Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-03-09


hear the whispered challenge at tn.
door and one after another entering
and crossing the bare floor ON tiptoe.
Hundreds we're coming In, II seemed to
me. Suddenly Q deep silence fell in
that dark place Of evil. The blind
fold went whisking OF a. II q ghostly
hand had taken II. But all around
Inc was the darkness Of . pit. could
see and I could hear nothing but
faint whisper. high above me. like that
Of pine boughs moving softly in light
breeze. could feel the air upon my
face. thought I must have moved
out OF door by magic. It seemed as IL
was sitting under the trees alone.
Out Of the black silence an icy hand
fell suddenly upon my brow. ninched,
feeling 1t move slowly downward over
my shoulder. I could hear no BREATH
ing, no rustic Of garments near me.
In the dead silence got feeling
that the hand touching me had no body
beh ind It. was beyond the reach Of
fear--l was in way prepared for
anything but the deep, heart-shaking
horror that sank under the cold,
damp touch Of those fingers. They
laid hold Of my elbow firmly, lifting
as II to indicate that was to rise.
did SO. moving forward passively as
1t drew me on. To my establishment
was unable to hear my own football
or that Of my conductor. thought
we were walking upon soft earth.
Crossing our path in front Of me
could see, in the darkness, a cleaning
line. We moved slowly, standing still
as our toes covered 1t. Then suddenly
a light flashed from before end below
US. A cold sweat came out upon me;
I staggered back to strong hands that
were laid upon my shoulders, forcing
me to the line again. BY that flash of
light could see that was standing on
the very brink Of some black abyss
indeed, my toes had crossed the edge
OF It. The light came again, flicker.
ing and then settling into steady
glow. The opening seemed to have
grassy bottom some 10 feet below. In
front Of me the soil bristled. on that
lower level. with some black and
pointed plant: there were at least a
score Of them. As I looked I saw they
were not plants. but a square of bay.
onets thrust. points up, in the ground
A curse came out Of my hot mouth,
and then dozen voices Knocked IT.,
going fainter, like a dying echo. A
tall figure in winding-sheet, its face
covered, was leaning over me.
! ITO hesitate is to die" IL whispered
Courage may save YOU"
Then a skeleton hand came out of
the winding-sheet, pointing down at
the square Of bristling bayonets. The
figure put its mouth to my ear.
Jump" it whispered, and the bare
bones OF the dead fingers stirred I'M
patiently.
Some seconds of brief silence fol-
lowed. I could hear them slowly drip
ping out OF eternity in the tick of a
watch near me. felt the stare OF
many eyes invisible to me. A broad
beam Of bright light sh OF through the
gloom. resting full upon my face. I
started back upon the strong hands
behind me. Then l felt my muscles
tighten as | began to measure the fall
and to wonder II | could clear the
bayOnets. l had no doubt l was to
die shortly, and 1t mattered not to
me how, bound as l was. so that II
came soon. For breath of silence my
soul went up to the feet Of God for
help and hope. Then l bent my knees
and leaped. saw much as my bt,ly
went rushing through the air AN
Of navkh IVA
side it. an island of light. walled
with candles, in sea of gloom,
faces showing dimly in the edge
of the darkness Thank God.
I shall clear the bayonets,"
thought, and struck heavily on soft
mat covered over with green turf. a
little beyond that bristling bed.
staggered backward. falling upon it
To my surprise. 1t bent beneath me
They were no bayonets but only shells
of painted paper got to my feet
none the worse for jumping. and as
dumfounded as ever a man could be
stood on a lot of broken turf with
which y wide floor had been overlaid
Boards and timbers were cut away, anG
TUG grave Jug ucucdlu lucu. saw
one face among others in the gloon
beyond the candle rows--that of his
lordship. He was coming up a littlt
flight of stairs to where I stood. HI
moved the candles. making o small
passage. and came up to me.
You're brave man." said he, II
that low, careless tone Of his.
And you a coward" was my an
swer, for the sight Of him had made
me burn with anger.
Don't commit yourself on q poin
like that" said he. quickly. for, yol
know. we are not we'll acquainted.
like your pluck. and I offer you wha
is given to few here-an explanation"
He paused. lighting Q cigarette.
stood looking at him. The cold 20
likeness Of manner with which he hat
taken my taunt. his perfect self-mas
terry. filled me with wonder. He wal
no callow youth. that man. whoever
he might be. He was boring at tn
door with the end Of timber cant
Is he continued to address me.
Nov. look here" he went on. will
. little gesture Of his left hand. BE-
tween the fingers Of which a cigarette
was burning. you are now In tn
temple OF patriotic society acting Will
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