Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-03-20

DaiaCe. Anu 10 ~ ehO
mines. He lives on the other side of
Galneor, near the road to Brompor-
rah. His prodigious strength makes
him very valuable to his masters, and
for that reason he escapes torture
that would weaken his splendid
frame"
"Hen-Ko-Hi has the grace to leave
you at least out of tho list Of task.
doers," I ventured.
mot he. I, too, was laborer at
the mines, but I was too feeble to
please my taskmasters, and 1 was
punished. Now I am helpless. My
arm was burned until it became
shrunken, useless stick. All, the
cruelties of the Mongols!"
He opened the bosom Of his shirt
and showed us a sunken breast,
SCARED with frightful gashes and
burns.
81, too, have suffered" he said
calmly.
1 could not behold that sight and
retain my composure. I rose from
the table and paced backward and for.
ward in the cave.
"And is there no hand to smite this
murderer" I asked sternly. els
there no vengeance in Gods will?
Cannot the prayers of those who pray
trustingly prevail againstthis monster
of crime?"
1--WE must be patient" said the
aged sufferer. "God knows-He is
ever wise. I have prayed twenty
years for release. Even death would
be grateful boon. I endeavor 10 be
meek and to await Gods pleasure, but
I fear that L am not without vengeful
feelings. Crickmore, old as I am
Christian minister as I am-there is
yet in my heart o desire to see the
punishment that is due meted out to
this murderer of Gods people,"
"'That is but NATURAL" replied.
Then stopping in my walk and stand.
ing before him, continued: "But
you cautioned me against rashuess.
You conjure me to be patient-to wait.
Wait! For what? Discovery is buta
question of time, and then as a matter
of course, death. You have waited
twenty years-to what purpose?
Would you have q wait twenty
more?"
eff you must. Of what avail to
lose your life in vain effort to es'
cape?"
"Better that than be killed doing
nothing. Oh, If I only had Langston
here to help me! His brain is more
fertile in expedients than mine. But
I fear he will not seek us here"
"You have not told me the story OF
your shipwreck-what brought you to
this ungodly part of the earth," he
said.
told him the story of Annie Rails.
ton and the search for her. I related
fully my misfortune at the hands of
Gambok Smell and of my subsequent
adventures, the meeting with Miss
Arnold, the killing of Smell ard Cha
Fong, and our landing in the Sacred
Forest.
While I spoke the old man listened
earnestly. When I had finished, he
sat moment in silent thought.
"Crickmore, he said, raising his
bowed head, 'there is something in
all this that bids me hope. A light is
breaking over me. It was fortunate
thought-that of fastening the belief
Of the Jumars that you were de-
liverer come to their rescue. Let me
think. Nay, it is useless. I leave it
in your hands. am old and feeble.
My strength is gone. You must work
out the solution of the problem in
your own way. But be CAREFUL Oh,
be carefulp
In this way we passed most Of our
time. Mr.. Avery was often with us
during the day, and in the evening,
having finished their days work,
Oso-Bark and Garu.Saak would
come with him into the cave
and would talk to us of the past glo-
ries of .Talmooah. grew very fond
of these Jumars. Oso-Bark especially
impressed me as man of sbility. He
was thinker, and I found that his
words were generally wise ones.
One evening, as we all sat, as was
our habit, in the cave, I threw
bombshell of surprise among my
friends. 1t was about month after
Miss Arnold and I had taken up our
abode with Mr.. Avery. I had been
studying the language of the Jumars
under the efficient teaching of the
missionary, and I was now able to
make myself understood in their pc.
culiar tongue.
We were speaking OF our presence
on the island and the passive condi.
tion of captivity we were in.
"Mr. Avery" 1 said, 'is there any
thing on the island that will dye to
the exact color of the lunar skim"
'I'm sure I don't know" replied
Mr.. Avery in surprise. "But why do
you ask?"
81 am very anxious to know" I an
swered. perhaps Oso-Bark can tell
me-"
The question was repeated to him.
eyes," he replied, in the native
tongue, "there is tree that grows on
the mountains, the bark of which will
stain the color of the lunar skim"
"Will you get me some of that
bark?" I asked.
Certainly, Oolek, I will obtain
n1enty for Vol {"