Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1906-05-12

position of the three men. The Grow.
having taken off his prison cap. held it
at arms length with one hand, while
he wiped his brow with the other. Her
signal had been observed. During all
this. Rufus Dawes, removed to the hos
pital was lying fiat on his back, staring
at the deck above him. trying to think
of something he wanted to say.
The place where he lay was but dim
ly lighted. He could but just see the
deck above his head, and distinguish
the outlines of three other berths. ap-
parently similar to his own. He could
hear gasps and moarfs and mutterings
the signs that his companions yet
lived.
All at once a voice called out: "Of
course his bills are worth four hundred
pounds; but, my good sir, four hundred
pounds to a man in my position is not
worth the getting. Why, I've given four
hundred pounds for smile of my girl
Sarah. She's good girl. as girls go.
Mrs. Lionel Crofton. of the Crofts Sew
enoaks Kent-Sevenoaks, Kent-Seven
CLEAN of light broke in on the dark
ness which wrapped Rufus Dawes tor
tured brain. The man was John Rex
his berthmate. With an effort he spoke
Rex
Yes, yes, I'm coming; don't be in a
hurry. The sentry's safe. and the how
i'zer is but five PAGES from the door. A
rush upon deck, lads, and she's ours
That is. mine. Mine and my wifes.
Mrs. Lionel Crofton, of Seven Crofts.
no, Oaks-Sarah Purfoy, lady's maid
and nurse-hal hal-ladys maid and
nurse!
This last sentence contained the name
clue to the labyrinth in which Rufus
Dawes bewildered intellects were wan
dering. Sarah Purfoy" He remem-
bered now each detail of the conversa-
ton he had so strangely overheard. and
how imperative it was that he should,
without delay, reveal the plot that
threatened the ship. How that plot was
to be carried out, he did not pause to
consider; he was conscious that he was
hanging over the brink of delirium, and
that, unless he made himself understood
before his senses utterly deserted him.
all was lost.
He attempted to rise, but found that
his fever-thralled limbs refused to obey
the impulse of his will He made an eff
fort to speak, but his tongue Glove, to the
roof of his mouth, and his jaws stuck
together He could not raise a finger
nor utter sound. He closed his eyes
with a terrible sigh of despair. and re-
signed himself to his fate. At that in
slant the door opened. 1t was o'clock.
and Pine had come to have a last look
at his patients before dinner. 1t seemed
that there was somebody with him. for
a kind. though somewhat pompous voice
upon the scantiness of accom-
Here they are" said Pine; six of
en- This fellow"-going to the side of
Rex-'is the worst. If he had not a
constitution like horse. don't think he
could live ont the night
Three. eighteen. seven. four" NUT
tered Rex; dot and carry one Is that
an occupation for gentleman? No. sir.
Good night, my lord, good night. Hank.
the clock is striking .: five. six. seven.
eight! Well, you've had your day, and
can't complain"
"A dangerous fellow" says Pine, with
the light appraised. "A very dangerous
fellow. This is the place, you sea
regular rat hole; but what can one do?"
Come. let us get on deck" said Wick
ers, with Il shudder of disgust
Rufus Dawes felt the sweat break out
into beads on his forehead. They sus-
pected nothing. They were going away.
He must warn them. With violent eff
fort, in his agony he turned over in the
bunk. and thrust out his hand from the
'Hallool what's this?' cried Pine.
bringing the lantern to bear upon it.
Lie down, my man. Eth water, is it?
There. steady with it now" and he lift
ed pannikin to the blackened, froth-
fringed lips. The cool draught moist
ened his parched gullet. and the convict
made a last effort to speak
Sarah Purfoy-to-night-th prison
-Mutinyl"
The last word, almost shrieked out
in the sufferers desperate efforts to ar
ticulate, recalled the wandering senses
of John Rex.
Hush" he cried. "Is that you, Jem-
my? Sarah's right. Wait till she gives
the word"
He's raving,' said Vickers.
Pine caught the convict by the shout
der. What do you say, my man? A
mutiny of the prisoners %
With his mouth agape and his hands
Rufus Dawes. incapable of
further speech, made last effort to nod
assent, but his head fell upon his breast
the next moment, the Pickering light,
the gloomy prison, the eager face of the
doctor, and the astonished face of Wick
ers, vanished from before his straining
eyes.
CHAPTER VIII.
The two discoveries of this awkward