The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-21

along with her crew! Fit quarters for
him. tool'
my nephew. sir Is an Officer OF ths
English navy!" rctorted Lady Somersl
with snecr Of dlsdain on her gray lips.
You may murder him. as you may us,
for the power is yours: but never will
you make him recreant to duty, nor 9
traitor to his flag!"
THE flag under which he now Will
serve floats from my mastheadl't cried
the pirate. still laughing loudly. Tho,
there. Walton! Sing out above and or.
der Mr.. saggetts to send Lieut.. Vail boz
low. Let her ladyship witness the loyal
ty Of her valiant relatvei'
Lady Somers fell back step ana
drew Emily from her chair.
I'VE Will not remain here!" ehe criod
forcibly. your treatment Is beyond en-.
durance!'
'And sacrificed nino OF my men for
the privilege OF treating you to my
fancy!'' cried Redlaw. sharply. '"rhun.
der and lightning, am I to have no re-
compense for nine lives7 You will do my
pleasure. Sit down again, both or you'll
In eyes and voice and imperlous ges.
ture there was a severity which even
Lady somcrs dared not disregard.
Wearicd by the very Indignation which
briefly had made her superior to fhr
fears, she shnk to tho seat from which
she had arisen. and drawing her daugh-
tcr's chair nearer, she folded an arm
round her tremulous form.
With an oagerness suggesting Mt least
his subservience to the rufilanly pirate,
Walton had STROBE to tho companions
way ana roared Redlaws Instructions
to tho second mate. In response thereto.
ana almoat at walton'E heels, Lieut. Vail
entered tho cabin.
1Ie was Eery pale. but this might have
beer from loss OF blood or the pain OF his
49, tA1 Ill IA IN
slowed upon Lady Somcrs and Emily,
in the eyes that swept from theirs to the
stern face OF the Vulture's captain there
was tho shrinking light 81 misgivings
and fears more terrible even than those
OF tho fate that might befnll him.
It was the first tine Lady eomers had
had an opportunity TO speak to him since
the bloody conflict OF tho early morning.
and with impulsivc solicitude sho ut once
cried anXiously:
'You are wounded. Robert"
mot seriously. aunt" he answered
hoarsely. with voice steaded as he
spoke IA flesh wound only. but rather
Painful Why have you sent for me,
Captain Redlaw?''
Tho pirate swung round and bent his
stern gaze on tho speaker's face.
TO give you my commands for the
course you are TO shape aboard my yes
sell. and 10 receive your oath OF alle-
glance 10 mo ana my flag!" no said deep
ly, with significance that startled
Archie Walton and caused the jaw OF
tho English officer to drop perceptibly.
"Nhat do you meant" Vail gasped
family.
Just what said. sir"
"Fore heaven. sir!" cried Walton.
eagerly; III you'll say where can lind
Bible aboard I'll administer the OATH
"I'll ewear him on better than a BIZ
ble," said Redlaw. with a, knocking laugh,
"I'll swear him on what shnll be his
death. not his salvation. II no violates
his vow
I He thrust his hand behind him while
sptakIng. and drew from Its sheath upon
his hip richly jeweled dagger. casting
It carelessly upon tho table, where It
fell Gathering among the dishes its long
Etruscan blade flashing tho cold gleam
OF polished steel into the eyes OF ono
and all.
mi swear him on thatr' said Rcd
law, sternly.
Aghast and trembling visibly. Vail
drew back a pace. with lips twitchlns
nervousIy, and In his mortified eyes
look OF mute agony and appeal ior
which Walton could by no means ac-
l'Youll not do this! You'll not compel
me 10 take such an oath!" no cried.
addressing Reelaw in tones that were
hoarse and shaken with painful aelta-
ton.
"You should know the alternative!
Aye, sir. you do. and your face declares
It'll"
English flag. sir"
And the English navy. and tho navy
OF every nation on the face OF tha
globe. mako war upon me!. n,errn up.
ed Redlaw, with terrible sevnrity. An
ocean renegade ia common foe. thu
hated ana pursued OF all! Loyalty tn
your own flag Is enmity to mino! But
leave you free to choose! Which shall 1t
| be ?'fag
i.'wait, sir! FOR Gods sake, consider!"
Vail desperately pleaded, seeing far toe
| duct. and the threat conveyed IN his
| mineling OF triumph and scorn. II am In
| your power. sir, admit And these two
| ladies' are at your mercy! But Lord
| Son,ers, sir, Is one OF the richest men
| in England! He would sacrifice his entire
| fortune to save his wife and daughter
| from"
20. sir, he would ne would" Lady
| somers eagerly put In. graspng wildly
| at tho suggestion. "He will pay any
| ransom you require for the safe delivery
| OF our persons in"
"slenco madame"
Redlaw Interrupted her with sweep
| Inc gesture OF MS Po"etiu' an" .'
| said sternly:
80 Lieut.. Vail you stink like a cur
| behind the skirts OF woman! Why, man,
| don't you know was we'll Informed OF az
| this ere we cleared from Annoy? LOOK
you!' and leapins UP he threw open the
cover Of great chest against the wal wa
near by. ut Is filed with treasure! Ine
wea,th az croes,,s is already mine! Did
You think I cared more for that than for
the pleasure of such companions as these
| when L.
"The oath, Lieut.. Vail! Or the-alter-
native!" ,n,. ~.
mercy. mercy, sir you will not muir
| Ger him!"
Redlaw, with the cleaning weapon held
aves for a moment In her direction,
mo. my deer yo on, la q, BE. he cried.
liant cousin already knows thnr the al.
tentative is not--death What say you.
| Sir? Come, lieutenant, what say you?'
| str and mazda 6nllh1v