Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1904-12-29
CHAPTER xxvIIl.

The sailors, as soCn as they had
beached their boat, scrambled up the
Single and speedily made their way to
the open door of the vault under the
cottages. Contrary to their expecta-
ton not a shot had been fired at them
nor had their approach been hindered
In any way. On the other hand, most
of the lights had been extinguished, SO
that At was impossible to see what
preparations had been made for de-
Tense. From the upper part Of the
cottages came the sound of heavy
sthuds, as If some one were using a
sledge hammer, and a man came run
ming down the garden path and shout
ing.
3 Lieut.. PostlethWaite stepped forward
and spoke in quick, short, soldierly
sentences:
6 Men, I1call upon you in the kings
name to surrender. You are suspected
of smuggling and piracy You may be
quite innocent. You will have fair
trial. Two Of your leaders were de-
serters. One of them Pennitold-
have just shot down myself. The 9TH
err what the deuce is his name? Oh.
yes. Tripp-he will have to be dealt
with separately. Now. i will count
twenty If you come out and surren-
der before j have done, we'll and good.
If not. i shall come and take YOU '
He had reached ten in his counting
when a step was heard and Trip
came to the doorway, apparently I'M
armed:
There are more of us here than you
think, sir, /" he said, speaking quite re.
spectfully, "and if you try to take us
by force I'm afraid there will be a lot
of blood spilled
II don't want any palavering," said
the officer; do you surrender, or shall
/ give the word to fire ?"
You can do as you please" returned
Trip, in an altered voice, only you
must remember Mr.. Leife is in here,
and it would ha very sad II he were to
get hurt. 7"
Never mind - began the curate
from within. Then his voice died
away, choKed into silence.
Postlethwaite hesitated. He knew
he had to deal with desperate men,
and he quite recognized the peril to
which his old friend was exposed.
Trip. too; had his apxieties. The
hammering was still going on over
head, and he knew that at any mo-
ment he might be taken between two
fires, while Chidley and Cliffe would
Very soon be sending their contin-
gents. He was quick to notice the off,
GERS hesitation, and stoke again, re-
Stunning his respectful demeonor.
Will you lat me say word or two
to your men, STRIP he asked. .sThere
are several Of my old shipmates among
them. " -
a very good reason for not letting
you say a word to them, cried the
lieutenant.
Well, sir, i tell you straight out
what want. to say. want to ask
them whether they won t throw up the
kings service and join us instead. 1t
any OF them say Yes, the rest may 60
their own ways with YOU. II none say
es, there's no harm done. And this
lis my offer. Let me talk for Ave min
utes, and the moment you promise, Mr..
SI-eife shaH go out to you without a
hair Of his head being touched. If you
won't do it, he must take his chance,
and a very poor one 1t will be, I'm
q fraid. Z, 9sz
The officer reflected for a minute.
He felt sure OF HIS men, he had no very
exalted idea Of TIipp, and he was sex-
tremely anxious 10 see his old college
friend out Of danger. ssg sF
cry well ]. she said at last, Il warn
you that II is only wasting his breath,
but yol, ma have your five minutes
hank you, siIs, 4 said Trip. Then,
turning round he shouted: s
Let Mr.. Leife SO outside :
10 BE Continued