Telegram-herald., 1891-08-23

<1~@---<~ -
walked straight "a tie house; and
when he reached the lower step Of the
versnda he paused. and. politely iift-
lag the three -eornsred hat from his
head sad. IN a deep. gruff voice:
Good evening. gsntlsneng And par
don me this intrusion"
Good evening, sirr replied the
planter. rising and stepping forward
speak not Of intrasions stranger Is
ever welcome 10 what this establish
nent can offer"
Thanks, my dear sir" replied the
mariner. In that ease we shall DC
able 70 arrange our little business TO
the satisfaction Of at least one of US
Know you the nature OF yonder ves-
sels7" Aud the newcomer waved his
hand towards the water.
My son and myself have been spec
ulating as 70 their character ever since
they came 20 anchor. but as yet have
not been able 10 make up our minds
what business they may be engaged
in"
Look again. my dear sir. and per-
haps you viii see something that may
enlighten YOU"
At that instant, as II BY q preccn-
eerted signal heavy gun was dis
charged from one of the sloops. and .
black flag huttered out upon the even
ing breeze from each masthead.
Pirates" exclaimed Nr. Carlisle. In
disnay.
''Such may be termed our calling"
replied the stranger nonchalantiy.
And l am Black Beard. at your serv-
ieer'
At the mention OF . name which had
struck terror 10 the hearts of thousands
from the Carribees TO Cape Sable, Mr..
Carlisle sank back in his chair trem-
bling. not SO much from fear a. from
astonishment
The buccancer seemed greatly to en-
Joy the CONSERVATION which the revela-
tion of his cognomen had produced in
his hearers. After short pause he
continued: .Perchanee you would like
10 know 20 what circumstances you are
indebted for this visit? will tell you.
We have been cruising between the
West Indies and Cape Hatteras for
three months and have been able to
send but one bark, two brigs and .
sloop with their lubberly crews to the
bottom during that whole time. AS
none of the vessels were laden with
over-heavy strong boxes our own
exchequer was not greatly swollen by
their capture. AS our season is nearly
up and the time approaches for our re-
turn to our island retreat in the Ba-
hamas we must needs make up on the
land what we have failed to obtain on
the seas.
"'Let us visit some of the wealthy
planters along the coast suggested my
mate. They will surely help US out of
our difficulty
"a good plan,' quoth /. So we bore
away for this inlet, and here am,
with the modest request for ten thou
sand pounds at your hands"
Ten thousand pounds" gasped the
planter. "Why, have not that amount
were all my slaves, stocks, lands and
buildings converted into money"
"You viii think differently of that,
my dear sir, within forty-eight hours.
IL at the end Of that time ten thousand
pounds are not forthcoming, this house
shall be levelled to the ground, your
negroes transferred to the hold of my
vessel, and you, yourself, with this
young man here, whom / presume to
be your son. will fnd yourselves pris-
oners in my cabin, held at high ran
som, which if not paid-and by whom
/ care not-you will be allowed to
walk the plank when we reach blue
water. And now l will bid you good
night But, mind you, my guns are
trained upon this house and any act of
treachery on your part will be the sig
nal for its immediate destruction and
your own death" So saying the fierce
buccaneer turned on his heel and strode
away to his boat, leaving his two hear
ers transfxed with dismay.
what shall be done?" exclaimed the
planter, when he could command his
voice. "What shall be done?"
There is only one thing that 1 can
think oi," replied Herbert. The
black-hearted villain has graciously
awarded Us forty-eight hours time.
Now have learned from
coasting vessel that two Of the kings
vessels are cruising off Cape Hatteras.
win try 10 slip out in my boat to-
night and go in search OF them. and il
fortune favor me. will find them and
hurry them hithcr."
''The very thing. my son. Prepare
at once for your journey, for there is
not n moment to be lost"
But Herbert was not destined to
make the nocturnal trip in search OF
succor, for when Black Beard reached
his boat he dispatched two members
OF his rascally band To- stand guard
over the occupants OF the house, and
getting on board his vessel, sent ten
more To their assistance. so that 1T be-
came impossible for the planters son
20 get away.
Much chagrined ct his failure to
elude the vigilance of the pirates, he at
length evolved a plan which was at
once put into execution.
Stealing n moment when he was un-
observed Herbert wrote these words
upon piece of paper which he gave To
faithful negro with orders to bear it
at once 10 his mistress
BLACK Beard. the pirate, holds Us
for ransom Our only hope is To OBJ
tain assistance from the royal frigates
which are somewhere about the
northern entrance 20 the inlet
hare seen ron handle my sailboat
alone. talSe r. and try 10 find the sloops
Of war, but by no means come near
Che house We have forty-eight hours
respite. Herbert"
The trusty black succeeded in steal
ing away from the mansion and found
his Young mistress and her maid a.
sAey were slowly riding toward their
honse.