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Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, April 11, 1894, Image 5

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The ruse nearly' gave him my life. For
an instant 1 thought I had him, aud my
whole being thrilled with unholy glee. But
the light in his eyes and my knowledge of
his crafty ways speedily put me on my
guard again and restrained my ill timed
exultation. Well for me that they did.
Scarcely had I recovered myself when
Abram ben Aden, with a great roar and
strokes that fell like lightning, charged
upou me,.pushing mo back and nearly run
ning in under my sword. But he had de
layed the onset just a second too long.
Uatl he made his rush immediately on the
heels of his ret ?vat, I had been a dead mau.
But ho tock too much pains lo mislead me.
D?ception had o'erleaped itself and opened
my eyes.
But be was quickly to make amends for
his mistake in tactics. Ho had been a sav
age before. His failure turned him into a
liend. Hissword sang in my cars like a nest
of hornets, and he sceine-ei to be striking
from all paints at once. Overborne by
an onslaught that was thc very fury of
the pit, I went steadily back, though ex
erting all my strength and skill. Abram
ben Aden had got his second wind, which
was stronger than the first, while 1 was
done. The end must be at hand.
This curdling thought had just been
forced upon mo, whe-u in one of our most
furious moments my antagonist's sword
broke without, warning in his baud. My
blood loaned afresh at the sight, and I must
have swelled with thc idea of vengeance.
Now in very truth I had him, for he could
not escape. With a despairing cry upon
the name-of Allah, he threw up bis hands
as if expecting to be instantly dispatched.
And indeed my sword was in the air to
cleave him in two, but thy blow never fell.
Even with all my passions aflame I could
cot take such advantage of a defenseless
man.
MI have bioken your sword," I said in a
hearse rattle; "now I will break your
neck," and dropping my weapon I sprang
at him. Ti.o next instant wo were- reeling
in deadly wrestle; He was a grown man,
strong, sinewy and uncommonly active. 1
was but a stripling, soft of bone and mus
cle; yet my hands were no sooner about
him than I knew which of us was master.
"We rolled and swayed to and fro, I doing
my best to squeeze and shako the wind out
of him, and he striving like the foul fiend
to get at my throat, but my hold was firm
if my breath should be short, and besides 1
was at familiar exercise, whereas tue game
must have been strange to him.
When I judged the wind to be pret ty well
out of him, I drew him close to me with a
sudden jerk, my elbows hard on his ribs,
my left knee at the point of Lis right log;
Mien carefully maintaining the bearlike
embrace while putting forth my whole
streng'h I bent him back, andhe turned
over like a willow sapling: Then, clutching
his throat and tue lower part of his body
before he could recover, I lifted him high
in the air aud brought him down with all
sny might on the edge of the bulwark: He
yelled ii; fright and pain that Iiis bock was
broken, but it was dt at h or nothing. In an
instant he was up ; gain; but finding him
limp ar d listlet ? in my hands, instead pf
bringing him down with a second crash I
cast him from mc, and he fell into thc sea
with a .-plash like a log.
CHAPTER XU.
nciiTixe; ron r:n: i;oorr.
I took no heed whetiier he sank or swam,
ncr indeeel so much as ci t, a glance after
him, but turning quickly ou my heel
picked up my crimson sword, wiping it
roughly on a coil of rope that lay handy.
Then, making my best salaam to the pirate
leader, and speaking as well as a blown
man might, I said: "You have graciously
granted my prayer and the satisfaction for
which my soul yearned; in token of sub
mission and gratitude I now sheathe my
sword in sight of all." And suiting the
action to the word, I shot the weapon into
its steel scabbard with a clash that could
be heard ali over the ship. Tiiecl.ivfbG-.vod
grimly iii return, but without speaking a
word; thee, courtesies being at cn end, he
gave the command and the loot ing began.
Leaning against the companion bead, I
watched thc wild rush and scuffle for a
miuute, but being greatly hustled and buf
feted and fe,.'.;..g faint besides, I tottered
to a secluded ?mer, where I sunk wit!: a
reeiing sensation on the deck. Huddled
there pretty much like a bundle of discard
ed clothes, I mopped myface and tried to
discover the sources of the many streams
of blood that .scorned to ooze and trickle
allover my body. There was perhaps DO
great effort made to stanch the flow, for I
was far enough gone to be careless. What [
did it matter!! Might I not quietly pant
out my life there and beeione with it? And
eveu whiie the thought was in my mind
the brightness of the sun was suddenly
overcast ;:.s by the duskiness of death, and
the clamor of the robbers died away ia my
ears.
I suppose 17nust have been some time in
this state of collapse when the brig grated
harshly on the bottom, careened slightly,
lurched and lay over, fast aground. The
queer grating sensation, as of thc pricking
of a million small fins, aroused me, and I
staggered half awake to my feet. The first
thing I saw was Abram bon Aden being
hauled dripping by two men into a boat,
I rubbed my (-y. s wondering how he came
to be in need cf help or to have companions
to render it,'and finding no answer called
out os lustily as I could: "Hello! What's
the matter there!-"
He heard and looked up. At sight of me
'~t?ro fire of hell sprang anew into his black
eyes and his thin features gathered ina
vengeful scowl. Then my wandering wita
bi . to return, bringing a remembrance
of what had happened.
I should Lave- fallen into the sea but for
the support of the bulwark. In a dizzying
turmoil of feelings I laid hold, with trem
bling hands, to keep my elf up, ni}* eyes
fast on the distorie i face of Abram ben
Aden.
"God! man, are ye much hurt?" I asked,
scarcely knowing what I said. "We're a
pair of fools," I added, laughing and cry
ing together.
But either he did not hear mc or ho was
beyond speech, for Ls only cast a look as if
to say he wished he hod my ia art out, and
slipped into the boat, which hill him from
my view.
