Casper Daily Tribune Newspaper, February 17, 1923, Page 8

PAGE EIGHT “FIRE MOUNTAIN” A Tale of Mystery, Treas BY NORMA Author of ba 3 INSTALLMENT NO. TWELVE WHAT'S HAPPENED When the Whaler “Good Luck.” out of New Bedford, was wrecked at the Fire Mountain, a volcanic island in the } Pacific 889, one of the two survivors was John Winters, who wrote down in his Log of the'finding of vast quah' ties of amberg substance s0 valuabt it as a pe ing of the 1 stuff innumerab’e caves in the to tell of the strange fate Log goes Fate that fearing tho hand the He down the po cave where the amber code on a piece of he binding of a, he is picked Honolulu. There Log, with of such tremendous hands of the keeper of a In this place, many s stored { his Chinese reso: years later, Little Billy Corcoran, steward of the brig Cohasset, ering from a spree, accidental the Log among the Chinaman’s tion of odds and ends. He judges from the description that the Fire Mountain, with its many caves and queer Inva formations, including on that looks like an “Elephant’s Head’ ig the one which gave refuge not long before to the Cohasset’s crew when chased by a Russ!an gun boat for violating the rule against trading for veal skins with the Siberian natives Square Jim Dabney is the blind captain of the Cohasset. His attrac tve grand daug Ruth Le Moyne, is mate of the brig. They are told of the Log and of the hunchtack's opinion that th island was tho one where the great store of ambergris was hidden. Thi are all in the dark as to the location of the cave, but Ruth sudden'y dis covers the skin within the binding and the following cipher message is shunchback recov. finds collec. 14546 14463442 3115 4611 261441546131 Dr. Ichi, shipped es co ing almost Japanese by the rded as the li over the discover the cipher and in San Francisco becomes associated wit! Wild Bob Carew, « splendid looking unscrupulous sea cap Ichi employs Josiah Smatt, a sharp lawyer to de cipher the message. And this brings us to Martin Blake, our hero, who, con veying the decoded message a the latitude and longitude of Fire Moun- had Cohasset anc but tain to Carew at the command of matt his emp‘oyer, meets Bil Feigning intoxication, Billy subst! tutes blank sheets of paper for the Matter in Martin's pocket. The sub- stitution when it is revealed to Carew at the Black Cruiser saloon results in Martin's being set upon by Carew’'s underlings and imprisoned in a room. Carew’s gang also seize and imprison Ruth, but Little Bil and The Bosun, Thomas Henry, his de voted and gigantic friend rescue both the girl and young Blake. As they flee a pistol battled follows in which Martin shoots, Spulvedo, keeper of the dive and is shot himself by Carew. Martin's wound is not serious and he {s wei comed as a partner in the Cchasset's enterpri: eof cme am. bergris. brig is well on her way out of San Francisco when Ruth, the hunchback and Dabney tell him the story. Partly by reading Poe's “Gold bug” Little Billy says he solved the cipher and shows Martin this key. As they sailed Northward toward their goal, hoping to reach it ahead of Carew, (who is In love with Ruth) Martin, overwhelmed by her beauty and under the influence of a sterry night, kisses her. He too has fallen under ber spell The Cohasset reaches Fire Moun- tain in such a fog that Dabney de- cides not to attempt to land search for the ambergris until st clears. MacLean, superstitious member the crew, tells Martin that some- thing evil is to happen to Little Billy. He curses gloomy mountain, which he calls the ‘De'll’s Kirk.” That night he awakens Martin to tell him that the hunchback has disappeared. As he and Martin search for the fog the enveloped deck, he later hears Mz Lean call fc fd in a curtou strangled voice und then hears the sound of falling bods Carew and his Japanese, who reached t . board th br is'and in ure, Love and the Sea. SPRINGER . he Blood Ship.” heavy, ominous rumbling came out of the black depths. And suddenly the hard, packed sand be- kan to crawl beneath his feet, things swayed dizzily before his eyes, and a sharp nausea attacked the pit of his | stomach. The four Japanese