The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-03-16
Hy HENRY NEWBN

"And when do we start
"Refore the beginning of April; we
have hardly more than week lett IN
which to gather our forces for this maj
attempt
she was silent, and seemed unwilling
to venture further into the region OF
detail.
.aThe vessel is all but ready" con-
tinued the colonel; "a mixed crew can
be collected in day or two at Deal or
Ramsgate.'
He paused, as if expecting a question
from her; but she was still silent, and
he went on again.
'For the money I am relying on you.
She nodded.
.As to the rest" he said, cycling her
cautiously, "our friends have failed US,
as you know.
She looked straight at him, and her
face took a. passive expression, as If in
expectation of a blow.
s"This is our last chance" he said;
s.the emperor's supreme and only hope.
No consideration must weigh with us
against his life and liberty"
She drew her breath quickly; he saw
that he must give her more time yet.
This man Johnstone,' he said, will,
I hope, consent to work the submarine
boat for us. I will search him out to-
| morrow, and make terms with him my
self if possible
She was relieved to find that SO far
this was all, and assented reluctantly,
hoping against hope to find her further
suspicious unfounded.
But the colonel went on relentlessly.
sThere remains only between us and
| - / i
ty, this one difficulty Of discovering
suitable captain for our ship
"You have time to go to France for
that yourself, she said in desperation.
Everything must be dared, as you said
only just now
He shook his head.
Daring of that kind is useless here"
he said. mo Frenchman can serve our
purpose
She feigned establishment at this.
MY dear Camilla he said, you mis-
judge our friend in thinking him so ran
corous. He has fought as he told us,
chiefly against Danes and Americans,
and has no cause to bear malice to the
French
7 was not thinking of the French
she returned, "but of the emperor, who
melted both Denmark and America to
war, and thereby made himself the en-
envy of all true Englishmen.''
Surely not quite ALL" said the col
onel; the opposition have often, both
in parliament and out of it, pleaded
with the government for his release.
Lord Glamorgan,' he continued, look
ing at Estcourt, Lord Glamorgan, for
instance, is a member of that party.
and yet in every way a true English
man."
No. he continued, st have consid-
cred this part of the question long and
thoroughly, for it is that upon which
all the rest depends. These are the two
necessary qualifications for our cap
tain. First, he must not only be good
ally, in the sense of being bold and
competent seaman, but he must be
bound to US by a tie stronger than that
of mere pecuniary interest
YES, she interrupted, quickly, che
must act from patriotism, too; and
therefore, he can be no other than q
Frenchman"
He shook his head again, with the
same gentle regretfulness.
Where will you find such self-im-
violating patriotism at moments no.
t1ce, and among those to whom orr
IDEAS are stranger" he asked. do YOU
forget that even the inner circle of our
confederates has failed us?''
She tremb1ed in silence.
NO., resumed the colonel. che must
pc an Englishman, and one upon who,,
we can exert an irresistible moral force
But that is not enough" he added
quickly, and she almost breathed again
The second qualification is this-he
must be man known favorablv IN
the authorities here in England. or at
the least to those at st. Helena. Other
wise he would be unable to obtain leave
to anchor, and he could not face those
naval police without fear of suspicion
we should be searched and here his
voice fell to low, clear Tone searched
and seized, or driven from the coast
and the emperor must die a broken.
hearted exile
Camilla buried her face in her hands.
Inc coloneI looked down upon her with
lalnt snlle OF self-congratulation.
very Wen, then, he said, "for the
present we will discuss the question no
Iurther / will. do my best to secure
JohhsloHe' ana l leave you to think
the olheF matter over by yourself: it
IS Quite possible that you may be able
10 discover among your English friends
some one-an officer, perhaps-who will
at your persuasion, if for no other rea-
son, help US to save the emperor AMI
France"
She did not move or speak; when at
last she looked up he was gone. Rnt
every word that he had spoken. and
every tone of his subtly modulat-d
voice, passed through her brain ova,.
and over again with paralyzing clear
ness. and she sat on az IF ,,nao-