The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-08-22
CHAPTER vi.
CONTINUED.

non came to the ladies and said: you
had better 60 below for a while, we
shall need all the deck-room to work
the sails" there was more in his man
ner than his wife and daughter
noticed.
Mrs. Vernon objected to being con-
fined again in the stuffy, little cabin
lust when she was beginning to enjoy
the sweet fragrance of the open air;
but Fairfax assisted her and Pauline
10 descend and then returned to the
deck.
I wanted to avoid scene," said
Mr. Vernon, "and I don't like the
appearance of the fellow yonder,"
pointing at the sail. ''1t's no use for
rs to try to run away; you see that at At
n glance. Of course she many be all
right; but don't like her looks nor
the place she is coming from. At any
rate, we've got to take our chance"
"Do you mean to say that you sus-
pect her of being pirates"
..It is safe to suspect everything that
comes out of Pearl River of being IN
some way connected with wrongdoing;
but still, this may be the exception: "
ssWe'd better get ready to fight
then" said Fairfax. "Have you no
arms on board?" At the same time
his ewes sought the little swivel that
stood nearly amidship. Ills that gun
in condition."
Mr.. Vernon could not help laugh
ing in his beard at the young mans
prompt combativeness and his admir-.
able GOODNESS, and he felt a pang OF
regret when he had to say frankly
that 1t would be sheer desperation to
attempt resistance, should the schooner
prove to be the Pearl-Riyer pirates
bent upon their capture.
They are carrying at least three
guns" he added, "and I counted ten
men of her crew; besides, they could
sail right up to to US and board u.s."
A cloud passed over the young
mans face, and sudden realization
of what might be at hand went down
like a leaden load upon his heart.
The first thought was what would be-
fall Pauline. He stood for few mo-
ments like one who had received an
almost stunning blow. Mr.. Vernon
watched him narrowly and was in
wardly delighted when presently he
shook off his weakness and exclaimed
"But what are we to do? Are we
to let them take US, if they wish,
without our making any resistance?
For my part, sir, do not consent to
any such thing. We can but add a
very little fury to their manner OF
dealing with US by fighting them like
men. Earnestly, sir, insist on meet
ing this matter bravely.
$50 do T." said Mr.. Vernon, "but
the question is: What course would,
in reality, be true bravery? I have
no shot on board for the swivel, and
what could you and I do against a
schooner's crew."
"You have done very wrong" said
Fairfax, almost hotly, "to bring your
family into this situation. 1t was a
great oversight not to prepare for
such an emergency"
Mr.. Vernon eyed his young friend,
but made no direct reply to his hasty
words. He saw that he could depend
upon him in desperate need, and this
was the most and the best that he
could ask just then.
There will probably be light fog
at nightfall; if we can give them the
slip till then we may be able to get
away; it is our only chance, provided
they are enemies. They have long
run 70 make yet before they get into
the lake, meantime, if we can pass
the point yonder and find the mouth
of the Rigolets and tho fog at the
same time, we may escape"
1t was a we'll laid plan; but the
wind was refractory, shifting and grow
ing more unreliable every moment.
Fairfax could not understand Mr..
Vernon's apparent Indifference; it
was so opposed to what his own ma
ture prompted under such stress
that it exasperated him, while, at the
same time, he felt his own inability
to suggest anything feasible.
Meantime their little craft had been
set as close to the wind as she could
run, and was making fair speed in a
northwesterly course toward marsh
point which, in those days, had a
hummock clothed with low, spreading
live oaks. The fog was already be-
ginning to fill the atmosphere with a
thin, gray twilight effect, and the dis
tant schooner's sails we're softening
into dimness; but the breeze slack
ened until it could be scarcely felt;
moreover, as they kept behind the
point, even this breath was shut off,
and suddenly it was dead calm.
Mr., Vernon ordered his men to east
anchor, and then lighting his pipe,
he went up to Fairfax, who was
tramping back and forth, chafng
helplessly.
'They can't reach us till morning,
ut all events" he said; cit will be all
that they can do to get out OF the
river"
"And SO all that we can hope for Is
10 lie here and wait" Fairfax NUT
tered, "aud be done for in the morn
ing. 1t seems to me q tame way for
men who pretend to have any courage
to choose. Surely, there is some-''
young man," Mr.. Vernon's voice
was very even and low, as he inter
rupted, but it had certain savage
timbre-'young man, you are on my
vessel; it is your duty to obey my or
ders; you are going to obey them. If