Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1899-09-07

80 @t<&s ~~-~<~ - 2 <<z<<Pf - - -
to despair Of ever s@<ting ont o.
the swamp.
Sometimes be aoa lered wildly
through mud and nj i shich reach
ed half way to the "a e bis high
hunting boots. In seral instant
ances he was forced Isap across
some Of the narrow csnneIs which
connected the Isre1 pooIa, and,
when be lsnded. u sst alwAyl
sank deep into tie ~ III
experienesa eos.ss sfablx ;ElIcuIs3
in extricating them.
At last, thoroughly tired ont. he
sat down upon the roots Of great
tree and rested. His endurance
was being severely taxed, but as he
had nothing to eat with him, it was
necessary for him to get out of that
loathsome swamp before long, or
he would die from hunger and thirst,
for the brackish water could not be
drunk. Therefore, after . few
minutes rest, he once more plnng-
ed into the mazes Of the swamp
The heavy, black clouds still OBJ
scured the heavens, and, not having
brought his watch with him, he
could not ascertain how close night
was upon him. ALI the time the
swamp had been enseloped in sort
Of oppressive gloom, for the matted
branches of the trees shut out the
greater portion of even the little
light which found it's way through
the clouds.
But before long night came upon
him in it's grimmest reality. With
out the slightest warning, as it
seemed, black, ink-l;ke veil set
tied down upon the great swamp.
There was no moon, or if there was
one, the clouds hid it from view,
and the swamp was as dark as any
dungeon, and infinitely more weird
aud dismal.
The first thing he thought of do
ing was to light . torch, which
would at least give ont enough light
for him to find bis way back to the
base of one Of the immense cypress
es which grew in great abundance
in the swamp. Upon the broad,
spreading roots Of one Of these he
might spend the night in compare
tive safety, if not in comfort.
He searched through ell his peck
cts for q match, but he could find
only one, or rather half of one, for
it was broken in the middle. But
it was ray of hope, and Stone did
not despair.
Notwithstanding the darkness
about him was so intense that he
could Hardly distinguish objects q
yard or two away, he must keep
moving about ell the time, or his
feet would sink through the moss
into the foul mire beneath it. Still,
he did not dare move any distance
from where he stood, not knowing
what sort Of pit might be in front
of him.
He gathersd up . few sticks as
well as he was able by the sense Of
touch, and then, with trembling
hand, he struck the one match.
For an instant the little sulphur
Gus blaze fiared up brightly, like o
beacon Of hope. The light brought
. chorus Of angry cries from the
birds that infest the swamp but
the next moment . sudden gust Of
cold air blew it ont.
Then Stones heart began to
quake, and his knees to tremble
from fear. He wss all alone in the
midst Of this great, weird. desolate
swamp, without light, or any
means Of procuring one. His flesh
began to creep. and an indescribable
feeling of fear and terror came over
him.
The birds, frightened By the sud-
den flaring up of the match, had
now ceased their cries, and the
weird loneliness of the place only
added to his terror.
Then it was that he came to q
full realization Of the fact that he
was lost in the most terrible sense
Of the word--lost in the midst Of
that great black swamp, without .
light, and alone. He was trying
now to reach in the darkness one
of the expresses, bat he did not
meet with snccess.
He was fumbling about blindIy
for . stick which he might use as q
caue To aid him in his uroureas