Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-08-25

CHAPTER XXIv.-,Contiuued. /,

were constables' stations, and to ayoi,
them it would be necessary to make
circuit into the scrub. Unwilling as b.
was to lose time, John Rex saw that Il
attempt to run the gauntlet of thes
four stations would be destruction. III
ranged his men in single file and, quit
ting the road near Norfolk Bay, made
straight for the Neck. After nearly tive
hours Of painful progress, Jenny Netcl
stopped and whispered them to approach
They were on a sandy rise. To the lei
was a black object-a constable's hut
to the right was a dim white lne-tht
ocean, in front was a row OF lamps
and between every two lamps leaped
and ran dusky, ndistinct body. Jem-
my Netch pointed with his lean fore
finger.
The dogsr'
Instinetiyely 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.
Well" said Gabbett, whats to be
done nowY'
As he spoke, a long, low howl broke
from one of the chained hounds, and the
whole kennel burst into hideous cutlery.
John Rex, who perhaps was the bray
est of the party, shuddered. They have
smelled us" he said 1--WE must go
on. Make for the right-hand side of
the jetty. | think | see boat there. 1t
Is our only chance now. We can never
break through the station. Are we
ready? Now! 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.
Fire. 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 bah intended
for him struck Travers in the jaw. The
unhappy villain fell.
Gabbett clutched the mastff'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
fired, and shot the sentry through the
breast. The others rushed through the
now broken Gordon and made headlong
for the boat
"FoolsH cried Rex, behind them. "You
have wasted shot! Look to your left"
Burgess hurried down the tram-road
by his men, had tarried Mt 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. 7inging
himself into the water, desperately seiz-
ed McNab's boat.
I'm with You for your livesw 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 aoated into deep water. McNab.
seeing this, ran down to the water side
to aid the commandment.
Lift her over the bar, men," he
shouted. with a will-so," 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 Aext morning the
Pretty Mary stood ont to sea with ev-
cry stitch of canvas set allow and aloft.
The skipper's fishing had come to an
end lie had caught a shipwrecked sea
man, who had been brought on board at
daylight and was then at breakfast in
the cabin. The crew winked at ea Oh
other when the haggard mariner, attired
In garments that seemed remarkably
we'll preserved, mounted the side. Rut
they, none of them, were in a position to
controyert the shippers statement.
Where are we bound forY' askad
John Rex. I'm entirely in your hands
my worthy Blunt"
my orders are to cruise about tbe
whaling grounds until l meet my con
sort" returned Blunt, "and put yor
aboard her. She'll take you back +,
Sydney. I'm victualed for a twelve
months trip"
Right" cried Rex. clapping his pre-
server on the back. I'm bound ts %
to Sydney somehow; but, as the PbiIis
tines are abroad. l may as well tarry /,
Jericho. till my beard be grown. Dom
stare at my scriptural quotation" h
added inspirited by creature comforts
and secure amidst his purchased friends
al assure you that I've had the yer
best religious instruction. Indeed. il
chiefly ewing to my worthy spiritua
pastor and master that | am enable
TO smoke this very villsinous tobacco O
yours at the present moment"
CHAPTER XIV.
The lost son Of Sir Richard Devin
had returned TO England and mad
claim 10 his name and fortune. In othe