Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-10-07


But, Dinny-"
"Whisht! Don't spake so loud, sor.
Sure. now, if a cannon ball made hole
in the side of ship, isn't that the safest
place to put your head so as not to be
hurt. They niyer hit the same place
twice
Then your hiding place is my old lodg-
ing-my prison?'
"Av coorse it isl The skipper has been
there TO maxi sure that We are really
gone; and now he knows, he'll say to him
self that this is TIE last place ye'd go
and hide in; and troth, he's quite roight,
isn't hep
Humphrey hesitated for few mo-
ments, and then, feeling how true the
mans words were, he gave way.
Sure, sor, and it's all roight," whis-
pered Dinny. .'Ar'n't l thrying to keep
my head out of a moose. and dye think
I'd be for coming here if it wasn't the
safest place? Come along; sure, its a
lions den, as ye call it, and the best spot
know"
He whispered to Humphrey to follow
cautiously, and crept on all-fours among
the dense growth, and in and ont among
forest, till the tunnel-like pathway was
reached in safety, when, after crawling
few yards out of the binding sunshine
into the shadowy gloom, Dinny rose to
his feet.
There. sor," he said, eve can walk
like Christians now, and not like animal
bastes."
There was an ample supply of food in
the place for a week, and water. Dinny' s
ideas respecting their safety seemed to
be quite correct, for though voices were
heard at distance, no one approached
the place They had the hidden subter-
ranean tomb-like chamber into which
they could retreat; and on the second
night, while Dinny was watching and
Humphrey, utterly worn out, was sleep
ing feyerishly and trying to forget the
troubles and disappointments Of his fail
ure. there was a faint rustling noise
heard, and directly after his name was
whispered softly from above.
'Murther" cried Dinny, unable to con-
tain himself as he sprang up.
His exclamation and the noise he made
brought Humphrey from his couch, alert,
and ready for any struggle.
What is it?' he said.
''Dinnyw came in a voice from above.
Mistress Greenheys~ cried Hum
phrey. You there?'
YES. 1 came TO try and learn tidings
of you. | did not know you were 10th
prisoners"
Sure an we're not, darlin'," said Din
nj. we only tux refuge here, so as to
be near you. An where have you beenY
Il crept back TO my place." said the
woman. land reached it without having
been missed"
Then ye're quite free to come and go?"
'Yes-quite."
Erin o-braghr cried Dinny, excited
ly. Then what ye've got to do darling,
is to go back and come agen as soon as We
cen lid Something to ate, for we shall
soon be starved"
Yes, Dinny; I'll come again tonight"
The night had not passed before the
faithful little woman was back again
with such provisions as she could bring
and lover down to them.
This went on for two nights, during
which time they had no alarm. Not a
soul beside approached the place; and the
same report was brought them that their
hiding place baffled all, but the captain
was fercely determined that the prison
ers should be found.
Then why not try to escape inland
Dinny?' said Humphrey. at last. Surely
it cannot be impossible"
Haven't we all thried it again and
again wild the captain, sorT said Dinny
in remonstranee. He set us all to work
so as to make sure that we couldn't be
a ri cd ha lan nd
in a mile anywhere, for thick forest
worked together like powerful big hur-
die that's all solid. and beyant that's
mountains. Sure, and We can't get that
way at all widout an army of wood cut
tiers. and life a hundred years longr'
A week went by, food was wanting,
the prisoners were in despair, and they
had both crept out again and again to
the end of the corridor, and listened to
try and make out something; but all out
side was solemnly still, and the place
might have been once more the abode of
death, had not a couple of sentries al
ways been visible keeping watch, so that
it was impossible to stir.
Dinny went to the window opening
and leaned there, while Humphrey seat
ed himself upon the edge of the couch
to watch the opening above his head, in
expectation that Mistress Greenheys
might arrive and put an end to the ter
rife suspense as to her silence.
The still, sultry heat was terrible, not
leaf moved outside, and the darkness
came on more obscure than usual; for as
Humphrey looked out of the window
from time to time. to gaze along the for
est arcade. there was not a FREELY yisi-
bic, and the heavy, oppressive state of
the air seemed TO announce a coming
storm.
Dinny's figure had long been visible but
he made his presence known by Groom
ing over snatches of the most depressing
minor keyed Irish melody he could re-
call; but after time that ceased and
the silence grew heavy as the heat.
How long have | been asleep" he
muttered, starting up and listening.
"Dinnyw
No answer.
"Dinny! Hist! Are you asleep"
He dared call no louder. but rose from
the couch.
Dennis Kelly. the traitor. has gone.
Humphrey Armstrong; cried a hoarse
voice, and he felt himself driven back
into the great tomb-like place.
Commodore junk cried Humphrey
in his surprise.
"Yes. Commodore Junk. Ha! l have
you. Ny prisoner once again."
Your prisoner? No, not if | die for
IT.. cried Humphrey. passionately; and he
struggled to free himself from the tight
ening grasp.
Il tell you It is madness. You have
proved il yourself, and, weary with your
folly. YOU have returned"
Returned cried Humphrey, fercely;
''yes. but only 10 be free"
The captain tried to utter some angry
appeal. but a fierce struggle had COM
menced, and the great stony place seemed
10 be full OF whispers, Of hoarse signs.
the catching Of breath. harsh expiTations
as the eontending pair swayed here and
there-the captain. 1.-THE and active as
panther. battling again and again Ham
nhrey's superior weight and strength
Twice over the latter trippea aud nearly
Eel. but he recovered himself aud stzug-
slei on. seeking 70 wind his arms touGl
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