The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-10-21
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| DS llHC VIC SlIduS6 Sulp-H6du-
ing evidently for the same harbor-
came so close that her black, well-mod-
deled hull could be distinctly seen
above the water line
The open ports showed fifteen guns
on a side, and by the aid of glasses her
decks could be seen to swarm with
armed men.
That ship is stranger in these
parts" said Captain Denham, address,
ing Mr.. Hedges, the first officer.
Mr.. Hedges was a middle-aged, slow
spoken man, with bright blue eye and
sturdy figure, such as we always as
sociste with the model sailor.
"She looks to be stranger, said the
first officer, with the judicial dellbera-
ton that distinguished all his sayings,
sand if she were a foe, must confess
that she'd be about as ugly customer
to tackle as ever came into these
waters"
strange that she does not show her
colcrs," said Valentine Dayton, the Sec
ond officer; IF she's friend she needn't t
be ashamed of them"
And she isn't ashamed Of them, my
boy, any more than we are. See; there
goes the Union Jack to the peak. All.
I feel easier to know she is friend"
said Mr.. Hedges.
IF she were a foe she would hoist q
black flag," responded Capt. Denham,
with light laugh, "and she would pre-
fer to flaunt it in the face Of fat mer-
chairman rather than in the beak of the
Sea Hawk"
The men not on duty eagerly watched
the stately stranger, and they saw in
her what delights the sailor heart more
than the most exquisite form can the
eye of an artist.
To make amends for his hardness in
showing his colors, the stranger, by way
of salute. dipped his flag three times,
and the Sea Hawk speedily responded
to the courtesy.
1t is customary for ships at sea to
learn each others names, the ports
from which they sailed and their desti-
nations, by means of flags used as sig
mails, but as the headland Of Montauk
loomed out Of the sea, and both ships
were making for it's eastern extremity,
with the chances of their soon anchor
ing side by side, this formality was dis
pensed with.
The sun was setting as both ships,
now not half mile apart, headed
down the bay.
The wind was barely sufficient to
force them through the mirror-like water
at four knot speed.
The scenes on either hand were mex
pressibly beautiful and animated.
The islands, rising in dark emerald
masses from the lighter green Of the
Sound; the shores, wooded down to the
waters edge; and the forest-crowne ed
hills mirrored in the placid expanse
were of indescribable loveliness.
Over the forests the blue lines Of
smoke marked the peaceful settlements.
Here and,there white house could
be seen near the shore, with rosy or
chard in the background, for the season
was spring, the last week Of May, when
Nature in our zone is in her loveliest at
tire.
Nor did the two stately ships, with
their clouds OF snowy sail, alone add
animation to the bay.
On the south shore the long, red ca
noes Of the Montauks, then powerful
tribe Of Indians, could be seen darting
back and forth under the impulse Of
long paddles, while to the north, in
short punts, tho Shinicook braves could
be seen trolling for the bluefish that
had just come into these waters.
Nor were the smaller crafts OF the
white settlers wanting.
Like butterflies, graceful yachts
skinned over the waters of the bay, and
as they neared the ships the crews
waved their hats and exchanged CHEEKY
salutations OF welcome and thanks.
At tlength Shelter Island was passed,
and the Sea Hawk and the stranger,
which had no name visible on stern or
bow, cast anchor few hu dred yards
apart.