Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-31
= o., osf in this fashion when grandfather

turned. Tired and footSofe was TAKING
n short cut across the heather cliffs where
there was only narrow path made by
the sheep, when amid my dreamy anti
cipations of supper and bed came the re-
collection Of little serge bathing suit
which had meant to fetch in the morn
ing in order to repair it. The little cave
where l kept it was among the rocks OF
the point, and from where l was, being
already on the seward side of the village,
it was not far distant. So l stepped out
briskly and soon came to the little gully
or ravine in the rocks which led to my
cave, and up which, in the course OF tue
night, our struggled treasures would be
stealthily conveyed. Carts used to stand
at the upper end of it to take them away
l slipped into my cave. felt for my
dress and found it, and, toolazy Just then
to face the ascent up the gully again,
stood gazing out to sea and wondering
where my grandfather was at that mo.
ment. Then turned homeward. l had
got about third up the gully, which was
very dark, when heard strange sound.
1 stopped to listen. 1t was not the scream
of n seabird nor the moaning OF the sea.
1t came down the gully and drew nearer,
beat, beat, with n little, very distinct
jingling sound. 1t was the tramp OF men
and the clink of steel. Soldiers had
never seen any, but l guessed what they
were. In moment l had scrambled cau-
tiously up the rocks and hidden behind n
ledge. crouched perfectly still, with
every sense on the alert Suddenly the
measured tread ceased and presently the
men came slowly down the gully, talking
in low voices. They wore long cloaks
and their weapons jingled as they walked.
They passed me and stood at the lower
end Of the gully. The air was still and l
could hear every word they said.
"This is the place, sir, said the big
ger and the stouter of the two "Thc
goods are landed n little to the left of
here, carried up the gully and received at
the top by carts. The carts stand where
we came down."
The other, who by the ease of his
bearing and the Difference of the big man
l took to be an officer, had paper in his
hand. He looked around him, evidently
taking in the features of the place.
| "There won't be any carts tonight,
sergeant" he said, in a pleasant voice.
"The people in the village know we are
here and will sure to warn them. hope
| they won't manage to warn the man we
want.
"Not they, SIR" answered the sergeant
'Not a boat can leave the harbor without
| its being stopped by our men, and not n
man leave the village and come in the di-
recton of the point if you post the men
MS 1 venture to suggest" Here the con-
versation became inaudible for a moment
"a man at the top of the gully, sir, and
the others at intervals on the seward side
of the village You and 1, sir, to man
age the signals down here, and then l
step up to the man at the top of the gully,
one calls in another, and we are all down
here ready to receive them"
"By all MEANS" said the officer, 'and
MS you know the place and don't, You
had better post the men. By the way"
he added, scanning the paper in his hand
and holding 1t close to his eyes, sat 1890,
l think it is, the signal. You understand
that, don't you"
The sergeant produced something, pro-
badly lantern, from under his cloak.
Here is the signal, sir"
"Then we're right. Now post the
men,"
The sergeant saluted and clanked up
the gully, while the officer walked slowly
toward the water and stood at the edge
some distance from me, for the tide was
getting low-with his head bowed and his
hands clasping the paper behind his back.
ventured to breathe freely again, and
began to review the situation. What did
| it all mean 1t meant that the authori-
ties had got wind of my grandfather's
doings, and had sent this detachment Of
soldiers to take him in the act. 1t must
be grandfather, because there was no one
else in the village likely to be aimed at.
And if they caught him, what then ?
What was this form of words that kept
ringing in my ears over and over again ?
Transportation for life" What was
that? 1t was no uncommon punishment
had heard, for n smuggler taken, as my
grandfather was, redhanded. For n mo-
ment the hope flashed int ,ry head that
he might not come that nigh But, no |;
the wind was light and not # .vorable !;
there was no suggestion of 'ortunate
storm in the sky, and 1 kl lew that orr
friends with the wagons hal ar fnnged to
come and that all was in readii ess. My
heart sank within me as l thous hit of my
old grandfather's gray hairs dishonored
in felon's dock-for l had once seen n
man tried-and his kind, old face bidding
me farewell forever. / bowed my head
Suddenly raised my head, and my
heart beat with loud resolve. / would
save him. Yes, 1 The skill that had
attained for my own needless pleasure
should be put to stern service. My re-
solve was this (: When the lugger showed
her signal in answer to that treacherous
one from the shore, would swim out to
the buoy, and keep myself afloat Mt the
entrance of the channel until l could hail
our people and warn them of their dan
ger
never hesitated after I had formed
this resolution. forgot that l was tired
and hungry, put aside the thought fcold
and exhaustion in the water, and began at
once to make my preparations. On the
narrow ledge of rocks where l now knelt
l undressed and put on my little bathing
dress, which consisted only of tunic
and drawers. My own clothes / made
into bundle and slowed away behind n
stone. Then, like cat, clanbered up
the rocks, hiding behind every projection
and keeping fearful watch upon the SEN
tinel at the head of the gully. Fortu-
nately, the gully was not very deep.
,Wher / got to the top I crept on my
hands and feet until I judged l was well
out OF sight, and started for the end of
the Point. l took my time, for there was
no hurry, and l had to husband my
strength, and at last reached the rock
from which meant to start. There sat
down to wait.
! did not know the time, and could only
guess it by calculating from the sunset.
How long should have to wait !? Heav-
en- knows but it seemed an age. l got
sleepy from my days exertion. The
night air was cold, too, and my clothing,
however well adapted for exercise was
somewhat scanty for sitting i'll. Besides,
it was damp. The wretchedness of the
long watch comes to me now. Oh would