Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-01-24
Ca1digan
BY RoBHRT ". CHAMBERS
eepyrisht. 1901 RoB1Rr " cHAmaER.
ROBHRT ". CHAMBERS
- aE.- Gfs -
the deathwatch was certain to
7 RoBERT v. cHAmgERs

which the ~deathwatch was certain to
make.
The poor child turned pale under
the Scarlet hood of her witch cloak
when I babe her promise to serve IS
with a kinder and more honorable
death than the death planned for us
on the morrow.
II promise, SIR" she said faintly,
raising her frightened white face,
framed by the wet cloak and damp
strands Of hair. She added timidly,
81 have a knife for-for Jack-and a
file"
"It is too late for such things" l
answered quietly. IF it is certain
that you cannot get the keys from your
father there is no hope for us"
Her face, which in the past month
had become terribly pinched and thin,
~quiyered; her hands frightened on tho
edge Of the grating. Tiff 1 could
get the keys she began.
Unless you do SO there is nj hope,
child"
There was a silence; then she cried
in a choking voice: 81 can get them!
VIII that free Jack? I will get the
keys; truly l will! Oh, do you think
he "a go free If 1 open the cellT"
"He has a knife" l said grimly. II
have my two hands. Open the cells
and we viii show you"
She covered her eyes with her hands.
Jack called to her from his grating.
She started violently, turned and went
to him.
Are you listeningT whispered Dull
Gina ut my grating again. Watch our
door at Z tonight" she said. "Be ready.
I will open your door"
At that moment the sound Of voices
filed the corridor. The girl fed to her
o A dozen turkeys shufled past,
bowling and cringtng, followed by Col
Inns, the chief warden, an old man
whom l had not before seen. Then
came a gentleman dressed in a long
dark cloak which hung from twin epau-
let's, his scarlet and gold uniform
cleaning below. Was that the govern
or?
He passed my cell, halted, glanced
around, then retraced his steps. After
a moment I heard his voice distinctly
at some distance down the corridor.
He was saying:
1.-THE ~hfghwaymen are here, Mrs.
Hamilton-if-if you would care to sec
them."
Half a dozen keepers were lounging
just outside Of my cell. I summoned
one of them sharply.
Tell General Gage that Mrs. Hamil-
ton knows n1ev 1 said. "a guinea for
you when she comes"
I waited in an agony of suspense.
After d long time I knew that the
keeper had not delivered my message.
In the fierce returning flood Of de-
SPAR at the loss Of this heaven sent
chance for life l called out for Bishop
bars until my hands were bathed in
blood.
At length Bishop arrived In a rage.
In vain I insisted that he take my
message. He laughed an ugly laugh
and refused. Mrs. Bishop, whose in
fant was now very sick, came out,
wrapped in her shawl, carrying the ba-
by to the prison hospital for treat
ment, and q wrangle began between
her and Bishop concerning supper.
Ny words were lost or ignored. Bish-
op demanded his supper at once, and
his wife insisted that she must take
the child to the hospital. Draw me
a measure o. buttry ale; dye hear?"
he growled. But Mrs. Bishop waddled
on contemptuously, declaring she
meant to go to the hospital, and that
he could die O. thirst for aught she
cared.
Dulctma, who stood in her doorway
across the corridor, watched the Gene
stolidly. Bishop turned on her with an
oath and ordered her to draw his even
ing cup. She unlocked the tankard
which hung under the lanthorn, hest
tated and moved of.
When she returned from the buttry
I saw the warden take the frothing
tankard, brush the foam away with
his foreflnger and drain the measure
to the dregs.
"Ugh!" he muttered. 1.-THE ale's spoil
ed! What's in it, you baggage?" he
demanded, suddenly swinging around
on his daughter. DRAW me a cider
cup to wash this cursed brew out o
met"
He choked, gasped, lifted his shak-
ing hand to his mouth and wiped it.
Curse that ale!" he stammered. cts
sickened me to the bones! What IN
Gods name is in that brewT"
He turned and pushed open his door.
lurching forward across the threshold
with dragging feet. A moment later
Dulcima passed my cell, her trembling
hands over her eyes.
I went to my cot and lay down, face
buried, teeth set in my lip. A numb
ness which at moments dulled the
throbbing Of my brain seemed to set
tie like chains on every limb. /.
Duly I waited for the strokes of the
iron bell sounding the seventh hour. A
lassitude crept over me-almost a stu.