I was fain to sit down again, my back
propped against thc vessel's*side, and
breathe myself. Tho commotion of spirit j
brought fi fresh gush of blood, which j
bathed hack and chest in a warm stream.
Set what I had just- seen occupied me more !
than my wounds. Indeed, forgetting both I
them and the evil storm cloud on Abram
ben Aden's conn; -. !; nee, 1 fell only an nil
pervading joy at seeing him alive again.
For now, being past thongli s of vengeance
and much too weak to nave heart for
slaughter, I realized in some measure what
a disquieting thing it. is to face the great
last reckoning with the blood of a fellow
creature on your head.
I hoped that the man whom I bad so
lately and so desperately striven to kill
might live, even were it only to finish m.".
And I sure I should have smiled inanely,
who knows but i may have beamed in wel
come, if he had suddenly appeared, sword
in hand, and intimated that my time was
come. Xo doubt my mood of Christian
meekness and charity was due to the ci
cumstance that nature was perilously near
yielding in any case. I suspect the worst
of US are pious when lacking thc pith to
bc nnyt biog elsi-.
Bevivin'g a little presently. I began to
think of my own life (since no one elfie
seemed to desire it specially just then) and
exerted all my surgical skill aud ingenuity;
They were not much, mid they wi ro left
unaided. Lying there in the midst of a
crowd, no one inquired about my hurts; no
one offered help; rio one, in fact, cared a
straw whether I lived or died. The plun
dering went on with much noise and not a
little quarrel im:, and if the plunderers
came near it was only to curse at me for
being in the way.
Perhaps thc? could not have adoDted
-5 ft f
?onyright, 1S93, by John Alexander Steuart.!
more effective' means of dispelling i
lethargy. There are times when a kit
literal or metaphorical, is tho very bi
touic that can be administered. The rou
behavior ot the pirates pricked me to a v
orous self interest that no process of sooi
ing or doctor:iig could have induced. 1
savage oaths and savager looks were to i
spirit what t.:e grindstone is to the kuifi
they turned listlessness and dullness to
activity that had an edge of auger a
some possibility of retaliation. The fi
result of this new found energy was t
thought that to crouch there aud bleed
death was mc>t assuredly not the part OJ
man. So iva'cbing my opportunity, for t
cbmpanionw; y was mostly blocked wi
thieves, 1 went below to finish my dressir
Fortuu: telyniy wounds, though maki
so gory a show, were neither deep nor dc
gerbils. But it was wonderful in how ma
points Abram ben Aden had touched nc
moro wonderful still that having succeed
so far he had not succeeded farther.
Returning ou deck presently, swathed
handkerchiefs and stray pieces of cloth, ai
strengthened by 10 grains of Mr. Watsor
quinine, I discovered we were willi
sight ol land. A stretch of shallow, bin
green water ran away to a sandy beach th
ended abruptly in iron cliffs, which su
gested hardness aud barrenness beyond.
"What is the land:'" I asked one of tl
corsair?, pointing shoreward.
"Thou shalt know soon enough," ]
snarled, and concluding that perhaps ti
fellow was right I put no more questions.
Meanwhile the unloading of thc br
went on apace. A score of small boats 1:
round her to receive the plunder, and son
SO or 40 men swore on her decks and ra
aged h^r held. They quarreled incessan
ly, shouting, pushing, kicking, brandis!
ing knives and cutlasses and pouring ot
curdling maledictions and threats that to
less fervid race could mean nothing sho;
of an instant intention to revel in bloo!
but never staying the main operations t
settle personal disputes.
Islam has a Koran which straitly forbid
thieving, yet the Arab is by instinct an
example a thief. A pattern of piety whe
there happens to be no chance of profitabl
roguery, saintly in his observances of prc
scribed ceremonials inside a mosque c
when he has leisure for prayers outside,
loud talkerabout the duty of obedience t
God and the prophet, he is the very fiowt
cf brigands anti bandits when lie can si
direly lay Lands on another man's good;
Xor does he heed discipline more than n
ligion, for whatever deference he may prc
fess for authority pillage t ransforms Iiii
into a rebel.
Xo sooner hod the band about me got t
work than it was a howling, disorganize
mo!), regardless alike of leader, order an
unity of interest.
Civil;::, ii :: I aches the value of concerl
cd action. Thc barbarian lacks the art t
understand the uso cf combination i
crime. The art and policy of a judiciou
division of spoils are beyoud him. Const
quently in that sc?ne of clamorous conten
lion each roicuesimply s i/.ed and mudo o?
with what he could gather, defending hi
booty willi tooth .iud claw after the mau
ncr of his fellow savages, the wolf am
tiger. Standing idly by 1 took a grim de
light in noting how they thwarted and hin
tiered themselves and what time anden
ergy they devoted to bootless scuf.ling.
As the cargo diminished the struggli
grew hotte r and the hubbub louder. Curse
and recriminations rose shrill and fierce
faces were black and swollen with avarice
eyes ablaze with anger, aud I really
thought the thing would, end in a Hood o
gore.
"Wouldst thou have all, O son of a dog
and leave none to me?" "I will let thy lift
out ere parting with an ouuee weight t(
thee." "May Azrael [the augel of death,
seize thee and drag thee to perdition, thot
foul thief." "Calamity make thy leg bare.'
"May scorpions eat thy he-art out, thou un
just man." "Malee [the keeper of hades
have thee eternally in his keeping." "Maj
thy hands rot for their greediness, O most
wicked of robbers." "Mayest thou souths
in the fiery flood," such were some of tin
cries v. iih which tho pillagers carried oi
their scramble.
In tho midst of thc strife, when the tu
mult was al itsheigbtandthe company sc
intent on ci .itching and tearing n oni ead
other that they had no eyes for anything
ei^e, suddenly there rang out a start ?ed cr;
that sent burdens rolling on thc deck and
hands gripping in girdles fur pistol or blade
"Enemy, enemy!" yelled a man who
chanced to look out to sea, and sure enough
there, less than a tenth of a league oil, were
two large boats full of men coming swiftly
toward us under the combined impulsion
of sail and oar. Perhaps a sixth of a league
beyond these rode at anchor a vessel of
strange rig and build, from which it was
plain they had come.
