Part 19 (2/2)

”_Dounter warter 30 fathom_.”

The second,--

”_Dounter botm 49 fathom an narf_.”

The third entry was,--

”_Lot warter in thole as mus be pumpt out_.”

Then came a series of hieroglyphics which puzzled Gwyn; and, after a long trial, he handed the book to his father, who looked at it for some time, and then shook his head, as he pa.s.sed it to the Major.

”I'm not scholar enough for this, Jollivet,” he said. ”Will you have a try?”

”No; I haven't brought my gla.s.ses. Here, Joe, what does this say?”

Joe, who had been all eagerness to begin, caught at the book, and tried to decipher the roughly-written words, but got on no better than the rest.

”Let me try again,” cried Gwyn.

”No, no; I haven't done yet,” said Joe; ”but it looks all rubbish. No one can make this out.”

”Spell it over,” said his father, and the boy began.

”H-o-r-s-i-m-s-p-o-o-t-e-t-y-de-b-i-t-h-e-t-o-p-e.”

”What does that spell? It's all one word.”

”Read it again,” said Gwyn, excitedly; and Joe repeated the letters.

”I know. Can't you see?” cried Gwyn, laughing.

Joe shook his head, and the two old officers looked nonplussed.

”What is it, Gwyn?” said his father. ”Speak out, if you know.”

”Ore seems pretty tidy by the top.”

”No; nonsense!” cried the Colonel.

”It is, father,” said Gwyn. ”You read it over again, Joe.”

The letters were once more repeated, and the Major exclaimed,--

”That's it, sure enough.”

”Then there must be something in it,” cried Colonel Pendarve. ”The place is being talked about, and this fellow, who is evidently experienced in such matters, has been sent on to act as a spy. But how does he know about the depth?”

”Line's all knotted in six-feet lengths, sir,” said Joe.

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