sailors and Moto were plainly terrified. Ichi held him- self in hand, but hty mouth ‘sagged. “Always comes the strange noise, and then the shake," he eaid to Mar- tin. There was the hint of a quaver in his voice. “Out of the deep place, they come—like the strugglers of Evil j Ones! / He broke off to speak sharply to |his men, bracing them with words 1 “They are of much ignorance,” he continued to Martin. “They have much fear. They know a silly story their mothers have toid them, about! the Evil Ones calling from the deep pit. | He chattered peremptory words to jhis followsrs. Ons of the satiors! picked up a lantern, Moto stepped be- hind Martin, and Ich! lifted the other antern and stepped toward the cave mouth. | As they entered the cave, Ich! walk. ed first, then Martin, the grim Moto next, and the four sailors trailed be- hind, the last man carrying the sec- ond lantern. | Martin was sensible of a sharp rise |of temperature. There was a strong draft in the passageway, and the hot, emeily air blew in his face and ruffled the hair on his bare head. He was also conscious of the low, steady, moaning sound that came out | of the heart of the darkness ahead of him. They passed a dark opening, but it was on the left hand. The whaleman's directions were in his mind: ‘4 starboard—windy cave." That must mean that the fourth open- ing on the right hand led to the windy cave, | They passed a cave opening on the right hand, another, and another. Ichi stopped, Martin saw in front of him the yawning mouth of the cave of winds. It was not the length or breadth of |the “windy cave’ that fastened Mar- jtin's startied regard. It wus the depth. For there, at his very feet almost, plain in the lantern light, was ) Then the “deep place” of Ichi's referen the “bottomless hole” of Winters’ log. | It was a crack in the floor, its width| and length lost the gloom. Ita| a foot or two Inside the| The urrol ing: The were black ck was wet underfoot and as slippery aw a waxed floor. ‘There was a floor along the [lett well, Mart'n saw—a ledge about six feet wide that extended from the the edge of the pit t was wet 1 shining, and, a most treacher: ous footing. words of the code were— windy ve port—aloft,” so he know they must travel that dangerous path tll they rcached the second opening in the wall. There, along the wall of the dangerous ledge. | the Japs stretched a lifeline, waist! high. They had fetched a tackle, and jot a length of rope because though there were no jutting rocks about which a rope might be knotted, the hooks of the blocks fitted easi!y over | the small inequalities the edges of the| openings presented. So long as a strain was kept upon the hauling line, the hooks would bite. Ichi set his lantern down beside| the man holding the line. Then he looked at Martin. He did not attempt! to speak—he indicated they were to! cross. Once the perilous crossing was ef- fected, they found themselves on the level floor, in the entrance to another cave. This entrance was not wide, and| there was room for but four, hudd'ed | togther—the sailor who had strung{ the line, Ichi, Martin, and Moto. The two sailors stayed on the solping ledge, grasping the tackle. The re maining man held to his position the far end of the tackle, the rope Wrapped about him. “Ab—it is here that we commence | our looking!” exclaimed Ichi. “We have already searched this cavern but not ‘aloft.! So now we gaze with | upWardness and test the statements | of the young female and. your honor. able self, Mr. Blake. Are you of sure. hess as to the words? Ah, the worthy Moto is of readiness!” “The code says ‘aloft,"" answered Martin. “Look for a ho‘e in the roof, leading up to a dry cave.” Martin felt Moto's fingers resting Ughtly upon his shoulder. But he «lso felt the hard outline of the gun in Ichi’s coat pocket, against his leg. they were crowded closely together in the cave entrance. Ichi chattered an order and the sailor picked up the lantern and held| {t over his head. Overhead was an opening, a crack in the ceiling. Ich pointed and cried out excited ly, while his features contorted with triumphant greod. Martin gianced at Moto. He, also. He Pr aereshilis had bis eyes upon the opening. The aha careless moment had come! Martin 2 ; Martin of a| With @ slight, convulsive Jerk, freed a ; igh from the lazaret| D8 right wrist of the handcuff. | bps 4 forward: andi-they decia ‘Then, before he could straighten 4 pre til] shackled should his arm Ich! turned and grinned up 1 to their prison, and to|!nto his face wait 1 good opportunity comes} “‘Ah—so, It was with truthfulness befor’ the tattle. The|30U spoke! We have, then, perhaps boats s Martin that Carew's|N0 further neodfulness—" ahip, the had been wrecked.