The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-23


or nc would shoot at my legs. which hcip-
ed good deal, and ] got on pre''S i"''
after all.
I scrambled up the steep Incline ut
tho top and stopped TO rest, the rope
drawn taut under my knees by LONDON
coming UP like n squirrel. think was
ever slow minded Il know II, indeed) put
this time / did at last, FOR a wohue',
get my stupid wits together; 50 JUST as
T.ondon's candle came above the eoBe
snatched out my knife and with one
dosnerate stroke cut the rope. There was
n lighted lantern and basket or fooo
and other things at the top OF the incline.
took the latern on one arm, nlled one
side pocket with candles and the other
with cold meat and cheese, put Two boxes
OF matches In my trousers pockets, tucked
n loaf OF bread under the other arm ana
ran away into the cave with all speed.
I ought 10 have said just now tnat aller
T slashcd OF the rope / heard LONDON
strike the rocks pretty solid az the bot
tom OF the pitt but thought IL was so"o
enough for such n great scoundrel'
ran on looking with all my eyes TOT
a pit or hole. and soon I found one that
was exactly what / wanted. II seemed
deem. but the sides we're santlng and
rocky. and thought a person might II
he had little care for his neck. scramble
down IT, on the brink OF this then. sat
down my lantern and scattered about a
| few bread crumbs. I then lit candle and
| started back as hard as ! could run Tor
| the pit out Of which had just come. On
| coming up 10 II and looking about spled
a little bench or shelf above my head just
| at the top Of the steep incline where the
wall logged back. 1t appeared two feet
wide and ten long. The only way TO reacn
it seemed by leapiag up, and | doubted
much IL I were good for II. Just then
| saw the CLEAN Of a light along the tunnel
| I puffed out my candle and tossed II ana
| the loaf of bread onto the ledge stripped
off my coat and sent it after the bread
and candle Then slipping my fingers
| over the edge | gave such leap as
| had never given before. landed fairly on
| top Of the coat, and stretched ont on
the shelf. fat as a founder. All this time
I could hear London roaring below, so
| I knew he was not dead.
The man with the light came up. hold
| ing the candle above his head so that
| It shone in my left eye as ! lay hattened
out on my right car. Then he scrambled
down the slide. as / could tell by his giant
shadow on the roof and called to London
and asked what was the matter
Get another rope" roared back Lon
don I'm hurt. Hurry up"
The man rushed away. his shadow
dancing all over the roof and side OF tho
pit. growing bigger and bigger till II
! swallowed up everything. But before Ne
could get back some Of the other men
came down beow-Pete and the one who
! had gone after him. as | soon told from
| what they said.
/ Are YOU much hurt" asked one OF
| them.
MY left arm IS broke and don't know
what else. Give me a lift and III see II
/ can walk.
He seemed to find that he could walk.
then suddenly he broke out in torrent OF
abuse Of me for cutting the rope, adding
! that he would hunt me down and pitch me
headlong from the top Of the highest pit
| IN the cave: and and YOU may perhaps
| imagine the fit OF terror into which this
| cast me. lying not four feet from where
he would soon come, and knowing fun
well that he would have no least scrupie
| in doing as he said.
The other man was soon back with the
rope and after tho two below had come
! M they hauled London up. He leaned
| against the rock below me 10 rest ana
with his lips not one yard from my ear
rolled out the most frightful language
! about me ending by swearing 20 go 20
|
me into the Bottomless Pit. a hole / had
heard Dauphin tell or and the deepest IN
the cave. SO ] lay there not daring TO
| breathe.
"Why didn't you hit him when YOU
shot. you lubber." he demanded at last.
The man broke into ;he most violent
! laughter and kept IT up till ! thought ne
would never stop. When he could speak
he said:
| "Why didn't hit him. hey? Why. hey?
| Just wait till you get To camp ana u
show YOU why. I'll stand on and let YOU
shoot al me with that gun" and the man
began to laugh again.
You've got the old Capin, have youF
said London.
"Yes." answered the man.
They all went on. after one o. them
had made a sling for London's arm out
Of the lining Of his coat. and / was left
on my shelf I'm the blacklist darkness. !
turned over into an easier position, but 1t
| took me- / verify believe. an hour 10 get
| calm enough so ! could think. Then de-
cded that I had best eat something
as ! knew that II was hours since had
done so. And after / had got started at
| the bread and cheese and meat never. /
| think did food taste so good before.
| and when I thought of fish | wished
| fANf't+'f
| have cared much since If l had had my
| wish.
When 7 had done eating I found that
I was very thirsty. bur / could see no
way Of getting any drop to drink. l then
fell 20 considering Of what was best to 40
! and at first / thought / would slip down
| the rope and get back TO the part or the
cave where we had been so long. but !
soon decided against IL. and on these
| grounds. namely: Firstly. l should stand
| a chance Of running plump into the arms
! OF the men who were looking for Dau-
| phin. Secondly. my hands were so sore
| that 7 doubted II I could go down the
| rope. Thirdly. I was In the only part OF
| the cave where there was any hope OF
| getting out. and If went down might not
be able TO get up again Though had not
| forgotten the pole). Fourthy, ! had food
| and seemed 10 be fairly safe from beinS
| found. and II is always best 10 leave well
! enough alone Filthy and lastly and most
| Importantly 0 say il who shouldn't, but
| I defy any one TO show that | am boas-
! teri ] wanted TO stay as near poor Cap
| tain Archway as ! could. hoping that
might he able TO do something for him.
Shortly after eating. being pretty tired
fell asleep and had "A good nap, and one
7 suspect Of some hours When ] awak
ened I found all still and without mucf
waiting began breakfast But l couid 90
no sort of Justice to II. being now nan
consumed with thirst / had seen some
pools OF water not far on, but wa
afraid to get down TO them. knowing tui
well that / could never again spring up e
4 L.. IL