The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1910-04-15
We've got TO be morin. M


Still gagged and somewhat dizzy,
King was hurried off into the narrow
mountain path. closely surrounded by
the FIVE men,
Inc silent. cautious march down the
valley. through the gap and along the
ridge carried them far into the night.
This much lie knew-they were in
the hills directly above the northern
gates. The vague. black shadow OF
lightless house doomed up before them.
In twinkling he was hustled across
the road and into door. then down
g fight Of stairs, through pitchy dark
ness. guided BY two Of the men,
whispered word Of advice now and
then from the Yankee saving him from
perlous stumbles. He was jerked up
sharply with a command to stand still
a light flashed suddenly in his face,
binding him for moment
Soon he saw that they were in
broad, bare cellar; three men in heavy
black boards were i'm earnest converse
ton with several of his captors; all
were gesticulatfng fercely.
him between puffs Of the pipe he was
struggling with. Here's where we
say goodby, young fellow. We turn
you over to these gents, whoever they
are. You 60 into the village gay with
these 'sWabs' by the sewer line, j
guess" Truxton pricked up his ears.
"The old man has had hole chopped
in the sewer here, they tell me, and it's
a snap to get into the city. Not very
clean or neat, but it gets you there.
Well, SO long! They're ready, I see.
They don't monkey long when they've
got thing to do.''
In another moment his guardianship
was transferred; he was being hurried
across the cellar toward an open door
way. Down a few stone steps he was
led by the bearded crew, land then
pushed through a hole in what ap-
peared to be heavy brick wall. He
realized at once where he was. The
gurgle Of running water came up to
him. 1t was the great sewer that ran
from the hills through the heart Of the
city, flushed continuously by a diverted
mountain stream that swept down
from above.
He did not know how long they
traversed the chill sewer. In time.
however, the water got deeper; rats
began to scurry along the sides Of the
circle or to swim frantically on in front
of the disturbers.
At last the strange journey ended
They came to niche in the Shiny wall.
Up into this the men climbed. The man
above was cautiously tapping on what
appeared to be solid masonry. To
Kings surprise a section Of the wall
suddenly opened before them. He was
seized from above by strong hands and
literally jerked through the hole. up
narrow steps and then into long, dim
ly lighted room, in the center of which
stood long table.
He was passed on into a small room
adjoining. Some one, speaking In Eng
lish, told him to sit down. The gag
was removed from his stiff. inf1amed
mouth.
"Fetch him some water" said
voice that he was sure he recognized
a high, querulous voice.
"Hello, Spantzr articulated Truxton.
turning to the black bearded. bent fig
ure.
There was an instant Of silence.
Then Spantz spoke, with a soft laugh:
"You will not know so much tomor-
row, Herr King. Give him water,
man. He cannot talk with a dry
throat"
King was pushed out into the larger
room, where he was confronted by
crowd of bewhiskered men and snaky
eyed women with most intellectual
nose glasses. It required but glance
to convince him that the whiskers
were false.
For nearly an hour he was probed
with questions concerning his business
in Edelweiss. Threats followed close
upon his unsatisfactory answers.
though they were absolutely truthful.
"We'll find q way to make you talk
tomorrow, my friend! Starving is not
pleasant"
"You would not starve me!' he cried.
mo. You will have the pleasure OF
starving yourself" said thin eyed
fellow whom he afterward knew as
Peter Brutus.
He was thrown back into the little
room. To his surprise and gratifica-
ton the bonds ON his wrists were re-
moved. .....
He found a match in his box and
struck it. There was no article Of
furniture. The floor was bare, the
walls green with age. A chimney hole
in the ceiling was perhaps the only
means by which fresh air could reach
this dreary place. Sleep was claiming
his senses He made a pillow of his
coat and stretched his weary bones
upon the relentless floor.
'No one will ever know" he MUIR
INJURED, his last waking thought being
OF dear one at home.