The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-04-21

, CHAPTER xXvIII-Continued.
It was not time for formality. The
nearest to him, Ellen, was caught IN MS
arms ana kissed, and then he folded Lea
sOh, Ralph said Lea, we have
passed a night Of horror. But we care
not now for that How has gone the
battle?" >,
God has prospered the right, replied
the Captain.
And you have won?' asked both,
eagerly. :,
tilla's hand will this day raise the flag
of our province above our prize, the pl-
rates ship"
The girls gave thanks to God, and
then asked for their friends.
Mr.. Dayton is safe, but Hedges, gal
liant Hedges, is wounded; not seriously
] hope. for 1 want the world to know
that to him, more than any one else
under heaven, we owe our splendid VIC
tory"
While the captain was speaking, the
companionway became darkened and
Untilla, Valentine Dayton and the Sur
geon came down, supporting Lieutenant
Hedges.
They laid him on lounge, and when
Lea and Untilla knelt beside him and
took his hands, he said, with sweet
smile on his bronzed face:
1T Is only the loss Of blood, my
dears. Bless your noble hearts, shall
soon be ready for sea again. But what
matters it. We have won; we have
beaten Captain Kidd, the pirate, and
even death is not horrible in the face OF
such success. Hurrah! Hur-
The Lieutenant raised his right
hand, showing that the hilt OF q broken
sword still hung to it, and he would
have gone on with his cheering had not
the Surgeon rushed to his side and
positively forbade it -,
Il tell you, Vail mean Mr.: Dayton,
said the Lieutenant, when Untilla had
taken the fragment from his wrist, and
he gave his nephew his hand, you DID
gallantly, my lad. You fought the OLD
Sea Hawk just as I knew you would.
But we couldn't have won, not
even with Captain Denham's timely
aid, if it hadn't been for Untilla- II
were King I'd share my throne with
her." go -,
But YOU are king, uncle, and if at
the right time the offer Is made, who
knows" laughed Valentine.
Both ships were badly shattered, and
Captain Denham, with the eye Of true
sailor, saw the necessity Of getting
them to the quiet waters while the wind
and tide were favorable.
He gave the order to clear the decks.
The pirate dead were put in weighted
hammocks, and dropped overheard, and
the wounded were cared for as well as
those Of the Sea Hawk.
In ten minutes more Valentine Day
ton, to whom the generous captain gave
the command OF the Sea Hawk, wosld
have ordered up the anchors, as Ralph
had done on the Wanderer. had not the
attention Of all been attracted by sig
mails from the shore.
Through his telescope, Ralph Den
ham saw Doctor Hedges and his COM
panions crowding down on the beach Of
Gardne er's Island, and he took in the
situation.
Doctor Hedges had witnessed the
fight between the ships, and his firm be-
lief was that Lea was killed at the first
fire; and he felt, to the end OF the con-
test, until he saw Fox making for the
shore near by, that the pirate must win.
He and his friends were soon after
taken on board the two ships.
Dr.. Hedges was crushed. After en-
bracing his daughter, which he did with
an affection that was strong and genu-
inc, he sat apart in silence, and watched
Captain Denham as he came in and
went out.
At length the Doctor rose, and, ex-
tending his hapd, he said, in rTemulous
accents:
Captain Ralph Denham, sir"
Speak, Doctor; I am your friend,
said Ralph.
Il know you are, Captain; but, sir. I
do not deserve such friend. am un-
worthy your regard, and Squire Condit
should never speak to me again. l am
afraid am fool"
Not at all, Doctor. This fellow Kidd
deceived US all.
Will he get away"
He can't. have sent messenger to
Mr.. Gardner. and he will soon be cap
tured. But see, Doctor; we are enter
ing Sag Harbor again, and from the
crowds Of people we shall have hearty
welcome.
The Captain turned away to direct his
ship.
Side by side, as when first they en-
tered the beautiful bay, both vessels
came to anchor, and the crowds on
shore, seeing the provincial flag on the
Wanderers peak, cheered themselves
hoarse, and although it was broad day.
light the boys lit bonfire5.