The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-24
CHAPTER XN-Continued.

THAT'S what 1 am here for" said
Fox.
By this time they had reached the
shore, where Ezesauld was waiting
with the boat, and Fox anu his party
started for the Wanderer.
The man who had been favored With
the captains replies at once became an
oracle-the most important man IN the
town for the time, and central figure
about which wondering groups gath
cred wherever he went.
The reason for Capt. Fox's return
was now plain to tho dullest compre-
hension. He he had been sent from
New York to meet and destroy Capt.
Kidd, the monster pirate OF the oceans:
And it was the general belief that II
Cant. Kidd had the temerity to come
within sight OF Capt Fox's ship that
the fate of the former would be sealed
to q dead certainty.
Heretofore Ralph Denham had been
the naval hero OF Sag Harbor, but with
an Inconsistency and forgetfulness
peculiar to the race at all times and in
ali conditions. they forgot the old idol
In the glarin5 presence Of this grand
new one.
Sdpldlu VA was lllO AAoA, eAN
of the more sanguine residents, Doctor
Hedges among them, believed that he
would have Kidd within the week, If he
was within reach.
SQUIRE Condit never did run with the
crowd; he was eccentric, and he had
the holiness to assert himself. AS a
deacon he could not conscientiously lay
q wager, but he told Doctor Hedges:
IL Gov ~ fUyn
acres, doctor, if this fellow Fox catches
Kidd that Is, if Kidd is in these waters.
II you'll give me one hundred acres OF
equally good land, if Ralph Denham
catches him.
-I'll agree to that" said the doctor,
eagerly.
Squire Condit was sorely perplexed.
Like Lieut.. Hedges and Lea Hedges, he
was sure there was something wrong,
and his wife and daughter were also
sure, but neither one could say, even
Indefinitely, where that something
wrong was.
Telling Don to show Colonel Graham
to the cabin, Fox, on reaching the deck
of the Wanderer, drew Frenauld to one
side and said, in low tone:
That man Thrasher should be here
by this time"
You mean he should have reached
the town, SIR"
THAT is just what I do mean. Go
ashore again; If. he is there, bring him
aboard at once; if not, wait till he ar
rives. You understand me2"
Il do, clearly"
And you will still maintain a strict
reticence with the people ashore, unless
you can add to the impression that We
are here to watch for Captain Kidd"
AL right, SIR" replied Frenauld,
turning away with much admiration for
the adroitness with which Fox was turn
ing this report to his own account.
Captain Fox was prevented from go
ing dawn to talk to Colonel Graham by
the arrival of gig from the Sea Hawk,
bearing Lieutenant Hedges, the officer
in command.
The instant Fox saw the fine sturdy
sailor, he advanced to him with extend
ed hand, saying, after the cordial salu-
tation was over:
! There will be plenty of work for
both of US pretty soon, Lieutenant.
V Capt. Denham will be here in few
days with 6 supply ship for the Sea
Hawk and Wanderer. In the mean
time. how are you off for ammunition?
We have q fair supply. sir, replied
the Lieutenant. handing Fox what the
brave fellow supposed was his own
Captains letter, instructing him to re-
port to Fox.
Without looking at the letter, Fox
said:
"Ah, yes, Capt. Denham's letter ask
ing you to report to me. Well, We shall
consider that done. Now, send me at
once list Of all your arms, their con-
dition, the amount and kind Of ammu-
milton on hand; the strength OF your
crew, with report on the general con-
dition Of the Sea Hawk. You see,
Lieutenant, while I am not in actual
command. it is very essential for me to
know exactly what 1 am responsible
for.
That, Capt. Fox, is eminently right
and proper" Said Mr.. Hedges, much
impressed with the precaution and evil
dence of executive ability evinced by
his superior. Might I ask, sir, if there
is possibility OF the Sea Hawk being
ordered to sea any time very soon?"
a possibility, but not strong prob
ability. My belief is. that Capt. Den
ham will be back before your ship goes
W Sed. DuI llS CHdiCcS dlC IlldO tiC
Wanderer may leave Tomorrow or next
day; it will depend on reports expected
from New York. Should 60 to sea I
will borrow all your ammunition, as
an about out. and you can get re-
plenish from the supply ship that Capt.
Denham will bring on"
Il shall do as you order in that mat
ter" said Lieut.. Hedges, saluting and
turning away
Capt. Fox watched the commanding
officer of the Sea Hawk until the boat
that carried him came alongside his
f FOX looked pleased with himself and
every one else, as he had good reason
to be.
So far he had succeeded with his Gus
tomary luck: and tEe future looked
golden with harvest Of rare promise.
He was not the man to be carried
away by success. SO lar he had shown
much Of the character Of the abused
animal whosd name he had assumed,
but to cunning he now added wonder
full caution.
His immediate plan was to capture
the Sea Hawk, and ill her with his own
and such of Denham's men as could be
induced to embark under the black flag.
But fearing that he might re detect ed
before he 'oIId perfect his scheme. he
larranged to have the Sea Hawk de-
: lpleted Of ammunition. SO that she could
Imake little or no resistance should it
become necessary to appeal 10 his last
Iresort-force.
By fair means or foul he should get
Lea Hedges and Ellen Condit on board
the Wanderer, w.th such other maidrns
las had struck ha conrSn fancioS OF | is