The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-04-07
CHAPTER NvI-Continued

The sound Of gnawing, which had
stopped while the officer was present,
was again resumed, and Ralph Denham
was on the floor, close to the place from
which the sound came.
Outside the hustle and noise Of boats
being lowered, and the deep, gruf or
ders OF the sailors could be heard.
Captain Fox was preparing to conceal
more Of his treasure on shore.
Tired OF his position on the floor,
Captain Denham went back, and was
talking in whisper with one Of his men,
his eyes still bent in the direction OF
the partition, when he saw light that
almost seemed dazzling after the dark
ness.
Out from the opening, as il carried by
this stream Of light, came Don the
cabin boy.
Rushing up to Captain Denham, the
only man not in hammock, Don said
eagerly:
come through. Oh, am so glad that
you know your danger, for my heart
has been sore for you.
I'VE came with full understanding
OF the danger. We do not want to get
on deck now, but when the time comes
we desire you to be near to guide US,
said Captain Denham.
How shall know the timer
When you hear gun fired on board
the Sea Hawk. She will be close DJ
soon after daylight.
I'll try. sir, said Don, who recog-
nized in the voice Of the man address,
ing him a ring OF command, such as he
could not associate with an ordinary
sailor. But I'll go back and close the
place from the other side, and II am
not near when the signal is given, go
through and turn to the right; there will
be plenty Of daylight then. You will
pass through the store-room and armory,
where you can get arms If you'll need
them. To the left are the steps leading
to the deck"
God bless you, Don. Well find the
place, and reach the deck. Now 60,
go!" The Captains voice was nervous
y imperative; for in the distance he
could hear a vigorous knocking, accom-
panied by the call:
Don! Donl What the blazes are you
sleeping for when the Captain wants
you?"
Don dsrted through the opening, and
put out the light. AS he pushed the
plank into place, he called out with ad-
mirable presence OF mind. for his voice
sounded like that Of sleepy boy:
Aye, aye, sir! Coming!" and the
next instant the banging Of door could
be heard:
As Don ran out, man shouted to
him:
"The Cap'n's been calm for you.
youngster: you'll be mighty lucky If
you don't get right good lashin' with
o rope end"
Don heard, but made no inquiry till
he stood before Captain Fox on the deck.
With a savage oath the captain de-
manded:
Where have you been, you dog?"
Il was about to turn in, sir" replied
Don.
Did I tell you to-"
Il thought you did, sir"
you have no right to think. Next
time you are not on hand, you young
dog, II keelhaul you. Do you under
stand me?"
Yes. sir.
very we'll. Leap into that boat and
bear a hand" said Fox, pointing over
the side, where in the darkness the dim
outline of a longboat could be seen,
with a number Of men in it.
Don leaped into the boat and took the
post Of coxswain.
All night long Lea and Ellen, who oc-
cupied the same stateroom, could hear
the boats coming and going. To say
they were frightened would but weakly
express the state Of their feelings.
Could they have seen their own white
faces, common sympathy would have
increased their terror.
But they knew that Ralph Denham
and his gallant men were on board. and
they tried to cheer each other by reiter-
ating their knowledge Of this fact.
Had they known Ralph Denham' 8
actual condition they might not have
drawn SO much comfort from his prox-
Unity.
At length the boats took their last
load to the shore, and Captain Fox, who
had been experimenting the conceal
ment Of the booty, came back with
them.
Day dawned, and the distant head
lands and the island under the lea
seemed to lift from the dark waters by
the power Of light.
Two Of the boats were left alongside;
and now Fox and Frenauld entered the
cabin and called IL excited tones for
their visitors to rome out.
Lea and Ellen tried to obey, but they
found to their horror that they were
locked in.
They raised their voices, but amid the
din and uproar outside they could not
be heard.
Doctor Hedges, supposing that his
daughter and Ellen Condit had preceded
him, was about to descend to the boat,
when an eager glance told him they
were not there.
Turning to Frenauld, who stood near,
he asked
Where is my daughter and Ellen
Condit?"
They will follow you. Hurry up.
There is not moment TO spare. Cap
tain kidd in sight"
number Of sailors on hearing this
burst into loud roar Of laughter. The
Doctor, now completely beside him.
self, was seized bodily by strong hands
and lowered into the boat.
Pull away, my lads" shouted Fre-
nauld to the men in the boat.
But my daughter. Oh, heaven, my
child" red the Doctor. Seeing Cap
tain Fox, he continued: Send down
my child and Ellen! 1 can see no sign
of the pirate!"
Then l will show him to you,
laughed Fox. Look well at me, my
old friend"
The Doctor raised his white face and
implorng eyes, and the outlaw
shouted: