Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-01-25

choking and getting short of breath in such a
natural way, that more than once we looked
round to see which of our number had got
something in his throat We might have
borne this, but every moment wrathily wax
ing under the goad of the storm, each tribu-
tary drop that swelled its tide added new
tongue to its Babel, until it grew, at length,
very pandemonium of indescribable sounds,
full of howls and plants and cries for help,
and bursts of mocking laughter. AS comfort
was so evident failure, of course we present
ly began to assist in making ourselves as mis-
cradle as possible by relating all the horrible
tales we could think of. How it happens,
don't signify, but ghost stories, you knew,
like murder, will out in dismal places
Long John had just brought his apparition
most thrillingly astride tombstone, when
from a small fssure in the wall, most unme-
rising above
the clamor of waters overhead, burst out upon
us a cry, as if the ghost of the fire stealer
himself were chained to the rock and had at
last found his torture unbearable. We start
ed to our feet We heard Long Johns teeth
snap as his head came in contact with the
roof and saw him roll into corner, holding
his unlucky sconce between his hands. He
got up directly, but now held in his hands,
instead of his own skull, ghastly, feshless
one. He dropped it with scared look, when
he saw what it was, and taking one of the
lamps, began turning out the dry leaves from
the acute angle where the skull had lain con-
cealed.. Nothing else was found, however.
The skull was broken away in front in such a
manner that we could not Judge whether it
once appertained to man or beast but for the
benefit of our feelings, we pronounced it of the
latter.
If that calabash had been damaged on top
instead of in 'front.' observed Long John, feel
ing of his own Uranium as the cry once more
burst from the crevice, Il should say the own
er, if human, came to his death by being sud-
only the wind, however. 1t has risen sud
denly
And should say said Gozzlin, initiating
Johns drawl, 'if beast, he got his death from
the same cause though instead of trying to
pop out through the roof, he made an equal
error in taking that corner for the door,
The rain poured down all the next day,
and the day following, with such perseveriug
steadiness that we began TO imagine it was
never going to stop. The previous night had
been an almost sleepless one, on account of
the increasing thunder of that rill, which,
swollen by the long rain, now rushed down,
fierce, discolored torrent; and tonight we
wrapped ourselves in our blankets supperIess.
We had brought no provisions from the lake,
depending on game by the way, and what we
had shot was now consumed.
We were aroused near morning by the voice
of Long John, admOnlshing us that we were
likely to drown if we did not get up and wiring
ourselves out. We were lying in pool of
water. The cave had sprung aleak at the
back, and the water was running down over
our arms and into our spare ammunition.
and all the powder, save what we carried in
our horns and TASKS, spoiled. Wet, sleepy
and vexed, we drew shiveringly round the
lamp, cursing the luck mentally and audibly
We cast many an impatient look towards the
door in search of some sign of day, but though
our watches told US it was nearly sunrise, the
mouth of the cave was still black as Erebus.
Long John at length rose to examine the state
of the weather outside We heard him CROP
ing about the entrance for some minutes
Presently he scrambled back and sat down
among us with face 50 white and ghastly
that GozzIin seized him by the shoulders and
exclaimed
What's the matter =
60 and see 7 said John, in a voice that
added materially to our alarm.
cretly drawing our caseknives as we went.
The roof of the care had sid dorn and closed
up the entrance!
We staggered back appalled,, and hurriedly
examined the cave. We were Gagged. We
sat down at length, and looked into Johns
brooding face for comfort.
There's nothing to eat,' said he, answer.
ing our appeal in his own way. God knows
I'd have swallowed that last partridge bone il
Gozzlin hadn't. Well have to pitch into oul
feathers, and the lamp oil-and when they re
gone we shall eat each other, | suppose
Gozzlin is the youngest and the fattest-'
Stop = roared Gozzlin, 'don't talk abou
such things
WELL resumed John dolefully, it's
cursed mishap, anyhow. The first time
entered this den, | thought, prophetically
enough, of rat entering trap. No matter
coming in has been experimental upon. Go
ing out is up for trial. Quit kicking tha
skull, Gozzlin; want to carry it home
Garry it home! You'd better find wa,
to carry that other empty one there' growlet
/ Gozzlin.
A ray Of sunshine here insinuating itsel
under the edge of the roof, told US the SUI
had risen clear, and, at the same time, rouse'