The Republican journal., 1901-09-12

already moving steadily away, and he
SurmiSed that the currents OF the sim
gular lake or river, so ran as to carry
the mass round and round the cave.
So regular appeared to be the move
ment 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 size as to require days
to make it's circuit) the island could be
depended upon to touch the shore that
he had left.
After slowly climbing upward for
six or seven feet Mcdonald came to the
top OF the island and then learned that
the theory as to the dim illumination
was correct. The island was circular,
about one-half acre in extent, and near
it's centre was the fire, now burning
low. The island shelved from it's
elevated sides towards the centre, and
on account of the bowl-like surface it
was possible to see the entire area,
although its edges could not be distinct
ly seen on account of the inability of
the fl ire except in it's immediate vicinity,
to overcome the power of the intense
darkness Rolled in blankets and
stretched around the fire were eight
robbers, asleep. About ten feet from
the fire was wigwam covered with
strips of straw mating that had been
laid upon the slanting poles OF the
frame. That his dear Helen was In
this wigwam Mcdonald felt almost
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 hesitated his eyes
were attracted to some plumber that
the robbers had left in pile short dis
lance from where he stood.
Among the articles were heavy horse
blankets. A bright idea came to Nc
Donald. He removed his shoes, went
in his stocking feet to the pile, selected
two blankets, folded them into as small
a compass as possible, placed them on
one arm, and, lantern in hand, approach
ed the fire and the eight men, who slept
soundly after the arduous work OF the
previous night.
When he was few feet from the fire
paused and laid the blankets
on the lava. 1t was singular and
most exciting situation. Far from the
aid of friends, in cavern, on the
lava island that tiOated in a
subterranean lake of unknown depth
and extent, our hero stood in the pres
ence of foes who should one of their
number happen to awake and give the
alarm, would shoot him down in an in
slant.
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 smoother 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 he needed.
He approached the wigwam with a
beating heart. At this moment one of
the villains stirred and groaned 1t
was a moment of terrible suspense.
The man muttered something and it
seemed as if he must be awake. Mac
Donald closed the slide and waited,
while the perspiration started from
every pore of his body. But the danger
passed. The man sank into deep Slum-
ber Macdonald gave himself a little
light a second time, and peered into the
wigwam. Yes, Helen was there.
She recognized him, and did not scream.
''What dear brave fellow you are"
she murmured, 'to risk your life for
mev'
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 fire."
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 moment was to be lost.
The situation was desperate, wellnigh
hopeless. Macdonald feared that he
had played brave and most perilous
part only to be defeated. While he was
in terrible suspense, not knowing what
was best to do, the dear girl whispered
to him.
Let us fly. There is boat. l came
in it,"
''Can you find it,"
Yes; there is stake with red flag
on it that will guide me to it"
Meanwhile the robbers had discover
ed the blankets, and were removing
them from the fire. Two of the fellows
approached the wigwam. As they
reached it Macdonald and Helen left it
after he had hastily cut the cords that
bound the maiden's hands. One of the
men happening to touch our hero, the
latter with quick presence of mind, fell
ed his enemy to the lava. The robbers,
now thoroughly aroused, hurled forth
imprecations that echoed in deafening
manner throughout the cavern. But
they could not readily find lantern,
and could not tell where the fugitives,
running noiselessly in their stocking
feet, were. The pnrsuers discharged
their pistols at random, and one bullet
whistled by the heads of our hero and
heroine. They continued to run, keep
ing as nearly as they could a straight
course.
Macdonald opened the slide of the
lantern as soon as he dared to do it,
They had reached the top of the height
just above the shore; but no flag was in
sight.
The robbers saw the fugitives, yelled
viciously and fired their pistols. Bull
lets whistled alarmingly near the in
tended victims.