Cornelius Shea

“ As they rounded a cleft of rock, Andrew Jones came to a halt, and, pointing downward, exclaimed:
“Look there! Did you ever see anything to beat that?”
The swamp explorers followed the direction his finger pointed, and beheld a truly marvelous sight.
Beneath them was a rift of many feet in length, and in the sides, at irregular intervals, were small apertures resembling the portholes of a war ship, through which, ever and anon, came puffs of flame and smoke.
To look at the scene in a certain way, one could almost imagine that a pair of immense ironclads were engaged in battle. ”

“ Then he again went over the legend of Hez, and wound up by pointing to the identical spot in the pool where the beautiful woman, whom he afterward made his wife, arose so mysteriously.
De Amilo told his story in such a solemn way that his hearers were more or less impressed with it.
“I believe that in some manner that man has become satisfied that yarn is true himself,” said Leo, in a whisper to his cousin.
“Yes,” assented Dick; “either that or else the legend is true, after all.”
Leo smiled.
“Why, you don’t believe it, do you, old fellow? Has the beautiful queen told you the same thing?” ”

“ A few yards distant was the mouth of a gallery or passage, and at the command of Leo Malvern they rushed for this with all possible speed.
The inhabitants of the underground place came after them with all their might, uttering, for the first time, loud yells of triumph.
“Hurry up!” cried Dick; “if we can reach the mouth of that passage we’ll give ’em fits.”
The arrows kept flying all around them, and Lucky, the darky, was wounded in the arm.
A minute more and the spot was reached in safety.
“Now!” exclaimed Leo, “give it to them! Everybody fire as fast as he can.” ”

“ Second—was the legend of Hez true, and was Roderique de Amilo as old as he claimed? Third—was the pool and fountain in the dazzlingly lighted cavern really the Fountain of Youth Ponce de Leon was in search of? And, fourth—was it really the discharge of the cannon that caused the earthquake that wrought such a ruin upon the city of the Naztecs and the Land of Hez?”
As the Yankee asked these questions he knocked the ashes from his pipe and glanced around at his hearers.
“Your questions will never be answered in this world,” replied the professor, gravely. ”

“ More than one pair of eyes cast a bewitching glance at them as they passed, and Lucky and the Yankee grinned in a wholesale manner.
Queen Olive was at the further end of the long hall through the center of the building, and Dick noticed that her face wore an anxious look.
When all had assembled and the utmost quiet reigned, she arose and addressed the audience in Spanish.
“Women of Hez,” said she, “we have assembled here this morning, according to our ancient custom, to choose five husbands. Our law is that no woman shall ever marry, unless her husband be a stranger from the outside world. ”

“ I congratulate you, old fellow! Why, it don’t seem possible that you are a man of family. And your wife! Well, she hasn’t lost any of her good looks. I tell you, wonders will never cease. I am the only single man left in our party of swamp explorers now.”
“Is that so?” asked Dick. “I thought that none of them could marry until two years had elapsed.”
“The new queen changed the law. The professor, Haypole and Lucky were married to-day; and if Azurma had not showed up just as she did, I, too, would have been a benedict.” ”

“ Leo was but a few seconds in making the descent, and yet it seemed to be as many hours to him.
Just as he slid over the edge of the decline there came a puff of smoke and flame which completely enveloped his form and screened him from the view of his companions above. Blinded and scorching from the heat, he fell, with a splash, into the cooling waters of the rushing stream. ”

“ The swamp explorers found themselves upon a comparatively high piece of ground, which was surrounded by the marsh lands that composed the greater portion of the vast Everglades.
It was the first time they had set eyes upon the huge trees and tangled undergrowth of the outside world in two whole years, and, dreary as their surroundings were, they thought it the most beautiful sight they had ever witnessed.
Those who had reached the earth’s surface were Dick Vincey, Leo Malvern, Prof. Remington Easy, Martin Haypole, Andrew Jones, Reginald Lacy and Philander Owens. ”

“ The party was formed of but seven—Leo, Dick, Prof. Easy, Martin Haypole, Lucky, the darky, and the American known as Andrew Jones, and Roderique de Amilo.
They set out in the direction taken by Reginald Lacy and his persistent pursuer.
“A wonderful land is this,” remarked De Amilo, as they walked along. “I have never fully explored it myself in all the years I have lived here. Nearly everything you will meet and see that interests you will be found to be mysterious. In fact, this whole country is a land of mystery.” ”

“ It sartainly is he who stole it that night in th’ swamp.”
“Never mind,” whispered Dick. “Let’s watch him and see what he is up to.”
The man, who has been spoken of as Reginald Lacy, paused near the edge of the pool and looked at his surroundings with an air of extreme surprise.
He patted the dog upon the head in an affectionate way and said:
“Well, Jupiter, we have struck a wonderful country. But we are not safe, old fellow—not by any means. Owens is still upon our track, and he evidently means business. But he shall never kill me, Jupiter; I may deserve it, but I will never die at his hands.” ”

“ Dick grasped a pole and assisted to shove the boat out into the stream, and thence to the little island, where Lucky, the darky, was anxiously awaiting the return of the two boys.
When he saw the sailboat approaching through the gathering darkness, he uttered a cry of alarm and hastily seized his rifle, which stood against a tree.
“Hold on, Lucky! it is all right,” shouted Leo.
“Fo’ de Lor’ sakes! Whar did youse done git de boat, Massa Leo?” asked the darky.
“We found her out here with two men in her,” returned Dick, as the prow of the craft struck the little island. ”

