" Coming to their senses, the terrified Boducatoos sped from the
haunted spot; stumbling, leaping, every now and then casting
looks over their shoulders, where their excited imaginations con
jured up demons in full pursuit. Down the canyon they flew,
never stopping until they suddenly came upon the camp-fire of
their companions where they fell exhausted.
" When sufficiently recovered from their fright they related what
had befallen them, fanning into a flame the natural superstitions of
their comrades so that next morning they retreated to the mouth
of the canyon where the main body of the pursuers was encamped.
" When the story was told, the warriors decided to return, and
from that day the tribe .has held the canyon in great awe, declar
ing that the spirits ' would punish all who invade it.' "
This was the tale related to us by Yntali who again prayed us
not to search
. the canyon for gold because he assured us that he
recognized it as the one connected with the legend told him by
his father. We laughed at his fears, and again repeated our re
solve to prospect there. He then flatly refused to go with us.
The next morning we started without him, proposing to return
that night. On reaching the canyon we separated, arranging
that if we did not meet, we would find our way back to camp
singly. Jack started up the side of the cliffs, while I went on up
the gorge.
I searched all day long, and by evening was nearly at the head
of the canyon. Being so much interested in my work, I had not
noticed the flight of time, so that it was nearly dusk when I
started back to camp.
I had not gone, far when the dark tropical night shut in upon
me, and I was compelled to seek shelter until morning. While
stumbling around I came upon a cave, something that I had not
expected to have the good fortune to run across. How it had
escaped my notice when I came up the canyon I knew not; but it
Was here and I determined to make use of it.
I soon started a fire, and when I had eaten my lunch, my in
tention was to explore the cave; but being tired, I gave up the
idea and went to sleep instead.
About midnight I suddenly awoke and sat bolt upright. What
had awakened me I could not tell, but a nameless feeling of dread
had taken possession of me. I could not shake it off, nor could I
tell what caused it. My camp-fire had gone down, and being cold
THE CAVE