Show BY FEARY ARY WITH WH illustrations nori BY DON C arv ow isaa ay iy j er war ov Covy wy 64 CW j iff CHAPTER IV toulon on the mediterranean was at this time the great military depot of france its inhabitants numbered about twenty five thousand and more than fifty frigates and ships of the line rode at anchor la in its harbor while within its spacious magazines was as col cat lecter an immense quantity of military and naval stores scarcely a day passed during the fall and carly winter of 1793 that did not bring to the city families and in diO duals from all parts of france seeking protection from the revola zionists r outi ages which the committee were either unable to con tro or to which aich they were indifferent at toulon the friends of the old monarchy argued among themselves that the violence with which their laud land had been filled was too terrible to be longer endured and they began to discuss the idea of surrendering the city its magazines forts and ships to the combined english and spanish fleets lying outside its har bar bor bar and thus help to bring about a return of law and reason to insane france among those in toulon who heard of the proposed surrender was margot who with jean and pierre safe under the humble roof of their new home had for these many months enjoyed a security she hall had never before known in a measure her own mistress and removed from the dread of etienne Et lenne she found reliance and peace in the kindly guidance of pere to whom the boys went each da for in st ruction his abode being some dis tance from maggots Mar Alar gots small email house which was waa in a retired part of the city nar n ar the suburbs A surrender suggested to her the possibility of bringing scenes of 0 blood shed and violence and the very name of I 1 rn anglish glish was to her as ai also to hobt of her corn patriots tho the syn of what was aas utterly detestable air fears wre idealized leall zed when the eui Pui render was accomplished and the english ships balka triumphantly into part landing live five thousand of 0 their own on troops and eight thousand spaniards this proceeding was mas regarded with the greatest alarm and indignation by the mho lio considering tbt tin an act of treachery r resolved D 0 d to retake toulon and dailve the allies from the boll of france 1 iwo I wo armies mcie rn marched arched upon toulon and a siege was aos begun which for tinee months made but little apparent ress resa affairs within the city bicarme un settled battled and wee soon almost almont demor allred and pere fluet having fallen seriously ill maggots rim got a heart grew heavy as jean seeming to throw ott off all restraint Nander cd day after day about the streets associating with sol soil tors and rough characters margot had bad not dared to comment cate much of her misgivings front from tho day now several weeks past when hen after remonstrating warmly harmly as to borne offense he ha halt hai committed she bade hint him iss ask il himself if his father would hate hane approved appi appio oved Ned tho act and started back as from a mans chrt thant nt ened attack when the boy turned icely upon never name him to me again ile he cried falth ith heading breast breant and flash ing caps I 1 I have no father do you know my name b bre bore re in toulon I 1 it t Is the some bame as pierres lie ile Is pierre lafitte aud and I 1 amali brother jean lafitte and be I 1 saint or devil to the ond of my life I 1 am jean lafatte ittel ile he looked so big anti and tei terrible feirl ble in hla his rage raga that margot silent oid aud ficht ened lilt that he was waa almost a stranger to her hep this boy she hl car can ried ri ed in her arms and wham ste had loved aal vatch pd over for so many years it was the 1 lat at tight light of Novem bei when hen darlney darl nes 18 tell fell early over the city and margot ana as preparing her lonely evening meal hubere jean and pierre were ere she knew not but pro pre sunned ti that at as vaas often their habit they would tup lup ith some of their soldier acquaintances ki though the evening was cold tho the usual number of pedestrians were abroad alro cd these being mostly soldiers sold lera who were nere excitement and gos BOS I 1 sip all at thear the aroud lotis eating and drinking places frequented by them one of these was aas called IP ae chien a two story house situated down near one of the quays lights were blinking brightly from its ito small windows and inside several stoves were burning where thiel the land lord and his bis one assistant were preparing for several civilians and soldiers who sat about talking and di inking drinking at the various small tables sitting near the fire two soldiers and a citizen together with jean and pierre were listening to a man in their midst who aiom his talk and appearance seemed to have been an extensive traveler this was laro an of le chien when on shore share from the algle a rakish looking brizantine of 0 which he be was owner and captain jean listened with an attention which for some reason appealed to amuse laro who now and then with a quizzical smile lighting his bis black eyes glanced askance at the boy a en face latos laios story had bad been listened to by others seated around the tables who occasionally reminded thiel to hurry their suppers the next minute a soldierly looking man camp came in the uniform of a petty officer sho showing alig as he ancl aped and chiew off the heavy cloak that cad bad en him after demanding sup pr clr as speedily as possible he seated himself some distance away from the group at the fire dut but pierre had been staring open mouthed at him and now the sound of his voice caused jean to start and turn his head quickly in the direction of the shadowy coiner where the sol dier was seated lie breathed what is that my cocke cock sparrow toulon harbors many a stranger tongue to bo be sure but I 1 sp ak only my own f 6 e y jug 1 rak tr and he be I 1 saint aint or devil to the end of my life I 1 am jean Lafitt ittel cl come gentlemen all said thiel now bustling amongst them with a