The Morning herald., 1877-03-20
CORD AND .CREESE.
CHAPTER Xiv.
THE STRANGERS STORY.

-.. " M q. &4E
The stranger arose, and. going to tn
fireplace, picked up piece Of charcoal.
Clark sat in the midst Of the circle, look
ipg at hin with sneering smile.
ITS rather an odd story" said the stran
ger, "and I only heard it The other day
perhaps you won't believe it, but it's true
"0h, never mind the truth Of itl' ex'
claimed Clark-"push along"
The stranger stepped up to the wall owe,
The fireplace. r
"Before 1 begin wish to make few
marks, which will explain in process Of
time. Ny story is connected with these"
Hetook his charcoal and made upon the
wall the following marks:
+ r !
He then turned, and stood for a moment
inslence.
The effect upon Clark was appalling.
His face turned livid, his arms clutched
violently at the seat of his chair, his jaw
fell, and bis eyes were fixed on the marks
as though fascinated. The stranger
appeared to lake no notice. These marks
are in the possession of a friend of mine,
about whom I will tell little story:
Clark didn't even resent this, but sat mute,
With face Of awful expectation.
my friend Clark had led a life Of
nnse vicissitudes," said the stranger,
haying slipped through the meshes of the
Avvery successfully great number os
lines, but finally, he was caught, and sent
Botany Bay. He served his time out,
ud left; but, finally, after series of very
Extraordinary adventures in India, came
England. Bad luck followed him, how
Esr' lie made an attempt at burglary,
pd was caught, convicted, and sent back |
pin to his old station at Botany Bay.
'0fcourse he felt a strong reluctance to
in such place, and therefore began to
nescape. He made one attempt which
unsuccessful. He then laid plot with
paher notorious offenders. Each of these
had been: branded with those letters
lhl have marked. One of these was
ned stubbs, and another Wilson, the
oNasthis Clark. No one knew how they
70 make their arrangements, for the
'0n regulations are very strict; but they
meet and managed to confer together.
con'rlved 10 get rid of the chains
were fastened around their ankles aud
stormy night they made run for it.
he he1t daythe guards were out in
0lt with dogs. They went all day ..
,''' track over rough country, and {
y came to river.
ere 'hey prepared to pass the night. :
[s0s early on the following morning, j
AH !" something moving on the tor p p
I'LL on the opposite side ct the river. r
'%n'Ds n, it narrowly they saw three :
,.!1 iaey hurried on at once in pursuit. $
.sNVe' kept we'll together and ahead d d
u as was natural; and since tbev Il
'1n'ng for life and freedom thew R
aDetter pace. G
.%e7 W, were pretty we'll worn out,
~ aken no provisions with them. a,
|rIN T1,N, calculated on so close a pur- q
s' ''. u Kept ahead as best they could, e, cS
M,ney ', reached a narrow river
'%a 'SSa between the cliffs through a :
Eae'ea. w The cliffs on each side )
o.. sa&a bold. But they had to cross ea ta
!. .U@0ne side they went and up II! tn
,..., "a e'abbs got up first. Wilson ppl,
,, .1'"s the top when the report t9' n3
~, '' neard, and a bullet struck him an
/. 'r, J.. e'r0aning in his agony he ei ss'
'"''0g to keep up with his com. " Y,
,,,isa 1'' l0r them night came on. -
bo,s w On all night, and reached3 N
h., ~ Nv snere they found a boat in Pc pS
l' \ ip put to sea. After drifting about
,,s M!s y, they became crazed with
v;,ea vlark and stubbs, began to An
a, W." with the eyes of fiends- A
spbon' '' with foul desire, beaming Me- Me-
'0" orbits which famine had WI
/" passed. One morning Wilson oct!
esr paused nr r.