The sunny South. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1875-1907, December 11, 1875, Image 1

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m f LOWERS COtXECTlOW JOHN H. SEALS, {“g'gfy™ ATLANTA, C.A.. SATURDAY. DEC. II. 1875. .'For The Snuny Sotith.] A NORSE LEWEND. BY CHARLES W. HrBXEK. NMtb all his lords, in solemn state, Harold the Kins in council sate; On spears arid hauberks, helms and glares. Fell bright the hearth-light’s shimmering waves. Sow fair the flames, like dawning day, Sow, whelmed in gloom, they die away; Flaring or sinking, through the hall Shadows, like spectres, rise and fall. Without, the thunders smite the night, The Tempest howls his huge delight: And on the shore's rock-armored might The sea-waves, shivering, break in light. With glints and sounds of summer’s sky, The rose-tongued flan.es the storm defy; And cheerily, in the wracks despite. For king and courtier speeds the night, And as the King yet spake— behold! On wings that shine like burnished gold, A bird whirrs swift athwart the room, Flits—and is lost in outer gloom. •‘Such is man's life!” exclaims Hie King. ‘‘Like yonder lost and wandering thing, We plunge from darkness into light Vet end, at last, in storm and night.” Whereat an aged courtier said.— In reverence bowing low his head, 14 N es, sire, but why shuuld we despond ? Hath not the bird his nest beyond ?” [Written for The Sunny South.] WRITTEN IN BLOOD; — tm.— The Midnight Pledge. -A Story of the I.ast Napoleon’s Itciejn. B V 51. QUAD. / CHAPTER xn r™™. “It’s a bad scrape, but I’m bound to aid him j if I can,” mused the Colonel, as be returned to , bis room. I After further deliberation, be called a carriage j and posted off to tbe Legation, and bad an inter view with tbe American Minister, who regarded j tbe ease as almost hopeless, but who promised ! to do what be could. He gave Burton tbe names of several prominent lawyers, and before night the American bad secured the best counsel which gold could retain. None of the lawyers gave him any encouragement. It was a plain case against the conspirators, some of whom had been identified as ex-eonvicts and ex-political ; offenders. “It is very likely your friend will go to tbe j guillotine, but we will do our best,” they said; i and tbe Colonel bad to be satisfied with that. Ilis next step was to secure an interview with Travelick, but was told that he must wait until after tbe excitement had subsided; and be re- ! turned to bis hotel worn-out and anxious, half- expecting that be would be arrested on charge of being friendly to Walter, and therefore sup posed to have knowledge of the conspiracy. The government might have contemplated such , a thing, but Dupont tbe spy was fair-minded TERMS i *3 annum, -IFi-tLlVLO, j IK ADVANCE/ XO. 30. BURTON AND HAS LAWYERS VISIT WALTER TRAVELICK IX HI8 I’RISON. a member, he had heartily entered into the plans of the conspirators. The lawyers brightened .. . little as Walter told his story. It was possible for them to prove that he was forced to join and to show that he was hardly in his right mind. They went over the statement two or three times, selecting points to bring out and others to conceal, and when ready to go, were quite hopeful. “ And will yon also defend Imogene — the girl ?” asked Walter. a struggle against fate, and the lawyers gave up all hope. When the Colonel realized this, lie again sought the Legation, and for two or three days the American Minister was not to be seen by others. He appealed to his friends, to the Em peror, and used every influence which he pos sessed to secure the pardon of Travelick and Imogene. Meanwhile the trial progressed. All but Marie were on trial at once, and those who had pleaded “guilty” were at once sentenced to “I don’t care for any one but yon,” answered ; the guillotine. The lawyers picked up a point the Colonel. here and another there, as the trial went on, and ! “Then I shall want no defense,” continued j but for the base action of two of the eonspira- tlie young man in a decided tone. ! tors, they could have made out a strong defense. | Finally the testimony wa^< in, the case summed CHAPTER XVII. * 1 up, and amid the most intense excitement, the | beast. Walter did not complain of this treat ment, being buoyed up by the hope that the au thorities would permit him to wed Imogene, and to remain with her after arriving at the penal colony. “He’s good-hearted and patient, and he’s got pluck in him,” continued the Colonel, “and if trouble or money could bring him out of this scrape, he would come. And that gal—but isn’t she a clipper? I’d almost take bis place for the privilege of calling her Mrs. Burton !” He smoked away for awhile longer, but sud denly laid down his pipe, struck the table a heavy blow, and inquired of himself: “Colonel John S. Burton, of Alabama, U.S.A., are you a fool ?” There was no answer, of course, and he went The Colonel and the attorneys argued and rea- j Judge pronounced sentence. Fifteen of the pris- on: coned with Travelick. He was an American— oners were ordered to stand up, one after an- Wiis known to have attempted his own life—had i other, and each was sentenced to be beheaded been forced to join the conspirators, and with j within a period of one week. These fifteen were the assistance of the American Minister, they , persons of previous bad character, some of them might secure his pardon on condition that he | having served a term in prison, enough to explain that the Colonel could have , leave the country at once. But if the attorneys i The other sixteen were sentenced to trans- “Say, are you a regular four-horse idiot, or have yon got a little gumption left ?” He looked around the room as if fearing that < some one might be listening, and let his voice