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Stout, Rex, 1886-1975

"Under the Andes"

Desiree
accompanied us. Harry told her bluntly that she would be in the
way, but she refused to stay behind.
We turned upstream, thinking our chances better in that direction
than toward the swifter current, and were surprised to find that
the cavern was much larger than any we had before seen. In
something over a mile we had not yet reached the farther wall,
for we walked at a brisk pace for a quarter of an hour or more.
At this point the stream was considerably wider than it was
below, and there was very little current. Desiree stood on the
bank while Harry and I waded out above our waists.
There was a long and weary wait before anything occurred. The
water was cold, and my limbs became stiff and numb; I called to
Harry that it was useless to wait longer, and was turning toward
the shore when there was a sudden commotion in the water not far
from where he stood.
I turned and saw Harry plunge forward with his spear.
"I've got him!" he yelled. "Come on!"
I went. But I soon saw that Harry didn't have him. He had
Harry. They were all of ten yards away from me, and by the time I
reached the spot there was nothing to be seen but flying water
thrashed into foam and fury.


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