Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1877-11-01
CHAPTER XXI

CHAPTER XXI
All hands had gonc over the side of tho
brig in tho detectives party except the
latter and Frank. Tho two men dropped
upon the deck behind coil of rope aud
watched From their position they com
mandcd view Of the deck, and could plainly
sec every movement of tho party from the
boat as they came aboard. Two men passed
through tho rail cut. Ono of them was
Captain Aldemu; tho other tho detective
recognized as tho fellow who had been with
Aldcma when the latter had played tho part
of the captain of the brig Tho other m?n,
ten in number, were dark faced piratical
looking men, whom the detective Lad never
seen before. There was no woman brought
aboard, nor anything in which a person
could possibly have been concealed. The
detective whispered to Frank:
"They have not brought out the prso-
ncrs"
"And that proves that Lucy has been
killed. said Frank, in low, husky tone
"Not by any means replied the dctcc-
tive, adding: awe must steal over the side
OF the vessel, aud get into the boat before
VIC arc discovered"
GLOW about tho girl in tho cabin?" asked
our hero.
"Wo must leave her Cor the present"
"l promised to rescue hcr."
$50 wo will, but VIC cannot safely attempt
anything at this moment"
The two men did not have time for
further discussion as to what they would do.
Captain Aldema and his companion upon
boarding the vessel had gone straight to the
cabin. There they had found tho black
follow with tho white turban lying upon
the floor. From him they learned portion
of what had occurred. Tho man repre-
scnted tho visitors us river pirates. As he
could not understand tho conversation which
had taken place in either French or English
he did not have tho least suspicion Of the
true facts. When tho detective and Frank
saw the two men rush by the coalpanionway,
they made up their minds that it was time
to leave. Unfortunately they had fingered
too long. Their retreat to tho boat had
been cut of. Two or three of tho crew had
got between them and where their boat lay
Tho two men drew their pistols, resolved
to fight for their lives. At the same mo-
mcnt their presence YVES discovered by the
crew. The latter made no immediate out
cry, MS in the darkness they were unable to
distinguish whether tho two men we're friends
or foes. They made rush, however,
toward Frank and the detective, when the
latter heard voice call from the water be-
low, Oh the side nearest to him:
"Jump oycrboard!"
Both frank and the detective were quick
wittcd men. Their only safety lay in obey,
ing tho command which they had rccog-
n,zca rs coming from the river pirate cap.
tain. Both sprang to the side Of tho brig
and lcarc1 over. Their act betrayed them
as foes, and the crow Of tho br & set up Il
shout rs they rushed to the side rail over
which the two men had disappeared. In
the meantime our hero and his companion
had struck the water within few feet OF
where the boat was, and we're soon drawn
aboard In the samo instant several flashes
illuminated the side Of the brig and nun
Der OF bullets cut the water, and ratified
against the boat. The pirate captain had
his men at their oars, and the latter ha i
commenced pulling away at once. A few
iusty strokes and they were beyond pistol
range.
"Now what shall We do?" asked the can
tain of the pirates.
| "Pnll up the stream to the point from,
whence We started"
In short time the da,k line Of docks be-
cam" visible in dim outline
| eve are all right, boss!' remarked the
river pirate captain, with chuckc.
Snow, boys" he added an instant later
addressing the rowers, "give her tho cop
dodge trick"
Tho men we'll understood what was re-
qulrcd of them. They knew tho lay out OF
every dock in the city. With tho heavy
stroke they shot past the bukhcad of the
per, when suddenly by most ski!ful use
OF the oars, tho two men acting together,
they swung the boat around as though she
had been upon pivot, and forced her un-.
der the docks between tho splcs. Thus
they passed from dock 10 dock.
CHAPTER XXIIT.