Beadle's Dime Novels, No. 91: The Lost Cache — page 34: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

36 THE LOST CACHE. 2 their transports, under the soothing fumes of the weed. They came to the conclusion fhat the needle was not yet found, and that considerable searching would be necessary, before that di- minutive article could be discovered. Consequently, they went to work more calmly, more methodically, and with better judg- ment, Proceeding to the fountain, they first quaffed a brimming bumper of its liquid coolness, drinking success to their enter- prise, and then commenced to measure 124 chains, in the di- rection west 21 degrees 15 minutes south. They got along very well, keeping the course as exactly as possible, until the line ran into a dense thicket of trees, bushes and tangled viues, when Harry, who carried the further end of the chain, was obliged to use ax and knife to clear his way. Still he perse- vered, although it-was slow work, until he suddenly uttered a cry, and rushed back out of the thicket. His face was as white as a sheet, although he was undoubtedly as braveas a man ought to be. “ For God's sake, Myers,” he exclaimed, “come here quick- ly igen Myers sprung forward, and his friend led him carefully through the thicket, to the edge of a frightful chasm or cafion, about twenty feet wide, dark, and apparently unfathomable. The edges, on each side, were so overhung by trees and bushes, that the chasm was completely concealed, and the eye would not be likely to notice it, until the foot was in it. It was not unfathomable, however, for the sound of running wa- ter could be heard; seemingly at a great distance below. “T had nearly fallen in there,’ said Harry, in alow and husky tone. ‘I was walking backward, dragging the chain, when I was almost over the edge, before I knew where I was. My mangled form would now be lying at the bottom of the chasm, if the chain had not been entangled with a stump, so that Iwas able to draw myself back. When I looked around, and saw what danger I had been in, I must confess that my knees sunk under me, and I was too paralyzed to. move.” . | “Tt was a piatlgtial escape,” answered Myers. ‘“ Who would have thought that such a place was concealed in that thicket !” Comlcbooks.com