Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 124: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

118 ROSE MORTIMER ; OR, ““Some poor creature in trouble,” he cried. ‘I must see what I can do.!’ But he was too feeble to render much assistance. He crept as fast as possible along the road until he arrived upon the top of arise, where he could survey the coast for some distance upon either side. Another shriek as he reached this point gave him the direction of the disaster, whatever it might be. He could see in the distance the dusky outlines of two forms struggling upon a huge projecting rock, They held something in their hands. “‘ Why, great Heavens!”’ cried the wrecked stranger, ‘it is a woman—a poor helpless woman—they hold, and they are going to throw her into the water, She clings tothem. Ah! how awful!” A woman was in danger, and the helpless stranger seemed to gain courage and strength in her behalf which he had been unable to obtain or to exert for himself. ‘‘ Hullo! hi!’’ he shouted. He struggled along, shouting to the men. His cries would appear to have had some’ good effect. The men placed the struggling woman upon the rock and turned off, Before leaving one of them picked up a parcel—of what the shipwrecked stranger could not perceive in the distance—and made off with it: ‘“‘They fly! they fly!” he eried in great glee. “ But what’s that? Is it not arobbery? I must endeavour to intercept them.’’ This did not appear to be a difficult matter, for, strangely enough, the two men were advancing right in that direction. They had not seen him, then. No. It was true. The two men had only heard the alarm, and had not looked to ascertain in what direction it proceeded, The shipwrecked stranger could now perceive that they were two big brawny fishermen. This was an awkward job. What good could he do against two such fellows ? He jumped behind a low stubbly tree and awaited their arrival. ‘Great Heavens!’ cried the stranger of a sudden as the men drew nearer, and he saw what the one had picked up from the ground. ‘‘ Why, it isa packet of jewels he has robbed the woman of, ob must seo. to this.”’ CHAPTER XEVII. A CRITICAL POSITION—A BOLD STROKE—SHARP ENCOUNTER—THE FATAL ROCK—THE. FIGHT FOR THE JEWELS—A DOUBLE TRAGLRDY—THE DISPUTED PRIZE—WHERE IS IT? As the two fishermen arrived at the spot. where the shipwrecked stranger was concealed they made a pause. Strangely enough, just by the dwarf shrubs behind which he lay hidden. ‘‘ Why, where could could that cry have come fr om, Jack ?”’ said one of them. “ Up this way.”’ ‘‘Then some one has seen us.”’ “That’s sure.” ‘¢ What’s the best game, then ?” ‘* To bolt.”’ ‘“Stop a bit, though. The gal said, and with some truth, too, that we should not be able to get rid of these precious jewels without being suspected.’’ Ay. 3) ‘* And we should most certainly get into trouble.” ** That we should,” ‘¢Then, what do you propose ?”’ **T can’t say, Jack. What would you like to do, think?” ‘‘ Why,” replied the manaddressed as Jack, ‘‘if you ask me what I should like to do, I should say to drop the gal over the rock.’’ ‘And thé person or persons | who overheard her cries.”’ “‘T’d like to drop ’em over, too.’’ Pleasant this for the shipwrecked stranger to listen to! However, he was no coward, and in spite of the little chance he ran of renderiig much dssistance, ho determined to risk a little. He jumped forward from: his ey ede: Suddenly confronted the men, Then made. a grab at the parcel of. jewels and screamed. ‘Hell fiends !’? cried the man: But before they could do anything more the man made off with the prize. The fishermen as soon as they had somewhat reco- vered made chase. But the other had a good: start before they tonya of pursuit. Whilst they were envelopped in their weighty water- proof clothing, he was scarcely covered. Their feet were encased in thick heavy boots with stout tops coming high up the thighs, vid His were scarcely covered. Every minute, too, brought him renewed. strength and courage, whilst. the two fishermen grew. more fearful. He never paused to consider: which way he tan, but darted off at a good speed. As he neared the sea he looked rents and there perceived that the unfortunate woman, whose death he felt confident he lad ‘averted by his timely arrival, had risen to her feet, and was advancing in that diree- tion. He looked around him in wonder. Apparently he recognised tho half-dr owned woman as a friend. As he drew nearer the! woman rushed up to meet him. ‘« Save ine, oh! save me from these fearful men! Uz she cried in terror. w 0% “€ Clara !?? cé Edgar ! 122 Such were their mutual exclamations of astonish ment at beholding each other. The shipwrecked stranger was no other than Edgar Deville! They had now no time for explanations—not a moment for anything but the defence of the treasure which they had undergone so much to obtain. «) ~ The two fishermen were drawing near. 7 They had ventured thus much, and now they felt that there was no retreating. They were much emboldened, too, by perceiving how utterly helpless the man and woman both were. Edgar and Clara St. John retreated until they could go no further—until they were once more upon the verge of the rock from which the fisherman would have hurled the woman, but for the timely cry of Edgar Deville. “Give me back that parcel!’’ said the man from whom Edgar had snatched it. But, instead of complying with this demand, he mer ely placed it upon the ground behind them.. And there they stood, this guilty pair, boldly deter- mined to defend the treasure which they. had so sinfully gained. The unarmed, defenceless, and weak'almost at the mercy of the two savage fishermen, FOMUGIOOKS