The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1906-08-24
For The Term of Ills Natural Life
CHAPTER XNIv.-,Continued. ,
by MARCUS Clarke

were constables' stations, and to avoi
them it would be necessary to make
circuit into the scrub. Unwilling as h
was to lose time, John Rex saw that t.
attempt to run the gauntlet of thes
four stations would be destruction. HI
ranged his men in single file; and, quit
ting the road near Norfolk Bay, mad
straight for the Neck. After nearly tw
hours of painful progress, Jenny Vetcl
stopped and whispered them to approach
They were ON sandy rise. To the les
was black object-a constable's hut
to the right was dim white lfne-th,
ocean; in front was row of lamps
and between every two lamps leapet
and ran dusky, indistinct body. Jem
my Vetch pointed with his lean fore
finger
''The dogsv'
Instinctively they crouch down, lest
even at that distance the two sentries
SO plainly visible in the red light of the
guard house fire, should see them.
We'll" said Gabbett, whats to be
done nowY,
As he spoke, long, low howl broke
from one of the chained hounds, and the
whole kennel burst into hideous cutlery.
John Rex, who perhaps was the brav-
est of the party, shuddered. They have
smelled u.s." he said. I'VE must go
on. Make for the right-hand side of
the jetty. think see boat there. 1t
10 our only chance now. We can never
break through the station. Are we
ready? Nowl All together"
Gabbett was fast outstripping the 9TH
ers by some three feet of distance.
There were eleven dogs, two of which
were placed on stages set out in the
water, and they were so chained that
their muzzles nearly touched. The giant
leaped into the line, and with blow of
his ak split the skull of the beast on his
right. This action unluckily took him
within reach Of the other dog, which
seized him by the thigh.
''Firey cried McNab from the other
side Of the lamps.
The giant uttered cry of rage and
pain, and fell with the dog under him.
1t was, however, the dog that had pulled
him down, and the musket ball intended
for him struck Travers in the jawA The
unhappy villain fell.
Gabhett clutched the mastiff's throat
with iron hand, and forced him to loose
his hold; then believing with fury. seiz-
ed his ak, and sprang forward. mangled
as he was, upon the nearest soldier.
Jenny Vetch had been beforehand with
him. Uttering a low snarl Of hate, he
fred, and shot the sentry through the
breast. The others rushed through the
now broken Gordon and made headlong
for the boat.
In al hal srI
have wasted shot! Look to your leftr'
Burgess hurried down the tram-road
by his men, had tarried at Signal Hill
only long enough to loose the surprised
guard from their bonds, and taking the
Woody Island boat, was pulling with a
fresh crew to the Neck. The reinforce
ment was not ten yards from the jetty.
The Crow saw the danger, and. finging
himself into the water, desperately seiz-
ed McNab's boat.
I'm with you for yeur lives" he cried
Another volley from the guard spat-
tered the water around the fugitives, but
In the darkness the ill-aimed bullets fell
harmless. Gabbett swung himself over
the sheets and seized an oar.
Cox. Bohemian, Greenhill! Now,
push her off! Jump. Tom, jump!' and
as Burgess leaped to land, Cornelius was
dragged over the stern, and the whale
boat foated into deep water. McNab.
seeing this, ran down to the water side
to aid the commandant.
Lift her over the bar menp' he
shouted. with Wilson And. rails
ed In twelve strong arms, the pursuing
craft slid across the isthmus.
Then, for the first time, the six pris-
oners, fairly In the net again, became
aware that John Rex was not among
them.
At o'clock the next morning the
Pretty Mary stood out to sea with ey-
cry stitch OF canvas set allow and aloft.
The shippers fishing had come to an
end. He had caught shipwrecked sea-
man, who had been brought on board at
daylight and was then at breakfast IN
the cabin. The crew winked at each
other when the haggard mariner, attired
In garments that seemed remarkably
wen preserved. mounted the side. But
they, none OF them, were in a position to
controvert the shippers statement.
Where are we bound forT' asked
John Rex. I'm entirely in your hands
my worthy Blunt"
My orders are to cruise about the
whaling grounds until l meet my con-
sort" returned Blunt, "and put Won
aboard her. She'll take you back TO
Sydney. I'm victualed for a twelve
months trip"
Right" cried Rex, clapping his pre-
server on the back. "I'm bound IA rot
to Sydney somehow; but, as the Pbilis.
tines are abroad, l may as well tarry in
Jericho till my beard be grown. Don't
stare at my scriptural quotation" he
added. inspirited by creature comforts
and secure amidst his purchased friends
Il assure you that I've had the yery
best religious instruction. Indeed. It is
chiefly ewing to my worthy spiritual
pastor and master that 1 am enabled
to smoke this very villainous tobacco of
yours st the present moment"
CHAPTER XIV.
The lost SON Of Sir Richard Deyine