The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-12-17
CHAPTER XvI-Continued.

CHAPTER XvI-Continued.
Thrasher took In the situation, and,
nnlshing his currant wine, he drew his
leather sleeve across his very large
mouth, and, filnging his saddle bags
over his shoulder, he said:
am going to the inn."
That is all right, my man," said Mr..
Hedges. handing him coin; "I'll see
you again."
will you send back an answer, sir?
Yes; tomorrow all the Captain q
friends will give you letters to hand to
him."
But, sir, must leave tonight"
Tonight" in chorus from the peo-
pie about Thrasher.
Yes; must go to Gardner's Island,
where boat will take me to New York, :"
replied the fellow, with o self-posses-
sion that proved him no novice in this
business.
How long will you remain?" asked
Valentine Dayton.
About two hours"
Very well; we shall try to have the
letters by that time. said Mr. Hedges.
Thrasher bowed humbly and left. He
had but just gone out of hearing when
the Squire, bursting with Impotence,
called out:
Well, George, what is the trouble?"
TROUBLED" repeated Mr. Hedges.
Why, the trouble is that Fox is to be
back in few days, and am to report
to him for orders!"
Report to Fox for orders"
FOX to have ccmmand OF the Sea
Hawk
What does Ralph mean?"
These were few OF the EXPLANATIONS
that brooks from the lips OF the people on
the verandA when Mr.. Hedges uttered
the sentence given above.
Mr.. Hedges ran .he fingers of his left
hand nervously through his frosted hair,
his right hand clutching the letter.
He was debating the propriety of read
ing 1t, and on such an important ques-
ton, for be had the old-time regard for
official etiquette. He could not afford
to come to hasty conclusion.
sit down, sit down, he said at len 9Th:
can't see any harm in letting you all
know now what every one aship and
ashore must know in few hours"
Squire Condit and his wife sat down
on the lieutensnt's right hand, and VAL
entine Dayton and Ellen tust In front of
him.
He was noticeably deliberate In his
speaking. and painfully 30 In his read
ing. He hesitated over some of the
words, and his soundless lips spelt them
to himself before pronouncing them.
This was the letter:
NEW AMSTERDAM INN, BOWLING GREEN
CITY OF NEW YORK AND YE
sTo 1ss Ofacer. " 'A me-
aGcorge Hedges,
aCom'd'g ye Provincial Cruiser,
sSea Hawk,
.6er Ms Service, i
@Of Sag Harbor.
@County OF Suffolk,
along Island.
@STR: The Governor of ye Province of
New York. to whom have made due re-
port OF ye condition and state OF ye pro-
vlncial cruiser, Sea Hawk, hath ordered
and commanded me to remain In attend
ance on his worshioful honor, until such
time or times as ye great council meet to
whom shall make such explanation Of We
condition of piracy In ye Spanish Main as
shall be fitting We occasion.
II therefore command, instruct and Or
der. that you, George Hedges, 1st officer,
com'd'g ye aforesaid cruiser. Sea Hawk,
shall. on We arrival of Captain William
Fox. OF 81. NJ, Ship Wanderer, report 10
him for such instructions as it shall please
him TO give and to be unto him obedfent in
all things retaining to the conduct of We
ship and crew.
ain witness whereof, I have hereunto
affixed my signature, and the seal of We
aforesaid cruiser. Sea Hawk
" have the honor to be,
9Most truly,
aYour h'mole.
sOb'n't servant.
@RALFH DENHAM,
3CaptaN Of We Provincial Cruiser. Sea
GHawk.r
There said Lieutenant Hedges,
that's the letter, Val. What do you |
think OF it?"
Il am very sorry" replied Valentine
Dayton, but, OF course, you can do |
nothing but obey orders"
"Of course" echoed the Lieutenat
u wish that fellow Fox never showed |
his red head in this town, said the |
squire, angrily.
"Oh. he Is not to blame; he must obey |
orders like ourselves. said the bluff old |
MY DEAR" said Mrs. Condit. inclin-
ing her pretty head to her husband, and
turning her mild eyes to the others to
induce them to note what she was about
to say Il do not think that Ralph wrote
that letter."
I'm sorry to say" said the lawyer,
to whom bit of wax with a seal on Ii
was tic UddSO vi low ouu ouoAOAieys |
that there can't be any doubt about it,
STILL" she persisted. Il feel that he
lid not write it. !"
Have you any otherreason than your
,wn Feelings, dear wife?" asked the
squire.
Yes; cannot think that Ralph Den
ham, who. man and boy has known
george Hedges for one and twenty
rcars. would write cold, stid, heart.
ess letter like that,
Nor can / believe that Ralph wrote
T., added Ellen.
Ralph didn't write the letter, said
a entine Dayton. 1t was written by
he Captain OF the Sea Hawk in his off,
,ial capacity. If he had written to
'ncle George. or to me, or to any OF VS.
% Ralph Dsnham, our true old friend.
led put as much heart into his words
ls any man that ever handled Ien.
Yes." explained Mr.. Hedges, who
aw and appreciated the mistake OF the
aides, official communications, even
between father end son, as I've seen
ime and time again in the service. has
III got to be written that way. Why,
hey wouldn't be official il they wasn't
'tin. and cold, and lofty, and all that"
Neither Elien nor her mother attempt
ID comment for, with the exception OF
he Squire, there was not to them a |
,ieatef authority THAI Lieut. George
Hedges In all the country round about.