The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-11-11
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as it is thankless, said Lea. Then,
with a sigh, "the Sea Hawk has just re-
turned from duty, though iAany were
| fearing that she would never come back.
She has in Denham brave captain,
and the crew are, without doubt, worthy
of him, said Capt. Fox.
True; but the Adventure Galley was
fine ship, and Capt. William Kidd, VINO
took command Of her in Bermuda, was
| said to be a very brave and competent
mamie came from England for that
purpose, yet Capt. Kidd and the Galley
have not been heard from since.
He is supposed to have been wrecked
or destroyed by the pirates" said Capt.
| Fox, as if he were uttering an opinion
about which there could be no disagree
ment.
"Yes, that is the general belief; at
least it was until the last few months. "
And it is changed2"
1T is changing.
From what cause2"
They say, that is, those that should
! know, that Captain Kidd Is still alive
and his vessel still afoat.
Then he must be unable to find a
port, like the mythical Flying Dutch
man." laughed Captain Fox. But
how do the people account for his aO-
sence?"
They say that instead Of fighting the
pirates, in the Spanish Main, ne
joined them, and is now their chief,
said Lea.
-Impossible!"
Il simply told the story as twas told
TO me. The news came from New York
pnly last week that the Adventure Gal
lev was recently seen off the coast OF
the Carolinas. But" she added, with a
slight laugh and a changed manner,
what should we care II there be one
pirate the more or less. They will not
trouble US am very certain.
And If they should do 30, Mi SIS
Hedges, may be there to see. He
would be a very rash pirate, indeed,
that dared to enter this bay while the
Sea Hawk and Wanderer swing at their
anchors, with shotted guns and strong
arms to man them. The true sailor
never courts fight that can be avoided,
but l cannot imagine anything that
would inspire us to action like the de-
tense of these shores, and their hos
pitable-I will not add charming, in
habitants."
Thanks. Shall we go back? the mu-
sic has ceased, said Lea, rising and
taking his arm.
-As you say, though it seems to me
that could never weary Of the place or
the companionship.
! The novelty would soon wear Off"
Lea started, for figure rose from the
shadow OF the boat on which they had
been sitting and hobbled directly in
front Of them, and came to stand.
"Hah!" exclaimed the Captain, releas-
Ing his arm, and stepping to the front,
with his hand on the hilt Of his sword,
whom have we here?"
1T is only old Dinah," said Lea. who,
now that the intruder came into the
moonlight, recognized an old neg
woman, who for some years had been
living among the Montauk Indians,
whose lands were near by.
She was old, crippled and repulsive;
and not even the Indians, though her
coming was comparatively recent. could
or would explain who she was, or where
she lived before they adopted her.
The superstitious red men cared for
her, and held her in awe, If not in ven-
Grafton. She spoke English imperfectly,
and claimed to have been a voudoo
priestess in Africa, from which land she
was carried to the New World as slave
She still practiced the voudoo incan-
tations and repulsive mysteries, which
gave her unGounded power over the sim
e-minded Indians.
The crone saw the motion Of Captain
Fox's hand to his sword, for she raised
her staff to warn him rather than to de-
fend herself, while, in voice that
sounded like an old mans, she called
out:
as de dead come to life, en- whar's all
ez hez gone en- died at Bermooda?"
she is insane, whispered Lea, again
taking the captains arm.
AS they turned towards the house, the
old woman stepped nimbly out OF their
path, but one trembling hand shaded
from the moon the bleared eyes which
were sternly fixed on the captain s pallid
face.
DE wisest amt dem es knows de
mos. Eff 1 20 up to de bukra house.
honey, kin I get eating? lie often
hungry now!" said the hag, in tones
at first insolent, then whining. =
Certainly, Dinah, 1 am sure Mrs.
Condit will be glad to give you all you
want to eat. But why are you so late?"
"'Taint late, Miss; en- ef it was, late
en- early's all de came to me, sept wen
de moons at de full, en- de black snakes
crawls from dar holes, en- don't know
Dinah's dar wild de forkod stick fob to
cotch EN-"
Dinah stamped her stick on the ground,
ip{o 1NU nhnpklp which
ended in a wheezy, asthmatic cough.
Why" said Lea, when she and Cap
tain Fox came into the light from the
parlors, your adventure seems to have
alarmed you.
What makes you think so?" he ask
ed with little laugh.
You are pale"
Il am glad of it, for can lose much
tan without being as white as those
who do not face ocean storms. But the
adventure, as you call it, did startle
me, l must confess. You see, Misc
Hedges, when one has precious treas
ure under his charge he becomes alarm
ed at shadows, while those without
such a care can pass on, singing and
thoughtless.
"Dinah is eccentric, but I am sure
she wonld not harm any one."
Where have you truants been?
asked Lieutenant Frenauld, appearing
before them with Ellen Condit on his
arm
Rambling to the shore, replied Lea
Proving that sailors soon weary OF the
land"
mo, Miss Condit, said Captain Fox,
with a gallant bow but the night was