The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-03-08
CHAPTER x,

CAPTAIN WOOD RESUMES. 20
After an interminable drive, still
bound and gagged, at last found my
self on narrow bed, probably cabin
berth. The motion, the noises, the
odors around, soon satisfied me that
l was on shipboard and at sea. |
must have been in state Of semi
stupor, the result Of Ill usage and want.
Of food, for only reused myself with
difficulty on hearing my name called
aloud. realized then that my bonds
had been cast loose; there was no gag
l could use my limbs and speak If 1
choose. l was In small cabin, only
dlmly lighted through the closed port;
but it was still daylight, and from the
wash against the side l 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 l
recognized as Lawford, the American,
and when saw his face realized how
deep laid was the plot against me. Be-
hind was 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 a tall, thin, Ian
tern jawed man, with a goatee beard
! and a big SLOUGH hat. His accent was
strongly corroboratlve 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. l 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 Inc free" l
cried contemptu0usly.
"Thats SO, IL you could cOmmu-
nicate; but we shall prevent that,
, reckon, by keeping you below, unless
you swear to do no such thing"
"What do you want of me? Money,
l suppose? Well-Pll 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 1t, and don't mind tell
ing you, is to keep you-right here, In
! this same hooker at sea-whle 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 sgnaturcT
"We've got IT., young squire. or
first class imitation Of 1t. 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
NOWH utIes II VIII De mighty
ant in a few weeks time, calculate.
Mayhap you'll think better Of 1t, Mr..
Wood, tomorrow or next day. Mean
while your comfort will not be for.
gotten. Lysander here is an excellent
valet. You will prepare q bath for
Mr.. Wood
eyes, Colonel McQuahe," replied the
mulatto.
"Get him some clean clothes
Eyes, Colonel McQuahe."
"And Jest wait on him closely, pune.
Sually, dye see? Never let him out Of
your sight unless he is here in this
cabin under close lock and key"
Eyes, Colonel McQuahe."
found to my surprise a portman.
teau, one Of my own, with shirt, linen
and one or two suits of dittoes, had
been put into my cabin. As was still
In evening dress, that which had
worn on the night Of my capture, I
was glad enough to change. Before
threw of my clothes felt In all my
pockets and found my watch and my
purse. Nothing was missing except 4