Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-01-21

day all were Oh duty, and at night two
of them were posted below as sentinels
and relieved by others every two hours.
As soon as could get a word with the
doctor I told him about the muskets.
He went forward in a careless way and
looked around and returned to report
that every musket was properly capped.
This did not lead me to argue that Has
kell had been mistaken. On the con-
trary, was satisfied that the caps had
been slyly replaced when there was no
longer any danger. They could not have
been removed by accident. There was
evidently an understanding between a
portion Of the guards that they would
not fire upon the prisoners in case of an
outbreak. / carried the matter to the
captain, as was my duty, and he was
for raising row at once. Iargued with
him that as we had no positive proofs
the trap would be sprung too soon, and
he finally gave in and agreed to play
waiting game.
Now for the first time I began to size
up each one of the guards. had hired
them all, and at the time they had
struck me as being very decent lot of
men. AS looked them over now won
dered at my lack of perception. Aside
from Larkins, who had the cut of
cunning rascal, there We're three men
who had the hangdog look of villains.
l couldn't bring myself to admit that
had ever engaged them, and after lit
tie reflection solved the puzzle. Three
of the men / had engaged had been re.
placed by these three, probably being
paid to make the exchange. / had en-.
gagged a one eyed man, for instance. /
remembered that another had long
scax on his cheek. A third bad fiery red
hair and yellow front teeth. Not one OF
those men was on board, and yet others
had assumed their names.
Twas now perfectly satisfied that a
plot had been hatohed ashore for the re-
lease of the convicts, and that at least
four of the guards were in it, but said
nothing to the captain. did take Has
kell into my confidence, however, and
from that hour very little took place on
deck or below that escaped our atten.
ton.
Ihave said nothing thus far about
Mary Williams and her parents. AS q
matter of fact, the girl herself was SO
upset the day she came aboard that she
kept her cabin for a week. 1t was hard
lines in flying from disgrace to find her
self penned up with the villainous cause
OH Gno ~
deck she was SO pale and thin that did
not at first recognize her. Fortunately
for the family no one on board connect.
ed them with the unfortunate affair at
Dudley, and that was certainly a matter
for congratulation. Upon my first meet
ing with Mary she made strong effort
to repress her emotion as she gave me
her hand and said:
"While we are both sufferers from
the same cause l wish to ask your for
giyeness that IA friend of mine should
have brought the trouble upon you. y"
/ was much mbarrasscd-more so
than she was-over the situation, but l
managed to tell her that she had no
need of excuses and that l was sorry
for her troubles and had already forgot
ten mine. We could congratulate our
selves ON having come out of the affair
with flying colors, and yet l could not
fail to see that she had taken the matter
deeply to heart. Through no fault OF
hers she had brought sorrow to her par
ents and IA smirch upon her own repu-
tation. The fact of her loving and being
betrothed to such villain at all, and
especially III opposition to her parents,
had given the public gossips chance
to deal her some hard blows.
I told you was in love with Mary
Williams, but as to her having any feel
ing for me beyond what the situation
might be expected to bring out l make
no claim. After being dealt such a blow
no sane man could expect her thoughts
to turn to love. Change Of scene and
lapse of time might work i'll my favor,
and | must be satisfied to wait. What
bothered me just then, however, was to
know just how she felt toward Ben
Johnson. AS proud and honest girl
her affection for him must have been
dealt terrible blow, but we all know
that girl will sometimes cling to an
unworthy man in Il manner to fill every
body with amazemcnt. My desire to
learn her feelings was soon gratiticd.
She asked after him-how he was con-
Quoting himself and what sort Of record
had followed him on board from the
prison, and when / answered her she
continued:
lam appalled, when 1 look back and
realize how blind l was, though the
villainy in his nature never revealed
itself to any one until that terrible
night. 1 believe it was pity gave him
more than love. cannot help but pity
him now, even though the sight OF him
fills me with horror. :"
Whenever Johnson's gang was on
deck, the fellow always had his eye out
for a sight Of Mary, but as soon as she
understood the routine she remained
below and out Of sight. From the hour
of his coming aboard had never caught
his eye, but yet had never come near
him that all the devil in his soul did
not appear in his face. fully realized
his deadly hatred, and had no doubt
that his burning desire for revenge
would fill his head with plans Of revolt
CHAPTER VII.