Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-17
THE
ISLE OF STRIFE
GEORGH c. SHEDD
CHAPTER XIV.
A Struggle on the Sands.
UsvgsisAe. lei& ~ su,,l. Msynssa . o.

We had struck our bargain. Esper and
I. A ray of hope flashed into my breast.
but only faint and struggling ray. How
he should outwit these others-for 1t must
be by wit II at ALL had not the faintest
conception. Nor did he. I think. at the
time have any plan: he would trust to the
mind God had given him $50 he would
have said) and contrive an occasion out
Of opportunity. Could he do It? The
whole matter rested in his grimy little
hands
Pilon departed to make ready the boat.
and with him went Senior Del Hervalle.
Descarte drew out his pipe and smoked.
Esper continued to engage himself with
me in pleasant conversation.
How Is 1t, monsieur. this thing OF an
ocean to sleep in?' he inquired.
I'm be better able to tell you tomor-
row." I answered.
Truly, yes. There will be big fish and
whales to disturb you, however. just as
rats come and bite at Descarte when he
is drunk
The man named turned a scowling coun-
tenance upon his frivolous companion.
"Sacre, l will beat you for that" he
growled.
"Oh. mon comrade. no. 1t is only
little joke. and the rats come only when
you are very drunk 1 myself have helped
to drive them out Of your bed. But what
will you! One cannot enjoy drunkenness
and not pay the penny
THAT is true" DeScarte agreed.
$50. therefore, the rats must run
Il am very dry now," Descarte said.
Esper rose from the stool on which he
sat, and. humming chanson. strolled to
the window, where he put his head
through the broken pane for while.
When he rejoined us his cheeks were
damp with the fine moisture of the fog.
He resumed conversation.
What think you, Descarte. must I as
valet follow my master into the sea-"
Descarte showed his yellow teeth in
hideous grin.
Il will help you there If you wish
salt would make me thirsty. There
would be much water. but no wine. Water
is for imbeciles.'
That is true" Descarte admitted, and
looked around. HAS the dog Of a Pilon
left us nothing?
Nothing"
Again Esper went to the window and
put his head forth. When he returned
he shot rapid glance at me. rolled him.
self a cigarette, which he lighted at
candle, then rubbed his nose specula-
lively.
How deep is the sea. MONSIEUR
'Some miles,
THAT is very far. long jump up to
come back for some of madame's
Perhaps you could find some down
yonder in the bottom of the ocean. No
doubt there are dozens Of barrels rolling
around that have spilled out of wrecked
Ships l suggested.
"Ah. barrels would be necessary, for
should be very dry. indeed. with SO
much salt about
Damn Pilon, to leave US no brandy"
said Descarte.
good comrade. But, monsieur. I cannot
follow you, fear. The salt would spoil
the barrels when they were opened. Par
bleu, the thought Of SO much salt makes
my throat stick together. I am very
dry"
And II am dry" Descarte said.
1--WE have nothing to drink"
Nom de nom. nothing"
Esper stood with a forefinger to his
nose. his smile coming and going. He
the floor.
"Tiens.' Esper suddenly exclaimed
Descarte looked up: What"
Brandy: a bottle"
II perceived Pilon to hide SO much
he indicated q bottle half full-'in his
long coat, the oilskin coat in the room
under this. I will fetch it.
Descarte sprang up. seized him by the
shoulder and spun him aside.
Thief, would you drink 1t all! /, Des-
carte. will fetch It, And growing in his
beard. he stamped out Of the attic.
For an instant Esper harked after him.
The door remained open and he could
flight Of stairs to the next floor beneath.
Breathlessly I waited. If Esper was 20
do the business. this was his chosen time
He came quickly to me.
Listen, monsieur" he said. 81 cut the
rope. but you must remain without NOV
ing. Descarte will not observe. He will
return without the brandy, for there is
none. Then l shall go down and look.
When /. too. come back. 1 will cry, The
prisoner. oh, thou traitor, Descarte! Pilon
will wiring thy neck for cutting that rope
That will be the signal, master, for you
to spring up. We will follow to catch
you, but will stumble in Describes way
Find then place where your legs will
carry YOU"
With his knife he cut my bonds even as
he spoke, leaving them to retain the ap-
pearance Of being yet answered. The re-
lease OF pressure upon my numbed and
aching limbs sent the blood smarting
through my arteries: pins and needles
filled each finger and toe. But. oh. the
Joy of that pain! Working my muscles
into their normal condition, but gently so
as not to disturb the segments Of rope
gradually restored circulation. Descarte
was making thorough search.
ITO resume our discussion, monsieur"
Esper said, lighting a fresh cigarette and
taking his seat, 'all the salt in the sea,
where does it come frnn?''
his twisted nose and odd smile. For was
not released. was I not again a free
man? Del Hervalle's plot had fallen
apart with the rope. Nothing in the world
should stop me from going out Of this
stone house, where had spent long, fear
full hours. Eagerness bade me leap up,
fling myself out into the air and shout
Del Hervalle's villainy to the world; pru-
dence whispered that I might meet Des-
carte on the stair-and he had on his per-
son wicked knife. Moreover obligation
to the little fellow who had played his
part so well held me yet bound by honor
to give him the chance he demanded to
reflect the guilt of my escape upon Des-
carte. I might have fled then and there
Esper was only a rascal-but had not
given my word?
where does all the salt come from?
Out Of the earth,'' I answered.
Then there is more to Gomez
Yes"
ut will fill up the ocean. mon Dieu,
until there is no water. only salt?"
Possibly
He shook his head Master. 1 shall
not follow you into the sea. to be dried
up hard in salt like Goldfish in a barrel
No. monsieur. that would be to ask too |
much, even of a valet" |
On the stone steps DESCRIBES boots |
sounded dumping up to Join us. He |
wore face Of wrath when he entered.
Dog. son OF dog, thou drank it,! he |
snarled.
Esper raisei his eyebrows in astonish-
ment.
"I? No. no, my comrade.''
There is no bottle there except an
empty one"
.Then Pilon has taken TT
Thou lest"
by the Little Mother no. Stay you. I