Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1893-06-22

"heh Cahe 10 HyseiI once more,
a dim light seemed to pervade my
prison. could not turn my head
to look upward, but / could family
discern, close to my face, the out
lines of the stones. Was the light
moonlight or daylight? Surely
nothing less than the bright light
of eloudless day could penetrate
that place. The night must then
have passed, and If was sought at
all, it would be now, This sugges.
tIon gave me new energy, aud for
hours, ut intervals, / shouted aud
struggled. At last the faint light
slowly disappeared. aud night--the
second night Of mr. lisiprisonmens--
came on. Already | felt the pangs
OF hunger. the dread heralds of ap-
preaching death. had now given
up all hope of being rescued, and
began 10 turn my thoughts to pre-
paration for the end that seemed
inevitable. A raging thirst began
to torture me. How long could
live without water? Ny throat was
parched, so that could no longer
shout; my blood coursed through
my veins like fire; my limbs were
cramped, SO that they were almost
without sensation; a stupor grad
ually stole over my senses, and
sgain | became unconscious.
With these recurring faintiug fits
and alternate periods of conscious.
ness, | passed. according to my
surmises, about three days and
nights. At the end of that time |
felt myself to be dying. Ny heart
fluttered feebly; my extremities
were cold. ] felt no pain; my thirst
and hunger were gone; but the icy
chill of death was creeping over me.
Suddenly / heard my own name,
family it is true, but Enthusiastically.
Was it call from the angel
throng, that beckoned me from the
heavenly shore? Again it reached
my ears, louder and more distinct
ly. This time ! answered with all
the strength | could command.
The answer was an inquiry
"Halloo! Where are you:"
"Stuck fast in this chimney. For
the love Of heaven save mev'
There was a confused murmur Of
voices below and around me. Then
there came cry which ] recognized
as the voice of Won Wieland,-
Courage, my friend. We will
find you if we have to tear the cas-
tie down."
my excitement | wept tears Of
JOY and gratitude. No more thought
Of hunger, thirst or death! was
saved There was pause, and
soon heard sounds as Of ladders
or heavy timbers placed against the
walls, aud then the CHEEKY click OF
mallet and chisel upon the stones.
Words Of encouragement came 10
my ears, and at last a binding
stream of light burst into my pris-
on through an opening made just
above my head. Rapidly this aper-
ture was cnlarged-the great stones
being pried out with willing hands
and then | was lifted through
and borne to the ground below, and
found myself surrounded by the
old General and his people.
Zone Of my men found your
coat this morning" said Won Vie
land, "as he came over the noun
tain and stopped in the tower to
light his pipe out OF the wind. He
came running to me with it and we
Immediately came to hunt you up.
Thank Heaven, you are alive and
safe 80
Bewildered By the blaze Of sun
light, looked around me for Gre
tel. The General interpreted my
look Of anxiety and placed his arm
about me, while pressed my hand.
"My poor boy he said. Gre
tel has gone. She thought-we all
thought-that-tha: you had ahan-
doned her. She felt outraged, of
course. and-well. the fact is, she
loved her cousin Conrad, and when
you failed to appear last night, she
implored my consent to marry him
and / gave it. It's too bad, my
friend, but your disappearance did
look suspicious, you know. They
started for Frankfort, last night,
Immediately after the wedding"
Involuntarily ! put my hand to
my breast pocket, and pulled out
my watch. IL acas still going!
"Last night ~ | exclaimed, "Last
night, For heavens sake, how
| long have / been imDrigoned here ?"