The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-10
CHAPTER XIX.

SuaiNCN.
CHAPTER XIX.
RUHoRs FROM THE aovERSoR's OFFICE
With the morning sun behind her, the
Wanderer came sailing proudly up the
bay, where the Sea Hawk lay at anchor
and the Indians to the east and the
dwellers in the cozy town Of Sag Harbol
watched her progress with much in.
terest, though with a different feel.
ing from that with which they greeted
her arrival when she first appeared in
company with Captain Denham's ship.
Valentine Dayton was on shore talk.
ing to his cousin Lea and his betrothed
when the report reached him that Cap.
tain Fox's ship was coming up the bay.
AS a good officer, who felt implicit
obedience to superiors was the first
requisite in sailors character, Valen-
tine was quite willing to do whatever
Captain Fox ordered; but it must be
confessed that, at heart, he felt the
prospective duty to be anything but
pleasant, and, without being able to
account for the feeling, he silently
blamed Ralph Denham for permitting
any other man to assume even tenn
pOldlJ COuIudA0 VI IuC SCd hoWns
The sailors growled about this change
among themselves, and the older ones
shook their heads ominously.
The good people Of the town, being
untrammeled by naval rules, and en-
tirely ignorant of the training that
gives blind obedience to superior OFF,
GERS, did not hesitate to give forcible
expression to their feelings.
The Sea Hawk, if not altogether the
property of tie dwellers in Sag Harbor,
at least was owned by the province OF
New York. Her home was in these
waters. Because she volunteered to
aid the motherland, that did not make
her queens ship.
If one Of the provincial officers was
TO take command, said Squire Condit,
who on all occasions was the oracle OF
the place, why we'd submit, and say
that was all right, 80 long as Ralph
Denham was doing more good at head
quarters, where he is now advising with
the Governor, and no man can do it
better. But for stranger to come in,
and be able to order our Sag Harl or
boys about, and say to Lieut.. Hedges,
Come and he'll have to come, or GO,
and he'll have to go, I must confess it
rubs against the grain"
And it goes against all our grains,
Squire" said sturdy old farmer in the
crowd gathered about Squire Condit.
And if 80 be that George Hedges he
don't sant to obey, and this man Fox,
who's a stranger, wants to make him,
why, guess there's plenty Of men in
Suffolk that knows how to handle
matchlocks or fiintlocks either, and
we'll drive this fellow off bag and bag
gage in no time, if need be-"
This bold expression met with general
approval, but, as a man of law, Squire
Condit pretended to frown down what
ne at heart indorsed.
It'll all come out right when Ralph
Denham comes back. Keep cool, neigh
bors, and depend on that, he said, as
he turned away to avoid saying any
thing imprudent.
Valentine Dayton was going to take
Lea and Ellen on board the Sea Hawk
to spend the morning; but the unex-
pected appearance Of the Wanderer
caused them to change their plans.
II am sorry to disappoint myself and
you," said Valentine to the young
ladies', 4but as soon as the Wanderer
comes to anchor, Lieutenant Hedges
will want 10 90 on board to report to
Captain Fox for orders. We do not
known what those orders may be; but it
Is best that he should find the Sea Hawk
in good shape"
But, surely. Valentine. said Ellen,
her pretty face pale with anxiety, Cap
tain Fox will not order your ship away
at once?"
Hardly. Us the Sea Hawk needs some
more repairing; but if the necessities Of
the service demand it, we may have
to leave just as we are, replied Falen-
tine.
The young officer was about to step
into the boat that had come for him,
when Lea drew him to one side and
sail:
Are you quite sure. Cousin Valen-
tine, that il will be right to obey this
MANI"
DO you mean, Lea, il it will be right
to obey Captain Fox?"
She answered that that was what she
meant.
1T would be treason to disobey him.
and there ia not man on the Sea Hawk
who could be guilty Of that crime. Cap.
tain Denham has himself written that
Mr.. Hedges is to report to Captain Fox
for orders, and it would be disloyalty 10
Ralph, as man-to Ralph, who, him
self, could he disloyal TO no one-if we
did not implicitly obey"
You must be right, Cousin Val; but
something tells me, it is something for
which can't give reason to myself.
that all is not right, but that a great
wrong has been done to Ralph Denham,
said Lea, her beautiful face showing the
menta anguish she was suffering.
Valentine, believing that her depres-
sion was due to the absence OF he.
lover, and the fact that she had not
heard from him directly since he left,
tried to laugh away her tears; and be-
liev .ng he had succeeded. he kissed the
young ladies', as he had a perfect right
to do. and went on board the Sea
Hawk
He found Lieutenant Hedges in full
uniform, nervously pacing the deck, and
at every turn turning his eyes up aloft.
as if the sails were set, and no had
some doubts about the weather.
On shore, these men addressed each
n her as nIJnola Eeorua and "Nal my