Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1860-01-13

! lCit utu1 oSVuSt W.
eau doctor him."
The sinister glance which accompanied
this last remark, and the peculiar empha-
sis laid upon the word ",loctor," struck q
chill to our hero's heart. But be could
not give his own safety much thought,
while he was partly forced and partly car
ried along after WOlfgapg, who strods
rapidly on for nearly half an hour. He
could think only of the Whtte Fara that
had been wrecked on that coast, and Of his
beloved Carrie who had, perhaps, in COM
pany with those same men, trod the same
path he was now treading. What had
been her fate2 Had she been murdered
by these wretches, or reserved for some
more deplorable doom? These thoughts
filled him with unu.terable agony.
Wolfgang had now drawn near the wa
ter's edge /; and soon coming to the mouth
Of cave he entered it, followed by the
three rutiaDs who had charge Of our hero.
The bottom Of the cave sloped upward
from its entrance for some distance, and
then became almost level. The captive
(for such Maurice Lester now felt himself
to beg frequently hit his feet against what
he thought, with /. chill Of horror, we're
human bones strewn around the cavern,
but be could not clearly make them out
in the dim light. He also noticed that
the bottom Of the cave was very wet, as
though it had recently been covered with
water. The wrecker chieftain stopped, at
last, near what seemed the end Of the
cave, aud making sign to his followers,
they clapped manac!es on the wrists and
ankles Of Maurice before be had time to
note their intention.
"Now, Captain Lester" said Wolfgang,
"you must remain in this place for shor.
season. You are perfectly safe here-Si-
lence j.! Say not word Ii you attempt
to leave this spot, you will be slain the
moment you set foot outside the cave"
Thus speaking, the chieftain and bis
followers silently but rapidly withdrew,
leaving Maurice nearly stupefed with as
tOnishmeut. As they passed from the
mouth Of the cave, their feet we're wet by
the rising waves. The tide uas rapidly
con,iny in.
After short time, the captive looked
about him with eyes somewhat accustomed
to the dim light, and became satisfied ,ha,
~hat he had supposed to be human bones
were really such. There were many of
them. And moving among them were
huge rats. seeking for prey. The top of
the cavern, in some places, was but few
feet above bis head, and in one place be
discovered small aperture, through which
faint light struggled, and on goiug uu.
derneath it, be thought he smelI the odor
Of vegetation and flowers.
On turning, from the conte mplation of
this aperture, towards the mouth of the
cave, Captain Lester observed, with alarm,
that the water was creeping up the sIopiDg
bottom. What if it should fill the cavern?
Ah now be could account for the presence
there Of those human bones They we're
the sad memorials Of other hapless prisoners
who bad been left in that cave to perish
by drowniny!
Slowly but surely the waters crept along.
The vermin fed before them to the eleva-
ted spot en- which Maurice stood. Slowly /
following the incoming water at length |
reached his feet
At the end OF the cave, within few
feet Of the wall, and underneath the aper.
tare before spoken Of, was large piece of
rock, some four feet high, that might have
fallea from above. To this Maurice has
tened as quickly as bis mabacles would
permit. After some exertion he succeeded
in climbing to the top Of it, and stood
erect, bis head within few inches of the
top of the cavern. But be was no, allow
ed to occupy this retreat alone. As the
water began to circle round its base, the
rats also sought refuge on it in great num-
bers, and in vain did Maurice try to dis
lodge them with bis manaced feet
Soon Gas it seemed to the captive) the
water came ripping over the top of the
rock. He felt its moisture upon his feet.
Aud still it rose-slowly but relen,lessly
it rose higher-higher and as it rose, the
rats climbed up bis limbs for safety. 1t
vas in vain that be brushed them of with
his fettered hands. They instantly re-
turned. They clamDered up his back
" MS suouioCio o-ONCi tuc udCA VI us ueCk
to the crown of his head; their clammy
bodies striking chill to bis very heart.
And still higher the waters rose, and
more thickly the foul vermin gathered
,pon the devoted captive's shoulders aud
head, as their only places of safety. Dri- {
zen frantic at last BY the horrors Of his
be was about to plunge into the
'urgiDg tide and seek watery grave,
shcn his attention was arrested by the
read of rapid footsteps near the aperture
'bove his head, and the sound of harsh
voice, almost instantly followed
~ the noise as of struggle, and q pier. I
ing shriek which thrilled Maurice Lester t
% the very soul. He could not be mistaken
I was CARRIES voice. Again be heard !
t, but now in tones Of entreaty. Oh, it ;
cas- her voice. She was not dead! She !
ived and was near him Gathering all /
lis strength be shouted, "Carrie 4! Carrie a
JARRIE I
A dead silence followed, broken only by !
be fearful murmurings Of the still rising :
vaters, and the splash of the rats as they \
ell from the wretched cap,ive's head and 1
houlders, only to return again, in their
ieree struggles for . perch Of safety from