To some it was the keeper of that hell-gate; the contorted
sentinel of bygone woes and long-buried horrors, if not the gnomish
genius of others yet to come. To-day it was the sign-post to a strange
deed--the courting of an uncanny death that one of the many secrets
hidden in that hole of miseries might be unlocked.
Under this tree a small group of strong and determined men was already
collected; not as spectators but helpers in the adventurous attempt about
to be undertaken by their old friend and playmate. The spectators had
been barred from the point and stood lined up in the road overlooking the
eddy. They were numerous and very eager. Hazen's brows drew together in
his first exhibition of feeling, as he saw women and even children in the
crowd, and caught the expression of morbid anticipation with which they
all turned as he stepped with his two associates over the rope which had
been stretched across the base of the out-curving head line.
[Illustration: "Cormorants!" escaped his lips. "They look for a feast
of death, but they will be disappointed."]
"Cormorants!" escaped his lips. "They look for a feast of death, but
they will be disappointed." He was almost bitter. "I shall survive this
plunge. I have no wish for my death to be the holiday for a hundred
gloating eyes, I am not handsome enough.
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