The crew on board the Bird of Paradise
acteti with the valor of surprised thieves.
Evidently of the mind that half a loaf is
better than no bread, many of them leaped
into the boats alongside and tried to make
off with what booty they had managed to
secure. But before they could get away
the strangers were among them, and in a
twinkling half the boats were floating keel
irv It was surprising to see the rapidity
with which boat after boat canted over
and emptied its contents, human and in
animate, into the sea. A push, the touch
of an oar, a jerk on bows or stern seemed to
do it. But skill always gives an idea of
ease, and it was plain the present performers
were playing familiar parts.
The fellows in the water spluttered, bel
lowed and threatened, but as the tongue
was the only weapon they were able to use
wrh any freedom, their opposition scarce
counted as a hindrance. The strangers laid
about them with their oars wich such vigor
and dexterity, such lightninglike quick
ness and precision, that ere one could say
the thing had well begun hardly a beat re
mained right side up.
Having worked confusion in the water
thc conquerors came clambering over the
sides of the brig, their ugly crooked swords
in their teeth and a light in their eyes that
was uglier thi.n the gleam of their steel.
There was a pretense of resistance by the
remainder of the first comers, but before
there was any chance of slaughter they
were dodging about t he deck and playing
hide and seek about the masts.
At this signal of surrender weapons were
put up with a promptness that would have
astonished one entirely ignorant of Arab
ways, and with one accord all hands-first
comers and last alike-fell to the ol 1 game,
only 'hat now instead of being lowered into
boats the goods were thrown into the sea,
which was soon quickly mottled with bales
and boxes. It did not take long to relieve
the- brig of bei car^'o, and as soon as the
last bale was overboard the robbers follow
ed it to continue the scrimmage outside.
For me who remained on tho brig there
was no lack of entertainment. There was
exhilaration amounting at times toa pleas
urable excitement in watching the nimble
ness and straits of the combatants and the
frequency with which, booty changed bonds.
The incidents were often such as would
have made- a crowd of spectators on shore
roar with delight. Now there would bea
knot of men inextricably entangled as it
might seem,and just as you thought the lot
must go down together a lucky boat would
dart clear. Then there would be exciting
pursuit and capture, or the runaway, giv
ingall its.ittcution to ?ts pursuers,would
rush into the clutches of a skirmisher lying
in wait on the outskirts.
Again a cluster ol' boats would be locked
into a sort of pontoon bridge, which would
sway and rock for awhile till in the energy
of thc action it would suddenly tilt or ca
reen, pitching men and goods into the wa
ter. Or again two men wrestling would
lose their balance and turnover like re
volving buoys, to come up blinking, splut
tering and streaming at the mouth as if
they were automatic pumps. Then, shak
ing themselves roughly like a couple of
drenched do::s, they would probably close
again to rep at the same diverting per
formance. THUS the sport went on with
endless variety of incident, and no blood
shed that I could see to mar the enjoy
ment.
By degrees the combatants drew away
from me, for besides the tendency of such
a battle to spread the ebbing tide was carry
ing the waves out to sea, making it neces
sary to follow them It was clear the last
comers were getting most of the spoil. A
few of the others, dodging and watching
their chance, managed to make off, carry
ing freight for ballast, but the frequent
trips to and fro between the center of war
and the anchored ship told where most of
the plunder was going.
There are no reapers with a tithe of the
energy and speed of pirates. In spite of the
time wasted in useless contention, in spite
of races, captures, somersaults and the
thousand and ono egregious hindrances,
indulged in as might almost appear from a
spirit of sheer frivolity, the harvest was
quickly gathered, and very soon the only
floating objects to be seen were the ship
with her boats near at hand and in the dis
tance other boats running for life with the
tide.
As the diversion declined my mind natu
rally reverted to my own miserable condi
tion. What was to become of me? Was I
to be left to my own devices with a strand
ed ship and no commons? And if so, what
should I do? Should I make my way
ashore and risk the savageness of man and
beast or remain on the brig to await de
velopments?
While I was thus thinking and debating,
aboat put off from thepirateship and came
toward me. Coming alongside its crew
climbed on board the brig, and judging it
best to be civil I received them with a pro
found salaam and a cordial marhaba, or
welcome. I might have saved my pains.
Instead of returning my salutation tho
leader came forward with drawn sword,
demanding to know whether there was any
treasure on board and int'raating that if
he caught me in a lie my throat would be
cut on the spot. I assured him that I
knew of no treasure, but invited them to
search for themselves since there might be
secret recesses in the ship that I had not
discovered.
"Tho'i shalt be guide," said the fellow,
"and, as thou valuest thy life, a true one.
Perhaps thou knowest the taste of steel."
I meekly complied, conducting them
faithfully into every corner above and be
low, for the fear of death gives wondrous
fidelity. They examined very deliberately
as they went along, probing with their
sword pc:P*s into dark recesses and sound
ing with the hilts the boards for concealed
chambers, sometimes even kicking furious
ly in their fits of chagrin as time passed
and no discovery was made.
Their bad humor showed itself also in an
ugly inclination to hold me responsible for
their ill luck. They would spurt out angry
questions about the former occupants of
the brig, and before I could reply turn
upon me with menaces that more than once
fairly brought my heart to my mouth. One
fellow, muttering that I was playing the
innocent just a little too much, thrust at
rae ferociously with his sword, saying that
if I did not wish to be cut in two I had bet
ter make a clean breast of it. Fortunately
he was not close enough to do damage, and
on my answering him, with a fervency that
must have carried conviction to the heart
of a stone, that I knew no more than he
did, he passed on with a curse on my stu
pidity and blindness.
