The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-05-16
NO. 3j


feared yet longed to pierce, for at inter
walls could be heard the growing and
rumbling of the giant voices, and to her
excited fancy it seemed more terrible
that they should be thus hidden by a
vail through which they might at any
moment advance upon her than the
sight of them could possibly be, however
fierce their aspect.
Painfully, for her body was covered
with bruises, she made her way over
the rough rocks toward the mouth of
the cave. Near the entrance lay little
wreckage of the junk, and she deserted
the mast to which she had clung. That
end which had been lower in the junk
was now the higher, and the top was
buried in the pool.
She looked about fearfully for the
body of the captain, but could not see
it. A natural path in the rock en-.
abled her with difficulty to pass out at
the doorway, and after half hours
low which beat the waters of the sea.
The sun was just breaking through the
mists, and it's rays glanced along the
face of the rocks. Sho Mai found a
sidelong crevice into which the sun
shone, making little warmth, and
there she rearranged her disordered
clothing as best she could. After all,
it was not so badly torn, and once thor
oughly dry she thought that she would
not be wholly unpresentable.
Gathering up her courage, therefore,
she crept out of the crevice and looked
back once more toward the mouth of
the cave. The sun was now shining
brightly, lighting up the rocks ami the
dashing waves. These she saw only for
an instant Another sight made her
forget them utterly, for there, standing
with folded arms and gazing with mel
ancholy thoughtfulness at a piece OF
wreckage, stood a handsome youth who
had come upon the scene while she had
been hidden within the crevice. He
turned in a moment and, catching sight
of her, advanced with astonishment and
sympathy in his eyes.
The young stranger extended his hands
in gesture of welcome, but before he
could speak Sho Mai replied to the look
of wondering inquiry in his eyes.
eyes," she said, sit pleased the gods
to save me, a weak stripling"-she had
nearly said woman-''and to destroy all
the strong men who were with me in the
junk which was cast upon these rocks
last night. At least, have seen no sign
of any other and have no doubt that
all perished."
''It could hardly have been otherwise"
said the stranger. "By what miracle
did you escape?"
II was cast head1ong into the mouth
of this great cave" she replied. ''The
vessel was crushed to pieces on those
rocks over which the waves are still
rushing, but 1 and one other were flung
with broken mast into deep pool
within the cave. I was carried by the
current to the rocks, but was not dashed
against them violently. do not think
that he who fell with me ever came out
of the pool at ALL"
ut IS wonderful" said the stranger.
SIT must be as you say, for l saw no one
when l came out through the cave.
However, if you have strength enough,
after the terrible experience through
which you have passed, we will make
search for the body of your companion"
Sho Mai shuddered when the young
man spoke of returning into 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, superstitious fears crowded
upon her. Could it be that this beauti-
full 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: 81 will postpone all
those questions which my curiosity
prompts until you have rested in my
fathers house, to which l 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
an end. Meanwhile, names
will suffice. My own is Ii Xiii
"And mine is Wong Tien 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
wane as they advanced into the cave.
Soon she could barely see the path be-
lore her, but Ii Xii stepped boldly as
one who knew the way. He led her by
\ circuitous path which climbed up a
little way, and then turning, de-
;cended. In few minutes she could
hear the rush of waters, and far away
10 the right the voices that had so
frightened her before. She trembled
md clung to Ii Xii, though she
eared that her timidity would betray
her secret. Suddenly they passed out
between two great rocks, and Sho Mai
Jaw the great doorway of the cavern
md perceived that she stood again be-
ide the pool.
'Here the waters are now still" said
Il Xiii, taking her hand and leading
Ter to the brink. This pool lies much
4bove the main path by which the waves
inter the cave, and is wholly separate
rom it, so that only the overflow, when
here is great sea running, breaks in
md fills it. Had your mast toppled to
he left you would have been carried
nto the great gorge and swept to de-
truction. A strange chance preserved