The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-05-20
By Prof. VIM. Henry Peck,

Author Of the "1se Stone. Gutter
Of Lisbon" Etc.
CHAPTER XIV.

Again he groped about his dungeon,
sounding the walls with his feet. The
floor above he dared not sound, lest the
noise should attract Hammond's no
tice. and with it cruel death.
At length he paused before spot
which sounded hollow.
he muttered cry Of joy!
"Undoubtedly there Is cellar or pas
sage here"
His heart sank as he reflected that
he could not dig hole through stone,
brick and mortar with his finger nails.
He uttered a cry Of despair!
He felt in all his pockets, and found
a penknife. The first blow was given
in derision. The knife crumbled to
atoms in his hand.
'I must search again. this time for
iron. An old den like this should con-
tain something Of the kind"
He sought in vain; though he crawled
over every inch of the area. The iron
bar, ten feet below, in the well! I'm
possible! he could not reach it. If he
could, he could not wrench it loose.
Having found nothing below, let
me search above" said the brave
hearted youth, rising and feeling the
beams and floor over his head.
His hands, as if every finger had an
eye at its end, searched everywhere,
scorning sharp nails Of iron, Jagged
splinters, and bruising obstacles.
Suddenly he uttered cry-a cry Of
renewed hope. his hands had touched
the hinges Of the trap-door.
''It must have q bolt!-a sliding bolt,
easily detachedw said he. Il must be
careful, or I shall fall into the we'll;
I am on its brink. But here is the
bolt" he continued, as his hands slid
over it. "Ha! rope. The bolt slides
easily. Oh, God! give me strength
to rend it loose from its grooves"
Exertlng all his powers, and he was
a man of great strength, Greene at
length tore the bolt away.
1T is heavy" he said. as he united
the rope to which it was attached, and
which Hammond had pulled to. assas-
sinate him. 1T weighs at least ten
pounds; is shaped like a wedge; is q
foot long-thick and wide. Thank
Heaven"
He fell upon his knees, and muir
INJURED prayer to Heaven. and feeling
inspirited, returned to that part of the
wall where he hoped to effect an es-
cape.
Tracing the mortar first with his
finger, he began, half fearing that the
noise of his work might bring his en-
emy upon him.
Nothing but bricks, so far" he said,
as he began to make breach.
Soon his bolt struck something hard
er than brick. Drops Of sweat were
standing upon his brow. They turned
to ice as his only friend clanked against
solid stone! If he had been a French
man, he would have torn his hair with
rage He was an American-therefore
he changed his plan. and tried another.
He resolved to dig under the wall
Suu CRAWL luIOuSu W luc OtAS1 SloS.
"a wall so far down below the level
of the ground" said he, " can have but
little extent under the earth. will
change my wedge to a spade"
He worked steadily, and was re-
warded at length by finding the bottom
edge of the wall about a foot below
the level of his dungeon. Suddenly his
bolt clanked again. This time it struck
iron. He felt of the new obstacle.
"a crowbarp' he cried.
But the bar was so imbedded in the
earth, being almost upright. that to dis
engage it would consume too much
time, and he continued his digging.
II have hours Of labor before me"
he thought; "but shall succeed with
the help Of God!'
And leaving him full Of hope,
strength and courage let us follow
Luke Hammond to the crimson cham
ber