Part 28 (1/2)
What should I do? Think quickly, Dodge! and think well, for your life hangs upon this moment's decision. I heard the sharp cry of Madam Labyrinthea. I could feel the swing of her body as she threw herself upon the ladder that led up to the trap door. In another moment she would be upon the roof and I should be discovered. My first thought was to slide down to the ground and run for it. But a second thought was better. Just before me swung within the maze a triple cradle or coc.o.o.n string provided for the young Labyrintheans. I had already, in one of my former night adventures, cut open one of these, and made a burrow within. I hardly knew at the time why I did this, but it was one of my old dodges (which I had taught Sergeant Clearview, by the way), when out on a scout to take refuge in one of these vacant Pixie baby houses. They are snug and comfortable places, too. Now I saw what to do! I swung myself, by a line across the intervening s.p.a.ce, pushed open the little slit in the side of the coc.o.o.n, crawled within, curled myself up, drew down the flap closely, and waited.[AU] My heart beat a tattoo. I could see nothing, but heard the feet of Labyrinthea rattling over the roof; felt the tremor of the lines as she sprang from them, after a pause, during which I guessed that she was looking around for me. I heard her loud alarm to the guards; felt the shaking of the Labyrinth foundations as the Pixies ran to and fro; more than once felt the pressure of feet clambering over the coc.o.o.ns in the hurried rush across the maze.
[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 101.--Labyrinthea's Coc.o.o.n String.]
There was great commotion at the gate of the jail; then the din lessened, grew faint, rolled away and died out in the distance. No one had thought of my retreat as a possible hiding place. For the present at least, I was safe, though much cramped in my close quarters. I opened the slit for a breath of fresh air, and ventured to look out. All was still. Shall I slip out now or not? I queried. No! The whole Pixie host is afoot, beating the bushes in every quarter. I cannot run such a gauntlet of eager searchers without detection. I will wait until the pursuers are tired out and have returned. They will give me up, will relax guard around the prison, and beyond it the coast will be clear.
So I did. I heard the returning guards; heard Labyrinthea puffing and storming up the stairway to her dome, and as I kept the slit in the coc.o.o.n a little ajar could even make out her angry oaths. Her disappointment at my escape evidently softened her toward her gallants, for I heard her exchanging views with the one whom she had lashed away from her in the morning, over the mysterious disappearance of her prisoner. How could he have got off unnoticed? It was plain from the talk that Spite suspected the keeper herself of some connivance at my escape; but I wasn't much concerned about that.
As the day dawned everything was quiet. The keeper and guards were asleep. Now is my time, I thought. So I left my cramped but cosy silken retreat, slid down the ropes to the ground, and glided away into the gra.s.s. I got safely through the Pixie lines, made myself known to our own pickets, and here I am, thankful and happy as ever Brownie was or will be!
Dodge's story was eagerly listened to, and he was heartily congratulated upon his rare good fortune. Bruce and his officers questioned him about all that he had seen within the enemy's lines, and drew from him much valuable information. Then as a reward for his skill and pluck, and as a salve for his sufferings, he was promoted to be a sergeant and went away jubilant to his quarters.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote AQ: Appendix, Note A.]
[Footnote AR: Appendix, Note B.]
[Footnote AS: Appendix, Note C.]
[Footnote AT: Appendix, Note D.]
[Footnote AU: Appendix, Note E.]
CHAPTER XXIII.
A GHOST STORY.
The Ken, it will be remembered, made for Ellen's Isle, when pursued by the Pixie Rain. Lieutenant Swift never checked her speed until he had run his s.h.i.+p under the shelter of the northern sh.o.r.e. Thence he rejoined the fleet, after the Ram had gone down, and sailed on with Rodney up the channel.
c.o.xswain Help steered for the island. The Stygians lay between him and his own fleet, and should he make for Orchard sh.o.r.e he would risk capture. Ellen's Isle was nearest; his boat was overloaded; the Ken seemed to be already there awaiting them under the northern bank.
”Give way heartily, lads,” he said, ”we shall soon be on board the Ken.”
The sailors pulled with a will, and although loaded down almost to the gunwale, the boat made fair speed. The sinking of the Ram, which they saw quite plainly, put fresh vigor into their arms. They could hardly hold in their cheers; but Help ordered silence, as he had no wish to call the Pixies' attention to them. The island was reached, but a sore disappointment awaited them, for the Ken had gone on, and the Nattie s.h.i.+ps were far up the channel. Clearview climbed atop of a bush and looked across the island to the south channel.
”There is the Pixie squadron crowding on all sail toward the inlet,” he said. ”The Stygians are not yet in sight of our fleet, but it cannot be long before they meet. Look yonder to the north! The other half of the Pixie fleet has sailed out of the harbor, and is running up the channel.” Now the officers consulted as to what should be done.
”My duty is on the water,” said Help, ”I yield the chief command to our superior officer, Adjutant Blythe. Captain Clearview will take command of the boat. I shall lend a hand wherever I can.”
”Very good,” said Blythe; ”but let us settle what is to be done first.
We can fix the matter of rank afterward.”
”Well said, Adjutant,” remarked True. ”In our condition the readiest helper has the highest rank. Let him lead us, who knows how to get us out of trouble. Can't we cross the south channel? That's our own side, you know.”
”Not in one trip of our boat,” said Clearview. ”It was s.h.i.+pping water freely before we landed. The distance to the south sh.o.r.e is much greater than that which we have come. We might divide and make two trips, but that doubles the risk, and gives less chance to the party left behind should the Pixies land here. Suppose we wait until the fleets meet, and act as may then seem best. See! even while we speak, one of the Pixie s.h.i.+ps is landing at the head of the island.”
”Can you make her out, Captain?” asked Help.