The Grit-advocate., 1903-09-11

.hall have, I. you will suffer me 70
proceed"
Pope cooked his ear at the word
ransom; ii gave his an idea wholly
new to him. He reflected staring into
the eager gaze OF my lord ken, fast
ened upon him. Then his face
heightened. he glanced at his men
who stood near, and said to the noble
man:
We're not brisands. We can. talk
OF ransoms. You and your crew must
go aboard my ship, my lord. Gypsy
ahoy'" roared Captain Pope. giving no
heed to his lordship, who. with alarm
ed. yet commanding gestures Of his
arm, was endcavoring to make him
self heard.
"Hallo!" answered Captain CRYSTAL
Send boat for ,the crew OF this
schooner" sung out Pope Get the
lonsboat over Come aboard, Mr..
Crystal"
The square man hourished his
hand.
I'm Gods name, sir" exclaimed his
lordship. suffer us to proceed on our
way. Name sum that will satisfy
you and YOU shall have my draft
Pope smiled.
On my word as British noble
man." continued the tMe old man all
tremor and dignity, that draft shall
be Bank of England money to you.
and not question asked
Il would trust you but not YOUR
crew" said Pope. My lads" cried
he, turning upon his men. this
schooner would be making Ports
mouth in a few days
'On my honor, sir" vchemcutly
interrupted Lord Fitzgibhon.
Pope shook his head The noble
man flushed. started and stared lit
tie wildly at him. But now the crew
of dastards We're coming up out of
the forecastle; they were eleven men
and one was clean valet with
white cloth, and another was a cook
in a white cap. AS they came to the
Sansway guarded by the pirates with
their naked cutlasses. the boat stcered
by Crystal dashed along side. and that
captain came aboard, others of the
crew following him. and in a few min
utes later the longboat arrived. There
was still plenty af daylight left in the
air. and in it the crew of the schooner
including the cook and the valet,
made a mean and melancholy process
sion as they came to the gangway.
They entered the boat. all with very
white faces and terrified looks
Nov, my lord says Pope. with
an imperous wave of his sword to-
ward the gangway.
is it possible" cried the Earl. not
offering to move. that cannot pre-
vail upon you to accept my draft for
a considerable sum of money in lieu
of my persons and this vessel? OF
what use will this schooner be to you?
She is without cargo. There is less
than a hundred pounds in money on
board"
Crystal who stood hard by while
some of the first gang of pirates hung
about the companion-way. says with
out reverence to Pope What does
the old chap offer:H
Two thousand pounds" cried the
Earl.
Pope fiourished his sword toward
the gangway
Crystal sent swift look over the
little ship and said. Who's going to
take up the money? Besides as yes
sci she's worth more than two thou
sand pounds. not to mention the value
of the old gentleman's liberty
do you suppose" cried Pope in a
rage, uttering one or two oaths, that
for all my lord here could sign his
name to, l should be for letting him
sail away in swift keel to report our
doings? What do you think | value
my neck at?'
Isn't his draft worth considcrins?"
says Crystal. Two thousand, By
thunder. though | value my neck as
highly as yours, I'm willing 10 take
my chances of presenting that mans
draft when we return home"
No" answered Pope, in low but
hot tone of determination. and with
out another word ne went into the
cabin, followed by half n score of his