| So far he got. and then he tif He was brought | fened, his mouth sagged, cruelty and into y Bo Yip, the | cupidity left his eyes and terror crept Coha. k, had winked | in comes down and takes| The cause lay in the depths of the fore Carew chasm behind them. For the Voice of of Jujitsu inflicted) the Pit and sudde nly increased in| arew's orders and at/ volume: in a second it had become an wow !! HERES ANOTHER LETTER Tt Almost CRAZY - FROM THat Moe OF BIACK-HANDERS - AG I DONT kieK In with A TRovsano BueKS CASH Dovge “They Re: “GONNA SHANGHAT UNCER COVER FOR 4 FEW DAYS -TILL “THIS *SReNGHat BUSINESS Blows OVER’ ~ In THE MEANTIME = IM GONNA TEACH You ===. Tee ART OF Sele PROTECTION IN CASE | Those Srops Come AROOND WHEN SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1923. Go in AND Do as = sav! ts Ths Tee Time Te ArGue fF PETEY DINK. -- — ITS site FRIGHTFUL SCLUSHY, hi ERT TWaNT LP Yt WOR PEL HE 7 i Comemcut MY TRIBVUR Martin sudden'y reached out and gathered the transfixed Ichi into his had rehearsed in mind his move-| ments. He pressed the Jap to him with his left arm, from the wrist of which the tror sull dangl whilk his right hand deve for Ichi's r Ichi screamed at the 1 Moto, but not a syllable J above the mighty rearin 1 the caverns. Then le teeth in Mar 's fore mn met. | Martin had the gun. The sharp pain of the bite thrilled him. He hurled Ichi violtent’'y from him and | raised the weapon, ready to shoot. | Ich! spun around, from the power | of the thrust Martin had given. He| crashed heavily against th frozen Moto, clutched him, and the feet of | both men lost -hold on the stipperey | underfooting. They fell together off} the level surface on the the incline that sloped to the chasm edge. Their momentum carried them on. They slid down the six foot slope, clutching | wild'y at the wet, glass-like surface of the ledge. 1 They seemed to hang motionless for | a second at the edge. Their faces were lifted to Martin; thelr mouths were wide open with horrid, soundless screams; their frenzied faces, half nin the gloom, haloed by wreath ing white vapor | ‘Then they were gone. | For a moment Martin stood rooted by horror. He thought, “This {s death!” Then, | instantly, his mind asked, “Why the sound? What is it?’ ! The noise was like a _ thousand boilers blowing off. Steam! He had it! The live heart lof the volcano was a «tremendous boiler, and the chasm was the safety- valve. | But Martin was not thinking pri- marily of steam. He wondered how far a man must fa'l ere he lost con-! sclousness. God! He had planned | thelr death; he had pianned to fight! and Kill; but such a death! | He observed the others. The man by his side hugged the ground and hid his face. On the sloping ledge, the two sailors still clutched the life line and stared down that black | mouth, | The remaining Jap; stony with| terror—but he still grasped the haul-| ing part of tht tackle, leaning back ward and holding the saving strain on the rope. Upon him depeded the lives of the. other two; saw Martin. If he should slacken that rope => The roaring died away to the whist ling, rhythmic wall that had preceded the outburst. the quake!” thought Martin. Ow, Thero commenced another great noise, It was not like the shattering, | nerve-wracink roar of the stream. It was rather a mighty rumble that} came from an immense distance. ‘The mountain shook | Suddenly appeared light, a pale Martin's heart skipped a beat, then raced furlously, while cold chilis of For suddenly materialized beside the rope holding the Jap figure. The unholy terror craw!ed down was another | ght -painted it} 1s back jwith its unearthly, grecnish hue. Haggard face and gleaming eyes, | humped body, the ghastly lght, all| combined to make him horrible, un-! human The apparition crouched, as if about to leap. A glittering some- thing was visible in its hand, and it Wnty THI TaD he — OH, UNCLE PETEY—Wite Nov cau A TAYI- CAB PLEASE” HE GOING REALLY UNCLE 1 SUF TO CALL ME ABoUT HAROLD ? — Hes TALKING PERFECT ENGLISH TS IMPRESS Miss DEAN- THE New ENGLISH Teacher! SHOOLON'T BE DiDya HEA TH LATEST DIRT YES SIR, THAT'S SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. 