The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-17
CHAPTER xXvI.
KUNG.

When consciousness returned to me
which might have been an hour after
or day q had lost count OF time), ]
found myself in complete darkness and
for awhile wondered what had happened
and where I was. But the numbed feel
ing OF the head which, still buzzed painful
ly awoke me to a reality of my position.
and with horror realized the fact that
was in captivity. Then little by little
the past came back-the run down the
river, the landing on the island, the
march and the blow from behind which
had laid me low
Who could have done this? Where was
] now? And Jim-what OF him? Had he
too. fallen into the hands OF the enemy?
Who was that enemy? Had Koon-si be-
trayed us? All these questions ran like
lightning through my brain. and to each
OF them my fears answered darlsly. Had
kung, the omnicient Kung. secured us at
last? Yet IL was all so sudden, this sur
prise; the blow. too. had surely come
from those whom / had looked upon as
friends. And the pagoda-was IL fancy,
or had really seen one?
All these doubts had most Injurious
effect upon my thDIbbing BRAIN and with
the intention OF easing the pressure round
the temples 1 attempted to lift my hands
TO my head. To my extreme alarm
found I was unable to accomplish this
simple movement for the very good rea-
son that my arms were securely fastened
This also was the case with my feet.
which were bound so tightly that /
scarcely had any feeling in them How
ever. by little skilful manoeuvring OF
my wounded head quickly realized the
| M nj t1au ant 10 Cs hat n
full length upon an earthen floor.
After a long and vain endeavor TO see
abandoned the attempt as one which
had not the remotett chance OF success
Then i lay listening. listening for some
sound OF step or voice. but nothing came
NO break the dreadfur stiffness of the
chamber No solitary CLEAN of light
pierced the awful gloom. There was no
more sound than IL l lay buried deep
down In the earth.
IL seemed to me as though I Law for
hours In the acutest agony, for, TO add
10 the pains I'm my head, began TO ex-
perience the agonies OF thirst These I
mutely endured for some1~~ considerable
time. and then l began to call for helm
.for had an idea that perhaps Il was the
Intention OF my captors to subject me TO
this horrible form OF death. However.
IN response to the cry. I presently heard
The creakng Of n door. and man bear
ing a lamp entered the apartment. RE
game and held IL over me, and. though I
could but indistinctly see his face, / mo-
kicedshat be was a ham dressed cody.
water" gasped. Give mo something
10 drink"
He did not answer. 80 cannot say II |
be knew English. but without a doubt |
be understood me. for he Immediately |
Dlaced his lamp upon the floor lifted me |
INTO a sitting attitude. my back 10 the |
wali, and held a basin OF water 60 my |
bps.
I drank deeply. for my throat was hot |
nd Dry and never until that moment
had ! known the real pleasure OF drink
TT Thanking the man sincerely. /
Asked him where was but without re-
blying he took up his lamp. and heard
he hinges OF the door creak as he passed
ut
Left alone once more with my thoughts
stared blsnkly into the gloom, which
ow seemed deeper than ever and gave |
+ay TO the bitterness OF defeat
And as I pictured Il all I'm that gloomy |
hvern OF room I failed TO see how the |
|1venture could have had another ending.
nj thought with curious. fatalistic
tsignation OF the manner OF my death IL |
AZ farewell Cecil. farewell Jim, n ne I
bar fellow, had not gone before The
Sciety had triumphed once again Well
Ia I not always know which side was
ing 90 win7 II was only question OF ?
ne.
Il might have been an hour after. It