The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-11
CHAPTER XXI,

Grif6th's face was still buried, when
second shock at sea was heard.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE DYING SEA CAPTAIN.
CAPTAIN Alton removed his hands from
his face when he heard shouts of Joy
arise from his friends.
where did it strike her?" he asked.
Little need 70 ask. The bow of the
vessel, even from where he was, showed
the marks of the exploded shell.
Look eout; here she comesi" shouted
the voice of Simon.
In a moment every man had sprang
from the parapet into safety behind the
bitches.
What does she mean?" asked Captain
Alton of the deserter, who stood at his
side. Can she mean to surrender"
mo; she still keeps her colors flying"
Then, what does she mean?"
Il cannot tell-she still seems to want
the armistice kept"
But she breaks it herself"
.They are lowering Is boat-see, 1t rs
coming ashore" said Mr.. Burnett.
The boat was seen to lower, dozen
oarsmen were at their places, and then an
officer in far more gaudy uniform than
the others was seen to descend and take
his place in the boat
Il know him. Captain Isaac Montelth
{, coming ashore himself" said Mr.
Burnett.
There must be something important
to communicate, as the captain o. the
ship comes to bring it in person" said
our hero.
The boat came steadily in, and Burnett,
who was standing at our hero's side, said:
Captain Alton, she is coming nearer
and nearer to shore, and soon they Will
call for you. Go down and inform Cap
tain Lonteith that you will not change
the agreement. Inform him that you
will continue to fire upon the ship until
she retires. Make him believe that the
presence of the young lady will have no
effect, SO long as he violates the arm
istice."
Il understand you"
Il think it best for me to remain be-
;nd."
The boat touched the shore, and Cap
tain Monteith, without leaving it, asked
for the commander of the post.
Are you Captain Alton, commander OF
Manoa?" asked the Briton, as that in
dividua! advanced to meet him.
Yes, sir. What do you want?' Griffith
asked.
why are you firing at US during the
period for our armistice?"
Because you have violated our agree.
ment. You have left your anchorage and
come down into our fort.
But I had no intention to besiege
you."
Then why did you come down into
the harbor?"
Captain .Montieth seemed not to like to
make answer to this. For moment he
hesitated, and then stammered:
ave had no intention to lombard your
fort"
But you violated your contract. Why
did YOU do itp Youhad an object. What
was it?"
aWe wanted to get behind that bit Of
headland, where We could not be seen far
from Shore
Inadvertently, perhaps, the Captain
had admitted exactly his object in COM
ing to port. He paused in confused
manner, and after moments hesitation,
added:
If YOU will allow US to stay here, we'll
not move any farther, and not shot
shall lie fired until the termination of the
armistice."
Il cannot agree to this"
"But, Captain, You are unreasonable.
NO; I am not. There was plain
agreement under which hostilities were
suspended, and we will make no new con-
tract. You must do just as we agreed, OF
I shall order fire to be opened on your
vessel"
Surely you would not, with the young
lady en- board?"
"Yes, I will. Your object shall fail
YOU. You have given US twenty-foul
hours from midnight to consider and ar
range terms Of surrender, and ON deter
mined to have the full time"
You cin have the full time; only allow
US to remain in your harbor."
Il will not consent. You had safe
anchorage where YOU were, and you must
60 back"
Capt. Alton, he reasonable" began the
Briton. losing his patience.
II will hear no more, Capt. Monteith,
said Capt. Alton, sharply. Il will give
you thirty minutes to get beyond range
Of our guns; when you have retired to
your position will consider any propo-
sition of surrender you may submit. |"
Wheeling about, our hero returned TO
the fort, although Capt. Monteith called
again and again for him to listen to other
propositions he had to submit. Having
reached his works he ordered the gun
ners to reload the long gun, which 'Tas
done.