hairy body which lumbered -awkwardly into the shelter of the jungle, with the hounds snarling at -its heels, but it sufficed for the professor. - -“Megatherium!” he yelled in amazement, “the giant sloth!” - -With a bound he leapt from his seat and darted across the -clearing; but sloth and hounds had already vanished, the latter in -full cry. - -“Call your brutes off,” Mervyn cried to the king, as he forced -his steed into the clearing; “the creature’s perfectly harmless, and -it seems a shame for the dogs to worry it.” - -A piercing call rang from the Ayuti’s lips, the baying ceased as -though by magic, and ere long the hounds slid out of the undergrowth, -panting from their fruitless chase. - -“It is unfortunate that the creature disappeared so quickly,” -muttered the scientist. “I had not time to make a proper observation, -but its presence here appears to me to imply that the monsters of -prehistoric days are far from extinct. Were we to make a thorough -search, I do not doubt that we should find representatives of all the -tribes of vast creatures which once inhabited the upper world.” - -“Except the birds,” retorted Seymour; “as yet we have seen no -trace of them, which seems rather remarkable since, according to Maori -tradition, the moa birds were existent in New Zealand up to the end of -the seventeenth century.” - -“It don’t seem extra remarkable,” put in Haverly, “when you -reckon megalosaurus as an item on the programme. Seems to me as a -bird, however large, ’ud stand a poor chance against him. What’s your -idea, professor?” - -“The same,” returned the scientist; “but we have not yet learned -that they are non-existent. However, I will question Chenobi on the -subject. It may be that he can enlighten us.” - -But the king could supply no information as to the existence of -giant birds, although Mervyn helped out his explanation with the aid -of a rough sketch. If there were any such, they were unknown to -him. - -“We must keep our eyes open,” Mervyn remarked, after -communicating the Ayuti’s answer to his friends. “I have great hope -that we shall yet come across one,” and, with that, the interrupted -journey was resumed. - -For a full hour they moved forward, then the jungle ended. -Bursting through the last few scattered growths, they emerged upon the -shore of a vast lake. - -Strangely weird it looked, slumbering there in the twilight, with -the fungi-gleam lighting up its waters for a few yards from shore. - -“Do we go round?” Seymour asked, turning to the Ayuti. - -“Nay,” was the reply, “there is a boat,” and, dismounting, he -began to search amid the fungi close by. Soon his efforts were -rewarded. From the shelter of a clump, some ten feet from the water’s -edge, he dragged a boat--the most curious the explorers had ever -seen. In shape like an Indian bark canoe, it was made of the skin of -some animal, stretched tightly over a framework of bones. Despite the -long years it must have lain in disuse, it was still serviceable, -riding the water like a cork when launched. - -“Enter!” Chenobi said; “I will ride round upon Muswani, and will -meet ye upon the further side. ’Tis a straight course, and there is no -danger.” - -Leaping to his seat, he called up the hounds; then, with a wave -of the hand, he galloped swiftly along the shore. Soon he vanished -from view, the sound of Muswani’s hoofs died away, and at that the -adventurers entered their strange craft. - -Each grasping one of the bone paddles which lay in the bottom of -the boat, Silas and the baronet struck off with quick, powerful -strokes. Within a few moments their tiny craft was swallowed up in the -gloom that veiled the lake. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIV. - - A GLIMPSE OF THE UPPER WORLD. - - -“CHENOBI!” the baronet roared, “Chenobi!” - -“Where the deuce can the fellow have got to?” he went on. “He -said he’d meet us, and here we’ve been waiting over an hour, and not a -sign of him yet.” - -“Perhaps he’s met with some accident?” Mervyn suggested. - -“I guess not,” replied the Yankee, “the Ayuti’s cute enough to -keep out of danger. He’ll be along here presently, you’ll see. There -you are”--as the sound of hoofs became audible--“I reckon -he’s arrived.” - -The next moment Chenobi’s hounds burst out of the gloom, followed -a few seconds later by Muswani. - -“I was delayed,” the king explained as he drew up; “I found three -of the wolf-people hunting along the shore.” - -“Did they attack you?” Seymour questioned. - -“They will not follow the hunting trail again,” returned Chenobi -significantly. “See, I have brought their weapons,” and he flung three -spears to his friends. - -[Illustration: “SEE, I HAVE BROUGHT THEIR WEAPONS” (_p. 181._)] - -“Give the other to Wilson,” Mervyn said, when Seymour and the -Yankee had each taken one, “he will make better use of it than I -should. And now for the next stage of our journey.” - -First renewing their supply of water--which they carried in -two skin bottles--from the lake, the adventurers turned and -trudged forward again in the track of the elk. Now their way led over -a bare, stony plain, with never a fungi-clump to relieve the gloom, -and here the king’s jewel became once more of service. This part of -the journey was by far the most trying to the foot-weary travellers, -and they were glad to take advantage of the Ayuti’s offer, that each -should ride in turn for a space upon Muswani’s broad back. Mile after -mile they covered in this way, until a line of cliffs loomed before -them, sheer and impregnable. - -The adventurers gazed at Chenobi in amazement. Had he mistaken -his route? So far as they could see, there was no opening in that -towering wall, yet he dismounted at its base as though he had reached -his goal. - -A smile passed over his features as he noted the astonishment of -his friends. - -“All is well,” he said, “we will rest here a while, ere we ascend -the cliff.” - -“Ascend the cliff?” Seymour gasped, staring amazedly at the rocky -barrier. - -“Ay,” returned the Ayuti; “see you not that there be steps carven -in the rock?” - -Then the baronet saw what he had before overlooked. Up the very -face of the cliff ran a rude stairway, hewn out of the solid rock. - -“It was carven by my people,” Chenobi went on, “when they first -came to this underworld, so that they might at times look upon the eye -of Ramouni, the sun god, whom they worshipped.” - -“Another instance of the remarkable engineering ability of this -people,” remarked Mervyn to the baronet; “it must have taken years to -carve out that stairway, rude though it looks.” - -“Guess it’s a bigger job than I should care to tender for,” put -in the Yankee. “Say, the old planet lost some real hustlers when the -Ayutis pegged out.” - -“Nothing seems to have been too great for the beggars to tackle,” -murmured Wilson admiringly. “If they’d been above ground, they would -have built a staircase to the moon, or something of the sort.” - -Mervyn smiled. - -“They were a wonderful race,” he said reflectively; “it is a -thousand pities they have become extinct. Thoroughly civilised, they -would have become one of the first nations in the world. Think of -it--with their great bodily strength, splendid courage--as -evidenced by our friend the king here--their engineering skill, -what would they not have accomplished? Of course we may take it for -granted there were wastrels among them; there is no community without -its ne’er-do-wells. But the majority, from what I can gather from -Chenobi, appear to have been an intelligent and utterly fearless -people. Of the fate which overtook them, wiping them out of existence, -I can learn nothing. The king always avoids the subject when I -approach it.” - -“I expect it’s too painful a matter to talk about,” returned -Seymour; “but, whatever the cause of their dying out, I can well -imagine the wolf-men had a hand in it. If their former priests were as -diabolically ingenious as Nordhu is, I fear no race could have -withstood them long. Just imagine, if you can: five millions of the -brutes--I think that’s the number you mentioned, -Meryvn?--they would overwhelm a world, let alone a city!” - -“The presence of the priests is a puzzle to me,” the scientist -went on. “Obviously they are a different race from the savages they -govern, yet they are certainly not Ayutis! It may be that they are -half-breeds, the result of a union between the two races? The -offspring, perhaps, of some criminal, who, banished from the city for -his misdeeds, joined himself to the wolf-men and became their -leader.” - -“But how do you account for their speaking the same language as -the islanders of Ayuti?” questioned Seymour. - -“I have formed a theory to account for the coincidence,” was the -scientist’s reply, “whether it is the correct one or not remains to be -proved. When we reach the end of our present journey I shall be better -able to decide. But, see, the king is preparing to move on again.” - -“Come,” Chenobi cried, approaching the base of the cliff -stairway. - -Rising, his friends followed. With a sharp word of command to his -steed and hounds, the Ayuti commenced the ascent. Allowing a few -moments to elapse, Mervyn followed, then in turn came Wilson and the -American, Seymour bringing up the rear. Upward they toiled, their eyes -strained to catch the gleam from Chenobi’s jewel, their only guide -amid the gloom. - -Slowly Muswani and the hounds--left to their own devices at -the foot of the steps--faded from view. Then the plain itself -vanished, seeming to give place to an illimitable black void. And afar -off, miles and miles away, a silver haze hovered. It was the uncanny -radiance from the fungi jungle. But even this faded at length, and -still the rough-hewn ledges rose before the climbers, and their limbs -grew weary of the treadmill-like motion. Occasionally an encouraging -shout would peal downward from Chenobi, cheering the flagging spirits -of his followers. - -“Courage!” the king cried at length, “the end is at hand.” - -Within a few moments they all stood in the mouth of a narrow -tunnel, which stretched before them far into the heart of the -cliff. - -“Thank heaven that’s over!” muttered Wilson. “My leg’s still too -stiff to stand much of that kind of thing.” - -“Your wound hasn’t broken out afresh?” Seymour inquired -anxiously. - -“No,” the engineer returned, “there’s no chance of that now.” - -“That’s good,” cried Haverly; “a wounded leg’s kinder awkward to -rub along with. Jupiter!” - -His sentence ended in a gasp, as a brilliant light flooded the -tunnel. - -“The sun!” Mervyn cried excitedly; “let us move forward again,” -and, suiting the action to the word, he strode on over the slanting -floor of the tunnel. But he pulled up again in a moment with a -startled “Oh!” as the light, dying out as suddenly as it had come, -left him in pitchy darkness. - -Seymour burst into a laugh. - -“You were a bit too previous, Mervyn,” he said. “Did you forget -that the light only lasted for a few seconds?” - -“I had almost persuaded myself that we should emerge into the -open air within a few yards,” returned the scientist; “but I think -I’ll let Chenobi take the lead. Come along; are you going to stand -there all day?” - -“Don’t get impatient, old chap,” retorted the Yankee; “we’re -comin’ along right now.” - -And now began a journey which taxed their strength to the utmost. -The floor of the passage sloped almost as steeply as a house-roof, and -the adventurers had the greatest difficulty in keeping their feet. - -Chenobi, going barefoot, got over the ground rapidly, but with -the others, in their heavy boots, slips were frequent. Hour after hour -they pressed upward, pausing occasionally for rest and refreshment; -then on once again with unflagging energy, knowing that each step -brought them nearer to the daylight. Thrice in the course of that -climb did the light of the sun penetrate the recesses of the tunnel, -so that the journey must have taken them at least three days. - -Then the water began to run short, and many were the anxious -queries addressed to Chenobi as to the means of renewing the -supply. - -“There is water above,” he replied to all these questions. “Ere -the light shall again strike upon the eye of the carven Ramouni our -journey will be at an end.” - -Thus encouraged, they increased their pace, and before long a -cool breeze fanned their heated cheeks. Used as they had become to the -stagnant, motionless atmosphere of the underworld, the gentle current -came to the adventurers as a veritable life-giving elixir. It -intoxicated them, indeed, for a little while, caused a species of -madness, wherein the only thing of which they were conscious was the -yearning to get out into the open. It spurred them on to such efforts -that the Ayuti, for all his strength, had considerable difficulty in -keeping pace with them. Never before had the prospect of gazing upon -the face of Nature inspired them with such wildly delirious joy. Even -the cool-blooded American succumbed to the rapture of the moment. Hope -surged high within them all. - -The Ayuti alone was grave and preoccupied. The hours he had spent -with these new comrades had been pleasant enough, but he knew that -they longed to return to their own world. They could not be happy in -the gloom of the underworld. They were children of the light, and -Ramouni, the sun god, was calling them back to bask once more in his -bright rays; and he, Chenobi, must return to his life of solitude, to -range the jungles till death came to him. - -So thought the king. Little wonder that he was silent and grave. -It had been better, he mused, if these white strangers had never come -to his land; he would then have been content with his animals, and -with the lonely life to which a cruel fate had doomed him. But now he -longed for a comrade to share his solitude, and to divide the spoils -of the chase. With an effort he shook off these imaginings, and -applied himself more vigorously to the ascent. An hour passed by, and -then an excited cry broke from Seymour: - -“The moon!” - -An instant later the party emerged into the full glory of the orb -of night. For a while they stood drinking in the beauty of the scene -around. They were standing in the crater of an extinct volcano. -Imagine a vast well, many hundreds of feet in depth and over a mile in -diameter at its base, its rugged walls--sloping slightly outward -as they rose--covered with a mass of tropical vegetation whose -every leaf gleamed like silver beneath the beams of the full moon that -hung high above. This was the scene that met the gaze of the -adventurers. - -Leaving them gazing, Chenobi vanished into the shadow of the -cliffs, returning presently with the skin bottle he carried full of -clear water. - -“Drink,” he said shortly, and to such good purpose did his -friends obey that the bottle had to be replenished ere their thirst -was satisfied. Then, thoroughly tired out, they flung themselves down -where they stood, and, with the rich scents of a tropical forest in -their nostrils, dropped off to sleep, leaving the Ayuti pacing to and -fro across the crater floor. - -The moon swung slowly across the dark blue dome above, and still -Chenobi kept his vigil, moving back and forth with the regularity of -an automaton. Yet it could not be that he feared danger. What danger -could threaten in this peaceful spot? - -No, it was not the fear of possible peril that kept the king from -his slumbers. His mind was busy with other things. A daring thought -had come to him, and, as he pondered it, the more feasible it -appeared. It was nothing less than this: that he should forsake his -old haunts and cast in his lot with his new friends. For hours he -revolved this idea in his brain, until the moon disappeared below the -crater rim; then he aroused the sleepers, and beneath the quickly -paling sky the explorers had their first breakfast above ground since -passing the great ice barrier. Anxiously they awaited the coming of -dawn, eager to commence the last stage of their journey--the -ascent of the crater wall. - -With a suddenness peculiar to the tropics the sun rose. A fiery -arrow flickered across the sky, followed by a blaze of golden glory, -before which the stars rapidly paled and died. The day had come! - -Rising, the king led the way across the crater, passing the tiny -spring whence he had obtained the water the previous night. This, the -explorers noted, overflowed its basin and trickled through a little -crevice in the crater wall out into the open, to become, perhaps, a -rushing river on the other side of the cliffs. Moving to a spot where -the ascent promised to be easier than at any other point, Chenobi -began to climb. The creepers and low-growing shrubs made progress very -easy. Within an hour the summit was reached, and the party stood in -the full glare of the sun on the rim of the great crater. This same -rim proved to be a rugged ledge some twenty feet in width, from which -the outer cliffs descended for the first hundred feet or so as sheer -as a wall and about as devoid of foothold. - -Below, the morning mists still veiled the base of the cone and -the country which lay beyond it; but, as the sun gained power, the -banks of vapour slowly dispersed, exposing to view the waving forests -of a large island. - -Eagerly Mervyn peered downward; then a glad shout pealed from his -lips: - -“I thought so! Look, Seymour! _The island of Ayuti!_” - -“Great Scott! so it is!” gasped the baronet in amazement. - - - - - CHAPTER XXV. - - SEYMOUR’S FALL. - - -FOR some time the adventurers stood gazing downward from their lofty -perch in silence. Beyond the belt of forest they could see a strip of -sandy beach, and beyond this again, the sea, its shimmering surface -reflecting the rays of the sun like a gigantic mirror. No dwelling was -visible save in one place, where, in a forest clearing, a white house -stood, plainly discernible in the clear morning air against the dark -green of the foliage. - -“See,” the scientist cried, “that is the English mission house. -Can we but get down, we shall receive a warm welcome from the -missionary, Mr. Travers; he is an old friend of mine.” - -“You remember the legends which we heard from the natives, -Seymour,” he went on, “when we visited this island some years ago, -respecting the strange race of white giants which once inhabited this -place?” - -“Perfectly,” responded the baronet. - -“Well, I think our discoveries in the underworld bear out the -truth of the stories. Ever since I knew that the subterranean city was -called by the same name as this island my brain has been exercised to -account for the coincidence. Chenobi’s statement, that there was a -passage through a dead fire-mountain, by means of which his people -entered this land, gave me a clue to the mystery, and I formed a -theory as to the origin of the Ayutis. But I needed proof ere my idea -could become fact, and for that I had to wait until the present -moment.” - -“And your theory is?” questioned Wilson. - -“That the Ayutis once dwelt upon this island which is still named -after them; but, for some reason or other--probably through the -incursion of enemies--they were forced to take refuge in this -crater. They would discover the tunnel through which we came, and, in -the hope of finding a securer refuge, would explore it. The rest is -obvious.” - -“But it must have been long ago,” said Seymour, “for the -buildings of the subterranean city are certainly many hundreds of -years old.” - -“Probably at the time the inhabitants of the British Isles were -still savages,” returned Mervyn with a smile, “hunting the buffalo in -the swamps and living in caves or mud-huts. But enough of this; let us -see if there is any way down. I should like to see my friend, if -possible, before we return to look for Garth.” - -“I guess that won’t be easy,” remarked the Yankee. “From what I -can see, we shall need a considerable length of rope ’fore we can get -down, and that’s a commodity we don’t happen to have on hand at -present. Still, we might as well prospect a bit.” - -The Ayuti was strangely silent as the party moved round the -crater rim in an effort to find a spot where the cliff was scalable, -and Seymour--who walked beside him--rallied him at length -upon his abstraction. - -“What ails you, Chenobi,” he asked, “that you are so silent?” - -“I am perplexed, Fairhair,” replied the other. “Ere ye came to my -land I was content to lead the life of a hunter, to dwell alone, save -for my steed and hounds. But now I long for a friend. The time we have -spent together hath been very pleasant, but soon ye will return to -your own land, and I shall be alone once more.” - -“Why not come with us?” burst out the baronet impulsively “there -is nothing to keep you down there.” - -“First I must perform my vow,” returned Chenobi. “Listen, friend! -I had a brother once who was very dear to me. Though we twain were the -last of our race, yet were we happy, following the chase together, and -waging a grim vendetta against the wolf-people. But by craft Nordhu -the priest took my brother while I was absent from the city, and he -died beneath the jaws of Rahee. When I knew what had befallen, I vowed -before Ramouni that I would destroy the priest and Rahee, the sacred -beast. Therefore, until my vow be fulfilled, I cannot go with -you.” - -“Then let me help you!” the baronet cried. “I, too, have a debt -against this same priest. Together we will accomplish his destruction -and that of Rahee, then ye shall return with us to our own land.” - -“It is well,” returned the king, gripping Seymour’s hand; “we -will dwell together as brethren hereafter.” - -Quickly the baronet communicated the gist of this conversation to -his friends, who all expressed their pleasure at the idea. - -“We’ll have him stalking down Bond Street in patent leathers and -a topper in three months,” jested Wilson. “If only he’s got a few -pounds’ worth of treasure knocking around in that old city of his, -he’ll be able to do the foreign ‘dook’ in style.” - -“I guess he’d take the shine outer some of your gilded -West-Enders, anyway,” retorted the American; “he’s the finest figure -of a man your humble ever struck. Say, Mervyn, looks to me as if -you’ll have to postpone your visit to your pard, the parson, till we -get a rope out of the old _Seal’s_ store-room. There don’t seem -no way down these yer plaguey cliffs.” - -“We’ll complete the circuit of the crater, nevertheless,” -answered the scientist; “there may be a place where descent is -possible.” - -From the woods below a confused murmur arose. It was the voices -of the creatures of the forest, blended by distance into one -harmonious whole. The chattering of monkeys, the shrill screaming of -parrots, and the melodious notes of other birds as they called to -their mates, all had a part in that chorus. And ever and anon a joyous -shout would ring upward from the beach, where a number of tiny figures -raced to and fro amid the surf. Mere black dots they looked to the -group on the crater rim, only to be discerned by careful observation -and much straining of the eyes. They were the native children enjoying -their early morning dip. - -“Makes you wish you could take part in thet little picnic,” -drawled Silas. “I reckon a dip in the briny would be considerable -refreshing at this yer period. The sun’s gettin’ a darn sight too warm -to be pleasant.” - -“I was just thinking the same,” Mervyn said, “and since there -appears to be no chance of descending to the lower ground without a -rope, we may as well get back into the crater.” - -This advice was followed, and, ere long, the party were reclining -around the spring, recruiting their strength for the return journey. -There they waited in happy indolence until the sun had passed the -meridian; then they prepared to retrace their steps. - -“Now to find Garth,” said the scientist. - -“And wipe out Nordhu and the spider,” added Seymour. - -“Do you think it wise?” Mervyn asked, “to penetrate again into -the dens of the wolf-men? You may not get off so easily another -time.” - -“Wise or not,” returned the baronet doggedly, “I have given my -word to the Ayuti and I shall keep it. Of course, if you do not care -to come----” - -“You know me better than that,” the scientist replied warmly; “we -have passed through too many perils together for you to deem me a -coward. Old though I am, I can still do my share when it comes to -fighting.” - -“Forgive me, old man,” murmured Seymour penitently; “I did not -mean to suggest for a moment that I doubted your courage. You know -that!” - -“Ay, I know, my friend,” was Mervyn’s reply; “don’t think I’m -offended by your words. But now let us push forward. The sooner we -find Garth the better.” - -One last sight they had of the azure dome above them, of the -verdure-clothed walls of the ancient crater, then they plunged once -more into the darkness of the tunnel, eager to begin the search for -their missing comrade. - -It was well that no presentiment of all that was to come crossed -their minds, no subtle warnings of the perils that awaited them, -through which they must pass ere they saw the daylight again, or even -their bold spirits might have quailed before the prospect. As it was, -knowing nothing, fearing nothing, they moved cheerily onward, making -the tunnel ring with their jests and laughter. - - * * * * * - -The underworld once more. At the foot of the cliff stairway stood -the four explorers, awaiting their guide, who was seeking his elk and -the hounds. At intervals they heard his piercing call, ringing out -clear through the death-like silence of the place. And not for long -did the Ayuti call in vain. Of a sudden a clamorous baying broke out, -punctuated by the bellowing of Muswani, and through the twilight, from -the direction of the distant lake, came the Ayuti’s pets. - -Mounting, he quickly rejoined his friends, and the whole party -strode out across the plain. - -At the lake, however, a check awaited them. Moving down to the -water’s edge, they looked round for the boat in which they had -previously crossed, and which they had left drawn up high and dry upon -the beach. - -It was gone! - -Thinking that they had perhaps mistaken the spot, they searched -up and down the shore for a considerable distance; but all their -seeking was vain. The skin boat had vanished. - -“It’s the doing of the wolf-people,” asserted the Ayuti; “see, -the hounds have scented them,” and he pointed to the three great dogs, -who were sniffing along the shore, as though following a trail. - -“Then there is nothing for it but to go round,” said Seymour, and -forthwith they started, keeping a sharp look-out for the creatures who -had robbed them of their boat. For two hours they strode forward along -the shore; then, rounding the head of the lake and splashing across a -shallow stream which here entered it, they struck off at a tangent -into the jungle, the growths of which were at this point somewhat -scattered, there being many open spaces between. Swiftly they moved, -yet cautiously, their ears alert to catch the slightest suspicious -sound. Once a herd of giant bison thundered across the track before -them at a gallop; then a number of elk were sighted, to whom Muswani -bellowed a challenge. Unheeding it, however, the brutes dashed swiftly -away and disappeared. - -The jungle seemed alive with game, but the adventurers had no -time for the chase. Their only desire now was to get back to the city -with all speed, and to this end they pressed on at their best -pace. - -Suddenly in the ground before them, its yawning mouth revealed by -a clump of fungi growing close to the verge, appeared a black chasm. -Some thirty feet by twelve in size, its walls descending sheer as -those of a well as far as eye could penetrate into its gloom, it was -as weird a place as one could wish to see; and from its dismal depths -arose the boom of a waterfall. - -“It’s a ghostly hole,” remarked Seymour, pausing for an instant -on the brink, and peering downward. His friends, not noting that he -had stopped, still held on, until a cry from behind caused them to -pull up. Turning, they saw Seymour struggling on the very verge of the -abyss with a wolf-man of gigantic stature. The perilous position of -the struggling figures unnerved all but Chenobi. He, with a cry of -rage, leapt to earth and sprang to the baronet’s assistance. But, ere -he could reach the scene of the struggle Seymour and the savage -pitched over the brink of the abyss, and, still grappling madly, -hurtled into the gloomy depths below. - -“Great Heaven!” Mervyn burst out despairingly; “he is lost! My -poor friend!” - -Haverly’s eyes blazed with a terrible hate. - -“Say, Mervyn,” he snapped, “we don’t stir a peg out of this -devil’s hole of a country till we’ve avenged poor Seymour. We’ll teach -these brutes a lesson they’ll never forget.” - -Wilson’s impotent rage was pitiable to witness. - -“The best and truest comrade ever man had,” he cried, “sent to -his death by a loathsome brute like that. Curse them all, I say!” - -The Ayuti said no word, but his face was set stern and pitiless -as a mask, boding ill for any luckless savage that should cross his -track. With a mad, unreasoning passion raging in their hearts, the -four men turned from the abyss, whose black depths had swallowed their -friend, and resumed their journey. - -Recklessly they moved now, caring little whether they aroused any -of the jungle beasts or no, their fury making them absolutely -fearless. Let them but find the _Seal,_ and renew their supply of -ammunition then they would invade the fastnesses of the wolfish brutes -at whose door lay Seymour’s death, and teach them a terrible -lesson. - -Their journey was finished without further adventure, and at -length, reaching the city gate, they passed through and made their way -towards the temple. - -Their hearts ached for their lost friend. They missed him sorely. -His cheery voice, his inspiring courage, had assisted them through -many a trying situation, and they could not bear to think that they -should never see him again. - -Their minds were busy with gloomy thoughts of the future, when -they reached the temple steps. These--leaving the Ayuti to stable -the elk and chain up the hounds--they were ascending, when, -thrilling and terrible, through the silent streets came echoing the -cry of the wolf-men. - -As it ceased, up the steps bounded Chenobi. - -“The wolf-people!” he cried passionately. “Nordhu, the priest, -hath lost no time.” - -Unslinging the great shield from his back, he took his stand upon -the topmost step, his battle-axe flashing like silver beneath the -light which shone from the jewel upon his brow. The next moment, into -the square below poured a vast throng of savages, and at sight of the -motionless figures upon the terrace they once more raised their -hideous cry. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVI. - - THE FASCINATION OF THE PRIEST. - - -FORWARD they came to the base of the steps, then paused a while, as -though awaiting some signal ere commencing the attack. It came at -length. From somewhere at the rear arose the voice of the high priest -of the wolf-men. - -“Go forward, my children, and ye shall prevail. Ramouni has -spoken it.” - -At the words a score or so of savages leapt up the steps towards -the Ayuti. - -“Guard my back,” the latter cried to his three friends, and bent -forward to meet his oncoming foes. A grim smile played over his -features for an instant as the wolf-men hesitated a few feet from the -top of the steps. - -“Are ye fearful,” he cried mockingly, “oh, children of the wolf? -Hath not Nordhu, your father, promised that ye shall prevail? Come, -then! Chenobi awaits you.” - -His words lashed the savages to fury, and, with a roar of rage, -they hurled themselves upon him. Quick as thought his weapon flashed -upward, then came down in a terrific swoop, and the foremost wolf-man, -his head almost cloven from his shoulders, pitched backward down the -steps. To right and left the great axe whirled and smote, dancing and -gleaming above the heaving mass of brown bodies which surged furiously -upward. And from every fresh stroke it rose dyed crimson with the -life-blood of a new victim. - -As yet the three behind were idle. At the stairhead they would -have been in the king’s way, preventing him from the free use of his -weapon, and so far not a savage had managed to break past and gain the -terrace. But there was work for them before the fight was over. At -present they had perforce to be content to look on, and the sight -aroused their keenest admiration, while satisfying the lust for -vengeance which burned within them. - -Like ripened grain the wolf-men fell away before that terrible -axe, and still Chenobi was untouched. Every spear-thrust or stab of -knife fell harmless upon his great shield. His arm seemed tireless, as -he wielded the mighty weapon which a man of average strength could -barely lift. Still the carnage went on, still the pile of dead grew, -until but five of the attackers remained. Then these lost heart, and, -turning, bounded down the steps. - -The first attack had failed. - -“Cannot we help?” asked Mervyn, as Chenobi turned round, smiling -triumphantly. - -“Nay,” returned the king; “spears are but puny weapons against a -host. Besides, ye have no shields.” - -“But it becomes us ill to stand idle,” persisted the -scientist. - -“If I should fall your turn will come,” replied Chenobi, and, -with that, he faced about to meet a fresh attack. - -“God forbid!” cried Mervyn fervently, but his words were drowned -in the clamour of the savage horde that came charging up towards the -terrace. It was but a repetition of the previous scene, and the -scientist, knowing the devilish cunning of the priest, marvelled that -he should allow his followers to throw away their lives in such mad -fashion. Yet in his heart was a dread that these attacks were but the -prelude to some diabolical scheme, which, when complete, would land -them all in the power of the wolf-men. And his forebodings were only -too fully justified. - -While Chenobi hacked and hewed, with his whole mind centred upon -the foe before him, a fur-clad figure advanced from the shadow of the -king’s palace and crossed the square to the foot of the steps. - -It was Nordhu, and Mervyn shuddered as he saw the weird glitter -of the fellow’s eyes as he fixed them full upon those of the king. -Like twin stars they glowed through the twilight. - -“Great Heaven!” the scientist ejaculated, grasping Haverly’s arm, -“he’s trying to hypnotise Chenobi!” - -“The devil!” snarled Silas with a shiver of rage, and, lifting -his spear, he hurled it full at the priest. He missed his mark by a -few inches as Nordhu leapt aside. - -“Ye shall pay for that, dog!” roared the latter, once more -riveting his gaze upon the form of the king. - -“He’s overcoming our friend,” Mervyn gasped an instant later, as -Chenobi, ceasing his efforts, dropped his weapon, and stood as one -dazed. With a roar of delight the wolf-men gained the terrace, and -within two minutes their gigantic enemy was fast bound by a stout hide -rope, and the attackers were turning their attention to the three -comrades, who had retired a few paces. There, with their backs to the -altar, in the shadow of the great idol, they prepared for the final -struggle against their relentless foes. - -But the fascinating stare of the priest followed them, and, ere -long, Wilson succumbed to its baleful power. Despite his comrades’ -efforts to detain him, the lad strode calmly across the terrace, -passed through the horde of savages clustered at the head of the -stairs, and descended to the square, where he was immediately bound -securely by the wolf-men below. The power of the priest was truly -appalling. - -Flushed by his double triumph, he again exerted himself to -complete the fell work he had begun, by subduing the minds of the -remaining two. But they were of sterner stuff. With all the strength -of their natures they fought against the uncanny force which bade them -surrender to their enemies. The eyes of the priest seemed to be -glaring right into their brains, yet they struggled on, knowing that -to submit meant their ultimate ruin. Their case they well knew was -hopeless, but far better to die fighting beneath the spears of the -savages than to be led captive into the caverns of the hills, there to -be sacrificed to the terrible Rahee. - -Oh, for a rifle and a couple of cartridges! Haverly thought, that -he might at least send Nordhu to his last account ere he himself fell. -As well might he have wished for the moon. - -Suddenly the influence of the priest was withdrawn; his eyes -ceased to glare, and from his lips came a low call. Instantly the -waiting savages dashed forward, overwhelming the two comrades by sheer -numbers, before either could strike more than a blow in -self-defence. - -So it ended, the fight that had opened so well, that had promised -to finish so differently, its issue decided by the devilish arts of -the priest. But for the hypnotic power of Nordhu, they might have kept -the wolf-men at bay for an almost indefinite period. Haverly ground -his teeth with helpless rage as he and Mervyn were led down into the -square. Here the same humiliating fate befel them as had already -fallen to Wilson and the Ayuti. - -They were bound securely, hand and foot, the raw hide ropes being -drawn so tightly that they almost cut into the flesh. Then, seized by -some of their hideous captors, the four men were carried swiftly -through the silent streets and out across the plain towards the haunts -of the wolf-men. - - * * * * * - -When Seymour felt himself gripped from behind, as he stood gazing -down into the abyss, his first sensation was one of deadly fear. -Overcoming this, however, he swung round quickly and grappled his -hideous opponent. To and fro they swayed upon the brink, each gripping -the other’s throat, each struggling to hurl his enemy over the edge of -the chasm. - -With all his enormous strength Seymour could barely hold his own. -The wolf-man’s muscles seemed of iron, his fingers gripped like a -vice, and beneath their pressure the baronet’s life was slowly choked -out. - -It was at this moment that he managed to gasp out the cry which -attracted the attention of his friends; but, as we know, they were too -late to aid him, and both he and the loathsome savage pitched over -into the abyss. - -His mind was a complete blank during the few moments of his fall. -He did not swoon, yet his mental and physical powers were alike -suspended--paralysed, as it were. Then suddenly his faculties -were fully restored by a plunge into rushing water. He sank like a -stone, the water roaring madly in his ears, seeming to beat him -downward to a terrible depth. With all his strength he struck out for -the surface, fighting his way up through the surging waters that he -might empty his bursting lungs. - -It was the agony of years concentrated into a few seconds of time -through which he passed in that upward struggle; but he gained the -surface at length, and, with the thunderous boom of a cataract in his -ears, was swept forward by the current. For a time he was content to -be carried along without attempting to swim, only paddling -sufficiently to keep himself afloat. The roar of the fall died away -behind him as he was swept on, and the speed of the current gradually -slackened. - -Slower and slower his progress grew, and at last he was obliged -to strike out for himself. As to his whereabouts, he had no idea, but, -deeming one direction as good as another in the midnight darkness by -which he was surrounded, he swam boldly ahead. - -Ere long he found that, strong as he was, to swim fully clothed -for any length of time would be an impossibility; so, floating there, -in the midst of a profound and awful silence, hedged about on either -side by a solid pall of darkness, the intrepid baronet removed his -boots and clothes. Then, naked as he was born, he struck out once more -with long, steady strokes that ate up the distance. - -Where was his enemy, the wolf-man? he wondered. Had he, too, -escaped, and at the present moment was swimming somewhere in the -darkness? The thought sent a shiver through Seymour’s frame, and he -half expected to see a pair of fierce eyes glaring through the gloom -and to feel once more those bony fingers gripping his throat. But -there came no sign to show that the savage had escaped, and gradually -the baronet’s anxiety on that score died. - -For hours, so it seemed to him, he was swimming before his -outstretched hand touched solid stone. Treading water, he reached -upward, striving to discover how high this barrier was; but the top -was beyond his reach. - -Sheer and solid the masonry rose, without crack or crevice by -means of which one might climb. Somewhat disappointed, Seymour turned -and swam slowly along the base of the wall. - -What this barrier meant he could not at first determine. The -touch of it told him that it was no work of Nature. No natural wall -had ever its smoothness and regularity. Yet for what purpose had it -been built? Like a flash into his brain swept the answer. This was the -ancient reservoir of the Ayutis, which fed the great tanks beneath the -temple. The thought gave him hope, for, if his idea were correct, -there must be some exit through which the water flowed into the -conduits. - -Steadily he swam forward, feeling the wall as he went, till -suddenly, thrusting out his hand, he felt nothing. The wall had -ended! - -Eagerly he felt about him. Yes, there was no doubt about it, the -masonry had ceased. Three cautious strokes, at right angles to his -first course, and his feet touched the lowest of a flight of steps -which here broke the regularity of the wall, running down some feet -into the water. Thankfully he drew himself up, and sat a while to -rest, ere ascending to the top of the flight. - -His position was a most unenviable one. Naked, wet, and shivering -from his immersion, buried in some subterranean cavern far away from -even the ghostly light of the underworld, and, above all, entirely -defenceless, it was not remarkable that he felt somewhat depressed. -But summoning all his courage he rose after a few moments and mounted -the steps, moving carefully, lest he should lose his footing and fall -backward into the water again. Twelve of the steps he counted, then -found himself upon an apparently broad pavement, across which he -crept, hands outstretched before him. - -The silence was intense. No sound but the gentle lapping of the -water against the stonework came to his ears, and even this ceased as -he increased his distance from the reservoir. Step by step he -advanced, gaining courage with every yard, until, with a suddenness -that sent his heart leaping into his mouth, a sound came out of the -darkness ahead--_the snarling yelp of some animal!_ - -The baronet pulled up on the instant and stood listening. Again -the yelp came to his ears, trembling away weirdly into the furthermost -recesses of the vast cavern. What creature could it be that dwelt here -in the darkness? he asked himself. Was it the wolf-man who had fallen -with him into these depths? Even as his mind framed the question he -knew that it was so. The savage had escaped from the reservoir, and -was now prowling somewhere in the gloom ahead of him. - -The idea was by no means a pleasant one, yet better the wolf-man -for an enemy than some strange beast. Prepared for an attack at any -moment, Seymour moved forward again, his momentary fear giving place -to a revengeful passion against the brute who had caused his present -predicament. For perhaps a score of yards he advanced, at length -coming in touch with a wall, along which he felt his way to a low -archway. This, after some little hesitation, he entered, having to -bend somewhat to escape catching his head against the roof. - -The floor was slimy with ooze, and there was a constant drip of -water from above, but, disdaining these minor difficulties, Seymour -held on. With his arms outstretched to their full extent, he could -just touch the walls of the passage, and in this fashion he managed to -steer himself. As nearly as he could judge, the tunnel was about two -hundred yards in length, giving at last upon a chamber, which appeared -to be one of considerable size. Across this he was proceeding when a -bright light flickered into view right ahead. - -It was too distant to illuminate much of the chamber in which he -was, but, taking it as his guide, he increased his pace and moved -swiftly towards it. As he went on he observed that it proceeded from a -low-roofed tunnel similar to the one from which he had just -emerged. - -Stooping, he was about to enter the passage, when, with a snarl -of rage, the form of the wolf-man rose before him. The next instant he -and the loathsome savage were locked in a death-grip. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVII. - - IN THE VAULTS. - - -A MOMENT they swayed and wrestled; then Seymour broke away from the grip -of his enemy, and leapt backward. Snarling savagely, the wolf-man crouched, -and leapt for the baronet’s throat. But the latter was prepared. Quick as -thought his fist shot out, and before the sledgehammer stroke the -savage crashed backward with a scream. - -Ere he could rise Seymour was upon him, all the pent-up hatred in -his nature finding vent as he choked out the life of the hideous -creature. In vain the savage struggled beneath that iron grip. The -Englishman, for the moment, was absolutely merciless, every better -feeling sunk in one of murderous revenge. A grim satisfaction took -possession of him as he watched the fear of death grow in the savage’s -bulging eyes, a satisfaction complete only when the creature’s -movements ceased, when, with a last convulsive shudder, he lay still -and silent for ever. - -Leaving the body where it lay, Seymour rose and entered the -tunnel, whence the light still streamed. Along this he advanced for -perhaps fifty yards, the light growing brighter with every step he -took; then he emerged into another large chamber, to stand for a -moment startled at the scene which met his eye. - -In the centre of the great vault stood a throne, in shape like a -large chair, and ornamented with many strange hieroglyphics; and upon -it, grim and silent, with mouth agape and eyes that stared -unblinkingly before him, sat a man. A jewel, like to that which -Chenobi, the king, wore, was bound upon his forehead, and its radiance -filled the whole chamber. - -There was something so sinister about the silent figure that the -baronet almost feared to advance; but at length, putting on a bold -front, he strode forward. Halting within a few paces of the throne, he -spoke the Ayuti salutation: - -“Wabozi” - -But the figure answered never a word, showed no sign that he was -conscious of Seymour’s presence. Stretching forth his hand, the latter -gently touched the man’s fingers. They were cold as ice, and, with a -shock, the baronet realised that he was in the presence of the -dead. - -It was a ghastly discovery. The figure looked so lifelike, seated -there in state; yet it was only a corpse, the grisly relic of some -past ruler of the Ayutis, preserved from decay by some wonderful mode -of embalming known to that ancient people. - -The first shock over, Seymour quickly decided that he must have -the jewel from the dead man’s forehead. No doubt it seemed like -desecration; yet, as light was absolutely necessary if he ever hoped -to find his way out of these caverns, he felt that the act would be -excusable. Mounting the three steps which led to the seat, he reached -upward to release the clasp that secured the gleaming stone. - -This, being fastened at the back of the head, was rather -difficult to reach, and, to steady himself, Seymour--though not -without a shudder of repugnance--placed his hand upon the -shoulder of the corpse. As he did so, the figure seemed to leap upon -him; its shrivelled fingers pressed his quivering flesh. With a -startled cry the baronet stepped backward from the thing, but, -forgetting the steps, fell, and living and dead rolled together to the -floor. - -Trembling from head to foot, Seymour picked himself up, and, -quickly snatching the jewel from the forehead of the corpse, he left -the grim mockery of life at the foot of its throne, and dashed over -the floor of the vault at a run. As he ran he noted that the walls of -the chamber were honeycombed with niches, each of which contained a -grisly occupant--a swathed and shrivelled mummy. - -So this was the burial vault of the Ayutis, he thought, their -cemetery. Here slept those whose tireless energy had built up the city -of Ayuti; whose engineering skill had spanned the fire gulf with a -vast bridge; whose descendant, Chenobi, was his friend. - -Thinking thus, the silent forms lost their uncanny aspect. His -temporary panic gave place to reverence, and he checked his random -pace, treading lightly, as though fearing to disturb the slumbers of -the dead. Ere long a third archway loomed before him, and, leaving the -hall of the mummies, he passed into a small chamber which lay -beyond. - -“Great Scott!” he cried the next moment, and pulled up in sheer -amazement. Before him, scattered over the floor in lavish confusion, -lay thousands of weapons of every conceivable form. Great cross-hilted -swords there were; richly chased daggers, their hilts set with many a -precious stone, which scintillated beneath the light from Seymour’s -jewel; massive battle-axes and shields, spears, and knives, all -covered with strange designs, and all bright as though they had but -just left the hands of the maker. - -“What can this strange metal be,” Seymour asked himself audibly, -“that it does not rust in this damp atmosphere?” - -He examined the gleaming pile carefully, but could not discover -of what metal the weapons were made. They were not of steel, nor of -brass, neither of any of the numerous metals known in the upper world. -Looking up at length, his eyes fell upon a row of figures ranged along -the wall of the armoury chamber. They were suits of chain mail. - -At sight of them an idea flashed into Seymour’s mind. Why should -not one of them serve him in the place of clothes? - -“Why not?” he muttered to himself, and, striding over to the -armour, ran his eye over the row, hoping to find one somewhere about -his size. But all seemed hopelessly too large. Evidently they had been -made for much bigger men than he. - -At last he managed to find one which appeared about his height, -noting, as he dragged it forward, that it was the smallest of the row, -a pigmy among giants. Donning it, he found that it fitted perfectly, -and, though the hide suit over which the mail was fastened was -painfully harsh to his skin, yet he gladly bore the discomfort for the -benefit of being once more clothed. - -A great metal helmet completed the outfit, in which, owing to the -stiffness of the untanned hide, Seymour could scarcely move for a -time. Presently, however, the warmth from his body caused his strange -garments to relax somewhat, and made action possible. - -First, fixing his light-giving jewel in the front of his helmet, -he selected an axe and shield, then strode forward to find an -exit. - -In a few moments he reached the end of the armoury chamber, and -here a locked door confronted him. He pressed against it, but the -solid stone slab refused to budge, and, thinking to find some other -way out, he made a complete circuit of the place. There was no other -exit, save that which led into the hall of mummies. - -This latter he was not minded to try again, having no desire to -renew his acquaintance with the embalmed sleepers. - -“I must break it down,” he muttered, and strode back to the door. -Raising his axe, he smote hard upon the lock. Again and again he -struck, the sound of the blows filling the silent chambers with a -deafening clamour of echoes. Then, of a sudden, the lock gave; the -door crashed open, almost smothering Seymour beneath the cloud of dust -it raised as it swung back, creaking, on its hinges. Striding through -the opening, the baronet moved on up the passage which opened -beyond. - -Two hundred paces, and a flight of steps rose before him, up -which he made his way with difficulty, owing to the armour which -encased his limbs. - -But he accomplished it at length. Mounting the last step, he -found that an apparently blank wall of rock barred further -progress. - -“That’s queer,” he mused, “there must be a door somewhere, or -what would be the use of these steps?” - -Carefully he searched for a spring or other mechanical -contrivance, feeling certain that there was a secret doorway somewhere -in the wall. Almost every inch of the rock he examined, pressing his -fingers into each crevice, touching every tiny irregularity in its -surface, yet with no result. The rocky barrier refused to yield up its -secret. - -At last, weary and discouraged, he turned and retraced his steps -to the armoury, deciding to return to the chamber of the dead, and -there seek some other outlet. As he picked his way amid the scattered -weapons, he accidentally kicked a small jewelled casket which lay -among them. - -The lid of this leapt open, disclosing a discoloured parchment -scroll which lay within. With no other thought but curiosity, Seymour -extracted the scroll and attempted to decipher the faded hieroglyphics -with which its surface was covered. But the task was beyond him. Not -so thoroughly familiar with the Ayuti language and writings as Mervyn, -Seymour was baffled by what would have proved an easy task to the -scientist. - -He was about to return the parchment to its case, when, turning -it over, he discovered that upon the reverse side was a roughly-drawn -map. This he studied for some time, puzzled by the strange lines and -stranger figures, until enlightenment came to him. It was a plan of -the subterranean chambers in which he had been wandering for so -long. - -At once the thing became of importance, and he applied himself to -a closer scrutiny of it, hoping to find traced thereon the way out of -his present prison. Ere long his search was rewarded. The flight of -steps leading up to the blank wall was clearly drawn, and upon the -third step from the top was a peculiar mark--a tiny eye. - -“The secret!” he cried triumphantly; and, returning the parchment -to its casket, he thrust both into the breast of his suit, then once -more mounted the steps. Here, however, a disappointment awaited him. -There was no mark upon the step resembling that upon the plan. - -Again he drew forth the scroll, studying it with an even greater -care. The result was the same. It was undoubtedly the third step upon -which the eye was drawn; yet that same step in the flight, he knew, -had no mark of any description. Then an idea struck him. Perhaps if he -counted from the bottom he might find the mark? He did so, and soon -discovered the cause of his mistake. Upon the map only twenty-five -steps were drawn, while in the flight itself there were thirty. - -Quickly he found the mark he sought, and, pressing upon it with -all his strength, had the satisfaction of seeing the barrier above -swing outward. Through the aperture thus formed he passed, leaving the -door ajar behind him. - -Three steps he took, then a gasp of amazement escaped him. _He -was standing within the temple!_ - -His surprise over, he hurried to the doorway and out on to the -terrace. - -“They must have returned long before this,” he muttered, -wondering that he heard nothing of his comrades. An instant later he -pulled up short, a terrible dread gripping at his heart, as he noted a -number of silent forms huddled in a ghastly heap at the head of the -steps. - - - - - CHAPTER XXVIII. - - IN THE WOLF-MEN’S HAUNTS. - - -SEYMOUR’S dread was not lessened by the discovery that the bodies were -those of wolf-men. Where were his friends? Evidently they had returned, -the corpses bore witness to that, for upon each and all the mark of -Chenobi’s axe was plainly visible. - -He shouted, but no answering hail broke the stillness of the -underworld city. Hurriedly he descended the steps and tried the door -of the kennel chamber. It was locked, and from within came the howling -of the hounds. With half a dozen lusty blows Seymour shattered the -lock, then strode through the doorway. Unloosing the hounds he ordered -them outside, himself following a moment later, leading Muswani. - -“The wolf-men must have carried them off,” he muttered, “but I’ll -track the brutes down.” - -He was about to mount, when a thought came to him. If his friends -were alive, and he was able to effect their rescue, they would be -entirely defenceless unless he took them weapons. - -With him to think was to act, and he rapidly made his way back to -the armoury. Here, selecting half a dozen great double-edged swords, -he strapped them together with a girdle taken from a mail suit; then, -slipping a serviceable dagger into his own belt, he returned to the -square. - -Within three minutes he was galloping through the gloomy streets, -the mighty elk obeying every touch as it did Chenobi’s; seeming to -know by some subtle instinct that its master’s fate hung upon its -speed. And in front, hot upon the trail of the wolfish kidnappers, -bounded the great hounds. - -At full speed they swept forward, having to round the end of the -great fire gulf as they went; then on around the base of the hills -within whose wild valleys Seymour and his friends had so nearly met -their deaths. As he rode on the baronet wondered how far ahead of him -the savages were. He knew that he had wandered for many hours in the -vaults beneath the city, but for how long he had no means of telling. -One fact was borne in upon him as he settled down to his -ride--that he was ravenously hungry, and he was glad to note a -number of edible fungi growing beside the track. - -On these he quickly satisfied his hunger, pausing only for a few -moments, then pressed forward at the utmost speed of the elk upon the -trail of the savages. - -Never once were the hounds at fault in the course of the chase. -The magnificent brutes were as certain of the trail as though the -wolf-men had been within sight all the time. Past cavern after cavern -in the hills they swept, Seymour exhilarating in the mad gallop. His -mail was not the easiest of riding suits, yet he was gradually -becoming used to it, and the prospect of a scrimmage with the savages -in the near future filled him with a wild delight. He even went so far -as to break into the first few bars of an old hunting song, but -checked himself as he realised the folly of thus advertising his -presence. - -Suddenly the hounds stopped before a great double gateway of -stone, set in the face of the cliff, and began to scratch furiously at -its base. - -“Quiet, you brutes!” Seymour cried, dismounting; repeating his -command in Ayuti as he saw that the hounds did not understand his -English words, whereat they immediately ceased their efforts. - -“No chance here,” he said to himself, examining the gates. “I -must go round the back way, I suppose.” - -With some difficulty he got the hounds to leave the neighbourhood -of the gateway, and pushed on towards the gully, through which he and -Haverly had passed to the rescue of Mervyn. Here he left his animals, -and plunged into the tunnel, the light from his jewel enabling him to -make rapid progress. Soon he stood once more upon the ledge above the -den of Rahee, gazing down into the temple which he had hoped never to -look upon again. - -Removing his mail hose that he might descend the more easily, he -slung them around his neck, and scrambled over the brink down to the -enclosure. Thankful he was to see that the bars had been lowered over -the mouth of the spider’s cave, that Rahee was again a prisoner. - -As he crossed the den the hideous brute leapt forward, his -remaining eye glaring ferociously. Furiously he gnashed his great -jaws, and shook the metal rods which imprisoned him; but they defied -even his great strength. - -“Steady, you devil!” cried the baronet, as he drew on his hose; -then shook his axe menacingly towards the spider. - -The action only increased the diabolical creature’s rage, and he -reared to his full height against the barrier in his mad but futile -efforts to reach his foe. But Seymour’s mission was of too great -importance for him to waste time over the sacred beast. Leaving him to -rattle the bars at his leisure, he threw open the gate of the -enclosure, and passed into the amphitheatre. Across this he strode -boldly, axe and shield in hand, the bundle of weapons intended for the -use of his friends being slung at his back. - -As he went he strove to recall Mervyn’s description of the -position of the fire cell, in which he had no doubt his friends would -be confined; but the scientist had not been able to explain very -clearly. All that Seymour could remember was that a long passage, -crossed by many more passages, led from the fire cell to the temple, -and with this meagre knowledge of the geography of the wolf-men’s -caverns he had to be content. He was determined, come what might, that -he would not return without his friends if they still lived; and if -Nordhu, in his devilish hate, had destroyed them, he would act as -their avenger. - -He had no fear, although he was alone--one against a myriad. -He had a strong belief in the ultimate triumph of right, and he knew -that his mission was a righteous one; therefore he did not shrink from -penetrating into the very midst of the savage’s haunts to fulfil his -purpose. He dared all to rescue his comrades from the hands of the -wolfish fiends who, for no reason save their own savage lust for -slaughter, had taken them captives--to give them back life and -liberty, sweeter than ever now that they knew there was a way of -escape from this ghostly underworld to the daylight. - -He lifted his heart in a prayer for Higher help as he went -on--for Divine guidance upon his all but impossible task. Past -the great idol he strode, ears alert for the least sound that should -tell of the presence of an enemy. But the vast natural amphitheatre -was deserted, silent as the grave. Neither priest nor savage showed -himself. - -At length he reached the skin curtain which veiled the mouth of -the passage, and, lifting this, passed through. And now the real -difficulties of his task became apparent. The heart of the hills -seemed literally honeycombed with passages and tunnels. Every few -yards he would pass the mouth of some gallery leading off from the one -he was following, and from each of these came sounds of life and -movement--the clanging of metal, the rattling of chains, and, -sounding high above all, the booming strokes as of some huge -hammer. - -What work was being carried on down there in the bowels of the -hills? Seymour wondered. Was it the making of weapons for the use of -the savages? His musings broke off short, as a dark form flitted -across the passage ahead of him. For an instant he thought his -presence was discovered, and that he particularly wished to avoid -until he had found his friends; but the savage disappeared as silently -as he had come, and once more Seymour breathed freely. The encounter -taught him the necessity of haste, however, and he pressed on with -increased speed. - -His jewel--without which he would have been in total -darkness, save for the occasional flashes of flame which leapt up from -the side galleries--he could not dispense with, yet he knew that -its brilliant light would betray his presence in these dismal caverns -should any passing savage sight it. And the alarm once given, farewell -to all hope of accomplishing his mission. In a moment he would be -surrounded by a shrieking horde of savages thirsting for his -blood. - -He did not think that--strange, unearthly figure as he -looked in his gleaming mail--the wolf-men, in their barbarous -ignorance, would probably take him for a supernatural being, some -demi-god who had fallen from his place, and had entered their haunts -with intent to destroy them. - -Yet such was the case; for, of a sudden, rounding a curve in the -passage, he came full upon a savage, who at sight of him dropped flat -upon his face, moaning with terror. What to do with the creature -Seymour did not know. Natural prudence suggested that he should -silence him for ever; but all the chivalry in his nature revolted -against the idea of killing him in cold blood. - -The decision was mercifully taken out of his hands, however. As -he stood considering what course to pursue, the moaning of the -wolf-man ceased. Stooping, Seymour discovered that he was dead. The -superstitious terror inspired by the baronet’s appearance had proved -too much for the savage. - -“It’s saved me a nasty job,” Seymour muttered as he resumed his -progress; “I should have been obliged to kill him, or he’d have raised -the very deuce in a few seconds.” - -Some hundred yards further a brilliant flare came into view, and -the baronet at once conjectured that he was nearing his goal. - -And so it proved. Within a few moments he stood before a cell, -across the doorway of which stretched a barrier of fire. His armour -saved him somewhat from the heat, so that he was able to approach -fairly close to the flaming wall. - -For a while he could see nothing within the cell beyond; but, as -his eyes became more accustomed to the glare, he made out three -figures standing motionless against the wall. - -“Mervyn!” he called softly, and at the word one of the figures -moved. - -“Mervyn!” he repeated louder. - -“Who calls?” came the weary reply. - -“I, Seymour!” the baronet answered. - -“Seymour!” in an incredulous whisper, “how can that be?” - -“Never mind that now. Tell me how this fire dodge is worked, and -soon have you out of that.” - -“It’s William right enough,” Haverly’s voice returned, “and I -guess he was never more welcome than at the present moment. Just -enlighten him how the fire trick works, professor.” - -“There is a knob in the floor somewhere there,” Mervyn explained. -“Nordhu stamped upon it to raise the flames. If you were to pull -it----” - -Almost before the words had left his lips Seymour had found the -knob he mentioned, a small, round projection in the rocky floor. -Grasping it, he gave a mighty tug, and immediately the fire -disappeared into its trench, leaving the cell open. - -“Jupiter!” gasped Silas as the baronet crossed the threshold, -“wherever did you get that rig-out?” - -“Explanations must wait,” Seymour returned, rapidly forcing the -chains which secured the captives to the wall. - -“Where’s Wilson?” he asked an instant later, as he observed that -the engineer was absent. - -“Heaven alone knows!” replied the scientist. “The priest’s still -got him hypnotised, and he’s taken him off somewhere.” - -“Hypnotised!” exclaimed Seymour. “Ah, yes. I remember you told me -before that Nordhu was a hypnotist. But, wherever Wilson is, we must -find him. See here, I have brought some weapons”--unslinging them -from his back as he spoke--“do you and Haverly take a sword -apiece and make your way out through the temple. Chenobi and I will -seek for the engineer.” - -At first the two comrades demurred a little at this order, but, -on Seymour pointing out that four would be far more likely to attract -notice than two, they consented to this arrangement; and, with their -weapons ready for action, strode off down the passage. Then the -baronet, handing his axe and shield to his Ayuti friend, armed himself -with another of the swords, and the twain left the cell. An instant -they paused to raise the barrier of fire again by stamping upon the -knob that the escape of the prisoners might not be so readily -discovered. This done, they moved off on their errand. - -As they went, Chenobi, in low tones, gave his friend an account -of the method of his capture, telling how Nordhu had cast a spell upon -him while he fought at the head of the steps. - -“Which road shall we take?” Seymour asked, as they came to the -mouth of a gallery. - -“Let us try this,” Chenobi answered, and, with that, they passed -into the tunnel. In silence they strode onward now, fully realising -the dangerous nature of their enterprise. What Seymour had hitherto -accomplished was mere child’s play to the task upon which he and the -Ayuti were now set. They were about to penetrate into the heart of the -wolf-men’s caverns, to enter the busy thoroughfares through which -flowed the life of the savage community, and on a quest apparently as -hopeless as ever one could be. - -The clanging noises grew louder and louder as they advanced, but -Seymour noticed with some astonishment that Chenobi seemed not at all -surprised at the queer sounds. Did he know the nature of the work -which was being carried on? The baronet was about to put the question, -when the king pulled up, pointing ahead with his axe. - -Far away down the passage rose a red glare, and amid it flitted -numerous dark, grotesque figures. - -“Have a care!” Chenobi warned in a whisper, as they resumed their -way. Warily they crept forward, step by step, towards the light, -unseen by the ghoulish creatures who passed to and fro bearing huge -burdens. - -Reaching the end of the tunnel, the two men crouched there a -while, Seymour marvelling at the scene before him. It was stupendous, -amazing! A vast cavern, immense beyond description, seeming to stretch -away into infinite distance, all ablaze with a crimson glow which -burst from the mouth of a yawning pit; and in the midst of it--a -medley of flying rods and clanging levers--loomed a machine, -indistinct by reason of the rapidity of its motion, and vaster than -aught Seymour had ever seen before. - -To and from this miracle of mechanism toiled a multitude of -wolf-men, each staggering beneath a mighty load. In the glare from the -pit they looked like demons, the illusion being heightened by the -weird cries to which they gave utterance, and which rang high above -the clash and rattle of the machinery. - -“See!” roared Chenobi suddenly, his voice almost lost in the din -of the clanging levers, “our friend!” - -Across the floor, walking as one dazed, came Wilson. His sleeves -were rolled up to his elbows, and in his hand he held a hammer of -curious make. - -“Wilson!” Seymour almost screamed the word in his eagerness to -attract the notice of his friend; but the lad strode on, utterly -oblivious of the close proximity of the two who had come to save -him. - -“Wilson! Tom” - -Still no sign from the engineer. Like one walking in his sleep, -he moved on over the floor of the cavern. Then Seymour did a bold -thing. Rising from his concealment, he stepped into the glare after -his friend, and placed his hand upon his shoulder. - -At the touch the lad swung round sharply, and the light of -intellect came back into his dull eyes. - -“Seymour.” His lips framed the word, but no sound passed them, -and he staggered as though about to fall. - -“Steady, old man,” cried the baronet, supporting him to the mouth -of the passage. Each instant he expected to hear a yell from the -savages, telling that his presence was discovered. But they appeared -too intent upon their work to note his movements, and hope rose high -within him that he would be able to get his friend away -unobserved. - -“We have succeeded,” he burst out rapturously to Chenobi, as he -rejoined him. - -“Not so,” thundered a voice behind him; “by Ramouni, ye have -_failed!”_ - -Quick as thought Seymour turned. Almost at his shoulder, a grin -of malignant triumph making his features fiend-like in their -expression, stood Nordhu, priest of the wolf-men. - - - - - CHAPTER XXIX. - - HOW RAHEE ASSISTED THE FUGITIVES. - - -FOR a few seconds the baronet stood as though turned to stone, success -had seemed so near. By some lucky chance Wilson had almost walked into -their arms. Another few moments and they would have got him safely away, -but, in the very instant of their triumph, Nordhu had again checkmated -them. - -“Did ye think Nordhu slept?” the priest went on mockingly. “Truly -ye are babes in intellect, and should be nursed yet a while.” - -The taunt stung Seymour to madness. Like a flash his mailed fist -shot out, catching Nordhu full upon the mouth, and he crashed heavily -backward, giving voice to a piercing cry that rang clear above the din -of the machinery. - -At the sound the wolfish brutes working in the great cavern -dropped their loads and dashed pell-mell towards the comrades. -Hundreds there were of the creatures. In a living flood they surged -down upon the hapless trio, with whom it would have gone hardly but -for the prompt action of Chenobi. - -Dropping axe and shield, he snatched the dagger from Seymour’s -girdle; then, lifting the senseless form of the priest, he calmly -faced the savages. - -“Back, you dogs!” he roared. “A step further and your priest -dies!” - -[Illustration: “BACK, YOU DOGS!” HE ROARED “A STEP FURTHER AND -YOUR PRIEST DIES”(_p. 216._)] - -He placed his gleaming weapon menacingly against Nordhu’s throat -as he spoke, and, at the action, the raging mob of wolf-men pulled -up. - -Whether they heard the words or not, the significance of the -king’s threat was clear to them. Their murderous hate was drowned in -their fear for the life of their priest. - -Then began a retreat in the like of which neither of the friends -had ever participated before. Passing his sword to Wilson--now -rapidly recovering from the effects of the priest’s -fascination--Seymour picked up the Ayuti’s weapons; whereupon, -Chenobi still carrying Nordhu, the three commenced to move backward up -the passage, their eyes fixed upon the hideous throng at the tunnel -end, who stood cowed into momentary inaction by the peril of their -ruler. - -Their bloodshot eyes rolled savagely, their claw-like fingers -twitched with the desire to rend in pieces the intrepid trio; but the -bold front of the latter daunted them. A moment’s wavering on the part -of the Ayuti--a stumble--and the whole horde would have -swept forward, irresistible as an avalanche. But Chenobi’s hand was -steady as a rock as he held the jewelled dagger to his captive’s -throat. He took each backward step calmly and deliberately, avoiding -all projections in the rough-hewn floor of the gallery with a care -that bore witness to his splendid nerve. - -So for a space the retreat went on. Further and further the three -friends drew from the wolf-men. Then suddenly they rounded a bend in -the tunnel, which bore them out of sight of the savages, and on the -instant a swelling roar like the sound of many waters, came to their -ears. The spell which had held the wolf-men was broken. They were -sweeping forward in pursuit. - -“Run!” roared Chenobi, and, flinging Nordhu over his shoulder, he -turned and leapt forward like a deer. After him went the others at -their topmost speed, Seymour, for all the weight of his armour, -getting over the ground at an astonishing pace. Into the main gallery -they swept, and turned for the temple, with the fearsome cries of -their pursuers growing louder each moment. - -In a surging brown torrent the wolf-men came on, their numbers -constantly augmented by fresh arrivals, who, aroused by the clamour, -poured in hundreds from every gallery. The whole troglodytish -community was now thoroughly aroused; the place seemed to hum with -life, like a gigantic hive; and ever the pursuers gained upon the -daring trio. - -Foot by foot, yard by yard, they drew up, although the friends -strained every muscle to outdistance them; and the swelling roar of -their voices sounded like a death-knell to the ears of Seymour and the -engineer. - -Gasping for breath, they plunged onward after the racing form of -the king, fearing each moment that their strength would fail and that -they would drop in their tracks, to be trampled out of all semblance -to humanity beneath the feet of the savage horde behind. - -Suddenly the skin curtain loomed before them. With a vicious tug -Chenobi tore it down and bounded into the temple. - -“Only a few hundred yards further,” Seymour was panting to his -friend, when, out of the shadow of the great idol, a score of figures -advanced and stood menacingly across the track, their weapons flashing -in the light which poured from Chenobi’s jewel. They were the priests, -Nordhu’s assistants in his horrible work of sacrifice. - -Not an inch did the Ayuti swerve from his course, not for a -moment did he hesitate. With a ringing war-cry he hurled himself upon -the waiting band. Thrice his dagger flashed, then he was through them, -racing for the den of the great spider. - -Like a thunderbolt Seymour followed, clearing a passage by sheer -weight, and, close at his heels, came the engineer, his great sword -swinging like a flail. Closing up behind them, the priests joined in -the chase, making the vast amphitheatre ring with their cries of -rage. - -Three minutes later the fugitives dashed into the enclosure, and -slammed to the gate, glad of a few seconds’ respite. - -Not long were they allowed to rest, however. Suddenly the gate -was flung open, and Seymour hurled himself into the gap just in time -to check the advance of the foremost savages who were about to pour -through the gateway. At sight of his determined attitude the valour of -the wolf-men cooled somewhat, and they drew up, each and all afraid to -venture within the sweep of the axe which gleamed in Seymour’s -hand. - -But the priests, with many fiery words, urged them on to deliver -Nordhu from the hands of the white dogs who had captured him. - -Roused to action at length, a score of the brutes leapt forward -and stabbed savagely at the baronet with their spears. The latter’s -mail served him nobly. Not a spear got home; and his axe quickly -taught the savages a terrible lesson. - -“Quick!” he cried, turning to Chenobi as the wolf-men fell back; -“to the ledge! I will hold the gate a while.” - -Repeating his command in English for Wilson’s benefit, the -baronet faced round once more, to receive another charge of the -savages. It was as vain as the first. Seymour seemed perfectly -invulnerable to the weapons of the wolf-men, and this fact created a -fear in their superstitious minds. Yet, despite this, under the -influence of the priests they again essayed to attack. - -Scarce waiting for them to come to close quarters, the baronet -hurled himself upon them with a ringing British cheer, that sounded -strange indeed in that ghostly, subterranean temple. Wilson joined in -it from the ledge above, and, at that Seymour knew that his task was -ended, that he too might seek the comparative safety of the tunnel, -could he but get an opportunity to climb. With this end in view, he -fell upon his foes with redoubled fury, driving them back by his -terrific onslaught; then, leaping backward, he closed the gate of the -enclosure with a crash, and made for the wall. - -As he did so the clank of the windlass broke upon his ears. He -turned quickly. Determined to accomplish his destruction, the priests -were releasing the great spider. - -Just for a second Seymour was at a loss how to act. The brute -would be out and upon him ere he could struggle up to the ledge, -impeded as he was by his mail. Suddenly into his mind swept a -brilliant idea. Why not turn the ferocity of Rahee to his own -advantage? - -Stepping backward to the gateway, he stood motionless while the -spider emerged from his den. Chenobi, watching events keenly from the -ledge, seemed about to descend to his assistance, but Seymour checked -him by a gesture. Then, as Rahee leapt towards him, the baronet -stepped swiftly aside, flinging open the gate as he did so. Carried on -by the force of its spring, the spider hurtled through the gateway and -crashed into the temple. - -At once a terrified outcry arose from the savages, and they -turned to flee from the dread presence of their sacred beast. But grim -Nemesis was upon their track. They who had watched Chenobi’s -brother--ay, and many a score more of the same race--go to -their deaths beneath the jaws of the terrible Rahee, were about to -meet the same fate themselves. Had they stood their ground, a few -spear-thrusts would quickly have settled the matter; but their -superstitious terror at the close proximity of the horrible brute -sapped all their savage courage. - -They broke and fled before Rahee’s advance in an utterly -disorganised mob, seeking to escape from the fearful gnashing jaws of -the giant spider, priests and wolf-men alike sharing the panic. - -Ere long the floor of the temple was littered with the bodies of -the slain. Up and down the great amphitheatre Rahee raged in a -paroxysm of devilish fury. With a shudder at the ghastly success of -his own idea, Seymour once more closed the gate and mounted to the -ledge. - -“Rahee is working out our vengeance,” cried Chenobi. “It is well. -Perchance the wolf-people will destroy him after this lesson. Ye did -well to turn him loose among them, Fairhair. ’Twas a counter-stroke -they expected not. Come; we will move forward.” - -“What of Rahee?” Seymour asked. “Are you minded to destroy him -ere you go?” - -“Nay,” was the reply; “I will forego my vengeance on the sacred -beast because he hath aided you;” and, with that, Chenobi picked up -the still senseless priest and strode into the tunnel. - -“Heaven grant we have seen the last of these savages!” murmured -Wilson, as he and Seymour followed. - -“Amen!” the baronet responded fervently; “yet somehow I doubt it, -lad. Nordhu seems to have a great hold upon them, and you may take it -for granted they will not give him up without some attempt at a -rescue. When the brutes recover from the panic into which Rahee has -thrown them, they will take our trail like a pack of wolves. What’s -that?” - -A dark figure had appeared in the passage just ahead of them. - -On the alert in an instant for a possible enemy, the baronet -stepped before Chenobi, weapon raised, and bawled out a challenge in -Ayuti. - -“I guess I’d take it as a personal favour if you’d speak English, -William,” drawled a voice. Seymour burst out into a roar of -laughter. - -“Sorry I took you for an enemy, Silas,” he replied. “We’ve got -Wilson all safe and sound.” - -“That’s good,” the Yankee chirped; “but who’s the party Chenobi’s -totin’ along?” - -“The priest,” answered the baronet. - -“Whew!” whistled the Yankee; “I guess you’ve been making things -hum considerable below there.” - -“We have roused ’em slightly,” was the modest reply; “but we’ll -have to hustle, as you call it, Silas. I shan’t feel safe till I set -foot inside the city again. The beasts won’t give up their old priest -without an effort to release him, I’ll warrant.” - -“You bet,” agreed the American, then lapsed into silence until -the end of the tunnel was reached. - -Here Mervyn awaited them, eager for news as to the manner in -which they had effected Wilson’s rescue. But Seymour cut short his -questions. - -“Ask what you like, old man, when we get back to the city,” he -said, “but for the present we must devote our attention to getting -clear away. The elk and hounds should be somewhere about. Seen -anything of them?” - -“Not a sign,” replied Mervyn; “they must have strayed.” - -Seymour acquainted the Ayuti with this fact, and instantly -Chenobi gave voice to his peculiar call. - -A few moments later the clatter of hoofs sounded through the -gully, and into sight came Muswani, with the great hounds at his -heels. Quickly Chenobi flung his prisoner across the elk’s back, -himself mounting behind; then the whole party started off down the -gully towards the plain. - -In safety they accomplished their journey, reaching the ruined -city without seeing or hearing aught of their foes. Evidently the -savage followers of Nordhu had not yet recovered from the blow Seymour -had dealt them by releasing the terrible spider. When they did their -hate would be the more implacable against the men who had kidnapped -their priest. - -Up to the terrace the explorers mounted, Chenobi bearing his -prisoner. - -Striding across to the altar, the king pressed a small knob in -the masonry of the front. Instantly the whole slab swung outward, -disclosing a low, square chamber, and into this he cast Nordhu. - -“Caged!” he cried to Seymour, as he swung to the door, and, -turning, entered the temple. - -The four friends, thoroughly worn out by the terrible experience -through which they had passed, flung themselves down upon the temple -floor, glad to rest their weary limbs for a space. Within a few -minutes they were sleeping soundly, the Ayuti alone remaining wakeful -and vigilant, seeming in no wise tired by his late exertions. - -It may be that thoughts of his prisoner kept him from sleep, or -of the brother whom he had sworn to avenge. His vow seemed near its -fulfilment. Nordhu was a helpless captive, and it only remained to -decide the manner of his death. - -But though Chenobi knew it not, the priest was not yet at the end -of his resources. He had another card to play ere he surrendered to -the inevitable. Prisoner though he was, Nordhu was yet more than a -match for his enemies, as they discovered before long. - - - - - CHAPTER XXX. - - THE SCROLL OF NEOMRI. - - -“I RECKON,” remarked Haverly, munching a piece of fungus with manifest -relish, “you might as well explain how the blazes you got out of that -darned hole, Seymour, an’, incidentally, where you got your tin suit. -It’s a rig-out as kinder takes my eye.” - -While the explorers slept Chenobi had procured a number of edible -fungi, to which they were now doing full justice. - -“Well,” Seymour returned, in answer to the Yankee’s suggestion, -“it’s a longish yarn, but if you’d care to hear it, here goes.” - -With that he launched into an account of his adventures, telling -of his fall, of his swim in the reservoir, the second meeting with his -wolfish enemy, and all that transpired afterwards. Open-mouthed, his -friends listened to his description of the hall of mummies and of the -armour chamber. - -“But did not Chenobi know of these weapons?” Mervyn asked -amazedly. “He told us he had none but the spears taken from the -wolf-men, yet below there, you say, are weapons sufficient for an -army.” - -Rapidly the scientist interpreted Seymour’s story to the king, -concluding by questioning him as to his knowledge of the existence of -the armoury. - -“I knew that there was a secret passage,” observed the king, “but -it was the secret of the priests of Ramouni. None but they knew where -the dead were laid. When Nordhu destroyed the last of the priests, the -secret died with him.” - -“We must examine these caverns presently,” remarked Mervyn, -attacking a fresh fungus. - -“Say, Tom,” Haverly drawled, after some moments of silence, “what -game was the old priest playing when he took you out of the cell?” - -The young engineer shuddered at the question. - -“I remember nothing at all save having an overwhelming desire to -start a gun factory,” he replied. - -“The hypnotic influence of the priest,” Mervyn explained. “He -attempted to force me to reveal to him ‘the secret of the -fire-weapons,’ as he called it. The fellow seems to have a longing for -firearms. It is unfortunate you remember nothing of your experience -down there, Wilson. There is evidently some work being carried on, and -upon a gigantic scale, too. Who’s for a visit to the vaults?” he went -on, rising. “Come, Seymour; you, as discoverer, must do the honours of -the place.” - -“Very well,” returned the baronet, replacing his helmet, which he -had removed while he rested; “but I can assure you it’s a ghostly -hole. Are you coming, Chenobi?” - -“Ay,” returned the Ayuti; “I am minded to look upon the last -resting-place of my forefathers.” - -With that they all moved across the temple to where the great -stone door still stood ajar as Seymour had left it, and, descending -the steps, passed into the armoury. Their various exclamations showed -how differently they were affected by the sight of the gleaming pile -of weapons. What struck Haverly most was the enormous amount of wealth -represented by the jewels which studded the hilts of every sword and -dagger. Wilson was attracted by the exquisite workmanship of the -weapons; while Mervyn viewed them as curios, rare specimens to be -consigned to some museum as the relics of an extinct race. - -“Marvellous!” he exclaimed again and again. “The civilisation of -ancient Greece was but little ahead of these Ayutis. A marvellous -race!” - -Chenobi, with the eye of a warrior, was examining the armour, and -it was not long ere he was armed _cap-a-pie_ in the long-disused -mail of his ancestors. A noble figure he looked, too, as he stood -beside Seymour, smiling at the strangeness of the suit to his -limbs. - -“Tin suits seem to be the fashion,” Haverly remarked with a grin -to Wilson. - -“They save washing, you know,” returned the latter. “But, -seriously, Silas, what the dickens is this metal? Armour, weapons, -locks, and everything else seems to be made of the same non-rusting -stuff, and it’s a lot harder than steel. If you remember, the -wolf-men’s spears are the same; but what it is I know no more than -Adam.” - -“I allow I ain’t in a position to enlighten you,” the millionaire -returned; “get it above ground, though, and there’s a fortune in it. I -guess we’ll call it ‘Mervynite,’ in honour of the professor.” - -“What’s that?” the scientist asked at the mention of his -name. - -“Silas suggests calling this new metal ‘Mervynite,’” Wilson -replied. - -The professor shook his head with a laugh. - -“You do me too much honour,” he said; “but now let us investigate -further,” and he passed into the hall of the dead. - -Here, however, none cared to remain long, and, after a brief -examination of this and the next vault, which was devoted to the same -purpose, they passed through the tunnel on to the pavement of the -reservoir. The vastness of this work astonished them, and they would -fain have explored the whole of the great cavern wherein the water was -stored, but that prudence compelled them to return. They dared not -leave the terrace long unguarded, lest their enemies should surprise -them. - -“See, you mentioned a plan, Seymour?” Mervyn remarked, as they -returned to the temple; “where did you put it?” - -“It’s here,” answered the baronet, producing the casket from the -breast of his suit. “There are some hieroglyphics on the front; -perhaps you can manage to read ’em. I must confess they’re beyond -me.” - -The scientist’s hand trembled as he took the parchment from its -case. - -Spreading it out on the temple floor, he knelt down and perused -it eagerly for a few seconds. Then a glad cry broke from his lips: - -“It’s the key, Seymour! The explanation to all the mystery! -Listen, and I will read.” - -Forthwith the scientist commenced to read from the faded -manuscript, his eyes glowing with enthusiasm as he translated the -strange Ayuti signs. - -“The scroll of Neomri,” he began, “son of Nazra, of the House of -Lauma, chief priests of Ramouni since the beginning of all -things.” - -At the mention of the strange names Chenobi’s eyes flashed, and, -drawing nearer, he glanced over Mervyn’s shoulder as he went on: - -“To him that readeth, greeting. Let it be known to you that the -priestly scroll wherein was set down all that befel since the first -days was destroyed by an evil chance in the hour when the judgment of -Ramouni was visited upon his people. Yet such of that which was -therein writ as hath come to my knowledge, I here set down. - -“In the beginning Ayuti was a mighty kingdom, wherein ruled many -mighty princes. Fair was the land to look upon, and Ramouni warmed it -with the beams from his all-seeing eye. Day by day arose the prayers -and incense of the priests, that the smile of Ramouni should not be -removed from his people. And it was well with the land, for the people -were content. - -“Yet it fell that, as the years went by, they grew careless, -attending not to the voice of the priests, nor hearkening to their -counsel. Empty was the temple of Ramouni; neither was the sound of -worship heard any more before the altar. In sloth were the days -passed, and in revelry the nights. Then Ramouni waxed wroth, and hid -his face from his people, and a thick cloud of smoke arose from the -earth many days, whereby much people were choked. The waters of the -sea, also, overflowed the land, and vast rents appeared in the face of -the earth. The earth quaked exceedingly, and there were sounds like -unto thunder. So for many days it continued. - -“Then the remnant which was left, being but three score male and -female, fled unto the refuge of the dead fire-mountain, whence they -dared not come forth again, for the land of my people was become a -desert, wherein grew no green thing. And it chanced that they found a -passage in the heart of the mountain and ventured therein. Three days -they journeyed, and on the fourth the passage ended. Before them was -darkness; but, being like to starve for food, they were bold, and -lowered a rope, down which one was sent and found firm ground -below. - -“Then sent they down a second, that the twain might search out -the land. In a while they returned, telling that they had seen a great -jungle of fearsome-looking plants wherein abode many monstrous beasts. -Caring not so that they might find a place to dwell in and withal food -to eat, the rest went down into this strange land. My hand groweth -weary to write of all they suffered hereafter; how they found the -fearsome barbarians which dwelt in the land; of the mighty beasts they -fought and overcame. They grew and multiplied into an exceeding great -people, taking unto themselves as slaves many of the barbarians, who, -for all their loathsome appearance, were willing enough to obey. - -“Unto these my people taught the language of Ayuti, they having -no speech of their own save queer howling cries, like unto the voice -of a wolf, for the which cause called they them ‘Wolf-people,’ being -of a mind that they were perchance arisen from wolves.” - -Here Mervyn paused and shook his head decidedly. - -“I guess the evolution theory’s considerable older than we -thought,” said Haverly, “accordin’ to that. But wade in, Mervyn; the -old man can tell a decent yarn.” - -Once more the scientist bent over the manuscript: - -“With the aid of these their slaves my people builded a great -city of stone, and in the midst a mighty temple to Ramouni. An image -also they built, carven cunningly, and set it up that it might face -the passage through which they came. And each day the light of Ramouni -fell upon the eye of the image. - -“Hereafter they found a strange metal which they digged from the -heart of the hills. And they made great mines, and set up machines for -the working of the metal; and they prospered. The strongest among them -chose they for king, and Bazoo, of the House of Lauma, was priest in -the temple of Ramouni. Now it fell that, as time passed, the -wolf-people whom they kept for slaves grew in cunning as they grew in -numbers. A mighty people they were, that knew not fear. - -“And an Ayuti, Nordhu by name, an evil-doer, roused them to -rebel; and at a time when the people of the city held high revel, the -slaves armed themselves, and, falling upon their masters, slew them -all, save a few. From these latter I, even Neomri, am descended, being -born to Madro, wife of Nazra. - -“While I write the fear is upon me that ere long our race will be -nought but a name; for we be but a few, in all not more than a score, -and we hide amid the ruins of our city, fearing the creatures which -once were our slaves. Yet I would that our race might be preserved, -for we are an ancient people. Nevertheless, let the will of Ramouni be -done.” - -The scientist’s voice trailed away into silence, and he sat -pondering for a while over what he had read. - -“The old chap’s a bit disappointing,” Seymour broke in at length. -“He says nothing of the existence of this phosphorescent liquid, nor -yet of the bell which tolls when the sunlight strikes the idol’s -eye.” - -“He says enough to prove my theory,” Mervyn replied abstractedly; -“save that it was a volcanic outbreak, and not an incursion of -enemies, which drove them to the shelter of the crater, my theory is -identical with the story on this manuscript. Nordhu, the priest, must -be the descendant of Nordhu the evil-doer, mentioned here. The caverns -in the hills are undoubtedly the ancient mines in which the wolf-men -would take up their habitation after the massacre. We may also take it -for granted that the work still carried on down there is the making of -this same strange metal.” - -“Mervynite?” Haverly put in. - -“Yes, Mervynite, if you like, Silas,” returned the scientist with -a smile. - -“Talking of Nordhu,” remarked the baronet, “reminds me that we -must decide on the fate of our prisoner.” - -Turning, he spoke for some moments with Chenobi. - -“The king says the priest may choose the manner of his death,” he -announced. - -“Must he die?” Mervyn questioned, his mild nature revolting -against the idea of an execution. - -“He must die!” repeated Seymour sternly. “Both Chenobi and I have -sworn it. The fiend murdered our friend’s brother, and it was not his -fault he did not add our names to his list of victims. God alone knows -how many poor wretches he has sacrificed to that devilish spider! So -vile a monster is not fit to live.” - -Although his own good judgment told him that Nordhu merited -death, yet the idea of executing him could not be other than repugnant -to the scientist’s nature. It seemed too much like cold-blooded -murder. - -“But----” he began again. - -“No ‘buts,’ if you please,” retorted the baronet sharply; “his -death is decided upon. It only remains for him to choose the manner of -it. Come, Chenobi, let us bring our prisoner forth.” - -Together the two men left the temple. Once more Chenobi touched -the spring in the masonry; then, as the door swung open, a savage cry -burst from his lips. The chamber was empty--_Nordhu had -vanished!