The San Francisco call., 1898-01-02

Now it was a question of when his de-
 sertion would be discovered. All he ask
 ed was two clear hours. By that time the deed would be done, 1T he could climb the Perce Rock at all.
 He touched bottom; he was so far Safe. He was on the Perce sands. His blanket was scarcely wetted. He wrung the wa ter out of his clothes and ran softly up the shore. Suddenly he was met by G cry of Halt" and a ''Who goes .there! ana he stopped short at the point of oaye- net He recognized the voice; 1t was olu man Carnavals.
 He said "Sh" and gave his name Antoine Robichon of the Charmns Nancy. The old man knew the voice. lie nearly dropped his mushet in surprise. Antoine's tale of his misfortunes was soon given, but he had not yet told ol his present plans when he heard QulCh footstep and Minois was at her father side. Unlike the old man, she did drop her musket, and with an exclamation lm- pulsively threw her arms round ms neck and kissed him on the cheek
 '"Therer' she said, that's for the cap- tain of the Charming Nancy. who's coIne in through fleet of Frenchmen!' She thought he had stolen into the haroor with his little ship under the very nose of the admiral and his squadron.
 Ruefully Antoine had to tell her the truth. She trembled with excitement al the story of how he had been pressed at St. Malo and all that came after untlt this very day when he had dismounteo the gun not fifteen feet from where she stood
 Man aliven' she said; 'it is you, An toine-it was you that dismounted that gun and nearly killed mel
 Tt was hard work not killing you," he answered
 "Go along with Minois," said ol' man To;e ;e, 4hn help you get away into the woods
 That was not Antoine's plan, but he did not intend it for Carnavals ears Time was short, his position was peril ous- He offered no explanation to the old man, but hurried away with Illinois, tell ing her his purpose as he went. sud denly she stopped short.
 Antoine Robichon,' said she, you're @ fool! You can't climb the Perce Rock. No one has ever done it, and you mustn't try; you'll be safe where Noise will hide you. You shan't climb the rock-ah, no! mol" She did not understand his reasons.
 He pointed toward the Post.
 They wouldn't leave a stick standing there if you hide me. No, I'm going to the top of Perce, or break my neck v'lar'
 Here was a revelationi She had never thought Antoine capable of so much thinking. For moment she could only say, Mon doux terrible! Mon doux terri ble! Just think of that-to save us all and to climb Perce Rock!"
 Then his intention suddenly inspired her.
 "Antoine,' she said clutching his arm, eff you go to the top of Perce Rock, so will Ir'
 In spite of his anxiety he laughed.
 "Ah, ba, all rightr' he said, 'tbut must get up first. Then I'll drop a cord and you'll tie on a small rope if you've got enough. You'll tie it round your waist and come on, and then if you slip or get tired I'll hold you safe with the :. rope. But see-but see," his voice drop ped, you can't stay up there with me all alone, Minois-and besides, it wouldn't do the admiraPd be firing on you toot''
 "I can't stay alone with you, mon : douX!" She was angry now. She could have slapped his face. 'Fd like to know. why I can't. If you ever want me to kiss you again in all your life. Antoine Robichon, you'll thump that stupid brain of yours for more sense to say. Come now, am I going up or not?" .:.
 Yes he said ''you can go up if you'n go down again when tell you -. ::
 "I'll go down when you ask me, :sillX!'' she said. :
 ''Then I'll go straight to the Rock now" said Antoine. When they miss me there'll be pot boiling, I can tell you,.'..- He unloosened the blanket from his head. "If get up,' he said, 'In let the string down for the rope, and you will tie this blanket on to the rope. I'll have torun my chance of their not missing me before that. Once on top they can't hurt :me--- nothing at all. *'* Ah,. ba! Good : by Illinois,
 "Oh, my good. Oh. my good!''' said the. girl, with a sudden change of mood t.To. ., think you have been gone two:y years, and now you come back like this! And per hapS-" But as he was about to put his arms round her, she pushed him away. dashed the tears from her eyes, and bade him go.
 He had a new confidence in his. enter prise. Hadn't Minois kissed him? Hadn't she wiped the tears out of her eyes? Hadn't she wanted to come with him to the top of Perce Rock? She was the sort : of girl to be the wife of the master of the Charming Nancyl Without doubt she was. But if she came to Perce Rock, if : she got up-well, he'd get up himself first, and then he'd try and think out the rest of it, but thinking was terribly. hard : work It was worse than lighting a ship to leeward of the enemy. >-.+~: .5:.'. The tide was now we'll out; the moon was shining very brightly. He reached the point where, if the Rock was to be sealed at all, the ascent must be made; For a distance there was shelving. where a fair foothold might be had by a fear. less man, with a steady head and sure
 
 dred feet where he would have to draw. . himself up hand over hand. where was :. no natural pathway, where :creVices. must :. be found for feet and hands. Woe be to him if his head grew dizzy: his foot slipped or his strength gave. out; his body would be broken to pieces on. the hard sand below If :that second stage was ;. passed, the ascent thence to the top was easier; for though nearly as steep, it had lodges and offered fair vantage to a man :. who had a foot like mountain goat. Antoine had been aloft all weathers and his toes were as strong as another mans foot, and surer. =; He started. These toes of his caught in crevices, held on to ledges; glued them selves to smooth surfaces; the knees :. clung like a rough riders to a saddle; the :: big hands, when once they got a: pur- chase, fastened like an octopus or an air.
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