The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-29
CHAPTER VI.

l suppose | must have struck out involun-
tarlly, and in the act, as the water thun-
dered In my ears and literally Jared me as
If blows had been struck over my head, the
weight gllded from my foot and l rose to
the surface. choking, painting and grasping
wildly at the first object | touched. 1t was
rope and gave way beneath my grasp. l
caught az something again. 1t was a wheel
and it turned round, but, as strange sounds,
shouts and cries reached my ears, got hold
of the crossbeam and somehow, by help of
the wheel, managed to reach my old posi-
ton, but crOuching down and holding on
for dear life
Below therew shouted a familiar voice,
but hollow and strange. "wh0 is t?"
"I-Help! helpP' / gasped, now thorough
ly unnerYed.
fright. Can you hold on till we send you
down a roper"
l did rot answer for few moments as
Stroye to realize my chances.
Yes" l said, hoarsely. Don't be long"
1t seemed an age before the rope came,
and during the terrible waiting time | lis
tened 10 words Of encouragement mingled
with stern orders delivered In Lord Curt
leigh's voice.
Then came cheer, and he shouted to me /:
Hold on, lad Ropes being rugged over
the wheel. I'm coming down"
mo, nor | shouted, rousng myself now
from the apathy into which | mad been fast
sinking. Send it down and I'll make il
fast"
Soon after a lantern began to descend, and
by Its light L saw loop of a rope gradually
glide lower and lower till it reached me.
when | was SO numbed and cramped that l
had hard Work to get 1t over my head and
arms. But | succeeded, and it must have
spun round and frightened about my chest
as | was hoisted up, for was quite unable
to help myself, and insensible by the time
reached the top.
When | opened my eyes again with an un-
Outstanding brain my old friend was seated
by my bedside; and, after ! had assured
him that L was not going to die, he told me
that he had been reused up by the head
keeper throwing shots at his window; and,
upon opening II, the man told him that there
was something wrong, for passing near the
back OF the buildings, be had seen a light in
the wellhouse through the little window.
:" We were only just in time Charley.
Caught the sc0uudrel with the knife in his
hand. He had just cut through the rope"
WhO-who was it?" i cried.
Why, Bray son, of cOurse!'
Then he was the thief" | cried eX-
citedly, 'and the jewels are there"
Jewels? Down the well? You were
after themP
''Of course" | said. and told him all
We'll" he said as l finished my brief mar
ratiYe, II have heard about men being fit
for COlney Hatch, and you re one"
Never mind that" l said, IF Lady
Florry gets back her gems"
And old Brayson is hanged for trying TO
murder YOU said Lord Gurtegh. But,
1 say, old fellow. I'm glad | came"
But Brayson was not hanged, lie only had a
taste of penal servituie for the robbery of
the jewels, and also of some valuable plate,
TWO packages, secured in fine wire netting,
being brought uD after proper dredging ar
rangementS had been made.
AS for myself, | was none the wOl Sc for
my submersiOn, save that my nerves were
unsteady for some time especially when |
used TO lie and think. suppose that keeper
had not seen the light."- George ManYille
Fem, In the Strand Magazine.