Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-18

However, the heavy breathing Of the fell
low made me hope that it might be very
long time before he recovered his senses.
l gagged him, therefore, and bound him
with strips of blanket to the bed. SO that
in his weakened condition there was good
reason to think that, in any case, he might
not get free before the next visit of the
w2rder But now again I was faced with
I had relied upon his height to help me
over the walls. could have sat down and
shed tears of despair had not the thought
OF my mother and of the emperor come to
any one but Etienne Gerard he would be in
a bad fix now; that is young man who Is
not so easily caught"
L set to work, therefore, upon Beaumonts
them into strips and then placing them
together 1 made a very excellent rope.
Ih1s l tied securely to the center of my
iron par, which was little over foot IN
leEgtn. Then l slipped out into the yard,
where the rain was pouring and the wind
screaming louder than ever. 1 kept in the
shadow of the prison wall but it was as
black as the ace of spades, and I could not
see my own hand in front of me. Unless
walked into the sentinel had nothing to
fear from him. When I had come under
the wall threw up my bar, and to my JOY
1t stuck the very first time between the
spikes at the top. 1 climbed up my rope.
pulled 1t after me, and dropped down Oh
the other side. Then l scaled the second
wall and was sitting astride among the
spikes upon the top. when / saw something
twinkle in the darkness beneath me. 1t
was the bayonet of the sentinel below, and
so close was it the second wall being
rather lower than the firsD that l could
easily, by leaning over, have unscrewed it
from its socket. There he was humming
tune to himself, and cuddling up against
the wall to keep himself warm, little think
ing that desperate man within a few feet
of him was within an ace of stabbing him
to the heart with his own weapon. l was
already braclng myself for the spring,
when the fellow, with an oath, shouldered
his musket, and l heard his steps squelch-
ing through the mud as he resumed his
beat. slipped down my rope, and. leaving
II hanging, l ran at the top of my speed
across the moor
Heavens, how l ran! The wind buffeted
my face and buzzed in my nostrils. The
rain prinsled upon my skin and Kissed past
my ears. l stumbled into holes. l tr.pped
over bushes. l fell among brambles l was
torn and GREATNESS and bleeding. My
tongue was like leather, my feet like lead
and my heart beating like a kettle drum.
still l ran, and l ran, and L ran.
But | had not lost my head, my friends.
Everything was done with a purpose. Our
fugitives always made for the coast 1
was determined to go inland, and the more
l would fly to the north and they would
seek me in the south. Perhaps you will
ask me how l could tell which was which
on such night. l answer that it was by
the wind. l had observed in prison that it
iame from the north, and SO, long
l kept my face to it l was going in the
right direction.
Well, l was rushing along in this fashion
when. suddenly. L saw two yellow Lights
shining out of the darkness in front ot me.
L paused for a moment, uncertain what l
should do. l was still in my hussar uni
fern, you understand, and it seemed to be
rat the very first thing that l should aim
at was to get some dress which should not
betray me. If these lights came from
cottage it was probable enough that l
might find what 1 wanted there. l ap-
preached. therefore. feeling very sorry that
l had left my iron bar behind; for L was
determined 10 tight to the death before l
should be retakeh.
But very soon found that there was no
cottage there. The lights were two lamps
hung upon each side of a carriage and by
their glare saw that a broad road lay in
front of me- Crouching among the bushes
L observed that there Were two horses to
the equipage, that a small postboy was
standing at their heads and that one of the
wheels was dying in the road beside him.
l can see them now, my friends; the steam
ing creatures, the stunted lad, with his
hards to their bits. and the big. black
coach, all shining with the rain. and bal
anced Upon its three wheels. AS | looked
the window was lowered. and a pretty little
face under a bonnet pe"ped out from it.
What shall l do?'' the lady cried to the
postboy in a voice of despair. Sir Charles
is certainly lost. and l shall have to spend
the night upon the moor"
Perhaps l can be of some assistance to
madame" said J. scramDling out from
among the bushes into the glare of the
lamps. A woman. in distress is sacred
thing to me, and this enc was beautiful
You must not forget that, although l was
q a {pft tan, a -nNlt
years of age.
My word. how she screamed, and how the
postboy stared. You Will understand that.
after the long in the darkness. with
my busby broken in, my face smeared with
dirt, and my uniform all stained ard torn
with brambles, l was not entirely the sort
of gentleman whom one would choose to
meet in the middle of a lonely moor Still
after the first surprise, she under
stood that 1 was her very humble servant.
ard l could even read in her pretty eyes
that my manner and bearing had not fail
ed TO produce it's impression upon her.
Il am sorry to have startled you,
madame" said l. L cfanced TO overhear
your remark. and I could not refrain from
Offering you my assistance l bowed as
1 spoke. You know my bow, and can real
ize what its effect was upon the lady.
Il am much indebted to you. SIR" sad
she. 1--WE have had terrible Journey
since we left Tavistock. Finally, one of
our wheels came off. and here we are help
less in the middle of a moor. My husband,
Sir Charles, has gone on to get help, but
l much fear that he must have lost his
way"
1 was about to attempt some consolation
when 1 saw beside the lady a black lrav-
cling coat, faced with astrakhan, which
her companion must have left behind him.
1t was exactly what l needed to conceal
my uniform 1t is true that l felt very
much. like highway robber, but then,
what would you have? Necessity has no
law. and 1 was in an enemy's camp.
Il presume. madame. that this is your
husbands coat" l remarked. You will
1 am sure, forgive me, if 1 am compelled
to- pulled it through the window as l
spoke.
1 could not bear to see the look of surprise
and fear and disgust which came over her
face.
''Oh, I have been mistaken in you" she
cried. You came to rob me, then, and not
to help me. You have the bearing of gen