for the term of his natural life-第11章

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the　preservation　of　which　Richard　Devine　had　voluntarily　flung　away　his　name；　and　risked　a　terrible　and　disgraceful　death；　would　be　now　for　ever　safe；　for　Richard　Devine　was　deadlost　at　sea　with　the　crew　of　the　ill…fated　vessel　in　which；　deluded　by　a　skilfully…sent　letter　from　the　prison；　his　mother　believed　him　to　have　sailed。　　Richard　Devine　was　dead；　and　the　secret　of　his　birth　would　die　with　him。　　Rufus　Dawes；　his　alter　ego；　alone　should　live。　Rufus　Dawes；　the　convicted　felon；　the　suspected　murderer；　should　live　to　claim　his　freedom；　and　work　out　his　vengeance；　or；　rendered　powerful　by　the　terrible　experience　of　the　prison…sheds；　should　seize　both；　in　defiance　of　gaol　or　gaoler。

With　his　head　swimming；　and　his　brain　on　fire；　he　eagerly　listened　for　more。　It　seemed　as　if　the　fever　which　burnt　in　his　veins　had　consumed　the　grosser　part　of　his　sense；　and　given　him　increased　power　of　hearing。　He　was　conscious　that　he　was　ill。　　His　bones　ached；　his　hands　burned；　his　head　throbbed；　but　he　could　hear　distinctly；　and；　he　thought；　reason　on　what　he　heard　profoundly。

〃But　we　can't　stir　without　the　girl；〃　Gabbett　said。　　〃She's　got　to　stall　off　the　sentry　and　give　us　the　orfice。〃

The　Crow's　sallow　features　lighted　up　with　a　cunning　smile。

〃Dear　old　caper　merchant！　　Hear　him　talk！〃　said　he；　〃as　if　he　had　the　wisdom　of　Solomon　in　all　his　glory？　　Look　here！〃

And　he　produced　a　dirty　scrap　of　paper；　over　which　his　companions　eagerly　bent　their　heads。

〃Where　did　yer　get　that？〃

〃Yesterday　afternoon　Sarah　was　standing　on　the　poop　throwing　bits　o'　toke　to　the　gulls；　and　I　saw　her　a…looking　at　me　very　hard。　　At　last　she　came　down　as　near　the　barricade　as　she　dared；　and　throwed　crumbs　and　such　like　up　in　the　air　over　the　side。　　By　and　by　a　pretty　big　lump；　doughed　up　round；　fell　close　to　my　foot；　and；　watching　a　favourable　opportunity；　I　pouched　it。　Inside　was　this　bit　o'　rag…bag。〃

〃Ah！〃　said　Mr。　Gabbett；　〃that's　more　like。　　Read　it　out；　Jemmy。〃

The　writing；　though　feminine　in　character；　was　bold　and　distinct。　Sarah　had　evidently　been　mindful　of　the　education　of　her　friends；　and　had　desired　to　give　them　as　little　trouble　as　possible。

〃All　is　right。　　Watch　me　when　I　come　up　to…morrow　evening　at　three　bells。　If　I　drop　my　handkerchief；　get　to　work　at　the　time　agreed　on。　The　sentry　will　be　safe。〃

Rufus　Dawes；　though　his　eyelids　would　scarcely　keep　open；　and　a　terrible　lassitude　almost　paralysed　his　limbs；　eagerly　drank　in　the　whispered　sentence。　　There　was　a　conspiracy　to　seize　the　ship。　Sarah　Purfoy　was　in　league　with　the　convictswas　herself　the　wife　or　mistress　of　one　of　them。　　She　had　come　on　board　armed　with　a　plot　for　his　release；　and　this　plot　was　about　to　be　put　in　execution。　　He　had　heard　of　the　atrocities　perpetrated　by　successful　mutineers。　　Story　after　story　of　such　nature　had　often　made　the　prison　resound　with　horrible　mirth。　He　knew　the　characters　of　the　three　ruffians　who；　separated　from　him　by　but　two　inches　of　planking；　jested　and　laughed　over　their　plans　of　freedom　and　vengeance。　　Though　he　conversed　but　little　with　his　companions；　these　men　were　his　berth　mates；　and　he　could　not　but　know　how　they　would　proceed　to　wreak　their　vengeance　on　their　gaolers。

True；　that　the　head　of　this　formidable　chimeraJohn　Rex；　the　forgerwas　absent；　but　the　two　hands；　or　rather　clawsthe　burglar　and　the　prison…breakerwere　present；　and　the　slimly…made；　effeminate　Crow；　if　he　had　not　the　brains　of　the　master；　yet　made　up　for　his　flaccid　muscles　and　nerveless　frame　by　a　cat…like　cunning；　and　a　spirit　of　devilish　volatility　that　nothing　could　subdue。　　With　such　a　powerful　ally　outside　as　the　mock　maid…servant；　the　chance　of　success　was　enormously　increased。　There　were　one　hundred　and　eighty　convicts　and　but　fifty　soldiers。　If　the　first　rush　proved　successfuland　the　precautions　taken　by　Sarah　Purfoy　rendered　success　possiblethe　vessel　was　theirs。　　Rufus　Dawes　thought　of　the　little　bright…haired　child　who　had　run　so　confidingly　to　meet　him；　and　shuddered。

