The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-10
CHAPTER XyIH-Continued.

to the bench.
With a look Of surprise the chief
obeyed him.
did Fox say anything sbout-about
Captain Denham?"
He did," said Uncas, cautiously.
!. WHAT"
Il cannot recall all that he said, but
TIL tell you something wonderful that l
know"
What is that, Uncas?'
Captain Ralph Denham is now sleep
ing with the dead"
You are sure Of this?"
AS sure as that see you sitting up
in that bed before me-" replied Uncas.
Colonel Graham coughed to keep
back the shout Of Joy that trembled on
his lips, and then he pressed his long,
white fingers to his eyes, and so re-
NAMED for several moments.
The news pains you, said the CHIEF.
1T surprises me. 1t is 80 sudden.
Denham was so young" gasped Gra-
ham.
.Death loves the young. Is that all
you want to ask"
NO; there was one question more.
but, perhaps, as you are weary, and II
is 30 late, had better defer IT.. :,
Il am not weary; early and late is all
the same to me. Ask me the question
now"
1T is about your sister"
what of herr"
"She is very beautiful.
$50 have heard white men say be.
fore. But what's the question you
would ask?" said the chief, turning his
strong black eyes on Graham's agltated
face.
DO you know of any man that she is
going to marry?" asked the colonel, with
a slight tremor in his voice.
Il do not. Why do you ask"
Il am single, and in my own lands
have great wealth and large estates.
have seen none Of my own country
women that would care TO marry, nor
have I seen any other woman in any
land, though il has been my fortune to
see most lands under the sun. l shall
leave your beautiful country as soon as
nv mission here is ended, and if your
sister would 90 with me-"
Stop, Colonel Graham interrupted
the chief, You were about to say you
would make Untilla OF the Montauks
your wife if she would promise to &C
with your"
Il was"
You should ask her"
"Oh, Of course, shall do that.
But" continued Uncas. L would
advise you not to speak to Cntilla or
love or marriage"
why should 1 not? am gray, but J
am still a man in my prime. My
troubles are over. and I can give my
time to the happiness Of wife.
Uncas was about to reply; but before
the first syllable passed his lips, a shrill,
croaking voice called through the chinke
in the logs.
"Ha, ha, ha! de troubles heZ only
begun! YOU keer foh wife? how did
you keer for de brudder dat loved en-
trusted ye: you kilt him! kilt him! kilt
him! trubble never leaves de muir
d'rer."
Curse the hag!" cried Graham, his
eyes protruding from his head, and his
sharp face ashy with fear.
Uncas was even more excited. The
lamp fell from his hand, and was ex-
tinguished on the floor, 80 hiding hie
timidity.
Il will 60. 1 shall see you again.
this was all he could say. And the tall,
strong man now as frightened as child
at an imagined bugaboo, dashed out OF
the house.
In the meantime Captain Fox drew
the precious boxes up close to the fire,
and arranging them into something like
a couch, he lit a cigar, and stretched
himself out on top Of them.
Don sat down near by, with weary
look Oh his shrewd Scotch face, and his
doubled up hands under his chin.
Tired, Don?" asked the Captain, anx.
tous to talk to some one rather than
from any interest he had in the poor
lads condition.
Il am, sir" replied Don.
Let me see, Don; how long have you
been with me?"
"A year next August, SIR" said Don,
still looking at the fire, but with harder
expression upon his young face.
"Ah, Don, I fear you will never be
sufficiently grateful to me for saving
you. You were the only one on that
ship that did not perish.
And I sometimes wish I had per-
ished at the same time," said the lad,
with bitter ring in his voice.
Then I would have had no cabin
boy, eh?"
You saved my life to make me your
slave"
Come, come, my lad, some day you
will be captain in command Of ship
like the Wanderer; the ocean will be
your home, and every land will pay you
tribute"
If I over command ship like yours,
replied the boy, Il hope some man-o,-
war will catch me and my crew and
swing us all up to the yardarm. I'm
afraid that will be my fate if stay with
you long"
Instead OF being angry at this re-
tort, Captain Fox blew out a long puff
Of smoke, and laughed long and loud.
-Egad, Don, you are very hard on me,
very hard, indeed; I have no doubt
but you would hang me and all my
crew in the morning if you had your
way. Now, tell me the truth, wouldn't
you?"
Yes, I would" replied the boy,
bluntly.
Cad! do like boyish candor. Twas
once boy, just like you, but had not
the same hatred Of pirates; indeed,
wa' in much trouble to decide whether,
when I became man, l should rob on
horseback or on ship. But you'll get
used to this life after a bit. Now, lie
down and go to sleep. Don't think OF
killing me as lie here, for I shall be
awake all night. Good night, lad.
Good night" growled Don, and he
stretched himself before the fire; and,
being very healthy boy, he was asleep
In no time.
The first glimmer of daylight saw the
Captain and Don up and about. BY the