The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-06-20
CHAPTER XXI.

By "cloimbin up atop Of the zeilin"
Mr. Laversha implied that they should
commence operations by getting out on
deck-an excellent piece of advice no
doubt; half the battle, in fact, If only
they could do it. But, with view to
doing just that thing, Guthrie had ex,
amined and tested the grating over the
hatch half dozen times already and
had satisfied himself Of nothing but the
unbreakable strength of their Jail The
farmers suggestion, therefore, did not
rouse the enthusiasm which he seemed
to look for
"Doan't you think that there be a
good plan, zur2" asked the plotter
proudly, fumbling for Guthrie's arm
and imprisoning it in his huge paw.
Beautiful" replied the young man ;
eff there was any way CT doing it"
"Oh. as to that, said the farmer,
with an unconscious tightening Of his
grip, "let me zee what | can do l
once lifted the trardoor Of our straw
loft wi truss of hay zettin on the
top of un." Then he started a ponder.
GUS chuckle, which seemed to pass
through his huge frame and up Guth-
ries arm in slow. heavy jerks.
"You re amusedl" said the under
graduate testify. whats the joke
now7"
label, he tried that there trapdoor.
and he couldn shift un an inch. Tar
rible hard man, my brother Abel be.
eur, but not 20 strong as | T.
Guthrie shook off the farmers hand
with an angry gesture. "Confound
your reimbursement he exclaimed.
Bring them out at another time if you
like, but heave that grating off the
trapdoor first. if you think You can
manage it. y
Cain rose clumsily to his feet and
stood still for minute irresolutely. 81
hope" he said slowly. 'you doan take
what zaid about Abel in bad part
meant no offense, eur. -
Furious though he was at the man 8
slowness, Guthrie found this appeal al
together too much for his gravity
mo, you idiot. nor he laughed.
"But you are wasting time, and every
moments precious. That's all; now
bustlel'
"Muster Guthrie be glad
The undergraduate put his shoulder
unceremoniously under the apologist's
ribs and gave him heave toward the
foot of the ladder.
go on" he said, land talk after
ward"
Laversha steered his way with stolid
caution among the turtles, reached the
iron ladder and put one big hand on a
rung. Then he bent his head back and
gazed upward for such an unconsciona-
BILE time that Guthrie felt like kicking
him from sheer impatience. But at last
he began to ascend, testing every rung
before he trusted his weight upon it,
and, In the course Of what seemed to
his two watchers ages, he reached the
top--that is to say, his head came up
against the grating with what would
have been a bump if his speed bad al
lowed of such thing. Then he detach-
ed one hand cautiously and laid 1t
against the obstruction.
He did not appear to use force, but
the part Of the grating which he touched
began to bend slowly upward. But 1t
was evidently too strong to break, for
after minute the strain was taken off.
"It's too much for himr' exclaimed
the undergraduate, and the CLEAN of
hope that had been Frightening in him
fed again.
But Cain was not discouraged by one
failure. With slow deliberation he
placed both his paws on the beckett, in
side the combing, and raised his feet
another rung to get a stronger purchase.
That put him in somewhat punched
up position, with his fat neck bent for
ward and the crown of his skull press.
ing against the woodwork. He took a
big, signing breath and Strengthened
himself.
"Lcoki Look!' cried Mrs Jelly. in
loud whisper of admiration.
A ripple passed along the thighs Of
the farmers trousers and mp the back
of the tight fawn colored overcoat. The
grating bent and something splintered'
Then he drew back. as If to gather his
strength for the supreme effort
A clunpinr Of h'n'nl feet was heard
,.,,.;..r -.