The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-11-20

ne meant 70 lead the enterprise In per-
son, leaving the Alcegte in charge of his
first lieutenant.
As soon as the transfer was complete
and rendezvous appointed with the
frigate the French flag was hauled
down on the Firehy and she stood
across for the English coast. Greg Ap-
plegarth was permitted to remain on
deck. but Jacob Dempster and the rest
OF his crew were thrust into the hold,
where they passed their time in cursing
their comrades treachery.
That the traitor should be Greg Ap-
plegarth was the most astonishing fact
of an-especially to old Jacob, who was
aware OF certain tender passages be-
tween the smart young sailor and his
own wayward daughter Peggy.
The prisoners Of war were permitted
by tho Government to rent the manor
house and live there as they pleased,
provided they kept to the stipulations
of their parole, which demanded that
they should make no attempt to escape
or go farther than two miles from their
dwelling.
Camille Fournier, the brother Of the
captain OF the Alceste. had early con-
trived to scrape an acquaintance with
Peggy Dempster, and the vivacious vii
lage beauty had been fattered into al
lowing warmer Irritation than she
had perhaps intended.
Peggy was leaning over her fathers
garden gate one evening. saying good
night to the French officer, who was too
much engrossed to notice that Greg Ap-
plegarth was coming up the road.
"Would that my captivity could en-
dure forever" Camille said. How shall
l ever tear myself from your sweet
presence, Mistress Peggy, when 1 re-
turn to France"
There Is a way out Of that difficulty;
you might ask me to come, too," re-
piled the thoughtless girl.
81 will bear that In mind" said Ca
mile, not suspecting, in his vanity, that
the words were meant for other ears
than his.
Greg Applegarth had referred to this
incident only the day before the cap
ture Of the Firefly, and had expressed
bitter hatred of all Frenchmen in
Fournier in particular.
And now here he was, to Jacobs
amazment, assisting not only the ma
ton, but the individual, to defy his own
country and to land an armed force on
her shores.
Questioned by Captain Fournier as to
his reasons for not following their ex-
ample, he replied with a grin that he
was not SO fond of his country as to
want to die for her when there was
plain way out.
The Firefy was captured on n Satur-
day, and 1t was not till dawn was
breaking on Sunday that Greg was
called on to act as pilot, whSHssthS
brigantine was rounding Selsea Bill.
AS the vessel was now in the fair way
for Portsmouth and British cruisers
swarmed like wasps about the entrance
of their nest, the French seamen lay
concealed below, except half IL dozen
dressed In garments taken from the
English sailors stock. Captain Four
nier, pistol in hand, stood close to
Greg, alert for the first sign Of treach-
cry.
Before running for Hayling Island to
make the entrance Of the creek he
found 1t necessary to execute several
maneuvers which took a good deal of
time. explaining the necessity of them
by the numerous shadows he had to
avoid.
When at length he put the helm up
and stood boldly into the creek ON the
half flood the wind swerved from be-
hind, but presently sharp bend in the
narrow passage made the sails useless
and the boats were ordered out to tow.
The brigantine emerged from the mar
row gut of the winding creek into the
broader waters at the village just as
the bells Of Bosham church ceased ring
ing for morning service.
The French captain was burning
with suppressed excitement.
Where is the manor house where my
brother lives?" he asked, as Greg gave
the wheel turn and brough. the Fire
fly round.
"There, yonder-back of the church."
was the reply. 1--WE fetched you up
right opposite to it-as near as l dare
go. You'd best anchor here"
The French captain gave the neces-
sary orders, and mt once set about mak-
ing his dispositions for landing his en-
tire force, except II sufficient guard for
the prisoners.
Though the landing entailed several
Journeys in the Firehy's boats, it was
rapidly effected, and with Fournier mt
Its head the party started for tho man
or house under Greg's guidance
Only hundred yards of marshy pas
ture land lay between the creek and
the moat, but the young sailor lad led
the Frenchmen n long slant up the
and back again before finally
their goal. The captain
looked at him once or twice suspic-