The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-10
CLAWDEVIL.


But the next morning they proceed in
company to the cave mouth, and sure
enough, when they had penetrated far
enough, they both beheld the pale blue
light described by Julian-the light, but
not the face.
"Egadl I think it is I that am daft
now," said Neilson.
"Come on" Julian whispered; awe
will soon solve the riddle;" pushing on
in the darkness, and again whispering:
"You zee the ghostly mystery is easily
explsinable when you have the key to
It,"
The mystic light, as was now self-evi-
dent, had shone into the cavern through
the roof Of what appeared TO be solid
rock, and from Fan aperture which could
be gained by means of 4 couple Of inches
in the rocky wall II was a natural
nan-hole, how contrived was not yet sp-
parent. Julian was first in, the breach.
Neilson pulled himself close at his heels.
They were now in a rocky chamber,
limly lighted through an opening at the
farther end; the novel man-hole was
formed by singular slab Of rock, which
fitted like mosaic into the roof of the
cave; it. could only be opened inwards.
When the stony trap door was lowered
Into its receptacle by it's thong Of green
hide, it was impossible for spectator
below to observe its existence alta merely
casual glance.
81 think I have to beg your pardon,
Julian; l do believe you are right for
nee" whispered Nelson.
"This is the secret" said Julian In the
same cautious tone, and taking no notice
Of the Others banter. my colonel Or
son lives somewhere yonder, and when l
stood aghast at what certainly con-
ceived was a visitant from the other
world, the old gentleman had come down
for water. He heard me, and under
cover Of the darkness scrambled up at the
dde." &. .4.F +. b.. .
hisexplanation proved to be correct.
The bush lamp, held aloft revealed a
large natural chamber Of hard smooth
hmesone, near the trap-door there we're
couple of kerosine tins filed with
water, and a stone jar 20 recently over
turned that the puddles glistened fresh
on the floor. At the farther end the ex-
plorers found rift in the wall wide
enough to serve as a doorway. They
pushed through, observing, as they
passed on the inside, a rudely hewn slab
thatin a moment would render the place
impregnable. 1t was perfect place of
conceaIment. Now came wide passage,
some twenty yards in length, curving ab-
ruptly to the left, and opening into an
other spacious chamber, whose erusted
walls sparkled brightly as the rays Of
the rough-and-ready lamp glistened upon
them. ''
"Hal hal my good wild man Of the
woods, / hope / don't intrude," said
Julian with laugh, and probably en-
boldened by the pronixity Of his
friend.
For Julian had found what he had
. sought, and Nelson from the shadow in
which he elected to remain, could zee
that the sick man Of the hollow gum
tree, and the tenant Of the Fairy Gave,
were one and the same. 4 He was lying
in a cot like a ships bunk, and in evi-
dent pain. A pistol lay on three leg
ged stool at his side; . couple OF guns
stood handy against the wall. The room
was rudeiy but comfortably furnished; a
crevice in one Of the corners, through
which a draught of air perpetnally blew,
was hidden by screen covered with din
gy pictures clipped from Americas and
English illustrated papers. But the poor
King Of Fairy-land was in sad straits,
Weak and in pain aud unable and I'M
willing to speak. His Iack-luster eyes
were nevertheless fixed upon the gentle
man, who, like Paul Pry, hoped he did
not intrude. Upon first becoming aware
of the presence of stranger, he had
mechanically attempted to reach toward
the stool, but he dropped his arm with a
groan upon the 'possum skin coverlet,
turned his face to the wall, moaned, and
wearily closed his eyes. "a, 49, ~
's'FYou are i'll, my poor fellow" said
Julian, adroitly shifting the pistol from
the stool and seating himself; II told you
you required doctering." 'Jf7ousrgo4
q The patient shook his head, and the
gesture, through all it's feebleness,
evinced the most obstinate determine.
ton.
"Another faintg' remarked Julian,
sanscrewing his flask. "Try the prescrip'
tion." a7d ei .a natsHd ~
; The man of the woods, nothing 10th
by a little assistance raised himself, and
did not refuse the watered brandy which
Julian placed to his lips. As before, il
revived him almost instantaneously, and
his first use of restored strength was to
take down from shelf overhead a coal.
black pipe, with which he motioned, and
fell back from sheer exhaustion. Julian
understood the movement, charged the
old mans pipe, charged his own, and the
same light kindled both. For several
minutes they smoked in silence.
5a"Now, then. my friend, what can ] dc
for your asked Julian. S4j' '''..
"Go away" said the sick man.
s"No, / mean to stay here until you are
better" asserted julien, quietly.
If the occupant Of the bunk had been
n health he would, judging from the
sudden effort he made to spring out,