The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-25
SPIRITED AWAY.
The Exciting Adventure or a west
orn Lover.

i - - At~sCAs
The inhabitants az Albuquerque, N.
NJ, had become greatly excited on nc-
count Of series f daring robberies
that ha1 been perpetratcd iii their
midst.
Alarming as was the continuation Of
tho robberies, 1t was surpassed ~ an
occurrence that proved To be tho cnl-
mination Of the work Of the dcspcra-
does.
One night the beautiful daughter Of
Col. Blceker. the richest citizen Of the
city, was kidnapped That the deed
had been done by the robbers for the
purpose Of keeping the maiden captive
until they could obtain iis,sral ran
som from the distracted father there
could scarcely be doubt.
Helen had a lover named Malcolm
Mac Donald. shrexd young lawsea,
who was confident that the hcadquar-
tiers Of the kidnapers were IN the crater
of lava beds about twenty miles south
west Of Albuquerque.
Macdonald knew what he was about
when he resolved 70 attempt the res
enc of the dear girl To whom lie was be-
trothed by organizing party to search
for her captors among the lava beds.
Five Of his friends, all ~ them stout
hearted and adventurous young fcl.
lows, agreed 10 aid him Armed q
the teeth and mounted on good horses
the party quietly left Albuquerque
three hours after the abduction %
Helen became known.
The lava beds we're several acres ii
extent and were ia The siare IL loH
and broken cone, tile top which was
followed out So as 10 rcScmislc 4 hnssC
bowl. The latter was all that 70
manned Of the crater Of an cxrinut soi-
cano.
The young men, holding their rifle;
in readiness in case OF an attack dc
scended into the great bowl and adj
of the cave. The opening was laegs
enough, and from it a good.sizcd pas
sage wound downward il distance ~
ten feet to the cave, which was about
rod long and shaped like q right
angled triangle.
The adventures satisfied themselves
by cautious exploration that tho rob
bers were MT in the cavity, A LITTLE
later. while, torch in hand, they wcr,
examining the bottom OF the hollow
they discovered square section Of tlle
lava floor which was slightly separated
from the surrounding lava
The excited men pounded on the slal
of lava until they broke it sufficiently
to enable them to grasp the pieces ann
remove them. A deep hole Was ~
vealed, except where narrow shelves,
extending On four sides. had served Y
support the edges Of the block.
Macdonald determined to make tht
descent 81 the shelving sides Of ths
hole. He argued that the robbers wcfs
undoubtedly asleep at that hour. an.
that the chance Of coming upon thci.
before reaching the main cave wa.
small
Seeing that they could not dissuad
him, and admiring his holdless iii.
young men discontinued their objection
and after they had assured him thai
they would defend him should he cons
forth pursued, and would re yenge Iii
death should he be killed, they bads
| him godspccd as he entered the cavity
He was armed with long hunting
knife and brace Of pistols, AMI ear
ried in his hand q dark lantern Clos
| ing the slide of the lantern 50 Is t
conceal the light, he crept in darkness.
down the passage.
The sound Of washing waters catnS
to his startled ears, ana he infc.rct
that he stood upon the edge of sub
terranean lake. After considerable,
hesitation he vcntured 70 turn on I'll,
| light.
Soon cDonall's attention WIS ar
rested by singular sight A hugs
mass appeared from the gloom beyons
the reach Of the lanterns rays ans
slowly advanced townrd him.
1t was not craft belonging to ths
robbers, as Macdonald had at fir
feared, bu. was an island Of lava. Thai
so great a mass of lava could noai
seemed incredible, until Macdonald
bethought that the mass was undoubt
edly composed Of pumice, lighter thar
water.
1t Immediately occurred to our hert
that the robbers were probably on Tux
lava vessel. and he closed the Lantern
without delay.
| AS the island came nearer he coult
discern D dim light He at once Game
to the cdncluaion that the mass was 81
considerable size and that the lighl
arose near its center from q campfire
around which the outlaws were proLa
bly, gathered Wien the island hae
| almost reached the shore it caused !
slight smashing OF the water and guide
by the sound Macdonald could almcs
tell where the floating lava was eau
tiously putting out his hands he fcl
them come iii contact with hard aae
moving substance; and as the islam
touched the shore he gave q leap p
sufficient power to carry him we'll upor
the singular craft
He sat still for a few moments. AM
TO his alarm noticed that the island
had not fingered at the shore. as he ha'
honad that ftNwould do.