The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-06-17
copyrighted, iss5.)
~

One lesson Wnlcl 4 nave learned III my
roaming life, my friends, is never TO call
anything a misfortune until you have
seen the end OF il. Is not every hour a
fresh point of view? In this case / soon
perceived that accident had done for me
as much as the most profound cunning.
My guards naturally commenced their
search from the place where had taken
Sir Charles Meredith's coat, and from my
hiding place / could see them hurrying
along the road 10 that point. Not one OF
them ever dreamed that L could have
doubled back from there, and / lay quite
undisturbed i'm the little bush-covered cup
at the summit Of my knoll. The prison
ers had, of course, learned of my escape,
and all day exuttant yells like that which
had aroused me in the morning resounde ed
over the moor, bearing a welcome mes
sage OF sympathy and companionship to
my ears. How little did they dream that
on the top of that very mound, which
they could see from their windows, was
lying the comrade whose escape they
were celebrating. As for mel could
look down upon this poor herd of idle
warriors, as they paced about the great
exercise yard or gathered in little groups,
gesticulating joyfully over my success
Once j heard howl of execration, and
saw Beaumont, his head all covered with
bandages, being led across the yard by
two of the warders. ! cannot tell you the
pleasure which this sight gave me, for it
proved that i had not killed him, and
also that the Others knew the true story OF
what had passed. They had all known
me too well to think that j could have
abandoned him.
All that long day / lay behind my
screen of bushes, listening to the bells
which struck the hours below.
My pockets were filled with bread
which had saved out OF my allowance
N. A.
i came upon silver flask, full of excel
lent brandy and water, so that ] was able
TO get through the day without dship
The only other things in the pockets
were red silk handkerchief, a tortoise
shell snuff-box, and a blue envelope with
red seal, addressed 10 the Governor of
Dartmoor Prison. As 10 the first two,
determined 10 send them back when
should return the coat itself. The letter
caused me more perplexity, for the Gov
ernor had always shown me every cour-
tesy, and it offended my sense of honor
that l should interfere with his cores
pondence / had almost made up my mind
to leave it under stone upon the road
way within musket-shot OF the gate. This
would guide them in their search for me,
however, and SO, on the whole, j saw no
better way than just to carry the letter
with me, in the hope that / might find
some means OF sending il back 10 him.
Meanwhile, l packed it safely away in
my innermost pocket.
There was warm sun to dry my
clothes, and when night fell was ready
for my journey. / promise you that there
were no mistakes this time. 1 took the
stars for my guides, as every hussar should
be taught to do, and / put eight good
leagues between myself and the prison.
My plan now was to obtain a complete
suit of eiethes fref Tire first person trifofff-
i could waylay, and should then find my
way TO the north coast, where there were
many smugglers and fishermen who would
be ready TO earn the reward which was
paid by the Emperor to those who
brought escaping prisoners across the
Channel. i had taken the panache from
my busby and had crushed 1t in, so that
II might pass for fur cap, but even with
my fine overcoat / feared that sooner or
later my uniform would betray me. My
firt care must be to provide myself with
complete disguise.
When day broke / saw a river upon my
right and small town upon my left
the blue smoke reeking above the moor.
should have liked well TO have entered
1t, because it would have interested me to
see something of the customs of the
English, which differ very much from
those of other nations Much as / should
have wished, however 10 have seen them
would have been dangerous until had
got rid of my uniform. My cap, my mus
tache, and my speech would all help to
betray me. / continued to travel
toward the north, therefore, looking
about me continually, but never catching
a glimpse of my pursuers.
About midday l came 10 where. i'm a
secluded valley, there stood a single small
cottage, without any other building in
sight. II was neat little house, with a
rustic porch and small garden in front
of ii, with a swarm of cocks and hens. /
lay down among the ferns and watched
II, Tor II seemed TO be exactly the kind OF
place where might obtain what wanted.
My bread was finished and / was exceed
1ngly hungry after my long Journey.
determined, therefore, TO make a short
reconnaissance, and then 90 march up TO
this cottage, summon IL to surrender, and
help myself 10 all needed II could. al
least, provide me with chicken and with
an omelette. My mouth watered at the
thought.
As ] lay there wondering who could live
IN this lonely place, brisk little fellow
came out through the porch, accom-
paniee by another Older man. who carried
two large clubs in his hands. These he
handed to his young companion, who
swung them up and down, and around
and around, with extraordinary swift
ness. lhe other, standing beside him,
appeared TO watch him with great atten-
tion, and occasionally 20 advise him.
Finally he took rope and began skipping
like girl, the other still gravely observ-
ing him. As you may think, / was
utterly puzzled as 20 what these people
could be, and could only surmise that
one was a doctor and the other a patient,
who had submitted himself to some sim
gular method OF treatment.
Ng1 4 II, "a.
the older man brought out coat and held
II while the other put il on and buttoned
II TO his chin. The day was a warmish
one so that this proceeding amazed me
even more than the other. "At least" "
thought ], "it Is evident that his exercise
Is over"; but, far from this being so, the
man began 10 run, In spite Of his heavy
coat, and, as II CHANGED, he came right
over the moor in my direction. His COM