Part 56 (1/2)

”Now can you give e?”

”Yes, some soldiers have been there, and impudent fellows they were; some of them came to our house, and if ht I aone It is said they were in search of deserters or spies, and that they had caught one of them, but could not find the rest If monsieur dislikes the military as irl said this in a significant manner Rayner thanked her and the old wo about his visit

”If we know nothing we can say nothing, eh, e, and keep out of the way of the soldiers,” whispered the girl as she let hi, as he hurried back towards the cave, that she suspected he was one of the persons the soldiers were in search of

Although she wished to befriend hier, too, that if poor Le Duc was caught, he ht be tortured to make him confess where his companions were Rayner considered, therefore, that it would be ier in the cave, and that it would be safer even to carry Jack, should he be unable to walk, than to delay their journey

He got back safely, and the food he brought soon restored the spirits of the party Even Jack declared that he was strong enough to walk a dozen etting across the border before daybreak They regretted greatly the loss of Le Duc, who had served them so faithfully, especially as they feared that he hi in consequence of the assistance he had given theht as on the previous night, he had no difficulty in directing his course The country was much of the same character as that they had previously crossed In souish the residences of the proprietors

Now they had to les, noade through ot on better than ht have been expected Rayner intended to halt for a short time at the first convenient spot they could reach

He had for sons of cultivation, when he found that they were passing close to a plantation Then there appeared a house on one side, then another and another Barking dogs ca them at bay The brutes followed theateway shouted, ”Who goes there?”

”Friends!” answered Rayner

”Advance, friends, and show yourselves, and give the countersign,” said a sentry, at the sauard

To run would have been useless, besides which it is not a movement British officers and seamen are wont to make, except after an enemy

Rayner therefore determined to put a bold face upon the matter, advanced with his companions, and the next instant they found themselves surrounded by a body of French soldiers, whose looks, as they held up a couple of lanterns, were anything but satisfactory

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

RECAPTURED--AN UNEXPECTED RESCUE

”Whence do you coeant of the guard, addressing Tom, as nearest hi the strict orders he had received to hold his tongue

”Ah, what language is that?” exclai the sailor's countenance ”You are not a French in the faces of each ”Why, I believe these are the very men ere ordered to search for Seize them all Take care that none escape There are five of them, the very nuot Can any of you speak French? though I doubt it”

”Should you be satisfied, eant, if we do speak French, and better French than many of the people about here?” asked Rayner ”If so, will you let us go on our journey? do we look like English sailors?”

”I don't kno English sailors generally look,” said the sergeant, gruffly, and rather taken aback at being suddenly addressed in his own language ”You certainly have the appearance of overseers, or people of that sort, but your countenances betray you I auard-room”

In vain Rayner pleaded that he and his companions were in a hurry to proceed on their journey

They were dragged into the building, and a guard with fixed bayonets was placed over theht they had to sit on a hard bench, with their backs against the wall, sleeping as well as they could in so uncoeant Gabot, by whouard to bring the into the presence of Captain Dupuis The seaeant, who led the way to a roo gentle sword by his side, was found seated at a table with two other officers

He cast his eye over the prisoners and inquired their names Here was a puzzle, for neither Rayner nor Oliver had thought of assuave their own, as did Jack

”Please, sir, what does the chap say?” asked Brohen the officer addressed him

”He wishes to know your na his moustaches, took them down as well as he could