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

Gossip;" and, taking Dicks arm TO
steady his uneven steps, he walked to the
door Of The alehouse.
As soon as ne was over the threshold,
ten strong arms rad seized and bound
him; and In two minutes more, with his
limbs trussed one to another, and q good
gag in his mouth, he had been tumbled
ntck and crop into q ne:ghboriug hay
barn. Presently his man Tom, similarly
secured, was tossed beside him, and the
pair we're lefs to their uncouth reflections
for The night.
And now, as the time for concealment
had gone by, Lord Foxaan's followers
were summoned by preconcersed signal
and the party, boldly taking possession
Of as many boats az their numbers re-
quirec, boldly pulled In fotilla for the
light In the lee rigging Of the ship. Long
before the last man had climbed to the
deck of the Good Hope the sound of fu-
rious shouting from the shore showed
that part OF least Of the seamel had
discovered the loss Of their skifis.
But it was now too late, whether for
recovery or revenge. Out Of some forty
fighting men now mustered in the stolen
snip, eight had been to sea and could
piht ZIG p1Is IL tuC alu
Of these slice OF sail was got upon her.
The cable WIS cut. Lswless, vacillsting
on his f5et, and still shouting the chorus
Of sea ballads. took the long tiller in his
HANDS and the Good Hope began to MI
forward into the darkness of the night
and to face the great waves beyond tn
hsrbor bar.
Richard took his place beside tie
weather rigging. Except for the ships
own lantern, and for some lights in
Shoreby town, that were already fading
10 leeward, the whole world Of air was as
black IS in pit. Only from time to
time, as the Good Hope swooped dizzlly
down into the valley Of the rollers, q
crest would break great cataract Of
snowy foam would leap in one instant
into beipg-,nd, in an instant more,
would stream into the wake and vanish
Many Of the men lay holding On and
praying aloud; many more were sick,
aud had crept into the bottom, where
they sprawled among the cargo.
Aud what with The extreme vio-
lence OF the motion, and the continued
drunken bravsdo Of Lswless, still shout
ing and singing at the helm, the stoutest
heart on board may have nourished 3
shrewd misgiving as to the result.
But for that while, st least, these fears
were ell misplaced. Lswless, as il
guided BY an instinct, steered the ship
across the breakers, struck the lee OF
great sand bank, where they sailed
smoothly for while in smooth water,
and presently after laid her alongside
rude, stone pier, where she WAS hastily
made fast, and lay ducking and grinding
in the dark.
CHAPTER v.
THE GOOD HOPE CONTINUED
The pier WAS not far distant from the
house in which Joanna lay; 1t now only
remained to get the men On shore, to
surround the house with strong party,
burst in the door and carry of the cap
tive. They might then regsrd them
selves as done with the Good Hope; it
had replaced them on the rear of their
enemies; and the retreat, whether they
should succeed or fail in the main enter
prise, would be directed with greater
of hope in the direction CT the
forest and my Lord Foxham's reserve.
To get the men on shore, however, was
no easy task; many had been sick, al
were pierced with cold; the promiscuity
and disorder on board had shaken
their discipline; the movement
of the ship and the darkness OF the
night had cowed their spirits. They made
4 rush upon the pier; nay lord, with his
sword drawn on his own reteiners, must
throw himself in front; and this impulse
Of rabbley eAt was not restrained without
s certain clamor Of voices, highly to be
regretted in the case.
When some degree OF order had been
restored, Dick, with few chosen men,
set forth in advance. The darkness on
shore, BY contrast with the hsshing Of the
surf, appeared before him like solid
body; and the bowling and whistling OF
the gale drowned any lesser noise.
He had scarce reached the end OF the
pier, however, when there fell q lull OF
the wind; and In this he seemed to hear
on shore the hollow footing of horses and
the clash of arms. Checking his immedi
ate followers he passed forward step or
two alone, even setting foot upon the down
md here he made sure he could detect tie
snspe of men and horses moving. A
strong disbursement sssalled him. II
their enemies were really on the watch, II
they had belesguered the shoreward end
Of the pier, he and Lord Foxham were |
taken in posture Of very poor defence,
the sea behind, the men iostled In the |
dark upon,a narrow causeHay. He gave |
4 cautious whistle, the signal previously |
agreed upon.
It proved to be signal far more than
ne desired. Instantly there fell, through |
the black night, shower Of Arrows sent
1t venture; and so close were the men
auddled on the pier that more than one
was hit, and the arrows were answered
With cries OF both fear and pain. In this
irst discharge, Lord Foxham was struck
Town; Hawksley had him carried on
BOARD sgsin a. once; and his mer, during
he brief remainder Of the skirmlsh,
ought (when they fought ct alp withou
guidance. Thst was perhaps the Chief
,suse CT the disaster which made haste
% follow.
Al the shore end of the pier, for per-
,sps q minute, Dick held his own with
handful; one or two were wounded upon
either side; steel crossed steel; nor had
here been the least signal Of advantage,
when in the twinkling of an eye the tide
urned against the party from the ship
some one cried on. that all WAS lost; the
mem were in the very humor to lend an
ar to q discomfortable counsel; the cry
vas taken up. Goa board, boys, for your
ives!" cried another. A third, with the
rue instinct of the coward, raised that
report on all retreats: 1--WE are
,etrayed!" And in moment the whole