Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-05-19
CHAPTER III.


and the next moment the two men were surround
ed by dozen fine-looking fellows, holding cutass-
es pointed at their heartsl
CHAPTER III.
Sudden as was the appearance of the fierce band.
vet Merton-a man accustomed. under all circum-
stances to pre- erve his composure-quietly 6lanc-
ed around him, showing no sign of fear
''YOu must diel" said one, a fellow with square
shaped face. matted hair, and hideous scar upon
his right cheek; I'VE 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 II you Ike. First, now
ever should like the satisfaction Of seeing this
dark lady. who. must acknowledge, has inspired
me with great curiosity.
0Ah, ay" exclaimed Crab, first let us get a
squirt at her, and blast me, IL won't be at your
sarvice all the rest OF my daysl"
Meanwhile there stood the men with the cutiass-
es their weapons still pointed at the hearts OF the
intruders. awaiting the order of their captain to
strike.
ssYou are the two Americans" said he to Merton.
eve have heard of you from the dark lady's broth
or Away with them t. the dungeonl he added,
motioning TO the partyS
In few minutes the prisoners found themselves
In a small circular apartment. with stone walls. and
a damp, earthy smell, very disagreeable.
Hope we s2SB't get the 'fever'n ager' J. exclaim-
ed Crab, "a the men VINO mad conducted theil here
turned and departed.
Merton. who was busy inspecting the apartment,
made no answer.
He noticed an iron door AT TIC sue bpporitc tuat
which his conductors had opened. and advanced to
it, or deavoring to open 1t. This. however. ne
found an impossible task, "a the door was evident
y strongly secure on the other sid.
While he yet endeayoring To open II, the tin =
kle of innumerable silvery bells seemed to rever'
berate through the halls above.
'BeyoOtiful!" calculated Crab; "vonder where
them bells was made IL
Half an hour hal passed. when the door was
opened and slowly striding into the apartment
came one whose appearance Is well worthy OF de-
scriptiOn.
fully darkly beautii las the two men could per-
ceive, in spite of lack band of pasteboard. or
some other materia. serving as mask to the fore
head.
..This is the DARK lady ?" asked Merton.
$50 am called !" answered the other.
al am amply repaid, then, for all my trouble" "
answered Merton. although mist say
thai had not dreamed of seeing 50 lovely 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 p
Eyes, but was determined to try to see you u
answered Merton, seven though I should perish in
the attempt"
lyon are an American" said the lady, 'sother-
wise you should perish for your temerity. Iii too
late now 10 send you away. Come--follow me-.
Accompanied by Crab. Merton walked after the
dark Lady, who led the two through narrow corri-
dor. and up fight of steps. into hall. thence
into comfortable apartment, with painted floor
and oak Furniture amid which was a good bed.
''This is my brothers apartment said Elfrida.
Gas he viii 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 lou nge
to the bed, had stretch cd himself thereon will his
long legs dangling over one end.
This young man rose, dressed himself. and per.
formed his additions, Just as Crab left the lounge.
minute later, the same servant who had
men.
..These men will take You to the tent where you
came FROM" said the servant TO Crab.
ssAh, ay, now. none of thati' exclaimed Crab.
81 dent go without this chap goes with me- point
ing at Merton.
s.There is no harm intended him." said one Of
the men. come. or we must force You T.
mot a bit of it'll" exclaimed Grab picking up a
silver FORK, and standing at bay. "Pve 20 fat ON
this ere cruise, and blast me, If 1 don't see 1t
through-that's sartin!
Other men were now summoned. Crab was de-
prived Of the fork when, he still resisted, two
OF the men caught him by the head. and two by his
long legs, in which position he was carried out of
the room.
Follow mel" said the black to Merton.
They passed through a gate, down narrow
path, edged with green grasstufts, until they came
To the banks of a broad stream, near which. ar
ranged in lovely attire stood Elfrida the dark lady
by the bank there was q beautifully modelled
boat. with a mans head and neck carved at the
prov, and with black, turbaned female standing
ready to help Elfrida into the boat.
The lady held out her hand to Merton.
Welcome" she said. al am out for sail this
morning. You may go with me, when can land
you upon the bank, some distance hence, not far
from your retreat, prepared by my brother. whittier
you must go, never to endeayor to fntrude upon
me againp'
The dark beauty blushed as she spoke. Merton
believed he had never before being lovely.
ssMadam," said the yonEg man, sadly, al hope
You will reconsider your decision. 1t is cruel on
your part to give me glimpse Of such glorious
beauty. and to forbid my ever looking on 1t again.
''You will soon forget me, ;" said Elfrida-
"No," answered Merton, solemnly. at were
not liz the power of mortal man to ever Forget such
beauty as yours. ALL would that you would lift
that black band over your forehead. that 1 might
also behold the smooth trow l"
At these words, Eifrida turned pale, . strange
fash shot from her unfathomable, black eyes.
ssFcrl1ve me-" said Merton, puzzled to account
for her strange behavior, ito hear you. Is to obey -
Elfrida now made motion to the black servant.
Instantly this woman departed. darting up. the
steep path, down which the six African girls, with
their shining paddles. now were seen to descend.
They entered the boat, taking places ON the
thwarts, when the lady motioned to Merton to seat
hinns 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 padilers. working away. were gliding tire
light boat past point OF land covered with thick
shrubbery; when suddenly there was q rustliDg
therein, and fiat. elongated head, with pair of
oAirnts t"tuAiAl- cItcf Hdc furt ncrcifom
Straight toward the boa. un winding Its easy
coils, the ohjecs extended itself straight toward
the dark lady i'm the bow
There was piercing shrek from the female pad
dlers, 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 wateri
The female slaves now stood trembling In every
limb, gazing at that fearful object which, with
forked tongue extended, came out further every
moment from the foliage, threatening 10 deal q
horrible deaih-stroke to the dark lady, who now
stood upright, gazing upon II with loathing and
horror, yet with species Of fascination which held
her motionless.
No wonder the object affected her thus and in
spred her attendance with such terror for II was a
hideous serpent-the most fearful and poisonous of
The continuation of"T0M. CRAB OR, THE
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