The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-02-25
sy RACHEL MsCk

Yesterday: Jerry, Banks and
Polly arrive safely in France, hav
ing outwitted elite, but little die
they realize the greater danger
ahead.
CHAPTER XXI
Ordinarily one would travel
from Calais to Cherbourg by
water. touching at LIE Havre. But
wich the Channel so beset with
ships engaged in war and wars
commerce. it bchove civilian tlHV-
clers to stick to dry land.
Cabcll Banks used his fluent
French 20 advantage in engaging
three seats in q stage coach
(which the French amuslogiy
called a diligence) and ne and
Jerry and Polly set out at once
for Cherbourg, the driver offer
inc no objections to Nuisance
Their intention was to go
aboard Tim Chelsey'S armed mer-
chant ship, the Palm tree, and
return to America with him.
Though it carried no long guns
only six small carronades, Polly
admitted when they questioned
her-it should be able to cross
the Atlantic in reasonable safety,
Jerry. and even Cabell, had heard
of Capt. Tim Chelsey and knew
mis- reputation as reliable skip
per. >.
Hes likely short of hands,
jerry said. 81 can handle the sails
or help navigate, whichever thing
he has need for"
I'll wager he'll be glad to see
even me-" Cabell remarked. 81
hardly ever saw a ship that wasn't
short of hands. But your Cousin
Tim needn't ask me to clint
shrouds or cat anchors, Polly. In
not his man. Navigation'S my
specially"
MY father was the best sailor
of them ALL" Polly said, thinking
suddenly of home and of the pa
tient old man there who no longer
had a ship. She felt a great long
ing TO see Trepid and Dick.
They calculated that Tim Chel
sew would have made the port OF
Cherbourg two good days before
news of war reached the Channel
The only concern of Jerry ant
Cabell was how the Palm Tree
would get out of Cherbomg. They
put their wits together to solve
this poser on the coach ride from
Calais. The port would be watch
ed by English warships; it woulC
be sporting venture for any
American merchantmen to rul
Out. Could it be done? The,
thought it could.
Since the trip consumed sew
eral days time and several over
stops, the three travellers ARGUED
about many matters. Polly an
noyed her two male escorts b,
saying one day, WARS uunatm
al. We're of one blood with tn
English, yet we're lined up witt
the French against them. It
like asking foreigner to he'll
you fight your own mother"
"0ur mother happens to be try
ing to strangle u.s." Jerry pointe
out. We're the thing she hate
most"
They reflected on this sad an
undeniable fact, and PRESENT.
Polly said, THE French hav
been seizing our vessels too, m
father told me. He thanks Ma
poleon has overreached himself
HE has undoubtedly don
that" Cabell agreed. MY fathe
says he's drunk with power"
Il can't understand human ns
ture at ALL" Polly argued. "Firs
it was the Bourbon kings tina
were so selfish and so cruel to tn
French people. The people thre'
them off and won their freedom
then turned cruel themselves, BIZ
heading the aristocrats right an
left. Now it's Napoleon that's
that's"
"ExplOiting-" said Cabel
supplying the word. "Exploitin
the French people. We may hav
to fight Napoleon next, unle'
England settles him."
"And that'll make Englan
drunk with power" Jerry offe
ed. "Drunker than she ahead
is, 7 mean.