The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-08-11
CHAPTER ",

In few minutes the captain returned
and found his prisoners ready to 60
with him. Thorndyke looked exceeding
ly handsome In his glossy tights, close
fitting sack coat tinsel belt and low
shoes, with buckles Of gold. The natural
color had come back into his cheeks.
and be was e1hilarated over the prospect
Of further adventure.
1t was not 30, however, with poor
Johnston. His spirits had been so damp.
ened by the physioian's words that he
could not rally from his dependency.
His suit fitted bis figure as we'll as that
Of the Englishman, but be could not
wear it with the same hopeful grace.
Cheer upl' whispered Thorndyke
as they followed the captain through a
long corridor. ''If we arc Oh our way to
the stake or block, we are at least going
dressed like gentlemen.
Outside they found the streets lined
with spectators eagerly waiting to sec
them pass. The men all had suits like
those which bad been given the captives,
and tho women wore flowing gowns
like those Of ancient Greece.
''These are the common people,
whispered Thorndyke to Johnston, "but
did You ever dream Of such perfect fea.
lures and physiques? Every face is full
Of merriment and good cheer. am Gu.
rious to see the royalty"
Johnston made no reply, for Captain
Tradmos turned suddenly and faced
them.
"Stand hero till I return" he said,
and he went back into the house.
Where in the deuce do you think we
are?" pursued Thorndyke, with grim
smile.
Haven't the slightest idca," sighed
Johnston, and he shuddered as he
looked down tho long wide street, with
its borders Of human faces.
Thorndyke was observant.
"There is not breath Of air stir
ring" he said, land yet the atmosphere
is like impalpable delicacies to hun
cry mans stomach. Look at that big
tree. Not leaf is moving, and yet ev.
cry breath draw is as fresh as if it
came from mountain top. Did you
ever see such flowers as those3 Look at
that ocean of orchids"
"They think we are regular mon
key show" grumbled the American.
Look how the crowd is gaping and
showing aud fighting for places to see
u.s."
"It's your legs they want to behold,
old fellow. Do you know never knew
you had such knotty knee joints. Did
you ever have rheumatism? wish !
had 'em. They wouldn't put me to
death-they would mako me the chief
attraction in the royal museum. "
Thorndyke concluded his jest with q
laugh, but tho face Of his friend did
not brighten.
"You bet that medical examination
means something serious" he said.
"PoohW And tho Englishman slapped
his friend playfully Oh the shoulder.
"Since I have seen that vast crowd
Of we'll developed people and remember
what that medicine man said l have
made up my mind that We are going to
be separated. Poor Johnston's 3 lip was
quivering.
Rubbish But there comes the cap
tain. Put on bold 'front.' Talk up New
York. Tell 'em about Chicago and tho
fair and ask to be allowed to ride in
their Ferris wheel If they ain'tgot any
wheel, ask 'em when the first train
leaves town"
"This is no time for jokes" growled
Johnston AZ Tradmos returned. Trad
mos motioned to something that in the
distance looked like q carriage, but
which turned out to be flying ma
chine It rose gracefully and glided
over tho ground and settled at their
feet. 1t was largo enough to seat doz-
en- people, and there was little glass
windowed compartment at the end, in
which they could see "tho driver" as
be was termed by Tradmos. The mys-
teyious machinery was hidden in the
woodwork overhead and beneath.
"Get in, said the captain, and the
door flew open as if Of its own accord.
Thorndyke went in first and was follow.
ed by the moody American. "Let up on
the ague," jested Thorndyke, nudging
his friend with his elbow. If you keep
on quivering like that, you may shake
the thing loose from its mooEings, aud
we'd never know what became Of US. ="