Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-03-13
Lost on Dhu =COTTig. By STANDISH O'GRADY [Copyright, 1894, by American Press Associa-
 tiOn.1
CHAPTER XVIII.
By STANDISH O'GRADY


 CHAPTER XXVIII.
 EDWARD FREEMAN'S NARRATIVE.
 The preservation of my brother g life ill the first instance and his final escape from his place of imprisonment were both due. as l often heard my father as- sprt and as Jack and myself also be- lieved. to the grace of God and not the wisdom of man. The police and the coast guards were quite at a loss all through and could do nothing. Even the clever detective who came from Dublin and spent fortnight here ob- serving and considering went away again in q sort of passion. It was the extraordinary vision seen by my little brother Charley that led him to roll loaveS into the place where Jack was really imprisoned and so perhaps saved his life. Finally I myself found out the secret of his imprisonment, not by any wise calculations, but by sort of in spiration which came to me quite unso licited. One day-shall I ever forget it?-a whimsical thought, but really q prompting of Providence, came upon me as I sat at the table just before breakfast balancing spoon on the edge of a teacup and thinking about Jack. Might not something happen or some idea strike me if 1 were to go to Dhu- Corrig fishing for cunner, just as my brother did: When l lost an arrow, l used to come back to the spot whence 1 shot It and shoot another in the same direction and with equal force in order to find the first. It was this that put me in mind of the plan which l was now about to execute. 1 said nothing about it to any one, but taking my rod set off for Dhu-COrrig. 1 hshed care lessly or pletended to fish for some time. Then l got tired. This, said, "is perhaps how Jack felt six months ago. Fish not taking. nothing to do. I will try another rock. but there are none here on the right. only the sheer wall of cliff; try leftward then" 1 clam bered along here till l came to deep Assure in the cliff side. It ran sheer down to the sea. really a rather horri- ble chasm or long profound cleft, at the bottom of which the sullen waters seem- cd talking to themselves. 1 had al- ready explored this cavern by sea, hay ing sculltd boat through it from end 10 end. for II was too narrow for row ing. Where 1 now stood 1t was too wide tu leap across. but 3E 1 looked up and down l saw q place where an active lraper. gifted with fair share of nerve, might leap it over. Not that the cleft was really SD very wide at this point. lut the nar1uwness of the foothOld at tine other side and the darkness and depth of the abyss below brought the consequences of failure before the i'm aginatiun i'll somewhat appalling man. ner. Still keeping my rod in my hand, l l,aped 1t. right glad 10 find that my foot did not slip on the narrow and Sloping ledge at the other side. Just th, n the conviction started suddenly .ntO Iuy mind that I Was on Jack traces. My heart beat so that 1 could hear it. and 1 had tu stand still for a con- siderable time before its beatings and my general agitation would permit me To 90 on. I was now on the side of an al most sheer cliff. one which. when seen from the water. seemed quite sheer and nntraversaLle. but found little ledge like a road leading onward and upward. One part of 1t was very dangerous. but after passing this l came upon rough, craggy ground, quite easy to get over. This rough way led steadily upward along tine face of the cliff. By 1t alone was the rock traversable. and it was rot wlde. If Jack came along this cliff at all, would now find him or his body. 1 went on and on for nearly mile. the little ledge being always traversable, and at last quite suddenly, arrived at a large Uptnlng in the face of the cliff, which l had never noticed before. may add that. unlike Jack. I did not care much for sea fishing, was seldom cn the water and had never scanned our cliffs with his hawks eye and inquiring mind. As stood in the mouth of this cave I was too filled with hope and fear tl cry out. Presently l heard the sound of feet. as of some one stepping briskly over rocks, and even springing actively from one to another, though all was dark within. Then q cherry whistle sounded in the interior. The air was Wilkins and His Dinah." We'll I knew who whistIcd. It was either Jack o- his ghost. There was smooth in cline of rock slopirg inward just in front or me NrElng out Rnuw not what. slid or even cast myself down this incline. I heard Jack roar at me tu stay back. but l could not. for tie incline rapidly grew sleeper. till at last it was nearly sheer. So I came tun- bling down and fell and rolled over upon something soft. In a moment 1 was on my feet again and found myself in my brothers $ arms.
 As soon as We recovered ourselves Jack brought me round his vast under ground domain. relating all his history as We went, while 1 told him all that had happened in the outer world. Though I, too was now entrapped, I did not mind it in the least. l was sur prised- delighted with all I saw Jack s tame seals, his fire burning so ,,