The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-02-25

6ide at The boat, or at any OF tHe oecu.
pants, without endangering the life CT
the pale beautiful girl.
Fire, Griffith! Never mind me"
.Ha, ha, hal" laughed the officer of ma
rines; we'll now lay to and blow your
little town hout O. the water. le won
dare fire at the ship when this damsel s
aboard"
Griffith tor the first realized the object
of the infamous plan. So wild was ne
with rage and modification that the
militiamen had to exert force to prevent
his throwing himself into the sea and
swimming to her rescue.
Meanwhile the boat had pulled straight
out from shore, and was now beyond ordi-
nary musket range.
The Americans retired short distance
ana STOOD gazing after the retreatlng BOAT,
stupefed with astonishment. The ma
neuver of the marines had been so sud-
den, so bold, and SO unexpected that one
cannot wonder at the astonishnent OF the
Americans.
Griffith, who supposed the guard he
had placed over the Gatrell mansion was
still there, could not understand how the
marines had made their way into the
house and succeeded in getting Ola away.
Doubtless the shots he had heard fired
shortly after midnight were at the guard,
and had killed them. He did not take
into consideration the fact that the raw
recruits, who had been left on guard, had
utterly deserted their post, and fastening
to the first scene of excitement failed TO
return.
In the meanwhile the boat had almost
reached the side of the vessel.
Suddenly q wreath of white smoke
curled ND from the forecastle of the man
of-war, and q shell came kissing and
screaming through the air. 1t struck the
beach few yards from the Americans,
buried itself in the sand aid exploded,
sending showers Of sand and gravel In
every direction, but injuring no one:
1T is folly to stand here, said Griffith;
we must get back to the fort and lay
some plan to rescue her.
The Americans, greatly chagrined at
having been so completely outwitted by
the dastardly act of the British, beat a
hasty retreat. Two more cannon-shot
were fred at them, but all missed their
mark and the Americans reached the fort
in safety.
In the meanwhile the boat came up
alongside the ship nd the fair captive was
taken aboard.
Captain Monteith, dressed in the garb
of q civilian, came forward and said:
ALLOW me to welcome you aboard the
Xenophon, Miss Gatrell, and to assure
YOU that you will be treated With all the
courtesy due lady"
For a moment Ola gazed at him in
amazenent. Her proud spirit seemed to
rise in indignation against him, and with
ell the pent-up scorn her commanding
voice could gather she asked:
Are you Captain of this vessel3'
lamp"
HAS rot his Britannia Majesty better
and more available material for the serv-
ice than one who abducts innocent wom-
en-. A brave mode of warfare, indeed, for
one to hold helpless female between
himself and danger"
Captain Monteith for q moment was
too much confused by the cutting retort
to make any answer. His cheeks flushed
and his eyes sought the deck. After a
moments hesitation he said:
"You must know, Miss Gatrell, that
in war every strategy that can be availa-
BILE is adopted. With yourself aboard
this vessel there is no danger Of the long
gun being used"
Then you will stoop to an act SO cow
ardly as putting my own life in jeopardy,
to accomplish your ends. You, who have
fred for two days upon women and chill
dren, will now either force my friends to
FIRE and risk my life, or surrender"
1T is only little strategic movement,
I can assure you, Miss Gatrell," said
Captain Monteith, bowing with genteel
poi,teness. "And I am certain you will
be in no danger. That lover of yours
would not fire upon the vessel that you
were aboard, under any circumstances.
He would sooner sin k the town than this
ship"
"You base coward, how dare you at
tempt so infamous thing? How dare
YOU in the midst of danger hold up a
weak, defenseless woman to be sacrificed
by her friends, or they forced to surren-
der. All, just heaven, the god of battles
will surely never allow your Infamous
plan to succeed"
II like to hear you talk, Miss Gat:ell,
but We have o cabin, the best aboard the
ship for you, and perhaps you would like
to retire to it"
I am your prisoner, Captain Monteith,
and in any sort of q prison you seek to
confne me I shall be forced to stay"
You do me a great injustice, Miss
Gatrell," said the Captain blandly. You
are rot my prisoner, but our guest"
"A guest, indeed" she answered spirit
edly, as she was conducted to the cabin
below, A guest who is taken aboard q
vessel, and there detained against her
will"
lOh, do not be too cruel, Miss Cat
relf," said the Captain; all is fair in
love ard war, and in this case love and
war both become moving factors. Major
Bridges, whom you know"
AL, I supposed Major Bridges had q
hand in this Infamous work. interrupted
Ola with considerable spirit. Il knew he
would be the prime mover In such das-
tardly act. He has an able coadjutor IL
the person of Captain Monteith. man
we'll suited to this infam Gus business"
They had in the meantime reached q
sumptuously prepared apartment. The
floor was covered with an elegant Turkish
carpet, the furniture was fit to adorn a
par!or, and in point of comfort it could
not have been equaled in Manoa.
This was prepared specially for you
this is your home for the present" said
the Captain, withoutpaying any attent:o
to the last remark Of the beautiful girl.
Here you will be in as safe a pl 'ce as
can be found aboard tho ship. Balls aud
shells fred from that powerful gun which
some one seems to aim with such skill
car hardly reach you here. In fact, it
seems to me GU would be as safe here
as you would be Oh shore.
Safety is nothing compared to free
dom. How can ore be snfe in the clutches
of one who for two days fired on help
less women and children?"