The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-02-28
CHAPTER VII.

uuiiu uer eyes TO Jne TACT that the COLONY
was simply band of robbers and MUIR
derers. She knew that she was still as
much prisoner as when she had been
confined on board the pirate junk; that
her every movement would be watched
until years of association with crimi-
nails and familiarity with atrocities had
made it impossible for her to return to
the abodes of honest men.
Her life had been spared and GER
tain rank had been bestowed upon her
because the pirates had believed that
they recognized in her that reckless
daring which would make her a useful
servant of the community. Stripped of
all the imposing formalities and oaths
ofdisgraceful brotherhood, her initiation
meant no more than that she might fill
the place Of some veteran criminal who
could then be promoted from the labors
OF actual raplne to the luxurious drolle's
life Of the city.
But she was determined to escape, and
she had already formed plan which
could be put in operation as soon as she
was fairly embarked with the pirate
crew. She shuddered at the thought of
the murders she must witness, and even
to certain degree participate in, if her
vessel fell in with some unfortunate
merchantmen before the day of her de-
liverance came.
On the day following her initiation
she was told that the ship was ready to
sail. In company with that First Chief
whose nod had saved her life, she passed
out through the mysterious underground
way, and in the fare of the torches she
marveled at its wonderful windings and
at the black mouths of tunnels which
were continually opening in her course
only to be avoided
This is the way of the forty-nine
curves" said the First Chief, who walked
by her side. "You observe that at every
turn in the path a road opens which in
vites the feet, but to take any one of
them, except that which is known to the
faithful, is death"
And Sho Mai shuddered as she passed
these mysterious doorways, wondering
what horrible form of destruction lurked
within their portals. At length they
reached the town of the sentries, and
passed through it to the road which led
them to their ship. A boat was in read
mess, and in few minutes Sho Mai
found herself standing on the deck of
the swiftly-gliding junk, while over her
head foated the black flag of Kwan
Dab.
On the evening of this day Sho Mai
saw the Chief standing aparN from the
others near the stern of the junk. She
approached him with the customary
salute.
"Oh, Chief" said she, sis it the OBJ
ject of this voyage to procure treasure
for Kwan Dah?"
Certainly" replied the Chief. "Fol
what other purpose should we sallP'
81 meant to inquire if we had any def
mite destination" continued the girl
''or whether we wandered over the sci
at random, hoping to fall in with Hal
Chow ship"
1--WE make no port" returned tn
Chief; 1--WE put ourselves in tho ordl
nary track of merchantvessels,a and thel
trust to the God of Fortune"
''If it please you," said the girl. great
" pleased at the replies she had re
ceived, II have something to sugges
whereby we may perhaps secure grea
treasure for little trouble or danger
Shall l speak?"
"Say on, and If you give good counse
you shall not fail Of your reward at tn
hands OF Kwan Dah."
"You must know, then" said Sh
Mai, speaking as calmly as her eagernes
would permit, that / sailed not lon
since from the city Of Paoting in shi
which bore great treasure, stolen fror
temple near the city. This vessel wa
cast upon the great rocks OF Pom 10y
which you doubtless know"
81 have seen them from the sea" re
piled the Chief, land have heard OF tn
great cave in which it is said tina
demons dwell"
ut was to the door Of that very cav
that the ship Of which have spoke
was borne by the Storm" continued Sh
Mai. "In fact she was cast bodily int
the cavern, and of all on board l alon
escaped; and, indeed, should have pei
ishcd of hunger on the rocks had not
chance 'lown me way to the city. Bt
have hitherto told no one of the carg
which the wrecked vessel carried, an
as the place is almost inaccessible an
would in any case be seldom visited
such is the terror it inspires, that hav
no doubt that the gold which was in tn
vessel lies even now among the wrecl
age in the cave and could be successful
borne away by few bold men,"
"You have spoken WE'LL" said th
Chief, evidently deeply interested. g
the vessel was cast into tho cave he
cargo would not come out again, bl
would be washed by the waves furtht
into it's recesses. How long ago was sh
wrecked?"
"About year"
"Then no doubt her hull is no
broken up and the gold she carried
strewn about the cave ready to OF
hands," and the Chiefs eyes sparkled
the thought. But suddenly his fat
grew stern. "You know the cons
ouences Of deceiving US in this matter
he said. "You realize that II this stol
shall prove to be plot against the sal