The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-08-19
SPIRITED AWAY.
Tho Exciting Adventure OF a wost-
ern Lover.

The Inhabitants Of Albuquerque. n.
NJ, had become greatly excited on ac-
count Of series Of daring robbcries
that had been pcrpetratea Ia their
midst
Alarming as was The continuation Of
the robberics. 1t was surpassed by an
occurrence that proved 10 be tho cul-
mination of the work Of the despera-
does.
One night the beautiful daughter ~
Col BECKER, the richest citizcn Of the
city, was kidnapped That the dced
had been done by the robbers for the
purpose Of keeping the maiden captive
until they could obtain y liberal ram
som from the distracted father there
could scarcely he doubt.
Helen had lover named Malcolm
Macdonald, slrewd Young lawyer,
who was confident that the hcadquar-
tiers OF the lsidnapers we're in the crater
Of lava beds about twenty miles south
west Of Albuquerque.
Macdonald knew what he was about
when he resolved To attempt the res-
enc OF the dear girl 70 whom he was be-
trothed by organizing a party to search
for her cnptors among tile lava beds.
Five Of his friends. all OF them stout
hearted and adventurous young fell
lows. agreed TO aid him. Armed 70
the teeth and mounted on good horses
the party quietly left Albuquerque
three hours after the abduction \of
Helen became known
The lava beds were several acres In
extent and were In the shape OF a low
and broken cone, the top Of which was
followed out SO as 10 resemble q huge
bowl. The latter was I'LL that 70.
manned Of the crater Of an extinct vol
cano.
Tho young men, holding their rifles
| in readiness Ia case Of nm nttach. de-
scendcd into the great bowl and nd
vanccd until they came to the mouth
Of the cave. Tho opening WIS large
enough, and from 1t a eood-sixed pas
sage wound downward distance of
ten feet to the cave, which was about
a rod long aud shaped like right
angled triangle.
The Adventures satisfied themselves
by cautious exploration that the rob
bcrs we're not in the cavity A little
later. while, torch in hand, they were
lexamining the bottom Of the hollow,
they discovered square section Of the
lava floor which was slightly separated
from the surrounding lava
The cxcited men pounded on the slal
Of lava until they broke II sufficiently
to enable them to grasp the pieces and
remove them. A deep hole was re,
vealed, except where narrow shelves,
extending on four Sides had served to
support the edges Of the block
Macdonald determined to make the
descent Of the shelving sides OF the
| hole lie argued that the robbers were
| undoubtedly asleep at that hour, and
| that the chance of coming upon them
before reaching the main cave was
| small
Seeing that they could not dissuade
him, and admiring his boldncss, the
young men discontinued their objection
| and after they had assured him that
they would defend him should he come
forth pursued, and would revenge his
| death should he be killed. they bade
him l,odspecd us he entered tine cavity.
lie was armed with long hunting
knife and a brace Of pistols. and car
| ried in his hand dark lantern Clos
ing the slide Of the lantern 50 as e
conceal the light, he crept In darkness
down the passage
/ The sound Of washing waters came
to his startled ears, and he inferred
| that he stood upon the edge Of a sub
i terranean lake. After considerable
hesitation he ventnred to turn on thu
light
Soon MacDonald's attention was ar
rested by a singular sight A hug'
mass appeared from the gloom beyon'
the reach Of the lanterns rays ant
slowly advanced toward him.
1t was not craft belonging to ths
robbers, as Macdonald had at Hrs
feared, bu. was an island OF lava Tina
80 great mass of lava could hoa
/ seemed incredible, until Macdonald
i iethought that thc mass was utldeubt
eddy composed Of pnmice, lighter thai
water
II Immediately occurred 70 our her
that the robbers were probably on tn
lave. vessel, and lie closed the lanterl
without delay
i As the island came nearer he coul'
disc ern a dim light. lie at once cam
to the conciusion that the mass was
considerable size and that the ligh
arose near its center from campfire
around which the outlaws we're proba
bly, gathered Wren the island ha'
almost reached the shore II caused
slight smashing 81 the water and guide
Nv shc sound Macdonald could almos
tell where the iloatina lava was eau
tiously putting out his hands he fel
\ then. come In contact with hard an
moving substance; and rs the ISLAM
touched tie shore he gave leap 9
sufficient power TO carry him well upo
the singular craft
i lie sat still for q few moments, an
10 his alarm noticed that the islam
had not fingered at the shore. as he ha
| k.s,,.sl thof a. tva,ild dr