The Rajah's Fortress — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

112 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. Bolton, with a mysterious smile. ‘ It’s not “arany more. Still it will be pretty dark waen wearrive, so, come to think of it, morning will be the best time to inspect the castle. You'll feel good and fresh then, after a night’s rest.” Beyond these mysterious allusions, that fired Melton’s curiosity to a high pitch, Mr. Bolton re- fused to go. They had now traveled two or three miles along the mountain ridge, witha view of the utmost grandeur spread out before them. ‘A mile along the top yet,”’ said Bolton, “ and then down.” By the time the mile was traveled it was nearly twilight, and it was impossible to distinguish the valley beneath as they began to descend a slippery little path on the western side of the mountain. It was a wearisome journey, and Melton was quite worn out when they neared the bottom. “Here we are, at last,” cried Bolton, cheerily, and forcing the bushes aside, Melton walked out ona rocky ledge that actually jutted far out into the air, while beneath him, black and solemn with the mirrored reflections of the great mountains, lay a sheet of water, and directly opposite, outlined but dimly in the dusk of the night, loomed up an irreg- ular, dark mass. “There it lies,” said Bolton, and putting his finger to his lips he gave a peculiar whistle. In- stantly a light danced before Melton’s astonished eyes, and Bolton pulled him back from the edge COLUM 1OOO SS co