THE ISLAND OF THE STAIRS

The Flight from the Place of Horror

The
Island of the Stairs

By CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY
Author of “The Island of Regeneration,” “As the
Sparks Fly Upward,” “The West Wind,” Etc.

With Four Illustrations By
THE KINNEYS

A. L BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS
114-120 East Twenty-third Street - - New York
Published by Arrangement with A. C. McClurg & Company

This story is affectionately
dedicated to my far-off adventurous
Brother-in-law,

E. S. BARRETT

In order to safeguard the reputation of thatworthy seaman and most gallant gentleman whowrites this memoir, the editor thereof deems itproper to call attention to the fact that MasterHampdon has described accurately the Islandof Mangaia of the Cook, or Hervey, group in theSouth Seas. It is still completely encircled bythe unbroken barrier reef, over which the nativesride in their light canoes. The stairs still existdespite the earthquake to which Master Hampdonrefers—and other upheavals which mayhave followed—and are still traversed by thefeet of curious, if infrequent, visitors. For therest, such altars and platforms as he and his littlelady found still abound in the South Seas. Alsoon Easter Island, and on others, too, such statuesof the grotesque and hideous “Stone Goddes” ashe describes may be seen. Who made them andwhy, as well as when they were put there, are asmuch mysteries today as they were when, in thatfar-off time, Master Hampdon and his ladysailed those then unknown seas in that brave littlebarque The Rose of Devon.

C. T. B.

Mount Vernon, N. Y.