The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-01-03

uight get clear off with his booty.
1--WE shall be starved to DEATH" seio
The jeweler.
''Not to-day, nor yet tomorrow,
said Vidal, knocking over small
basket he had not hitherto noticed. It
contained stone bottle Of water and
Iome bread and cheese.
Hutchinson threw himself at the
bottom Of the car and gave way to g
paroxysn Of grief.
Nothing more va> said till morning.
The commissioDairc feeling tired, lay
down by the side OF the jeweler, and
snatched few hours OF uneasy slum-
Der.
When he woke, he found the vino
had changed, and the balloon was beat
ing about amidst variety of conflict
ing currents, making no particular
Roadway.
They drifted at last in a direction
totally opposite to that in which they
had been going at first.
The jeweler did nothing but pra,
and utter unevail1ng laments at inter
7als.
Vidal grew alarmed, but he did no;
become coward his time was wholly
occupied in studying the balloon.
The safety-valve. by means Of which
they could have descended at will, was
In sight, but out Of reach
The string which should have give1
those in the car control over it had
been purposely cut.
-Four days and nights went by; tn,
balloon remained tossing about in
space. It's occupants bHd been
drenched in more than one storm.
Their condition was miserable in the
extreme.
Vidal had made several attempts tc
reach the safety-valve without success.
The air was cold; the lllimitable sea
rolled below them. If the balloon
descended into the water, there would
oe some chance Of saving their lives.
To fall violently upon the earth was
w DC Na9ACb w pICS@o w i1Ai AA oAe
sea gave them oil opportunity of being
picked up by ship, and keeping
adoat for certain time by their OVID
,xertions
Vidal determined to make an effor,
to save his life and that of his compan-
on.
With the utmost care, yet with
dauntless bravery, he climbed up the
ropes which held the car to the bal
loon.
Alta certain height he could see the
7alve.
In his hand he carried a piece o:
string, which he wished to attach to
;he valve.
If he could succeed in doing this
heir salvation would be secured!
Should he miss his footing, he
would be dashed into the abyss below.
Better such death than -eane oi sStcE-
starvation ! Aais last he reached the
valve, and placed the string over tht
hook which was attached to it.
Then his strength gave way and be
tell down.
Fortunately he tumbled into the
car, which shook and strained very
much, but the cordage being good, il
lid not give way.
The piece Of string foated in the
breeze.
His next task was to lay hold of it
By robbing the wicker-work car OF
some of its minor component parts,
he Constructed sort of fshing-rod,
and hooked the string.
Pulling it gently, he awaited the re,
suit with feverish impatience.
The balloon began to descend.
The finale was now very simple.
The ballon fell into the sea within
half mile ola large steamship, which
instantly lowered boat.
The jeweler and the commissionaire
we're taken out of the seething waves,
extremely glad to be rescued from
their perilous position.
They were taken On board the ship,
which proved to be the Black Prince,
from Liverpool to New York; conse-
quently they had descended in the
Atlantic.
Profoundly thankful for their es-
cape, they thanked the captain for
his kindness, and promised to relate
their adventures when they had recov-
cred from the fatigue of their novel
Quincy.
Suddenly Mr.. Parker Hutchinson
caught sight Of an individual in the
crowd of passengers who was iutently
regarding him.
With cry like that of tiger rush
ing on his prey, he sprang forward
md seizing him by the collar, shouted:
"Thief! villain! robber! at last 7
have found you"
Every one was astonished.
1t was the Duke S'Alvarez.
This impostor, after receiving the
great prize for which he had plotted
30 diligently, had given up the house
which he rented, and started fer
America, where he imagined he could
dispose of the necklace of pearls with
uore safety than in Europe.
Vidal stood by the jewelers. side
aud effectually prevented any attempt
on the part of the Spaniard to release
himself.
The captain inquired the meaning
If this strange scene, and, having no
power to arrest the swindler, laid an
embargo upon his luggage and effects:
which, on arrival at New York, were
examined by the police.
The, necklace of pearls was discov-
cred, and the jeweler, after q great
leal of routine and red-tapeism, II
;urned to London with the dearly pnr-
chased pearls, resolving to be on his
guard when again applied to by the
gents OF foreign potentates.
The duke was thrown into prison.