The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-01-07
CHAPTER XIX.


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
jewellers in the coy town Of Sag Harbor
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 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 1t 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 a tenn
porary command Of the Sea Hawk.
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 b rrnerior OIL.
GERS, did not hesitate t. torcible
expression to their feelings.
The Sea Hawk, II not altogether the
property Of the jewellers in Sag Harbor,
at least was owned By the province OF
New York. Her no ne was in these
waters. Because she volunteered to
aid the motherlan1, that did not make
her a 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 cay
that was all right, so 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 Harbor
boys about, and say to Lieut.. Hedges,
Come and he'll have to come, or Go.
and he'll have to go, l must confess 1t
rubs against the grain"
And it goes against all our grains,
SQUIRE, said sturdy old farmer in the
crowd gathered about Squire Condit.
And IL SO be that George Hedges he
1
who's a stranger, wants to make him,
why, 1 guess there's plenty Of men in
Suffolk that knows how to handle
matchlocks or flintlocks either. and
we'll drive this fellow Of bag and bag.
, gage in no time, IL need be.
This bold expression met with general
approval, but, as man Of law, Squire
Condit pretended to frown down wha'
he 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 TAX
, ga and Ellen on board the Sea Hawl
, | to spend the morning; but the unex
|, pected appearance of the Wandere
caused them to change their plans.
" Il am sorry to disappoint myself AM
: YOU said Valentine to the youni
4 ladies', "but as soon as the Wandere
q comes to anchor, Lieutenant Hedge
h will want 10 go on board to report t
CAPTAIN Fox for orders. We do nc
: known what those orders may be; but
4 Is best that he should find the Sea Haw
In good shape.
aBut, surely. Valentine. said Eller
Z aer pretty face pale with anxiety, Car
: ain Fox will not order your ship ava
r If once?
4 Hardly, as the Sea Hawk needs som
more repairing; but IL the necessities
the service demand it. we may hay
: % leave just as we are, replied Vaier
q line.
= The young officer was about to So
7 INTO the boat that had come for hir
when Lea. drew him to one side an
q said: w.,
i Are you quite sure. Cousin vaiel
q tine. that it win be right to obey tn
II mani-