St. Landry democrat., 1893-01-14

belonging TO Cnc TODDeTS, aS MdCDOudl.t
had at first feared, but was an island of
lava. That so great mass of lava could
float seemed incredible, until Macdonald
bethought him that the mass was I'M
| doubtedly composed Of pumice, fields
pathic scoria produced by volcanoes,
| that is lighter than water.
It Immediately occurred to our hero
| that the robbers were probably on the :.;s;a
| vessel, and he closed the lantern without
delay.
Once more he was in intense darkness.
| AS the island came nearer he could dis
Germ dim light. He at once came to
the conclusion that the mass was of con-
siderable size, and that the light arose
near its center from camp fire around
which the outlaws were probably
gathered. He breathed more freely, feel
| ing confident that he had not been dis
| covered.
When tho island had almost reached
the shore it caused a slight smashing of
the water, and guided by the sound,
Macdonald could almost tell where the
floating lava was. Cautiously putting
| out his hands, he felt them come in con-
tact with hard and moving service;
| and as the island touched the shore he
| gave leap of sufficient power to carry
him we'll upon the singular craft. lie
sat still for few moments, and 10 his
alarm noticed that the island had not
| fingered at the shore, as he had hoped
| that it would do 1t was already NOV
ing steadily away, and he surmiscd that
the currents of the singular lake, or river,
so ran rs to carry the mass round and
round the cave. So regular appeared to
be the movement that he believed the
robbers had been able to ascertain just at
what times during the twenty four hours
of the day for he could not believe that
the lake was of so vast size as to re-
quire days to make its circuiD the island
could be depended upon to touch the
shore that he had left.
After slowly climbing upward for six
or seven feet Macdonald came to the
top of the island, and then learned that
his theory as to the dim illumination
about one-haf acre in extent, and near
its centre was the fire, now burning low
The island shelved from its elevated
sides toward the centre, and on account
of the bowl-like surface it was possible
to see the entire area, although the edges
could not be distinctly seen on account
of the inability of the fire, except in its
immediate vicinity, to overcome the
power of the darkness. Rolled in blan-
kets and stretched around the fire were
eight robbers, asleep. About ten feet
fbn frn
with stri ps of straw mating that had
been laid upon the slanting poles of the
frame. That his dear Helen was in this
wigwam Macdonald felt almost GER
tain.
How to act under the circumstances
was most perplexing. To attempt to
rescue Helen, or even to communicate
with her, would be an undertaking
fraught with the greatest hazard.
While our hero hcsitated his eyes
were attracted to some plumber that
Me robbers had left in pile short
distance from where he stood.
Among the articles were heavy horse
blankets. A bright idea came to Mac
Donald. He removed his shoes, went in
his stocking feet to the pile, selected two
blankets, folded them into as small a
compass as possible. placed them on one
arm, and, lantern in hand, approached
the fire and the eight men, who slept
soundIy after the arduous work of the
previous night.
When he was u few feet from the fire
Macdonald paused and laid the blankets
on the lava. II was Il singular and most
exciting situation Far from the aid of
friends, in a cavern, on mysterious Iowa
island, that tloated in subterranean
lake of unknown depth and cxtcat, our
hero stood in the presence of foes who,
should one of their number happen to
awake and give the alarm, would shoot
him in an instant.
Macdonald did not however, spend
any time in thinking of the singularity
and peril Of his situation In the most
Lions, sc .sae ar.lhe proceeded to cover the
they could light ffrsf afss.s 80 70
escape in the darkness. 'SS'
once more the cave was wraDpcd in
lnky darkness. Macdonald moved the
sildc OF his lantern sufficiently to give
him the little light that he needed, lie
approached the wigwam with BEATING
hcar'. At this moment one of the vii
lalns stirred and groaned. 1t was a
moment of terrible suspense. The man
muttered something, and it seemed as if
ne must certainly awake. Macdonald
closed the slide and waited, while the
persplration started from every more in
his body: But the danger passed. The
man sunk into deep slumbcr. MacDon-
aid gave himself little light second
time, and peered into the wigwam. Yes.
Helen was there
She recognized him, and did not
scream.
"What DEAR brave fellow YOU are ,,
she murmured, to risk your life for
me ~
At this moment one of the villains
awoke
"What is the matter with the fire 80
he cried.
Macdonald had taken the precaution
% close his lantern while Helen and he
we're whispering, SO that there was no
LANCER of immediate discovery.
The man got up and began to tumble
round. His companions awoke, and
wore because they had been disturbed.
Not moment was to be lost.
The situation was desperate, well-nigh
opeless. Macdonald feared he had
Iayed brave and most perilous part
My to be defeated. While he was in
errlble suspense not knowing what was {
est to do, the dear girl whispered to {
i'm:
"Let us fly. There is a Eoat. came ! |
/ it,"
"Can you find it 2" "
eyes; there is stake with red fac I
q it that will rui1e mo to = ,, f