The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-05-13

an inch Of the speakers temple.
The tramp of hasty feet was heard, q concealed
door in the wall was flung open, torches flashed,
and the next moment the two men were surround
ed by a dozen fnelooking fellows, holding cutlass.
es pointed at their heartsl
CHAPTER III.
Sudden as was the appearance of the fierce band,
yet Merton-a man accustomed, under all circum.
stances, to preserve his composure-quietly glanc-
ed around him, showing no sign Of fear.
''You must die" said one, a fellow with square
shaped face, matted hair, and a hideous scar upon
his right cheek; 1--WE allow no strangers to invade
the grounds of our dark lady"
81 am in your power" said Merton, ''that is
plain, and you can kill me if you like. First, how.
ever, / should like the satisfaction of seeing this
dark lady, who, l must acknowledge, has inspired
me with great curiosity"
"Ah, ayI" exclaimed Crab. first let us get a
squint at her, and blast me, if 1 won't be at your
sarvice all the rest of my daysl"
Meanwhile there stood the lnen with the cutlass-
es, their weapons still pointed at the hearts of the
intruders, awaiting the order Of their captain to
strike.
"You are the two Americans, said he to Merton.
"We have heard fyOu from the dark Iady's broth
erl Away with them to the dungeOnl he added,
motiOning to the party.
In a few minutes the prisoners found themselves
in a small, circular apartment with stone walls, and
4 damp, earthly smell, very disagreeable.
Hope We cont get the fever'n ager' I" exclaim-
ed Crab, as the men who had conducted them here
turned and departed.
Merton. who was busy inspecting the apartment,
made no answer.
He noticed an iron door at the side opposite that
which his conductors had opened, and advanced 70
it, endeayoring TO open it. This. however, he
found an impossible task, as the door was evident
ly strongly secure on the other side.
While he was yet endeavOring to open IL, the tin
kle OF innumerable silvery bells seemed to rever.
berate through the halls above.
"BeyOotifbF' calculated Crab; ''wonder where
them bells was madei"
Hale n. hon. ol ragzal z-bn1 4ha Hoo ra
opened, and slowly striding into the apartment
came one whose appearance is well worthy of de-
scription.
This person was a woman-young and wonder
fully, darkly beautiful-as the two men could per-
ceiTe, in spite of a black band of pasteboard, or
some other material, serving as q mask to the fore
head.
This is the DARK lady % asked Merton.
$50 1 am called" answered the other.
81 am amply repaid, then, for all my trouble"
answered Merton, although I must say
that 1 had not dreamed of seeing SO lovely a being
immured in these walls.
The lady's lip curled.
crash men, to venture upon Elfrida's grounds.
My brother warned You, did he not 2"
"Yes, but I was determined to try to see you'll I"
answered Merton, seven though Ishould perish in
the attempt"
"You are an American" said the lady, 'other.
wise you should perish for your temsrity. 1t Is too
late now to send you away. ~Come-follow me-"
Accompanied by Crab, Merton walked after the
dark Lady, who led the two through a marrow corri-
dor, and up a flight of steps, into a hall, thence
into a comfortable apartment, with painted floor
and oak furniture, amid which was a good bed.
"This is my brothers. apartment" said Elfrida.
Gas he will not be here tonight, you may stay here
until morning
That night he slept but little. Early in the
morning he walked to see the sun shining through
the windows Of the apartment. and to hear the loud
snoring of Tom Crab. who, preferring the lounge
to the bed, had stretched himself thereon, with his
long legs dangling over one end.
The VOunG man rose draSEnd himSalf and nar.
formed his additions, Just as Crab left the lounge.
A minute later, the same servant who had
brought the tray entered, followed by a couple Of
men.
s'These men viii take you to the tent where you
came from" said the servant to Crab.
"Ah, ay, now, none of that I" exclaimed Crab.
81 don't go without this chap goes with me" point
ing at Merton.
