The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-04-17

make MS VIE.
"Small wonderp' thought the old man
in his heart, as he looked at the common,
over-dressed, puffy-faced millionaire be-
fore him, and then at the graceful, refined
girl "Egad! Twenty years ago fellow
like that would never have had footing in
Barncombe hall"
There was a silence. Briggs stood at
the window, biting his nails; Doris sat,
looking abstractedly at the small fire in
the small CRATE; Squire Adams was gaz-
ing as abstractedly out OF the window,
over the old Priory orehards. Suddenly
the sounds of cheering and the tramp Of
many feet were heard.
Nautilus Briggs ran to the door, fol-
lowed by Doris. In reply to his inquiry
as to the cause of the excitement, man
said:
"Whoi, they'se be French prisoners for
the lookup. The Old Noll is come to life,
and Capt. Briggs with hin" and ran on to
join the crowd.
"More privateer work, said the Squire,
when they told him. 81 hate the word
privateer. sPrivateers ruined me,a they've
ruined MANY another man, and, by George,
they ought to be swept away by law"
"Well, Miss Doris-my answer" said
Briggs presently.
0lNe me uDlll lllS l..
Briggs" she said.
Nautilus considered. Delay was what
be most wanted toavoid, and yet-an idea
seemed to flash across his mind-he
granted the girls request, and went out.
Father" said Doris, when the door
had closed behind her suitor, "I'm going
to Dartmouth tonight. Don't be alarmed.
/ can take care of myself, and it's for our
good"
GLOW can that be? ?' asked the old gen.
tleman. "You can't raise ten thousand
pounds to settle with my creditors"
'Wait; have put off Mr.. Briggs. Do
you know what has happenedP
'Only that a lot of poor devils have ar
rived here to die OF cold and starvation
in the lookup"
and that they are the prisoners of
Capt. Briggs"
"Well, what of that? Briggs isn't an
uncommon name"
"No, know it is not. Don't say any
more. will be back early"
A couple of hours later-that is to say,
about 3 o'clock-Doris went out into the
cold, dark, frosty night. Her road to the
riverside, where she would take the water
to Dartmouth, led her past the line OF an
cient buildings once forming part of Tot
mes priory, but now used as a grammar
school, town hall and public lookup.
A single sentry was pacing up and down
with fre-lock on shoulder, and uttered a
pitiless Joke to her as the cries and impre-
cations of the poor fellows inside, without
light, without warmth, and without ven
tilation, burst forth.
She hurried on, keeping well under the
wall to avoid observation. Suddenly, on
| tho ornncifo cI1n ha Tho Of q
cloaked man stealing swiftly and stealthily
in the direction whence she was coming.
She shrank into the angle of a project
| ing buttress, and he passed on. Presently
she heard stifled cry, the rattle of some
metallic object on the cobble-stones, and
the fall of heavy body.
Peering forth, she could just make out
| by the dim light OF a suspended Oil-lamp
the figure of the sentry lying on the stones,
and the cloaked man bending over him.
Then, terror-stricken, she fled.
BY o'clock she was landed on the
Dartmouth quay; but so strange and weird
a scene was here presented to her that she
| hesitated to proceed. The whole of the
! broad area was covered with men and
women who were dancing and singing by
| the light of half dozen bonfres. The
| center of attraction was q ships boat.
hauled up high and dry, into which a
wild group of men, attired in the pictur-
esque nautical dress ofthe day, were dip
ping bowls and glasses and mugs, which
were passed about and emptied amidst
| cheers and songs and laughter.
OF course she saw what it was. The
privateersmen were spending their hard
won prize-money in the orthodox fashion,
for such scenes were the usual sequels oi
successful cruises and sea-dog with an
advance note for, perhaps, e500 in his
| pocket could hardly be expected to be
happy and contented so long as it re-
manned unspent.
Whether her curiosity had pushed her
too far, or whether she had been carried
along by the crowd, Doris found to her
| terror that she was almost up to the front
rank of the carousers, and before she
| could retrace her steps, big fellow, with
a red cotton cap on his head, long pig
| tail, and petticoat-like breeches, had seized
| her by the arm, and singing out: Here's
Dartmouth lass Drink luck to the
Old Noll and confusion to Johnny Cra-
paudI ~ would have forced a mug of rum
to her lips, but that stronger and stead
| ier arm pushed him aside, and the voice
of its owner said:
"Avast there, Jem Coombel Avast, my
hearty.
At which the giant gave clumsy sa-
lutte, put the mug to his own lips, and
kept it there until it was empty.
"You mustn't mind 'em, miss, said her
liberator; "they've been knocking about
at sea for six weeks, and they think they
| deserve a bit of fun. Where are you
| going? Where shall l convoy you 2"
Doris looked up with some surprise
but there was something in the tone and
the manner of the speaker which reas-
sured her, and she replied:
81 want to see Capt. Briggs OF the priva
teer."
Her protector laughed and gave whistle
expressive of surprise; then he said:
"May 1 ask what you want to see him
for?''
"Well, partly on private business -
"Private businessl That's queer"
"Yes, and partly to tell him that as
came through Totnes just now l saw the
sentry over the French prisoners knocked
| down."
"Heyl Heyl What's tbatP Excuse
me; that means rescue. Tell me where
/ may call on you tomorrow morning anc
thank you for this information.
Doris hesitated for moment, then she
said:
''That isn't necessary; but if you would
tell me where l am likely to find Capt
Briggs of the Old Noll privateer, shall be
sufficiently rewarded"