Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1906-05-11
for The Term of His Natural Life
BY MARCUS CLARKE


/ the barricade observed a change in the
position of the three men. The Crow,
having taken off his prison cap held it
at arms length with one hand while
he wiped his brow with the other. Her
signal had been observed. During all
this, Rufus Dawes. removed to the hos
pital. was lying fat on his back. staring
at the deck above him. trying to think
Of something he wanted TO say
The place where he lay was but dim
~ lighted. He could but just see the
deck above his head, and distinguish
the outlines of three other berths, APP
parently similar to his own. He could
hear gasps and means and mutterings
the signs that his companions yet
lived.
All at once a voice called out: "Of
course his bills are worth four hundred
pounds; but. my good sir, four hundred
pounds to man in my position is not
worth the getting. Why. I've given four
hundred pounds for smile of my girl
Sarah. She's a good girl. as girls go.
Mrs. Lionel Crofton. of the Crofts. Sew
enoaks. kent-Sevenoaks Kent-Seven
A CLEAN Of light broke In on the dark
ness which wrapped Rufus Dawes tor
tured brain. The man was John Rex,
his berth-mate. With an effort he spoke
Rex"
yes. yes. I'm coming don't be in a
hurry. The sentry's safe. and the how
iizer is but five PAGES from the door. A
rush upon deck, lads. and she's ours
That il. mine Mine and my wife's,
Mrs. Lionel Crofton, of Seven Crofts
no, Oaks-Sarah Purfoy. lady's maid
and nurse-ha. hal-lady's maid and
nursel"
This last sentence contained the name
clue to the labyrinth in which Rufus
Dawes bewildered intelects were wan
dering. Sarah Purfoyw He remem-
bered now each detail of the conversa-
ton he had so strangely overheard, and
how imperative it was that he should
without delay, reveal the plot that
threatened the ship. How that plot was
to be carried out, he did not pause to
consider; he was conscious that he was
hanging over the brink of delirium, and
that, unless he made himself understood
before his senses utterly deserted him.
all was lost
He attempted to rise, but found that
his fever-thralled limbs refused to obey
the impulse of his will. He made an eff
fort to speak, but his tongue Glove to the
roof Of his mouth, and his jaws stuck
together He could not raise finger
nor utter sound He closed his eyes
with terrible sigh of despair, and re-
signed himself to his fate. At that in
slant the door opened. 1t was o'clock
and Pine had come to have a last look
at his patients before dinner It seemed
that there was somebody with him, for
kind. though somewhat pompous voice
! remarked upon the scantiness of accom-
mediation.
Here they are" said Pine: "six of
EN-. This fellow"-going to the side of
Rex--"is the worst If he had not
constitution like a horse. l don't think he
could live out the night"
Three. eighteen, seven. four" NUT
tered Rex 'dot and carry one. Is that
an occupation for a gentleman? No. sir
Good night my lord. good night. Hank {,
the clock is striking 81 five. six. seven.
eight! Well, you've had your day, and
can't complain"
"A dangerous fellow" says Pine with
the light appraised. "A very dangerous
fellow. This is the place. you sea-
regular rat hole; but what can one doY
Come. let us get on deck" said Wick
ers, with a shudder of disgust
Rufus Dawes felt the sweat break out
into beads on his forehead. They sus-
pected nothing. They We're going away.
He must warn them With a violent eff
fort. in his agony he turned over in the
bunk. and thrust out his hand from the
blankets
"Halloo. what's this?" cried Pine.
bringing the lantern to bear upon it.
Lie down. my man. Eh?-water. is it,?
There. steady with it now" and he lift
ed a pannikin to the blackened. froth-
fringed lips. The cool draught moist
ened his parched gullet. and the convict
made last effort to speak.
Sarah Purfoy-to-night-t prison
-Mutinyr
The last word. almost shrieked out.
in the sufferers desperate efforts to ar
ticulate, recalled the wandering senses
of John Rex.
"Hush" he cried. as that you. Jem-
myl Sarah's right. Wait till she gives
the word"
He's raving," said Vickers.
Pine caught the convict by the shoul-
der. What do you say. my man? A
mutiny of the prisoners?'
With his mouth agape and his hands
clinched, Rufus Dawes, incapable of
further speech. made last effort to nod
assent, but his head fell upon his breast;
the next moment, the Pickering light.
the gloomy prison. the eager face of the
doctor, and the astonished face of Wick
ers, vanished from before his straining
eyes.
CHAPTER VIII.
The two discoveries of this awkward
secret held a council of war. Vickers