The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-03-21
Buried Alive.

creating scenery in the world is to be
found in Norway. Its immense fiords
stretching far away into the land, sur
rounded sometimes by precipices that
rise sheer thousand feet from the wa
ter's edge, at others bordered by lovely,
smooth, green, shelving beach, with the
cliffs rising up behind, are full Of mystc-
rious enticement to all who know them,
stranger or native. He who has lived
among them would live there always; he
who has only seen them would gladly re-
urn to them again.
On the shore OF one of the loveiiest Of
these foras far away toward the North
cape, dwelt hardy farmer, Herald Eric
son, with his son and daughter sturdy
Carl and tair Eline. The ford which
may be called theirs was bounded by al
mott wall-llke cliffs at every spot. except
where at the bottom of great rift in the
cliffs, lay the little plot Of land that
formed their farm. This was of triangu-
lar shape, its base forming the beach, the
two sides being shut in by rocks no man
could climb. The three people were
thus cut off from the rest of the world
which they could only reach when neces-
sary by means of stout boat, which Law,
except when in use, on the beach before
their home.
Once year this boat was fitted out with
mast and sail as we'll as oars, and Har-
old Ericsson journeyed in her to the near
est town for the purpose of selling what
they had to sell and purchasing their
winter stores. At the same time he
brought back with him goodly stock of
news to be told and discussed during the
long, winter nights, but seldom to be de-
livered in hurry.
On one occasion, however, he had
scarcely stepped ashore and been embrac-
cd by Carl and Eline, when he burst out:
"What do you think, children2 There
are smugglers along the coast, and, as
sure rs m alive, saw their craft in
the otfing before I entered the ford"
"Smugglcrs!" cried Eline, in alarm.
''Oh, what Of them?" laughed Carl.
''They won't interfere with US, for there's
nobody to trade with them in our ford"
And nobody to BE- watch on them,"
replied the old man. Therefore I fear
they will visit US, or, at any rate, the cave
where band of the same sort took refuge
twenty years ago."
"The driftwood caveI'' cried Carl, now
really alarmed. Why, if they make their
home there, they will burn every stick Of
our winters firing stored in it."
''That they will and what we are to do
can scarce tell
''Oh, if there is the slightest chance of
their coming, We must set to at once and
bring the wood here" replied Carl. "Lct
us get the boat unloadid, and while you
and Eline are carrying the things up to
the house, l will 60 off to the cave and
fetch load of wood"
Eyes that is the best plan,' replied the
father, as the three began hastily to un-
load the boat.
This was soon done; then Carl, pushing
of, headed for the cave, which lay about
mile further out at sea, but which had
owing to the currents, to be approached
by course like the letter V.
The first part of Carl's course carried
him right across the ford to cluster of
rocky islands. His next would bring
him direct to the mouth of the cave.
~Father," said Eline, as she saw Carl
disappear among the islands, "what did
the old smugglers DO with thei- craft when
they lodged in the cave? There is no
safe place tor it about there"
"Oh, they were clever ones, those
smugglers,' replied the old man. "They
unsllipped the bowsprit and mast, and
run their schooner Ri ht into the cave it
self. You know it is like dock in there
for nearly hundred feet from the en-
trance"
Eyes, yes" replied Eline land perhaps
these men you heard of may be as clever
and But look, father look! !" raising her
voice almost to a scream-''therc is q
schooner at the mouth of the cave this
very moment"
"Fore heaven you are right, child :" re-
piled the father, after moments look.
1T is the smuggling schooner. And see
soc !! they are letting down their masts A.
II they were on hinges. All! the clever
dOgs--ah!"
But, father, see! there Genes Carl, clear
OF the islands, and making straight for
the cave. He docs not seem to see them.
and-oh, father, he will run right into
their mouthsv
IL fear be will, child" replied
the old man, nervously. "And look
now there is nothing OF them to sec-thev
have drawn clear into the cave. What is
to be done2"
Tho ledge! the ledge above the cave
!! know path to reach it! If got there
in time l might make him see me and
warn him off.
Ah, me, my legs are not so swift nor
my body so light as yours, Elinc."
groaned the old man. ely then, fly, and
save your brother if you can; for these
men would shed his blood as readily as
they would drink if thirsty"
Scarcely waiting to hear his hnal words
Ellnc started off at a run, and soon gained
the foot OF the cliffs. Then, by a path
which seemed rather for rabbit or hare
than human being, she began to ascend
the face of the cliffs in a sort of diagonal
line, and her father, watching her, saw
her swift, flying figure grow less and less.
till at last 1t halted on the ledge lust over
the::cave.
-. Then without, moments DELAY. she
began a series of gestures, by which she
hoped to attract Carts attention; but he
was far too busy with his boat to think
Of looking up where she stood.
;,.,. .".Oh, he will not see me!-he is lostp
4 she cried, in despair, as she let her hands
4 fall to her side.
"n's Even as she spoke he stooped and took
: from the bottom of the boat a horn that
always lay there, and was used as sig
i. nal. With IL his father and he also had
: tron,, :a,sn1 - hln- . ->>k s1..As 49,