W. S. (William Shuler) Harris
the first grand level, not stopping at these lesser places of which
you get a glimpse in passing."
"A thousand furlongs," I repeated, "down into the earth! Who ever heard
of such a descent before?" But I still thought of my ten thousand,
even though I could not conceive how they could follow me in such
places.
"At what rate do we now travel?" I nervously asked, for I felt the
hand of Blackana still pressing me down lest the great elevator would
fall faster than my body.
"According to earthly reckoning we are falling twenty furlongs a second
and our speed is still increasing with the descent," was the startling
answer.
I spoke no more, but found myself clutching the raised bars of the
floor. I saw the glimmering light of many a region as we darted by at
our lightning speed.
In an incredibly short time we reached the first grand level. Blackana
led me forth from the elevator into an immense cavern whose dimensions
were apparently as limitless as the space between the earth and sky.
It was illuminated by infernal lights and all astir with moving
thousands in fabled dress and shape.
Never before had I imagined or beheld such a scene. Pure gold was as
plentiful as the water of the earth, and was abundantly used in the
construction of vast halls whose overarching vaults were encrusted
with priceless gems that dazzled like jets of crystallized light.
"What weird world is this?" I asked in an awed tone.
"This is one of my master's legislative centers, devoted to each
separate government on earth. The many legislators of this whole region
are ever busily engaged in determining upon their policy and methods
of operation, and in endeavoring to influence the law-making body of
each government to create and modify laws in harmony with the
underground legislation here enacted."
"Ah!" said I, "but this place is far from the surface where man dwells.
How can there be such close connection?"
Blackana smiled as he made a wonderful revelation to me. "This strange
empire is in close touch with the whole human family, for there are
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