The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-07-11

ton, your
"Ir' said Ferreol Indignantly; then re-
straining himself, "No, not even glass
of water in the stomach"
| "And-more than an hour since you've
eaten?"
"Three hours, precisely"
"You are not in perspiration?"
"Dry as fish bone."
"And your health is good?"
Sound as cast IRON"
NERVES and temper calm and equa-
ble?"
GAS clam at high water"
"Goodl All as it should bev'
And replacing the placard on its nail
the sailor wheeled and threw open the
door of cell to the left.
Hurry said he; "begin; undress
yourselfv
Ferreol, up to this date, had asked no
one in marriage, but sharp as he was, he
had never supposed that this act-impor-
tant, it was true-would be accompanied
by such formaities. One of those, how
ever, whom nothing amazed, he did not
finch, but proceeded to strip himself.
Decidedly obscure in this closet, Fer.
reol was reduced to conjectures, smell
and feeling; still, it was distinctly an
undervest, drawers and shoes that the
sailor drew from locker and laid be-
fore him.
with these" said he. "you can defy
the perspiration."
"In truth canr' said Ferreol. cover
ing himself with the articles, which ex-
hailed a singular odor of mingled tar and
salty grass wrack. Upon which the
other added to the costume vest and
breeches with feet and jacket of thick
waterproof stuff, and bidding him be
seated, assisted him with the skill of a
retired valet de chambre to lace the
great shoes, put on the breeches, thrust
his arms, one after the other, into the
sleeves of the jacket, and to slip his neck
into leathern collarette that exactly
adapted itself to his shoulders.
On his back then he placed cushion,
and on that metal pelerine that re-
sembled cuirass, reciting by rote mean
while, after the fashion of the corporal's
manual:
"Push each button of the pelerine into
the corresponding hole of the collar
cite. Adjust the copper valves and turn
the screw nuts. Close the latter till the
joining of garments, pelerine," etc.
1t was long, but Ferreol was patient
and said only:
You are sure snail find Nj Ken
eek thereY'
Certain sure" responded the sailor
with grin; The can't get away" Add
ing contentedly, Nothing but the he'll
met lacking now: that we'll put on yon-
der"
| And, followed by Ferreol. he tucked
under his arm sort Of elongated ball
in leather envelope. and took up the
march for the front.
Ferreol's costume reminded him as he
scanned it of the striped clothes used
upon criminals. Never before, he told
himself, had condemned seen the heads
man bearing his head under his arm
, while leading victim to the scaffold.
| A strange lovers travesty. which he
, must bear with patience.
Presently, turning to right and left,
they reached jetty advancing into the
, bay some ten to twenty meters. At the
end Of it the round crown Of building
, from which, at shout from his con.
ductor. came running second sailor
who placed himself without word be-
hind Ferreol's back.
"All ready" said the first.
. "Al ready" responded Ferreol
"You see the slate and the pencil hung
to your side" queried the other again.
"Slate and pencil both" assented Fer
reol amiably.
It was the last word he spoke.
, Click! clackl rattle!
8 The helmet was over his head, boltet
n to his shoulders, the screw-nuts hard anc
. fast.
y Parbleu! At last fash of enlighten
mentl Blinded, stifed, one single in
slant nature rebelled against his princi
Piles. Too late, however. and protesta
tons inopportune.
For now he felt himself lifted, carried
a pace, suspended in space; then {
Q strange sensation of cold mounting from
feet to waist and from waist to shout
q ders.
t He opened wide his eyes, and through
>. the helmets ''peepers" saw fish fit pas
u him.
Preliminaries decidedly not common
= place!
He continued to descend with relativ,
rapidity. Soon the sandy bottom wa!
underfoot, and there before him mon
ster with huge head and enormous eyes
who advanced to meet him, seized thu
slate at his belt and began to scratch
. upon it. Ferreol. whose head buzzet
like sawmill, stopped and read:
lam Kenezek; who are your
u The moment was solemn. Ferreo