Page:Life in Java Volume 2.djvu/81

Rh acquaint the officers of his regiment. The report spread like wildfire, and before many minutes had elapsed several soldiers had hurried to the spot, calling out, "Franz! Franz!" the name of their comrade. To their great astonishment and delight, liis voice was heard in answer,

"I am alive, but want to be out of this vile- smelling place."

"Himmel!" exclaimed a young German, " lose no time—hand up the ladder", and he climbed up to the top in a moment. " Now, Franz," he exclaimed, as he lowered it through the aperture, "be quick!— run up as fast as you can!"

Franz needed no second bidding. In less than two minutes he had joined his comrades, none the worse, and nothing daunted by his strange interview.

"When first I jumped down," said he, in reply to the queries of his comrades, "I came sprawling on all-fours, and had no sooner got up again, than