The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-07-25

passengers ne ala, even 2Oihs 80 IN
as to drop as many OF his "bedads
as possible Whenever he had an OPP
portunity, and these came frequently
he talked to Mr.. Deaplaine, address
ing a word or two to Kate II HI
thought she looked gracious. For tn,
first day or two Dame Charter KEEP
below. She was afraid Of the men
and did not even want to look at then
II she could help 1t.
''But the good woman's all wrong,
said Capt. Ichabod to Mr.. Delaplaine
my men would not hurt her. They're
not the most tremendous kind d
pirates, anyway, for could not AFFORD
that sort have often thought thai
could make more profitable voyages
n I had o. savager lot Of men. I'll tel
you sir, we once tried to board bic
Spanish galleon. and the beastly for.
eigners beat us off, bedad. and we had
O hard time OF 1t gettin' away There
are three or four good fellows In the
crew, tough old rascals who came with
the sloop when bought her, but most
of my men are but poor knaves, and
not to be afraid Of
That afternoon Capt. Ichabod found
Kate by herself on deck, and he made
bold to sit down by her. and before
ne knew what he was about he was
telling her his whole story, She lis
tened carefully to what he said. He
touched but lightly upon his wicked.
al 1afy
enough to any listener of sense, and
bemoaned his fearful passion for gam.
ing. which was sure to bring him to
misery one day or another.
when have staked my vessel and
have lost It," said he, then there will
be an end Of me-"
but why don't you sell your vessel
before you lose, 1t" said Kate, land
become a farmer?"
His eyes frightened Il never
thought of that" said he. "Bedad--
excuse me. Miss--some day when I've
got little together and can pay my
men I'll sell this sloop and buy .
farm. bedad-r beg your pardon. Miss
Ill buy farm"
Kate smiled. but II was easy to SEQ
that Capt. Ichabod was In earnest
The next day Capt Iehabod came
TO Mr. Delaplaine and took him to ono
side. Il want TO speak to YOU" he
said. about bit Of business"
"You may have noticed, sir, that
we are somewhat short of provisions,
and the way Of II is this. The night
before we sailed, hoping to make a
bold stroke at the card-table and
thereby fit out my vessel in man
ner suitable to the entertainment Of
gentleman and ladies, lost every
penny | had. did hope that our pro-
visions would last us fey days
longer. but am disappointed, sir.
That cook OF mine, who is soft
hearted fellow. his neck always ready
for the heel of a woman, has thrown
overheard even the few stores we had
left for you, the good Dame Charter
having told him they were not fit 10
cat And more. si:' even my men are
grumbling. so { thought would
speak to you and explain that IL would
be necessary for us to overhaul a mer-
chairman and replenish our food sup
ply. 1t can be done very quietly, sir,
and don't think that even the ladies
need be disturbed"
Mr. Delaplaine stared In amazement.
DO you mean TO say" he exclaimed.
that you want me to consent TO your
committing piracy for our benefit?"
"Yes. sir" answered the captain.
that's what ! suppose you would call
It; but that's my business
Now. sir | wish you to know that
am Christian and a gentleman"
said Mr. DelapIaine.
That's all very true. bedad." said
Capt Iehabod. but you're also an
other thing: you're q human being,
and you must eat" 'Ao
1sis is TERRIBLE" exclaimed. the
merchant. that at my time of life |
should consent to a felony at sea. and
to profit by It, cannot bear TO think
OF the wickedness and the disgrace
Of It,"
Most respected sir" said Ichabod,
'if the fellows behave themselves
properly and don't offer to fight Us,
then there'l be no wickedness. bedad.
| can make a good enough show OF
men to brighten any ordinary MGR
chant crew so that not blow need be
struck. And that is what | expect to-
do. sir would not have any dis
turhance before ladies. you may be
sure OF that. bedad. We bear down
upon a vessel: We order hsr to sur
render; we take what We want. and
we LET her go Truly, there's no wick
edness IN thaS And as for the dis
grace. we can all better bear that
than stsrve"
Mr.. Delaplaine looked at the pirate
without a word He could not COM
prehend how a man with such a frank
and honest face could thus avow his
dishonest principles But as he gazed
and wondered the thought of a scheme
flashed across the mind Of the merchant,
thoroughly business-iike scheme
This bold young pirate captain might
seize upon such supplies as they were
in need of. but he. Felix Delaplaine. Of
Spanish Town. Jamaica. would pay for
them Thus might their necessities be
relieved and their consciences kept
clean But he said nothing OF this 70