The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-27
Higher and higher IL cropt steadily mp
wnrd. II was above his waist, h touched
his elbows with u silent, stealthy motion;

Higher and higher IL cropt steadily mp
ward. IL was above his waist, then touched
his elbows with u silent, stealthy motionj
up, up, up.
4 o minute I get bnck to Eushire |
learn to swimn' he said decidedly, still
wading round and round the vault, searoh-
ing for some fragment upon which he conld
lift himself. II wonder how high the roof
is. 1t canno be far. ] wonder how long
n follow can tioat who cannot swim! III
soon have a chance to learn for it's up to
my shoulders. There's n way ONT through
that ceiling somewhere. and II / can keep
my head up till the water lifts ms to where
] can reach it I'm all right. len minutes
more and"
A splash sounded upon his right. 1t was
followed by another md still another and
another and then u swashing sound az
though something slid into the water.
Pau held himself motionless; in the dark
ness it seemed ne though the entire vault
might BIO coming down upon him. After a
moment he moved to the spot.
Directly above the place whore the water
was rushing under the foundation Of the
wall had settled. Paul grnsped q loose
block that had parted above the water. and
dragged it from its place. 1t threw him off
his feet in falling, but finding a place 10
stand upon it he pushed his head out OF the
water again. twelve inches Mt least higher
up than he was before. There was a space
OF some sort beyond the opening but the
water was fast filling it.
ut is strike in the dark and outa shadow"
he muttered. quoting an Arab proverb, but
Pm going to chance it,"
He pulled himself up through the opening
az quickly as possible. lest more of the wall
should fall on him. and found himself in a
narrow space not over three feet square and
five feet high.
1--WE gained three feet more on the water.
at any rate" he said, drawing a long breath.
ssnn1 hafnra H. ia nm with Vnn unnin ntn a.
thing else NAV turn up"
Nothing did turn up. however. Every
block about him WAS as firm as q mountain.
His head WAS against the top. Ths water
rose over his shoulders again. He gave up
thinking of learning to swim when he re-
how he should punish the handsome Arab
or follow the Ethiopian. He knew he wal
penned.
For q moment he stood in a sort of leth
argy as the water stealthily and swiftly now
crept up his neck and touched his chin.
Then he reused himself
II will not die like thisp' he muttered.
He braced his feet against the wall of the
vault in front of him and his back against
the mass Of fallen ruin behind. The water
covered his lips and bubhled about his nos
triis as he drew a long breath--the last
the strength that was in him pushed and
pushed and pushed. 1t was the price OF
another breath he fought for.
He won. The wall just over the aperture
gave way. Everything. seemingly. gave
way. Mud, water, rocks surrounded him
But just ut that instant when he thought
he was %etrangling his head came out and hs
crawled along over the wreck of Zobeide'f
tomb and presently stood soaked and gasp
ing in the free air of the silent night.
The distant blast of a steam whistle
sounded. and he saw the lights of the LITTLE
freight steamer as she made her way up tt
Bagdad.
II was too clever for myself at the start
he said, land l made a beginning that wa
poor enough; but / have got the facts
Look out. Mobarak! You buried me ptett,
securely in Zobeide's tomb; but you las
caily Ethiopian, l am still after you."
ITO BE CONTINUED,