fall to a whisper as he said: “You can do it as easy as rolling off a log, and had no knowledge of what his companion was must take the girl’s case with his, they had no portation for life to the penal settlement of New I’ll bet money you will do it! You'll never engaged in, or he would not have employed a hopes. Her father and two brothers were among spy to follow him; and so the Emperor’s spies the conspirators. They could make no defense were content with watching his every movement ; for the girl, and they told Walter in so many and attempting to read his thoughts. words that to combine the cases was to send him For two days Paris talked of nothing but the 1° guillotine. Red Band and the bold conspiracy, and then “Then I shall go the guillotine,” he answered, the excitement began t<> abate. On tbe after- “ She is my betrothed wife, and her actions have noon of the third day, the Colonel was notified | been patriotic, according to her method of reas- by the lawyers that he could secure aD interview with Walter, and he made haste to join them. They were going to visit the prisoner for the : When they found him immovable, they con. Caledonia. But for the persistent efforts of the Minister, whose appeals could not be passed by altogether, the whole tliirty-one conspirators would have received the same sentence. The Emperor was willing to save the American’s life, but he could not let him escape free, and so a part of the band were selected for transporta tion with him, that the public might not sus- stand by and see that boy going off to New Cal edonia for life,—not if your name is Burton.” He had contrived a plan, but it was one re quiring such nerve and daring that the bare thought would have appalled some men. CHAPTER XVIII. Before going to bed that night, Colonel Bnr- him for pecuniary assistance, and he had not ! r <*fnspd; and being countrymen of his, they , would not betray his secret, even if they would not enter into his plans. He called up each face as he remembered it, and finally decided to first approach a man named Roberts, who had ex pressed great sympathy for Travelick, and who I ^ a d the look and tone of one with great deter mination and pluck. • "• I hat settles it,” said tho Colonel as he got into bed, and he dismissed the subject from his mind and went to sleep. Tho next forenoon, as the Alabamian made a search for Roberts, he was fortunate enough to find his man, and thoy returned in company to tho hotel. When the Colonel’s room had been reached and he was roady to unfold his plans, : he commenced: “Do you want to earn five thousand dollars?” “I d be willing to saw wood for a whole month for money enough to pay my fare across the channel,” replied the man, i “See hero, my friend,” continued the Colonel, (lowering his voice to a whisper; “I want you to do a bit of work for me, and I'll put enough money in your pocket to make you happy for ten years.” “Toll mo what you want . “ I want you to ship aboard the transport T.n France, which is to carry the prisoners to New Caledonia.” “I used to sail years ago, and I can talk French as well as you can speak English,” replied Roberts | “And you’ll go?” j “If they’ll take mo.” i “See, here is the map,” continued tho Colonel, ; spreading one out on the table. “She’s got a ! long voyage before her. It will tako weeks and weeks for her to sail over this route, and she’s got to haul in protty close to English territory as she passes the Cape of Good Hope.” I “Yes.” ter Travelick', the g”irf Imogen£J“sStlf yd&dSfciA. ! could get into a small boat and get clear of tbe • ship?” j “Yes.” • “Wouldn't the chances be in favor of your making the coast?” ! “If good weather, yes.” j “No matter whereabouts on the coast you landed, you could find your way down to Cape Town, and there get on a ship for New York or Boston?” “ Yes.” “Well, that’s the programme,” continued the Alabamian. “ At some point on the voyage you j must get the prisoners clear of the ship in some way, and then make for some port from which you can sail to America. It will take nerve, j pluck and cunning, but I know it can be done. [ If you will try it on I will give you one thou sand dollars now, another before you leave, and three thousand as soon as you reach New l'ork with the two liberated prisoners.” Roberts turned the scheme over and over in his mind, and was long in coming to a conelu- sion. There seemed not more than one chance in a hundred for him to carry out the plan, and there were ten chances to one that he would be hanged at the yard-arm. He would be the only person out of the crew and file of marines who would have any sympathy for the prisoners, and he would have to work entirely alone. The pris oners; would be ironed and carefully guarded, and outside of Travelick, they would have nei ther hope nor pluck. On the other hand, the man was hard up and desperate. The reward was large and certain, and there was a hunt hopo 'that circumstances arrving out the oning. Would I care for freedom if she were to j peet he had been shown especial favor. j ton had ascertained that a transport would sail be sent to the scaffold?” j The Colonel and the attorneys were greatly with her prisoners in about ten days; that her , rejoiced to find that their clients had escaped : name was Ixt France; that she would carry a file . 