The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

THE RIVER OF DARKNESS. 489 ward, and picking Melton up, motioned Guy to follow them. They passed out of the apartment by a rear door, and traversing a long hall, entered a big courtyard. On the right and left were high stone walls, and directly opposite was a low, gloomy sandstone structure, with one narrow door opening on the court. Here were standing more armed guards, who obsequiously opened the door for the approaching captives. As they passed through the gloomy arta Guy’s heart sank. His eyes at first could see nothing but darkness, and he blindly followed his conductors until they came to a stop. A heavy door was closed and bolted behind him, and then all was silent. In a few seconds he was able to see his surroundings. He was in asquare dungeon, lighted by a narrow aperture high up in the wall. The floor was of stone, strewn with straw. Melton sat up and leaned against the wall. ‘‘ Where are we, Chutney ?’’ he asked. ‘T don’t know,’’ answered Guy; ‘‘in some sort of a prison, I suppose. Why—hello, Melton, here are iron rings sunk in the floor all along the side.”’ ‘That settles it, then,’’ rejoined Melton. ‘‘ This is Rao Khan’s slave prison. I don’t suppose there are many inmates now while the fair is going on.’’ Approaching footsteps put an end to the conversation, and in a moment the door opened to admit a tall Arab, followed by a native with bandages and a basin of water. The Arab quietly loosened Melton’s shirt and coat, and washitg the wound, wrapped bandages round his body spread with some soft ointment. He did the work speedily and dexterously, and then departed as silently as he had come. He had barely gone, however, when a soldier entered with a tray containing dates, figs, and a peculiar kind of cakes, which he placed before the prisoners. They ate with relish, and then overcome by weariness, they lay down on the straw and fell asleep. It was some hours later when Guy woke. Night had come, for no light shone through the aperture. He lay for some time listening to Melton’s deep breathing and thinking of their terrible situation. He was not without hope of deliverance, for he placed a great deal of faith ii Makai’s promise; yet even then the chances were against them. Perhaps at this very moment Zaila had been retaken; and Makar was killed or a prisoner. If this should happen they were lost. Guy shuddered to think of Rao Khan’s vengeance under such circumstances. Presently he became aware of vague noises somewhere in the distance. He fancied he heard shots fired and a loud tumult of voices. He thought it might be imagination, but suddenly the sounds increased, and once or twice footsteps hurried past the dungeon. The noise now woke Melton, and together they listened, convinced that it was a presentiment of coming evil. The strange sounds rose and fell, at times nearly dying away and then bursting out with renewed violence. ‘‘T can’t understand it at all,’’ said Guy. ‘‘It can’t bea rejoicing over the capture of Zaila, for they are plainly cries of anger.’’ CONRNICLOOKS. EO S}