_ - - - - - CHAPTER XXXI. - - “THE _SEAL!”_ - - -THE way of the priest’s escape became clear at once. In the rear wall -of the chamber a small door stood ajar. - -“I thought not that he knew of the passage,” the Ayuti hissed; -“but he shall not escape. Take you the hounds, Fairhair, and follow. I -know whereto this passage leads, and will ride round upon Muswani to -cut him off.” - -Within five minutes the pursuit was in full swing. The hounds -were loping down the passage on the trail of Nordhu, with the -explorers close behind, while the king was galloping away from the -city on his elk, hoping to intercept the flying priest. - -“Say,” exclaimed Haverly, “I guess this temple must be kinder -honeycombed with passages.” - -“It’s a wonderful building,” returned Mervyn. “These passages are -doubtless arranged for the convenience of the -priests----” - -“Nordhu must have the devil’s own cunning to have found that -secret door,” interrupted Seymour savagely; “But he won’t escape for -all his wiles. If the hounds get hold of him he’ll have short -shrift.” - -Down a flight of stairs the pursuers went, the great hounds -making the passage ring with their baying; then on once more, the -tunnel twisting and winding in such a fashion that neither of the -friends had the least idea of the direction in which they were moving. -Little they cared, however, so that they might again lay hands on the -fugitive priest, who, should he succeed in effecting his escape, would -assuredly once again attempt their destruction. His capture was a -necessity if they would ever find their missing comrade and the -vessel; for, with Nordhu at liberty, plotting their ruin, they would -not dare venture forth to search for the _Seal._ So they put -forth every effort in the chase, hoping at each bend of the passage -they turned to come in sight of their quarry. - -But Nordhu appeared to have obtained too good a start. The -pursuers were beginning to think that, after all, they should lose -him, when, rounding a curve swiftly, they pulled up in sheer -astonishment. - -Scarce twenty feet away, his gleaming jewel flashing a challenge -to Seymour’s, stood the man they sought. Beside him was a great lever, -upon which his hand rested, and at his feet in the floor of the tunnel -yawned a hole some six feet in width. Close to the near edge of this -crouched the hounds, their ferocity overcome by the hypnotic power of -the priest. - -At once the pursuers became watchful. What card was Nordhu about -to play? they wondered. What devilish trick was he about to perform? -The priest’s face puckered up into a savage grin as he noted the -hesitation of his enemies. - -“Why do ye not come on?” he cried ironically; “art afraid? I have -waited to bid ye farewell, thinking perchance ye might grieve did I -leave you without.” - -Seymour’s face was distorted with fury as he gazed upon the -priest. Scarcely could he control the mad passion which bade him rush -forward and grip the grinning fiend. But what was that hole in the -floor? What was the lever? That Nordhu was about to spring some -diabolical trick upon them was certain, and the thought checked the -baronet’s murderous desire. So for a space they remained, pursuers and -fugitive glaring at each other with a world of hatred in their eyes, -yet neither making a move. - -Then once more the priest spoke: - -“Since ye will not join me, I will go. Fare ye well until I -return with my warriors to destroy ye.” - -He laughed mockingly, and at that Seymour, losing control of his -temper, leapt forward. Quick as thought Nordhu flung over the lever -beside him, and at once, from the roof of the tunnel, a cataract of -liquid light began to fall, plunging into the hole in the floor. - -“Wilt follow now?” snarled the voice of the priest above the boom -and splash of the falling light. - -“Jupiter!” gasped the Yankee. “Checkmate!” - -Ay! checkmate it was! for who dared attempt to pass that gleaming -curtain after Chenobi’s warning as to its deadly power. Nordhu had -played his card and played it well. - -With a laugh of triumph he turned and strode down the tunnel, -leaving his pursuers standing helpless and amazed at his -handiwork. - -“I almost feel inclined to risk it,” growled Seymour, as the -sound of the priest’s footsteps died away. - -“You must not,” cried Mervyn excitedly; “remember what the king -said, as----” - -But there was no need for the scientist to reiterate Chenobi’s -warning. - -While yet the words trembled on his lips the fact that the Ayuti -had not exaggerated the terrible power of the liquid light was brought -to the notice of all in a fearful manner. - -Released from the fascination of the priest, the hounds had again -grown restless, baying clamorously, yet not daring to venture near the -curtain of falling light. Suddenly, while Mervyn spoke, from far away -came a cry, faint, but easily recognisable as the voice of Nordhu. At -the sound one of the dogs made a rash spring forward, as though he -would have plunged through the cataract on the trail of the priest. -Over the brink of the hole he leapt, his fore-paws outstretched, but -touched the fringe of the falling liquid; then he was shrivelled up -into a shapeless black mass, and was swept downward by the -cataract. - -“Great Heaven!” the scientist cried: “poor brute!” - -The other hounds, awed by the fate of their fellow, drew back -whining. - -“What a fearful power!” Wilson exclaimed. “It must be some form -of electricity, I should imagine.” - -“I guess the Ayuti didn’t pile it on a bit too thick when he said -it was death to touch it,” announced Silas; “but let’s get a move on. -We’ll have to follow the trail of the elk now, and we may be in at the -death, after all, if we flicker.” - -With that they all turned and retraced their steps to the altar -chamber. Then, descending to the square, they set the two remaining -hounds on the trail of Muswani. - -“I reckon,” Haverly averred, as they passed through the city -gate, “as Nordhu’s a man of resources. He ought to be a financier. -There’s not a blamed _coup_ but what he could bring off.” - -“He’s the craftiest brute I ever had dealings with,” returned -Seymour; “but I think he’s about at the end of his tether. By this -time Chenobi should have reached the end of the passage, and, if so, -Nordhu will regret the bravado that inspired him to wait and bid ‘us -farewell,’ as he put it.” - -“How he comes to know the secrets of the temple so well puzzles -me,” admitted Mervyn. “His knowledge of the workings of the place -seems almost unlimited.” - -“You can bet he’s used that passage before,” remarked the -American; “perhaps to sneak into the city on some throat-slitting job -or other; but I reckon he’ll have to be real cute to get away from -Chenobi. Say, we’ll have to accelerate the pace considerable if we’re -to see this job through,” and he set the example by striding forward -briskly. - -Over the plain they went for perhaps a couple of hours, close at -the heels of the hounds, until the sound of the sea came to their -ears, the booming of waves against the rocks. - -“Great Scott!” the baronet exclaimed; “I did not know we were so -near the sea.” - -“We may see something of the _Seal,”_ suggested Wilson, his -heart leaping at the thought. - -“I shouldn’t reckon on it,” replied Silas; “this underground sea -appears to be fairly large, and there’s heaps of room for the old boat -to get lost if Garth ain’t careful where he’s steering.” - -“You don’t think the submarine’s come to grief?” queried the -engineer anxiously. - -“I think nothing,” was the reply, “but, what with wolf-men ashore -and ichthyosauri afloat, I reckon our pard must be havin’ a hot -time.” - -Now the trail led down to the beach, and, swinging sharp to the -right after the hounds, the party passed beneath the shadow of an -immense cliff. - -“Who goes?” cried a voice in Ayuti, and Chenobi stepped forward -from an angle of the rock. He checked the noise of the hounds with a -gesture, and turned to his friends with an air of surprise. - -“Where is Nordhu?” he asked. “I have waited here long for ye to -drive him forth, but he hath not emerged.” - -Forthwith Seymour explained all that had happened, and told of -the cry they had heard, at which the hound had leapt to his death. - -“The priest hath doubtless met with some mischance,” Chenobi -asserted. “Come; we will enter the passage.” - -Moving a few paces along the cliff base, he turned into a dark -opening. Ere the others could follow, however, he leapt back with a -startled cry, as a dark figure appeared at the tunnel end. - -It was the priest. - -His one hand, uplifted above his head, held a small, shrivelled -brown ball, and his whole attitude was so menacing that the explorers -involuntarily stepped back a pace. - -“Back!” the king cried, his eyes fixed upon Nordhu’s hand; “’tis -the thunder-ball!” - -“Move not,” snarled the priest; “I have somewhat to say ere I -destroy ye. Thought ye to trap me in the tunnel, dogs? I tell you ye -know not the resources of Nordhu. Ye are but babes.” Then, with a -change of tone, he went on, “Why do ye pit yourselves against me? I -offered you life for the secret of your fire-weapons, and ye would not -take it. I offer you again. Join me; make my people into a strong -race; teach them of your knowledge, and ye shall be rulers and kings -among them. What say ye?” - -“No, you devil!” thundered the baronet in a fury, “a thousand -times, no! Think ye we would have dealings with a monster foul as you, -who can take pleasure in sacrificing helpless prisoners to the -appetite of the devilish Rahee? Truly you have no lack of -conceit.” - -“Hath he spoken for all of ye?” demanded the priest calmly, not a -whit moved by this outburst. “Do all of ye choose death rather than -life?” - -“We choose nothing,” retorted Mervyn; “you are in our power. What -is to prevent us slaying you?” - -An evil grin spread over Nordhu’s features. - -“This,” he cried, shaking aloft the ball he held, and at the -movement the face of Chenobi grew pale as death; “the thunder-ball. -’Twill shatter you to fragments in a moment, if I but cast it at your -feet.” - -“Great Heaven!” whispered Mervyn to the baronet, “it’s a dried -puff-ball! We must be careful.” - -“Now hearken,” the priest went on; “step backward to the water’s -edge and cast your weapons into the sea. Have a care”--as Seymour -made a threatening movement--“I am not minded to destroy myself -with ye, yet will I do that rather than fall again into your -hands.” - -“I guess he’s got the drop on us,” Haverly growled, as the -scientist translated the priest’s command; “we’ll have to do as he -says.” - -In silence the party obeyed the order, though their hearts burned -with shame at their humiliating position. As the last weapon splashed -into the heaving water, Nordhu advanced from the tunnel, walking with -a slight limp. The hounds, who had retreated with their master, whined -piteously as the priest moved over the beach. Their terror of the man -seemed to overcome all their natural courage. - -“Stand where ye are,” Nordhu called, “and make no attempt to -follow me, or ’twill be the worse for ye.” - -So the adventurers stood, and watched him toil painfully across -the shingle. Evidently he had fallen and injured himself in the -tunnel, at the time when the four had heard his cry. Towards the plain -they had crossed so recently he stumbled. - -“Curse it! we’ve lost him!” muttered Seymour savagely, as the -light of the priest’s jewel faded from view; then suddenly a savage -bellow rang out of the darkness. - -“’Tis Muswani,” cried the Ayuti; “I had forgotten him. He is -loose on the plain, and has doubtless attacked the priest.” - -An instant later the bellow was repeated, and the priest -reappeared, scuttling down to the water’s edge with the giant elk -pounding along behind him, mad with fury. Here was a factor in the -game for which Nordhu was not prepared. If he used his explosive ball -to destroy the great elk, he would be defenceless against his human -foes, and he well knew that he would receive but scant mercy from -them. Therefore he took to the water, hoping to swim out beyond sight -of the Ayuti’s bellicose steed; then return to the shore at a point -some considerable distance away. - -[Illustration: “SCUTTLING DOWN TO THE WATER’S EDGE WITH THE - GIANT ELK POUNDING ALONG BEHIND HIM” (_p. 235._)] - -“Good old hoss!” Silas cried, as the elk plunged into the water -after his escaping foe; but his sentence broke off into a gasp of -amazement as a hoarse shout broke from the engineer: - -“The _Seal!_ The _Seal!”_ - -Far away over the tumbling crests of the incoming waves shone a -bright light--the searchlight of the _Seal._ - - - - - CHAPTER XXXII. - - THE DOOM OF NORDHU. - - -FOR a while the thing seemed too good to be true. As the light -drew nearer, however, and the explorers saw that it really came -from their vessel, their thankfulness knew no bounds. All else was -forgotten. The movements of Nordhu, their enemy, ceased to interest -them any longer. They had eyes for nothing but the approaching vessel. - -Rapidly Seymour acquainted the king with the state of affairs, -and Chenobi seemed as pleased as anyone at the turn things had taken. -He was eager as a child to see the strange vessel that moved without -oars, but his fury against the priest remained unappeased. Nordhu had -escaped his vengeance for the time, and the hate that was in his heart -was increased ten-fold by the temporary check. - -That it was other than temporary he would not for a moment -believe, and he waited impatiently for the fugitive swimmer to turn -for the shore. He would grapple with him ere he could land, and then -let him use his thunder-ball if he would. - -Had Chenobi been alone when Nordhu appeared at the tunnel-mouth, -there is not the least doubt he would have attacked him despite the -explosive he held, and in that case both would have perished together; -but the thought that his four friends would be destroyed also had -deterred the Ayuti from this course. - -Nearer drew the _Seal,_ and ere long the explorers saw with -surprise that her deck was crowded with figures. The truth burst upon -them with appalling suddenness. _Their vessel was in the hands of -the wolf-men!_ - -The swimming priest noted the fact quite as soon as they did, and -altered his course a little to intercept the slowly-moving boat. Soon -he was alongside, and the willing hands of his savages quickly hauled -him aboard. - -A groan burst from Mervyn’s lips. Nordhu was winning all along -the line. - -“What have they done with Garth?” Wilson cried, with a break in -his voice. - -“Heaven knows!” snapped Haverly savagely; “that darned priest has -put us in a tight corner. Here we are, with never a toothpick among -us, and a boatload of niggers coming ashore in a brace of shakes.” - -“They mean to beach her, by the look of things,” cried Seymour; -then, turning, he whispered something to the Ayuti, who nodded -affirmatively. - -Three minutes later the _Seal_ came ashore with a rush, and -buried her nose in the sand. Ere her plates had ceased to quiver, -Chenobi and the baronet swung themselves aboard, and were raging along -the deck with no weapons but their mailed fists. - -This state of things did not last long, however. Quickly they -wrenched the spears from the hands of two of their enemies, and fell -to with these weapons with a fury born of desperation. On their -efforts, they knew, depended not alone their own lives but those of -their friends, who, in their entirely defenceless condition, would -fall an easy prey to the wolf-men. - -So they raged up and down the deck amid that shrieking mob of -savages, cutting and stabbing with merciless vigour. One thing puzzled -them: Nordhu was nowhere visible, and to his absence they doubtless -owed the halfhearted resistance which they encountered. - -The baronet fought with a definite object--to break his way -through to the turret, around which the wolf-men were clustered the -thickest, and obtain possession of a rifle. With one in his hands he -knew he could quickly drive the wolfish horde from the vessel’s deck, -so he strained every nerve to accomplish his purpose. - -And nobly did the king second his efforts. - -Back and forth they stamped and drove, yet ever pressing on -towards their goal; ever struggling towards the open door of the -wheelhouse. - -They reached it at length. A final rush, a last savage charge, -and they were through the ring of savages, within the shelter of the -turret. A moment’s breathing space they allowed themselves, then -Seymour snatched down the elephant gun, which still rested, loaded, on -its rack, and fired both barrels into the surging mass of savagery -without the doorway. Two dropped, and the rest, with a terror-stricken -cry, fell back hastily. - -Quick as thought, the baronet whipped up a couple of loaded -revolvers, and sallied forth, determined to complete the discomfiture -of the enemy. Not to be outdone, Chenobi cast his eyes round for a -more serviceable weapon than his spear, finding what he sought at last -in an axe. Gripping this, he followed his friend, and, shouting his -thunderous war-cry, hurled himself into the midst of his foes. - -His attack was the last straw. Unable, with their ignorant -brains, to comprehend the apparently invulnerable nature of their two -foes; awed, moreover, by the baronet’s firearms, the wolf-men turned, -leapt the rail, and dashed across the beach in a frenzy of fear, with -the hounds snarling savagely at their heels. - -Scarcely had the last left the deck, ere the scientist and his -two friends were aboard. - -“It was magnificent!” Mervyn exclaimed, “magnificent! Never have -I witnessed such a fight. You should have been a soldier, -Seymour.” - -The baronet laughed as he removed his heavy helmet, and mopped -his brow with a handkerchief borrowed from the Yankee. - -“The War Office might object to my fighting in chain mail,” he -remarked. “Steady there!”--as Wilson made a move for the -turret--“Nordhu must be below there somewhere. We must go slow, -or the brute will be blowing the boat up.” - -“But he may be murdering Garth,” the engineer cried, “while we -stand here talking.” - -At that moment the priest appeared at the door of the wheelhouse. -Probably the cessation of hostilities had brought him on deck; but he -had evidently never expected to see the vessel in possession of the -men whom he had left without weapons upon the beach. No doubt he -thought his savages would be able to repel all attacks of the unarmed -white strangers and their gigantic friend. How bitter was his chagrin, -the expression of his face showed. Even then, however, trapped though -he appeared to be, he made one last bid for life. - -Like a flash he darted across the deck, no trace of a limp -apparent in his movements. Past Haverly and Mervyn--both of whom -were standing somewhat apart from the rest--he dashed; but -unwilling to let him escape, the scientist grabbed at his robe. Like -the wolf he was at heart, Nordhu swung round, and a weapon flashed -from beneath his mantle. - -With a hoarse cry of warning, the Yankee leapt forward. The next -instant the report of a revolver rang out, and Haverly dropped with a -sob, the blood welling up from a wound in his breast. - -The priest, with diabolical cunning, had discovered the secret of -the fire-weapons, and had used it to some purpose. But it was his last -effort. His time had come! - -With a bound Chenobi was upon him; his weapon was hurled over the -rail, and the mailed hand of the Ayuti gripped his neck. An effort of -the king’s mighty muscles, hardened to steel by the lust for vengeance -which gripped him, and the head of the priest was bent backward. A -scream of agony burst from Nordhu’s lips, but the merciless pressure -was continued until, like a rotten stick, his neck snapped, and he -dropped lifeless to the deck. - -Chenobi’s brother was avenged! - -But though the priest was dead, his fell work remained. The -plucky American, who had saved Mervyn’s life by risking his own, lay -bleeding and unconscious where he had fallen, and at first glance -there seemed little hope of his recovery. Badly wounded he was, -without a doubt, whether mortally or not remained to be seen. - -Tenderly they carried him below, inwardly cursing the dead priest -who had brought him to the gates of death. Even their fear for the -missing inventor was swallowed up by that for Haverly. - -They could not bear to think of losing their cheery friend, their -comrade in so many dangers, and anxiously they awaited the result of -the scientist’s examination. - -“Leave me a while,” the scientist murmured brokenly at length, -and at that the three stole forth, moving silent as spectres to the -engine-room, to look for Garth. - -The Ayuti noted everything with wonder: the rich carpet which -covered the floor of the corridor; the numerous cabins on either side, -of the furniture of which he could catch a glimpse through the partly -open doors. - -All had been rifled by the savages. Drawers and chests had been -overthrown, lockers burst open, and their contents strewn about the -floors. The usual spick-and-span condition of the boat, due to the -care of the inventor, was conspicuous by its absence. - -It was with a dread gripping their hearts as to what they should -find within, that they opened the engine-room door, and at first their -worst fears seemed realised. - -Beside his engines, motionless as the gleaming cranks themselves, -lay Garth, his head in a puddle of rapidly-congealing blood. With a -low, fearful cry, Wilson flung himself down beside his friend, -anxiously feeling for the beating of his heart. - -“Thank God!” he muttered at last, “he lives!” and, without -wasting further words, set to work to restore the unconscious man. - -Half an hour passed ere Garth came round, and then so weak was he -from loss of blood, that the engineer insisted on him retiring at once -to his berth. Only when he was sleeping soundly did the comrades -return to the cabin where Haverly lay. - -With their eyes asking the question they dared not put into -words, they approached the professor, who still watched beside his -patient; and surely, never was prisoner more glad to receive reprieve, -than they to hear Mervyn’s verdict: “He will live.” - -Almost Seymour leapt for joy as he heard the words; but, -remembering in time the need for absolute quiet, he restrained -himself, and returned with Chenobi to the deck, there to use his -superfluous energy in casting overboard the carcases of the slain -wolf-men and their priest. That done, he and the engineer turned their -attention to getting the _Seal_ afloat again, as while she -remained ashore they were exposed to the constant danger of an attack -by the savages; and this, while Haverly’s condition was so serious, -they wished to avoid, if possible. - -By taking the tide at its flood, they managed to effect their -purpose, their actions being keenly watched by the Ayuti. Then, when -the vessel was once more in her natural element, they deemed -themselves more secure. - -“Now to get out of this mail,” said Seymour; “it’s a little too -heavy for general use, though very handy in a scrap. Wilson, just keep -your weather eye lifting on deck here, while I get into some decent -togs.” - -Presently the baronet was once more decently clothed, rejoicing -in the luxury of clean linen. As for the king, he had perforce to be -content with his mail suit, Seymour’s wardrobe containing nothing that -would fit his huge limbs, which fact, however, did not inconvenience -Chenobi in the least. - -Their first meal aboard the recovered vessel was one they never -forgot. Wilson, ever an adept at the culinary art, had surpassed -himself. The saloon table literally groaned beneath the weight of good -things; it sparkled with cut-glass and silver. At its head sat the -grey-haired scientist, who had left his patient sleeping easily under -the influence of a soothing draught. On his right hand sat Seymour and -the Ayuti, the latter a strange-looking figure in his armour, amongst -the luxurious modern furnishings of the saloon. The electric light -gleamed and flashed on his mail at every movement he made, and his -jewel, the insignia of his royal rank, which he had not removed, -seemed almost to rival in brilliance the glare of the great arc lamp -set in the ceiling above. - -Everything was, of course, very strange to him. Food, vessels, -and cutlery were alike unknown to him; yet, realising he must conform -to the habits of his new-found friends, if he would dwell with them in -their upper world, he laid aside his gauntlets, and closely followed -the example of Seymour. - -On Mervyn’s left sat Wilson, his eyes aglow with delight at being -once more aboard his beloved vessel. Judging that the wolf-men were -not likely to make another attack for some time, the lad had decided -to let the _Seal_ take care of herself for a time, merely locking -the turret door as a precaution. - -So the glasses clinked merrily, and the saloon rang with subdued -laughter as the meal went on. - -Towards the end, Mervyn rose. - -“Gentlemen,” he began, “we shall all be truly sorry to leave the -vessel that has served us so well and faithfully. She has become to us -as a dear friend; yet to effect our escape from this underworld, it -will be necessary for us to desert her. We shall have to remain aboard -awhile, until Haverly is sufficiently recovered to undertake the -journey to the crater; then we must say good-bye to the -_Seal.”_ - -“We must sink her before we start inland,” said Seymour. “I -should not like to think of the old craft being in the hands of the -wolf-men. How long do you think it will be before Silas is anything -like himself again?” - -“I cannot tell,” returned the scientist, huskily. “He has had a -very narrow escape from death, but I do not doubt that his splendid -constitution will enable him to get about ere long. I shall be -eternally in his debt: but for his heroic sacrifice, I should have -fallen victim to Nordhu’s murderous hate.” - -“I have a toast to propose,” he continued, after a few moments’ -silence, filling his glass as he spoke, “To our American friend: may -he speedily be restored to his usual health!” - -While they drank to this, there came a scampering of feet upon -the deck overhead, succeeded by a chorus of barks. The hounds, -returned from the chase of the savages, had swum out to the vessel, -and were clamouring for admittance at the turret door. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIII. - - THE INVENTOR’S STORY. - - -“I RECKON it ’ud be powerful interesting to hear how you’ve been -pegging along since Wilson left you.” - -Haverly’s voice was little more than a whisper as he spoke these -words. He was mending rapidly, but he had not yet got about again, and -the inventor, who had long since recovered from his injuries, was -taking a spell below to bear him company. - -“Would you care to hear the yarn?” the inventor asked. - -“I guess I would,” was the reply. - -“Well, you see,” Garth began, “I was below when Wilson was -attacked, attending to the damages we had sustained in our fight with -the icthyosaurus. He will have told you of that?” - -Silas nodded. - -“Suddenly I heard the report of a revolver, and judging that -something was wrong, I raced upstairs. You can guess my feelings when -I saw Tom being carted away by some great flying creature. For a time -I think I almost went mad. I raved up and down the deck like a maniac, -cursing everything and everybody in this confounded underworld. - -“As my frenzy lessened, I realised the futility of my blind rage, -and returned to my task, with a heart heavy for the loss of my chum. -For, you know, I did not doubt that Tom was as good as dead; I never -dreamed that he would be able to escape from the clutches of the -brute--whatever it was--which had carried him off. How I -finished those repairs I don’t know, but finish them I did at last, -and backing the old _Seal_ off the beach, pushed her along up the -coast. My movements were entirely aimless. I imagined that all of you -were lost; that I alone was left of our party in this ghostly hole of -a place, so I took little heed to my course, or perhaps I may have -been spared one of the most fearful experiences that’s ever tumbled my -way. - -“For how long I steered on I cannot tell, but it must have been -for a considerable time. I had long since passed the river-mouth where -I was washed ashore when I escaped from the savages. Upon my right was -a line of towering cliffs, rising sheer from the water’s edge, for -perhaps three hundred feet or so. I was keeping well out from shore on -account of the presence of numerous sunken rocks, whose jagged crests -showed just a few inches below the surface of the water. Suddenly, -rounding a rocky headland, the _Seal_ swept into a sheltered bay, -a splendid natural harbour in the heart of the cliffs, and here I -determined to stay for a while. The cliffs precluded all chance of -attack from shore, and the narrow entrance of the bay was sufficient -guard against the visit of another saurian, though at the moment I -doubt if I should have cared much had one appeared, so apathetic had I -grown. But I paid clearly for my carelessness. - -“As I brought the vessel to, I never noticed that the surface of -the water around was covered with great floating masses of a -jelly-like substance. This fact was only brought to my notice when I -saw the deck swarming with what I took to be jelly-fish. The presence -of the creatures did not trouble me, however, and feeling weary, I -securely locked the turret door, and went below for a time. - -“I must have slept for about three hours then, on returning to -the wheelhouse, I discovered that the jelly-fish still swarmed the -deck, being if anything thicker than before. ‘I’ll soon get rid of -these things,’ I thought, and stepping down to the engine-room, set -the engines going at ten knots. Half a dozen revolutions they made, -then stopped, nor could I get them to go again. Evidently the -propellers were fouled by the slimy creatures. - -“‘Beastly nuisance!’ I muttered, and picking up an axe, sallied -forth to get rid of the encumbrance. Two steps I took on the slippery -masses which covered the deck-plates, then slipped, only just saving -myself from falling. I must be more careful, I decided, and commenced -to pick my way as best I could amid the greasy things which squelched -beneath my feet at every step. A sickening odour filled the air, -indescribably offensive, and this, added to the sight of the things, -almost made me ill. I clambered out to the extreme point, just above -the screws, and from there I could see that the water for many feet -below the surface was alive with the jelly-fish. They hung in great -knotted masses from the stern of the vessel; the propellers were -completely smothered beneath a score or so of the things, and I saw at -once that to get rid of them by means of the axe was absolutely -impossible. - -“‘What other way, then’? I thought. Almost as soon as I framed -the question, into my mind swept the answer. Electricity! Ay, that was -the way. I would connect a couple of wires with the dynamo of the -searchlight, and bury the ends in the mass of jelly which prevented -the _Seal_ from moving. Turning to retrace my steps to the -turret, I slipped again, and this time I fell full length. - -“The sensation of feeling oneself sprawling on that mass of -corruption was a thing to be remembered, I can assure you, but when I -felt the ghastly things beginning to swarm over my body, I almost -squealed. Their suckers seemed to grip my flesh through the clothes, -and burnt like hot iron. I struggled hard to rise, but the creatures -sprawled over me in scores, fairly covering me beneath their flabby -masses, and holding me down to the deck by their suction. Yet I did -not feel alarmed; it was an unpleasant situation--nothing more. -No thought of possible peril to life, no fear of death came to me, -until the things began to cover my head and to swarm over my face. -Then, you may take it for granted, I began to feel a bit sick. - -“All this time, mark you, I was struggling with all my might to -shake the brutes off, and to rise from my loathsome bed, but I could -not. Those slimy things held me more firmly than a vice. I was fairly -trapped, and it seemed to me as though I was to be slowly suffocated, -despite all my efforts, beneath that hideous mass of blubber. Then -suddenly, to my ears came the howl of the wolf-men, and never was -sound more welcome. The manner of their approach, of course, I could -not tell, neither did I care, so that they tore away the clinging -jelly masses which were smothering me. Better, I thought, to be -prisoner in the hands of savages than in my present position. - -“So I redoubled my efforts, gaining little by little, however, -save that my struggles attracted the notice of the wolf-men. -Presently, I felt the slimy creatures upon my back torn from their -hold; I was dragged roughly to my feet. Rubbing the slime from my -eyes, I observed that the deck was simply swarming with savages, who -had evidently boarded from two skin boats which were floating -alongside. These were engaged in slashing up the jelly-fish, -wholesale, with their spears, and flinging them overboard. The twain -who had released me from my predicament I at once recognised as two of -my former captives, and by the evil grin which lit up their features I -conjectured that they knew me again. - -“Between them they bundled me to the turret, making unmistakable -signs for me to start the boat. After some difficulty, I made them -understand that the jelly-fish were keeping the boat motionless, and -at once they dived over the stern, and hacked away the obstruction -with their spears; then returning, they once more bade me start the -boat, and this--recognising the hopelessness of resistance -against such odds--I did. - -“The rest is soon told. The brutes remained aboard the -_Seal,_ using me as a sort of general factotum, not scrupling to -punctuate their orders--all of which, of course, were given in -signs--with a dig or two from their spears. I can tell you I was -pretty mad with the brutes. Now and again some of them would want to -be put ashore for a spell, and they never returned without game of -some sort, which they ate absolutely raw. That was what we were -running in for when you sighted us. I had steered the old boat as -close in as I dared, and had gone below to stop the engines, so I knew -nothing of the boarding of the priest. Just as I flung over the -levers, something caught me a crack on the head, then everything went -dark.” - -“I guess that old devil, Nordhu, must have dropped you,” Silas -remarked, as the inventor concluded; “he was monkeyin’ around down -here somewhere when we got aboard. If he’d been on deck, Seymour and -the Ayuti would have had a tougher fight for their money. Say, are -they gettin’ ready to flit soon as I can hustle a bit?” - -“Yes,” Garth replied, “you must hurry up and get well, Silas, so -that we can start before long. Though I shall be sorry to leave the -_Seal,_ yet I’ve had quite enough of this underworld, and would -sacrifice more than the vessel to get back home again.” - -“I assume Chenobi ’ll have to leave his pets behind?” said the -Yankee. - -“He proposes to take the hounds with him,” was the reply; “says -he can rig up a pulley to hoist ’em up the cliff, or whatever it is -we’ve got to climb. Of course he can’t take the elk; it would require -a steam-crane to lift the great brute. But now get off to sleep; -you’ve been awake quite long enough.” - -With that Garth quitted the cabin, and ascended to the -wheelhouse, where his comrades were assembled. - -“Ah!” Mervyn said as he entered, “we were just going to call you -up, Garth. We want to run the _Seal_ ashore again. Seymour and -Chenobi have decided to pay another visit to the city. You see, there -are thousands of pounds’ worth of jewels on the hilts of the weapons -in the armoury--wealth sufficient to make Chenobi a person of -some importance above-ground--and he wishes to take some of the -precious stones with him.” - -“Quite right too,” returned Garth, grasping the wheel; “Tom, get -down to your engines, will you?” - -Ten minutes later the _Seal’s_ nose was once more touching -the beach. Seymour had again donned his mail, and he and the Ayuti -were moving over the sand with the hounds at their heels. At intervals -Chenobi raised a cry to summon the great elk, for they had decided to -make the journey upon the broad back of Muswani, instead of proceeding -through the subterranean passage. - -Ere long the giant ruminant loomed out of the twilight, and -mounting, the two men rode swiftly away across the plain. - - - - - CHAPTER XXXIV. - - ON THE CREST OF THE TIDAL WAVE. - - -TIME dragged heavily for those left aboard the _Seal._ There seemed -little to do; their preparations for the journey they thought to take -ere long, were complete. Ammunition, provisions--consisting for the -most part of tinned goods--personal belongings, were alike packed and -ready. Nothing at all superfluous was allowed in the packages, for -they would only have Muswani to carry their baggage as far as the cliff -stairway; for the rest of the journey they would have to bear their own -burdens. - -Their plans for the future seemed perfect. They were only waiting -for Haverly to get a little stronger, ere commencing their march -through the jungle to the upper world and daylight. They had yet to -learn that “the best laid schemes o’ mice and men gang aft agley.” - -“I hope they will not get into danger,” Mervyn remarked, after a -long silence; “it’s rather risky, yet we cannot blame Chenobi for -wishing to secure the jewels.” - -“He would be in a rather peculiar position above ground without -money,” returned Garth, “and I fear he would be too proud to accept -help from one of us. Anyway, he and Seymour should be safe enough. -They are well armed, and----” - -Out of the distance came a sullen muttering, as of far-distant -thunder, and at the sound Garth’s sentence died on his lips. - -“Whatever’s that?” Wilson asked. - -Striding out on deck, Mervyn leaned over the rail, and stood -listening for a repetition of the sound. Again it came, low as before, -reverberating amid the hills like the roll of many drums. - -“I don’t like it,” the scientist muttered, as Garth and the -engineer joined him; “have you noticed how remarkably still the water -has grown during the last few hours? See how gently the waves come in; -there is scarcely more motion than on a mill-pond.” - -“What do you infer from that?” asked Garth. - -“That we are about to witness some phenomenon peculiar to this -underworld,” replied Mervyn. “What form it will take I do not know, -but I heartily wish Seymour and the king were back.” - -“They should not be long now in any case,” rejoined the engineer; -“they have been gone over three hours. I say, we must get the -_Seal_ off again. _The water’s receding!”_ - -It was true. Although the flood-tide had not yet reached its -height, the water was rapidly running out from shore, and the -_Seal_ was fast being left high and dry. - -“Full speed astern, Tom!” Garth cried, as he and Wilson darted -into the wheelhouse. Down the steps the engineer bounded, two at a -time, and hurled himself along the corridor of the engine-room. - -Clank! The levers went over with all his force behind them. The -gleaming cranks flew round in a halo of dazzling light, but the vessel -moved not an inch. Her propellers shrieked on the air, for the water -had entirely receded, and she was hard and fast ashore. - -With a muttered exclamation the lad left the engine-room. - -“No use?” he said, as he re-entered the turret. - -“Not a bit,” returned Garth. “It’s the queerest thing I ever -knew. Mervyn can’t account for it either. The water simply ran out as -though a hole had opened in the sea-bed. See, there is no water in -sight anywhere; nothing but sand.” - -“It’s a licker!” - -The two men turned at the words. Haverly had entered the -turret. - -“My word, Silas,” exclaimed Wilson, “you’ll get it hot if the -professor sees you! You ought not to be up yet.” - -“I guess I’m the best judge of that,” retorted the American with -a feeble smile. “I calculated as a constitutional ’ud set me up some, -so here I am. But what in the name of blazes has come to the water? -Have yer plumped the old boat down in the middle of a desert, or -what?” - -Quickly Garth explained the extraordinary phenomenon they had -witnessed. - -“And Mervyn can’t figure it out either?” questioned Haverly. - -“No,” returned the inventor, “he’s as much in the dark as we are. -But here he comes; you can question him yourself.” - -“Say, Mervyn, can’t you enlighten us some?” Silas asked, as the -scientist came in from the deck. - -“Whatever are you doing here, Silas?” he asked sternly. “You -should not have ventured up so soon.” - -“I guess I’ll improve considerable more rapid up here than down -below,” returned the Yankee. - -“Perhaps so,” was the reply, “if you only take care. But you must -not abuse your returning strength.” - -“No, I cannot explain the phenomenon,” he went on, shaking his -head, “though I fear it must be due to volcanic agency. Hark!” - -Again that thunder-like muttering rolled out of the distance, but -the attention of the comrades was distracted from the ominous sound by -a faint cry from Haverly. - -“Jupiter! Another fire-message!” - -Away over a spur of the distant hills an arch of fire flamed into -view, and silhouetted against its golden splendour were eight -grotesque figures. - -“Can you translate, professor?” cried Haverly; “these signs mean -something or other, you can bet your boots.” - -Garth and Wilson waited eagerly for the scientist’s answer. It -came at length. - -“Nordhu, son of Nordhu, will avenge his sire!” - -“And that’s the message?” the engineer asked, as the blazing bow -waned and died. - -“That’s the translation,” returned Mervyn, abstractedly. - -“Then I guess we must look out for trouble, and that right soon,” -remarked Silas. “If this new Nordhu’s anything like the old man, he’ll -be on our trail in less than no time.” - -“We’re in a nice lively position to receive an attack of -savages,” said Garth, “with the old _Seal_ as helpless as a -log.” - -“I reckon we’ve come out of tighter corners than this yer,” -retorted Silas, “though I allow I’d feel kinder easier if William and -the Ayuti ’ud show up. You say they’ve gone to the city?” - -“Yes,” returned Wilson, shortly. - -“If they ain’t along presently,” pursued the Yankee, “they’ll -find some of the wolfies laying for ’em. Them priests are real -hustlers when it comes to a scrap. I’d advise as you loose a gun or -two off. They might hear the reports.” - -“A good idea,” Garth cried, and snatching up a magazine rifle, -discharged it to the last cartridge. - -“That ought to fetch ’em,” remarked Haverly cheerfully. - -Boom! Once more that muffled explosion shook the underworld, -succeeded this time by a continuous roar as of a mighty cataract. -Thoroughly alarmed, the explorers gazed in the direction whence came -the sound. Far away down the coast, its towering crest gleaming -through the twilight, appeared a wall of water. With fearful rapidity -it roared down upon the helpless vessel. - -“Great Heaven!” Mervyn burst out, “a tidal wave! We are lost!” -Even while the words trembled on his lips, a shout rang high above the -boom of the approaching wave, and down the beach at a furious gallop -came Muswani. The Ayuti evidently fully realised the peril of the -situation. Straight for the motionless _Seal_ he steered his -magnificent steed. A few yards from the rail a word of command pealed -from his lips, and at that the mighty elk hurled himself into the air. -Clearing the rail by a couple of feet, he landed with a crash upon the -deck, the hounds following like shadows at his heels. - -Quick as thought the two men leaped from his back, and raced for -the turret. Then, as the door crashed to behind them and the hounds, -and before ever Muswani could leap ashore, the watery wall struck the -_Seal._ - -For one brief instant it seemed as though the ill-fated craft -would be overwhelmed. The water foamed and surged, boiled and eddied -around her; but by some fortunate chance she was lifted high upon the -crest of the giant wave, and was swept forward like a feather. - -“Try your engines,” Garth bawled to his friend, and instantly -Wilson darted below again. But the engines with all their power were -as toys in the grip of the waters. No power on earth could have forced -the vessel forward against that foaming torrent. Lucky, indeed, had -Seymour and the Ayuti been to arrive at the moment they did. A few -seconds later, and they had been left ashore, separated by many miles -of raging water from the vessel and their friends. Their position they -knew was perilous in the extreme. At any instant the submarine might -be hurled against some iron cliff and shattered like matchwood; yet -dangers faced together lost half their terror. United the little band -felt equal to anything; so keeping a cheerful courage, they awaited -with what patience they could muster the time when the force of the -wave should expend itself. - -But the time sped by, and still the waters roared onward; still -the _Seal_ danced and whirled amid the foam-capped waves. - -Outside, motionless as a statue, keeping his balance upon the -slippery deck with wonderful skill, stood Muswani. Not all the violent -lurches of the submarine could shake the great elk from his footing. -He was immovable as though he were part of the vessel itself. - -Chenobi gazed with pride upon his giant steed. It would mean no -slight wrench when the time came for him to part with the magnificent -brute; but that had not to be considered yet. Time enough to think of -that when they got out of the grip of the tidal wave, which foamed -forward relentless as ever. - -The shore had long since faded from view. Nought was visible on -either hand but a waste of waters, tumbling and foaming in mad -confusion. And ever and anon a thunderous explosion would burst out, -echoing across the water like the firing of great guns. - -Once, close alongside, the mighty body of an ichthyosaurus was -flung up, rent and torn in ghastly fashion by some giant natural -force. - -Suddenly a cry came from Seymour. - -“Great Scott! Look there!” - -The others turned quickly. To starboard a beetling line of cliffs -loomed into view, threatening and terrible. Next moment an exclamation -from the American announced the appearance of a similar barrier upon -the port side. Through the canyon or gorge thus formed, the waters -swept in a maddened torrent, the _Seal_ lurching and rolling in a -fashion which bade fair to capsize her. A hundred times--ay, -more--she seemed likely to be dashed against one or other of the -rocky walls, but by a miracle she escaped destruction in this -manner. - -So for perhaps an hour she was swept forward; then a terrible -fact became apparent to the adventurers. Silas was the first to notice -it. - -“Say!” he remarked, “I guess these yer cliffs are closing in on -us.” - -“What do you mean?” asked the scientist; “how closing in?” - -“Just cast your eye to the top of this starboard wall,” was the -reply; “if the hull outfit ain’t leaning outward, call me a darn -nigger.” - -An instant’s scrutiny showed Mervyn that the thing was true. - -Shaken to its foundations by the force of the explosions, which -moment by moment were becoming more frequent, the whole cliff was -tottering to its fall. How long it would be ere it thundered down upon -the hapless submarine none could tell. - -“Full speed ahead!” Silas snapped, his voice recovering its -strength under the excitement of the moment; “we must get out of this -or we’re done.” - -All saw the force of his words, and within two minutes the -_Seal_ was leaping forward like a flash of light, her whole hull -quivering with the throb of the engines. Her pace was tremendous. The -cliffs dashed past in a dazzling line on either side, and still the -tottering mass to starboard hung poised, as though loth to crush the -gallant vessel and her crew. - -The moments seemed to crawl by, and each was laden with the -suspense of a century. How long till this gorge shall end? was the cry -of each of the comrades. How long till these rocky walls shall -cease? - -Then suddenly, a sheet of open water appeared ahead, and at the -sight a simultaneous cry of relief went up. Another moment and the -vessel would have been out of the gorge, and safe from the perils of -the crumbling cliff; but in the very instant of her escape, like the -crack of doom, a thunderous explosion volleyed through the canyon. - -With the sound, the tottering wall of rock bent and swayed, then -crashed downward with a deafening roar. Almost, the _Seal_ was -clear of the falling _debris_--almost, but not quite. A -colossal boulder caught her stern, ripping the whirling propellers -from their sockets, and smashing her steering gear to a mass of -scrap-iron. - -“Done!” Garth gasped, staggering under the shock; “the beastly -thing’s snapped the propellers, and they were the only ones I -had.” - -The others did not take in the significance of this remark for -some moments. They were too occupied in a scrutiny of the curious -place the _Seal_ had entered. It was a great circular basin or -funnel, enclosed on every side by towering cliffs, and around it the -water was sweeping in a giant eddy. Into this the vessel was instantly -drawn, being helpless as any log in the whirling water. - -Turning, the adventurers gazed towards the gorge through which -they had come. It had ceased to be. The fall of the cliff had -completely choked the passage, _and the basin was now without -outlet!_ - -“I guess the old _Seal’s_ fairly trapped,” remarked Silas -gloomily; “it would ha’ been better if the plaguey cliff had buried us -all, ’stead of shuttin’ us up in this hole.” - -As he spoke, Wilson came upstairs. - -“You’d better come down, Garth,” the engineer said; “there’s a -bad smash astern, and I can’t manage it myself.” - -Glad of aught to relieve the awful depression which had succeeded -the excitement of the race through the gorge, the inventor followed -his friend below, to do what he could towards patching up the -damage. - -“It’s a terrible outlook,” Mervyn muttered, “to be fastened up -here until our provisions give out, and then--death by -starvation.” - -“A terrible outlook indeed,” granted Seymour. “It’s maddening to -think that we have escaped all the perils of the underworld, only to -be hopelessly imprisoned in this rocky basin.” - -“Say, what’s this steam mean?” asked Haverly, who stood with face -pressed to the glass. A mist-like vapour had commenced to rise from -the surface of the gyrating water, growing denser in volume each -moment, until the walls of the basin were almost hidden. - -“Trouble again, I reckon,” the American continued; “I guess we’ve -struck little else this trip, so far.” - -“Some volcanic disturbance,” exclaimed Mervyn. “I----” -The words died on his lips in a gasp, as a fresh development forced -itself upon his notice. The water in the basin was rising! - -“Wal, that licks all!” cried Silas, as he too became aware of -this new movement; “not content with pluggin’ us up here, it’s goin’ -to jam us up against the roof.” - -“It will merely shorten the period of our imprisonment,” returned -the baronet, and then silence fell between the watchers. - -An hour dragged by, and still the waters rose; still the -submarine was borne upwards. Anxiously the comrades peered out into -the misty atmosphere, wondering how this strange adventure would end. -Even the iron-nerved Ayuti grew uneasy as time went by, a feeling -shared by his hounds, who, scared by the repeated explosions, whined -pitifully at intervals. - -Muswani--motionless as ever--still kept his position -upon the deck, being the only member of the party who seemed not at -all dismayed by the strangeness of the situation. - -Time crawled on. Many thousands of feet the _Seal_ must have -risen, when a sharp cry came from Haverly: - -“_The roof!_” - -Close upon his words came a report like a thunderclap, and a -dazzling shaft of flame leapt from the surface of the water, -illuminating the rocky walls of the basin and--scarce ten feet -above--the roof. - -“We must sink her,” Mervyn cried, and darted to the stairs for -the purpose of calling Garth. Ere he could reach them, however, a -second report burst out. The dark mass of the roof above seemed to -bend downwards. There was a roaring as of a thousand Niagaras; the -swirl of many waters; a thunderous crash as though the earth itself -were splitting asunder; then darkness! - - - - - CHAPTER XXXV. - - INTO THE SUNLIGHT. - - -SEYMOUR opened his eyes and gazed around dreamily. What had happened, -he wondered, as he sat up, and what was this strange light that -flooded the vessel? He rubbed his eyes and looked again, then a -thrilling cry burst from his lips. - -“Daylight! Great Heaven, daylight!” - -He staggered to his feet. He was right. The _Seal_ was -rolling on the swell of the ocean, bathed in the full glory of the -mid-day sun. Into infinite distance the shimmering wave-crests danced -on every hand. No land was visible save one small rocky island, -entirely destitute of verdure, which thrust itself above the surface -of the water some distance away. This much Seymour noted, then with a -fervent prayer of thankfulness he turned to assist his comrades. - -Haverly lay senseless beside the wheel; his restoration was a -matter of little difficulty. Neither was the Ayuti much trouble to -bring round. But Mervyn, whom they found at the foot of the steps with -a broken arm and other minor injuries, proved a more difficult -subject. - -Hounds as well as men had shared the general oblivion, and the -sun was sinking to its rest ere all were once more restored to a state -of sensibility. - -The thankfulness of the explorers was supreme; but so strange had -been the manner of their deliverance from their subterranean prison, -that even yet they could scarcely grasp the fact that their wanderings -and trials amid the wilds of the underworld were really over. - -Mervyn, his arm, skilfully set by the American, in a sling, was -bubbling over with enthusiasm, despite his numerous injuries. - -“It must have been the birth of that island which released us,” -he observed; “the solid rock, thrust upward by volcanic force, -piercing the ocean bed, and rising above the surface of the -water.” - -“It’s the most marvellous thing I ever heard of,” rejoined -Seymour, “though I fear the presence of that great rock will not prove -much of a blessing to the vessels that frequent these seas, especially -as it will be uncharted.” - -“It will not remain so long,” retorted the scientist; “but see, -the _Seal_ is drifting towards it. We shall be able to moor her -directly.” - -Inch by inch the helpless submarine drifted towards the -boulder-strewn shore of the island, which but lately had formed part -of the subterranean world. Ere long she was close enough for her crew -to moor her, and this Seymour did. As he fastened the rope, the -hounds, weary of the restraint of the turret, leapt ashore, and went -careering madly over the rocks. Suddenly they burst into a clamorous -baying, as a monstrous form emerged from the shelter of a clump of -boulders. - -“’Tis Muswani!” cried the Ayuti, and vaulting the rail, he -rushed forward to meet his steed. - -“Great Scott!” cried Seymour, “if that don’t beat all. Fancy the -old elk getting through safely.” - -Mervyn’s eyes glowed with excitement. - -“Grand!” he cried; “it’s just what I needed. The elk’s the very -thing to confirm my story. If----” - -“Ship in sight!” bawled Garth at that instant. His comrades -followed the direction of his gaze. Away on the distant horizon, -bathed in the blood-red rays of the dying sun, appeared the masts and -funnels of a large steamer. - -“Thank Heaven!” breathed the scientist, joyfully; “our troubles -are over at last!” - -“Say, Seymour, how’s this strike yer?” - -Haverly skimmed his copy of the “Metropolitan Gazette” across to -the baronet. - -“I guess Mervyn’ll have a word or two to say about that,” he went -on; “for sheer impudence the party as is responsible for that classy -drivel takes the biscuit. I reckon, figuratively speaking, he’s just -about mopped the floor with the professor.” - -The adventurers sat in the library of Hilton Manor. Mervyn alone -was absent, he being in London, hard at work upon his book. - -“What do you mean, Silas?” Garth asked. - -“Just what I say,” retorted the American; “but read it out, -William, so’s our pards can grasp the elevatin’ language.” - -“Very well,” returned the baronet, smiling, and forthwith -commenced to read the following, which, topped by two staring -head-lines, occupied two columns of the “Gazette’s” centre page. - -“‘A scientist’s delusion!’” Seymour began. “‘An up-to-date -fairy story! Truly we are tempted to exclaim with Joseph’s brethren, -‘Behold, that dreamer cometh,’ and we do not doubt that those of our -readers who observed the extraordinary effusion in our contemporary of -yesterday were alike tempted. Never before has such a wildly -improbable story found its way into print. Jules Verne himself could -scarcely have conceived anything more fantastic; yet here we have half -a dozen columns of closely-printed matter, offered to the confiding -public in the guise of sober truth. We marvel that the writer of the -article should have dared append his signature; but, after reading -this masterpiece of modern imagination, we were in no way surprised to -learn that it emanated from the pen of our old rival, Professor James -Mervyn.’” - -“Take your breath, old man,” Silas interrupted, cheerfully, -“you’ll need it all ’fore you get through.” - -“Dry up, Silas,” retorted the engineer, “you’re spoiling the flow -of language. I should think the beggar must have swallowed a -dictionary.” - -“Perhaps he gets paid by the yard for what he turns out,” Garth -suggested, with a grin; “but wade in, Seymour; we’re eager for the -next instalment.” - -“You shall have it at once,” rejoined the baronet, and resumed -his reading. - -“‘We have only space here to touch upon one or two of the more -flagrant of the series of glaring falsehoods--we can use no other -word--which constitute the whole outrageous story. Whether the -interior of the globe is a huge cavern or no, we are in no position to -state; but hitherto we have been content to believe in the popular -theory of internal fire, and shall continue to do so until we have -_convincing_ proof to the contrary. This, however, we could have -granted, had it not been for the hopelessly impossible stories which -follow. The intellect which could conceive such creatures as the -wolf-men and their hypnotist priest, should find its sphere of labour -in other realms than those of science. The learned professor should -make his mark as a writer of fairy tales. Before his vampires the -flying dragons of the ancients fade into insignificance, while his -megalosaurus--a creature extinct for eras--beats all the -fabled monsters of classical times. But when we read of the giant -spider--Rahee the terrible, as he names it--our disgust -knows no bounds. That he should have supposed for an instant that he -could foist so ridiculous a conception upon a circle of intelligent -readers, destroys our last atom of compunction at the drastic course -we felt called upon to take. - -“‘Yet even this pales before his subterranean metropolis, the -city of Ayuti, with its one giant inhabitant. This splendid savage, -this intellectual barbarian, is, in our opinion, the wildest -imagination of all. In the description of the Ayuti’s antlered steed, -obedient to his master’s slightest command, we -recognise----’” - -“Oh, hang it all!” Seymour broke off angrily, “I’m sick of the -drivel,” and he flung the paper to the floor. - -“I guess you’d better explain the stuff to Chenobi,” remarked -Silas; “he’s looking as if he’d like to be in the know.” - -Following this suggestion, Seymour translated the article for the -benefit of the Ayuti. - -“So,” the latter cried, his eyes flashing with rage, “the dog not -only doubts our friend’s story, but calls me barbarian and savage! -Were it not that ye say the law of your land forbids killing, the -hound should not live an hour.” - -“Best of it is,” Garth broke in at this point, “the party that -wrote that article--Max Dormer--has a place not five miles -from here, and is holding a big meeting there to-day--some -scientific society or other, I believe. It would be a bit of a joke if -Chenobi was to pop over and pay ’em a visit.” - -“By Jove! we’ll do it,” cried Seymour, slapping his thigh; “we’ll -stir the beggars up.” - -“The king had better go in his tin suit,” suggested Silas; “it’ll -look more like business.” - -“He shall,” returned the baronet, and spoke a few rapid words to -his Ayuti friend. - -Instantly the latter rose, an even finer figure in his -perfect-fitting suit than he had looked in his mail. - -“’Tis well,” he replied to Seymour; “thou and I, Fairhair, will -teach this braggart a lesson. When he sees Muswani, perchance he will -doubt no longer that there be strange beasts in the underworld.” With -that, he and the baronet left the room. - -Some time later they rode down the drive upon the back of the -elk--Chenobi armed _cap-a-pie_--and swept out into the -high road, leaving the dull-witted lodge-keeper gaping after them in -blank amazement. Past astonished pedestrians they flashed, Seymour -laughing heartily at the temporary panic their strange appearance -caused; on at a headlong, exhilarating gallop, until they reached the -gates of the place to which Garth had directed them. - -And here they were checked. The gates were locked, and the -attendant, alarmed by the unusual dress of the Ayuti, and also by his -strange steed, refused to admit them. - -“You don’t come in here,” he bawled, “Sir William Seymour or not. -You look more like a couple of escaped lunatics than anything else, to -my mind.” - -Chenobi laughed scornfully as the baronet translated this -insulting answer. - -“There are other ways of getting in than by the gates,” he said, -and backed his mount to the further side of the road. A sharp word of -command and Muswani leapt forward like a meteor. Straight for the -eight-foot wall, which joined the gates, Chenobi steered him. Like a -bird he rose, cleared the obstruction magnificently, and dropped -lightly down upon the other side. Affrighted, the attendant vanished -into the lodge, and they swept up the avenue towards the house -unmolested. - -It was indeed a big meeting which was being held at Professor Max -Dormer’s place. Earlier in the day, carriage after carriage had rolled -up the drive, and discharged its load beside the great lawn, whereon a -marquee had been erected. Not a few of those present held a foremost -place in the ranks of science, and Dormer’s heart leapt at the thought -of the stunning blow he would be able to deal at his erstwhile rival, -Mervyn. He knew that the returned scientist’s article in the London -daily had attracted almost universal notice, and he was determined to -bring forward this matter at this meeting, and expose before this -representative gathering the daring effrontery of the writer. - -That any of the men of science would place any reliance upon -Mervyn’s story he did not for a moment believe; but he determined to -make the blow he was about to deal at the absent professor’s -reputation as crushing as possible. So he arranged his notes with -great care, running over in his mind as he moved amidst his guests the -various points of his discourse. - -The meeting was at its height. Savant after savant had mounted -the platform, and had addressed the great gathering. And now came -Dormer’s turn. With all the eloquence that was in him, he was -inveighing against his rival, urging that the man who could pen such a -tissue of falsehoods deserved to be ostracised, when there came the -clatter of hoofs upon the gravel of the drive. All turned at the -sound--the side canvas of the marquee had been rolled up on -account of the heat--wondering who this late-comer might be. A -simultaneous gasp of amazement went up as the giant elk came into view -with his mail-clad driver. Straight across the lawn Muswani pounded, -almost up to the great tent itself. There he pulled up, announcing his -appearance with a bellow that deafened the ears of the assembly. As he -did so, Seymour leapt to earth, followed by the Ayuti. Into the tent -the baronet strode. - -“Dormer!” he bawled, “come down here.” - -Trembling, the destroyer of Mervyn’s reputation descended from -the platform, and threaded his way amidst his distinguished guests to -where Seymour awaited him. - -“Are you responsible for that drivel in to-day’s ‘Gazette’?” the -baronet demanded sternly. - -“I wrote that article, if that is what you mean,” retorted the -other, with some show of spirit. - -“Then permit me to introduce you to the noble savage, the -intellectual barbarian, His Royal Highness Prince Chenobi of Ayuti,” -was the crushing reply and Seymour motioned for Chenobi to draw -near. - -“Is this the dog who called me savage, Fairhair?” thundered the -Ayuti. - -“This is he,” replied the baronet. - -“Then translate to him these my words: He is a hound, and the son -of a hound. Let him thank his gods that the law of his country forbids -the killing of even such vermin as he, else assuredly I would strangle -him where he stands. Yet he will be wise to beware how he maligns me -hereafter, lest I be tempted to forget the law, to disgrace my own -manhood by laying hands upon his puny carcase. Ask him wherein I am -savage and barbarian? Is not my skin as white as his? is not my brain -as clear? My people were kings and rulers upon the face of the earth -while yet his forefathers burrowed in caves and dens, like unto the -beasts they hunted. Let him beware, I say, or his lying pen shall yet -be the cause of his ruin.” - -This scathing torrent of abuse Seymour translated in its full -significance, glossing over nothing; and before it the offending -scientist seemed to shrivel up with mortification. His eyes were fixed -fearfully upon the face of the Ayuti, as if expecting the giant to put -his threats into instant execution. - -“Gentlemen,” cried the baronet, when Chenobi had finished, “you -see the Prince, whom I am proud to call my friend; you see also his -antlered steed, Muswani, the giant elk. I ask you now if the story of -my comrade Mervyn is sufficiently proved? If his character as a writer -of the truth is vindicated? Is he to labour hereafter under the stigma -which this malicious fellow has cast upon him, or will his writings be -accepted by you all as actual descriptions of real creatures? I await -your answer.” - -An instant’s silence, then as one man the assembly rose. - -“We are satisfied,” cried someone, and two hundred voices echoed -the words. Out of the great tent Dormer’s guests poured, all eager to -get a closer look at the giant elk. Note-books came out by the score, -and many a page of descriptive matter was scribbled down for use upon -future occasions. - -Many of those present knew Seymour personally, and they crowded -round him eagerly, questioning him concerning his late adventures. - -“I must refer you to Professor Mervyn’s article,” he replied to -all their queries, “and to the book which he will shortly publish on -the subject. His description of the Under-world is far more graphic -than anything I can manage. One thing I must ask of you, gentlemen. -Will you see to it that Professor Dormer makes public apology for his -slanderous statements against my comrade Mervyn?” - -“He shall acknowledge his mistake at once,” an eminent scientist -exclaimed, “or lose his standing among us.” - -“Thank you!” replied the baronet; “_mistake_ is putting it -rather mildly, but it will do. And now I think we will return. Should -any of you wish to examine the elk again, later on, you will find him -at Hilton Manor. His master and I will be there for some weeks to -come. Chenobi”--turning to the Ayuti--“if you are ready, we -will go.” - -At a word from his master Muswani dropped to his knees; the two -men leaped to their places. A wave of the hand and they were off, -speeding down the avenue towards the gates. These the keeper flung -hastily open for them--being evidently relieved to see the last -of these escaped lunatics, as he termed them--and they turned -once more for home. - -Seymour was in high spirits at the manner in which they had -turned the tables upon Dormer, but Chenobi appeared preoccupied. - -“A thought has come to me, Fairhair,” he said at length. “You -remember the fire-message of the son of Nordhu, wherein he vowed to -avenge his sire?” - -“I do,” replied Seymour. - -“What if he should fulfil his vow?” pursued Chenobi. - -“What if he should lead his followers through the fire-mountain -into this upper world? I doubt not that your people would prevail in -the end; yet I fear me much blood would flow ere the wolf-people could -be destroyed.” - -“Nay!” returned the baronet decidedly, “I do not think he will -attempt so mad a scheme. Anyway, we have not to concern ourselves with -that. Our troubles are over; our wanderings in the Under-world are a -thing of the past. See, here is the Manor,” and with that they turned -in at the gates. - - - - -PRINTED BY CASSELL & COMPANY, LIMITED, LA BELLE SAUVAGE, LONDON, -E.C. - - - -Transcriber's note: - -Upside down letters have been turned right-side up. -Inconsistent use of hyphenation has been changed to the most often used. -Errors in punctuation have been corrected. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOLF-MEN *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The Wolf-Men</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>A Tale of Amazing Adventure in the Under-World</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Frank Powell</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: April 18, 2022 [eBook #67866]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer.</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOLF-MEN ***</div> - - <div style="text-align: center; padding: 0pt; margin: 0pt;"> - <img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover"/> - </div> - - <p class="noindent"><a name="illustration_01" id="illustration_01" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"></a></p> - - <p class="noindent"><img src="images/illo_01.jpg" alt="Illustration #1 (frontispiece)"/></p> - - <hr class="pre"/> - - <div class="section"> - - <h1 class="break-before">THE WOLF-MEN</h1> - - </div> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center;">A Tale of Amazing Adventure<br/>In the Under-world</p> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 2em;">BY</p> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center; font-size: 140%;">FRANK POWELL</p> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center; font-size: 85%; margin-top: 2em; line-height: 1.4em"><i>WITH EIGHT FULL-PAGE</i><br/><i>ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR</i></p> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center; font-size: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.2em; margin-top: 4em;">CASSELL AND COMPANY, LIMITED</p> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%; margin-bottom: 0.4em; line-height: 1.4em">LONDON, PARIS, NEW YORK AND<br/>MELBOURNE. MCMVI</p> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center; font-size: 80%; margin-bottom: 2em;">All Rights Reserved</p> - - <hr class="pre"/> - - <div class="section"> - - <p style="font-size: 170%; margin-bottom: 0.4em; text-align: center; margin-top: 2em;">CONTENTS.</p> - - </div> - - <table> - <tbody> - <tr> - <td> - - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <p style="text-align: right; font-size: 60%;">PAGE</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - P<span class="smtx">ROLOGUE</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#prologue">1</a> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER I.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - A<span class="smtx">T THE</span> M<span class="smtx">ERCY OF</span> C<span class="smtx">ONSPIRATORS</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_01">5</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER II.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - H<span class="smtx">OW</span> H<span class="smtx">AVERLY</span> F<span class="smtx">OILED THE</span> B<span class="smtx">OAT-STEALERS</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_02">12</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER III.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - B<span class="smtx">EYOND THE</span> G<span class="smtx">REAT</span> B<span class="smtx">ARRIER</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_03">21</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER IV.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">RAPPED!</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_04">32</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER V.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - O<span class="smtx">VER THE</span> C<span class="smtx">ATARACT’S</span> B<span class="smtx">RINK</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_05">38</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER VI.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> L<span class="smtx">AND OF</span> E<span class="smtx">TERNAL</span> T<span class="smtx">WILIGHT</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_06">45</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER VII.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - A R<span class="smtx">EMARKABLE</span> D<span class="smtx">ISCOVERY AND ITS</span> S<span class="smtx">EQUEL</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_07">55</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER VIII.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> E<span class="smtx">LK-HUNTERS</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_08">61</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER IX.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> D<span class="smtx">ISAPPEARANCE OF THE</span> “S<span class="smtx">EAL</span>” - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_09">69</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER X.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> C<span class="smtx">OMING OF THE</span> G<span class="smtx">REAT</span> F<span class="smtx">ISH</span>-L<span class="smtx">IZARD</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_10">76</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XI.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - H<span class="smtx">OW</span> H<span class="smtx">ILTON</span> E<span class="smtx">SCAPED FROM THE</span> W<span class="smtx">OLF-MEN</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_11">83</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XII.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - “G<span class="smtx">EHARI—THE</span> W<span class="smtx">ILY</span> O<span class="smtx">NE</span>” - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_12">91</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XIII.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> F<span class="smtx">ATE OF</span> M<span class="smtx">ERVYN</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_13">97</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XIV.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - “R<span class="smtx">AHEE THE</span> T<span class="smtx">ERRIBLE</span>!” - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_14">105</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XV.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - F<span class="smtx">OR A</span> F<span class="smtx">RIEND</span>’<span class="smtx">S</span> L<span class="smtx">IFE</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_15">112</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XVI.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - H<span class="smtx">OW</span> H<span class="smtx">AVERLY</span> C<span class="smtx">HECKED THE</span> S<span class="smtx">TAMPEDE</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_16">119</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XVII.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - A D<span class="smtx">UEL TO THE</span> D<span class="smtx">EATH</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_17">126</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XVIII.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> S<span class="smtx">INKING</span> P<span class="smtx">OOL</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_18">133</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XIX.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> F<span class="smtx">IRE</span> G<span class="smtx">ULF</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_19">140</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XX.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> L<span class="smtx">AST OF THE</span> A<span class="smtx">YUTIS</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_20">147</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXI.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - “S<span class="smtx">UNSHINE</span>!” - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_21">154</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXII.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> T<span class="smtx">ERROR OF THE</span> J<span class="smtx">UNGLE</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_22">164</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXIII.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - M<span class="smtx">USWANI</span>—M<span class="smtx">ONSTER</span>-F<span class="smtx">IGHTER</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_23">173</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXIV.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - A G<span class="smtx">LIMPSE OF THE</span> U<span class="smtx">PPER</span> W<span class="smtx">ORLD</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_24">180</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXV.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - S<span class="smtx">EYMOUR</span>’<span class="smtx">S</span> F<span class="smtx">ALL</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_25">189</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXVI.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> F<span class="smtx">ASCINATION OF THE</span> P<span class="smtx">RIEST</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_26">195</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXVII.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - I<span class="smtx">N THE</span> V<span class="smtx">AULTS</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_27">202</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXVIII.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - I<span class="smtx">N THE</span> W<span class="smtx">OLF-MEN</span>’<span class="smtx">S</span> H<span class="smtx">AUNTS</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_28">207</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXIX.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - R<span class="smtx">AHEE</span> A<span class="smtx">SSISTS THE</span> F<span class="smtx">UGITIVES</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_29">215</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXX.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> S<span class="smtx">CROLL OF</span> N<span class="smtx">EOMRI</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_30">222</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXXI.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - “T<span class="smtx">HE</span> ‘S<span class="smtx">EAL</span>!’” - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_31">229</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXXII.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> D<span class="smtx">OOM OF</span> N<span class="smtx">ORDHU</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_32">236</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXXIII.