New-York tribune., 1903-06-15
CHAPTER TX
SALTASH FERRY


woke up-with start which shook the vehicle
when fiat hearse with plumes waving. went
rattIirg by us and back toward Plymouth.
A minute later Mr.. Jope reappeared at the
coach door, perspiring copously. but trium-
phant.
"Oh, it's been heavinly!" he announced. why,
hulIo! Where's his reverence?"
He couldn't wait sir. He-he preferred to
walk"
"Eh? didn't see en- pass the toll-bar. That's
a pity, too for I wanted to take his opinion.
oh, my son, it's been heavinly First of all. l
tried argument and called the tollnan a Of
a dog; and then he fetched up constable, and,
as luck would have it. Nan-shes in the second
coach-knew all about him; leastways, she
talked as if she did. Well the tollman stuck to
his card of charges and said he hadn't made the
law, but it was threepence for everything
four wheels. -Four wheels? said. Don't talk
weak! Faithful below Bill done his duty, and
he's been a blessed angel any time these three
days. We brought nothing into the world and
we can't take it out; but you'd take the breeches
off a Highlander says. He's on four wheels.
says the fellow, stubborn ever. so was
Elijah says I: but IL you're mighty partieu-
lar, we try ye another way I paid of the crew
of the hearse, gave the word to cast loose and
down we dumped poor Bill slap in the middle Of
of wheels. What's YOUR charge for en- on the
fat?' Eight bearers at a ha'penny makes four
pence he says. No, no. my son. says there
amt a-going to be no bearers. He's happy
enough if he stops here all night You may
charge en- as g covered conveyance" as I see
you've a right to; but the card says nothing
. about rate Of drivin', except that II mustn't be
reckless: and you may lay to it Bill won't be
that At first the constable talked big about OBJ
structing the traffic. but Nan telling the
crowd such terrible things about his past that
FOR very shame he grew quiet, and the pair
agreed that by lashing Bill atop of the first
coach we might pass him through gratis per-
sonaI luggage. Why. what's the boy cryin for?
It's all over now, and principles principle"
But STILL as the squadron got under way again
and moved On amid the cheers of the populace.
I sat speechIsss, dry-eyed, shaken with dreadful
sobs.
Easy, my Iad-don't start the timbers. In
troube-hey?"
I nodded.
t'I thought as much when I shipped We. Sit
up and tell me; but first listen TO this: All trou-
bles big TO a boy, but one o your age don't
often do what's past mendin If he takes it hon
est. That's comfort, hey? Very well; haul
up and inspect damages, and we'H see what's
to be done"
He nodded. Now we're making headway.'
''He-he was murdered. I saw him
Look here" said Mr.. Jope. very grave but
seemingly not astonished, hadn't you best get
under the seat?'
. 'I-didn't do it, sir. Really, didn't"
''I'm not suggesttn' it." said Mr.. Jope "Stil,
under the circumstances. I'd get under the
seat
''If you wish It, sir"
''I wouldn't go so far as to say that; but 'tis
my advice" And under the seat crawled ODE
diently. Now then" said he with absurd
air of one addressing vacancy, "if you didn't do
it. who did?'
At don't know, sr.'
Then, where's your diff1culty?'
But saw a man staring in at the window
it was upstairs in a close to the roof; ard
afterward I found him on the roof. and he was
all of d tremble and in two minds, he said
about pitching me over. I showed him the way
down If you please. SIR broke off, you're
not to tell any one about this, whatever hap
pens!'
"Eh? Why not?'
'Because"- hesitated-
Friend Of yours?"
mot a friend, sir. He's young in the
army and his aunt-she used to be very kind to
me- ran away at first because was afraid
but they can't do anything to me, can they? for
I haven't done anything. I didn't find the-the
Mr. Rodriguez. I mean-until he was dead
But if they catch me I shall have to give evil
dence. and Mr. Archie-though I don't believe he
| did it.
'eBelay therer' commanded Mr.. Jope. Your
beginning to see things clearer. though I won't
say it's altogether easy to follow We yet. Far
as 1 can make out, you're not a bad boy You
ran away because you were scared Well,
Saad
lew navself. though I often wanted to. You
won't go back if you can help it, COS why? Cos
you don't want to tell man; COS his aunt's
a friend O. yourn. and COS you don't believe he's
guilty. What's your name?"
Harry sir-Harry Revel.'
.rVeu then my names Ben Jope, and as
such you'll call I'm sorry, in a way. that
If rhyrnes with rope which it never struck me
before in all these years, and wouldn't now but
for thinkin' pom that CHASTITY godson O. mine
and how much better I stomach We. 1 promise
nothing. mind; but if you'n keep quiet under
that seat I'll think it over"
Certainly having made my confession felt
easier in mind as lay huddled under the seat
though it seemed to me that Mr.. Jope took mat
ters lightly For the squadron ahead had re-
gumed the singing of tom Bowling and he
sat humming bar or two here and there with
evident Measure and pausing only to bow out
of +be window and acknowledge the cheers or
the passers by
Ar the end of five minutes however, he spoke
aloud again
..The first thing" he announced. is to stay
where you are. Let think now. who seen
Won. There's the parson; he's gone. And there s
the iarvey: he's drunk as a lord. ANY one else?"
There was one of the young ladies that
looked out of window"