The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-06-28

out across the wide expanse OF sunlight
country that stretched far away OF
every side and wondering whether it
would look the same an hnur hence
Slurk all the while lay beside his basket
and appeared to be asleep.
We came to the brow of "a sort of shelf
or shallow declivity, descending which
we found ourselves on lower level By
some six or seven feet; and so much of
the area as lay behind us ceased 10 be
visible. Advancing few PAGES farther
we paused abruptly on the edge of
dark, profound cleft, which gaped r7ght
at our feet. 1t was so narrow that one
might easily leap across it at its widest
part; but it was so deep that, tor all
that could see, it might descend 20 the
very base Of the Stein. Peerlng down
ward earnestly, however, my eyes. Dc
coming accustomed to the gloom, could
dimly discern what seemed to ne bot
tom at depth of not more than twenty
feet.
Its an awful thing to do, after aIl!'
1 murmured, after a long inspection.
looking up at Kate.
Are you ready was all her answer
YES" said l, shamed by her resolu-
ton Let him come"
She mounted tho little ridge, and stood
with her graceful figure silhouetted
against the blue heavens l, below,
turned up the cuffs of my sleeves and
buttoned my coat across my chest.
"'Slurk!7 called she, in a clear, pene-
trating tone, bring the basket here, If
you please. We mean to take our lunch
con on this side"
She remained standing there, with her
back toward me. From my lower posi-
ton l could not see whether Slurk were
answering her summons with alacrity
or not; but since it would be his last op-
portunity of obeying her orders, | was
content to let him take his time. By and
by he appeared, with the basket on his
arm: he descended the ledge, and Kate
followed him, with her eyes on me.
''Set it down there, near the edge of
this pit; not quite so near, please. Now
take hold of hi1n?'
The last words were spoken in a sharp,
ringing tone, and at the same moment
the girl drew long knife from beneath
the overskirt of her dress and stood with
it in her hand. Surprised at her action,
| hesitated half an instant-in that half
instant SIurk had thrown himself to-
ward me and grasped me around the
body with his long, powerful arms. AL
most simultaneously with his attack
felt myself borne down by a heavy
weight from behind and my arms pin
toned. The struggle for a minute or
two was tremendous, but l felt that
was overpowered. Ahand was pressing
hard against my windpipe. Kate stood
there with her knife, new and strange
expression on her face, but she did not
stir.
At length a painting voice close to my
cara voice which l knew well, and
which, heard now, so amazed Inc that
| almost ceased to resist-said:
I've got him safe here, Slurk. Have
you got his leSs?"
A grunt from Slurk intimated that he
had.
Now then, Kittie," continued Mr..
Birchmore, "be quick there, Will your
Kate came toward me with her knife.
At that sight uttered a yell Of animal
rage and made one more desperate effort
to be free.
Hold him tight, can't your" said Kate
in voice that l scarcely recognized as
hers. u don't want to hurt him.
They mastered Inc. and then, with
rapidity and deftness that showed the
practiced professional, Kate made "a cir
cular cut through the breast of my coat
and drew out the diamonds
-.
more. Now the rope"
She went to the basket and took from
it a coil of fine rope. The two len
threw me upon my face and bound my
hands and my feet securely. l made lit
tie resistance, but submitted IN sullen
silence.
Don't forget his revolver" said Birch
more when this was done, and turning
me over they took the weapon from my
pocket
How do you feel now, young gentle
MANI inquired the fellow, addressing
1ae with a smile. This is the result of
plotting to throw unfortunate Wallets
into deep pits, and of flirting with strange
young women. l warned you, you re
member, to keep out of our way, but
Idle curiosity mas Dteu your IuiH. NiO
tie, put on the diamonds; he says they
become You.
Slurk grinned at this sally, but the
girl said modify: Don't bother the
boy, Jack. He behaved like a gentle
man all through. He'd make a great
deal better husband than you do.
Heighoy"
"Wen. captain, - continued Birchmore,
addressing Slurk in English, what are
your orders? Shall we lower away now
and be off? It's nearly half past one,
and we've a good distance to go before
three"
Listen to me, Mr.. GainsbOrough,"
said Slurk, also speaking in English,
though with n foreign accent: we've
got what we wanted out of You, and we
dou't want to do you any more harm
than Is necessary. But we must have
time to get safe away, and to do that we
must allow twenty-fOur hours. Weshan
leave YOU at the bottom Of this pit, with
---..,. and | eban loosen VOT1r