The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-11-26
CHAPTER XI..-Tze Secret Cavern - Tie
RescMe.

More fierce, more poignant and intense,
Than ever hostile sword or spear
Walked in the breast of innocence
More than one year had elapsed since the in.
cident of our last chapter, and still Frank
Wayland prosecuted his search nnremittingly,
with all the ardor Of a bereaved lover. He
had canvassed far and near, and opened
correspondence with the police OF London
aud Liverpool. IN,
While traversing the fertile valley Of the
Connectieut almost in despair Of ever gain
ing the slightest information OF the object OF
his search, he halted at the close OF hot
afternoon, and seated himself upon grassy
mound TO view the enchanting scene before
him. The seat he occupied was about mid
way down a steep decliyity, overlooking the
river. Fiom some distance, upon either side
of him was presented one complete sheet OF
velvet like verdurc, broken only here and there
by some huge gray old rocks, which lifted its
bald heads fan. above the green banks. AT his
feet lay the placid stream, .unruffled by
single ripple, while the stars. like thick-set
diamonds, studded the celestial canopy above,
from Che midst Of which the full grown moon
looked down, casting a calm serenity over the
As he sat enwrapt in the view, the singular
uueonth figures which be had COnjured up be-
fore him, were suddenly put to flight BY the
low sound of muffled oars. He looked out
upon the calm stream, aud directly in range
of the clear, pale reflection of the moon, he
discerned small boat, containing solitary
oarsmanl For moment he watched the lit
tic craft, as it scaled like phantom over the
CLASSY surface Of the water, and it was lost to
view in the deep, dark shadow of the over r-arch-
ing trees. But STILL the low splashing sounds
of the oars were heard nearing the shore, and
presently the boat touched the bank directly
below him. The lone boatman leaped from
its brow, and hurriedly made his way up the
steep activity ..l ra
Frank anxiously watched his movements,
but was himself SO hid in the deep shadow as
to be effectually shielded from sight. The
stranger proceeded for some distance up the
bank, and stopped before huge rock; he halted
at its base for moment and then suddenly
disappeared as if by magicl Frank, whoneyer
knew fear, proceeded forthwith to the rock in
to which the stranger had apparently entered
But as its base was shaded by the light OF the
moon, he could discover nothing unusual; and
after fruitless search Of some time, was COM
PEELED to withdraw from the place, to pass
restless night.
The next morning at sunaise, Frank was
again upon the spot, carefully examining the
premises. Upon close scrutiny he thought he
discovered an unusual looseness in the earth
around the foot Of the rock; but the turf was
apparently unbroken, and his most dillgent
lnVeSblNtllOu leu W uO oubloAuCtOtl AOSuAASs
But he resolved to penetrate the mystery 1t
possible; and accordingly on the next evening,
he took position near the rock where he could
command full view Of its base. But he
watched in vain, for the stranger did not ap-
near. With his natural perseverance, he took
his secret position again and again, but with
no better success.
Finally, after the lapse of week from the
evening on which he had first made. the dis-
eN-o again
ed in the same manner as beforel In painful
suspense, almost fearing to breathe,l Frank
watched his movements. The cautions visitor
first removed sheet of turf, then raising a
large flat stone, theweight Of which seemed to
tax his utmost strength, he entered beneath it
and reaching back, replaced the turf, let the
stone fall.into its place. and all was stiffness
again
Frank was well pleased with the result Of
his observation. He had thus discovered the
"open sesame" to this mysterious cavern, aud
he retired to ponder over the strange incident.
He had seen enough to convince him that the
cave contained some rare treasure, which the
person he had seen, visited but once a week;
and his ardent love Of adventure urged him
on to penetrate its mysteries.
After the laps Of two days, he again visited
the same spot. IL was noon, and the most
profound stiffness reigned, scarcely a breath OF
wind stirring abroad. After some minutes Of
dilligent search, he discovered the moYeable
turf, which was so ingeniously matched to the
natural sod as to be well calculated to deceive
the most careful scrutiny: He removed the
large stone which covered the entrance with
but little difficulty, aud descended the rude
steps which led him down six or eight feet
At first it appearca inter darIEuasn within, and
he hesitated without proceeding Bat very
thoughtfully hepresssd his hand tig to his
eyes for an instant, aud upon suddenly taking
it away, the objects around hin became quite
distinct, and far in the distance be could dis
cern dim, flickering light Nothing daunt-
ed, he cautiously felt his way along tbs naF-
row, craggy passage which in some places
was not sufficiently high to admit him %
stand erect. distance seemed almost in
terminable, and one Of less determination
I would have turned back but On he weat. a. he
neared the light ,its dim rays fell upon ahast-
( ly figure, which might once have been 4 asaal
I but It's gRshoTn face and tangled hair, seen
I by that flickefing, yellow light, gave It ail un
earthly appearance. Tha sieht & iirst lirtlsa
him-he had anticipated nothing Of the kind.
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