The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-01-15
TRANSLATION COPYRIGHTED, 1851
TCoNTISUED.l

81
and then us he supported Bathorys
liquid pillow. Suddenly respiration
becnme difficult lie gasped for breath.
he was choking, he was wrestling with
asphyxia. Often he had to leave go of
his companion whose head sank instant
ly, I'M invariably he managed to grip
him agai,l, and that amid the wild racing
of the waters which slloullered back and
piled OH euch other by he occasional
narrowing of the channel Numbered
along in foam.
AT Inst Count San orf thought that all
was lost Baltic yslipped from his grasp
lie tried to rescue him. He could not.
He had lost him; and he himself was
dlagg d down to the orrent's bed
A violent shock nearly broke his
shoulder. He stretched out his hand
instlnctiveiy. His fingers closed in
clump of roots which We're swimming by.
The roots were those of tree trunk
being brought down by the torrent.
Sandorf fastened on TO this raft and
dragged himself back to the surface of
the Foiba. Then, while he grasped the
root with one hand he sought for his
companion with the other.
A moment afterwards Bathory was
seized by the arm, and after violent
eff ut hosted on to the trunk, where
Sandorf took his place beside him.
Both were for time saved from the
danger of drowning, but they had
bound up their destiny with that of
their raft, md gwen themselves over to
the caprices of the rapids OF the Brico.
Sandorf had not lost his consciousness
to make sure that Bathory could not
slip from the tree BY excess OF pre-
caution he placed himself behind him,
80 as to hold him in his arms. III this
position he kept watch for the end. AT
the first glimpse of light that penetralel
the cavern he would see what the waters
were like MS they emerged. But there
was nothing as yet to sh wv that they
were near the end OF ibis wonderful
stream
However, the position of the fugitives
had improved. The tree was about
twelve feet long, and the spreading
roots were now and then struck 3ainst
the p objections. If it were not sub
jected to a very violent shock it's stability,
i'll spite Oh the the Irregularities OF the
stream, seemed to he assured. It's speed
could not be less t!lan nine mil IS an
hour, being equal to that of the to- rem:
that bore 1t
Sandorf had recovered bis GOODNESS. He
tried to revive his companion, whose
head rested ON his knees. He found
that his heart still beat but that his
breathing was difficult. He bent over
and tried to breathe little air into his
lungs. Would that the prelimina.ies of
asphyxia had not injured him without
hope of relief
Soon Batholy made q slight move
ment. More marked respirations came
from his parting lips At last few
words escaped his mou h.
"Wife! Ny boy! Mathias!"
II whole life was in those three
words.
"Stephen, do You know me do you
know me?" asked Sandorf, who had to
shout to make himself heard above the
wild tumult with which the torrent filled
the vaults of The Brico.
"Yes! Yes! I know you. Speak
Speak Your hand in mine !"
1--WE are no longer in immediate
danger" answered Sandorf "a RAFT is
carrying IFS. Where? [ cannot say,
but 1t will not leave us!"
Matthias, and the donjon?"
"We are far away from it now They
will think we found our death in the
torrent and assuredly they will never
dream of pursuing US. Wherever this
torrent flows out, into sea or river, we
shall go and we shall get there alive
Keep your courage up. Stephen! will
look after you. Be quiet for little,
and recover the strength you will soon
want. In Jew hours we shall be saved.
We shall be free!"
"And Ladislas ?" murmured Bathory.
Sandorf gave no answer. What could
he say? Zathmar, after giving the alarm
from the window. must have been seized,
30 that fight was impossible, and now
under strict guard could in NO way be
helped by his friends.
Stephens head again fell back. He
:. had not the physical energy to master
y his torpor. But Sandorf watched over
him, ready for anything. even to abandon