The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-01-20
CHAPTER XVI-Continued.

CHAPTER XVI-Continued.
Thrasher took in the situation, and,
finishing his currant wine, he drew MS
leather sleeve across his very large
mouth, and, flinging his saddle bags
over his shoulder, he said:
i am going to the inn.
THAT is all right, my man, said Mr..
Hedges, handing him coin; I'll see
you again.
viii you send back an answer, sir?"
Yes; tomorrow all the Captains
friends will give you letters to hand to
him"
But, sir, must leave tonight"
Tonight" in chorus from the peo-
pie about Thrasher.
Yes; must 90 to Gardner's Island,
where boat will take me to New York,
replied the fellow, with self-posses-
sion that proved him no novice IN this
business.
How long will you remain?" asked
Valentine Dayton.
About two hours.
VERY well; we shall try to have the
letters by that time, said Mr.. Hedges.
Thrasher bowed humbly and left. He
had but just gone out Of hearing when
the Squire, bursting with impatience,
called out:
well, George, what is the troubIe2"
"TrouDlel" repeated Mr.. Hedges.
why, the trouble is that Fox is to be
back in few days, and am to report
to him for orders!"
Report to Fox for orders!"
Fox to have command Of the Sea
Hawk"
What does Ralph mean?"
These were few of the exclamations
that broke from the lips Of the people on
the veranda when Mr.. Hedges uttered
the sentence given above.
Mr.. Hedges ran the fingers Of his left
hand nervously through his frosted hair,
his right hand clutching the letter.
He was debating the propriety Of read.
ing 1t, and on such an important ques.
ton, for he had the old-time regard for
official etiquette. He could not afford
to come to hasty conclusion.
sit down, sit down, he SAID at length;
Il can't see any harm in letting you all
know now what every one aship and
ashore must know in few hours" !
Squire Condit and his wife sat down
on the ieutenant's right hand, and VAL
entine Dayton and Ellen just in front Of
him.
He was noticeably deliberate in his
speaking. and painfully SO in his read;
ing. He hesitated over some Of the
words, and his soundless lips spelt them
to himself before pronouncing them.
This was the letter:
NEW AMSTERDAM INN, BOWLING GREEN.
CITY OF NEW YORK AND YE
PROVINCE OF SANE.
xTo 1st Officer,
SGecrge Hedges,
aCom'd'g ye Provincial Cruiser,
SSea Hawk,
@Her MS Service,
Gof Sag Harbor.
9County of Suffolk,
along Island.
aS1R: The Governor Of ye Province Of
New York. to whom have made due re-
port of We condition and state Of ye pro-
vincial cruiser, Sea Hawk, hath ordered
and commanded me to remain In attend
ance on his:worshipful honor, until such
time or times as ye great council meet, to
whom shall make such explanation of ye
condition Of piracy In ye Spanish Main as
shall be fitting ye occasion.
81 therefore command, instruct and Or
der that you, George Hedges, 1st officer,
com'd'g ye aforesaid cruiser. Sea Hawk,
shalS on ye arrival Of Captain William
Fox, of Fl. NJ. Ship Wanderer, report to
1lln LOT SuCl lnSIruCtIouS dS ~ Sndi4 PlodSe
him to give. and to be unto him obedient In
all things pertaining to the conduct Of ye
ship and crew.
ain witness whereof. have hereunto
affixed my signature, and the seal Of ye
afcres aid cruiser, Sea Hawk
VI have the honor to be,
"Most truly,
"Your h'mble
aOb'n'tservant,
aRALPH DENHAa,
scaptain Of ye Provincial Cruiser SEQ
@Hawk.n
There" said Lieutenant Hedges,
"that's the letter, Val. What do you
think of it?"
Il am very sorry" replied Valentine
Dayton, but, of course. you can dc
nothing but obey orders"
"Of course" echoed the Lieutenat.
Il wish that fellow Fox never showed
his red head in this town." said the
squire, angrily.
oh, he is not to blame; he must obey
orders like ourselves" said the bluff old
Lieutenant.
My dear" said Mrs. Condit, inclin-
ing her pretty head to her husband. and
turning her mild eyes to the others to
induce them to note what she was about
to say, Il do not think that Ralph wrote
that letter.
Pm sorry to say" said the lawyer,
to whom bit Of wax with seal on 1t
was the badge of law and authority,
that there can't be any doubt about it,
Still" she persisted. i feel that he
did not write it."
Have you any other reason than your
own feelings, dear wife?" asked the
squire.
Yes; / cannot think that Ralph Den
ham, who, man and boy has known
George Hedges for one and twenty
years, would write cold, stiff, heart
less letter lik e that"
Nor can believe that Ralph wrote
It," added Ellen.
Ralph didn't write the letter" said
Valentine Dayton. 1T was written by
the Captain Of the Sea Hawk in his off,
cial capacity. II ne had written to
Uncle George, or to me, or to any OF us,
as Ralph Denham, our true old friend,
he'd put as much heart into his words
as any man that ever handled pen.
Yes" explained Mr.. Hedges, who
saw and appreciated the mistake Of the
ladies, official communications, even
between father and son, as I've seen
time and time again in the service, has
all got to be written that way. Why,
they wouldn't be official if they wasn't
stiff, and cold, and lofty, and all that. g."
Neither Ellen nor her mother attempt
ed comment, for, with the exception OF
the Squire, there was not to them a