Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-08-10
CHAPTER XXI.


amined and tested the grating over the
hatch half a 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
good plan, zurf" asked the plottor
proudly. fumbling for Guthrie's arm
and imprisoning it in his huge paw.
"Beautifulp' replied the young man;
'if 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 l can do |
once lifted the trapdoor of our straw
loft wi truss Of hay zettin on the
top Of I'M" Then he started ponder
Gus chuckle, which seemed to pass
through his huge frame and up Guth-
rie's arm in slow, heavy jerks
you're amused - said the under
graduate testify whats the joke
nowT'
abel, he tried that there trapdoor,
and he couldn't shift nm an inch. Tar
tlbiO manu- man, my 'ANAiiNA ~hbCi bO,
eur, but not 70 strong as IT.
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. "
Cain rose clumsily to his feet and
stood still for minute irresolutely. Il
hope" he said slowly, lyon doan' take
what ! zaid about Abel III bad part
meant no offense, EUR. "
Furious though he was at the mans
slowness, Guthrie found this appeal al
together too much for his gravity
"No, you idiot, mol" he laughed.
"But you are wasting time, and every
moments precious, That's all; now
bustlel'
Muster Guthrie, l be glad
The undergraduate put his shoulder
unceremoniously under the apologist 8
ribs and gave him a heav. toward the
foot of the ladder.
$50 on" he said, "and 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
9azed 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,
md in 1n o. -hnt ,.l q,
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 had al
lowed of such thing. Then he detach-
ed one hand cautiously and laid it
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 it
was evidently too strong to break, for
after a minute the strain was taken off
'It's too much for him" 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 elaboration he
placed both his paws on the beckett, in
siae the compih8' ana RAISED ms 1eet
announcer ruhg 10 get stronger purchase.
1hat put MN III somewhat punched
up positloh, win ms lat neck bent for
"ard ana the crown OF MS Skull press
ihS against the WOODWORK lie TOOK
plg' signing breath and Strengthened
himself.
Lcok LOOK cried Mrs, Jelly, IN
1ouo Whisper OF admiration
ripple passed along the thighs OF
the farmer $ trousers ana mp the back
OF the Aght lawn coiored overcoat The
grating oent ana something Splntered.
linen ne drew BACK, as II to gather his
strength Tor the supreme effort
a ciuhplng OF booted feet was heard
coming along the deck above
WIN unfinished deilberntlon the
strohg man returned TO the charge, ano
TINS Time the grating gave Guthrie
caught glimpse or ann outline ap
proachlng along the deck and shouted
10 the farmer TO hurry, one OF his
massive hands was clapped out ON to the
comDlnS' Inc negro saw 1t, lifted hl'
heaVy boot and stamped on IT. For al
the damage he qua he might as wei
nave trodden on coil OF rope, But he
brought about phenomenon which nc
member OF he Eureka crew had ever