Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-01-06

wrecker chieftain stopped, at last, near what
seemed the end Of the cave. and making
sign to his followers they clapped manaoles on
the wrists and ankles Of Maurice before he
had time to note their intention.
Nov, Captain Lester said Wolfgang,
"you must reman in this place for short
season. You are perfectly safe here.-Silence!
Say not word If you attempt to leave this
spot, you will be slain the moment you set
foot outside the cave"
Thus speaking the chieftain and his follow
ers silently but rapidly withdrew, leaving
Maurice nearly stupehed with astonishment.
As they passed from the mouth Of the cave,
their feet we're wet by the rising waves. The
tide wds fast coming in.
After short time. the captive looked about
him with eyes somewhat accustomed to the
dim light, and became satisfied that what he
had supposed to be human bones were really
such, There we're many Of them. And NOV
ing among them were huge rats, seeking for
prey. The top of the cavern, in some places,
was but few feet above his head, and in one
place he discovered a small aperture, through
which faint light struggled, and on going
underneath it, he thought he smelt the oder
of vegetation and flowers.
On turning, from the contemplation of the
aperture, towards the mouth Of the cave, Cap
tain Lester observed, with alarm, that the
water was creeping up the sloping bottom.
What if it should fill the cavern? All ! now
he could account for the presence there Of
those human bones They we're the sad
memorials Of other hapless prisoners who had
been left in that cave to perish By dro0ning
Slowly but surely the waters crept along
The vermin fed before him to the elevated
spot which Maurice stood. Slowly fol-
lowing, the incoming water at length reached
his feet
At the end Of the cave. within few feet Of
the wall, and underneath the aperture before
spoken Of, was large piece Of rock, some
four feet high. that might have fallen from
above. To this Maurice FASTENED as quickly
as his manacles would permit. After some
exertion he succeeded in climbing to the top
of it, and stood erect, his head within a few
inches of the roof ofthe cavern. But he was
not allowed to occupy this retreat alone As
the water began to circle round its base, the
rats also sought refuge on it in great numbers
and in vain did Maurice try to dislodge them
with his manacled feet
Soon las it seemed to the captiye) the wa
ter came ripping over the top of the rock -
He felt its moisture upon his feet. And still
it rose-slowly but relentlossly it rose higher
higher; aud as it rose the rats climbed M
his limbs for safety. 1t was in vain that he
brushed them of with his fcttered hands,
They instantly returned They clambered
up his back-to his shoulders-over the back
OF his neck-to the crown of his head: their
clammy bodies striking chill TO hls very
heart
And still higher the waters rose, and more
thickly the foul vermin clustered upon the
devoted captive's head. "a. lcir only places of
safety Driven frantic at last by the horrors
of his situation, he was about to plunge into
the surgng tide and seek watery grave.
when his attention was arrested by the tread
of rapid footsteps neal the aperture above his /
head, and the sound of a harsh, masculine |
voice, almost instantly followed by noise as
of struggle. and piercing shrek which
thrilled Maurice Lester to the very soul. He
could not be mistaken: 10 was CANNES I.
voice. Again he heard it. but now in tones
of entrcaty Oh, it ,cas her voice She was
MT dead She lived and was near him -
Gathering all his strength, he shouted, Gar
rio Carrie CARRIE e.
A dead silence followed. broken only by
the fearful murmurs Of thostil rising waters.