The Grit-advocate., 1903-09-18

The Earl bowed. Piracy was On
stills this windy morning.
What ring are ye talking Off" says
I Crystal jealously.
Pope pulled it out OF his waistcoat
/ pocket. and said: Give it to his lord
/ shiI when you have examined il.
"'rhis is worth three hundred
guineas," says Crystal. with greed In
his eyes, while his strong jaws chcvcd
like bulls. Pope said nothing and
my lord. receiving the ring from Crys-
| tai. pocketed it.
WHO are your bankers. my Lord
said Pope after short silence.
The Earl. family smiling. answered.
"Child's"
y will at once" continued Pope in
his most affable manner, explain
Captain Crystals and my intentions
toward your lordship and your peo-
pie Such OF your crew as will not
Join us will be transferred to the first
vessel that will take them; but # is
our intention to keep you with us fur
the present. and to part with you only
on condition that you give us draft
for two thousand guineas for yUur
liberty"
"Yon shall have my draft" cried
the poor old gentleman. suddenly los
ing his self.control; but | impIDre
you for Gods sake. not to detain nc
long in this miserable and terrify ns
situation
Sha la Mt homo IA
land we two captains Will trust The
eloquent Earl Fitzsibbon dp to lhe
very hilt as man of the striclest
honor"
The old nobleman bowed his wllte
head with a gesture of dignity mingled
with Indignation and grief This cN-
traordinary conversation then tcrmi-
mated.
When Captain Pope went on deck
he found the breeze moderating, and
after searching the sea with his eve
he ordered the boatswain to make
sail.
Then. standing at the main rigging
and looking at the people in the fore
part. Pope spied the skipper OF the
schooner. The mans left eye Was
black. his face showed signs of his
having been savagely linuckled, and
one arm was slung in piece of rope
round his neck. Pope roared out:
Send the captain and crew OF the
schooner aft
They arrived presently. and made
group close abaft the mainmast. After
a cool and critical survey. during
which he nodded a cigar with both
hands, Pope sung out:
You look likely lot; do YOU
know our character?"
The schooners men made no an
swer, save that one broke into low
satiric grunt of laughter.
ours is jolly rowing life" con-
tinued Pope, while at this moment the
Earl came out of the cabin anq stood,
holding on by the companion, looking
and listening. You were late cap
tain of the schooner" he continued.
taking no notice of the injuries .he
man had received will you join us
you shall hear the terms"
mo. by h" roared the skipper
Pope looked in silence with a red
face at the livid-eyed master, turned
his head with gesture Of withering
contempt, and, catching sight of the
Earl, called out. He runs too fast to
make pirate, my lord
He has a wife and children" an
swered the Ear, swaying to his clutch
OF the companion.
There's man that should join
u.s." said Pope pointing with an iron.
ical forefinger to the valet. who stood
among the little crowd, limp. yellow
and shuddering.
81 am not used to fight. sir" cried
the poor wretch. Il am his lord
ships servant. and cannot desert
him."
Pope gave short laugh. which was
echoed among his men, and turning to
the Earl exclaimed, Hell not desert
you, my lord" The contempt in his
tone was perhaps reflected in his lord
ships silence and gaze. But not
man of the schooners crew would
join the pirates, and when this was
made clear, Pope swung on his heel
and walked aft to Lord Fit2gibbon.
Ito be continued)
-,Ir A~r 0r rpscNMc