The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-11
armlstIoe 1t would be considered and re.

cables leneth nearer, nor were the lant
forces TO leave their present entrench
ments.
Several times the boat piled between
ship and shore before the armlstlce was
! agreed upon.
Then the agreement was that they we're
to remain as they were and the nrmistlce
was to extend twenty-four hours IRON
the coming midnight.
"One thing in particular I insist upon,
wrote Captain Alton in his last response
to the English officers demands; tht
Xenophon during this armistice must no
break ground, slip her cable, or come
nearer than she is at present"
When he had read this 10 his officers he
dispatched the faithful Simon with 1t to
the Briton who was waiting for the
message.
What advantage do you expect to de.
rive from that order?" the deserter OF tne
Xenophon asked. If they see tit to sal!
down and lombard US they Will DO SO.
1T may have the effect to hold the
cruiser to her present anchorage, and tnen
We shall have the advantage OF knowing
Just where she is.'
1T may have some effect IN that way.
In fact, the British do not seem In q
hurry just now," MIR. Burnett answered.
Il think they must be hesitating and un-
decided in the matter"
-Whv shouldtt dtthav2'
Il know not. They can not as yet have
heard anything from the siege of McHen.
ry and Baltimore.
AYE, the firing the1e has ceased'"
Yes"
-Then the day has been decided one
way or the other. Gen. Ross has either
taken the city Or been defeated" ,
There can be no question Of that, and
I have fancied that I noticed sort OF
feverish anxiety on the part Of the Brit
ish all the morning. think they are un-
certain.
Capt. Alton turned about and returned
to his headquarters. ..
The great anxiety was wearing on him,
and he found himself decidedly weak.
-Griff," said 81 Cole, won't ye hev
suthin' to eat? I'm blest ef believeye'vs
et bite since early this mornin'."
Il don't remember myself, ST, he an.
swered. You may bring me some break.
fast"
The shoemaker had the accomplish
ment of being good cook. He soon
returned with br0iled steak, bread, pota-
toes, and q cup of coffee, which was
yery essential to cur hero in Lis weak
ness.
While engaged in supplying his body
with nourishment sufficient to sustain
life, Grifith's mind was busy forming
plans for rescuing OLA Gatrell from the
British man-of-war.
What would be the result of sudden
startling news from BaltimoreP" he asked
himself. Suppose it should be reported
that General Ross had been defeated and
the British army were in full retreat,
what would be the effect? Would it not
cause the Xenophon to set sail and leave
our coast?-Great heavens!-And Ola on
board. I would almost as soon have
news Of the defeat Of our OWE forces! !!
But am selfish. I am thinking at pres
ent too much about my own affairs and
not enough Of America.
He started up from the table, and with
his brow in q knot Of wrinkles, began
pacing the apartment. 81 Cole came in
10 remove the dishes.
"Gritf, ye amt ct very much" said the
self-constituted cook.
II am not hungry, ST."
well, yer jest got to fill up, or ye are
goin' to break down; now, that thing is q
~ ed sartaintv."
Isl, have you heard from Captain Cat
rell to-aay?"
Yes, I was there"
How is her"
Very porely, GriH. Doc don't think
he's eoin' TO weather through morn two
or three sich nights as last was"
4Is he conscious?"
Don't know anything, Griff, only jist
little at a time. He comes to hisseli
and talks fust rate fur a while, an then
he goes off o ramblin' an don't know
nuthin'."
Il hope he has not discovered the ab.
sence or fate of his daughter.
He doa't know thing about it, Gritf. :
At this momen! Mr.. Burnett put hii
head in at the door and said:
Captain Alton, there are some strange
movements going on which demand your
attention"
What are they, Burnett" oul herr
asked, starting up abruptly.
Come quick; the ship is heaving an
Choir"
Then it is in violation of the armis
tice."
"Of course, Captain; there is no under.
standing what is meant by it. I think
You had better come out and look at her.
When our hero came out, he found the
capstan manned and the sailors walking
around and around, heaving up the an
chor.
1T is in direct violation of the armis.
tice," be said. Il don't understand what
"G;:To me the glass" said Mr.. Burnett;
Our hero handed the glass to him, and
he placed it to his eye, gazing oil across
the water at the vessel. Then he turned
toward the shore, sweeping the horizon.
"See-see; I have discovered some
thing else Boat ho!'
-Where?" asked Captain Alton.
There she goes, pulling aft the vessel.
and standing in to leeward. 1t has just
pulled out from under the stern Of the
vessel, and she is heading toward land.
1t has been aboard with some message.
A white flag had been kept flying above
the national colors on board Che man-of-
war and at the fort, indicative OF the
armist:ce, and when Captain Alton saw
the conduct of the British vessel he or
dered the white flag above the fort low
cred.
sThey pay no attention to it. he said,
as the anchor broke ground and came up
beneath the bow.
mo; see, she is trimming her Sails
What is her course?"
Evidently she is going to stand in.
And we dare not fire shot at her,
said Griffith, with groan. oh,
heavens, if Ola was not on board that
ship we could beat her away. What dc
YOU suppose has caused this sldder
change in affairs, Mr.. Burnett?"
There can be but one cause, the way
figure it." said the deserter Of the Keno.