The Irish standard., 1915-06-12

utAlosl CouCcutIdIlOu VI tnOuSnC TO con-
vey to Charley the knowledge that II
was here. For about week I contin-
ued to do this and then gave over. II
believed all the time that it was absurd
and probably only went through these|
mental gymnastics for want of some-
thing else to do. Once as l awoke II
heard a slight thud somewhere in theI
long gallery as of something falling. II
did not attach any importance to it. II
thought it was a stalactite falling from|
the roof. However, after had break
tasted and played with my seals, II
thought l would explore that gallery
once more. Something might have fall
en- or been thrown in from the outer
world. Coming to the spot where II
had discovered the bones of animals,
and searching around in all directions,
I found something at which cried out
in passion of delight and joy. It was
one of the great brown soda cakes which
were such familiar spectacle morning|
and evening ON the family board at|
home. 1t was grievously bruised, crack
ed and capped, but nevertheless real
bona fide homemade cake. l felt at once|
that it was the result of my absurd ex-
pertinent. Perhaps Charley had thrown|
in another whose fall l had not heard.
searched again and was about to leave|
off when the light of my torch fell upon
large fragment Of second. The re-
mainder no doubt was lodged above in|
some cleft of the winding, rocky descent.
The delight with which consumed these
dainties may be imagined, but infinite
ly greater was the joy caused by the
consciousness that some one on the out
side, no doubt Charley, was aware of
my presence here.
In cutting that fragment of cake to
which have already referred my knife
seemed to be resisted by something I'M
usual. Looking for the cause. found
bit of paper, which, having unfolded, /
found to be letter to me from Char
ley. 1t ran as follows:
My DEAR JACK-I know that you are alive
and think that you are in the Devils Parlor.''
send you u loaf and hope it will do you good.
saw you quite clearly, but they said l was
dreaming. will send you cake once every
second day. Your affectionate brother.
CHAkLEs FIREMAN..
All doubt was now mt an end. Char
ley knew whereI was, and though they
called his vision dreaming saw at once
how could communicate with the up
per world and convince folks there OIL
my presence here. The cake had been
flung down mt 1880 in the morning. On
the second morning, long before this
hour, l was at the place and continued
to shout ut intervals. Half past pass
ed, 8, passed, but no sign came from
above and no cake. AS l afterward
learned, Charley had been sent away for
change Of air under the supposition that
his mind was deranged. l seemed now
as badly off as ever, and for some time
was in frame of mind in which, but
for tho seals, l might have killed my
self. The gayety, pranks and affection
OF these poor dumb creatures prevented
mo from utterly losing heart, and grad
ually my spirits returned, or rather my
fortitude and determination to endure
all that it might please God that should
endure rather than do deed SO cow
ardly and wicked. Like Robinson Cru
soc, of whom / often thought, remem-
bered that, though I had suffered and
might suffer a great deal, had also a
great deal to be thankful for. might
have starved miserably, whereas was
in an almost miraculous manner sup
piled with daily food, and instead of ut
ter and maddening solitude was blessed
with the society of these innocent, intel
ligent and atfectionate animals. They
would now wriggle and flap themselves
up the rock to my fire, and noticed
that whenever my mood was unusually
low they then particularly sought to at
tract my attention and provoke my ca
resses. called the big male Mr.. Jones, +
his mate, of course, Mrs. Jones, and the
infant Scamp. They knew their names
quite we'll. The little one, which was
the most teachable, even learned from
me many tricks, which gave me. in spite
OF my trouble, many a hearty laugh.
About this time had an increase in
my family. One day noticed at the en-
trance Of the assure which commune
Gated with the sea fourth pair of
round, wondering eyes. 1t represented
q strange seal, which Mr.. and Mrs.
Jones. by various motions and frolics,
seemed to be enticing into our society.
Confidence is plant of slow growth in
the breast of seal, and this seal was not
drawn inward by parental affection like
Mr.. and Mrs. Jones. However, not to
be too tedious, succeeded III provoking
the confidence and affection of this AMI
NAL also and subsequently Of others, so
that before my liberation l had in all
nine friends, while there were three
more shy ones, to which I was making
advances. was often surrounded by
The whole nine together and likened my
self to old Proteus, the old man Of the
sea, upon whom Ulysses pounced while
taking his siesta in the midst Of his
seals. I did not, however, at all remark
the very disagreeable odor which Homer
describes as arising from them. When
too many Of them came about me, Il
used to drive some back into the water,
for their smell, though by no means in |
tolerable, was not quite pleasant.
CHAPTER XXI.
ATTEMPTED ESCAPE VIA THE SEALS TUN- |
MEL.
OF course from the moment that II
became aware of the seals presence the
tbOupht naturally s,100este6 itself tn ma