Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

THE QUEEN’S BODY GUARD. 239 onto do. Like enough full one ‘arf of us would never see the shores of hold Hengland agin!” : Such was their ultimatum, and even Kent knew there was no appealing from it; and when the trio came to look at the matter from the tars’ standpoint, they could scarcely blame them. They had their own wives and children to look out for, as they had said, and it was very hard for them to get up much sentiment for a French. countess, whom they had scarcely seen. Cottrell and Struthers, of course, strongly suspected the count of being the instigator of the brigand attack, but it would be hard to prove it. For the time being, they gave very little thought to the lieutenant. The rescue of the countess was the question of moment, and it now seemed to be a more desper- ate enterprise than ever. And it was Cottrell this time and not Struthers who decided on what should be their next move. , The refusal of the sailors to go farther in the affair made it plain that the rescue would have to be accomplished by stratagem, rather than by force, and arguing that one man would stand less chance of being discovered than two, Cottrell prevailed upon Struthers, much against his inclination, to remain with the Albatross, and watch the count, and if possible trace out his connec- tion with Cavara’s seizure of the countess. It was then suggested that Cottrell take Kent with him, but on second thought it was deemed best not to do so, for his fiery temper and rough and ready manner would be sure to precipitate trouble before they were ready for it. “There is only one thing that reconciles me to remaining behind,” re- marked Struthers, as he was wishing his friend godspeed on his dangerous mission, ‘‘ and that is the opportunity I shall have to continue that little affair which you and the count were engaged in when the chateau was attacked.” “ Poor Rignault,’” said Henry; “ I can seé hits finish.” “It will be either his finish or mine!” was the grim answer. When Cottrell set out for the mountains he had taken the precaution to change his appearance as much as possible. He shaved off his beard and waxed his mustache after the continental style, and dressed himself in the rough, coarse blouse of a peasant. To complete his disguise he stained his face a tawny brown, giving him the appearance of a man constantly exposed to the elements. He had a good three days’ tramp before him over the steep and arduous pass he must traverse. At one point this pass rises to a height of over seven thousand feet above the level of the sea, and at places the path 1s almost verti- cal, with great chasms yawning on one side and forming the bed of a moun- tain river, while snow capped peaks tower on the other. During the first day’s journey Cottrell covered a considerable distance, for the ascent was quite gradual at the start. He passed two or three little farms on a high plateau, the ground being furrowed all ready for planting the maize that grows at a great altitude. When night came he sought the shelter of one of these little farm houses that was nothing more than a mere hut. Early the next morning he was off again, and by night of the second day all signs of civilization had vanished. GONG OOO ceo