rface has a particular name, like the _random-tooled_, where the
tool marks are shown in all directions; _rusticated_ when only the
joined edges are trimmed up; _prison-rustic_ when it is pitted with deep
holes; _herring-bone_ when it is tooled in rows of opposite directions
to each other; and _nigged_ when finished up with a pointed hammer."

Within an hour the stones were removed and put aside, and then Ephraim
was treated to another surprise when he was made acquainted with the
little electric flash lights which John exhibited. With these they
entered the cave.

All savage tribes have some sort of animals, as pets, and dogs are the
most frequent. This was the case among these people. The dogs were with
the party, and, as usual, ahead of the procession. Two of them went
ahead on a scouting expedition, while John and the boys, with their
flash lights followed.

After they had gone, probably two hundred feet, there was a slight
descent apparent in the floor of the cave, and ahead were the two dogs
stretched out, lifeless.

George ran ahead, as he noticed them, and John shouted out: "Do not
touch them!"

He stopped, and looked back, and then slowly walked up to the animals.
John requested the party to halt, and he went forward, and put his foot
on one of the dogs. "We must go back," he said.

"Are they dead?" asked Harry, as he came forward.

"Why not take them out and see what the trouble is?" inquired Harry.

"No need for that," responded John. "I know what the trouble is."

"Is there any danger in the cave?"

"Yes."

Ephraim and the natives were now alarmed. It will be remembered that the
universal belief among the natives is, that to go into these caves
unbidden, means death. True, John had shown the fallacy of this on
several occasions, but here was positive evidence that death had visited
the dogs, and this might be the fate of those who attempted to go on.

But the most alarming thing was the fact that John himself was the one
who said there was danger, and that they must return. He did not venture
to make an explanation until they were out of the cave.

"There is carbonic acid in the cave, and as it is a deadly poison we
cannot go in until it is removed."

"That seems singular," responded George. "I went in as far as the dogs,
and it didn't affect me."

"But you did not reach down to touch the dog."

"I saw you touch the dog, and it didn't seem to affect you."

"I touched it with my feet and