The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1903-09-02

board. The sight OF the dangling rope
awakened n fresh ft of apprehension
OIL the part of the timorous maid, and 1t
vas with great difficulty that the
amused eaman persuaded her hat she
was not TO be hanged outright. Entire
ly unconvinced, but ~resigning herself
TO her fate. She finally sat down OH the
small board and was swung to the
gangway.
The mistress gently laid the head OF
tho PROSTATE officer against one OF the
thwarts, and, leaving the handkerchief
rs a rest for 1t, followed the maid.
Then the old cockswaln secured the
lieutenant to the chair, and when he had
reached the deck, where he opened his
cycs unG recovered consciousness with
incredible promptness. the boat was
dropped astern, the falls hooked on and
she was smnrtiy run up to her place Mt
the davits, aud the Ranger filed away.
O'Ncill was at once assisted below to
his cabin, and his wounds, which were
not serious, were attended to by the
surgeon.
When the young woman Joined her
maid OH the deck her glance compre-
hcnded n curious picture. In front of
her, hat in hand, bowling low before
her. stood Il small, dapper, swnrthy,
black avised, black haired man, in the
blue uniform OF II naval officer. lie
had the face of II scholar and a student,
with The bold, brilliant black eyes of
a fighter. Surrounding him were other
officers and several young boys similar
lN dressed. Scattered about In various
parts of the ship, as their occupation
or station permitted, were q number OF
rude. fierce, desperate looking men,
nondeScrlpt I'm apparel. None Of the
navics of the world ut that date, ex-
ccpt in rare instances, uniformed its
men. On either side of the deck black
guns protrudcd through the ports, and
here and there a marine, carrying n
musket and equipped in uniform OF
white and green, stood or paced q soil
tary watch.
Il bid you welcome to my ship, mad
am. SO fair n face on a war vessel is
as grateful n sight as the sun after n
squall," said the officer, deliberately
bowling.
Sir" said the young woman, trem-
bling slightly, 81 nm Il person of some
consideration at home. My guardian
will chccrfully pay you any ransom if
YOU spare me. l am q woman and
alone. l beg you, sir, to use me kind
~" She claspcd her hands in bcseech-
ing entrcaty, her beautiful eyes filing
with tears.
At this signal the fears OF the maid
broke out %nfrcsli, and she pumped
down on her knees md grasped the
captain around the legs, bawling vo-
~cifcrously and adding n touch Of COM
cdy to the scene:
"Oh, sir, for the love of heaven, sir,
don't make us walk the plnnkw 1t
would seem that the maid had been
reading romanccs.
Thc II near enough to hear and
see grinncd largely at this exhibition.
and the captain, with n deep flush and
Il black frown OH his face, struggled to
release himself.
"Silcncc, womanw he cried hercely
at last. "Gct up from your knees OF,
by heaven, | will have you thrown
overheard, and YOU, madam, for what
do YOU take mcT'
Are YOU not "a pirate, sirY" she
answered, h~csitating. "Thcy told me
OH the ship that YOU
mo pirate am L." interrupted the
man proudly, laying his hand OH his
sword. 81 am mn officer and, with
these gentlemen, am In the service OF
the United States of America, the new
republic. This is the American Cont
Mental ship Ranger. You are MS safe
with us as YOU would he In your own
parior Mt homc-safcr i'm fact. There
YOU would he surrounded by servants;
here are men who would die to prevent
harm coming to you. Is 1T not so, gen,
tlcmcnI"
y deep chorus Of "ayc, ayes rang
through the air. The captain contin-
ucd with sudden heat:
"Forc God, madam, I don't under
stand how you could insult me with All
offer of money!
ooh, sir" said the girl, visibly re-
lievcd, "thcy told me that you were n
pirate and would murder us all. Arc
you not
Captain John Paul Jones, at your
service, madam" interrupted the little
officer, with another bow, thrusting his
hand in his bosom.
Yes" said the young woman "thcy
| oaNt IL Nobi' pc sous WHY, every
news letter in the land describes YOU
nS-ns"-
"Piratc, madam; say 1t. You have not
hcsitatcd to speak the word hereto
fore. \ rcbcl-a traitor-a pirate" he
said, throwing up his head proudly.
"'Tis II penalty which one pays for
fighting for freedom; but you, at least,
shall be able to speak uncQuNocally as
to our character, for | pledge you my
word you shall take no harm from us,
though | doubt not my young gentle
men here will be rakcd fore and aft
by the batteries of your bright eyes.
Now, will you vouclsafc me your name
and some of your story, that l may
know with whom | have to do"
"NIy name is Howard. sir-EliZabcth
Howard" replied the girl, Frightening
rs her fears diminished. 81 am the
ward of ADMIRAL Lord Wcstbrookc, the
governor of Scarborough castle. i
have no father or mother"
".Anotlicr claim upon our considera-
ton, ma'Gm."
Sir. | thank you. I was going to
visit friends in Liverpool when that
unfortunate ship there was wrecked.
Oh, what will become of mo nnWP she
exclaimed. her eyes filling with tears
again.
liverpool lies I'm our way, Mistress