Under Sealed Orders

A. Cody H.

Description

"Crazy" David Findley is down on his luck, to say the least. Branded a pauper and unable to pay his debts, he is auctioned off as an indentured servant for the paltry sum of $100. But just when it looks like things can't get any worse, a mysterious stroke of good fortune changes his prospects.

Sujets

• Adventure
• Adventure (Guyana)

Informations

• Publié par: The Floating Press
• Date de parution: 01 décembre 2015
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781776595419
• Langue: English

Extrait

UNDER SEALED ORDERS
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H. A. CODY
 
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Under Sealed Orders First published in 1917 Epub ISBN 978-1-77659-541-9 Also available: PDF ISBN 978-1-77659-542-6 © 2014 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
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Chapter I - The Lure of Falling Water Chapter II - To the Lowest Bidder Chapter III - One, at Least, Rings True Chapter IV - A Little Cabin Chapter V - Unmasked Chapter VI - Out of Bondage Chapter VII - At the Close of a Day Chapter VIII - The Shadow of Mystery Chapter IX - United Forces Chapter X - When Dreams Come True Chapter XI - Curiosity and Anxiety Chapter XII - Pyramid Rock Chapter XIII - The Disturbing Letter Chapter XIV - Subtle Influence Chapter XV - The "Cut-Off" Chapter XVI - Christmas Eve Chapter XVII - The Night Summons Chapter XVIII - The Wild Nor'easter Chapter XIX - Developments Chapter XX - Business Details Chapter XXI - Harnessed Power Chapter XXII - In the Path of Destruction Chapter XXIII - Rescued Chapter XXIV - Gathering Clouds Chapter XXV - Mystery Chapter XXVI - Under Suspicion Chapter XXVII - In the Toils Chapter XXVIII - Light Breaks Chapter XXIX - Lois Goes to the City Chapter XXX - A Strange Commission Chapter XXXI - Paper Number Two Chapter XXXII - The Tables Turned Chapter XXXIII - The Real Haven
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To all "Spuds," successful or unsuccessful; to all "Fools," wise or unwise; and to all of "The Devil's Poor," not forgetting authors, this book is sympathetically dedicated.
Chapter I - The Lure of Falling Water
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It was evening and a late April wind was whipping down the valley. Itswayed the tops of the tall pine and spruce trees as they shouldered upfrom the swift brook below. It tossed into driving spray the water ofBreak Neck Falls where it leaped one hundred feet below with athundering roar and swirl. It tossed as well the thin grey hair, longbeard, and thread-bare clothes of an old man standing upon a large rockwhich towered high above the stream.
The entire scene was wild and made weird by the approach of night. Butthe old man did not seem to notice anything except the falling of thewaters. His eyes glowed with an intense light as he kept them fixedupon the leaping and swirling columns below. His face was like theface of a lover turned toward the object of his affection.
For some time the man stood there drinking in the scene before him.Then he took a step forward which brought him perilously near the edgeof the steep rock. His lips moved though no sound could be heard forthe tumult of the falls which was rending the air. What connection hadsuch a man with his surroundings? No boor or clown was he, for thesimple dignity of face and manner marked him as one of Nature's truegentlemen.
It was almost dark when he at last reluctantly left the rock andentered the thick woods where a trail led away from the falls. Alongthis he moved with the unerring instinct of one who had travelled itoften and was sure of his bearings. But ever and anon he paused tolisten to the sound of the falling waters which followed him like thevoice of a loved one urging him to return.
"Yes, you want me," he at length cried, as he once more paused. "Ihear your voice calling, and I know its meaning. Others need you, too,but they do not know it. You have been calling to them for years, butthey have not understood your language. It was left for me to listenand take heed. They will some day, and then you will show your power.I can see what you will do, beautiful falls, and the changes which willcome to this fair land when your luring voice is heeded."
He stood for awhile as if entranced after uttering these mystic words.Then he continued on his way and night wrapped more closely about himher dark mantle. He had to walk very cautiously now for the trail wasrough, and there were sharp stones and roots ready to strike his feetand trip him up.
At length the trail ended and he reached the smooth surface of thebroad highway. Along this he sped with the quick elastic step of onewho has seen a vision. The fire of a great idea was burning fiercelywithin him which caused him to take no heed to his surroundings.
