Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-09-27
CHAPTER XIV

penetrable gloom Once at a rev rods
distant from the shore, he stopped.
Fortunately the path was very clear
one, for it led TO the wide opening where
the horses were kept, and was conse-
quently much travelled IN half an hour
they reached the opening, and here Paul
| caught r horse. He had already con-
cealed bride there. which he readily
found, and as soon as the animal was
prepared with his fixtures. Mary was
helped upon his back. The youth took
his seat behind her, and then started on
The animal proved to be a kind and gen
tie one, and he kept the path without
| difficulty.
1t might have been near midnight when
the fugitives came to the open country
that bordered upon the small bay where
the fishermen's hints stood, and by this
time the stars had begun to peep through
the breaking clouds, but the moon had
not yet risen. Paul rode at once to the
rough pier where the lugger lay, but he
bad omen, and it struck him with fear
! His next movement was to make his way
to the cot where lived the mai who was
/ TO have taken command OF The Iugger
He knocked at the door, and ii was soon
opeend by the man whom Paul most
wished to see.
! How is this:' asked our hero. you
were to have everything ready for sail
J lag by an hour before midnight
| Tomorrow was the day set," said the
| fisherman, looking perplexed. You said
YOU might be here in the evening, but at
any event, by an hour before midnight.
! Did you mean to-dayY'
Paul saw that the man was honest in
what he said and he saw. too, where the
mistake had come in. The fisherman had
planned to sail on the morrow, and they
had COMPOUNDED the evening and midnight
of this morning with the close of the day
they had set. 1t was surely a blind.
laundering piece of work on their part,
and so Paul felt it TO be. But there was
| no help for it now but TO get ready as
| quickly as possible. and the youth had
the good sense not TO bother them BY
| finding too much fault with their care
| lessneSs.
'Ho,r long VII it take you to get
ready"
oh, only few hours can call I'D
the men, and have alLfeady soon.
! Paul promised hin( a hundred dollars,
and this had the effect of hurrying mat
tiers somewhat; but they were further
| delayed by the tide being out Those
were painful moments to Paul There
he stood, or rather walked upon the pier,
and thought of how all this might have
been avoided
"Oh!' he uttered to Mary, at the same
time clasping her hands in agony. IF
these dolts had possessed the intelligence
of common sheep, all this might have
been obviated. and we should now. at
this moment, have been away. We should
| have been free! Oh. It's too bad-too
bad. See how slowly the sluggish tide
comes in"
And then Paul walked away to the
side Of the rough pier and then back
again; and this he repeated many times.
Ever and anon he would stop and look
at the water where it gathered about the
rudder of the lugger and he wondered
why it did not rise faster. Every mo-
ment seemed an hour to him, and the
lazy element appeared to gain nothing.
But the water was not to be forever
in rising, and at length the rudder was
covered and in few moments more the
old lugger began TO right up. The moon
had now risen. and it was quite light. for
the clouds had all broken away. Paul
helped Mary on board, and then conduct
ed her below, where there was a rude
sort of cuddy partitioned off for the
sleeping quarters OF the crew, and this
he had secured for Mary's own use, hav-
ing planned TO sleep himself on deck
under some mats which the fisherman
promised to provide He selected the
best bunk he could find. and then set
about arranging the bedding so that
Mary might take as much physical com
fort as possible. Thus he was engaged
when the men ON deck began TO gather in
the shore fasts, and he knew from the
feeling of the vessel that she was very
near af1oat, for he could hear her keel
grating upon the sand.
I'VE shall be off ere long" he said To
his companion. Now you lie down. and
| will go ON deck and help get the old
thing off
what was that? / heard a voice
someone hailing the vessel, l thought,
uttered Mary. turning pale.
Paul leaped upon the deck and sight
me this gaze that made his heart stand
still A dozen men were standing upon
the pier, directly alongside the lugger
and in advance of the rest he saw the
short. square form of Mari Laroon,
''Ah, my boy" cried the pirate captain,
leaping on board as he spoke. and at the
same time motioning for his men to fol-
low him. I'VE have once more met. You
have no idea how anxious / have been. ;"
Back. back sirv' uttered the youth,
drawing pistol from his bosom as lle
shall die"
"What-would You shoot your own
fathery' said I.aroon.
Before Paul could reply he was seized
from behind. his pistols taken from him,
and his arms pinioned. Some of the
men had come up back az him without
his notice. As soon as this was done.
Mari Laroon started for the companion
way and disappeared down the ladder,
and in moment more there came a
sharp, Wild cry mp from the cabin. Paul
started. and with his feet he knocked
down two OF the men. but he could do
no more. and while he was yet strug-
gling.e the captain reappeared. leading
Mary by the arm.
Now, my SON. he said. as he came
near to where Paul stood. we will be
away long enough. Don't You begin to
feel hameSiek -
The youth was now too much disgust
Ell To speak. He had wit enough TO see
what caused Marls lightness Of manner.
The captain had evidently been fearing
that they were gone past catching. and
thus to come upon them 81 easily raised
his spirits.
The pirate had something apon his
tongue To say. but he kept il To himself.
He led Mary from the deck OF the hug
ser. and his followers went after him
with Paul Laroon spoke few words
with the fishermen. and then turned up
toward a ciump OF cocoa trees. where
number OF horses were hitched. He
spoke no more until he had reached the
horses, and then he said only enough 10
inform those who guarded Paul how
they were 10 dispose OF him. During this
time pani had been wondering how all