1M HIT LEGAL FATHER NOW -WHAT'S, 2 oF. > A\SS DEAN — LEARNING oF Your PENCHANT foR@ DELECTATE THAT Dot HATE TO START HIM CALLING ME “FATHER®, SOUNDS TOO OLD AND DIGNIFIED, AND HE'LL SOON BE CALLING ME "THE OLD MAN” IF WORE Vt a AHA | YAY MAU ia Don't Expect ME To Run MY DRESS WALKING INL THAT, Stusn DoYou* AND GOSH, WOULDN'T IT SOUND FUNNY TO HAVE SKEEZIx IG AROUND CALLING ME \ DON'T KRHOW WHAT ELSE (I(T COULD BE THOUGH. WINKLE, THE BREADWINNER. Following BREADWIVNER: -Poltciaa ieee ames ° ag Box 1S SIMPLY Ty Beavers A cRY MICKEY THREW A SNOWBALL AN HIT ME IN ow eve !! a BE A MAN | PERRY! DON'T LU (- rrcur RIGHT BACK! MAKE A GOOD HARD SNOWBALL ~ LIKE ICE - AN’ WHEN You THROW IT- PUT LOTS 0’ STEAM GOWAN BEFORE | COME ON Ftaeie Let | ONE Goll! Ne e LOAFER~ PS? " START ING i OK Mommer! WONT HE / Fee. THIS | ONE? pop | SAYS MAKE "em HARD!) ae Fawthaw’s Advice By Billey De Beck —THosE NEw Mopre DResses MAYBEMORE MopesTt THAN LAST NEARS SHORT Skirts -But—_ The vp-Keep 1S SOMETHING AWFotc-! @hbeeeae FeptcereseTi2sgase egeranvererrasy getepeger™ ‘artin reveals the loca-/ appalling roar, and a very gale of/ stared fixedly at the ving anchor of smooth surface, twined around the] Billy came to life, and his “voice]" “Fright, hey? It finished him!) He wheeled upon Little Billy. They climbed and made thelr way & treasure and ts ated air smote their back, as it! the lifeline {teet of the first man and jerked him| mingled with Martin’s: commented Little Billy. “Come! Let us get out of here,| through a tunnel. 6 d from the depths. yellow sailor all at once sensed | down “Martin! Yes, yes—are. you all] What fearsome Presence lurked] quick!” he exclaimed. A moment later the two overlooked ; Sroupeant cave entra ‘ presence by his side The quake rumble ceased. Above| right, Martin? in the depths of the cave behind that!“ wwuich way? The cave—then you|the sun-sparkled waters, and the Co- z r ere held mot for an t s if released by a th an ul n,| Little Billy stepped upon the prost-|sember curtain. Had that dead sailor} jung -wint aaee answered | hassct th terrifying r WN) growing um the lifesaving rope ard the trio’s d | of the ¢ Japaneso left.} seen ean thing 7 something that | Titties Billy. Lounging over the taffrail and sto - ‘ tangible thing tha ands before his face.| wild, hidec hr tha a | it?” cried he hocked the life out of him, tha* frozi . 7 = ing beachward, was a bow-legged f 1 em mes ‘ ond en anoth : leche Sea fainter, £ r away, a That noise—the hole—| that awful look upon his Martin nodded The ary cave; that! s,Danese mate. ‘\ sia t Th Martin exultar three of them. For, when the|ed into the other i e it is spirits,” answered] Dead—he wa ! The | Was itl Hp did not rellah ‘secrogRins |" srne Japs still hed her : s threw his lantern dowr ‘opped the line, the strain on Ma a Fiung himself down, fright-| others—down there, whe came| Winters’ description of the dry enva| Charley Bo Yip stepped out of the ‘ r ver & himself down beside it » was rel T e 1 not dead.” that furlous* moaning! Six men—in a nts on ption, of the dry cave! caiey, ‘Then the noto! Martin sud- u his arm an men clutching the bight fell backward ©) =. 6.8 3ut even as he spokc, ng down | twi q occurred to him. denly remembered. i * Moto wa Fs d slid down the fatal ‘epi Bill the huddled figu J Ww his} bh “Yes—up there!” he directed, and] He fumbled in his hip pocket, his ‘NV y The taillock, swishin the Alinost in th usta Little | words wege short of the tru for pointed to the opening overhead. (Continued on Page Nine.)