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

GRIFFITH AND MAJOR UR1DGES.
1t was with feelings of deepest despai,
that Griffith Alton retired from the
be ;ch aftor the shell had been thrown Of
his party. :,
"Cap'n, they've outwitted Us this time
said Simon. Its the most plaguey mean
trick that ever Was done. too. Whu'j
o thought ye could q skeered up a set o
men, even among the pesky redcoats,
that'd 60 in an carry gal away as they
did that gal?'
1T is infamous and cowardly, and will
result in their ruin," said Captain Al.
ton, almost wild with desperation. They
have done that which, even as a wal
policy, would be condemned by the
heathen.
The party hurried rs rapidly as they
could to the village, whore they found tho
most intense excitement prevailing. The
nurse had discovered the strange disap-
pearance of Ola and communicated The
fact 10 others, so it had spread all over
the village.
Tie absence of both Captain Alton and
Simon left the defenders of the village
without Il leader.
Il know who's the cause O all this,
said Henry Small to Griffith, when he had
returned and in q measure restored quiet.
Its them fellers We got in prison. ltG
the deserter O. that ship, tie Xenopbon,
who is tho cause O. all this"
He is not" said Griffith, holy. "You
have all along been accusing those men
wrongfully."
.Ob, now, Griffith, ye've got the wool
comrletei- pulled over your eyes" said
the csrpeL. .er, touching Gritith's arm
with HE fingers and shaking his head.
Il see Yer badly mistaken. Them fellers
has done it all.
How could they have done this when
they were locked Up in prison?'
"Ob, their friends did it.
Henry, don't want 10 hear any more
from you on thai subject. Ipositively
know the two men whom YOU accuse to Re
blameless Miss Gatrell is q prisoner
aboard that vessel, and nov it is our duty
TO res ue her. How are we going to &C
complish this?"
I'm dashed eff know, Griff."
u am certain don't, unless We man
the boats and start for the ship
"Oh, fudge, Gritf; we'd only be play.
things. There's plenty O boats in the
harbor to take the last one O. us, but the
Xenophon would jest pick US off one Mt
time, and sink every boat we'd man be-
fore we got in q mile O it."
Griffith was forced to ackn wledge this
to be true. and went sadly away.
".ap'n." said Simon, what dye think
that ar Britisfer" pointing toward the
man n-of-w war; lis goin' to do now?"
Il do not know, 5 mon, unless she lays
off and blows US out of the fort. We
will not dare to fire shot at her.
On account O the CALI"
ITS downright mean. It's jest like
feller havin' his hands tied. and some un
a-lashln' him. Eff the gal was only here.
and We could git that feller in prison to
sight tho Lig cannon, wo'd blow EN- eout
O. the water"
But We don. dare fire at her." said
Griffith, wrInging his hands in despair
and vexation. The man Of war has ou1
hands completely tied. We are as much
in her power as the mouse in the claws OF
cat, and when she gets ready she can
Just sail down the bay and blow US all to
pieces"
Won't you return the fire, Capen?"
Not shot shall be returned. ! will die,
l will surrender first.
He turned about and walked to his
quarters. where he dropped upon camp