Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-12-01

driftpd In for rev moments and then
slowly came to a standstill, the water
Tipping along her keel. The men sat
quiet, but with beating hearts and
painting breaths from their labor and
excitement, until they had recovered
themselves In measure. Far above
III EN- lowered the massive walls of the
chateau.
I'VE are in" said Grafton at last, n
note of triumph and relief thrilling
through his voice.
He climbed aft and grasped the hand
of the old man.
"By heaven, Jabez. never saw such
steering! We were gone dozen times
but for you!"
"Twant my steerin'. yer honor.
s'much as twas your pilotin' got us in"
remarked the old sailor, wipng the
sweat from his forehead with his
other hand Twas close shave all
the way through Wot next, sir?"
"Out with the oars, now, and let
US row to the Shore" he said, taking
the tiller while Jabez shipped the oars.
Gently, mani" he added, as the boat
surged rapidly forward under the old
| sailors powerful strokes.
Presently her PROV touched a little
stretch of beach few feet wide, which
Philip remembered to have seen right
at the foot Of the place where he de-
termined to make the attempt to de-
scend the wall of the chateau.
Now. Slocum," he said. pass me
that coil of signal haliards."
When the mass of light but strong
coil around his neck.
EFF I mought make so bold, yer
honor. wot are ye goin' to do?" asked
the sailor.
81 am going to ascend the wall of
The castle yonder."
Good Lord!" CALCULATED the old
Did man, ut can't be done. Why, it's
regular pressipyce' en- shin up
any r'yal mast that ever was set, but
that ere"
"That'll do. Jabez I've been here
before and | know it's possible to
scale the wall. 1t has been done be-
tore--by lover"
"'Tant fer the likes OF me to speak
to YOU" said the old seaman; but
lovers allus was fools, they say, witch
amt never been one, an mebbe
Providence watches over 'em special
like, but as fer sailors"
81 am lover, too Jaboz. If it comes
20 that. 'Tis not only for England that
go into that tower. Now, we've
talked enough am going to climb
TO that window from which the light
Is coming. Dye see it? The one
with the balcony. Then | am going
10 drop the end of this piece OF signal
halliards down to you. want you to
bend on the end of that coil of rope
in the bow to it. Be sure to make it
fast to the srapncl end. Then III
haul it up. hook it to the balcony, and
have a ladder to come down again"
VERY good, sir"
Then you are TO stay in the boat
here and keep sharp lookout for any
thing and everything. Have your
muskets ready for use, too. You're
good shot, aren't you?"
Il used to be, SIR
IL remembered it. Now, if should
happen to fall you are to pick up
what's left of me and take it back to
The ship-if you can get back"
AN II you don't come down, sir,
witch God forbid"
"Wait until about four bells in the
midwatch for me, as near as you can
guess the time-here, take my watch
and then you can be sure-and then
make your way as best you can to the
ship. 1t will be easier to get out of
this little bay, l think, than it was TO
get into it, especially if the wind shifts
off-shore. Keep her reefed down and
take it slowly; YOU must remember
something of the pass from our COM
ing in"
'If you amt to go with me, capt
don't care w'ether gifts out alive or
not. III jest jam her head fer the
opcnin' an let her go. Damme, beg
gin yer pardng, sir, wish you'd take
me into that ere tower, too
II would rather have you down here
Jabez. Good-by; remember what told
you" Grafton said, extending his hand
to his faithful if humble companion.
Il won't forgit none of it, sir" an
swered the old man in melancholy
voice, shaking his captain by the hand