Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-05-11


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 fat 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
y lighted. He could but just see the
deck above his head, and distinguish
the outlines of three other berths, APP
parently similar to his own He could
hear gasps and means 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
-"
A CLEAN of light broke In on the dark
ness which wrapped Rufus Dawes tor
tured brain. The man was John Rex,
his berth-mate. With an effort he spoke.
"Rexw
Yes, yes. Pm coming; don't be in a
hurry. The sentry's safe, and the how
itzer is but five PAGES from the door. A
rush upon deck, lads, and she's ours!
That is, mine. Mine and my wife's,
Mrs. Lionel Crofton, Of Seven Crofts,
no, Oaks-Sarah Purfoy, lady's maid
and nurse-ha! ha!-lsdy's maid and
nursew
This last sentence contained the name
clue to the labyrinth in which Rufus
Dawes bewildered intellects were wan
dering. Sarah Purfoyw 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
kind, though somewhat pompous voice
: remarked upon the scantlness Of accom-
mediation.
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 out the night"
"Three. eighteen, seven, four" NUT
tered Rex; dot and carry one. Is that
an occupation for a gentleman? No, sir.
Good night my lord, good night. Hark!
the clock is striking o; 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 see-a
regular RAJ hole; but what can one do?'
"Come, let us get on deck" said Wick
ers, with a 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
blankets.
''Halloo! what's thisg' cried Pine,
bringing the lantern TO bear upon it,
Lie down, my man. Eh water, is it :?
There, steady with it now;" and he lift
ed a 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
F-Mutinyr
The last word, almost shrieked out,
in the sufferers desperate efforts to ar
ticulate, recalled the wandering senses
of John Rex.
"Hush!' he cried. rs that you, Jem-
myP Sarah's right Wait till she gives
the word"
Hes 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
clinched, Rufus Dawes, incapable of
further speech, made last effort to nod
assent, bat 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.
~, kv-ro H3aaovararo Of Rls. !