〃There！〃　said　the　Crow；　with　a　sneering　laugh；　〃what　do　you　think　of　that？　Does　the　girl　look　like　nosing　us　now？〃

〃No；〃　says　the　giant；　stretching　his　great　arms　with　a　grin　of　delight；　as　one　stretches　one's　chest　in　the　sun；　〃that's　right；　that　is。　That's　more　like　bizness。〃

〃England；　home　and　beauty！〃　said　Vetch；　with　a　mock…heroic　air；　strangely　out　of　tune　with　the　subject　under　discussion。　　〃You'd　like　to　go　home　again；　wouldn't　you；　old　man？〃

Gabbett　turned　on　him　fiercely；　his　low　forehead　wrinkled　into　a　frown　of　ferocious　recollection。

〃You！〃　he　said〃You　think　the　chain's　fine　sport；　don't　yer？　But　I've　been　there；　my　young　chicken；　and　I　knows　what　it　means。〃

There　was　silence　for　a　minute　or　two。　　The　giant　was　plunged　in　gloomy　abstraction；　and　Vetch　and　the　Moocher　interchanged　a　significant　glance。　　Gabbett　had　been　ten　years　at　the　colonial　penal　settlement　of　Macquarie　Harbour；　and　he　had　memories　that　he　did　not　confide　to　his　companions。　　When　he　indulged　in　one　of　these　fits　of　recollection；　his　friends　found　it　best　to　leave　him　to　himself。

Rufus　Dawes　did　not　understand　the　sudden　silence。　　With　all　his　senses　stretched　to　the　utmost　to　listen；　the　cessation　of　the　whispered　colloquy　affected　him　strangely。　　Old　artillery…men　have　said　that；　after　being　at　work　for　days　in　the　trenches；　accustomed　to　the　continued　roar　of　the　guns；　a　sudden　pause　in　the　firing　will　cause　them　intense　pain。　Something　of　this　feeling　was　experienced　by　Rufus　Dawes。　　His　faculties　of　hearing　and　thinkingboth　at　their　highest　pitchseemed　to　break　down。　It　was　as　though　some　prop　had　been　knocked　from　under　him。　No　longer　stimulated　by　outward　sounds；　his　senses　appeared　to　fail　him。　The　blood　rushed　into　his　eyes　and　ears。　　He　made　a　violent；　vain　effort　to　retain　his　consciousness；　but　with　a　faint　cry　fell　back；　striking　his　head　against　the　edge　of　the　bunk。

The　noise　roused　the　burglar　in　an　instant。　　There　was　someone　in　the　berth！　The　three　looked　into　each　other's　eyes；　in　guilty　alarm；　and　then　Gabbett　dashed　round　the　partition。

〃It's　Dawes！〃　said　the　Moocher。　　〃We　had　forgotten　him！〃

〃He'll　join　us；　matehe'll　join　us！〃　cried　Vetch；　fearful　of　bloodshed。

Gabbett　uttered　a　furious　oath；　and　flinging　himself　on　to　the　prostrate　figure；　dragged　it；　head　foremost；　to　the　floor。　　The　sudden　vertigo　had　saved　Rufus　Dawes's　life。　　The　robber　twisted　one　brawny　hand　in　his　shirt；　and　pressing　the　knuckles　down；　prepared　to　deliver　a　blow　that　should　for　ever　silence　the　listener；　when　Vetch　caught　his　arm。　　〃He's　been　asleep；〃　he　cried。　　〃Don't　hit　him！　　See；　he's　not　awake　yet。〃

A　crowd　gathered　round。　　The　giant　relaxed　his　grip；　but　the　convict　gave　only　a　deep　groan；　and　allowed　his　head　to　fall　on　his　shoulder。　〃You've　killed　him！〃　cried　someone。

Gabbett　took　another　look　at　the　purpling　face　and　the　bedewed　forehead；　and　then　sprang　erect；　rubbing　at　his　right　hand；　as　though　he　would　rub　off　something　sticking　there。

〃He's　got　the　fever！〃　he　roared；　with　a　terror…stricken　grimace。

〃The　what？〃　asked　twenty　voices。

〃The　fever；　ye　grinning　fools！〃　cried　Gabbett。　　〃I've　seen　it　before　to…day。　The　typhus　is　aboard；　and　he's　the　fourth　man　down！〃

The　circle　of　beast…like　faces；　stretched　forward　to　〃see　the　fight；〃　widened　at　the　half…uncomprehended；　ill…omened　word。　　It　was　as　though　a　bombshell　had　fallen　into　the　group。　　Rufus　Dawes　lay　on　the　deck　motionless；　breathing　heavily。　　The　savage　circle　glared　at　his　prostrate　body。　The　alarm　ran　round；　and　all　the　prison　crowded　down　to　stare　at　him。　All　at　once　he　uttered　a　groan；　and　turning；　propped　his　body　on　his　two　rigid　arms；　and　made　an　effort　to　speak。　　But　no　sound　issued　from　his　convulsed　jaws。

