The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-02-11
TIE MYSTERIOUS GUNNER
An Exciting Story of the War
of 1912.
BY JOHN b. MUsIcK.
CHAPTER X-(Continued).


shot, unless it was done in self-defense.
They returned in an hour and reported
that the British we're lying idle in then
camp, as if they were awaiting some
event to transpire before making move.
Nothing more had been seen or heard
of the spies. The day wore away with
out single hostile demonstration.
In the afternoon Captain Alton paid a
visit to the wounded sea captain. Ola
saw him approaching and came to meet
him.
How is he, OLAF" the lover asked
seizing her hands in his.
He is conscious, but very weak, she
answered.
o. Does he seem cheerful?"
Yes. The doctor says he is far more
cheerful than one could expect, owing to
his week state.
Does the doctor still have hope?"
Il fear not much" Tears came into
her beautiful eyes as she answered this
question. After a moments silence she
said: He wants to be taken home to
his own room, and urges 80 strongly
that the doctor has consented to his re-
moval, providing you think it safe.
" Il think it would be safe ns far as the
enemy is concerned. Your house stands
back behind the hill and was not touched
by their shot" returned Griffith. Lets
90 in and see him."
The old sea captain was very weak, but
bis mind was perfectly clear. he asked
the young commander to take q seat by
bis side and give him full account of
the present condition of their defense.
Griffith did SO, not even omitting to tell
him Of the spies in their camp, and the
efforts made to spike their guns. When
he come to mention the two sailors rs be-
ing connected with the attempt, the old
salt was aroused and said:
NO, no, lad; you are on the wrong tack,
believe. Yer off yer reckonin' sure, fur
q sailor wouldn't do that way. When the
gunner Iaked the man-o'-war fore and aft
It warnt because he hated her captain or
crew; it war iist because thar was princi.
pie in the thing. He's all right; yel II find
them both true salts yit."
There is a deep mystery about them.
Captain Gatrell, which can not under
stand"
1T will all be very simple when ye do
understand it; but, Griffith, I've got my
death wound. My life is bound to be
short. can't live over weel at most,
and want to be taken to my house, in
my own room, with you and Ola about me.
Can't be taken there?"
Captain Alton consulted with the ply
sician, who said there YVES no reason to
spprehend any danger from the wound,
provided he was removed carefully.
Griffith thought they would be in no dan
ger of shells from the ship, for the man
of-war would hardly venture within range
Of the long gun again, and they could very
properly take the invalid to his own
house, and consequently he sas carried
there on litter and placed On his bed.
Captain Alton remained as long as he
dared, and FASTENED back TO his head
quarters, promising TO return late that
evening, when everything had been made
snug for the night.
The fog still rolled in in great masses
from the ocean, the sky was thickly over
east with clouds, and the night promised
to be ms dark as the last had been. Cap
tain Alton busted himself at his head.
quarters until everything he could think
Of had been completed. He had small
Guard of three or four detailed to watch
Xhe mansion house of the old sea captain,
and doubled the guard at the guns.
Every rrecGuticn possible was taken to
GaEe the fort secure from invasion by
the British spies. The young commander
knew that the spies were sbrewd and ex-
pert in their business. 1t might be only
the two deserters after all, yet he deemed
it best to take every possible precaution.
He had not visited the prisoners, but he
heard that they were silent, refusing to
converse with any one.
When he thew his cloak about his
shoulders and sailed forth to pay his
promised visit to the great stone mansion
on the hill, he found fine mist falling.
It could hardly be called rain, and yet it
was enough TO soon dampen ore clothes.
The night was intensely dark. The fog
like mist, which had wrapped hill, valley,
grove and town, was so dense that one
could not even see lantern or lamp my
great distance.
But tie Captain knew the way so we'll
that he crossed the small foot bridge at
the bottom of the hill and Gscended to
the old familiar mansion without any
trouble. Ola was waiting on the wood
piazza for him. He saw her before he
reached the house leaning against one OF
the large columns which supported the
roof of the porch. To his inquiries as to
how her father was, she answered:
He is sleeping now. Mrs. Hatchet is
watching with him and the doctor said
he must not be disturbed under any cir
c.mstances. Let US 60 to the parlor."
He followed her. She lighted several
candles in the chandelier, which gave q
mellow light in the room.
Seated side by side on the settee. the
lovers proceeueu In an earnest manner 10
discuss their trying situation.
DO you think the British are gone,
Griffith" the poor girl asked, fixing he,
Eyes on her lover.
NO, Ola, they are not gone. I think
there is no doubt of us having more
troable with them; and yet as we mastered
them in our last encounter they will
hardly dare an open assault again"
What do you think they will do?" she
asked.
They have some strategy by which
they hope to take US, yet I hardly think
the British can lay scheme 80 deep and
neat that Yankee cunning can not see
through it."
Have you no idea what strategic plans
they have on foot2"
= THINK last night tney attemp'ea to
spike our cannon"
Il heard that you arrested the deserters
of the Xenophon on the same charge"
Il did"
Have you any proof?"
There was strong circumstantjal evil
dence pointing toward them, yet We had
no positive proof"
Il saw the man called Burn>tt. He is
etall. fine. noble looking man. Griffith.
I cannot believe him q Dad mau. DO
does not look like spy"
He has a fine appearance, dearest Ola;
but looks are deceivins. I can not trust
him while he tests under those terrible