The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-03-29
CHAPTER XVIII

CHAPTER XVIII
 After they had walked a little way, reveling in the feel of hard ground under their feet, they thought of food. Jerry said, T think we're half starved, that's what we are. Let's find an inn"
 Not in this quarter, you fool. Too many Sunrisers about. We must get away from the water front and buy civilian clothes be- fore we eat a mouthful."
 This they did. Later, as two civilians, they sat at a tavern table and tried to satisfy their half starved bodies without making themselves ill.
 When the meal had been eaten Jerry spoke. Now I must go back to London, cross-country, and see about Polly"
 Go to London, you idiot? So you've the vanity to suppose she's still waiting there for you? You told me she thought you'd deserted her. Hasn't she any pride?"
 "Yes," replied Jerry, "Polly's got more pride than normal. She'll not be waiting for me. But I must go to the Unicorn and Crown and try to trace her"
 See herep exclaimed Cabell. "It's a piece of madness. You'll be picked up again. Therell be a reward offered for us tomorrow, and London's where cheyll post it first. If you're caught, it will mean Dartmoor or the hulkS.'
 "I'm going up to London" Jerry said Wait for me if you like"
 And he went by the morning stage coach while Cabell Banks grumbling waited for him at an inn.
 On the night of the second day Jerry returned, grim and practi- cal. "Well?" said Cabell.
 Polly Chelsey left London for Dover some days ago. MT. Toby, the tavern keeper, said she hoped to cross the Channel and join her cousins ship at Cherbourg. He couldn't tell me where to look for her"
 What did I tell you?"
 That she'd be gone. That the trip would be useless. But I had to know, Banks. I couldn't have gone off, not knowing The trip was worth while in another way, too. MT. Toby told me that woman who got me into this - you know the one I mean-got to Suf- fering from bad conscience and wrote a letter to Polly explaining how the press gang got me. The TOby'S sent the letter down to Dover by next days coach, so they think Polly may have got it. like to think she did Cabell, lad, I'm sick for sight of that grill"
 Cabell Banks shrugged patient ly. T believe you said you knew how to get us across the Channel, Could I trouble you to put your mind on it now?"
 "Yes," said Jerry, coming back to earth. Well, there's place between here and Deal known as Cities Cove. Jean Clitte puts in there after he's stopped at Corly further south. Cities cove is where we must go How arg your feet?"
 They agreed to set out at once, on foot. Somewhere in the neigh borhood of the cove they would wait for the smuggler to come in. They might take lodgings at farmhouse, or, if this seemed in cautious they would hide out in a wooded ravine. Cabell ;nvested in a pair of pistols for them and in knives of a servicable sort Thus equipped and with money in their pockets they had no fear of starving.
 They turned their faces south ward on the Kings Highway where the road roughly followed the sea. A signpost pointed the way to Deal; the road stretched levelly before them. The neces- sity of walking all evening and most of the night did not disturb them. They were intoxicated with their new-found freedom. After the long dark hours in ships IL Wdo ldIllCl l4FNC ilScFNAt SO them to see the sky overhead and to feel the wind in the-r faces.
 They continued to be of that mind even after they grew tired They had brought food with them, and now and then they would crawl onto a stack of hay for rest and refreshment.
 Yet the night had it's drawbacks. Once they were stared at suspi- ciously by a farmer in cart, and questioned. And once they passed a hanged man dangling from a gallows, left there as a horrible warning to All that pick pockets and live thereby" (So said the painted s1gnJ Near midnight they hid in a copse as several men went past on horseback. And wisely. There were robbers and could be plainly heard planning to hold up the carriage of a local