A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 189: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ae ee ee ‘svn | a A, a < - . we ee a ’ BENEATH THE SHABOW OF THE AXE. 185 “Haste, monsieur, haste!” exclaimed Pharos, speak- ing with rapid entreaty. “Through that window lies your only chance. Mirza will distract the sentinel’s attention as you descend upon the platform. From the platform, you can gain by a ladder the roof of the other tower which overhangs the river. Attach this rope,” -and he quickly unwound a long coil from about his waist—“ attach this rope to the iron flagstaff, and the descent is easy. You have no weapon—here is my poniard, one that has seen service. Do not pause to question. Every moment of delay breeds a fresh danger.” “But you!” said Raoul, hesitating in spite of the other’s importunity. “I cannot leave you here.” “Bah! You need not fear for me, monsieur,” re- plied the gypsy, with a short laugh of careless confi- dence. “The stone walls are not yet built that can keep Pharos long aprisoner. Think only of yourself. On the opposite side of the river, just against the further tower of Notre Dame, you will see a light, the light of atorch. Makeforit. There you will find Ismael and others of my tribe, who will bring you to a place of safety. Why do you still hesitate? Would you not live?” “Ves, yes,” rejoined Raoul with a sudden feverish haste. “ Yes, my brave Pharos, I would live!” He seized the rope from the gypsy’s hands and wound it hurriedly about him, thinking as he did so: “ Ay, I would live, if only to say farewell to her.” “Up with you, then!” cried Pharos, in evident satis- faction. “You have already delayed too long, but it is a chance and the only one.” Yes, he had delayed too long; for just as the gypsy seized the chevalier’s arm to assist him to mount to the Comichoo S (c@)