The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1928-05-03

Quickly he descended and fought his
way through the mad scramble on
deck. At last he reached the cabin
where he had left her. Softly he
knocked on the door and as softly
called her name. The bolt slid back
and with a muttered, "thank GodI"
Fabien took her into his arms. She
chung to him in horror, sobbing as
if her heart would break.
Oh, Fabien-my dearl | thought
you would never come back-and l
was afraid-you were gone so +? ? :?
The women have been screaming and
someone knocked, but | didn't open
| was afraid" her words died away
into convulsive sob.
Fabien Gained her while he ex-
planned all that had happened.
81 must leave you again, dear, to see
if the convicts are really in command
of the ship. You must be brave, be-
cause if they have done away with the
old crew they will turn pirates and
carry us out to sea. If | can find a
boat we can manage to get it overheard
and reach America-land is in sight
now-remember it is our only chance
i can see no other way of escape.
Yes-hurry and find out would
rather go adrift on a raft than stay
here any longer" Manon had control
of herself again and was thoroughly
aware of their precarious outlook.
81 hope | find the convicts either
nursing their wounds or Guiding their
women. Let them do anything, just
so long as they forget about you. /
will return soon, dear"
Manon stifled a sob. Swiftly their
arms went about each other, their lips
met-then she bravely sent Fabien
out.
He sauntered around the deck.
Signs of the conflict were every
where. His own disheveled appear
ance failed to attract attention as he
walked aft. Neither the captain nor
the governor were to be seen; they
had been imprisoned or slain and
thrown overheard Those of the crew
who had not joined the mutinying
convicts had met death or been thrown
bodily into the hold
Fabien's ruse to escape from the
hold had been more successful than
he anticipated, but the result was APP
palling. The convicts were in COM
plete charge Of the ship and running
wild. Manon was in greater danger
now than before.
He noticed that night was fast APP
preaching The shore line was faint
ly discernable. To his horror he dis
covered that they were headed away
from land! From the stern, life
boat dashed to the davits suggested
means of escape. While he was
carefully examining the lashings to
see how they worked, the giant APP
preached and put his great arm ia
miliarly around Fabien's shoulder.
well, friend,0 he said, your plan
of escape worked I've snapped
places with the old captain. I'm 60
ing to make him sweat down in the
hold and use him for navigating later
on" The giant was surprisingly YER
bose.
Later on" interrupted Fabien,
what do you mean?"
"Well you don't think we're head
ing for the penal colony to be wrapped
up in chains again, do you? Mol
Maybe We'll land someplace else-and
maybe we won't; but we got our wom-
en- with us and we'll have a colony of
our own, at sea or on land, it don't
matter. Keep an eye open on deck
for me, friend, while l go below and
make sure | got the prettiest-well,
while | look things over" With a
grand swagger the giant went below.
Fabien waited until he disappeared
before darting into another doorway
that lead to Manon. After hearing
the new captains plan there was no
doubt about the ACCESSIBILITY of es-
Gaping in a lifeboat.
"Manon-Manonw whispered Fa
bien at the door, "come dear-quick-
ly"
Immediately she appeared with
great coat wrapped about her and a
mans hat pulled over her curls.
81 am ready-but don't leave me
again!"
"You darling! Never" Fabien
smiled his approval at her forethought
in assuming a partial disguise, but
there was no time for conversation or
love making.
Without another word they went on
deck, clinging to the shadows to
make themselves inconspicuous. Go
ing aft to the stern davits they
crawled into the life boat. Fabien
handled the ropes, hand over hand,
until the boat hit the waves with
hard flat splash; then he loosened the
ropes, shot the oars in place and
rowed for the dim shore.
Presently a convict sailor spied
them and raised an alarm. The deck
swarmed with poorly disciplined sea-
men hurting various missiles at the
little black spot in the darkness. I'm
able to hit the fugitives they cursed
their luck and returned to new duties