The San Francisco call., 1908-09-06

running over the rigging of a ship
every morning, would have an advan-
tage over older officers, whose limbs
were not so light and whose muscles
were not so supple.
After having made measurements the
plan agreed upon was that the iron
bars should be sawed through until
they could be easily broken off. Then
the Americans, making their blankets
into rope ladder, would climb up to
the window and then make dash for
liberty, dropping about 40 feet TO
where the waters of the harbor washed
the ramparts. At that point their orig
inal scheme of seizing the vessel and
making off with it was to be carried
out. This plan. however. like the
former. was available only for good
swimmers. but all entered heart
lily into 1t.
Captain Bainbridge felt that if this
daring attempt succeeded the reputa-
tion of the Americans would be greatly
enhanced. and it would be little less
glorious than the destruction OF the
Philadelphia at her mornings.
1t may be imagined with what de-
light this new plan was received when
1t was confided to the midshipmen by
Mr. Porter. Each one of them was
leager for the distinction of being the
first to climb up to the barred window,
midshipmen clearly had the advantage
over the older officers. All of the mid
shipmen eagerly volunteered each al
leging some particular reason why he
was entitled to the honor
Dicky claimed it on the ground that
being the smallest and lightest Of the
midshipmen it would be easier for him
than for the rest. Totten, casting an
eye of disdain on Dicky's short legs
and arms. remarked that If Dfcky had
wings instead of arms he might be
able to make the distance between the
projections on the dungeon wall and
the barred window. This was so true
that it siienced Dicky. -Totten, how
ever, did not have things all his own
way, because Grey mentioned that his
arms and legs were much longer than
Totten's and he was about 90 pounds
lighter, which would give him an ad-
vantage in case the bolts and projec-
tfons should be decayed. This was so
obviously true that Grey was selected
by Captain Bainbridge to make the
first climb. There was little danger
in 1t. as the officers would pass from
their own apartment into the dungeon
and be ready to catch Grey in case he
should slip as he made the ascent of
the wall
The sailors. except Bulge. were not
informed of this plan. as Captain Balm
bridge wished to have all possible
knowledge of the conditions before ar
ranging for the dash for liberty The
arrival Of the American squadron off
the town was daily expected. and IL
was held by some of the more venture
some spirits that even if they should
not find a vessel in the harbor which
they might seize. it might be possible
TO swim the four miles out to the
of1ng, where they would be rescued
by the boats of the American squadron.
1t was necessary to wait for moon
light night, so that clear view could
be had of the surroundings and what
lay below the rampant
On the night of May % the dungeon
was to be explored At 1 o'clock in
the morning Grey. obeying silent sig
nal from Mr.. Porter. rose from his
pallet and went into the next room.
Mr. Maitland took Grey's place on the
paliet. SO that In the unusual event of
visit by the guard the mfdshipman
would not be missed. The iron studded
door was left slightly ajar. and toward
IL the anxious eyes of the midshipmen
were turned. BY the moonbeams which.
streamed in the window they could see
plainly the stealthy movements of the
officers in the next room
Two stones only were necessary to he
removed. and Grey disappeared through
the opening without being observed.
The secret dungeon was damp and
cold, but without the peculiar deafness
OF dungeon atmosphere. for the hole
in the roof let in flood of sunshine
by day and fresh air at all times. The
nrst Captain Bainbridge knew of
Dickys presence was seeing small
dark ngure sticking to the wall Ika a
ny and climbing after Grey. but not
taking the same route precisely along
the wall Dicky's sharp eyes discerned
by the moonlight a short cut to the
window, and with a trembling heart he
crept rapidly up the wall and was evil
IDENTIFY bound to reach the window be-
lore Grey. From beneath he heard an
order In stern whisper from Captain
Bainbridge:
What are you doing there. Mr.. Fall
This Dicky pretended not to hear
and then came another stern whisper
from Captain Bainbridge-
Take care. Mr.. Falconer. you are
Grey
Dicky. however. remained convani-
emily deaf. and continued his progress
along the wall, gaining every moment
on Grey. Mr.. Porter and two or three
OF the other officers moved along the
wall to the place where Dicky was
ihakihs MS daring climb. prepared to
------ = nc ACAts IulS cmOOl0ene0
Dicky so that he moved to point
where he could only reach the window
ledge by flying leap. Mr. Porter. an
cry at Dicky's rashness. said in a low
voice. but perfectly ineligible to
Dicky overhead:
You shall pay for the break of dis
cipline, Mr.. Falconer"
AT that moment. however, Dickv
made his jump and landed securely in
the window ledge, while Grey was still
couple of yards away.
Dicky was an officer and a gentle
man, but also a boy. and as he gained
the ledge he turned and snapped his
fingers with silent triumph In Crews
face However. he had sense enough
to know that his climbing up would do
no good unless he could carry back
with him some information, and press-
ing his round face against the bars. he
carefully examined and noted every
thing in view.
The window was not more than three
feet from the rampant as il suddenly
rosecat that place. He noted the posf-
tfon of the cannon with which the ram
part was guarded The rampant at that
point was 40 feet from the ground and
was tapped by the waters of the har-
bor; no sentry was considered neces-
sary there. The ledge was too narrow
to admit of more than one person at a