The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-02-18
bless and prosper you in this contest
| p 70

|
for right"
| Ralph kissed Mrs. Condit and Ellen,
| and Valentine. by virtue Of his recent
rights did the same, and both went
down to the shore.
They put off in the canoe which the
squire had used, and they had to wait
some time till the boats of the Wander
| er, laden with their last cargo Of fixed
| ammunition, had left the Sea Hawk,
before they could get on board without
attracting attention.
Ralph Denham still retained his dis
| guise, so that Lieutenant Hedges did
| not know him at first, and could not be
convinced that 1t was he, till they had
| entered the cabin and turned up the
lights,
Othello had learned from Don, the
| cabin boy, that there was to be a re-
ception on board the Wanderer the fol-
lowing afternoon at Q o'clock, and that
Doctor Hedges and his daughter were
to be there.
Othello was brought from his hiding
place, in the cabin, to confirm this, and.
on seeing Captain Denham, who had
laid away his disguise to satisfy Mr..
Hedges, his eyes threatened to leap out
of his head.
Though Othello did not look to be
very bright, he was by no means fool;
he had inherited much of the shrewd-
ness and originality that made his
grandmother SO remarkable. He told
o great deal that he had overheard,
much of it of value. And he gave much
information about his master, whose
real name was Lord Paliton, and he
startled Ralph by saying:
my mas'r come from Englan' all de
way har, for to git dis man, ez call him
self Fox, fob to kill you, sab.
But why should Lord Paliton, Of
whom know nothing, wish ne dead?"
Dun know, sab; I've tot bout dat,
en- couldn't jes' see why it was so, on
less he didn't like you" replied Othello,
conscious that his reasoning was in
some way defective.
Othello was taken back to his hiding
place. and Captain Denham and his two
lieutenants began their consultation.
The Captains scheme, proposed at
Squire Condit's, was Endorsed by Mr..
Hedges, with the exception that he did
not at all approve of the Captains 60
ing with the men who were to be sent
to the Wanderer.
Il think, Captain, said Mr.. Hedges,
in his deliberate way, that the place
for you is on the quarterback of your
own ship, and let Mr.. Dayton or myself
CO."
Your argument would be right. Lieu
tenant, if this were an ordinary mat
ter. But you must bear In mind that
Fox and his men think me out of the
way"
Il am aware Of that.
Ito find me in command of my own
ship would force Fox to change his
plans, and the chances are he would get
away, for he dare not risk fight, though
he is the stronger. If he is crippled. he
is gone as surely as II he were sunk.
Our object Is not to avoid this fellow,
but to capture him.
That's ii, Captain, said the officers.
Good. Now If / had fifty OF my fine
fellows on board, and he has four times
that number of his, we are the stronger.
For we can strike when we please, and
we will only please to strike when the
Sea Hawk is into the fight You must
command, Hedges. No man can do 1t
better; and before the week is over, the
Sea Hawk will have added another VIC
tory to her exploits.
Whatever you say, Captain. l was
only thinking of the trials you have
had"
"Ah, Fox invited me on board his
ship last time. and played me scurvy
trick. will go back to the same ship
and show him how Ralph Denham and
his gallant lads'can play him Roland
for his Oliver. Bring the ships list, Mr..
Dayton. and let me look over the
names.
Trn mr. CONrINrrn