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - T<span class="smtx">HE</span> I<span class="smtx">NVENTOR</span>’<span class="smtx">S</span> S<span class="smtx">TORY</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_33">243</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXXIV.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - O<span class="smtx">N THE</span> C<span class="smtx">REST OF THE</span> T<span class="smtx">IDAL</span> W<span class="smtx">AVE</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_34">248</a> - </td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td colspan="2"> - <p style="text-align: center;">CHAPTER XXXV.</p> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="chap-title"> - I<span class="smtx">NTO THE</span> S<span class="smtx">UNLIGHT</span> - </td> - - <td style="text-align: right;"> - <a href="#chapter_35">256</a> - </td> - </tr> - </tbody> - </table> - - <hr class="pre"/> - - <div class="section"> - - <p style="font-size: 140%; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center; margin-top: 2em;">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</p> - - </div> - - <table style="font-size: 80%;"> - <tbody> - <tr> - <td class="hang"> - “For an instant it hung poised, then thundered downward” - </td> - - <td class="right"> - <a href="#illustration_01"><i>Frontispiece</i></a> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td> - - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="hang"> - “The next moment the rope parted behind him” - </td> - - <td class="right"> - <a href="#illustration_02"><i>To face p.</i> 92</a> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td> - - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="hang"> - “The brute swung round and leapt again, missing his mark by a bare three inches” - </td> - - <td class="right"> - <a href="#illustration_03">116</a> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td> - - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="hang"> - “Amid the hideous forms of the Wolf-men the Ayuti towered as a god” - </td> - - <td class="right"> - <a href="#illustration_04">148</a> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td> - - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="hang"> - “The great saurian, reeling from the impact, lurched over upon his side” - </td> - - <td class="right"> - <a href="#illustration_05">174</a> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td> - - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="hang"> - “‘See, I have brought their weapons’” - </td> - - <td class="right"> - <a href="#illustration_06">180</a> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td> - - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="hang"> - “‘Back, you dogs!’ he roared. ‘A step further and your priest dies!’” - </td> - - <td class="right"> - <a href="#illustration_07">216</a> - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td> - - </td> - </tr> - - <tr> - <td class="hang"> - “Scuttling down to the water’s edge with the giant elk pounding along behind him” - </td> - - <td class="right"> - <a href="#illustration_08">234</a> - </td> - </tr> - - </tbody> - </table> - - <hr class="pre"/> - - <div class="section"> - - <h2 style="line-height: 3em; margin-top: 4em;"><span style="font-size: 200%; text-align: center;">THE WOLF-MEN.</span><br/><a name="prologue" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">PROLOGUE.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <p class="noindent">“Y<span class="smtx">OU’LL</span> come, then?”</p> - - <p>Professor James Mervyn’s voice quivered with eagerness as he put -this question to his companion, Sir William Seymour, in a private room -of a large London hotel. The baronet, a man in the prime of life, over -six feet in height, and broad in proportion, his bearded face tanned -by many a year of travel under a tropical sun, rose, and paced the -chamber for some moments ere answering.</p> - - <p>“Yes, I’ll come,” he said at length. “I had made all arrangements -to leave England to-morrow for a spell in India; but that must slide. -I can’t miss this chance of a trip to the Pole. But now tell me -something more of this wonderful idea of yours.”</p> - - <p>The professor’s spare form seemed to dilate with scientific zeal, -and his eyes flashed as he commenced to speak.</p> - - <p>“To begin at the beginning,” he said. “I have had the idea in my -mind for some years, but until the last six months I saw no chance of -putting it into execution. Although my theory has been ridiculed and -laughed to scorn by most, if not all, of my colleagues, yet I am still -convinced that it is not only feasible, but that it is the only way in -which the secret of the Pole, so jealously guarded by Dame Nature, may -be wrested from her grasp.</p> - - <p>“This was my line of reasoning: that it would be possible for a -properly equipped submarine vessel to dive beneath the great ice -barrier, and so reach the open sea which we know exists beyond. But -the submarines of the day were in no way suitable for the attempt. -Mere toys in size, and in some instances proving veritable death-traps -to their unfortunate crews, of what use were these to cope with the -perils of the Arctic seas? So my theory remained dormant until, some -weeks ago, I received a letter from Garth Hilton. You remember what a -fellow Garth always was for making model boats?”</p> - - <p>Seymour nodded affirmatively.</p> - - <p>“Well,” Mervyn continued, “it seems that he has had his old -school chum, Tom Wilson, the engineer, staying with him at Hilton -Manor for several months, and between them they have managed to -construct a submarine, which, if it but answer their expectations, -will prove the very thing I have been waiting for all these years. -This is Garth’s description of his craft,” and, extracting a letter -from the depths of a bulky note-book, Mervyn read as follows:</p> - - <p>“Total length, three hundred and fifty feet; beam, fifty feet; -torpedo-shaped, with turret or wheelhouse, from which the vessel is -governed, in centre of deck. Tanks for submerging or raising; air -reservoirs for supply whilst beneath the surface; liquid air engines, -a patent of Wilson’s, maximum speed of which is forty-five knots per -hour upon the surface, and thirty submerged.”</p> - - <p>“Whew!” The professor’s companion whistled in his astonishment at -this last statement.</p> - - <p>“Liquid air engines!” he said. “Why, I always thought that liquid -air was a powerful explosive agent?”</p> - - <p>“True,” returned Mervyn; “but you must also remember that steam -becomes an explosive when compressed, as witness the recent boiler -explosion, so that is no argument against the use of liquid air as a -propelling power.”</p> - - <p>“But I don’t quite see——” the baronet began in a -puzzled tone.</p> - - <p>“Let me try to make it clear to you,” interrupted Mervyn. “Though -but eighteen, young Tom Wilson is already recognised as an authority -on the subject of liquid air and its capabilities as a propelling -agent. As you will recollect, his father was a famous engineer, and -the family talent appears to have descended to the lad.</p> - - <p>“Ever since he left school Tom has been working on his engines, -lack of funds alone preventing him from perfecting them before now. -With financial aid from Garth, however, he has at last been enabled to -complete them, and I give you my word they are the finest set of -engines I have ever been privileged to examine.</p> - - <p>“The huge boiler is somewhat similar in shape to that of an -ordinary marine engine, but is much larger, and contains a number of -immense tubes, in which is stored the liquefied air. From these the -stuff works direct upon the powerful cylinders. Heat, of course, is -entirely unnecessary; in fact, it would shatter the whole affair to -atoms, liquid air being many degrees colder than ice.</p> - - <p>“The first two gallons of the stuff cost Garth six hundred pounds -to make; but there the expense ends, the engines drawing their own -supplies from the air as they work.”</p> - - <p>“Wonderful!” Seymour cried; “and the vessel does forty-five knots -to the hour, you say? What will the world think of it when the news -becomes public?”</p> - - <p>“The news will never become public,” retorted the scientist, “if -we can avoid it. Garth has taken the greatest care to prevent the -facts leaking out. All his workers are picked men, and have been sworn -to secrecy with regard to the nature of the vessel upon which they are -engaged.”</p> - - <p>“It will leak out,” asserted Seymour, “despite his precautions. A -thing of that sort cannot remain a secret long. The very secrecy will -attract the attention of the curiously inclined.”</p> - - <p>“Exactly,” returned Mervyn, “that is what we are afraid of. -Already, it seems, some hint of the matter has reached the Continent, -in spite of Garth’s care. Two days ago I ran down to the Manor to look -over the boat ere the final details were completed, and while there, -Garth called my attention to a couple of suspicious-looking -characters—foreigners, evidently—who, he said, had been -hanging round the village for some days. Still, I think there is -little to fear. The dock where the submarine floats is guarded night -and day.”</p> - - <p>The scientist refolded the inventor’s letter, and replaced it, -ere resuming the conversation.</p> - - <p>“Of course, what I have read to you is a very bald statement of -the facts. When I went down I confess I was surprised at the singular -beauty of the craft. She is built of steel throughout, and furnished -in a most luxurious manner; in fact, she must have cost Garth a -fortune.”</p> - - <p>“When do you start?” questioned Seymour.</p> - - <p>“Within three days,” was the answer, “if the trial trip proves -satisfactory. You will come down for that, I suppose? Then there is -the affair of the christening to be gone through—we have not yet -decided on a name for the vessel.”</p> - - <p>“There will be room for a weapon or two, I suppose? I should feel -lost without my guns.”</p> - - <p>“Bring a whole armoury if you like,” replied Mervyn, smiling, -“though I doubt if you will find much scope for your sporting -instincts in the icy realms of the north. There is a special chamber -fitted up as an armoury aboard the vessel, and there are racks in the -turret in which a few weapons will be kept in case of emergency. Oh, I -forgot to tell you—Silas is coming.”</p> - - <p>“What!” cried Seymour, “Silas Haverly? That’s good. He’s always -ready for any adventure that may turn up. Is he down at Hilton -now?”</p> - - <p>“No,” returned the scientist; “he goes down to-morrow.”</p> - - <p>He pulled out his watch as he spoke.</p> - - <p>“By Jove!” he cried, “I’ve only twenty minutes to catch the -express. Are you coming down with me?”</p> - - <p>“Yes,” returned the other. “I’ll just leave word for my traps to -be sent on, and then I’m with you.”</p> - - <p>Three minutes later the two men passed out of the hotel entrance, -and, entering a cab, were driven rapidly away into the night.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_01" style="color: black">CHAPTER I.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>AT THE MERCY OF CONSPIRATORS.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">S<span class="smtx">ILAS</span> K. H<span class="smtx">AVERLY</span>, millionaire and explorer, settled himself -comfortably back in the corner of a first-class smoker. He had ten -minutes to wait ere the express—which was to bear him sixty -miles across country to Stanwich, the nearest station to Garth -Hilton’s place—was timed to start.</p> - - <p>To look at him no one would ever have imagined that he was the -owner of a colossal fortune—one of the railway kings of America. -Yet such he was. Starting at the very foot of Fortune’s ladder, he had -worked his way upward, until he owned the greater part of the vast -network of rails upon which he had worked as a boy.</p> - - <p>A wiry figure of a man he was, with endurance written all over -him. He had a cool, determined face, and the firm set of his chin -revealed the dogged resolution which had enabled him to amass one of -the largest fortunes in the world. Altogether, he was not a man with -whom one would care to trifle.</p> - - <p>“H’m!” he muttered, blowing a cloud of smoke from a fragrant -cigar, “I guess I’m having it all to myself this trip.”</p> - - <p>Indeed, it did seem as though he was to travel alone, for the -time of departure arrived, and all the passengers appeared to have -taken their places. There was a whistle from the guard, a warning -shriek from the engine, then the iron monster began to glide out of -the station. As it did so, two men rushed across the platform, flung -open the door of Haverly’s compartment, and, despite the cries of the -officials to “Stand back,” precipitated themselves into the -carriage.</p> - - <p>“Only just in time,” one of them said with an oath, as he slammed -to the door behind him; “it would have been all up with the scheme if -we had missed this train, for——”</p> - - <p>He broke off short as he became aware of the presence of Haverly, -and took his seat, scowling darkly at the American, who appeared to be -blissfully unconscious of the existence of his fellow-travellers.</p> - - <p>Yet already the Yankee had “sized up” the twain as a pair of -rascally adventurers who would stick at nothing to secure the success -of their plans. That they were engaged in some nefarious scheme seemed -plain from the few words that one had let slip as he entered, and the -millionaire wondered what could be the nature of their enterprise.</p> - - <p>In low tones the two conversed as the train sped over the -gleaming rails, rapidly leaving the brick and mortar tentacles of the -London octopus behind. Through the smiling countryside the express -flew, belching forth a blighting, poisonous cloud of smoke, which hung -for a time almost motionless, ere dissolving into the atmosphere, so -still was the evening air.</p> - - <p>The first stop was at Granley, and here Haverly’s companions -alighted.</p> - - <p>“I wonder what their dodge is?” the millionaire muttered, as they -passed down the platform; then an exclamation escaped him.</p> - - <p>Just beneath the seat where the two men had been sitting lay a -crumpled sheet of paper. Promptly Haverly secured this.</p> - - <p>It was a letter. He opened it out quickly, and the first word to -catch his eye was “<i>submarine”!</i></p> - - <p>Instantly his alert brain grasped the significance of the -discovery. He connected it immediately with a message he had received -from Hilton some days previously, referring to the suspicious -characters hanging about the vicinity of the Manor, and to the fear -that an attempt might be made to steal the boat. At the time he had -dismissed the idea as absurd, but now——! Without further -scruple, he proceeded to make himself master of the contents of the -letter.</p> - - <p>It was brief, but very much to the point, running thus:</p> - - <p class="letter">“D<span class="smtx">EAR FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE</span>,—It is imperative that the affair be carried -out without delay, as we are advised that the expedition starts within -two days. Once the vessel leaves the dock, not all the plotting in the -world could ever give us possession of her. Therefore it remains for -you, my friend, to carry out your part of the programme with all -speed. You must gain possession of the submarine to-night. Let nothing -hinder you. We hear that Hilton Manor is a lonely house, and four -determined men, well armed, should be able to overcome all resistance -offered by the inventor and his friends. What matter a few lives more -or less, so that our plan succeeds and we attain our object? The -<i>Night Hawk</i> will await you at the appointed spot, outside the -bay. <i>We remind you of the penalty of failure!”</i></p> - - <p>That was all, but it was enough to startle even the cool-blooded -Yankee for a moment.</p> - - <p>The missive was practically the death-warrant of his friends down -at Hilton, who were even now preparing for departure on their North -Polar trip. Hastily he placed the incriminating sheet in his breast -pocket, wondering the while why the conspirators had left the train, -instead of going straight through to Stanwich.</p> - - <p>Hardly had the thought crossed his mind ere the twain reappeared, -and climbed into the carriage. Haverly noted with secret satisfaction -that they seemed strangely uneasy, glancing about as though searching -for something.</p> - - <p>“Lost anything?” he inquired casually, as the train moved off -again.</p> - - <p>“No,” one of them snarled, but the look with which he favoured -the American made that gentleman glad that he carried a six-shooter in -his pocket. Ere long the express was once more racing over the country -at sixty miles an hour.</p> - - <p>The millionaire’s scoundrelly companions seemed by this time to -have given up their search, for they settled themselves back against -the cushions, muttering together in low tones, which the roar of the -train completely drowned. Haverly, whilst apparently studying the -flying landscape, contrived to keep his eye upon the pair, who had -evidently made up their minds that their fellow-traveller had picked -up their lost letter.</p> - - <p>At length one of them addressed the American.</p> - - <p>“Could you oblige me with a match?” he asked. He produced a -cigar-case as he spoke, and extracted one of the three cigars -within.</p> - - <p>“Pleasure,” muttered the Yankee briefly, offering his match-box -with his left hand, while his right closed menacingly about the haft -of the weapon in his pocket.</p> - - <p>“Thanks,” returned the stranger, “can I offer you a cigar?” and -he passed over his case, from which Haverly selected a weed.</p> - - <p>Some thought of drugged cigars flashed over the Yankee’s mind, -but he dismissed the idea, arguing to himself that the adventurers -could not have foreseen the loss of their letter, so could not have -prepared for it. Yet this good-fellowship did not deceive the -millionaire for a moment. That there was some purpose in the -conspirators’ action he did not doubt; but it would never do to let -the fellows think he feared them. Therefore, keeping a wary eye upon -the movements of the twain, he withdrew his hand from his pocket and -proceeded to light up.</p> - - <p>He was holding a match to the end of the cigar when the -stranger’s hand shot out suddenly.</p> - - <p>Match and cigar were dashed from Haverly’s lips, and a rag, -soaked with some sickly-smelling chemical, was pressed over his mouth -and nose. Holding his breath, he struggled to remove the suffocating -thing, mad that he should have been caught napping when he imagined -himself on the alert for an attack. With all his might he strove, but -the second conspirator came to the aid of his friend, pinioning -Haverly’s arms, and soon the chloroform did its work. Helpless and -unconscious, the Yankee sank back on to the cushions; and while the -express still rattled on at full speed, the two ruffians went through -their victim’s pockets.</p> - - <p>Everything they replaced save the letter they had taken so much -trouble to secure, despising the American’s cash as game too much -beneath them. With repeated applications of the chloroform rag, they -kept Haverly unconscious until the train reached Stanwich. Almost ere -it came to a standstill, they alighted, and, supporting their victim -between them, led him to a train waiting alongside the opposite -platform.</p> - - <p>Into one of the carriages of this they hustled him. Then, while -one remained in the carriage, the other moved off to the -booking-office, returning presently with a ticket, which he fixed -prominently in the American’s hat-band. Very few people were upon the -platform, and doubtless those that observed the movements of the -conspirators thought that their unconscious companion was drunk.</p> - - <p>A final application of the rag, and the scoundrels left the -carriage, closing the door upon the sleeping figure of the -millionaire.</p> - - <p>Within a few moments the latter was whirling northward, leaving -further and further behind him each instant the men who were -commissioned to rob his friend of the fruits of his genius, and -perhaps of his life.</p> - - <p>With every mile the train advanced the Yankee’s chances of -warning Garth lessened.</p> - - <p>An hour passed ere he recovered from the stupefying effects of -the drug, and by that time he was forty odd miles from Stanwich.</p> - - <p>At first his numbed brain refused to grasp the situation, but, as -his faculties recovered their normal condition, the recollection of -all that had transpired swept upon him. Inwardly cursing himself for -his folly, he moved to the window and gazed out.</p> - - <p>But the landscape, over which night was fast settling, presented -no familiar features. He pulled out his watch, and by the lateness of -the hour, he knew that he must be far from his destination.</p> - - <p>Suddenly the reflection in the window of his hat and its -pasteboard ornament caught his eye.</p> - - <p>He pulled out the ticket. It was for Carnmoor, a place he had -never before heard of.</p> - - <p>“They meant to get me far enough out of the way,” he growled -savagely. “If it hadn’t been for this the officials would have turned -me out at the first place they took tickets,” and he crumpled the -offending card in his hand. The slowing down of the train caused him -to glance once more through the glass. Soon they swept into a station. -The glimmering gas-jets, shining feebly through the gathering dusk, -revealed the name of the place.</p> - - <p>The conspirators had timed his recovery to a nicety. It was -Carnmoor! Hardly waiting for the motion of the carriages to cease, -Haverly leapt out, and made straight for the telegraph office.</p> - - <p>If he could not warn his friends in person, he could wire -them.</p> - - <p>Rushing into the office, the American startled the sleepy -operator by bawling for a form.</p> - - <p>“Tick that off,” he cried, after he had scribbled a message, “and -lively,” and over the wires there flashed this warning:</p> - - <p><i>“Danger! For God’s sake, beware. Plan to capture the submarine -to-night. Will explain when I come.—Haverly.”</i></p> - - <p>Somewhat easier in his mind, the millionaire strolled forth to -inquire about the next train to Stanwich.</p> - - <p>“There ain’t none,” was the brusque reply of the porter he -questioned, who appeared to be the only specimen of that genus upon -the station.</p> - - <p>“Then I guess I must have a special,” returned Haverly. “Where’s -your boss?”</p> - - <p>“Here he comes,” was the response, as the station-master -approached. “This gent wants a special, Mister Burnside.”</p> - - <p>“Special, eh?” remarked the official; “it’ll cost you sixty -pound.”</p> - - <p>“If it cost six hundred I should have to have one,” returned the -millionaire. “I haven’t the dollars with me, but I can give you a -cheque.”</p> - - <p>“Cheque!” exclaimed the station-master scornfully. “I ain’t -taking no risks. How do I know as the bank would honour it? Nice sight -I’d look with a cheque as wasn’t worth the paper it’s wrote on, and -the comp’ny coming down on me for sixty quid. What say, William?”</p> - - <p>The porter agreed heartily with this verdict of his chief.</p> - - <p>“Say,” put in Haverly, somewhat irritably, “here’s my card. I -reckon you’ve heard of me even in these God-forsaken parts. I’m Silas -K. Haverly, the millionaire.”</p> - - <p>The station-master took the proffered card, but without troubling -to read it, he placed a finger beside his nose and gently closed one -eye, which piece of dumb show greatly pleased the worthy William.</p> - - <p>“Well?” asked Haverly sharply.</p> - - <p>“You must think we’re green to swallow a yarn like that,” -retorted the official. “Do you think a bloomin’ millionaire would go -about without a few quid in his pocket?”</p> - - <p>At that moment the <i>phut! phut!</i> of a motor sounded from -without the station gates, and a car pulled up at the entrance.</p> - - <p>“Hullo! Doctor Oswyn,” cried the station-master, as a tall, -good-looking young fellow loomed through the gloom; “here’s a fellow -as professes to be Haverly, the American millionaire.”</p> - - <p>“And so he is, you thundering blockhead!” cried the newcomer, as -he gripped the Yankee’s hand.</p> - - <p>“Frank!” exclaimed the latter, returning the pressure; “this is -great!”</p> - - <p>“Whatever brings you to this hole, Silas?” Oswyn asked.</p> - - <p>Withdrawing beyond earshot of the astounded porter and his -equally astonished chief, Haverly gave his friend a brief outline of -his adventures in the express.</p> - - <p>“I can go one better than a special,” averred Oswyn; “my car’s -outside, ready for a run; come along; we’ll be at Hilton in about an -hour.”</p> - - <p>“That’s the style!” cried Haverly. “I’ll be a heap in your debt -for this, Frank.”</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_02" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER II.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>HOW HAVERLY FOILED THE BOAT-STEALERS.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">W<span class="smtx">ITHIN</span> a few seconds -the two men were flying between the hedges of a country road, with the -powerful engines of Oswyn’s “Panhard” throbbing beneath them.</p> - - <p>“Say,” the Yankee asked, after a few moments’ travelling, “how -far do you reckon it?”</p> - - <p>“About forty-five miles to Hilton Manor,” was the response.</p> - - <p>“What speed have you got on?” was Haverly’s next question.</p> - - <p>“Forty,” returned Oswyn.</p> - - <p>“I guess she’ll do better than that. Chuck the lever over.”</p> - - <p>“It’s risky in the dark,” warned Oswyn, yet he obeyed his -companion’s order notwithstanding. Beneath the added power the car -leapt forward like a thing of life, her monstrous headlights glaring -through the gloom like the eyes of some huge animal. Her every bolt -and rivet quivered and sang with the throbbing of the mighty -cylinders.</p> - - <p>She was a veritable projectile, yet the doctor’s hand was as -steady as a rock as he gripped the wheel. Presently Haverly consulted -his watch.</p> - - <p>“Is she doing all she knows?” he asked.</p> - - <p>“Every inch,” was the reply. “Great Scott! You surely don’t want -her to do any more? We’re going over fifty now. What would happen if -we struck an obstruction?”</p> - - <p>The American smiled grimly.</p> - - <p>“I guess we’re going to strike nothing this side of Hilton,” he -remarked. “We’ll do the striking when we arrive.”</p> - - <p>Round sharp corners they whirled on two wheels, the other pair -high in the air. A hundred times the car seemed like to overturn, yet -somehow the catastrophe which appeared inevitable never happened. -Always, at the last moment, Oswyn’s consummate skill and his knowledge -of the road saved the situation.</p> - - <p>The dark stretch of road trailed swiftly away behind them as the -moments flew by, and once again Haverly drew forth his watch.</p> - - <p>“How much further?” he questioned.</p> - - <p>“Nearly there,” his friend replied. He shut off the power as he -spoke, and the car, rounding a curve by its own momentum, came to a -standstill before a massive pair of iron gates, flanked by a -lodge.</p> - - <p>Leaping out, the millionaire pulled the great bell-handle which -hung down from the pillar.</p> - - <p>Ere the clanging of the bell had ceased, the door of the lodge -opened, and the keeper stepped out, carrying a lantern.</p> - - <p>“What do you want?” he asked suspiciously, throwing the light -upon the two men and the motionless car.</p> - - <p>“Open the gates,” Haverly demanded. “I must see your master at -once. I’m Haverly.”</p> - - <p>“You might be, but then again you mightn’t,” was the dubious -reply. “Anyway, I’ve got strict orders to keep a sharp look-out for -anybody suspicious-looking.”</p> - - <p>“You darned fool!” cried the Yankee, “do you size me up as a -suspicious party?”</p> - - <p>“Orders is orders,” retorted the man sullenly, without budging an -inch.</p> - - <p>“Say, Frank,” Haverly said, “give us a leg up, will you? This -fool means to keep us out here all night.”</p> - - <p>With the aid of his friend, Silas swarmed over the barrier, and -dropped lightly down on the other side. Quickly he flung open the -gates, and the next moment the car was spinning up the drive, leaving -the lodge-keeper staring blankly after it.</p> - - <p>“It’s agin orders,” he muttered at length, and, shaking his head -sagely, he closed the gates, and withdrew to his room.</p> - - <p>Up the broad, gravelled track Oswyn drove the automobile, at a -speed that made the shrubs which bordered the drive dance past in one -dark line.</p> - - <p>Soon the lights of the Manor gleamed before them, and from afar -the sound of the sea came to their ears.</p> - - <p>Bringing the car to a standstill before the porch, the doctor -sprang out, followed by his friend.</p> - - <p>“I guess we’re in time,” Haverly said. “You’ll see this through, -Frank?”</p> - - <p>“Rather!” replied the young doctor enthusiastically. “We’d better -take a look round before we make an entrance.”</p> - - <p>Leaving the car where it stood, the two men crept round to the -rear of the building.</p> - - <p>The light, streaming through the open French windows of the -dining-room, attracted their attention, and Oswyn with difficulty -stifled an exclamation of rage as, crossing the lawn, they peered -in.</p> - - <p>Within sat Seymour, the inventor, and Mervyn, before a table -which still held the remnants of a meal; but each was bound securely -to his chair and gagged.</p> - - <p>In one corner of the room stood Haverly’s two companions of the -express, and with them two others, one in the dress of a footman. They -were conversing in low tones, and at intervals a gleam of metal -beneath the electric light showed that all were armed.</p> - - <p>“Well, gentlemen,” one of them said at length, addressing the -helpless trio, “I think we may venture to leave you. You will be -perfectly safe for the night, but I am afraid your proposed Polar -expedition will have to be indefinitely postponed.”</p> - - <p>The scoundrel’s words floated distinctly to the ears of the -watchers, and Oswyn was seized with a mad desire to rush in upon the -plotters. Haverly restrained him, however.</p> - - <p>“Got a gun?” he questioned hoarsely.</p> - - <p>“No,” was the reply, “worse luck.”</p> - - <p>“Wal, I guess we can’t tackle the hull crowd with only one -shooter. See here: I’m going to skid down to the dock, an’ if I don’t -get the drop on ’em before long, my name ain’t Si. K. Haverly!”</p> - - <p>“But where do I come in?” asked the doctor.</p> - - <p>“You stay right here,” replied Haverly, “until them greasers come -out, then you can nip in an’ unfix our pards.”</p> - - <p>“Couldn’t we rush ’em?” suggested Oswyn eagerly.</p> - - <p>“If you want a couple of funerals knockin’ around,” returned the -millionaire grimly. “No, my son, you take it from me, it’s best to -play a waiting game.”</p> - - <p>“Very well,” assented Oswyn, “get off down to the dock; I’ll wait -here.”</p> - - <p>At that the Yankee turned, and vanished into the darkness of the -surrounding shrubbery.</p> - - <p>For ten minutes Oswyn waited outside the window, then the four -scoundrels filed out, the footman switching off the light ere he -left.</p> - - <p>“Good-night, gentlemen,” he called mockingly, as he closed the -window behind him, and it was all Oswyn could do to restrain the hot -rage which rose within him, prompting him to knock the rascal down as -he passed. But he controlled himself by a strong effort, and the four -plotters, striding over the lawn, passed down the drive towards the -dock gates. These the footman opened with one of a bunch of keys, and -the quartette passed through into the yard.</p> - - <p>Around them, wrapped in darkness, lay the great workshops, -wherein the various sections of the marvellous submarine had taken -shape.</p> - - <p>Past these deserted buildings—which but lately had rung -with stroke upon stroke of the workmen’s hammers—they went, -under the guidance of the footman, until they stood beside the great -dock, wherein lay floating the craft they had dared so much to -obtain.</p> - - <p>Producing an electric lantern, the footman cast its beams over -the gleaming hull of the vessel.</p> - - <p>“Wonderful!” the conspirators cried, as their eyes drank in the -singular beauty of the boat. For a few moments they stood lost in -admiration. On the quay alongside stood the piles of stores, awaiting -shipment on the morrow, should the trial trip prove satisfactory, and -the sight of them reminded the leader that that vessel was not yet -theirs.</p> - - <p>“Aboard with you,” he cried, and led the way over the -gangway.</p> - - <p>His two colleagues followed, leaving the footman on the quay.</p> - - <p>A moment later a blaze of light came from the turret of the -submarine.</p> - - <p>The boat-stealers had switched on the great searchlight which -topped the turret of the vessel, and its beams illumined the whole -dockyard.</p> - - <p>“Sharp there, Benson!” the leader called, and at the words the -footman moved to a great winch, which stood beside the dock.</p> - - <p>Putting forth his whole strength, he commenced to turn the -handle, thus opening the gates of the dock, and making a free passage -for the submarine to the North Sea.</p> - - <p>The plotters had chosen their time well, for the tide was at its -flood. Casting off the mooring ropes, the footman leapt aboard, and -passed down the steps to the engine-room.</p> - - <p>Three minutes later the submarine crept out into the bay upon -which the dock gave. The object of the conspirators’ plotting had been -attained; the scheme was a gigantic success.</p> - - <p>The three scoundrels were not a little pleased with themselves as -the boat glided swiftly across the bay under the guidance of the -leader.</p> - - <p>They jested and laughed, flavouring their conversation with many -an oath, as they pictured to their own delight the mortification of -the inventor, whose craft they had stolen.</p> - - <p>Their mirth would perhaps have been less hilarious had they noted -the grim figure creeping along the corridor below, towards the foot of -the steps.</p> - - <p>“Jesting apart,” said the leader at length, “it’s a marvellous -vessel. With this craft, armed in an up-to-date manner, we shall have -the shipping of the entire world at our mercy. Not a warship on the -seas will be able to resist us.”</p> - - <p>“For which we have to thank our estimable friend, the inventor,” -returned one of his companions with a grin.</p> - - <p>At that moment there came a flash, twice repeated, from the -darkness far ahead.</p> - - <p>“The <i>Night Hawk!</i>” cried the leader; “it -is——”</p> - - <p>“Checkmate, gentlemen,” drawled a quiet voice behind them.</p> - - <p>At the words the three turned, to look into the gleaming barrel -of Haverly’s revolver.</p> - - <p>“Hands up, you scoundrels!” he cried.</p> - - <p>“Ah! would you?”</p> - - <p>This last to the leader, who, with a savage oath, had made a grab -for his breast pocket.</p> - - <p>A vicious spurt of flame leapt from the millionaire’s weapon, and -as the report rang through the turret, the fellow fell back with a -shattered wrist.</p> - - <p>“Out west,” snapped the Yankee, “when I say put ’em up, they -generally calculate to put ’em up at once! I shouldn’t advise you to -play tricks; this gun’s kinder impatient, and might go off again. Say, -sonny! Just grab them spokes, and turn her round for the dock.”</p> - - <p>The scoundrel addressed moved trembling to the wheel, and, under -the watchful eye of the American, brought the submarine round.</p> - - <p>“That’s the style,” Haverly said, “keep her there. I reckon -you’re in for a warm time when Mr. Hilton gets hold of you. You should -never attempt to run a picnic of this sort; it needs brains, -gentlemen, and——”</p> - - <p>What Silas would have said further will never be known, for he -broke off suddenly and ducked, just in time to escape a bullet from -the revolver of the footman, who, aroused by the Yankee’s shot, had -crept from the engine-room.</p> - - <p>Quick as thought Haverly’s weapon answered, and the footman, with -a neat little hole in the centre of his forehead, dropped like a -log.</p> - - <p>“Any more comin’ along?” Silas asked coolly; but the scoundrels -had no heart left for resistance.</p> - - <p>“Get down to the engine-room, you there,” the millionaire -continued. “Drop your barker first; that’s better. Now slope, an’ -let’s have no tricks, or you’ll get hurt.”</p> - - <p>Like a beaten hound, the fellow slunk below, never attempting to -possess himself of the dead footman’s revolver, which lay beside the -corpse.</p> - - <p>The American was master of the situation.</p> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0.4em;">* * * * * *</p> - - <p>As the sound of the plotters’ footsteps died away, Oswyn flung -open the window of the dining-room and rushed in.</p> - - <p>One moment he fumbled for the switch, the next, a dazzling flood -of light poured into the room.</p> - - <p>Before the three bound men had recovered from their surprise at -his unexpected appearance, Oswyn had cut their bonds and removed the -gags.</p> - - <p>“Where have you sprung from, Frank?” cried the inventor, stamping -about the room in his efforts to restore the circulation to his numbed -limbs.</p> - - <p>Briefly the doctor told him of his fortunate meeting with Haverly -at Carnmoor, and the succeeding events.</p> - - <p>As he finished speaking, Seymour left the room, returning in a -moment with a brace of revolvers.</p> - - <p>“Come,” he cried, “we may yet be in time to take a hand in the -game.”</p> - - <p>Out into the night the four men plunged, and raced down to the -dockyard; but they were a few moments too late. The submarine had -gone.</p> - - <p>The shock of this discovery stunned them for a time.</p> - - <p>They had counted on Haverly keeping the scoundrels from boarding -the vessel; but it seemed clear to them that their American friend had -failed in his undertaking, and had paid the penalty of his daring.</p> - - <p>“Silas must have got wiped out,” Oswyn muttered sadly; “he would -never have let them get possession of her otherwise,” in which -statement, as the reader knows, Frank was mistaken.</p> - - <p>“What’s the next move?” Seymour asked. “Your craft’s too swift to -think of pursuit, I suppose?”</p> - - <p>“It’s hopeless to think of recovering her,” returned the -inventor. “What’s that?”</p> - - <p>A brilliant light had flashed over the dark waters of the -bay.</p> - - <p>“There she is!” Mervyn cried, and an instant later the -torpedo-shaped craft became visible to each of the watchers.</p> - - <p>But her movements puzzled them; she appeared to be making for the -dock entrance.</p> - - <p>Slowly she crept forward, seeming to feel her way as she -advanced, until the four standing on the quay could make out the three -forms in her turret.</p> - - <p>Then comprehension burst upon them!</p> - - <p>“Good old Silas!” cried Seymour; “he’s got the drop on our bold -conspirators this time.”</p> - - <p>Garth laughed boisterously in his rapture at the recovery of his -invention.</p> - - <p>Through the dock gates the vessel crept to her old mooring-place. -Almost ere the engines had ceased to throb, the four had leapt aboard, -and were crowding into the turret.</p> - - <p>Within a few moments the two uninjured rascals and their wounded -chief were securely trussed, and locked away in one of the workshops, -there to await removal to the local jail.</p> - - <p>The body of the footman was laid upon the quay and covered with a -sheet. Only when these matters were attended to would the American -satisfy the curiosity of his friends as to the manner in which he had -managed to turn the tables upon the boat-stealers.</p> - - <p>“Where’s your watchman?” he asked, after dismissing the subject -in half a dozen pithy sentences.</p> - - <p>“You’ve locked him up,” Garth returned; “it was the fellow who -steered you in. He must have been heavily bribed by the plotters. Had -Wilson been here, this would not have happened, for he has been -guarding the boat himself at night.”</p> - - <p>“Where’s he gone?” asked the doctor.</p> - - <p>“Down home,” was the reply, “to say good-bye to his people. We -thought of starting at midnight to-morrow, but, of course, this -job”—pointing to the corpse of the footman—“will delay us -for several days. There will have to be an inquest, and no end of fuss -before we can get away.”</p> - - <p>“I wish I were coming with you,” Oswyn said impulsively.</p> - - <p>“I wish you were, old chap,” Garth agreed; “but I suppose it’s -impossible?”</p> - - <p>“Utterly,” replied the doctor; “the practice would go to beggary -were I away for a month or two, just now. All the same, you have my -best wishes for the success of your trip. May you return safe and -sound!”</p> - - <p>“Thanks, old man; I sincerely hope we shall.”</p> - - <p>Moving to the winch, Garth closed the gates of the dock; then, -leaving the Yankee, at his own request, on guard, the rest of the -party adjourned to the house to finish their interrupted meal, and to -seek a much-needed rest.</p> - - <p>As they went, the inventor pondered over an idea of -Haverly’s.</p> - - <p>“Say, Garth,” the millionaire had remarked, as the party passed -out of the yard, “if you’re wanting a name for your boat, I guess you -might do worse than call it the <i>Seal.</i>”</p> - - <p>“<i>Seal</i> it shall be,” Garth muttered to himself, and so it -was.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_03" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER III.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>BEYOND THE GREAT BARRIER.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">T<span class="smtx">HE</span> <i>Seal</i> sped -swiftly over the rolling waves of the northern seas, her whole hull -vibrating with the throb of her powerful engines.</p> - - <p>Her inventor, a huge cigar between his lips, lounged over the -rail which surrounded the vessel’s deck, scarce seeming to feel the -bite of the keen wind as he gazed dreamily into the distance.</p> - - <p>At the wheel, his wiry hands holding the polished spokes in an -iron grip, stood the American, his watchful eye fixed upon the masses -of ice which rolled and wallowed around the vessel.</p> - - <p>The explorers had been glad to don their heaviest furs, but found -even the thickest of them poor enough protection against the icy -breath of the Frost King; yet they were occasionally obliged to have -the turret door open, despite the cold, when the renewal of the air -supply became a necessity.</p> - - <p>Two months had passed since the events recorded in our last -chapter; the first part of the voyage had been almost completed, and -the <i>Seal</i> was rapidly nearing the great barrier, beneath which -she was to dive to the North Pole.</p> - - <p>It was the Arctic summer; but little of summer was visible in the -gloomy scene around; and above a leaden canopy of a sky hung, grey, -dismal, and depressing.</p> - - <p>For three days the sun had not appeared, and there was every -indication of a heavy snowstorm ere long.</p> - - <p>Little the party cared for this, however; storm or shine, within -twelve hours they would know the result of their quest; would know -whether the professor’s theory was a fact or a delusion, and all were -eagerly awaiting the moment of decision.</p> - - <p>Here, amid the towering crags of the icebergs, some hardy seafowl -wheeled, uttering at intervals a shrill shriek of defiance; there a -seal, waiting until the submarine had approached to within a few yards -of the ice-floe on which it lay, would dive with scarce a splash into -the swelling green waters. But beyond these no sign of life was -visible.</p> - - <p>Unless there was more game in the realms they expected to find -beyond the barrier, Seymour’s weapons were like to grow rusty through -disuse. Suddenly a cry came from Garth:</p> - - <p>“The barrier! At last!”</p> - - <p>The <i>Seal,</i> obeying a slight movement of her wheel, had -rounded a monster berg, and ahead, many miles distant yet, but looming -nearer with every yard the vessel advanced, rose the towering peaks of -the barrier ice, the grim and silent guardians of the secret of the -Pole.</p> - - <p>Crag upon crag, pinnacle after pinnacle, they towered, glittering -with an unearthly brilliance, through the rarefied air of these high -altitudes.</p> - - <p>The inventor’s shout brought Seymour and the scientist up, and -out on deck in an instant.</p> - - <p>One glimpse they got of the marvellous range of ice mountains, -then a giant berg floated across the line of vision.</p> - - <p>“Ugh!” the Professor shivered, “let’s get inside. It’s too cold -to stand out here.”</p> - - <p>Forthwith the three passed into the turret, and closed the door. -As they did so, a score of feathery flakes drifted across the vessel’s -deck.</p> - - <p>“Snow!” cried the baronet.</p> - - <p>Ere a moment had passed, the submarine was surrounded by a -dazzling white veil, through which it was impossible to see more than -a few yards ahead.</p> - - <p>“Better submerge her,” Garth said; “we shall be less likely to -collide with any of the bergs beneath the surface. This smother is -worse than a London fog.”</p> - - <p>He touched a button on the switchboard beside the wheel as he -spoke, and instantly the throb of the pumps sounded through the -vessel, and she began to sink.</p> - - <p>Soon, with her searchlight gleaming brightly before her, she was -gliding swiftly along beneath the surface.</p> - - <p>The water was filled with life: hundreds of strange fish flashed -past the turret, their gleaming eyes reflecting the electric rays in a -myriad rainbow hues.</p> - - <p>Once or twice, through the grey-green water, came the ghostly -shimmer of ice, as some berg trailed into view, to be left rapidly -behind.</p> - - <p>So for an hour the <i>Seal</i> moved onward; then the searchlight -gleamed on a glistening white wall some distance ahead.</p> - - <p>The inventor grasped the telephone, which communicated with the -engine-room.</p> - - <p>“Stop your engines,” he called, “and sink her.”</p> - - <p>“Right you are,” came the answer.</p> - - <p>Gliding gently forward by her own momentum, as the propellers -ceased to revolve, the <i>Seal</i> nosed almost up to the edge of the -barrier; then she sank slowly, her crew keeping a sharp look-out for -an opening in the grim wall.</p> - - <p>Fifty—sixty—eighty fathoms she sank, and still the -ice glittered before her. A hundred—and still no opening, and -Mervyn’s face grew strained and white as the moments sped by.</p> - - <p>What if the base of the great ice barrier rested upon the ocean -bed? What if it were not a floating chain of ice mountains, as he -believed, but an immovable line of cliffs, their icy feet gripping the -sandy bed of the Polar Sea?</p> - - <p>Such might easily be the case; and if so, what then?</p> - - <p>Ay! what then?</p> - - <p>The scientist answered the question for himself.</p> - - <p>A humiliating retreat from the barrier which had battled them; a -still more humiliating return to their native shore, there to endure -the scoffs and sneers of every dabbler in science who could put pen to -paper.</p> - - <p>He had staked so much on the outcome of this expedition. His very -reputation trembled in the balance. Never again would he be able to -lift his head among his rivals, should this, his pet theory, prove a -delusion.</p> - - <p>Still lower the submarine sank, and no sign was there of an -ending of the ice; lower, every plate in her hull creaking beneath the -enormous pressure.</p> - - <p>Mervyn glanced uneasily at Garth.</p> - - <p>“Will she stand it?” he asked, in a hoarse whisper. The inventor -consulted a small dial set in the turret wall.</p> - - <p>“Yes,” he replied; “she was built to stand greater pressure than -this.”</p> - - <p>“Thank heaven!” muttered the scientist. “You know what this means -to me, Garth? Failure spells ruin!”</p> - - <p>“We’re not going to fail,” Garth retorted, cheerfully; “we’ll -pull through if I have to blow the barrier into fragments first.”</p> - - <p>His hopeful words somewhat revived the drooping spirits of the -professor, and he turned once more to the window with renewed -hope.</p> - - <p>But still no break appeared in the grim face of the -ice-cliffs.</p> - - <p>Caves there were in plenty, small openings worn in the ice by the -action of the water, but not one was large enough for the <i>Seal</i> -even to insert her nose; yet each of these Mervyn eyed anxiously as -the vessel sank past them, hoping to discover in one of them a passage -through the heart of the barrier.</p> - - <p>Then, amidst the creaking and groaning of the vessel, came a -slight shock, and she ceased to sink.</p> - - <p>“I guess we’ve struck bottom,” the Yankee said, glancing keenly -at Mervyn.</p> - - <p>He grasped the tube. “Ease her up half a dozen yards,” he called, -“and start your engines at four knots.”</p> - - <p>Almost ere he had ceased to speak, the <i>Seal</i> rose for a few -feet, until her keel no longer rested on the sand; her screw: -commenced to revolve, and, under the millionaire’s able guidance, she -crept slowly along the base of the ice-cliffs.</p> - - <p>Not a word passed between the occupants of her wheelhouse.</p> - - <p>Each was anxiously looking for an opening, even the cool-blooded -Yankee being somewhat concerned at this deadlock.</p> - - <p>As the moments went by without their hopes being realised, a fit -of gloomy depression swept over them all, which was lifted at length, -as a sharp cry broke from Seymour.</p> - - <p>“Look!”</p> - - <p>The submarine had crept round a great out-jutting spur of the -ice-cliffs, and before her, in the face of the glittering wall, loomed -a monstrous archway, full one hundred feet in width and almost as much -in height.</p> - - <p>Before this enormous cavern the millionaire brought the -<i>Seal</i> to, with her brow pointing directly into the darkness, -which even the rays of the searchlight failed to dispel for more than -a few yards distant.</p> - - <p>“I reckon we might do worse than try this,” he suggested.</p> - - <p>“Take her in,” Mervyn said eagerly; “there is a chance. We can -but return, should it prove to be a <i>cul-de-sac.”</i></p> - - <p>Forthwith the submarine passed cautiously through the archway -into the great domed chamber which opened beyond.</p> - - <p>Through this she crept, with searchlight flashing on the -alabaster walls, till a second archway loomed before her, smaller than -the first, yet wide enough to give her passage.</p> - - <p>Her pace within this narrow tunnel was scarcely a crawl, but no -faster dared Haverly drive her, lest, through the sudden narrowing of -the passage, she should collide with the ice.</p> - - <p>Two hours dragged by, and still the eternal ice gleamed around -them in dazzling monotony, and they grew sick of gazing upon its -never-ending sameness. Mervyn alone knew no weariness.</p> - - <p>Close to the glass he stood, his nervous hands clenching and -unclenching as he gazed ahead.</p> - - <p>Suddenly a glad cry pealed from his lips.</p> - - <p>“At last!”</p> - - <p>The ice tunnel had ended; the <i>Seal</i> had passed out into -open water.</p> - - <p>“Raise her,” roared the American down the tube. “I guess we’ve -struck the Polar Sea!”</p> - - <p>The scientist could scarcely control his eagerness as the -submarine slowly rose. Back and forth he paced, as the tinge of the -water without faded from deep green to grey. Then the dim light gave -way to a flood of brilliant sunshine, and Garth switched off the -searchlight, as the <i>Seal</i> emerged into the full glory of the -Northern sun.</p> - - <p>For here no leaden grey sky overhung the scene, but a pure blue -vault of matchless brilliance, its beauty unmarred by a single -cloud.</p> - - <p>As, in response to Haverly’s signal, the engines stopped, Mervyn -flung open the door, and a flood of bracing air poured into the -turret.</p> - - <p>Keen it was, but without the sting of the frost, and its -sharpness was tempered by the warming rays of the sun.</p> - - <p>Stepping out on to the wet and glistening deck, Silas moored the -vessel securely by her stern cable to a projecting pinnacle of ice, -then turned and gazed about them.</p> - - <p>Above rose the heights of the barrier range, towering peak above -peak for thousands of feet into the splendour of the Arctic sky; -before him, silent and deserted as a sea of the dead, rolled the -mighty waters of the Polar Sea.</p> - - <p>“Glorious!” breathed Mervyn rapturously. “Glorious!” and he -shaded his eyes from the glare of the sun, as he gazed in an ecstasy -of enthusiasm across the shimmering wave-crests.</p> - - <p>Then, from far away, came a low, rumbling roar, as of distant -thunder.</p> - - <p>“What was that?” the scientist asked sharply; “not thunder, -surely?”</p> - - <p>“Hardly,” returned Seymour; “but now let us turn in for a spell. -It’s been over forty-eight hours since we had a wink of sleep.”</p> - - <p>“You’re right, Seymour,” admitted the scientist; “do you all go -below for an hour or two. I will take the watch; I cannot sleep until -I know the result of our quest.”</p> - - <p>Despite the persuasions of his comrades, the Professor’s -determination remained unshaken, and at length they left him and went -below.</p> - - <p>For an hour Mervyn paced the deck excitedly, listening to the -thunder-like detonations, which rolled up at frequent intervals from -the far horizon; then, for the first time, he became conscious that -the vessel was quivering beneath him, as though in motion.</p> - - <p>He glanced astern.</p> - - <p>The <i>Seal</i> was straining at her cable like a thing of -life!</p> - - <p>“The current must be strong,” he exclaimed to himself, and -walking aft he tried the lashing of the rope.</p> - - <p>It was secure, for the American was an adept at knotting. -Retracing his steps, Mervyn leaned against the rail and fell into a -reverie.</p> - - <p>What could there be beyond? he thought. Was there a great island -in the midst of this sea, an undiscovered realm whose forests afforded -refuge to strange animals, or perhaps stranger men?</p> - - <p>The deserted sea around seemed to give little hope of this.</p> - - <p>Surely, if there were habitable land within the Arctic circle, -within the confines of the barrier ice, some flying creature would be -visible; some seafowl would be disporting itself above the waters, or -diving for its food beneath the curling crests of the sparkling waves? -But no sign was there of bird; not even a seal furrowed the lifeless -waters.</p> - - <p><i>Crack!</i></p> - - <p>A pistol-like report startled Mervyn out of his abstraction.</p> - - <p><i>Crack!</i> Again it sounded, from directly overhead, and the -Professor looked up quickly.</p> - - <p>A thin, dark line was spreading rapidly along the face of the -ice-cliffs, and even as he gazed it widened, and a huge mass of ice, -thousands of tons in weight, leaned outward. For an instant it hung -poised, then thundered downward.</p> - - <p>The enormity of the peril appalled Mervyn! He stood as one -spellbound. It seemed as though naught could save the <i>Seal</i> and -her crew from utter destruction; yet, in the very instant of her dire -peril, deliverance came in a marvellous manner.</p> - - <p>There came a sharp snap from the stern, and the <i>Seal,</i> -leaping forward like hound from leash, passed clear beneath the huge, -descending mass, and sped seaward. Her cable had parted!</p> - - <p>A fearful roar, a mighty wave which almost swept Mervyn from the -deck, an avalanche of falling fragments, then the whole thing was -over.</p> - - <p>As the last of the <i>débris</i> plunged into the seething water, -and before the scientist had recovered from the shock, his comrades, -awakened by the uproar, darted out on deck.</p> - - <p>“Whatever has happened?” Garth gasped, gazing in amazement at -Mervyn’s ashen-white face, and then at the rapidly receding -ice-cliffs.</p> - - <p>Somehow Mervyn stammered through his explanation.</p> - - <p>“Great Scott!” Seymour cried, as the scientist finished, “if the -cable hadn’t parted, the <i>Seal</i> would have been crushed like an -egg-shell!”</p> - - <p>“It was a close call,” Haverly broke in. “I guess we must ha’ -struck a fairly healthy current, to snap the cable like that. However, -all’s well as ends right side up.”</p> - - <p>He grasped the wheel as he spoke, and the engineer, who had -hurried on deck with his friends at the alarm, went below once more to -his engines.</p> - - <p>A moment later the <i>Seal</i> was leaping forward, with her -engines running at twenty-five knots.</p> - - <p>For some little time Garth stood watching the wall of foam flung -up by the <i>Seal’s</i> sharp prow as she raced over the waters of the -Polar Sea.</p> - - <p>A vessel to be proud of was she, and none were more thankful than -her inventor for her marvellous escape.</p> - - <p>At length he turned towards the stairhead.</p> - - <p>“I think I’ll go down and prepare a bit of grub,” he said. “I -dare say you fellows can manage a feed?”</p> - - <p>“Rather,” Seymour returned, and at the word Garth left the -turret.</p> - - <p>Some moments later Haverly noticed a decided increase in the -speed of the vessel.</p> - - <p>“Say!” he growled down the tube, “what speed have you got -on?”</p> - - <p>“Twenty-five,” came Wilson’s answer.</p> - - <p>“I guess we’re doing more like fifty,” returned the Yankee. “Ease -her off ten knots and stand by.”</p> - - <p>For a time the way of the <i>Seal</i> slackened, but not for -long. Within ten minutes she was sweeping on as fast as before.</p> - - <p>Again Silas grasped the tube, and there was a note of irritation -in his voice as he called sharply, “Half speed astern!”</p> - - <p>There came a clank from the engine-room as Wilson flung over the -levers; then a jarring, grinding crash, that shook the vessel from -stem to stern, and the purr of the engines ceased.</p> - - <p>With an exclamation of annoyance, Mervyn left the turret, and -went below. As he disappeared a cry broke from Seymour.</p> - - <p>“Land ho!”</p> - - <p>Far away on the horizon a dark, cloud-like shadow rose out of the -sea, growing in size each moment as the vessel raced on.</p> - - <p>Glass in hand, Seymour sprang to the door; but though he exerted -all his huge strength, it defied his efforts to open it.</p> - - <p>“Lock the wheel for a second, Silas,” he said, “and give me a -hand with this door; it’s got jammed somehow.”</p> - - <p>“I guess the wheel don’t need any locking,” retorted the Yankee, -as he loosed the spokes.</p> - - <p>“What do you mean?” Seymour asked.</p> - - <p>“The steerin’ gear’s got jammed, too,” returned Silas, with a -grim smile, and he applied himself to assist Seymour with the -door.</p> - - <p>But the thing refused to budge, and at length, sweating from the -violence of their exertions, they gave up the attempt.</p> - - <p>“What the plague has taken the things?” Seymour cried angrily. -“First the engines break down, then the door jams, and now you say the -steering gear’s gone wrong!”</p> - - <p>As he spoke, Mervyn re-entered the turret.</p> - - <p>“They can’t make out what’s wrong with the engines.” he -announced. “Nothing is out of place, yet they will not run. It seems -as though something were holding them back!”</p> - - <p>“Exactly,” returned the millionaire. “I guess we’ve struck the -magnetic attraction of the Pole!”</p> - - <p>For an instant this announcement, given in the coolest of tones, -staggered his comrades; then Mervyn spoke:</p> - - <p>“Then this is no current which is urging the vessel on?” he began -interrogatively.</p> - - <p>“But real fifty thousand horse-power magnetism,” replied the -Yankee; “and I guess it’s goin’ to take an extra large-size miracle to -get the old boat out of its grip.”</p> - - <p>His companions stared at him incredulously for a few seconds; -then, as the full significance of this statement became clear to them, -both turned and glanced out of the window.</p> - - <p>“You say the door’s immovable?” the scientist questioned.</p> - - <p>“Hopelessly!” returned the baronet; “but we can smash the glass -if we wish to get out.”</p> - - <p>“I reckon there’ll be no call to smash the glass,” Silas said; -“another ten minutes and the hull outfit’ll be bust.”</p> - - <p>He pointed ahead as he spoke.</p> - - <p>Scarce a mile away, looming nearer each moment, a terrible line -of cliffs rose black and beetling from the water’s edge; and above, -veiling their summits, hung a threatening black smoke cloud, from -somewhere in the heart of which came the rumbling explosions they had -heard at frequent intervals since their entry into this sea.</p> - - <p>The speed of the <i>Seal</i> increased as the moments flew by, -until her pace could not have been less than forty knots an hour, and -that without any aid from her engines.</p> - - <p>“This is terrible!” muttered Mervyn. “Have we escaped one peril, -only to be dashed to pieces against those cliffs?”</p> - - <p>He was pale to the lips, and his hands shook as with an ague; the -nearness of that terrible wall, upon which the <i>Seal</i> was rushing -so blindly, unmanned him. He turned to his comrades.</p> - - <p>“I’m afraid the old boat’s doomed,” he murmured brokenly; “she -will go to pieces like matchwood against that barrier. I am sorry that -our trip will have so disastrous an ending——”</p> - - <p>“Say,” the Yankee interrupted, “don’t you be too previous, -Mervyn. I guess we ain’t done yet, by a considerable piece. If I ain’t -dreamin’, there’s a gap in the darned barrier, and the old -<i>Seal’s</i> a-shovin’ her nose straight towards it.”</p> - - <p>“You’re right, Silas!” Seymour cried. “Heaven grant she clears -the entrance!”</p> - - <p>Ten seconds later, the <i>Seal,</i> rushing madly forward, -cleared by a fraction of an inch the mighty rocks which guarded the -entrance, and plunged into the darkness of a canyon.</p> - - <p>As she did so, Haverly switched on the searchlight.</p> - - <p>Thirty feet above her hung a dense, poisonous cloud of smoke, -blotting out the light of the sun like an immense black curtain, and -making the canyon dark as midnight.</p> - - <p>The rugged walls of the canyon flashed past in a gleaming line as -the electric light danced upon them, and around the vessel a shower of -ashes began to fall, converting the spotless paint of the deck into a -mass of sooty-grey blotches.</p> - - <p><i>Boom!</i> A thunderous explosion reverberated down the canyon, -shaking the instruments in the turret lockers, and a burst of flame -leapt up some distance ahead, its vivid crimson glow paling the beams -of the great searchlight.</p> - - <p>It died away in a moment,</p> - - <p>“A volcano!” gasped the scientist. Then the <i>Seal,</i> narrowly -escaping collision with the rocky wall, swept out of the gorge.</p> - - <p>Before them, seen dimly through the falling ashes, lay the black -and silent waters of a great lake; and, in the midst, its fiery crest -glowing like the mouth of the Pit, towered a mighty volcano.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_04" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER IV.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>TRAPPED!</h3> - - <p class="noindent">S<span class="smtx">WIFT</span> as an arrow the -submarine swept forward towards the volcano, the foam leaping from her -steel nose in two mighty, diverging lines.</p> - - <p>Without a doubt she was the first vessel to furrow the waters of -the lake; yet the explorers would gladly have dispensed with the empty -honour of being the discoverers of this barren and desolate region, -if, in exchange, they might have retraced their course.</p> - - <p>But the magnetic power held them too tightly!</p> - - <p>With a shock which flung the occupants of her turret to the -floor, the <i>Seal</i> struck the beach immediately below the crater, -burying her prow deep in the yielding sand.</p> - - <p>As her quivering hull came to a standstill, another booming -explosion burst from the volcano, and once more a lurid flash of flame -leapt from its glowing mouth, far into the sulphur-laden air -above.</p> - - <p>“Great Heaven!” cried Seymour, “we’re done now for sure!”</p> - - <p>As the words left his lips Garth entered the turret.</p> - - <p>“The engines are absolutely useless,” he said gloomily. “Heaven -alone knows what’s come to them——”</p> - - <p>Glancing outside, he paused in the middle of his sentence, -stricken dumb by the perilous position of the <i>Seal.</i></p> - - <p>“Let me introduce you to the North Pole,” Silas said -sarcastically; “nice cheerful location, ain’t it?”</p> - - <p>“And this is the lodestar of the explorers!” Garth exclaimed in -disgust, “to reach which so many lives have been sacrificed on the -ice-fields of the Arctic Seas.”</p> - - <p>“It is a terrible disappointment,” muttered Mervyn. “I thought to -find here a habitable island, with perhaps men and beasts; but even -the sense of disappointment wanes before the peril of the position -into which we have been dragged by this magnetic attraction.”</p> - - <p>“Magnetic attraction!” cried the inventor; “whatever do you -mean?”</p> - - <p>“This,” returned the scientist: “the mysterious force which is -holding your engines, which prevents us opening the door, and has also -jammed the steering gear, is the same power that causes the needle of -the compass to point to the north!”</p> - - <p>The inventor stared in amazement.</p> - - <p>“Then what hope have we of ever getting away?” he asked at -length.</p> - - <p>“None whatever,” was the reply, and at that Garth relapsed into -silence. Each man was busy with his own thoughts, each was striving to -find some way of escape from the perilous situation in which they -found themselves; but, try as they might, no gleam of hope presented -itself.</p> - - <p>The vessel on which their very existence depended was helpless as -a log in the grip of the giant natural forces of the magnetic -mountain; and, added to this, was the ever-increasing peril from the -crater, which was now flinging out a veritable cataract of glowing -stones, to the accompaniment of numerous awe-inspiring explosions.</p> - - <p>“I’m afraid it’s a case,” Seymour said at length. “Twenty-four -hours will see the last of this expedition, unless the sulphur cloud -lifts so that we can get some air. How long do you reckon the air will -last, Garth?”</p> - - <p>The inventor’s answer was drowned in a thunderous detonation, -which shook every plate in the <i>Seal’s</i> hull.</p> - - <p>The side of the cone above her burst open, and a torrent of -glowing lava, leaping forth, plunged downward towards the lake.</p> - - <p>For an instant it seemed as though the ill-fated submarine would -be overwhelmed; but, changing its course at the last moment, with a -deafening roar the lava river emptied itself into the lake.</p> - - <p>The uproar which followed baffles description.</p> - - <p>A series of fearful reports rang out as the two elements met, and -the maddened waters, driven backwards for a moment by the fury of the -molten torrent, rolled shoreward once more in one tremendous wave, -beneath which, for a short time, the <i>Seal</i> was completely -submerged.</p> - - <p>The water hissed and boiled as it poured over the cooling lava, -and a cloud of sulphurous vapour rolled upward from the surface of the -lake, to lose itself amid the whirling wreaths of the brooding cloud -above.</p> - - <p>The heat became terrible as the time went on.</p> - - <p>The atmosphere of the boat was like that of an oven, and great -beads of sweat poured off the watchers, as they stood, with straining -eyes and haggard faces, gazing on all the awful grandeur of the -eruption.</p> - - <p>Their furs they had long since laid aside, and, ere long, their -jackets followed; but the feeling of oppression seemed to lessen not a -whit.</p> - - <p>Their tongues were dry as parchment, despite the copious draughts -of water with which they attempted to slake their thirst.</p> - - <p>The food which Garth had prepared lay untasted on the saloon -table; for their terrible situation had, for the time, at any rate, -driven all thoughts of eating from the explorers’ minds.</p> - - <p>The engineer was still below, striving even yet to discover the -cause of the—to him—inexplicable behaviour of his -engines.</p> - - <p>“I am sorry for this, my friends,” Mervyn said at length, with a -strange, unnatural quiver in his voice. “Would God I had never led you -on this fatal voyage! As for me, I have almost reached the allotted -span; my work is done, and I may as well face death here as elsewhere. -But you had many years of life before you yet, had it not been for -this ill-fated journey, and my own death will be embittered by the -thought that I have led you into yours.”</p> - - <p>The American fixed his piercing eyes upon the scientist’s face as -he finished speaking.</p> - - <p>“See here, Mervyn,” he said, “don’t you go blamin’ yourself for -what ain’t your fault. I guess not one of us reckoned on strikin’ this -yer magnetic volcano, else we’d ha’ come in a wooden boat, ’stead of -this old steel tank. What we’ve got to do as I figure it out is to -keep a stiff lip to the last. I calculate me an’ Seymour’s been in -tighter corners than this before now, an’ come out right side up after -all, eh, William?”</p> - - <p>“Yes,” Seymour replied, “we’ve pulled some big things off -together, you and I, Silas, but I am afraid this is the end. We only -realise our own weakness when we are pitted against the forces of -Nature. Great Heaven!”</p> - - <p>His sentence ended in a startled exclamation, as a monster -boulder, white-hot from the crater-mouth, hurtled close over the -turret roof and splashed into the lake, hissing and spluttering scarce -three yards from the stern of the <i>Seal.</i></p> - - <p>But of all the showers of glowing missiles which followed, not -one came near the boat.</p> - - <p>Her very nearness to the base of the cone proved her salvation -from this frightful peril; for the flying boulders, any one of which -could have crushed the <i>Seal</i> to scrap-iron, whizzed high -overhead, illuminating the waters of the lake with a fiery glare, as -they plunged, hissing, beneath the surface.</p> - - <p>The beach beneath the vessel heaved and fell, and tongues of -flame leapt from the lake, to meet the glowing hail of stones.</p> - - <p>The outer line of cliffs bent and swayed as though shaken by a -giant hand, and, amid all this fearful confusion, rang the thunderous -reports from the crater, deafening and terrible.</p> - - <p>Crash succeeded crash, explosion followed explosion, and the -waters of the lake, lashed to fury, once more roared over the helpless -<i>Seal.</i></p> - - <p>For the second time since her arrival in this gloomy lake the -vessel was submerged.</p> - - <p>When the waters again receded the din of the eruption had ceased, -but the brooding silence—pregnant with sinister -meaning—which had followed, was almost worse than the volcanic -outbreak.</p> - - <p>The character of the surrounding cliffs was altogether -changed.</p> - - <p>Where the canyon had been a steaming wall of rock towered, its -summit lost to sight in the overhanging veil of smoke, so that there -was now no possible means of escape to the sea!</p> - - <p>The watchers gazed with despairing eyes upon this fresh -misfortune.</p> - - <p>It was the last straw.</p> - - <p>“Wal, I guess that fixes us,” the Yankee snapped; “unless there -happens to be a miracle knockin’ around, this yer outfit’s on its last -legs.”</p> - - <p>His words sent a shiver through his comrades. Knowing Haverly as -they did, knowing the indomitable spirit of the man, the words sounded -as their death-warrant.</p> - - <p>Bad indeed was the case when Silas gave up hope.</p> - - <p>“Say, Mervyn,” he continued, after a pause of a few moments, “you -call this location the North Pole? I reckon if I had the naming of it, -it ’uld be the ‘Gate of Hell,’ spelt large. Of all the God-forsaken -parts I ever struck, this romps in an easy first. The Yellowstone -Badlands are a paradise to this yer settlement!”</p> - - <p>Hereafter a gloomy silence settled upon the party, broken at -length by the appearance of Wilson.</p> - - <p>“The thing’s beyond me!” he exclaimed; “not a rod is out of -place, not a screw is missing, yet never a stroke can I get out of -them for all my trying.”</p> - - <p>In a few terse sentences Garth explained to the engineer the -cause of the breaking down of the machinery.</p> - - <p>“Great Scott!” cried Wilson, “you don’t mean——?”</p> - - <p>He broke off short, as a rumbling explosion burst from the -crater.</p> - - <p>The eruption had recommenced!</p> - - <p>Moving to the window, Wilson peered out through the steam-covered -glass. As he did so a great shaft of flame shot upward from the water -alongside, scorching the paint on the vessel’s hull.</p> - - <p>With a startled exclamation the engineer shrank back from the -window.</p> - - <p>“Can nothing be done?” he asked, turning to Garth.</p> - - <p>“Nothing,” returned the inventor, “for, see, even could we get -the engines to work, the passage to the sea is blocked.”</p> - - <p>“But you cannot mean that there is no hope?” Wilson persisted. -“Surely there is some way out of this accursed lake?”</p> - - <p>“Then I guess it’s got to be found,” the Yankee broke in sharply. -“This is how the thing pans out: if we stop here it means suffocatin’; -if we bust the glass and clear outside, the sulphur’ll do the trick -for us in a little less than no time.”</p> - - <p>“It resolves itself into a choice of deaths,” remarked Seymour, -“one slow and terrible, the other terrible enough, but mercifully -swift.”</p> - - <p>“Precisely,” agreed the millionaire; “but I reckon there’s no -manner of sense in rushin’ on your fate. I’m stayin’ right here.”</p> - - <p>Even as the words left his lips, a series of deafening explosions -rang out, each one louder than the preceding: the whole culminating in -one stupendous crash, which shook the island to its very -foundations.</p> - - <p>While yet the last echoes of this fearful cannonade reverberated -amid the cliffs, a giant wave roared furiously up from the bed of the -lake, and tearing the <i>Seal</i> from her sandy bed, bore her fifty -feet into the air.</p> - - <p>For one brief instant it swayed there, then its crest curled -over, and with a thunderous roar, it plunged downward.</p> - - <p>Downward—the water seething and boiling around the vessel, -threatening each moment to beat in the glass of the turret; still -downward—the <i>Seal</i> whirling like a straw in the grip of -the maddened waters, and the occupants of her turret clinging for dear -life to the walls. The deck of the vessel sloped like the roof of a -house as she surged downward in the glissade of waters.</p> - - <p>Behind her an inky wall curled and foamed, urging her into the -depths. Then suddenly she righted for a moment, and Haverly, gazing -out anxiously over the waste of waters from his post at the wheel, -caught a glimpse of a fearful black chasm, which yawned where once the -bed of the lake had been, and into this the waters were plunging in a -mighty cataract.</p> - - <p>“My God!” cried the American hoarsely, and even as the prayer -left his lips, the vessel lurched, heeled over, and was borne swiftly -downward into the depths of the abyss.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_05" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER V.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>OVER THE CATARACT’S BRINK.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">T<span class="smtx">WICE</span> the <i>Seal</i> -turned turtle in the course of that terrible dive, dashing her crew -with stunning force against the turret walls. In vain they strove to -regain their balance. Helpless as logs they were hurled to and fro, -until, battered beyond all human endurance, they one and all sank into -insensibility.</p> - - <p>And still the submarine plunged downward, still she lurched and -wallowed in the rioting waters.</p> - - <p>Suddenly she was brought up with a fearful shock that snapped off -both propellers like rotten sticks. A veritable avalanche of water -thundered down upon her, battering her hull so that the steel plates -groaned beneath the enormous strain.</p> - - <p>Each instant it seemed as though the stout glass of the turret -must be beaten in; yet it held bravely, and at length the downpour -ceased, and the <i>Seal</i> shot forward like an arrow.</p> - - <p>Two hours went by, and then Haverly recovered his senses. -Staggering to his feet, he steadied himself against the wheel, and -gazed outside.</p> - - <p>The rays of the great searchlight gleamed white and dazzling on -the walls and roof of a rocky tunnel, through which the <i>Seal</i> -was racing at headlong speed, urged on by the fearful force of the -torrent, on whose foaming bosom she was borne.</p> - - <p>With an effort—so enfeebled was he by his terrible -experience—Silas moved to the door. To his great joy it opened -easily, and he flung it wide, admitting a flood of life-giving -air.</p> - - <p>“Thank Heaven!” he murmured fervently, damping his parched and -blackened lips, while he drew in deep draughts of pure, cool air; -“another hour and we’d all have passed in our checks.”</p> - - <p>Turning, he found his friends already stirring, their recovery -hastened by the beneficent influence of the refreshing atmosphere.</p> - - <p>Crowding to the door, they stood for some moments filling their -exhausted lungs.</p> - - <p>“Whatever have we struck?” Seymour asked at length, gazing in -amazement at the dripping, glistening walls of the passage.</p> - - <p>“A subterranean river, I reckon,” responded Silas, “an’ one with -a fairish slope, judgin’ by the speed we’re travellin’ at.”</p> - - <p>“I have no doubt,” Mervyn began, “that this strange tunnel is of -volcanic origin; at one time probably a lava passage, through which -the molten metal was forced from the bowels of the earth to the crater -of the volcano we have left far behind us.”</p> - - <p>“If that is true,” interrupted Seymour, “we are plunging each -instant deeper and deeper into the bowels of the globe, and at the -present moment must be far down below the bed of the Polar Sea!”</p> - - <p>“Exactly!” returned Mervyn. “We started upon this trip as a North -Polar expedition, but it seems we are to end up with a journey to the -centre of the earth. Whether we ever return therefrom depends wholly -upon Providence.”</p> - - <p>“Then where shall we end up?” the inventor asked, his face a -picture of incredulous amazement. “I mean, what is there below?”</p> - - <p>“Heaven alone knows,” the scientist returned gravely; “yet, as we -have been delivered in so marvellous a manner from the grip of the -magnetic mountain, we will hope for the best.”</p> - - <p>“I guess we’ve just got to sit tight and see it through,” cried -the Yankee. “Without her screws the old boat’s as helpless as a log, -though I doubt if they’d ha’ been any use against this darned current. -I calculate that feed you was preparin’ would be acceptable at the -present period, Garth.”</p> - - <p>Taking the hint conveyed in the last sentence, the inventor -withdrew, and soon from below came the rattle of crockery and the -clatter of knives and forks. The walls of the tunnel still flashed by -in an eternal monotony, and long, pendant mosses, trailing their slimy -lengths from the rocky roof, seemed to writhe and twist like dark -green snakes as the vessel swept past beneath them.</p> - - <p>And with every yard of her advance—and this was the thought -that haunted her crew—the <i>Seal</i> plunged deeper into the -unknown depths of the earth!</p> - - <p>Her pace became terrific as the time went by, and the eyes of the -watchers in her turret were strained ahead, expecting—yet -dreading—each moment that some fearful abyss would yawn before -them, in the black depths of which their faithful vessel would be -swallowed up.</p> - - <p>Steering was utterly out of the question, even had the vessel not -been damaged; for so great was the speed, that no sooner had they -sighted a dangerous curve in the tunnel, of an out-jutting rock, than -the <i>Seal</i> was upon it. The swiftness of the current alone -prevented the submarine from shattering herself to fragments against -the numerous obstacles.</p> - - <p>Glad were the party when Garth’s voice summoned them below, and, -leaving the vessel to take care of herself, they retired, to forget -for a while the danger of their novel position in the pleasures of the -table.</p> - - <p>Then, when their hunger was satisfied, they resumed their places -in the turret, wondering what would be the end of their marvellous and -terrible journey. Now the roof of the passage would sink, until a few -inches only separated the rock from the top of the turret; anon it -would rise and become lost to sight as the <i>Seal</i> swept into some -vast subterranean chamber, whose midnight darkness the light of the -great arc-light seemed but to render more intense, as it trembled -through it for a brief moment, then vanished as the vessel swept -on.</p> - - <p>Where would it end?</p> - - <p>The fateful question hammered at the watchers’ brains as they -stood through the long hours, silently awaiting the end.</p> - - <p>“For Heaven’s sake, speak, some of you!” Seymour cried at last, -after a long interval, during which no word had been spoken, “this -silence is enough to drive one mad!”</p> - - <p>“Of what should we speak, my friend?” the scientist asked -gravely. “The while our fate is trembling in the balance, our lives -hanging, as it were, upon a thread, there seems but little attraction -in conversation, however interesting in the ordinary course of events -the subject may be.”</p> - - <p>“I hold there’s no call to despair yet awhile,” Silas interrupted -sharply; “the old <i>Seal’s</i> a stayer, an’ so long as she keeps her -end up, we’ll pull through.”</p> - - <p>“Good old Silas!” Seymour cried, clapping his friend on the -back.</p> - - <p>“Wal, it’s this way,” Haverly went on, “I’ve come out of so many -tight corners with a whole skin, that one more or less makes no -difference. You Britishers pride yourselves on your ‘never say die’ -motto. I guess this is a suitable time to apply the same. Say, -William, you recollect that little bit of a scrap on the Amazon, six -years back?”</p> - - <p>“Rather,” Seymour returned.</p> - - <p>“Wal, I reckon as that was considerable tighter than the present -situation. You see, professor, it——”</p> - - <p>He broke off abruptly, as from somewhere far ahead came a -murmuring drone, like the first low note of some giant organ.</p> - - <p>“What is it?” Mervyn asked.</p> - - <p>The millionaire flung open the door.</p> - - <p>A cool, damp wind, laden with spray, whistled up the tunnel, and -the drone grew in volume as the submarine swept on.</p> - - <p>A puzzled expression passed over Haverly’s features as he stood -listening for some moments.</p> - - <p>Then his brow cleared and he slammed to the door.</p> - - <p>“I guess we’re nearing the end,” he said; “it’s the sound of a -waterfall.”</p> - - <p>His comrades gazed despairingly into each other’s faces. What -they had feared for so long was about to happen.</p> - - <p>Somewhere, not far ahead, the river thundered into space over the -brink of some subterranean precipice, and towards this spot the -<i>Seal</i> was racing.</p> - - <p>The water hissed and foamed about her stern, and long lines of -bubbles, gleaming like pearls beneath the searchlight’s glare, danced -far ahead, to lose themselves in the darkness of the tunnel.</p> - - <p>And ever the drone grew louder, moment by moment, until the -<i>Seal,</i> flashing round a curve, swept out into a huge, arched -cavern, and the droning note changed to a thunderous roar—the -voice of a mighty cataract!</p> - - <p>Every plate, every rib which went to form the vessel’s frame, -sang with the vibration of the falling waters.</p> - - <p>Ahead, the watchers could see the waters leaping, tumbling, -foaming in mad confusion, and, beyond, a mighty cloud of mist hovered, -veiling, like a white curtain, the terrors of the fearful abyss into -which the river plunged.</p> - - <p>“Hold tight!” roared Haverly, his voice ringing clear and true -above the din of the falling waters.</p> - - <p>The others gazed, half fascinated, in spite of the peril at the -scene before them. Swiftly the vessel sped on to her doom, the dancing -waves lapping her hull playfully as they hurried her forward.</p> - - <p>Helpless as a log, the splendid craft was turned and twisted in -the grip of the cataract. She paused for an instant as she reached the -verge, like some terrified animal shying from a leap; then a tremor -passed through her plates, and she plunged swiftly over into the -depths.</p> - - <p>Pale as death were her crew, yet never a cry escaped them as -their stout vessel pitched downward, stern in air.</p> - - <p>Through each man’s mind ran the same question: was there deep -water beneath the fall, or a row of jagged rocks, on whose giant teeth -the unfortunate <i>Seal</i> would shatter herself into a thousand -fragments!</p> - - <p>The time seemed interminable! Would she never stop falling?</p> - - <p>In reality a few seconds only were occupied by the descent, but -to the explorers ages seemed to pass, ere, with a terrible crash, the -submarine struck the foaming whirlpool below the cataract.</p> - - <p>High above the boom of the waters sounded the shock of that fall, -and a huge column of spray was flung upward by the impact of the -vessel’s hull.</p> - - <p>Her crew, shaken from their hold, were hurled like puppets -against the walls of the turret, and a merciful oblivion once more -swept over them.</p> - - <p>Quickly the vessel was beaten downwards by the enormous weight of -the plunging water. Lower and still lower she went, whirling madly, -until it seemed as though she would never rise again.</p> - - <p>Thrice she was swept round in the grip of the whirlpool, only to -be drawn back once more to the foot of the fall, as the needle is -drawn to the magnet. By some miraculous chance she escaped collision -with the rocky walls which formed the basin of the boiling cauldron, -although many times within an ace of destruction.</p> - - <p>Then she was once more swept forward, and this time, escaping the -power of the eddy, sped out into the river beyond.</p> - - <p>A mile lower down she came to the surface and drifted on, her -searchlight gleaming through the darkness like the eye of some huge -aquatic monster. Hour after hour passed, and still she was borne -gently forward on the bosom of the subterranean river. The roar of the -fall died to a murmur as she floated on, and at length ceased -altogether.</p> - - <p>Past iron-toothed rocks she drifted, which reared their jagged -crests threateningly amid the swirling waters; past huge caverns and -grottoes, the stalactites of which flashed crystal like as the -electric light penetrated for an instant into their dark obscurity; -past seething mud-banks, in the midst of which foul, loathsome forms -sprawled and wallowed.</p> - - <p>And still her crew lay unconscious in the wheelhouse, knowing -naught of the perils through which their craft was passing.</p> - - <p>Slowly the force of the current expended itself, and at length -the <i>Seal,</i> drifting into shoal water, grounded gently on a -shelving bank of mud.</p> - - <p>Then, out from the filth and mire of the mud-flats on either -hand, hideous heads were thrust, and monstrous goggle eyes glared upon -the motionless vessel.</p> - - <p>Moving with a strange, shuffling motion, full a score of these -horrible river-creatures—loathsome beyond all -imagination—shambled towards the <i>Seal.</i></p> - - <p>Their great claws—hideous in their likeness to men’s -hands—were outstretched eagerly, ravenously, and their green -eyes were aglow with fiendish desire. Soon they reached the rail, and, -gripping it, dragged their misshapen bodies aboard.</p> - - <p>Gibbering and snarling, the monsters crept along the deck until -they reached the turret, the glass of which appeared to puzzle them -for some little time. Then one shambled to the rail and plunged over, -returning shortly with a fragment of rock, with which he presently -began to batter the glass.</p> - - <p><i>Bang! bang!</i> Even the stout, specially-toughened glass of -the turret could not long withstand those blows. <i>Bang!</i> The -creature’s arms rose and fell with tireless, machine-like monotony. -His fellows, squatting upon their haunches, awaited his efforts -impatiently.</p> - - <p>Ere long the sound of the blows penetrated to Haverly’s brain, -and he stirred uneasily. As it noted the movement, the river-creature -paused in its attack, and, pressing its hideous face against the -glass, glared ferociously at the American.</p> - - <p>Slowly Silas rose, steadying himself against the wheel; then, as -his eyes swept round the turret, he encountered the malignant gaze of -the horror without, and, with a startled exclamation, he leapt back, -drawing his revolver.