The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-08-01
CONTINUED.

atrocIous method OF procedure, IN
volying the last degree of cruelty
short of murder, provided that such
cruelty should become necessary in
order to insure success in the enter
prise.
The cavaliers put on black cloth
masks as soon as they reached the
bluff overlooking the bay. 1t was
not usual for them to wear disguise;
but this was an extraordinary exploit;
it called for every precaution. In
deed, a piece of treachery scarcely
ever before heard of, even among rob-
bers, was in this act now to be done
BY the King of Honey Island. No
one of the riders knew of this peculiar
phase of the matter, however, save
the king himself.
There was no hesitation, therefore,
and not twinge of what desperate
might call conscience. The plan was
carried out with promptness, pre-
cision and success.
Before Vasseur was fairly awake,
he was bound hand and foot, and lay
on the floor absolutely helpless, gaz-
ing wildly at his assailants.
Fairfax, too, was surprised in his
bed. He made vigorous resistance:
but it was Of no use. Four men, each
as strong or stronger than he, cast
themselves upon him and quickly
overpowered him, binding his arms
and legs with brutal disregard for
the torture inflicted, and thrusting a
gag between his teeth.
II know you! I know your
screamed Vasseur, before his mouth
was stopped. 81 know you, Pierre
Rameau. You might just as we'll
take off that mask; it does not dis
guise you in the least. Ah, you
treacherous, soulless, perjured vii
lain!"
The gag went in before lie could
say more; but he lay on his back and
cursed with his eyes.
Three of the cavaliers were now
sent out to keep watch. Some of the
servants had been aroused, but they
were easily quieted; word and the
6lSuO VI u suu VI SuoCl LII Viz AaAu
OF tall masked man sent them shiv-
ering and speecnless into their cabins.
The work which the riders had
come to do was accomplished in a
very short space of time. Vasseur's
money and his treasure of precious
stones were soon found and taken;
but when the chief had examined the
latter he turned to Vasseur and said
'tThe cross is not here. Where is
it?"
The man, being gagged, of course
there was no answer; but the curses
were still flashing out of his eyes,
while his small, compact frame shook
with a passion that no cords could
bind.
After gazing through his mask for
q moment at the grimacing counte-
nance of his victim, the chief of the
riders stopped and began to search
the fellows clothes. Vasseur strained
desperately trying to break the cords
that bound him, his fury fairly blaz-
ing from his dark face. Very de-
liberately the robber continued his
quest till with little start of salts
faction he laid hands on the worn
leather case containing the amethyst
cross.
At this moment Vasseur spit out
the gag with great breath which sent
it across the room.
"Pierre Rameau, You dastardr" he
screamed in French. You faithless
and honorless hound! I'll kill you
for this--I'll track you-dog you
follow you forever, or kill you"
The robber deliberately set his foot
npon the helpless mans mouth and
thus stopped his speech.
"Fetch here that gsg," he said to
one OF his followers; but when he re-
moved his foot and before the gag
could be used. Vasseur managed to
ehriek:
Il will inform on you-I will lead
government troops against you-I'll
have vengeance-I'll-'
Go out and mount; I'll come i'm
mediately," said the chief to his men.
Nv ASGuJ W IloC
He drew pistol and leveled it at
Vasseur, but checked himself almost
in the act Of firing.
The four cavaliers were mounted,
one Of them holding the chiefs horse;
they waited impatiently in the rather
chill morning breeze, and saw that O
faint touch OF dawn was whitening the
skyline of the day.
When at last the chief came forth,
he walked rapidly, and, mounting as
if in q mighty hurry, spoke tie one
word: "Come!' aai galloped away.
None Oh tie cavaliers looked be-
hind; but ii one had, he might have
seen flicker of fire through the small
window-holes of Vasseur's house, and
little later, the place was all afame
Doubtless. the chief, who was aware
that both Vasseur and Fairfax had,
by tue accidental slipping aside ofhls
mask, seen his face, was desirous Of
thus putting an end to them and t.
the possibility of any trouble from
them thereafter. Certainly, there
was no otaer reasonable explanation
OF his sudden change from the ex-
press purpose to leave Vasseur un-
harmed. At all events, no act of that
desperate mans life was more rep
resentetive of his absolute heart
lessness o. of his rromptuess in do
ing whatever seemed to him safest,
without regard in the least to any
thing save his own personal success.