The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-02-14
CHAPTER -.
THE TWIN L-AN-S OF pom roI.

~"S oloaA-nB reVea-Cd lle on nos OF
the great caves doo--va- wA.cn y @
Mai opened her 'eycS after Dor l,-g
lwoon. The waves still broke over the
threshold and poured into ths black
pool, but their violence was consider
ably diminished. Within the cave was
shrouded in a gloom which Sho Mai
feared yet longed to pierce, for at inter-
walls could be heard the growing and
rumbling of the giant voices, and to her
excited fancy it seemed more terrible |
that they should be thus hidden by a
vail through which they might at any |
moment advance upon her than the |
sight of them could possibly be, however
fierce their aspect.
Painfully for her body was covered
with bruises, she made her way over
the rough rocks toward the mouth of 7,
the cave. Near the entrance lay little
wreckage of the junk, and she deserted
the mast to which she had chung. That
end which had been lower in the junk
was now the higher, and the top was
buried in the pool
She looked about fearfully for the
body of the captain, but could not see
abled her with difficulty to pass out at
the door way, and after a half hours
hard climb she stood upon ledge be-
low which beat the waters Of the sea.
The sun was just breaking through the
mists, and its rays glanced along the
face of the rocks. Sho Mai found
sidelong crevice into which the sun
shone, making little warmth, and
there she rearranged her disordered
clothing as best she could. After all,
it was not so badly torn, and once thor
oughly dry she thought that she would
not be wholly unpresentable.
Gathering up her courage, therefore,
she crept out of the crevice and looked
back once more toward the mouth of
the cave. The sun was now shining
brightly, lighting up the rocks ana the
dashing waves. These she saw only for
an instant. Another sight made her
forget them utterly, for there, standing
with folded arms and gazing. with mel
ancholy thoughtfulness at a piece of
wreckage, stood handsome youth who
had come upon the scene while she had
been hidden within the crevice. He
turned in moment and, catching sight
sympathy in his eyes.
The young stranger extended his hands
in gesture OF welcome, but before he
could speak Sho Mai replied to the look
of wondering inquiry in his eyes.
YES" she said, sit pleased the gods
to save me, a weak STRIPPING" had
nearly said woman-"and to destroy all
the strong men who were with me in the
junk which was cast upon these rocks
last night. At least have seen no sign
of any other and l have no doubt that
all persisted"
ut could hardl nave been otherwise"
said the stranger. "By what miracle
did you escape?"
II was cast head1ong into the mouth
of this great cave" she replied. 1.-THE
vessel was crushed to pieces on those
rocks over which the waves are still
rushing, but and one other we're flung
with broken mast into deep pool
within the cave. l was carried by the
current to the rocks, but was not dashed
against them violently. l do not think
that he who fell with me ever came out
OF the pool at all"
at is wonderful" said the stranger.
at must be as you say, for i saw no one
when / came out through the cave.
However, If you have strength enough,
after the terrible experience through
which you have passed, we will make a
search for the body Of your companion
Sho Mai shuddered when the young
man spoke of returning into the cave.
The memory of what she had heard
within and the darkness OF the place
terrified her. 1t seemed that she could
even now hear the strange, rumbling
voices OF the demons. Her nerves wore
badly shaken by the horrors of the night
and strange, superstitious fears crowded
upon her. Could it be that this beauti
full youth was the embodiment Of some
spirit Of the cave, who had come forth te
lure her back again after her fortunate
escape? She hesitated, but the though
that she owed her life to the captain
who might now be lying wounded OF
the rocks, decided her and she said
Come, then; let us lose no time"
AS they clambered up the rocks the
stranger said: II will postpone al
those questions which my curiosity
prompts until you have rested in M,
fathers house, to which hope soon Il
guide you. Afterwards you shall tel
me as much as you think fit about your
self and the voyage which has had 81
marvellous an end Meanwhile, name
will suffice. My own is Ii Xiii"
"And mine is Wong Tien Pow" re
piled Sho Mai, giving the name whicl
she had borne during her stay on boar
the i'll fated junk.
1t was with an awful sinking of tn
heart that Sho Mai saw the dayligh
wane as they advanced into the cave
Soon she could barely see the path be
fore her. but Ii Xiii stepped boldly a
one who knew the way. He led her b
a circuitous path which climbed up
little way, and then turning, de
scended. In few minutes she coul
hear the rush of waters, and far ava
to the right the voices that had
frightened her before. She tremble
and chung to Ii Xiii, though sh
feared that her timidity would betra
her secret. Suddenly they passed on