Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-09-12

leave behind. Now, boys, you've got
the rowt and the orders. Off with you'll"
So the three marched down the cave,
Filley looking neither to the right nor
the left US he passed the anxious group
Of women. Did his heart smite him as
he thought of the fate to which in all
probability his bastard treachery
would consign them? Not at all-his
was the nature Of the octopus, all
tentacles, all muscle and hideous flbers,
but no soul or conscience.
Arrived outside the robbers retreat,
the trio followed devious but short
ascending path, which quickly led to
the higher country. In cleft Of the
rocks they found number of horses
tethered, and selecting three Of these
each man mounted and rode toward
the north, Denver being about so miles
away.
The events of this momentous Sab
bath have been quickly described, but
they really consumed several hours in
passing. 1t was after o'clock when
Filley and his guards departed. At
the earliest they could not return for
"a hours, which meant whole day of
tedious waiting and suspense for those
left behind.
Now that the little matter O bust
ness" was settled, all restraint within
the limits of the cave was removed,
and Draper and Chester were free to
rejoin the Indies, who stood sadly in
need of such encouragement and con-
ISOLATION as they could offer. Their
welcome was out Of all proportion to
their deserts, and they were showered
with questions as to what had happen
ed. Uncle John said brightly that he
had arranged for the ransom of the
entire party and that within "a hours
he hoped to see them safe aboard the
Miranda again and en- route for Den
yer.
"That is, If we are not rescued be
FORE" said Madge Hurst.
'.If you value your own safety and
that of your mother and Florence, my
dear, you will not talk Of rescue an,
more" said Uncle John gravely. "Oul
friends over there might not like 1t
and after what has passed don't wan
to hurt their feelings"
Madge was silenced, but In her hear
OF hearts she distrusted Filley, and SO
forbidden to speak her thoughts, sh'
turned to Chester for comfort, and to
gether they conversed In low tones
while Mr.. Draper and his ward dit
likewise.
There being no objection Gustavt
was reused up and hidden to cook some
sort Of n repast out Of the scanty pa
terials in the commissariat of the rob
Der gang. With the accustomed in
genuity of his profession he worked
wonders, and soon decent appearing
and smelling meal was spread before
the famished captives, to which theJ
sat down by the side of the brook CUR
Cling through the cavern.
While they We're eating curious
phenomenon occurred. The tiny stream
began to foam and sputter; Its volume
Of water momentarily increased unit
In the space of ten minutes it ran banl
full, and our party had to move bacl
to avoid wetting. For upward O.
half an hour the miniature freshet con
tinued, and then the stream as qulckl!
subsidized to Its former modest dimen
sions.
On being questioned as to the caus
of this sudden swelling Of the water
Dallon replied in an offhand manner:
Been a-rainin up yonder in the noun
tains-sorter cloudburst, reckon
That there erik tumbles in here iron
underground som'eres, but no on
rightly knows where"
This set Ives bordering, and soon
wild and perhaps foolish idea occurred
The water IN the creek had risen a