Mrs. Grundy. (Tracy City, Tenn.) 1903-1930, 1904-06-16
CHAPTER XIV.
JICUIAtS SHIP

N%SxNsG 5 SOON as Dickory had
IN left off his cooked hat
W. and his gold-embroi-
dered coat, the little girl Lena had
ceased to be afraid of him, and the
next morning she came to him. seated
lonely--for this was busy household
and asked him II he would like to
take walk.
1t was about the middle OF the after
noon, and Lena had dropped asleep
beneath the tree where Dickory and
her parents were conversing, when
suddenly there rushed upon the little
group most surprising figure. At
the first flash of thought Dickory sup
posed that a boy from the skies had
dropped among them, but in an instant
he recognized the face he had seen
above the bushes. 1t was Lucilla, the
daughter of the house! Upon her head
was little straw hat and she wore
loose tunic and a pair Of sailors
trousers, Which had been cut off and
were short enough to show that ner
feet and ankles were bare. Around her
waist she had belt Of skins, from
which dangled string Of crimson
sea-beans Her eyes were wide open,
her face was pale, and she was trem-
bling with excitement.
What do you Think" she cried, not
caring who was there or who might
look at her. There's a ship at the
spring, and there's boat rowing
across the bay. A boat with four men
In 1T"
All started to their feet.
"A boat" cried Mander. with four
men in It? Run, my dear, to the cave;
press into Its depths as far as you can.
There Is nothing there to be afraid OF,
and no matter how frightened you are,
press into its most distant depths. You
sir, will remain with me, or would you
rather escape? If it is pirate ship, 1t
may be Blackboard who has returned"
Not So" cried Lucilla, at is mer-
chant vessel. and they are making
straight for the mouth of our stream.
81 will stay here with you" said
Dickory land stand by you, unless |
may help your family seek the cave
you speak Of"
mo, no." said Mander, they don't
need you, and If you will do so we
will go down to the beach and meet
these men; that will be better than TO
have them search for us. They will
know that people live here, for my
canoe Is drawn up on the beach"
as this safe?" cried Dickory; would
It not be better for you to go with your
family and hide with them? | will
meet the men in the boat"
mo, no." said Mander; IF their YES
sci is no pirate, do not fear them.
But | will not have them here"
Now, after Mander had embraced his
family, they hurried away in tears, the
girl Lucilla casting not one glance at
Dickory. Impressed by the impulse
that It was the proper thing to do,
Dickory put on his coat and waistCoat
and clapped upon his head his high
cooked hat Then he rapidly followed
Mander to the beach, which they
reached before the boat touched the
sand.
When the man In the stern OF the
boat, which was now almost within
hailing distance, saw the two figures
run down upon the beach, he spoke to
| the oarsmen and they all stopped and
| looked around. The stop was oc-
casioned by the sight of Dickory in his
uniform; and this, under the circum-
stances, was enough to stop any boats
crew. Then they fell to again and
pulled ashore. When the boat was
beached one of its occupants, rough
ly dressed man, sprang ashore ana
walked cautiously towards Mander;
then he gave great shout.
"Heigho, heigho!" he cried, land
Mander, this is you!"
Then there was great Misunderstanding
and many words.
Excuse me, SIR" said the man
raising his hat to DiCkory, 1T is nov
more than two years since | have seen
my friend here, when he was marocne"
by pirates. We we're all on the saiIe
merchantmen, but the pirate took nj
along, being short of hands. | go'
away at last, sir" (all the time ad-
dressing Dickory instead of Mander
this being respect to his rank), and
shipping on board that brig, sir.
begged it of the captain that he would
drop anchor here and take in water
although | cannot say it was needed
and give me chance to land and see
if my old friend be yet alive. kne"
the spot, having well noted 1t whel
Mander and his family were ma
rooned."
ITO be Continued.)