Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-04-13

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convalescent. How long they were in
coming! He tried to wait patiently, to
think of other things, i'll order to dis
tract his mind, for he felt that they
might be longer in the search for him
than his captors had been in bringing
him there. Perhaps they might wander
off into other passages, too, before they
reached him.
Tie tried to be patient and to wait
with n serene mind. A long time
elapsed; he thought that he had been
there for perhaps two hours and began
to feel again the horrible creeping
dread. The idea now occurred to him
hat the noises he had heard had been
caused by Chalpa blocking up the
mouth OF the tunnel. This came with
the force of conviction to his mind and
took his breath away His mind reeled
with the thought of dying in this man
ner and he almost lost consciousness.
Then came another accession of cour-
age, and he tried to remember how long
human endurance would resist death by
starvation. Men have lived, he knew,
for days, then died in wild insanity, I'M
conscious of suffering. Must he lie there
and feel death creeping closer in that
black vault--a death full of nameless
terrors, unseen horrors, unable even to
struggle against it--or beat his hands
against the prison walls-without one
ray of light: He tried to turn over,
intending to make an effort TO hob
bic on his knees back toward the en-
trance, but he was too stiff and feeble to
more than raise his head and shoulders
BY pressing his elbows upon the floor.
After half minutes struggle he sank
back with a groan.
Benumbed and lethargic he began to
hear strange music; the songs of birds,
the lowing of cattle and the barking of
dogs, and then ftful CLEANS of light
danced and Hickered before his eyes.
Yet he knew they were unreal-that the
silence of the grave encompassed him,
and that his unruly brain engendered
them. Then suddenly, in the midst of
these. he heard real sound, so clear
and distinct that it smote upon his ear
like bells tolling. 1t was the sound of
water, ripping and darting close to his
side. With silvery cadence it splashed
and gurgled, and he felt its presence in
the sudden GOODNESS and dampness that
it brought. With every sense alert he
listened. 1t was close beside him. What
could It mean? 1t flowed thus for awhile,
and then its splashing seemed to cease,
and there remained gentle ripping.
Then, to his horror, he felt its icy touch
upon his feet, and in a moment it was
round and about him, tapping his body
hungrily.
1t rose rapidly. lie could feel it com
ing up and swelling against his sides.
lie had raised his head when he first be-
gan to listen, and when he let it fall now
the water was above his chin. He raised
his head again, ana then began another
struggle TO lift himself upon his feet.
He gained his knees, his head Keeling
with the eiGcrt; the water was already
up to his waist. He swayed from side
to side, scarcely able to support himself.
Cold shivcrs racked him: he trembled as
with an ague, and he felt that in an.
other minute he would lose conscious
ness.
Then, whilelife seemed just departing,
he-almost disbelieving-saw light APP
proaching, and form came splashing
through the water, and he was seized by
strong hand. How his life and strength
came surging back! He heard the words:
"A moment more and old Listah would
have been too late"' and then Listah cut
the thongs which bound his arms, and
reaching down into the water severed
those about his feet. Hasten, Quetzal,
or We shall die like rats in trap! Fol-
low thy servant quickly
1t was no easy matter; but few
stumbling steps brought the blood into
circulation, and leaning upon the old
man he staggered ON. Up they went,
the water decreasing in depth at every
step until at last Listah stopped, saying:
I'VE are safe here, for we are above
the rivers surface. Now rest awhile,
and then we will eat Then my master
will strike and punish the accursed of
Attain, the cheating Chalpa, will he
not"
Eric said nothing He looked at Listah,
wondering by what strange providence
lie had found him and saved his life.
After moment he drew his revolver and
examined it. The waterproof cartridges,
he knew, We're able towithstand severe
soaking. He wiped the weapon upon
the bosom of his Atzlan tuuic, the only
dry portion of his garments, then he an
swered:
Eyes, my brother, will repay Chal-
pa, and speedily. But tell me how you
found me-
Last night I, thy servant-abroad
from my hiding place under the city
saw them seize thee. Fearing them, |
made no cutlery, but followed stealthily.
They disappeared in the old tomb, and
when they emerged | saw that they had
left my master within. When they de-
parted | entered, ard 10, they had filled
in passageway of which / knew not
the existence. / flew to my hidden
place, and since then have searched for
access to this tunnel under the river.
Many passages | searched and found
thee not, but when found the water |
knew l was on the right trail. They