The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-12-24
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That was an easier job than I ex
pected, sir, said dripping officer, com
ing back to where the captain wa
standing.
Tut" replied Fox, the man tina
couldn't do as / have, isn't fit to com
mand Yarmouth bloater smack. Sc
that everything is made snug, and tn,
watch set, then come below. We have
other work before us tonight.
Aye, aye, sir, replied the officer
turning away
Give me a little brandy, Don, for
am wet to the bone" said Fox, when ht
entered the cabin.
The cabin boy, with that alacrity tina;
distinguished every one subject to this
mans orders, was about to start off,
when the last word was uttered, but
he was halted by gesture from his
| master.
See here, Don."
Yes, sir"
| Has the storm disturbed him?" Fox
Jerked his thumb in the direction OF the
cabin, where Ralph was sleeping.
Not much, sir" replied Don.
Has 1t disturbed him at ali?"
l cant say, sir. | only know that he
has muttered in his sleep"
You couldn't make out what he
said?"
He said once, ''tis long, long
voyage, and then called Lea
The longest voyage he ever started
on-a voyage from which never a 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. it seems a
bit of a pity that such fine fellow an
only serve my purpose in this way. If
he were In league with our ships and
crews, we wouidtb 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
noiseiessly 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 adj |
dressed on deck, came down, with his
hat In his hand.
Take some brandy, Folsom. Has
the rain ceased?"
Il think so, sir" said Folsom, smack
ng his lips, in anticipation Of the
brandy, and proceeding to help himself.
is the light still visible on shore2"
Yes, sir"
~Frenauld is there. Signal him that
will be ashore in a short time. Get
he boat ready, but do not lower it. 1
IN going to land my sick friend" said
he Captain.
Il understand, sir"
Select good, cool men, and when all
8 ready let me know"
Aye, aye, SIR"
Folsom, heavy, dark-faced man, had
is foot on the first step of the compan-
)n-way, about to ascend to the deck.
ut Fox stopped him.
See the steward. Tell him that Mr..
renauld and his three men will be hum
ry when they come on board tonight.
ut an awning up aft; 1 want to keep |
ne rain from the sick man..
Aye, aye, sir.
Seeing that Captain Fox waved his
and by way of dismissal, Folsom went
q deck.
The ships lamps were now lit and
le watch was set. The ship swinging
her anchors, presented very differ
ut picture from the wild bark plunging
Yer the. mad waves and through the
straight as an arrows flight
her goal.
In the cabins and forecastle the officers
I'd men not on duty were soon eating
lefr first meal that day, and congratu-
ting each other that they had found
lug port, instead of being, as they had
ipected, opposed to the fury Of the
orm that night.
Captain Fox was the only man on
'ard who did not carry himself with an :
r OF WEAKNESS. He was the embodi- 9
ent of force and vitality, and could q
IT feel tired SO long as he could stand. p
Now, Don, he said, after the latter
ID brought in some articles in a leather
g, which Fox was to take with him,
nake up your own kit.
: Are we going to remain ashore, sir?" d
ked the boy, in surprise.
Ask no questions" replied Fox,
emily; but do as you are told" tx
From an adjoining room the captain
DIX out great many small boxes, COW !
I'd with oilcloth, and piled them on
3 table. They would make In all sew z
II hundred pounds, and represented
3 gems plundered from Indiamen DUR
! his piratica depredations. :,
These parcels were worth in value the =
It OF the ship and cargo. and were set =
de in the division as the property Of u
nself and Frenauld. Il
There remained still kegs OF milled Ia
lars from the Spanish Main, and In. h
,s by the hundreds ft0m the galleons RI
Acapulco, ami stamped gold bars | r.
1t would have doubled In themselves =
} fortune of the richest prince in SC
It.
n addition, there was rich freight st
plate and pictures, OF costly silks | II
4 laces OF fabulous prices, with trop- af
1 spices and vines Of greater value M
n ever fioated in one ship before. :,
suits OF antique armor plundered by :. -
Portuguese from Hindoo rajahs, and 10
ended for the decoration OF the pal oa
OF then king; articles OF rare work. nr
nship. secured for song in the then th
Known marts OF China and Japan;
Is from the South seas, and the plum N,
Of Malay junks, all filed the hold OF q,
cruiser Wanderer, but were as MOTH -
in value to the boxes of rare gems -
cred up by those oilcloths. IN
me OF these boxes, after some rs
rchinR, Captain Fox placed in the lyi
n