be a pleasant meal, and yet a more pleasant evening
there in the wilderness,--the first, but by no means the last, partaken
of,--for, now they need no longer fear the heathen, Professor Featherwit
was eager to more thoroughly explore that strange land.

Still, the air-ship was inconveniently crowded, and that helped to cut
explorations short. Then, too, Cooper Edgecombe was naturally eager to
return to civilisation once more, especially as he now had his heart's
dearest desire, wife and daughter, each peerless in her peculiar way.

Thus it came to pass that the terra incognita was abandoned for the time
being, Professor Featherwit striking that wide path of ruin which marked
the course of the tornado, then sailing leisurely towards the point
of their initial departure, improving the opportunity by giving a
neat little lecture concerning tornadoes in general, and that one in
particular.

"Which totally exploded so many absurd theories held up to date," was
his proud assertion; and then he went on to explain just how, and why,
and wherefore--

Why dwell longer? The tale I set out to narrate is finished. The unknown
land has been penetrated, and at least a portion of its marvels has
been inspected; imperfectly, no doubt, but that may be attributed to
circumstances which were past control.

And should the still curious reader ask, "Is it all true? Is there
actually such a place as the Lost City? And are the people who live
in that town really and truly the same race as once inhabited Old
Mexico?"--to all such, I can hardly do better than this: there was a
Territory of Washington. There is now a State of Washington. Within that
State may be found a range, or system of mountains, known to the
world as the Olympics. And within the wide scope of country which lies
nestling inside of that mountain system may to this day be found--

But, after all, a little parable which Waldo Gillespie read to a certain
doubting Thomas, on the very evening of the day which changed Gladys
Edgecombe, spinster, into Mrs. Bruno Gillespie, may better serve in this
connection.

"After all, I don't believe there is any such place or people," declared
Doubting Thomas, nodding his head vigorously.

"Is that so?" mildly queried our good friend, Waldo. "Let me give you
a little pointer, old man. Once upon a time, a man by the name of John
Smith was being tried for stealing a fat hog. The State brought three
reputable witnesses to swear that they