THE CAVE IN THE MOUNTAIN
As the "Prince of the Highway" finished the first part of his story and
asked for a fresh drink of water before continuing, there was a wild,
scampering foot-race between the two largest boys as they hastened away
to the well, straining every muscle and nerve in the struggle to see who
might have the pleasure of honoring the wanderer with a drink.
All the children that were seated upon the grass about the Vagabond,
began working closer and closer toward him, forgetful now of the cool
and almost unkind manner in which they had turned a deaf ear to his
request for a drink when first he paused in the centre of the hot, dusty
road. The little girls took off their bright colored sun-bonnets in
order that they might not lose a single word that fell from the lips of
the dust-covered story-teller.
"Mercy!" exclaimed one of the boys, as if just awakening from the scene
that fancy had painted in his little brain. "Mercy!" again he exclaimed.
"What a terrible climb! Isn't it a wonder that the two children could
hold on so long?"
As the words fell from the lips of the little speaker, the assembled
children seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, for they well remembered
that the two children were safe on the side of the mountain.
Back over the lawn came the two boys bearing the water; and after the
thirsty Vagabond had refreshed himself, he blinked his little black eyes
and smacked his dry lips with evident delight, as thus he continued his
story:
"'Aunt Twaddles' and the children, by this time, were well rested; and
rising from the ground she took them by the hands and went slowly up
through the mountain woodland.
"The effort was not nearly so tiresome as the long struggle on the face
of the cliff had been, and for some time they made rapid progress; for
the mountain rose in a gentle slope and the way was closely shaded by
tall trees, that some weeks before had unfolded their bright foliage to
the blue sky of spring.
"If nothing greater was to be expected, the journey was a delight in
itself; and it was fully an hour before they paused in a merry group on
the very top of the mountain.
"As their feet reached the level soil of the mountain crown, 'Aunt
Twaddles' dropped her big bag of herbs for a moment of rest, and turning
to the children, she exclaimed:
"'There, darlings, at last! Now gaze about you on the great underworld
and see if this isn't worth all the trouble and toil that we had on the
face of the cliff?'
"Almost dumb with surprise, the children turned about to gaze upon the
world that lay far beneath them.
"For some time they stood looking upon familiar scenes, dwarfed now by
the distance. The two children, both seeming to think of this fact, were
wondering in their little minds how they would ever get down the side of
the mountain, for they were really so high that it made them quite dizzy
to look below.
Illustration: _"Almost dumb with surprise, the children turned about to
gaze upon the world that lay far beneath them."_
"Way down in the deep valley, like the houses of so many pygmies,
nestled the village of Harpers Ferry, where the foot-bridge appeared
like a narrow strand of dark tape, stretching across a snow-white
stream.
"Far to the westward, the long winding path of the Potomac River
glistened in the bright sunlight like a spotless streamer of snow-white
ribbon, sweeping with many a graceful curve far away into a narrow
trail.
"Nearer by, dashing with loud, rumbling roar against the foot of the
Blue Ridge mountains on the very top of which they were standing, the
foaming, frolicking Shenandoah could be seen here and there, leaping
between the tall rocky cliffs with merry, gamboling shout that arose
like a song to their ears.
"Green wheat-fields, like so many squares of bright velvet carpet that
good farmers had laid out in the sunlight to air, were plainly in view
up the broad valley; and the blossoming peach-trees on the far distant
hillsides, that stood bathing in the full glory of the day, looked to
them like so many tiny rose bushes just bursting into full bloom.
"Nearer by on the mountain ridge, a stray mocking-bird sat in a tree
top, testing his ruffled throat by bursting forth in a wild, beautiful
chant, but changing the notes every moment or so to mock the sweet song
of some one of his feathered acquaintances.
"Now sweet and low he was singing the song of the linnet and calling
them all about him from their busy labor of nest building. Now he was
causing the blue bird to flutter forth in jealous anger by softly
coaxing away its mate. Then, uttering a loud shrill whistle, he sank
into silence, waiting a reply to his eloquent call from some greatly
deceived 'Bob White' that was eating its dinner far off in a bramble of
mountain shrubs.