</p> - - <p>At that the river-creature once more raised its clumsy weapon, -and dashed it with terrible force against the glass of the door.</p> - - <p>With a splintering crash the door burst open, and, as one, the -whole band of waiting monsters rose, and, with teeth gnashing -savagely, plunged towards the doorway.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_06" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER VI.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE LAND OF ETERNAL TWILIGHT.</h3> - - <p class="noindent"><i>Crack!</i> The Yankee’s revolver spoke -viciously, and the foremost, with a shuddering death-sob, dropped in -his tracks.</p> - - <p>Two others, stumbling over his prostrate form, also fell to -Haverly’s unerring aim; whereupon the rest, gibbering savagely, paused -in their advance, seeming to be undecided whether to resume the attack -or no.</p> - - <p>At that instant, whilst they still hesitated, and the American -was hoping that they would retire, Garth—aroused from his swoon -by the din—sat up.</p> - - <p>One glimpse he caught of the nightmare-like forms clustered -beyond the doorway, then a terrified cry burst from his lips.</p> - - <p>“Great Heavens! What devils!”</p> - - <p>He leapt to his feet, and at that, as though aroused to fresh -fury by his movement, the river-creatures burst <i>en masse</i> -through the doorway.</p> - - <p>Never will Garth forget that terrible moment!</p> - - <p>Often, long afterwards, he would awake, trembling in every limb, -from some hideous dream, wherein he was once more at close grips with -the loathsome inhabitants of the subterranean river.</p> - - <p>The whole thing was a nightmare of glaring eyes and grabbing, -misshapen limbs, and through it all the inventor, scarcely yet -recovered from his long period of insensibility, was conscious of but -one thing, the intermittent cracking of the millionaire’s weapons.</p> - - <p>The turret was filled with smoke, through which the ghastly forms -of the attackers loomed monstrous and terrible.</p> - - <p>Suddenly the sound of Haverly’s revolvers ceased: his last -chamber was empty!</p> - - <p>But the creatures had had enough. Eight of their number lay dead, -while two or three of the rest were badly wounded, and, obeying a -common impulse, they dragged themselves through the doorway, shambled -across the deck, and plunged overboard.</p> - - <p>“Thank Heaven!” Haverly’s voice was a trifle shaky as he mopped -his smoke-grimed brow.</p> - - <p>“Amen!” Garth responded fervently; then, fearing that his nerve -would give way unless he exerted himself, he applied his energies to -the restoration of his unconscious friends; while the Yankee, dragging -the hideous relics of the narrowly-averted disaster to the rail, flung -them far out into the stream.</p> - - <p>Soon Garth had the satisfaction of seeing his three friends once -more upon their feet. Badly shaken they were by their terrible plunge -over the cataract, yet thankful that they had been spared the ordeal -which had fallen to the lot of Garth and the Yankee.</p> - - <p>“I guess there’s no call to make a fuss,” the latter said as they -crowded round him. “I couldn’t have been knocked about so badly as -you, or I wouldn’t have come to in time to check those brutes.”</p> - - <p>“Thank God you did!” the scientist cried. “This must be a warning -to us in the future. Knowing that this subterranean river contains -such monstrous creatures, we must be ever upon our guard, lest upon -another occasion they should succeed in overcoming us.”</p> - - <p>His listeners shuddered at his words.</p> - - <p>Though none but Silas and the inventor had seen the -river-creatures—mud devils, Garth called them—yet the -latter’s vivid description of the things had aroused in the three an -unspeakable horror and loathing.</p> - - <p>For a week the <i>Seal</i> remained aground on the mud-bank, -while Garth and the engineer, often up to the waist in water, -thoroughly overhauled her, fixing duplicate propellers in place of -those broken, and replacing the shattered glass with new panes from -the store-room.</p> - - <p>Numerous minor damages which the <i>Seal</i> had sustained in her -leap they also repaired.</p> - - <p>And over them, while they worked, Haverly and the baronet took -turns on guard, but no further sign came from the river-creatures, -save that once a hideous head rose out of the mud fifty feet from the -<i>Seal,</i> to vanish like a flash ere Seymour, who was on guard at -the time, could draw trigger.</p> - - <p>No attack followed this appearance, however, and at length all -was completed. The last rivet had been driven into place, the last -bolt fixed, and nothing remained but to get the <i>Seal</i> afloat -once more.</p> - - <p>Grasping the wheel, Haverly signalled for full speed astern; the -propellers began to revolve, and, slowly but surely, the submarine -glided off the mud-bank into deep water. An instant’s pause while the -engines were reversed, and then the <i>Seal</i> moved forward on the -bosom of the subterranean river at ten knots to the hour. Between the -heaving mud-flats she glided, from the surfaces of which arose a -nauseous odour of decaying matter, and a dense, malarial vapour -ascended, to lose itself in the inky darkness that veiled the cavern -roof.</p> - - <p>For here neither walls nor roof were visible. Nought met the eye -but the water—wherein slimy water-snakes writhed and -twisted—and the seething mud. Scarce a wave rippled the placid -surface of the stream, save those occasioned by the passage of the -<i>Seal,</i> and not a sound broke the profound stillness of the vast -cavern but the purring note of the engines.</p> - - <p>So two days went by, with nothing to disturb the dreary monotony -of the depressing voyage. Ever the same muddy, grey prospect stretched -before the explorers, and they had begun to wonder whether they should -ever find a way out of this loathsome river, when something -happened.</p> - - <p>Haverly was at the wheel, the others being below, engaged in -their several duties, when a shout brought them rushing into the -turret.</p> - - <p>“Look!” cried the American, pointing ahead.</p> - - <p>The <i>Seal</i> had passed out of the river, and, before them, -shimmering in the rays of the searchlight, rolled a vast, subterranean -sea.</p> - - <p>To starboard, a cable length away, a low, sandy shore was -visible, clothed almost to the water’s edge with a weird and curious -vegetation which sparkled and gleamed with a dazzling lustre.</p> - - <p>Flinging open the door, Seymour stepped out on deck, quickly -followed by Garth and the professor.</p> - - <p>“The heart of the globe!” the latter cried excitedly. “A -subterranean world! My friends, we have the honour to be the -discoverers of an unknown world. Steer her close in, Silas; I am -curious to know what manner of growths those are.”</p> - - <p>There was cause for the old scientist’s excitement. An absolutely -unknown world lay before them, untrodden—for aught they -knew—by any human foot, a world whose stupendous size was veiled -as yet from their knowledge by its weird and ghostly twilight.</p> - - <p>Above them the gloom hung thick as a funeral pall, a dense -eternal canopy of midnight darkness.</p> - - <p>How far down they were beneath the earth’s surface they dared not -think. Sufficient for them to know that, somewhere above them, perhaps -thousands upon thousands of feet, was the vast dome which formed the -inner roof of this subterranean world. They could but stare upward -into the darkness, open-mouthed, and marvel at the immensity of it -all.</p> - - <p>The weird growths ashore puzzled them not a little, even Mervyn -for a while being perplexed to give a name to the things. Fleshy as a -cactus, and having a somewhat similar branching habit of growth, each -glowed throughout its entire length, as though an electric bulb were -hidden within its pulpy heart.</p> - - <p>The things were weirdly beautiful as they towered -there—many of them over twenty feet in height—flashing a -rainbow-hued challenge to the great arc lamp of the <i>Seal.</i> They -were Nature’s own illuminants, without which this underworld would -have been dark as Hades.</p> - - <p>Suddenly a cry came from Mervyn.</p> - - <p>“I have it!” he cried. “They are fungi—luminous fungi!”</p> - - <p>“Fungi!” exclaimed his comrades in a breath.</p> - - <p>“Luminous fungi!” repeated the scientist triumphantly, “but of -such vast size that they more nearly resemble trees. If we ever -succeed in making our way back to civilisation our news will astonish -the world.”</p> - - <p>“I don’t know,” Garth murmured. “It seems to me that you will -have great difficulty in getting anyone to believe your statements. -For instance, who will believe that the interior of the globe is -hollow and contains an immense sea, and probably a great continent. -See, there is a range of hills.”</p> - - <p>It was true. Far away in the distance, their existence betrayed -by the glittering vegetation which clothed their slopes, rose a line -of hills; and between them and the shore stretched a vast forest of -luminous fungi—a gleaming jungle of fleshy growths.</p> - - <p>“I’m afraid you’re right, Garth,” said the professor somewhat -ruefully, “yet that will not prevent me revealing my knowledge should -we ever return.”</p> - - <p>“Do you think there is any game in the jungle there, Mervyn?” -asked the baronet at this point.</p> - - <p>“Probably,” returned the scientist, “but I would not build upon -it if I were you, lest you are disappointed. A run ashore will be -acceptable to all of us, I expect?”</p> - - <p>“Rather!” replied Garth. “See, there’s a little bay into which we -might run the vessel.”</p> - - <p>Already Silas had sighted the spot the inventor mentioned, and, -putting the wheel over, he steered the submarine for the entrance.</p> - - <p>Ere long she was lying securely moored to a huge black rock which -thrust its scarred surface some feet above the wave-crests; then -Haverly and the engineer joined the group on deck, and they fell to -discussing the proposed trip ashore.</p> - - <p>“We must go well armed,” the baronet said.</p> - - <p>“That goes without saying,” replied Haverly, “and I guess yer -Uncle Sile ’ud better go along with you to see as you don’t get into -trouble. You see, you might get lost in this yer plaguey jungle -without the guidance of yer humble.”</p> - - <p>“Oh. come, Silas!” Seymour laughingly retorted, “draw it mild, -you know.”</p> - - <p>“As legal adviser to this yer outfit,” returned Silas drily, “I -feel kinder called on to keep an eye on you young fellers.”</p> - - <p>“Oh, dry up, you old fraud,” Garth cried, rolling up a pellet of -paper and dexterously flipping it on to the tip of the Yankee’s -nose.</p> - - <p>“See here, sonny,” the latter remarked in mock severity, rubbing -his offended nasal organ the while, “I reckon you’re considerable -lackin’ in due and proper respect for yer elders. What was yer mommer -thinkin’ about to bring you up in such a style? I’m shocked, young -feller, real shocked!”</p> - - <p>A roar of laughter greeted this quaint speech.</p> - - <p>“Well, if you don’t take the proverbial biscuit, Silas,” the -engineer said; then a gigantic ripple passed over the water -alongside.</p> - - <p>“What was that?” Mervyn cried sharply.</p> - - <p>Quick as a flash came the answer, but in a terrible and -unexpected manner.</p> - - <p>A long, lithe, whip-like tentacle, its under-side armed with -hundreds of terrible suckers, writhed up over the rail, swayed for an -instant high above the <i>Seal,</i> then fell heavily across the -deck.</p> - - <p>The startling suddenness of this attack paralysed the explorers -for a moment, and, ere they could recover their wits, a second great -arm hissed upward, and flung its wet and glistening length around the -rail.</p> - - <p>“A squid!” gasped the Yankee.</p> - - <p>As he spoke, a third tentacle wriggled into view, and the -<i>Seal</i> listed slightly beneath the grip of those terrible -arms.</p> - - <p>Recovering from his stupor, Haverly made a dash for the turret; -but, ere he could reach it, with a curling snap—for all the -world like the crack of a whiplash—a giant feeler coiled about -his waist.</p> - - <p>High above the deck he was lifted, struggling desperately, yet -vainly, against the grip of the suckers which seared his flesh like -red-hot iron.</p> - - <p>His fearful plight aroused his comrades to a sense of their own -peril, and, as two more tentacles flashed over the rail, Seymour leapt -into the wheelhouse.</p> - - <p>Escaping by a miracle the writhing, groping arms of the -cephalopod, and urged to action by the feeble groans of the -American—fast becoming exhausted by the unequal -struggle—Seymour entered the turret. Snatching down a couple of -axes from the rack, he skimmed them towards his friends; then, with a -third, he commenced a furious attack upon the nearest tentacle.</p> - - <p>Two lusty blows, with all the baronet’s giant strength behind -them, and the great arm fell with a whack across the deck, wriggling -still, although severed from the monstrous, pulpy body which gave it -life. Springing forward, the baronet was about to lop in twain the -tentacle which held his friend, when the <i>Seal</i> heeled over, -almost flinging him from the deck. With great difficulty he regained -his balance; then a cry escaped him. Out of the water alongside came a -huge, black body, armed with many more feelers. Slowly it dragged -itself, clutching and clawing, over the rail, falling heavily inboard -with a shock which threatened to capsize the <i>Seal.</i></p> - - <p>The octopus had come aboard!</p> - - <p>There was something so weird, so uncanny in the appearance of the -brute; something so diabolical about the writhing, twisting arms, as -they groped and waved over the deck, that Seymour stood for an -instant, half fascinated.</p> - - <p>The creature’s great eyes glared like green lamps, and its -parrot-like beak snapped viciously, while from its pulpy body came an -overpowering odour of musk.</p> - - <p>Suddenly a shrill cry of terror burst from Wilson. One of the -great thrashing feelers had gripped him, and, dropping his axe in his -deadly fear, the unfortunate engineer strove with all his strength to -dislodge the suckers.</p> - - <p>As he was dragged slowly towards that terrible beak, an -inspiration swept into his brain.</p> - - <p>“Quick, Seymour!” he gasped. “Your elephant gun!”</p> - - <p>Quick as thought the baronet leapt back into the turret, and took -down the great gun from its rack.</p> - - <p>Slipping a couple of shells into the breech, he took a quick aim -at the great, glaring orbs of the cephalopod, and fired both -barrels.</p> - - <p>The recoil of the weapon sent him reeling backward against the -wheelhouse wall, but he recovered himself in a moment, and sprang -forward to note the result of his shot.</p> - - <p>The explosive cartridges had almost shattered the monstrous, -pulpy body, and the mighty tentacles were feebly beating the deck.</p> - - <p>A few strokes with the hatchet quickly freed the two victims, -both of whom were more dead than alive by this time.</p> - - <p>Carefully they bore them below to their cabins; then, leaving -them in the care of the scientist, Garth and Seymour returned to the -deck, to clear away the remains of their terrible visitor.</p> - - <p>“What a brute!” the inventor exclaimed with a shudder, as he -plied his axe upon the ghastly, slippery mass; “if it hadn’t been for -that gun of yours, Seymour, he’d have had the lot of us.”</p> - - <p>“True enough,” replied the baronet; “but who would have imagined -the brute would board us?”</p> - - <p>Three hours it took to clear the deck of the mass of jelly-like -pulp, Garth chopping it into fragments, which Seymour shovelled over -the rail. And even then there was life in the creature, the severed -feelers twitching feebly when they were touched. Two of the longest of -these latter they measured, finding both to be over twenty feet -long.</p> - - <p>Two days passed ere the Yankee and Wilson were able to resume -their duties, and for long afterwards a great ring of scars about the -waist of each testified to the narrowness of their escape from the -grip of the giant octopus.</p> - - <p>On the third day after this adventure—the explorers could -but reckon days by the calendar in this gloomy subterranean -world—the engines were once more started, and the <i>Seal</i> -soon left the scene of the struggle far behind.</p> - - <p>Along the low, sandy shore she sped for many miles, until -Seymour, no longer able to restrain his restlessness, announced his -intention of going ashore.</p> - - <p>“I’m with you,” Garth said, and rushed below to make -preparations.</p> - - <p>Steering the vessel close inshore, Haverly brought her to. -Seymour ran out the gangway, then followed Garth below, returning -shortly with a magazine rifle slung over his shoulder, while from his -pocket bulged the grim outline of a revolver.</p> - - <p>“Who is coming?” he asked.</p> - - <p>“I guess I’ll stay and look after the old boat,” returned Silas, -and Wilson—still feeling somewhat shaky from his terrible -adventure with the great cephalopod—decided to remain with -him.</p> - - <p>Strapping on a specimen case, the scientist joined Garth and -Seymour, and the three, passing over the gangway, stepped ashore.</p> - - <p>“Take care,” the engineer called after them.</p> - - <p>“Never fear,” was Garth’s cheery reply; and so they departed, -light-heartedly, on a trip which was to bring at least two of them -face to face with death in its most terrible form, vanishing at length -from the sight of their friends amid the towering growths of fungi -jungle.</p> - - <p>Around them the strange and lustrous growths rose in lavish -confusion, the ground between being thickly carpeted with glorious -mosses, the flowers of which gleamed like pearls on a background of -dark green velvet.</p> - - <p>The professor was in raptures over the rare treasures of this -subterranean world, and soon his specimen case was packed full as -possible, and his pockets were in a like condition.</p> - - <p>New beauties dawned upon them with every step they took. Fungi in -every fantastic shape towered around, shimmering silver-like through -the ghostly twilight.</p> - - <p>“It is a land of eternal twilight!” Mervyn exclaimed, pausing for -a moment to rest. “Nowhere else would these strange, uncanny fungi -grow to advantage; but here, in this dim land, they fulfil a useful -mission. See what curious forms some of the growths take!”</p> - - <p>Here rose a towering fungus, like nothing so much as a giant -hand; there one like an immense mushroom; others there were like -spectral palms, but all glowed with a brilliance that was dazzling to -the eye.</p> - - <p>The baronet, less interested than his companions in these natural -beauties, kept a sharp look-out for game of any description, well -knowing that fresh meat, were it obtainable, would be a welcome -addition to their stores. But the jungle seemed silent as the grave. -No form moved amid the fungi, and the scientist was not slow to remark -upon this strange absence of life.</p> - - <p>“It is very strange,” he said, “that hitherto we have seen -neither reptile nor beast. One would have thought that amid these -jungles many forms of life would have found a home; yet perhaps this -absence of life is a peculiar feature of this weird world?”</p> - - <p>“It’s a bit slow,” growled Seymour, “after the forests of the -upper world, with their myriads of animals——”</p> - - <p>The words died on his lips, as, out of the distance, trembled a -weird howl.</p> - - <p>“Wolves!” he cried grimly; “we were mistaken about the absence of -life, Mervyn,” and, unslinging his rifle, he examined the -magazine.</p> - - <p>Again that thrilling cry vibrated through the silence, like the -wail of a lost soul.</p> - - <p>Mervyn paused irresolute, glancing anxiously at his comrades.</p> - - <p>“Need we return?” he asked of Seymour. He was longing to -penetrate further into this unknown land, yet his natural discretion -suggested a speedy return to the safety of the vessel.</p> - - <p>“It’s no use turning back now,” Seymour answered, “if the brutes -have scented us, they’ll be down upon us before we can reach the boat. -So forward, and let each of us keep a sharp look-out for a place where -we can stand at bay if necessary.”</p> - - <p>For the third time that wolfish howl broke upon the ears of the -three comrades, then a grim silence fell once more upon the land.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_07" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER VII.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>A REMARKABLE DISCOVERY AND ITS SEQUEL.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">B<span class="smtx">UT</span> the mood of the -adventurers had changed. No longer did this underworld appear to them -as the paradise of beauty they had first thought it. Its very silence -seemed full of menace, and Mervyn found himself repeatedly listening -to imaginary rustlings among the fungi.</p> - - <p>Garth’s interest flagged, too, as time went on, and he longed to -retrace his steps, yet, while his comrades held on, he could not for -shame suggest return. The boy—for he was little more—was -brave enough, but these ghostly jungles were so weird, so unnatural, -in their stillness, that it was scarcely to be wondered at that he -felt nervous.</p> - - <p>And, added to this, was the knowledge that somewhere in these -wilds lurked wolves or, at least, some beast with the voice of a -wolf.</p> - - <p>Yet no sign did Garth show of his growing uneasiness, save that -his hand tightened on the butt of the revolver in his pocket.</p> - - <p>Seymour alone—his sporting instincts fully -aroused—was in his element; indeed, it is not too much to say -that he was longing for an encounter with some beast; his finger -itched to press the trigger; yet, although he looked around keenly, he -could discover nothing on which to test his aim.</p> - - <p>Mervyn moved a few paces in advance, for the discovery of a fresh -fungus of rather peculiar growth had rekindled his scientific zeal, -and, despite Seymour’s repeated warnings as to the danger of such a -course, he plunged fearlessly in among the fungi in search of fresh -treasures, often being lost to the sight of his friends for some -moments, then reappearing with a choice specimen for their -inspection.</p> - - <p>Suddenly an excited cry burst from his lips, and his friends, -fearing that some accident had befallen him, hurried in the direction -of the sound.</p> - - <p>They found him standing upon the crest of a rocky ridge, which -broke away sharply upon the other side, descending precipitously into -a small valley, the sides of which were fairly ablaze with a mass of -trailing fungi, somewhat after the habit of ivy in growth.</p> - - <p>“What is it?” they asked as they joined him.</p> - - <p>“Sh!” was the whispered warning. “Look there!”</p> - - <p>Then they saw. In the midst of the fairy-like glade, with its -mighty sides rising and falling by its heavy breathing as it slept, -lay a monstrous animal.</p> - - <p>The glowing light of the fungi revealed with startling -distinctness the huge bulk of its body and the great, rhinoceros-like -head, which, armed with three fearful horns, was further protected by -a ridge of bony plates about the base of the skull.</p> - - <p>It needed nought else to enable the explorers to identify the -creature.</p> - - <p>“Triceratops!” gasped Garth and the baronet in a breath.</p> - - <p>“Triceratops!” repeated Mervyn triumphantly; “one of the first -inhabitants of the globe! It seems too good to be true. That it has -been permitted for us to discover the monster here, in these wilds, -when the whole species was thought to be extinct eras ago, is a slice -of luck which we cannot too highly appreciate.”</p> - - <p>“What a monstrous brute!” Seymour exclaimed. “Of course, I have -often read of the creature, but never, in the wildest stretch of my -imagination, did I dream of a monster so vast. Why, the brute must be -thirty-five feet long if it’s an inch!”</p> - - <p>“And look at the armour plates along its back,” Garth added; -“nothing less than a six-inch shell would penetrate that hide!”</p> - - <p>The professor, note-book in hand, was busily scribbling down a -description of the monster.</p> - - <p>“Total length,” he murmured as he wrote, “thirty-five feet. I -think that is what you said, Seymour?”</p> - - <p>“About that,” replied the baronet.</p> - - <p>“Length of skull, eight feet,” Mervyn went on, standing -perilously close to the edge of the ridge, and leaning far over in his -eagerness to obtain a good view of the Triceratops.</p> - - <p>“Take care!” Seymour cried sharply, “or you’ll fall.”</p> - - <p>Scarcely had he spoken when the catastrophe he feared -happened.</p> - - <p>The treacherous ground crumbled beneath the scientist’s feet, -and, amid an avalanche of loose stones and <i>débris,</i> he pitched -headlong into the glade.</p> - - <p>But for a fortunate chance he would assuredly have broken his -neck in the fall. Instead of striking the solid ground below, Mervyn -landed with a thud upon the back of the sleeping monster.</p> - - <p>The shock awoke the creature, and, with a hoarse snort of rage, -it rose to its feet, shaking itself furiously to dislodge its -unnatural burden.</p> - - <p>Terrible enough it had looked as it lay asleep, but now, in its -rage, its appearance was enough to daunt the boldest.</p> - - <p>Small wonder that Mervyn was half mad with terror, as, clutching -desperately at the monster’s bony necklet, he strove to prevent the -brute unseating him, and pounding him to a jelly beneath its terrible -hoofs, which, even now, were trampling the floor of the glade in a -paroxysm of fury.</p> - - <p>At length, finding himself utterly unable to get rid of the -encumbrance, the monster broke out of the glade at a lumbering trot, -and thundered across the plain which lay beyond.</p> - - <p>As for Garth and Seymour, they stood for a few seconds as though -stunned. The thing had happened so suddenly that it had paralysed -their powers of action, dried up the fountain of their energies.</p> - - <p>When at last they recovered their scattered wits, the two -scrambled recklessly down the side of the ridge and hurried out on to -the plain.</p> - - <p>But the thunderous tread of the Triceratops had already died -away, and there was no sign of their friend.</p> - - <p>“We must follow the trail,” Seymour muttered, pointing to the -broadly-defined track made by the monster’s hoofs, which stretched -away into the darkness.</p> - - <p>“Yes,” Garth assented, with a quiver in his voice, “and may -Heaven grant we find him safe!”</p> - - <p>The plain looked particularly gloomy and uninviting, owing to the -almost total absence of fungi, save for a few isolated clumps, whose -presence but made the twilight more gloomy by contrast.</p> - - <p>Yet over it the twain must go if they would find their friend, -daring its hidden dangers, and braving all the terrors of this unknown -land. So, looking well to their weapons, the two comrades stepped -out.</p> - - <p>Hardly had they taken half a dozen paces when once more that -thrilling, wolfish cry arose, but this time it came from somewhere -close at hand.</p> - - <p>Seymour pulled up sharply, listening intently.</p> - - <p>“By Jove! they’ve scented us!” he cried as the howl was repeated. -“Back into the valley; we shall stand a better chance there.”</p> - - <p>Quick as a flash he turned, and leapt for the glade they had -left.</p> - - <p>Garth, following, tripped over a trailing fungus, and, losing his -footing, pitched heavily to earth. Ere he could rise a bony hand -gripped his neck; he received a sharp blow on the head, and then -consciousness left him.</p> - - <p>“Where are you, Garth?” Seymour called; “this is the way.”</p> - - <p>Alarmed at receiving no answer, the baronet retraced his -steps.</p> - - <p>“Garth!” he cried. “Hilton! Where are you, old chap?” But there -was no answer, save the echoes which seemed to mock; even the -wolf-like howls had ceased, and Seymour appeared to be the only living -thing in the whole ghostly underworld.</p> - - <p>Anxiously he searched the ground around, but not a trace could he -find of his comrade. For over an hour he sought diligently, eagerly, -yet all his efforts were vain. It seemed as though the earth had -opened and swallowed the unfortunate inventor. Mervyn’s accident had -seemed terrible enough, but Garth’s disappearance eclipsed even that. -It was so appallingly mysterious!</p> - - <p>Not a sound had Seymour heard but the wolf cries, yet his friend -had been snatched almost from under his nose, and that without the -baronet catching even a glimpse of his abductors.</p> - - <p>“It’s maddening!” he burst forth at length. “Something must have -carried him off. He cannot have disappeared into thin air! I’ll fetch -Silas, and between the pair of us we may pick up some sort of a -trail.”</p> - - <p>So ruminating, with his mind still exercised with the baffling -problem, he turned, climbed the ridge, and retraced his steps through -the jungle.</p> - - <p>Suddenly he stopped, thinking he heard a footstep behind him; but -nothing could he see moving, and, telling himself that the -disappearance of his friend had shaken his nerve and made him -fanciful, he pressed on once more.</p> - - <p>Three minutes later he pulled up again, and this time he knew -there was no mistake. Something was dogging his steps, moving when he -moved, and stopping when he came to a halt!</p> - - <p>For an instant a wild, unreasoning fear swept over him, urging -him to break into a run, but, with an exclamation of disgust at his -own weakness, he shook it off, and moved forward again, cool, -determined, and watchful.</p> - - <p>But once more behind him came those ghostly footsteps.</p> - - <p>Roused to a fury by the grim persistency of the thing which was -tracking him, Seymour faced round with a jerk, and fired point-blank -into the fungi behind him. As the report of the rifle rang out, a -fearful death-scream awoke the echoes of the underworld, a scream so -full of diabolical rage and impotent fury that the usually iron-nerved -baronet trembled like a child as he heard it.</p> - - <p>Controlling his agitation with some difficulty, he moved -cautiously towards the spot whence the cry had come; but, though he -searched long and well, he could see no sign of the creature he had -shot, save in one place, where the green of the moss was disfigured by -a dark, red stain.</p> - - <p>At length he moved on again, with that fearful cry still ringing -through his ears, and his heart throbbing madly with a nameless -fear.</p> - - <p>What creature was it, he wondered, that could give voice to a cry -like that? What animal could it be that tracked him with such devilish -cunning? Doubtless when he discovered that, he would have found the -key to the mysterious fate of the inventor. He shuddered still at the -mere thought of the cry.</p> - - <p>Then, of a sudden, his heart seemed to stand still. Behind him, -tireless as ever, came the pad-pad of feet upon the moss!</p> - - <p>So there were more than one of these creatures, and they meant to -track him down to the end. A cold sweat broke out upon Seymour.</p> - - <p>If he could only see the Thing which menaced him; if he but knew -the extent, the nature of his danger!</p> - - <p>Against visible foes he would have fought with the bull-dog -courage which was his chief characteristic, but against the phantom -inhabitants of this land of shadows he was helpless.</p> - - <p>The jungle, hitherto silent and lifeless, seemed, to his excited -fancy, to be full of strange, ghostly sounds. Weird rustlings sounded -amid the gleaming vegetation, but above all these noises came the -sound of the relentless footsteps of his invisible pursuers.</p> - - <p>A choking sob rose in Seymour’s throat, but he crushed it down -with a strong effort of will. It seemed so terrible that he, who had -come scatheless through so many dangers, should meet his death amid -these wilds, at the hands of the terrible creatures that inhabited the -jungles.</p> - - <p>Yet, in spite of all, he was determined to sell his life dearly -if the chance of a fight came to him, and with that intention he swung -round suddenly, rifle at shoulder, and for the second time the report -of his weapon broke the silence.</p> - - <p>At the sound a dark brown shadow leapt up from the shelter of the -dense growth, and, with a choking sob, fell back again.</p> - - <p>It all happened too quickly for the baronet to catch more than a -glimpse of the Thing, but, as he moved forward to discover what -creature it was that had fallen to his aim, something flashed through -the twilight.</p> - - <p>Startled, he pulled up, and the missile, humming past him, stuck -quivering in the ground ten paces to the rear.</p> - - <p><i>It was a great, broad-bladed spear!</i></p> - - <p>While yet the baronet stood hesitating, the wolfish howl he had -heard before arose from the jungle around him.</p> - - <p>It rose, fell, and rose again, then died away in a series of -snarling yelps that made Seymour’s blood run cold.</p> - - <p>What could these creatures be, he thought, that howled like -wolves, and yet used spears?</p> - - <p>Once more that terrible chorus rose, until the whole underworld -became hideous with the sound.</p> - - <p>At that Seymour turned and broke into a run, tearing through the -jungle like one possessed. And after him, spectre-like, flitted a -crowd of dusky figures, grim and menacing.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_08" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER VIII.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE ELK-HUNTERS.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">F<span class="smtx">OR</span> some time after -the departure of their friends, Wilson and Haverly sat yarning, the -latter arousing the admiration of the engineer by his thrilling -stories of train robberies and Indian fighting on the early railways -of the States. Then their talk turned upon their absent comrades, and -the American had many a tale to tell of Seymour’s daring in the face -of dire peril.</p> - - <p>So the time passed pleasantly enough, until suddenly, in the -midst of a particularly thrilling yarn, Haverly leapt to his feet and -strode to the door.</p> - - <p>“What is it?” asked Wilson.</p> - - <p>“Listen!” was the reply.</p> - - <p>From somewhere in the jungle came a chorus of wolfish yelps, -succeeded by a faint cry, “Help!”</p> - - <p>“It’s Seymour!” cried the engineer, and snatched up a rifle.</p> - - <p>Silas darted out on deck, revolver in hand.</p> - - <p>“Help!” The cry was repeated, this time much nearer than -before.</p> - - <p>Quick as thought, Silas skimmed over the gangway, and leapt -ashore, closely followed by the engineer.</p> - - <p>As their feet touched the shingle, some heavy body burst out of -the jungle.</p> - - <p>It was the baronet! Gasping for breath and sweating at every pore -from his terrible exertions, he plunged madly down the beach, his eyes -fixed in a glassy stare of terror.</p> - - <p>Suddenly he stumbled over a loose stone and fell heavily. It was -the most fortunate fall he ever had; for, as he pitched forward, three -great spears hummed out of the fungi, passing close over his prostrate -body.</p> - - <p>Had he not tripped, he would certainly have been impaled by the -murderous weapons.</p> - - <p>Emptying his revolver into the undergrowth to secure immunity -from further attack, Haverly assisted his friend aboard, and, after a -short rest, Seymour told his story.</p> - - <p>“Wal!” exclaimed Silas, when the baronet had finished, “I allow -this licks all I ever heard! Mervyn carried off by a -tricera—what do you call it?—an’ Garth wiped clean out as -though he never existed, without you clappin’ eyes on the brutes that -attacked him.”</p> - - <p>“What do you advise?” asked Seymour hoarsely; “we must act -quickly, whatever course we decide upon. There is a -chance—faint, I admit—that our friends are still alive, -and if we go well armed we may manage to effect their rescue.”</p> - - <p>“And you don’t know what sort of brutes these are, that jumped -you?” the American questioned.</p> - - <p>“Haven’t the least notion,” was the reply; “but I’ll admit they -fairly scared me. Those wolfish cries of theirs completely unmanned -me. There was something so devilish about the whole thing that my fear -got the better of me, and I bolted for my life.”</p> - - <p>“Small blame to you,” replied Silas. “We heard a bit of the -entertainment here. But now for business. This is how I figure things -out. We’ll sink the boat, an’ trot her along a bit further up the -coast, in case any of the gentry that trailed you are hidin’ in the -mushroom bed there. Don’t think I funk meetin’ ’em; you know that -ain’t my style. But it won’t do to take no chances on a picnic of this -yer sort. With the lives of our two pards hangin’ on our efforts, I -guess we’ve got to hustle some. I assume you can find that gully you -mentioned again?”</p> - - <p>“Blindfold!” returned Seymour.</p> - - <p>“That’s well. If we don’t strike some kind of a trail, my name -ain’t Si. K. Haverly. You don’t mind stoppin’ aboard alone, -Wilson?”</p> - - <p>“Certainly not,” answered the engineer; “but for Heaven’s sake be -careful. If you don’t return, and I am left alone, I think I shall go -mad in this ghostly hole!”</p> - - <p>“I guess it’ll have to be a mighty smart nigger to get the drop -on me and Seymour,” Haverly asserted. “Just skip down to your engines, -like a good chap, an’ we’ll get a move on.”</p> - - <p>Within a few moments the <i>Seal</i>—totally -submerged—was moving cautiously up the coast, under the able -guidance of the American, while Seymour hastily packed a couple of -knapsacks with provisions necessary for their expedition. Not knowing -for how long a time they might be absent, Seymour, with the -forethought of an old sportsman, stowed away the greatest possible -amount of food in the limited space at his command.</p> - - <p>Then, filling a couple of cartridge belts, and chopping a handful -of cartridges into his pocket in addition, he judged the preparations -for the perilous undertaking to be complete.</p> - - <p>For four miles the <i>Seal</i> crept along the coast line, then -she was once more raised to the surface, and the two friends made -ready to disembark.</p> - - <p>“Don’t shift the <i>Seal</i> from here,” Silas said as they -stepped ashore. “If we are beaten back we shall make straight for the -boat.”</p> - - <p>“You may depend on me,” Wilson called, and, at that, the two -would-be rescuers plunged into the jungle.</p> - - <p>For an hour they pressed on, and, realising full well the need -for haste, they put forth every effort, while yet making their passage -through the fungi as noiseless as possible.</p> - - <p>Scarce a word passed between them, and what little was said was -in whispers.</p> - - <p>To Seymour, fresh from his terrible experience, every fungi-clump -concealed an imaginary foe, and every moment he expected to hear the -terrifying cry of his enemies.</p> - - <p>But they reached the ridge in safety, and, with a final glance -round to assure themselves that they were not followed, they descended -into the valley, and passed out on to the plain.</p> - - <p>Here Silas produced a small electric lantern, which, with his -usual forethought, he had brought with him; and, while Seymour kept a -sharp watch for enemies, animal or otherwise, he made a thorough -examination of the ground around the entrance to the valley.</p> - - <p>The footsteps of the mighty Triceratops were plainly to be seen, -but of Garth or his captors there seemed no trace for a time.</p> - - <p>Then suddenly a smothered cry left Haverly’s lips.</p> - - <p>“Jupiter! I’ve got it!”</p> - - <p>Seymour hurried to his side. In the ground at his feet, plainly -revealed by the light of the lantern, was the impression of a -horrible, ape-like foot, and close beside it was the imprint of a -boot.</p> - - <p>The baronet gave a whistle of astonishment.</p> - - <p>“The brute must have been close behind Garth when we turned for -the valley,” he said. “See, here are more footprints leading out -across the plain.”</p> - - <p>With eyes bent upon the trail, the two comrades moved forward -over the spongy ground in the direction of the distant hills.</p> - - <p>Two miles they covered, then a certain peculiarity about the -trail struck Haverly.</p> - - <p>“Say, Seymour,” he remarked, “have you noticed? The footprints of -the critturs we’re followin’ run close alongside the trail of the -Triceratops. I reckon that looks considerable queer!”</p> - - <p>“I think I can tell you what it means,” replied the baronet, -after a moment’s thought.</p> - - <p>“Wal?” Haverly inquired.</p> - - <p>“The brutes must have seen Mervyn carried off,” Seymour asserted, -“and have followed the trail in the hopes of his being pitched off the -animal’s back, when, of course, they could capture him, if he were -still alive, without much trouble.”</p> - - <p>“I guess you’re right,” returned the American, and once more -silence fell between them.</p> - - <p>Three hours went by, and then Silas called a halt.</p> - - <p>Flinging themselves down in the shadow of an enormous -boulder—only one of many with which the plain was -dotted—they made a hasty meal.</p> - - <p>They were sitting resting for a short time, ere resuming their -journey, when, sudden and terrible, the hideous wolf-cry they knew so -well trembled over the plain.</p> - - <p>Thrice it was repeated; then, as the two men sprang to their feet -in expectation of an attack, the sound of running feet broke upon -their ears.</p> - - <p>The next instant, through the twilight, loomed the monstrous form -of a gigantic elk.</p> - - <p>“Jupiter!”</p> - - <p>“Great Scott!”</p> - - <p>The exclamations burst simultaneously from the two men, as the -huge bull—almost as large as an elephant—flashed past -them. His great tongue was lolling out, and his mighty sides heaved -madly, as the breath poured, hissing, through his nostrils.</p> - - <p>He was evidently nearly spent, for, when he had covered a score -yards or so, he swung round and stood at bay, with his back against a -boulder almost opposite to the one in the shadow of which the rescuers -were flattening themselves, with their rifles at the ready.</p> - - <p>His towering antlers gleamed like silver in the light of a great -fungus growing close at hand; yet, for all the vast size of the -creature, for all his great strength, there was something -indescribably pathetic in the droop of the proud head, and a great -feeling of pity rose in the hearts of the watchers for the hunted -brute.</p> - - <p>“What a magnificent creature!” Seymour whispered; “but where are -its——”</p> - - <p>His sentence ended in a choking gasp, and his face paled beneath -its tan, as, silent as phantoms, six sinister forms glided out of the -shadows.</p> - - <p>So hideous were they in form that the two comrades stood as -though stunned, every energy being completely paralysed by the horror -of the things.</p> - - <p>Had the creatures attacked Seymour and the Yankee at that moment -theirs would have been an easy victory, for neither man could have -lifted a weapon in defence; but they apparently had no idea of the -presence of other than themselves.</p> - - <p>Their long, fearfully-distorted limbs, their hideous feet and -hands, armed with talon-like nails, their lean, emaciated bodies, -covered with coarse, brown hair; their low, receding foreheads, flat -noses, and immense, protruding, wolf-like fangs—all this, -crowned by a mass of thickly-matted hair, which hung almost to the -loins, seen in the dim, ghostly twilight of the underworld, made up a -picture of diabolical horror such as would be difficult, if not -impossible, to beat.</p> - - <p>Their thick, coarse lips were drawn back in an everlasting snarl, -and their bloodshot eyes gleamed savagely as they sighted the -motionless figure of the giant elk.</p> - - <p>“What are they?” Haverly whispered hoarsely, when the first shock -of their appearance had passed, “men or devils?”</p> - - <p>“Heaven knows!” was the low answer. “They are more like wolves -than either!”</p> - - <p>No scrap of clothing did the creatures wear, save a hide girdle, -in which was stuck a broad-bladed knife, fit companion to the -deadly-looking spear which each carried in its hand.</p> - - <p>Straight towards the great ruminant the creatures glided, their -faces aglow with savage expectancy.</p> - - <p>Half a dozen paces from their quarry they paused, and, squatting -on their haunches in a semicircle, raised a series of ghastly howls -which thrilled the two spectators.</p> - - <p>The great bull trembled at the sound. Doubtless he knew these -wolfish brutes of old; perhaps had been hunted by them, and had -managed to shake them off. But now his time had come.</p> - - <p>Planting his forefeet firmly, he stood with lowered head, -awaiting the end.</p> - - <p>Suddenly one of the hunters rose. Gripping his spear firmly with -his teeth, he crouched for an instant, then leapt into the air.</p> - - <p>The amazing height of his leap staggered the watchers, while -rousing a grudging admiration.</p> - - <p>“The brute must have sinews like watch-springs!” Seymour -whispered, then——</p> - - <p>A swift, upward flash of the great palmated antlers, a sound like -the ripping of sacking, and, with a fearful death-cry, the daring -leaper pitched heavily to the ground.</p> - - <p>The elk had drawn first blood!</p> - - <p>But it was his last effort in a hopeless struggle. Quick as -lightning another of the elk-hunters sprang.</p> - - <p>High above the bull’s drooping head he leapt, and, ere the -ill-fated animal could make another move, the wolfish creature was -upon his back, stabbing out his life with his great spear.</p> - - <p>A few moments of feeble struggling, and then the elk fell with a -crash, the life-blood pouring from his severed arteries.</p> - - <p>Scarcely was he down ere the waiting four were upon him, rending -the still quivering flesh with their great nails.</p> - - <p>“Poor brute!” Seymour muttered compassionately; “let those demons -have it, Silas.”</p> - - <p>The reports of the two rifles rang out as one, and a couple of -the fearsome elk-hunters rolled over upon the carcase of their quarry, -the rest diving like a flash to cover behind it.</p> - - <p>“I guess we’ll have to wipe them out now,” said the Yankee -grimly, “or they’ll bring a hull hornet’s nest about our ears in half -an hour.”</p> - - <p>A spear flashed up from behind the carcase as he spoke, and, -missing Seymour by a hair’s-breadth, shivered itself to fragments -against the boulder.</p> - - <p>“A close call,” remarked Silas.</p> - - <p>“Close indeed,” Seymour returned. “They’ll have one of us next -time, sure as fate, if we remain here. Let us move round in opposite -directions, and outflank them. Down!” he hissed suddenly, pushing -Haverly violently to one side, as a second missile hummed towards -them.</p> - - <p>His quick action saved the American, who would undoubtedly have -been transfixed by the great weapon but for that.</p> - - <p>An instant later a hideous head poked up from behind the dead -elk.</p> - - <p>Seymour let drive with a jerk, but, owing to the uncertain light, -missed, his shot striking a monstrous puff-ball growing within a few -feet of the spot whereon the carcase lay.</p> - - <p>A vivid sheet of flame leapt from the fungus, followed by a -terrible explosion, the shock of which hurled Silas and the baronet -violently to the ground.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_09" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER IX.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE <i>SEAL.</i></h3> - - <p class="noindent">S<span class="smtx">OME</span> moments later, -when the shock had somewhat passed, the two friends rose, not a little -dazed and bewildered.</p> - - <p>But their astonishment knew no bounds when they saw that the dead -elk and its late hunters had vanished, blown to fragments by the -bursting of the explosive fungus. Even the boulder, in the shadow of -which the bull had met his doom, had been partly destroyed.</p> - - <p>By what marvellous chance the two comrades had escaped the flying -fragments they themselves could not imagine, and they moved on their -way, feeling deeply thankful that they had escaped the fury of the -elk-hunters, and had also come safely through the explosion.</p> - - <p>“I guess we’ll have, to be careful what we’re shootin’ at,” -remarked Haverly. “This pesky mushroom stuff seems to be made of -gunpowder!”</p> - - <p>“It got us out of a tight corner, anyway,” returned Seymour; “we -should scarcely have come off scatheless but for that explosion. What -do you think of the natives of the underworld?”</p> - - <p>“I guess they don’t improve on acquaintance,” was the answer. -“For sheer devilry they romp in an easy first. Heaven help Garth and -Mervyn if they’re in the power of them critters!”</p> - - <p>“I reckon ‘wolf-men’ would be a suitable handle for the brutes,” -Silas went on, “with a fair marjority of the ‘wolf.’ They’re real -stunners! Say, I guess old Darwin could ha’ had a hull heap of missing -links if he’d only ha’ burrowed his way down here.”</p> - - <p>“I wish the brutes were missing literally,” Seymour retorted.</p> - - <p>“We’ll do our best to give ’em that same distinction,” replied -the Yankee. “I guess this old planet ’ud wobble along quite as well -without these lantern-jawed freaks trottin’ around in her innards. -Anyway, the population of this yer desirable location is going to find -itself considerable reduced at an early date if our two pards ain’t -handed over safe and sound. My barker’s kinder impatient -occasionally.”</p> - - <p>Another hour went by, and still the dual tracks of Garth’s -captors and the great Triceratops stretched before them.</p> - - <p>The plain grew more and more gloomy as they advanced, the fungi -failing entirely, so that the two had to grope their way as best they -could through the dim twilight of this subterranean world; and, though -haste was so necessary, Haverly dared not use his lantern, save -occasionally, when the trail grew indistinct, lest the light would -attract some of the hideous creatures whom he had well named -“Wolf-men.”</p> - - <p>Suddenly the baronet stumbled over some bulky object lying beside -the track.</p> - - <p>Recovering himself, he stooped and picked it up.</p> - - <p><i>It was the scientist’s specimen case.</i></p> - - <p>“I assume the professor must have got pitched off somewhere -hereabouts,” remarked the Yankee. “You can gamble on it he’s in the -same boat as Garth. See, here’s the identical spot where he struck -earth,” pointing to a deep impression in the clayey soil.</p> - - <p>“Perhaps the fall killed him!” Seymour suggested.</p> - - <p>“It may be better for him if it did,” retorted Silas; “Heaven -alone knows what tortures these darned, red-haired freaks will be -trying on him if he’s a prisoner in their hands; but I guess they’ll -hardly have taken the trouble to cart his body off, if he’d been -killed by the drop, so let’s get a hustle on.”</p> - - <p>Nothing loth, the baronet stepped out briskly again.</p> - - <p>Now the trail of the wolf-men led over stony ground, and many -precious moments were lost in tracing the faint tracks, sometimes all -but invisible. Then it would pass through the midst of some quaking -morass, where a false step meant death, and that in a form so hideous -that even the boldest could not face it calmly. Yet they kept -tenaciously to their task, determined to do their utmost to rescue -their friends, or, failing that, to avenge them.</p> - - <p>For the most part they proceeded in silence, with hearing -strained to catch the first sound of approaching foes; then suddenly -to their ears came the noise of rushing waters.</p> - - <p>A few paces farther and a great, black chasm yawned before them, -splitting the plain in twain. At its depth they could only guess, but -in width it appeared to be about thirty feet, and from its black -depths arose the roar of a mighty torrent.</p> - - <p>“See!” cried the baronet, “the ‘wolf-men,’ as you call them, must -have crossed here.”</p> - - <p>He pointed to where a frail, hide rope bridge—formed by two -long strands united by numerous cross-ties after the manner of a rope -ladder—swayed giddily above the abyss.</p> - - <p>“It will take a bit of nerve to cross that flimsy thing,” he went -on, “but I suppose there’s no other way; so here goes.”</p> - - <p>He placed one foot carefully upon the first rung of the bridge, -and was about to commit his whole weight to it, when suddenly he was -dragged forcibly backward by his companion.</p> - - <p>The next moment a knife flashed through the twilight on the -farther side of the chasm, and the hide bridge, severed from its -fastening, swished downward into the depths, and hung dangling against -the rocky wall.</p> - - <p>Quick as thought the Yankee’s revolver spoke, and a dark figure, -leaping high into the air, hurtled over the brink of the abyss.</p> - - <p>“I calculate he was a trifle too previous,” drawled Silas. “The -flash of his knife gave the show away, or you’d ha’ been down there by -now.”</p> - - <p>Seymour gazed into the darkness below, then turned and gripped -his friend’s hand.</p> - - <p>Not a word of thanks did he speak, but that grip expressed more -eloquently than words his gratitude to Haverly for the prompt action -which alone had saved him from a fearful death.</p> - - <p>“I assume it’s a case of checkmate,” the American remarked after -a few moments, gazing ruefully at the dangling bridge. “We’ll have to -get back to the <i>Seal,</i> and bring her round past the mouth of -this plaguey river.”</p> - - <p>“I suppose there’s no chance of the chasm being narrower higher -up,” Seymour hazarded, “so that we might jump it?”</p> - - <p>“Not an eyeful of a chance,” was the reply. “You can bet your -last dollar that if this yer land-crack was jumpable anywhere -hereabouts these wolfish brutes wouldn’t ha’ troubled to sling a -bridge across. I take it the sooner we get back to the old boat the -better for Garth and the professor. Say, what’s that?”</p> - - <p>Far away on the plain beyond the chasm an arch of light arose, -flashing and scintillating with dazzling brilliance. High into the -darkness it towered, like a golden rainbow, and, as the two men -watched in amazement, against its shimmering surface appeared a number -of strange, black figures.</p> - - <p>A few moments it hung thus, then vanished as mysteriously as it -had come.</p> - - <p>“Wal,” remarked Silas, “I reckon that’s a real caution. What do -you make of it, William?”</p> - - <p>But the baronet did not answer. He was puzzling over certain of -the figures—weird, animal-like forms—which had appeared -upon the arch.</p> - - <p>Strangely familiar they seemed to him, yet, try as he might, he -could not call to mind where he had seen them before.</p> - - <p>He was still pondering the matter when they turned to retrace -their steps towards the coast, and Haverly, though not knowing the -cause of his abstraction, forbore to question him.</p> - - <p>A mile of the return journey they had covered when light came to -Seymour’s mind.</p> - - <p>“I’ve got it” he cried.</p> - - <p>“Got what?” asked the millionaire.</p> - - <p>“The meaning of those signs on the arch,” was the answer. “I have -been trying to recall where I saw those figures before. It has just -flashed across me. Do you remember that visit Mervyn and I paid to an -island in the South Atlantic?”</p> - - <p>“Ayuti?”</p> - - <p>“The same. Well, it was there I saw the signs. Both Mervyn and I -learnt the language during our stay.”</p> - - <p>“Then I take it you can read them hieroglyphics?”</p> - - <p>“I can,” returned Seymour. “The six signs meant ‘<i>Leino yos -tragumee!</i>’”</p> - - <p>“I’d be almighty obliged if you’d translate the same. I guess my -list of languages don’t include Ayuti.”</p> - - <p>“It is a warning,” Seymour murmured reflectively, “and one that -we cannot afford to neglect, though I cannot imagine why it was given, -or why it should be in the language of Ayuti.”</p> - - <p>“But the translation?”</p> - - <p>“Let the white strangers beware!”</p> - - <p>“Jupiter! That’s kinder queer,” cried Silas, startled for once -out of his composure. “The fireworks were mysterious enough, without -this message. I reckon the citizens of this yer location are educated -some, for all their peculiar appearance.”</p> - - <p>“You surely don’t consider that the wolf-men were responsible for -the warning?” asked the baronet in surprise.</p> - - <p>“Seems more like a threat than a warning to me,” Haverly -rejoined. “I guess they’d hardly hang a message up that all the -wolfish freaks in the underworld could see, if they intended to warn -us. No pard, you take——”</p> - - <p>A screech awoke the echoes of the underworld; there was a -whirring of mighty wings, and out of the gloom swooped a monstrous -black shape, swift and terrible.</p> - - <p>Seymour was knocked sprawling to the ground as the creature -flashed past him and vanished again into the darkness whence it had -emerged.</p> - - <p>The millionaire stared in amazement, then, as his friend rose, he -found voice.</p> - - <p>“I guess that’s the biggest bat I ever struck!”</p> - - <p>“Bat!” ejaculated Seymour, “you don’t mean to say that was a -bat?”</p> - - <p>“It was nothing more or less,” retorted Silas; “but here he comes -again; now’s your chance to get your own back.”</p> - - <p>Simultaneously the two men pulled trigger, and the huge creature -swooping down upon them, flapped wildly for a moment, then sank -heavily to earth, beating the ground madly with its mighty wings.</p> - - <p>Its eyes glared savagely at the two comrades, and it made a -futile effort to drag itself towards them, seeming to know that they -were the cause of its injury.</p> - - <p>Half a dozen shots they fired into the great body ere the -creature lay still; then, when all movements of the wings had ceased, -they moved forward to examine the carcase.</p> - - <p>It was, as Haverly had said, a gigantic bat or vampire, armed -with hyæna-like teeth and great curved claws that made it a terrible -enemy.</p> - - <p>Its membranous wings, outstretched, could not have been less than -fifteen feet from tip to tip, and it would apparently have had little -difficulty in carrying off either of the comrades had it succeeded in -gripping one of them at its first swoop.</p> - - <p>“What hideous monsters this underworld contains!” exclaimed the -baronet disgustedly, as they pushed on once more. “Mervyn would be in -raptures could he see that brute. Anything new or strange attracts him -like a magnet.”</p> - - <p>“I reckon we’ll have to flicker if we’re to save him and Garth,” -returned Silas shortly, and increased his pace.</p> - - <p>Pressing forward with redoubled speed, every nerve and muscle -strained to the utmost, they reached the glade.</p> - - <p>A brief rest, then on again until they emerged upon the beach, -off which they had left their vessel.</p> - - <p>Eagerly they looked for the welcome gleam of the searchlight. But -they looked in vain.</p> - - <p><i>The “Seal” had vanished!</i></p> - - <p>A despairing cry burst from the baronet as this fresh misfortune -became apparent.</p> - - <p>What hope was there for Garth and Mervyn? What chance of their -ultimate rescue now?</p> - - <p>Even Haverly grew depressed as he thought of the issues at stake. -It seemed as though fate itself were against them.</p> - - <p>That now, while their comrades’ lives were perhaps trembling in -the balance, the vessel, upon whose aid they had relied, should fail -them, was a blow indeed.</p> - - <p>“Perhaps Wilson’s been attacked, and had to put out from shore,” -Seymour suggested gloomily, after standing for some time in moody -silence; but the hopelessness of his tones belied his words. In his -heart he fully believed that the faithful <i>Seal</i> had vanished for -ever.</p> - - <p>Vividly to his mind came the adventure of a few days -before—the attack of the giant octopus. What if another of the -huge cephalopods had attacked the vessel, and had dragged both it and -the engineer below the surface!</p> - - <p>He shuddered at the thought.</p> - - <p>“I reckon we’ll be getting used to reverses shortly,” said the -Yankee bitterly.</p> - - <p>“He may return,” Seymour answered.</p> - - <p>“I wouldn’t gamble on it,” was the retort; “but we’ll camp here -awhile, and see if he turns up. If he don’t, I guess it’s a case!” He -finished with a significant gesture.</p> - - <p>For ten long hours they waited on that dreary beach, waiting -vainly for the vessel that was their only hope in this land of eternal -twilight.</p> - - <p>They slept and watched by turns; but no welcome flash from the -searchlight of the submarine made glad their aching eyes, no voice -answered their repeated hails.</p> - - <p>At intervals they discharged their rifles, caring nought for the -risk they ran in so doing should any wolf-men still remain on this -side of the abyss.</p> - - <p>But no answering report echoed over the water, and at length, -fully persuaded that their faithful vessel had disappeared for ever, -they turned reluctantly inland once more.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_10" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER X.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE COMING OF THE GREAT FISH-LIZARD.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">“H<span class="smtx">EAVEN</span> grant they may -return in safety!” muttered the engineer as his two friends vanished -amid the fungi.</p> - - <p>For a while after their departure he amused himself by gazing at -the weird and glistening growths ashore; but ere long he grew tired of -the monotonous gleam of the things.</p> - - <p>They were so uncanny, so spectral in their splendour.</p> - - <p>Securely fastening the turret door, he went below, determined to -give his beloved engines a thorough clean.</p> - - <p>Although to an unpractised eye the gleaming cranks and levers -appeared spotless, the engineer found sufficient to occupy his -attention for three hours, ascending at intervals during this period -to the turret to assure himself that all was well.</p> - - <p>Only when the engines glistened like burnished silver did Wilson -cease his efforts; then, cleansing his grimy hands, he returned to the -wheelhouse, to await the return of his comrades.</p> - - <p>Little did he think what the future held in store for him; little -he dreamed of the perils through which he was to pass ere he saw his -friends again!</p> - - <p>Slowly the hours dragged by, and there came no sign from the -absent ones, and no sound broke the appalling, death-like silence of -the underworld.</p> - - <p>Once Wilson thought he heard a faint explosion, but the sound was -too indistinct for him to judge with any certainty.</p> - - <p>Within the boat and without all was silent as the grave.</p> - - <p>To the lad’s excited imagination even the homely interior of the -<i>Seal</i> seemed to partake of the ghostly character of her -surroundings. Every plate in the vessel he knew, every bolt had been -adjusted under his own supervision, yet he found himself continually -fancying that queer noises came from below.</p> - - <p>The eternal ticking of the saloon clock seemed to intensify the -unnatural stillness. He craved for some noise—anything, he cared -not what—as thirsty men crave for water, yet no sound came to -him.</p> - - <p>At length, unable to bear the strain longer, he flung open the -door, and stepped out on to the deck.</p> - - <p>For some time he paced to and fro, the ring of his boots upon the -steel plates sounding cheerily in his ears.</p> - - <p>Then suddenly he paused in his stride, and glanced sharply -astern.</p> - - <p>One hundred yards away a strange, rippling eddy appeared on the -swell of the heaving water.</p> - - <p>Remembering that the attack of the octopus had been heralded in -like fashion, Wilson bolted into the turret and closed the door. A -moment later, with face pressed against the glass, he was watching -eagerly for developments.</p> - - <p>“If it’s another squid,” he muttered, “I’m afraid he’s a trifle -too late. That ripple gives the show away. By Jove! he’s keeping it -up,” looking with surprise at the violently eddying water.</p> - - <p>Still the water boiled and hissed and foamed, racing round in an -ever-increasing circle.</p> - - <p>Then, “Great Heaven!” burst from the lips of the engineer. -“Ichthyosaurus!”</p> - - <p>Up in the midst of the eddy, with a rush and a swirl, appeared a -monstrous reptile. Never before had the engineer seen aught to equal -the thing; yet instinctively he knew what the creature was, recognised -it in an instant as the great fish-lizard, that old inhabitant of the -prehistoric seas.</p> - - <p>Full two hundred feet the reptile was in length, and its body was -covered with great, overlapping, scaly plates. The gaping jaws -revealed a double row of yellow fangs, and its monstrous eyes glowed -like moons, as the brute fixed them curiously upon the motionless -vessel.</p> - - <p>So for a few minutes it remained.</p> - - <p>Then, in a flash, its curiosity turned to furious rage as it -noted an unfortunate movement of Wilson’s. But for that the creature -might have departed as it had come, silently and peaceably.</p> - - <p>Its four mighty paddles churned the already racing water into a -mass of froth as, snorting furiously, it swept down upon the -<i>Seal.</i></p> - - <p>Just for a moment the lad stood petrified. The suddenness of the -thing, and, above all, the fearful size of the attacker held him -spellbound.</p> - - <p>He realised only too well the need for instant action if the -<i>Seal</i> were to be saved, yet his trembling limbs refused to obey -the prompting of his brain.</p> - - <p>But to him came the recollection of his friends’ dependence upon -the vessel; if she were destroyed his absent comrades were lost!</p> - - <p>The thought gave him strength.</p> - - <p>With a bound he leapt to the stairhead, and darted down to the -engine-room. Thrusting over the lever to the last notch, he dashed -back again into the wheelhouse, just as the <i>Seal,</i> straining -under the full power of her engines, snapped her mooring cable like a -cotton thread and sped seaward.</p> - - <p>Past the raging reptile she flashed like a meteor, and for a few -moments the engineer’s heart bounded with hope that the giant brute -would not give chase.</p> - - <p>But not so easily was the ichthyosaurus shaken off. With a sweep -of his tail he turned and swung after the flying vessel.</p> - - <p>Fast as the submarine was travelling, it soon became evident that -the reptile could travel faster. With a few powerful strokes he drew -alongside, and his mighty teeth snapped within an inch of the vessel’s -rail, Wilson turning the <i>Seal</i> only just in time to avert -disaster.</p> - - <p>This temporary failure appeared to increase the reptile’s rage, -and he swept forward again like a flash of light.</p> - - <p>Four walls of green, foam-capped water poured from his thrashing -paddles, and washed clear over the submarine’s deck.</p> - - <p>The monster’s tail, swinging, rising, and falling, lashed the -water with strokes that rang like the reports of guns.</p> - - <p>Something must be done, and that quickly, Wilson thought. But -what? That was the question.</p> - - <p>If that swinging tail once smote the <i>Seal,</i> her course -would be ended on the instant. Stout as were her plates, they could -not stand a blow of that sort. Glancing desperately about him, the -engineer’s eye fell upon Seymour’s elephant gun.</p> - - <p>It was a forlorn hope, yet, in his desperate plight, he -determined to try a shot with the great weapon.</p> - - <p>Giving a turn to the wheel, to alter the course of the vessel, he -locked it, then took down the gun.</p> - - <p>It was loaded, for, since the octopus’s attack, Seymour had -insisted on its being kept ready for action; so, opening the door -cautiously, Wilson stepped out. The rush of water, knee-deep, almost -swept him off his feet, but, bracing himself against the wheelhouse, -he raised his weapon and aimed carefully at one of the moonlike eyes -of his pursuer.</p> - - <p><i>Bang!</i> The kick of the great gun almost dislocated the -lad’s shoulder, but the pain of this was as nothing compared to his -chagrin when he found that he had missed.</p> - - <p>The terrific speed of the vessel and of her mighty enemy made -aiming exceedingly difficult, and, added to this, the elephant gun was -a weapon to which Wilson was entirely unaccustomed.</p> - - <p>Once more he raised it to his shoulder, and fired the second -barrel.</p> - - <p>This time the shell struck the reptile’s head, but glanced off -the gleaming scales without exploding.</p> - - <p>“The brute must be made of steel,” the engineer muttered savagely -as he retired, disheartened by his failure. As the net result of his -effort he had succeeded in still further enraging his huge opponent, -and had badly bruised his own shoulder.</p> - - <p>The floor of the turret was awash when he entered, but he cared -little for a discomfort of so trivial a character.</p> - - <p>The peril of the moment completely dispelled all other thoughts -from his mind. As he once more grasped the wheel-spokes, a half-formed -resolution came over him—that, if he and the <i>Seal</i> were to -be destroyed, the great reptile should perish with them.</p> - - <p>He had partly turned the submarine for the purpose of ramming his -terrible enemy, when a filmy wisp of vapour drifted across the -deck.</p> - - <p>He looked up quickly.</p> - - <p>A moment later a vast cloud of blinding mist rolled down upon the -vessel, blotting out the surface of the water and enveloping pursued -and pursuer in a thick white veil.</p> - - <p>“Thank God!” the engineer cried fervently, as the <i>Seal</i> -raced on into the friendly shelter of the mist.</p> - - <p>Gradually the sound of the reptile’s paddles grew fainter. Like a -hunted hare the submarine twisted and doubled, ever drawing away from -her monstrous foe; yet, even when all sound of the brute had ceased, -Wilson still held on, determined not to fall foul again of the peril -he had so narrowly escaped.</p> - - <p>But now danger arose from another source.</p> - - <p>The <i>Seal’s</i> excessive speed made travelling within the -enveloping mist highly dangerous. Each moment the engineer expected -some obstruction to loom before him—a rocky island, perhaps, -upon which the submarine would dash blindly and shiver herself to -fragments.</p> - - <p>Dared he leave the <i>Seal</i> to her own devices for a few -seconds, and slip below to slow the engines? He asked himself the -question over and over again, ere he summed up courage to loose the -wheel-spokes and make a quick dash for the engine-room.</p> - - <p>Quick as thought he pulled back the lever, almost to its -resting-place, then raced to the stairs.</p> - - <p>As he reached them there came a grating jar which shook the -vessel, and, with a crash that jerked him off his feet, the -<i>Seal</i> came to a standstill.</p> - - <p>Somewhat bruised by his fall, the engineer rose, and, retracing -his steps, entirely stopped the engines, after which he betook himself -once more to the turret, anxious to know the full extent of the -accident.</p> - - <p>It was as he thought. He had slowed the engines a few moments too -late, and the vessel, racing madly forward by her own momentum, had -piled herself high and dry upon a shingly beach.</p> - - <p>This much Wilson could discover by leaning over the rail, but the -mist was still too dense to allow him to make out the character of his -surroundings.</p> - - <p>Whether he was anywhere near the spot from which he had started -he could not tell; but, realising that he could do nothing until the -mist lifted, he prepared himself some food and made a hearty meal.</p> - - <p>As the hours went by, and there came no sign of the thinning of -the cloudy veil around, the engineer grew anxious.</p> - - <p>What if his friends returned while he was still absent? -Naturally, after his promise they would instantly believe that the -vessel had been destroyed in some manner, and perhaps would leave the -beach, never to return.</p> - - <p>The thought maddened him, and he had just determined to make an -effort to get the <i>Seal</i> afloat again without waiting for the -lifting of the mist when, as suddenly as it had come, the cloud rolled -upward and vanished.</p> - - <p>Then the full extent of his misfortune became apparent to the -engineer. The submarine had grounded for almost her entire length, and -it needed but a glance to tell him that her re-floating would be a -matter of great difficulty, if, indeed, it could be managed at -all.</p> - - <p>By the character of the ground around Wilson surmised that he -must be far from his starting-place, and this afterwards proved to be -the case.</p> - - <p>Before him lay a stretch of stony beach, perhaps one hundred -yards in width, and beyond that rose a towering wall of cliffs, -looming grim and gaunt through the twilight.</p> - - <p>The engineer’s first movement was to start the engines at full -speed astern; but, though the propellers whirled madly, the vessel -remained motionless, and it became apparent that, despite his wish to -be moving, Wilson would have to wait for the turn of the tide ere -making any effort to once more float the <i>Seal.</i></p> - - <p>Part of the time Wilson passed in making an examination of his -craft, both inside and out, and glad indeed was he to find that she -had sustained but little damage, and that only of a minor -character.</p> - - <p>All too slowly the water rose, the incoming waves lapping the -submarine’s hull playfully as they danced and shivered in the rays of -the searchlight.</p> - - <p>At intervals the engineer tried the engines, and at last, after a -long wait, the water rose high enough to answer his purpose.</p> - - <p>A tremor passed through the vessel; her propellers churned and -thrashed; she bumped, rolled, then slid gently off the beach.</p> - - <p>“Hurrah!” shouted Wilson, and flung up his cap. The <i>Seal</i> -was afloat once more. Over the rolling waves she flew at full speed, -the engineer’s one thought being to regain the beach from which the -attack of the great ichthyosaurus had driven him.</p> - - <p>Two hours later, after a long search, Wilson found himself back -at the old mooring-place. Securely fastening the vessel, he stepped -ashore to stretch his limbs.</p> - - <p>As he paced backward and forward across the beach, he wondered -whether his friends had returned from their expedition during his -absence.</p> - - <p>Suddenly, as he turned to go on board again, he noticed something -gleaming in the sand, almost at his feet.</p> - - <p>Stooping, he picked the shining object up. It was the baronet’s -revolver! The truth burst upon him in a flash.</p> - - <p>“So they came back,” he muttered, “while I was away, for I know -Seymour took this with him when he went off the second time.”</p> - - <p>Gloomy and depressed beyond measure by the discovery, he stepped -across the gangway. Then an idea struck him. Perhaps his friends were -still within hearing!</p> - - <p>On the impulse of the moment he snatched down a rifle from the -rack and fired it into the air.</p> - - <p>But no answering report came back to him. Again and again he -fired, but with no better result, and at length he gave up in -despair.</p> - - <p>Then suddenly the silence was broken by a hideous clamour of -wolfish howls. Distant though they were, the cries almost froze the -blood in Wilson’s veins, so full were they of deadly menace.</p> - - <p>Louder they grew, and it soon became evident to the engineer that -the creatures who uttered them were advancing towards the -<i>Seal.</i></p> - - <p>He was hesitating whether to cast off the mooring-rope or not -when, out of the jungle, some three hundred yards from the vessel, -burst a number of figures.</p> - - <p>Straight for the vessel they made, one in advance seeming to be -pursued by the others.</p> - - <p>In a flash comprehension came to Wilson. Snatching up the -magazine rifle he had but just laid down, he bounded through the -doorway, crossed the deck at a leap, and sprang ashore.</p> - - <p>As he did so the runner in advance raised his head, and a cry -trembled from his lips.</p> - - <p>“For God’s sake, fire, Wilson!”</p> - - <p>“Garth!” the engineer cried, then raised his weapon.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_11" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XI.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>HOW HILTON ESCAPED FROM THE WOLF-MEN.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">T<span class="smtx">HE</span> report of the -rifle was followed by a piercing death-scream, and one of the pursuers -dropped in his tracks.</p> - - <p>The rest, four in number, raised a hideous howl and came on.</p> - - <p>As they approached, Wilson got a full view of the creatures, and -the devilish horror of the Things paralysed him.</p> - - <p>“Fire!” cried Garth again, and, stumbling forward almost to the -engineer’s feet, he fell headlong, utterly exhausted.</p> - - <p>His fall roused Wilson from his stupor, and, raising his rifle -again, the engineer fired thrice in quick succession.</p> - - <p>At the reports two more of the creatures fell, either dead or -badly wounded, but the remaining two, with a snarling yelp, leapt -close in to the attack.</p> - - <p>One Wilson dropped almost at the muzzle of his rifle; then, ere -he could fire again, the knife of the last flashed straight and true -for his heart.</p> - - <p>Quick as thought he leapt aside, but he was too late to escape -the blow entirely.</p> - - <p>With a shock that staggered him, the great blade buried itself in -the fleshy part of his arm.</p> - - <p>The sting of the knife seemed to rouse all the murderous hate in -the engineer’s nature, and dropping his rifle, he gripped his fearsome -opponent by the throat, and bore him, struggling furiously, to the -ground.</p> - - <p>In vain the creature writhed and twisted; in vain he clawed and -tore at the engineer. Try as he would, he could not unloose that -vice-like grip.</p> - - <p>He gnashed his yellow fangs in a paroxysm of impotent fury, but, -for the moment, Wilson seemed possessed of the strength of a -giant.</p> - - <p>Letting the murder lust within him have full sway, the lad beat -his enemy’s head to a shapeless pulp against the stones of the -beach.</p> - - <p>Only when all motion of the writhing body had ceased for ever did -Wilson relax his grip; then, as he staggered to his feet, a red mist -swam before his eyes, and he fell, swooning, across the corpse of his -hideous opponent.</p> - - <p>When consciousness returned he found the inventor kneeling by his -side, endeavouring to staunch the gaping wound in his arm, from which -he had withdrawn the knife.</p> - - <p>“That was a narrow shave,” he said, as Wilson attempted to sit -up.</p> - - <p>“It was,” the engineer returned; “he almost had me, the brute!” -and he shuddered.</p> - - <p>Rising with the help of his friend, he moved down the beach and -got aboard.</p> - - <p>“Now for your wound,” Garth said, and, ripping up the sleeve of -Wilson’s jacket, he skilfully dressed and bandaged the gash.</p> - - <p>“Where are Haverly and Seymour?” he questioned, when the engineer -was feeling somewhat more comfortable.</p> - - <p>“They went off to find you and Mervyn,” was the reply. -Continuing, Wilson told him how Seymour had returned, and all that had -befallen the <i>Seal</i> since.</p> - - <p>“Great Scott!” Hilton ejaculated, “you’ve had a marvellous -escape. I don’t feel easy about that saurian though. The old gentleman -may take it into his head to turn up again, and we can’t expect the -mist to be on hand a second time. However, there’s no need to worry -about that until he comes.”</p> - - <p>“How did you manage to escape?” the engineer asked.</p> - - <p>“It’s too long a story to tell you now,” Hilton answered. “I’m -just dying for a few hours’ sleep so, if you feel fit enough to keep -watch, I’ll slip below for a time. Call me at once should anything -turn up,” he added, and, turning, left the turret.</p> - - <p>A short rest, followed by a bath, quickly restored the inventor’s -vitality.</p> - - <p>Re-entering the wheelhouse, he found that Wilson had spread an -appetising meal upon the lockers.</p> - - <p>“I thought it best to bring the grub up here,” the engineer -explained, “so that we can keep a look-out while we eat.”</p> - - <p>“Quite right, old man,” Garth returned, and at once fell to.</p> - - <p>For a while they ate in silence, then, at a question from his -friend, Hilton told his story.</p> - - <p>“No doubt Seymour explained how Mervyn was carted off?” he began -interrogatively, “and how we scrambled down into the valley after -him?”</p> - - <p>Wilson nodded.</p> - - <p>“Well,” Hilton continued, “we soon decided that the only course -open to us was to follow the trail of the Triceratops, on the chance -of Mervyn being pitched off the brute’s back. We had just started -when, close at hand, came a chorus of howls, as though a whole -menagerie of wolves were upon our track. Turning, we made for the -valley again. Seymour got safely in, but I tripped over a fungus and -fell; something caught me a crack on the head, and for a time I knew -no more.</p> - - <p>“I came to with a splitting headache, and for a long time I could -remember nothing of the preceding events, so great was the pain of my -head. As my brain grew clearer, memory came back to me, and the -incidents of the last few hours flashed through my mind in a long -procession. Then, for the first time, I became aware of the fact that -I was being carried. Jolly good of Seymour, I thought, to cart me -along like this. I opened my eyes dreamily. Imagine my horror, if you -can, when I discovered that it was not Seymour who was carrying me, -but one of those Things!” Garth indicated the motionless forms which -still lay as they had fallen upon the beach.</p> - - <p>“The creature bore me in its arms as easily as though I were a -child,” he went on, “and for some moments I felt too dazed by the -discovery of my terrible position to do aught but lie still. Then a -thought came to me that, if the creature were alone, I might manage to -escape from his grip. Vain hope! I gazed about me, only to find that a -few paces ahead were a dozen more of the brutes, who appeared to be -following a trail of some sort. I could see by the deep depressions in -the clayey ground that it was the trail of the Triceratops, but for -what reason they should follow the monstrous brute I could not -imagine—until I remembered Mervyn. Then I perceived their -motive.</p> - - <p>“Sure enough, before we had gone much farther, the foremost of -the trackers set up a howl. The rest, and among them my bearer, -hurried forward. Beside the track, unconscious, with a great wound on -his temple, lay the professor. Picking him up, one of the brutes slung -him roughly over his shoulder; and the whole band set forward again at -a rapid trot. The rest of the journey seemed to me like some terrible -nightmare, with only one impression standing out clear in my mind, and -that was the hideous forms of the Things that flitted, spectre-like, -before me.</p> - - <p>“But all things have an end, and this journey was no exception to -the rule. Ere long the creatures pulled up on the brink of a ravine, -from the depths of which arose a sound of a mighty torrent. Above this -chasm hung a frail hide bridge, and I shuddered as I became aware that -my captors were preparing to cross.</p> - - <p>“Gripping Mervyn more firmly, the creature who carried him -stepped upon the swaying ropes. Luckily, the professor was still -unconscious, or I do not doubt he would have made some hasty action, -the result of which would have been disastrous in the extreme. I -marvelled how the creature, burdened as he was, kept his precarious -balance, but he managed it somehow, and at length laid down his -captive upon the farther side of the gorge, while he awaited the -crossing of his fellows.</p> - - <p>“Then came my turn. My bearer advanced to the head of the bridge, -and had already placed one foot upon it, when, wildly furious at the -appalling prospect before me, I writhed out of his arms. For an -instant I had some mad hope of making a run for it, but before I could -take a step the brute had me again. Recklessly I struggled, determined -that I would not be taken across that abyss, to meet a terrible death -at the hands of these wolfish creatures. Far rather leap into the -depths, and perish in the dark waters below!</p> - - <p>“But the creature had a grip like a Polar bear. Struggle as I -would, I could not again escape from his arms, and, at length, with my -ribs almost cracking beneath the strain, I ceased my efforts and lay -passive. With a hideous chuckle, which made me long to shoot him, he -raised me again, and began the passage of the bridge. Still as death I -lay until he had almost reached the centre. Then, when his grip was -somewhat relaxed, and all his efforts were centred upon keeping his -balance, I kicked out strongly. The sudden move, as I had intended it -should, completely destroyed our equilibrium. The bridge seemed to -sway from beneath us, and we hurtled into space.</p> - - <p>“I remember my captor relaxing his grip of my body to make a -desperate clutch at the swinging ropes; a terrible fall which appeared -almost endless in duration; the roaring of many waters; then came a -shock, which knocked me senseless for the second time since leaving -the boat. But I am wearying you with my yarn?”</p> - - <p>“Nothing of the kind,” returned Wilson eagerly; “your tale’s -every bit as good as a book!”</p> - - <p>“To resume, then,” continued the inventor. “The next thing I -recollect is awaking from my swoon on the sandy beach at the mouth of -the river. How it came about that I was not drowned amid the rushing -waters I cannot make out, even now. It seems incredible that I should -have been carried, helpless as I was, through the foaming rapids of -the gorge, and washed safely ashore at the river-mouth. Yet the fact -remains.</p> - - <p>“For some considerable time I lay, drenched and thoroughly -exhausted, upon the sand; then, when my strength had returned in some -measure, I rose, and, though still very faint, made my way along the -beach, knowing that by following the coastline I must, sooner or -later, come across the <i>Seal.</i> As my blood began to circulate -more briskly my faintness vanished, and soon I felt as well as -ever.</p> - - <p>“Save for the discomfort of my wet clothes, I really believe I -should have enjoyed my tramp. The thought that I had succeeded in -escaping from the clutches of the brutes who had captured me gave me -great satisfaction. I will hurry on, I thought, and, if Seymour has -returned, we will get up a rescue party at once. Then it will not be -long before we have Mervyn out of the power of these wolfish savages. -You see, I had forgotten that a considerable time must have elapsed -since my fall; that I must have lain unconscious for many hours.</p> - - <p>“On I tramped, but as the time went by, and still no <i>Seal</i> -came in sight, I grew very uneasy. As I rounded each bend in the -coastline I looked eagerly out for the glare of the searchlight. But -never a glimmer did I see. Hours passed, and I grew faint with hunger, -yet still toiled on, hoping that in a little while my quest would be -ended. At length my hunger became unbearable. Plucking several fleshy -fungi, I tore off the thick outer skin and bolted the pulp eagerly, -caring little whether they were of a poisonous character or not, so -that the gnawing pain at my stomach was relieved.</p> - - <p>“To my surprise, they proved not merely palatable, but -stimulating. The stagnant blood began to course with fresh vigour -through my veins, and I arose, refreshed and strengthened, to resume -my quest. It was pleasing to think that, at any rate, I need not -starve, even if I could not find the boat for a time. But should I -ever find her at all? The question, flashing through my mind of a -sudden, almost caused my heart to stand still.</p> - - <p>“What if she had been moved from her old mooring-place, and taken -I knew not where? The thought made me desperate, and I raced madly -forward, shouting occasionally in hopes of hearing an answering hail. -Suddenly I came out upon the beach there. I recognised the spot in an -instant, but my worst fears were realised when I saw that the -<i>Seal</i> was gone.</p> - - <p>“For awhile my rage and despair knew no bounds, and I raced up -and down the beach like a madman, feeling that I was hopelessly lost -in this subterranean world. Presently I grew calmer, and began to look -at my position from the standpoint of common-sense. It was terrible -enough in all conscience. Alone, entirely defenceless—for I had -lost my revolver when I fell into the hands of the savages—in a -land inhabited by monstrous beasts and wolf-like men, it was a -situation, you will admit, that would have tried the stoutest -heart.