Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-12-25

BARS GrGUG
We were in almost total darkness. The
lamps gave forth a very faint light. No
ray OF daylight reached US, and If we were
not in a grave we were most certainly IN 1t
situation not unlike a sepulchre We
searched for an opening at either side OF
the mass OF earth Vain was the search.
We were about to retrace our steps when,
fortunately, Vldian's light fell on what APP
peared to be the tracks Of something that
had crept up the bank.
I've found it I've found it /! " Joyfully
cried Vidian. Here are steps Here are
Steps Here are steps !" He was already
half way up the side ''We're in good
luck" softly breathed VanOrten, as II
afraid to be heard. Vidian was aT the top.
Strange that we never thought of looking
iloft 1.-The hole is very narrow, said
VIdian. You'll have to wait till see
my way. Ii is pitch dark. can see
very little ahead. Come on. All $ right.
We followed Vidian descended On the
opposite side. We were soon with him.
me place was dripping with moisture.
THE rain must have flooded this sub
terrAnean passage" L said, grasping Vldlan
by he hand, and calling him q brave boy.
Never mind the rain. Let us push on
ward. 1t is growing late. We can't re-
treat This is victory worth gaining"
Presently we entered quite a spacious
apartment indians, perhaps, came here
ia other days to hold their secret councils.
The walls were smooth, and seemed con-
struc ted OF well chlseled granite. We ex-
aulned every natural niche, and every
nook, and the floor, but could discover no
trace of the necrOmancer. All was still as
death. We did not tarry. Vidian still
more narrow and rocky.
"Confound the thing" said Vidian.
Only lamp is out" He lit it and struck
ont again. We were within pace of him.
Flap, flap, flap, and his lamp was put out
T. light it, and [ advanced, throwing my
hat at the same time over the lamp as
protection. [ had not gone yard when
ihe lamp and hat were dashed from my
hands This 1caS startling
Look cut there " spoke up VanOrten.
q hear something" You're always
hearing" replied Vidian, and he once
more attempted to pass this mysterious
point. He met with O similar fate as /.
VanOrten now tried. He was struck on
the cheek, and all our lights we're stimuli
taneously extinguished. Here's the deuce
to play, [ thought No light Total
darkness / struck a match. retreated
Il few PAGES and relit my lamp. held it
behind me and advanced sideways, en-
deavOrlng to penetrate the thick darkness,
and Learn the cause of this lnexpllcable
matter Vidian and VanOrten were not
coWardly, nor was |. Nevertheless we
trembitd. We resolved to push ahead
and fight our Way if necessary. Vidian
felt for his pistol. We walk abreast. A
rush of wind as from above sweep us, and
then, . heavens 0 horror of horrors 0
night Of frights we were struck across
the face. | grabbed for the offender. 1t
was a piece OF oak bark hanging down
from a hole in the upper world. got
glimpse at the starry sky. 1t was evidently
light. We lit lamps, and with holder
steps walked OF. We laughed right hear
lily at the supposed bugbear. We were
soon Gained and ready for another en-
counter. Our progress was slow. We
were praying to be at the caves end. The
story Of Kiuglake making this his home
must be mistake. We had as yet dis
covered none of his signs. But we were
not so far in the cave as we imagined. I
looked at my watch. 1t was half-past nine
o'clock. Strange hour Strange place
1t was about that time that Kinglake had
visited De Kimberly. murmuring sound
reach us. What is it ? It was that, we
thought, Of somebody laughing. VanOrten
smiled. He had spoken very little during
tie afternoon. What was he dreaming
abont? Vidian, who would be in the front,
pat his index TO his mouth, and then shook
1t ut us to be silent. We needed not the
sign. The awful solitude was enough to
make the most lOquaciOus close his mouth
The sound, Il strange sound, wild sound,
Winds slowly around the angles of that
devious underground natural prison. No
sunshine had ever gladdened its walls. No
bright scene had ever pictured them. 1t
was confessedly black hole, III place If
punishment for naughty boys and girls.
No sweet lay of love had ever been heard
III this dreary abode. 1t seemed purga-
tory for malcontents eXiled from
Home kindred friends, and county -
No surge swept through it unless the
furious torrent of the rainy season. We
were anxious to reach the end. [ was de-
lighted at the solnd. 1t predicated the
Presence of kinglake or some one of his
class.
q do hope it is Kinglake," whispered
EanOrten to me. s. l want to see him SO
much"
You have seen him before p
81 have"
You know him we'll 81
81 do"
SEQ yonder o. breathed Vidian. We
looked. and there we beheid the reflection
OF light, a fickering light, as if of lamp
or candle 1t glimmered on the dark sides
and cast pale light on the darker sur
rounding passage. We put our lamps out,
aud stole on tip-toe to that part where the
hight was arrested. When there We peered
around the angle, but as hastily withdrew
our heads What a vision Hold little
one. We looked again. We were growing
ooider We saw an object. He disap-
peafed. Now and then We caught glimpses
VI IT, or of its shadow. We were not
dreaming. Our vision was not at all dis
Surbed. That same ominous sound is
heard and indistinctly still.
fon Let us get nearer" said vidian. We
f oiu ms example in getting on all
r NUTS ana creeping along. We had moi
ao lar when the object again shot
9 Ea onr path. 1t was not a Fay, nor a
Hslry' 1t was not Kinglake. Hark the