Omaha daily bee., 1901-01-17


lerce when the sun went down and the
two men who had been struggling through
tho German forest since noon feared that
they we're doomed to pass the night among
those gigantic trees with the thunder
crashing and booming over them, and the
vivid and almost incessant lightning dart
ing and Kissing through the branches. For
hours they had led their horses, because
the way was too precarious for any other
mode OF procedure. They were in the
midst Of a dense forest, which they had
attempted to cross without the aid of a
guide; and now darkness was upon them
darkness which they could not hope TO
penetrate
One Of them was tall and broad almost
giant in stature, with tawny hair and
beard and lin spite of their surroundings
an easy, nonchalant air OF conscious SUI
periority to circumstances Tho other was
shorter and more compactly built with
swarthy face and dark eyes, alert. quick
motioned and cautious but not less cour-
ageous than his companion.
Tell you what. Craddock," said the
taller Of the two, when they paused to coll
lect their faculties and decide upon what
was best to do, 81 don't think fancy what
is paradoxically called dry land in storm
like this. Give me the sea. the open sea,
even II have nothing greater nor better
than a common yawl beneath me. II beats
these big trees and falling branches with
never a compass to steer by nor a point
in sight from which to take your bearings.
What are we going to do now"
Forge ahead; 1t is the only thing we
can do" replied Craddock
Call up the sun. then MIR Joshua for
IL seems to be standing still on the wrong
side OF the world. Gail It UP out of the
ha Ea OH m vi
you. AS for keeping our course-or any
course in this blackness-t seems to me
to be out OF the question"
I'VE cannot remain here. however"
The Norwegian laughed aloud.
1T looks to me as though we would hav-
TO do that very thing" he said. why,
Grad we're surrounded by breakers, ana
they are the worst sort of breakers that |
ever afoul Of They're made of wood,
to be sure, but they are as likely to make
a wreck OF our spars as they are or t.c
hull II one OF those falling twlgs-and
I'll take my oath they're bigger round than
my legs--if one OF them should rap you on
the head, Il would be worse than falling
from the maintruck of a fulrigged ship to
the deck
The darkness was intense by this time,
although mover a minute passed when 1t was
not dispelled, for instant at least, by
the lightning. One OF the flashes illum ina ed
the scene Thorgensen ceased speak
ing and, without replying to the protest o,
the Norwegian. Craddock started forward.
Thus, for another hour, they progressed,
pausing between the flashes and making,
as Thorgensen expressed It, las much head
way as possible" whenever the warrin,
elements permitted objects for a moment to
be visible.
atpd ~
conversation and did not appear to heed the
fact that his companion replied In monosyi-
tables whenever he could do so. Their
route led them over distractions OF ali
kinds, around huge powders and often u.
derneath the fallen trunk OF n forest giant
whose companions had not permitted 1t tu
lie prone upon the ground, but with ou,
stretched arms sustained it so that It on. y
half reclined. ,....
After journeying some, distance the-
began to descend the sloping side of the
mountain and their way became easier. Tie
trees were separated by greater distance,
and the clutter of debris and moss grows
rocks were less frequent and smaller. the
wind howled on. the thunder continued tc
boom and the lightning still played hide
and seek among the branches but the dark.
ness seemed less dense, There were MT
ments when they could see the sky through
the treetops.
Once, when they halted to rest and were
about to start on again, the horse led By
Craddock, who was In the lead, refused &C
stir, and while his master was still urginl
him flash of light revealed the fact that
they We're standing on the edge of a raviue
into which five PAGES more would have
preciptated them; and then out OF tn,
darkness beneath. far away and far below
them uuip( nj In
discovered single glimmer Of light.
Look there, Grad" he said, graspin,
his companion by the arm. "Do you se
that? Looks like masthead light Any
how, It's a beacon for us. Wen have {,
change our course but we can make il
eh? Looks ms though we would have L
come about and try new tack though
How do you make out the bearings, oil
mann
Il think we are a ledge which W
can go around without much trouble. Hol
my horse till l take soundngs"
He disappeared in the darkness and wa
gone so long that Thorgensen began I
stamp with impatonce and at last he call
out
Where the devil are you, Grad? Dow
in that black hole?"
mo. right here" replied Craddock. a
his elbow Come; ! know the way now
lhere IL pain Just below us and | thin
u leads to the house where the light shine
out. Before we start, though, Ralph
want to ask few questions. You hay
not deceived me concerning the purpos
OF your trip to this part of the world
knew when you asked me to come her
with you, why you made the request.
Is the same old madness, Ralph-the Low
OF peasant for a princess.
"Yes, Grad, II is the same old madnes.
and as sure as | stand here In the mids
or storm and darkness, with my eyes fixe
upon that glimmer OF light, | believe tina
the power of love has directed my step
through this black forest and that beyon
that light she is awaiting my coming. Sa
WSat you Will, believe what you will tn
hand OF God is in thlsl | know that sh
Is there where that light CLEANS out. An
believe that she knows that | am some
where near her"
Does she expect you, Ralph"
mo; not in the sense that YOU mean
have never communicated with her nor at
tempted TO do so since that night in IN
Mediterranean. have not intended TO de
ceive you in inducing you to come here wit
me. / knew that you understood why
came and why wished to have YOU wit
me Do you know, Grad, that one mont