The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-10-15

feet, while his bronzed face became a
little pale.
Ned observed this, and darting away
from the door he endeavored TO ascer-
tain il there were any listeners abont.
Satisfied that the sound he had heard
was but the shrek Of the wind, or some
stray gull, he returned, and 80 an
nounced.
Old Jack did not seem to feel quite
certain that such was the case, for he
spoke in low tone, as he continued:
"Dick NOVEL; has proposed for the
hand Of Belle. and he declares that she
must become his wife at once"
ooh, fatherl' exclaimed the poor
girl. and shndder passed over her
frame as she spoke.
I'D cut the villains throat |" cried
Ned, with vehemence.
"Hush | Don't speak 80 loud. Things
are bad enough at the best"
"Tell us the worst. then"
II will. The Captain plainly de.
clared that he suspected you, Ned, OF
treachery, aud that he would only save
you on conditions"
"And those conditiops?"
Were that Belle should become his
wife at once, and that you should leave
the island forever"
"And il refuse?"
''lf we do not accept his proposals
the wreckers will be aroused against
you. Belle will be forced to become the
Captains wife, you will be hung up by
the neck, and will doubtless lose my
own life If offer the slightest opposi.
tion."
"Let us fight them to the DEATH"
Foolish boy. What do you suppose
We could do against the hundreds who
would he oppos d to us2'
"True-nothing. SO let us make
preparations for instant departure.
This was done. At the rear Of the
cottage there were sharp lodges OF rock,
through which there wB winding
pathway TO the seashore. While the
thunders beloved in the heavens, the
lightning flashed, the sea roared and
leaped In its fury and the drenching ram
dashed down upon tho solid masses of
granite, few articles OF value were re.
moved from the cabin to n small sailing
craft, which lay moored in a sheltered
niche, ready for its seward flight
While the party Was thus engaged
they believed themselves unobserved.
They did not dream that fierce and all.
CRY eyes were glarlng upon them.
The arrangements fora start were com.
plete and the friends were about to step
on board the little craft and push OF.
dangerous as the experiment seemed to
be. But at that instant fierce yells burst
upon the night air, ringing out high
above the tempest; and in moment al
ter hundred dark forms were seen to
leap up from among the lodges.
Ned and old Jack fought with desper-
alton, Tor now they well knew what their
fate would be. Death at once, aud Belle
would be left alone, at the mercy of the
remorseless captain of the wreckers.
But their opposition was vain and they
were soon OverpOwered.
The morning dswned bright and beau
tiful, but poor old Jack and Ned were
not permitted to gnze upon the glorious
sunrise for they were both IN dungeons,
awaiting their sentence. About noon it
came. The traitors to the band were to
be bound to the perpendicular rocky
wall with chains and there left to die.
The sea would drenoh them with its
leaping towers of foam, hunger would
gnaw their vitals, hegulls shrek around
them and strip their bones at length.
They must die death of lingering hor.
rors, even while In the distance they
could see the whitened sal of many a
noble craft who would fly to their relief
were but their situation known.
Chained to the rocks, it seemed as il
earthly hope had d. parted, aud yet they
did not give up in despair.
She had been taken to the residence
Of Novel; and there made a last prisoner
in an upper room. She was informed of
the situation of her father and supposed
brother and given to understand that
only her cheerful consent to the union
would possibly gain for them any mercy.
Many maldens would have wept and
given up in despair, but not 80 with Belle.
She heartily detested the captain, and
she alone feared him, for she knew his
wild nature. But she had formed. not
only the resolve that she would not
yield, but that she would save her
friends.
The second night came, and she was
alone. But she had formed her plans.
Near the dwelling there grew q large
tree, the branches OF which reached
within some six or eight feet of her
window. II was . fearful leap for a
maiden to attempt, but she did not
'esitate in her action. She made the
pring, and clutched the branches. For
moment she hung there suspended: |
'ut, straining every nerve, she slowly
'orked her way downward, until she
cached the ground.
The shouts of the wreckers in their
evels reached her ears as she sped along
oward the cliffs, and her heart beat
1ildly, but 1t seemed that her move.
tents had not been noted. She FRO.
ured rope from her own cottage, and
eaching the verge Of the cliff, she
allied upon the names Of those she
wed. The answer came, ..nd her heart
as thrilled with emotions IF hope.
Securing her cord at tne summit of
10 ledge, she slowly let Lerself down
ntil she swung In mid.air, by the side
her father. But she found IL utterly
npossible to remove the chains, for
ley were fastened upon the limbs Of
10 victim with strong locks.
AT that moment she heard the alarm
'ven. AID abe knew that her Q. cane had
'een discovered. And there seemed 10
70 another source Of danger. Duectlv
verhead she saw form DESCENDING
The raised her dagger, ready TO strike
'hen the well-known voice Of Ned ex.
laimed:
ut is I, Belle. managed. to slip NV
wn letters, but I could not release nv
'tber. 80 went 10 the house o. the
lptain. Isaw you escape, and ! knew
'ur purpose But II WIGS necessary to J