Part 26 (1/2)

”And why did it end here?” demanded the colonel

”Yes, why?” echoed Chutney, and then no one spoke for a fullon their way?” resumed the colonel finally ”They had a raft and paddles; the water was all around theested the Greek

”It was not starvation that killed them,” exclaimed Guy, who had turned back to the center of the island ”Here is a bag of dates and dried meat all shriveled and moldy They met their death in some horribly sudden fashi+on, that is certain How do you account for their skeletons being torn apart and the bones flung together? Could starvation do that?”

”It was serpents,” said the Greek; and that brief sentence made their blood run cold

”Yes,” continued Canaris, observing the doubt in their faces; ”they ht and crushed to death That alone can account for their broken bones But, reo or ht, Canaris,” said Chutney ”I believe, upon my word, what you say is true The monstrous serpents of the cavern devoured them”

Sir Arthur beat a rapid retreat to the canoe, and the rest were not slow in following his exaet away from this horrible spot as quickly as possible,” said the colonel; ”and, besides, we are losing precious time on this lake We must seek the outlet at once and resuladly away fro it, and steered as straight a course as possible

Under the pressure of four paddles the canoe maintained a rapid speed, but in spite of this it was fully an hour, and probably much more, before they found the shore of the lake They rested a little while beside the perpendicular wall of rock, uncertain which way to turn

”It won'tus to the outlet Suppose we try the right”

This propositioncare to keep the shore constantly in sight, lest they should lose their bearings again

In less than half an hour the sound of running water was heard in the distance, and they paddled faster than ever in their intense longing to escape frorew the roar of the water, until they see for a dash into the rapids Chutney rose in the canoe with a cry of surprise, and the torchlight showed plainly a fierce body of water running, not out of, but into the lake

They had co point It was here they had entered the lake, and now all ain

”Back water,” cried the colonel ”Don't get into the current It s Turn the canoe and ill go back the e came”

There was no help for it It only re as rapidly as possible

With difficulty the canoe was snatched from the influx of the current and headed this tithy paddle,” said Guy ”The lake is by no ry,” exclaimed Sir Arthur ”Isn't it about tiestion is eminently proper, Sir Arthur,” declared the colonel

”On a full stomach we shall travel faster, Chauncey Do you concur with our views?”

Guy evidently did, for a supply of dates and crackers was forthwith produced, and while they were eating the canoe was permitted to remain stationary

They started away in so a sharp watch for danger ahead, while Sir Arthur held his torch fro the water for some yards around

The drearyThe shore presented an unbroken perpendicular wall of stone falling sheer to the water, das, while overhead was ee from the echo of their voices

They paddled on and on, pausing occasionally to rest their weary aror than ever Not for an instant did they lose sight of the shore It was their only guide At last Sir Arthur's arm dropped feebly, and it was seen that he was half asleep Canaris took the torch froovernor fell instantly into a deep slu drowsy ht Surely we ought to be halfway round the lake by this tirow sleepy, and as Forbes and Canaris alone professed to be as fresh as ever, it was decided that they should navigate the canoe for a time and allow the others an opportunity to rest