In a few moments the Scorcher was descending2 to the next plateau. Here a revelation was accorded the adventurers as Frank had promised.
For there, just beyond the fringe of trees, was indeed visible quite plainly the white ruins of a town.
It was surrounded by a demolished3 wall of stone, resembling marble. All about this were trees of a pomegranate and mulberry type or species. It was plain that great gardens had once surrounded the town.
The buildings were all shattered and riven, as if by the force of an earthquake or a bombardment. It was evil dent5 that the city was destroyed by some force as yet unknown.
And the inhabitants—were they destroyed also?
With great interest and powerful curiosity the voyagers watched the ruined city as they drew nearer to it.
A long, level prairie now alone intervened. To cross this did not require a long space of time.
But the Scorcher now struck into what looked like a sort of road, leading down to the town gates. Part of the way it was fringed with a hedge of firs.
And at intervals6 the ruins of strange-looking houses were seen upon either hand. The adventurers regarded them wonderingly.
On ran the Scorcher at a fair rate of speed.
And it followed that very soon the machine crossed a causeway of white stone and rolled between two high pillars into the main street of the town.
It was noted7 then how curiously8 the place was laid out.
The entire town described a circle; all the streets beginning at the gate and extending in circles about a hollow or amphitheater in the center.
It was a strong reminder9 of a coliseum, the houses occupying the position of the seats. In the center of the public square, or circle, rather, there had stood a tall shaft10 of stone, fully11 one hundred feet high.
Doubtless this was a monument, commemorating12 some heroic deed or mighty13 occasion. In this sentiment, at least, the Polar people resembled their civilized14 neighbors beyond the ice belt.
“By Jove!” exclaimed Randall, “these people were the equal of the ancient Aztecs. Their architecture shows that.”
“They may be our equals,” said Frank. “We have as yet no means of proving the contrary.”
“That is very true.”
There were some obstruction15 in the street of the Polar city, but the Scorcher managed to pick its way along without great difficulty.
Not until the central part of the city was reached did the machine stop. Then Frank stepped out on deck, and cried:
“Well, friends, here we are. We have accomplished16 the great feat17 of crossing the Antarctic barrier and invading the Polar Continent. We have discovered a ruined town, and evidence that this was once an inhabited region, though now abandoned. Let us, therefore, set foot on Polar soil and devote some time to exploration.”
Cheers followed this declaration, and all leaped over the rail.
There was little need of guarding the Scorcher, for no living foe18 was in the vicinity. Barney and Pomp began a frolic on the green turf, while Frank, with Randall and the sailor, began the exploration.
They scrambled19 over the ruins of the building, and were impressed with the fact that their architecture had been of a tasty kind.
“These people were not savages,” declared Frank. “They understood the arts. Look!”
He picked up an object which all saw at once was a helmet or head-dress. It was basinet shaped, and of a strange kind of bronze-like metal.
“What is the metal?” asked Randall, as he examined it. Then he gave a sharp cry.
“What is the matter?” asked Frank.
“Do you know what kind of metal this is?” asked Randall.
“No.”
Frank knew that the other was an expert metallurgist. So he awaited the announcement with interest.
“Well,” said Randall, slowly, “its chief component20 part is gold!”
“Gold!”
“Yes, also in the alloy21 is silver and iron. That proves that these people knew the use of metals. It proves more!”
“Well?”
“That gold is one of the common ores of this region.” Frank and Wendel gave a start. Their eyes shone.
How easy it is to arouse the gold fever in the human composition! It is as natural as breathing.
But Frank regained22 himself.
“That adds to the value of our discovery!” he cried. “At no distant day, doubtless, gold-seekers will forsake23 Australia and Africa for the Polar mines.”
“Exactly! I have no doubt that rich deposits exist here!”
“Well,” said Frank, “they are of little use to us just now. Ha! What have we here?”
As he spoke24 the young inventor had taken a step forward.
At his feet yawned a deep pit. There were stone stairs descending into it.
What seemed like a crypt, or underground chambers26, were doubtless below. This reflection was enough.
Exploration was the order, so Frank hesitated no longer but prepared to descend1 into the place.
Randall waited curiously for Frank to descend. Then he followed.
They stood in a little square chamber25, apparently27 cut out of solid rock. Beyond was a narrow passage, but black as Erebus.
“What is it?” asked Randall. “It looks like a tomb.”
“And so it may be,” agreed Frank, “or perhaps a treasure vault28. At any rate, we will explore it.”
