Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-08-24
for The Term of Ills Natural Life
by MARCUS CLARKE
CuAprER xxIv.-,continued.,

Along the lndented coast OF IOrt Duhche
were constables stations, and to avoid
them it would be necessary to make
circuit into the scrub. Unwilling as ne
was to lose time, John Rex saw that to
attempt to run the gauntlet OF these
four stations would be destruction. lie
ranged his men in single file; and, quit
ting the road near Norfolk Bay, made
straight for the Neck After nearly two
hours of painful progress, Jenny Netch
stopped and whispered them to approach.
They were on a sandy rise. To the leG
was a black object-a constable's hut
TO the right was a dim white line-the
ocean; in front was g row of lamps
and between every two lamps leaped
and ran a dusky, indistinct body. Jem-
my Vetch pointed with his lean fore
finger.
"'rhe dogsv'
Instnctively 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 nowT
As he spoke, a long, low howl broke
from one of the chained hounds and the
whole kennel burst into hdeous cutlery.
John Rex, who perhaps was the BRAY
est of the party, shuddered "They have
smeled u.s." he said 1--WE must go
on Make for the right-hand side Of
the jetty. l think | see boat there. 1t
is our only chance now. We can never
break through the station. Are we
ready2 Nowl All together"
Gabbett was fast outstrpping 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.
'Firew cried McNab. from the other
side of the lamps.
The giant uttered a cry of rage and
pain, and fell with the dog under him.
1t was, however, the dog that had pulled
him down, and the musiSet ball intended
for him struck Travers in the jaw 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
''Foolsv' cried Rex, behind them. "YOu
have wasted a shotl. Look to your left"
Burgess hurried down the tram-road
by his men, had tarred 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, linging
himself into the water, desperately seiz-
ed McNab's boat.
"In with you for your livesl" 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 iloated into deep water. McNab
seeing this, ran down to the water side
10 aid the commandment.
Lift her over the bar. menu he
shouted. with a will-sol" 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 8 o'clock the next morning the
Pretty Mary stood out to sea with ev
cry stitch of canvas set allow and aloft
The shippers fishing had come to al
end. He had caught a shipwrecked sea
man, who had been brought on board a
daylight and was then at breakfast II
the cabin. The crew winked at eaci
other when the haggard mariner, attiret
In garments that seemed remarkably
well preserved, mounted the side. Blu
they, none of them, were in position t
controvert the shippers statement.
where are we bound forY" asked
John Rex. "I'm entirely in your hands
my worthy Blunt"
my orders are to cruise about tn,
whaling grounds until l meet my con
sort" returned Blunt, "and put 20,
aboard her. She'll take you back t,
Sydney. I'm victualed for a twelve
months trip"
'Rightl" cried Rex. clapping his pre-
server on the back. Pm bound to ge
to Sydney somehow; but, as the Philis
tines are abroad, may as well tarry il
Jericho till my beard be grown. Dom
stare at my scriptural quotation" h
added, inspirited by creature comforts
and secure amidst his purchased friends
81 assure you that I've had the yer.