The Rajah's Fortress — page 296: what you’re looking at

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

THE RAJAHS FORTRESS. 281 chamber and keep a constant and vigilant watch, hoping thus to guard against an attack by way of the secret passage. The startling and mysterious events that had tak- en place made their situation one of painful uncer- tainty. They knew not at what moment the room would be filled with armed dacoits. The loss of their arms destroyed the last hope. They must tamely surrender whenever it suited the pleasure of this Hindoo robber. It did not occur to them that they were prisoners already, yet it was virtually the fact. They might be led up to the cannon’s mouth at any moment. It was hailed as a happy omen when Guy remem- bered the chest full of old arms, They hauled it out and rummaged the contents. Each man took a saber or a dagger. The pistols were of old design, made to load at the muzzle, and were consequently useless. The possession of these jeweled weapons raised their hopes a degree or two. For several hours all was quiet. The lamp burned steadily, for there was peril in darkness. In the next room Loyd watched at Chauner’s side. ‘‘Look, the morning has come,”’’ said Guy, point- ing to the crevice far up in the wall that let a breath of fresh air into the treasure chamber. It was too narrow and deep to afford a glimpse at the sky, but a faint glow of light quivered at the entrance, the only sign of day that ever reached the interior of those dungeon chambers. They turned their gaze up toit with intense longing. It was hard to believe that beyond those gloomy walls of stone the sun was shining and the birds were singing. ‘“Chutney, come here a moment.’’ It was Loyd calling from the next room. Guy hurried over. Chauner was still unconscious, his usually pale face flushed a deep red. COLUM 1OOO SS co