Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-03-15

urated with rain, and little pools. formed here
and there over the castle floor. Added to tn is
the cravings of hunger, and the chill that sue
ceeded the wet, together with the extreme peril
in which they all felt themselves, and their sit
uatiOn was far from enviable.
But Leon, 10 the meantime, had made dis
covery. At least, he hoped he had, though
when it could be made available or pressed into
practical service, was, as yet, quite rroblemati-
CAL
While reclining with his elbow on the floor,
for moments rest during the prevalence of
the storm, little pool formed directly beneath
his head. and began to drip drip-he could
hear it distinctly drop, drop, upon some hard
substance below. lie bent his ear to listen,
that he might not be deceived, and for some
moments, till the storm was passed, kept listen
ing to the drop, drop, drop of the water. At
first it struck as upon the floor, and then chang.
ed gradually, till at length it seemed to drop
into pool of its own making.
Fearful that he felt, and should awaken in
others, hope without foundation, he kept his
exact position, and calling Harry to his side told
him to tell Theodore that he wanted to speak
with him.
What is it Leon?' asked Theodore Doke,
as soon as he made his appearance.
6 Get down here,'' said Leon.
care you sick?" asked Theodore, wonder
ing what he meant.
mo, no; get down here"
You must cheer up, 1t wont do to give
up"
90, you mistake me entirely. I hear
dropping here, and want you to tell me what
it is. There, now listen, said Leon, as Theo-
dore placed bis ear over the required spot.
"By heaveus /" exclaimed Theodore, after
moments listening to the drop, dropp ing, Of the
water, -" is it possible?"
" What?"
g That there's a cellar under US :"
+" 1t seems impossible; and yet, I can ac-
count for it in no other way. At first it struck
something hard, like board, and then changed
to what it is now.
Keep your position. I'll call Nathan,'
said Theodore. =
In few minutes the old hunter was listen
ing to the strange phenomenon with the deepest
interest.
Wall, ef that amt the beat 'em O. the
hull Thunder and speriS turpentine -
What do you think? asked Theodore, as
the whole band gathered around.
80 that's water droppin' down somewhar,
sartin Can't be no mistake 'beout that
Howsumever, jest git bit ov a light, an
let a couple on us examine a leotle further,
whilst the rest on yer keeps yer eyes peeled for
Injuns on the top O. the wall"
A light was Immediately struck, and while
the main body of the party attended duty in
other parts of the room, old Nate and Theodore
Doke proceeded to brush the water with their
wet clothing, and make minute examination
of the cavity where the pool stood.
At first little crevice in the floor, scarcely
visible by the dim light which they used, was
all that could be discovered but by running
the sharp point Of knife along just inside the
crevice which formed right angle, brittle
substance, which had once been the most solid
cement, peeled up with ease, and in the brief
space of ten minutes small door, about foot
and half square, and of solid iron, was en-
tirely cleared
''Thar, by hokey eff that don't lead some
whar, then what'n darnation was the use O.
putin ont thar But how'n in the name O.
natur to open the thing s the question, arter
all What dye think, does it open up or
DOWN."
"Up, should Judge, said Theodore, "by
the projection around the edge"
$50 I'm thinkin' jest work the knife under
the age ov 1t leetie, and see eff it winks."
The attempt was made, and several others,
far more powerful, but it remained firm as the
solid mason. work of the floor. Not the least
impression could be made upon it by all the
power which they could command, with knives
and guns, and they were compelled to give over
the attempt to force it either up or down,
Wall, that's q nifty tight-fttin' door, emmy
how" said Nathan, " an it's my mind et it
ever opened, thar's sum spring contrivence
somewhar what opens the thing. Jest hunt
round her, and yer mays we'll kalkerlate to
look pooty sharp, tu, or yerdon't cum acrost it.
Ma'be yer'll see somethin' what looks leetle
odd on the floor, OF agin the wall appersit"