The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-10-26

duced by volcanoes, that is lighter
than water.
1t Immediately occurred to our hero
that the robbers were probably on the
lava vessel, and he closed the lantern
without delay.
| Once lore he was in intense dark
ness. As the island came nearer he
could distinguish a dim light. He at
once came to the conclusion that the
mass was of considerable size, and
that the light arose near it's centre from
camp fire around which the outlaws
were probably gathered. He breathed
more freely, feeling confident that he
had not been discovered.
When the island had almost reached
the shore it caused a slight smashing
OF the water. and guided by the sound,
Macdonald could almost tell where
the floating lava was. Cautiously put
ting out his hands, he felt them come
in contact with a hard and moving
surface; and as the island touched the
shore he gave leap of sufficient power
to carry him well upon the singular
|
and to his alarm noticed that the
island had not fingered at the shore, as
| he had hoped that it would do. 1t was
| already moving steadily away, and he
| Surmised that the currents of the
| singular lake or river, 80 ran as to
| carry the mass round and round the
cave. SO regular appeared to be the
movement that he believed the robbers
had been able to ascertain just at what
| times during the "a hours of the day
| (for he could not believe that the lake
| was of so vast a size as to require
could be depended upon to touch the
shore that he had lett.
| After slowly climbing upward for
| six or seven feet Macdonald came to
| the top of the island and lien learned
that the theory as to the dim illumina-
| ton was correct 1 lie island was cir
| cular, about one-half acre in extent,
and near its centre was the fire, now
| burning low. The island shelved from
| it's elevated sides toward re centre,
| and on account of the bowl-like sur
face it was possible to see the entire
| area, although its edges could not be
| distinctly seen on account of the in
| bility OF the Ire except in its imme
date vicinity, to. overcome the power
| of the intense darkness. Rolled in
| blankets and stretched around the fire
were eight ROBBERS, asleep. bout ten
1 fro uiU m
| cred with strips of straw mating that
had been laid upon the slanting poles
| of the frame. That his dear Helen
was in this wigwam Macdonald felt al
most certain.
How to act under the circumstances
was most perplexing. To attempt to
rescue Helen, or even to communicate
with her, would be an undertaking
fraught with the greatest hazard.
While our hero hes.ta.ed his eyes
were attracted to some plumber that
the robbers had left in a pile short
distance from where he stood.
Among the articles were heavy
horse blankets. A bright idea came
to Macdonald. He removed his shoes,
went in his stocking feet to the pile,
selected two blankets, folded them into
as small compass as possible, placed
them on one arm, and, lantern in hand,
approached the fire and the eight men,
who slept soundly after the arduous
work of the previous night.
When he was a few feet from the
fire Macdonald paused and laid the
blankets on the lava. 1t was singu-
lar and most exciting situation. Far
| from the aid of friends, in a cavern,
on a mysterious lava island that floated
| in a subterranean lake of unknown
| depth and extent, our hero stood in the
presence of foes who should one of
| their number happen to awake and
give the alarm. would shoot him down
| in an instant.
Macdonald did not, however, spend
any time in thinking of the singularity
| and peril of his situation. In the
most careful manner he proceeded to
cover the burning sticks with the
| blankets and to smother the fire.
Owing to his precautions. should the
| robbers awake, before they could light
| their lanterns he could escape in the
| darkness.
Once more the cave was wrapped in
| inky blackness. Macdonald moved
the slide of his lantern sufficiently to
| give him the little light that ne need
ed. He approached the wigwam with
| a beating heart. At this moment one
| of the villains stirred and groaned.
II was a moment of terrible suspense.
| The man muttered something and it
seemed as IL he must be awake. Mac
Donald closed the slide and waited,
while the perspiration started from
every pore of his body. But the dan
ger passed. The man sank into deep
| slumber. Macdonald gave himself
a little light second time, and peered
into the wigwam. Yes, Helen was
| there!
She recognized him, and did not
scream.
What a dear, brave fellow you are, !"
she murmured. ito risk your life 0r
me-"
She looked at him with tears in her
beautiful eyes, and stroked his hair
| fondly
At this moment one of the villains
| awoke.
What is the matter with the flre!'
he cried
Macdonald had taken the precaution
to close his lantern while Helen and
he were whispering, so that there was
no danger of immediate discovery.
The man got up and began to tumble
around. His companions awoke, and
swore because they had been disturbed.
Not a moment was to be lost.
The situation was desperata we'll