The Osceola times., 1880-08-14
LES lNC0MPREHENSlBLES.
by Victor Hugo.
nO0E I


Pelletier had shipped in the night.
The destination of the vessel made no
difference to Pelletier. He had escaped
from prison first by lowering one leg
and then the other from his cell window
until both legs reached the ground.
Then he ran.
a vessel was making sail in the bar.
Dor.
Pelletier hailed it.
Il want to 90 tool" he said.
They took him. Just as she gathered
way and her head sails were beginning
to draw, the gendarmes appeared on the
quay. They were too late.
BooKII.
Pelletier had been locked up for
eighty years. His ofiense was selling
liquor on Sunday. They are very par
ticular about Sunday in France. Still
his punishment was excessive. Pei
letter said so himself
But he escaped The world was be-
fore him. lie wanted TO get out OF France.
SO he shipped on the strange vessel. He
didn't ask where she was going. He Just
let her 90.
In the stern of the ship gtood tall
commanding figure. 1t was that of A
man. lie was giving directions to the
crew.
Who are you?" be asked of Pei
letter.
"Pelletier," responded Pelletier.
Good, said the man.
Pelletier smiled.
BOOK III.
''Do you understand live stock?o
asked the man,
"Oui. you betr answered Pelletier.
Then go down to the gun-deck and
look after them"
Pelletier obeyed.
The gun-deck was roomy. IIitched to
the carronade slides were 400 mules.
Pelletier examined ;hem. The motion
of the vessel made them nervous. One
seemed to be choking. Pelletier I'M
fastened the halter. The mule dashed
TO the middle of the deck and glared
around.
"Whoaw said Pelletier.
RooK "
The mule sprang to the leeward as the
ship careened. The din of the mules
hoofs was awful. The timbers strained.
As the vessel righted the mule rushed
to the forward part of the deck. Then
turned and rushed aft.
Pelletier was very pale, but cool.
"Whoal he exclaimed again in a firm
voice.
The mule dashed to the starboard side
and kicked two port holes into one.
The waves came pouring in. From the
other mules came startled cries. They
were frightened. The loose mule ran to
the port side of the vessel and kicked
out twenty seven feet of planking. In
the trough of the sea the vessel rolled
heavily and shipped tons of water.
BOOK V.
The door of the companion-way
opened.
whats going on down there?" de-
the voice of the commanding
figure.
"A mule" responded Pelletier
The commanding figure came part way
dewn.
"Is it you, Pelletier?"
at ISL" answered Pelletier
"Who loosed the muller"
81 did" replied pelletier.
"Then you will catch him." command
ed the man.
The mule had kicked out the bow and
stern during this conversation. The
port side was torn out and there was
great holes in the starboard side.
BOOK VII.
Pelletier took a capstain bar. He
waited for the mule. Turning toward
him the mule eyed him for moment.
pu; his hat and coat on the cap
stain bar and stood it up in a ring on
the deck. The mule turned his back to
it.
Pelletier laughed.
"Whoaw he said.
The mule backed up to the hat and
coat. Pelletier bad another capstain bar
ready. The whole crew was looking
down the companion-way. The COM
figure stood at the bottom of
the ladder.
In an instant the mule kicked at the
same hat and coat. As he did so, Pei
letter held up the other capstain lar
with another hat and coat before him.
The mule turned around to kick at the
second. When he had got all the way
around he saw the first. Pelletier
standing by it.
BOOK VII.
The mule looked down at himself He
was bewidered. He didn't know which
was kicking end. Whichever way he
turned the object of attack was before
him.