Part 55 (1/2)

The person ca on one side, now on the other It ht Rayner He has lost his way, perhaps thatfro for, my friend?” he asked, in French

The man stopped, and seemed inclined to run away

”Le Duc, what's the matter?” asked Rayner, in a suppressed tone

”Ah, ht I should never find the place where I left you I saw it only in daylight Things look so different in the dark I have had a narrow escape, but I have got some food now If you follow my advice you will eat and set off immediately

Is the cave near?”

”No; but I can lead you to it,” answered Rayner

As they went along, Le Duc said, ”When I got near the village I ers in the place, and that I ly went on boldly, until I reached a cottage just in the outskirts I entered and found the people ready enough to sellme three ti to put the the, and I heard them say that a party of soldiers had just arrived, on their way froane to Port Saint Louis in the bay, and that they were ordered to look out for several English spies, and that solish thes intofor the remainder, and hurried out of the hut As I did so, as my dismay to see three of the soldiers, accompanied by one of the black felloho had escaped from the wreck! Were I to have run away they would have suspectedto fear from the in the saoing in search of you

Thoughtless of the consequence, I happened to whistle an air which I sang that night on board the schooner ere becalafter an to walk very fast Fortunately it was aled behind them

The black passed me and went on I lay quiet, and after a time he came back, and I heard him tell the soldiers, who had followed hioing back to the village

”I waited until they were out of hearing, and then set off to try and findabout ever since”

No one troubled Le Duc with questions They were too eager to dispose of the contents of his bag They could not see what they were eating, but they were not inclined to be particular As soon as they had finished their hbourhood, they begged at once to continue their journey; but Rayner was very doubtful whether Jack could keep up, though he declared that he was ready

When, however, he crept out of the cave, he was scarcely able to stand, much less to walk any distance

”I o on with the other two men and Le Duc, and when he has seen you safely into Spanish territory he will, perhaps, come back and assist me and Jack Peek If he cannot, we must do our best by ourselves We have been in a ed to escape”

Oliver, however, would not hear of this, and it was finally settled that the whole party should reht and day

Jack was very unhappy at being the cause of their detention; but Rayner cheered hi him that it was not his fault, and perhaps, after all, it was the best thing they could do

They accordingly all crept into the cave and went to sleep

In the h the bushes to enable them to eat breakfast They, of course, took care not to speak above a whisper, though listening all the time for the sound of footsteps; but as no one came near them, they hoped that their place of concealht otherwise have pointed it out to the soldiers

The day went by All the food Le Duc had brought was consuo for ed it ie, where he would be recognised as having coo supperless to sleep, Toht streamed into the cavern, Le Duc declared that he could hold out no longer, and that, both for his own sake and that of others, he one away by this tie can have no object in detaining me If they do, I will bribe them to let me off, and they know if they hand ”

The hunger all were feeling and his argu to be back as soon as possible, and to take care that no one followed hi as he disappeared All they could do in the meantime was to keep close in their hole

All day they waited, but Le Duc did not return

Tom muttered, ”The Frenchman has deserted us after all”