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Updated: June 3, 2025
"There are no more ledges and this one juts out so far that even if there were smaller ones beneath we could not get to them." "That is true," agreed the American, "but look, is not that a lake beneath? I think it must be, for the lights are reflected on its surface." "You are right," answered Branasko; "and I now see a chance for us to get down safely." "How?"
He was thinking of trying to retrace his footsteps to a place of more security when he heard footsteps, and then the cheery voice of Branasko nearly opposite him across the chasm: "Are you there?" "Yes." "It is well; I have discovered a good pathway down to the cave, and a pool of fish besides. I have saved some for you. I was so hungry I had to eat. Now, you must jump over to me."
"Of course, clouds sufficiently dense to hide the sun from Alpha would also prevent us from seeing the display below. I ought to " He was interrupted by a grand outburst of harmony. The whole earth seemed to vibrate with sublime melody. "Our blunder has not been discovered yet," finished Branasko, after a pause, "else the fete down below would have been over. I am cold; shall we go inside?"
He calculated that before many hours the water would overflow into the internal fires and produce a volcanic eruption that will swallow up all of Alpha." "Merciful Heaven! and you are hiding here at such a moment? The king must be informed at once." Johnston had grown suddenly paler. "It may not be as bad as Branasko feared, and the king would have no mercy on me and him."
"It is the sun's headlight," explained Branasko. Johnston was thrilled to the centre of his being as he saw the light playing over the polished tracks and cables and illuminating the walls of the great tunnel.
He clutched it with his hands and hung there for a moment, struggling to get a foothold in the emptiness beneath him. "It's no use, I am falling; I can hold no longer!" And Johnston, too terrified to reply, heard the poor fellow's hands slipping from the rock, causing a quantity of loose stones to go rattling down below. With a low cry Branasko fell.
"They are coming toward us!" he said; "they intend to destroy the palace; we must try to get down, but we shall meet danger even there." Johnston and Branasko looked down at the great ball of light below them in silent wonder. Johnston was the first to speak.
A moment later a great bell overhead rang mellowly; the colossal sphere trembled and rocked and then rose and swung easily forward like the car of a balloon. "We are rising," said the Alphian, in a tone of superstitious awe. Johnston said nothing. There was a cool, sinking sensation in his stomach and his head was swimming. Branasko, however, was in possession of all his faculties.
I don't want to dream so again; I'd rather not sleep at all. But hush! what is that?" Far away, as if in the centre of the earth, they heard a low monotonous rumbling. They listened breathlessly. Every moment the sound increased. They could feel the ground trembling as if shaken by an earthquake. "It is the coming sun," said Branasko. "We must get nearer the tunnel and see what can be done.
"If it be salt water, then it has broken in from the ocean above Alpha," he explained. "The king has often said that not a drop of the ocean has ever entered the great cavern." Branasko stooped and wet his hand in a little pool at his feet. "I am almost afraid to taste it," said he, holding his hand near his mouth. "It would settle all our fates."
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