Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-06-23
for The Term of Ills Natural Life
BY MARCUS CLARKE

,GUS CLARKE

still burned. and Immediately over It
there grew out Of the darkness a Grim
son spot that hung like a lurid star In
the air. Mrs. Vickers, with little Syl-
via clinging to her dress, came up to
share the new sensation.
Captain. you'l lower a boat. We
may save some Of the poor fellows"
cries Frere, his heartiness Of body re-
yiying at the prospect Of excitement.
"Boatr said Blunt "why. she's
twelve miles off, or more. and there's
not breath o. windl They've got their
own boats. In the meanwhile Wen show
'em that there's some one near EN-"
And, as he spoke. a blue light fiared
Kissing into the night. There, they'll
see that, | expectw he said. as the
CHASTITY flame rose, extinguishing the
stars for moment, only TO let them
appear again brighter In darker heav-
en-. "Mr. Best, lower and man the quar-
ter boats! Mr.. Frere. you can go In
one, II you like and take volunteer or
two from those gray jackets Of yours
amidships. / shall want a. many hands
as | can spare 10 man the long boat
and cutter, In case we want 'em. Steady
there, ladsl Easyw And. as the FIRST
eight men who could reach the deck
parted to the larboard and starboard
quarter boats, Frere ran down on the
main deck
At his nod the prison door was thrown
open. The air was hot and that strange.
horrible odOr peculiar 10 closely packed
human bodies filed the place. He ran
his eye down the double tier Of hunks
which lined the side Of the ship, and
stopped at the one opposite him.
There seemed to have been some dis
turbance there lately. for, instead OF the
six pairs Of feet which should have pro-
truded therefrom. the CLEAN Of the bulls
eye showed but four.
whats the matter here, sentry7" h.
asked
Prisoner III, sir. Doctor sent him to
hospital"
but there should be two"
The other came from behind the break
Of the berths. 1t was Rufus Dawes
Ho held by the side as he came, and
saluted
81 felt sick, sir, and was trying to
get the scuttle open"
Maurice Frers stamped his foot in
dignantly.
Sick What are you sick about7 III
give you something to sweat the sickness
out Of you. Stand on one side here"
Rufus Dawes wondering. obeyed.
(Which OF you fellows can handle an
oar?" Frere went on. "rhere. | don't
want iftyl Three'l do. Come on now
make haste"
The heavy door FLASHED again, aud In
another instant the four "volunteers"
were on deck.
1.-Two in each boatv' cries Blunt "In
burn a blue light every hour for you.
Mr. Best, aud take care they don't
swamp you. Lower away, lsdsr
As the second prisoner took the oar Of
Frere's boat, he uttered a groan and
fell forward. recovering himself instant
ly. Sarah Purfoy. leaning over the side,
saw the occurrence.
what is the matter with that man p
she said SIS he ill?r
Pine was next to her, and looked out
instantly ITS that big fellow IN No.
TO- he cried. Here, Frerel'
But Frere heard him not He was
intent on the beacon that cleaned ever
bright in the distance. Give way, my
lads!' he shouted And amidst cheer
from the ship, the two boats shot out Of
the bright circle Of the blue light, and
disappeared into the darkness
Sarah Purfoy looked at Pine for an
explanation. but he turned abruptly
away. For moment the girl paused. as
If in doubt and then, ere his retreatine
figure turned to retrace its steps, she
cast quick glance around. and, slip
ping down the ladder, made her way 10
the 'tween-decks.
The iron-studded oak bsrricade that,
loop-holed for musketry. and perforated
with plated trap-door for sterner needs
separated soldiers from prisoners. wa,
close to her left hand and the sentry
at its padlocked door looked at her In.
quiringy. She laid her little hand on
his big rough one, and opened her brown
eyes at him.
The hospital" she said. "The doctor
sent me-" and before he could answer
her white figure vanished down the
hatch, and passed round the bulkhead
behind which lay the sick man.
Though not so hot as in the prison
the atmosphere Of the lower deck was
close and unhealthy, and the girl paus-
ing to listen to the subdued hum Of con.
versation coming from the soldiers
berths, turned strangely sick and giddy
She drew herself up. however. and held
out her hand to a man who came rapidly
across the misshapen shadows, thrown
by the sulky swinging lantern to meet
her. 1t was a young soldier who had
been that day sentry at the convict gang
way.
"Well. miss" he said, Il am here. yer
see. waiting for yer"
The tone Of the sentence seemed to
awaken and remind her Of her errand in
that place. She laughed as loudly and
merrily as she dared, and laid her hand
on the speakers arm. The boy reddened
to the roots Of his closely cropped hair.
There. that's quite close enough
You're only common soldier Miles. and
you mustn't make love to me-"
Il know you're above me, Miss Sarah
You're a lady, but love yer, I do, and
you drives me wild with your tricks"
Hush. Miles they'll hear you. Who
is in the hospitalT'
Il dunno"
well, | want to 80 in
Don't ask me. miss. It's sgalnst or.
ders, and
She turned away. "Oh. very well. II
this is all the thanks | get for wasting
my time down here, | shall 20 on deck
again. Mr.. Frere will let me 90 In,
dare say. if l ask him."
60 IN If yer like; | won't stop yer
but remember what I'm dom Of"
She turned again at the foot Of tn,
ladder. and came quickly back. That