The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-13

ing on the sea, pretty close in. Twas a Ian
tern hung out from the sloop, as L concluded
on the instant; ard now | began to have an
inkling Of what was toward.
But looking down again at the man with
the charcoal pan, saw a black head of hair
lifted, and then a pair Of red pulled cheeks,
and pimpled nose with a scar across the
bridge Of it-alI shining in the glare Of the
pan.
Powers Of heavenr7I gasped; "'tis that
bloody villain Luke Settler'
And, springing to my feet, | took jump
over the edge and came sprawling on top OF
him. The scoundrel was STOPPING with his
nose close to the pan, end had not time to
turn before l lit with q thud on his shout
ders, fattening him on the ledge and nearly
sending his face on top of the live Goals
Twas so sudden that, before he could 50
much as think, my fingers were about his
windpipe and the both Of US struggling fat
on the brink Of the precipice For he had a
bulls strength and heaved and kicked, 50
that I fully looked, next moment, to be fly
ing over the edge into the sea; nor could l
loose my grip to get out pistol, but only
held on and worked my fingers in, and
thought how he had strangled the mastif
that night on the bowling green, and vowed
to serve him the same if only strength held
out
Butnow, just as he had almost twisted his
necl; free, I heard a stone or two break away
above us, and down came Billy Pottery flying
atop of Us, and pinned US to the ledge.
Twas short work now. Within minute,
Capt. Luke Settle WIS turned on his back, his
eyes fairly starting with Billy's clutch on his
throat, his mouth wide open and gasping; till
I slipped the nozzle of my pistol between bis
teeth; and with that he had no more chance
but gave in, and like lamb submitted to
have his arms trilssed behind him with
Biuy's jaathern belt and his legs with his own.
"Now," said 1, standing over him, and put
ting the pistol against his temple, ''you and
I, Master Turncoat Settle, have some ac-
counts that 'twould be well to square. SO
first tell me, what do you here, and where is
Mistress Della KIlligrew"
think that till this moment the bully had
no idea his assailants We're more than a chance
couple of Cornish troopers. But now, seeing
the glow Of the burning charcoal on my face,
he ripped out a horrid biasphemOus curse,
and straightway fell to speaking calmly.
Good sirs, the game is yours, with care
y ,
you know how to play it"
"'Tis you shall help me, captain; but let
us be clear about the stakes For you, It's
life or death; for me, us to regain Mistress
Della. failing which I shoot you here through
the head and toppIe you into the sea. You
are the knave of trumps, sir, and play that
card; as matters now stand, only the queen
can save you"
Fright; but where be king and ace?"
''The king is the Cornish army yonder; the
ace is my pistol here, which I hold"
And that's a very pretty comprehension
of the game, sir; play the queen"
''Where Is sheF
For answer, he pointed seward, where the
sloops lantern lay like floating star en- the
black waters.
''What.o cried I. "3Iistres5 Della in that
sloop! And who is with her, pray!'
'Why, Black Dick. to begin with-and
Reuben Gedges-and Jeremy Toy"
"All the knaves left in the pack-God help
her!" I muttered, as l looked out towards the
light, and my heart beat heavily. God help
her." I said again and, turning, spied a grin
on the captains face.
"Under Providence" answered he, ''your
unworthy servant may suffice. But what IS
my reward 10 beg"
Your neck, said I, ''if can save it when
you are led before the Cornish captains.
That's fair enough; 50 listen. These few
months the lady has been shut in Bristol Keep,
whittier, by the advice of our employer, we
conveyed her back safe and sound. This same
employern-
"a dirty rogue. whom YOU may as well
call by his nane-Hannibal Tingcomo."
"Right, young sir; a very dirty rogue, and
a niggardly; 1 hate a mean rascal. Well,
fearing her second escape from that prison,
and being hand in glove with TIE parliament
men, he gets her on board q slooP bound for
the Virginils, Just at tie time when he knows
the Earl Of Stamford IS 70 march and crush
the Cornishme1. For escort she has the three
comrades q, mine that named; and the cap
tain OF the sIoop "a fellow that asks no ques-
tions) has orders 10 cruise along the coast
hereahouts till be gets news of the battle"
Nv kich you were just now about to give
him, cried l. suddenly enlightened.
Right again. Twas pretty scheme; for
dye seel--if all went we'll with the Earl Of
Stamford, the kings law would be wiped out
in Cornwall, and Master Tingc0mb with his
claims and moriJorious services might snap
his thumb thereat. So, IN that case, Mistress
Della was to be brought as ore here and taken
TO him. TO serve rs he f1ulFi But if the day
should so against us-as it uas-she was 10
sail to the Virginias with the sloop, and there
be sold as a slave. Or worse might happen;
but swear that is the worst was ever told
me
God knows tbs vile enough. said l. scarce
$50 YOU We're to follow the earl's army. AID
work the si-DaiS3 Which are theyf' For a
quick resolve had come into my head, and
was casting about TO put 1t into execution
A green light II We won; If not, red
light, 70 warn the slooP away"
picked up the packet that had dropped
from his hand when first I spTanE upon him.
II was burst abroad. and q brown powder
trickIed from IL about the ledge.
This was the red hsat-to be sprinkled on
the burning charcoal, I supposef'
The fellow nodded. At the same moment
Billy tsho as vet had not spoke ? word and.
Of course, understood nothing thrust into nv
hand another packet that he had found stuck
IL a corner against the rock.
Now tell nle-in case the rebels won where
was the landing 70 be nader
In the cove below here-whsre the road
leads down"
''Ay, the read where the wagon stood
Capt. Luke Scttlg blinked his ewes ~ this
but nodded after moment
And how many would escort her.
He caught nay drift and laughed >oflly.
Be damned, s,r, but beyin TO love you
for you play the game very proper anJ
soundiy. Re15ea, Jereny and BLACK Die
alone are in the plot, - why should more Is
cort herr For the skipper and crew have
their own business . look after
Then, Master. Settle, though II be 4 scr,
trial 70 you. taose taroe i1nsves you must
give me. or / Play rl- ace" AMI pressed tlt
ring Of Thy pistol Sharply against his ear as
reminder.
..EEt.L II ny h.ar- ,--.-,.- - ~ -, !