Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1888-05-06
H0i


absent from Shoreby; and this was
frequently the case, for he played many
parts 10 the world, shared many difieren'
interests, and conducted many various
affairs. He had founded thst fellowship
Of the Black Arrow, as q ruined MAJ
longing for vengeance and money; and
yet among those who knew him best, he
was thought to be the agent and ems sry
OF the great King-msksr of England,
Richard, Earl Of Warwick.
In his absence, at any rate, 1t fell upon
Richard Shelton to command sffsirs In
Shoreby; and, ss he sat at meat. his
mind was full of care, and his face heavy
with consideration. It had been de-
termined, between him and the Lord
Foxhsm, to make one bold stroke tnat
evening, and, by brute force, to set
Joanna free. The obstacles, however,
were many; and as one after another Of
his scouts arrived, each brought him
more discomfortable news.
Sir Daniel was slarmed by the sklrmish
Of the night before. He had increased
the garrison of the house in the garden;
but not content vita that, he had station
ed horsemen in al the neighooring lanes,
SO that he might hsve instant word Of any
movement. Meanwhile, in the court of
his mansion, steeds stood ssddled, and
the riders, armed at every point, awaited
but the signal to ride.
The adventure of the night appeared
more and more difficult OF execution, till
suddenly Dicks countensnce frightened.
"Lswless!" he cried, "you that were o
shipman, can ye steal me ship!"
"Msster Dick" replied L.wless, elf
We would back me, would agree to steal
York Minister"
Presently after, these two set forth and
descended to the hsrbor. 1t was O con
siderable basin, lying among sand hills,
and surrounded with patches of down,
ancient RI nous lumber, and tumble-do wp
Sums of the town. Many decked
ships and many open boats either
lay there at anchor, or hsd been dra IN
up on the beach. A long durs-
ton Of bad weather had driven them from
the high seas into the shelter of this port;
and the great trooping of black clouds,
and the cold squalls that followed one
another, now with sprinkling of d y
snow, now in mere swoop of vino,
pre- missed no Improvement, but rather
threatened more serious storm in the
immediate future.
The seamen, in view Of the cold and
the wind, had FOR the most part
SUNK ashore, and were now roaring ono
singing in the shoreside taverns. Many
of the ships already rode uuguarded st
their anchors; and as the day wore on,
and the weather of sred no appearance of
Improvement, the number was continual
ly being augmented. 1t was to these de-
arAo obi ahn al IN nf
hem that lay far out, that Lswless d.
rected his attention; while Dick, seated
upon an anchor that was half embedded
in the sand, and giving ear, now to the
rude, potent and bodiDg voices Of the
gale, and now to the hoarse singing OF
the shipmen in neighboring tavern, soon
forgot his imm diate surroundings and
concerns In the agreeable recollection of
Lord Foxham's promise.
He was disturbed by touch upon his
shoulder. It was Lawless. pointing to q
small ship that lay somewhat by itself,
and within but q little of the hsr pour
mouth, where it heaved regularly and
smoothly on the entering swell. A pale
CLEAN Of winter sunshine fell, at thst mo-
ment, on the vessels deck, relieving her
against bank of scowling cloud; and in
t is momentary glitter Dick could see
couple OF men hauling the ski5 alongside
"There, sir" said Lawlese, "msrk ye
it well! There is the hooker for to-
night"
Presently the skin put out from the
vesse g side, and the two men, keeping
her head we'll to the wind, pulled Justify
for shore. Lawless turned to loiterer.
"How cill ye her?" he asked, pointing
to the little vessel.
"They call her the Good Hope Of Dart
replied the loiterer. "Her cap
tsin, Arblsster by name. He pulleth the
bow oar in yon sk.ff."
This wss ail that Lawless wanted
Hurriedly thanking the man he moved
round the shore to certain sandy creek,
for which the skiff WAS heading. There
he took up his position and IS soon as
they were within esrshot opened fire on
the sailors of the Good Hope.
"Waat! Gossip Arblsster!" he cried.
"Why, ye be well met; nay, gossip, We
be right well met, upon the rood And
is that the Good Hopper Az, would
know her among ten thousand! A sweet
shear, sweet boat! But marry come
up, nv gossip, will ye drink have
come into mine estate, which doubtless
ye remember to have heard on. lam
now rich; have left to sail upon the
sea; do sail now, fer the most part,
upon spiced ale. Come, fellow; Thy hand
upon It! Come, drink with an old ship
iellowI"
Skipper Arblsster, a long faced, elderly,
man, with knife hang
ing about his neck by plated cord, and
for all the world like any modern seamsn
la his gait and bearing, had hung back in
obvious amazement and distrust. But
the name OF an estate, and certain air
Of tipslfed simplicity and good fellow
ship which Lswless very well affected,
combined to conquer his suspicious
s.Iousy; his countenan relaxed, and
ne q. once extended his open hand and
squeezed that Of the outlaw in formia
Die gasp.
"Nsy," he said, az cannot mind you.
But what o. thsi? would drink with
any man, gossip, and so would my man
Tom. Man Tom," he added, addressing
MS follower, "here is my gossip, whose
name cannot mind, but no doubt very
good seaman. Let's 60 drink with him
and HE shore friend +"
Lswless led the way, eand they were
soon seated In an alehouse, which, as 1t
was very new, and stood in sn exposed
,rd solitary station, was less crowded
han those nearer to the center OF the |
port. Il WAS but shed of timber, much |
T.. 10 he In a nj ~