The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-08-24
Tor The Term of Ills Natural Life
by MARCUS CLARKE So
CHAPTER xxIv.-tContinued.,

were, for the absconders, other dangers.
Along the indented coast of Port Bunche
were cOnstables' stations, and to avoid
them it would be necessary to make a
circuit into the scrub. Unwilling as he
was to lose time, John Rex saw that to
attempt to run the gauntlet Of these
four stations would be destruction. He
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 Vetch
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 line-the
ocean; in front was a row of lamps
and between every two lamps leaped
and ran a dusky, indistinct body. Jem-
my Vetch pointed with his lean fore
finger.
1.-The dogs!'
Instinctively they crouch down, lest
even at that distance the two sentries.
80 plainly visible in the red light of the
guard house fire, should see them.
WELL" said Gabbett, whats to be
done now?"
As he spoke, long, low howl broke
from one of the chained hounds, and the
whole kennel burst into hideous outcry.
John Rex, who perhaps was the brav-
est of the party, shuddered. They have
smelled u.s." he said. I'VE must 60
on. Make for the right-hand side of
the jetty. think see boat there. 1t
y our only chance now. We can never
ar
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.
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 jaw. The
unhappy villain fell.
Gabbett clutched the mastih's throat
with iron hand. and forced him to loose
his hold: then believing with fury, seiz-
ed his Ak. and sprang forward. mangled
a 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
"Fools!' cried Rex. behind them. "You
have wasted a shot! Look to your leftv'
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. flinging
himself into the water, desperately seiz-
ed McNab's boat.
"In with you for your 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, menu he
shouted. with a will-sov And, rails
ed in twelve strong arms, the pursuing
craft slid across the isthmus.
Then. for the first time. the six pris.
eners, fairly in the net again, became
aware that John Rex was not among
them.
=
At 8 o'clock tho 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 an
end. He had caught a shipwrecked sea.
man. who had been brought on board al
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
well preserved. mounted the side. But
they, none of them, were in position te
controvert the shippers statement.
Where are we bound for? askef
John Rex. I'm entirely In your hands
my worthy Blunt"
MY orders are to cruise about th.
whaling grounds until l meet my con
Sort" returned Blunt, "and nut w,
aboard her. She'll take you back r.
Sydney. I'm victualed for 4 twelve
months trip"
Right" cried Rex, clappinx his pre
server On the back. I'm bound to 20
to- Sydney somehow; bat, as the Philis
tines are abroad, may as well tarrv !,
Jericho till my beard be grown. Don,
stare at my scriptural quotation" h
added. inspirited by creature comforts
and secure amidst his purchased friends
IL assure you that I've had tho yer,
begt religious instruction. Indeed, It /
chiefly ewing to my worthy spiritua
pastor and master that l am enable,
to smoke this very villaineus tobacco .
yours at the present moment"
CHAPTER XIV.
Tho lost son Of Sir Richard Devin
had returned to England and mad
claim to his name and fortune. In othe
words. John Rex had successfully car
ried out the scheme by which he ha