Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-01-11
XlI-Continucd.

Ni' N'uI ihNIN' lH' cave ! 'iil"'
said Davies.
"Ycs. I'm sure ~ X" answered Don.
aid and he entered farther into its
rrccsscs. calling ida! Ida"
They began TO be alarmed. They
hurried from point to point. The cave
WIS q wide one, but tapcred, some dis.
tnncc back, into the neck Of n bottle
II seemed evident that Ida could not
have gone farther than this point.
"I}un back. Davies. and - If she
cant be outside" said Donald.
And, while he called, Davies took M
the search without. Donald waited in
terror. He did not dare 20 farther
into the cave just then,
Ten minutes later Davies returned.
A glance at his face told that his mis-
sion had been entirely frultless. They
looked at ench other.
There's light ahead" said Davies.
They proceeded cautiously. and sud
denly they came upon n little entrance
leading up from the sen. Close by
was the point around which MnCBeard
had disappeared IN his motorboat,
Davies saw Donald shaking with
mixed terror and rage. He stared out
hopclcssly toward the sea Then,
brushing past Davies without a word,
ne almost ran into the bottle neck Of
the interior. The MILDLY followed him.
The ground grew damp, the floor
seemed to descend abruptly. Davies
could hardly keep his feet. All at
once he heard Donnld's mufflcd voice
calling to him. He saw the squirt Of
81 match flame.
Ten PAGES farther Donald pulled
him back MS his foot slipped on the
edge Of a preCipIcc. Donald struck
another match and looked down.
Under them was the level Of the
ocean bed. They were upon the very
verge Of a prccipItous descent, Il sheer
wall having, however, natural foot
holds IT regular intervals.
Something white iluttering near
drew their attention. Donald picked
II up and held it out. 1t was Il wom-
ans handkerchief.
"She slipped here" began the little
MILDLY. but Donald took the words
from his mouth.
NO he cried furiously. "She was
caught In the cave by that ID
s%coundrcl MacBcard. He put his boat
In at the tiny Cove and came on her
from behind. And he's taken her
my God, he's taken her . That's
her message to me, that handkcr-
chief. ="
His voice grew incohcrcnt and he
broke down. Then he raised 1t in fu-
rious defamation.
But I'll follow that cur until | { diet"
he sworc. II may not rescue hcr-I
don't know, Davies, and | hardly dare
10 hope. But I'll stay here and give
my life"
He broke of suddenly, Il spasm
passed across his features, and all at
G he became completely calm once
more.
"No, | won't, Davies" he said. cts
my duty now to fly TO England with all
speed. You'll stay here and do what
you can. II may be very little, old
man, but we mustn't think of anything
but our jobs"
mo, sir" said Davies.
There wns nothing moro to he done
hut prepare for the journey. Donald
felt reasonably sure that the F51 WAS
safe against the herd. The terrific
upward pressure of the night had not
started Il riyet lying rs she was upon
the beach. she was unassailahle.
They filled her oil-tanks aud carried
The stores aboard. Then Donald filled
the gasoline tank Of the h~ydroplanc,
aud, entering, made Il short trial flight
out TO sea and back. The machine
was in perfect condition.
A grasp of the hand, and Donald
was gone upon his journey, From his
post in the coming tower Davies
watched the hydroplane rise and fall
10 the wind, and sweep into the dis.
lance, to dwiudlc and disappear.