Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-08-25


But alas instead of broad shining
doorway, and open arms Of freedom
widespread for me to leap into, ! came
at last to a mere long narrow slit
through which | could gaze as q man
gazes through prison window ut the
sky.
The entrance had once been wide
and free, but II mass of rock had fallen
from above and blocked it up, leaving
only Il long crack through which the
tides passed to and fro.
| was Stlll in my trap; it seemed
more terrible than ever, now that
could see freedom 50 close, her very
voice calling TO me, singing the morn
lng song of the sea. But in the caverns
behind me, | heard another hooking
cheek, for death stood by my side
a-grin.
'"The treasure" he whispered, 81
need you 10 guard that. The treasure
you have riSkcd all to Wln--the treas
ure for which you have loSt--Your
treasure You cannot escape. Go back
and count your gold. 1T is all good
money! IIa. ha. 1T is al! good
money
The Illusion seemed 50 real 70 me
that l cried aloud Il Will not die!
will not die "--cricd it so loud, that
anyone in Il passing boat might have
heard me, and shuddered, wondering
what poor ghost it was wailing among
the rocks.
But the fright had done me good
and | nerved myself for another effort
If only | could wriggle past that CON
traction in the middle, | should be
safe. And If | stuck fast midway! But
the more | measured the width with
my eye. the less the narrowing seemed
to be. To be SO slightly perceptible, it
could hardly be enough to make much
difference. Caution whispered that 1t
might be enough TO make the differ
ence between life and death. But al
ready my choice of those two august
alternatives was so limited as hardly
to be called a choice. On the one
hand, l could worm my way back
throncA The caves and tunnels through
vE-ch | had passed, and try my luck
again at the other end
with half dozen matches :"
rneered voice that sounded like 70
biaS-"Precisely" and the hor-
ror of it was more than I dared face
again anyway. So there was nothing
for it but this aperture, hardly wider
than one of those deep stone Sits that
stood for windows in Norman castle.
1t was my last chance, and l meant
to take 1t like a man.
| stood for moment nerving myself
and taking deep hreaths as though l
expected to take but few more. Then,
my left arm extended, | entered side
wise, and began to edge myself along.
1t was easy enough for yard or two,
after which ii was plain that it was
beginning TO narrow. Very slightly In.
deed, but still little. However, could
still 90 on, and-I could still go back. |
went on--more slowly ii is true, vet
still | progressed. But the rock was
percephbly closer to me- I had TO
struggle harder. 1t was beginning TO
hug me-vcry gently--but it was be-
ginning.
| paused to take breath. | colld not
turn my head TO look back, but
judged that | had come over a third
Of the way. | was coming 40 to the
waist that ! had feared. but | could
still go On-vcry slowly, scar"e more
than an inch at every effort yet every
inch counted ana I had lots of time.
My feet and head We're froe~-which
was the main thing. Another good
push or two, and I should be at the
waist-should know my fate.
l gave the good push or two, and
the arms of the rock were
around me. Tight and close this time.
they Rugged me. They held me fast,
like II rude lover, ana would not lot
me 70. My knees and feet were fast.
and the walls on each side pressed my
checks. Ny head too WAS fast. +
could not move an inch forwartl--and
1t was too late to 60 back
Panic swept over me. felt that
my hair must be turning white. Pres.
entity ! ceased to struggle. But the
rocks held me in their giant embrace,
There was no need for me to do any.
thing. ! could 20 on resting thpre--
1t was very comfortable--till----
And then felt something touching
my feet. running away and then touch
ing them again. q Cod II was the
incoming tide 1t would And then
| prepared myself to die. suppose |
was light-hcndcd, with the strain and
the lack of food, for, after the first
panic, ! found myself drcamily, almost
luXuriously, making pictures of how
brave men had died in the pnst--hrave
women too. | fanced myself in one
nnd nnothe" situation. But the picture
that persisted was that Of the Con-
ciergere during the French revou.
ton.
Then the picture vanished as | felt
the swish of the tide round my ankles. |
1t would soon be up to my knees
1t was up to my knees--it was creep
ing past thcm--nnd It was making !
that hollow song in the caves behind !
me that had seemed so kind TO me |