Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-05-22


CARRYING sHo Maj OUT OF THE CAVE.
The memory of what she had heard
within and the darkness of the place
terrified her. 1t seemed that she could
even now hear the strange, rumbling
voices of the demons. Her nerves were
badly shaken by the horrors of the night
and strange, superstiUious fears crowded
upon her. Could it be that this beauti-
ful youth was the embodiment of some
spirit of the cave. who had come forth to
lure her back again after her fortunate
escape? She hesitated, but the thought
that she owed her life to the captain,
who might now be lying wounded on
the rocks, decided her and she said:
'Come, then; let us lose no time"
AS they clambered up the rocks the
stranger said: Il will postpone all
those questions which my curiosity
prompts until you have rested in my
fathers house, to which | hope soon to
guide You. Afterwards you shall tell
me as much as you think fit about your
self and the voyage which has had SO
marvellous an end. Meanwhile, names
will suffice. My own is Ii Xiii"
And mine is Wong Ticn Pow" re
piled Sho Mai, giving the name which
she had borne during her stay on board
the Inflated junk.
1t was with an awful sinking OF the
heart that Sho Mai saw the daylight
wanc rs they advanced into the cave
Soon she could barely see the path be
fore her, but Ii Xii stepped boldly as
IL. l., Tod l,.,, 1Nvr
q circuitous path which climbed up a
little way. and then turning, de-
seconded. In few minutes She could
hear the rush of waters. and far away
to the right the voices that had so
frightened her before. She tremblcd
and clung to Ii Xii, though she
feared that her timidity would betray
her secret. Suddenly they passed out
between two great rocks, and Sho Mai
saw the great doorway of the cavern
and perceived that she stood again be-
side the pool.
Here the waters are now still. said
Ii Xii, taking her hand and leading
her to the brink. This pool lies much
above the main path by which the waves
enter the cave, and is wholly separate
from it, so that only the overflow, when
there is great sea running, breaks in
and fills it. Had your mast toppled to
the left you would have been carried
into the great gorge and swept to de-
struction. y strange chance preserved
you"
And what are those frightful voiceS?''
They are the twin giants of Pom Loi,"
replied Ii Xii: I'VE shall sec tnem pres
entity
Sho Mai would have begged him not
to take her into such an awful pres
ence. but dared not trust her voice to
speak.
''Wait for mo here" he continued. Il
will make circuit of the pool and see
whether the body of your unfortunate
companion has been washed up on the
rocks"
He released her hand and left her
there alone, while the light, struggling
through the doorway. cast strange
shadows from the rocks and The swell
OF the ocean burst in with terrifying
sound. 1t seemed long time before
Ii Xii returned. but at length he APP
peared out of the shadows and stood
once moro beside her.
said. I'VE shall see in q few moments
whether he is still beneath the water"
How can we see into this fearful
depth?''
Wait" said Ii Xii: There viii be
light soon." and as if in answer to his
words d sunbeam shot down through a
rift in the caves roof and fell directly
upon the water before them.
Tho sun has passed around shouldG
OF the mountain" he said, in cXplana-
ton. Look"
Sho Mai followed the direction of his
eyes. The shaft of light struck down
into the clear water, making every thing
visible. She saw the top of the broken
mast and the tangled cordage to which
they had chung. and there, with a strong
rope twisted tightly round his body, lay
the captain. his face turned up to her,
and his lifelesS eyes shining like jew
els. His hand was extended as with a
last attempt to save her life he had cast
her up toward the air. Now the dead
hand seemed raised to the gods implor-
ing forgiveness. The face. too, had an
expression as of supplication. Sho Mai
gazed upon this apparition. and fas-
ClHdIGU bN tIt SIIitillH NtiANl VIC II 20
which seemed about to speak, until the
sunbeam passed slowly on and the dead
face faded from her sight.
There was wish upon his lips"
she murmured. If the body can be
rescued from this place l will give it
burial"
THAT may be DONE" said Ii Xii;
'shut come. let us make our way to the
/ light
He turned. however. toward the
darkness: and, shivering, Sho Mai
followed him. They clambered over
the wet rocks for some minutes, while
all the time the voices of the giants
grew louder. and Sho Mails terror in
creased Suddenly Ii Xii checked her
with his hand. and then, holding her
firmly, said: Look down: the giants are
below YOU.
Her eyes had now become so far ac-
customed to the gloom that she could
see that they stood upon sort OF ter
race. The wall of the cave was here not
high above her head, but a great abyss
was before her. From this came up the
rumbling and the rocks on which she
stood shuddered at it. Nearly fainting
from terror as she was. a fascination