Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-05-31

DTiliSu naval HcuteldHt
E1-sS1 leaped in front Of the girl
t. with drawn sword. with
which he laid about him Justify. strik-
ing some Of the men with the fiat Of It,
threatening others with the point. and,
backing his actions by the prompt
commands of one not accustomed to be
| gainSaid. he soon cleared the space In
front OF her
GLOW dare you interfere in this mat
ter. my lO-d?" shouted Johnson pas
sionately. II command this party, and
I intcnd"-
81 know you do replied the officer,
"snd that am only volunteer who
has chosen to accompany you, worse
luck. But l am gentleman and q
lieutenant in his Britannia mateSty's
navy, and, by heaven, when see old
men mishandled. and wounded help-
less men about to be assassinated, and
young women insulted. l don't care who
commands the party. interfere! And
l don't propose to handy words with
any runagate American partisan who
uses his commission to further private
| vengeance. And | swear to you, on
my honor, If you do not instantly mod
ify your treatment of this gentleman
| and call off this ragamutiin crew, you
shall be court mart:aled, If | have any
influence with Dunmore or Parker or
Lord Howe. or whoever is in authority,
| and will have the rest Of you hung
| as high as Hannah. This Is outrage
! and robbery and murder. 1t is not
fighting or making prisoners" contin-
ued the young officer. You are not
fit to be an officer, and you, you ours,
you disgrace the uniform you wear"
Johnson glanced at his men, who
stood irresolute before him iercely
muttering. A rascally mob Of the low
est class of people, in the colony, to
whom war simply meant opportunity
for plunder and rapine, they would un-
doubtedly back up their leader in their
present mood in any attempt at resist
, ance he might make the young officer.
But he hesitated moment. Desbor-
ough was lord, high in the confidence
Of Governor Dunmore, and man Of
great influence. His own position was
too precarious, the game was not worth
the candle, and the risk Of opposition
/ was too great.
/ well" he said In sulky acquiescence,
"the men meant no special harm, but
| have it your own way. Fall back,
men! AS to what you say to me per-
sonally, you shall answer to me for
that at more ntting time" he contin-
ued doggedly.
when and where you please" an
swered Desborough hotly, though Id
soil a sword by passing it through you.
What was Dunmore thinking Of when
he put you in charge of this party and
sent you to do this work, wonder?
Give your orders to your men to un-
hand this gentleman instantly. You
will give your parole, sir? | regret
that we are compelled to secure your
person. but those We're the orders. and
! you. madam" turning to Katharine,
II believe no order requires you TO be
taken prisoner. and therefore you shall
go free"
, But katharine had knelt down by
her PROSTATE lover as soon rs the
space in front of her had been cleared
! and was entirely oblivious to all that
was taking place about her.
( "Allow me To Introduce myself. colo
L. a. m /
borough. | have often heard my fa-
/ ther. the Earl of Desmond. in Ireland,
/ sneak of you. regret that we meet
under such unpleasant circumstances,
| but the governors orders must be car
! ried out. Though | wish he had sent
! more worthy representative to do SO.
. | will see. however. that everything Is
dcne for your comfort in the future"
Sir" said the colonel. bowling. you
have rendered me service can never
reray. | know your father well. He
is one of tie finest gentlemen of his
time. and his son has this day shown
that lie is worthy Of the honored name
he bears will go with you cheerful
ly. and you have my parole OF honor.
| Katharine, you are free; you will be
| safe in the house. think, until Lean
arrange for your departure"
She looked UP from the floor and
then rose. "Oh, father, he Is dead; he
| Is dead" she mOaned. "ies, will go
with you. Take me away"
.Nay. my child, cannot"
Enough of thisv' broke in the sneer-
ing voice of Johnson. "She has been
taken in open resistance to the kings
forces, and. warrant or no warrant, or
ders or no orders, or court martial ell
ther," this with malevolent glance
| at Desborough, "she goes with US as
prisoner"
81 will pledge my word. Colonel Will
ton, that no violence is offered her"
exclaimed Desborough promptly, and
then, turning to Katharine:
"Trust me, madam"
! 81 do, sir" she said family, giving
him her hand. "You are very kind"
"It is nothing, mistress" he replied,
bowling low over 1t as he raised 1t re-
spectfully to his lips. 81 will hold you
safe with my life."
Every pretty" sneered johnson. But
are you cOming?"
| "What shall we do with these two,
captain?" asked the sergeant. kicking
the prostrate form of Seymour and
pointing to the body Of the man who
| had been slain.
"Oh, let them lie there! We can't be
bothered with dead and dying men.
One of them is gone; the other soon
will be. The slaves will bury them
and those other three at the foot of the
hill. Dye hear. ye black niggers?
There's hardly room enough OH the
sloOp for the living" he continued,
with cynical Indifference.
"All right. captain. As you say. poor
Joe's no good now. and, as for the 9th
er. that crack Of Welsh's was rare
good one. He will probably die before
morning anyhow" replied the sergeant.
there being little love lost among the
members of this philOsophic crew. Be-
sides. the more dead the more plunder
for the living. And many Of the band
were even now following the example
Of their leader and roaming over the
house, securing at will whatever ex-
cited their fancy. the wine cellar espe-
cialt, not being forgotten.