Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-08-15

"'CaPE orTNond Jfae'e
CHAPTER XvI-Continued.
Thrasher took in the situation, and,
finishing his currant wine, he drew his
leather sleeve across his very large
mouth. and, tiinging his saddle bags
over his shoulder, he said:
Il am going to the inn"
THAT Is all right, my man." said Mr..
Hedges, handing him q coin; iii see
you again.
will you SEMI back an answer, sir? "
Yes; tomorrow all the Captain s
d friends will give you letters to hand TO
him."
But, sir, must leave tonight"
-To-night?" in chorus from the peo-
pie about Thrasher.
yes; l must go to Gardner's Island,
where boat will take me to New York,
replied the fellow. with q self-posses-
SION that proved him no novice in this
business. .
How long will you remain?" asked
Valentine Dayton.
About two hours.
very we'll; we shall try to have the
letters by that time. said Mr.. Hedges.
Thrasher bowed humbly and left. He
had but just gone out OF hearing when
the Squire, bursting with Impotence,
called out:
well, George, what is the trouble?"
TROUBLED" repeated Mr.. Hedges
'Why, the trouble is that Fox is TO be
back in few days, and I am to report
to him for orders!"
Report to Fox for orders!"
IN hov -
EsYt!'
These were few Of the exciam atoms
that broke from the lips of the people on
the veranda when Mr.. Hedges uttered
the sentence given above.
Mr.. Hedges ran the fingers OF his left
hand nervously through his frosted hair,
his right hand clutching the letter.
He was debating the propriety of read
ing it, and on such an important ques-
ton, tor he had the old-time regard for
official etiquette. He could not afford
to come to hasty conclusion.
sit down, sit down, he said at len 9Th;
Il can't see any harm in letting you all
know now what every one aship and
ashore must know in few hours"
Squire Condit and his wife sat down
on the lieutenant's right hand, and VAL
entine Dayton and Ellen just in front of
him.
He was not!ceably deliberate in his
speaking, and painfully SO in his read
ing He hesi,ated over some Of the
words, and his soundless lips spelt them
to himself before pronouncing Them.
This was the letter:
NEW AMSTERDAM INN, BOWLING GREEN.
CITY OF NEW YORK AND YE
sTo 1st Ofhcer.
.Com'd' 9 ye Provincial Cruiser.
sSea Hawk,
@Her MS Service.
"OR Sag Harbor
"County OF Suffolk,
along Island.
~sIR: The Governor Of ye Province of
New York. to whom have made due re-
port OF ye condition and state OF We pro-
vincial cruiser Sea- Hawk, hath ordered
and commanded me to remain In attend
nncc on his worshipful honor. until such
time or times AS ye great council meet, to
whom shall make such explanation Of ye
condition Of piracy in we Spanish Main as
shall be fitting ye occasion.
VI therefore cOmman J, instruct and Or
Ger. that you. George Hed,es lst officer
comd'g ye aforesaid cruiser. Sea Hawk
snail. on ye arrival OF Captain William
Fox. OF II. NJ. Ship Wanderer. report to
MIN for such instructions as it shall please
MIN TO give. and to be unto him obedient in
al things pertaining to the conduct OF ye
ship and crew.
ain witness whereof. have hereunto
affixed my signature, and the seal OF We
Aforesaid cruiser. Sea Hawk.
~ have the honor to be.
"Most truly.
.Your h'mble.
"Ob'n't servant.
@RALt DENHAM,
@,aptain OF We Provincial Cruiser, Sea
"nawk.n
There" said Lieutenant Hedges,
mats the letter, Val. What do you
think OF it?"
i am very sorry" replied Valentine
bay,oi. but, OF course. you can do
nothing but obey ORDERS"
vt course" echoed the Lieutenat
wish that fellow Fox never showed
his req head in this town." said the
squire, angrily.
oh. he is not to blame; he must obey
1roers like ourselves. said the bluff old
Lieutenant.
My dear" said Mrs. Condit, inclin-
ing her pretty head to her husband. and
turning her mild eyes to the others to
induce them to note what she was about
10 say, i do not think that Ralph wrote
that letter."
m sorry to say" said the lawyer,
10 whom bit Of wax with a seal on it
vas the badge of law and authority,
mat there can't be any doubt about it, +"
stu. she persisted. Il feel that he
did not write It"
Have you any other reason than your
own feelings, dear wife?" asked the
squire.
Yes; I cannot think that Ralph Den
nam, who, man and boy has known
George Hedges for one and twenty
years. would write a cold, stiff, heart
less letter like that,
!. Nor can | believe that Ralph wrote
It, added Ellen.
, halph didn't write the letter." said
.aientine Dayton. 1T was written by
me Captain OF the Sea Hawk in his off,
sial capacity. II he had written to
.hcie George, or to me, or to any of US,
as Ralph Denham, our true old friend.