Feeling their way foot by foot and tak
ing nothing for granted, they went over the
whole interior of the ship-hold, forecastle,
cabin, officers' quarters and all-question
ing, contradicting, threatening, and every
minute getting more and more frightful
with looks of disappointment and rage.
My poor belongings they scattered like
chaff, appropriating what they considered
worth carrying away and effectually dis
posing of tho remainder by cutting and
tearing it into shreds aud then throwing
the rags into the sea. Beside my clothes
they took all my weapons (save a pistol I
had hidden) and all the ammunitiop they
could find, but by good chance I was able
to save my mother's Bible and Duncan's
pipes and Isabel's two bunches of white
heather, treasures which, as you may sup
pose, were almost as my lifo to me. To
this were added some powders and pills
left by Mr. Watson. The rifling done, I
was peremptorily ordered on deck, and I
ascended alone.
This arrangement puzzled mc.ibut I was
soon enlightened. In a few minutes a thiu
column of smoke curled up through the
afterhatch; then another rose farther for
ward, then another and another till the
several volumes spread and blended into a
thick cloud.
I was sorry to see the brig's fate sealed
in this way. We had been friends long,
and she had saved me when there was no
hope. But what could I do to save her?
When the fire had got a sufficient hold to
insure its speedy victory, the incendiaries
reappeared, and one of them pointing with
his sword to the boat alongside growled
that I might get iu. In au instant I was
down and crouching meekly in the bows,
where I was likeliest to be out of the way.
The others followed quickly, and we rowed
away, leaving the Bird of Paradise in a
sheet of flame. Almost in the same mo
ment my company of rats sprang into the
water and struck out gallantly for the
shore. In spite of fear I could not help
giving them a hearty "well dono" for fare
well.
CHAPTER Xni.
IX THE HAKDS OF TnE PIRATES.
Immediately on boarding the Arab ves
sel we hove up anchor, set sails and flew
away to sea, with a smart breeze on our
port quarter. The ship was a queer one,
but it was soon proved that, however odd
in appearance, she was an uncommonly
swift and graceful sailor. She carried three
masts, lateen sails and a jib. The fore and
mainmasts were without tops or topgal
lants, and of course without caps or cross
trees. The long, slender hull was jet black,
and, what was strangest of all, the upper
deck was sharply convex, with level grat
ings running round the sides. The convex
ity, as I afterward discovered, was meant
to make a ready way for water to the scrap
pers, or in times of stress for blood, while
the gratings, by obviating the slant, made
the footing firm, a matter of importance in
storm or action. She carried no colors, nor
did any inscription, such as ships usually
bear, give a hint of her port or nationality.
Finally, though light, she was well armed.
[The vessel was the dreaded Xebec, the ter
ror of the high seas when Algerine corsairs
flourished, and still of evil repute on the
coasts of Arabia.]
Every stitch of her ocherous canvas was
crowded on, and beautifully she swept
along, keeling and dipping under the belly
ing sails, the bright green water swishing
from her gleaming sides and the snowdrift
flying from her fore foot in a way that
would have made pleasure seekers dance
for joy. Even I felt the gladness of the
rushing, arrowy motion, though, on the
whole, the speed was more ominous than
inspiring, seeing what a doubtful dance
mi?ht end the trip.
Thc fairaiu of dark uncertainty was some
what relieved by the diversion of studying
the crew, who were a living epitome of the
fashions, past and current, of pretty nearly
all the nations of the earth. Probably no
company of equal size ever displayed a like
variety of costumes. Assuredly none could
be on more distant terms willi tailor and
laundress. It was impossible to say which
gave the greater distinction-the diversity,
the dirt or tho tatters.
There were Ar.-.b shirts reaching to the
ankle. Indian turbans, Syrian combazes,
European jerkins, top boots, jerseys, hats
and frock coats, Persian gowns, breeches of
ali known cuts and countries in every de
gree of foulness, in every Rtageof decay and
r;!Lrr,vdne=s-all jumbled together ni if some
malicious artist had tried what effects of
incongruity and grotesqueness, what out
rages on taste and decency, he was capable
of achieving.
The captain, as the chief personage on
board, was naturally the most conspicuous
example of the ridiculous. He was elab
orately arrayed in a steeple beaver, strongly
suggestive of the defunct missionary in
spitt! of its jaunty ostrich plume and tar
Dished silver band; a coarse woolen shirt,
smeared like a hog in autumn; a leathern
girdle, from which depended a sword, a
brace of pistols and a crooked dagger full
of significant purple stains; Turkish trou
sers that had originally been crimson, but
were now of more hues than the maker of
Joseph's coat ever dreamed of; a pair of
red boots that must once have shed their
Splendor on state assemblies nnd gather
ings of grandees, and sashes enough of va
rious colors to furnish a regiment of i-heiks.
The decorations were thickestin thc rear.
Indeed when the gallant captain turned
his back it might seem ho was clad in por
ous plasters patched with canvas ?tee?^
""in piten, so neavy were tue incrust?ndose
tar, grenso, paint and other adhesivo sub-' I
stances. No sense of absurdity, however,
disturbed his serene self consequence. He '
paced the deck with as proud a step, ashien,
and keen a look, as if he were an admiral of
the fleet in faultless uuiform and the evi
dence of a hundred victories blazing on his
breast, seldom condescending to any famil
iarity with those about him, never with
mo, huddled iii my corner.
We tore along at an incredible rate and
were soon beyond sight of land, though for
a good while the smoko of the burning
brig showed our starting point. Whither I j
we were bound I could not guess and durst
not ask. I was free to conjecture, if I
Eleased, that our course was for some happy
aven not far off, though appearances
rather suggested we were scouring the sea
for prey.
