Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1906-05-04
for The Term of Ills Natural Life
BY MARCUS CLARKE


that was on him maintained it's hold;
his pulse beat thickly, and his brain
thrObbed with unnatural heat. Lying in
his narrow space In the semi-darkness,
he tossed his limbs about and closed his
eyes in vain; he could not sleep. His
utmost efforts induced only an Oppress-
i've staguatiOn of thought, through which
he heard the voices of his fellOw-con-
victs: while before his eyes was the
burning Hydaspes-that vessel whose
destruction had destroyed forever all
trace of the unhappy Richard Devine.
As yet there had been no alarm Of
fever. The three seizures had excited
some comment, however and had it not
been for the counter excitement of the
burning ship, 1t is possible that Pines
precaution would have been thrown
away. The "old hands" who had been
through the passage before, suspected,
but said nothing save among them
selves. 1t is likely that the weak and
sickly would go first, and that there
would be more room for those remain
ing. The "old hands" were satisfied.
Three Of these old hands were con
versng together just behind the parti
ton Of Dawes bunk. The berths were
five feet square and each contained six
men. No. TO- the berth occupied by
Dawes. was situated In the corner made
by the joining of the starboard and cen
ter lines and behind it was n slight re
cess, in which the scuttle was fixed.
His mates were a present but three
in unmher, for John Rex and cockney
tailor had been removed to the hospital.
The three that remained were now in
deep conversation in the shelter of the
recess. OF these a giant seemed to be
the chief. His name was Gabbett.
He was a returned convict. The other
two were man named Sanders, known
as "the Moocher," and Jenny Vetch,
the Grow" They were talking in whis-
pere but Rufus Dawes, lying with his
head close to the partition, was enabled
to catch much of what they said
At first the conversation turned on the
catastrophe of the burning ship. From
this it grew to anecdote of wreck and
adventure, and at last Gabbett said
something which made the listener start
from his Indifferent efforts to slumber
into sudden, broad wakefulness.
1t was the mention of his own name,
coupled with that of the woman he had
met on the quarterback.
~ saw her speakin' to Dawes yester-
day." said the giant, 1--WE don't want
no more than we've got l amt goin' to
risk my neck for Rex's fancies, and
so I'll tell her"
ut was something about the kid"
says the Grow. in his elegant slang. 81
don't believe she ever saw him before"
"If l thOrt she was agoin' to throw
us over, I'd cut her throat as soon as
look at her." snorts Gabbett, savagely.
Jack nd have a word in that" snuff
fees the Moocher; land he's a curious
cove to quarrel with"
well" grumbled Mr.. Gabbett, "and
let's have no more chaff. If we're for
bizness, let's come to bizness."
What are we to do now2' asked the
Moocher. Jacks on the sick list, and
the gal won't stir a'thout him"
My dear friends" said the Grow.
my keyind and keristan friends, it is
to be regretted that when natur' gave
YOU such tremendously thick skulls, she
didn't put something inside of 'em.
say that now's the time Jacks in the
'orspital; what of that? That don't
make it no better for him, does it? Not
bit of it, and, if he drops his knife
and fork, why, then it's my opinion
that the gal won't stir a peg. It's on
his account, not ours, that she's been
manoovering, amt it?"
"WeHw says Mr.. Gabbett. with the
air of one who was but partly con
WINGED. 81 s'pose it is"
"All the more reason of getting it off
quick. Another thing, when the boys
lTT,aN oh 81
the rumpus there's be. They'll be
ready enough to join us then. Once get
the snapper-chest, and we're right as
independent o'hapence."
This conversation had an intense in
terest for Rufus Dawes. Plunged into
prison, hurriedly tried, and by reason
of his surroundings ignorant of the death
of his father and his own fortune, he
had hitherto held aloof from the scoun-
drels who surrounded him. He now
saw his error. He knew that the name
he had once possessed was blOtted out,
that any shred of his old life which had
chung to him hitherto was shriveled in
the fire that consumed the Hydaspes
Richard Devine was dead-lOst at sea
with the crew of the Inflated vessel in
which-deluded by skillfully sent let
ter from the prison-his mother believ-
ed him to have sailed. Rufus Dawes.
alone should live Rufus Dawes-the
convicted felon, the suspected murderer,
should live to claim his freedom, With
his head swimming, and his brain on fire,
he eagerly listened for more.
"But we can't stir without the girl,"
Gabbett said "She's got to stall off the
sentry"
The Crow produced a dirty scrap of
paper, over which his companions Gag
erly bent their heads.
"Where did yer get that2' asked Cab
| bett.
Yesterday afternoon Sarah was