The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-03-31
M Shssfs Cjotb biD,e.

ACu, piNAtSihS 'i1o NoJ Aph tAO A11OA
row.
DR.. Hedges saw that the ship was
brought about, but the wind and tide
were against her, and a continuation Of
the attempt to get back into the harbor
must have resulted in sending the Wan
derer ashore.
Il fear" said Capt. Fox, coming back
with an expression OF sorrow on his
face, we are in for it; we can't get
back tonight
But what are we to do?" asked DR..
Hedges, now thoroughly alarmed.
Shall anchor under the lee OF Gard
ner's Island, and bright and early to-
morrow morning shall see that you all
get home. I assure you, my friends, /
deplore this very much, very much, in.
deed. But there is an abundance Of
cabin room for all; and we shall have
supper, and then sleep till daylight.
Now, 20 to the cabin, or, If you would
prefer, remain here till we come to
anchor"
The people one and all preferred to
stay on deck. There was not the shadow
Of suspicion against their gallant host;
nevertheless there Is sense of personal
qualification in seeing with ones own
eyes that a desired thing is properly
done.
Sail was shortened at once; this was
a cheerful sign, and man amidshtps
shouted the soundings as he heaved the
lead.
1t was not yet quite dark when the
Wanderer brought up under the 30 nth
eastern point OF Gardner's Island. She
came around with her head to the wind
like a creature Of reason, the anchors
were let 90 and the sailors clambered
aloft to furl sail.
All this was very satisfactory, under
very unsatisfactory circumstances. to
Dr. hedges. He was something Of
philosopher, and he wished to be
thought decided one; go assuming q
half-rollicking manner he joked with
his daughter and the other young peo-
pie about their mishap, and tried to add
to the humor Of the situation by asking
the young ladies how they would feel il
Captain Kidd was to come along in the
night and capture them all.
Captain Fox, who overhead this re-
mark, replied laughingly:
IF Kidd succeeded, he would find
more precious cargo than ever fell to
the lot of pirate before. But if Miss
Hedges and her companions fear that
and the whole crew Of the Wanderer
cannot protect them for one night,
they should remember that we have on
board fifty gallant men from Ralph
Denhams ship, the Sea Hawk. Surely
they will trust to them II it comes to q
struggle"
we are not at all afraid, Captain"
said Doctor Hedges. who noticed the
meaning glances which his daughter
and Ellen Condit exchanged.
Excepting Lea and Ellen, who alone
knew the character Of their host, and
hence the great danger that menaced
them, the visitors showed q laudable
desire to make the best Of bad bar.
gain, and Captain Fox successfully en-
couraged this spirit.
A sumptuous supper was served, and
after it was over musical instruments
were brought out, with cards and all
the games then in vogue. Between his
efforts to entertain his guests, Fox
would hurry on deck to con suit with
Frenauld.
We'll, Frenauld, how about the Sea
Hawks men?"
Not the slightest trouble, Captain.
Where are they?"
"On the lower deck"
ANY grumbling?"
None, sir. I've sent them supper
and their hammocks, telling them not
TO come on deck till morning. as no
duty would be required of them"
Did they say anything?"
Nothing. Oh, there will be no trou-
bic with them! Outside of sailing mat
ters, they are as innocent as children.
"Of course they are. Did you let them
have lights?"
Yes; they wanted to play cards, and
1 could see no objection. "
"Of course not. Poor devils, if they
can find any pleasure in their situa-
ton let them do so. By the way,
Frenauld."
Yes, Captain"
"We must land our guests bright and
early; and, let me see-I will have use
for the boats all night.
Going ashore2'
Yes; We carry too much treasure, and
we might as we'll guard against contin-
gencies by concealing some Of it on this
island. The men will be willing. and
they must help. They will think am
interested IN therl. and it will encour-
age them. You will see me again after
my visitors are slowed away for the
night.
Very we'll, sir"
Frenauld wen: about his business and
Fox went down to the cabin. Aided by
Don, he showed the people their state
rooms, all little gems OF places; and so
we'll wes the Wanderer provided in this
respect that he could have accommo-
dated without crowding as many more.
The Inost anxious man on board the
Wanderer that night was Captain Ralph
Denham. Ordinarily, his position
would net have been an enviable one;
the coming of Lea and Ellen added an
additional load to the great RESPONSE
bility he had assumed.
The men from the Sea Hawk were in
structed TO offer no objections to any
order that might he given, but to follow
their Captains example without at
tracting too much attention to him by
their acts.
When ordered to 60 to the lower deck,
Captain Denham knew exactly what it
meant, though he did not expect that
Fox would aim to render them power
less so soon, and then the position pre-
vented any observation Of the pirates
action, which it was at this time neces-
sary to know.
The lower deck on which they found
themselves had hooks for hammocks,
showing that it had been designed or
used by sailors as sleeping place.
The place was limited, very close,