'would conspire to aid lm^m^ ^ ^ purpose of hearing his statement and preparing I sented to do the best tbev could in both cases, I the guillotine, whose shadow had covered them of marines and a crew of sixteen or eighteen P^ an - transport mig i e wrec for days and days. All the prisoners also re a ground-work A defense, and the party were soon at the gloomy prison. The guard had been doubled, the force of at tendants increased, and no one yet been allowed an interview with any of the prisoners. The lawyers had come prepared with passes, and after a little delay, they were ushered into the cell occupied by Travelick. They found him loaded down with chains and chained to the floor, and the blood and powder-stains had not yet been washed from his face. He fully realized the peril of his situation, but was keeping up a stout heart. and a visit was made to the girl’s cell. She was anxious for her relatives and lover, but brave- J joiced, for although transportation was degra- liearted, and she stated her case plainly, and told the lawyers frankly that she had no hope whatever. She would plead “not guilty,” and the government would have to prove that the Red Band had not met as any other secret soci ety, and that they had been plotting and con spiring. Dupont the spy had overheard the conversation between Walter, Imogene and Ma rie, in tbe chamber over the confectioner’s; but Marie had refused to make a confession, and as long as she held out, Dupont’s statement would dation, and in many respects worse than prison, yet it was life. men; that she would sail directly for the penal mmht be able to bribe some of the sailors into colony, and that her crew would be made np of assisting him. If I can secure a berth aboard tbe ship, I will sailors outside of government employ. “I’d go in a minute if I could speak the blasted “I knew you would come!” he said, as he 1 have no support, caught sight of the Colonel. ; ^ opular excitement demanded a speedy trial, “You’ve got into a bad fix, my boy?” replied an< l on second day after tbe interview with the Colonel; “ but I’ve brought lawyers with me, i Travelick, the lawyers and the Colonel sat beside and we are going to see what can be done. 1 j him in the court-room. Of all the thirty-one know all about it, but you must go ahead and j conspirators arraigned, only Walter and Imo- tell a plain story.” j g ene had counsel. Some were too poor to fee After greeting the attorneys, and when they j attorneys, and others would make no effort, had been seated, Travelick related his story, knowing that their cases had already been passed keeping nothing back, nor yet seeking to east i upon. Many of them pleaded guilty, though any burdens on the shoulders. It bad been a i a *Ivised not to, and two of them offered thein- choice between death and joining the band, and 1 selves as witnesses to swear away the lives of i he had preferred the latter alternative; yet he j their comrades. Circumstances thus bore more Ifrankly acknowledged that, after he had become i heavily against the prisoners who were to make I’m glad and vet I’m sorry," said the Colo- , language !” he muttered, as he sat and smoked; nel, as he shook Walter’s hand. “The sentence i “but the3’’d catch me up within half an hour, is for life, and there isn’t any hope that you’ll ■ and then overboard I'd go ! And they’ve seen ever be pardoned.” j me looking around so much that some one would “Imogene will go with me. and they will let | be sure to recognize me. No, I’ve got to look me make her my wife, and we shall be happy,” . around and find some one who has got the pluck- replied Travelick, not a whit cast down. ] iest kind of pluck to exchange for money. The prisoners were removed to their cells, to j He had said nothing to Walter as yet, but bad await the departure of a transport, and the Col- i made up his mind to attempt a rescue. He be- try tbe other thing,” he finally answered. “Take this," said the Colonel, handing out a roll of bills, “ and come here this evening and let me know what luck you have had. That ended the conference. Roberts left the hotel and at once made his way to the railway station, and took a train for Havre, from which point the transport was to sail. He soou found that most sailors had a strong to shipping aboard of transports bound nel had done all he could. He had promised lieved that if he could get the right sort of man for the penal settlements, as the voyage was long Walter to stay and see him off, and to keep his aboard tbe transport, the prisoners could be lib- i and the discipline severe. Having ascertained secret from acquaintances in America, and he i erated before she hail reached her destination, the necessary steps to take, he went a oari a was anxious to do whatever was possible. He bad not planned bow he could carry out such j France and applied tor a berth. e ot cer in Blamed if a young man of his character and 1 a bold and daring scheme alone, surrounded by , charge subjected him to a rigid examination, ut a score or more of foes; but he could have exe- 1 failed to discover anything suspicious, and the cuted as well as planned if circumstances had ! American was enrolled as one of the crew, not prohibited his shipping aboard the vessel in : Thus far luck was on his side. His orders some capacity. were to report within three days, and this would During his stay in Paris, he had encountered give him time to plan further with the 1 olonel, more than a dozen Americans who were living and to make such preparations as he could, from hand to mouth, having no means to go | Next day he visited the Alabamian and ro- elsewhere and being willing to do anything to j ported progress, and the Colonel danced about make a dollar. Some of them had appealed to | the room in high glee, looking upon the rescue nature hadn’t better be guillotined than trans ported !” growled the Alabamian one day after returning from a visit to the prison. He began to feel indignant that Walter had not been pardoned altogether, when it was plain that he had been forced to join the band, and his anger increased as he remembered how his friend was loaded down with chains, subjected to all sorts of insults, and regarded os a wild