Presbyterian College - Pac Sac Yearbook (Clinton, SC)

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16 THE COLLEGIAN. and then pursuit. That would never dog he had no means of defense whatever. Once as they were picking their way in the dimness, the girl stumbled and when she looked to see what the obstacle was, found it to be another skull. A cold shudder passed over her and she clutched Jacks arm that held the candle, but would have fallen had he not steadied her with his other. She soon regained her courage, however, and to- gether they proceeded for some thirty feet and then came to a steep stairway leading down into seeming utter darkness and space. After a 111011161165 hesitation they went down, only to find another lonff passage before them similar to tie Hrst. rf 1 Z5 It was very damp and slippery and they heard water dripping 6 from the ceiling to the floor. The girl shuddered and came closer to Jack. He tried to encourage her with kind words and helped her over the little pools of water which they found now collected on the floor. lt was very damp and cold now, and Black carefully wrapped his coat around the slight form of the girl, who was trembling perceptibly. She gave him a grateful look which repaid him for what he had done and more too. As they were crossing a much larger puddle of water he dropped the candle. lt sputtered a moment and then went out. The darkness was oppressive. Fortunately the pirates had not robbed the prisoners of their personal posses- sions or clothing: so he had a match in his pocket, and after some delay he succeeded in persuading the candle to light again. Then they proceeded. After some half-hou1 s walk they came to a steep flight of steps which looked very dangerous, but they tried the ascent. The hope of freedom was always urging them on. Jack had almost to drag the tired girl up the steps. VVhen they reached the top and paused for breath a moment they were still in a dark passage with seemingly no endg but it was not so damp or cold as below. Then jack heard something that chilled him to the very heart. Away down the passage, at the foot of the stairs, he could hear voices loudly talking and swearing, and feet splashing through the water. They were being pur- sued. He grabbed the girl and started down the long passage.

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THE COLLEGIAN. I5 she lay there she was a sight to inspire an artist. But she had such a sad face. The sadness did not mar the beauty of it, however, but made the scene a pathetic one. 'lack stood for an instantonly, then it suddenly came to him that this was his sleeping beauty. He rushed Z1C1'OSS'lllC room and falling on his knees before the couch impressed a kiss on the cheek of the sweet. tired face. She woke with a start, and seeing this handsome fellow by her she blushed, but demanded if he were one of that horrid leaderfs ambassadors come to try to per- suade her to marry him and thus gain her release from this prison. She commanded him to go back: she would die rather than do that. She was going to take her imprisonment a thousand times in pielerence to a life with that brute. .lack at first stared in wonder at this outburst, but soon took in the situation. This beautiful thing, this lily from nature's garden, was being held in this dark place in the hope of being forced into an alliance with the brute leader of the terrible pirate band. At once his heart went out to her, and here he saw his princess in reality, whom he should rescue from an ogre in- deed. He quickly explained his position to her, and as he talked he noted the hunted look leave her eyes and instead one of hope and trust take its place. She was almost desperate in her pleadings for him to save her from this awful fate, and Jack promised to save her with his life, if necessary. How could he do otherwise when those great dark eyes were looking so pleadingly into his very soul? He knew in that instant that she was queen of his heart: he was hopelessly and forever lost to her. But now they had no time to waste, they must get out of this horrid place. They decided to explore the other passage and maybe they could ind some way to the outside world. It was in a very different state of mind that Jack stepped through the secret door, back into the dark chilly passage that led to he knew not where. The girl was by his side, trusting him for freedom. He must get out of there, if not by this passage by some other way, he knew not how. He was listen- ing to every noise for fear of the discovery of his vacant cell

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THE COLLEGIAN. I7 There was a sharp turn where Jack was not expecting it, and he ran into the wall. This knocked him back somewhat, but he soon picked himself up, drew the girl, whom he was now almost carrying, closer to him and,hastened on. Not ten feet ahead was another flight of stairs, which they quickly mounted. At the head of this was a door just like the one to the room in which Jack had found the precious burden that he was now carrying away with him. He stopped in despera- tion. Suppose he could not open the door! They could still hear the watchmen coming and knew when they were found that it would be instant death. After a moment's trial the door yielded to some hidden spring which Jack never knew when he touchedg but they both sprang through, and quick as a Hash the door was back in its place. They found themselves in a large room. The room seemed to be used as a sitting room for a little dwelling which was situated on the sea coast near the landing place of the vessels. The secret door was seen to be a panel in the wall, just as in the room of the castle, and it was invisible now. This long' underground passage had been unknown to any people of the island for a long time until it was suddenly found by Jack. The distance traversed underground by jack and his com- panion was from the centre of the castle to the very coast, nearly a mile. But they could not stand there, and already they heard the- approaching pursuers, who might be able to work the door, and when freedom seemed so near, it might be taken from them. They saw no one in sight except. an old man in front walking on the beach. They went to him and he, thinking they were some of the leader's friends, for he never saw pris- oners out like that, was quick to do their bidding. Jack caught the old sailor's attitude and made good use of it. He said they wanted to leave the island for a few days and asked if he could take them. The old sailor hesitated, but at last think- ing they were friends, told them that he could take them to the coast of the Acklin island in three days. They at once said that that was where they wished to go, and the old man, being