The daily gazette., 1880-03-29
EIyg RINGS ClVp.
BY w. "a. 7.

bearing the brunt Of the gales which
are again received by tho principal
chain Of the Western Isles, before they
touch the inner range Of islands and the
main.
From one OF . few low cottages on
this islet, .wo girls came ont one fine
spring day, and went down by cleft in
the rocks to the beash. The islet had
been so torn up ss II were, by the ocean
storms, that the coast presented innu-
merable pillars of rock detached from
the cliffs. and many a cavern worn in
the rocks In recent, a. well as ancient
times.
One of these dated at least from the
days when the western islands belonged
to the Norwegiaps; for 1t bore the name
Of Ki e Ring: po.sntsne p,sna no,s. vel a,l known
Annie and Jane Macleod scamperad
in delighted freedom along the shore,
running round and round the tail pip-
nacles OF granite, clamboring over gi-
gantic piles Of broken rock, visiting the
ives winch echoed to their shouts and
laughter. ard purposiRg to visit the one
which bore the name Of the ancient king,
King Ring.
being the children Of q fisherman, we're
used to calculate times of the tide, and
were good Judges Of the weather; so,
knowing that the wind was essterly,
they also knew that the tide ought to 10
out very far, and to be very long in COM
Ing in. 30 they were not afraid to ent, !
King Rings cavern, and to gaze with
delight on all the beautiful .hiBSs II
contained. Fer his majesty's Morse
palace never showed hangiugs SO
lovely as the sea weeds that draped the
walls of this cave. Nor did he ever
dra ~ auff ner ~ xvitb ha IA, NJ.
ami topazes, and globes of golden green
--as these weeds were adorned with
seA-anemenes Of she most lovely col
ors.
The little girls began eagerly to seek
for these beautiful creatures, and put
them into their pockets. Every one
they found seemed more brilliant than
the last, and ~ they advanced further
and further up the cave, laughing or
singing fragments Of songs, and talking
to each other about the wonders which
they discovered.
lime passed on, suddenly the caver-
grew dnsky, and when the children no
ticed this their merrimeDt ceased, and
they were silent. Then, for the first
time, they no ed the loud sounds that
came from the mouth OF the cave. The
terrible truth flashed on the milds of
both at once. The wind had changed,
and had dri ven the tide up long before
the usual time. 1t was now breaking
N o the cavern.
Ahl ~hat terrible moment was this |!
There was no escape, for semicircle OF
lofty rocks guarded the entrance on
either hand.
The children rushed into each others
rms.
1--WE are lostl' cried Jeanie. "Oh,
why did we stay sac langi"
1T is too late to think o. tiat Doo,"
said her sister; 1--WE must tbiuk thst we
must soon stand IN HIS presence who
rules The winds and waves"
They knelt down, and prayed ear.
nes.ly; then they rose.
"Our mitherl our piur mither" cried
they az once; but the thunder Of the
waves mace their vol oss scarcely audi
BILE.
Their good sense did not desert them
even in this extremity. A detached
pillar Of rock stood at the other end of
the cave; It was called King Rings Scep-
ter. Jeanne led her sister to this, and
both clambered up 1t, and with slight
foothold, were able 10 MAINTAIN them
selves near Its summit. Alasi though
both had heard that at neap tide the
Scepter was uRmoved at high water
both knew now that it was he season Of
the hIghess springs. 1t was but defer
ring for short space the moment of
their destruction.
Suddenly, loud noise was heard
above the roaring of the waves. 1t was
In the roof of the cavern. The chlldren
sbrieked loudly. Both that the root oil
the cave was falling in. When they saw
faint streak Of light issue from above,
hey believed that the rocks were about
TO fall ON and crush them.
care ye safe, hinnies ?' said voice
from above.
"Oh yesl oh yesi help us, oh help us?"
cried they; then The tears, which terror
had hit herto checked. flowed nlentitully
at the faint hope held out By tie sound
OF human voice.
The slream of light grew larger, then
IL vanished q qnite; put voice was heard,
saying:
"Now, ye maun promise, ss II 1t were
on yore Bi i5les, they ye never tell how
ye got out, or won't help ye, an the
waves Is coming up fast"
"We promisei" we promised screamed
the children.
"Then TAX hold o. this rope ; Its no
u 81 pinot, but it's tied In q loon, put 1t
around ane o. ye an ri draw ye up
You gae first, Annie mither ill be
blitbe to see ye," said Jeanne.
"Na, ma she'll be demented to think
she's been bawr agin' ye, j tanie. ity
die first p
"Quick, quick I" cried the voice from
above "silly BARN, what are ye walt
ing for ?i'
Jeanie threw the rope over Anuie's
shoulders, and placed 1t around her
waist but when Annie felt herself
swinging in the air, she scresmed in
TERROR. 1t seemed as II she must dash
her head against the roof. But though
Jennie was silent, she was not in tie
least terrified for the waves broke in
spray over her, and delay was death
The cave now became quite dark, as.
the form of Annie filed up the aperture
Jeanie threw her arms around the
Scepter, and lifted up her heart In
prayer. She heard the waves rushing
In thunder ND the caAern. They broke
over her. Breathess and confused, she
could not see or feel the rope which
was now lowered for her. "She'll lie
drown'd r. she heard some one Cry. then
darkness once more descended upon |
the cave. See felt some one hug about |
alive. ABOVE all but the spray of another |
enormous billow. The same strong
arms that had guarded Annie's head,
now drew her through the apertu Q
In the roof of the cavern, and laid her
on the gross. Then the rope ives
agaiu thrown down, and lad swung
lig htly and easily up BY 1t, to the gray
and windy patch OF down that was
nearly tue only level spot on she Scaur
Rock.
Warmed and dried, and fed at little
cottage near the spot, the two children
we're sent home. Though their con-
sciences were rather uneasy at having
any concealmsDts from their mother.
thav held their promise sacred, and