The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-10-02

that. even in the breast OF smuggis''
the IRE Of patriotism may burn ~
said.
SIS that SO? I had thought they were
all rogues and vagabonds, replied IN"
officer, looking crestfallen.
g..Not To that extent--at any rate, none
whom / know" said Roublot. how
eyer.' he went on, speaking eagerly
.let not that discourage you, monsieur.
will undertake to get your powder con
veved to the frigate if you will SEND v
70 nv cellars. To be frank with YOU
have a smuggler in port who is com
pletely under my thumb. ! can nave
him hanged in England for CRIME
there committed and as good as VII
,assad Nv me. Where is the Celestine to
be found?" =,
"Her captain sent word that he would
RIM into the west bay of the Isle Of Port
land every dark night for week." SAID
the officer, in high glee at the success q
his errand.
AS soon as the officer departed to see
about the delivery of the powder
Roublot threw himself back in his chair
and laughed softly to himself.
..This is the chance I have been wait
ing for. for I have them bo:h," ne
chnckled. II will force Kern to take
the powder to the frigate under threat
Of exposure for the murder, and then IN
an anonymous letter l will denounce
him and Langston to the English gov
| eminent for the treason-Kern him.
1
ventive."
| co If was that when late that after
noon the heavy wagon bringing the
Petrel's cargo numbered on to the quay,
Roublot accompanied it, and proposed
that he should like to run over for
change Of air and also to pay his re-
snects TO "the so charming Nine. Lang
1 stone"
Roublot made himself so especially
| sociable that by the time the party
came on deck the cargo was all slowed,
and Kern gave orders for immediate
departure.
By shutdown on the following day the
buue mass of Portland doomed up on
the horizon, and Kern began to con-
graduate himself on yet another sue
cessful run. The old smugglcr stood
at the tiller, his grim features relaxed
into a placid content as his keen eyes
failed to discover any sign Of revenue
cutter, and he greeted Roublot, who
had just come up from below, with
friendly nod
"Cargo's as good as landed, he said.
II shall keep her point away 70
weather tho Bill, and then run in to look
for the signal. They always burn
red flare from the kitchen door II the
, coasts clear
II know, my friend; I have Travelled
with you before" replied the French
man. but | should not trouble about
the signal tonight. 1t is not to yon
perch among the rocks that the cargo
r is consigned this time.
II don't take your meaning"
swell, 1 will do my best to enlighter
. vou.' replied Roublot. Il am before
' all things patriot, my friend, and
4 have practiced upon you tritiing de
e ception. Those kegs do not contain
& brandy, but gunpowder, which we are
/. to convey TO French frigate now wait
O ing in sore need of it in the West bay
"When you round the Bill, instead O
$ running in close under your interest
j ing domicile, you will stand on unit
v we meet the frigate.'
}, "Tve cheated the king-God bless hin
d for nigh on so years, and made to-
IS good living out of him to go and roun'
I, on him like that. I'll see you some
e where before | do such thing, yo'
dirty French dog!"
e Not so fast, friend Kern" sal
II Roublot, with sheer. UNFORTUNATELY
p YOU are not in position to indulg
IS in the freedom of choice. If you re
- fuse to oblige me in this matter sha
re denounce you for the murder OF tn
in preventive man, and the king whom 20
# serve so faithfully will most assured
"a hang you"
At that moment the lugger rounde
&c the Bill, and high up in the cliff re
to GLOW shone out. Kern knew that
re was the signal from his own door bic
ne ding him welcome home in safety. Ii
III hand went to the knife, but he piucke
it out and threw it into the sea.
w "Cold-blooded murder I've no min
el' to. and that would be the only way OF
We of it," he said, with sigh. Very wei
Sy monsieur, will do your bidding"
a' Here are the 1000 francs, them" sa
Roublot, handing him packet of note
as "Be kind enough to sign this; l wi
ut hold the tiller." and he proffered pc
us ink horn and paper, which by the ligl
ne of the pinnacle lamp Kern saw was
'e- form of receipt specifying the servi
rendered. But he signed it witho
eL