nk such
strong drink," cried the trapper.

"Perhaps it is not water;" so saying, the chief touched the brand he
had in his hand to it, when, lo! it blazed with a strong white flame.
Touching the other also, two clearer, purer lights never illumined a
cavern. The light penetrated the recesses and laid open every object to
view, and as their eyes fell once more on the curious chair they
uttered an exclamation of wonder. It was sparkling and glowing with a
thousand rays. Approaching it they saw it was covered with dust, which
they brushed away; and if they were astonished before, now they gazed
with speechless wonder at the curiosity before them, that threw back
the light that fell full upon it, in flashing rays, dazzling the eyes
of the beholders.

"The fire stones! Touch them not!" cried the chief, waving the rest
back with his hand imperiously. "The evil spirit presides in this spot,
and we are in his power. Provoke him not, or we shall be all destroyed
like the lost people were, a thousand moons ago."

"Pshaw! Chief, you are ridiculous. This has evidently been a chair of
state, and has been made for one high in power to sit in. The material
appears to be quartz, studded with diamonds enough to enrich a kingdom.
The bad spirits are all in your imagination; they will keep a
respectful distance from us, I promise you."

"Glad to hear you speak up, uncle," said Sidney, "for unless we
overcome Whirlwind's prejudice against carrying any of these wonderful
things home with us, to give occular proof of what we saw, every one
will think our account exaggerated. For instance, now, I intend
breaking off one of the arms of the chair to give proof of what it is
composed."

"No, no; not for any consideration shall it be mutilated. It would be
desecration to do it. If we never get home, it could do no good; and if
we do, the day may come when we can return in safety, and remove it
whole, or at least we might give the information that would lead to its
removal," returned the trapper.

"Oh! well then, I must find something else that will answer my purpose
as well," and going to one of the corners of the niche, or rather an
elevated room, he came to a pile of rubbish which he commenced pulling
away, and, which, on examining, proved to be a human figure. Starting
back, with a cry of terror, the rest hurried to where he stood staring
with distended eyes toward the form that was stretched on the rocky
bed, in the corner; when they