Part 15 (1/2)
A few days afterwards, Jauided by Harry, ca into the coal h to convince theus
Farewell to all their brownies, goblins, and fire-ht to congratulate ourselves,” replied Harry ”Whatever it is we have instead of these things, it can't be better, and may be worse than they are”
”That's true, Harry,” said the engineer; ”but what's to be done? It is plain that, whatever the beings are who hide in the e No doubt it was the light of torches waved by theht which attracted the MOTALA towards the rocky coast, and like the wreckers of former days, they would have plundered the unfortunate vessel, had it not been for Jack Ryan and his friends Anyhow, so far it is evident, and here is the mouth of the den As to its occupants, the question is--Are they here still?”
”I say yes; because Nell trembles e mention them--yes, because Nell will not, or dare not, speak about them,” answered Harry in a tone of decision
Harry was surely in the right Had these mysterious denizens of the pit abandoned it, or ceased to visit the spot, what reason could the girl have had for keeping silence?
James Starr could not rest till he had penetrated this mystery He foresaw that the whole future of the new excavations must depend upon it Renewed and strict precautions were therefore taken The authorities were informed of the discovery of the entrance Watchers were placed a the ruins of the castle Harry hihts in the thickets of brushhich clothed the hill-side
Nothing was discovered--no hu So most people came to the conclusion that the villains had been finally dislodged from the mine, and that, as to Nell, they must suppose her to be dead at the bottom of the shaft where they had left her
While it reh place of refuge, secure fro altered, it becaht reasonably be hoped they were gone, and that nothing for the future was to be dreaded from them
James Starr, however, could not feel sure about it; neither could Harry be satisfied on the subject, often repeating, ”Nell has clearly beenmore to fear, why should she keep silence? It cannot be doubted that she is happy with us She likes us all--she adores my mother Her absolute silence as to her forht benefit us, proves to hs on her mind It may also be that she believes it better for us, as well as for herself, that she should remain mute in a way otherwise so unaccountable”
In consequence of these opinions, it was agreed by common consent to avoid all allusion to the maiden's former mode of life One day, however, Harry was led to make known to Nell what James Starr, his father, mother, and himself believed they owed to her interference
It was a fete-day Theas well as in its subterraneous do about in all directions Songs resounded in many places beneath the sonorous vaults of New Aberfoyle Harry and Nell left the cottage, and sloalked along the left bank of Loch Malcolm
Then the electric brilliance darted less vividly, and the rays were interrupted with fantastic effect by the sharp angles of the picturesque rocks which supported the dolare was very unpleasant
”Nell,” said Harry, ”your eyes are not fit for daylight yet, and could not bear the brightness of the sun”
”Indeed they could not,” replied the girl; ”if the sun is such as you describe it to ive you an idea either of his splendor or of the beauty of that universe which your eyes have never beheld But tell me, is it really possible that, since the day when you were born in the depths of the coal mine, you never once have been up to the surface of the earth?”
”Never once, Harry,” said she; ”I do not believe that, even as an infant, my father or mother ever carried me thither I am sure I should have retained some impression of the open air if they had”
”I believe you would,” answered Harry ”Long ago, Nell, ether in the mine; communication was then difficult, and I have norant as you are of things above-ground But now the railway through our great tunnel takes us in a few , Nell, to hear you say, 'Coht, and I want to see the sun! I want to look upon the works of the Alhty'”
”I shall soon say so, Harry, I hope,” replied the girl; ”I shall soon go with you to the world above; and yet--”
”What are you going to say, Nell?” hastily cried Harry; ”can you possibly regret having quitted that gloomy abyss in which you spent your early years, and whence we drew you half dead?”
”No, Harry,” answered Nell; ”I was only thinking that darkness is beautiful as well as light If you but knehat eyes accustos to follow; circles aze on theleams of radiance, lie deep at the bottom of the mine
And then the voice-like sounds! Ah, Harry! one must have lived down there to understand what I feel, what I can never express”
”And were you not afraid, Nell, all alone there?”
”It was just when I was alone that I was not afraid”