The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-09

less distance, an. then stepped out from
his ambush, and ran at speed along the
dim starlit beach. The sandpits sprang
backwards from his flying toes, and the
birds in the forest rim moved uneasily
as he passed. The little maA was sea-
bred first and last, and he had no
knowledge of woodcraft; a silent stalk
was flight far beyond him; and he
raced along his way, revolver in hand,
confident that he could shoot any in
truding sentry before a rifle could be
brought to bear.
OF course the discharge of weapons
would have walked the isle, and brought
the whole wasp's nest about his ears.
But this was a state of things he could
have faceu out braZenly. Throughout
all his stormy life he had never yet
shirked a melee, and perhaps immunity
from serious harm had given him an
over estimate of the percentage of
bullets which goes astray. At any rate
the thrill of brisk fighting was pleas
ure he well knew, and he never went
far out of his way to avoid it. But, as
it was, he sped along his path unno-
ticed. The blunders of chance threat
ened him through the shadows and the
chain of sentries so that no living soul
picked up the alarm, till at last he
pulled up painting at the edge OF the
open space which hedged in the grim
convict barrack itself.
And now began a hateful tedium or
waiting The day he had fixed with
Clare was the right one; the hour of the
rendezvous was vague. He had said
las near midnight as maybe" in his
message; but he was only able to guess
at the time himself, and he expected
that Glare was in a similar plight. Any
way the man was not there, and Kettel
gnawed his fingers with Impotence as
he awaited him.
The night under the winking stars
was full of noise. In the forest trees
the jarifies, and the tree crickets, and
the katydids, kept up their maddening
chorus. The drumming mosquitoes
scented the naked man from afar, and
put every inch of his body to the tor
ment. The moist, damp heat of the
place made him pant to get his breath.
| The prison itself was full of the uneasy
rustling of men sleeping in discomfort,
and at regular intervals some crazy
| wretch Within the walls cried out "Dieu,
Dieu, Dieu," as though he were a hui
man cuckoo clock condemned TO chime
after stated lapses of minutes.
An hour passed and still the uneasy
night dozed ON without notice that a
prisoner was trying to escape. Another
hour went by, and Capt. Kettle began to
contemplate the possibilities of attack
| ing the grim building with his own itch
ing fingers, and dragging Glare forth in
the teeth of whatever opposition might
befall. Dieu, dieu, dieu," rang out the
tormented man within the walls, and
then from round the further angle of
the place a figure came running, who
stared wildly about him as though in
search of some one.
Kettle stepped out from his nook OF
eoncealment, clear, pale mark in the
starlight. The runner swerved, stopped
and besitated. Kettle beckoned him and
| tbe man threw away his doubt and
raced I'D. The little sailor thrust out a
moist hand. you'll be Mr.. Glare, sir,
presume"
Eyes"
"I'm very pleased to have the honor
Of meeting you. Pm Capt Kettle, that
was asked as favor by Miss Carne-
1 gie--
"Let us get away, quick. They will be
after me directly, and if they catch me
/ shall be shot. Mr.. Kettle, quick,
where is your boatY'
But the little naked man did not
bulge. Il am accustomed, sir" he said
stiftly, ito having my title"
Il don't understand. o, afterward.
But let us get away now at once"
Capt. Kettle, sir"