</p> - - <p>“Remember that then I fully believed the boat had gone for -ever.</p> - - <p>“Suddenly, as I sat thinking out my future movements, a weird -howl broke upon my ears. In a fright I started up, and rushed off at -headlong speed down the shore, determined that I would not again be -taken. For how long I kept on I cannot tell, but I know that at last, -footsore and completely worn out, I flung myself down upon the sand -and fell fast asleep. I awoke ravenously hungry, and my first action -was to make a hearty attack upon a fungus. That done, I felt -better.</p> - - <p>“Telling myself that I had been a fool to allow the cry of the -savages to startle me, I commenced to retrace my steps. I had covered -perhaps a mile, certainly not more, when, rounding a monstrous -boulder, I came plump upon those fellows”—and he pointed to the -beach again.</p> - - <p>“They were squatting in an angle of the rock, eagerly tearing at -a carcase of some sort. For the moment they did not notice me, and I -was hoping to get past unobserved, when, as luck would have it, I -kicked against a stone. In a flash the brutes were up and after me. -Thinking to escape them amid the fungi, I plunged into the jungle. I -ran as I had never run before, but I could not shake them off. The -beasts seemed absolutely tireless.</p> - - <p>“I had almost given up hope when I heard the reports of your -rifle. The sounds gave me fresh strength, and I dashed furiously on -until I emerged yonder. The rest you know.”</p> - - <p>Garth rose as he finished his story, and glanced out through the -glass.</p> - - <p>Then a startling cry burst from him.</p> - - <p>“Great Heaven! Look there, Tom!”</p> - - <p>Wilson turned quickly.</p> - - <p>Through the ghostly twilight, a cable’s length astern, loomed the -monstrous form and vast, glaring orbs of the great fish-lizard.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_12" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XII.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>“GEHARI—THE WILY ONE.”</h3> - - <p class="noindent">“I<span class="smtx"> OPINE</span> it’s got to -be done.”</p> - - <p>Once more Silas and the baronet stood upon the brink of the great -abyss which had barred further progress upon their first journey.</p> - - <p>“You see, it’s this way,” Haverly went on: “there’s just a -glimmer of a chance that Garth and Mervyn are still alive. It ain’t -the general thing with savages to kill their prisoners off-hand, and I -guess these wolf-men are no exception to the rule. That being so, we -may still be in time to pull this job off if we adopt my plan. You’ll -allow that if we’ve got to foot it twenty or thirty miles along the -edge of this yer crevice, we’re safe to arrive considerable too late -for business?”</p> - - <p>“Tramping along the brink on the chance of finding a place -sufficiently narrow for us to jump is utterly out of the question,” -replied Seymour. “Your plan is really the only feasible one, although -it sounds decidedly risky.”</p> - - <p>“Then here goes,” cried the millionaire. He flung himself down -upon the very verge of the chasm, and, leaning far over, hauled up the -dangling ropes which had formed the bridge.</p> - - <p>With Seymour’s aid he cut the fastenings that bound it to the -rocky brink; then the twain applied themselves to the task of -unlashing the cross-ties, a piece of work that proved very tedious, -and which was accomplished with no little difficulty.</p> - - <p>It was finished at length, though, and then Haverly skilfully -knotted the two long strands, each of which was about thirty feet in -length, testing the knots again and again to assure himself of their -firmness.</p> - - <p>“I guess that’ll hold,” he remarked; “if it gives at all it won’t -be at the knots.”</p> - - <p>At one end of this hide rope he made a running noose, and, -coiling it lasso-fashion about his arm, he rose.</p> - - <p>“Now for a suitable rock to sling it over,” he went on, “and then -we’ll have a first-class bridge: a bit fragile, perhaps, but ‘needs -must when the old man drives,’ you know.”</p> - - <p>Along the edge of the gorge the two men strode, searching -carefully for an out-jutting spur of rock upon the opposite side.</p> - - <p>For a time their efforts were unrewarded, and Seymour began to -grow impatient. Every instant was of priceless value; each moment the -odds against their being able to carry out their desperate plan of -rescue increased.</p> - - <p>Then suddenly they came in sight of a crag which appeared as -though it had been made for the purpose.</p> - - <p>Whirling his roughly made lasso above his head, the Yankee made a -cast.</p> - - <p>But the noose fell short, and the rope swished downward into the -gorge.</p> - - <p>“Better luck next time,” Silas muttered, as he recoiled it.</p> - - <p>Once more he threw the noose, and this time fortune attended his -efforts. The rope settled over the rocky spur, and was at once pulled -taut.</p> - - <p>“I guess we’ll have to risk the rock cuttin’ the hide,” the -Yankee said, as he securely fastened his end of the rope to an -adjacent boulder.</p> - - <p>Creeping to the verge, he took a firm grip of the hide with both -hands, and lowered himself over into the gorge.</p> - - <p>The frail rope creaked ominously beneath his weight, as, hand -over hand, he commenced to drag himself across that yawning gulf.</p> - - <p>Each instant it seemed as though the swaying thread on which his -life depended would snap. Beads of sweat stood out upon Seymour’s -forehead as he watched his friend’s perilous progress.</p> - - <p>The American’s lithe body swayed and danced like a puppet, as his -hands clasped and unclasped upon the rope.</p> - - <p>Halfway across he paused for a brief rest, then on he toiled once -more, until he reached the crag to which the rope was fastened.</p> - - <p>With a supreme effort he dragged himself upon the rock, and lay -panting awhile as the result of his tremendous exertions.</p> - - <p>When he had somewhat recovered, he rose, and made a careful -examination of the rope at the point where it encircled the crag.</p> - - <p>“Unlash it for a moment, Seymour,” he called, his voice echoing -strangely from the depths of the chasm.</p> - - <p>As the baronet complied with his request, Silas removed the -noose. Taking off his jacket, he wrapped it closely around the rock, -replacing the rope over it.</p> - - <p>“I guess that’ll keep it from wearing through,” he said. “If -you’ll do the same your side, it will lessen the risk of it -snapping.”</p> - - <p>Sir William followed his example, then launched himself -cautiously over the brink. Inch by inch, foot by foot, he advanced, -though the rope cut his hands like a knife. His arms seemed to be -leaving their sockets through the strain, and his eyes grew dim and -bloodshot, yet he still dragged onward.</p> - - <p>Longingly he gazed upon the opposite lip of the gorge, where -Haverly sat at ease. Would he be able to hold out? It seemed doubtful, -for his strength was ebbing fast. His great weight made his crossing -ten times more difficult than the lighter-built Yankee’s had been.</p> - - <p>His goal appeared to recede as he advanced. What would he not -give to rest his aching arms for just one moment?</p> - - <p>“Courage!” cried his friend, and the word gave him strength.</p> - - <p>Haverly had made the passage; why not he?</p> - - <p>Slowly the distance between him and his goal lessened; ten feet, -nine—he would soon be in safety now—eight; -then——</p> - - <p><i>Crack!</i> A pistol-like report echoed across the gorge.</p> - - <p>“Grip for your life!” cried the Yankee; “the rope’s giving!”</p> - - <p><i>Crack!</i> Again it sounded, like the knell of doom in -Seymour’s throbbing ears.</p> - - <p>The next moment the rope parted behind him, and he dropped like a -stone into the depths. Instinctively his clutch tightened upon the -hide.</p> - - <p><a name="illustration_02" id="illustration_02" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"></a></p> - - <p class="noindent"><img src="images/illo_02.jpg" alt="Illustration #2"/></p> - - <p>A swift rush through the air, then, with a shock that forced a -groan of agony from his bloodless lips, he struck the canyon wall.</p> - - <p>For a few seconds he hung, twisting and swaying, at the end of -the rope, until his feet found hold on a narrow ledge in the face of -the rock. On to this he drew himself.</p> - - <p>For the moment he was safe.</p> - - <p>As he stood there, gasping and panting, feeling as though he had -not a whole bone in his body, the glare of Haverly’s lantern pierced -the gloom.</p> - - <p>Looking upward, Seymour saw his friend’s face peering anxiously -down from the cliff top.</p> - - <p>“It’s all right, Silas,” he panted; “I’ll be with you at soon as -I’ve got my wind.”</p> - - <p>“Jupiter!” exclaimed the American, “I reckoned you’d passed in -your checks for sure that time. It was a narrow squeak! Take your -time,” he continued, as the baronet commenced to haul himself up. -“Don’t overdo it.”</p> - - <p>Four minutes later Seymour’s head appeared above the edge of the -cliff, and, with the millionaire’s ready help, he dragged himself over -into safety.</p> - - <p>“I wouldn’t go through that again for a king’s ransom,” he -said.</p> - - <p>“I guess you’d hardly come out of it so well another time,” -returned Silas; “it’s the closest call I’ve struck for a considerable -stretch. Say when you’re ready and we’ll hustle.”</p> - - <p>“I’m ready at once,” was the answer.</p> - - <p>A little over half an hour it took the two friends to pick up the -trail of the wolf-men, then they pushed on once more at their utmost -speed.</p> - - <p>The character of the country changed entirely as they advanced, -the level plain giving place to a series of rolling ridges, which made -progress extremely difficult.</p> - - <p>Added to this, the temperature appeared to be gradually rising, -and soon their bodies were bathed in perspiration.</p> - - <p>“Warm work,” remarked Haverly, pausing on the crest of a ridge to -mop his forehead.</p> - - <p>“Too warm to be pleasant,” replied his friend. “I should imagine -that we are approaching a subterranean fire of some sort. What’s -that?” he broke off sharply.</p> - - <p>A shrill scream, thrilling with agony, rose from the ravine at -their feet.</p> - - <p>“Look to your shootin’ iron,” said the Yankee; “sounds as if -you’ll need it.”</p> - - <p>He jerked his own revolver from his pocket as he spoke.</p> - - <p>“I must have lost my barker,” Seymour muttered, feeling through -his pockets.</p> - - <p>“I guess your rifle will manage,” was the reply.</p> - - <p>Once more the cry arose, and at that they commenced the descent -of the ridge.</p> - - <p>As they neared the base, two wildly-grappling forms loomed -through the twilight. In a moment Haverly switched on the light of his -lantern, and focussed its rays upon the combatants.</p> - - <p>Struggling desperately in the coils of a monstrous serpent was -one of the fearsome wolf-men.</p> - - <p>Three of the reptile’s great glistening folds encircled the -savage’s body; the mighty jaws gaped expectantly above him, while the -beadlike eyes were fixed in a fascinating stare upon the unfortunate -creature.</p> - - <p>“We can’t stand by and see him crushed to death by that brute,” -cried the baronet impulsively, “even though he is a wolf-man.”</p> - - <p>“Best not to interfere,” returned the Yankee shortly.</p> - - <p>At that instant the wolf-man, attracted by the light, turned his -head towards the two friends and raised his hands imploringly, while -from his lips came another agonised scream.</p> - - <p>That settled the question for Seymour. Quick as thought he raised -his rifle and fired. At the report the great, yawning head vanished, -shattered to atoms, and the body, relaxing its grip of the savage, -thrashed up the ravine as though still endowed with life.</p> - - <p>As it vanished into the gloom the wolf-man rose, rushed forward, -and cast himself down at Seymour’s feet.</p> - - <p>“I’ve no small notion that we’ll strike trouble over this job,” -said Haverly ominously, “and that before a great while either. What -the Barnum we’re to do with this long-shanked freak I know no more’n -Caesar.”</p> - - <p>“He may prove useful,” the baronet suggested.</p> - - <p>“He may,” was the Yankee’s unpromising answer, “but I guess the -odds lie the other way. Hi, Pharaoh!”—addressing the cringing -savage—“get up from there right now. You’re black enough without -wiping your face in the mud.”</p> - - <p>As though conscious that he was addressed, the creature raised -his head, and glared fiercely at Haverly.</p> - - <p>“Get up,” the latter repeated roughly; then, seizing the wolf-man -by his girdle, jerked him to his feet.</p> - - <p>A baleful light flashed from the creature’s eyes, and, for an -instant, it appeared as though he was about to spring at the -millionaire’s throat, but he checked himself, and well it was for him -that he did so.</p> - - <p>“He’s got neither knife nor spear,” Seymour said, “so he cannot -be very dangerous.”</p> - - <p>“Umph!” Silas snorted, “I wouldn’t trust the brute out of sight. -I guess we’ll have to keep a tight hand over him, or he’ll be settin’ -a hull crowd of his pards on our trail in a brace of shakes.”</p> - - <p>“Gehari!”</p> - - <p>The harsh, guttural cry came from the wolf-man’s throat, and he -beat his breast with his clenched hand.</p> - - <p>“Gehari!” he repeated, fixing his piercing eyes on Seymour’s -face.</p> - - <p>“What’s he jawing about?” asked Silas.</p> - - <p>“Ayuti again,” replied the baronet. “However came these brutes to -speak that language?”</p> - - <p>“I reckon it don’t matter a heap,” retorted the Yankee, “so’s we -can turn it to our advantage.”</p> - - <p>“Gehari!” For the third time the word broke upon the ears of the -two friends.</p> - - <p>“What the plague does he mean by his eternal ‘gehari’?” asked -Haverly.</p> - - <p>“It must be his name,” was the reply, “but it isn’t exactly a -classy title. The word means ‘the wily one.’”</p> - - <p>“Jupiter!” cried Haverly with a grin, “that kind of gives the -show away. I guess he can’t grumble the handle don’t fit him, for he’s -got ‘wily’ writ large all over him. Say, couldn’t you get no news of -our pards off the fellow?”</p> - - <p>Turning, Seymour put a few brief questions to the wolf-man.</p> - - <p>“What’s he say?” asked Silas as he finished.</p> - - <p>“He professes to know nothing of two white prisoners, but he says -that all captives are sacrificed to the sacred beast of his people in -the temple of Ramouni.”</p> - - <p>“Then tell him to lead on to this yer temple, quick as he knows -how,” the Yankee snapped, “if he wants to keep his skin entire.”</p> - - <p>The baronet interpreted the words in their full significance, and -at once the savage started off across the bed of the ravine at a -trot.</p> - - <p>Up the opposite ridge he clambered, at a pace that severely taxed -the powers of the rescuers. Within a few moments they topped the -crest.</p> - - <p>Before them the plain stretched level as a table for half a -league; and beyond rose the fungi-clad heights they had first sighted -from the boat.</p> - - <p>Onward they pressed until they stood at the foot of the range; -and here, deciding to seek a few hours’ rest ere entering upon the -final stage of their perilous journey, the two friends passed into a -small cave amid the rocks. And with them, closely watched by the alert -American, went Gehari—the wily one.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_13" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XIII.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE FATE OF MERVYN.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">B<span class="smtx">UT</span> what of Professor -Mervyn? How was he faring the while his friends were making such -strenuous efforts to effect his rescue?</p> - - <p>For a time his terror at finding himself in so perilous a -position completely overcame him.</p> - - <p>With each stride of his monstrous steed he was being borne -farther and farther from his friends; deeper and deeper into the -unknown wilds of this subterranean world. He knew that ere long, -unless he took prompt action, he would be carried beyond all reach of -aid, yet, so great was the fear that gripped him, for a time he could -do nought, save cling convulsively to the armoured hide of the brute -he rode.</p> - - <p>As his first panic subsided, and his brain resumed its sway of -his trembling body, he began to cast about for some means of escape -from his predicament.</p> - - <p>Full twenty feet he was from the ground, and the Triceratops was -travelling at the rate of at least thirty miles an hour, so that a -leap could not be other than dangerous. Yet it must be done if he -would ever see his friends again.</p> - - <p>The thought that perhaps he might break a limb in descending -deterred him for some time, but at length he summoned up courage to -make the attempt.</p> - - <p>To do so, however, he must first rise to a standing position upon -the huge back of the Triceratops, in order to obtain sufficient spring -to leap clear of the pounding hoofs.</p> - - <p>This feat he accomplished, after considerable difficulty; then, -while he stood essaying to leap, the brute beneath him swerved -suddenly to the right.</p> - - <p>It might have been that the scientist’s movements irritated the -creature, and so caused it to change its course, or it may have been -but a whim on its part.</p> - - <p>However it was, the sudden move destroyed the professor’s -balance; he was flung headlong and dropped, in a stunned and bleeding -heap, beside the track.</p> - - <p>Nought he knew of the coming of the wolf-men who had already -captured Garth; nought of the passage of the bridge; even the rough -journey thence to the caves of the savages did not rouse him.</p> - - <p>When he did at length return to a sense of things around him, two -impressions forced themselves upon his brain. One was the sensation -that utter, impenetrable darkness shut him in—darkness, thick -and tangible; the other, that every bone in his body had been broken -and re-set.</p> - - <p>Of the twain, the former gave him the more uneasiness.</p> - - <p>His aches and pains, he knew, were the result of his fall, but -this other he could not explain.</p> - - <p>Where was he, that this darkness surrounded him? Surely, if he -lay where he had fallen, the twilight of the underworld would be about -him?</p> - - <p>Then of a sudden the thought that he was blind swept over him. -<i>The shock of his fall had perhaps destroyed his sight!</i></p> - - <p>“Oh, God!” he cried despairingly, and raised his hands.</p> - - <p>The clank of metal startled him, and he became conscious of -something which, in his state of semi-bewilderment, he had not felt -before.</p> - - <p>His arms were chained at the wrists!</p> - - <p>A low gasp escaped him at this discovery, yet with it came a -feeling of relief. The darkness, then, was the result of his -surroundings, and not of any accident to his eyes. But into whose -hands had he fallen? What beings were they who held him captive?</p> - - <p>As yet he was unaware of the existence of the wolf-men, and it -was well that he knew nothing of the horrors, or surely his brain -would have given way beneath the strain of his terrible situation -during the long hours he spent in the darkness of his prison.</p> - - <p>His first action was to attempt to slip the chain from his -wrists, but this he found before long to be an utter impossibility. -Evidently the creatures who had fastened him had a shrewd idea as to -the method of securing a prisoner.</p> - - <p>Luckily, his feet were not in a like plight, so that, after a -time, he made shift to rise, and, with manacled hands outstretched -before him, feel his way about his prison.</p> - - <p>As nearly as he could judge, his cell was about four yards in -length by rather less than half this in width. Its rock walls, -rough-hewn and rugged for the most part, were, in one particular -place, smooth as glass.</p> - - <p>Carefully Mervyn passed his fingers over this slab, suspecting -that it was the door to his cell yet not a crack could he find.</p> - - <p>The rock there seemed not less solid than elsewhere. Again and -again he tried, but never with the same result.</p> - - <p>As the hours dragged by, and no one came to him, the scientist -began to think that his captors had forgotten his existence.</p> - - <p>Whoever they were, whatever they were, they surely could not -intend him to be entombed alive? They would scarcely have troubled to -chain him had they meant him to be shut away here for ever.</p> - - <p>So thinking, Mervyn raised his voice in a shout.</p> - - <p>The sound rang round the walls of his prison in an appalling -uproar, yet apparently it was unheard without.</p> - - <p>Allowing some moments to elapse, he repeated his effort.</p> - - <p>The cell rang again with his cry, but still there came no answer, -and at last he flung himself down upon the floor again.</p> - - <p>Scarcely had he done so ere to his ears came the creaking of -machinery, and a dazzling light flooded his cell.</p> - - <p>Looking up, he saw that the stone slab, which he believed to be -the door, had been pulled aside, and in the doorway, his features lit -up with a look of fiendish glee, stood a man—but such a man!</p> - - <p>Tall he was, and lean as a greyhound. Yet his bare, brown arms -looked strong as iron; from his shoulders a fur mantle fell in -graceful folds to his feet; his face—distorted now by its -malevolent expression into the semblance of a fiend—must have -been pleasing once, if not handsome. But passion had left its mark -upon the features, and the eyes, cold and merciless in their glitter, -betrayed the hideous cruelty of their owner’s nature.</p> - - <p>Upon the forehead of the man, bound in place by a tiny metal -chain, was a stone, the like of which Mervyn had never seen -before.</p> - - <p>In fashion it was like a rough-cut diamond, but much larger than -any gem ever discovered in the mines of the upper world, and from its -glowing heart proceeded the dazzling light which illumined the -cell.</p> - - <p>All this Mervyn noted in the first few seconds of his -surprise.</p> - - <p>A little while he sat gazing at the man, then, scrambling to his -feet, stood upright before him.</p> - - <p>“Wabozi!” The word rang mockingly from the lips of the fellow, -and the scientist recognised it in a moment.</p> - - <p>“How comes this fellow to speak Ayuti?” he questioned mentally. -“Perhaps——”</p> - - <p>“Wabozi, zea!”</p> - - <p>The mocking voice, this time with a note of menace in it, broke -sharply in upon his reflections.</p> - - <p>Quick as thought Mervyn answered in the same tongue, using the -same words, “Wabozi, zea!” (“Greeting, dog!”)</p> - - <p>“So,” continued his captor, “thou knowest the language of the -underworld? ’Tis well. Thou wilt have need of it ere long, when I -question thee concerning thy presence in my kingdom. Know you that I -am Nordhu, High Priest of Ramouni, Ruler of the Under-world! Who are -ye? Take heed that ye speak naught but the truth, for I know more than -ye think.”</p> - - <p>A faint hope flickered up in the scientist’s breast that, by -telling his story in its fulness, the priest might be induced to set -him free, that he might return to his friends.</p> - - <p>So he began narrating the misadventures and accidents which -landed him in so unfortunate a position.</p> - - <p>But never an atom of interest did the priest show. His features -were inscrutable as a mask.</p> - - <p>“What is that to me?” he asked, as Mervyn concluded with a plea -for his freedom; “what need was there for ye to seek out this secret -place in your upper world, which ye call the ‘Pole’?”</p> - - <p>“None,” was the scientist’s answer, “save that it was a mystery, -and we were minded to solve it.”</p> - - <p>“Granted there were need for that,” pursued the priest, “there -were none for ye to set foot upon my land—the land of my -people.”</p> - - <p>The arrogance of the fellow was fast arousing Mervyn’s temper, -yet he strove to keep it in check, unwilling to make an open enemy of -the man he had—all unwittingly—offended.</p> - - <p>“We knew not that the land was inhabited,” he explained, “and -even had we, we could not have known that the law forbade the landing -of strangers. Our desire now is but to return to our own world.”</p> - - <p>“Doubtless,” was the mocking answer; “but ere ye return, ye must -recompense me for the loss of those of my people whom thy friends have -slain. Hearest thou?”</p> - - <p>“Ay!” returned Mervyn angrily, “yet remember, if any of thy -savages have been slain, they must first have attacked my friends. But -how know ye that any are slain?”</p> - - <p>“Cease thy baying, dog!” snapped the priest in answer, “lest I am -tempted to deal hardly by ye. Listen! I am minded to know more of -these fire-weapons ye use. Show me the secret and ye are free.”</p> - - <p>For an instant the professor hesitated. Here was a chance at -which his heart leapt, yet he feared to take it. On the one hand was -life and liberty; on the other, death, and that as terrible as the -priest of Ramouni could make it for his helpless prisoner.</p> - - <p>What if he showed Nordhu the secret he wished to know?</p> - - <p>He would be arming the people of the underworld with weapons that -would make them the equals of any nation on the face of the globe; but -would there be harm in so doing?</p> - - <p>While he stood wavering the priest clapped his hands, and, into -the light of the flashing jewel, slid two of the fearful wolf-men.</p> - - <p>It was the scientist’s first view of the creatures, and his brain -reeled with the horror of the things.</p> - - <p>His tongue clove to the roof of his mouth, his limbs trembled -beneath him.</p> - - <p>Nordhu grinned broadly at the obvious terror of his victim.</p> - - <p>A wave of his hand, and the two wolfish figures vanished into the -gloom again.</p> - - <p>“Well?” the priest demanded, “will ye show me the secret? Five -millions have I of these people; what think ye of them? Would’st like -to be given into their hands, that they might make sport with ye?”</p> - - <p>At the words Mervyn’s terror vanished; in its place came a cool, -dauntless courage that surprised even himself.</p> - - <p>Better that he should be torn to pieces by these fearsome brutes -than that he should be the primary cause of arming them with the -weapons of civilised warfare. Should the brutes ever find their way to -the upper world, they would overwhelm the whole globe.</p> - - <p>“No,” he returned, drawing himself up, “I will not show ye the -secret of the fire-weapons. Do with me as thou wilt.”</p> - - <p>“So,” snarled the priest, “ye defy me. Bolder wills than thine -have I overcome. ’Tis an evil moment for ye when ye cross Nordhu.”</p> - - <p>He bent his piercing eyes upon Mervyn, and his look seemed to -sear the scientist’s very soul.</p> - - <p>With all the force of his brain Mervyn struggled against that -fascinating gaze. It was a contest of wills.</p> - - <p>Could the priest but succeed in bending his prisoner’s will to -his this once, hereafter the unfortunate man would be as clay in the -hands of the potter.</p> - - <p>Knowing this, Mervyn fought on, although the desire to submit -grew almost overpowering. Never before had he taken part in so fierce -a struggle. His eyes seemed starting from his head beneath the strain, -and still the merciless ones of his enemy glared into his brain.</p> - - <p>Then, when he was almost upon the point of yielding, the gaze of -the priest changed to a look of baffled fury.</p> - - <p>“So ye resist the supremacy of my will,” he hissed. “So be it; I -have other methods. But mark this: if thou wilt not yield me this -secret, upon which I have set my heart, I will make thee wish that -thou had’st never been born.”</p> - - <p>“Do your worst,” returned Mervyn doggedly. “Rather would I be -torn limb from limb than reveal to you the secret of our weapons.”</p> - - <p>A sneering laugh broke from the priest.</p> - - <p>“Dragged limb from limb, sayest thou?” he cried. “That were an -easy death to the one I will give thee if thou wilt not obey me.”</p> - - <p>Once more he clapped his hands, and the two savages -reappeared.</p> - - <p>“Bring him forth,” he commanded, and the wolf-men, their faces -aglow with diabolical cruelty, hustled Mervyn out of the cell.</p> - - <p>Following the priest, a guard on either side of him, the -scientist moved down the passage on to which the door of the cell gave -access.</p> - - <p>It was apparently a natural tunnel in the rock, rough-hewn in -places where it had been too narrow to admit of the passage of the -savages. From it, on either side, opened galleries, which seemed to -run deep into the bowels of the earth.</p> - - <p>Up these openings, as captive and captors passed them, came -strange sounds, boomings and clangings, as of a mighty forge, and at -times a lurid glow would flash up for an instant, then die away -again.</p> - - <p>Past all these openings the priest went, pausing at length before -the open doorway of a rock chamber.</p> - - <p>“Enter,” he commanded, and, realising the futility of resistance, -the scientist obeyed.</p> - - <p>The light of the priest’s stone illumined every corner of the -chamber. A rough rectangle it was in shape, about twenty feet by -twelve. Across the floor, parallel with, and about a couple of feet -from, the doorway, ran a strange crack, not more than three inches in -width at its widest part.</p> - - <p>Over this Mervyn stepped, then turned and faced his captors.</p> - - <p>“I will give thee time to decide,” Nordhu said, “whether ye will -do my bidding or be delivered to the sacred beast of Ramouni. See, -here is food”—flinging a couple of mushroom-like fungi towards -his prisoner—“eat, and think well over your answer. Thy fate is -in thine own hands.”</p> - - <p>“Stand back against the further wall,” he added, a moment later. -Without a word Mervyn obeyed. As he did so Nordhu stamped with his -foot upon the floor of the passage. Instantly, from the crack in the -floor leapt a dazzling sheet of flame, forming an impenetrable barrier -between the scientist and the doorway. Almost to the roof the flaming -wall towered, darting and flashing in innumerable little tongues.</p> - - <p>The heat from the barrier was terrible; its glare seemed to -shrivel Mervyn’s eyes, and his ears throbbed with the roaring of the -flames.</p> - - <p>The fungi lay untasted at his side, and he sat with his head -buried in his hands, the personification of despair.</p> - - <p>His fate was in his own hands, so the priest had said; his own it -was to decide whether he should earn freedom or a terrible death.</p> - - <p>A subtle temptation came to him as he sat there in the fiery -cell, to yield to circumstances, to drift with the tide.</p> - - <p>Almost it overcame him, but to his aid came another thought. What -guarantee had he that Nordhu would fulfil his promise and set him free -if he obeyed him? Would not the priest rather keep him captive, that -he might wring from him knowledge of other things besides -firearms?</p> - - <p>It was scarcely likely that he would allow such a prize as Mervyn -would prove to slip through his fingers, promise or no promise.</p> - - <p>“No,” the scientist muttered; “he can shrivel me to a cinder if -he likes. I will not obey him!” So was his determination taken.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_14" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XIV.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>“RAHEE THE TERRIBLE!”</h3> - - <p class="noindent">“W<span class="smtx">HAT</span> sayest thou? -Wilt live or die?”</p> - - <p>Many hours had passed since Mervyn made his decision.</p> - - <p>The flaming barrier had sunk back into the depths whence it -sprang, and Nordhu stood once more before his captive.</p> - - <p>The scientist faced the priest boldly.</p> - - <p>“This is my answer,” he cried: “I utterly refuse to reveal to you -any of the things you wish to know; but hear this ere ye destroy me: I -have friends who will exact a terrible vengeance if I be harmed. Not -all your hordes of wolfish followers will save you from their -fury.”</p> - - <p>“Think you to fright me with such talk?” returned the priest -scornfully. “What doth hinder me to take your friends captive also, -and put them to the torture? Are they such mighty warriors that ye -think they can stand against the hosts of the underworld? I know of -their movements. I know that they be approaching the haunts of my -people in hope to rescue their brother. I have warned them by a fire -message, but I fear me they will not heed. Though they force an -entrance into our caverns, they shall never return, I swear it by -Ramouni, and by Rahee, sacred beast of Ramouni! Soon will I have all -of ye safely in my power, and it may be that I can wrest the secret -from one, if ye are stubborn. But come, Rahee waits.”</p> - - <p>Stepping over the fire-crack, Mervyn passed out of the -chamber.</p> - - <p>On once more down the tunnel the priest and prisoner made their -way, and behind, silent and terrible, came the two wolfish guards. -Round numberless bends and curves they went, sometimes crossing a huge -vaulted chamber, to plunge into a tunnel on the farther side. And ever -around them, from the numerous galleries on either hand, came the -sounds of machinery. At length they reached a doorway, before which -hung a curtain of skins. This Nordhu pulled aside, and the four passed -through into a dazzling glare of fungi light.</p> - - <p>So brilliant was the glow that it paled the light of the priest’s -stone, and, for a few seconds, Mervyn was compelled to veil his eyes -with his manacled hands. Presently, as they became accustomed to the -glare, he was able to take note of his surroundings.</p> - - <p>He was standing in a vast natural amphitheatre in the heart of -the mountain range. Around him, ledge upon ledge, terrace after -terrace, rose the cliffs, and every cranny of the towering walls was -crowded with fungi. Everywhere the luminous growths flourished, the -floor of the amphitheatre alone being free from them.</p> - - <p>But not for long was Mervyn allowed to stand gazing upon this -scene.</p> - - <p>“Come,” snapped the priest, and moved on across the floor.</p> - - <p>Soon before them loomed a gigantic idol, rudely carved in -stone.</p> - - <p>It was a monstrous, misshapen, half-human figure with but one -eye, and that in the centre of its forehead. Immediately in front -stood a flat stone slab, which evidently served as an altar, and -Mervyn shuddered as he noted the dark stains upon the surface of the -stone.</p> - - <p>Doubtless many a score of victims had been sacrificed beneath the -murderous knife of Nordhu upon that slab; many a savage had gone -screaming to his death to satisfy the lust of the devilish priest.</p> - - <p>The two guards had instantly prostrated themselves before the -monstrosity, and now lay upon their faces, muttering some doggerel or -other in praise of the image.</p> - - <p>Nordhu himself bowed low, then turned furiously upon his -prisoner.</p> - - <p>“Kneel!” he screamed, “kneel to Ramouni, that ye may hear his -will.”</p> - - <p>But the scientist stood rigid as the idol itself. He knew well -that he was face to face with death, and he was not minded that his -last few moments of life should be spent in bowing himself before the -repulsive figure which served these people as a god.</p> - - <p>“Dost hear?” thundered the priest; “kneel, ye white dog, before -the god of my people.”</p> - - <p>“I will not kneel,” Mervyn answered calmly, “to this misshapen -block of stone that ye call a god. Think you to deceive me with this -craven figure! If it be a god, let it speak.”</p> - - <p>“So,” returned Nordhu mockingly, “ye would fain hear Ramouni -speak? Hearken then.”</p> - - <p>Raising his arms above his head, he gabbled out a long formula, -punctuated with sundry bowings and scrapings that made Mervyn long to -kick the fellow. But the yearning to do violence to the priest’s -person vanished, and the scientist stood absolutely dumbfounded, as a -thin, cracked voice from the lips of the idol answered Nordhu’s -plea.</p> - - <p>“Let the white stranger be delivered unto Rahee, the sacred -beast.”</p> - - <p>“’Tis well, oh Ramouni,” replied the priest, “it shall be done. -Well, art satisfied?” he continued, turning to Mervyn.</p> - - <p>“No,” cried the latter; “I am persuaded that the idol speaks but -by a trick.”</p> - - <p>An expression of fiendish rage swept over the face of the priest, -and he raised his clenched fist threateningly above his victim. For an -instant it seemed as though he would strike Mervyn to the earth, but -he restrained his fury.</p> - - <p>“Hound!” he hissed frenziedly, “dost dare to say Ramouni hath no -voice?”</p> - - <p>“I go further,” pursued Mervyn firmly—to him in a flash had -come the revelation of Nordhu’s trickery—“I know the means by -which ye make the idol speak, and will expose you to your people. -Think you that you alone can give Ramouni voice? Listen!”</p> - - <p>Once more a voice came from the image, but this time different -indeed in tone; no weak, piping voice this, but strong and of full -volume.</p> - - <p>“Hark ye, Nordhu,” come the words—and at the sound of them -the two wolfish worshippers raised themselves, staring in astonishment -at the lips of the god—“do no harm to this white stranger, I -command ye. It is my will that he should depart in peace. See to it, -lest my anger be visited upon my people!”</p> - - <p>It was Mervyn’s last card, his final effort in his struggle -against death.</p> - - <p>Himself a ventriloquist of no mean ability, the scientist had -quickly perceived the method by which the crafty priest gave speech to -Ramouni. A faint hope flickered up in his mind that, by means of his -talent, he might compel Nordhu to release him.</p> - - <p>Vain hope! One moment the priest stood as though turned to stone, -the next his clenched fist shot out, and Mervyn dropped like a -log.</p> - - <p>Ere he could rise again the priest, tearing the hide girdle from -the loins of the nearest savage, was upon him, and, binding the filthy -strip of skin firmly across his mouth, effectually gagged the -prostrate scientist.</p> - - <p>For an instant it seemed as though the two wolf-men were about to -interfere. Doubtless they were afraid that they would suffer for -Nordhu’s rash action if Ramouni fulfilled his threat; but the high -priest was quite ready for the emergency.</p> - - <p>With consummate skill he flung his voice between the lips of the -image.</p> - - <p>“Thou hast done well, O priest,” came the piping tones. “I did -but try thee, whether thou wert faithful to me or no. Let my people -make merry over the death of this white stranger, for he is mine -enemy.”</p> - - <p>Every word of this speech Mervyn heard, as he struggled painfully -to his feet; yet he was powerless to resist the devilish schemes of -the merciless monster beside him. With a fiendish grin overspreading -his features, the priest raised his voice in a piercing cry:</p> - - <p>“Ayoki! Ayoki!”</p> - - <p>The word pealed twice from his lips, and, ere the echoes had -died, into the temple filed a score of dark figures. Right up to the -altar they glided, moving with scarce a sound, and formed a semicircle -about the high priest and his prisoner.</p> - - <p>At their advent the wolf-men rose and vanished, seeming glad to -leave the presence of the image, which their ignorant superstitious -minds credited with supernatural powers.</p> - - <p>The newcomers, each of whom was clad somewhat scantily in a -coarse skin mantle, were creatures of the same type as the high -priest, save that, if anything, their faces were more brutalised and -repulsive. They glared fiercely at the scientist as they stood waiting -for Nordhu to speak.</p> - - <p>“Priests of Ramouni,” he began at last, “our god hath decided -that this white stranger shall be delivered unto Rahee, the sacred -beast. Let the people of the underworld be summoned.”</p> - - <p>Instantly one of the priests raised a horn to his lips.</p> - - <p>As the weird note trembled through the temple, the whole band -closed about Mervyn and hustled him forward towards the further end of -the amphitheatre, where stretched a line of bars. Straight towards -this barrier the scientist was thrust and driven, until he was close -enough to see that beside it stood a huge stone windlass.</p> - - <p>Here the priests halted, and once again the blast of the horn -echoed amid the cliffs.</p> - - <p>At that a multitude of sinister forms poured into the vast -enclosure. Rank upon rank, they thronged in and took their places -silently, until the whole floor of the temple, up to within a few -yards of the spot where stood Nordhu and the priests, was covered with -a heaving sea of bodies.</p> - - <p>As he noted the wolfish forms of the creatures, their terrible -aspect, Mervyn, despite his terror, felt thankful that he had not -revealed to Nordhu the secret he so longed to know.</p> - - <p>Fervently he prayed that his comrades might not fall into the -hands of the devilish priest through any mad attempt to rescue -him.</p> - - <p>The hopelessness of any such effort, the utter impossibility of -it, was plain to him. An army would be overwhelmed in a few moments by -these countless hordes! What chance, then, had his friends? At most -they were but four in number, and, with all their daring, they would -not be able to pluck him from out the clutches of the priest.</p> - - <p>So thinking, the scientist commended his soul to his Maker, -waiting, pale faced but undaunted in spirit, for the terrible death -which he knew would soon be his.</p> - - <p>What form it would take he knew not; but he was aware that -somewhere behind that row of bars lurked the beast to whose murderous -appetite he was to be sacrificed. The suspense was terrible. Anything -was better than this drawn-out agony, and he was glad when, suddenly, -the high priest raised his hand.</p> - - <p>Instantly a thunderous shout of “Nordhu! Nordhu!” pealed upward -from a myriad throats. It ceased abruptly, and a tense, brooding -silence followed, broken a few moments later by the harsh voice of the -chief priest.</p> - - <p>With many violent gestures he harangued his people, and Mervyn -listened with fast-beating heart as Nordhu pronounced his doom.</p> - - <p>As his voice trailed off into silence, half a dozen of the -priests sprang forward to the windlass, while the rest, opening a gate -in the barrier, thrust Mervyn into the enclosure beyond. Then the -scientist observed that there was a second row of bars within the den, -forming a barrier before the mouth of a large cave in the temple wall. -The use of the windlass without became apparent to him in a -moment.</p> - - <p>Even as the thought crossed his mind, the huge wheel turned -beneath the united efforts of the priests, and the rails—the -only barrier between the captive and the so-called sacred beast of the -wolf-men—rose, until the mouth of the cave was uncovered.</p> - - <p>As the great windlass ceased to move, another thunderous shout -swelled up from the ranks of the savages.</p> - - <p>“Hail, Rahee! Rahee the terrible!”</p> - - <p>On the instant, as though in answer to the cry, a sound came from -the depths of the cave. The beast was coming forth!</p> - - <p>Fascinated, Mervyn stood watching for the appearance of the -redoubtable Rahee.</p> - - <p><i>“My God”</i></p> - - <p>Like the wail of a soul in torment, the despairing cry trembled -from the captive scientist’s lips as the sacred beast emerged from the -cavern.</p> - - <p>Never in all his wildest dreams had he imagined that so hideous a -creature could exist. Long afterwards the terror of the brute haunted -him. Its glaring eyes seemed to be ever before him, and the gnashing -of its jaws dinned in his ears for days.</p> - - <p>With a stealthy, sidelong motion the spider-like brute crept -towards its fascinated victim. Every hair on its great, brown body -bristled with fury; each of its eight, claw-armed legs seemed to -quiver with eagerness as it advanced.</p> - - <p>The horror of the awful thing stunned Mervyn—held him -powerless, as though he were fixed to the floor. He could do naught -but stare.</p> - - <p>Then suddenly a wave of fury swept over him, and with might and -main he strove to release his hands from the manacles. Like a madman -he fought and tore, but the chains held him like a vice, and -presently, with bleeding hands and wrists, he ceased his efforts.</p> - - <p>Bowing his head that he might not see the grim form of his -destroyer, he stood awaiting his doom.</p> - - <p>Yet at that moment, although he knew it not, help was at -hand.</p> - - <p>Even while he thought himself within an ace of Eternity; when the -great spider, but a few yards from its victim, was crouching for a -spring, and the savage hordes in the temple were watching eagerly for -the final scene of the tragedy, a shout came pealing downward from -above.</p> - - <p>Aroused, Mervyn looked up. The sight that met his eyes sent the -hope rushing back into his heart, and set every nerve in his body -tingling with a wild desire to live.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_15" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XV.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>FOR A FRIEND’S LIFE.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">“S<span class="smtx">AY</span>, Seymour?”</p> - - <p>“Well?” inquired the baronet sleepily.</p> - - <p>“I guess it’s time to be moving.”</p> - - <p>Yawning, Seymour rose and stretched himself.</p> - - <p>“Just rouse Pharaoh there,” Haverly went on, as he slung his -rifle over his shoulder.</p> - - <p>Moving over to a corner of the cave, the baronet prodded the -sleeping savage in the ribs. With a guttural cry the creature rose, -shook himself like a dog, and stood awaiting orders.</p> - - <p>“I guess you’d better drop it to him as we want to strike for -this yer temple right now,” drawled the Yankee.</p> - - <p>Seymour interpreted the message, whereupon Gehari affirmed, with -many vigorous movements of his hands, that he could lead the great -chief and his friend by a secret road, known only to himself and to -one other who was dead, which would take them right to the den of the -sacred beast.</p> - - <p>“Lead on, then,” cried Seymour, “but beware how you deal with us. -Serve us well, and you shall be rewarded; betray us, and you shall die -by the fire-sticks.”</p> - - <p>He tapped his rifle significantly as he spoke, and the savage, -having been a witness of the death of the great serpent, seemed to -fully comprehend.</p> - - <p>He flung himself down upon the cavern floor and pressed his -forehead to the baronet’s boots; then, rising, he moved swiftly -outside.</p> - - <p>The two rescuers followed, Haverly covering with his revolver the -hideous form of their savage guide.</p> - - <p>Amid the boulders which lined the base of the hills the three -threaded their way, darting into hiding occasionally to escape the -notice of some passing savage.</p> - - <p>For perhaps a mile they moved in this fashion, then Gehari turned -into a narrow gully, between two enormous peaks.</p> - - <p>So high were the walls on either side that the defile was dark as -midnight, and the American was strongly tempted to use his -lantern.</p> - - <p>“What an ideal spot for an ambush!” Seymour remarked in a -whisper.</p> - - <p>“That’s so,” returned Haverly in the same low tone; “I’ll be -considerable relieved when we’re through.”</p> - - <p>Stumbling and tripping over the loose stones which formed the bed -of the gully, barking their shins against projecting boulders, the two -toiled on after their wolfish leader.</p> - - <p>They could but dimly discern the form of the savage in the gloom -ahead, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that they managed -to keep in touch with him. Had Gehari chosen to have deserted them, -nothing would have been easier. But the thought seemed never to enter -the savage’s mind, for he flitted on in front, tireless as ever.</p> - - <p>Then of a sudden before them loomed a towering wall of rock, -apparently blank.</p> - - <p>The defile had ended.</p> - - <p>Had Gehari played them false? the twain wondered. Had he led them -into a <i>cul-de-sac</i>?</p> - - <p>Quick as thought Haverly produced his lantern, and an instant -later the glare of the electric light shattered the darkness.</p> - - <p>“Zu!” The low, buzzing sound came from the lips of the wolf-man, -and he pointed to a dark aperture which showed low down in the face of -the cliffs.</p> - - <p>Into this, with much wriggling of limbs, he proceeded to crawl, -beckoning the two friends to follow.</p> - - <p>“Looks a bit risky,” Seymour demurred, “but we’ll have to go the -whole hog now.”</p> - - <p>He dropped to his knees as he spoke, and disappeared after the -savage.</p> - - <p>“It’s all right, Silas,” his voice came back after a moment, -“there’s standing room inside. Just pass me the lantern, and then you -can follow.”</p> - - <p>Reassured by his comrade’s words, Haverly passed through the -opening, to find himself in a cave of considerable dimensions. Across -the floor of this the rescuers moved, still preceded by the savage, -and plunged into a natural tunnel on the further side.</p> - - <p>Half an hour’s steady progress along this, sometimes crawling on -hands and knees where the passage was too narrow to admit of their -upright advance, and then the Yankee shut off the light of his lantern -with a snap.</p> - - <p>Before them a brilliant, silvery glow was visible. Half a dozen -paces, and they emerged from the passage into a flood of fungi -light.</p> - - <p>A cry of rage burst from Seymour.</p> - - <p>They were standing upon a narrow ledge in the cliffs which formed -the temple walls. Twenty feet below them was the den of Rahee, in -which their friend was awaiting his doom. The sight of the devilish -brute advancing upon the professor roused all the fury in their -natures against the savage creatures who had delivered him to such a -fate.</p> - - <p>In a delirious rage, Seymour raised his rifle. Another instant -and Rahee the terrible would have been no more; but, ere the baronet -could fire, Silas gripped his arm.</p> - - <p>“Don’t plug the brute,” he cried sharply, “it’s the only thing -that’ll keep those fiends back when they tumble to our game. I’m goin’ -down.”</p> - - <p>Ere Seymour could restrain him, Silas had laid down his rifle, -swung himself over the edge, and, with a cheery shout to Mervyn, -commenced the descent. From ledge to ledge the wiry American -descended, as cool and collected as though it were an everyday matter -for him to venture into the den of a giant spider. A hoarse roar of -rage rolled up from the assembled wolf-men as they became aware of the -Yankee’s daring move; but Nordhu looked on calmly, confident that -Rahee would destroy rescuer as well as prisoner, which event would -have well satisfied the murderous lust of the priest.</p> - - <p>But it was not to be!</p> - - <p>Rahee had paused in his spring as he saw this new development, -seemingly startled by the barefaced audacity of the intruder. -Doubtless it was the first time that any had entered his den -voluntarily.</p> - - <p>His pause gave the American just the interval he needed to carry -out his plan. Descending the last few feet with a jump, he rushed -between the monstrous spider and his victim. Quickly he forced a link -of the chain which bound the scientist’s wrists with his sheath-knife, -then pushed his friend sharply aside.</p> - - <p>“Flicker,” he cried, “for your very life. I’ll keep this brute in -check.”</p> - - <p>With his heart beating madly against his ribs, the professor -bounded across the rocky floor, and, never even pausing to remove the -gag from about his mouth, commenced the ascent of the cliff.</p> - - <p>Haverly seemed likely to pay dearly for his heroic action. -Enraged by the escape of his victim, Rahee launched himself upon the -American. Like a flash the latter skipped aside, and the spider landed -with a thud upon the spot which his agile enemy had but just -quitted.</p> - - <p>With a hoarse gurgle of fury the brute swung round and leapt -again, missing his mark by a bare three inches as Haverly darted aside -once more.</p> - - <p><a name="illustration_03" id="illustration_03" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"></a></p> - - <p class="noindent"><img src="images/illo_03.jpg" alt="Illustration #3"/></p> - - <p>“Whew!” the Yankee whistled, “that was a close call!”</p> - - <p>Just then a glad shout from above told him that his friend was -safe, and that he too might venture to make his escape from this foul -den. But, even as he turned to put this thought into execution, Rahee -the terrible rose once more in a spring.</p> - - <p>Bang! The report of Seymour’s rifle echoed through the great -amphitheatre, and one of the spider’s glaring orbs went out like an -extinguished candle.</p> - - <p>Swerving in his leap beneath the shock, Rahee missed his victim -by a couple of feet. Ere he could gather himself together for another -spring, Silas had reached the wall and was clambering upward into -safety.</p> - - <p>Halfway up the American paused and looked back. The great spider -was lying motionless beside the gate of his den, giving no sign of -life save an occasional snap of his mighty jaws.</p> - - <p>As Haverly resumed his climb the voice of the high priest rang -out in a thunderous order to the wolf-men. What the command was Silas, -of course, could not tell, but he noted that the savages instantly -thronged towards the exits, and his alert brain quickly perceived the -danger.</p> - - <p>“Hustle!” he roared to his friends above; “the brutes are going -round to outflank us. I’ll be with you presently.”</p> - - <p>“Right!” Seymour called in return; then he and Mervyn vanished -into the tunnel.</p> - - <p>Three minutes later Haverly reached the ledge. He was drawing -himself up on to it when something dark shot downward, striking him -full in the face. With a groan he toppled back, swayed for an instant, -lost his balance, and pitched heavily into the den.</p> - - <p>As he lay, almost stunned by the shock of his fall, a fiendish -chuckle floated down to him from the ledge above. Looking up he saw -the hideous face of Gehari peering down upon him, every feature aglow -with malevolent triumph.</p> - - <p>With a jerk the American drew his revolver and fired at the -grinning mask; but the wolf-man promptly ducked, and the shot passed -harmlessly over his head.</p> - - <p>The shot had one effect, however; it aroused the great spider. As -Haverly struggled to his feet the brute leapt towards him, its -remaining eye gleaming wickedly.</p> - - <p>Though still somewhat dazed as the result of his fall, Silas had -yet the presence of mind to jump aside; but he was just a second too -late. A great, hairy leg struck his shoulder; he was sent reeling to -the floor, and his weapon, flying from his grasp, skimmed between the -bars of the den far out into the temple.</p> - - <p>Save for his sheath-knife the Yankee was entirely -defenceless!</p> - - <p>With this weapon, however, poor though it was, he prepared to -meet his terrible foe. He could see that his only chance was to take -the creature in the rear, to stab it from behind.</p> - - <p>Once let him get within the grip of those terrible claws and no -power on earth could save him.</p> - - <p>A gurgle from Rahee put him upon his guard, and again he evaded -the clutch of the giant spider by a bare hand’s-breadth; but he had no -opportunity to take the offensive. The brute was far too agile in his -movements to give Silas the chance he needed, and a savage chuckle -burst from the wolfish brute, who watched the scene from above, as he -saw Rahee preparing for another leap.</p> - - <p>But the chuckle died in his throat, and a hoarse scream of terror -rang out over the temple as he felt himself seized from behind.</p> - - <p>Struggling and clawing, he was swung from his feet, lifted high -above the ledge, then hurled with the full force of Seymour’s arms -into the den below.</p> - - <p>He struck the floor with a crash, two feet in front of the -crouching spider, and in an instant the brute was upon him.</p> - - <p>With the screams of the dying savage ringing in his ears, Haverly -mounted the wall again, and this time the baronet assisted him up the -last few feet of the ascent until he stood on the floor of the -passage.</p> - - <p>Here, turning for an instant, Silas looked back into the den.</p> - - <p>Gehari had paid a terrible penalty for his treachery!</p> - - <p>“Come,” cried Seymour, and the Yankee, sickened by the sight of -the ghastly tragedy, followed him.</p> - - <p>“What brought you back here, anyway?” he inquired as they hurried -on.</p> - - <p>“I missed the savage,” Seymour explained, “and guessed he was up -to some mischief or other. He’s paid a fearful price for his little -trick.”</p> - - <p>“I reckon it was a near thing for me,” Silas admitted. “I was -just crawlin’ on to the ledge when the brute lashed out with his fist -and tumbled me back into the den again. You fixed him proper.”</p> - - <p>Ere long the two reached the end of the tunnel, where Mervyn -awaited them.</p> - - <p>“We’ll have to hustle considerable,” remarked Haverly, “if we’re -to get through. I guess the wolf-men won’t lose any time in strikin’ -our trail.”</p> - - <p>He started off down the gully as he spoke, and the others -followed, pressing on as fast as the difficult nature of the ground -would allow.</p> - - <p>“Which way?” asked Mervyn as they reached the mouth of the -gorge.</p> - - <p>“To the left, and run like blazes,” cried Haverly, “or we’ll be -seeing the inside of the temple again ’fore long.”</p> - - <p>Scarcely had he spoken ere from behind came the long-drawn howl -they knew so well.</p> - - <p>The wolf-men were in pursuit!</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_16" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XVI.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>HOW HAVERLY CHECKED THE STAMPEDE.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">F<span class="smtx">OR</span> half an hour the -fugitives raced on, every muscle straining in a mad effort to -outdistance their pitiless pursuers. Their feet seemed shod with lead -as they turned and twisted among the boulders; their breath came and -went in great, panting gasps that shook their bodies, yet for all -their frenzied endeavours, their relentless enemies drew nearer. Foot -by foot, yard by yard, the wolfish creatures gained upon them.</p> - - <p>Then, in the grim wall of cliffs upon their left, appeared the -dark mouth of a canyon.</p> - - <p>“Quick!” gasped the Yankee; “in here with you!”</p> - - <p>Like a flash the fugitives turned, and—with what was almost -their last effort—plunged into the great cleft that split the -range of hills in twain. Six yards from the entrance they swung round -and stood at bay, Seymour and the millionaire fingering the triggers -of their rifles.</p> - - <p>Some time passed, but there came no sign of their pursuers; even -their howls had ceased, and the three grew puzzled to account for the -strange silence. It was not natural! They knew the character of the -wolf-men too well by this time to think for a moment that they had -given up the pursuit—had abandoned the chase! What could be the -meaning of their sudden silence?</p> - - <p>“They’ve got some devil’s card up their sleeve,” Silas muttered. -“I guess they ain’t gone dumb all of a sudden for nothing. Say, -there’d be no harm in prospecting a bit further along this gully? If -there’s no back entrance, we’ll be in a darned awkward position.”</p> - - <p>“You’re right,” assented the baronet. “Mervyn, if you’re in want -of a feed, you can peck a bit as we go along.”</p> - - <p>Cautiously they crept along the canyon, pausing occasionally to -listen for any sound of their foes. But the underworld might have been -deserted for all they could hear. Never had the silence been more -profound.</p> - - <p>The cliffs on either side rose steep and inaccessible as the wall -of a house. Not a crevice or foothold of any description presented -itself in the face of the towering walls. As straight were they as -though the hills had been split asunder by the stroke of some giant -sword. Here and there, at the base of the cliffs, grew a solitary -fungus or a cluster of puff-balls, the weird, bloated forms of these -latter betraying nothing of their terrible explosive power.</p> - - <p>For an hour, perhaps, the three men moved forward, plunging -deeper and deeper into the heart of the hills, and still there came no -sound from the wolf-men. They had almost begun to -believe—incredible though it seemed—that they had shaken -off their pursuers. What else could be the meaning of their -inaction?</p> - - <p>Had they known of the <i>coup</i> which, even then, the crafty -Nordhu was preparing against them, they would have lost little time in -making their way out of the gorge. As it was, they took their ease, -resting at intervals during their journey. Their future movements they -had not decided upon, their time being fully taken up with the -exchange of their experiences.</p> - - <p>The loss of the <i>Seal</i> seemed to the professor an -overwhelming blow.</p> - - <p>“We are lost indeed without the vessel,” he remarked -gloomily.</p> - - <p>“I guess if there’s a road out of these infernal regions, we -shouldn’t ha’ struck it with the <i>Seal,”</i> was Haverly’s sharp -answer; “but that ain’t the trouble at present. You say you’ve seen -nothin’ of Garth?”</p> - - <p>“Not a sign,” was the reply.</p> - - <p>“Wal, that’s a licker! Say, Seymour, what do you make of it?”</p> - - <p>“He’s either been murdered by the savages or else he has -escaped,” answered the baronet.</p> - - <p>“Put your money on the last of them two; I calculate they’d -hardly be likely to knock him on the head, seeing as how all prisoners -are reserved for spider-meat. Anyway, we’ll assume he’s got clear, -though what he’ll do now the <i>Seal’s</i> gone, Heaven alone -knows!”</p> - - <p>“What of Wilson?” asked Mervyn suddenly.</p> - - <p>“When we know his fate,” returned Seymour, “the mystery of the -<i>Seal’s</i> disappearance will be a mystery no longer.”</p> - - <p>Hereafter silence fell upon the trio. Each man’s thoughts were -busy with the things of the future. Would they ever find a way out of -this underworld, or were they doomed to wander in its ghostly wilds -until death released them? At the moment their prospect was not an -alluring one!</p> - - <p>Without any settled plan for the future, save to put as great a -distance as possible between themselves and the wolf-men, they seemed -helpless. Haverly’s active mind revolved all the expedients which -presented themselves, yet, even to him, the case seemed almost -hopeless.</p> - - <p>“Say, professor,” he cried, breaking the long silence, “ain’t you -got——”</p> - - <p>His sentence was never finished, for at that instant, from far -behind, came a series of hideous yelps. Softened by distance though -they were, the sounds were frightful enough to the ears of the -fugitives.</p> - - <p>“They’ve struck our trail again,” remarked Seymour, stopping for -a moment. Then a puzzled expression passed over his features, as a -low, rumbling roar, not unlike far-away thunder, rolled up out of the -distance, accompanied by a further series of wolfish cries.</p> - - <p>“I opine we’re going to strike trouble very shortly,” averred -Silas, “though I allow I don’t hardly tumble to the meanin’ of this -yer rumbling.”</p> - - <p>Quickly the rumbling grew into the pounding of giant hoofs, and -the ground shook beneath the fugitives’ feet.</p> - - <p>“A stampede!” the baronet cried. “The devils have stampeded a -herd of animals! Run for your lives!”</p> - - <p>But his friends needed no urging. They ran as men with the fear -of death upon them, gazing eagerly to right and left in hope of -finding some cave or cleft in the cliffs in which they might hide.</p> - - <p>But never a crack or a crevice appeared in the iron walls, and -ever the pitiless thunder of the great hoofs drew nearer. It seemed as -though nought could save the ill-fated trio from the vengeance which -the devilish priest had designed for them. Then, almost at the last -moment, an inspiration flashed into Haverly’s mind.</p> - - <p>He pulled up short, and, drawing his sheath-knife, sprang to -where grew half a dozen or more huge puff-balls. Three of these he -detached, handling them with great care. Carrying them out into the -very centre of the gorge, he piled them in a heap.</p> - - <p>His friends had stopped their flight as they noted his strange -actions, and now stood watching him, Seymour admiringly, Mervyn with -blank astonishment depicted on every feature.</p> - - <p>“You’re a genius, Silas!” exclaimed the baronet, as, under the -American’s orders, they placed a safe distance between themselves and -the puff-balls. “I should never have thought of that.”</p> - - <p>“But surely,” Mervyn began, “you don’t mean to say that those -things are explosive? Why——”</p> - - <p>“It was one of them same that bust the elk-hunters we told you -about, anyway,” retorted the Yankee, his voice almost lost in the -thunder of hoofs.</p> - - <p>The next instant a dozen huge forms loomed through the twilight, -racing three abreast down the gorge. The foremost of them were almost -upon the fungi pile, when Silas and the baronet fired, their shots -crashing simultaneously into the puff-balls. A dazzling sheet of flame -leapt high above the pile, illuminating for a moment the great shaggy -bodies and huge curved tusks of the stampeding animals.</p> - - <p>“<i>Mammoths!”</i> gasped the scientist.</p> - - <p>His exclamation was drowned in the shrill trumpeting of the -terrified pachyderms, which was drowned in turn by the thunderous roar -of the explosion as the puff-balls did their work.</p> - - <p>The fugitives, flung violently to the earth by the shock, were -scarcely conscious of what followed. The ground rocked furiously -beneath them, creating a violent nausea, which left them sick for -hours; immense masses of rock, torn from the face of the cliffs by the -frightful force of the explosion, crashed heavily into the gorge, and -above all the terrible uproar rang the shrill screaming of the dying -animals.</p> - - <p>But the din ceased at length, and then the three comrades -staggered to their feet. Badly shaken they were, but otherwise they -had received no hurt, and they gave thanks as only men can who have -escaped from the very jaws of death.</p> - - <p>The vengeance of the high priest of the wolf-men had failed!</p> - - <p>“I guess we scored that time,” Silas said; “but I’m sorry for the -tuskers. It was real cute of the niggers to stampede the brutes.”</p> - - <p>“Thanks to you and the puff-balls,” put in Seymour, “the trick -didn’t work.”</p> - - <p>Mervyn had not yet recovered from his stupefaction at the -marvellous explosive agent which was hidden away in the quaint fungi; -but when he did at last find voice he could scarcely find words to -express his wonder.</p> - - <p>“It passes all belief,” he cried, “that such curious growths -should have so deadly a power! They are natural bombs!”</p> - - <p>The scene of the explosion entirely bore out this statement. The -gorge was completely blocked by an enormous mass of <i>débris,</i> -still quivering flesh and rock splinters being mingled in sickening -confusion. Of all the herd of monster quadrupeds not one had escaped -annihilation.</p> - - <p>Turning, the three friends strode forward on their way, Mervyn -dilating as they went on the subject of the explosive fungi.</p> - - <p>“I guess them niggers’ll be considerable riled,” Haverly asserted -with a chuckle, breaking in on the scientist’s discourse. “It ’ud be -almighty elevating to see the old priest’s face when he knows we’ve -pulled through an’ that his trick’s gone bust.”</p> - - <p>“The fellow possesses terrible power,” Mervyn returned. “He -almost succeeded in hypnotising me, though I struggled against him -with all the force of my will. I tremble now to think of what might -have happened had he effected his purpose.”</p> - - <p>“Great Scott!” Seymour ejaculated. “Though I only saw him from a -distance, it struck me that he had remarkably weird eyes, but I never -imagined that the fellow was a hypnotist. We must fight shy of him for -the future.”</p> - - <p>“I guess it’s goin’ to take us all our time,” drawled the Yankee. -“You can gamble on it the old man’ll lose no time in gettin’ on our -trail again.”</p> - - <p>“You think he’ll pursue, then?” queried the baronet.</p> - - <p>“Think!” Haverly repeated. “I guess we can put it stronger than -that. It’s a dead cert. the galoot’ll be on our trail again within a -couple of hours, an’ then there’ll be a circus.”</p> - - <p>“The heap of <i>débris</i> may check pursuit for a time,” -suggested Mervyn.</p> - - <p>“It may,” was the dubious reply, “but I doubt it. I calculate if -you could pile the hull range of the Rockies way back there it -wouldn’t stop them wolf-men for more than a second or two. Their -shanks seemed to be built of watch-springs. Anyway, with that old -priest urgin’ ’em on, it’ll be little short of an earthquake as’ll -check ’em. What the blazes is that?”</p> - - <p>A scream rang out through the silence, menacing and terrible.</p> - - <p>“Vampires!” cried Seymour, and examined the breech of his rifle. -As he snapped to the lever an immense vampire dropped swiftly downward -through the twilight. On the instant the baronet fired, and the brute, -lurching, recovered itself with difficulty, and flapped out of -sight.</p> - - <p>“Whatever was it?” gasped the scientist, amazed at the vast size -of the creature, of whose shape he had caught but a fleeting -glimpse.</p> - - <p>“A vampire,” Seymour replied; “the same kind of brute that -attacked Silas and me as we were returning to the boat.”</p> - - <p>“I had forgotten for the moment,” returned Mervyn. “What terrible -brutes they are! Who would have dreamed that such creatures existed? -Truly this——”</p> - - <p>“Jupiter! If this don’t lick all! I guess we must ha’ struck a -blamed cemetery!”</p> - - <p>There was good cause for the Yankee’s interruption, for, rounding -a curve of the gorge, the adventurers had come suddenly upon a valley. -On either hand towered monster fungi, their unearthly radiance making -the valley as light as day; and between the growths the ground was -thickly covered with bones.</p> - - <p>Everywhere the bleached and ghastly relics lay, a veritable -harvest of death.</p> - - <p>The bones were, for the most part, those of animals, but here and -there among them a human skull grinned up mockingly at the -intruders.</p> - - <p>“What can it mean?” the Professor asked in a hoarse whisper, -stepping cautiously amid the gleaming piles.</p> - - <p>“I assume this is the feedin’ ground of the vampires,” the Yankee -answered. As he spoke there was a rustle amid a fungi-clump some yards -away, and a huge, black form emerged, to flap heavily away into the -shadow of the surrounding cliffs. Parting the fungi, Haverly peered -down at the spot whence the creature had arisen.</p> - - <p>Lying with outstretched limbs, its ghastly outline revealed with -hideous distinctness by the glistening growth around, was the carcase -of a wolf-man.</p> - - <p>But something else caught the Yankee’s eye. In the hand of the -savage, tightly clenched in the stiffened fingers, was a white -handkerchief!</p> - - <p>A whistle of astonishment escaped Silas. What brought the -wolf-man with that in his possession? Kneeling, Haverly forced open -the hand of the dead savage, and, removing the handkerchief, held it -out for the inspection of his friends.</p> - - <p>“It’s Wilson’s,” cried Seymour. “See, here are his initials,” -pointing to the letters, “T. W.” embroidered in one corner. “How the -dickens did it get here?” he continued.</p> - - <p>“Perhaps the savage had something to do with Wilson’s -disappearance?” suggested the scientist; but Haverly shook his head. -He was busy trying to figure out the puzzle, which as yet defied -him.</p> - - <p>“I allow it beats me,” he admitted at length. “What brings the -engineer so far from the coast?”</p> - - <p>“He may not have been here at all,” Seymour replied.</p> - - <p>“I guess this handkerchief ain’t walked here!”</p> - - <p>“What about the savage?” persisted the baronet.</p> - - <p>“You can gamble on it as he picked it up. Say, has it struck you -as bein’ kinder peculiar that we should find the nose-rag in this yer -valley?”</p> - - <p>“You mean?” interrogatively.</p> - - <p>“Have the vampires had anything to do with it?”</p> - - <p>“Heaven forbid!” cried Seymour; “the thought’s too horrible!”</p> - - <p>“We shall see,” the Yankee answered as they moved on again.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_17" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XVII.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>A DUEL TO THE DEATH.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">T<span class="smtx">O</span> return to Garth and -the engineer.</p> - - <p>For a few seconds they could do naught but gaze helplessly at the -approaching monster; then all the fighting spirit of the inventor -rose, and he prepared to resist to the death, if need be.</p> - - <p>Darting out on deck, he cast off the mooring-rope, bellowing the -while to Wilson to start the engines. Within three minutes of the -appearance of the great fish-lizard, the <i>Seal,</i> passing close to -the towering side of the brute, flashed seaward at her topmost -speed.</p> - - <p>And now began a chase in the like of which Garth had never taken -part before. With all his skill at the wheel he could but barely keep -the <i>Seal</i> away from her monstrous enemy. The reptile seemed bent -on the destruction of the craft this time. He spared no effort to -overtake her. Perhaps his previous failure had rendered him the more -furious?</p> - - <p>With every plate on his body gleaming with a brilliant, -phosphorescent light, he swept on. His breath hissed through his -gaping nostrils like steam from the escape valve of an engine, and his -mighty paddles were buried beneath a smother of foam.</p> - - <p>Swiftly he overhauled the flying vessel, until he was almost -alongside; then, swift and sure, he snapped at the <i>Seal’s</i> rail. -Quickly as Garth turned the faithful craft, he was a moment too late. -The great fangs closed upon the polished steel bar, and, with a jerk -that almost overturned the boat, a six-foot length of rail was torn -bodily from its boltings.</p> - - <p>The narrowness of the escape brought the sweat pouring from the -inventor’s body. Apparently the shock had not injured the saurian, for -he swept on again in pursuit, giving utterance to a booming roar as he -advanced.</p> - - <p>A dangerous gleam came into Garth’s eyes as he noted the grim -persistency of the monstrous reptile. Staving off a second attack of -the brute by a quick turn of the wheel, the inventor took down the -tube.</p> - - <p>“Stand by to reverse her when she strikes,” he cried. “I’m going -to ram the brute.”</p> - - <p>“Be careful!” warned Wilson in return, and then Garth dropped the -tube.</p> - - <p>Bringing the <i>Seal</i> round in a perilously close circle, he -steered her straight and true for her monstrous enemy’s side. This -offensive movement seemed to puzzle the saurian, and he attempted to -avoid the swooping vessel.</p> - - <p>But she was too quick for him. With a shock that almost jerked -Garth from his feet, the vessel’s sharp prow struck the reptile’s -heaving side, about midway between the two starboard paddles. A -crimson torrent spurted from the wound, deluging the <i>Seal’s</i> -bright plates, and turning her spotless deck into a veritable -shambles.</p> - - <p>On the instant Wilson flung over his levers, and, under reversed -engines, the submarine leapt back from her stricken foe. Yet, quick as -she moved, the great tail of the ichthyosaurus moved quicker. With a -stroke like that of a steam hammer, it struck the <i>Seal’s</i> hull -just below water, starting a couple of plates, through the interstices -of which the water commenced to pour in an ever-increasing stream.</p> - - <p>Though sorely stricken the great fish-lizard was not yet -defeated. Swinging round, he churned after the retreating vessel, his -roar changed to a shrill screaming.</p> - - <p>Again the inventor signalled for full speed ahead, and, for the -second time, the vessel plunged down upon her relentless pursuer. With -marvellous swiftness the huge brute swerved from his course, but -Garth, with a turn of the wheel, followed his movement. The inventor -was determined that he would finish this reptile once and for all.</p> - - <p>The bleeding side of the creature offered an excellent mark, and -straight for this Garth drove the vessel. Like a rocket she shot -forward, and the saurian’s ribs snapped like matchwood as once more -she struck the towering carcase.</p> - - <p>There came a terrible death-cry from the huge reptile; then, as -the <i>Seal</i> drew slowly away, the brute leapt clear out of the -water, and fell with a thunderous crash across the submarine’s deck. A -savage exclamation burst from Garth as the <i>Seal</i> commenced to -sink beneath the enormous weight of the monster’s body. The brute’s -paddles were thrashing madly in its death flurry, and the booming -strokes of the giant tail seemed to make the whole underworld -ring.</p> - - <p>Alarmed by the uproar, the engineer came rushing up into the -turret.</p> - - <p>“What’s happened?” he cried; then his eye took in the peril of -the situation. The water was fast closing over the <i>Seal,</i> and, -despite all his efforts, Garth could not shake her clear of the dying -saurian. Once let her touch bottom with that great weight across her -deck, and no power on earth could raise her again.</p> - - <p>“Sink her!” Garth cried at length, turning to his friend, “it’s -our only chance. If we can’t get her clear of this brute we’re -done.”</p> - - <p>Quick as thought Wilson darted below again, and a moment later -the throb of the pumps broke upon the ears of the inventor.</p> - - <p>Would it be possible for the vessel to sink from under her -monstrous burden?</p> - - <p>Anxiously Garth looked out into the swirling waters, but the -saurian appeared to sink quite as fast as the <i>Seal.</i> The strokes -of the brute’s paddles, though now feebler, were yet enough to -occasion the inventor no small uneasiness.</p> - - <p>Neither forward nor backward could the vessel move, although -urged on by the full power of her engines. The enormous weight across -her deck held her almost motionless.</p> - - <p>So the minutes dragged by, each one fraught with the suspense of -a lifetime, and there came no change for the better in the situation -of the <i>Seal</i> and her occupants, save that the last spark of life -had flickered from the monster, and he lay still in death. Yet even -this was something to be thankful for. While he lived there had ever -been a danger that, by some random stroke of his paddles, he might -have smashed in one or other of the vessel’s deck-plates. Now that -danger was past.</p> - - <p>But still the vessel sank in the crimsoned waters. Soon, unless -this sea was of unusual depth, she must touch bottom; and then—a -slow, lingering death for the two men aboard her—death by -suffocation, deep down in the gloomy depths of this subterranean -sea.</p> - - <p>The lonely vigil grew too much for Garth at last, and, placing -the tube to his lips, he summoned the engineer.</p> - - <p>“It’s no use,” he remarked hopelessly, as the latter entered the -wheelhouse; “we might as well let things take their course. The -brute’s jammed too firmly across the deck for us to move him.”</p> - - <p>“It’s what Silas would call ‘checkmate,’ then?” questioned -Wilson.</p> - - <p>“That’s it; but it seems jolly hard, just as we’d bested the -brute, too. How’s that crack going on where his tail caught us?”</p> - - <p>“I’ve fixed the door of the room—it’s Mervyn’s study, you -know, where the smash is—so that the water cannot spread to -other places. I say, it was a good thing we decided to have -water-tight doors to all the compartments!”</p> - - <p>But Garth did not answer. He was gazing fixedly outside. The -water, stained until now to a crimson hue by the life-blood of the -saurian, was clearing rapidly.</p> - - <p>“Look!” the inventor cried suddenly. Wilson followed the -direction of his gaze. Close alongside a jagged, black rock was -thrusting itself upward as the vessel sank.</p> - - <p>“If the brute’s body will only catch on that we may escape after -all,” Garth cried excitedly. “Get below again, Tom, old man, and start -your engines like blazes when you hear me ring.”</p> - - <p>The next few moments were full of painful anxiety to the engineer -as he waited, gripping his levers, for the signal which should tell -him that the vessel was free. It came at length, and a wild huzza -almost escaped him as he felt the <i>Seal</i> begin to move. Ere long -she was sweeping through the water at her usual pace, and then Wilson -felt free to raise her. When she reached the surface the lad rejoined -his comrade in the turret.</p> - - <p>“Thank heaven we came through all right!” Garth breathed -fervently. “That squeak was narrow enough to turn one’s hair grey. But -for that rock we’d have been done, sure as fate. The brute’s head -caught against it, and the old boat simply dropped from under. How’s -your arm?”</p> - - <p>“Aches badly,” was the reply. “I knocked it as I went down the -last time.”</p> - - <p>“That’s bad. I’ll dress it soon as ever we get back.”</p> - - <p>Straight for the beach Garth steered the <i>Seal,</i> running her -aground in preparation for repairing the damages sustained in the -struggle with the saurian. Then, when Wilson’s wound was redressed, -Garth rolled up his sleeves and disappeared below, leaving the -engineer to keep watch.</p> - - <p>For awhile Tom sat listening to the clang of the inventor’s tools -as he refixed the damaged plates. He knew well that the job would be a -difficult one for Garth to carry out alone, yet his wounded arm -precluded him from assisting in the work. So, though he would far -rather have been below, plying wrench or hammer, he had perforce to -remain inactive.</p> - - <p>Time dragged heavily. Outside nothing seemed stirring. Long since -he had given up hope that his friends would return. Doubtless by now, -if still alive, they were far away in the heart of this mysterious -underworld.</p> - - <p>Suddenly a screech floated across the water, breaking in upon his -meditation.</p> - - <p>“What’s that?” he muttered to himself, and striding to the door, -opened it cautiously, wondering what fresh attack the strange cry -heralded. Again it came, and at that he stepped out on deck, his -revolver ready for action.</p> - - <p>Then through the gloom flashed some monstrous flying creature, -and Wilson fired almost point-blank at the swooping body. But a blow -from the creature’s wing knocked his weapon from his hand, and felled -him like a log to the deck. As he struggled to rise, the brute’s great -teeth fixed themselves in his shoulder; he was borne swiftly aloft, -his terrified cries for help falling vainly on the ears of Garth, who, -alarmed by the shot, came rushing up from below just in time to catch -a glimpse of the disappearing form of his friend.</p> - - <p>For a time the unhappy engineer became unconscious, recovering -from one swoon only to fall into another. He remembered nothing of his -terrible journey; his mind was a complete blank until the shock of a -fall roused him, and he opened his eyes.</p> - - <p>He was lying upon a carpet of spongy moss. Around, entirely -enclosing the spot where he lay, towered a forest of fungi. Of his -captor he could at first see nothing, and, thinking to make his escape -if the brute had vanished, he sat up and peered cautiously around. -Then, as his glance strayed upward, a shudder passed through his -frame.</p> - - <p>Twenty feet above, his soaring wings almost grazing the topmost -branching arms of the fungi, hovered the great vampire. As the brute -noted the engineer’s movement, its savage eyes glared threateningly, -and Wilson subsided, trembling.</p> - - <p>Still as death he lay waiting, wondering why the fearsome brute -did not at once attack him, instead of hovering there in mid-air. His -curiosity was quickly satisfied.</p> - - <p>Like a flash a second vampire swooped into view and hurled itself -upon Wilson’s ghoulish guardian. In an instant the twain were fighting -tooth and nail, their mighty wings raising a deafening clamour.</p> - - <p>Not a move dared the lad make, fearing that the great bats might -unite forces against him did they see him stirring. Round and round -the brutes circled, rocking, reeling in their frenzied efforts to -destroy each other. Now they sank until they were whirling but a few -feet above Wilson’s head; anon, they would soar into the gloom far -beyond his sight.</p> - - <p>For an hour the duel raged, the creatures’ efforts growing -feebler as the time went on, while the crimson rain which sprinkled -down over the engineer bore grim testimony to the sanguinary nature of -the struggle.</p> - - <p>Suddenly, with a shrill scream, one of the vampires pitched -heavily earthward. Its adversary swayed unsteadily for a moment, then -fluttered to the ground beside it.</p> - - <p>In a second Tom was upon his feet. Knife in hand, he moved -towards his foes. One was already dead, and the other, too exhausted -to move and bleeding from a score of wounds, fell an easy prey to the -engineer’s weapon.</p> - - <p>Feeling deeply thankful for his escape from a terrible death, the -lad stood looking down on the carcases for a few moments; then, -striding forward over the moss, he plunged through the encircling -fungi. As he emerged from the glistening growths a startled cry -escaped him.</p> - - <p>The ground before him was thickly covered with bones!</p> - - <p>At the sight of the ghastly relics his already overstrained -nerves almost gave way, but, exerting all his self-control, he pulled -himself together and strode down the valley, hoping ere long to regain -the coast.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_18" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XVIII.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE SINKING POOL.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">F<span class="smtx">OR</span> some time Wilson -plodded on, his one idea being to escape from the ghostly valley. The -weirdness of the place, enclosed as it was on every side by towering -cliffs, its unnatural stillness, and, above all, the grim remains with -which the ground was littered, sent an uncanny thrill through the -engineer; and, despite his resolution, he found himself continually -glancing backward, to make certain that no spectral form was dogging -his steps.</p> - - <p>All unconsciously he was moving in exactly the opposite direction -to that he wished to take, straying farther at each step into the -interior of the underworld. The valley seemed to be endless, and the -lonely traveller grew tired after awhile of the eternal monotony of -the scene around. More, he grew afraid; afraid that he would never -find his way out of these ghostly wilds, where reigned an everlasting -silence—afraid that he would never again see the <i>Seal</i> or -the comrade from whom he had been snatched so suddenly.</p> - - <p>The fear grew. Try as he might he could not shake it off. It -seemed to be gripping his heart with icy fingers, paralysing his every -energy, and turning him into a craven coward. He started at his own -footsteps. The shadow of a boulder, cast in a grotesque, distorted -form by the fungi light upon the ground at his feet, brought him up -with a jump, and only with great difficulty did he restrain a cry.</p> - - <p>The valley seemed to grow full of strange sounds. Ghostly voices -whispered in his ears, hideous faces peered out from the shelter of -the fungi.</p> - - <p>He was in the grip of a terror such as he had never known -before!</p> - - <p>Then, upon the heels of this wholly imaginary fear, came a real -one. Footsteps—stealthy, all but noiseless -footsteps—sounded behind him, He glanced backward. A score of -yards behind him a black shadow was moving, a shapeless smudge against -the green of the moss.</p> - - <p>For one terrible instant his heart seemed to stop beating. What -was the <i>Thing?</i></p> - - <p>Nearer it crept, sliding from shadow to shadow with a sinister -movement horrible to witness. And still the lad stood motionless, his -very soul withered by the fear that gripped him.