Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-08-30

said the captain, sternly. you under
standW
"Yes. I'm going" replied Bart, in a
low growl. as he gazed In his leaders
eyes; and then, with a curious, thought
full look in his own, he went out Of the
captains quarters and in the direction Of
the prison of the kings officer.
AS Bart approached he became aware
Of faint rustling sound, as Of someone
retreating from the window among the
trees, and starting forward, he looked
out. But all was still; not a long rope
like Llama quivering, no leaf crushed.
"Some monkey" muttered Bart, and
turning back, he gazed down with a
heavy frown at the frank, handsome face
of the young officer, till he saw the fea-
lures twitch. the eyes open and stare
wonderingly into his; and once more the
prisoner. reused by the presence Of an.
other gazing upon his sleeping face, sud.
denly sprang up.
you here!'
Eyes. 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.
Eyes, sir. Captain Jacks orders
where you like, 50 long as you don't try
to escape"
But I must escaper cried Humphrey,
angrily. "rell the captain will not give
my parole"
"He don't want II. sir. You can 60
where you like, only IL you try to escape
you will be shot,"
Humphrey Armstrong rose from where
he had been lying and made as II to 20 to
the door. his face full of excitement, his
eyes flashing, and his hands all Of
tremble.
"There. the sickness has passed OF.
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
were made they would be fairly divided.
At one time the captain would be In com.
mand, at another the lieutenant, so that
their settlement was never left unpro-
| tected.
As far as he could Judge. they were
about hundred In number. and great
dilapidatcd chambers In the range Of
temples and palaces formed admirable
barracks and means Of defense, such rs 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 at the edge Of the forest and there
seat himself till he was unobservcd, when
he could quietly step into the dense thick.
1T. aud make his way to where his fol.
lowers were imprisoned.
He had not long to wait, for II 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 op.
p0rtunity 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 foll0wed-each step
he had taken being either impressed In
the vegetable soil or marked by the
crushing down Of moss or herb.
The sight Of this impelled him to add.
tional effort. no that he might gain some
definite information about his people, and
perhaps seek them by night, when once
he had found the means of communica.
ton. In this spirit he was hurrying on
when he came suddenly, In one Of the
darkest paths, upon figure which bar.
red his way. and 1t was with the addition
Of a 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, rs 1t were, In gloomy tunnel.
After Humphreys impatient ejaculation,
quite a minute elapsed; and then, half
mockingly. came In deep, low voice:
Eyes! Commodore Junk!'
Humphrey stood glaring 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 weli-shapsd. small index
finger slightly impressing his rounded
cheek.
EYES," he said mockingly, Commodore
Junk! Well, Humphrey Armstrong,
what mad it y thisT'
mad fit" cried Humphrey, quickly re-
covering himself. "You allowed me to be
at liberty. and am exploring the place."
The buccaneer looked In his eyes, with
the hooking smile growing more marked.
rs this Captain Humphrey Armstrong,
brave commander sent to exterminate me
and mine. STOPPING to make miserable
eXcuse-to tell lie?
"a lie" cried Humphrey, fercely, as
he took step In advance.
"Yes. lie" said the buccaneer, with.
out moving a muscle. "Y0u were trying
to find some way by which you could es-
cape"
Humphrey was silent.
"Come, Captain Humphrey; you will
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
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