River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-03-21
Buried Alive.

creating scenery in the world is to be
found in Norway. Its immense tiOrds
stretching far away into the land, sur
rounded sometimes by precipices that
rise sheer a thousand feet from the wa
tcr's edge, at others bordered by lovely,
smooth. green, shelving beach, with the
cliffs rising up behind, are full of mystic
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 fiorels far away toward the North
cape dwelt hardy farmer, Herald Eric
sen, with his son and daughter sturdy
Carl and iail Eline The ford which
may be called theirs was bounded by al
most wall-hke cliffs at every spot except
where at the bottom of a 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 u stout boat, which lay,
except when in use, on the beach before
their home.
Once year this boat was fitted out with
n mast and sail as well 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 a 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
ed by Carl and Eline, when he burst out :
What do you think, children There
are smugglers along the coast, and, as
sure as I'm alive, saw their craft in
the offing before entered the ford"
"Smugglersr 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 l fear
they will visit us, or, at any rate, the cave
where band of the same sort took refuge
twenty years ago"
1.-The driftwood cavel" 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 10 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 Let
us get the boat unloadid, and while you
and Eline are carrying the things up to
the house, will go off to the cave and
Itch a load of wood"
Yes that is the best plan" replied the
father, as the three began hastily 10 I'M
load the boat.
This was soon done; then Carl, pushing
Oft, 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 Carts 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 their craft when
they lodged in the cavel There is no
safe place for it about there"
''Oh, they were clever ones, those
smugglers," replied the old man. "They
unshipped the bowsprit and mast, and
run their schooner right into the cave it
self. You know it is like dock in there
for nearly hundred feet from the en-
trance
Eyes, yes,' replied E!ine; "and perhaps
these men you heard of may be rs clever
and But look, father look = raising her
voice almost to a scream-"there Is a
schooner at the mouth of the cave this
very moment
Fore heaven you ale right, child re
piled the father, after a msment's look
II is the Smuggling schooner. And see !
see. they are letting down their masts as
if they were on hinges. All, the clever
dogs-ah"
''But, father, see there mes Carl, clear
OF The islands, and making straight for
the cave. He does not seem to see them,
aud-oh, father, he will run right into
their mouths !"
IL fear he will, child replied
the old man, nervously. And look
now there is nothing of them to see-they
have drawn clear into the cave. What Is
10 be donel"
The ledgei the ledge above the cave
know path to reach it If get there
in time | might make him see me and
warn him off.
/" All, me, my legs are not SO swift nor
my body so light as yours, Eline,'
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
Eline started off at run, and soon gained
the foot of the cliffs. Then, 10y path
which seemed rather for a rabbit or hare
than human being, she began to ascend
the face of the cliffs in sort OF diagonal
line, and her father, watching her, saw
her swift, flying figure grow less and less,
till at last il halted on the ledge just over
the.cave.
Then without moments delay, she
began 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.
'sOh, he will not see e!-he Is lost !!
she cried, in despair, as she let her hands
fall 10 her side.
Even as she spoke he stopped and took
from the bottom of the boat horn that
ALWAYS lay there, and was used as sig
nal With ii his father and he also had
been used to blow a great blast when
nearing the cave, so as to brighten out OF
il many things that made it their home,
'sMercy on us! he is about to sound the
horn y she cried "And | cannot make
him hear mel All is lost"
The voice of the horn, strong and sweet
and full, answered her, and was echoed
and re-echoed again and again from Gilt
TO cliff.
carl! CARL for Gods sake do not go
near the eaver' she screamed.
Her voice was heard by him, but he
fancied II the scream of some bird.