The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-01-06
1,> Shseslfs cIot HING g

S6fe!
Il SO asked"
1T is safe all time in land Of Montauk
for friend Of Montauk."
From which I am to infer that it
would be anything but safe for the foes
Of the Montauks to intrude here. Wen,
I am a warm friend Of the Montauks.
"Oh, yes," from Old Somonk, with
something like sarcasm in the tones,
though his sphinx-like face looked as
impassive as ever. Satisfied that it was
safe to lie down, and confident that he
could not continue the conversation
with Old Somonk, with any chance OF
getting information or learning that in
which he was interested. Frenauld
spread 8 blanket on the ground, and
went to sleep.
He did not wake up till daylight, and
the first object that met his eyes was
Old Somonk seated in the same place
and in the same position, the only
change noticeable about him being that
he was now smoking a corn-cob pipe
instead Of cigar.
With that aptitude which distin-
guishes alike the trained soldier and
seaman, the three sailors from the
Wanderer set about getting breakfast
for Themselves and the Lieutenant.
Old Somonk, with degree Of curios-
ity that is not generally thought to dis
tinguish his race, watched these opera
tions till the meal was ready, when,
without being invited, he came over and
began helping himself, in the coolest
possible way.
At first this caused the Lieutenant
and his men much merriment, but wholly
Indifferent to their laughter Old Somonk
paid the strictest possible attention to
the business on hand. And as he
threatened to devour all the cooked
food, if the others did not hurry up, all
pitched in in self-defense, and ate with
o speed that emulated but could not
equal that Of the Indian.
During the day Fernauld and 'his
men made an examination Of the &C ast,
in which work they were facilitated by
the use Of canoe, which Old Somonk
drew out from a cavern, made in the
rocks by the long g-continued action OF
wind and waves.
FernauId carefully took note Of the
bearings of this cave, which had q small
entrance that could easily be closed up,
while the inside space was ample to
hold all the wealth Of silver, gold, and
precious stones that had ever been tioat-'
ed on the sea.
Back from the beach there were scat
tering groves set, as II by the hand OF
landscape gardener who studied the
ways Of nature. and undulating lawns
or meadows In which pastured the herds
of the Montauks.
In the afternoon they followed the ex-
ample of Old Somonk, and lay down IN
the shade, where, the sea breeze IAN
ming their faces, they soon sank to
sleep. ...
They would have slept on into the
night had they not been aroused by the
talking of two men. One was Old
Somonk and tie oiher his son.
Before Fernauld could Gay word,
Old Somonk said, pointing to the In
dan youth, with whom he had been
talking:
This is my son, young Somonk. He
comes from Uncas; you talk. And,
having uttered these words with aston
ishing rapidity, he turned to the west
and ian with speed that was wonder
full for him, and would have been re-
markable even in his son.
Your venerable sire," said Frenauld,
looking after the flying Montauk, "is the
most eccentric gentleman, white or red,
that it has ever been my privilege to
encounter"
With much dignity the young Indian
cut him short by saying:
Il have come from my chief, Uncas
Of the Montauks.
"Ah, so supposed, and
me?" broke in Somonk.
II have; but are you not manifesting
undue haste2"
For reply Somonk extended his hand,
and kept it 80 until Frenauld had de-
posted therein the expected paper.
Then, to the unutterable amaZement
of the sailors, Somonk closed his hand
on the paper and darted off with speed
that promised soon to place him far in
advance of his fugitive father.
well, may Satan fly away with me,
II they are not the most extraordinary
sire and scion that ever crossed my
course! I wonder if the old woman has
the same restlessness on foot and pla-
cidity-sitting DOWN."
The sailors answered this with a loud
laugh, and>at once began preparations
for supper.
Though affecting great lightness of
manner, Frenauld was not at all satis-
fed with the situation.
"What'if the Montauk chief did not
keep his part Of the contract? What, il
the Wanderer were lost. or sank, or by
any other chance did not return, was to
become of Frenauld and his three COM
panions?
He thought these questions over and
over, even while he was eating his sup
per. and he had not reached satisfac-
tory answer, when he heard the snap
ping Of dry twig near by, and looking
up, he saw before him the towering
form of the Montauk chief.
The appearance Of Uncas, though not
unexpected, was so sudden as to startle
Frenauld and set his heart to beating
faster.
After the usual salutations had passed,
the chief accepted Frenaurd's invitation
to join him at supper, and while they
were eating, he said:
Il wLuIo hnvV seen you perore, pur
that I met The old white chief, Col.
Graham"
What, hasn't he gone back to New
York;" asked the astonished Frenauld.
No; he has been sick"
And where is he now2"
He is in my lodge?"
Your lodge!"
Yes, in my house with his black