〃He's　done；〃　said　the　Moocher　brutally。　　〃He　didn't　hear　nuffin'；　I'll　pound　it。〃

The　noise　of　the　heavy　bolts　shooting　back　broke　the　spell。　　The　first　detachment　were　coming　down　from　〃exercise。〃　The　door　was　flung　back；　and　the　bayonets　of　the　guard　gleamed　in　a　ray　of　sunshine　that　shot　down　the　hatchway。　　This　glimpse　of　sunlightsparkling　at　the　entrance　of　the　foetid　and　stifling　prisonseemed　to　mock　their　miseries。　It　was　as　though　Heaven　laughed　at　them。　　By　one　of　those　terrible　and　strange　impulses　which　animate　crowds；　the　mass；　turning　from　the　sick　man；　leapt　towards　the　doorway。　　The　interior　of　the　prison　flashed　white　with　suddenly　turned　faces。　　The　gloom　scintillated　with　rapidly　moving　hands。　〃Air！　　air！　　Give　us　air！〃

〃That's　it！〃　said　Sanders　to　his　companions。　　〃I　thought　the　news　would　rouse　'em。〃

Gabbettall　the　savage　in　his　blood　stirred　by　the　sight　of　flashing　eyes　and　wrathful　faceswould　have　thrown　himself　forward　with　the　rest；　but　Vetch　plucked　him　back。

〃It'll　be　over　in　a　moment；〃　he　said。　　〃It's　only　a　fit　they've　got。〃　He　spoke　truly。　　Through　the　uproar　was　heard　the　rattle　of　iron　on　iron；　as　the　guard　〃stood　to　their　arms；〃　and　the　wedge　of　grey　cloth　broke；　in　sudden　terror　of　the　levelled　muskets。

There　was　an　instant's　pause；　and　then　old　Pine　walked；　unmolested；　down　the　prison　and　knelt　by　the　body　of　Rufus　Dawes。

The　sight　of　the　familiar　figure；　so　calmly　performing　its　familiar　duty；　restored　all　that　submission　to　recognized　authority　which　strict　discipline　begets。　　The　convicts　slunk　away　into　their　berths；　or　officiously　ran　to　help　〃the　doctor；〃　with　affectation　of　intense　obedience。　　The　prison　was　like　a　schoolroom；　into　which　the　master　had　suddenly　returned。　〃Stand　back；　my　lads！　　Take　him　up；　two　of　you；　and　carry　him　to　the　door。　The　poor　fellow　won't　hurt　you。〃　　His　orders　were　obeyed；　and　the　old　man；　waiting　until　his　patient　had　been　safely　received　outside；　raised　his　hand　to　command　attention。　　〃I　see　you　know　what　I　have　to　tell。　　The　fever　has　broken　out。　　That　man　has　got　it。　　It　is　absurd　to　suppose　that　no　one　else　will　be　seized。　　I　might　catch　it　myself。　　You　are　much　crowded　down　here；　I　know；　but；　my　lads；　I　can't　help　that；　I　didn't　make　the　ship；　you　know。〃

〃'Ear；　'ear！〃

〃It　is　a　terrible　thing；　but　you　must　keep　orderly　and　quiet；　and　bear　it　like　men。　　You　know　what　the　discipline　is；　and　it　is　not　in　my　power　to　alter　it。　　I　shall　do　my　best　for　your　comfort；　and　I　look　to　you　to　help　me。〃

Holding　his　grey　head　very　erect　indeed；　the　brave　old　fellow　passed　straight　down　the　line；　without　looking　to　the　right　or　left。　He　had　said　just　enough；　and　he　reached　the　door　amid　a　chorus　of　〃'Ear；　'ear！〃　〃Bravo！〃　〃True　for　you；　docther！〃　and　so　on。　But　when　he　got　fairly　outside；　he　breathed　more　freely。　　He　had　performed　a　ticklish　task；　and　he　knew　it。

〃'Ark　at　'em；〃　growled　the　Moocher　from　his　corner；　〃a…cheerin'　at　the　bloody　noos！〃

〃Wait　a　bit；〃　said　the　acuter　intelligence　of　Jemmy　Vetch。　　〃Give　'em　time。　There'll　be　three　or　four　more　down　afore　night；　and　then　we'll　see！〃




CHAPTER　VIII。

A　DANGEROUS　CRISIS。



It　was　late　in　the　afternoon　when　Sarah　Purfoy　awoke　from　her　uneasy　slumber。　She　had　been　dreaming　of　the　deed　she　was　about　to　do；　and　was　flushed　and　feverish；　but；　mindful　of　the　consequences　which　hung　upon　the　success　or　failure　of　the　enterprise；　she　rallied　herself；　bathed　her　face　and　hands；　and　ascended　with　as　calm　an　air　as　she　could　assume　to