The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-10-16

tne mOunu. MOtl0nlnS TO US to follow,
she mounted to what looked like a ter
race some six feet wide, bounded by
low parapet of the same gigantic
blocks of rough stone that had formed
the side of our prison.
"Eh, mon,' Menzies exclaimed in
low tone as we felt the breeze from
the lagoon, which lay almost at our
feet, with the glimmering light of stars
on it's surface, ''isna this mair like the
thing"
The figure in front made a quick
gesture of warning, and in second or
two more we reached a spot where the
top of the second rude ladder showed
dimly above the outer wall. Without
a word she led the way down the
rude steps, and we found ourselves in
jungle of tropical shrubs and plants,
through which ran a pathway that
seemed but little used of late. Some
fifty yards farther, and the path came
out upon the shore.
Lights glimmered from one of some
small huts on the edge of the beach,
and the chorus of what took to be a
drinking song burst from it as we
passed it cautiously. A few yards far
ther, and the dim gray light showed
a little wharf, at the end of which a
boat was moored. We followed one
another on tiptoe over the creaking
boards of the crazy pier, and in a min
ute more we stood above the boat
which swayed gently on the tide be-
low.
'Losh, mon, if it's no ane O. oor ain
boats, as Am a leevin' sinner!' Men
zies whispered in an excited voice as
he descended with all the sure footed
deXterity Of sailor. "Mair, by token,
the mast an sails in her yet, no tae
speak O. keg o. water an provee-
but mind yer feet"
l stood aside for the girl to go first
but she motioned me to go before her
and l obeyed. MOO" Menzies whis.
pered urgently as 1 got on board, moo,
lassie. There's nae time tae lose, Am
thinkin'. All wudna wonder but
they've missed US already. Div We
near yen"
Even as the words left his mouth !
heard distant sound as of several
voices shouting. No doubt they had dis.
covered our escape from our prison.
The girl had heard it too. She stood
with her head thrown back, listening.
"Quick, lassie, quickv Menzies ex.
claimed. 1--WE maun get ava frae
here" She turned suddenly and look.
ed at us, and it seemed to me that even
in that dim light could see the wild
light in her eyes.
go away homer she exclaimed.
go at once or the bad man will catch
you" She stretched out her hand i'm.
periously as she spoke.
But ye're comm, tae, lassie. Ye're
comm hame?" Menzies exclaimed ap-
pealingly. She looked down at us for
a moment, and thought she was hesi-
tating.
NO, no." she said; "I can't come.
I'm too busy here. Seer she added,
pointing to the big hut we had passed.
That's where they keep the gunpow-
der. can't come till I've burnt it."
She waved her hand as she spoke,
and nodded as child mods goodby,
and ran lightly up the pier into the
darkness. MenZies cast off the rope
and pushed the boat clear, saying as he
did so with groan: "Puir lassie!
She's clean daft, and nae wonder"
He took the oars, and we stole out
into the dark lagoon with long, silent
sweeps of the oars. My eyes were fixed
on the dark shadow of the schooner
that loomed up in the darkness, but
nothing moved as we crept past and
headed for the entrance. There was
no longer a doubt that the alarm had
been given, for shouts, some muffled
and others clear, reached us from the
shore. Once in the passage Menzies
stopped rowing and stepped the mast !
and loosaned the sail to a breeze that |
was favorable. In a minute or two
more the dark mass of the great forti-
fication was shut off by the land. The |
breeze drew outward through the pas
sage, and in five minutes more the dark |
eXpanse of the ocean opened before us.
''The Lord be thankit Well dae |
noo," said MenZies as he cast glance |
behind hun. But, losh me, what's |
yon? It's yon bit daft lassie, 1 wudna
wonder"
A bright crimson glare spread up |
ward through the violet sky above the |
island we had left, and the next min |
ute there was roar like that of a |
dozen parks of artillery at once, and |
then the glare died away, and the sky |
grew dark again.
"Puir lassiew Menzies said slowly |
after pause. "Am no sayin' but |
maybe it was best"
Two days later we were picked up
by homeward bound tea ship.