He had not gone far, however, ere some strong impulse caused him topause again and listen to that fascinating sound of falling waters faroff in the distance. It was on an elevation in the road where hestopped, and here the shadows which enwrapped the forest were not soheavy. The lingering light of departing day was still in the west andtouched this part of the highway with its faint glow. It brought outinto clear relief the silhouette of the old man as he stood there withhis right hand placed to his ear so as not to miss the least sounddrifting down the valley.
So intent was he upon what he heard that he did not notice the soundsof approaching footsteps, so when a man stopped a few yards away andwatched him curiously, he was completely unaware of his presence."Ring on, sweet waters," he cried. "Your voice follows me no matterhow far I go. I alone can understand your language, and know what youare saying. All are deaf but me. They hear but do not know yourmeaning." He ceased, and again listened for a few seconds.
A strange half-mocking laugh startled him, and caused him to lookquickly around. Seeing that he was observed, he was about to hurryaway, when a man stepped forward.
"Pardon me," he began. "I did not mean to offend you. But your wordsseem so strange, that I could not help laughing."
"And were you listening to the voice?" the old man eagerly asked. "Dothe falling waters speak to you as they do to me? Is that why you arehere?"
"Yes, I hear them," was the reply. "But they do not bring any specialmessage to my mind."
"And they do not tell you of power, of the wonderful things they areready and willing to do when men will heed what they are saying?"
"No, I can't say that they do. They make a noise up there among thetrees, but I do not know what they are saying."
"Strange, strange," and the old man placed his hand to his forehead."You are like all the rest, then. You hear but you do not understand."
"What do you hear?" the newcomer asked, thinking that he was talking toa weak-minded creature.
"I hear great things, which will be for the welfare of the wholecommunity. The waters tell me what they will do. They will make lifeworth living. They will give light and power to the people all alongthe river and revolutionise their daily tasks. Instead of hard labourby the sweat of the brow, the waters will do the work. People will behappy, and have time for the beautiful things of life. Grinding toiland sorrow will be banished forever."
"Umph! So that is what you hear, eh? What is the good of hearing sucha voice, if you have no power to make it come true?"
"But the people will hear and understand," the old man insisted. "I amtelling them about it."
"Yes, I know you are, and they think you are a fool for your efforts.They laugh at you, and call you crazy."
"But they will come to see that I am right. They, too, will hear thevoice, and then they will not be able to resist its pleadings."
"If you had the money they would listen to you, for that is the onlyvoice people will heed to-day. If you came here with an abundance ofgold, people would hear anything you asked them to in the falls upyonder. But because you are poor, like myself, your ideas will have nomore weight with them than the lightest feather. Back your visionswith money and people will crowd around you, and you will be heeded.But try to get along without money, and, bah! you are a fool."
Scarcely had these words left his lips ere a raucous honk up the roadstartled him. Then an auto with blazing lights leaped out of thenight. The old man was standing right in its way, unconscious of hisdanger. Almost instinctively two strong hands clutched him and hurledhim into the ditch as the car swept past. Shouts of merriment soundedforth upon the night air from the occupants of the car. The frightthey had given the two by the side of the road evidently gave them muchamusement. Their laughter caused the rescuer to straighten suddenlyup, and clutch the old man fiercely by the arm.
"Did you hear them?" he asked, and his voice was filled with suppressedemotion.
"Yes," was the reply. "They are only thoughtless youths having a goodtime, I suppose."
"It's just what money does, though. I know who they are, for I caughta glimpse of them as they sped past. It's money that talks with them;that is the only voice they hear. They will ride over the lessfortunate, and crush them down as worms beneath their feet. They havebeen doing it for ages, and look upon it as their right. What do theycare about the meaning of the falling waters when they are alwayslistening to the voice of money. Curse them. Why should they reveland sport with ill-got gains, when honest men can hardly get enough tokeep breath in their bodies."
The young man was standing erect now on the side of the road. Hiscompanion shrank away somewhat fearful lest he should turn upon him andsmite him.
"You seem to have suffered," he at length remarked. "You appear to beannoyed at people who have money."
"And why shouldn't I?" was the savage reply. "Haven't I suffered attheir hands, young as I am? Haven't I been scorned by them to thelimit of all endurance? Haven't they made a mock of me for years,calling me names behind my back? And why? Just because I happen to bepoor, and have tried honestly to make my way in life. But there,enough of this. Wha