The Rajah's Fortress — page 222: what you’re looking at

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

THE RAJAWS FORTRESS, 209 Then he brushed his hand half angrily across his face. “But I am wasting precious time,” he cried. “Tell me one thing, quick, Captain Chutney; is that passage open yet?” “ Yes, it is open,” said Guy. Loyd gave a sigh of relief. ‘You are surprised that I am here,”’ he went on hurriedly. “I had to come. I could stay no longer, so I got together some food and filled that skin full of water and trusted to chance to dis- cover your hiding-place. That Chinaman yonder I recognize. He was one of the guards at the fort- ress at one time, though I don’t suppose he knew I was a prisoner here. I have much to tell you and little time to tell it in if we value our lives and would see the coast again. Listen and I will make it as brief as possible. “This morning I was at the fortress. It is a fearful place. I wasin the apartment to which you say this cavern leads. The walls are draped with heavy folds of rugs to hide the bare stones, and arms are hung about in profusion. It is a very arsenal. It was here I found the cannon to be re- paired; its injury a mere trifle—only a broken wheel. | | “ A dozen guards sleep here at night, and in the broad corridor outside lie as many more, the very pick of all Burma, great massive fellows who know not fear and would hesitate at nothing. Across COLUM 1OOO SS co