The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-03-24
1l> Shesfs cIol hing: ing

GraldIn SdlQ he IuOuSHU ouo "dS a
devil, if ever one appeared In human
form. Yet, he added. ut is strange,
knowing US as she does, that she did
not tell the people. Supposing she were
to say that your name was not Fox, but
William Kidd"
why" laughed Fox, "the people
would say she was insane. But if she
had told them before Ralph Denham's S
death the story of his fathers murder
and the fact that he was Lord Paliton
by right of birth, why, then the people
would begin to investigate, and, egad,
they might find it to be true; eh, COL
onel?"
Col. Graham made no response, but
the glitter of his cold gray eyes told
how Fox's words maddened him.
To get out Of this mans hated COM
pany, as we'll as to institute search
for his runaway servant, Graham went
ashore before breakfast, Immediately
after the men arrived from the Sea
Hawk.
He would not have descended to the
boat so steadily had he known that one
of the men on whose shoulder he laid
his hand to steady himself was Ralph
Denham, whom he believed to be dead.
AS soon as Graham left, Captain Fox
and Guy Frenauld went down to the
cabin, where they found Don in attend
ance, looking as docile and innocent as
If never thought Of revolt had entered
his mind. .
go out, Don, and see about break
fast, Mr.. Frenauld and I wish to be
alone" said Fox, and the lad bowed
low and retired.
"Egad, Frenauld," said Fox, striking
the table, I'VE are in luck. II the powers
in New York don't visit me inside Of
twenty -four hours with strong fleet
and I know they haven't got one-Pn
sail within the week with my two ships
right into the harbor, and unfurl my
flag before their eyes, to show l set
them at defiance.
But will that pay?" asked Frenauld,
alarmed at the Captains proposal.
Pay! Confound it, man, the true
sailor doesn't think all the time Of prize
money; ne must give some thought to
glory
Then you feel that we are sure Of
the Sea Hawk"
AS sure, Frenauld, as that you are
sitting there. Why, sir, the ship Is at
this moment virtually in our possession.
Our fellows will do their work when
they see my signal. Hedges cannot
have more than eighty men left on the
Sea Hawk, and suspecting nothing,
they will be wholly unprepared for our
onset"
1T is certainly o splendid scheme.
and cannot see why success shoul1
not crown it, said Frenauld.
Success will crown it, sir. Never
feel half-hearted or in doubt about o
matter in which you are interested.
Your own confidence inspires success,
and men who enter battle determined
to win always succeed if they are well
led"
You are quite right there, Captain.
And now as to the plans?"
1T will hardly do, Frenauld, for US
to put the Sea Hawks men we have on
board between the decks till we get out
of sight Of the town. When the fellows
see that their choice lies between
walking plank and taking service with
me, they will swear allegiance to the
black flag; but for that care nothing
one way or the other.
These fellows are brave, but they
are Puritans, and 80 will not make con-
tented freebooters. Cad, Hedges! he is
a gallant sailor, but it is inevitable.
Well, as to our movements-we get un-
der way when the tide is on the turn,
and 70 down with the ebb."
That will be at half past 5.
About that"
And as to this reception?"
1T comes off, Frenauld. Don't you
understand itP"
u must confess I cannot see what
you are to do with the people that come
on board, unless you land them here,
said the lieutenant.
ITO land part and hold the rest would
be to alarm this and all the adjoining
settlements, with their swarms Of ca
noes and boats, and also to place in
doubt our success with the Sea Hawk.
We must take all hands and land the
party, except Miss Hedges and Miss
Island. A bold scheme, but you do as
you are told, and leave the rest to me. !"
Captain Fox rang O bell, and Don
came in at once with the breakfast.
This over, the officers went on deck,
and the arrivols from the Sea Hawk
were set to work preparing the Wan
derer for the cruise she was to begin
that day.
1t was still early in the morning when
Captain Fox went ashore. Nearly the
first man he met was DR.. Hedges, who
told him that the people were very much
divided as to the propriety OF arresting
the post-rider the night before, and that
he, DR.. Helges, thought it would be
wise to let the man 20.
Il did not arrest him without orders,
and cannot release him without break
ing them. The man Is we'll cared for,
but he Is a criminal, and he will hang
as soon as get him to New York" said
Fox.
"Ef dat man don't die till den, cell
lib forever" croaked a voice directly
behind Fox, that made him jump and
turn as If he had been pricked by
sword.
"Ha, you hag!" he said, recognizing
Dinah. Where is your grandson that
you caused to run away from Colonel
Graham?"
"Ye'd bettah 60 ak Cap'n Kidd dat
question. Ha, ha, ha!" and Dinah
laughed and shook herself, and with her
head to one side peered up in Fox's red
face.
"Old Dinah is crazy, Captain Fox;
you must not heed her." said Doctor
Hedges, leading his friend away.
Il am sorry" said Captain Fox,
'that the people of Sag Harbor, to
whom am indebted for so many
courtesies, should think 1 would do
anything unbecoming an officer in her
majesty's service" He was feeling In