The Rajah's Fortress — page 225: what you’re looking at

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

212 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. “and now let Loyd speak. It is to him we must look for advice in this emergency.” “Tf you are resolved to stay,” said Loyd, “ oi: vhe chance of saving the Englishman, then there is but one thing to be done. To rescue him to-night is impossible. At sunrise he will be led out to his doom ” “ You speak in riddles,” cried Guy, impatiently. “ What ground for hope is there, then?” “We must gain time,” rejoined Loyd, coolly. “The brass cannon that is destined to figure in the event of the morrow stands to-night in the arsenal. Before sunrise it must be spiked.” “Tmpossible!” said Guy. “You say a dozen guards occupy the apartment.” “ On ordinary occasions they do. To-night there will be carousing at the fortress. Ifwe act at once the chances are we shall find the arsenal empty.” ‘“ But we have nothing to spike it with, and be- sides the first blow would alarm the whole fortress,” said Guy. ' There need be no blows,” replied Loyd. “I thought of that this morning. The touchhole is large. You have a pocket knife. Thrust it down the touchhole. Pour melted lead around it, and the thing is done.” ‘¢ How can we melt the lead ?” “ Why, build a fire in the cavern. You say euz- rents of air pass through it.” ‘“ But won’s the fire ba detected from without ? COLUM 1OOO SS co