Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-05-11
CHAPTER III

Sudden as was the appea rance of the fierce band,
yet Merton man accustomed. under all circumstan
around him, showing no signs Of fear.
ed face. matted hair, and a hideous scar upon hls
right cheek I'VE allow no strangers to invade the
II am in your power aid Merton, that is plain
sRa 9q Ssq e yen of h asen s 66 s
who, must acknowledge, has inspired me with great
cay, ay!' exclaimed Crab, FIRST let Us get squirt
at her, and blast me, if wout be at service all
Meanwhile there stood the men with the cutlasses
their weapons still pointed at the hearts of the nrud
awaiting the order of their captain to strike.
You are the tw2 Amerlcrns,' SAD he to Merton
Away witG them to the dungeon! he added, motion
In few minutes tie prisoners found themselves in
a small, circular apartment with stone walls, and
damp, earthly smell, very disagreeable.
Hope we 'front.' get the fever'n ager!' - exclaimed
Oral, as the men who had conducted them here
turned and departed land hope we do git our allow
Merton, who busy inspecting the apartment,
made answer.
He noticed an iron door at the side opposite that
which his conductors had opened, and advanced to it,
endeavoring to open it,. This, however, he found an
impossible task. the door evidently strongly
cured on the other side
| of innumerable slyery bells seemed to reverberate
| through the balls above.
| bells was made''
! HAT an hour had passed, when the door was open
whose appearance is wsH worthy of description.
| This person was woman-young, and wonderfully,
spite of a black band of pasteboard, some other
material, serving as a mask to the forehead.
This IS the dark sdy!" asked Merton.
$50 am call :" an4wsred the other.
81 am amply repaid, then, for all my oqbe," an
dreamed of seeing 50 lovely being immured in
these walls.'
| The lady's lip cured.
Rash men to venture upon Efridas grounds My
Eyes, but / was determined to try to see you!' an
swered Merton, "even though should perish in the
you are an American" said the lady, OTHERWISE
you should perish for temerty. It to late
Accompanied by Grab, Merton walked after the
dark Lady, who led the two through corrido,
and up flight of steps, into hall, thence into com
Portable apartment with painted floor and oak furni
aThis is my brothers apas ment,n said ElfTida. "a.
he will not be here tonight you may stay here unit
That night he slept but little Early in the morning
he walked TO see the shining through the windows
Grab, who, preferring the lounge to the bed, hac
himself thereon, with his long legs dangnf
The young man rose dressed himself, and perform
A minute later the same servant who had brough
the tray entered, followed by a couple of men
THESE viii take you to the tent where vol
came FROM said the servant to Grab.
Gay, ay. now, none of that!" exclaimed GRAB. "
don't go without this chap goes with mel! pointing
sETbere is harm intended him., said of the
men come, must force you'll"
mot bit of it!,; exclaimed Grab picking up sil
cruise, and blast if don't it through-that'
sartin!"
ed of the fork when he still resisted, of th
men caught him by the head, and two by his Ions
Follow me SAID the black to Merton 81 D room
They passed through gate, down path
banks Of Broad stream near which arrayed in love
ly attire, stood Efrida, the dark lady!
| By the bank there beautifully modelled boat
| with mans head and neck carved at the PROV, an(
with black turbaned female standing ready to hell
Elfrida into the boat.
The lady held out her hand to Merton.
| Welcome she said. II out for sail th
: | L
upon the bank, some stance hence, not far from
must 60, never endervor to ntrude upon me again
The dark beauty blushed as she spoke. Merton be
lieved he had never before seen being so lovely.
Madam said the young man, sadly, 81 hope vol
viii reconsider decision It's cruel your par
to give me glimpse of such glorions beauty. and t.
You viii soon forget me- said Flfrda.
"No,i answered Merton, soiemnly. 1T were not il
the power of mortal to forget such beauty
yours. All! would that would lift that black ban
over your forehead, that l might also behold tn
smooth Drowin
At these words Efrida turned pale, strange hasl
shot from her unfatho nzble, black eyes
, Forgive me-, said Merton, puzzled to account TO
Elfrida now made motion to the black servant
Instantly this woman departed dartin up the steel
path, down which the SIX African girls with tbei
shining paddles, now seen to descend
They entered the boat, taking places on the thwarts
He did so-the female paddlers were soon at work
and away went the light vessel, gliding down tn
, The six paddlers, working away, were gliding tn
shrubbery, when Suddenly there was rustlng there
in, and flat, elong gated head with pair of bright
twInklinh ewes, thrust therefromi
Straight toward the boat, unwindng its easy coils
the OBJECT extended itself straight toward the dar
lady in the bowl
There was piercing shrek from the female pad
dlers who in the confusion of the memens, dropps
the wooden blades
l. AT the same moment, the boat caught by an eddy
stuck fast in snarl of twigs under water!
y The female slaves TODD trembling in ever
limb, gazing at the fearful object waich with ke
the foliage, threatening to deal horrible death strok
to the dark lady, who stoC upright, gazing upo
it with loatbing and horr yet with species of fas
s cination which held her motioness.
NO wonder the object affected her thus. and inspil
ed her attendants with such terror, for it hide
serpent-the most fearful poisonous of all tn
speces-the OoRPUNUs OORRIGo!
The continuation of F"TOM CRAB: OR, THI
d OLD SALT, AFLOAT AND ASHORE will h
found in No. 133 of the FIRESI DE COM RANION
No 1873 is ready, and for sale by all newsdealer
a throughout the United States and Canada. Be sur
and ask for No. 1873, of TIL r. FIRESIDE COMPAN
ION, for the remainder of tom GRAB; OR, TIKI
OLD SALT, AFLOAT AND ASHORE,'' will b
found there. !.
Those who live at distance from a newsdealer, an,
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| CRAB; OR, TIE OLD SALT, AFLoAT AND ASHORE,
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one dollar to GEORGE MUNRO, fEiresde Companion
office, 81 Beekman street, N Y.