Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-09-16

deniy spFang up.
You here."
Yes. sir, I'm here" said Bart.
What for? Why"
Nothing much, sir; only to tell you
that you can co.
Cor cried the captain, excitedly.
"Yes. sir. Captain Jacks orders
where you like. so long as you don't try
10 escape"
But | must escaper' cried Humphrey.
angrily. Tell the captain | will not give
my parole"
HE don't want It, sir. You can go
where ron like, only IL you try to escape
you will be shot"
Humphrey Armstrong rose from where
he had been lying and made as If to so to
the door. his face full of excitement. his
eyes flashing, and his hands all Of
tremble.
There. the sickness has passed off.
Now help me out into the sunshine"
Humphrey Armstrong was weaker
from his wounds than he believed; but
the change from being shut up in the dim
temple chamber with the great stone idol
for company TO the comparatively free
open air of the forest clearing rapidly
restored the elasticity of his nature, and
gave him ample opportunity for studying
the state Of affairs.
He found that the buccaneers went out
but seldom, and that when expeditions
We're made they would be fairly divided.
At one time the captain would be in COM
mand, at another the lieutenant, 81 that
their settlement was never left unpro-
tected.
AS far as he could judge, they were
about a hundred in number. and great
dilapidated chambers in the range of
temples and palaces formed admirable
barracks and means of defense, such as in
time of need could easily be held against
attack.
But Humphreys great idea was to es-
cape; and to accomplish this it seemed to
him that his first need was to open up
communication with his men.
This he determined to accomplish, for
with the liberty given it seemed to be a
very easy thing TO walk to some heap of
stones al the edge of the forest and there
seat himself till he was unobserved, when
he could quietly step into the dense thick
ct. and make his way to where his fol-
lowers were imprisoned.
He had not long to wait, for it seemed
that, after being closely watched for the
first few days, the latitude allowed to him
was greater. He had but to walk to the
edge of the forest and wait, for the cp-
portunity was sure to come.
The forest path had evidently been
rarely used Of late, for the soft earth
showed no imprints, the tender sickly
growth of these deep shades had not been
crushed; and as Humphrey realized these
facts, he glanced back. to see how easily
| his trail could be fciiowed-each step
he had taken being either impressed in
the vegetable soil or marked by the
crushing DOM of moss or herb.
The sight of this impelled him to addi-
tional effort, so that he might gain some
definite information about his people. and
perhaps seek them by night, when once
he lad found the means of communica-
ton. In this spirit he was hurrying on
when he came suddenly, in one of the
darkest paths, upon a figure which bar
red his way. and it was with the addition
of rage-wrung savage exclamation that
he uttered his captor's name.
| There was dead silence in the dark
forest as these two stood face to face,
buried. as it were, in a ,soomy tunnel
After Humphreys impatient ejaculation,
quite a minute elapsed; and then, half
mockingly, came in deep, low voice:
| Yes! Commodore JUNK
Humphrey stood glazing down at the
obstacle in his path. He was tall and
athletic, and, in spite of his weakness
and the tales he had heard Of the others
powers, he felt that he could seize this
man, hurl him down and plant his foot
upon his chest; for the buccaneer captain
was without weapons, and stood looking
up at him with one hand resting upon his
hips, the other raised to his beardless
face, with a well-shaped, small index
finger slightly impressing his rounded
cheek.
Yes" he said mockingly. Commodore
Junk! Well, Humphrey Armstrong,
what mad fit is thisy'
Mad ity' cried Humphrey, quickly re-
covering himself. You allowed me to be
at liberty, and l am exploring the place"
The buccaneer looked in his eyes, with
the mocking smile growing more marked.
| rs this Captain Humphrey Armstrong,
brave commander sent to exterminate me
and mine. stopping to make miserable
exeuse-to tell lie?'
"A heg' cried Humphrey, fercely, as
/ be took a step in advance.
'Yes. lie" said the buccaneer. with
out moving a muscle. you were trying
TO find some way by which you could es-
cape"
Humphrey was silent.
Come, Captain Humphrey; you win
suffer for this. There are chills and
/ fevers in the depths of this forest which
seize upon strangers like you. especially
upon those weakened by their wounds,
and do not want to lose the officer and
gentleman who is to be my friend and
| help here, where / am, as il were. alone"
Your friend and help6' said Hum
phrey haughtily. II am your prisoner,
| sir; but you forget to whom you are
speaking. How dare you ask me TO link
my fate with that of your cutthroat band
to share with you life of plumber and
disgrace. with the moose at the yard-arm
of every ship in his majesty's navy wait
/ ing to end your miserable careerT
/ He made 8 clutch at the nearest branch
10 save himself, for his mead swan, black
/ spots yelled in mist and strangely blur
/ red seemed to be descending from above
I tn form a binding veil before his eyes.
Z de recovered himself for moment. long
tenough 70 resent tine hand stretched out 10
save him, and then an was blank. and
With q hoarSe sigh be would have fallen
be3yllv bat for the strong arms that
caught him. held him firmly FOR a few
moments aud then q faint catching sigh
was heard in the Stiffness Of the forest.
as Humphrey Armstrong was lowered
slowly upon The moss and a soft brown
hand laid upoa his forehead. as tie bue-
caneer bent down apon enc knee by his
side
Want me- ssid a deep. law voice; ana
the buccaaeer started as # from dream.
I with his face hardening. and the wrln-
kles which had been smoothe9 rea9peas-
ing deeply in the broad forehead.
'-loa here. Barts
"Ay. In here.
give me M ana III carry him
, back"
AL this was done and Diany Summon
esi- 50 Jhas whsu. al haar LATER, Hum
nhrav unbiased hfS eyes il waS with his