Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-09-18

lying alongside, in which a marine stood sentry,
IN order to prevent deserton, and all being seat
ed, the boat pulled off to the hulk.
About four hours afterward, when night had
|, hung her dark drapary over the earth, the same
convict rose noislessly from his BERTH and listen
ing awhile and hearing but the soaorous breath
lngs from the occupants of the other beds took
one stride to grated aperture in the ships SIDE
by which the dormitory was ventilated Then
if gusts of wind had not overwhelmed every 9TH
er sound. sharp, scrceching noise like the ac-
ton of file, every now and then checked lit
tle as it to make sure Of attracting no attention.
and this ascertained, as quickly resumed. For
hour after hour the work was continued /; and it
was not till morning began to rise, like bather,
From the wide deep river, throwing twilight
glance on the black hull Of the hulk. that the
sound ceased. BY that time the bars Of the
grating had been cut through but as it was nee
essary, now day had broken, to defer aay at
tempt at escape till the following night, they
were re-ad!usted, and the interstices filled up
with soap smudged over with rust, giving an ap-
pearance that dehed detection.
Another day Of rigorous labor, seeming to the
anxious expectant more protracted than usual at
length came to close, and the convcts were
once more i'll their berths. Soon weariness and
fatigue closed their eyes, and nothing broke the
silence but unmistakable indications of seep.--
Then, with the rap!dity of thought, the loose
bars were plncked from the grating, and mans
head protruded from the port-ho!e.
The night was perfectly calm. A few scatter
cd white clouds We're stretched Oh the sky like
angels sleeping but every where else, the vast
| arch of heaven shonc with stars. The broad and
ma jestic Thames, lately the scene of such end
less hustle, was now profoundly stll--a lake of
glass, cradiing in its placid basin ships and craft
of every description. all stationary as trees,
while their tai! gaant shadows. diving alongside
washed in its depths. Ga its banks reposei
Woolwich, wh'ch-for the night was not far ad-
yancei-twinkled with numberless lights, though
seeming hushcd and deserted yes this tranuI
town, nesting like lamb under the hills, was
store.,ouse Of war, holding in its embrace ten
thousand soldiers, molldins in its womb the
germs of navy, resting its granite breast on
piles of cannon. The convict scowled as he
looked at it: that was his adieu.
Presently there was splash in the water: and
the sentinel on deck. alive to the slightest md
darted to the gangway. A dark rolling body
suddenly to the surface. and taking deliberate
AIM the soldier fired Qnick as the bullet flew
the fugitive was beyond its reach striking his
| course fathoms below Unencumbered BY cloth
ing. his limbs had free play and the glowing i'm
pulses of recovered liberty. after sIierngs of
stern and relentless bondaee gave them v'.or
not their own. He again to the surface.
Just as boat showed off from the hulk, following
the direction he was supposed TO have taken
had struck o 1t towards another point. 4 heavy
Irish steamer came slu--:shlv along. blow ny
like -ramnns. favored his escape, intervening be-
tween him and his pursners. Now, however the
unnatural effect he had wrought himself up to
aud 30 desperately prolonged BECAME less steady
Though he still bore Up. and the long low enbank
men OF the Essex marshes drew nearer, stimu-
la;ing fresh eyertion He could now touch the
ground, and putting forth all his strength. he
reacned the shore.
As he emerged from the water. his ii.nre was
seen srom the boa: which, impaIcd by its half
dozen oars, Came rapidly on. A sholt told him
he was observed and naked. exhausted. shiver-
ing in every limb be almost despared culing
capture. BIT this oAlv the feeling Of an in
stan ss 5s s ya5 n he Az; a Js ae 3 hrnk s1o I'll
feet and huErying on. when he stepped in
to ditch, briming with foll. stagnait water an,
sank to his neck With difficulty he scrambled
ont and startled forward oflen foundering ankle
deep in the mirc, but with inaaxibie perseverance
pnshing every obstacle. ditch drain and fence
and ultimately reaching the road. Ii was before
he ventured to look behind, but the mist rising
! from the marshes. loined to the prevailing dark.
ness, had eifectuay screened him from his pur.
suers and he now paused 10 recover breath
l Where could he look for refuge? Withou
clothes he could not enter town. and he al
ready in sight of habitations. For a while h,
: stood bewldcr"d. utterly unable to decide ho,,
he could proceed; bnt at the moment that al
. hope seemed gone, fortune came to his aid. lr
garden before him he deserted stuffed figure
setup as scarecrow, and Immediately compre.
hendin- how desirable it would be- in the absence
of any better expcdieat, to array his shiverins
: limbs in its hahnents. which was no sooner
imagined tn done and rendered more confden
as we'll as more comfortable. by the acquisition
he resumed his progress in better spirits. He
now wanted only one thing more that was
a moaey-or what, on arriving at suitable place
could be converted in that requisite. Had any
defenseless passenger pass I'd. he would probably
: not have been long without these supplies
aud more thar once he cast an anxious, glance
D around. hoping for such contingency; bat for
: tunately was disappointed.
While ponderng on remedy, his eyes was
: attracted By an open gate, leading to small will;
anI as it seemed a providential circumstance, h;
= glided in thinking the premises might repay in
l spection. lIa reached the back entrance, AM
i noise,essly raised the latch. 1t yielded and h
d entered.
- The door of an inner room was uncloscd. Civ
ng egreSs to stream of light; and voices, which
sounded stragely familiar to the intruder. wer
Il in vehement converse within. He listened ther
| was scream, followed by heavy fall; and h
l. nvo,untarily drew back bat quick as thought h
o came in again and with light but rapid step
: advanced to the room. Peering cautiously in
l he saw the lfeess body OF a woman stretches
d on the floor, and the murderer; his looks tot
| clearly uPflClcu Nun. DGnIHS over II. IL wa
1t Belwool who now looked up, discovered Blacl
IS Jem.
i. CHAPTER Liz.
,r AT FIST B,lwool was chained to the spot
then, utterine fearful exclamation. lie span;
forward as if to attack the intruder.
/, ''Come, come, sIuolre, no CANNON erie
is Black Jem, starting aside. .'tf you comes OH
it step furier. I'll drop into zee"
= .,Who the devil are yoa? Where have yo
: come from?" demanded Balwooi, in volc
, choking with contendins passions.
he .Yo' don't know |, then? ? answered B'ac
= Jem. And he entered the room. 'Yo' don
know l. Sqnoire Belwood2 Well, be bit al
'e tered, suppose, but bIeved as yodha' mond
/! ed Black Jem, as were do-g;e ance, down i
Of thoy cnssed old pit. Sis'l ha' knowd me.
n doubt He pointed at the dead boiy, while hi
eyes. riveted on thos, of Belwood, flashed wit
a exultation. 'Ay, she'd ha' known me, but "
airn't gied her the chance. never zee ceane
Job in all my born days.
~ Il know you ncw." returned B2lwooa. 'Sa
IS what will secure yoar secrecy, aud yon sha
~ have it,
tx Well that be sayin' fair enow, onvways. tt
ed what calls speakin' oop, and comm TO the pm
ed Yo' was always good hand at that, sluoire, nc
III body can't deioy; ana coasiderin'-'
be Enough! only say what you want
sArx your own conscience, then, s9uoirc,
nd so b. as it bain't wore into reddle. Look