Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1891-10-14

y
and away quickly. See. the boats
keel now CRATES upon the beach, and
by my faith most Misunderstanding
man is leaving her."
~ will obey you, father, in SO much
as To take a short jaunt into the coun-
try, but will return when darkness
has settled over the land"
So saying, the young girl bent low
and imprinted kiss upon her parents
cheek, and after exterding her hand to
her brother in farewell, turned and
passed through the house into the
stable.
When Rowena had gone tho planter
and his son turned their whole atten-
ton to the approaching visitor.
He was man of herculean stature.
with long black hair and beard,
which latter was Enthusiastically twisted
with knots of red ribbon, lending to
his features grotesque yet repulsive
appearance. BY his side was peculiar.
ly-shaped blade, something between a
cutlass and sword, while protrudine
from the crimson silk sash which en-.
circled his waist were the butts of two
heavy pistols.
The stranger paid pot the "lightest
heed to the group of gaping negroes
who were gazing at him with illy-con-
cealed fear and CONSERVATION, but
walked straight to the house; and
when he reached the lower step of the
veranda he paused, and, politely lift
ing the three-cornered hat from his
head, said, in deep, gruff voice:
''Good evening, gentlemen And par
don me this intrusion"
"Good evening, sir!' replied the
planter, rising and stepping forward.
"Speak not Of intrusion stranger Is
ever welcome to what this establish
ment can offer"
Thanks, my dear SIR" replied the
mariner. 'In that case we shall be
able to arrange our little business to
the satisfaction of at least one of us.
Know you the nature of yonder YES
sels?" And the newcomer waved his
hand towards the water.
'My son and myself have been spec
ulating as to their character ever since
they came to anchor, but as yet have
not been able to make up our minds
what business they may be engaged
in"
"Look again, my dear sir, and per-
haps you will see something that may
enlighten YOU"
At that instant, as If by precon.
certed signal heavy gun was dis
charged from one of the sloops, and a
black flag fiuttered out upon the even
ing breeze from each masthead.
"Pirates!" exclaimed Mr.. Carlisle, in
dismay.
"Such may be termed our calling"
replied the stranger nonchalantly.
"And am Black Beard, at your scrv-
ice!"
At the mention of a name which had
struck terror to the hearts Of thousands
from the Carribees to Cape Sable, Mr..
Carlisle sank back in his chair trem-
bling, not so much from fear as from
establishment.
The buccaneer seemed greatly to en-
Joy the CONSERVATION which the revela-
ton of his cognomen had produced in
his hearers. After short pause he
continued "Perchance you would like
to know to 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 briggs and q
sloop with their lubberly crews to the
bottom during that whole time. AS
none of the vessels were laden with
over-hcavy 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 l. So we bore
away for this inlet, and here l 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 will think differently of that,
my dear sir, within forty-eight hours.
If 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 find yourselves pris-
oners in my cabin, held at high ran
som, which If not paid-and by whom
l care not--you will be allowed to
walk the plank when we reach blue
water. And now 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 strobe
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 can
think Of" replied Herbert. The
black hearted villain has graciously
dWdTucu US ioftJ -CiSht houre eihac'
Now have learned from a
coasting vessel that two of the kings
vessels are cruising off Cape Hatteras.
will try to slip out in my boat to-
night and go in search of them, and II
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 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
to get away.
Much chagrincd mt his failure TO
| elude the vigilance of the pirates. he at