Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-02-14

IN VIM ana HIND, ana perhaps, young people
you have to thank the rough freedom O
nv early life for the excellent constitutions
which you now enjoy.
On certain dav in September, when
was nearly seventeen years of age, my
grandfather being absent on one of his ex-
petitions, and expected back at night, sci
off for one of the long rambes in the coun-
try which was in the habit of taking when
| he was away. As l was not allowed to go of
in this fashion when grandfather was al
home, I made big day of it, starting inn
mediately after breakfast, and taking some
bread and meat with me for dinner
[ | rambled mach further than intended,
lost my way more than once. aud the night
! was coming apace when l returned. Tired
and footse7e, l was taking a short cut over
the heathery cliffs, where, was only mar
row track made by the sheep when
amidst my dreamy anticipations of supper
and bed came the recollection of little
serge bathing suit, which had meant to
fetch, in the morning in order to repair it.
! The little cave where | kept it was among
the rocks of the point and from where Twas,
being already on the seward side of the vii
lage it was not far distant. So stepped
out briskly and soon came to the little gull
| ly or ravine in the rocks which led to my
cave, and up which, in the course of the
night, our struggled treasures would be
| stealthily conveyed. Carts used to stand at
| the upper end of it 10 take them away.
slipped into my cave, felt for my dress
| and found it, and too lazy just then to face
the ascent up the gully again. stood gazing
ont to sea and wondering where my grand
father was at that momeut. Then turned
homeward. l had got about third of the
gully, which was very dark, when heard a
strange sound. l stopped to listen. 1t was
not the scream of sea bird, nor the moan
ing of the sea. 1t came down the gully and
drew nearer, beat, beat, with 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 a moment had scrambled
cautiously up the rocks and hidden behind
a ledge, I crouched perfectly STILL with
every sense on the alert. Suddenly the
measured tramp ceased and presently two
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 I could
hear every word they said.
This is the place. sir" said the bigger
and stouter of the two. "The goods are
landed little to the left here carried up
the gully, and receive at the top by the
carts. The carts stand where we came
down.
The other, who by the ease of his bearing
and the Difference of the big man, 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 to night, Ser
ssant," he said in pleasant voice. "The
people in the villages know we are here,
and are sure to warn them. I hope they
won't manage to warn the man we want"
mot they. sir" answered the sergeant.
Not boat eau leave the hart or without
its being stopped by our men; and not
man leave the village and come in the di-
rection of the point, if you post the men as
l venture to suggest" Here the converse
ton became inaudible for moment. "a
man at the top Of the gully, sir, and the
others at intervals on the seward side of
the village. You and I, sir, to manage
the signal 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"
'tBy all means" said the officer: "and as
you know the place and 1 don't, you had
better post the men. By the way" he ad-
ded, scanning the paper in his hand and
holding it close to his eye, lat 1890, think
it is the signal. You undertake that, don't
you?'
The sergeant produced something, prob
ably 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 to- |
ward the water and stood at the edge-some
distance from me, for the tide was getting |
Iow-with his head bowed, and |
his hands clasping the paper be.
breathe freely again, and began to review |
the situation. What did it all mean2 1t |
meant that the authorities 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 lifei" What was that? |
1t was no uncommon punis hment, 1 had |
heard, for smuggler taken, as my grand |
father was likely to be, red handed. For a |
moment the hope flashed into my head that |
he might not come that night. But no! |
The wind was light, and not unfavorable;
there was no suggestion of a fortunate |
storm in the sky, and I knew that our
friends with the wagons had arranged to
come and that all was in readiness. NV |
heart sank within me as thought of my
old grandfather gray mars dlsnonored in
the felon's dock-for 1 had once seen man
tried-and his kind old face bidding ME
farewell forever. bowed my head on my
hands and longed to cry.
Suddenly raised my head, and my heart
beat with a loud resolve. l would save him.
Yes II The skill that l had attained for
my own needless pleasures should be put
TO stern service. My resolve was this.
When the lugger showed her signal in
answer to that treacherous one from shore,
would swim out to the buoy, and keep my
sci afloat at the entrance of the channel un-
i'll could hail our people and warn them
oftheir danger.
never hesitated after ] had formed this |
resolution. forgot that I was tired and
hungry, put aside the thought of cold ard
exhaustion in the water, and began at once
10 make my preparations. On the narrow
ledge ofrocks where now knelt, undress-
ed and put on my little bathing dress, which
consisted only of tunic and drawers. My
own clothes I made into bundle and stow
ed away behind stone. Then, like cat,
clambefed up the rocks, hiding behind
Every projection, and keeping fearful watch
upon the sentinel at the head of the gully.
Fortunately, the gully was not very deep.
r - 49, 7 Io.~ l.