Argosy, Vol. 1 (1882) — page 369: what you’re looking at

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

360 in my hands the last stick, when I made a discovery that astonished me greatly. “On the floor lay a small, strong wooden box, which had been covered up by the logs. It bore on its upper surface in bright red letters the single word—Dynamite | | “T gazed at it for a moment in speechless wonder, and then, throwing aside the sticks, knelt down on the floor by its side. “The lid worked in a groove and I easily slid it off, disclosing on the in- side a number of round, black balls packed in cotton. On the top of them lay a card, covered with writing in the Polish language. This is what it said: SUNDAY EVE. k. K. B.: Each one of these will kill, if rightly thrown, asiozen Czars. Present them with the com- pliments of the season, from CARSHOSSE. “T understood full well the meaning of this mystic writing, for the name of Carshosse was borne at that time by the greatest Nihilist of Europe. “For a moment my mind was too full of conflicting thoughts to think of acting in the strange and unexpected emergency in which I found myself. Then it occurred to me suddenly that the discovery of the Nihilistic bombs, would serve a better purpose than that for which they had been intended, and when I thought of this all other consid- erations vanished from my mind. “The wolves were still howling without, and it seemed to me as if their number had increased twofold. “ The chimney was nearly two feet wide and ran directly through the roof. It appeared to offer a convenient means of exit, and I determined to undertake its ascent. THE ARGOSY. “Very carefully I deposited in the side pocket of my coat three of the lit- tle black balls. Then I stooped down and raised my head and shoulders into the wide flue. The sides were roughly built, and offered numerous footholds, whereby I was enabled to climb up into the open air. “ Having reached that position and grasped the bombs, I steadied myself with an effort, took aim into the very midst of the snarling pack, and let drive the explosives.” The count’s cigar had gone out dur- ing the recital of his story, and he now proceeded to relight it with a delibera- tion that was anything but agreeable to his interested listeners. When he had resumed his smoke he went on: “ I think it was daylight when I came to myself, something less than a quar- ter of a mile from the scene of the ex- plosion. Most of my clothing was gone and for half an hour I thought that each and every bone in my body was broken. “ But as the sun came up I realized that 1 was a fugitive from justice—or rather injustice—and that I must make an attempt to reach the coast, if I cared to make good my escape. I managed to do so within a few days, and—here Iam!” Dick was looking hard at the count when he concluded, and ventured the inquiry : “ You didn’t see anything more of the wolves, did you?” “NO; they disappeared into space.” “ But how is it that you didn’ ” The count interrupted the inquisi- tive youngster by a glance at his watch, and announced that it was time for dinner. So we all went down stairs to- gether. A CHOICE. Tuis difference twixt the optimist And pessimist you find— Oue notes the clouds, the other talks About the light behind. GOH GOOO SS CO