Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-05-15

ing Il as Hornigold forced his prisoners into the guardroom of
 the first fort that had been cap nred, which, as 1t was the larger of he two, Morgan had selected as his aeaduuarters. Mercedes soul had turn d to stone at the sights and sounds which met her as she passed through he town, where the hellish revelry was now in full blast. The things she wit aessed and heard were enough to ap- pail the stoutest heart that ever beat within the rudest breast. She forgot her own danger in her sympathy for he suffering inhabitants of the devoted own. Ghastly pale and sick with hor- ,or, she tottered and staggered as she uttered the room. As for the Sonora A0apida, she had collapsed long since, md for the last hundred yards of the Journey had been dragged helplessiy dong by two of her captors. who threw her in senseless heap on the stone lluagging of the great vaulted chamber. z The agony and suffering, the torture md death, the shame and dishonor of lis people affected Alvarado different ly. His soul famed within his breast with pity for the one, rage for the oth- pr. He lusted and thirsted to break away and Single handed rush upon the human wolves and tigers who were de upoiling women, torturing men, mur- dering children, as if they had been devils. The desire mastered him, and he writhed and struggled in his bonds, but unavailingly.
 x It was a haggard, distracted pair, therefore, which was brought before the chief buccaneer. Morgan sat at the head of the guardroom on platform. table before him strewn with reckless prodigality with vessels of gold and silver stolen from altar and sideboard lndifferently, some piled high with food. others brimming with variety, of liquors, from the rich old wines of Heres to the fiery native rum. LOllo- anois. Teach and De Lussan were also In the room Teach was roaring out song, that song of London town, with It's rollicking chorus:
 ssThough life now is pleasant and sweet wen be damnably moldy a hundred
 years hence"
 The room was full of plunder of one sort and another, and the buccaneers were being served by frightened negro slaves. their footsteps quickened. and their obedience enforced by the sight of a dead black in one corner whom De Lussan had knifed short time 4since because he had been slow in coming to his call The smell of spill ed liquor, of burnt powder and of blood, indescribable and sickening. hung in the close, hot air. Lamps and candles were flaring and spluttering in the room, but the greater illumination came through the open easements from the roaring fires of burning houses out, side. The temptation to join in the sack of the town had been too much for Hornigold's remaining men; conse uuently he and those conveying Senora Agapida alone attended the prisoners These last, after throwing the duenns recklessly upon the floor, hurried out after the rest leaving the officers and women alone.
 "Silencew. roared Morgan as his cyl fell upon the group entering the lowel end of the great hall. Pipe down thou believing bullr' he shouted throwing a silver cup that Cellin might have chased at the head of thu half drunken Teach. Who's there scuttle me, 'tis our spitfre and the gal lant captain, with that worthy seaman Hornigold. Advance, friends. Tho, art welcome to our cheer. Drive then forward, Hornigold!' he cried as h. saw Mercedes and Alvarado made n' attempt to move.
 Advance quickly" whispered Hor nigold to Alvarado; ito cross him nov were death"
 Seizing them with a great show O force, he showed them down the hall |, the foot of the platform, in front O the revelers.
 'I welcome thee to our court. fai lady. and you, brave sir. What say ye gentles all? Rum for the noble cap tain here and wine for the lady!" call ed out Morgan. lowing over the tabl in malicious mockery.
 'T drink with no murderer" said Al varado firmly, thrusting the Degr who profered him a glass violentl, aside with his shoulder. causing him t topple over. drenching himself wit the liquor.
 .Ha! Is 1t sof" laughed Morgan h terrible manner. "Hsrk'ee. my youn IDck. thou shalt crave and beg an gray for another drink at my han -fesently-and get it not. But there .hother cup thou shalt drink-aye, am that to the dregs. Back. you, I woul speak with the lady. Well. Dom Mercedes" be continued, ''art still i that prideful moody'
 Silence. The girl stood erect. disdair fully looking him fun in the face.
 T shall break thee yet. prou --@ach.- he shouted. Come hither What. you move not? Black Dog Black Dog. say"
 The huge maroon lurched from b. hind his masters chair. where he ha lain half drunken.
 Fetch me that wonsEy'
 Mercedes was bound and could no ct first release her hands. but as tn maroon shambled toward her sh sprang back. struggling
 sa.