The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-17
CHAPTER XIX-Continued.

morrow. MT. frendulu ID W iAioA IL lhe'
In the meantime, Mr.. Dayton. can
say to you, sir, in unofficial confidence,
that am not at all pleased with the
appearance Of things
@On board the w anderer, sir?"
On board the Wanderer and on
board the Sea Hawk, On ship and on
shore. Shiver my timbers, Val-beg
pardon, sir-I do not like the appear
ance OF things, 80 let US get on shore,
where we can talk without man-o-War
restraint.
Valentine was more than willing to
agree to this. They were soon at Or.
Hedges house, much to that gentle
mans delight-and they insisted on
talking in room apart. greatly to that
gentleman's surprise.
During this conversation Mr.. Hedges
told his nephew that the Wanderer, In
the absence OF Captain Fox, was very
different ship from what man-of-War
should be-.
Man and boy, have been to sea for
over thirty years, Val, and may be
swung to the yardarm, il I ever saw
anything like it. said the excited
lieutenant.
Il do not understand you, Uncle
George"
Then I'll be plain, Val. Yonder ship
is without doubt sailing under the COM
mission of good Queen Anne, whom
may heaven preserve; but, sir, she
looked SO much like pirate when
reached her deck this morning, that, as
i am sinner, named Hedges, feel
like hurrying to the Sea Hawk and pre-
pairing for an attack"
What particularly attracted your
attention."
First, the evident familiarity of the
men and officers; and then many OF the
bearded pirates, for such they looked
to be, wore rings in their ears and
Jewels Of great value on their fingers.
Think of such things on the hands OF
sailors with seven pence half-penny a
day, and penny for rum when at sea.
There is something wrong, If one could
only lay his finger on it.
Why did Capt. Fox leave the ship to
60 among the Indians?" asked Valen-
tine.
He went to see this Col. Graham"
How did he know this Col. Graham
was there?"
Il don't know, Val"
when did the ship leave New York;"
Twas so thunderstruck didn't ask. "
,; We'll, all we can do is to wait till
Fox comes. I zee no reason to feel
alarmed, for everything is right. We
are acting under orders" said Valen-
time.
That is true. Come, letu stroll out.
1T may be that am getting womanish
In my feelings; but them that know
tGeorge Hedges will say that it hasn't
been his habit to get alarmed at
shadows"
The uncle and nephew walked out
land strolled down to the inn, attracted
!h6 large crowd gathered about the
In answer to Valentines question,
one Of the bystanders said:
"a man been found killed, sir.
Found with a bullet through his
head" said another, "on Hampstead
road beyond Riverhead."
In response to further inquiries, it
was learned that the unfortunate man
was post-rider on the way from New
York to Sag Harbor, that inscription
being found on his empty leathern pouch.
Some Of the people thought this the
work of robbers; others were sure it
was done in revenge by slaves who had
taken 10 the woods, and a few very wise
onpS shook their heads and hinted that
this was the forerunner Of a general In
dian revolt.
While these rumors and comments
were flying right and left, a man in the
dress OF q common sailor mounted
step before the inn door, when he was
recognized as an old acquaintance, and
some believing that he was going to
make an address, shouted out:
silence! A speech from Sam Tall
madge."
Though evidently perplexed by this
introduction, the sailor, fine, sturdy
fellow, called out:
Il amt gcing to make speech, but
I have more news to give you.
Let US have it," shouted score OF
people, and the crowd, with eager faces,
surged around him.
Il came from Gardner's Island this
morning, and two days ago 1 was in
New York.
"Oh, that amt news!" broke in man
who knew that Sam Tallmadge's busi-
ness as captain OF small schooner took
him 10 New York very often.
Not at all Disconnected by this inter-
ruption, the sailor continued:
And in New York / was at the Gov
ornors office, and I heard officers OF
ships, Just in from the Atlantic, saying
that there was pirate ship making for
these waters"
"A pirate ship" came like gasp from
the crowd.
Aye, neighbors, a pirate ship COM
,manded by Captain Kidd, him as has
been away raising the devil in the East
Indies and the Spanish Main. And one
officer swore that the ship was the Ad-
venture Galley"
where was the ship heading for?"
asked man in the crowd.
due north. l heard the officers say
sne will come into these waters or
cruise off Boston, and sink and rob till
she's driven away
LET her come here il she wants to,
said Doctor Hedges, catching glimpse
of Frenauld in the crowd I'VE have
two good ships here, and if Captain
Kidd doesn't tackle them, pledge my
word they'll tackle him.
A cheer greeted this little address,
but it did not satisfy the people, who
piled Sam Tallmadge with questions
that caused the honest man to repeat
himself again and again.
The story of the murdered post-rider
and the coming OF the noted Captain
Kidd at once became the all-absorbing
topics of conversation.
Men gathered in knots at street COR
aers to discuss it.
Women, with all their little ones
clinging to their skirts, like chickens
about a mother hen when the shadow Of