huge platter your suppers are ready nady neither laio nor the others paid any faither heed beed to the soldier who seated a apart from them ate his supper with an appetite that bore witness to previous preN lous fasting hut but at odd add moments when unnoticed his eyes with mith a smiling warning morning in them met those of the two to bos and once while jean was staling at him he be laid a finger upon his lips with ith a swift cautioning gesture of silence his supper finished jean strolled back to the fire before which Grelo lre lied had seated himself while the others remal nel at the tables sume some still eat ing in and all of them discussing met mat pertaining to the siege I 1 aaning carelessly against the fire place after a quick glance about to make sure aire he waa vas not observed the boy looked at the soldier with a world of inquiry lu in hla his dark eyes Grelo lre replied with a comprehending sin smile le but attain laid his linger against again t his is lips us as if impressing silence and t then on tinned to the fire ile iio nil picked up his long cloak and w L putting put tint it on and no one noticed the tha suggestive motion of the head bead and hand band as aa with slightly arched e eve brows he looked once more toward jean ulica was mas still standing bebide tho the fireplace but the boy was quick to see these and understood that he be might expect to find Gre lOITO outside allowing what lie he felt to be a amount of time to pass after the latter had cased the door behind him hills jean put on his big cap and hailing motioned to alerre they thay both followed regard less ot of laro a declaration declarant aratt that it was andon earlier then than usual and not yet time tor for them to start for home the hie t two 0 boys with ith act sharp glances around passed along the ol al most deserted street Presen presently th pierre after a quirk quick look over his should shoulder tr gripped jeans arm there la Is a man who ho looks like gregoire Gr eloire coming on just behind us ua lie he had bad scarcely spoken when a gift swift lint but footfall came cloe behind him and hand caught his shoulder while Crelot xit said in Z cara arto fully low lowered ered I 1 oice biens MN M quick wilted comrade how are 3 ion oil 1 1 As ao ou beo beet or were ivere it not 0 U so no dark replied jean grasping the soldiers soldier s hand and you much better for the tine fane supper I 1 have it a ve been eating said eald Gre Grelo lotre lre a note of laughter in hla big voice pierre now fell behind ani and the three stepped more briskly what have you to tell me in quiren jean after they had bad gone a few paces and gregoire Gr eloire remained bt at lent did your lieutenant send you w was he wishing to know ot of me I 1 asked jean eagerly but there was no an awer well yes and no replied gre lotre speaking slowly as it if consider ing his and aiding adding as be looked down into the hoy boy a upraised face which even the dim light of the stale staig showed to be filled with keen disappointment surely you have every reason to know his love for you and he la is one who never forgets but his days daya are now filled with that which leaves little time tor for him to think of anything but this siege ile he is outside the city with mith the revola read lu flonary forces lie ile without and you within fight ing against him burst from jeans lips as he be drew himself awai sh ill the soldier chefe streets may seem deserted but tie as well not to speak loud words for the winds may carry them to where the wrong ears may bear them jean laughed softly and came closer to Grelo lre aha aba I 1 see how it is ge de all the moie careful then my young master warned the soldier there was silence for a time while the three walked slowly along until they reached a street where the houses were far apart and the last one of all from whose windows came a faint gleam of light jean pointed out to Gr gregoire Grelo eloire lre as his present abode and so that Is m where here you are liv ing said the soldier as they stood looking toward it I 1 tell you lad thit that had I 1 tho the chanco chance to possess so quiet a home I 1 should stop within it and not be wandering into such sham bles of carnage and blood as Is the now take fake my advice and keep away from le chien I 1 can now come to your house and that will lie be the best place for meto me to 13 see ee you but it you are to undertake under talie the mis m 1 S slon sion of which I 1 spoke the less you see of that scoundrel laro the better will it be lora laro Is my friend declared jean his quick temper rising like a flash of ali me e ile he is mi friend and even you must not name him in such fash ion to me soa said Gi eloiie eloite calmly taking his hand from the bo a arm then I 1 doubt if aou ou ate aie to be trusted and regret telling you as much as I 1 have laro is not to be trusted ile he la is al most old enough to be our father and hit suspicions once aroused b he e has sufficient craftiness to surprise your secret and use it for our harm jean was silent and Grelo lre went ment on oil in a milder tone now tell me aou ou in my place would you not think twice beffi e risking secrets with such a kieper keeper ki one who mho cares so much tor for laio as to ba have bae e temper with an older milend who knowing the mans reputation warns aarns aou ou against him I 1 I 1 I 1 am not angry Grelo lre declared jean penitently and regret that I 1 was so BO pardon me all ri right all right man ami was mas gregoire Gr eloire a hearty reply then again lowering his voice he be asked in a half quizzical tone and do ou on wish to see so e our atle tie colonel les indeed yes lou ion know that I 1 would not glee give one ot of his bli lingers fingers in exchange for a dozen laros blen bien bald Gi eloire now I 1 must be going so adieu and my campli in ments ants to the good lame margot with this lie he turned about and whistling softly went back the way they had come while the two boys after watching him a tew few moments bent their steps stepa toward the t cottage to be continued |