By and by we hauled our wind and began
to fetch in a backward direction. But wo
had not gone a league when we bounded off
on another tack, and for the next hour or
two we tacked and changed so frequently,
running close hauled as if for our lives and
dropping off as if in sheer perversity, that
I completely lost my reckoning.
It was wonderful how that strangely
built ship behaved, how sensitive she was
to thc gentlest pressure of the helm, how
clean, quick and graceful were all her
movements and how she rushed on her
course when she got her head. In?spite of
rather rough seamanship, only once did
she make a mistake. Through a too hasty
luff she happened to come dead into the
wind's eye, and for the space of a second
she hung in irons with loose sails. She
seemed to shake herself with vexation, like I.1
a highly spirited horse thrown on its 11
haunches without reason, turned quickly
half round, caught the wind again, and
then, with her yellow wings spread to their
utmost, went skimming along like a sea 11
bird.
It was now well on in the afternoon. Thc
sun, though scorchingly hot, was near our
level, and the water was deepening in pur
ple and crimsou. I was begiuning to think
we were to have a night at sea, when the
captain gave the order to put the helm
hard down. We swung round and sped on
a landward course, sailing free and very
swift.
"We shall make land a good hour ere
sundown," said thc captain to his chief of
ficer, giving mo the first authentic informa
tion of the day.
By this time my faculty of curiosity had
lost its edge, but at tho mention of land I j
sat up to keep a lookout, and in less than J
an hour wo sighted the shore. Its general \
character resembled that of the part we
had left earlier in the day, though I soon | 1
Baw we were not returning to tue death
scene of the luckless Bird of Paradise. In
stead of a shallow beach the water ranci?se
to high rocks, penetrated by ragged gorp?s,
into which the sea flowed. Xo port, town
or human habitation was to be seen. But
that, all things considered, was not surpris
ing.
We shot into a narrow opening under thc
darkening brows of lofty cliffs, and imme
diately the sails fell together with a flap.
Almost before they ceased fluttering they
were in and furled. Then a boat was low
ered, half a dozen steel sinewed men got
into it and rowed, pulling the ship by a
cable. Light and of small draft, she fol
lowed easily, and in half an hour or so, aft
er manifold windings, we came to a rude
jetty hewn, as it appeared, out of the solid
rock. Here we disembarked, thc vessel be
ing made fast to a rough stone pillar.
As we leaped from thu bulwarks to the
ledges of rock that formed the pier my
heart beat quickly with conjecture and ap
prehension, for it was plain that a crisis
was at hand. To guess what it might be
was enough to make the stoutest tremble.
The black precipices, tho yawning caverns
and hoarse roar of warri ny waters were of
evil suggestion, but of far darker import
than any menaceor ugliness of nature were
thc lowering faces of my companions.
These men had shown during the day by a
hundred expressive tokens that they resent
ed my presence among them, and now I fan
cied I caught them casting sidelong looks
at one another, then at their weapons, then
atme, as if settling by such glances of in
telligence the manner of getting rid of me.
With quaking limbs and the worst fore
bodings I fell into lino at the bidding of the
captain, and we struck, single file, into
a craggy path, at its best no broader than a
sheep run in the highlands and in places so
narrow as scarcely to afford foothold for a
weasel. Looking upward from the bottom
one could not imagine how it scaled the 1
darkening precipices that frowned upon us t
in vast swellings and j Uttings with the sav- '
age, solitary pride of the inaccessible. If the
ascent did not prove utterly impossible, it
was because every man of us had the feet
of a goat and the sinews and agility of a
monkey.
Our ribbon of a path wound in crazy coil
ings and twistiDgs, now rising vertically in I f\
steps higher than our beads, now dropping j J<
treacherously at a critical point, ceasing
suddenly and again appearing beyond some
?ierilous projection that a chamois would
?ardly have attempted to pass. Often we
had to go on our hands and knees, scraping
with toes and clutching with finger nails
as we crawled over some slippery mass,
like ants on the polished knob of a glacier,
or scrambled up a jagged rock, the point of
which cut and rent like sharpened flints, or
slid down, faco inward, ewico our own
length to a scarcely perceptible crevice,
forming a fresh starting point.
I was a hunter and knew what it was to
tread dizzy ways. I had followed the fox
to his lair when the hounds had Utrned
tail and robbed the eagle's eyrie when the
hardiest of my companions stood holding
his breath ia awe. But the self possession
and free spirit of audacity which prompted
to such hazards and gave them relish were
utterly gone. To speak the truth I shiv
ered like one suddenly taken with an ague.
It was not 1 he terror of the place alone
that appalled me. To go leaping and
scrambling on A hair line along the brink of
a tumbling, hissing gulf that sent the
spumes of its wrath high up in clouds, with
no outlook or hope ?f escape, was indeed
disconcerting enough, yet scarcely of itself
sufficient to ^ake tho heart out of a bora
mountaineer. The tremors and shakings,
the alternate spasms of heat and cold, were
due-I trust it is not cowardly to confess
it-not to the threatenings of cliff and
chasm, but to tho hostile weapons that
gleamed in front and rear and might at
any moment be dyed in my blood.
How easy it would be to prod me there
and send me toppling mortally wounded
into the abyss, to be ground as between
millstones at tho bottom! A sudden stab
in the back, a push, a giddy, headlong fall,
and the deed would be done, and no word
of it need ever get to the outside world.
More than once, as my mind dwelt on tin?,
I clung to the rocks shuddering like a child
in mortal fright. The grewsomeness of the
situation was enhanced, too, by thc eerie
shadow of light. Here and there buttress
and jutting promontory flushed into rose
and shone in gold and amethyst, but these
points of radiance only gave a hideous I a
emphasis to the prevailing gloom of the H
gorge. They were like the ghastly mock
eries of a world I had once known, but p
was never to know again.
I nm no judge of how long or how far
we had struggled when upon turning n
sharp angle we came upon an open space, or
circular ledge of the dimensions of a small
room. Here wo stopped, our sides heaving
like the flanks of a spent hound, and the
best of us glad to breathe himself.
