The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-12-04

THE GOLDEN IDOL;
OR,
The Enchanted Tree.
CHAPTER /.


A GIRLS DESPAIR.
Upon lonely shore of Tonga taboo har-
Dor, in the island Of Tonga-taboo, two per-
sons sat hidden in dim recess Of palms.
They were father aud daughter.
The former was plain, simple clergy
man of middle age.
The latter was charming girl of seven |
teen years, scarcely more remarkable for
her lovelincss than for her sterling good |
sense and a worldly wisdom far in advance
Of her years.
As TO the wife and mother of this couple,
she had long been sleeping her last sleep
in one of the lonely hooks Of this far Paci-
&c island.
Ten years had passed since Mr.. FOrtes
cue had come 10 the shores Of this lovely
harbor, with the intention Of passing his
days in the labor of converting to Christi
anity their pagan idolators; but the good
missionary had, in some unintentiOnal way,
fallen under the displeasure OF the ruler of
the island, and was now being hunted for
his life.
Il am so tired, father, painted the girl,
as she clasped her hand tightly to her
heart
1--WE ought not to have run so fast, re-
sponded Mr. Fortescue. But | am sure
the savagcs were near us.
Hush here they are breathed the
girl,
A rush Of footsteps was heard and a
moment later several savages came flying
I past. rending the air with their cries.
They think we have gone in that dircc-
I ton, whispered the missionary "Oh,it they
only knew how near we are still to the set
/ Element ~
will they not soon be back this way,
father2' asked Miss Fortescue.
II dare say they will, Ellie. All here
comes another band of them.
A dozen armed warriors traversed the
sandy beach Immediately in front OF the
hiding place of the couple
'llew terrible they are, how lost to all
pity
Alas for the poor results of all my
tolls sighed Mr.. Fortescue. To see
these savage pursuers. and hear their CELLS,
one would little imagine the sacrifices we
have made on their account. All the ben
efts they have received from us are forgot
ten. They are determined to kill us if they
can find Us.
At this point Ellie started violently half
arising to her feet
"Oh, look, father she cried.
This was all she could say but she point
! ed far away in thedrection from which the
fugitives had come.
Il see, murmured Mr. Fortescue.
They have fred our dwelling
4 lurid flame arose in the air in the dis
lance.
1T is hard to see our home perishing,
sighed the daughter. What demons they
|. are
! She started again even more violently
than before-this time at the barking Of a
dog within ten feet Of her
! The cur will certainly betray US cried
i the missionary, Springing to his feet.
He has betrayed us already, returned
Ellie. See they are coming.
In the last moment at his residence, Mr.
: Fortescue had seized an old sword he
o. CHANGED TO have upon his premises, and b,
thanked heaven for the service this wea
pom now rendered him. he being able Il
, cleave the dog in twain with single des
perate blow.
: Had we better not plunge into the in
. terror, father asked Ellie
i Il think not II is there that they ar,
] looking tor us. They are beating ever.
! bush, and-Yes they are certainly comm
! nearer to Us. See! they have torches. oh
4 this is horrible X
. Perhaps we had better throw ourselve
into a boat, and TRUST ourselves to the wind
aud waves
Il would have done so, darling, but fo
= the roughness of the sea
ITS all up with our halt here, said tn
W rY,faz tttv,tY., l.a.t- III q,
The dog was heard. and the savaras ar
= Fastening in this direction
i Breaking from their covert, hand
. hand, the father aud daughter ran alon
!. the beach and gained temporary sheltt
behind u small ledge of rocks which lutte
= out into sea in the form of "a small promol
q tory.
4 live only had a boat now =! sighed IL
q father, possibly we could get off in it. -
n Ere Ellie could reply. a solitary saval
d came bounding from the bushes, brandisl
:, Ing his war-club
" Alas alas ' mourned Mr. Fortescu
g He had realized only too well the INN
y hence of the peril-the utter utility of a
~. his efforts at escapc-but he met the for
% most savage with the strength of desper;
10 tior, cleaying him in twain nearly as Gle
10 erly as ne had dispatched the dog whic
a. had discovered the whereabouts of Il
n couple but then came the sharp, loud r
ii port Of musket-aud the good missional
nj lay weltering in his blood, with a bull
80 through his vitals
- IL am hit :" he cried lean not % on
=, Not even 10 the boat father
a Alas, it is too late faltered the dylr
10 missionary, as everything reeled aroul
y him. 20 Thee, O tod, / CONNER
No her
80 These were the last woads of the devC
:, = ed missionary. As he uttered them
!, tumbled into the boat he had succeed
q. with his last desperate efforts in reachir
n, and ia that same instant his senses !,
= him forever
~ ~ OF demons - cried Ellie, still wieIdi
II her sword with the strength of despair.
By the last desperate effort of her c
i. hausted powers the brave girl succeeded
,o pushing off the boat and in breaking Gle
r. Of the pursuers with it.