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THE STORY
Part I
Von Scholtz knew he was nearing the end
of the cave, so he hastened his steps.
How come that ball of light bounding and
rebounding from the back of the cave? There was no time to reason about it for
it came toward him with such force as to fell him to the ground so violently
that he lay there a long time as one dead. Consciousness returning, however, he
arose, and feeling no pain from the fall, walked straight to the end of the
cave and placed his hand on the back wall, thus finishing one–half of the
arduous and nerve–wracking task he had undertaken in the interests of
science.
As von Scholtz faced about, ready to
retrace his steps to the mouth of the cave, it was not surprising that he
should heave a sigh of relief over the fact that he had accomplished something
no man had ever done before. His experience in doing this, however, did not
make him feel overconfident in his ability to return without great care and
study of each condition he might now encounter. Moreover, he already felt
greatly fatigued. He sat down a few moments to rest, inclined to give way to a
feeling of drowsiness. He felt hungry, too, though thirst distressed him
more.
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