, 1891-01-28

l confess the sight Is not a pleasant one"
observed her brother, pointing TO a party
of men tramping wearily along the dusty
road. By their broad brimmed hats and
hideous yellow garments, dAubed over
with broad arrows. Nell with a shudder
saw that it was a party of convict laborers.
Tramp, tramp, they came through the
white dust, a collection of human wild
beasts, only restrained from gratifying
their lust for murder and rapine by the
careful watch which was kept upon them,
for on each flank walked the warders,
armed with cutlass and revolver, and ready
to use either should the slightest sign of
INSTRUMENTATION become apparent.
Tramp, tramp, nearer they come, with
an ominous juggling OF leg irons, and the
occasional word OF command from the
warders, until they arrived at the very
spot where Bob and his sister were stand
ing. All at once = deadly pallor over
spread Nell's face, and with a faint cry
she fell back into her brothers arms,
pointing her finger toward the convicts.
But there was no need for this. for o
Jackson's eyes had at the same moment
recognized the features OF their father
walking at the head of the party, looking
inezDressibly wan and weary.
That night the brother and sister held a
long and serious council in their chamber.
1T is lucky that have saved so much
Of my fathers money, and that have just
received my half years salary" remarked
Bob.
"Whst do you mean'n asked Nell.
That will have him out OF this re-
turned Bob firmly. DO you think that /
would have our father in this living hellr'
mo. never thought that you would;
but, oh, Bob, what can he ave done2"
Nothing wrong that 1 will swear to-"
replied Bob. a little illogically; che was too
good a father for that. Let us, however.
consider tho best course to pursue"
Long and earnestly they debated, and the
early dawn still found them considering
the matter. At last a plan was agreed on.
From that day Robert Jackson's mode
OF life was entirely altered. Though he
had never neglected his religious duties,
yet he became much more diligent in their
performance and cultivated the acquAint-
ance Of the chaplain at the convict hulks
with the utmost perseverance,. After a
time he became we'll known In the convict
yard and the hospital. He would sit by
the bedside of tho sick and read to them
from the book Of eternal life. His only re-
Taxation WAS sailing about the bay in a
small yacht which he had hired. For some
months he had been a constant visitor to a
convict named James Sutton, who about a
week before had been struck down by a
80 - AAAA1RH " ~ u IL bhAAl
the surgeon OF thu convict establishment
ut seems like a want of vitality, Mr..
Jackson" remarked the medical officer.
IF It had been any man except James SUIT
ton | should call it a case of malingering,
but he Is n difTerent style of mar to the
usual run of convicts. Never once re-
ported, always ready for his work. quiet,
well behaved man, and one with a sad his
tory 1 am afraid. He will not last long.
and ~. ID. ,raIN 49,. IL. - -.
easy ones"
Bob Jackson's face flushed. That night
as he sat by his fathers sick bed a whis-
pered conversation took place.
as II foF to.nightr" asked the convict.
"If you feel yourself strong enough,
father"
Hush, don't uss that word. should
think that / was strong enough. What
time will the boat be in waitingy"
"At midnight. Do you think you can
swim out without any one noticing your"
YES. l have been twice down to the
waters edge in the night. and not a soul
has seen me. There will be no moon, and
all will be as dark as n cellar"
AT le precisely l will show a lantern,
and do so at intervals OF three minutes
until you reach me"
1T is a risk, but we cAnnot do better.
Remember to keep fifty yards from the
shore. and In case OF an alarm pull of
without taking any thought Of me"
A hearty grasp OF the hand was the sole
reply, aud a short time Rfterward Robert
Jackson left the convict hospital.
That night as the sentries on the New
Mole were being released the corporal of
the guard fancied that he percsived a
bright CLEAN appear a short distance out
at sea In front of the convict barracks. He
watched carefully, and in a few minutes
the hAsh was renaAtod- CONVINCED shat all
was not right he summoned tho officer of
the guard. In 4 short time the fash was re-
peAted, aud this time a boat could be seen
motionless upon the dark water, and the
head Of a man just appearing above the
surface as he made TOWARD It.
Guard, turn outp' shouted the officer,
and hailiug the boat he ordered it to pull
in under the Mole. No attention was paid
to the command. Twice it was repeated
without effect, aud then tho order was
given to fire.
The fash Of the rifles showed the boat
pulling swiftly away toward the centeS of
the bay, but all traces OF the swimmer had
disappeared. By this time, however, the
garrison was thoroughly alarmed, the
warning notes of the bugls rang out, and
guards turned out in every direction, while
blue lights and rockets which were thrown
up showed small pleasure yacht scudding
before the wind and making for the en-
trance Of the bay. Twice a heavy gun from
the Europa Main Guard was fired, but
without effect, and before steam could be
got up in tho gunboat which was lying in
the hArbor the fugitive vessel had made
such way as TO render all chance OF sue
cessful pursuit hopeless
q
A small vessel was lying at anchor OF
the coast OF northern Africa Upon a mat
tress laid upon the desk was stretched the
form OF u man, whose worn and haggard
features displayed the marks OF premature
old age. whilo a blood stained bsndage
crossed and recrossed his chest, showing
that he had something more to contend
with than the usual Ills to which flesh is
heir. A young girl was kneeling beside
him. supporting his head on her arm, while
a young man grasped his han with a look
further of stood three sailorS gazing with
the utmost sympathy at the wounded man.
My children" said Thomas jackson,
do not Rrieve, all you did was for the
best. IL was a chance shot fired in ths
gloom, which married all your plans, but l
die happy, for am / not with these dear
ones whom l had never hoped to see on
this earth againi Do not weep, Nell. Bob,
my brave boy, you must not get into trou-
BILE over this. There il nothing but cir
cums.antial evidence to connect you with
II. Do not return to Gibraltar-make, as
you originally intended, for Marseilles,
and get to England as soon as you can.
When l am dead bury me at sea, but re-
member, that AZ sure as | am about to APP
pear before my Maker tribunal, / am an
innocent man, and have suffered for a
crime | never committed"
IL