Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-05-24
CHAPTER XXX.
TIE ADVENTURE OF TIE LEDGE.

We had some ado To find the gate; but no
sooner were through, and upon the high
road, than lashed the horses up the hill at q
gallop. To guide us between the dark hedges
we had only one lantern and the glare ahead.
The dishes aud the cups clashed and ratified
as the hear,e bumped in the ruts, swaying
wildly; dozen times Matt. was near being
pitched clean out Of his seat. With my legs
planted firm, hogged away like a mailman,
and like mad creatures the horses tore up
ward.
On the summit glance showed us all-the
wild, Crimsoned sky-the sea running with
lines of ire-and against 1t the inky head
land whereon the House of Gleys flared like "A
beacon. Already from one wing-our wing
IA leaping column Of flame whrled up through
the roof, and was swept seaward in smoke
and sparks ] marked the coast line, the cliff
tracks, the masts and hull of the Godsend
standing out clear as day; and nearer, the
yellow light tlickering over the fields of young
corn. We saw all this and then were plung-
ing down hill, with the blaze full ahead Of us.
The heavy reek of il was flung in our noStrils
MS we galloped.
At the bottom we caught up group of
men running Twas boatload come from
the ship to help. AS our horses swept past
them one or two came To n terrified halt but
presently were running hard again after u.s.
The great gate stood open. drove straight
into the bright lit yard, shouting, "Delial
where is Delia"
"Herem called a voice; and from a group
that stood under the glare of the window
came my dear mistress running.
"All safe, Jackl But what She drew
back from our strange equipage,
"All in good time. First tell mellow
came the fires"
"Why, foul work, rs it seems. All know
is | was sleeping, and awoke to hear the black
seaman hammering on my door. Jumping
up | found the room full of smoke, and es-
capped. The rooms beneath, they say, were
stuffed with straw, and the yard outside
heaped also with straw, and blazing. Ben
Halliday found two oil jars lying there
or te jask tas hofsds ds GH5 not know shame on me
to forget themm
ran towards the stable Already the roof
was abaze, and the straw yard beyond, a
very furnace Rushing in found the two
horses covering in their stalls, bathed in
sweat, aud sIuealng But twas all fright.
SO | fetched Molly's saddle and spoke to her,
and set it across her back, and the sweet
thing was quiet in moment, turning her
head TO rub my sleeve gently with her mu2-
zle, aud followed me out like a lamb. The
bay gave more trouble, but soothed him in
the same manner, aud, patting his neck, led
him, too, into safety.
had fastened the horses by the gate and
was ready TO JOIN in the work when "A shout
was raised:
Billy Where's Billy Pottery: Has any
/ seen the skippern
! "Sure," called, you don't say he was
| never alarmedv'
| "Black Sampson was in his room-wheres s
/ Black Sampsonr
Here be!' cried voice. ITO be sure |
woke the skipper before any o. ye.n
Then where's he hid! Did any see him
come out"
Now, that we have not" answered one or
two.
/ stood by the house door shouting these
| questions tn the men inside, when IA hand was
laid on my arm, and there in the shadow
waited Billy himself, with mighty curious
twinkle in his eye, He put a finger up and
signed that | should follow.
We passed round the outbuildings where,
three hours before, Matt Soames and | had
hid together. | was minded TO stop and pull
| on my boots, that were hid here; but (and
this was afterwards the saving of mel on
second thought let them lie, and followed
| Billy, who now led me out the postern gate
! Without speech we stepped across the turf
he u pace or two ahead. a night breeze was
blowing here, delicious after the heat Of the
fire. We We're walking quickly towards the
east side of the headland, and soon the blaze
behind flung our shadows right to the cliffs
edge, for which Billy made straight, as if tc
fling himself over.
But when, at the very verge, be pulled up
l became enlightened At our feet was al
iron bar driven into the soil, and TO it u stout
rope kuotted, that ran over block and dis
appeared down the cliff | knelt, and, pull
ing at it softly, looked up, II came easy in
the hand
Billy, with the glare In lis face, nodded
and, bending TO my ear, for once achieved /
whisper,
Saw one stealing hithsr-an' followed. A
man wi a limp foot-went over tho side lik'
cat"
must have annaared TO Doubt this sHS.