Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1900-01-11
CHAPTER XVI.-CoNTNUED.

A lighted lantern hung from a carline, the
remains of a meal were spread on the table,
and there, half reclining in a bunk and with
his head in bandage, was Capt. Scammell
haggard from feper and somewhat the
worse from liquor, while on the transom
end by his side sat my whilom mate, John
LounSury, of Rye, late risen from the dead.
Here, then, were my two arch-enemles;
probably the only living souls whose animos-
ity toward me was both OF a personal and
political nature, saving perhaps that OF
Clinton himself Possibly my gorge would
have risel sooner against Scammell than at
the man by his side, though the latter was
none the less villain, and it seemed as
though fate, having given me friends when
In need, had guided me thither to test my
mettle to extremity.
Giving no thoughts to those in the boat, |
settled myself to hear the opening dialogue
of the two for it Immediately transplred
that Lounsbury had but just arrived.
"My God! ] thought you would never
GOMEZ" were the first words by Scammell.
"What news do you bring|
None to warrant a grin" was the an
swer Il can give ye no end o advice,
though, an 'tis to get from this an have it
out vi Clinton while there's yet chance y
Damn your advice! What's your news?''
"Well Belden goes scot free, an is back
in favor an on the Sprite. He lays the
fault O. palming off that devil Thorndyke to
We. He says We called Thorndyke by my
name in the tavern yard, and that he Is in
nocent of all fraud"
Curse the stunted coward! And is not
Thorndyke caught? or-or-the girl or hei
brother"
''Nay, but peg worse. Thorndyle has
Drained Lowney, whom. ye must know, anC
then escaped, God knows how, being mixeC
up with Quaker at Stryker's tavern on the
road Stryker was arrested, but afterward
let go, for he was not thoughA to have had a
finger in the pie. AS for the boy an girl
naught has been seen O them-not smel
and there ye have all l know. They say
the girl is in the woods to the north, bu
she may ha' gone to Heaven by this!"
"What? what" said Scammell, starting
up, but sinking back with curse as h'
placed his hand on his bandaged head. III
the woods! Known to be there and not
taken Are We al! cursed babies on thu
trail? Fore God, you are right! | was {
fool to fly at a shadow! III back to Gin
ton and plead fever 20 explain my absence
IN back with You this night. The first tale
told is the best! Is it not known who's
name she mentioned to Clinton:"
"Nay, man, she gave no name that | car
find. Clinton but suspicioned ye. Go tt
him, an yer not a fool, while | bide herr
the while. What made ye pick this spot Il
hide n?" he continued, careessly passin;
his hand over the smooth woodwork of th
bulkhead.
Because twas right beneath their noses
and the guard was in my pay. In faith
Lounsbury," he went on, with something
like relief in the easing away of his body anC
the long breath he took while he laid HI
hand on the brace of pistols sticking in hi
belt, "there was another reason, one will
money
"Ah what?" interrupted the other, sud
denly withdrawing his wandering hand anC
bending eagerly forward.
Gay, the reward, you know; I'm nigl
done up for cash. That and revenge, for
mind you, thought that Thorndyke nigh
take it into his head to come aboard his owl
ship, thinking, like me, it was the leas
likely place to be searched His paper CAV
ne the idea. | hoped to lie by here unit
the trouble blew over, or roll in the glor
of taking the hound if he came. He is equa
10 attempting a surprise, but | was read
for him. The guard is none too bright; ha
you not better step up and take a loo
about?" And with this he patted tn
cleaning pistol stocks and looked towar'
the companion way.
There will be no g 4 to meet him thi
night" answered Louh ry with laugl
which also betokened re. 81 let him g
till sunrise, and his musket lies fog-soake
on the deck, the ass! Ye have the vapor:
We be safe enough. The fog lies like fleece
but-but-"
But what, you fool?" was the irritabl
rejonder.
II meant twas new thought, that c
the chance O. his coming. Ne'er mipd. G
We ashore with the gn=rd when ne gets bach