"Now sweet and low, he sang a song all his own; so sweet that the linnet
and thrush grew silent; so tremulous and low that it called back his
faithless mate from its wanderings. Then growing bold and defiant, with
frantic effort, he carolled forth music wild and shrill, as if
challenging the rest of the song birds to a relentless vocal war.
"A gray squirrel barked high up in the top of the tall chestnut tree
under which they were standing, and far down in a deep, cool hollow
below, they heard a plumed pheasant drumming his battle tune
unchallenged upon a log.
"'Come, children,' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles,' 'let us go!'
"They followed the ridge of the mountain for some time; but the journey
was made so delightful and charming by the wonderful scenes beneath them
that the two children did not seem to notice just how far they had
travelled, although they had gone a great distance and everything about
and beneath them seemed new and changed.
"Suddenly they turned to the left from the mountain ridge and passed
down into a dark ravine, the sides of which were so very high that 'Aunt
Twaddles' said the sun never shone anywhere within its dark bounds, not
even during the noon hours of midsummer.
"It was a dark and gloomy place indeed, filled with great pitfalls of
slimy, green liquid, from which arose an unpleasant odor; while there
was barely enough light for them to see that the steep sides of the
ravine were covered with a damp mould.
"With a feeling of relief they emerged from this horrible place to find
themselves entering a beautiful and heavily wooded glen.
"'Aunt Twaddles' informed them that the gloomy ravine through which they
just passed was called 'The Valley of Dry Bones,' for the reason, as she
said, that the bird or animal once entering it scarcely ever came out
alive, and that what few did escape death were mere skeletons.
"'And how is it that we are not skeletons, Aunt Twaddles, now that we
have passed through the valley?' exclaimed Arthur, with an inquiring
glance.
"'Because we have used the power of reason, my dear, which no bird or
animal except man possesses,' she replied. Then, pausing to glance back,
she continued: 'Knowing the dangers of the valley, I used the power of
reason and laid my course. If you do not use the power of reason, my
boy, you will often find yourself in the Valley of Dry Bones as you
journey along through life.'
"Arthur would have questioned 'Aunt Twaddles' further, but they were now
in a beautiful glen; and as they journeyed along he turned about to
behold the lovely creations of nature that lay on every hand.
"The glen was not very wide, and the leafy branches of the tall,
overhanging trees were so mingled together that the bright sunlight
could not break through, while the beautiful wild flowers seemed
striving to outdo each other in spreading their perfume about on the
balmy air. Yet search as they might, there was not a spray of pennyroyal
anywhere to be seen.
"A second glance over the glen proved it to be a most picturesque spot
indeed; for the rocks that arose here and there from the flower-covered
soil were not dark and weather-stained like those along the Shenandoah
River, and the wild ferns and perfumed flowers tempted the observing
children to stay their steps.
"'Now,' exclaimed 'Aunt Twaddles,' as they walked slowly along, 'this
beautiful glen, my darlings, is called Temporary Delight, which means
short pleasures; for, as you see, we are near its end.'
"Looking up, the children were surprised to behold in front of them a
mountain of solid stone.
"They had not met with a greater surprise during their entire journey
than this towering cliff of rock that now barred their way; and little
Maud, suddenly hushed, dropped her flowers upon the ground and turned
with a troubled look to 'Aunt Twaddles' as she said in a trembling
voice:
"'Aunt Twaddles, the flowers are beautiful, but, see, they fade as
quickly as they are plucked, and are not worth carrying. Besides, I do
not see any pennyroyal. How shall we ever get beyond this great
mountain?'
"'Aunt Twaddles' was standing on the top of a rock, the summit of which
she had reached with a mighty bound; and as she noticed the troubled
look on the faces of the children, she laughed until her fat sides
fairly shook, when she said to little Maud in reply:
"'The pleasures of life, like these flowers, are never very lasting, my
dear. Never mind, you shall have your pennyroyal. Just learn to wait and
be patient, for all things require time.'