There is no harm intended him." said one of
the men, 'cOme, or we must force you I"
mot a bit of it'll" exclaimed Crab, picking up a
silver fork, and standing at bay. 1--WE go: fat on
this ere cruise, and blast me, if L don't see it
thrOugh-that's sartinl"
Other men were now summoned. Crab was de-
prived of the fork, when, as he still resisted, two
long legs, in which position he was carried out of
the room.
ttFollow mel" said the black to Merton.
They passed through a gate, down a narrow
path, edged with green grass-tufts, until they came
TO the banks OF a broad stream, near which, ar
ranged in lovely attire, stood Rlfrida, the dark lady !
By the bank there was a beautifully modelled
boat, with a mans head and neck carved at the
PROV, and with a black, turbaned female standing
ready TO help Elfrida into the boat.
The lady held out her hand to Merton.
'WelcOme," she said, 81 am out for a sail this
morning. You may go with me, when 1 can land
from your retreat, prepared by my brother, whittier
you must go, never TO endeavOr to intrude upon
againl"
The dark beauty blushed as she spoke. Merton
haliavad ha had navar hafora Caap q .fn o. Iouol-
"Madam," said the young man, sadly, al hope
will reconsider your decision. 1t is cruel on
your part TO give me a glimpse of such glorious
beauty, and to forbid my ever looking on il again. %
you will SOON forget me-, said Elfrida.
"NO," answered Merton, s~olemnly, alt were
not. in the power OF mortal man to ever forget such
beauty as yours. Ali would that you would lift
that black band over your forehead, that l might
behold the smooth brow I"
at these words, Elfrida turned pale, a strange
fash shot from her unfathomable, black eyes.
Forgive me" said Merton, puzzled to account
for her strange behavior, ''to hear you, is to obey 4"
Elfrida now made a motion to the black servant.
Instantly this woman departed. darting up the
steep path, down which the six African girls, with
heir shining paddles, now were seen to descend.
They entered the boat. taking places on the
when the lady motioned to Merton to seat
hims If in the sternsheets.
He did so-the female paddlers were soon at
work, and away went the light vessel, gliding down
the stream.
The six paddlers, working away, were gliding the
light boat past a point OF Land covered with thick
when suddenly there was a rustling
therein, and q fiat, elongated head, with a pair of
bright, twinkling eyes, WAS thrust therefrom I
Straight toward the boat, IN winding its easy
coils, the objec5 extended itself; straight toward
the dark lady in the bowl
There was a piercing shrek from the female pad.
Hers, who, in the confusion of the moment drop.
ped the wooden blades.
at the same moment, the boat, caught by an
eddy, stuck fast in a snarl Of twigs under waterl
Tho fam11n ElqvaC nOr CfOOd frau.hTfn. H., - /
limb, gazing at that fearful object which, with
Orked tongue extended, came out further every
noment from the foliage, threatening TO deal q
horrible death-stroke to the dark lady, who nrw
iorror, yet with a species of fascination which held
Ter motiOnless.
No wonder the object affected her thus. and in
pired her attendance with such terror, for ii was a
lideous serpent-the most fearful and poisonous of
ii the species-the CORPUNUs CoRRIGOl
The continuation of TON. CRAB OR, THE
SALT, AFL0AT AND ASHORE. will be found
Il No. 1873 of THE PRESIDE COMPANION.
No. l33 is now ready, and for sale by all news
lealers throughout the United States and Canada.
sure and ask for No. 1873 OF THE PRESIDE
DR., THE OLD SALE, AFLOAT ASHORE"
will be found there.
Those who live at a distance from a newsdealer.
nd cannot easily obtain the paper, can have THE
IRESiDE COMPANION, containing the rest of
TOM CRAB; OR. THE OLD SALT, AFLOAT AND
SHORE mailed to their address for four months,
y sending one dollar to GEORGE MUNRO, Fire
ide Companion" Office. "a Beekman street, \. Y.
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