The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-06-06
CHAPTER VII.
BACK TO THE pom 10y CAVE.

corded her by the followers OF kWan
Dab, nor could the splendor ana the
weil-ordered magnifcence of the city
blind her eyes to the fact that the colony
was simply band of robbers and muir
derers. She knew that she was still as
much prisoner as when she had been
confined on board the pirate junk, that
her every movement would be watched
until years of association with crimi-
mas and familiarity with atrocities had
made it impossible for her to return to
the abodes of honest men.
Her life had been spared and GER
tain rank had been bestowed upcn her
because the pirates had believed that
they recognized in her that reckless
daring which would make her useful
servant of the community. Stripped of
all the imposing formalities and oaths
ofdisgraceful brotherhood, her initiation
meant no more than that she might fill
the place of some veteran criminal who
could then be promoted from the labors
of actual rarlne to the luxurious dro1le's
life of the city.
But she was determined to escape, and
she had already formed a nlan which
could be put in operation as soon as she
was fairly embarked with the pirate
crew. She shuddered at the thought of
the murders she must witness, and even
to certain degree participate in, if her
vessel fell in with some unfortunate
merchantmen before the day of her de-
nyerance came.
On the day following her initiation
she was told that the ship was ready to
sail. In company with that First Chief
whose nod had saved her life, she passed
out through the mysterious underground
way, and in the flare of the 11rches she
marveled at it's wonderful wir.dir9s and
at tae black mouths of tunnels which
were continually opening in Ler course
only TO be avoided.
This is the way of the forty-nino
curves" said the First Chief, who Walked
by her side. "You observe that at every
turn in the path a road opens which in
vitcs the feet, but to take any one Of
them, except that which is known to the
faithful, is death"
And Sho Mai shuddered as she passed
these mysterious doorwaEs, wondering
what horrible form of ofdestruction lurlled
within their portals. At length they
reached the town of the sentries, and
passed through it to the road which led
them to their ship. A boat was in read
mess, and in a few minutes ShO Mai
found herself standing on the deck OF
the swiftly-gliding junk, while over her
head hoated the black flag of Kwan
Dab.
On the evening of this day Sho Mai
saw the Chief standing apalN from the
others near the stern of the junk. She
approached him with the customary
salute.
''Oh, Chief," said she, 'is it the OBJ
ject of tiis voyage to procure treasure
for Kwan Dah?"
Certainly" replied the Chief. ''Fol
what other purpose should we sail?''
81 meant to inquire if we had anydefi-
mite destination" continued the girl,
''or whether we wandered over the sea
at random, hoping to fall in with Han
Chow ship"
'We make no port" returned the
Chief; ''we put ourselves in the ordi-
nary track of merchantvesscis,a and then
trust to the God of Fortune"
''If it please you,' said the girl, great
lypleased at the replies she had re-
ceived, 81 have something to suggest
whereby we may perhaps secure great
treasure for little trouble or danger.
Shall speak?"
Say on, and if you give good counsel
you shall not fail of your reward at the
hands Of KwGn Dab"
You must know, then" said Sho
Mai, speaking as calmly as her eagerness
would permit, THAT l sailed not long
since from the city of Paoting in q ship
which bore great treasure, stolen from
a temple near the city. This vessel was
cast upon the great rocks of Pom 10y,
which you Doubtless know"
81 have seen them from the sea- re-
piled the Chief, land have heard of the
great cave in which it is said that
demons dwell"
sit was to the door of that very cave
that the ship of which have spoken
was borne by the Storm" continued Sho
Mai. "In fact she was cast bodily into
the cavern, and of all on board | alone
escaped; and, indeed, should have per-
ished of hunger on the rocks had not a
chance hown me a way to the city. But
have hitherto told no one of the cargo
(which the wrecked vessel carried, and
as the place is almost inaccessible and
would in any case be seldom visited,
such is the terror it inspires, that have
no doubt that the gold which was in the
Vessel lies even now among the wreck
age in the cave and could be successfully
borne away by few bold men,"
''You have spoken WE'LL" said the
Chief, evidently deeply interested. "If
the vessel was cast into the cave her
cargo would not come out again, but
would be washed by the waves further
into its recesses. How long ago was she
wrecked?"
"About year"
"Then no doubt her hull is now
broken up and the gold she carried is
strewn about the cave ready to our
hands, and the Chiefs eyes sparkled at
the thought. But suddenly his face
grew stern: ''You know the oopse-
quences of deceiving us in this matter"
he said. you realize that if this story
shall prove to be plot against the safe