The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-11-04

CHAPTER m-Continued.
Il am William Fox, Captain OF her
Majesty's cruiser Wanderer, and right
honored am I, dear sir, to salute and
welcome you," replied the Captain,
grasping the Squire's hand.
And my friend" said the Squire,
with another bow and wave OF his left
hand, as he turned to the gentleman IN
the bottle-green coat, "is Dr. Nehemiah
Hedges, late representative OF THIS
county in her Majesty's Provinc!al as
sembly, surgeon to the First sunolk
Volunteers, and our chief physician az
this end of the island.
And NAV heaven long spare him to
keep health to the people and to rehect
honor on the crown" said Captain Fox,
Irving both hands to the doctor, who,
being a very modest man, blushed at
the complimentary words OF his friend,
and the almost forgotten titles Of which
he found himself the possessor.
IS Captain Fox presented his visitors to
the officers not on duty, and then all
adjourned to the cabin, where the lamps
were lit, and Don, under the directions
of Lieutenant Frenauld, had set out
crystal f1agons of wine, with great ar
ray of such glasses as the provincial
gentlemen had never put eyes on be.
fore.
sGentlemen," said the Captain, when
all the glasses were filled, permit me
and my officers to drink to your long
life and continued prosperity, and to
welcome you with all heartiness on
board the Wanderer.
Il but seldom drink wine, and never
prescribe it," said Doctor Hedges, look
over his wineglass at the captain, not
that I object to the fluid in moderate
quantities, but that it is so difficult to
find on this coast the pure vintage in
which our fathers delighted. I drink to
you"
The glasses were drained, and the
captain hastened to say:
You cannot find that fault with the
wine you have just tasted, for it has
been twice around the world in the
wood, and like sherry, burgundy i'm
proves by travel, and unlike some OF
ourselves. it grows better and purer as
the years pass over 1t.
"Ah, it is rare wine, in truth, said
SQUIRE Condit, smacking his lips, and
raising his glass to inhale the aroma:
But though our wines cannot be prals-
ed, we feel that our brandy is not in
ferior, and Governor DUNCAN, who hon
ored us with visit not long since, as
sured me that our spiced rum was su-
perior to anything Of the kind he had
ever tasted.
Il hope to confirm the the governors
Judgment before I sail hence" said the
captain.
you shall have chance to do 80 to-
night" said Ihe squire, with more enthu-
siasm than he ordinarily manifested,
for being law officer and deacon, he
felt that reserve was essential to sus-
tain the dignity of his dual honors. Il
am the guardian-or rather l was the
guardian-of Captain Ralph Denham,
whom have grown to look on as son;
and Doctor Hedges is the brother Of the
first officer, and the uncle OF the second
officer Of the Sea Hawk.
Then let me congratulate you both,
said the captain, again shaking hands
with his visitors, for though have not
the honor ef personal acquaintance
with the officers of the Sea Hawk, news
of their brave exploits in the West In
dies has reached me at the other side OF
the worlc., where the Wanderer has been
cruising till ordered to these waters.
You must come and dine with them
Tonight, 6alQ Cn6 OOcCor. Alter olil-
ner at my house we adjourn to the
souire's, where there will be music and
dancing"
a concession make to the brave
sailors who have been so long away"
exclaimed the squire. There will be
those who, on the morrow, will say,
Deacon Goodwill Condit has done that
for which he should be disciplined by
the coneregation.' But should they do
30, will reply, I danced not. and
was not my own master on the occa-
sion.'"
AN excuse that should exonerate you
with the most rigid" laughed Captain
Fox; adding as he waved his hand to
Don, we must try one more glass be-
fore you leave" -.-.
Both visitors protested that they had
had enough.
Then you will honor me by permit
ting me to send each Of you cask to-
morrow.
The captain said this in way that
gave no chance for refusal, and then he
escorted the squire and doctor to the
deck; and at his command the sailors
sprang into the rigging and cheered as
the little yawl bore the delighted old
gentlemen away.