The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-03-21

ranks deep; SIX men IN line, their case
knives and guns and pistols cleaning and
glittering in the starlight; silent and grim
and led ON by man Of gigantic stature,
who strobe i'm oeriously before them.
That's Matteol' whispered Fairfax, as
he glanced mournfully at his own broken
arm and then at the tremendous frame Of
the man.
At word from their leader, the men,
with one accord, paused and stood motion
less, like statues in the night. Stepping
out before them, he remained silent mo-
ment. Every voice was hushed, save that
Of the breeze murmuring through the tow
err and the wave tapping the strand.
Then he began. Nebbitt, Oxford and Fair
fax, with their excellent knowledge Of
Italian, were easily enabled to follow him
MATES, We know how would have won
the Greek woman; but the poor, silly fool
escaped me. We know how we slew our
stubborn captain and his shadow, Luigi and
that swart Nuban fiend, too, whose knife
bit so viciou5ly into my scarce-healed side.
We know how we have all risked our lives
like brave men. But, like brave men, now
have we come to our reward The Vampa
is ours and so are the broad seas and all
Greek dog, we can make our ship fortress
imprognable.
''Will you follow me and live the life
speak OFF,
1--WE willr' came back the deep-toned
answer.
'sThen will read the writing"
Amidst the most breathless silence,
broken only by the roll of the swell on the
shore and the distant sound of steam es-
Gaping from the Vampa's safety-valve,
Matteo, translating the English into Italian,
read in harsh, hard voice that penetrated
far and near into the quiet night air.
"1en miles TO the southwest Of 1angisrs stands
the ruined toner, FL Baba. Tluenty steps due
northpard from its eastern doorway Is a stone,
turf-couered. This stone e,ctoSes The mouth ~
a.. old mell long since dried. Down this iosN
after my fathers death, All and cast all hi.
uealth-jetcels Of untold ratue, brGSs-bound
casks aud boxes bursting Oih gold and Siive,
coin, diamonds Of matchteSssp lendor, pearls Ja'
outshning those Of Ind, thousand flashing
precious stones and upmelted ingotS-riche
enough for the n,aideSt dreams Of avarics. "
A wild cheer broke forth at the conclusion
OF his words. But it was hushed into i'm
mediate silence by the sharply uttered com
mand and threatening gesture Of thu
Italian.
Snow, mates, scanned the shore with
keenest eye for signs Of life when we ap
preached, but saw none, save that stranger
craft which wa left behind us, steaming fal
out to sea- But like not her looks, nor d.
know what hidden dangers Turk before US
Therefore, rest on your arms and be read!
at moments warning to follow me to tn,
death"
"Ayl that will wer answered they al
with one accord, as they clashed tbei
+ weapons together.
Then, suddenly, the leader drew himsel
to his full height, and, looming giganticall.
up in the darkness, put his hand upon one o
; the pistols in his belt and in slow, measure,
tones that implied but one answer to hi
20 question, asked:
''Shall Matteo's share be one-third TO
l. oil his pains and risk as leaders"
An unbroken silence prevailed, which b
tokened the unwillingness Of the band t
assent to any such unequal division.
Once again, sharp and clear, piercing tn
calm air like the hard, cold ring Of stee
rang out the resistless question, while tn
sudden fash of pistol-barrel, drawn fror
y his belt, shot through the gloom. Cowed
T. Obedience by the tremendous power whic
2 that fearless man welded over them, the
promptly responded as one man
, at shall be!''
"Then, hold the lantern Tito. Now, one
u two, three, four!" and he counted off twent
u steps, with the compass in hand and stoo
erect and still
ho,
High in air he raised it and brought
down with such. great force that it drov