The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-02-23
hiint.

| In obedience to the Colonel request,
a search of the ship was made for
Othello, but he failed to reveal himself.
One of the most active of the searchers,
and the only one who could have thrown
any light on the matter. was the shrewd
Scotch boy, Don; and he did not think
it to his interest to tell that he had seen
Othello vanishing through an open port
the night before, and swimming in the
direction Of the Sea Hawk.
Depend upon it, that old bag, Dinah,
has seduced the boy off, said Fox.
And my advice to you is to go ashore
and invoke the assistance of Uncas.
The old woman has been adopted by
his people. and the boy Is with her.
Strange that the woman should live so
long and never seem to grow older"
Graham said he thought she was a
devil, il ever one appeared in human
form. Yet" he added. "it is strange.
knowing us as she does, that she did
not tell the people. Supposing she were
to say that your naT was not Fox, but
William Kidd"
"Why," laughed Fox, "the people
would say she was insane. But II she
had told them before Ralph Denham' s
death the story of his fathers murder
and the fact that he was Lord Paliton
by right Of birth, why, then the people
would begin to investigate, and, egad,
they might find it to be true; Ell, Col
onel?"
Col. Graham made no response, but
the glitter of his cold Cry eyes told
how Fox's words maddened him.
To get out OF this mans hated COM
pany, as we'll as to institute a search
| fO.h M M MT
ashore before breakfast. Immediately
after the men arrived from the Sea
Hawk
He would not have descended to the
boat so steadily had he known that one
Of the men on whose shoulder he laid
his hand to steady himself was Ralph
Denham, whom he believed to be dead.
AS soon as Graham left, Captain Fox
and Guy Frenauld went down to the
cabin, where they found Don in attend
ance, looking as docile and innocent as
Ii never a thought of revolt had entered
his mind.
| go out, Don, and see about break
fast, Mr.. Frenauld and I wish to be
Alone" said Fox, and the lad bowed
low and retired.
"Egad, Frenauld," said Fox, striking
the table, we are in luck. If the powers
| In New York don't visit me inside Of
twenty -four hours with strong fleet
and I know they haven't got one-Pn
sail within the week with my two ships
right into the harbor, and unfurl my
Gag before their eyes, to show l set
them at defiance.
But will that pay?" asked Frenauld,
alarmed at the Captains proposal.
-Payi Confound 1t, man, the true
sailor doesn't think all the time of prize
money; he must give some thought to
glory.
Then you feel that we are~sure of
the Sea Hawk.
AS sure, Frenauld, as that you are
sitting there. Why. sir, the ship Is at
this moment virtually in our possession.
Our fellows will do their work when
they see my signal. Hedges cannot
have more than eighty men left on the
| Sea Hawk, and suspecting nothing,
they will be wholly unprepared for our
| onset"
1T is certainly a splendid scheme.
and cannot see why success shout l
not crown it, said Frenauld.
Success will crown it, sir. Never
teel half-hearted or in doubt about o
matter in which you: are interested.
Your own confidence inspires success,
and men who enter battle determined
to win always succeed If they are we'll
led.
You are quite right there, Captain.
And now as to the plans?"
1T will hardly do, Frenauld, for US
to put the Sea Hawks men we have on
board between the decks till we get out
Of sight of the town. When the fellows
see that their choice lies between
walking plank and taking service with
me, they will swear allegiance to the
black flag; but for that 1 care nothing
one way. or the other.
These fellows are brave, but they
are Puritans, and so will not make con-
tented freebooters. Cad, Hedges! he is
gallant sailor, but it is inevitable.
Well, as to our movements-we get I'M
der way when the tide is on the turn,
and 90 down with the ebb."
| THAT will be at half past s."
| About that.
And as to this reception?"
1T comes off, Frenauld. Don't you
understand it2"
Il must confess l cannot see what
on board, unless you land them here,
|
ITO land part and hold the rest would
be to alarm this and all the adjoining
settlements, with their swarms of ca
noes and boats, and also to place In
doubt our success with the Sea Hawk.
We must take all hands and land the
party. except Miss Hedges and Miss
Condit, at the eastern end of Gardeners
Island. A bold scheme, but you do as
you are told, and leave the rest to me.
Captain Fox rang bell, and Don
came In at once with the breakfast.
This over, the officers went on deck,
and the arrivals from the Sea Hawk
were set to work preparing the Wan
derer for the cruise she was to legin
that day.
1t was still early in the morning when
Captain Fox went ashore. Nearly thu
first man he met was DR.. Hedges, who
told him that the people were very much
ldivided as to the propriety OF arrestng
the post-rider the night before, and that
he. DIR. He lges, thought it would be
wise to let the man go.
Il did not arrest him without orders,
land cannot release him without break
ling them. The man is well cared for,
but he is criminal, and he will hang
as soon as get him to New York" said
J. Fox.
Ell dat man don't die till den, eel
lib forever, croaked voice directly
behind Fox, that made him Jump and