"She made an effort to whistle, but her fat cheeks refused to make other
than a low hissing sound.
"It was enough. There was an answering warble from far off in the
woodland, then a sudden flutter of swift crimson wings among the near-by
branches. In another second a beautiful Red Bird came sailing down the
dark glen and, greatly to the surprise of the two children, lighted upon
one of 'Aunt Twaddles'' shoulders where it began to sing a most
beautiful song.
"In the excitement of the moment, Arthur dropped the handful of withered
flowers he had gathered for his little sister, and with hands half
raised, shouted for her to turn quickly that she might behold the
wonderful bird; but the startling cry of the boy was hushed as he beheld
the Red Bird drop from its slender claw a bright golden key into the
outstretched hand of 'Aunt Twaddles', and then sail away into the
woodland.
"'Aunt Twaddles' stepped toward the cliff and, turning to the surprised
children, she waved the golden key in the air, as she said in her
usually kind way.
"'Now, children, listen. I know the old one-legged miser who keeps the
Inn at the Ferry and have known him ever since he was an ill-tempered
boy who respected not the will of his parents. I knew your brave father,
too, let me say, many years before he marched gallantly away to the war
from which he never returned. Often have I given your sweet mother a
bite of my candy, long, long before she went to live with the angels.
And now, for the love of yourselves, as well as for the memory and
respect that I bear your dear, dead parents, I am going to give you that
moment of peace and joy that the cross old miser so begrudges you down
at the Inn.'
"With that she faced the mountain and placed the golden key in a deep
crevice of the rock, at the same time repeating some strange and
mysterious words.
"There was a deep, rumbling roar within, that sounded like the angry
roll of distant thunder and greatly frightened the children; when, with
a tearing crash, the tall mountain parted at the centre.
"Pieces of bursting rock went flying through the air in every direction.
"Great columns of smoke rose upward and spread over the entire sky like
a mighty cloud.
"The severed cliff rolled away to the side and there before them stood
the entrance to a deep, dark cave that looked gloomy and filled with
danger.
"At first, little Arthur and Maud drew back in affright and stood ready
to fly up the glen for their lives; but 'Aunt Twaddles,' turning toward
them, exclaimed in calm, easy tones:
"'Fear not, my children! Fear not, for I am your friend!'
"Then without another word she entered the mouth of the dark cave and at
the chiming sound of a deep-toned bell, the cavern became filled in a
second with a million bright and glowing lights, the like of which no
mortal eye had ever beheld.
"The two little children, now overcome with amazement, stood for the
moment speechless and motionless in the presence of the strange scene
that lay before them.
"The great flood of light that poured from the cavern illumined the
scene with a strange beauty, that, falling upon the clear, crystal-like
rocks of the glen, seemed to make them glow with sparkling radiance like
so many diamonds; and the wild flowers of the woodland and the foliage
of the trees hung trembling beneath the magic glare that the flood of
fire cast upon them from the mouth of the enchanted cave.
"Both Arthur and Maud seemed enchanted too. They could have remained
upon the spot perfectly contented, for a long time, had not 'Aunt
Twaddles' broken the spell by calling them. Taking each by the hand, she
led them into the cavern.
"Instead of the rough, rude, unpolished walls of dark stone that the two
children had expected to find, they were surprised to see the beautiful
crystallized formations that hung everywhere from the roof of the
cavern. The whole place seemed to be one living blaze of light. The
floor was as smooth as a piece of glass and so polished that it might
have answered the purpose of a mirror.
"They stood gazing about the great cave for some time, when 'Aunt
Twaddles' hurried them on their journey, exclaiming:
"'Come, children, for we have far to go!'
"They walked rapidly on through the cavern for some distance, not
failing, however, to take time to explore its most interesting parts.
