The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-08-09

1'S'
was more than 8 feet in height and
finely proportioned. One Of them, who
seemed to be an officer in command,
bowed politely.
II am Captain Tradmos, gentlemen,
! In the kings service. It Is my duty to
make you my prisoners. I must escort
you to the palace Of the king"
''That's cool, :" said Johnston, to con-
ceal the discontinue that he felt. eve
had no idea that you had kingdom.
We have tramped all over this island,
and you are the first signs Of humanity
we have met"
He would have recalled his words be-
fore he had finished speaking if he
could have done so, for he saw by the
manner Of the captain that he had been
OVERLOAD.
Follow me-" answered the officer
CURLY, and with motion Of his hand
to his men he turned toward the odd
looking vessel.
The two Adventures obeyed, and the
cloaked men fell in behind them. Mel
Their Johnston nor Thorndyke had ever
seen anything like the peculiar boat
that was moored to the rocky shore. 1t
was about 40 feet in length, had hull
shaped like racing yacht, but which
was made Of black rubber inflated with
air. 1t was covered with glass, save for
q doorway about six feet high and three
feet wide in the side, and looked like
great, oblong bubble floating on the still,
dark water. As they approached the
searchlight was extinguished, and they
were enabled to see the boat to better
advantage by the aid Of the electric
lights that illuminated the interior. 1t.
was with feelings of awe that the two
Adventures followed the captain across
the gangplank into the vessel.
The electric light was brilliantly
white, and in various places pink, red
and light blue screens mellowed it into
an artistic effect that was very sooth-
ing to the eye. The ceiling was hung
with festoons Of prisms as brilliant as
the purest diamonds, and in them, ow-
ing to the gently undulatory movement
those Of rainbow played enhancing
ly. Rare pictures in frames Of delicate
gold were lnterspersed among the clus-
tiers Of prisms, and the floor was cover
ed with carpets that felt as soft beneath
the foot as pillows Of elder down.
As he entered the door the officer
threw off his gray cloak, and his men
did likewise, disclosing to view the
finest uniforms the prisoners had ever
seen. Captain Tradmos' legs were
clothed in tights Of light blue silk, and
he wore a blue sack coat Of silk plush
and belt Of plant gold, the buckles Of
which were ornamented with brilliant
gems. His eyes were dark and penetrat-
ing, and his black hair lay in glossy
masses on his shoulders. He had the
head Of an Apollo and brow indica-
two Of the highest intellect.
Leaving his men in the first room
that they entered, he gracefully con-
Quoted his prisoners through another
room to a small cabin in the stern Of
the boat and told them to make them
selves comfortable on the luxurious
couches that lined the circular glass
walls
"Our journey will be Of considerable
length" he said, land, as you are no
doubt fatigued, you had better take all
the rest you can get sec that you need
food and have ordered rcpast which
will refresh you." As he concluded he
touched button in the wall, and in
stantly table laden with substantial
food, rare delicacies and wines, rose
through trapdoor in the floor He
smiled at the expressions of surprise on
their faces and touched q green bottle
Of wine with his white, tapering hand.
''The greater part of our journey will
DO under water, and our wines are spe-
cially prepared to render us capable Of
subsisting on rather limited quantity
Of air during the voyage, so advise you
to partake of them freely. You will
find them very agreeable to the taste"
I'VE are very grateful" bowed
Thorndyke from his seat ON couch.
Il an sure no prisoners were ever more