</p> - - <p>Nearer still—but a few feet separated the thing from the -engineer; then the latter recovered the use of his limbs, and, with a -wild yell of terror, dashed madly down the valley. As he did so, the -creature behind rose from its crouching position, disclosing to view -the hideous form of a wolf-man.</p> - - <p>A moment the savage stood gazing after the rapidly-vanishing -Wilson, then, picking up something the latter had dropped, he turned -without troubling to give chase, and, plunging in among the fungi, -disappeared.</p> - - <p>Like a hunted stag Wilson bounded over the ground, all other -thoughts lost in the one mad desire to get away from the creature -behind. He never turned to look if the brute was following. He rushed -on blindly, madly, the fear that gripped him lending him fictitious -strength. He knew nothing, saw nothing, until, utterly exhausted, his -trembling limbs refused to carry him farther, and he dropped full -length upon the ground.</p> - - <p>A long while he lay where he had fallen, too wearied to move, -thoroughly disgusted with himself for so allowing fear to overcome -him. When at last he arose he was astonished at his surroundings. -Although he had no recollection of so doing, he must, in his flight, -have emerged from the valley of bones, for he was in a gloomy defile, -between towering cliffs.</p> - - <p>From which direction he had come he could not tell, but, trusting -to luck, he strode forward into the darkness of the defile.</p> - - <p>His terror had gone, but it had left him weak and trembling as -with an ague. Not a single fungus grew in the gloomy gorge; not even -the twilight peculiar to this strange subterranean world relieved its -dark obscurity. Yet, despite this absence of light, Wilson felt safer -than amid the fungi. If the darkness concealed dangers, it also hid -him from the sight of Lurking enemies.</p> - - <p>For a little over a mile he strode on between the cliffs, then a -bright light ahead warned him that he was approaching the end of the -defile.</p> - - <p>Redoubling his caution as he advanced, he soon emerged from the -gorge into another valley, much smaller than the one he had left, but -lit by the same weird growths. At first he hesitated to advance into -the light, the memory of his recent fright being still very vivid; -but, putting a bold face on the matter, he moved forward at length -from the shadow of the cliffs.</p> - - <p>As he stepped into the light of the luminous growths, clear and -distinct to his ears came the clang of a bell.</p> - - <p>He pulled up short in sheer astonishment, and stood listening for -a repetition of the sound.</p> - - <p>Clang! Once more it rang across the valley. Drawing his -sheath-knife, Wilson moved forward, determined to investigate the -mystery. What could be the meaning of the sound, he pondered? Had he -reached the haunts of the wolf-men, and was the ringing of the bell -some signal? Whatever it was he was resolved to get to the bottom of -it.</p> - - <p>Clang! For the third time the musical note echoed amid the -cliffs. The sound seemed to rise from a dense thicket of fungi, which -covered the further end of the valley, and towards this the engineer -hurried. Amid the towering growths he threaded his way, moving -cautiously, having no wish to fall foul of any savages; then, with a -low exclamation, he checked himself upon the edge of a clearing.</p> - - <p>Before him, tottering in the last stage of decay, rose a ruined -building. Gaunt and ghostly, its roofless walls stood, the relics of -some past civilisation. Fascinated, Wilson moved nearer. What was the -history of this crumbling pile, the one sign of civilised life that he -had seen in this underworld? For what purpose had it been erected, and -by whom?</p> - - <p>The pillars, which once had graced its front, lay half buried in -the spongy ground. Climbing fungi ran riot in the gaping cracks in its -walls, and its stone pavement was covered with a carpet of moss. Its -air of desolate grandeur strongly impressed Wilson, and for a while he -forgot what had brought him thither.</p> - - <p>His engineer’s eye took in the monstrous size of the blocks which -had formed the walls, and he marvelled how they could have been raised -to their places. Surely they who erected such a building must have -been men of gigantic stature and strength, unless indeed they were -equipped with the appliances of modern engineering?</p> - - <p>Dare he enter? The place seemed as deserted as the grave. If -there were savages about, they would, without a doubt, have shown -themselves ere now. He longed to examine the ruins more closely. There -appeared to be no danger, and, if it came to that, he was not safe -where he stood. Thus reasoning, curiosity got the better of his -prudence, and he strode across the clearing.</p> - - <p>Just outside the great arch that had once been the doorway he -paused, and stood for a moment with ears strained for any sound from -within; but the place was wrapped in silence as in a shroud, and, -reassured, he crossed the threshold.</p> - - <p>There was danger in his enterprise other than that from savages. -At any moment a block of stone might come crashing from the walls, -and, were he beneath such, his career would be ended on the spot. -Knowing this, he made his examination as brief as possible, keeping -well back from the walls.</p> - - <p>The building appeared to have been used as a temple at one time, -for in the centre stood a stone altar. Time, the destroyer, had not -quite obliterated the rude hieroglyphics with which the side of the -sacrificial slab had been covered, but Wilson could not gain from them -the information he so much desired. To him they were mere meaningless -scratches. Mervyn, perhaps, could have read in them the life-history -of the builders of the place; but the engineer’s education did not -include the sign languages of defunct races.</p> - - <p>Suddenly, clear as ever through the silence, came the -bell-note.</p> - - <p>The sound recalled to Wilson the object of his search, the -mysterious bell-ringer. Not a little curious as to the identity of the -being, whoever it was, he thoroughly examined the interior of the -temple—but in vain. The place was entirely deserted. Not a hole -was there large enough to conceal a dog, yet the engineer was certain -the sound came from the building.</p> - - <p>Was there a vault beneath the temple? It seemed probable, but how -came it that the sound was so distinct if the ringer were underground? -The thing puzzled him.</p> - - <p>Determined to solve the mystery, he examined the moss-grown flags -of the floor, but with no better result. Outside the building, when he -essayed to search there, failure still attended his efforts. The time -flew by, and, though at intervals the musical peal still fell upon his -ears, he was no nearer the discovery of the mysterious being; bell and -ringer seemed invisible.</p> - - <p>Probably he would never have hit upon the true solution of the -mystery but for an accident. As he moved amidst the fallen blocks -which strewed the ground at the base of the walls, he stumbled and -fell, whereupon, from the shelter of a stone close by, scuttled an -enormous beetle. The creature was almost a foot in length, and its -branched antennae, held over its back as it ran, beat furiously upon -its metallic body-covering, thus producing the clanging sound which -had puzzled Wilson for so long.</p> - - <p>“Well, I’m hanged!” was the engineer’s graceful exclamation as he -rose; “to think that it’s only a beetle, after all! But now ‘to get a -move on,’ as Silas would say,” and with that he turned his back upon -the mysterious temple and resumed his way.</p> - - <p>Around the valley he tramped, but no opening could he find in the -encircling wall of cliffs, and soon he found himself back at the -defile by which he had entered. Loth though he was to return to the -valley of bones, there was nothing else to be done.</p> - - <p>So through the gorge he hurried, and stood once more, ere long, -in the feeding ground of the vampires. He paused a while to consider -his course, deciding at length to move along the base of the cliffs -until he came to some gorge or pass which would lead him out of this -weird valley. To this end he started off at a swinging stride, keeping -a sharp look-out for vampires as he went. Before he had covered many -yards a distant report broke upon his ears, followed by an explosion, -which awoke every echo in the valley.</p> - - <p>At the sound, hope leapt into his heart. That first was surely -the report of a rifle, which meant that his friends—whom he had -deemed lost—were within a few miles of him. Instantly he started -off at a run in the direction whence the sound had come. No further -reports reached him, yet he did not doubt that he should be able to -find his comrades. Occasionally he shouted as he ran on, hoping to -attract their attention should they be anywhere within hearing.</p> - - <p>He took little heed to his steps as he went, tripping and -stumbling among the scattered bones, but ever pressing forward. Had he -been more cautious the accident that befel him might have been -avoided.</p> - - <p>He was moving through a thick clump of fungi, when once more the -report of a rifle echoed across the valley. At that he quickened his -pace, raising his voice in a lusty shout as he did so. But there came -no answering hail. His friends were as yet too far distant to hear his -call. Then straining every muscle in his headlong race, he suddenly -burst out of the fungi. Before him, almost at his feet, its placid -surface unbroken by a single ripple, lay an eerie-looking pool. Its -banks rose steeply from the water’s edge, making it impossible to note -its presence until close upon it. Wilson, striving in vain to check -himself, blundered over the brink and pitched with a splash into the -water, eight feet below.</p> - - <p>He was a good swimmer, and, though unfortunate, the situation did -not cause him the least uneasiness. His wounded arm was now healing -rapidly, thanks to Garth’s attentions, so he anticipated little -difficulty in escaping from the pool. With a couple of strokes he -reached the bank, but failed to touch bottom. Evidently the pool was -of considerable depth.</p> - - <p>Digging his fingers into the side, he commenced to claw his way -up. He was almost clear of the water when the rotten earth crumbled -beneath his clutch, and he fell backward, sousing clear under.</p> - - <p>“Hang it!” he gasped as he rose spluttering. “I must try another -place.”</p> - - <p>Treading water for a moment he looked round for a place where the -bank would be easy to scale. A spot quickly caught his eye, and -towards this he was about to strike out, when a strange phenomenon -startled him. <i>The bank appeared to be rising slowly out of the -water!</i></p> - - <p>He could scarcely believe the evidence of his own eyes. The sides -of the pond had not been more than eight feet in height when first he -struck the water; of that he was perfectly sure; yet now, at the very -lowest point, they were twelve feet, and seemed to be getting higher -each moment.</p> - - <p>Was he the victim of some delusion? He rubbed his eyes, he -pinched his arm to assure himself that he was not dreaming.</p> - - <p>Then, with startling suddenness the truth came to him.</p> - - <p><i>The water of the pool was slowly sinking!</i></p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_19" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XIX.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE FIRE GULF.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">T<span class="smtx">HE</span> shock of this -discovery aroused him to action. Swimming to the spot he had picked -out, he commenced once more to scale the bank. Eight feet he climbed; -his goal was almost within reach, when, without warning, the whole -face of the bank to which he was clinging gave way, and he plunged -down again into the water, the earth rattling over him as he fell.</p> - - <p>He was somewhat alarmed when he rose again. The water was still -steadily sinking, and he was no nearer escape than at his first -attempt. Indeed, he was further from his object, for the lower the -water sank the higher he would have to climb. Escape from the pool did -not appear so easy as it had done some time before.</p> - - <p>Once more he made an attempt to scale the side, but with no -better luck than before. After this he contented himself with treading -water for a time, reserving his energies for a final effort.</p> - - <p>How much lower was the water going to sink? he wondered. It was -twenty feet below the level of the valley now, and its motion had not -yet ceased.</p> - - <p>He thought nothing of the strangeness of the phenomenon. His mind -was centred upon escaping from his alarming predicament.</p> - - <p>Suddenly the water began to swirl and eddy. He was expecting each -instant to be sucked down into some dark hole, when, with a dull roar, -that seemed to come from the very bowels of the earth, the water -foamed upward.</p> - - <p>Five minutes later it was as Wilson had found it, a silent, -somewhat ghostly-looking pool, scarce a ripple remaining to tell of -its recent movement.</p> - - <p>Now or never! thought the engineer.</p> - - <p>Exerting all his remaining strength, he made a desperate effort -to ascend the slippery bank. Again and again he tried, but ever with -the same result. Failure, heartbreaking failure! And upon it all, -while he rested from his last attempt, the water began to sink -again.</p> - - <p>At that his courage failed. He had almost decided to let himself -sink beneath the surface, and so end the apparently hopeless struggle, -when the sound of voices fell upon his ears—the voices of his -friends.</p> - - <p>The blood rushed madly through his veins at the sound, and a cry -for help rang from his lips. An instant later—it seemed an hour -to the unfortunate lad—the form of the baronet appeared on the -brink of the pool.</p> - - <p>“Great Scott!” he cried as he saw Wilson’s white, despairing face -looking up at him; then he plunged in to his friend’s assistance.</p> - - <p>With Seymour’s strong arm about him the pool lost its terrors for -Wilson. Together the two sank with the water, not attempting to do -aught but keep afloat until it rose again. When it once more reached -its highest level, Seymour assisted his friend to scale the bank, -while Haverly, leaning far over from above, quickly dragged him into -safety.</p> - - <p>But the baronet’s escape had yet to be accomplished, and seemed -likely to prove a lengthier job than Wilson’s. He made no attempt to -climb unassisted, recognising the futility of such a course after the -engineer’s experience. Instead, he set his wits to work to evolve a -method of escape.</p> - - <p>Rope they had none, and at first thought it appeared as though -there was nought at hand they could use in place of one. Presently -Haverly’s inventive genius found an expedient.</p> - - <p>“Your belts!” he cried. “I guess we can manage it.”</p> - - <p>He tore off his own as he spoke and buckled it to those which -Mervyn and Wilson tendered. Within a few seconds Seymour had been -hauled up out of the pool, and the four friends—so strangely -reunited—were resting upon the brink of the funnel that had so -nearly become Wilson’s tomb.</p> - - <p>Mervyn had eyes for nothing but the curious phenomenon of the -sinking water, until the engineer recovered sufficiently from the -effects of his immersion to tell his story. Then even the motion of -the pool ceased to interest him, when Wilson told of the great -ichthyosaurus, and how Garth slew it, of the vampires, the -bell-beetle, and the ruined temple in the valley.</p> - - <p>The professor drank in every word.</p> - - <p>“We must see this temple,” he cried as the engineer concluded; -“it’s the chance of a lifetime. Where is this valley you speak of? Can -you find it again?”</p> - - <p>“Yes, I can find it,” was the dubious reply; “but will it be safe -to hang about here?”</p> - - <p>“It’s worth the risk,” Mervyn returned eagerly; “let us move on -without delay.”</p> - - <p>Seymour and the Yankee, although they knew that the course -suggested by the scientist was not the most prudent one, had not the -heart to refuse him; so they rose, and, under the guidance of the -engineer, moved on up the valley.</p> - - <p>“I guess we’ve got to be slick over this deal,” the millionaire -remarked, “an’ then we’ll strike for the <i>Seal</i> right away. If -the old boat can’t carry us out of this darned underworld, we’ll be -considerable safer aboard her than knockin’ around here.”</p> - - <p>“How about the abyss?” Seymour questioned, “you forget the bridge -is gone.”</p> - - <p>“Not for a second,” retorted Silas. “I calculate we’ve got to -pull for the mouth of that there river and take to the water. How much -further to this yer location of yours, Wilson?”</p> - - <p>“We’re close upon the defile now,” answered the engineer; “but -it’s a good mile through to the valley, and——”</p> - - <p>He broke off abruptly, as the weird howl of the wolf-men trembled -out of the distance.</p> - - <p>“I guess this picnic’s off,” snapped the American. “Mervyn, we’ll -postpone this visit to Wilson’s temple, if you don’t object. The -niggers must ha’ struck our trail again, and I take it none of us are -real anxious to be trapped in a blind gully?”</p> - - <p>The force of Haverly’s remark was plain to each of his friends. -Even Mervyn, whose scientific zeal would have carried him onward, -dared not drag his comrades into danger. Had he been alone he would -have turned aside into the valley of the ruins at all costs, and -doubtless would have lost his life in consequence.</p> - - <p>“We’ve got to find a road out of this,” Silas went on, “an’ real -smart, too. Them brutes’ll be on our heels in half an hour. I should -advise as we hustle some.”</p> - - <p>With that he broke into a trot, and his comrades followed his -example. The cliffs on either side closed in steadily as they -advanced, and it soon became evident that they were approaching a -pass, or that the valley would end in a blank wall. What the latter -meant they knew only too well.</p> - - <p>Their supply of cartridges would not last for long. Surrounded by -a shrieking mob of savages, it would not be long ere sheer numbers -would carry the day.</p> - - <p>The air grew strangely oppressive as they raced on, and a strong -smell of sulphur came to their nostrils. What these signs portended -they did not stop to consider. “Faster!” was all the cry, and, spurred -onward by the yelping cries of their pursuers—each moment -getting nearer—they put forth every effort.</p> - - <p>Suddenly a gasping cry broke from Seymour.</p> - - <p>“A pass!”</p> - - <p>Just ahead of them was the mouth of a gorge, and into this they -plunged. Impenetrable darkness surrounded them, hedged them about as -with a wall, until, of a sudden, the triangular beam from Haverly’s -lantern dispelled the gloom, and made progress practicable. Every -nerve, every muscle was strained to the uttermost, yet the savage -cries of their murderous pursuers drew nearer moment by moment. It was -a hopeless race; indeed, it could not be otherwise, pitted as they -were against such runners as the wolf-men; but if it came to the -worst, they could stand at bay until their ammunition gave out, and -afterwards—death by their own hands, rather than fall into the -power of the devilish priest.</p> - - <p>Their throats were choked with sulphur, their tongues dry and -cracked, and the heat became intense as they advanced.</p> - - <p>Yet they still held on, until, dashing furiously round an angle -in the wall of the gorge, they stopped dead, petrified by the terrific -grandeur of the scene before them.</p> - - <p>To right and left the cliffs still towered, beetling and immense; -but ahead the gorge broke sheer away in a mighty chasm. And, two -hundred feet below, its molten bosom heaving, and falling in giant -waves, rolled a sea of liquid fire. All else the fugitives forgot; -they could do nought but stare, until their eyes could look no longer -upon the glaring flood.</p> - - <p>“Stupendous!” Mervyn gasped, veiling his eyes. “Saw you ever the -like before?”</p> - - <p>The chasm appeared to be about sixty feet in width, but the -cliffs prevented them judging of its length. As their eyes became more -accustomed to the glare they discovered that from the rocky ground at -their feet the span of a stone bridge ran out, its unfinished end -hanging about one third the way across the great gulf. The dazzling -glow had prevented their perceiving it before.</p> - - <p>This occasioned them less surprise than might have been the case -had they not heard Wilson’s story of the ruined building in the -valley; yet, for all that, they stood amazed before this mighty work. -Unfinished though it appeared to be, it excited their wonder no less -than their admiration. What beings were they who could span this -fearful gulf with a structure that would have reflected credit upon -the finest engineer in the civilised world? Not the wolf-men, of a -certainty! Creatures of their brutish intellect could never have -planned and carried out so stupendous an enterprise; and if not they, -then what other beings dwelt in this wild and ghostly land?</p> - - <p>“Look!” cried Seymour suddenly, “it is a drawbridge! The centre -span is drawn up.”</p> - - <p>It was true! The bridge was not imperfect, as they had -supposed.</p> - - <p>From the further side of the gorge a second span ran out, and -above the end of this the centre span towered, secured by chains.</p> - - <p>“It’s what you might call real picturesque,” drawled Silas, “but -I guess it’s fixed us proper. We’re trapped like rats. Say, Mervyn, -you’d better take this knife,” and he handed his sheath-knife to the -unarmed scientist.</p> - - <p>As he did so, from close at hand arose the hunting cry of the -wolf-men.</p> - - <p>“Keep well within the shelter of the rocks there,” said Seymour -to Mervyn and the engineer, then moved a few paces into the gorge. -Haverly took his place beside him, and together they awaited the -coming of the foe.</p> - - <p>Four minutes passed—minutes so full of suspense that each -seemed like an hour—and then the foremost of the pursuers dashed -round the curve. He paused as he noted the grim figures, standing -motionless as statues in the shadow of the cliffs. Before ever he -could retreat, a shot from Seymour’s weapon stretched him dead upon -his back, his piercing death-cry ringing shrilly in the ears of his -fellows as they rushed into view.</p> - - <p>With a fiendish clamour of yells they swept down upon the -fugitives, their spears raised threateningly.</p> - - <p>“Fire!” the baronet cried, and at that the rattle of the magazine -rifles broke out, the cliffs flinging back the echoes in a deafening -uproar.</p> - - <p>Crack! Crack! Even the brutish courage of the wolf-men quailed -before that leaden hail. They retired precipitately, leaving eight of -their number dead upon the ground.</p> - - <p>“That’s the style,” the Yankee said cheerily, refilling the -magazine of his weapon from his rapidly-vanishing store of cartridges; -“we’ll teach ’em a lesson ’fore we go under.”</p> - - <p>“We must keep them back at all costs,” rejoined Seymour. “Once -they get close in they’ll sweep us over into the chasm by sheer force. -How are you two feeling?” turning to the non-combatants.</p> - - <p>“Out of it,” the twain replied together. “I wish we had weapons,” -Mervyn went on, “that we might take a hand in the game.”</p> - - <p>“On your guard!” Silas burst out; “here they come again, full -rip.”</p> - - <p>Around the bend a horde of wolf-men came charging, uttering their -weird, long-drawn howl. Evidently the brutes thought to intimidate the -fugitives by their fearsome cry. But the baronet’s nerve was never -more steady than at that moment, and Haverly’s splendid courage did -not fail him. Shot after shot they poured into that yelling horde, -with a coolness and precision that excited their two friends’ keenest -admiration.</p> - - <p>Savage after savage fell to rise no more; and still the levers of -the repeaters worked for dear life—still the fiendish forms -rushed through the glare, almost up to the smoking muzzles of the -rifles, ere once more they fell back in a disorganised mob.</p> - - <p>The pile of dead they left behind bore witness to the deadly -accuracy of the two friends’ aim.</p> - - <p>“Hot work,” the baronet panted, mopping his sweat-covered brow. -He thrust his hand into his pocket, then withdrew it with a startled -exclamation. An instant he fumbled with his cartridge belt, his face -paling the while.</p> - - <p>“I say,” he asked hoarsely, “how many cartridges have you -left?”</p> - - <p>The Yankee put his hand to his belt.</p> - - <p>“Jupiter!” he gasped, “not a blame one.”</p> - - <p>“Then God help us!” Seymour returned. “I’ve fired my last!”</p> - - <p>A groan broke from the scientist as he heard the words. “We’re -done, then?” he said bitterly.</p> - - <p>“Not by a hull piece,” Silas replied. “It’s clubbed guns for the -next scrap, an’ hit hard as you know how. I guess this is where your -tooth-picks’ll come in, professor,” and, reversing his rifle, the -American gripped it firmly by the muzzle.</p> - - <p>Seymour followed his example. Despite the millionaire’s bold -words, each man felt that the end was near; that the next rush of the -savages would sweep them into the fire gulf. Taken alive they were -determined not to be, even though they had to leap over the brink into -the glowing depths below to escape capture.</p> - - <p>Suddenly, while they stood awaiting the end, a sound floated -across to them from the further side of the gulf.</p> - - <p><i>It was the baying of a hound!</i></p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_20" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XX.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE LAST OF THE AYUTIS.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">F<span class="smtx">OR</span> a moment the -familiar sound, heard in the trackless wilds of the underworld, set -each man’s heart throbbing with a mad yearning for home.</p> - - <p>Home! Would they ever again look upon the glorious blue of the -vault of heaven? Ever more behold the glowing splendour of the sun? -Would they again set eyes upon the white cliffs of the Homeland, whose -shores they had left so full of hope and enthusiasm?</p> - - <p>Like the death-knell of their hopes rang the thrilling cry of -their enemies as they moved once more to the attack.</p> - - <p>But their two previous receptions had taught the wolf-men a -lesson. No mad charge did they make this time. Evidently they had -conceived a wholesome dread of firearms. Stealthily the creatures -crept forward, seeming to wonder why the fire-weapons of these mighty -white strangers were silent.</p> - - <p>When they discovered that the rifles were not only silent, but -useless, the end would not be long in coming.</p> - - <p>The glare from the fire gulf lit up the hideous features of the -savages with startling effect, giving them an even more diabolical -expression, if that were possible. Nearer they came, gaining courage -with every yard they advanced, their bloodshot eyes rolling horribly. -Then suddenly, in a veritable living avalanche, they hurled themselves -upon the gallant quartette.</p> - - <p>The rifle butts rose and fell with sickening monotony, and at -each stroke a wolf-man crashed to earth. The knives flashed like -lightning through the crimson glare as Wilson and the scientist flung -themselves pell-mell into the combat.</p> - - <p>The engineer, plunging his weapon into the breast of a savage, -tore the spear from his grasp, and fell to with this new tool with -tremendous energy. Back and forth the struggling group swayed, one -moment perilously close to the brink of the fire gulf, the next many -yards away.</p> - - <p>But the fight was too hot to last.</p> - - <p>Slowly the four were beaten backward; then Wilson went down with -a jagged wound in his thigh, and Mervyn, stumbling over his prostrate -body, was struck senseless by a blow from the flat of a spear.</p> - - <p>Another instant and Seymour and the Yankee would have fallen -before the weapons of their foes, but, in the nick of time, a shout -came pealing across the gulf.</p> - - <p>“Aswani!” (“Courage!”)</p> - - <p>At the word the wolf-men wavered in their attack, and a cry arose -from their midst, “Yos toreal Ayuti!” (“The last of the Ayutis!”)</p> - - <p>While they hesitated the drawbridge fell with a clang across the -abyss, and over it an elk came galloping, his antlers gleaming like -gold in the ruddy glow from the gulf. But it was not upon this -magnificent creature that the gaze of the savages was fixed.</p> - - <p>No: for astride the elk rode a man taller than any of the sons of -earth, and his form was as that of a god. A battle-axe flashed in his -right hand, and at his back swung a great embossed shield. This latter -he unslung as he came on.</p> - - <p>Checking his giant steed at the end of the bridge by the pressure -of his knee, he sprang to earth and hurled himself upon the wolf-men. -Like a thing of life his great axe whirred and hissed, and before it -the savages fell as grain before the sickle.</p> - - <p>For a while the two comrades stood astounded by this unexpected -reinforcement. Their case had appeared so hopeless, so utterly -desperate, that they had resigned themselves to destruction. They had -not expected to accomplish aught, even by their most strenuous -exertions. To sell their lives as dearly as possible had been their -only object. But now, by the timely arrival of this gigantic stranger, -whom the wolf-men called “The last of the Ayutis,” the tables had been -completely turned upon their enemies.</p> - - <p>Against the Ayuti’s great flashing blade the savages hurled -themselves in vain. Vainly they cut and hewed, vainly they hacked and -slashed. Cut and thrust alike fell harmless; their spears shivered -themselves to fragments against the Ayuti’s shield. At every sweeping -stroke of the great axe a savage crashed to earth.</p> - - <p>Amid the hideous, misshapen forms of the wolf-men the Ayuti -towered as a god among demons, and ever and anon a thrilling war-cry -pealed from his lips, ringing clear as a bell above the din. Not all -their ferocious courage could serve Nordhu’s savages now, nor could -their cunning aid them. Their gigantic enemy seemed to be wholly -without fear.</p> - - <p><a name="illustration_04" id="illustration_04" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"></a></p> - - <p class="noindent"><img src="images/illo_04.jpg" alt="Illustration #4"/></p> - - <p>The pile of dead grew, and soon, of all the wolfish horde which -had first attacked the fugitives, but a dozen were left. These, seeing -that all was lost, that further fighting was in vain, turned to -flee.</p> - - <p>“Not one must escape!” roared the Ayuti, leaping forward in -pursuit, and Seymour, translating the words to the American, followed -him. Within five minutes not a savage remained on his feet. What the -axe of the Ayuti had missed the rifle butts had accounted for.</p> - - <p>For a few moments hereafter the three men stood leaning on their -weapons, and now the two fugitives had a closer view of their splendid -rescuer. Over seven feet he was in stature; his splendid limbs were -left partly bare by the skin cloak which he wore suspended from one -shoulder. His curling hair fell in rich masses to his shoulders, and -his skin was little darker than the baronet’s own. The beauty of his -features, his exquisitely-proportioned form, and the grace of his -every movement made up a picture of god-like majesty, before which the -two friends felt inclined to bow the knee.</p> - - <p>Instead of doing this, however, Seymour held out his hand.</p> - - <p>“Friend,” he said in Ayuti, and there was a strange break in his -voice, “we cannot thank you for the service you have rendered us.”</p> - - <p>“’Tis naught,” replied the Ayuti, grasping the proffered hand -warmly; “I would that I might aid ye again. But, see, thy brothers -still sleep. They must be awakened.”</p> - - <p>An application of the spirit flask carried by Haverly quickly -aroused the two senseless men. Then, while the American dressed the -engineer’s wounded leg, Seymour told the Ayuti of the means of their -coming to this weird land, and of all that had befallen them -since.</p> - - <p>A long recital it was, but deeply interesting, and the eyes of -the giant glowed with admiration as the baronet proceeded.</p> - - <p>“Ye are men indeed,” he cried, when the story was finished, and -once more gripped Seymour’s hand. “Fairhair, thou and I must be -brethren, for thou art a man after my own heart. What say ye?”</p> - - <p>“Gladly,” answered the baronet, smiling at the Ayuti’s quaint -reference to his golden hair and beard. “By what name are ye -called?”</p> - - <p>“I am Chenobi, which should have been king of the city of Ayuti,” -was the reply; “but I am the last of my race, a king without subjects. -See, Fairhair, let us cast this carrion into the gulf of fire, that -Nordhu discover not the manner of your escape.”</p> - - <p>With that the Ayuti commenced to pitch the bodies of the slain -wolf-men over the brink of the abyss. Overcoming his repugnance with -an effort, Seymour aided him in his horrible task, the Yankee also -lending a hand when he had made Wilson comfortable.</p> - - <p>Then suddenly, at a moment when all seemed to be well, when all -danger appeared to be past, a catastrophe happened that appalled them. -Silas had stooped to grasp a corpse which lay almost on the verge of -the gulf, when, without a scrap of warning, the savage—who had -evidently been playing ’possum in hope of effecting his -escape—grabbed for his ankles. Taken entirely by surprise, the -Yankee tripped, lost his balance, and fell headlong over the -brink.</p> - - <p>The Ayuti was the first to recover from the shock of this -terrible thing. With a roar of fury, he strode forward, gripped the -shivering savage by his girdle, and swung him, screaming madly, far -out into the abyss.</p> - - <p>Fascinated, the adventurers watched his fall. Twice he turned -over in mid-air, then his body seemed to shrivel up in that terrible -heat, and it was naught but a cinder that struck the glowing sea -below.</p> - - <p>“The dog!” Chenobi cried, a fearful passion blazing in his eyes, -“the cursed dog, may——”</p> - - <p>A startled cry from Seymour checked his further utterance.</p> - - <p>“Great heaven! Look!”</p> - - <p>Shading their eyes from the glare, his friends looked over the -brink, the Ayuti, though not understanding the words, following their -example. On a ledge in the wall of the abyss, twenty feet below, lay -the senseless form of Haverly. His limbs dangled perilously over the -edge of the narrow shelf, and it was apparent to all that the -slightest movement would precipitate him into the molten billows which -rolled far beneath. At any moment he might come to and attempt to sit -up; then—his comrades shivered at the thought.</p> - - <p>Yet how was his deliverance to be accomplished? Even had they a -rope, who would dare to descend into that fiery gulf, to dangle over -that flaming sea?</p> - - <p>Chenobi answered the question in a fashion that sent a thrill -through the three spectators of his daring action.</p> - - <p>Launching himself over the brink of the precipice, the Ayuti -began to make his way down to the ledge. Breathlessly his new friends -watched his perilous progress. From crag to crag he swung, at times -having the greatest difficulty in finding foothold. Once he slipped, -and the watchers gasped and averted their eyes, seeing him in -imagination hurtling into the raging sea below. But he recovered -himself, and, with splendid perseverance, continued the descent.</p> - - <p>To the watchers it seemed an age ere he reached his goal and -stood beside the unconscious American. Then a new difficulty arose, -another predicament had to be faced.</p> - - <p>How was he to get Haverly up the face of the cliff?</p> - - <p>That he would need both hands free for his return journey was -absolutely certain. For a few moments Chenobi stood, thinking out the -best method by which to effect his purpose; then to his mind came a -daring idea. Unloosing the girdle which confined his skin cloak at the -waist, he bent down, passed it beneath Haverly’s belt, and rebuckled -it. First testing both straps to satisfy himself that they were -perfectly secure, he commenced to lift the American from the -ledge.</p> - - <p>To any but one of his gigantic strength the attempt would have -ended in failure, and probably a swift and terrible death. The ledge -was very little over a foot in width, and it seemed utterly impossible -for the Ayuti to raise the dead weight of the unconscious man. But now -his magnificent strength revealed itself.</p> - - <p>His mighty muscles stood up like knotted ropes beneath the skin; -his shoulders cracked again with the strain of his effort. Yet he -accomplished his purpose; slowly he raised his senseless burden until -he could stand once more upright on the ledge, with his back to the -cliff, and with Haverly dangling before him at the end of the -girdle.</p> - - <p>“What a man!” Seymour cried admiringly, as he watched eagerly for -the Ayuti’s next move. “He’s a veritable Hercules!”</p> - - <p>“Never have I seen so fine a man!” Mervyn exclaimed. “What a -noble race these people must have been! But, see, he is moving -again.”</p> - - <p>Although their eyes ached with the glare, the watchers could not -tear their gaze from the scene below. There was a fearful attraction -about Chenobi’s heroic efforts. All natural law seemed to proclaim -that what he was about to attempt was an impossibility.</p> - - <p>“He’ll never do it,” Wilson groaned, forgetting the pain of his -wounded limb in his anxiety. “Haverly’s weight will drag him over as -soon as he begins to climb.”</p> - - <p>“We shall see presently,” the baronet answered; “if anyone can do -it he can.”</p> - - <p>Gripping the American by the waist with his left arm, Chenobi -slipped the looped girdle about his own neck. Another pause of a few -seconds, and then, relaxing his grip of the limp body, he took all the -weight upon his neck. The strain must have been tremendous, yet he -kept his balance; more, he commenced to turn round upon the -ledge—thrusting Haverly behind him as he did so—until he -stood facing the cliff, ready for his climb.</p> - - <p>The first part of his task had been accomplished in safety; but -what of the next? Would not the weight of his swinging burden drag him -backward, as Wilson had said? It would soon be seen, for now Chenobi -was commencing his perilous journey. Hand over hand he clawed his way -up, moving deliberately, and as one who was sure of his ground.</p> - - <p>How he finished that fearful climb the spectators never knew, -for, appalled by the peril of his position, they retired from the edge -of the cliff, not daring to look lest they should see the daring -climber fall headlong into the fiery sea below. Each moment they -expected to hear a cry of alarm from the abyss—evidence that -Chenobi had lost his balance—but it never came. Soon the Ayuti’s -head appeared above the cliff top, and Seymour leapt forward to -relieve him of his burden. Haverly was saved!</p> - - <p>Staggering a few paces from the edge, Chenobi flung himself down -upon the rocky ground, exhausted but triumphant. And here he lay for a -time, while Mervyn and the baronet used their utmost endeavours to -restore their senseless friend. Half an hour passed ere the American -came round, and for long afterwards he was weak and ill as a result of -his terrible experience. His gratitude, when he knew of Chenobi’s -heroism, was touching to behold; yet he said little. Only his eyes -showed how deeply grateful he felt.</p> - - <p>Seeing him moving, the Ayuti rose and came towards him, whereupon -Silas tottered to his feet and held out his hand.</p> - - <p>“Shake!” he said, and Seymour translated his words. “You’re a -white man all through!”</p> - - <p>Chenobi showed all his magnificent teeth in a smile of pleasure, -as he gripped the Yankee’s hand; then turned to where the great elk -still stood, motionless as though carved in stone.</p> - - <p>“Muswani!” he cried, “kneel!”</p> - - <p>At the words the giant brute dropped to its knees. Lifting the -engineer, whose wounded limb made walking a matter of great -difficulty, Chenobi placed him across the elk’s back, himself mounting -behind. A further word of command, and the Ayuti’s strange steed rose -and stepped out upon the bridge.</p> - - <p>“Come!” Chenobi cried, and the three friends followed across the -fire gulf.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_21" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXI.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>“SUNSHINE!”</h3> - - <p class="noindent">T<span class="smtx">HE</span> great flags of the -bridge felt almost red-hot to the feet of the adventurers, but they -trudged bravely forward through the glare, Seymour supporting Haverly -as they went. There was no parapet to the bridge, and the sight of the -molten flood below, visible to right and left as far as the eye could -see, sent a thrill through each of the trio.</p> - - <p>The massive span, which had seemed so solid a structure viewed -from the gorge, now appeared a very flimsy affair, dwarfed to -nothingness by the stupendous dimensions of the great fire gulf. With -their eyes fixed upon the giant form of their guide, the three -comrades moved on as steadfastly as possible. Over the vast, vibrating -sheet of metal that formed the drawbridge they tramped, and glad -indeed were they when they had crossed the last span, and their feet -touched solid ground.</p> - - <p>Here the Ayuti dismounted and strode to where a great lever -projected from the masonry of the bridge. This he pulled over, and -instantly, with a clanging rattle, the drawbridge swung upward into -place.</p> - - <p>“Now that your foes are all destroyed,” he remarked, turning to -the baronet, “Nordhu, the priest, will not know whether ye have -escaped or no.”</p> - - <p>But he was wrong; for, as the party once more moved on, a -wolf-man crept from his hiding place amid the rocks on the opposite -side of the gorge. A moment he stood there in the glare, shaking his -spear menacingly towards the retreating figures of the fugitives, then -turned and vanished into the gloom of the defile.</p> - - <p>Forward went the adventurers, the glow from the fire gulf growing -fainter as they advanced, until the towers and walls of a city loomed -before them through the twilight. The sight aroused the interest of -the scientist. Hitherto he had moved in an apathetic manner, very -different from his usual brisk style. His nerves had received so rude -a shock that he was as yet scarcely himself. Even the sight of -Chenobi’s monstrous steed—rare though the creature was—had -failed to arouse him. But now, with the walls of the mysterious -subterranean city within sight, his scientific zeal revived.</p> - - <p>Instinctively he felt for his note-book, forgetting for the -moment that he had lost it in his adventure with the Triceratops.</p> - - <p>“Don’t worry,” Seymour said, noting his look of disappointment; -“I happen to have one on me that will suit you down to the ground.” -Forthwith he produced a bulky pocket-book, at sight of which Mervyn’s -eyes glistened.</p> - - <p>“Many thanks!” he cried, taking it, and at once commenced to -scribble down a graphic description of the giant elk.</p> - - <p>Ere long the party passed through a great gateway, the stone gate -of which had fallen from its hinges, and now lay crumbling in the -dust. On either hand towered the palaces of the Ayutis, now, alas, -tottering to decay. Built of some dazzling white stone, they gleamed -through the twilight as though bathed in a flood of moonlight; the -effect—accentuated by the silence of the whole place—being -indescribably weird. The footsteps of the adventurers raised a volley -of echoes from the deserted streets as they moved over the pavement, -and from ahead at intervals came the muffled baying of hounds.</p> - - <p>The Ayuti was strangely silent as he strode beside Muswani, the -elk—he had not mounted since raising the drawbridge. Perhaps he -was thinking of the time when the streets had rung with the voices of -his people, when the palaces had throbbed with life.</p> - - <p>Although he was burning to question their guide concerning the -past history of the city, Mervyn forbore, fearing by some indiscreet -query to offend him. But he need not have feared. The Ayuti’s grief -for the desolation of his city had long since lost its acuteness, and -he had resigned himself to a life of solitude, living for but one -object, which, later on, he revealed to the baronet. What fearful fate -had overtaken the inhabitants of the place, the explorers could not -imagine. It could have been no ordinary catastrophe that wiped out the -Ayutis. That they had become extinct, save for Chenobi, by natural -means, none would believe.</p> - - <p>So, while each puzzled his brain for a solution to the problem, -they passed into a vast square, in the centre of which stood a great -temple. Around this the Ayuti led them to the further side. The -familiar style of the architecture struck Wilson at once. The building -was almost a duplicate of the one he had discovered in the valley, -save that it was many times larger, and that here a huge flight of -steps led upward to a broad terrace which ran the whole length of the -temple front. And upon this latter, looming gaunt and spectral through -the twilight, towered a monstrous idol.</p> - - <p>“Wait!” Chenobi commanded. He lifted the engineer from his mount, -and led Muswani through a door in the temple wall at the base of the -steps, his entry being greeted by a clamorous baying. In a few moments -he reappeared and, picking up the engineer as one might a child, -commenced to ascend the steps. Climbing close upon his heels, his -new-found friends soon reached the terrace. Here they passed behind -the colossal figure of the god and entered the temple.</p> - - <p>A murmur of astonishment went up as they crossed the threshold. -The whole vast hall was ablaze with a dazzling radiance, unearthly as -it was brilliant. The origin of the light became apparent at once. In -the centre of the temple floor was a huge basin, wherein bubbled a -strange, phosphorescent liquid, like nothing the explorers had ever -seen before. On one side it overflowed, and ran in a glistening stream -across the floor, to disappear in a dark recess in the wall.</p> - - <p>The scientist, his first surprise over, would have moved forward -to examine this uncanny liquid more closely, but Chenobi restrained -him.</p> - - <p>“Nay,” he said gravely, “there is death in the stream of light! -None can touch it and live. Sit ye here awhile, till I prepare -food.”</p> - - <p>With that the Ayuti passed out of the building, leaving his -friend wondering wherein lay the deadly power of the extraordinary -liquid.</p> - - <p>“There seems no end to the marvels of this weird land,” Mervyn -remarked. “If ever we return to the upper world, what a tale we shall -have to tell.”</p> - - <p>Haverly closed one eye.</p> - - <p>“You’ve got considerable standing amongst science men, -professor,” he said, “but I guess you’ll have a real stiff job to make -’em believe you. A yarn of this sort ain’t goin’ to be sucked down as -gospel all at once.”</p> - - <p>“You wouldn’t have me keep silent?” retorted the scientist, -somewhat indignantly. “Knowing what we do it would be little short of -a crime to suppress our knowledge.”</p> - - <p>“That’s so,” returned the Yankee imperturbably, “but I’d sooner -you face the music than me. If we ever manage to burrow our way back -to daylight, I guess your yarn’ll kinder upset some of the accepted -theories as to the way the inside of this yer planet’s built.”</p> - - <p>“No doubt,” Mervyn answered, “yet that will not deter me. My -first work will be to write a book on the underworld.”</p> - - <p>“Bravo!” Seymour cried; “I like your pluck, Mervyn. When we have -found Garth and the boat, we can consult Chenobi about getting back to -the upper world. If there should be any way out of this gloomy hole -the Ayuti is sure to know of it.”</p> - - <p>“What if there is no exit?” the engineer asked anxiously.</p> - - <p>“In that case I guess we’ll have to make ourselves at home down -here,” the Yankee replied, “though I allow the prospect ain’t over -cheerful. However, I calculate your humble has kept his end up in -tighter situations than the present—darned tighter situations, -sonny. Say, I hope our new pard won’t expect us to dress for dinner. I -guess my portmanteau ain’t come along yet.”</p> - - <p>“Oh, he’ll excuse your not turning up in evening dress,” Seymour -replied laughing. “But seriously, Silas, what chance do you think we -have of getting back to the upper world?”</p> - - <p>“Wal, I guess that’s a question as ain’t to be answered all of a -sudden,” the Yankee returned; “it kinder needs figurin’ out some. -Hullo! here comes our pard with a hull heap of grub. I calculate we’ll -postpone this yer confab till we’ve refreshed the inner man.”</p> - - <p>As he spoke the king re-entered the temple, bearing on a metal -tray some strips of dried venison. These, together with a number of -small edible fungi, he placed before his guests, bidding them eat.</p> - - <p>Strange though the food was to their taste, it was none the less -welcome, and they felt greatly refreshed at the conclusion of the -meal.</p> - - <p>Hereafter for some hours they slept, Chenobi keeping guard the -while upon the terrace.</p> - - <p>When next they looked upon the Ayuti he wore a metal band about -his forehead, and in the centre glowed a great stone, similar in -form—as Mervyn took pains to inform them—to that which -Nordhu, the priest, wore, but much larger. It was the symbol of -Chenobi’s kingly rank.</p> - - <p>“Would ye look upon the city?” he asked as they rose yawning. -Mervyn answered at once in the affirmative.</p> - - <p>“How about Wilson?” Seymour questioned.</p> - - <p>“Oh, I can manage to hobble a bit,” replied the lad cheerfully; -“my leg’s going on finely.”</p> - - <p>“Don’t overdo it, lad,” the baronet warned. “If the wound breaks -out afresh it will be the very deuce of a job to get it to heal. I’ll -stay here with you if you’re not feeling fit.”</p> - - <p>“I’m feeling fit enough,” replied Tom; “if one of you will help -me down the steps, I can manage the rest.”</p> - - <p>Seymour whispered a few words to the Ayuti, whereupon the giant -advanced, smiling broadly, and took the engineer in his great -arms.</p> - - <p>“Here, I say, I can walk now, you know,” the latter remonstrated; -but his friends laughingly told him to hold his tongue.</p> - - <p>With the light from the king’s jewel flashing before them, they -passed out on to the terrace and so down the steps. At the bottom -Chenobi put the engineer down, and, detaching a massive key from his -girdle, thrust it into the door through which he had taken the elk. It -turned easily in the lock, and, flinging open the door, the king -passed through.</p> - - <p>An odour as of a stable greeted the nostrils of the explorers as -they followed him, and once more the baying of hounds came to their -ears. Down a steep incline they went, until they stood within a large -chamber. At the further end of this four great hounds lay, chained to -the wall. They were something like bloodhounds in build, but of -tremendous size, being much larger than mastiffs. Seymour, who was -somewhat of an authority on dogs, could not restrain his -admiration.</p> - - <p>“What splendid brutes!” he cried, and moved fearlessly forward to -make their acquaintance. Within a few moments he was on excellent -terms with the great creatures, they receiving his advances with -pleasing friendliness.</p> - - <p>The others could not at first bring themselves to approach the -monstrous dogs. They were so fearsome in their strength; but at -length, on Chenobi assuring them that they need not fear, they moved -closer.</p> - - <p>“I guess these ’ud take the shine out of some I’ve observed,” -remarked the Yankee, patting one of the great heads, “and I’ve seen -some fairish-sized ones, too.”</p> - - <p>“They’re immense,” Seymour replied.</p> - - <p>Stepping to a recess in the wall, the king dragged forth the -carcase of some small animal—probably a fawn—and this he -flung to the hounds; then, leaving them feeding, the party passed -through the chamber into a second, much larger. This, they could see, -had evidently once been used as a stable, for by the light from the -Ayuti’s stone they observed that a row of stalls ran along each side. -These, built throughout of stone—even the feeding troughs being -of the same material—were empty save for one, wherein the great -elk was chained. He greeted his master with a thunderous bellow, and -Mervyn at once approached to get another view of the magnificent -creature. Whilst the scientist stood lost in admiration Seymour -questioned Chenobi concerning the purpose for which the stables had -been built.</p> - - <p>“My people kept elk,” the Ayuti replied. “Threescore there were, -whereon rode the body-guard of the king. Muswani is the last, as I am -the last of the Ayutis. But come, let us move forward again.”</p> - - <p>Into a third chamber they went, and in this were great stone -tanks, filled to the brim with clear, sparkling water.</p> - - <p>“Marvellous!” Mervyn cried, as he examined the massive masonry of -the tanks and the conduits which fed them. “What an intelligent race -these people must have been! Whence comes the water?” he asked of -Chenobi.</p> - - <p>“I know not,” was the reply, “save that it comes -underground.”</p> - - <p>Out of the tank chamber the Ayuti led them, by a small doorway, -into a narrow passage. This they followed for some distance, ever -descending as they moved on, with the temperature steadily rising each -moment. At length they emerged into another vault-like chamber, and a -cry of astonishment burst from the four explorers.</p> - - <p>Along one side of this hall a number of metal doors were set in -the rough-hewn rock which formed the wall. The sight of these, -together with the intense heat of the place, quickly revealed to the -comrades the purpose for which the chamber had once been used. It was -the ancient cooking-place of the city.</p> - - <p>“The heat comes from the gulf of fire,” explained the Ayuti, as -he flung open one of the oven doors that his friends might examine the -interior.</p> - - <p>“It’s a cute dodge,” the Yankee drawled admiringly. “I assume -this rock forms the wall of the fire gulf, an’ they get their heat -natural-like, without havin’ to stoke up.”</p> - - <p>“I wondered where Chenobi managed to dry his meat,” the scientist -mused; “the thing’s clear now. Truly these Ayutis had no lack of -inventive genius!”</p> - - <p>Retracing their steps to the outer door, the little band crossed -the square and entered one of the surrounding buildings, -which—so Chenobi informed them—had been the palace of the -kings. Here, as elsewhere—save for the temple, which appeared -well preserved—time had laid its destroying hand, but there -still remained much of the former beauty of the place. The pillars of -its bold front were covered with carving that would not have disgraced -the exterior of a cathedral, and the broad flight of steps leading up -to it, though cracked and broken in places, still added somewhat to -the dignity of its appearance.</p> - - <p>These steps Wilson managed to climb, refusing the Ayuti’s offer -of assistance. Across an inlaid pavement they went, and through a -great entrance hall, in which stood numerous cunningly-carved statues. -Some of these stone effigies had fallen from their pedestals, and now -lay crumbling amid the dirt which ages of neglect had deposited over -the floor. Assuredly, if Professor Mervyn ever wrote his proposed work -on the wonders of the underworld, he would have no lack of matter. A -description of the palace alone would almost have filled a volume. The -throne-room they saw, with its curiously canopied throne, whereon a -long line of kings had sat in royal state; the musicians’ gallery, -from which sweet music had beguiled kingly ears grown weary with the -pleading of innumerable malcontents; the banquet hall also, with its -great stone tables, around which many a merry company had gathered. -But now all were silent as the grave! The gay crowds which once had -thronged these halls had vanished, and, ere many years had passed, the -Ayutis would have ceased to exist; with Chenobi, the king, their -dynasty and race alike ended.</p> - - <p>Such thoughts as these poured into the minds of the adventurers -as they moved through the silent halls. There seemed something -uncanny, unnatural, about the place. It was as though the spirits of -the long since dead still hovered round, and it was with a feeling of -relief that the party left the palace.</p> - - <p>Mervyn, his scientific zeal unquenched, was for visiting other of -the buildings, but the united voices of his comrades were against -this.</p> - - <p>“No,” Seymour said, “if you go at all you must go alone. I’ve had -quite enough of these ghostly halls. What say you, Silas?”</p> - - <p>“The same,” replied the American. “The place kinder gets on your -nerves. I shouldn’t advise you to poke around by yourself, Mervyn. -There don’t seem any danger, but I wouldn’t put my money on it. If -that old priest ain’t on our trail again before long my name ain’t Si. -K. Haverly!”</p> - - <p>Seymour slipped his arm through that of Chenobi, and, with the -others close behind, they recrossed the square and ascended to the -terrace. Here for some time the party occupied themselves in examining -the colossal figure of the great idol. High above the flat roof of the -temple the monstrous image towered. Through the twilight they could -make out little of its features, but this much they observed, that it -had but one eye, of enormous size, and placed in the centre of its -forehead.</p> - - <p>The singularity of this coincidence struck Mervyn at once. How it -came about that a people so obviously intelligent as the Ayutis should -worship the same deity as the wolfish barbarians of Nordhu he could -not imagine. But, further, not alone was it the same in form, the -inscription on the base of the altar proclaimed that the name was the -same. Translated, it ran thus: “To Ramouni, God of Light. Worship and -honour.”</p> - - <p>Turning, the scientist questioned the Ayuti concerning the -ancient worship of the dead race. Ere the king could answer a -startling cry broke from Seymour:</p> - - <p>“Great Scott! Sunshine!”</p> - - <p>A ray of light stabbed the darkness like a golden sword, striking -full upon the monstrous eye of Ramouni, which flashed and scintillated -with a dazzling lustre.</p> - - <p>“Sunshine!” echoed the others in a breath, and then, somewhere in -the interior of the image, a bell began to toll. Astounded, the -explorers stood gazing at the wonderful beam of light.</p> - - <p>“It comes through a passage in the dead fire-mountain,” Chenobi -volunteered, “and lasts for but a few moments. See, it fades -already.”</p> - - <p>Even as he spoke the tolling of the bell ceased, and the sunlight -vanished as suddenly as it had come, leaving the twilight of the -underworld the more gloomy for its brief visit.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_22" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXII.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE TERROR OF THE JUNGLE.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">“I<span class="smtx">S</span> there, then, a way -out of this underworld?”</p> - - <p>Seymour’s voice betrayed his agitation as he put this question to -Chenobi. So much depended on the Ayuti’s answer that each of the -adventurers held their breath to listen.</p> - - <p>“Yea,” came the reply, “there is a passage through the heart of -the dead fire-mountain, by which my people entered this land, but it -lies far away through the jungle.”</p> - - <p>Rapidly Seymour translated this intelligence to Wilson and the -American.</p> - - <p>“I guess we’ll strike for this yer passage right now,” cried -Haverly. “If it pans out all right we can come back and look for -Garth; if it don’t, we’ll be no worse off than we are now. What do you -say, professor?”</p> - - <p>“Why not find Garth first?” suggested the scientist -cautiously.</p> - - <p>“Wal, it’s this way,” returned Silas; “I reckon it’ll hardly be -safe to prospect for Hilton’s trail for a considerable period yet. We -must give them niggers a chance to settle down some. I guess they’re -too almighty riled at the present moment to be pleasant neighbours. -Seein’ as how our rifles are useless, it ’ud be worse than madness to -go pokin’ along the coast again; so I’d advise as we visit the Ayuti’s -fire-mountain an’ give the wolfies a chance to forget us.”</p> - - <p>“That they’ll never do,” retorted Mervyn; “yet there is a good -deal in what you say. If Nordhu discovers that we have escaped he will -be mad with fury, and it may be well that we should be beyond his -reach for a time.”</p> - - <p>“Then you’ll go?” questioned the baronet eagerly.</p> - - <p>“Silas has succeeded in convincing me that it will be for the -best,” Mervyn answered smiling, “but we must leave the arranging of -the matter to Chenobi.”</p> - - <p>The latter, who had been watching the faces of the speakers -intently during this conversation, pricked up his ears at the mention -of his own name.</p> - - <p>“We wish to seek this passage ye speak of,” Seymour told him, “if -it be possible. Can you guide us thither?”</p> - - <p>“Ay,” returned the Ayuti, “but the jungle is full of monstrous -beasts, terrible to look upon, and your fire-weapons, ye say, are -useless. Think well ere ye decide, for it is a perilous journey. Once -only have I been, yet I have not forgotten the track.”</p> - - <p>“Have you no weapons you could lend us?” the baronet asked.</p> - - <p>“I have but the spears taken from the wolf-people,” was the -king’s reply; “to them ye are welcome. I would I could supply ye with -worthier weapons, but I have none save my own.”</p> - - <p>“The spears will do,” cried Seymour; “they are deadly enough -tools in the hands of a determined man.”</p> - - <p>“Ye speak truly,” Chenobi answered, “yet they are scarce the -weapons for such warriors as ye. Howbeit, since we have no other, they -must needs do.”</p> - - <p>And so the perilous expedition was decided upon. Little the -explorers thought, as they made ready for their trip, of the perils -they were soon to face, or they would scarcely have gone about their -preparations so light-heartedly.</p> - - <p>Ere the sunlight had flashed again upon the eye of Ramouni they -had left the city, and were making their way over the plain on which -it stood towards the distant gleaming line that marked the beginning -of the great jungle.</p> - - <p>Chenobi was mounted upon the back of the great elk, and behind -him rode Wilson, his limb being still somewhat stiff, though healing -rapidly. The air of the underworld seemed to have a peculiarly -beneficent effect upon wounds.</p> - - <p>Beside the track the four great hounds ranged, nose to ground, -occasionally giving voice to a deep-throated bay as they struck the -trail of some wild animals. But the well-trained brutes never strayed -beyond their master’s call, a word from him bringing them to heel in a -moment.</p> - - <p>The ground gradually rose as the party advanced, until they -topped a low ridge, on the crest of which they paused a while to rest. -Scarce three hundred yards away, like a wall of light, arose the -towering growths of the jungle. The vast size of the fungi amazed the -adventurers. Those they had already seen on the other side of the fire -gulf were but pigmies compared with these.</p> - - <p>“Say,” the Yankee drawled, “I reckon some of them fellows ’ud -make good lighthouses.”</p> - - <p>“Excellent,” returned Mervyn; “but I am afraid they would not -take kindly to the climate of the upper world. The sunlight would -shrivel them up directly.”</p> - - <p>“No chance to float a company, you see, Silas,” said the baronet -laughing, “were you thinking of starting a ‘Luminous Fungi Supply -Syndicate’?”</p> - - <p>“Wal, scarcely,” the Yankee returned; “I guess a mushroom -business ain’t exactly in my line. Say, I wonder if we’re goin’ to -knock up against any of Nordhu’s crowd this trip? I reckon it ’ud be -kinder awkward if they jumped us in the jungle there.”</p> - - <p>“We’ll give ’em a stiff fight for their money if they do,” -rejoined Seymour, his fingers tightening upon the haft of his spear as -he spoke.</p> - - <p>“I guess I’d feel considerable more comfortable with a gun in my -pocket,” resumed Silas. “Tooth-picks like these yer are all right in -their way, but when it comes to a scrap, give me a barker. There’s a -sorter tonic in the feel of a shootin’ iron. Makes you feel real -good!”</p> - - <p>“What an old fire-eater you are, Silas!” laughed Wilson; “I -believe you’re spoiling for a fight now.”</p> - - <p>“I guess not, sonny,” was the reply. “Your Uncle Sile as had -enough scrappin’ to last him for a considerable period. Say, Mervyn, -this yer picnic of yours has panned out rich in the way of trouble. If -we’d a gone lookin’ for that same commodity we couldn’t ha’ struck a -bigger pile, an’ I calculate we ain’t through yet, not by a hull -heap.”</p> - - <p>“That we’re not,” agreed the baronet, “and it strikes me we shall -have the very old lad of a job to find the <i>Seal</i> again. If we -had but a few rounds of ammunition apiece I should not care for all -the wolf-men in the underworld, but without it we are no better armed -than the savages themselves. Still, we’ve got to see this job through. -Garth must be found in spite of Nordhu’s savages.”</p> - - <p>“That’s so,” replied Haverly. “As I figure it out, the sooner we -strike Garth’s trail—after we’re through with the present -deal—the better for him an’ us. This yer old underworld ain’t so -dusty, but I guess I prefer the daylight. It’s kinder more -natural-like. Down here you never know when to go to bed, and I’m -blamed if you know what time you’re getting up. Why, it might be -midnight at the present period, for all we know—midnight, pards, -an’ we a-waltzin’ around here ’stead of bein’ tucked away snug in our -little beds. I guess we’ll be developin’ inter real giddy young -night-howlers if we have to hang out long in this yer location. Say, -William, I reckon it’s about time we were progressin’ some. If you’ll -kinder intimate the same to our big pard, we’ll get a move on.”</p> - - <p>A few moments later the party plunged in amid the fungi, the -great elk trampling a broad passage which made progress easy for the -three on foot.</p> - - <p>Never had the explorers seen anything to equal this subterranean -jungle. The tropical forests of the upper world, with all their floral -magnificence, could not compare with the weird beauty of this -wonderland. To the mind of the scientist it seemed almost a shame that -such superb growths should be produced only to flourish where the eye -of man could never drink in the wondrous beauty of their varied -forms.</p> - - <p>The ground was hidden beneath a mass of trailing fungi, which -rioted in luxurious confusion between the larger growths. From its -shelter as the party passed numerous small creatures broke, to scurry -into the denser growth on either side. A bell-beetle, its antennae -clanging furiously, flashed across the track almost beneath the hoofs -of Muswani, and disappeared ere Mervyn could catch more than a bare -glimpse of its form.</p> - - <p>“I must have one of those fellows,” the scientist cried -enthusiastically. “If either of you should see another, just knock it -over with the butt of your spear.”</p> - - <p>As he spoke a second started up almost at his feet. Quickly he -pounced upon it, but he released it even more quickly, giving -utterance to an exclamation of pain. The creature had bitten his hand -severely.</p> - - <p>“The brute!” gasped the scientist, binding his handkerchief about -the wound, “he’s got jaws like a vice! What’s the matter?” This latter -to Chenobi, who had pulled up and leapt from his steed.</p> - - <p>“Poison!” the Ayuti cried in his own tongue. “I should have -warned you. The bite of the bell-beetle is death!”</p> - - <p>“Great heaven!” the scientist gasped; “I did not know. Is there -no hope?”</p> - - <p>His comrades did not, could not, answer. With haggard faces they -looked on, while the king fought the deadly stupor that fast stole -over their friend.</p> - - <p>Lowering Mervyn gently to the ground, the Ayuti tore up a small, -flat fungus from among a number of others growing close by. This he -forced between his patient’s teeth, bidding him eat. Mechanically the -scientist obeyed.</p> - - <p>His three friends were horrified at the terrible power of the -beetle’s venom. Though scarce three minutes had passed since Mervyn -had been bitten, his lower limbs were already paralysed, and the -poison seemed fast mounting to his brain. He appeared unconscious of -anything around him, gazing upward with eyes death-like in their -glassy stare; the slow movement of his jaws as he munched at the -fungi, and the twitching of his eyelids, alone telling that he -lived.</p> - - <p>Piece after piece of fungi Chenobi forced between the unwilling -lips, almost ramming it down the scientist’s throat. But, for all his -efforts, Mervyn seemed to grow steadily worse, and, as the moments -passed, his three comrades—helpless to check the action of the -subtle foe working in his veins—watched with dimmed eyes the -grey hue of death mounting to his forehead.</p> - - <p>His lips grew blue and pinched, his eyelids ceased to twitch, and -it appeared to the watchers as though the last spark of life had -vanished.</p> - - <p>Suddenly Chenobi rose, and at that Wilson cried out, thinking -that the king had given up hope. But he was mistaken. Plunging in amid -the fungi, Chenobi slashed off the top of a peculiar palm-like growth, -and with this he returned to the side of the motionless scientist. -First dipping the point of his knife-blade in the juicy sap which -oozed from the fungus, he gashed Mervyn’s arm. Thrice he repeated this -mysterious operation, then bound a handkerchief tightly over the -gashes.</p> - - <p>What this strange method of injection might mean the comrades -could not tell. Sufficient for them to know that the Ayuti was doing -all in his power to give back life to their friend. They felt that -this was Chenobi’s last effort. If it failed, Mervyn was lost. With -bated breath they watched for some movement from the silent form at -their feet. Even the great hounds seemed to be aware of the nearness -of death, for they lay quiet, only occasionally giving voice to a low -whine.</p> - - <p>Each of the three comrades passed through a lifetime of suspense -during the few moments that Mervyn’s fate trembled in the balance. The -engineer, dismounting from Muswani, had drawn close in, and now stood -beside Seymour. Slowly the minutes dragged by, until, of a sudden, a -cry came from Chenobi.</p> - - <p>“He lives!” Rapidly the baronet interpreted the joyful news to -his friends, and a thankful prayer went up from each man’s heart as -they saw that the words were true.</p> - - <p>All too slowly for them the life came back into Mervyn’s -enfeebled frame, and it was not until two hours had passed that he was -anything like himself again. Even then he was very shaky, and Wilson -insisted on him riding behind Chenobi when he felt well enough to -proceed.</p> - - <p>Nothing the scientist remembered of his experience. He knew -naught of what had taken place since the king had lowered him to the -ground. The action of the venom had been painless, and, but for -Chenobi’s prompt surgery, Mervyn would have drifted away over the -Borderland into the Great Silence.</p> - - <p>His hand trembled as he gripped that of his saviour, and murmured -a few stammering words of thanks, to which Chenobi replied with a -quaint Ayuti proverb, whereat the others, when Seymour had translated, -laughed uproariously.</p> - - <p>The inevitable reaction after the suspense had set in, and each -man felt ready to sing for joy that their beloved chief had been -restored to them.</p> - - <p>Ere long, with the scientist mounted in Wilson’s place, the party -were again on the move, Haverly and Seymour beguiling the journey with -many a jest.</p> - - <p>Deeper and deeper they plunged into the jungle, the sound of -their own advance being all that broke the silence which brooded over -all things. The ground grew marshy beneath them as they went on, their -feet sinking deep at every step into the mire. It was evident to all -that they were approaching a watercourse. Soon the ripple of water -came to their ears, and, splashing through several shallow pools, they -stood at length upon the bank of a sluggish river.</p> - - <p>Almost opposite to them, in the centre of the stream, a small -island rose, its low beach being so covered with fungi that scarcely a -yard of it was visible. It seemed one mass of glistening -vegetation—an island of silver against the dark background of -the muddy river. The hounds were already splashing across the stream, -and, following their lead, the party entered the water, wading past -the upper end of the island. The water was at no point above their -hips, so that they found no difficulty in gaining the further bank. -Here the hounds set up a clamorous baying, nosing about amid the mud -of the river side. Stooping, Seymour examined the ground, and what he -saw caused him some uneasiness.</p> - - <p>A call brought Chenobi off his steed to his side in a moment.</p> - - <p>“See,” said the baronet, pointing to certain great impressions in -the mud, “what tracks are these?”</p> - - <p>The Ayuti’s face grew white as he noted the footprints.</p> - - <p><i>“The terror of the jungle!”</i> he muttered; “may Ramouni -preserve us!”</p> - - <p>With a word he stilled the noise of the hounds, and they retired, -whining, to heel.</p> - - <p>“We must move with caution,” he said to the wondering Seymour; -“the prints are those of the most fearsome beast of the jungle, whom -my people called ‘the terror.’ I fear me that the baying of the hounds -will have roused them if any be within hearing. Howbeit, we will move -silently.”</p> - - <p>Though they knew not what this beast might be, the adventurers -were aware that it must be terrible to encounter, else Chenobi, who -seemed almost fearless, would not be uneasy at the proofs of its -presence in this part of the jungle. Accordingly their advance was as -noiseless as possible, and their caution was redoubled. Every rustle -from the fungi on either hand brought them to a halt, wondering if the -jungle terror were upon them.</p> - - <p>But as the time went by, and there came no sign of the beasts, -their spirits rose. They ceased to listen for suspicious sounds, and, -though their progress was just as silent, their thoughts were fixed -rather upon the end of their trip than upon the monstrous inhabitants -of the jungle. What was to be the result of their quest? Would they -find a way of escape through the passage whence the light came, or -would their journey end in failure? They were tired of this -underworld, wonderful though it was. They longed for the sunlight and -the singing of birds, for the murmur of the wind amid the tree-tops. -As the blind man craves for sight, so yearned they for these -things.</p> - - <p>Even Mervyn, with all his scientific zeal, would gladly have -exchanged the rare treasures of the land of eternal twilight for the -humbler ones of his own sphere.</p> - - <p>So they pondered, until suddenly they were recalled to a sense of -the dangers of their present position as a cry broke the stillness of -the underworld, a cry so full of dreadful menace, so thrilling with -murderous purpose, that the adventurers pulled up, trembling in every -limb.</p> - - <p>“Great Heaven!” Seymour cried, “what was that?”</p> - - <p>“The terror of the jungle!” replied the Ayuti hoarsely; “look -well to your weapons, for I doubt not ye will need them ere long.”</p> - - <p>With every nerve quivering with a nameless fear, they stood for a -moment, expecting, yet dreading to hear the cry again. But it did not -come, and at length, shaking off the nightmare-like terror that -gripped them, they pressed on, intent only on placing a safe distance -between themselves and the author of the cry.</p> - - <p>Then once more it arose, weird and terrifying, and at that -Chenobi turned his steed abruptly to the right. To this course he kept -for perhaps a hundred yards, then swerved again, this time to the -left. Following close behind, his comrades found themselves within -what at first they took to be a small valley, but a second glance -corrected this impression. It was a disused quarry!</p> - - <p>From this, perhaps, in the past ages, the great blocks had been -hewn which now graced the walls of the city of Ayuti, though how they -could have been conveyed such an incredible distance, and over so -rough a route, passed comprehension. The implements of the long-dead -quarrymen still lay where they had been left; picks and shovels of -quaint and curious make were scattered over the floor, while not a few -stone trolleys, broken now and useless, lay upon their sides amid the -scattered clumps of fungi which managed to flourish in the crevices of -the stone.</p> - - <p>But they had no time to examine the quarry. Scarcely had the -Ayuti alighted and assisted Mervyn to dismount, ere, for the third -time, the cry of the jungle beast arose, and the hounds answered with -their deep-throated bay. Evidently they had no fear of the creature. -They seemed rather anxious than otherwise to meet him.</p> - - <p>“He has scented us,” Chenobi announced, placing himself at the -narrow entrance to the quarry. Seymour and Haverly took their stand -beside him, and, fixing their eyes upon the fungi belt a few paces -distant, they awaited the coming of the jungle terror. Soon came the -sound as of some heavy body forcing its way swiftly through the fungi. -The towering growths swayed as though shaken by a strong wind.</p> - - <p>Suddenly the fungi parted, and a hideous head was thrust forth, -at sight of which Silas and the baronet involuntarily sprang backward. -At the same instant a terrified cry burst from the scientist:</p> - - <p>“Great Heaven! <i>Megalosaurus!”</i></p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_23" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXIII.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>MUSWANI—MONSTER-FIGHTER.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">A<span class="smtx">Y</span>, Megalosaurus! One -of the most terrible of the monstrous reptiles which roamed the -prehistoric forests of our globe. Often had Mervyn described this -fearful brute in his lectures on the subject; often had his students -listened open-mouthed to his vivid word-pictures of this and other -monsters of the same period; but never did he think to come face to -face with the creature, to stand in peril of his life from its -fury.</p> - - <p>For a moment the brute remained glaring upon its victims, then, -giving voice once more to its fear-inspiring cry, it lurched forward -from the shelter of the fungi and stood revealed in all its diabolical -horror. Terror-stricken as they were, the adventurers gazed with a -kind of fascination upon the reptile. There was something so devilish -about him as he stood there in the full glare of the fungi, the scaly -plates of his hide shimmering like a silver sea with every move he -made, and his sabre-like teeth gnashing with fury, that they could do -naught but stare. Not one could lift a weapon, save the Ayuti. He -alone had not succumbed to the paralysing fascination of the -creature.</p> - - <p>Moving upon his huge hind legs, his short fore-limbs held -kangaroo-wise before him, the saurian shambled through the quarry -entrance, the Ayuti, watching keenly for a chance to attack, -retreating before him.</p> - - <p>“We’re done,” Seymour groaned; “of what use are spears against -such a brute? Great Heaven! be careful!”</p> - - <p>Forgetting for an instant that he did not understand English, the -baronet addressed the warning to Chenobi, who had leapt forward to -slash with his great axe at the saurian’s side. He sprang back only -just in time to escape the great teeth, which snapped within a -hair’s-breadth of his uplifted arm, having gained nothing by his -effort.</p> - - <p>“This is horrible!” Mervyn cried, “waiting here for death. Can we -do nothing against the brute?”</p> - - <p>His question was answered in an unexpected manner. With a furious -bellow the great elk leapt forward, pawed the ground for an instant, -then launched himself like a thunderbolt upon the monstrous reptile. -Utterly unprepared for this attack, the latter swerved in his advance, -attempting to avoid the advancing elk. But Muswani was too quick for -him. With a shock that flung him back upon his haunches, his antlers -struck the saurian’s scaly hide, and the huge brute staggered beneath -the blow. Ere he could recover, the elk had leapt out of reach and -stood pawing the ground, preparatory to another charge.</p> - - <p>“Be ready,” Chenobi cried eagerly, gripping the handle of his -great weapon; “if Muswani should overthrow the beast, then we will -speedily make an end of him.”</p> - - <p>The fury of the megalosaurus was now directed against the elk, -who, with all the cunning of an old warrior, was prancing about his -enemy, seeking to draw him on to attack. And he succeeded, for -suddenly, with a movement so swift that eye could scarce follow it, -the reptile’s claw-armed fore-limb lashed out.</p> - - <p>With a nimble leap Muswani evaded the stroke, charging in an -instant later upon his adversary. The shock of the meeting rang like a -thunderclap through the quarry, and the great saurian, reeling from -the impact, lurched over upon his side, exposing his only vulnerable -part, the belly.</p> - - <p><a name="illustration_05" id="illustration_05" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"></a></p> - - <p class="noindent"><img src="images/illo_05.jpg" alt="Illustration #5"/></p> - - <p>“Now!” cried Chenobi, and leapt forward. Gripping their weapons -firmly, his comrades advanced to complete the work which the elk had -begun. But Muswani was before them. While yet the reptile strove to -rise, the king’s gallant steed hurled itself again upon him, the -terrible antlers tearing deep into the monster’s vitals. A scream of -agony burst from the huge brute’s throat, and he grabbed savagely at -his agile enemy with his sickle-like claws. At that moment Chenobi’s -axe swept downward, almost severing the monster’s left fore-limb, -while the adventurers, rushing in, plunged their spears deep into his -gleaming white belly.</p> - - <p>“Back!” hissed the Ayuti, and retreated swiftly.</p> - - <p>’Twas well the others followed his advice so promptly, or -assuredly one or other of them would have been crushed; for, rearing -upward to its full height in the agony of its death struggle, the -megalosaurus pitched over with a crash, driving the spears to their -full length into its vitals.</p> - - <p>Madly he thrashed the ground with his great tail, as he rolled -from side to side in the bloody pool already forming round him, -keeping up the while a hoarse scream which told how sorely he was -stricken.</p> - - <p>The great hounds were mad with excitement; indeed, Chenobi had -the greatest difficulty in keeping them away from the dying monster. -All through the combat they had been restless, snarling, and baring -their great fangs, as they raced to and fro behind their master. His -word alone had prevented them from hurling themselves to certain -destruction against the saurian’s claws; but now, with the smell of -blood in their nostrils, their lust to kill proved too much for their -obedience. With their lean flanks palpitating with eagerness, the -whole four bounded, swift as light, across the quarry, and leapt for -the monster’s throat. A hoarse command from the king they did not -heed, although twice repeated, and for this disobedience one of the -four paid dearly.</p> - - <p>As he sprang the reptile’s jaws opened, and, with a sickening -crunch, the great teeth closed upon the hapless hound’s skull. A -moment later the lifeless carcase of Chenobi’s pet was flung almost at -his master’s feet.</p> - - <p>But it was the saurian’s last effort. One great choking gasp he -gave, a torrent of blood poured from his nostrils, then he plunged -heavily forward, almost crushing the three hounds, hanging like grim -death to his throat.</p> - - <p>“Thank God!” Mervyn cried, “we have been marvellously delivered. -Chenobi”—turning to the Ayuti—“your steed has saved -us.”</p> - - <p>“Muswani is an old fighter,” the king replied, striding over to -the elk, who had retired into the background again after overthrowing -the reptile. He patted the brute’s glossy hide and murmured words of -endearment into its ears, which Muswani seemed perfectly to -understand.</p> - - <p>“I guess the old elk’s a stayer,” remarked Silas; “we’d ha’ been -in a real tight corner but for him. Say, Mervyn, what do you think of -the beastie yonder?”</p> - - <p>“Horrible!” returned the scientist with a shudder. “The brute’s -far worse than Triceratops, for it’s a wholly carnivorous feeder.”</p> - - <p>“I assume we were down on its bill of fare, then?” asked the -Yankee, moving forward to examine the carcase, at which the hounds -were still tearing.</p> - - <p>“Nothing would come amiss to the brute,” Mervyn assented, -producing his note-book and pencil.</p> - - <p>“H’m,” Haverly remarked, as he surveyed the dead monster, “a -fairish-sized sort of tadpole. Fifty foot from nose to tail, and -perhaps a bit over. Say, William, come and have a look at your uncle. -You an’ Wilson are mighty quiet over there.”</p> - - <p>“I’ve seen as much of the brute as I want,” Seymour replied as he -joined the American. “If there’s many more of his sort in the jungle, -some of us will lose the numbers of our mess before long.”</p> - - <p>“He’s done us out of our weapons, anyway,” growled Silas; -“there’s no heaving him over to pull ’em out. After all, a spear’s -kinder handy if you prick ’em in the right place. Sort of touches the -spot, you know.”</p> - - <p>“What’s to be the next move?” asked the engineer.</p> - - <p>“Wal, I guess this outfit’s earned a rest. The present ’ud be a -suitable occasion for a feed. Mervyn’s got enough to keep him on the -trot for a while, an’ we might as well improve the passing hour. -William, perhaps you’ll oblige by informing Chenobi as it’s -dinner-time.”</p> - - <p>Smiling at Haverly’s quaint speech, the baronet complied with his -request; and there, but a few yards from the carcase of the -megalosaurus, the explorers made a hearty meal. The Ayuti, despite the -loss of his hound, was in high spirits. He had never dreamt that they -should be able to slay the monster, his only motive in entering the -quarry being to escape the notice of the brute if possible; but, -having scented them, the saurian invaded their refuge, with the result -already recorded.</p> - - <p>But for Muswani, the affair would have had a vastly different -ending!</p> - - <p>For the greater part of two hours they rested, the professor -obtaining from Chenobi a whole budget of information respecting the -quarry. He learnt, among other things, that at one time a great stone -causeway had connected the quarry with the subterranean city, along -which the blocks had been conveyed on stone trucks. By the gradual -sinking of the swampy ground, over which it was laid, the causeway had -been engulfed, and now not a vestige remained. Gladly would Mervyn -have remained longer in the quarry, amid the relics of a dead race, -but his comrades were anxious to move on, and so, giving way to their -desires, he prepared to leave the spot which had so nearly proved the -scene of their destruction.</p> - - <p>“It’s a bit risky without weapons,” Haverly said, as they plunged -once more into the jungle, “but I guess we’ll have to manage. ‘Tread -lightly’s’ the word, and keep your weather eyes lifting for -beetles.”</p> - - <p>However Chenobi could find his way amid the tangled growths of -the jungle the adventurers could not imagine. He had no compass to -consult, and he had not the light of the heavenly bodies by which to -steer. Yet he never hesitated for one moment, guiding his antlered -steed as though perfectly familiar with the route.</p> - - <p>Mervyn, perched behind him, pored over his notes, and several -times came within an ace of being swept from his seat by the branching -arms of the fungi giants on either side, the Ayuti avoiding these by -bending low over his mount. The journey seemed terribly long to the -three on foot. The glistening monotony of the eternal fungi wearied -their eyes. Talk, save in whispers, they dared not, lest they should -rouse another of the jungle beasts, perhaps even more terrible than -the megalosaurus. Their entirely unarmed condition made them -apprehensive almost to fearfulness. But, for all the sound that -reached them, the whole underworld might have been without -inhabitant.