Whether by accident or the unsuspected
design of those about me, I stood ou the
outer rim, the veiyedge of the wall thal
fell 50 fathoms sheer, the surging, unsound
ed depths beneath. Under that unaccount
able species of fascination which lures a
man to gaze on the horrible and awful, I
bent forward and looked into the block pit
at my feet. With aswimmiug head I drew
bac't to feel myself seized roughly from
behind. An icy sensation thrilled through
nie, I gave a groat gasp, and my knees
knocked violently together. The fearful
moment I bad been anticipating had come.
They bandaged my eyes and bound my
hands to my sides, and thus made helpless,
left me standing. 1 shut my lips tight and
my eyes also, although they were covered,
and awaited the fatal thrust and giddy
whirl into space. Not a word was spoken.
I heard the rustle of garments and I he rat
tle of arms, and away below the sullen,
muffled voice of the sea, but other sound
there was none. The ill boding xi len CC waa
more terrifying than the menacing tongues
of a hundred enemies. Ii. was tho very ex
tremity of torture to have my captors make
their arrang. menta for disposing of mo
with such stculthv secrecv.
EE CONTHTUKD.]
AS A SPECBFIC. ??
Become afflicted and remain so, suf
fering untold miseries from a sense
ot delicacy they cannot overcome.
BRADFIELB'S FEMALE REGULATOR,
by stimulating and arousing to
healthy action all her organs,
r ACTS
.It causes health to bloom on the
cheek, and joy to reign throughout
the frame. It never fails to cure.
The Best Medicine ever Made for Women,
"My vAfa has been under treatment of leading
physicians three years, wit/tvut benefit. After using
threebotUes of JSradjUid's Female Jiegtilator
alie can do her own cooking, milking and washing.^
N. S. BRYAN, Henderson, Ala.
BRADFIELD REGULATOR CO., Atlanta, Ga,
Bold by Cmgcists at $1.00 per bottle.
WOOD'S PIIOSPHODINE,
Tbo Great English Remedy.
Promptly nnd permanent
i ly cures ali forras of Nervous
i Weakness, Emissions, Sperm
latorrhea. Impotency andall
rjl'ects of AIniae or j'.xcestes.
Peen proscribed over 35
years !n thousands of casts;
ls th c o ii /y Ilcliabic and Ein
est llediclno knoten. Ask
Idrugglst for WOOD'S P?OS
ITIODINE; if ho oilers somo
worthless rrcdlelno lnpUco
if this, leavo hi1} dishonest storn, inclose price in
otter, and wo will sond by return mall. Price, ono
mckage. 81; six. $5. One tcill please, siz will cure.
'amphlctln pl Mn sealed envelope, 2 B tamps.
Address THi: WOOD CHEMICAL CO.,
131 Woodward avenue, Detroit. ?Ilea.
&BF~ Sold in Edgefield by G. L
'enn tfc .Son and druggists everywhere
Jieforc and *1?er.
. V
Prof. E. W. Smith, Prln. Commercial College
>f Ky. University, Lexington, Ky., waa awarded
MEDAL AND DIPLOMA
BY THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
For System of Booli-kceplnj? and General
nnsineaw Mdnratlnn. etc Cost to complete
Justness Course about jao. Including tuition,booka
ind board. Phonography, Type Writing and
fclecraphy taught. For circulars, address,
kV. B. S?EITIl, President, Lexington, Ky.
CACTIO?*.-If ^ dealer offer? W. L.
Do upi cs >hoos nt a. reduced prior, or nays
fco hau them without name mumped on
bottom, ?mt Iii ru down as a fraud.
BEST IN
_ THE WORLD.
W. L. DOUGLAS Shoes arc stylish, easy (lt.
tin:r, and give belter satisfaction nt the prices ad
vertised than any other make. Try oncjiair and
be convinced. The stamping of w. L. Douglas'
name and price on thc bottom, which guarantees
their value, saves thousands of dollars annually
to those who wear them. Dealers who pmh the
sale of \V. L. Douglas Shoes gain customers,
which helps to increase thc sales on Ihcir lull line
ofgood^. They can alTord to sell st a icssprofir,
and we liclicvc you can save moncv hv huyinj?aii
your footwear of tho dealer advertised below.
Catalogue free upon application. Address
TV. 1. DOUGLAS? Brockton, Masa. Sold b?
J". O O -B S
ED GE FI ELD, 8. C.
CAN I OBTAIN A PATENT? Fora
rompt answer r.nd an honest opinion, writo to
I i NN ?t CO.. who have hail nearly Hf ty years'
rpcrience tn the patent business. Comrounica
ons strictly conlidcntlal. A Iiuiuibook of ln
jrniation concerning Patents and.how to ob
tin them sent free. Also a catalogue of mcchan
:al and scientilic books scut free.
Patents taken throoffh Munn & Co. receive
iccial notice in the Scientilic American, and
JUS aro brought widely before tho public with
al coit to the inventor. This splendid paper,
isued weekly, elegantly lllust rater), bas by far tho
irscst circulation of any scientific work in the
orld. S3 a year. Sample copies sent free,
nulldlnc Edition, monthly. Rio a year. Slng'o
spies, ito cents. Every number contains boau
i ul plate9, in colors, and photographs of new
ouses. with plans, enabling builders to show the
liest desltms and secure contracts. Address
MUNN & co., NEW youK, a?i ?UOADWAY.
TOWN TOPICS,
?Che Journal oj Society,
2 PAGES.) . (THUniiDAY.)
KEW YORK.
