Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-11-03
A GfffRlfh ffRfh OF GsRf&ff RIFT
Copyright, 1900, by r. F. Fenno & Co.
CHAPTER z.
CAPTAIN WOOD RESUMES.

CHAPTER z.
CAPTAIN WOOD RESUMES.
After an interminable drive, still
bound and gagged. at last found my,
self on q narrow bed. probably cabin
berth. The motion. the noises. the
odors around, soon satisfied me that
I was on shipboard and at sea-
must have been in a state Of semi
stupor. the result Of Ill usage and want
Of food, for l only reused myself with
difficulty on bearing my name called
aloud. I realized then that my bonds
had been cast loose: there was No gag
In my mouth: was so far free that
could use my limbs and speak If /
choose. was ir a small cabin. only
dimly lighted through the closed port;
but 1t was still daylight. and from the
wash against the side knew that the
craft. whatever it might be. was in
the open sea.
Three men were In the small cabin,
crowding up and filling It completely.
Two stood over me, one Of whom
recognized as Lawford. the American.
and when saw his face realized how
deep laid was the plot against me. Be
hind was q third. coffee colored
negro, who took no part in the pro-
ceedings. except to show his white
teeth In truculent grin from time to
time when reference was made to him.
The spokesman was tall. thin. Ian
tern jawed man. with goatee beard
and big slouch hat His accent was
strongly corroborative Of the land he
hailed from
you'll be mad with us. guess, Mr..
Wood. for this rough handling" he
began. slowly revolving an unlighted
cigar between his lips; "but we've got
our reasons. and they're good-to Us,
anyhow. may first observe that you
are in our power. and that we can do
what we like with you.'
"Pshaw! The first ship passing, liner
or man-of-war, will set me free"
cried contemptuously.
"That's so, If you could commu-
nicate; but we shall prevent that. l
reckon. by keeping you below. unless
you swear to do no such thing"
"What do you want Of me? Money,
suppose? Wel-I'n pay anything in
reason"
"Now you're talking. That's the
caper; only take 1t we shall pretty
well help ourselves. The scheme. as
we've figured it, and don't mind tell
ing you. is to keep you-risht, here, In
this same hooker At sea-while the
rest of US dip down into your dollars.
We've better right than you to your
misgotten fortune"
Nonsense. What can you do with
out my signature"
"We've got it. young squire. or .
nrst class imitation of It. That was
managed long ago."
There will be heavy reckoning for
you all-all, Lawford. you under
standT
The poor wretch looked down, but
said nothing. "Guess we can take
care of ourselves: anyway, that's our
business. Yours is to consider wheth-
er you want to be kept close prisoner
down here. 1t will be mighty unpleas.
ant in few weeks time, I calculate.
Mayhap you'll think better Of it, Mr..
Wood. tomorrow or next day. Mean
while your comfort will not be for
gotten. Lysander here is an excellent
valet. You will prepare a bath for
Mr.. Wood
''Yes, Colonel McQuahe," replied the
mulatto.
"Get him some clean clothes"-
eyes, Colonel McQuahe."
"And Jest wait on him closely, pune
tually, dye see? Never let him out Of
your sight unless he is here in this
cabin under close lock and key"
Eyes, Colonel McQuahe."
I found to my surprise portman-
teau. one Of my own, with shirt linen