The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-01-27
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| ALL N6l W bOuC, ooiu VA, "AS< 1S
entered the cabin.
The cabin boy, with that alacrity that
distinguished every one subject to this
| mans orders, was about to start Oh,
when the last word was uttered. but
! he was halted by gesture from his
! master.
See here. Don"
4; Yes, sir.
Has the storm disturbed him." Fox
! jerked his thumb in the direction OF the
cabin, where Ralph was sleeping.
Not much, sir, repliedn&p:
| Has it disturbed him at G%
I cant say, sir. only know that he
has muttered in his sleep.
You couldn't make out what he
said?"
He said once. Its a long. long
voyage, and then called Lea.
The longest voyage he ever started
| on-a voyage from which never craft
! returned that ever set out. But away,
and get me the brandy"
Don hurried off. and Fox, lighting a
candle, went into the room where Cap
tain Ralph Denham was lying, as he had
been lying for five days, wholly OBJ
livious to the world.
| Fox bent over and pressed his ear to
the broad, slow-heaving chest.
Strong as lion. Cad, 1t seems a
bit Of pity that such fine fellow can
only serve my purpose in this way. II
he were in league with our ships and
crews, we wouldIbe monarchs OF every
ocean on which the sun shines. We
could own rich argosies, and make
treaties with kings. But the Palitons
were ever either angels or devils, and
this man is not devil.
He came out as he said this and
noiselessly closed the door behind him.
In the meantime Don had come in
with the brandy, and Fox took glass
as another man might take water.
He was in the act Of setting down the
glass, when the officer, whom he ad-
| dressed on deck, came down, with his
hat in his hand.
Take some brandy, Folsom. Has
the rain ceased2"
Il think so, sir" said Folsom. smack
ing his lips, in anticipation OF the
brandy, and proceeding to help himself.
rs the light still visible on shore?
Yes, sir.
-Frerauld is there. Signal him that
I will be ashore in short time. Get
the boat ready, but do not lower 1t. l
am going to land my sick friend, said
the Captain.
Il understand, sir"
Select good, cool men, and when all
is ready let me know.
Aye, aye, Sir.
Folsom, a heavy. dark-faced man, had
his foot on the first step Of the compan-
ion-way, about to ascend to the deck,
but Fox stopped him.
See the steward. Tell him that Mr..
Frenauld and his three men will be hun
CRY when they come On board tonight.
Put an awning up aft; want to keep
.he rain from the sick man."
Aye, aye, sir.
Seeing that Captain Fox waved his
hand by way Of dismissal, Folsom went
on deck.
The ships lamps were now lit and
the watch was set. The ship swinging
at her anchors, presented a very differ
ent picture from the wild bark plunging
over the mad waves and through the
darkness straight as an arrows flight
TO her goal.
In the cabins and forecastle the officers
and men not on duty were soon eating
their first meal that day, and congratu-
lating each other that they had found
snug port, instead of being, as they had
expected, opposed to the fury Of the
storm that night.
Captain Fox was the only man on
board who did not. carry himself with an
air OF WEAKNESS. He was the embodi-
ment OF force and vitality, and could
not feel tired so long as he could stand.
Now, Don, he said. after the latter
had brought in some articles in leather
bag, which Fox was to take with him.
make up your own kit.
Are We going to remain ashore, sir?"
asked the boy, in surprise.
Ask no questions" replied Fox,
sternly; but do as you are TOLD
From an adjoining room the captain
took out great many small boxes, COW
cred with oilcloth, and piled them on
the table. They would make in all sew
eral hundred pounds, and represented
the gems plundered from lndiamen dur
ing his piratical depredations.
These parcels were worth in value the
rest Of the ship and cargo. and were set
aside in the division as the property Of
himself and Frenauld.
There remained still kegs Of milled
dollars from the Spanish Main, and in
Gots by the hundreds from the galleons
of Acapulco, and stamped gold bars
that would have doubled in themselves
the fortune of the richest prince in
Christendom.
In addition, there was a rich freight
of plate and pictures, Of costly silks
and laces of fabulous prices, with trop-
ical spices and vines of greater value
than ever foated in one ship before.
Suits Of antique armor plundered by
!! the Portuguese from Hindoo rajahs, and
intended for the decoration OF the pal
ace of their king; articles OF rare work
manship, secured for song in the then
unknown marts OF China and Japan;
idols from the South seas, and the plum
der Of Malay iunks, all filled the hold of
the cruiser Wanderer, but were as moth
ing in value to the boxes of rare gems
covered up by those oilcloths.
One of these boxes, after some
searching, Captain Fox placed in the
; bag containing the clothing he was going
10 take ashore.
He strapped On belt that must have
been very heavy. for it was literally
Tiled with small pistols of exquisite
workmanship, but heavy caliber.
This done, he went on deck, gave ad-
! ational orders to the men who were
going to row him ashore, then called
six men by name, aud led them into the
cabin.
These six men entered the room where
Ralph Denham was lying, their sleeves
! pulled up as men sometimes think il
/ IL