He stepped into the dark passage, but before he had proceeded ten feet he abruptly29 halted.
In the darkness ahead there blazed two fearful balls of fire. Instinctively30 Frank shivered.
He knew that some fierce animal—a panther or wolf—had made this hole its den4.
He was face to face with the creature, and it was by no means a despicable foe or an enviable situation. In this dark place it would not be easy to defend one’s self.
A deep, hoarse31 growl32 came from the depths. Then Frank gasped33:
“A bear!”
He retreated backward precipitately34, hoping to reach the outer chamber, but the glaring eyeballs were close upon him.
Frank had for weapons only a revolver and a knife.
He drew the revolver and fired point blank at the eyes. Before he could fire again it was struck from his grasp by a huge paw, and he had to fall back on his knife.
Another blow of the paw brought him to his knees, and he was obliged to clinch35 with his foe.
Meanwhile Randall and Wendel had grasped the situation.
The former tried to drag Frank from the dark passage, and in the struggle both man and bear emerged. This was a better chance for Frank.
The bear was of a monster black species. Frank was driving the knife into its carcass, but it seemed to have no effect.
It was Wendel who saved the day.
He luckily had his rifle with him. Rushing forward he placed it at the bear’s head and fired point blank.
The ball crashed through bruin’s brain and ended the struggle. Frank detached himself from the brute’s embrace.
By a miracle he was comparatively unharmed, having only a few hard scratches to show for his struggle.
But it was a close call.
“By Jupiter!” gasped Randall, “I thought you were done for that time, Frank.”
“I owe my life to you,” said Frank, gripping Wendel’s hand.
“I am glad of that, mate,” replied the sailor, heartily36.
“Do you think there are any more bears in there?” asked Randall.
“No,” replied Frank, “but it is well to use precaution. Let us proceed with care.”
Once more they crept into the passage. In a few moments they stood in a gloom-filled chamber.
At one end of this was another pit and stairs. They evidently led down to deeper regions.
It was too dark to proceed farther at haphazard37. So Frank turned about and said:
“If one of us can go back to the Scorcher and get an electric lantern I think we can go farther.”
“I’ll do that,” agreed Wendel, and away he went.
It was not long before he returned with the lantern. This had a powerful burner and lit up the subterranean38 chambers fully.
Down the second flight of steps the explorers now proceeded. A remarkable39 discovery was in store for them.
Down and down a winding40 way they went.
Soon it was seen that the walls of the passage were of natural conformation and that they were really in a cavern41.
It trended downward for what seemed an interminable distance. Then suddenly a startling surprise was accorded all.
For they had emerged into a mighty, high-domed42 cavern chamber. Its limits could not be seen.
But it was nearly occupied with a mighty subterranean lake. The water flashed in the lantern’s glare.
“An underground sea!” cried Randall. “What a wonder!”
“And access to it by the Polar people,” mused43 Frank. “What was their purpose?”
“Perhaps to get water or to fish,” suggested Wendel. “Eh! what kind of a craft is this?”
As he spoke he bent44 down over a sort of coracle which lay in the sands. Paddles were against the thwarts45 just as it had been left by its former owners.
The little craft was examined and found to be quite staunch.
But just at that moment Randall gripped Frank’s arm.
“Look!” he whispered.
He pointed46 across the domed lake. There was a strange leaping, fantastic glare of light. It appeared at intervals and was intensely weird47 and fanciful in its shapes.
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1
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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3
demolished
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| v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
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4
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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5
dent
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| n.凹痕，凹坑；初步进展 | |
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6
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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7
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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8
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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9
reminder
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| n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示 | |
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shaft
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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commemorating
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| v.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的现在分词 ) | |
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13
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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18
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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19
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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20
component
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| n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的 | |
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alloy
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| n.合金，(金属的)成色 | |
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regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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24
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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25
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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27
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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32
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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33
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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precipitately
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| adv.猛进地 | |
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35
clinch
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| v.敲弯，钉牢；确定；扭住对方 [参]clench | |
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36
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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37
haphazard
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| adj.无计划的，随意的，杂乱无章的 | |
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38
subterranean
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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39
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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40
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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41
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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42
domed
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| adj. 圆屋顶的, 半球形的, 拱曲的 动词dome的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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43
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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44
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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45
thwarts
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| 阻挠( thwart的第三人称单数 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过 | |
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46
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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47
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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