The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1857-09-12
(OROLlNN 4 Persian Tale.
CHAPTER TX.



CHAPTER TX.
[coNCLuDED.
Corolinn had scarcely taken her place amidst the
mango trees, when she heard footsteps near her and
looking, saw that Hamors was there, followed by three
or four powerful looking men, who, from their appear
ance and armor, she at once recognized rs Kurds, or ma
tives of the mountains.
Allah be praised that you are here > said Hamors
in a whisper; Is the sentinel asleep p
He is not replied Corolinn ; you may now see him
walking on the bank
1t would be better for him if he was said Hamors,
for now he must die. Remain where you are until |
come for you Then speaking a few words in an under
tone to his followers, they descended the bank and were
soon out of sight beneath the acacias and myrtle, that
hung over the banks. Soon, a dark figure was seen to
emerge from a cluster of s%hrubbery, near the sentinel,
who stood with his back towards the spot. The twinkle
of a star revealed the ~glittering cimetar, and in a mo-
ment the deep and hollow groan showed that the silent
but fatal blow had been struck. The others now sprang
forward, the dead body was tumblcd into the river,-the
covering Of the boat was, in a few minutes, loosed from
its fastenings-and the half insensible Everingtou de-
livered from his horrid abode. But his limbs were use
less, he was unable to stand or walk, and had not the
revolving spectacle he exhibited been covered BY the
mantle of night, his preservers must have shrunk from
the attempt Of delivering and keeping him alive. After
4 speedy ablution in the river, and while the other at
PENDANTS were putting some garments upon him, Hamors
flew to Corolinn.
He lives said the faithful servant, as he led her to
the spot where the attendants were placing Everington
in a litter which he had prepared for that purpose. a
moment was allowed to Corolinn to assure Everington
that she was to accompany him and then the party,
with Everington borne on the shoulders of the four
mountaiueers, left the banks of the Bendemir. After
following the direction in which they started for a few
minutes, Hamors took from a thickct of ~shrubbery a fine
horse, and mounting Corolinn behind him, the whole
party proceeded at a rapid rate towards the ruins of
Persepolis.
|1ou must consent to be governed implicitly by me
for a short time,' said Hamors and if your residence
for a few days is not as you could wish, we hope it will
be a prelude to many days of uninterrupted happiness
'Hamors, any place will be a paradise where | can
enjoy liberty, and the company of my Everington,' re-
piled Corolinn, in accents of gratitude to her conductor.
In two hours they found themselves amid the ruins.
Columns lay scattered around them, and blocked up their
path. Leaving their horses, the party plunged deeper
into the recess, and while the owl hooted over them, led
by Hamors, they fearlessly advanced.
This strong wind said Hamors to Corolinn, as she
hung upon his arm, will not pass without contributing
to our success, as it will obliterate any footsteps we may
have made over the plain
Suddenly he stopped where the immense pile denoted
that some magnificent palace or temple had formerly
stood and removing a large stone slab which required
the united efforts of the whole party, a circular opening
was discovered, which led to the unknown and unseen
regions below. A rope was made fast to a fallen column,
and two of the company quickly descended out of sight,
leaving Hamors with the other on the surface. n rope
was fastened around Everington, and he was speedily
lowered into the abyss.
you must now descend said Hamors to Corolinn !;
and it was not without a feeling of horror, that she
found herself descending, she knew not where, and in
the company of she knew not whom.
No sooner was she in the subterranean apartment than
the others descended. Preceded by Hamors, Everington
was borne through the several turnings and winnings,
until they came to a wall, in which was an opening SINH
lar to that which they had descended. This was passed,
and the light Of the lamp showed to Corolinn IA number
of apartments, connected with each other, gloomy in
deed, but apparently dry and comfortable. In one of
these, Il mattress was placed, upon which Everinoton.
weak and exhausted, was laid while some wine and
provisions were produced for him and the rest of the
party. The opening through which they had passed
was the only one that could be discovered leading to the
subterranean chambers they occupied and however
doubtful the purpose for which they were erected might
be, the huge blocks which formed the walls and the Gov
ering of these rooms showed that they had been built
for eternity. Some pieces of carpeting were brought
and spread over the stone floor and in one Of the rooms
a number Of skins of water and wine, with a variety of
fruits and provisions, were pointed out to COrolinn by
Hamors. To the inquiry of Corolinn, whether he was
going to leave them, he replied he was: ten days from
this time | shall come provided with every thing for a
successful flight.
So saying, Hamors, with his followers, left the cell,
carefully closing the opening through which they had
entered.
The %time-piece with which Corolinn was furnished.
marked the lapse of time but in every respect time was
to them as if it had ceased to exist. From the world
they were completely shut out not a single sound which
showed that any other beings were in existence reached
them day and night were unknown; the lamp alone
shone its light on the dim walls, and the lovely Corolinn
shuldered when she reflected that by the capture or
death Of Hamors, they might be there immured forever.
The pleasure, however, she took in administering TO
the wants OF Everngton-of Witnessing the rapid re-
covery Of his strength and sight-in listening to his
warm expressions of gratitude and affection-and in in
dulging the sweet visions of fancy, which his restoration
to health, and their escape from bondage and death point
ed out, caused the hours to pass rapidly and delightfully."-
away.
Everington, on the third day, with the aid of his
amiable nurse was able to rise, and leaning on the beau
tiful girl, he repeatedly traversed the room with Il feel
ing of satisfaction almost equal to that which would
have been felt by the ~bestowment of a new sense. Bis
tered as his face and cyelids had been, by long exposure
to the sun, the skin came off in large pieces and while
the Inflammation in his eyes gradually subsidized, he ic-
fected on the coed fortune that had prevented his eye
lids being fastened open, since, in that case, his eyes,
even while life lasted, would have been devoured to their
very sockets.
tEvcrington,' said the blushing girl, 'you we'll know
that yon are all the world now to me-
And shall | not always be so? May | not always
be SO ! said E~verington with a smile.
80 yes, that L am not afraid to PROMISE she hastily
replied, and hid her blushing face in his BOSOM. while
he gazed on the lovely girl, with afeeling of tenderness
and admiration.
The time allotted for the absence of Hamors hasted
away. Nothing had occurred to disturbed them in their
subterranean abode, until the day before Hamors return
ed, when the bowling of the jackall and the shril cry
of the hyena showed not only that their retreat had been
discovered by these animals, but also from the cries in
various directions, that the earth around them was hol-
lowed out into apartments similar to that they occupied
and once Corolinn was alarmed by one Of these providers,
who, allured by the hope of blood, endcavored to force
his way through the opening by which they had enter