</p> - - <p>Suddenly Chenobi checked his steed, raising his hand as a warning -to his friends. Wondering what new peril threatened, the three moved -cautiously alongside the elk. Parting the fungi, they peered through. -Before them lay a clearing—an open space of some sixty square -yards in area. At first sight it appeared to be empty, but in a few -seconds they became aware of the presence of a monstrous black shape, -sharply outlined against the glistening wall of the encircling jungle. -Ere they could observe more, the hounds, who had been trailing at -heel, burst into a savage bay, and broke through the fungi. Only a -glimpse the explorers had of a huge, hairy body which lumbered -awkwardly into the shelter of the jungle, with the hounds snarling at -its heels, but it sufficed for the professor.</p> - - <p>“Megatherium!” he yelled in amazement, “the giant sloth!”</p> - - <p>With a bound he leapt from his seat and darted across the -clearing; but sloth and hounds had already vanished, the latter in -full cry.</p> - - <p>“Call your brutes off,” Mervyn cried to the king, as he forced -his steed into the clearing; “the creature’s perfectly harmless, and -it seems a shame for the dogs to worry it.”</p> - - <p>A piercing call rang from the Ayuti’s lips, the baying ceased as -though by magic, and ere long the hounds slid out of the undergrowth, -panting from their fruitless chase.</p> - - <p>“It is unfortunate that the creature disappeared so quickly,” -muttered the scientist. “I had not time to make a proper observation, -but its presence here appears to me to imply that the monsters of -prehistoric days are far from extinct. Were we to make a thorough -search, I do not doubt that we should find representatives of all the -tribes of vast creatures which once inhabited the upper world.”</p> - - <p>“Except the birds,” retorted Seymour; “as yet we have seen no -trace of them, which seems rather remarkable since, according to Maori -tradition, the moa birds were existent in New Zealand up to the end of -the seventeenth century.”</p> - - <p>“It don’t seem extra remarkable,” put in Haverly, “when you -reckon megalosaurus as an item on the programme. Seems to me as a -bird, however large, ’ud stand a poor chance against him. What’s your -idea, professor?”</p> - - <p>“The same,” returned the scientist; “but we have not yet learned -that they are non-existent. However, I will question Chenobi on the -subject. It may be that he can enlighten us.”</p> - - <p>But the king could supply no information as to the existence of -giant birds, although Mervyn helped out his explanation with the aid -of a rough sketch. If there were any such, they were unknown to -him.</p> - - <p>“We must keep our eyes open,” Mervyn remarked, after -communicating the Ayuti’s answer to his friends. “I have great hope -that we shall yet come across one,” and, with that, the interrupted -journey was resumed.</p> - - <p>For a full hour they moved forward, then the jungle ended. -Bursting through the last few scattered growths, they emerged upon the -shore of a vast lake.</p> - - <p>Strangely weird it looked, slumbering there in the twilight, with -the fungi-gleam lighting up its waters for a few yards from shore.</p> - - <p>“Do we go round?” Seymour asked, turning to the Ayuti.</p> - - <p>“Nay,” was the reply, “there is a boat,” and, dismounting, he -began to search amid the fungi close by. Soon his efforts were -rewarded. From the shelter of a clump, some ten feet from the water’s -edge, he dragged a boat—the most curious the explorers had ever -seen. In shape like an Indian bark canoe, it was made of the skin of -some animal, stretched tightly over a framework of bones. Despite the -long years it must have lain in disuse, it was still serviceable, -riding the water like a cork when launched.</p> - - <p>“Enter!” Chenobi said; “I will ride round upon Muswani, and will -meet ye upon the further side. ’Tis a straight course, and there is no -danger.”</p> - - <p>Leaping to his seat, he called up the hounds; then, with a wave -of the hand, he galloped swiftly along the shore. Soon he vanished -from view, the sound of Muswani’s hoofs died away, and at that the -adventurers entered their strange craft.</p> - - <p>Each grasping one of the bone paddles which lay in the bottom of -the boat, Silas and the baronet struck off with quick, powerful -strokes. Within a few moments their tiny craft was swallowed up in the -gloom that veiled the lake.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_24" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXIV.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>A GLIMPSE OF THE UPPER WORLD.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">“C<span class="smtx">HENOBI</span>!” the baronet -roared, “Chenobi!”</p> - - <p>“Where the deuce can the fellow have got to?” he went on. “He -said he’d meet us, and here we’ve been waiting over an hour, and not a -sign of him yet.”</p> - - <p>“Perhaps he’s met with some accident?” Mervyn suggested.</p> - - <p>“I guess not,” replied the Yankee, “the Ayuti’s cute enough to -keep out of danger. He’ll be along here presently, you’ll see. There -you are”—as the sound of hoofs became audible—“I reckon -he’s arrived.”</p> - - <p>The next moment Chenobi’s hounds burst out of the gloom, followed -a few seconds later by Muswani.</p> - - <p>“I was delayed,” the king explained as he drew up; “I found three -of the wolf-people hunting along the shore.”</p> - - <p>“Did they attack you?” Seymour questioned.</p> - - <p>“They will not follow the hunting trail again,” returned Chenobi -significantly. “See, I have brought their weapons,” and he flung three -spears to his friends.</p> - - <p><a name="illustration_06" id="illustration_06" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"></a></p> - - <p class="noindent"><img src="images/illo_06.jpg" alt="Illustration #6"/></p> - - <p>“Give the other to Wilson,” Mervyn said, when Seymour and the -Yankee had each taken one, “he will make better use of it than I -should. And now for the next stage of our journey.”</p> - - <p>First renewing their supply of water—which they carried in -two skin bottles—from the lake, the adventurers turned and -trudged forward again in the track of the elk. Now their way led over -a bare, stony plain, with never a fungi-clump to relieve the gloom, -and here the king’s jewel became once more of service. This part of -the journey was by far the most trying to the foot-weary travellers, -and they were glad to take advantage of the Ayuti’s offer, that each -should ride in turn for a space upon Muswani’s broad back. Mile after -mile they covered in this way, until a line of cliffs loomed before -them, sheer and impregnable.</p> - - <p>The adventurers gazed at Chenobi in amazement. Had he mistaken -his route? So far as they could see, there was no opening in that -towering wall, yet he dismounted at its base as though he had reached -his goal.</p> - - <p>A smile passed over his features as he noted the astonishment of -his friends.</p> - - <p>“All is well,” he said, “we will rest here a while, ere we ascend -the cliff.”</p> - - <p>“Ascend the cliff?” Seymour gasped, staring amazedly at the rocky -barrier.</p> - - <p>“Ay,” returned the Ayuti; “see you not that there be steps carven -in the rock?”</p> - - <p>Then the baronet saw what he had before overlooked. Up the very -face of the cliff ran a rude stairway, hewn out of the solid rock.</p> - - <p>“It was carven by my people,” Chenobi went on, “when they first -came to this underworld, so that they might at times look upon the eye -of Ramouni, the sun god, whom they worshipped.”</p> - - <p>“Another instance of the remarkable engineering ability of this -people,” remarked Mervyn to the baronet; “it must have taken years to -carve out that stairway, rude though it looks.”</p> - - <p>“Guess it’s a bigger job than I should care to tender for,” put -in the Yankee. “Say, the old planet lost some real hustlers when the -Ayutis pegged out.”</p> - - <p>“Nothing seems to have been too great for the beggars to tackle,” -murmured Wilson admiringly. “If they’d been above ground, they would -have built a staircase to the moon, or something of the sort.”</p> - - <p>Mervyn smiled.</p> - - <p>“They were a wonderful race,” he said reflectively; “it is a -thousand pities they have become extinct. Thoroughly civilised, they -would have become one of the first nations in the world. Think of -it—with their great bodily strength, splendid courage—as -evidenced by our friend the king here—their engineering skill, -what would they not have accomplished? Of course we may take it for -granted there were wastrels among them; there is no community without -its ne’er-do-wells. But the majority, from what I can gather from -Chenobi, appear to have been an intelligent and utterly fearless -people. Of the fate which overtook them, wiping them out of existence, -I can learn nothing. The king always avoids the subject when I -approach it.”</p> - - <p>“I expect it’s too painful a matter to talk about,” returned -Seymour; “but, whatever the cause of their dying out, I can well -imagine the wolf-men had a hand in it. If their former priests were as -diabolically ingenious as Nordhu is, I fear no race could have -withstood them long. Just imagine, if you can: five millions of the -brutes—I think that’s the number you mentioned, -Meryvn?—they would overwhelm a world, let alone a city!”</p> - - <p>“The presence of the priests is a puzzle to me,” the scientist -went on. “Obviously they are a different race from the savages they -govern, yet they are certainly not Ayutis! It may be that they are -half-breeds, the result of a union between the two races? The -offspring, perhaps, of some criminal, who, banished from the city for -his misdeeds, joined himself to the wolf-men and became their -leader.”</p> - - <p>“But how do you account for their speaking the same language as -the islanders of Ayuti?” questioned Seymour.</p> - - <p>“I have formed a theory to account for the coincidence,” was the -scientist’s reply, “whether it is the correct one or not remains to be -proved. When we reach the end of our present journey I shall be better -able to decide. But, see, the king is preparing to move on again.”</p> - - <p>“Come,” Chenobi cried, approaching the base of the cliff -stairway.</p> - - <p>Rising, his friends followed. With a sharp word of command to his -steed and hounds, the Ayuti commenced the ascent. Allowing a few -moments to elapse, Mervyn followed, then in turn came Wilson and the -American, Seymour bringing up the rear. Upward they toiled, their eyes -strained to catch the gleam from Chenobi’s jewel, their only guide -amid the gloom.</p> - - <p>Slowly Muswani and the hounds—left to their own devices at -the foot of the steps—faded from view. Then the plain itself -vanished, seeming to give place to an illimitable black void. And afar -off, miles and miles away, a silver haze hovered. It was the uncanny -radiance from the fungi jungle. But even this faded at length, and -still the rough-hewn ledges rose before the climbers, and their limbs -grew weary of the treadmill-like motion. Occasionally an encouraging -shout would peal downward from Chenobi, cheering the flagging spirits -of his followers.</p> - - <p>“Courage!” the king cried at length, “the end is at hand.”</p> - - <p>Within a few moments they all stood in the mouth of a narrow -tunnel, which stretched before them far into the heart of the -cliff.</p> - - <p>“Thank heaven that’s over!” muttered Wilson. “My leg’s still too -stiff to stand much of that kind of thing.”</p> - - <p>“Your wound hasn’t broken out afresh?” Seymour inquired -anxiously.</p> - - <p>“No,” the engineer returned, “there’s no chance of that now.”</p> - - <p>“That’s good,” cried Haverly; “a wounded leg’s kinder awkward to -rub along with. Jupiter!”</p> - - <p>His sentence ended in a gasp, as a brilliant light flooded the -tunnel.</p> - - <p>“The sun!” Mervyn cried excitedly; “let us move forward again,” -and, suiting the action to the word, he strode on over the slanting -floor of the tunnel. But he pulled up again in a moment with a -startled “Oh!” as the light, dying out as suddenly as it had come, -left him in pitchy darkness.</p> - - <p>Seymour burst into a laugh.</p> - - <p>“You were a bit too previous, Mervyn,” he said. “Did you forget -that the light only lasted for a few seconds?”</p> - - <p>“I had almost persuaded myself that we should emerge into the -open air within a few yards,” returned the scientist; “but I think -I’ll let Chenobi take the lead. Come along; are you going to stand -there all day?”</p> - - <p>“Don’t get impatient, old chap,” retorted the Yankee; “we’re -comin’ along right now.”</p> - - <p>And now began a journey which taxed their strength to the utmost. -The floor of the passage sloped almost as steeply as a house-roof, and -the adventurers had the greatest difficulty in keeping their feet.</p> - - <p>Chenobi, going barefoot, got over the ground rapidly, but with -the others, in their heavy boots, slips were frequent. Hour after hour -they pressed upward, pausing occasionally for rest and refreshment; -then on once again with unflagging energy, knowing that each step -brought them nearer to the daylight. Thrice in the course of that -climb did the light of the sun penetrate the recesses of the tunnel, -so that the journey must have taken them at least three days.</p> - - <p>Then the water began to run short, and many were the anxious -queries addressed to Chenobi as to the means of renewing the -supply.</p> - - <p>“There is water above,” he replied to all these questions. “Ere -the light shall again strike upon the eye of the carven Ramouni our -journey will be at an end.”</p> - - <p>Thus encouraged, they increased their pace, and before long a -cool breeze fanned their heated cheeks. Used as they had become to the -stagnant, motionless atmosphere of the underworld, the gentle current -came to the adventurers as a veritable life-giving elixir. It -intoxicated them, indeed, for a little while, caused a species of -madness, wherein the only thing of which they were conscious was the -yearning to get out into the open. It spurred them on to such efforts -that the Ayuti, for all his strength, had considerable difficulty in -keeping pace with them. Never before had the prospect of gazing upon -the face of Nature inspired them with such wildly delirious joy. Even -the cool-blooded American succumbed to the rapture of the moment. Hope -surged high within them all.</p> - - <p>The Ayuti alone was grave and preoccupied. The hours he had spent -with these new comrades had been pleasant enough, but he knew that -they longed to return to their own world. They could not be happy in -the gloom of the underworld. They were children of the light, and -Ramouni, the sun god, was calling them back to bask once more in his -bright rays; and he, Chenobi, must return to his life of solitude, to -range the jungles till death came to him.</p> - - <p>So thought the king. Little wonder that he was silent and grave. -It had been better, he mused, if these white strangers had never come -to his land; he would then have been content with his animals, and -with the lonely life to which a cruel fate had doomed him. But now he -longed for a comrade to share his solitude, and to divide the spoils -of the chase. With an effort he shook off these imaginings, and -applied himself more vigorously to the ascent. An hour passed by, and -then an excited cry broke from Seymour:</p> - - <p>“The moon!”</p> - - <p>An instant later the party emerged into the full glory of the orb -of night. For a while they stood drinking in the beauty of the scene -around. They were standing in the crater of an extinct volcano. -Imagine a vast well, many hundreds of feet in depth and over a mile in -diameter at its base, its rugged walls—sloping slightly outward -as they rose—covered with a mass of tropical vegetation whose -every leaf gleamed like silver beneath the beams of the full moon that -hung high above. This was the scene that met the gaze of the -adventurers.</p> - - <p>Leaving them gazing, Chenobi vanished into the shadow of the -cliffs, returning presently with the skin bottle he carried full of -clear water.</p> - - <p>“Drink,” he said shortly, and to such good purpose did his -friends obey that the bottle had to be replenished ere their thirst -was satisfied. Then, thoroughly tired out, they flung themselves down -where they stood, and, with the rich scents of a tropical forest in -their nostrils, dropped off to sleep, leaving the Ayuti pacing to and -fro across the crater floor.</p> - - <p>The moon swung slowly across the dark blue dome above, and still -Chenobi kept his vigil, moving back and forth with the regularity of -an automaton. Yet it could not be that he feared danger. What danger -could threaten in this peaceful spot?</p> - - <p>No, it was not the fear of possible peril that kept the king from -his slumbers. His mind was busy with other things. A daring thought -had come to him, and, as he pondered it, the more feasible it -appeared. It was nothing less than this: that he should forsake his -old haunts and cast in his lot with his new friends. For hours he -revolved this idea in his brain, until the moon disappeared below the -crater rim; then he aroused the sleepers, and beneath the quickly -paling sky the explorers had their first breakfast above ground since -passing the great ice barrier. Anxiously they awaited the coming of -dawn, eager to commence the last stage of their journey—the -ascent of the crater wall.</p> - - <p>With a suddenness peculiar to the tropics the sun rose. A fiery -arrow flickered across the sky, followed by a blaze of golden glory, -before which the stars rapidly paled and died. The day had come!</p> - - <p>Rising, the king led the way across the crater, passing the tiny -spring whence he had obtained the water the previous night. This, the -explorers noted, overflowed its basin and trickled through a little -crevice in the crater wall out into the open, to become, perhaps, a -rushing river on the other side of the cliffs. Moving to a spot where -the ascent promised to be easier than at any other point, Chenobi -began to climb. The creepers and low-growing shrubs made progress very -easy. Within an hour the summit was reached, and the party stood in -the full glare of the sun on the rim of the great crater. This same -rim proved to be a rugged ledge some twenty feet in width, from which -the outer cliffs descended for the first hundred feet or so as sheer -as a wall and about as devoid of foothold.</p> - - <p>Below, the morning mists still veiled the base of the cone and -the country which lay beyond it; but, as the sun gained power, the -banks of vapour slowly dispersed, exposing to view the waving forests -of a large island.</p> - - <p>Eagerly Mervyn peered downward; then a glad shout pealed from his -lips:</p> - - <p>“I thought so! Look, Seymour! <i>The island of Ayuti!</i>”</p> - - <p>“Great Scott! so it is!” gasped the baronet in amazement.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_25" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXV.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>SEYMOUR’S FALL.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">F<span class="smtx">OR</span> some time the -adventurers stood gazing downward from their lofty perch in silence. -Beyond the belt of forest they could see a strip of sandy beach, and -beyond this again, the sea, its shimmering surface reflecting the rays -of the sun like a gigantic mirror. No dwelling was visible save in one -place, where, in a forest clearing, a white house stood, plainly -discernible in the clear morning air against the dark green of the -foliage.</p> - - <p>“See,” the scientist cried, “that is the English mission house. -Can we but get down, we shall receive a warm welcome from the -missionary, Mr. Travers; he is an old friend of mine.”</p> - - <p>“You remember the legends which we heard from the natives, -Seymour,” he went on, “when we visited this island some years ago, -respecting the strange race of white giants which once inhabited this -place?”</p> - - <p>“Perfectly,” responded the baronet.</p> - - <p>“Well, I think our discoveries in the underworld bear out the -truth of the stories. Ever since I knew that the subterranean city was -called by the same name as this island my brain has been exercised to -account for the coincidence. Chenobi’s statement, that there was a -passage through a dead fire-mountain, by means of which his people -entered this land, gave me a clue to the mystery, and I formed a -theory as to the origin of the Ayutis. But I needed proof ere my idea -could become fact, and for that I had to wait until the present -moment.”</p> - - <p>“And your theory is?” questioned Wilson.</p> - - <p>“That the Ayutis once dwelt upon this island which is still named -after them; but, for some reason or other—probably through the -incursion of enemies—they were forced to take refuge in this -crater. They would discover the tunnel through which we came, and, in -the hope of finding a securer refuge, would explore it. The rest is -obvious.”</p> - - <p>“But it must have been long ago,” said Seymour, “for the -buildings of the subterranean city are certainly many hundreds of -years old.”</p> - - <p>“Probably at the time the inhabitants of the British Isles were -still savages,” returned Mervyn with a smile, “hunting the buffalo in -the swamps and living in caves or mud-huts. But enough of this; let us -see if there is any way down. I should like to see my friend, if -possible, before we return to look for Garth.”</p> - - <p>“I guess that won’t be easy,” remarked the Yankee. “From what I -can see, we shall need a considerable length of rope ’fore we can get -down, and that’s a commodity we don’t happen to have on hand at -present. Still, we might as well prospect a bit.”</p> - - <p>The Ayuti was strangely silent as the party moved round the -crater rim in an effort to find a spot where the cliff was scalable, -and Seymour—who walked beside him—rallied him at length -upon his abstraction.</p> - - <p>“What ails you, Chenobi,” he asked, “that you are so silent?”</p> - - <p>“I am perplexed, Fairhair,” replied the other. “Ere ye came to my -land I was content to lead the life of a hunter, to dwell alone, save -for my steed and hounds. But now I long for a friend. The time we have -spent together hath been very pleasant, but soon ye will return to -your own land, and I shall be alone once more.”</p> - - <p>“Why not come with us?” burst out the baronet impulsively “there -is nothing to keep you down there.”</p> - - <p>“First I must perform my vow,” returned Chenobi. “Listen, friend! -I had a brother once who was very dear to me. Though we twain were the -last of our race, yet were we happy, following the chase together, and -waging a grim vendetta against the wolf-people. But by craft Nordhu -the priest took my brother while I was absent from the city, and he -died beneath the jaws of Rahee. When I knew what had befallen, I vowed -before Ramouni that I would destroy the priest and Rahee, the sacred -beast. Therefore, until my vow be fulfilled, I cannot go with -you.”</p> - - <p>“Then let me help you!” the baronet cried. “I, too, have a debt -against this same priest. Together we will accomplish his destruction -and that of Rahee, then ye shall return with us to our own land.”</p> - - <p>“It is well,” returned the king, gripping Seymour’s hand; “we -will dwell together as brethren hereafter.”</p> - - <p>Quickly the baronet communicated the gist of this conversation to -his friends, who all expressed their pleasure at the idea.</p> - - <p>“We’ll have him stalking down Bond Street in patent leathers and -a topper in three months,” jested Wilson. “If only he’s got a few -pounds’ worth of treasure knocking around in that old city of his, -he’ll be able to do the foreign ‘dook’ in style.”</p> - - <p>“I guess he’d take the shine outer some of your gilded -West-Enders, anyway,” retorted the American; “he’s the finest figure -of a man your humble ever struck. Say, Mervyn, looks to me as if -you’ll have to postpone your visit to your pard, the parson, till we -get a rope out of the old <i>Seal’s</i> store-room. There don’t seem -no way down these yer plaguey cliffs.”</p> - - <p>“We’ll complete the circuit of the crater, nevertheless,” -answered the scientist; “there may be a place where descent is -possible.”</p> - - <p>From the woods below a confused murmur arose. It was the voices -of the creatures of the forest, blended by distance into one -harmonious whole. The chattering of monkeys, the shrill screaming of -parrots, and the melodious notes of other birds as they called to -their mates, all had a part in that chorus. And ever and anon a joyous -shout would ring upward from the beach, where a number of tiny figures -raced to and fro amid the surf. Mere black dots they looked to the -group on the crater rim, only to be discerned by careful observation -and much straining of the eyes. They were the native children enjoying -their early morning dip.</p> - - <p>“Makes you wish you could take part in thet little picnic,” -drawled Silas. “I reckon a dip in the briny would be considerable -refreshing at this yer period. The sun’s gettin’ a darn sight too warm -to be pleasant.”</p> - - <p>“I was just thinking the same,” Mervyn said, “and since there -appears to be no chance of descending to the lower ground without a -rope, we may as well get back into the crater.”</p> - - <p>This advice was followed, and, ere long, the party were reclining -around the spring, recruiting their strength for the return journey. -There they waited in happy indolence until the sun had passed the -meridian; then they prepared to retrace their steps.</p> - - <p>“Now to find Garth,” said the scientist.</p> - - <p>“And wipe out Nordhu and the spider,” added Seymour.</p> - - <p>“Do you think it wise?” Mervyn asked, “to penetrate again into -the dens of the wolf-men? You may not get off so easily another -time.”</p> - - <p>“Wise or not,” returned the baronet doggedly, “I have given my -word to the Ayuti and I shall keep it. Of course, if you do not care -to come——”</p> - - <p>“You know me better than that,” the scientist replied warmly; “we -have passed through too many perils together for you to deem me a -coward. Old though I am, I can still do my share when it comes to -fighting.”</p> - - <p>“Forgive me, old man,” murmured Seymour penitently; “I did not -mean to suggest for a moment that I doubted your courage. You know -that!”</p> - - <p>“Ay, I know, my friend,” was Mervyn’s reply; “don’t think I’m -offended by your words. But now let us push forward. The sooner we -find Garth the better.”</p> - - <p>One last sight they had of the azure dome above them, of the -verdure-clothed walls of the ancient crater, then they plunged once -more into the darkness of the tunnel, eager to begin the search for -their missing comrade.</p> - - <p>It was well that no presentiment of all that was to come crossed -their minds, no subtle warnings of the perils that awaited them, -through which they must pass ere they saw the daylight again, or even -their bold spirits might have quailed before the prospect. As it was, -knowing nothing, fearing nothing, they moved cheerily onward, making -the tunnel ring with their jests and laughter.</p> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0.4em;">* * * * * *</p> - - <p>The underworld once more. At the foot of the cliff stairway stood -the four explorers, awaiting their guide, who was seeking his elk and -the hounds. At intervals they heard his piercing call, ringing out -clear through the death-like silence of the place. And not for long -did the Ayuti call in vain. Of a sudden a clamorous baying broke out, -punctuated by the bellowing of Muswani, and through the twilight, from -the direction of the distant lake, came the Ayuti’s pets.</p> - - <p>Mounting, he quickly rejoined his friends, and the whole party -strode out across the plain.</p> - - <p>At the lake, however, a check awaited them. Moving down to the -water’s edge, they looked round for the boat in which they had -previously crossed, and which they had left drawn up high and dry upon -the beach.</p> - - <p>It was gone!</p> - - <p>Thinking that they had perhaps mistaken the spot, they searched -up and down the shore for a considerable distance; but all their -seeking was vain. The skin boat had vanished.</p> - - <p>“It’s the doing of the wolf-people,” asserted the Ayuti; “see, -the hounds have scented them,” and he pointed to the three great dogs, -who were sniffing along the shore, as though following a trail.</p> - - <p>“Then there is nothing for it but to go round,” said Seymour, and -forthwith they started, keeping a sharp look-out for the creatures who -had robbed them of their boat. For two hours they strode forward along -the shore; then, rounding the head of the lake and splashing across a -shallow stream which here entered it, they struck off at a tangent -into the jungle, the growths of which were at this point somewhat -scattered, there being many open spaces between. Swiftly they moved, -yet cautiously, their ears alert to catch the slightest suspicious -sound. Once a herd of giant bison thundered across the track before -them at a gallop; then a number of elk were sighted, to whom Muswani -bellowed a challenge. Unheeding it, however, the brutes dashed swiftly -away and disappeared.</p> - - <p>The jungle seemed alive with game, but the adventurers had no -time for the chase. Their only desire now was to get back to the city -with all speed, and to this end they pressed on at their best -pace.</p> - - <p>Suddenly in the ground before them, its yawning mouth revealed by -a clump of fungi growing close to the verge, appeared a black chasm. -Some thirty feet by twelve in size, its walls descending sheer as -those of a well as far as eye could penetrate into its gloom, it was -as weird a place as one could wish to see; and from its dismal depths -arose the boom of a waterfall.</p> - - <p>“It’s a ghostly hole,” remarked Seymour, pausing for an instant -on the brink, and peering downward. His friends, not noting that he -had stopped, still held on, until a cry from behind caused them to -pull up. Turning, they saw Seymour struggling on the very verge of the -abyss with a wolf-man of gigantic stature. The perilous position of -the struggling figures unnerved all but Chenobi. He, with a cry of -rage, leapt to earth and sprang to the baronet’s assistance. But, ere -he could reach the scene of the struggle Seymour and the savage -pitched over the brink of the abyss, and, still grappling madly, -hurtled into the gloomy depths below.</p> - - <p>“Great Heaven!” Mervyn burst out despairingly; “he is lost! My -poor friend!”</p> - - <p>Haverly’s eyes blazed with a terrible hate.</p> - - <p>“Say, Mervyn,” he snapped, “we don’t stir a peg out of this -devil’s hole of a country till we’ve avenged poor Seymour. We’ll teach -these brutes a lesson they’ll never forget.”</p> - - <p>Wilson’s impotent rage was pitiable to witness.</p> - - <p>“The best and truest comrade ever man had,” he cried, “sent to -his death by a loathsome brute like that. Curse them all, I say!”</p> - - <p>The Ayuti said no word, but his face was set stern and pitiless -as a mask, boding ill for any luckless savage that should cross his -track. With a mad, unreasoning passion raging in their hearts, the -four men turned from the abyss, whose black depths had swallowed their -friend, and resumed their journey.</p> - - <p>Recklessly they moved now, caring little whether they aroused any -of the jungle beasts or no, their fury making them absolutely -fearless. Let them but find the <i>Seal,</i> and renew their supply of -ammunition then they would invade the fastnesses of the wolfish brutes -at whose door lay Seymour’s death, and teach them a terrible -lesson.</p> - - <p>Their journey was finished without further adventure, and at -length, reaching the city gate, they passed through and made their way -towards the temple.</p> - - <p>Their hearts ached for their lost friend. They missed him sorely. -His cheery voice, his inspiring courage, had assisted them through -many a trying situation, and they could not bear to think that they -should never see him again.</p> - - <p>Their minds were busy with gloomy thoughts of the future, when -they reached the temple steps. These—leaving the Ayuti to stable -the elk and chain up the hounds—they were ascending, when, -thrilling and terrible, through the silent streets came echoing the -cry of the wolf-men.</p> - - <p>As it ceased, up the steps bounded Chenobi.</p> - - <p>“The wolf-people!” he cried passionately. “Nordhu, the priest, -hath lost no time.”</p> - - <p>Unslinging the great shield from his back, he took his stand upon -the topmost step, his battle-axe flashing like silver beneath the -light which shone from the jewel upon his brow. The next moment, into -the square below poured a vast throng of savages, and at sight of the -motionless figures upon the terrace they once more raised their -hideous cry.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_26" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXVI.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE FASCINATION OF THE PRIEST.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">F<span class="smtx">ORWARD</span> they came to -the base of the steps, then paused a while, as though awaiting some -signal ere commencing the attack. It came at length. From somewhere at -the rear arose the voice of the high priest of the wolf-men.</p> - - <p>“Go forward, my children, and ye shall prevail. Ramouni has -spoken it.”</p> - - <p>At the words a score or so of savages leapt up the steps towards -the Ayuti.</p> - - <p>“Guard my back,” the latter cried to his three friends, and bent -forward to meet his oncoming foes. A grim smile played over his -features for an instant as the wolf-men hesitated a few feet from the -top of the steps.</p> - - <p>“Are ye fearful,” he cried mockingly, “oh, children of the wolf? -Hath not Nordhu, your father, promised that ye shall prevail? Come, -then! Chenobi awaits you.”</p> - - <p>His words lashed the savages to fury, and, with a roar of rage, -they hurled themselves upon him. Quick as thought his weapon flashed -upward, then came down in a terrific swoop, and the foremost wolf-man, -his head almost cloven from his shoulders, pitched backward down the -steps. To right and left the great axe whirled and smote, dancing and -gleaming above the heaving mass of brown bodies which surged furiously -upward. And from every fresh stroke it rose dyed crimson with the -life-blood of a new victim.</p> - - <p>As yet the three behind were idle. At the stairhead they would -have been in the king’s way, preventing him from the free use of his -weapon, and so far not a savage had managed to break past and gain the -terrace. But there was work for them before the fight was over. At -present they had perforce to be content to look on, and the sight -aroused their keenest admiration, while satisfying the lust for -vengeance which burned within them.</p> - - <p>Like ripened grain the wolf-men fell away before that terrible -axe, and still Chenobi was untouched. Every spear-thrust or stab of -knife fell harmless upon his great shield. His arm seemed tireless, as -he wielded the mighty weapon which a man of average strength could -barely lift. Still the carnage went on, still the pile of dead grew, -until but five of the attackers remained. Then these lost heart, and, -turning, bounded down the steps.</p> - - <p>The first attack had failed.</p> - - <p>“Cannot we help?” asked Mervyn, as Chenobi turned round, smiling -triumphantly.</p> - - <p>“Nay,” returned the king; “spears are but puny weapons against a -host. Besides, ye have no shields.”</p> - - <p>“But it becomes us ill to stand idle,” persisted the -scientist.</p> - - <p>“If I should fall your turn will come,” replied Chenobi, and, -with that, he faced about to meet a fresh attack.</p> - - <p>“God forbid!” cried Mervyn fervently, but his words were drowned -in the clamour of the savage horde that came charging up towards the -terrace. It was but a repetition of the previous scene, and the -scientist, knowing the devilish cunning of the priest, marvelled that -he should allow his followers to throw away their lives in such mad -fashion. Yet in his heart was a dread that these attacks were but the -prelude to some diabolical scheme, which, when complete, would land -them all in the power of the wolf-men. And his forebodings were only -too fully justified.</p> - - <p>While Chenobi hacked and hewed, with his whole mind centred upon -the foe before him, a fur-clad figure advanced from the shadow of the -king’s palace and crossed the square to the foot of the steps.</p> - - <p>It was Nordhu, and Mervyn shuddered as he saw the weird glitter -of the fellow’s eyes as he fixed them full upon those of the king. -Like twin stars they glowed through the twilight.</p> - - <p>“Great Heaven!” the scientist ejaculated, grasping Haverly’s arm, -“he’s trying to hypnotise Chenobi!”</p> - - <p>“The devil!” snarled Silas with a shiver of rage, and, lifting -his spear, he hurled it full at the priest. He missed his mark by a -few inches as Nordhu leapt aside.</p> - - <p>“Ye shall pay for that, dog!” roared the latter, once more -riveting his gaze upon the form of the king.</p> - - <p>“He’s overcoming our friend,” Mervyn gasped an instant later, as -Chenobi, ceasing his efforts, dropped his weapon, and stood as one -dazed. With a roar of delight the wolf-men gained the terrace, and -within two minutes their gigantic enemy was fast bound by a stout hide -rope, and the attackers were turning their attention to the three -comrades, who had retired a few paces. There, with their backs to the -altar, in the shadow of the great idol, they prepared for the final -struggle against their relentless foes.</p> - - <p>But the fascinating stare of the priest followed them, and, ere -long, Wilson succumbed to its baleful power. Despite his comrades’ -efforts to detain him, the lad strode calmly across the terrace, -passed through the horde of savages clustered at the head of the -stairs, and descended to the square, where he was immediately bound -securely by the wolf-men below. The power of the priest was truly -appalling.</p> - - <p>Flushed by his double triumph, he again exerted himself to -complete the fell work he had begun, by subduing the minds of the -remaining two. But they were of sterner stuff. With all the strength -of their natures they fought against the uncanny force which bade them -surrender to their enemies. The eyes of the priest seemed to be -glaring right into their brains, yet they struggled on, knowing that -to submit meant their ultimate ruin. Their case they well knew was -hopeless, but far better to die fighting beneath the spears of the -savages than to be led captive into the caverns of the hills, there to -be sacrificed to the terrible Rahee.</p> - - <p>Oh, for a rifle and a couple of cartridges! Haverly thought, that -he might at least send Nordhu to his last account ere he himself fell. -As well might he have wished for the moon.</p> - - <p>Suddenly the influence of the priest was withdrawn; his eyes -ceased to glare, and from his lips came a low call. Instantly the -waiting savages dashed forward, overwhelming the two comrades by sheer -numbers, before either could strike more than a blow in -self-defence.</p> - - <p>So it ended, the fight that had opened so well, that had promised -to finish so differently, its issue decided by the devilish arts of -the priest. But for the hypnotic power of Nordhu, they might have kept -the wolf-men at bay for an almost indefinite period. Haverly ground -his teeth with helpless rage as he and Mervyn were led down into the -square. Here the same humiliating fate befel them as had already -fallen to Wilson and the Ayuti.</p> - - <p>They were bound securely, hand and foot, the raw hide ropes being -drawn so tightly that they almost cut into the flesh. Then, seized by -some of their hideous captors, the four men were carried swiftly -through the silent streets and out across the plain towards the haunts -of the wolf-men.</p> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0.6em;margin-bottom: 0.4em;">* * * * * *</p> - - <p>When Seymour felt himself gripped from behind, as he stood gazing -down into the abyss, his first sensation was one of deadly fear. -Overcoming this, however, he swung round quickly and grappled his -hideous opponent. To and fro they swayed upon the brink, each gripping -the other’s throat, each struggling to hurl his enemy over the edge of -the chasm.</p> - - <p>With all his enormous strength Seymour could barely hold his own. -The wolf-man’s muscles seemed of iron, his fingers gripped like a -vice, and beneath their pressure the baronet’s life was slowly choked -out.</p> - - <p>It was at this moment that he managed to gasp out the cry which -attracted the attention of his friends; but, as we know, they were too -late to aid him, and both he and the loathsome savage pitched over -into the abyss.</p> - - <p>His mind was a complete blank during the few moments of his fall. -He did not swoon, yet his mental and physical powers were alike -suspended—paralysed, as it were. Then suddenly his faculties -were fully restored by a plunge into rushing water. He sank like a -stone, the water roaring madly in his ears, seeming to beat him -downward to a terrible depth. With all his strength he struck out for -the surface, fighting his way up through the surging waters that he -might empty his bursting lungs.</p> - - <p>It was the agony of years concentrated into a few seconds of time -through which he passed in that upward struggle; but he gained the -surface at length, and, with the thunderous boom of a cataract in his -ears, was swept forward by the current. For a time he was content to -be carried along without attempting to swim, only paddling -sufficiently to keep himself afloat. The roar of the fall died away -behind him as he was swept on, and the speed of the current gradually -slackened.</p> - - <p>Slower and slower his progress grew, and at last he was obliged -to strike out for himself. As to his whereabouts, he had no idea, but, -deeming one direction as good as another in the midnight darkness by -which he was surrounded, he swam boldly ahead.</p> - - <p>Ere long he found that, strong as he was, to swim fully clothed -for any length of time would be an impossibility; so, floating there, -in the midst of a profound and awful silence, hedged about on either -side by a solid pall of darkness, the intrepid baronet removed his -boots and clothes. Then, naked as he was born, he struck out once more -with long, steady strokes that ate up the distance.</p> - - <p>Where was his enemy, the wolf-man? he wondered. Had he, too, -escaped, and at the present moment was swimming somewhere in the -darkness? The thought sent a shiver through Seymour’s frame, and he -half expected to see a pair of fierce eyes glaring through the gloom -and to feel once more those bony fingers gripping his throat. But -there came no sign to show that the savage had escaped, and gradually -the baronet’s anxiety on that score died.</p> - - <p>For hours, so it seemed to him, he was swimming before his -outstretched hand touched solid stone. Treading water, he reached -upward, striving to discover how high this barrier was; but the top -was beyond his reach.</p> - - <p>Sheer and solid the masonry rose, without crack or crevice by -means of which one might climb. Somewhat disappointed, Seymour turned -and swam slowly along the base of the wall.</p> - - <p>What this barrier meant he could not at first determine. The -touch of it told him that it was no work of Nature. No natural wall -had ever its smoothness and regularity. Yet for what purpose had it -been built? Like a flash into his brain swept the answer. This was the -ancient reservoir of the Ayutis, which fed the great tanks beneath the -temple. The thought gave him hope, for, if his idea were correct, -there must be some exit through which the water flowed into the -conduits.</p> - - <p>Steadily he swam forward, feeling the wall as he went, till -suddenly, thrusting out his hand, he felt nothing. The wall had -ended!</p> - - <p>Eagerly he felt about him. Yes, there was no doubt about it, the -masonry had ceased. Three cautious strokes, at right angles to his -first course, and his feet touched the lowest of a flight of steps -which here broke the regularity of the wall, running down some feet -into the water. Thankfully he drew himself up, and sat a while to -rest, ere ascending to the top of the flight.</p> - - <p>His position was a most unenviable one. Naked, wet, and shivering -from his immersion, buried in some subterranean cavern far away from -even the ghostly light of the underworld, and, above all, entirely -defenceless, it was not remarkable that he felt somewhat depressed. -But summoning all his courage he rose after a few moments and mounted -the steps, moving carefully, lest he should lose his footing and fall -backward into the water again. Twelve of the steps he counted, then -found himself upon an apparently broad pavement, across which he -crept, hands outstretched before him.</p> - - <p>The silence was intense. No sound but the gentle lapping of the -water against the stonework came to his ears, and even this ceased as -he increased his distance from the reservoir. Step by step he -advanced, gaining courage with every yard, until, with a suddenness -that sent his heart leaping into his mouth, a sound came out of the -darkness ahead—<i>the snarling yelp of some animal!</i></p> - - <p>The baronet pulled up on the instant and stood listening. Again -the yelp came to his ears, trembling away weirdly into the furthermost -recesses of the vast cavern. What creature could it be that dwelt here -in the darkness? he asked himself. Was it the wolf-man who had fallen -with him into these depths? Even as his mind framed the question he -knew that it was so. The savage had escaped from the reservoir, and -was now prowling somewhere in the gloom ahead of him.</p> - - <p>The idea was by no means a pleasant one, yet better the wolf-man -for an enemy than some strange beast. Prepared for an attack at any -moment, Seymour moved forward again, his momentary fear giving place -to a revengeful passion against the brute who had caused his present -predicament. For perhaps a score of yards he advanced, at length -coming in touch with a wall, along which he felt his way to a low -archway. This, after some little hesitation, he entered, having to -bend somewhat to escape catching his head against the roof.</p> - - <p>The floor was slimy with ooze, and there was a constant drip of -water from above, but, disdaining these minor difficulties, Seymour -held on. With his arms outstretched to their full extent, he could -just touch the walls of the passage, and in this fashion he managed to -steer himself. As nearly as he could judge, the tunnel was about two -hundred yards in length, giving at last upon a chamber, which appeared -to be one of considerable size. Across this he was proceeding when a -bright light flickered into view right ahead.</p> - - <p>It was too distant to illuminate much of the chamber in which he -was, but, taking it as his guide, he increased his pace and moved -swiftly towards it. As he went on he observed that it proceeded from a -low-roofed tunnel similar to the one from which he had just -emerged.</p> - - <p>Stooping, he was about to enter the passage, when, with a snarl -of rage, the form of the wolf-man rose before him. The next instant he -and the loathsome savage were locked in a death-grip.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_27" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXVII.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>IN THE VAULTS.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">A<span class="smtx"> MOMENT</span> they swayed -and wrestled; then Seymour broke away from the grip of his enemy, and -leapt backward. Snarling savagely, the wolf-man crouched, and leapt -for the baronet’s throat. But the latter was prepared. Quick as -thought his fist shot out, and before the sledgehammer stroke the -savage crashed backward with a scream.</p> - - <p>Ere he could rise Seymour was upon him, all the pent-up hatred in -his nature finding vent as he choked out the life of the hideous -creature. In vain the savage struggled beneath that iron grip. The -Englishman, for the moment, was absolutely merciless, every better -feeling sunk in one of murderous revenge. A grim satisfaction took -possession of him as he watched the fear of death grow in the savage’s -bulging eyes, a satisfaction complete only when the creature’s -movements ceased, when, with a last convulsive shudder, he lay still -and silent for ever.</p> - - <p>Leaving the body where it lay, Seymour rose and entered the -tunnel, whence the light still streamed. Along this he advanced for -perhaps fifty yards, the light growing brighter with every step he -took; then he emerged into another large chamber, to stand for a -moment startled at the scene which met his eye.</p> - - <p>In the centre of the great vault stood a throne, in shape like a -large chair, and ornamented with many strange hieroglyphics; and upon -it, grim and silent, with mouth agape and eyes that stared -unblinkingly before him, sat a man. A jewel, like to that which -Chenobi, the king, wore, was bound upon his forehead, and its radiance -filled the whole chamber.</p> - - <p>There was something so sinister about the silent figure that the -baronet almost feared to advance; but at length, putting on a bold -front, he strode forward. Halting within a few paces of the throne, he -spoke the Ayuti salutation:</p> - - <p>“Wabozi”</p> - - <p>But the figure answered never a word, showed no sign that he was -conscious of Seymour’s presence. Stretching forth his hand, the latter -gently touched the man’s fingers. They were cold as ice, and, with a -shock, the baronet realised that he was in the presence of the -dead.</p> - - <p>It was a ghastly discovery. The figure looked so lifelike, seated -there in state; yet it was only a corpse, the grisly relic of some -past ruler of the Ayutis, preserved from decay by some wonderful mode -of embalming known to that ancient people.</p> - - <p>The first shock over, Seymour quickly decided that he must have -the jewel from the dead man’s forehead. No doubt it seemed like -desecration; yet, as light was absolutely necessary if he ever hoped -to find his way out of these caverns, he felt that the act would be -excusable. Mounting the three steps which led to the seat, he reached -upward to release the clasp that secured the gleaming stone.</p> - - <p>This, being fastened at the back of the head, was rather -difficult to reach, and, to steady himself, Seymour—though not -without a shudder of repugnance—placed his hand upon the -shoulder of the corpse. As he did so, the figure seemed to leap upon -him; its shrivelled fingers pressed his quivering flesh. With a -startled cry the baronet stepped backward from the thing, but, -forgetting the steps, fell, and living and dead rolled together to the -floor.</p> - - <p>Trembling from head to foot, Seymour picked himself up, and, -quickly snatching the jewel from the forehead of the corpse, he left -the grim mockery of life at the foot of its throne, and dashed over -the floor of the vault at a run. As he ran he noted that the walls of -the chamber were honeycombed with niches, each of which contained a -grisly occupant—a swathed and shrivelled mummy.</p> - - <p>So this was the burial vault of the Ayutis, he thought, their -cemetery. Here slept those whose tireless energy had built up the city -of Ayuti; whose engineering skill had spanned the fire gulf with a -vast bridge; whose descendant, Chenobi, was his friend.</p> - - <p>Thinking thus, the silent forms lost their uncanny aspect. His -temporary panic gave place to reverence, and he checked his random -pace, treading lightly, as though fearing to disturb the slumbers of -the dead. Ere long a third archway loomed before him, and, leaving the -hall of the mummies, he passed into a small chamber which lay -beyond.</p> - - <p>“Great Scott!” he cried the next moment, and pulled up in sheer -amazement. Before him, scattered over the floor in lavish confusion, -lay thousands of weapons of every conceivable form. Great cross-hilted -swords there were; richly chased daggers, their hilts set with many a -precious stone, which scintillated beneath the light from Seymour’s -jewel; massive battle-axes and shields, spears, and knives, all -covered with strange designs, and all bright as though they had but -just left the hands of the maker.</p> - - <p>“What can this strange metal be,” Seymour asked himself audibly, -“that it does not rust in this damp atmosphere?”</p> - - <p>He examined the gleaming pile carefully, but could not discover -of what metal the weapons were made. They were not of steel, nor of -brass, neither of any of the numerous metals known in the upper world. -Looking up at length, his eyes fell upon a row of figures ranged along -the wall of the armoury chamber. They were suits of chain mail.</p> - - <p>At sight of them an idea flashed into Seymour’s mind. Why should -not one of them serve him in the place of clothes?</p> - - <p>“Why not?” he muttered to himself, and, striding over to the -armour, ran his eye over the row, hoping to find one somewhere about -his size. But all seemed hopelessly too large. Evidently they had been -made for much bigger men than he.</p> - - <p>At last he managed to find one which appeared about his height, -noting, as he dragged it forward, that it was the smallest of the row, -a pigmy among giants. Donning it, he found that it fitted perfectly, -and, though the hide suit over which the mail was fastened was -painfully harsh to his skin, yet he gladly bore the discomfort for the -benefit of being once more clothed.</p> - - <p>A great metal helmet completed the outfit, in which, owing to the -stiffness of the untanned hide, Seymour could scarcely move for a -time. Presently, however, the warmth from his body caused his strange -garments to relax somewhat, and made action possible.</p> - - <p>First, fixing his light-giving jewel in the front of his helmet, -he selected an axe and shield, then strode forward to find an -exit.</p> - - <p>In a few moments he reached the end of the armoury chamber, and -here a locked door confronted him. He pressed against it, but the -solid stone slab refused to budge, and, thinking to find some other -way out, he made a complete circuit of the place. There was no other -exit, save that which led into the hall of mummies.</p> - - <p>This latter he was not minded to try again, having no desire to -renew his acquaintance with the embalmed sleepers.</p> - - <p>“I must break it down,” he muttered, and strode back to the door. -Raising his axe, he smote hard upon the lock. Again and again he -struck, the sound of the blows filling the silent chambers with a -deafening clamour of echoes. Then, of a sudden, the lock gave; the -door crashed open, almost smothering Seymour beneath the cloud of dust -it raised as it swung back, creaking, on its hinges. Striding through -the opening, the baronet moved on up the passage which opened -beyond.</p> - - <p>Two hundred paces, and a flight of steps rose before him, up -which he made his way with difficulty, owing to the armour which -encased his limbs.</p> - - <p>But he accomplished it at length. Mounting the last step, he -found that an apparently blank wall of rock barred further -progress.</p> - - <p>“That’s queer,” he mused, “there must be a door somewhere, or -what would be the use of these steps?”</p> - - <p>Carefully he searched for a spring or other mechanical -contrivance, feeling certain that there was a secret doorway somewhere -in the wall. Almost every inch of the rock he examined, pressing his -fingers into each crevice, touching every tiny irregularity in its -surface, yet with no result. The rocky barrier refused to yield up its -secret.</p> - - <p>At last, weary and discouraged, he turned and retraced his steps -to the armoury, deciding to return to the chamber of the dead, and -there seek some other outlet. As he picked his way amid the scattered -weapons, he accidentally kicked a small jewelled casket which lay -among them.</p> - - <p>The lid of this leapt open, disclosing a discoloured parchment -scroll which lay within. With no other thought but curiosity, Seymour -extracted the scroll and attempted to decipher the faded hieroglyphics -with which its surface was covered. But the task was beyond him. Not -so thoroughly familiar with the Ayuti language and writings as Mervyn, -Seymour was baffled by what would have proved an easy task to the -scientist.</p> - - <p>He was about to return the parchment to its case, when, turning -it over, he discovered that upon the reverse side was a roughly-drawn -map. This he studied for some time, puzzled by the strange lines and -stranger figures, until enlightenment came to him. It was a plan of -the subterranean chambers in which he had been wandering for so -long.</p> - - <p>At once the thing became of importance, and he applied himself to -a closer scrutiny of it, hoping to find traced thereon the way out of -his present prison. Ere long his search was rewarded. The flight of -steps leading up to the blank wall was clearly drawn, and upon the -third step from the top was a peculiar mark—a tiny eye.</p> - - <p>“The secret!” he cried triumphantly; and, returning the parchment -to its casket, he thrust both into the breast of his suit, then once -more mounted the steps. Here, however, a disappointment awaited him. -There was no mark upon the step resembling that upon the plan.</p> - - <p>Again he drew forth the scroll, studying it with an even greater -care. The result was the same. It was undoubtedly the third step upon -which the eye was drawn; yet that same step in the flight, he knew, -had no mark of any description. Then an idea struck him. Perhaps if he -counted from the bottom he might find the mark? He did so, and soon -discovered the cause of his mistake. Upon the map only twenty-five -steps were drawn, while in the flight itself there were thirty.</p> - - <p>Quickly he found the mark he sought, and, pressing upon it with -all his strength, had the satisfaction of seeing the barrier above -swing outward. Through the aperture thus formed he passed, leaving the -door ajar behind him.</p> - - <p>Three steps he took, then a gasp of amazement escaped him. <i>He -was standing within the temple!</i></p> - - <p>His surprise over, he hurried to the doorway and out on to the -terrace.</p> - - <p>“They must have returned long before this,” he muttered, -wondering that he heard nothing of his comrades. An instant later he -pulled up short, a terrible dread gripping at his heart, as he noted a -number of silent forms huddled in a ghastly heap at the head of the -steps.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_28" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>IN THE WOLF-MEN’S HAUNTS.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">S<span class="smtx">EYMOUR’S</span> dread was -not lessened by the discovery that the bodies were those of wolf-men. -Where were his friends? Evidently they had returned, the corpses bore -witness to that, for upon each and all the mark of Chenobi’s axe was -plainly visible.</p> - - <p>He shouted, but no answering hail broke the stillness of the -underworld city. Hurriedly he descended the steps and tried the door -of the kennel chamber. It was locked, and from within came the howling -of the hounds. With half a dozen lusty blows Seymour shattered the -lock, then strode through the doorway. Unloosing the hounds he ordered -them outside, himself following a moment later, leading Muswani.</p> - - <p>“The wolf-men must have carried them off,” he muttered, “but I’ll -track the brutes down.”</p> - - <p>He was about to mount, when a thought came to him. If his friends -were alive, and he was able to effect their rescue, they would be -entirely defenceless unless he took them weapons.</p> - - <p>With him to think was to act, and he rapidly made his way back to -the armoury. Here, selecting half a dozen great double-edged swords, -he strapped them together with a girdle taken from a mail suit; then, -slipping a serviceable dagger into his own belt, he returned to the -square.</p> - - <p>Within three minutes he was galloping through the gloomy streets, -the mighty elk obeying every touch as it did Chenobi’s; seeming to -know by some subtle instinct that its master’s fate hung upon its -speed. And in front, hot upon the trail of the wolfish kidnappers, -bounded the great hounds.</p> - - <p>At full speed they swept forward, having to round the end of the -great fire gulf as they went; then on around the base of the hills -within whose wild valleys Seymour and his friends had so nearly met -their deaths. As he rode on the baronet wondered how far ahead of him -the savages were. He knew that he had wandered for many hours in the -vaults beneath the city, but for how long he had no means of telling. -One fact was borne in upon him as he settled down to his -ride—that he was ravenously hungry, and he was glad to note a -number of edible fungi growing beside the track.</p> - - <p>On these he quickly satisfied his hunger, pausing only for a few -moments, then pressed forward at the utmost speed of the elk upon the -trail of the savages.</p> - - <p>Never once were the hounds at fault in the course of the chase. -The magnificent brutes were as certain of the trail as though the -wolf-men had been within sight all the time. Past cavern after cavern -in the hills they swept, Seymour exhilarating in the mad gallop. His -mail was not the easiest of riding suits, yet he was gradually -becoming used to it, and the prospect of a scrimmage with the savages -in the near future filled him with a wild delight. He even went so far -as to break into the first few bars of an old hunting song, but -checked himself as he realised the folly of thus advertising his -presence.</p> - - <p>Suddenly the hounds stopped before a great double gateway of -stone, set in the face of the cliff, and began to scratch furiously at -its base.</p> - - <p>“Quiet, you brutes!” Seymour cried, dismounting; repeating his -command in Ayuti as he saw that the hounds did not understand his -English words, whereat they immediately ceased their efforts.</p> - - <p>“No chance here,” he said to himself, examining the gates. “I -must go round the back way, I suppose.”</p> - - <p>With some difficulty he got the hounds to leave the neighbourhood -of the gateway, and pushed on towards the gully, through which he and -Haverly had passed to the rescue of Mervyn. Here he left his animals, -and plunged into the tunnel, the light from his jewel enabling him to -make rapid progress. Soon he stood once more upon the ledge above the -den of Rahee, gazing down into the temple which he had hoped never to -look upon again.</p> - - <p>Removing his mail hose that he might descend the more easily, he -slung them around his neck, and scrambled over the brink down to the -enclosure. Thankful he was to see that the bars had been lowered over -the mouth of the spider’s cave, that Rahee was again a prisoner.</p> - - <p>As he crossed the den the hideous brute leapt forward, his -remaining eye glaring ferociously. Furiously he gnashed his great -jaws, and shook the metal rods which imprisoned him; but they defied -even his great strength.</p> - - <p>“Steady, you devil!” cried the baronet, as he drew on his hose; -then shook his axe menacingly towards the spider.</p> - - <p>The action only increased the diabolical creature’s rage, and he -reared to his full height against the barrier in his mad but futile -efforts to reach his foe. But Seymour’s mission was of too great -importance for him to waste time over the sacred beast. Leaving him to -rattle the bars at his leisure, he threw open the gate of the -enclosure, and passed into the amphitheatre. Across this he strode -boldly, axe and shield in hand, the bundle of weapons intended for the -use of his friends being slung at his back.</p> - - <p>As he went he strove to recall Mervyn’s description of the -position of the fire cell, in which he had no doubt his friends would -be confined; but the scientist had not been able to explain very -clearly. All that Seymour could remember was that a long passage, -crossed by many more passages, led from the fire cell to the temple, -and with this meagre knowledge of the geography of the wolf-men’s -caverns he had to be content. He was determined, come what might, that -he would not return without his friends if they still lived; and if -Nordhu, in his devilish hate, had destroyed them, he would act as -their avenger.</p> - - <p>He had no fear, although he was alone—one against a myriad. -He had a strong belief in the ultimate triumph of right, and he knew -that his mission was a righteous one; therefore he did not shrink from -penetrating into the very midst of the savage’s haunts to fulfil his -purpose. He dared all to rescue his comrades from the hands of the -wolfish fiends who, for no reason save their own savage lust for -slaughter, had taken them captives—to give them back life and -liberty, sweeter than ever now that they knew there was a way of -escape from this ghostly underworld to the daylight.</p> - - <p>He lifted his heart in a prayer for Higher help as he went -on—for Divine guidance upon his all but impossible task. Past -the great idol he strode, ears alert for the least sound that should -tell of the presence of an enemy. But the vast natural amphitheatre -was deserted, silent as the grave. Neither priest nor savage showed -himself.</p> - - <p>At length he reached the skin curtain which veiled the mouth of -the passage, and, lifting this, passed through. And now the real -difficulties of his task became apparent. The heart of the hills -seemed literally honeycombed with passages and tunnels. Every few -yards he would pass the mouth of some gallery leading off from the one -he was following, and from each of these came sounds of life and -movement—the clanging of metal, the rattling of chains, and, -sounding high above all, the booming strokes as of some huge -hammer.</p> - - <p>What work was being carried on down there in the bowels of the -hills? Seymour wondered. Was it the making of weapons for the use of -the savages? His musings broke off short, as a dark form flitted -across the passage ahead of him. For an instant he thought his -presence was discovered, and that he particularly wished to avoid -until he had found his friends; but the savage disappeared as silently -as he had come, and once more Seymour breathed freely. The encounter -taught him the necessity of haste, however, and he pressed on with -increased speed.</p> - - <p>His jewel—without which he would have been in total -darkness, save for the occasional flashes of flame which leapt up from -the side galleries—he could not dispense with, yet he knew that -its brilliant light would betray his presence in these dismal caverns -should any passing savage sight it. And the alarm once given, farewell -to all hope of accomplishing his mission. In a moment he would be -surrounded by a shrieking horde of savages thirsting for his -blood.</p> - - <p>He did not think that—strange, unearthly figure as he -looked in his gleaming mail—the wolf-men, in their barbarous -ignorance, would probably take him for a supernatural being, some -demi-god who had fallen from his place, and had entered their haunts -with intent to destroy them.</p> - - <p>Yet such was the case; for, of a sudden, rounding a curve in the -passage, he came full upon a savage, who at sight of him dropped flat -upon his face, moaning with terror. What to do with the creature -Seymour did not know. Natural prudence suggested that he should -silence him for ever; but all the chivalry in his nature revolted -against the idea of killing him in cold blood.</p> - - <p>The decision was mercifully taken out of his hands, however. As -he stood considering what course to pursue, the moaning of the -wolf-man ceased. Stooping, Seymour discovered that he was dead. The -superstitious terror inspired by the baronet’s appearance had proved -too much for the savage.</p> - - <p>“It’s saved me a nasty job,” Seymour muttered as he resumed his -progress; “I should have been obliged to kill him, or he’d have raised -the very deuce in a few seconds.”</p> - - <p>Some hundred yards further a brilliant flare came into view, and -the baronet at once conjectured that he was nearing his goal.</p> - - <p>And so it proved. Within a few moments he stood before a cell, -across the doorway of which stretched a barrier of fire. His armour -saved him somewhat from the heat, so that he was able to approach -fairly close to the flaming wall.</p> - - <p>For a while he could see nothing within the cell beyond; but, as -his eyes became more accustomed to the glare, he made out three -figures standing motionless against the wall.</p> - - <p>“Mervyn!” he called softly, and at the word one of the figures -moved.</p> - - <p>“Mervyn!” he repeated louder.</p> - - <p>“Who calls?” came the weary reply.</p> - - <p>“I, Seymour!” the baronet answered.</p> - - <p>“Seymour!” in an incredulous whisper, “how can that be?”</p> - - <p>“Never mind that now. Tell me how this fire dodge is worked, and -soon have you out of that.”</p> - - <p>“It’s William right enough,” Haverly’s voice returned, “and I -guess he was never more welcome than at the present moment. Just -enlighten him how the fire trick works, professor.”</p> - - <p>“There is a knob in the floor somewhere there,” Mervyn explained. -“Nordhu stamped upon it to raise the flames. If you were to pull -it——”</p> - - <p>Almost before the words had left his lips Seymour had found the -knob he mentioned, a small, round projection in the rocky floor. -Grasping it, he gave a mighty tug, and immediately the fire -disappeared into its trench, leaving the cell open.</p> - - <p>“Jupiter!” gasped Silas as the baronet crossed the threshold, -“wherever did you get that rig-out?”</p> - - <p>“Explanations must wait,” Seymour returned, rapidly forcing the -chains which secured the captives to the wall.</p> - - <p>“Where’s Wilson?” he asked an instant later, as he observed that -the engineer was absent.</p> - - <p>“Heaven alone knows!” replied the scientist. “The priest’s still -got him hypnotised, and he’s taken him off somewhere.”</p> - - <p>“Hypnotised!” exclaimed Seymour. “Ah, yes. I remember you told me -before that Nordhu was a hypnotist. But, wherever Wilson is, we must -find him. See here, I have brought some weapons”—unslinging them -from his back as he spoke—“do you and Haverly take a sword -apiece and make your way out through the temple. Chenobi and I will -seek for the engineer.”</p> - - <p>At first the two comrades demurred a little at this order, but, -on Seymour pointing out that four would be far more likely to attract -notice than two, they consented to this arrangement; and, with their -weapons ready for action, strode off down the passage. Then the -baronet, handing his axe and shield to his Ayuti friend, armed himself -with another of the swords, and the twain left the cell. An instant -they paused to raise the barrier of fire again by stamping upon the -knob that the escape of the prisoners might not be so readily -discovered. This done, they moved off on their errand.</p> - - <p>As they went, Chenobi, in low tones, gave his friend an account -of the method of his capture, telling how Nordhu had cast a spell upon -him while he fought at the head of the steps.</p> - - <p>“Which road shall we take?” Seymour asked, as they came to the -mouth of a gallery.</p> - - <p>“Let us try this,” Chenobi answered, and, with that, they passed -into the tunnel. In silence they strode onward now, fully realising -the dangerous nature of their enterprise. What Seymour had hitherto -accomplished was mere child’s play to the task upon which he and the -Ayuti were now set. They were about to penetrate into the heart of the -wolf-men’s caverns, to enter the busy thoroughfares through which -flowed the life of the savage community, and on a quest apparently as -hopeless as ever one could be.</p> - - <p>The clanging noises grew louder and louder as they advanced, but -Seymour noticed with some astonishment that Chenobi seemed not at all -surprised at the queer sounds. Did he know the nature of the work -which was being carried on? The baronet was about to put the question, -when the king pulled up, pointing ahead with his axe.</p> - - <p>Far away down the passage rose a red glare, and amid it flitted -numerous dark, grotesque figures.</p> - - <p>“Have a care!” Chenobi warned in a whisper, as they resumed their -way. Warily they crept forward, step by step, towards the light, -unseen by the ghoulish creatures who passed to and fro bearing huge -burdens.</p> - - <p>Reaching the end of the tunnel, the two men crouched there a -while, Seymour marvelling at the scene before him. It was stupendous, -amazing! A vast cavern, immense beyond description, seeming to stretch -away into infinite distance, all ablaze with a crimson glow which -burst from the mouth of a yawning pit; and in the midst of it—a -medley of flying rods and clanging levers—loomed a machine, -indistinct by reason of the rapidity of its motion, and vaster than -aught Seymour had ever seen before.</p> - - <p>To and from this miracle of mechanism toiled a multitude of -wolf-men, each staggering beneath a mighty load. In the glare from the -pit they looked like demons, the illusion being heightened by the -weird cries to which they gave utterance, and which rang high above -the clash and rattle of the machinery.</p> - - <p>“See!” roared Chenobi suddenly, his voice almost lost in the din -of the clanging levers, “our friend!”</p> - - <p>Across the floor, walking as one dazed, came Wilson. His sleeves -were rolled up to his elbows, and in his hand he held a hammer of -curious make.</p> - - <p>“Wilson!” Seymour almost screamed the word in his eagerness to -attract the notice of his friend; but the lad strode on, utterly -oblivious of the close proximity of the two who had come to save -him.</p> - - <p>“Wilson! Tom”</p> - - <p>Still no sign from the engineer. Like one walking in his sleep, -he moved on over the floor of the cavern. Then Seymour did a bold -thing. Rising from his concealment, he stepped into the glare after -his friend, and placed his hand upon his shoulder.</p> - - <p>At the touch the lad swung round sharply, and the light of -intellect came back into his dull eyes.</p> - - <p>“Seymour.” His lips framed the word, but no sound passed them, -and he staggered as though about to fall.</p> - - <p>“Steady, old man,” cried the baronet, supporting him to the mouth -of the passage. Each instant he expected to hear a yell from the -savages, telling that his presence was discovered. But they appeared -too intent upon their work to note his movements, and hope rose high -within him that he would be able to get his friend away -unobserved.</p> - - <p>“We have succeeded,” he burst out rapturously to Chenobi, as he -rejoined him.</p> - - <p>“Not so,” thundered a voice behind him; “by Ramouni, ye have -<i>failed!”</i></p> - - <p>Quick as thought Seymour turned. Almost at his shoulder, a grin -of malignant triumph making his features fiend-like in their -expression, stood Nordhu, priest of the wolf-men.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_29" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXIX.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>HOW RAHEE ASSISTED THE FUGITIVES.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">F<span class="smtx">OR</span> a few seconds the -baronet stood as though turned to stone, success had seemed so near. -By some lucky chance Wilson had almost walked into their arms. Another -few moments and they would have got him safely away, but, in the very -instant of their triumph, Nordhu had again checkmated them.</p> - - <p>“Did ye think Nordhu slept?” the priest went on mockingly. “Truly -ye are babes in intellect, and should be nursed yet a while.”</p> - - <p>The taunt stung Seymour to madness. Like a flash his mailed fist -shot out, catching Nordhu full upon the mouth, and he crashed heavily -backward, giving voice to a piercing cry that rang clear above the din -of the machinery.</p> - - <p>At the sound the wolfish brutes working in the great cavern -dropped their loads and dashed pell-mell towards the comrades. -Hundreds there were of the creatures. In a living flood they surged -down upon the hapless trio, with whom it would have gone hardly but -for the prompt action of Chenobi.</p> - - <p>Dropping axe and shield, he snatched the dagger from Seymour’s -girdle; then, lifting the senseless form of the priest, he calmly -faced the savages.</p> - - <p>“Back, you dogs!” he roared. “A step further and your priest -dies!”</p> - - <p><a name="illustration_07" id="illustration_07" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"></a></p> - - <p class="noindent"><img src="images/illo_07.jpg" alt="Illustration #7"/></p> - - <p>He placed his gleaming weapon menacingly against Nordhu’s throat -as he spoke, and, at the action, the raging mob of wolf-men pulled -up.</p> - - <p>Whether they heard the words or not, the significance of the -king’s threat was clear to them. Their murderous hate was drowned in -their fear for the life of their priest.</p> - - <p>Then began a retreat in the like of which neither of the friends -had ever participated before. Passing his sword to Wilson—now -rapidly recovering from the effects of the priest’s -fascination—Seymour picked up the Ayuti’s weapons; whereupon, -Chenobi still carrying Nordhu, the three commenced to move backward up -the passage, their eyes fixed upon the hideous throng at the tunnel -end, who stood cowed into momentary inaction by the peril of their -ruler.</p> - - <p>Their bloodshot eyes rolled savagely, their claw-like fingers -twitched with the desire to rend in pieces the intrepid trio; but the -bold front of the latter daunted them. A moment’s wavering on the part -of the Ayuti—a stumble—and the whole horde would have -swept forward, irresistible as an avalanche. But Chenobi’s hand was -steady as a rock as he held the jewelled dagger to his captive’s -throat. He took each backward step calmly and deliberately, avoiding -all projections in the rough-hewn floor of the gallery with a care -that bore witness to his splendid nerve.</p> - - <p>So for a space the retreat went on. Further and further the three -friends drew from the wolf-men. Then suddenly they rounded a bend in -the tunnel, which bore them out of sight of the savages, and on the -instant a swelling roar like the sound of many waters, came to their -ears. The spell which had held the wolf-men was broken. They were -sweeping forward in pursuit.</p> - - <p>“Run!” roared Chenobi, and, flinging Nordhu over his shoulder, he -turned and leapt forward like a deer. After him went the others at -their topmost speed, Seymour, for all the weight of his armour, -getting over the ground at an astonishing pace. Into the main gallery -they swept, and turned for the temple, with the fearsome cries of -their pursuers growing louder each moment.</p> - - <p>In a surging brown torrent the wolf-men came on, their numbers -constantly augmented by fresh arrivals, who, aroused by the clamour, -poured in hundreds from every gallery. The whole troglodytish -community was now thoroughly aroused; the place seemed to hum with -life, like a gigantic hive; and ever the pursuers gained upon the -daring trio.</p> - - <p>Foot by foot, yard by yard, they drew up, although the friends -strained every muscle to outdistance them; and the swelling roar of -their voices sounded like a death-knell to the ears of Seymour and the -engineer.</p> - - <p>Gasping for breath, they plunged onward after the racing form of -the king, fearing each moment that their strength would fail and that -they would drop in their tracks, to be trampled out of all semblance -to humanity beneath the feet of the savage horde behind.</p> - - <p>Suddenly the skin curtain loomed before them. With a vicious tug -Chenobi tore it down and bounded into the temple.</p> - - <p>“Only a few hundred yards further,” Seymour was panting to his -friend, when, out of the shadow of the great idol, a score of figures -advanced and stood menacingly across the track, their weapons flashing -in the light which poured from Chenobi’s jewel. They were the priests, -Nordhu’s assistants in his horrible work of sacrifice.</p> - - <p>Not an inch did the Ayuti swerve from his course, not for a -moment did he hesitate. With a ringing war-cry he hurled himself upon -the waiting band. Thrice his dagger flashed, then he was through them, -racing for the den of the great spider.</p> - - <p>Like a thunderbolt Seymour followed, clearing a passage by sheer -weight, and, close at his heels, came the engineer, his great sword -swinging like a flail. Closing up behind them, the priests joined in -the chase, making the vast amphitheatre ring with their cries of -rage.</p> - - <p>Three minutes later the fugitives dashed into the enclosure, and -slammed to the gate, glad of a few seconds’ respite.</p> - - <p>Not long were they allowed to rest, however. Suddenly the gate -was flung open, and Seymour hurled himself into the gap just in time -to check the advance of the foremost savages who were about to pour -through the gateway. At sight of his determined attitude the valour of -the wolf-men cooled somewhat, and they drew up, each and all afraid to -venture within the sweep of the axe which gleamed in Seymour’s -hand.</p> - - <p>But the priests, with many fiery words, urged them on to deliver -Nordhu from the hands of the white dogs who had captured him.</p> - - <p>Roused to action at length, a score of the brutes leapt forward -and stabbed savagely at the baronet with their spears. The latter’s -mail served him nobly. Not a spear got home; and his axe quickly -taught the savages a terrible lesson.</p> - - <p>“Quick!” he cried, turning to Chenobi as the wolf-men fell back; -“to the ledge! I will hold the gate a while.”</p> - - <p>Repeating his command in English for Wilson’s benefit, the -baronet faced round once more, to receive another charge of the -savages. It was as vain as the first. Seymour seemed perfectly -invulnerable to the weapons of the wolf-men, and this fact created a -fear in their superstitious minds. Yet, despite this, under the -influence of the priests they again essayed to attack.</p> - - <p>Scarce waiting for them to come to close quarters, the baronet -hurled himself upon them with a ringing British cheer, that sounded -strange indeed in that ghostly, subterranean temple. Wilson joined in -it from the ledge above, and, at that Seymour knew that his task was -ended, that he too might seek the comparative safety of the tunnel, -could he but get an opportunity to climb. With this end in view, he -fell upon his foes with redoubled fury, driving them back by his -terrific onslaught; then, leaping backward, he closed the gate of the -enclosure with a crash, and made for the wall.</p> - - <p>As he did so the clank of the windlass broke upon his ears. He -turned quickly. Determined to accomplish his destruction, the priests -were releasing the great spider.</p> - - <p>Just for a second Seymour was at a loss how to act. The brute -would be out and upon him ere he could struggle up to the ledge, -impeded as he was by his mail. Suddenly into his mind swept a -brilliant idea. Why not turn the ferocity of Rahee to his own -advantage?</p> - - <p>Stepping backward to the gateway, he stood motionless while the -spider emerged from his den. Chenobi, watching events keenly from the -ledge, seemed about to descend to his assistance, but Seymour checked -him by a gesture. Then, as Rahee leapt towards him, the baronet -stepped swiftly aside, flinging open the gate as he did so. Carried on -by the force of its spring, the spider hurtled through the gateway and -crashed into the temple.</p> - - <p>At once a terrified outcry arose from the savages, and they -turned to flee from the dread presence of their sacred beast. But grim -Nemesis was upon their track. They who had watched Chenobi’s -brother—ay, and many a score more of the same race—go to -their deaths beneath the jaws of the terrible Rahee, were about to -meet the same fate themselves. Had they stood their ground, a few -spear-thrusts would quickly have settled the matter; but their -superstitious terror at the close proximity of the horrible brute -sapped all their savage courage.</p> - - <p>They broke and fled before Rahee’s advance in an utterly -disorganised mob, seeking to escape from the fearful gnashing jaws of -the giant spider, priests and wolf-men alike sharing the panic.</p> - - <p>Ere long the floor of the temple was littered with the bodies of -the slain. Up and down the great amphitheatre Rahee raged in a -paroxysm of devilish fury. With a shudder at the ghastly success of -his own idea, Seymour once more closed the gate and mounted to the -ledge.</p> - - <p>“Rahee is working out our vengeance,” cried Chenobi. “It is well. -Perchance the wolf-people will destroy him after this lesson. Ye did -well to turn him loose among them, Fairhair. ’Twas a counter-stroke -they expected not. Come; we will move forward.”</p> - - <p>“What of Rahee?” Seymour asked. “Are you minded to destroy him -ere you go?”</p> - - <p>“Nay,” was the reply; “I will forego my vengeance on the sacred -beast because he hath aided you;” and, with that, Chenobi picked up -the still senseless priest and strode into the tunnel.</p> - - <p>“Heaven grant we have seen the last of these savages!” murmured -Wilson, as he and Seymour followed.</p> - - <p>“Amen!” the baronet responded fervently; “yet somehow I doubt it, -lad. Nordhu seems to have a great hold upon them, and you may take it -for granted they will not give him up without some attempt at a -rescue. When the brutes recover from the panic into which Rahee has -thrown them, they will take our trail like a pack of wolves. What’s -that?”</p> - - <p>A dark figure had appeared in the passage just ahead of them.</p> - - <p>On the alert in an instant for a possible enemy, the baronet -stepped before Chenobi, weapon raised, and bawled out a challenge in -Ayuti.</p> - - <p>“I guess I’d take it as a personal favour if you’d speak English, -William,” drawled a voice. Seymour burst out into a roar of -laughter.</p> - - <p>“Sorry I took you for an enemy, Silas,” he replied. “We’ve got -Wilson all safe and sound.”</p> - - <p>“That’s good,” the Yankee chirped; “but who’s the party Chenobi’s -totin’ along?”</p> - - <p>“The priest,” answered the baronet.</p> - - <p>“Whew!” whistled the Yankee; “I guess you’ve been making things -hum considerable below there.”</p> - - <p>“We have roused ’em slightly,” was the modest reply; “but we’ll -have to hustle, as you call it, Silas. I shan’t feel safe till I set -foot inside the city again. The beasts won’t give up their old priest -without an effort to release him, I’ll warrant.”</p> - - <p>“You bet,” agreed the American, then lapsed into silence until -the end of the tunnel was reached.</p> - - <p>Here Mervyn awaited them, eager for news as to the manner in -which they had effected Wilson’s rescue. But Seymour cut short his -questions.</p> - - <p>“Ask what you like, old man, when we get back to the city,” he -said, “but for the present we must devote our attention to getting -clear away. The elk and hounds should be somewhere about. Seen -anything of them?”</p> - - <p>“Not a sign,” replied Mervyn; “they must have strayed.”</p> - - <p>Seymour acquainted the Ayuti with this fact, and instantly -Chenobi gave voice to his peculiar call.</p> - - <p>A few moments later the clatter of hoofs sounded through the -gully, and into sight came Muswani, with the great hounds at his -heels. Quickly Chenobi flung his prisoner across the elk’s back, -himself mounting behind; then the whole party started off down the -gully towards the plain.</p> - - <p>In safety they accomplished their journey, reaching the ruined -city without seeing or hearing aught of their foes. Evidently the -savage followers of Nordhu had not yet recovered from the blow Seymour -had dealt them by releasing the terrible spider. When they did their -hate would be the more implacable against the men who had kidnapped -their priest.</p> - - <p>Up to the terrace the explorers mounted, Chenobi bearing his -prisoner.</p> - - <p>Striding across to the altar, the king pressed a small knob in -the masonry of the front. Instantly the whole slab swung outward, -disclosing a low, square chamber, and into this he cast Nordhu.