The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-03-24
CHAPTER XXIv-Continued.

( The book was brought, and Ralph
Denham, who knew the characteristics
of every man on board, called out the
fifty, or rather forty-nine names ne
wanted, end Valentine wrote them
down.
Now, have them assemble quietly In
the ward ROOM" said the captain.
Within ten minutes the sailors were
gathered in the ward room, where lights
were lit and the doors guarded.
Captain Denham removed his dis
ruise before meeting the men, but as
they supposed he was in New YORK,
their surprise and Joy may be imagined
at seeing him.
As has been said, he knew every man
present, and they had been boys TO-
cether. He could trust them as i'm
plicitly as he could Mr. Hedges or Mr..
Valentine. They were more than lot
of ordinary young sailors, they were
seamen of rare intelligence, any one Oh
whom could manage the Sea Hawk II
occasion required. They were volun-
teers, fighting for the honor and safety
of the province in which they were
born. 49,,
Subterfuge was out Of place with
such men, SO Ralph wisely concluded to
tell them the whole truth, which he did,
after first cautioning them to silence
and secrecy.
He told of his own adventures, who
Fox was, and the plan he, Captain
Denham, had decided on to capture the
pirate and bring him to justice.
While Ralph was speaking, the COM
ments Of the men, and the many shakes
OF the head, told that they were not
taken by surprise SO very much.
Il have chosen you, my shipmates,' y
said Ralph, in conclusion, not because
YOU are braver and more reliable than
the rest Of the crew, but 1 wanted, or
rather Fox wants, only fifty men, so as
we have all been friends since boyhood,
you will understand me when the time
for action comes as others might not. "
The men would have broken into a
cheer had not Ralph checked them In
time.
Believing that Fox would not permit
the sailors from the Sea Hawk to use
arms, or that he might try to lock them up
when the fight came, he made each
man conceal two pistols and long dirk
on his person. A rallying cry was
agreed on in the event Of a fight at
night, and the conduct that should gov
ern each man; also the name Captain
Denham was to 60 by, and the fact that
.they were 10 take no more notice OF him
than of their other companions till the
time came.
The arrangements were not perfected
when day broke. Soon after Mr.. FIRE.
nauld came on board with letter from
Captain Fox to Lieutenant Hedges, ask
ing if the men required would be sent
on board.
"Our men are volunteers" said Mr..
Hedges, "and I have not the power to
send them to another ship without their
own consent But last night l ex-
planned to themlthat there was chance.
II they went with the Wanderer for
week, to have brush with that traitor
and dog, Kidd; SO fifty Of the lads are
ready"
~Ah, that is good news. If we don't
show them Kidd," lsughed Frenauld,
~then that fellow will be harder to catch
than the Flying Dutchman. We have
fifty or sixty men on the sick list whom
we shall leave with you for few days.
They are not much under the weather,
but I fear they have been indulging too
much on shore. suppose you are all
anxious to have Captain Denham back. !"
Honest George Hedges could not re-
ply to this with straight face, so VAL
entine answered.:
"Ob, yes. But we can get along
without him for while"
Within two hours the boats Of both
ships made their transfers, and Ralph
Denham and his gallant boys were on
the Wanderer.
The sixty bearded rufflans who came
on board the Sea Hawk did not look like
men that ever had been sick, but they
had part to play, and it can be said.
whether TO their credit or not, that they
played it exactly as Capt. Fox wished.