Smyrna times., 1878-11-20
SMYRNA, DEL, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, \
the box in that; they'll never find it be-

the box IN that; they'll never lind 1t be-
fore help comes"
fastening in that direction together, we
managed to raise the box high enough to
reach the hole, and | topped it in. 1t fell
with heavy thud: knew it was safe. l
then told Jane to run to Hawthornes, the
nearest house, arouse the people, and bring
some of the male servants back. She
wanted me to go with her, but dared not
leave the neighborhood of the tree, lest any
miserable chance should occur of the
burglars finding the treasure. Crouching
among the bushes some yards off, babe
the girl hasten.
Scarcely had she gone than noise in the
house attracted my attention. My flight
with the Jewels had been discovered. My
heart stood still, and the blood in every
vein turned cold. With Jenkins there
were three of them. Through the darkness
| could see that they were beating and
searching the bushes They had guessed we
could not carry the box far, and evidently
were in hope of finding it before help
came.
Twice they approached so near to where
| was that my hair stood on end. The
fourth time it was Jenkins himself know
him, despite his Grape mask-that drew
aside the bushes and discovered me.
With a cry | endeavored to fly, but the
burglars instantly secured me. Hardly can
l describe the scene that followed. 1t
makes my flesh now creep with terror
They looked around for the box, and not
finding it, with awful oaths and threats
bade me say where it was. My only reply
was to shrek aloud, until they checked me
by blows, and finally by placing revolver
at my head. implored mercy but | re
manned firm. felt my senses leaving me
they too, saw it, and by twisting my arms
| to create exquisite torture, aroused me. A.
| last one exclaimed:
cit won't do to fire. It'll bring other.
upon us. Gag her, and take her along tC
| the lakew
TO the lake! What were they going t.
do? Drown me? My brain swan; but
resolved to remain firm, and save the dia
monds. Reaching the edge of the water
the villains, taking me by the shoulders
laid me back in the lake, pressing my heat
beneath the water. My mouth being gag
ged | could not cry out, and never shall
| forget the horrible sensation. Surely fel
death then
Every few seconds they raised me to dc
mand the whereabouts of the diamonds.
| answered by Il shake of the head. Hoy
long all this lasted cannot tell but at
ruptly fearful noise sounded in my ear:
| felt the water rolling over me, and w,
conscious no more.
The immersion caused the most curiou
sensation | ever felt in all my life before
became unconscious. My breath went am
came at titful intervals, and had painfu
sense Of smothering or suffocaton whic
paralyzed my brain and deadened all powC
of yohtiOn. | could not speak for the lii
of me, neither was | able to offer til
slightest resistance to my would-be murde
ers.
When | came to, was in my own room
Arthur was near me, and the first words
said were:
my brave Nellie You have saved II
Etchin diamonds. The help Jane brougl
arrived just when the rutfians flung you in
the lake; but they are all captured ~
1t was a considerable time before tho
oughly recovered from the terrible few
that awful night occasioned.
One day Arthur came to me smiling al
said
: "See, darlingr' he said, "those villai
! brought few threads of silver to 20
: hair, but,"-and he held up magnfice
: bracelet" they have put gold on yo
wrists. The baronet asks you to acce
this for your bravery in preserving t
Etchin diamonds"