"It was not long before they came to a broad river that, with its swift
current, dashed through the great cave with mighty roar. 'Aunt
Twaddles,' realizing that in order to proceed upon their journey they
had to cross this stream in some manner, paused with the two children on
the shore. They stood at the edge of the water, gazing far out over the
tide and wondering what they were going to do, when, at a wave of
command from 'Aunt Twaddles,' a water sprite rose slowly from the tide
and in another instant stood bowing and scraping before them.
"He was a most curious-looking creature indeed; and, although bearing
little or no resemblance to the people of the earth, he was not at all
bad to look upon.
"His face beamed constantly with a broad smile, that spread his wide
mouth with its thin lips almost from ear to ear; while, in addition to a
good pair of arms, and hands with long, bony but webbed fingers, he had,
on either side of his shoulder blades, broad fins like a fish, which, no
doubt, he used in his progress through the water.
"His head ran up to a very sharp point on the top—not a bad feature at
all for diving, as it was sharp like a boat. His eyes, instead of
setting crosswise in his head, as the eyes of most everything do, set
straight up and down with an eyebrow running along on either side of his
nose, the sight of which caused little Arthur almost to laugh in his
face.
"As he thus stood smiling and bowing before them, 'Aunt Twaddles' turned
to the two children and said:
"'I left a boat here on this side of the river but this mischievous
creature has taken it away. We had him sent to this underground river
because one night he cut off the beautiful hair of a mermaid and made it
into a wig for himself. I wish you could have seen him when he appeared
the next day with his false golden locks and dark skin. He really looked
as ridiculous as some of those women who have yellow hair and black
eyebrows.'
"With that she made a movement of the hand and the sprite leaped
straight upward into the air, almost as high as the roof of the cavern;
then, turning a somersault in mid air, he landed head first in the water
with a splash and was gone.
"It was not long before a big boat came swiftly across the stream. No
one was in it, no one was pushing it, and no one was pulling it, so far
as anyone could see. It came rapidly on and landed with great care
directly in front of 'Aunt Twaddles' and the children, and without
visible aid, bore them swiftly across the stream and landed them safely
on the other side of the river, where they resumed their journey.
"As they walked slowly along under the glaring light, the children
beheld long rows of shelves covering one entire side of the cavern. When
Arthur inquired of 'Aunt Twaddles' what they might be, they paused for a
moment while she informed them that this great cavern was the Store
House for the seeds of all the flowers and fruits that grew in 'Beauty
Valley.'
"Although Arthur wanted to inquire further about 'Beauty Valley,' for he
had never heard its name mentioned before, his inquisitive nature was
silenced; for, scarcely had 'Aunt Twaddles' finished telling about the
wonderful places to be found in the enchanted cave, when they came to
its end and found themselves stopped by the presence of a great stone
door.
"For a moment, 'Aunt Twaddles' stood before this door, waving her fat
arms in a strange, frantic manner, as if she had entirely gone out of
her mind. In a low tone she uttered many strange words, which the
children did not understand; and you can imagine their surprise as they
beheld the stone door move quickly but silently to one side, and a flood
of golden sunlight sweep into the cave.
"They were now very anxious indeed to know what new wonder might lie
before them.
"As the stone door rolled away, the enchanted cavern again became dark
and the children wanted to hasten out into the sunshine at once; but the
voice and hand of 'Aunt Twaddles' caused them to stay their steps, as in
earnest tones she exclaimed:
"'Wait, darlings! We must wait until the Red Bird comes back with a
message before we dare step upon this sacred soil.'
"And before she had finished speaking, a beautiful Red Bird flew into
the mouth of the cavern and lighted upon 'Aunt Twaddles' shoulder. She
whispered some strange words into its ear and it darted rapidly away.
"And now while 'Aunt Twaddles' and the children are waiting the return
of the magical Red Bird in the mouth of the great cave, we will wait
here for a moment of rest while the boys bring some fresh water from the
well, for I know some of you are quite thirsty."
And the Vagabond, wiping the perspiration from his dusty brow, sank into
silence and began fanning himself with his tattered black hat.
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