</p> - - <p>“Caged!” he cried to Seymour, as he swung to the door, and, -turning, entered the temple.</p> - - <p>The four friends, thoroughly worn out by the terrible experience -through which they had passed, flung themselves down upon the temple -floor, glad to rest their weary limbs for a space. Within a few -minutes they were sleeping soundly, the Ayuti alone remaining wakeful -and vigilant, seeming in no wise tired by his late exertions.</p> - - <p>It may be that thoughts of his prisoner kept him from sleep, or -of the brother whom he had sworn to avenge. His vow seemed near its -fulfilment. Nordhu was a helpless captive, and it only remained to -decide the manner of his death.</p> - - <p>But though Chenobi knew it not, the priest was not yet at the end -of his resources. He had another card to play ere he surrendered to -the inevitable. Prisoner though he was, Nordhu was yet more than a -match for his enemies, as they discovered before long.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_30" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXX.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE SCROLL OF NEOMRI.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">“I<span class="smtx"> RECKON</span>,” remarked -Haverly, munching a piece of fungus with manifest relish, “you might -as well explain how the blazes you got out of that darned hole, -Seymour, an’, incidentally, where you got your tin suit. It’s a -rig-out as kinder takes my eye.”</p> - - <p>While the explorers slept Chenobi had procured a number of edible -fungi, to which they were now doing full justice.</p> - - <p>“Well,” Seymour returned, in answer to the Yankee’s suggestion, -“it’s a longish yarn, but if you’d care to hear it, here goes.”</p> - - <p>With that he launched into an account of his adventures, telling -of his fall, of his swim in the reservoir, the second meeting with his -wolfish enemy, and all that transpired afterwards. Open-mouthed, his -friends listened to his description of the hall of mummies and of the -armour chamber.</p> - - <p>“But did not Chenobi know of these weapons?” Mervyn asked -amazedly. “He told us he had none but the spears taken from the -wolf-men, yet below there, you say, are weapons sufficient for an -army.”</p> - - <p>Rapidly the scientist interpreted Seymour’s story to the king, -concluding by questioning him as to his knowledge of the existence of -the armoury.</p> - - <p>“I knew that there was a secret passage,” observed the king, “but -it was the secret of the priests of Ramouni. None but they knew where -the dead were laid. When Nordhu destroyed the last of the priests, the -secret died with him.”</p> - - <p>“We must examine these caverns presently,” remarked Mervyn, -attacking a fresh fungus.</p> - - <p>“Say, Tom,” Haverly drawled, after some moments of silence, “what -game was the old priest playing when he took you out of the cell?”</p> - - <p>The young engineer shuddered at the question.</p> - - <p>“I remember nothing at all save having an overwhelming desire to -start a gun factory,” he replied.</p> - - <p>“The hypnotic influence of the priest,” Mervyn explained. “He -attempted to force me to reveal to him ‘the secret of the -fire-weapons,’ as he called it. The fellow seems to have a longing for -firearms. It is unfortunate you remember nothing of your experience -down there, Wilson. There is evidently some work being carried on, and -upon a gigantic scale, too. Who’s for a visit to the vaults?” he went -on, rising. “Come, Seymour; you, as discoverer, must do the honours of -the place.”</p> - - <p>“Very well,” returned the baronet, replacing his helmet, which he -had removed while he rested; “but I can assure you it’s a ghostly -hole. Are you coming, Chenobi?”</p> - - <p>“Ay,” returned the Ayuti; “I am minded to look upon the last -resting-place of my forefathers.”</p> - - <p>With that they all moved across the temple to where the great -stone door still stood ajar as Seymour had left it, and, descending -the steps, passed into the armoury. Their various exclamations showed -how differently they were affected by the sight of the gleaming pile -of weapons. What struck Haverly most was the enormous amount of wealth -represented by the jewels which studded the hilts of every sword and -dagger. Wilson was attracted by the exquisite workmanship of the -weapons; while Mervyn viewed them as curios, rare specimens to be -consigned to some museum as the relics of an extinct race.</p> - - <p>“Marvellous!” he exclaimed again and again. “The civilisation of -ancient Greece was but little ahead of these Ayutis. A marvellous -race!”</p> - - <p>Chenobi, with the eye of a warrior, was examining the armour, and -it was not long ere he was armed <i>cap-à-pie</i> in the long-disused -mail of his ancestors. A noble figure he looked, too, as he stood -beside Seymour, smiling at the strangeness of the suit to his -limbs.</p> - - <p>“Tin suits seem to be the fashion,” Haverly remarked with a grin -to Wilson.</p> - - <p>“They save washing, you know,” returned the latter. “But, -seriously, Silas, what the dickens is this metal? Armour, weapons, -locks, and everything else seems to be made of the same non-rusting -stuff, and it’s a lot harder than steel. If you remember, the -wolf-men’s spears are the same; but what it is I know no more than -Adam.”</p> - - <p>“I allow I ain’t in a position to enlighten you,” the millionaire -returned; “get it above ground, though, and there’s a fortune in it. I -guess we’ll call it ‘Mervynite,’ in honour of the professor.”</p> - - <p>“What’s that?” the scientist asked at the mention of his -name.</p> - - <p>“Silas suggests calling this new metal ‘Mervynite,’” Wilson -replied.</p> - - <p>The professor shook his head with a laugh.</p> - - <p>“You do me too much honour,” he said; “but now let us investigate -further,” and he passed into the hall of the dead.</p> - - <p>Here, however, none cared to remain long, and, after a brief -examination of this and the next vault, which was devoted to the same -purpose, they passed through the tunnel on to the pavement of the -reservoir. The vastness of this work astonished them, and they would -fain have explored the whole of the great cavern wherein the water was -stored, but that prudence compelled them to return. They dared not -leave the terrace long unguarded, lest their enemies should surprise -them.</p> - - <p>“See, you mentioned a plan, Seymour?” Mervyn remarked, as they -returned to the temple; “where did you put it?”</p> - - <p>“It’s here,” answered the baronet, producing the casket from the -breast of his suit. “There are some hieroglyphics on the front; -perhaps you can manage to read ’em. I must confess they’re beyond -me.”</p> - - <p>The scientist’s hand trembled as he took the parchment from its -case.</p> - - <p>Spreading it out on the temple floor, he knelt down and perused -it eagerly for a few seconds. Then a glad cry broke from his lips:</p> - - <p>“It’s the key, Seymour! The explanation to all the mystery! -Listen, and I will read.”</p> - - <p>Forthwith the scientist commenced to read from the faded -manuscript, his eyes glowing with enthusiasm as he translated the -strange Ayuti signs.</p> - - <p>“The scroll of Neomri,” he began, “son of Nazra, of the House of -Lauma, chief priests of Ramouni since the beginning of all -things.”</p> - - <p>At the mention of the strange names Chenobi’s eyes flashed, and, -drawing nearer, he glanced over Mervyn’s shoulder as he went on:</p> - - <p>“To him that readeth, greeting. Let it be known to you that the -priestly scroll wherein was set down all that befel since the first -days was destroyed by an evil chance in the hour when the judgment of -Ramouni was visited upon his people. Yet such of that which was -therein writ as hath come to my knowledge, I here set down.</p> - - <p>“In the beginning Ayuti was a mighty kingdom, wherein ruled many -mighty princes. Fair was the land to look upon, and Ramouni warmed it -with the beams from his all-seeing eye. Day by day arose the prayers -and incense of the priests, that the smile of Ramouni should not be -removed from his people. And it was well with the land, for the people -were content.</p> - - <p>“Yet it fell that, as the years went by, they grew careless, -attending not to the voice of the priests, nor hearkening to their -counsel. Empty was the temple of Ramouni; neither was the sound of -worship heard any more before the altar. In sloth were the days -passed, and in revelry the nights. Then Ramouni waxed wroth, and hid -his face from his people, and a thick cloud of smoke arose from the -earth many days, whereby much people were choked. The waters of the -sea, also, overflowed the land, and vast rents appeared in the face of -the earth. The earth quaked exceedingly, and there were sounds like -unto thunder. So for many days it continued.</p> - - <p>“Then the remnant which was left, being but three score male and -female, fled unto the refuge of the dead fire-mountain, whence they -dared not come forth again, for the land of my people was become a -desert, wherein grew no green thing. And it chanced that they found a -passage in the heart of the mountain and ventured therein. Three days -they journeyed, and on the fourth the passage ended. Before them was -darkness; but, being like to starve for food, they were bold, and -lowered a rope, down which one was sent and found firm ground -below.</p> - - <p>“Then sent they down a second, that the twain might search out -the land. In a while they returned, telling that they had seen a great -jungle of fearsome-looking plants wherein abode many monstrous beasts. -Caring not so that they might find a place to dwell in and withal food -to eat, the rest went down into this strange land. My hand groweth -weary to write of all they suffered hereafter; how they found the -fearsome barbarians which dwelt in the land; of the mighty beasts they -fought and overcame. They grew and multiplied into an exceeding great -people, taking unto themselves as slaves many of the barbarians, who, -for all their loathsome appearance, were willing enough to obey.</p> - - <p>“Unto these my people taught the language of Ayuti, they having -no speech of their own save queer howling cries, like unto the voice -of a wolf, for the which cause called they them ‘Wolf-people,’ being -of a mind that they were perchance arisen from wolves.”</p> - - <p>Here Mervyn paused and shook his head decidedly.</p> - - <p>“I guess the evolution theory’s considerable older than we -thought,” said Haverly, “accordin’ to that. But wade in, Mervyn; the -old man can tell a decent yarn.”</p> - - <p>Once more the scientist bent over the manuscript:</p> - - <p>“With the aid of these their slaves my people builded a great -city of stone, and in the midst a mighty temple to Ramouni. An image -also they built, carven cunningly, and set it up that it might face -the passage through which they came. And each day the light of Ramouni -fell upon the eye of the image.</p> - - <p>“Hereafter they found a strange metal which they digged from the -heart of the hills. And they made great mines, and set up machines for -the working of the metal; and they prospered. The strongest among them -chose they for king, and Bazoo, of the House of Lauma, was priest in -the temple of Ramouni. Now it fell that, as time passed, the -wolf-people whom they kept for slaves grew in cunning as they grew in -numbers. A mighty people they were, that knew not fear.</p> - - <p>“And an Ayuti, Nordhu by name, an evil-doer, roused them to -rebel; and at a time when the people of the city held high revel, the -slaves armed themselves, and, falling upon their masters, slew them -all, save a few. From these latter I, even Neomri, am descended, being -born to Madro, wife of Nazra.</p> - - <p>“While I write the fear is upon me that ere long our race will be -nought but a name; for we be but a few, in all not more than a score, -and we hide amid the ruins of our city, fearing the creatures which -once were our slaves. Yet I would that our race might be preserved, -for we are an ancient people. Nevertheless, let the will of Ramouni be -done.”</p> - - <p>The scientist’s voice trailed away into silence, and he sat -pondering for a while over what he had read.</p> - - <p>“The old chap’s a bit disappointing,” Seymour broke in at length. -“He says nothing of the existence of this phosphorescent liquid, nor -yet of the bell which tolls when the sunlight strikes the idol’s -eye.”</p> - - <p>“He says enough to prove my theory,” Mervyn replied abstractedly; -“save that it was a volcanic outbreak, and not an incursion of -enemies, which drove them to the shelter of the crater, my theory is -identical with the story on this manuscript. Nordhu, the priest, must -be the descendant of Nordhu the evil-doer, mentioned here. The caverns -in the hills are undoubtedly the ancient mines in which the wolf-men -would take up their habitation after the massacre. We may also take it -for granted that the work still carried on down there is the making of -this same strange metal.”</p> - - <p>“Mervynite?” Haverly put in.</p> - - <p>“Yes, Mervynite, if you like, Silas,” returned the scientist with -a smile.</p> - - <p>“Talking of Nordhu,” remarked the baronet, “reminds me that we -must decide on the fate of our prisoner.”</p> - - <p>Turning, he spoke for some moments with Chenobi.</p> - - <p>“The king says the priest may choose the manner of his death,” he -announced.</p> - - <p>“Must he die?” Mervyn questioned, his mild nature revolting -against the idea of an execution.</p> - - <p>“He must die!” repeated Seymour sternly. “Both Chenobi and I have -sworn it. The fiend murdered our friend’s brother, and it was not his -fault he did not add our names to his list of victims. God alone knows -how many poor wretches he has sacrificed to that devilish spider! So -vile a monster is not fit to live.”</p> - - <p>Although his own good judgment told him that Nordhu merited -death, yet the idea of executing him could not be other than repugnant -to the scientist’s nature. It seemed too much like cold-blooded -murder.</p> - - <p>“But——” he began again.</p> - - <p>“No ‘buts,’ if you please,” retorted the baronet sharply; “his -death is decided upon. It only remains for him to choose the manner of -it. Come, Chenobi, let us bring our prisoner forth.”</p> - - <p>Together the two men left the temple. Once more Chenobi touched -the spring in the masonry; then, as the door swung open, a savage cry -burst from his lips. The chamber was empty—<i>Nordhu had -vanished!</i></p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_31" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXXI.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>“THE <i>SEAL!”</i></h3> - - <p class="noindent">T<span class="smtx">HE</span> way of the -priest’s escape became clear at once. In the rear wall of the chamber -a small door stood ajar.</p> - - <p>“I thought not that he knew of the passage,” the Ayuti hissed; -“but he shall not escape. Take you the hounds, Fairhair, and follow. I -know whereto this passage leads, and will ride round upon Muswani to -cut him off.”</p> - - <p>Within five minutes the pursuit was in full swing. The hounds -were loping down the passage on the trail of Nordhu, with the -explorers close behind, while the king was galloping away from the -city on his elk, hoping to intercept the flying priest.</p> - - <p>“Say,” exclaimed Haverly, “I guess this temple must be kinder -honeycombed with passages.”</p> - - <p>“It’s a wonderful building,” returned Mervyn. “These passages are -doubtless arranged for the convenience of the -priests——”</p> - - <p>“Nordhu must have the devil’s own cunning to have found that -secret door,” interrupted Seymour savagely; “But he won’t escape for -all his wiles. If the hounds get hold of him he’ll have short -shrift.”</p> - - <p>Down a flight of stairs the pursuers went, the great hounds -making the passage ring with their baying; then on once more, the -tunnel twisting and winding in such a fashion that neither of the -friends had the least idea of the direction in which they were moving. -Little they cared, however, so that they might again lay hands on the -fugitive priest, who, should he succeed in effecting his escape, would -assuredly once again attempt their destruction. His capture was a -necessity if they would ever find their missing comrade and the -vessel; for, with Nordhu at liberty, plotting their ruin, they would -not dare venture forth to search for the <i>Seal.</i> So they put -forth every effort in the chase, hoping at each bend of the passage -they turned to come in sight of their quarry.</p> - - <p>But Nordhu appeared to have obtained too good a start. The -pursuers were beginning to think that, after all, they should lose -him, when, rounding a curve swiftly, they pulled up in sheer -astonishment.</p> - - <p>Scarce twenty feet away, his gleaming jewel flashing a challenge -to Seymour’s, stood the man they sought. Beside him was a great lever, -upon which his hand rested, and at his feet in the floor of the tunnel -yawned a hole some six feet in width. Close to the near edge of this -crouched the hounds, their ferocity overcome by the hypnotic power of -the priest.</p> - - <p>At once the pursuers became watchful. What card was Nordhu about -to play? they wondered. What devilish trick was he about to perform? -The priest’s face puckered up into a savage grin as he noted the -hesitation of his enemies.</p> - - <p>“Why do ye not come on?” he cried ironically; “art afraid? I have -waited to bid ye farewell, thinking perchance ye might grieve did I -leave you without.”</p> - - <p>Seymour’s face was distorted with fury as he gazed upon the -priest. Scarcely could he control the mad passion which bade him rush -forward and grip the grinning fiend. But what was that hole in the -floor? What was the lever? That Nordhu was about to spring some -diabolical trick upon them was certain, and the thought checked the -baronet’s murderous desire. So for a space they remained, pursuers and -fugitive glaring at each other with a world of hatred in their eyes, -yet neither making a move.</p> - - <p>Then once more the priest spoke:</p> - - <p>“Since ye will not join me, I will go. Fare ye well until I -return with my warriors to destroy ye.”</p> - - <p>He laughed mockingly, and at that Seymour, losing control of his -temper, leapt forward. Quick as thought Nordhu flung over the lever -beside him, and at once, from the roof of the tunnel, a cataract of -liquid light began to fall, plunging into the hole in the floor.</p> - - <p>“Wilt follow now?” snarled the voice of the priest above the boom -and splash of the falling light.</p> - - <p>“Jupiter!” gasped the Yankee. “Checkmate!”</p> - - <p>Ay! checkmate it was! for who dared attempt to pass that gleaming -curtain after Chenobi’s warning as to its deadly power. Nordhu had -played his card and played it well.</p> - - <p>With a laugh of triumph he turned and strode down the tunnel, -leaving his pursuers standing helpless and amazed at his -handiwork.</p> - - <p>“I almost feel inclined to risk it,” growled Seymour, as the -sound of the priest’s footsteps died away.</p> - - <p>“You must not,” cried Mervyn excitedly; “remember what the king -said, as——”</p> - - <p>But there was no need for the scientist to reiterate Chenobi’s -warning.</p> - - <p>While yet the words trembled on his lips the fact that the Ayuti -had not exaggerated the terrible power of the liquid light was brought -to the notice of all in a fearful manner.</p> - - <p>Released from the fascination of the priest, the hounds had again -grown restless, baying clamorously, yet not daring to venture near the -curtain of falling light. Suddenly, while Mervyn spoke, from far away -came a cry, faint, but easily recognisable as the voice of Nordhu. At -the sound one of the dogs made a rash spring forward, as though he -would have plunged through the cataract on the trail of the priest. -Over the brink of the hole he leapt, his fore-paws outstretched, but -touched the fringe of the falling liquid; then he was shrivelled up -into a shapeless black mass, and was swept downward by the -cataract.</p> - - <p>“Great Heaven!” the scientist cried: “poor brute!”</p> - - <p>The other hounds, awed by the fate of their fellow, drew back -whining.</p> - - <p>“What a fearful power!” Wilson exclaimed. “It must be some form -of electricity, I should imagine.”</p> - - <p>“I guess the Ayuti didn’t pile it on a bit too thick when he said -it was death to touch it,” announced Silas; “but let’s get a move on. -We’ll have to follow the trail of the elk now, and we may be in at the -death, after all, if we flicker.”</p> - - <p>With that they all turned and retraced their steps to the altar -chamber. Then, descending to the square, they set the two remaining -hounds on the trail of Muswani.</p> - - <p>“I reckon,” Haverly averred, as they passed through the city -gate, “as Nordhu’s a man of resources. He ought to be a financier. -There’s not a blamed <i>coup</i> but what he could bring off.”</p> - - <p>“He’s the craftiest brute I ever had dealings with,” returned -Seymour; “but I think he’s about at the end of his tether. By this -time Chenobi should have reached the end of the passage, and, if so, -Nordhu will regret the bravado that inspired him to wait and bid ‘us -farewell,’ as he put it.”</p> - - <p>“How he comes to know the secrets of the temple so well puzzles -me,” admitted Mervyn. “His knowledge of the workings of the place -seems almost unlimited.”</p> - - <p>“You can bet he’s used that passage before,” remarked the -American; “perhaps to sneak into the city on some throat-slitting job -or other; but I reckon he’ll have to be real cute to get away from -Chenobi. Say, we’ll have to accelerate the pace considerable if we’re -to see this job through,” and he set the example by striding forward -briskly.</p> - - <p>Over the plain they went for perhaps a couple of hours, close at -the heels of the hounds, until the sound of the sea came to their -ears, the booming of waves against the rocks.</p> - - <p>“Great Scott!” the baronet exclaimed; “I did not know we were so -near the sea.”</p> - - <p>“We may see something of the <i>Seal,”</i> suggested Wilson, his -heart leaping at the thought.</p> - - <p>“I shouldn’t reckon on it,” replied Silas; “this underground sea -appears to be fairly large, and there’s heaps of room for the old boat -to get lost if Garth ain’t careful where he’s steering.”</p> - - <p>“You don’t think the submarine’s come to grief?” queried the -engineer anxiously.</p> - - <p>“I think nothing,” was the reply, “but, what with wolf-men ashore -and ichthyosauri afloat, I reckon our pard must be havin’ a hot -time.”</p> - - <p>Now the trail led down to the beach, and, swinging sharp to the -right after the hounds, the party passed beneath the shadow of an -immense cliff.</p> - - <p>“Who goes?” cried a voice in Ayuti, and Chenobi stepped forward -from an angle of the rock. He checked the noise of the hounds with a -gesture, and turned to his friends with an air of surprise.</p> - - <p>“Where is Nordhu?” he asked. “I have waited here long for ye to -drive him forth, but he hath not emerged.”</p> - - <p>Forthwith Seymour explained all that had happened, and told of -the cry they had heard, at which the hound had leapt to his death.</p> - - <p>“The priest hath doubtless met with some mischance,” Chenobi -asserted. “Come; we will enter the passage.”</p> - - <p>Moving a few paces along the cliff base, he turned into a dark -opening. Ere the others could follow, however, he leapt back with a -startled cry, as a dark figure appeared at the tunnel end.</p> - - <p>It was the priest.</p> - - <p>His one hand, uplifted above his head, held a small, shrivelled -brown ball, and his whole attitude was so menacing that the explorers -involuntarily stepped back a pace.</p> - - <p>“Back!” the king cried, his eyes fixed upon Nordhu’s hand; “’tis -the thunder-ball!”</p> - - <p>“Move not,” snarled the priest; “I have somewhat to say ere I -destroy ye. Thought ye to trap me in the tunnel, dogs? I tell you ye -know not the resources of Nordhu. Ye are but babes.” Then, with a -change of tone, he went on, “Why do ye pit yourselves against me? I -offered you life for the secret of your fire-weapons, and ye would not -take it. I offer you again. Join me; make my people into a strong -race; teach them of your knowledge, and ye shall be rulers and kings -among them. What say ye?”</p> - - <p>“No, you devil!” thundered the baronet in a fury, “a thousand -times, no! Think ye we would have dealings with a monster foul as you, -who can take pleasure in sacrificing helpless prisoners to the -appetite of the devilish Rahee? Truly you have no lack of -conceit.”</p> - - <p>“Hath he spoken for all of ye?” demanded the priest calmly, not a -whit moved by this outburst. “Do all of ye choose death rather than -life?”</p> - - <p>“We choose nothing,” retorted Mervyn; “you are in our power. What -is to prevent us slaying you?”</p> - - <p>An evil grin spread over Nordhu’s features.</p> - - <p>“This,” he cried, shaking aloft the ball he held, and at the -movement the face of Chenobi grew pale as death; “the thunder-ball. -’Twill shatter you to fragments in a moment, if I but cast it at your -feet.”</p> - - <p>“Great Heaven!” whispered Mervyn to the baronet, “it’s a dried -puff-ball! We must be careful.”</p> - - <p>“Now hearken,” the priest went on; “step backward to the water’s -edge and cast your weapons into the sea. Have a care”—as Seymour -made a threatening movement—“I am not minded to destroy myself -with ye, yet will I do that rather than fall again into your -hands.”</p> - - <p>“I guess he’s got the drop on us,” Haverly growled, as the -scientist translated the priest’s command; “we’ll have to do as he -says.”</p> - - <p>In silence the party obeyed the order, though their hearts burned -with shame at their humiliating position. As the last weapon splashed -into the heaving water, Nordhu advanced from the tunnel, walking with -a slight limp. The hounds, who had retreated with their master, whined -piteously as the priest moved over the beach. Their terror of the man -seemed to overcome all their natural courage.</p> - - <p>“Stand where ye are,” Nordhu called, “and make no attempt to -follow me, or ’twill be the worse for ye.”</p> - - <p>So the adventurers stood, and watched him toil painfully across -the shingle. Evidently he had fallen and injured himself in the -tunnel, at the time when the four had heard his cry. Towards the plain -they had crossed so recently he stumbled.</p> - - <p>“Curse it! we’ve lost him!” muttered Seymour savagely, as the -light of the priest’s jewel faded from view; then suddenly a savage -bellow rang out of the darkness.</p> - - <p>“’Tis Muswani,” cried the Ayuti; “I had forgotten him. He is -loose on the plain, and has doubtless attacked the priest.”</p> - - <p>An instant later the bellow was repeated, and the priest -reappeared, scuttling down to the water’s edge with the giant elk -pounding along behind him, mad with fury. Here was a factor in the -game for which Nordhu was not prepared. If he used his explosive ball -to destroy the great elk, he would be defenceless against his human -foes, and he well knew that he would receive but scant mercy from -them. Therefore he took to the water, hoping to swim out beyond sight -of the Ayuti’s bellicose steed; then return to the shore at a point -some considerable distance away.</p> - - <p>“Good old hoss!” Silas cried, as the elk plunged into the water -after his escaping foe; but his sentence broke off into a gasp of -amazement as a hoarse shout broke from the engineer:</p> - - <p>“The <i>Seal!</i> The <i>Seal!”</i></p> - - <p>Far away over the tumbling crests of the incoming waves shone a -bright light—the searchlight of the <i>Seal.</i></p> - - <p><a name="illustration_08" id="illustration_08" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;"></a></p> - - <p class="noindent"><img src="images/illo_08.jpg" alt="Illustration #8"/></p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_32" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXXII.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE DOOM OF NORDHU.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">F<span class="smtx">OR</span> a while the thing -seemed too good to be true. As the light drew nearer, however, and the -explorers saw that it really came from their vessel, their -thankfulness knew no bounds. All else was forgotten. The movements of -Nordhu, their enemy, ceased to interest them any longer. They had eyes -for nothing but the approaching vessel.</p> - - <p>Rapidly Seymour acquainted the king with the state of affairs, -and Chenobi seemed as pleased as anyone at the turn things had taken. -He was eager as a child to see the strange vessel that moved without -oars, but his fury against the priest remained unappeased. Nordhu had -escaped his vengeance for the time, and the hate that was in his heart -was increased ten-fold by the temporary check.</p> - - <p>That it was other than temporary he would not for a moment -believe, and he waited impatiently for the fugitive swimmer to turn -for the shore. He would grapple with him ere he could land, and then -let him use his thunder-ball if he would.</p> - - <p>Had Chenobi been alone when Nordhu appeared at the tunnel-mouth, -there is not the least doubt he would have attacked him despite the -explosive he held, and in that case both would have perished together; -but the thought that his four friends would be destroyed also had -deterred the Ayuti from this course.</p> - - <p>Nearer drew the <i>Seal,</i> and ere long the explorers saw with -surprise that her deck was crowded with figures. The truth burst upon -them with appalling suddenness. <i>Their vessel was in the hands of -the wolf-men!</i></p> - - <p>The swimming priest noted the fact quite as soon as they did, and -altered his course a little to intercept the slowly-moving boat. Soon -he was alongside, and the willing hands of his savages quickly hauled -him aboard.</p> - - <p>A groan burst from Mervyn’s lips. Nordhu was winning all along -the line.</p> - - <p>“What have they done with Garth?” Wilson cried, with a break in -his voice.</p> - - <p>“Heaven knows!” snapped Haverly savagely; “that darned priest has -put us in a tight corner. Here we are, with never a toothpick among -us, and a boatload of niggers coming ashore in a brace of shakes.”</p> - - <p>“They mean to beach her, by the look of things,” cried Seymour; -then, turning, he whispered something to the Ayuti, who nodded -affirmatively.</p> - - <p>Three minutes later the <i>Seal</i> came ashore with a rush, and -buried her nose in the sand. Ere her plates had ceased to quiver, -Chenobi and the baronet swung themselves aboard, and were raging along -the deck with no weapons but their mailed fists.</p> - - <p>This state of things did not last long, however. Quickly they -wrenched the spears from the hands of two of their enemies, and fell -to with these weapons with a fury born of desperation. On their -efforts, they knew, depended not alone their own lives but those of -their friends, who, in their entirely defenceless condition, would -fall an easy prey to the wolf-men.</p> - - <p>So they raged up and down the deck amid that shrieking mob of -savages, cutting and stabbing with merciless vigour. One thing puzzled -them: Nordhu was nowhere visible, and to his absence they doubtless -owed the halfhearted resistance which they encountered.</p> - - <p>The baronet fought with a definite object—to break his way -through to the turret, around which the wolf-men were clustered the -thickest, and obtain possession of a rifle. With one in his hands he -knew he could quickly drive the wolfish horde from the vessel’s deck, -so he strained every nerve to accomplish his purpose.</p> - - <p>And nobly did the king second his efforts.</p> - - <p>Back and forth they stamped and drove, yet ever pressing on -towards their goal; ever struggling towards the open door of the -wheelhouse.</p> - - <p>They reached it at length. A final rush, a last savage charge, -and they were through the ring of savages, within the shelter of the -turret. A moment’s breathing space they allowed themselves, then -Seymour snatched down the elephant gun, which still rested, loaded, on -its rack, and fired both barrels into the surging mass of savagery -without the doorway. Two dropped, and the rest, with a terror-stricken -cry, fell back hastily.</p> - - <p>Quick as thought, the baronet whipped up a couple of loaded -revolvers, and sallied forth, determined to complete the discomfiture -of the enemy. Not to be outdone, Chenobi cast his eyes round for a -more serviceable weapon than his spear, finding what he sought at last -in an axe. Gripping this, he followed his friend, and, shouting his -thunderous war-cry, hurled himself into the midst of his foes.</p> - - <p>His attack was the last straw. Unable, with their ignorant -brains, to comprehend the apparently invulnerable nature of their two -foes; awed, moreover, by the baronet’s firearms, the wolf-men turned, -leapt the rail, and dashed across the beach in a frenzy of fear, with -the hounds snarling savagely at their heels.</p> - - <p>Scarcely had the last left the deck, ere the scientist and his -two friends were aboard.</p> - - <p>“It was magnificent!” Mervyn exclaimed, “magnificent! Never have -I witnessed such a fight. You should have been a soldier, -Seymour.”</p> - - <p>The baronet laughed as he removed his heavy helmet, and mopped -his brow with a handkerchief borrowed from the Yankee.</p> - - <p>“The War Office might object to my fighting in chain mail,” he -remarked. “Steady there!”—as Wilson made a move for the -turret—“Nordhu must be below there somewhere. We must go slow, -or the brute will be blowing the boat up.”</p> - - <p>“But he may be murdering Garth,” the engineer cried, “while we -stand here talking.”</p> - - <p>At that moment the priest appeared at the door of the wheelhouse. -Probably the cessation of hostilities had brought him on deck; but he -had evidently never expected to see the vessel in possession of the -men whom he had left without weapons upon the beach. No doubt he -thought his savages would be able to repel all attacks of the unarmed -white strangers and their gigantic friend. How bitter was his chagrin, -the expression of his face showed. Even then, however, trapped though -he appeared to be, he made one last bid for life.</p> - - <p>Like a flash he darted across the deck, no trace of a limp -apparent in his movements. Past Haverly and Mervyn—both of whom -were standing somewhat apart from the rest—he dashed; but -unwilling to let him escape, the scientist grabbed at his robe. Like -the wolf he was at heart, Nordhu swung round, and a weapon flashed -from beneath his mantle.</p> - - <p>With a hoarse cry of warning, the Yankee leapt forward. The next -instant the report of a revolver rang out, and Haverly dropped with a -sob, the blood welling up from a wound in his breast.</p> - - <p>The priest, with diabolical cunning, had discovered the secret of -the fire-weapons, and had used it to some purpose. But it was his last -effort. His time had come!</p> - - <p>With a bound Chenobi was upon him; his weapon was hurled over the -rail, and the mailed hand of the Ayuti gripped his neck. An effort of -the king’s mighty muscles, hardened to steel by the lust for vengeance -which gripped him, and the head of the priest was bent backward. A -scream of agony burst from Nordhu’s lips, but the merciless pressure -was continued until, like a rotten stick, his neck snapped, and he -dropped lifeless to the deck.</p> - - <p>Chenobi’s brother was avenged!</p> - - <p>But though the priest was dead, his fell work remained. The -plucky American, who had saved Mervyn’s life by risking his own, lay -bleeding and unconscious where he had fallen, and at first glance -there seemed little hope of his recovery. Badly wounded he was, -without a doubt, whether mortally or not remained to be seen.</p> - - <p>Tenderly they carried him below, inwardly cursing the dead priest -who had brought him to the gates of death. Even their fear for the -missing inventor was swallowed up by that for Haverly.</p> - - <p>They could not bear to think of losing their cheery friend, their -comrade in so many dangers, and anxiously they awaited the result of -the scientist’s examination.</p> - - <p>“Leave me a while,” the scientist murmured brokenly at length, -and at that the three stole forth, moving silent as spectres to the -engine-room, to look for Garth.</p> - - <p>The Ayuti noted everything with wonder: the rich carpet which -covered the floor of the corridor; the numerous cabins on either side, -of the furniture of which he could catch a glimpse through the partly -open doors.</p> - - <p>All had been rifled by the savages. Drawers and chests had been -overthrown, lockers burst open, and their contents strewn about the -floors. The usual spick-and-span condition of the boat, due to the -care of the inventor, was conspicuous by its absence.</p> - - <p>It was with a dread gripping their hearts as to what they should -find within, that they opened the engine-room door, and at first their -worst fears seemed realised.</p> - - <p>Beside his engines, motionless as the gleaming cranks themselves, -lay Garth, his head in a puddle of rapidly-congealing blood. With a -low, fearful cry, Wilson flung himself down beside his friend, -anxiously feeling for the beating of his heart.</p> - - <p>“Thank God!” he muttered at last, “he lives!” and, without -wasting further words, set to work to restore the unconscious man.</p> - - <p>Half an hour passed ere Garth came round, and then so weak was he -from loss of blood, that the engineer insisted on him retiring at once -to his berth. Only when he was sleeping soundly did the comrades -return to the cabin where Haverly lay.</p> - - <p>With their eyes asking the question they dared not put into -words, they approached the professor, who still watched beside his -patient; and surely, never was prisoner more glad to receive reprieve, -than they to hear Mervyn’s verdict: “He will live.”</p> - - <p>Almost Seymour leapt for joy as he heard the words; but, -remembering in time the need for absolute quiet, he restrained -himself, and returned with Chenobi to the deck, there to use his -superfluous energy in casting overboard the carcases of the slain -wolf-men and their priest. That done, he and the engineer turned their -attention to getting the <i>Seal</i> afloat again, as while she -remained ashore they were exposed to the constant danger of an attack -by the savages; and this, while Haverly’s condition was so serious, -they wished to avoid, if possible.</p> - - <p>By taking the tide at its flood, they managed to effect their -purpose, their actions being keenly watched by the Ayuti. Then, when -the vessel was once more in her natural element, they deemed -themselves more secure.</p> - - <p>“Now to get out of this mail,” said Seymour; “it’s a little too -heavy for general use, though very handy in a scrap. Wilson, just keep -your weather eye lifting on deck here, while I get into some decent -togs.”</p> - - <p>Presently the baronet was once more decently clothed, rejoicing -in the luxury of clean linen. As for the king, he had perforce to be -content with his mail suit, Seymour’s wardrobe containing nothing that -would fit his huge limbs, which fact, however, did not inconvenience -Chenobi in the least.</p> - - <p>Their first meal aboard the recovered vessel was one they never -forgot. Wilson, ever an adept at the culinary art, had surpassed -himself. The saloon table literally groaned beneath the weight of good -things; it sparkled with cut-glass and silver. At its head sat the -grey-haired scientist, who had left his patient sleeping easily under -the influence of a soothing draught. On his right hand sat Seymour and -the Ayuti, the latter a strange-looking figure in his armour, amongst -the luxurious modern furnishings of the saloon. The electric light -gleamed and flashed on his mail at every movement he made, and his -jewel, the insignia of his royal rank, which he had not removed, -seemed almost to rival in brilliance the glare of the great arc lamp -set in the ceiling above.</p> - - <p>Everything was, of course, very strange to him. Food, vessels, -and cutlery were alike unknown to him; yet, realising he must conform -to the habits of his new-found friends, if he would dwell with them in -their upper world, he laid aside his gauntlets, and closely followed -the example of Seymour.</p> - - <p>On Mervyn’s left sat Wilson, his eyes aglow with delight at being -once more aboard his beloved vessel. Judging that the wolf-men were -not likely to make another attack for some time, the lad had decided -to let the <i>Seal</i> take care of herself for a time, merely locking -the turret door as a precaution.</p> - - <p>So the glasses clinked merrily, and the saloon rang with subdued -laughter as the meal went on.</p> - - <p>Towards the end, Mervyn rose.</p> - - <p>“Gentlemen,” he began, “we shall all be truly sorry to leave the -vessel that has served us so well and faithfully. She has become to us -as a dear friend; yet to effect our escape from this underworld, it -will be necessary for us to desert her. We shall have to remain aboard -awhile, until Haverly is sufficiently recovered to undertake the -journey to the crater; then we must say good-bye to the -<i>Seal.”</i></p> - - <p>“We must sink her before we start inland,” said Seymour. “I -should not like to think of the old craft being in the hands of the -wolf-men. How long do you think it will be before Silas is anything -like himself again?”</p> - - <p>“I cannot tell,” returned the scientist, huskily. “He has had a -very narrow escape from death, but I do not doubt that his splendid -constitution will enable him to get about ere long. I shall be -eternally in his debt: but for his heroic sacrifice, I should have -fallen victim to Nordhu’s murderous hate.”</p> - - <p>“I have a toast to propose,” he continued, after a few moments’ -silence, filling his glass as he spoke, “To our American friend: may -he speedily be restored to his usual health!”</p> - - <p>While they drank to this, there came a scampering of feet upon -the deck overhead, succeeded by a chorus of barks. The hounds, -returned from the chase of the savages, had swum out to the vessel, -and were clamouring for admittance at the turret door.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_33" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXXIII.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>THE INVENTOR’S STORY.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">“I<span class="smtx"> RECKON</span> it ’ud be -powerful interesting to hear how you’ve been pegging along since -Wilson left you.”</p> - - <p>Haverly’s voice was little more than a whisper as he spoke these -words. He was mending rapidly, but he had not yet got about again, and -the inventor, who had long since recovered from his injuries, was -taking a spell below to bear him company.</p> - - <p>“Would you care to hear the yarn?” the inventor asked.</p> - - <p>“I guess I would,” was the reply.</p> - - <p>“Well, you see,” Garth began, “I was below when Wilson was -attacked, attending to the damages we had sustained in our fight with -the icthyosaurus. He will have told you of that?”</p> - - <p>Silas nodded.</p> - - <p>“Suddenly I heard the report of a revolver, and judging that -something was wrong, I raced upstairs. You can guess my feelings when -I saw Tom being carted away by some great flying creature. For a time -I think I almost went mad. I raved up and down the deck like a maniac, -cursing everything and everybody in this confounded underworld.</p> - - <p>“As my frenzy lessened, I realised the futility of my blind rage, -and returned to my task, with a heart heavy for the loss of my chum. -For, you know, I did not doubt that Tom was as good as dead; I never -dreamed that he would be able to escape from the clutches of the -brute—whatever it was—which had carried him off. How I -finished those repairs I don’t know, but finish them I did at last, -and backing the old <i>Seal</i> off the beach, pushed her along up the -coast. My movements were entirely aimless. I imagined that all of you -were lost; that I alone was left of our party in this ghostly hole of -a place, so I took little heed to my course, or perhaps I may have -been spared one of the most fearful experiences that’s ever tumbled my -way.</p> - - <p>“For how long I steered on I cannot tell, but it must have been -for a considerable time. I had long since passed the river-mouth where -I was washed ashore when I escaped from the savages. Upon my right was -a line of towering cliffs, rising sheer from the water’s edge, for -perhaps three hundred feet or so. I was keeping well out from shore on -account of the presence of numerous sunken rocks, whose jagged crests -showed just a few inches below the surface of the water. Suddenly, -rounding a rocky headland, the <i>Seal</i> swept into a sheltered bay, -a splendid natural harbour in the heart of the cliffs, and here I -determined to stay for a while. The cliffs precluded all chance of -attack from shore, and the narrow entrance of the bay was sufficient -guard against the visit of another saurian, though at the moment I -doubt if I should have cared much had one appeared, so apathetic had I -grown. But I paid clearly for my carelessness.</p> - - <p>“As I brought the vessel to, I never noticed that the surface of -the water around was covered with great floating masses of a -jelly-like substance. This fact was only brought to my notice when I -saw the deck swarming with what I took to be jelly-fish. The presence -of the creatures did not trouble me, however, and feeling weary, I -securely locked the turret door, and went below for a time.</p> - - <p>“I must have slept for about three hours then, on returning to -the wheelhouse, I discovered that the jelly-fish still swarmed the -deck, being if anything thicker than before. ‘I’ll soon get rid of -these things,’ I thought, and stepping down to the engine-room, set -the engines going at ten knots. Half a dozen revolutions they made, -then stopped, nor could I get them to go again. Evidently the -propellers were fouled by the slimy creatures.</p> - - <p>“‘Beastly nuisance!’ I muttered, and picking up an axe, sallied -forth to get rid of the encumbrance. Two steps I took on the slippery -masses which covered the deck-plates, then slipped, only just saving -myself from falling. I must be more careful, I decided, and commenced -to pick my way as best I could amid the greasy things which squelched -beneath my feet at every step. A sickening odour filled the air, -indescribably offensive, and this, added to the sight of the things, -almost made me ill. I clambered out to the extreme point, just above -the screws, and from there I could see that the water for many feet -below the surface was alive with the jelly-fish. They hung in great -knotted masses from the stern of the vessel; the propellers were -completely smothered beneath a score or so of the things, and I saw at -once that to get rid of them by means of the axe was absolutely -impossible.</p> - - <p>“‘What other way, then’? I thought. Almost as soon as I framed -the question, into my mind swept the answer. Electricity! Ay, that was -the way. I would connect a couple of wires with the dynamo of the -searchlight, and bury the ends in the mass of jelly which prevented -the <i>Seal</i> from moving. Turning to retrace my steps to the -turret, I slipped again, and this time I fell full length.</p> - - <p>“The sensation of feeling oneself sprawling on that mass of -corruption was a thing to be remembered, I can assure you, but when I -felt the ghastly things beginning to swarm over my body, I almost -squealed. Their suckers seemed to grip my flesh through the clothes, -and burnt like hot iron. I struggled hard to rise, but the creatures -sprawled over me in scores, fairly covering me beneath their flabby -masses, and holding me down to the deck by their suction. Yet I did -not feel alarmed; it was an unpleasant situation—nothing more. -No thought of possible peril to life, no fear of death came to me, -until the things began to cover my head and to swarm over my face. -Then, you may take it for granted, I began to feel a bit sick.</p> - - <p>“All this time, mark you, I was struggling with all my might to -shake the brutes off, and to rise from my loathsome bed, but I could -not. Those slimy things held me more firmly than a vice. I was fairly -trapped, and it seemed to me as though I was to be slowly suffocated, -despite all my efforts, beneath that hideous mass of blubber. Then -suddenly, to my ears came the howl of the wolf-men, and never was -sound more welcome. The manner of their approach, of course, I could -not tell, neither did I care, so that they tore away the clinging -jelly masses which were smothering me. Better, I thought, to be -prisoner in the hands of savages than in my present position.</p> - - <p>“So I redoubled my efforts, gaining little by little, however, -save that my struggles attracted the notice of the wolf-men. -Presently, I felt the slimy creatures upon my back torn from their -hold; I was dragged roughly to my feet. Rubbing the slime from my -eyes, I observed that the deck was simply swarming with savages, who -had evidently boarded from two skin boats which were floating -alongside. These were engaged in slashing up the jelly-fish, -wholesale, with their spears, and flinging them overboard. The twain -who had released me from my predicament I at once recognised as two of -my former captives, and by the evil grin which lit up their features I -conjectured that they knew me again.</p> - - <p>“Between them they bundled me to the turret, making unmistakable -signs for me to start the boat. After some difficulty, I made them -understand that the jelly-fish were keeping the boat motionless, and -at once they dived over the stern, and hacked away the obstruction -with their spears; then returning, they once more bade me start the -boat, and this—recognising the hopelessness of resistance -against such odds—I did.</p> - - <p>“The rest is soon told. The brutes remained aboard the -<i>Seal,</i> using me as a sort of general factotum, not scrupling to -punctuate their orders—all of which, of course, were given in -signs—with a dig or two from their spears. I can tell you I was -pretty mad with the brutes. Now and again some of them would want to -be put ashore for a spell, and they never returned without game of -some sort, which they ate absolutely raw. That was what we were -running in for when you sighted us. I had steered the old boat as -close in as I dared, and had gone below to stop the engines, so I knew -nothing of the boarding of the priest. Just as I flung over the -levers, something caught me a crack on the head, then everything went -dark.”</p> - - <p>“I guess that old devil, Nordhu, must have dropped you,” Silas -remarked, as the inventor concluded; “he was monkeyin’ around down -here somewhere when we got aboard. If he’d been on deck, Seymour and -the Ayuti would have had a tougher fight for their money. Say, are -they gettin’ ready to flit soon as I can hustle a bit?”</p> - - <p>“Yes,” Garth replied, “you must hurry up and get well, Silas, so -that we can start before long. Though I shall be sorry to leave the -<i>Seal,</i> yet I’ve had quite enough of this underworld, and would -sacrifice more than the vessel to get back home again.”</p> - - <p>“I assume Chenobi ’ll have to leave his pets behind?” said the -Yankee.</p> - - <p>“He proposes to take the hounds with him,” was the reply; “says -he can rig up a pulley to hoist ’em up the cliff, or whatever it is -we’ve got to climb. Of course he can’t take the elk; it would require -a steam-crane to lift the great brute. But now get off to sleep; -you’ve been awake quite long enough.”</p> - - <p>With that Garth quitted the cabin, and ascended to the -wheelhouse, where his comrades were assembled.</p> - - <p>“Ah!” Mervyn said as he entered, “we were just going to call you -up, Garth. We want to run the <i>Seal</i> ashore again. Seymour and -Chenobi have decided to pay another visit to the city. You see, there -are thousands of pounds’ worth of jewels on the hilts of the weapons -in the armoury—wealth sufficient to make Chenobi a person of -some importance above-ground—and he wishes to take some of the -precious stones with him.”</p> - - <p>“Quite right too,” returned Garth, grasping the wheel; “Tom, get -down to your engines, will you?”</p> - - <p>Ten minutes later the <i>Seal’s</i> nose was once more touching -the beach. Seymour had again donned his mail, and he and the Ayuti -were moving over the sand with the hounds at their heels. At intervals -Chenobi raised a cry to summon the great elk, for they had decided to -make the journey upon the broad back of Muswani, instead of proceeding -through the subterranean passage.</p> - - <p>Ere long the giant ruminant loomed out of the twilight, and -mounting, the two men rode swiftly away across the plain.</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_34" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXXIV.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>ON THE CREST OF THE TIDAL WAVE.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">T<span class="smtx">IME</span> dragged heavily -for those left aboard the <i>Seal.</i> There seemed little to do; -their preparations for the journey they thought to take ere long, were -complete. Ammunition, provisions—consisting for the most part of -tinned goods—personal belongings, were alike packed and ready. -Nothing at all superfluous was allowed in the packages, for they would -only have Muswani to carry their baggage as far as the cliff stairway; -for the rest of the journey they would have to bear their own -burdens.</p> - - <p>Their plans for the future seemed perfect. They were only waiting -for Haverly to get a little stronger, ere commencing their march -through the jungle to the upper world and daylight. They had yet to -learn that “the best laid schemes o’ mice and men gang aft agley.”</p> - - <p>“I hope they will not get into danger,” Mervyn remarked, after a -long silence; “it’s rather risky, yet we cannot blame Chenobi for -wishing to secure the jewels.”</p> - - <p>“He would be in a rather peculiar position above ground without -money,” returned Garth, “and I fear he would be too proud to accept -help from one of us. Anyway, he and Seymour should be safe enough. -They are well armed, and——”</p> - - <p>Out of the distance came a sullen muttering, as of far-distant -thunder, and at the sound Garth’s sentence died on his lips.</p> - - <p>“Whatever’s that?” Wilson asked.</p> - - <p>Striding out on deck, Mervyn leaned over the rail, and stood -listening for a repetition of the sound. Again it came, low as before, -reverberating amid the hills like the roll of many drums.</p> - - <p>“I don’t like it,” the scientist muttered, as Garth and the -engineer joined him; “have you noticed how remarkably still the water -has grown during the last few hours? See how gently the waves come in; -there is scarcely more motion than on a mill-pond.”</p> - - <p>“What do you infer from that?” asked Garth.</p> - - <p>“That we are about to witness some phenomenon peculiar to this -underworld,” replied Mervyn. “What form it will take I do not know, -but I heartily wish Seymour and the king were back.”</p> - - <p>“They should not be long now in any case,” rejoined the engineer; -“they have been gone over three hours. I say, we must get the -<i>Seal</i> off again. <i>The water’s receding!”</i></p> - - <p>It was true. Although the flood-tide had not yet reached its -height, the water was rapidly running out from shore, and the -<i>Seal</i> was fast being left high and dry.</p> - - <p>“Full speed astern, Tom!” Garth cried, as he and Wilson darted -into the wheelhouse. Down the steps the engineer bounded, two at a -time, and hurled himself along the corridor of the engine-room.</p> - - <p>Clank! The levers went over with all his force behind them. The -gleaming cranks flew round in a halo of dazzling light, but the vessel -moved not an inch. Her propellers shrieked on the air, for the water -had entirely receded, and she was hard and fast ashore.</p> - - <p>With a muttered exclamation the lad left the engine-room.</p> - - <p>“No use?” he said, as he re-entered the turret.</p> - - <p>“Not a bit,” returned Garth. “It’s the queerest thing I ever -knew. Mervyn can’t account for it either. The water simply ran out as -though a hole had opened in the sea-bed. See, there is no water in -sight anywhere; nothing but sand.”</p> - - <p>“It’s a licker!”</p> - - <p>The two men turned at the words. Haverly had entered the -turret.</p> - - <p>“My word, Silas,” exclaimed Wilson, “you’ll get it hot if the -professor sees you! You ought not to be up yet.”</p> - - <p>“I guess I’m the best judge of that,” retorted the American with -a feeble smile. “I calculated as a constitutional ’ud set me up some, -so here I am. But what in the name of blazes has come to the water? -Have yer plumped the old boat down in the middle of a desert, or -what?”</p> - - <p>Quickly Garth explained the extraordinary phenomenon they had -witnessed.</p> - - <p>“And Mervyn can’t figure it out either?” questioned Haverly.</p> - - <p>“No,” returned the inventor, “he’s as much in the dark as we are. -But here he comes; you can question him yourself.”</p> - - <p>“Say, Mervyn, can’t you enlighten us some?” Silas asked, as the -scientist came in from the deck.</p> - - <p>“Whatever are you doing here, Silas?” he asked sternly. “You -should not have ventured up so soon.”</p> - - <p>“I guess I’ll improve considerable more rapid up here than down -below,” returned the Yankee.</p> - - <p>“Perhaps so,” was the reply, “if you only take care. But you must -not abuse your returning strength.”</p> - - <p>“No, I cannot explain the phenomenon,” he went on, shaking his -head, “though I fear it must be due to volcanic agency. Hark!”</p> - - <p>Again that thunder-like muttering rolled out of the distance, but -the attention of the comrades was distracted from the ominous sound by -a faint cry from Haverly.</p> - - <p>“Jupiter! Another fire-message!”</p> - - <p>Away over a spur of the distant hills an arch of fire flamed into -view, and silhouetted against its golden splendour were eight -grotesque figures.</p> - - <p>“Can you translate, professor?” cried Haverly; “these signs mean -something or other, you can bet your boots.”</p> - - <p>Garth and Wilson waited eagerly for the scientist’s answer. It -came at length.</p> - - <p>“Nordhu, son of Nordhu, will avenge his sire!”</p> - - <p>“And that’s the message?” the engineer asked, as the blazing bow -waned and died.</p> - - <p>“That’s the translation,” returned Mervyn, abstractedly.</p> - - <p>“Then I guess we must look out for trouble, and that right soon,” -remarked Silas. “If this new Nordhu’s anything like the old man, he’ll -be on our trail in less than no time.”</p> - - <p>“We’re in a nice lively position to receive an attack of -savages,” said Garth, “with the old <i>Seal</i> as helpless as a -log.”</p> - - <p>“I reckon we’ve come out of tighter corners than this yer,” -retorted Silas, “though I allow I’d feel kinder easier if William and -the Ayuti ’ud show up. You say they’ve gone to the city?”</p> - - <p>“Yes,” returned Wilson, shortly.</p> - - <p>“If they ain’t along presently,” pursued the Yankee, “they’ll -find some of the wolfies laying for ’em. Them priests are real -hustlers when it comes to a scrap. I’d advise as you loose a gun or -two off. They might hear the reports.”</p> - - <p>“A good idea,” Garth cried, and snatching up a magazine rifle, -discharged it to the last cartridge.</p> - - <p>“That ought to fetch ’em,” remarked Haverly cheerfully.</p> - - <p>Boom! Once more that muffled explosion shook the underworld, -succeeded this time by a continuous roar as of a mighty cataract. -Thoroughly alarmed, the explorers gazed in the direction whence came -the sound. Far away down the coast, its towering crest gleaming -through the twilight, appeared a wall of water. With fearful rapidity -it roared down upon the helpless vessel.</p> - - <p>“Great Heaven!” Mervyn burst out, “a tidal wave! We are lost!” -Even while the words trembled on his lips, a shout rang high above the -boom of the approaching wave, and down the beach at a furious gallop -came Muswani. The Ayuti evidently fully realised the peril of the -situation. Straight for the motionless <i>Seal</i> he steered his -magnificent steed. A few yards from the rail a word of command pealed -from his lips, and at that the mighty elk hurled himself into the air. -Clearing the rail by a couple of feet, he landed with a crash upon the -deck, the hounds following like shadows at his heels.</p> - - <p>Quick as thought the two men leaped from his back, and raced for -the turret. Then, as the door crashed to behind them and the hounds, -and before ever Muswani could leap ashore, the watery wall struck the -<i>Seal.</i></p> - - <p>For one brief instant it seemed as though the ill-fated craft -would be overwhelmed. The water foamed and surged, boiled and eddied -around her; but by some fortunate chance she was lifted high upon the -crest of the giant wave, and was swept forward like a feather.</p> - - <p>“Try your engines,” Garth bawled to his friend, and instantly -Wilson darted below again. But the engines with all their power were -as toys in the grip of the waters. No power on earth could have forced -the vessel forward against that foaming torrent. Lucky, indeed, had -Seymour and the Ayuti been to arrive at the moment they did. A few -seconds later, and they had been left ashore, separated by many miles -of raging water from the vessel and their friends. Their position they -knew was perilous in the extreme. At any instant the submarine might -be hurled against some iron cliff and shattered like matchwood; yet -dangers faced together lost half their terror. United the little band -felt equal to anything; so keeping a cheerful courage, they awaited -with what patience they could muster the time when the force of the -wave should expend itself.</p> - - <p>But the time sped by, and still the waters roared onward; still -the <i>Seal</i> danced and whirled amid the foam-capped waves.</p> - - <p>Outside, motionless as a statue, keeping his balance upon the -slippery deck with wonderful skill, stood Muswani. Not all the violent -lurches of the submarine could shake the great elk from his footing. -He was immovable as though he were part of the vessel itself.</p> - - <p>Chenobi gazed with pride upon his giant steed. It would mean no -slight wrench when the time came for him to part with the magnificent -brute; but that had not to be considered yet. Time enough to think of -that when they got out of the grip of the tidal wave, which foamed -forward relentless as ever.</p> - - <p>The shore had long since faded from view. Nought was visible on -either hand but a waste of waters, tumbling and foaming in mad -confusion. And ever and anon a thunderous explosion would burst out, -echoing across the water like the firing of great guns.</p> - - <p>Once, close alongside, the mighty body of an ichthyosaurus was -flung up, rent and torn in ghastly fashion by some giant natural -force.</p> - - <p>Suddenly a cry came from Seymour.</p> - - <p>“Great Scott! Look there!”</p> - - <p>The others turned quickly. To starboard a beetling line of cliffs -loomed into view, threatening and terrible. Next moment an exclamation -from the American announced the appearance of a similar barrier upon -the port side. Through the canyon or gorge thus formed, the waters -swept in a maddened torrent, the <i>Seal</i> lurching and rolling in a -fashion which bade fair to capsize her. A hundred times—ay, -more—she seemed likely to be dashed against one or other of the -rocky walls, but by a miracle she escaped destruction in this -manner.</p> - - <p>So for perhaps an hour she was swept forward; then a terrible -fact became apparent to the adventurers. Silas was the first to notice -it.</p> - - <p>“Say!” he remarked, “I guess these yer cliffs are closing in on -us.”</p> - - <p>“What do you mean?” asked the scientist; “how closing in?”</p> - - <p>“Just cast your eye to the top of this starboard wall,” was the -reply; “if the hull outfit ain’t leaning outward, call me a darn -nigger.”</p> - - <p>An instant’s scrutiny showed Mervyn that the thing was true.</p> - - <p>Shaken to its foundations by the force of the explosions, which -moment by moment were becoming more frequent, the whole cliff was -tottering to its fall. How long it would be ere it thundered down upon -the hapless submarine none could tell.</p> - - <p>“Full speed ahead!” Silas snapped, his voice recovering its -strength under the excitement of the moment; “we must get out of this -or we’re done.”</p> - - <p>All saw the force of his words, and within two minutes the -<i>Seal</i> was leaping forward like a flash of light, her whole hull -quivering with the throb of the engines. Her pace was tremendous. The -cliffs dashed past in a dazzling line on either side, and still the -tottering mass to starboard hung poised, as though loth to crush the -gallant vessel and her crew.</p> - - <p>The moments seemed to crawl by, and each was laden with the -suspense of a century. How long till this gorge shall end? was the cry -of each of the comrades. How long till these rocky walls shall -cease?</p> - - <p>Then suddenly, a sheet of open water appeared ahead, and at the -sight a simultaneous cry of relief went up. Another moment and the -vessel would have been out of the gorge, and safe from the perils of -the crumbling cliff; but in the very instant of her escape, like the -crack of doom, a thunderous explosion volleyed through the canyon.</p> - - <p>With the sound, the tottering wall of rock bent and swayed, then -crashed downward with a deafening roar. Almost, the <i>Seal</i> was -clear of the falling <i>débris</i>—almost, but not quite. A -colossal boulder caught her stern, ripping the whirling propellers -from their sockets, and smashing her steering gear to a mass of -scrap-iron.</p> - - <p>“Done!” Garth gasped, staggering under the shock; “the beastly -thing’s snapped the propellers, and they were the only ones I -had.”</p> - - <p>The others did not take in the significance of this remark for -some moments. They were too occupied in a scrutiny of the curious -place the <i>Seal</i> had entered. It was a great circular basin or -funnel, enclosed on every side by towering cliffs, and around it the -water was sweeping in a giant eddy. Into this the vessel was instantly -drawn, being helpless as any log in the whirling water.</p> - - <p>Turning, the adventurers gazed towards the gorge through which -they had come. It had ceased to be. The fall of the cliff had -completely choked the passage, <i>and the basin was now without -outlet!</i></p> - - <p>“I guess the old <i>Seal’s</i> fairly trapped,” remarked Silas -gloomily; “it would ha’ been better if the plaguey cliff had buried us -all, ’stead of shuttin’ us up in this hole.”</p> - - <p>As he spoke, Wilson came upstairs.</p> - - <p>“You’d better come down, Garth,” the engineer said; “there’s a -bad smash astern, and I can’t manage it myself.”</p> - - <p>Glad of aught to relieve the awful depression which had succeeded -the excitement of the race through the gorge, the inventor followed -his friend below, to do what he could towards patching up the -damage.</p> - - <p>“It’s a terrible outlook,” Mervyn muttered, “to be fastened up -here until our provisions give out, and then—death by -starvation.”</p> - - <p>“A terrible outlook indeed,” granted Seymour. “It’s maddening to -think that we have escaped all the perils of the underworld, only to -be hopelessly imprisoned in this rocky basin.”</p> - - <p>“Say, what’s this steam mean?” asked Haverly, who stood with face -pressed to the glass. A mist-like vapour had commenced to rise from -the surface of the gyrating water, growing denser in volume each -moment, until the walls of the basin were almost hidden.</p> - - <p>“Trouble again, I reckon,” the American continued; “I guess we’ve -struck little else this trip, so far.”</p> - - <p>“Some volcanic disturbance,” exclaimed Mervyn. “I——” -The words died on his lips in a gasp, as a fresh development forced -itself upon his notice. The water in the basin was rising!</p> - - <p>“Wal, that licks all!” cried Silas, as he too became aware of -this new movement; “not content with pluggin’ us up here, it’s goin’ -to jam us up against the roof.”</p> - - <p>“It will merely shorten the period of our imprisonment,” returned -the baronet, and then silence fell between the watchers.</p> - - <p>An hour dragged by, and still the waters rose; still the -submarine was borne upwards. Anxiously the comrades peered out into -the misty atmosphere, wondering how this strange adventure would end. -Even the iron-nerved Ayuti grew uneasy as time went by, a feeling -shared by his hounds, who, scared by the repeated explosions, whined -pitifully at intervals.</p> - - <p>Muswani—motionless as ever—still kept his position -upon the deck, being the only member of the party who seemed not at -all dismayed by the strangeness of the situation.</p> - - <p>Time crawled on. Many thousands of feet the <i>Seal</i> must have -risen, when a sharp cry came from Haverly:</p> - - <p>“<i>The roof!</i>”</p> - - <p>Close upon his words came a report like a thunderclap, and a -dazzling shaft of flame leapt from the surface of the water, -illuminating the rocky walls of the basin and—scarce ten feet -above—the roof.</p> - - <p>“We must sink her,” Mervyn cried, and darted to the stairs for -the purpose of calling Garth. Ere he could reach them, however, a -second report burst out. The dark mass of the roof above seemed to -bend downwards. There was a roaring as of a thousand Niagaras; the -swirl of many waters; a thunderous crash as though the earth itself -were splitting asunder; then darkness!</p> - - <div class="chapter"> - - <h2><a name="chapter_35" style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">CHAPTER XXXV.</a></h2> - - </div> - - <h3>INTO THE SUNLIGHT.</h3> - - <p class="noindent">S<span class="smtx">EYMOUR</span> opened his -eyes and gazed around dreamily. What had happened, he wondered, as he -sat up, and what was this strange light that flooded the vessel? He -rubbed his eyes and looked again, then a thrilling cry burst from his -lips.</p> - - <p>“Daylight! Great Heaven, daylight!”</p> - - <p>He staggered to his feet. He was right. The <i>Seal</i> was -rolling on the swell of the ocean, bathed in the full glory of the -mid-day sun. Into infinite distance the shimmering wave-crests danced -on every hand. No land was visible save one small rocky island, -entirely destitute of verdure, which thrust itself above the surface -of the water some distance away. This much Seymour noted, then with a -fervent prayer of thankfulness he turned to assist his comrades.</p> - - <p>Haverly lay senseless beside the wheel; his restoration was a -matter of little difficulty. Neither was the Ayuti much trouble to -bring round. But Mervyn, whom they found at the foot of the steps with -a broken arm and other minor injuries, proved a more difficult -subject.</p> - - <p>Hounds as well as men had shared the general oblivion, and the -sun was sinking to its rest ere all were once more restored to a state -of sensibility.</p> - - <p>The thankfulness of the explorers was supreme; but so strange had -been the manner of their deliverance from their subterranean prison, -that even yet they could scarcely grasp the fact that their wanderings -and trials amid the wilds of the underworld were really over.</p> - - <p>Mervyn, his arm, skilfully set by the American, in a sling, was -bubbling over with enthusiasm, despite his numerous injuries.</p> - - <p>“It must have been the birth of that island which released us,” -he observed; “the solid rock, thrust upward by volcanic force, -piercing the ocean bed, and rising above the surface of the -water.”</p> - - <p>“It’s the most marvellous thing I ever heard of,” rejoined -Seymour, “though I fear the presence of that great rock will not prove -much of a blessing to the vessels that frequent these seas, especially -as it will be uncharted.”</p> - - <p>“It will not remain so long,” retorted the scientist; “but see, -the <i>Seal</i> is drifting towards it. We shall be able to moor her -directly.”</p> - - <p>Inch by inch the helpless submarine drifted towards the -boulder-strewn shore of the island, which but lately had formed part -of the subterranean world. Ere long she was close enough for her crew -to moor her, and this Seymour did. As he fastened the rope, the -hounds, weary of the restraint of the turret, leapt ashore, and went -careering madly over the rocks. Suddenly they burst into a clamorous -baying, as a monstrous form emerged from the shelter of a clump of -boulders.</p> - - <p>“’Tis Muswani!” cried the Ayuti, and vaulting the rail, he -rushed forward to meet his steed.</p> - - <p>“Great Scott!” cried Seymour, “if that don’t beat all. Fancy the -old elk getting through safely.”</p> - - <p>Mervyn’s eyes glowed with excitement.</p> - - <p>“Grand!” he cried; “it’s just what I needed. The elk’s the very -thing to confirm my story. If——”</p> - - <p>“Ship in sight!” bawled Garth at that instant. His comrades -followed the direction of his gaze. Away on the distant horizon, -bathed in the blood-red rays of the dying sun, appeared the masts and -funnels of a large steamer.</p> - - <p>“Thank Heaven!” breathed the scientist, joyfully; “our troubles -are over at last!”</p> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0.6em; margin-bottom: 0.4em;">* * * * * *</p> - - <p>“Say, Seymour, how’s this strike yer?”</p> - - <p>Haverly skimmed his copy of the “Metropolitan Gazette” across to -the baronet.</p> - - <p>“I guess Mervyn’ll have a word or two to say about that,” he went -on; “for sheer impudence the party as is responsible for that classy -drivel takes the biscuit. I reckon, figuratively speaking, he’s just -about mopped the floor with the professor.”</p> - - <p>The adventurers sat in the library of Hilton Manor. Mervyn alone -was absent, he being in London, hard at work upon his book.</p> - - <p>“What do you mean, Silas?” Garth asked.</p> - - <p>“Just what I say,” retorted the American; “but read it out, -William, so’s our pards can grasp the elevatin’ language.”</p> - - <p>“Very well,” returned the baronet, smiling, and forthwith -commenced to read the following, which, topped by two staring -head-lines, occupied two columns of the “Gazette’s” centre page.</p> - - <p>“‘A scientist’s delusion!’” Seymour began. “‘An up-to-date -fairy story! Truly we are tempted to exclaim with Joseph’s brethren, -‘Behold, that dreamer cometh,’ and we do not doubt that those of our -readers who observed the extraordinary effusion in our contemporary of -yesterday were alike tempted. Never before has such a wildly -improbable story found its way into print. Jules Verne himself could -scarcely have conceived anything more fantastic; yet here we have half -a dozen columns of closely-printed matter, offered to the confiding -public in the guise of sober truth. We marvel that the writer of the -article should have dared append his signature; but, after reading -this masterpiece of modern imagination, we were in no way surprised to -learn that it emanated from the pen of our old rival, Professor James -Mervyn.’”</p> - - <p>“Take your breath, old man,” Silas interrupted, cheerfully, -“you’ll need it all ’fore you get through.”</p> - - <p>“Dry up, Silas,” retorted the engineer, “you’re spoiling the flow -of language. I should think the beggar must have swallowed a -dictionary.”</p> - - <p>“Perhaps he gets paid by the yard for what he turns out,” Garth -suggested, with a grin; “but wade in, Seymour; we’re eager for the -next instalment.”</p> - - <p>“You shall have it at once,” rejoined the baronet, and resumed -his reading.</p> - - <p>“‘We have only space here to touch upon one or two of the more -flagrant of the series of glaring falsehoods—we can use no other -word—which constitute the whole outrageous story. Whether the -interior of the globe is a huge cavern or no, we are in no position to -state; but hitherto we have been content to believe in the popular -theory of internal fire, and shall continue to do so until we have -<i>convincing</i> proof to the contrary. This, however, we could have -granted, had it not been for the hopelessly impossible stories which -follow. The intellect which could conceive such creatures as the -wolf-men and their hypnotist priest, should find its sphere of labour -in other realms than those of science. The learned professor should -make his mark as a writer of fairy tales. Before his vampires the -flying dragons of the ancients fade into insignificance, while his -megalosaurus—a creature extinct for eras—beats all the -fabled monsters of classical times. But when we read of the giant -spider—Rahee the terrible, as he names it—our disgust -knows no bounds. That he should have supposed for an instant that he -could foist so ridiculous a conception upon a circle of intelligent -readers, destroys our last atom of compunction at the drastic course -we felt called upon to take.</p> - - <p>“‘Yet even this pales before his subterranean metropolis, the -city of Ayuti, with its one giant inhabitant. This splendid savage, -this intellectual barbarian, is, in our opinion, the wildest -imagination of all. In the description of the Ayuti’s antlered steed, -obedient to his master’s slightest command, we -recognise——’”</p> - - <p>“Oh, hang it all!” Seymour broke off angrily, “I’m sick of the -drivel,” and he flung the paper to the floor.</p> - - <p>“I guess you’d better explain the stuff to Chenobi,” remarked -Silas; “he’s looking as if he’d like to be in the know.”</p> - - <p>Following this suggestion, Seymour translated the article for the -benefit of the Ayuti.</p> - - <p>“So,” the latter cried, his eyes flashing with rage, “the dog not -only doubts our friend’s story, but calls me barbarian and savage! -Were it not that ye say the law of your land forbids killing, the -hound should not live an hour.”</p> - - <p>“Best of it is,” Garth broke in at this point, “the party that -wrote that article—Max Dormer—has a place not five miles -from here, and is holding a big meeting there to-day—some -scientific society or other, I believe. It would be a bit of a joke if -Chenobi was to pop over and pay ’em a visit.”</p> - - <p>“By Jove! we’ll do it,” cried Seymour, slapping his thigh; “we’ll -stir the beggars up.”</p> - - <p>“The king had better go in his tin suit,” suggested Silas; “it’ll -look more like business.”</p> - - <p>“He shall,” returned the baronet, and spoke a few rapid words to -his Ayuti friend.</p> - - <p>Instantly the latter rose, an even finer figure in his -perfect-fitting suit than he had looked in his mail.</p> - - <p>“’Tis well,” he replied to Seymour; “thou and I, Fairhair, will -teach this braggart a lesson. When he sees Muswani, perchance he will -doubt no longer that there be strange beasts in the underworld.” With -that, he and the baronet left the room.</p> - - <p>Some time later they rode down the drive upon the back of the -elk—Chenobi armed <i>cap-à-pie</i>—and swept out into the -high road, leaving the dull-witted lodge-keeper gaping after them in -blank amazement. Past astonished pedestrians they flashed, Seymour -laughing heartily at the temporary panic their strange appearance -caused; on at a headlong, exhilarating gallop, until they reached the -gates of the place to which Garth had directed them.</p> - - <p>And here they were checked. The gates were locked, and the -attendant, alarmed by the unusual dress of the Ayuti, and also by his -strange steed, refused to admit them.</p> - - <p>“You don’t come in here,” he bawled, “Sir William Seymour or not. -You look more like a couple of escaped lunatics than anything else, to -my mind.”</p> - - <p>Chenobi laughed scornfully as the baronet translated this -insulting answer.</p> - - <p>“There are other ways of getting in than by the gates,” he said, -and backed his mount to the further side of the road. A sharp word of -command and Muswani leapt forward like a meteor. Straight for the -eight-foot wall, which joined the gates, Chenobi steered him. Like a -bird he rose, cleared the obstruction magnificently, and dropped -lightly down upon the other side. Affrighted, the attendant vanished -into the lodge, and they swept up the avenue towards the house -unmolested.</p> - - <p>It was indeed a big meeting which was being held at Professor Max -Dormer’s place. Earlier in the day, carriage after carriage had rolled -up the drive, and discharged its load beside the great lawn, whereon a -marquee had been erected. Not a few of those present held a foremost -place in the ranks of science, and Dormer’s heart leapt at the thought -of the stunning blow he would be able to deal at his erstwhile rival, -Mervyn. He knew that the returned scientist’s article in the London -daily had attracted almost universal notice, and he was determined to -bring forward this matter at this meeting, and expose before this -representative gathering the daring effrontery of the writer.</p> - - <p>That any of the men of science would place any reliance upon -Mervyn’s story he did not for a moment believe; but he determined to -make the blow he was about to deal at the absent professor’s -reputation as crushing as possible. So he arranged his notes with -great care, running over in his mind as he moved amidst his guests the -various points of his discourse.</p> - - <p>The meeting was at its height. Savant after savant had mounted -the platform, and had addressed the great gathering. And now came -Dormer’s turn. With all the eloquence that was in him, he was -inveighing against his rival, urging that the man who could pen such a -tissue of falsehoods deserved to be ostracised, when there came the -clatter of hoofs upon the gravel of the drive. All turned at the -sound—the side canvas of the marquee had been rolled up on -account of the heat—wondering who this late-comer might be. A -simultaneous gasp of amazement went up as the giant elk came into view -with his mail-clad driver. Straight across the lawn Muswani pounded, -almost up to the great tent itself. There he pulled up, announcing his -appearance with a bellow that deafened the ears of the assembly. As he -did so, Seymour leapt to earth, followed by the Ayuti. Into the tent -the baronet strode.</p> - - <p>“Dormer!” he bawled, “come down here.”</p> - - <p>Trembling, the destroyer of Mervyn’s reputation descended from -the platform, and threaded his way amidst his distinguished guests to -where Seymour awaited him.</p> - - <p>“Are you responsible for that drivel in to-day’s ‘Gazette’?” the -baronet demanded sternly.</p> - - <p>“I wrote that article, if that is what you mean,” retorted the -other, with some show of spirit.</p> - - <p>“Then permit me to introduce you to the noble savage, the -intellectual barbarian, His Royal Highness Prince Chenobi of Ayuti,” -was the crushing reply and Seymour motioned for Chenobi to draw -near.</p> - - <p>“Is this the dog who called me savage, Fairhair?” thundered the -Ayuti.</p> - - <p>“This is he,” replied the baronet.</p> - - <p>“Then translate to him these my words: He is a hound, and the son -of a hound. Let him thank his gods that the law of his country forbids -the killing of even such vermin as he, else assuredly I would strangle -him where he stands. Yet he will be wise to beware how he maligns me -hereafter, lest I be tempted to forget the law, to disgrace my own -manhood by laying hands upon his puny carcase. Ask him wherein I am -savage and barbarian? Is not my skin as white as his? is not my brain -as clear? My people were kings and rulers upon the face of the earth -while yet his forefathers burrowed in caves and dens, like unto the -beasts they hunted. Let him beware, I say, or his lying pen shall yet -be the cause of his ruin.”</p> - - <p>This scathing torrent of abuse Seymour translated in its full -significance, glossing over nothing; and before it the offending -scientist seemed to shrivel up with mortification. His eyes were fixed -fearfully upon the face of the Ayuti, as if expecting the giant to put -his threats into instant execution.</p> - - <p>“Gentlemen,” cried the baronet, when Chenobi had finished, “you -see the Prince, whom I am proud to call my friend; you see also his -antlered steed, Muswani, the giant elk. I ask you now if the story of -my comrade Mervyn is sufficiently proved? If his character as a writer -of the truth is vindicated? Is he to labour hereafter under the stigma -which this malicious fellow has cast upon him, or will his writings be -accepted by you all as actual descriptions of real creatures? I await -your answer.”</p> - - <p>An instant’s silence, then as one man the assembly rose.</p> - - <p>“We are satisfied,” cried someone, and two hundred voices echoed -the words. Out of the great tent Dormer’s guests poured, all eager to -get a closer look at the giant elk. Note-books came out by the score, -and many a page of descriptive matter was scribbled down for use upon -future occasions.</p> - - <p>Many of those present knew Seymour personally, and they crowded -round him eagerly, questioning him concerning his late adventures.</p> - - <p>“I must refer you to Professor Mervyn’s article,” he replied to -all their queries, “and to the book which he will shortly publish on -the subject. His description of the Under-world is far more graphic -than anything I can manage. One thing I must ask of you, gentlemen. -Will you see to it that Professor Dormer makes public apology for his -slanderous statements against my comrade Mervyn?”</p> - - <p>“He shall acknowledge his mistake at once,” an eminent scientist -exclaimed, “or lose his standing among us.”</p> - - <p>“Thank you!” replied the baronet; “<i>mistake</i> is putting it -rather mildly, but it will do. And now I think we will return. Should -any of you wish to examine the elk again, later on, you will find him -at Hilton Manor. His master and I will be there for some weeks to -come. Chenobi”—turning to the Ayuti—“if you are ready, we -will go.”</p> - - <p>At a word from his master Muswani dropped to his knees; the two -men leaped to their places. A wave of the hand and they were off, -speeding down the avenue towards the gates. These the keeper flung -hastily open for them—being evidently relieved to see the last -of these escaped lunatics, as he termed them—and they turned -once more for home.</p> - - <p>Seymour was in high spirits at the manner in which they had -turned the tables upon Dormer, but Chenobi appeared preoccupied.</p> - - <p>“A thought has come to me, Fairhair,” he said at length. “You -remember the fire-message of the son of Nordhu, wherein he vowed to -avenge his sire?”</p> - - <p>“I do,” replied Seymour.</p> - - <p>“What if he should fulfil his vow?” pursued Chenobi.</p> - - <p>“What if he should lead his followers through the fire-mountain -into this upper world? I doubt not that your people would prevail in -the end; yet I fear me much blood would flow ere the wolf-people could -be destroyed.”</p> - - <p>“Nay!” returned the baronet decidedly, “I do not think he will -attempt so mad a scheme. Anyway, we have not to concern ourselves with -that. Our troubles are over; our wanderings in the Under-world are a -thing of the past. See, here is the Manor,” and with that they turned -in at the gates.</p> - - <hr style="margin-top: 0.5em; width: 70%; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; border: none; height: 0.04em; background: black; margin-bottom: 0em;"/> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 65%;">P</span><span style="font-size: 50%;">RINTED BY </span><span style="font-size: 65%;">C</span><span style="font-size: 50%;">ASSELL </span><span style="font-size: 65%;">& C</span><span style="font-size: 50%;">OMPANY, </span><span style="font-size: 65%;">L</span><span style="font-size: 50%;">IMITED, </span><span style="font-size: 65%;">L</span><span style="font-size: 50%;">A </span><span style="font-size: 65%;">B</span><span style="font-size: 50%;">ELLE </span><span style="font-size: 65%;">S</span><span style="font-size: 50%;">AUVAGE, </span><span style="font-size: 65%;">L</span><span style="font-size: 50%;">ONDON, </span><span style="font-size: 65%;">E.C.</span></p> - - <p class="break-before" style="margin-top: 8em; text-indent: 0em; text-align: center; font-size: 125%;">Transcriber’s note:</p> - - <p class="noindent" style="text-align: center;">Upside down letters -have been turned right-side up.<br/>Inconsistent use of hyphenation -has been changed to the most often used.<br/>Errors in punctuation -have been corrected.<br/>Illustrations have been moved to after the -paragraph they are mentioned in the text.</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE WOLF-MEN ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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