Part 14 (1/2)

He soon knew they did, for they pulled the rope up faster; a distance of about eighty feet reot over The bird ceased its direct attack, but increased the horror and danger of his situation by rushi+ng at the cord, clinging to it just out of his reach, and endeavoring, by pecking furiously, to cut it

Harry felt overcoave way, and it made them sink a little

A shriek of despair escaped his lips

A second strand was divided, and the double burden now hung suspended by only half the cord

Harry dropped his knife, and by a superhu way, in catching hold of it with his right hand above the cut made by the beak of the bird But, powerfully as he held it in his iron grasp, he could feel it gradually slipping through his fingers

He ht it, and held on with both hands by sacrificing the life of the child he supported in his left arm The idea crossed hih he believed himself quite unable to hold out until drawn to the surface For a second he closed his eyes, believing they were about to plunge back into the abyss

He looked up once e bird had disappeared; his hand was at the very extrerasp was failing, he was seized by the round

The fearful strain of anxiety re into the arms of his friends

CHAPTER XII NELL ADOPTED

A COUPLE of hours later, Harry still unconscious, and the child in a very feeble state, were brought to the cottage by Jack Ryan and his companions The old overe attended with the utmost care to the wants of her son, and of the poor creature whoined her a e of fifteen or sixteen years

She gazed at the eyes; and the thin face, drawn by suffering, the pallid coile, slender figure, gave her an appearance at once singular and attractive Jack Ryan declared that she seehost

It e and peculiar circumstances under which her life hitherto had been led, that she scarcely see to the human race Her countenance was of a very uncoht in the cottage, glanced around in a confused and puzzled way, as if all were new to thee's bed and awoke to consciousness, as froan to question her a little

”What do they call you, irl

”Do you feel anything the ry I have eaten nothing since--since--”

Nell uttered these feords like one unused to speak e, which was often spoken by Siht her some food; she was evidently faht have been in that pit

”How e

Nell made no answer; she seemed not to understand the question

”How many days, do you think?”

”Days?” repeated Nell, as though the word had no nify entire want of coe took her hand, and stroked it caressingly ”How old are you,kindly at her

Nell shook her head again