The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-18
THE MYSTERIOUS GUNNER
An Exciting Story Of the Wal
of 1912.
By JOHN r. AIUSICK,
CHAPTER NNI.-Continucd.
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the Americans, had returned to his yes
sci.
Mr.. Burnett" said our hero, keep thi
glass fixed on the port where Miss Gatrel
SITS"
I have been watching her"
See that she is not moved. Ane
could YOU strike the ship with anothe'
shell near her prov, so as not to en-
danger in any way the life of Miss Cat
reilly"
-Of course could"
Give them their time, thirty minutes
and 70 more"
Before half the time was mp the man
of-war had trimmed her sails, rounded
to, and was wearing out OF the harbor al
rapidly as she could.
captain Morteith has doubtless con.
cluded that it will pay him better to rur
the risk of discovery from the shore
than to lie concealed behind that head.
land and be exposed to our avengine
long gun," Captain Alton remarked, as
he watched the departure of the ship.
They have had news from Baltimore
of that am sure" said Mr.. Burnett,
They evidently are afraid things are noi
turning ont we'll over there, and they
want to lie low until they receive full
particulars of tie siege. I suppose theI
will not put to sea now"
This was a new thought to our hero,
and it brought rew fear to his heart
If they should put TO sea with Ola Cat
rell aboard, would there ever lie any hope
of seeing her again?
Major Bridges was also on board th'
man Of war, and he was the deadly enem,
of Captain Alton and Ola. Had he beer
hungry tiger or an angry serpent h'
would not have been worse enemy o
the unfortunate girl.
"Oh, my God!" the lover groaned, as be
saw the vessel standing out TO sea; will
they cast anchor or 90 on? 1t would have
been better to have allowed them anchor.
ego in our harbor than to have driver
them entirely away"
1T would have been fatal to our planf
to have allowed them 10 remain so near
They could have plainly heard our ham.
mers at work, and could have easily in
terpreted the meaning"
so they could, SO they could sale
the anxious lover, "but what will they dc
now. Are they going to stand out to sea:'
They may, but surely they Wll re-
turn"
And yet they may not-'
They are bound to return, Captain,
even if they should have information that
the battle at Baltimore has gone against
them. They would not desert the lano
forces of Major Bridges and leave then
here to be sacrificed by the Americans"
"Oh, no, guess not, and yet feel Sc
very yapprehenslve," said the anxious lovel
who was wringing his hands and walking
up aud down on the works.
-Capn, why couldn't We o sent one
into her starn an sunk err" asked Simon
-She couldn't a got eout o port ef we'd
he'd few whacks at her."
NO, no, Simon, not fer the worlc
would I have that done," said Captain
Alton, who still wrung his hands in i'm.
patient anxiety. You forget who is OF
board that vessel, Simon. Remember
Miss Gatrell is on board the man-of-wsr
and We dare not under any circumstance
endanger her life.
'Oh, ya-as, Cap'n, he'd furgot that
leetle bit O. Inflammation, tha-st's sartin.
but reckin' it's somethin' yeou doan't
forgit, Cap'n?" And Simon winkeo
knowingly to Mr.. Burnett, who stood
with folded arms gazing off after the de.
parting vessel.
Hasn't she reached'her former place oi
anchorage. Isn't she near it?" asked
Captain Alton.
Yes"
is she going by"
1t was supreme moment. Every ont
held his breath, then, with the aid o:
the glass, splash of water was seen.
"She has cast anchor" said the desert
or.
Thank God!" calculated the lover.
He wa ted until he was assured that the
vessel had actually made her anchor fast
and turning about descended from tht
parapet.
Mr.. Burnett and Simon followed him
Now, Mr.. Burnett" said our hero
whose mind once more grew clear ant
active, let US lose not a moment. Le
the boats be IN good shape, and thu
swords be beaten out of the bars Of steel
and everything got in readiness.
I'VE have done all we can until night
fall, said Mr.. Burnett.
THE boats are ready" said Henry
Small, the carpenter, who had come ~
at this moment. Il got some O. the fish
ermen, and we fixed everything; got EN-
If the swords were made and th'
pistols f1ed?"
Nothing can be done at them unit
nightfall," said Mr.. Burnett. 'JacI
Hetchet is repairing some of the old pis.
tells, putting locks and fints in them, bu
he does not dare to make a fire III hi
forge until night"
Captain Alton determined to call OF
Jack in his shop and see what progress b,
was making. He found heaps of iron ant
steel, corn-knives, pruning and reapirt
hooks, waiting the dark shadows of nigh
to be converted into weapons of war
There we're few old swords, relics O
the revolutionary struggle, which hat
been gathered up, sharpened, and pre-
pared for service.
The blacksmith was at work upon tw.
score of old pistols, trying to make then
serviceab!e. Some lacked locks, somt
fints, some barrels, and some handles
But Jack was in his element in this bust
ness, and he was rapidly turning then
out, one at time, making quite service.
able weapons out Of them.
We'll, Griff, I'll hev all these thing.
ready by night, nm then III 60 to beatin
ont the swords. Dun know what kinde:
of an out I'll make of it, but I'll git some
thing what'll begin to look like cutlasses
You can't do it all by yourself, Jack
NO, that's so, can't, G1if; bat T.,
got fifteen or twenty blowers an strikers
An then thar's anvils enough for all Of us
Oh, we'll hev everything red hot an
goin' as soon as it gifts dark"
There had been sigged up three or fou
more forges, and Griffith felt greatly en-.
coursged, especially when Jack Hatche
assured him that he would have every
thing ready before daylight.
Mrs. Hatchet at this moment came b!
the shop, and Captain Alton, feeling tla