Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-05-18

i
So he retreated a few PAGES and sat in
silence near the tail of the dead crocodile.
After awhile loneliness took hold Of him.
He tried to sleep and could not, for it
seemed to him that he saw eyes staring
at him from the depths of the cave and
heard dead men whispering to each other
tales of their dreadful ends. Moment by
moment his fears grew upon him, and OF
ter was very superstitious. Now he fam
cied that he could distinguish the head of
the reptile lined in fire and resting on
the edge of the rock as he had seen it that
morning.
Doubtless, he thought, "this monster
Is a devil and has come to life again to be
revenged upon me. Wow liked him bet
ter when he was in the flesh than now,
that he has turned himself into fire.
Then to comfort himself, he began to talk
aloud, saying:
otter, unlucky that you are, why did
you not die at once instead of living on
to be tormented by ghostss Perhaps your
master, the baas, whom alone you love, is
dead now and waits for you to come and
serve him. You are very tired. Say, now,
Otter, would it not be well if you took
that rope which is about your middle and
hung YOURSELF Thus you, too would be-
come ghost and be able to do battle with
them in their own fashion," and he
groaned aloud.
Then of sudden he grew fearful in
deed. The short wool stood up upon his
head, his teeth chartered, and as he said
afterward his very nose seemed to grow
cold with terror, for as he sat he heard
or seemed to hear voice speaking to him
from the air, and that voice was his mas
ters. otter, Otter" said the voice. He
made no answer. He was too frightened
''Otter, is that your" whispered the
voice again.
Then he spoke Eyes, baas, it is I. I
know that you are dead and call me-
Give me one minute till can undo my
! rope, and will kill myself and come to
you"
"Thank you, Otter,'' said the voice,
with CHASTITY attempt at a laugh, but
If it is all the same would much rather
that you came alive"
YES baas, and l, too, would rather stop
alive, but being alive how can l join>you
who are dead?"
You fool, am not Dead" said Leon
ard.
"Then, baas, how is it that you speak
out of the air? Come near to me that l
may touch you and be comforted.
Il cannot, Otter. am bound and in
prison above you. There is a hole in
the floor and If you have a rope, as l
heard you say, perhaps you could climb
up to me-"
Now the dwarf began to understand.
Rising, he stretched the long staff he had
with him high above his head and found
to his delight that he could touch the
roof of the cave. Presently the point of
the staff ceased to press upon the rock.
1T is here, but you must throw the
stick up like spear through the hole, for
l am tied and cannot put out my hand to
take it. -
"Stay awhile, baas. First l must make
the line fast to 1t.
Good, but be swift, for l am in dan
ger.
Hurriedly Otter undid the hide rope
from about his middle, knotting it secure
ly to the center of the stick. Then some
five feet below the stick he made loop
large enough for man to place his foot
in, and having ascertained the exact situa-
ton of the opening in the roof of the cave
he hurled the stick upward and jerked at
the line.
st is fixed, >" whispered Leonard from
above. Now come up if you cam
The dwarf required no second invita-.
ton. Selling the rope as high as he could
reach above his head he began to drag
himself up hand over hand, no easy task,
for the hide cord was thin and cut his
fingers md lbs right leg, round which he
had twisted IL to get better purchase.
Presently, however, he succeeded in set
ting his foot in the loop be had prepared,
when he found that his head and Shout
ders were in the hole, and that by reach
ing upward he could grasp the staff,
which lay across it. The rest was easy,
and within half minute be was gasping
at his masters side.
Have you a Knife, Otter"
Eyes, baas- my small one. The big ones
are down the re. will tell you that story
by and by
Never II ind tho story now, Otter My
hands are t ed behind my back. Feel for
the lashing, and cut them. Then give me
the knife, that may free my legs"
Otter obeyed, and presently Leonard
rose and stretched himself with sigh of
relief
Where is the Shepherdess, baas?"
There, in the next cell. They separat-
ed me from her. and since then l have
been dangltd by the legs over that hole,
bound and gagged, l fancy, in order to
persuade her to consent to something or
other by the sight of my danger, for
doubtless she was placed where she could
see all. Then they left me, and managed
to spit out the gag, but could not undo
the cords. 1 expect that they will soon be
back again.
Then had we not better fly, baas2
fOnn6 hal tn
mountains
"How can we fly and leave the Shepherd
ess, Otter? Since have been held down
the hole only two men have visited me
from time to time, for they think me help
less. Let us seize these men when they
come in and take their knives for we are
unarmed. Then we can think; also we
shall have their keys"
Yes, l,aas, we may do that You take
the staff. 1t is stout
And what will you use?'' asked Leon
ard
Fear not, baas. Do these men bear
lights2''
Yes
Then in two minutes will make Inc
q weapon.
And untying the hide rope from the
stick he began to tumble at it busily.
Now am ready, baas," he said pres
entity Where shall we stands'
Here, answered Leonard, leading him
to the door. I'VE will crouch down in the
shadow, one on either side of this door,
and when the priests have entered and
closed it and begin to look round for me
then we will spring upon them Only,
Otter there must be no bungling and no
noise.
Il think that there will be none, baas.
They will be too frightened to cry out at
first, and after that they will become
dumb "
Otter" whispered Leonard as they
stood in the dark, did you kill the water
dweller?"
''Yes, yes, baas,' he chuckled in an
swcr. Il caught him with the hook that l
made ready, but he did not die easily,
baas, and If had not been able to swim
well he would have drowned me-
Il heard something of it from Nam"
said Leonard You are a wonderful fell
low, Otter. -
'Oh, baas, it was no valor of minel
When l saw his eyes, I was horribly
afraid, only I thought how gladly You
would have attacked HIM had you been
there, and what a coward you would hold
me could you have seen me shiyering like
a little girl before big lizard, and these
thoughts gave Inc courage"
'Oh, that is all very well,' replied
Z Leonard and suddenly added: "Hushl Be
ready!"
I As he spoke the door opened, and two