Is university .fecognlxc'l os tbo mec?; completo
meekly Jour ia: I: i the world,
its "Saun tells pt" columns are bUmttaolt. Il?
oclcty newf. ( sj; .dally ur the ftoloirs of tbe it?)l I m.'
tew York, Hcnt>'n, PuilailelpMM, Chicano, and o.ll
ver the wori 1, ii not quailed by ary llewppaMir.
ts Financial Department lt nutbcnly with on
lankers and bro tera, its "I.hermy S&JW"-niIttS
n current lltrrttluro- ia by UM cleverest of wv
lewirs. Its "Afield und Afloat*1 nmkes lt t?io
aost Interesting paper for rll hivers or sport
acht lng, football, rowing shooting, flihlng, uto.
ts "On the Turf" excels all oiher racing notes. Lin
lUrlelques. poems and Jokes are the cleri-rest. ho
tories are ky the liest writers-anions them Arti Hilo
lives, F. Menton Crawford. Julian Hawthorne.Ed HW
'awcett, Gilbert Parker, Mary J. Hr.wker f'LaJtM
'alcorier"), Burry Pnln, Paul Bourget, Rudjurd
tlpllng, Ambrose Bierce, etc.. etc.. and ore. ov>) li li
trifle risque, yet always clever, bright tina pr? Hf.
without coarseness or anything to uffend the tami
eflned and moral woman. In t.tirlltlon to all lihts
herc ls each wt ck a suppl?ment, portrait, la col jrs.
f some man eminent lu lils trais of Ute.
rales From'Ma Topics
Quarterly, first day o' March, June, September,
leccmber; ZV> pages: 12.no. Contains In each
lumber, In mlilltio-.i tc short stories, poems, bar*
ssques,etc., from theol.l issues c r TOWN TOPICS, a
omplcte, original prlXO story of ISO to 150 pages.
No one who enjoys thc hi.-ln-st class ot llctlon, and
rouid be aweounmt with nil that pertains to good
oclety, can alford to tic without TOWN Tories every
reek. There ls so much Interesting reading In lt
nd In thc "Tales," that a club sul-scrlptlon to both
rill supply any family WltlrtHmndnnt reading of the
lost entertaining character ntl the year.
RATES:
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lon for three months, Hi .00, and a specimen copy
f "Talcs" Tree.
Tallis From Town Tonics, pernr.mber, so cents,
'er annum, S.'.tjO.
Rnth Cliilthetl. per annum, ?S.I.O??. and nny two
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Send lu cents for sample copy TOWN TOPICS.
N.B.-IIavc you read Aftl?LiS HIVES' latest
nd best novel,
ranis, The Sang-Digger?
12mo, cloth, gilt, unc;;t front and foot, $1.00 post
aid.
Remit by cheek. P 0. money order, postal note or
eglstercd letter to
TOWN TOPICS.
51 Went 2tid riir'jcf, New York.
FREE TO AsSp
Our Nc*7 Illustrated}
Cataloguo of PLANTS, j
I HOSES, BIHJ?S, VINES, ?
SHRUB3, ORNAMENTAL }
TREES, SMALL Fnurrs, f
GRAPE VINES, SEEDS, }
?etc., will bo mailed i
, FREE to all applicants.
100 pa?cp. Most com-1
plctc Plant Catalogue |
published. Satisfaction Guaranteed. 20 ROSE r.
HOUSCS. -15 GREENUOU3E3; CO ttCTCd NOHSEIUES. il
Addrcia tl
NANZ & NEUNER, LO?ISVILLE, KY.^J
O What a wonderful Hiing ls n live need.
? Immature, oh! or dead il may took tlie annto,
? liow to know / o?d gardenura say thui
6
? , Z*T v
j This is InO prOOFoflMB. when grown rrc elvo (
our word run will bc BaHslliil-your wiccy? t
to our-. UritPI?::':' e.'.It i KRVWM. .
for SS?M, /'?: !''!." tm ii'.t:i.i r" '.? ?
.Vitt.? f.Vit tin?*, 'j KS turwai*; s (: li .>
?? Zeattttig M^rrlran fiiialr*-*-*, \ ..a .
W trrt !... tie- II- tti'-t If y - u r.'alil <<.
fy Vf. A TL?T OJRPL'E.! C0..Fh:.'adt.?phi
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Wheal you
want neat,
clean, and
stylish,
Job "Work
done call
at the
Advertiser
Job
Office.
Satisfaction
always
guaranteed
Give
us a
trial
order.
You
Don't
Have
To Die
To get your insurance under the
Tontine Plan of the EQUITABLE LIFE.
It is a simple and absolutely safe
means of investing your earnings for
future emergencies and acquiring
the benefit of Life insurance at thc
same time. It insures you a means
of support in after years and insures
your family against want in case of
your death. The name of the
Equitable Life
alone is an ironclad agreement of
safety. Its security; its contracts;
its surplus and resources are not
excelled in the world. We will
make all this as plain as day to you
if you will send your address to
W. J. RODDEY, Manager,
Department of the Carolinas,
ROCK HILL, S. C.
GEO' B. LAKE
RE^L ESTATE
- AND-)
INSHR.AN6G A6'T,
Office over Bat ol EteMi.
PATE
For Inventions
PRESS CLAD
Equal with the interest of th?
eminent is that of INVENTORS,
hie inventions because of the ince
torneys employed to obtain their r
exercised in employing competen
patents, for the value of a patent d
the care and skill of the attorney.
With the view of protecting ii
attorneys, aud of seeing that inve:
patents, THE PRESS CLAIMS
expert in patent practice, and is tr
Obtain Patents, Conduct Interfere
Prosecute Rejected Casi
and Copyrights, Rende
aud Validity of Pa
Defend Infring
If you have an invention on '.
COMPANY a sketch or photograp
Bcription of the important featur
as to the best course to purs
unless the invention is of acompli
ing on your rights, or if you are cl
submit the matter to us for a reliai
matter.
