Part 55 (1/2)

Harry was shouting to us that the Incas were upon us

I caught Desiree's arreat effort The lane became narrower still; we brushed the wall on either side, and I pushed Desiree ahead ofto faceher down

”Your spear!” she cried desperately ”I can go no farther,” and she sank to the ground

At the same moment there came a cry from Harry in the rear--a cry that held joy and wonder--and I turned to see hih which we had coone!”

And I saw that it was true No sound ca Desiree on the ground, Harry ran to us and sprang to her side ”Desiree!” he cried, lifting her in his arms She opened her eyes and smiled at him, and he kissed her ently on her feet, and, supporting her with his arm, moved forward slowly I led the way

The lane ahead of us was scarcely more than a crevice between the rocks; I squeezed h with difficulty Then the walls ended abruptly, just when I had begun to think we could go no farther, and we found ourselves at the entrance to a cavern so large that no as to be seen on any side save the one behind us

On the instant I guessed at the reason why the Incas had ceased their pursuit so abruptly, and I turned to Harry:

”I'-pan into the fire If this cavern holds anything like that other--you remember--”

”If it does, we shall see,” he replied

Supporting Desiree on either side, we struck out directly across the cavern, halting every few steps to listen for a sound, either of the Incas, which we feared, or of running water, which we desired We heard neither All was blackness and the most complete silence

Then I beca up through er past, reason returned and feeling I could not suppress a low cry, wrung inexorably froht on Desiree's shoulder

”What is it?” she cried, and for answer--though I strained every atoround, dragging her with h I was not wholly unconscious I are that Harry and Desiree were bending over round, and a soft, war me

A minute passed, or an hour--I did not know--and I felt hot drops of led to open my eyes, and saw Desiree's face quite nearon her shoulder

She eeping silently, and great tears rolled down her cheeks unrestrained

To have seen the sun or stars shi+ning down uponmoment in silence; she saw that I did so, but aze

Finally I found one to look for water,” she replied; and, curiously enough, her voice was quite steady

I smiled

”It is useless I am done for!”

”That isn't true,” she denied, in a voice alet well You are--injured badly--” After a short pause she added, ”for ht it hardly worth while to contradict her--and then I said si, Desiree?”

She looked at h she had not heard; then, after another silence, her voice came, so low that it barely reached ht have been, my friend”

”But you have said--”