Part 52 (1/2)

The order to iven The two officers went first, followed by Brown and Toendarmes marched on either side of them with their bayonets fixed

Rayner and Oliver took the bearings of the house and re They found that they were proceeding inland, and on inquiring of the sergeant he said that they were going to a place called Le Trou, where other English prisoners were confined

”Are there many of them?” inquired Rayner

”Yes,” answered the Frenchates captured a shi+p of yours not long ago, and most of the officers and men who escaped death were sent there”

Rayner in vain endeavoured to ascertain what English shi+p was spoken of, for he had heard of none taken by the French of late years The sergeant, however, was positive, though he did not know either the name of the shi+p or the exact time of the capture

”I suspect he has heard so us,” observed Oliver

”We must not let him suppose that we are cast down We'll try to learn how far off this Le Trou is”

Rayner questioned the sergeant

”He says it is three days' journey We shall have to stop at different houses on the road That he must first take us to the overnor at Leogane, by e shall be examined, and if found to be spies, we shall be shot”

”Then Le Trou is not our first destination, and much will depend upon the character of the mayor before e are taken,” observed Oliver

As they still continued in a northerly direction, they knew that they were not going to Leogane, which lay to the ard, nor were they increasing their distance fro they reached a house of some size built, as are most of those in the country, on one storey, raised on a platfor eaves At one end, however, was a circular tower of considerable height

”Here we shall stop, and there will be your lodging after you have been exa to the tower

They conducted them up the steps to a hall, at one end of which was a baize-covered table, with a large chair and several smaller chairs on either side

After sohtcap and flowered dressing-goith slippered feet, and spectacles on nose, entered the hall, followed by another in black, apparently his clerk Two other persons also caan to nibble his pen and shuffle his papers

The old gentleman, in a squeaky voice, inquired ere the prisoners now brought before hieant at once stepped up to the table, and giving a military salute, infor in the country, and how he had captured thelishmen, they cannot speak French, and we require an interpreter,” said the e of those detestable islanders?”

No one replied After the relish

Rayner, anxious not to prolong the business, on hearing as said, stepped up to the table, and observed that, as he spoke French, he should be happy to explain how he and his coave a brief account of the circumstances which led to the shi+pwreck, and what had since occurred He was sorry anybody present should entertain ill-feelings towards the English, as for his part he liked France, and had a warard for many Frenchmen

Even the mayor was impressed, and a pleased smile came over his weazened features

”I aive me, and that you certainly are not spies,” he said ”The body of your countryman found on the beach proves that you were shi+pwrecked Still, as you are in the country, we must consider you as prisoners of war, and treat you as such For this night you must remain here, and to-ane or Le Trou, where you ith others of your countryed”

After some further remarks the examination terminated, and Rayner and Oliver, with the three seauard to the tower

It was nearly dark, and they were conducted by the light of a lantern up two flights of steps to a rooe, it was furnished with several pallet beds, a table, some chairs, and stools

”You are to re, messieurs, when I shall knohat direction to proceed Monsieur le Maire has ordered you some food, and you will, I hope, not coeant, as he closed the door, which he locked and bolted They heard hi