The San Francisco call., 1898-01-02
By Gilbert Parker.

takes load of responsibility. He was
 quite as well treated in this French ship
 es ne would be in an English ship, and
 ne could be on easier terms with his present comrades because he spoke Eng hSn badly; but these sailors could under
 stand his language and he theirs. He
 hau stubbornly resisted being pressed,
 put ne had been knocked on the head ana there was an end of it. What was the good of being knocked on the head agaln or being hung at the yard-arm If
 one could help it? He was an expert gunner, Tor he had served four years with the artillery at Elizabeth Castle in Jersey. When he was drafted in he mad asked 10 become a gunner, and dlu such excellent work against some Spanish prlNateers that the admiral, delighted for expert men were scarce-gave him a gun, and presently, because of his great skhi, made him master gunner.
 lie grew fond of one great gun; he called her ma couzaine," for everything that Jersey man comes to love he calls his cousin. His comrades, like himself did not have much concern with ques- uons of loyalty or patriotism. They were ready to fight, but that was because it was expected of them, and it would mako little difference to them whether 1t was against the English or against the Turks, or even against another French snip. Fighting was their trade. and they were expected to fight the old Invincible in ac- ton for all that she was capable.
 Yet Antoine had what was almost thrill when he saw the British flag run up on the posts of the Fishing Company as they sailed into the bay. His heart, too, dumped a little. Involuntarily he looked up to the French tricolor flying over his head. It was curious that there should be such difference in two mi of f cfl Nh. if linen. Just little different arrange ment of color, and yet this flag on the roof of the big fishing-shed seemed to rouse his pulses to heat.
 Man doux d'la viei There is the fieg of old Carnavalr' he said. "P'r'aps Mi nois put it up-that English fleg!"
 Whoever put 1t up there was the Eng fish flag defantly flying on the huts of the great fishing-shed, and-yet! there were the two old twenty-pounders train ed on the French squadron.
 "Oh, my good! Oh. mai grand doux!' said Antoine, with low, rolling laugh; "Oh, that is very dam funnee!"
 The sight of the British flag loosened his tongue in English. It was undoubt- edly ridiculous, these two twenty-pound- CTS training on whole fleet Presently there was more defiance-a Jersey flag, a nice oblong piece of white linen with two diagonal red stripes: it was hoisted on the house of the Master.
 ''Oh my goodr' said Antoine again; cit will be the old man and the three boys next. What. what?--million thunders, look at thaty'
 He laughed uproariously. forgetful of of everything save the sight of old man Carnaval, his three sons, and his three daughters-marching with mus kets from the house to the great shed.
 Antoine heard laugh behind him. He looked round, then strengthened himself and stood at attention. 1t was Admiral Richery, guffawing almost as loudly as Antoine himself had done.
 That's a big splutter in little pot, said he. "Petticoats, too!' He put his telescope to his eye. And, son of Peter, scarce out of their teens The Lord protect us, they are going to fight my squadron!" He laughed again till the tears came. "The glory of Heaven, but it is droll thati It is a farce au diable! They have humor, these fisherfolk-eh, 
 "Old man Carnaval will fight just the same" answered Antoine, bridling up in- side.
 "Oh, ho, you know these people, my gunner?' said the admiral.
 "These ten years, Excellency," answer ed Antoine, and by your leave, Excel lency, I will tell you how"
 And, not waiting for permission (after the manner of Jerseyman), he told. the admiral the story of his old life. and of his being pressed.
 "Very good said the admiral coolly, you Jersey folk used to be Frenchmen; now that you are a Frenchman again, you shall do something for the flag. You see that twenty-pounder wonder behind the wall? Very well, dismount it. Then we'll send in flag of truce and barley with old man Carnaval,' for his jests are worth attention and politeness. There's a fellow at the gun-nol he has gone. Take good aim and dismount the gun in one shot. Ready now-you have , a good range"
 The whole matter went through An toine's mind as the admiral spoke If he refused to fire he would be strung up to the yariar:u, if he fired and miss-d perhaps other gunners woui1 fire. and, once started, they migut ruZe the fish, ing-post. If he fired ana dismodnted the gun, the matter would be only jest for as such, so far, the admiral regarded it. In dismounting the gun and further ing the jest, he would be saving the Carnavals, and helping England too.
 Well, to think that he must fire against the place where he had got his living these ten years! Why, he and Minois