“ An ominous, rattling sound was heard, and a score of human skeletons dropped from above and stood upright upon the ground.
Then the dance began in earnest, the skeletons joining in, it seemed.
The girls struck up a chant in time with the music, which had again changed, and began gliding about, right and left, with their grewsome partners.
Lucky, the darky, whose nerves were not overstrong, fainted away, while the rest of the party felt an icy chill gliding down their backs.
Probably the least interested one in the party was the man who had been in the cave when our friends entered. ”

“ Free us immediately, or I give you my word that every one of you shall suffer the fate of Azurma.”
There was a ripple of mocking laughter at this, and the leader of the conspirators went on:
“Is that your final answer?”
“It is.”
“Be it so, then. From this time forward I am the queen of the Land of Hez. Farewell, my sister. May you and your lover enjoy the agonies of death you have so freely chosen!”
This nerved Dick to a feeling of desperation, and he strove to free himself with all his might. ”

“ A slight noise behind him caused him to turn. The next instant a dozen men sprang upon him and bore him to the ground.
Jupiter, the dog, endeavored to render his master some assistance, but a blow from a heavy club stretched the animal senseless on a slab of rock.
Then Lacy’s hands were securely bound behind him, and his captors, who were a queer-looking set, raised him to his feet.
They began talking rapidly in some unknown tongue, and at length decided to take their prisoner down the decline to the cave below. ”

“ When within about fifty feet of the intruders, they came to a sudden halt and sent a flight of arrows at them.
One of these found lodgment in the fleshy part of Martin Haypole’s leg, and another went through the crown of the professor’s hat.
Leo and Dick thought it high time for them to act.
Dropping to their knees, they began firing into the ranks of the queerly attired strangers.
Crack! crack!
The reports rang out in rapid succession, and at almost every shot a man fell. ”

“ While working about the soil near the city, Dick had discovered the materials for making a first-class blasting powder, and by means of this they hoped to blow open the door in the obelisk and thus find their way to freedom.
The discovery of a combustible substance that could be set off by a spark set Philander Owens to thinking.
He knew full well that the men of Hez outnumbered the party Dick and Leo intended to lead against them, by three or four to one.
Consequently, something more powerful in the line of weapons than spears and axes must be introduced. ”

“ Completely unnerved at the sight, Leo turned from the spot.
“Come, Azurma,” said he, “we will go back to the village.”
“Yes, Leo,” was the reply; “nothing could save the man and dog from death. Their lifeless bodies are floating in the pool at the foot of the falls by this time.”
For fear that another picuasus might show up, they hurriedly left the spot. ”

“ Just have a little patience and sit down and wait.”
“I am sorry, but I can’t comply with your request,” returned the adventurous boy. “I am deeply interested in the cave where the dance of death took place. Come on; who is going with me?”
“Gosh hang it!” exclaimed Haypole; “I’ll go.”
“Better wait, Dick,” said Leo, who was anxious to be there when Azurma came back.
“Oh, that’s all right, old fellow. We won’t run into any danger. We’ll see you later.”
With these words, Dick and the Yankee felt their way along until they came to the passage leading from the vault. ”

“ There is a race of people, similar in character to those who live in the Land of Hez, not far from here. Their city is my home for the present, as well as that of Azurma. But come, we had better be moving from here; there is no telling when one of those big turtle spiders might show up. What do you say if you both accompany me to the city of the Naztecs? I’ll guarantee that you will be used well.”
“We will go!” said Queen Olive, suddenly. “It would not do for me to go back to Hez at this late hour. ”

“ Remington Easy was of an exploring turn of mind.
About a month before the opening of our story he became deeply interested in that vast, unexplored region in the southern part of Florida known as the Everglades.
The more he studied over the matter the more he became desirous of penetrating the heart of the swamp and discovering something wonderful.
The professor possessed an unlimited supply of cash, and he spared no expense in fitting himself out for his trip.
Thus we now find them in their boat upon the lower part of Lake Okechobee, within about five miles of the beginning of the Everglades. ”

“ They soon perceived a light, and the next minute saw a number of the men of Hez approaching, carrying torches.
That our two friends were perceived at the same time was plainly evident, for the strangely attired men uttered exclamations of pleasure, and motioned the pair not to be afraid.
At the same time one of their number called out, in good English:
“Fear not, my friends. No harm shall befall you. We have come in search of you, at the queen’s order. Your friends and companions are safe and sound, and await you.”
“Who in thunder are you?” asked Haypole, stepping forward. ”

“ A needle-like instrument was pinned to the white, gauzy sash about her waist, and with this she endeavored to do the job.
Though she knew little or nothing about surgery, she was successful.
The dog howled piteously during the operation, but did not offer to prevent her from doing it.
When it was finished he rolled over on his side and appeared to fall into a deep sleep. The girl bathed the dog’s wound with her water-soaked garments, and then seated herself by his side to await developments. ”

“ They had been invited to be present at the execution of the murderess, Azurma, and though none of them were bloodthirsty enough to long for such sights, the novelty of the thing caused them to make up their minds to see it out.
That Leo was very much put out about the affair was certain. He considered that he was the direct cause of the whole trouble, and while the fair girl deserved punishment for her rash and bloody act, he made up his mind that a jury in any civilized portion of the world would hardly find her guilty of murder in the first degree. ”

“ The queen then spoke, informing Leo what the custom of Hez was, concluding with:
“I have just been visited by a committee of unmarried ladies, who demand that they shall have an opportunity of drawing lots for each of you. It is the custom, and we must adhere to it. I have appointed to-morrow morning for the drawing to take place. You will all remember this, and be at the palace an hour after sunrise.”
With these words she left our friends, taking Azurma with her.
The next morning, at the appointed time, Leo, Dick, Prof. Easy, Martin Haypole and Lucky made their way to the abode of the queen. ”