The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-12-25


marty Rad been called 10 il that morning by
Mr.. Fairplav, when some one laughiDgly re-
marked. - good hiding place for robbers
That utterance IN thOughtlsss mirth was
verified ]
90 erapdmsr" Daisy, who could keep /
ouiet no longer. broke the Stiffness which |
the Others had been careful lot to disturb.
How exciting!"
"Yrs" said Myra, "and so nice. / have
aIwsys imagined be captured by origands.
$50 romanticl' said the youngest and
story lover of the group. Such an oppor-
tunity to become hero! And then the uh
certainty of procuring a ransom is so
thrilling!" rl
Here She was checked by reproviDg words,
and grandma smiled as she continued
Coming directly opposite this spot, our
valet de place gave an eager Look into It's
dark cavity, aud, as / followed his gaze,
black figures issued forth, and, in shorter
time than can repeat this, we found our
selves in the hands OF my much dreaded foe
Anything but romantic We found 1t
and Mrs Fairplay smiled archly-"as one
by one we were forced 70 step out on terra
firma; the horses we're embarrassed from the
carris,,e, and both vanished in the darkness.
strange adventure, fraught with peru.
We gathered together, conversing IN low
tones. glancing ever and anon at the stern
figures arbiUers of our fate. This stforded
no satisfaction. Their broad-brlmmed,
slouched hats effectually concealed their lea
lures; the only token of friendly feeling We
noticed was the simple nodding OF the long,
| dark p,umes fastened on one side and hang
| ing over their shoulders; their clrcular
cloaks touched the ground, conceallng ali
| secrets.
where we went, 1 am unable 70 say.
| Carefully guarded, and under the guidance
| of the brigands, we walked over rough and
| narrow paths silently and desperate, " hither
| L., " FNnHd
| round in an aimless way. Often, L remem-
ber branches were pushed from our paths
| At last, being swung across some OBSTRUCTION,
we came, after few moments walking, In
| sight of a mass of stones. A peculiar whis
tie was given, and something like the Ara
bian Nights its entrance was visible from the
strong lantern rays which swung just IN
side.
1--WE were conveyed through long passage
wsy ending in a large square room. In the
center was a Turkish rug; around 1t stones
of various sizes, used for seats; some had
bright colored coverings Here, In ltanan'
the chief of the party requested US 70 rest
The command seemed a mockery, and it was
with WEAKNESS and fear depicted on our faces
that We obeyed. Now / found my little
Italian useful, and in a stammerlng tongue
asked few questions prompted by my nus
band.
mo, the chief is not here
awe must wait for his arrival before any
r arrangements for our release can be made?
"'Yes
"'Wlll he return soonp
"'That is impossible To say.
1--WE ladies vested ourselves of our wrap
pings, and prepared, as far as outside seem
e ing went to act phllosopnlcally. L gaze
r curiously around our new abode. The SIDE
: of wall were hung with odds and ends Ug
q swords. glitteriDg poniards, rugs and breadth
of carpets shielding we knew not what, fol
@ bearing TO guess. In one corner was ro'
3 of boxes and in another rude table. Nv
. lanterns hung from the ceiling, massive, cd
!. looking, as il the dust OF centuries mad 81
cumulated on their surf4ce. Sounds oil CRU
=. voices aud frequent steps echoed from
= knew not where, for no signs OF exit coul
y be seen than the way we entered.
"Yet so absorbed were we in our own r
. Elections that we had failed TO notice IN
> men who had left us, one at timey unit
a the leader only remained, pacing up an
u down as he guarded us. His lace was 10
- even now discernibe. Though laying asid
II his long cloak his hat was still slouche'
, Ever and anon he stopped to listen; twlt
= he issued orders from the doorway, and,
obedience refreshments were brought In
u a tray TO which the gentleman, after the
long fast, did ample justice, Bringing dow
on their heads the we'll deserved wrath I
y the ladies, who could only choke down
a few morsels-
a; Meanwhile, the sounds around US gre
!. louder, and had reached a noisy heIgh
~ when frm and msn-like strides were hea
: in the passage, aud simultaneously the ote
sounds Ceased. Our brigand protect
. listened lntenuy for a second, aud the
:. presenting a dignifisd aspect, saluisd q
as dark and commanding figure in the fol
IL ground. 1.-Two IN arily Exclaimed, aside,
~ "'rhe chief bimselfp
20 eyes, my lady came the answer, IN go
u English, TO my surprise, as he advanced
ward us. .,
=, 1--WE were petrifed for moment L
ua gentlemen wisely remained silent L
ne ladies failed in their feminine prerogau'
We and simply stared. His bearing was that
~. a monarch as he calmly surveyed our Ut
,u' marty. His cloak resembied those OF
'uf band, being shorter, and caught up careless
~ on the left shoulder. Where their h'
i. had one plume. he boasted three. One ma
,aS erasped the hIlt of his sword, which was
ou curious workmanship; the other, fair .
ese delicate as a lsdy's, unfsstened his clo
'uI and. tossing IL aside, he waited for us
,:n speak. His eyes, dark and pie rcing, seen
'ii to fasten upon me, aud stirred vague rec
l., lections in their depths of bygone ds
Where had / seen those fearless ey
3, Again and again l returned his gaze, 9
! while he talked with my husband, stcd
Li them anew. The longer | looked, the m
LIE positive 1 became. Somewhere, perhaps
. my dreamland, had met that face. Its liz
sne ments grew strangely familiar. Like Zig
-. ming fash recalled my chiidhood's hoi
A ao and the masked gang. Yes, l was sure
,;s was Dickl
WIS Now shivered with a thrilling hor
Did he remember me2 Would 1t soften
danger7 was afraid to think. Anot
I'll SILVER ran through me.
'Iui "'Perhaps my lady is cold said the ch
,u e who mad, 1t seemed, been closely obser'
49, me, metioning at the same time TO serv
'iss who brought me large shawl. The C
ia took il from her, and, under pretence
, , handing il TO me, whispered, Have no
ins, my lady; Dick has not forgotten.
me How those words allayed my wild
ss ciesi After that was the composed on
I. 80 the party.
y 70 at was definitely settled that, in the e
o9r morning, one of the chiefs rusty men w
~. escort one OF our gentlemen 70 Rome, OF
;ne making a solemn promise to return wi
hins ransom within "a hours. However, c.
&c t see that cur party were disturbed, notv