The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-10-12

weather burned, and the salt breath of
the spumc fell damp on his hair. The
Vlrginian came and stood beside him,
and both looked down upon the wretch.
ed legion of redemptioners crowdng
the lower deck, gazing dumbly up like
cattle.
IN brave sight," submitted Cary. ITO
show the riches OF the coOnies."-
His tone was not without bitterness,
as tho Frcnchman perceived. "You
would not have 1t sol"
II? No. We have no need Of some of
the ofrscourlng you see there. 1t will
breed us tho curse of crime. But what
care the factors? 'Tis profit to them.
And what cares the king2 1t means
more tobacco, and tobacco stuTs his
Golfers"
"Yet some OF these may be lifted by
opportunity"
"Aye," answered Cary. "Bad as they
are. Wooden hogs, fair sick for the
lash, Jumps from Cork or lack Latin
sots shipped for schoolmasters. Their
sons may bc good citizens. New lands,
new conditions. III this land he not
saddled with anothcr's Ills, here these
shall at least have hope. BY their faces
they leave not much to love behind
them"
Before either spoke again cry came
up. from where Il knot OF sloven re-
demptioners were gathcred-a cry and
hoarsc word In one. Down below, at
one side, woman leaned, hugglng q
shawl wrapped bundle to her breast.
She was drab, but with certain
sullen beauty that is bred Of Latin
blood. Armand had seen her face more
than once transigurcd by that Won
drous glory of mother love. He had
that very day heard her grooming softly
as she walked, noted the strange fur
tivencss with which she avoided the
too curious gaze Of her fellows, won
dered what subtle grace nature had
lent for mother eyes to those infant
features.
Now one of the crew stood over her,
plucking at the shawl. She was weep
ing passionatcly, loudly, without pre-
tense of concealmcnt.
"What Il DEVILS that?" bawlcd the
mates voice from II rope ladder.
1.-THE brat's dead" said the sailor.
'Blow me tight, I've been watching
her for two days. The lallop's been
singing to 1t to pull the wool over our
eyes"
''Dcad. is 1t? Pitch 1t overheard,
then" lie kicked down greasy rag
of canvas.
AS the man he commanded approach
cd the woman she fell on her knees,
shrinking In close against the bulu'ssr1,n M.
and speaking rapidly In SOME foreign
tongue.
hats that loblolly?" asked the
mate.
"Shc says" translated one of the pitt
fui srotip ABOUND her, that the land is
so near and the water is cold. She
wants to bury it In the ground"
Split me-" oathed the mate, "ls that
all? Over with 1t, Jerry"
Again she spoke, volubly and with
many grovelng sobs.
"She says" said the redemptioner,
chat if it could only be blessed. There
is no priest aboard"
The mate, with his hands on the rail,
laughed ut this. "Do what say, you
down therc!' he cried. "Will ye stand
making mouths all day? Tie 1t in that
canvas
The man lie had hidden approached
the woman to take the cold little body
from her, but she turned suddenly q
fury and, holding 1t to her breast with
one arm, fought him Off, screaming.
lie jumped back, with his hand clap
ped to his armpit "Thc Jezebers bit
met" he yelled.
There was II great laugh from the
sailors, and the mate cursed luridly
from above. "Arc ye mollycoddles,
them" he shouted. AS they hesitated
he scrambled down hand over hand,
damning them for landlubbers and
clearly minded to do 1t himself.
The Frenchman's fingers, as he stood
beside the Nirginian, gripped the rail-
Swine" lie said under his breath
Then he leaned over and called clearly,
Keep your hand from that womanr
The mate looked up, astonished, at
the group, for the other passengers had
gathered to witness what was going
on.
WHATS thnt!" he asked
Armand repeated his words.
The mates face turned spongy pur-
pc and lie laughed in way that was
not good to hear. For answer he reach
cd out a hand tothe shawl and literally
tore it away from the poor clay it GOV.
cred.
AT the instant he did 80 Armand
vaultcd the rail where he stood, caught
q rope, swung to n stencbion and land
ed as lightly rs cat at the side of the
burly rufiian. The act was 80 clean, 80
graceful and 80 quick that none of the
passengers could have told exactly how
1t was done.
The mate turned and, seeing him at
his elbow, struck with all his strength
at the others head.
The stroke was one to stun, but 1t
never reached home. The young for.
eigner bent one side, not moving his
feet, with motion that would hive
spoken volumes to an athlete, and the
mates fist banged against the bull
wark. While he staggered from this,
Armand, selling ropes end as he
circled, cut him across the face with
such n slash that the blood ran from
the cash.
Now cnsued strange combat The
mate, heavy and cumbrous, tried to
reach the other with sledge hammer
blows. The Frenchman, slight, wary,
circling, rctreating, slipped hither and
thither. Three times in as many sec.
n. lii a