The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-07


seemed to be engaged in cooking, but the
cavern was so long in extent, and they
were SO far distant, that he could not
make out what they were doing. lie fell
no disposition to enter the cave, and re.
solved 10 retrace every step he had come
before it was too late, and re-asccnding
the path, take new start from the ruins
Oi the temple for his vessel. But on turn.
ing back, he discovered, to his constcrna.
tion, that boat from the Zuliote SchOon.
er was rowing towards the cave. 1t would
pass close TO him, so narrow was the en-
trance, whether he wentb back or remained
standing where he was. To return to the
path would expose him in full sight 10
those rowing the boat; and confident that
they were pirates, from their dress, arms
and secret rendezvous, he felt no desire
10 fall into their power. To remain at the
entrance Of the cave would signally cx.
pose him. His only safety. he saw, was
in the lions mouth, that is, by pcnctra.
ting the cave further, ill he could reach
one of The dark angles in it to conceal
himself.
CHAPTER II.
lie therefore, with his drawn sword in
his hand, entered the cavern and moved
as rapidly as the darkness would let him,
along the stone way that lined the side.
lie had reached lar enough to be in pro.
found darkness. and belived he was Sc
cure. when on DO; rd the boat, which was
-Raw-uudcr the arch, n torch Mas lighted,
which cast its red glare up the cavern,
and would have revealed to them, rs they
advanced along this subterranean cStua.
ry, his figure in full view, if he bad not
withdrawn himself further and further
into the cavern's depths. To do this
without being seen also by the persons
about the fire, he was compelled to lie
down and move along close to the wall OF
rock on his hands and knees. To his great
jov. he soon found himself ut the entrance
of another passage or gallery running oil
10 the right hand. 1t was in total dark.
ness. lie at once turned into it, and in
IFS gloom he waited until the boat, which
was now coming along very near him,
should have passed up the main avenue
of the cave.
But greatly to his alarm, it no sooner
came TO the entrance of the gallery in
which he was, than it stopped. lie had
time to see, before he penetrated this
branch Of the cavern, that the boat con-
tained six oarsncn, besides a steersman,
and that there was standing up in the
stern richly attired young ZLliote cap
tain with his bright scarlet cap wreathetl
with chain Of gold, his black locks flow.
ing beneath it in rich waves over his
shoulders, and hIs air naughty and fierce.
lie wore blue sash of silk, in which
were stuck three silver-mOuntcd pistols,
II long gold.hiltcd dagger, and n Greek
stiletto. By his side also hung his scim-
etar. His dress was of scarlet and blue
cloth, handsomely embroidered; and up
on his feet were yellow Turkish boots
that reached midway the calf Of his leg,
and were fringed with gold lace. Alto
gether he was gallant but dangerous
looking corsair of the Egean Isles, and
such Neutrality-suspicious. cruising in the
East had made him familiar with all class
cs Of people-wcll knew he must be. 1t
was therefore for his interest that he
should keep from being discovered if pos
siblc, as either death or the exaction of q
large ransom would be the result. lie
therefore, on seeing this barbaric looking
buccaneer step from the stern Of his boat
upon the rocky gallery, as If intending to
'ravere it, fled towards the extremity with
the best Of his speed.
Upon looking back, he discovered that
the Zuliote was advancing, preceded by
a torch-bearer.
This passage said Randolph to him
self, must lead to some inner chambers,
to which he is going. What have seen
is only the outer court Of this underground
palace. may possibly screen myself in
some one Of them till ! can get an oppor-
tunity to escape out Of the cave unsc en-. "
lie therefore went rapidly forward un-
til he found the cavern expand into sort
ofa saloon, with lofty, rudely y-arched roof.
At the end of the hall hung an iron lamp,
which family burned and scarcely lighted
up the gloom three yards around. Be-
meath the lamp he discovered an old man
who looked like a Greek, with hite
heard and red skull cap. lie was reclin-
ing against projection Of the side Of the
cavern, and was asleep. Behind him was
door, which was secured by chain,
md the old man, having his yatagan in
his hand, was evidently placed there as a
sentry. Upon settee near him were
several garments and arms in heap.
/ must have reached headquarters,
said Randolph. 'Thc danger is now i'm.
minent!' A happy thought now struck
him upon seeing the clothes and arms
Assuring himself that the sentry slept,
and that be could reach the garments un.
seen, he moved silently along towards
them, but rapidly. as he had not much
time to lose, the torch bearer being close
behind, and almost in sight. In a mo-
ment he had red skull-cap on his head
n Greek short cloak over his shoulders,
and other parts of the outward apparel
upon his person. lie also graSped u
scimilar, and then rctreating to find q
nook in which to conceal himself, he
waited the issue.
If | am discovered he said, can
pass with my dark complexion and long
black hair and mustache for Greek, and
as know the lIlngua franca pretty well,
| shall manage to deceive them; but il !
do not, must fight it out
In looking for an angle, he saw none
that would shelter him; and looking O
second time on the door behind the sentry,
he saw that the cham was only put on the
staple and fastened with dagger for q
bolt. This he softly took out, let down
the chain, pushed open the door, and moi
knowing where it would lead him, he
entered and closed it behind him just III
time not to be seen by the Zuliote chief
whose torch was already lighting tht
arched hall,
Randolph fearing the pirate might en-
ter the same place, looked about for con
cealment, and found a row Of casks and
boxes near the wall. Behind them h'
placed himself, as the door was opened BY