The Press Ch
GI8 F Street, Northwest
P. 0. Box 463. :JOHNoW.
Cut this out and t
I** YOtr .-WANT.: 12*1
P 6 NS
ADDRESS A LETTER
THE PRESS CU
JOHN WEDDERBUR
I>. O. Box 46, WAS
Honorable discharged soldiers
or over, in the late war, are entitlee
for ordinary manual labor, whethc
or not, and regardless of their peet
Widows of such soldiers and 6?
whether soldier's death was due to
upon their own labor for support,
own labor are entitled if the soldie
Children are entitled (if undei
there was no widow, or she has sine
Parents are entitled if soldier 1
soldier died in service, or from effc
pendent upon their own labor foi
whether soldier served Or died in 1:
Soldiers of the late war, pensic
higher rates under other laws, with
Thousands of soldiers drawing
the old law, are entitled to higher i
account of disabilities for whicl
whether due to service or not.
Soldiers and sailors disabled i
navy since the war are also entitle?
or not
Survivors, and their widows, o
and Seminole or Florida Indian W
der a recent act.
Mexican War soldiers and the:
years of age or disabled or depende
Old claims completed and sett
has been granted under later laws <
Rejected claims reopened and
improper or illegal.
Certificates of service and disc
sailois of the late war who have los
Send for laws and information
less successful. Address,
THE PRESS CL.
JOHN WEDDER.
P. O. Box 463.
WM. SCH
The Je
Corner Broad and
Augusta,
_^SPEC?AL!STS^
(Regular Graduate?.)
Are the leading and most succesafcl specialist* and
sill give y cu help.
Y ou n,7 ord m!J
?le czed mea.
Remarkable r~
salts Lave felic?
cd our treatment.
Many years of
varied and succ?s*
ful experience
In thc use of cura
tive method? that
we alore own and
control for au dis
Lrt?rif orders cf mea who
SStfg&naYe weak. un-;>
"SSIvclopcd or dis
eased orpsns, or
:who aro sufrcrlu,:
?from errors ol
jyouth and exce??
iorwho ai-er.**i".ccs
Tond Impotent,
iithe scorn of thel:
/^fellows and the
contempt of their
friends and coa
pantons, leeds u
toguaraatre to all patient?. If they can possibly
be restored, our own exclusive treatment
will afford a care.
WOMEN! Don't you want to get cured of that
weakness with a treatment that you cen usc at
home without Instrument?? Our wonderful treat
ment has cured others. Why not you? Try lt.
CAT AH SH, and diseases of the Skin, Blood,
Heart, Liver and Kidneys.
8TPH?I.?Q-Thc most Tnnld. safe and effective
remedy. A complete Gare Guaranteed. .
DISEASES of all kinds cured where
many others have failed.
THYJiATURAI. DISCHARGES prompt!?
cared Inn few days. Quick, sure and safe, xh?
ncludcs Gleet and uonorhoa.
TRUTH AND FACTS.
Wo have cared cases of Chroi. j Diseases tl?
lave failed to get cured at the hat. ls cf other specit?
its and medical Institutes.
___^-?.EEME??BER that there ls hoot
tor You. Consult no other, ns you may waste valuab.i
time. Obtain our treatment at once.
Beware of free and cheap treatments. We give
the best and most scientific treatment at moderate
prices-as low as can bc done for safe and aklllffl
treatment. FREE consultation at the ouiceo
by mall. Thorough examination and careful dla"
nosls. A home treatment can he given In amnjorlty
of enees. Send for Symptom Blank No. 1 for Men:
No. 1 for Women; No. 3 for Skin Diseases. All corre
spondence answered promptly. Business strictly con
fldcntlal. Entire treatment sent free from observa
tion. Befer to our patients, banks and business mea
Address or call on
DR. HATHAWAY & CO.,
aa io South Broad Street, ATLANTA. QA
Norris & Cantelou.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW.
EDG-EFIELTJ, S. C.
Will practice in all the Courts of the
?state.
TS,
Procured by the
M COMPANY,
ose having claims Against the Gov
who often lose the benefit ef v?Iua
impotency or inattention of the at
>atents\ Too much care cannot be
t and reliable solicitors to procure
epends greatly, if not entirely, upon
iventors from worthless of careless
ntions are well protected by valid
COMPANY has retained counsel
lerefore prepared to
?nces, Make Special Examinations,
?s, Register Trade-Marks,
ir Opinions as to Scope
tents, Prosecute and
ement Suits, etcf
hand, send THE PRESS CLAIMS
ih thereof, together with a brief de
es, and you will at once be advised
ue. Models are not- necessary
cated nature. If others are infring
larged with infringement by others,
ble OPINION before acting on the
aims Company,
, WASHINGTON, D. C.
EDDERBURN, Maim'g Att'v
end it with your inquiry.
rOKMATION ABOUT
I0RS
OR POSTAL CARD TO
JMS COMPANY,
N, Mnging Allein ey,
5HINGTON, D. C
and sailors who'served nineiy days,
1, if now partially or wholly diabled
r disability was caused by service
iniary circumstances,
ailorsare entitled (if not remarried)
service or not, if now dependent
Widows not dependent upon their
r's death was due to service.
. sixteen in almost all cases where
e died or remarried,
eft neither widow nor child.orovided
?ctsof service, and they are now de
? support. It makes no difference
ate war or in regular army or navy,
med mader one law, may apply for
cut losing any rights.
: from $2 to $10 per month under
rates under new law, not only on
i now pensioned, lut also others,
u time of duty in regular army or
I, whether discharged for disability
f the Black Hawk Creek, Cherokee,
ars of 1832 to 1S42 are entitled un
ir widows also entitled, if sixty-two
art.
lenient obtained whether pension
Dr not.
settlement secured, if rejection
.harge obtained for soldiers and
t their original papers.
i. No charge for advice. No fee un
AIMS CO.,
BUJiJV, Managing Attorney.
"WASHINGTON, D. C
WEIGERT
weller,
McIntosh Streets.
O a

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