Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-07-17
CHAPTER XVI.
RANF COMPLETES HIS DIARY.

plPaLion TOOK It's plaCc q ASiat.A4A'So--SS -
my own experience brought to me higher
consciousness. The figure OF the wealthy
and uelier Hunchback than | who, when |
was battling with the world, had summon
ed me to his presence for the purpose OF
sucking consolation out of my deformity,
rose before me. The lesson had learned
ON the memorable night he introduced me
to his guests for the purpose of showing me
the power of gold-a lesson far different
from that he wished to teach-I now took
to heart. The words | had addressed to
him | addressed to myself. Lip-service
his gold could buy-heart-service, never
and | remember how the keen arrow
pierced his soul when asked him where,
in spite of all his wealth, was the woman
who in her dreams would breathe his name
in accents OF love. In the light of this re-
membrance my exultation in my discovery
took worthier shape, and felt that it
was impossible that should ever become
the slave of gold.
"Not for myself did rejoice in the
gold by which I was surrounded. For
whom, then For whom but for one
being, TO whom it might possibly bring
an added happiness: For whom but for
Evangeline
But presently an unexpected con-
sideration intruded itself Was it certain
that the metal was really gold Might
it not be baser metal, of no worldly
account l smiled at the thought, and the
absence OF any feeling of disappointment
was proof that 1 had gained moral
victory
There was, however, no other metal
that would answer the description Of the
substance I held in my hand, and Of the
value of which. after the doubt had passed
away, | was in my own mind convinced.
For its presence in so strange q place | was
puzzled TO account but upon reflection it
occurred to me that some of the hidden
rocks which lay beneath the sea along
Liz SlIQiC uilSEL OC III tlidV
case. the mystery was solved.
1.-THE wealth which met my eyes was
enormous - impossible to calculate. l
gathered a quantity of the precious parti-
cles from the crevices OF the rocks, and
placed it high up, out of the reach of the
waves. It was evening when first made
the discovery, but did not suspend my
labor until night had so fully set in that
there was no light to guide me-by which
time I had collected as much gold as l
could carry to my mountain hut. Not
only the darkness of the night, but the
sound Of the waves, which told me that
the tide was rising again, warned me to
desist. determined to pass the night on
the rocks above, and in the morning to
make more searching examination of the
wonderful cave. 1t was necessary that
SHOULD reach place of safety at once, and
commenced to climb the rocks. Twas full
of courage and spirit and energy, but was
over-confdent, and doubtless, also, over
excited, for in an effort to raise myself,
when was about twenty feet above the
level of the shore, slipped, and fell to the
bottom of the cave, cutting myself so
severely and losing so much blood that l
became insensible.
In this perilous position l lay without
consciousness until surrounding circum-
stances awoke my mind. Sweet voices
were about me, whispering of the sea, OF
Evangefne, and of all that was most
pleasant to me. The wild turmoil of liy-
ing was over, and l was floating into an
eternity OF rest-an eternity soon to be
broken by furious struggle for dear life.
The tide was rising in terrible earnest, and
the waves were beginning to wash over me.
Then ensued battle from which / had
scarcely hope of escaping; but despair
and the desire for life gave me strength,
and although at least a dozen times
thought all was over with me, / managed
to cling to the rocks and prevent myself
from being carried out to sea. But / have
to thank fortune for victory, for my
strength was almost spent and my breath
almost gone as wave drew me outwards
to the spot where the brown belts Of sea.
weed reared and eurled quickly it re-
turned, and by happy chance washed me
inwards towards the cross, into an arm Of
which it happily flung me, leaving me for
a brief space in safety / took advantage
of the precious moments, and before the
next wave rolled into the cave / sue
ceeded in climbing another foot or two NJ
the cross, and so inch by inch at length
succeeded in reaching the beam on which
the arms of the sacred figure were ex.
tended. Then fixing myself in such po
sition as to render it unlikely that could
be dislodged, my strength finally gave
way, and ] became once more insensible
There is no need here to describe the
night which followed, its interminabls
length, and the strange fancies and images
the roar and flash of the waves, whose
breasts were Illuminated with phosphores
cent light, created for me. When the sur
arose the tide was going down, and it wa:
only then l discovered how weak was
had LETT on the rocks above the food
had brought with me, and it was almost
by miracle was able to gain the spot
in this attempt became still more sorely
wounded, aud it was with dismay
thought many days must elapse before
/ should be able to gain sufficient
strength to crawl to my hut on tn,
mountain What distressed M mos
was the reflection that if was absent fol
longer than fourteen days the record hac
written wouldfal into Margaret Sylvester
hands, in accordance with the instructions
| had gwen Evarpeline. IL / were dead