The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-08-04
still be prisoner. the Lady Mercedes

still be prisoner. the Lady Mercedes
like those wretched women weeping In
the streets. l promised him, in your
name. protection. immunity from pun
ishment and liberty to depart with az
much of the treasure Of the Porto Bello
plate galleon, which was wrecked on
the sands few days ago, Of which I
told you, as he could carry"
And you did not exceed your author
ity, Captain Alvarado. We contcmn
treason In whatsoever guise 1t doth ap-
pear, and we hate and loathe traitor.
but thy word is passed. 1t will be held
lnviolatc as our own. You are free.
knavc. l will appoint soldiers to guard
you, for should my men see you. not
knowing this. they would cut you
down. and when occasion serves you
may take passage in the first ship that
touches here and go where you will.
Nay, we will be generous, although we
like you not. We are much indebted
to you. We have profited by what we
do despise. We would reward you.
Ask of me something that may meas
ure my obligation for a daughters hon
or saved if you can realize or feel what
that may be-"
my lord, hear me-" said the boat
swain quickly. There be reasons and
reasons for betrayals. and have one.
This man was my captain. pcriled
my life Il dozen times to save his.
followed him blindly upon a hundred
terrible ventures. I lived but for his
service. My soul-whcn / had a soul
was at his command. loved him.
He could ask Of me anything that I
could have given him and he would not
have been refused.
''Sirs, there came to me young
brother Of mine, not such as l. a rude,
unlcttered sailor, but gentleman.
and college bred. There arc quarter
ings on my family scutcheon. sirs.
back in merry England, had l the wit
or care to trace It, lie was Il reckless
youth, chatting under the restraints OF
that hard religion to which we had
been born. Tho free life Of a brother
Of the coast attracted him. He became,
like me, buccaneer l strove to dis
Suade him, but without avail He was
the braveSt, the handsomeSt, the most
gallant of us ALL He came into my
old heart like son. We are not all
brute, gentlemen. / have waded I'm
blood and plunder like the rest. but In
every heart there Is some spot that
beats for things better. l divided nv
love between him and my captain This
man"-he pointed to his old master
with his blunted finger, drawing him
self up until he looked taller than he
was, his one eye flashing with anger
and hatred as with stern, rude clO-
quence lie recited his wrongs, the grim
indictment of false friend-"thiS man
betrayed us at Panama. With what
he had robbed his comrades Of he
had blindly followed him In the old
days. men who had served him ana
trusted him, as linen whose vaior ana
courage had made him what he was
"ue took the lad I loved and be-
cause his proud spirit would not break
to his heavy hand and he answered MIN
like the bold, free sailor he was he
hanged him like a dog, sirs! IL
stopped for his life. I. who cared M"
for myself offered to stand In hs
place upon the gallows- platform,
though l have no more taste for the
rope than any Of you, II only he migN
20 free. lie laughed Mt me! He mock
ed me. / urged my ancient service. He
drove me from him with curses ana
threats like n whipped dog. could
have struck him down then but that
Ii wanted to save him fort revenge
that might measure my hate, slow ana
long and terribie--not mere sudden
death: that would not suffice-some-
thing more.
"Treachery? My lord, his was the
first. played his own game and have
overcome it with the same. Dye blame
me now? Take your treasure! want
none of it. l want only him and my re
yense. I.iberty's dear to all OF us. IL
. give mine up. You may take my hi'
with the rest but first give me thi
man. Let me deal with him. l Will re
ycnge YOU all, and when have finish
i ed with him will yield myself to you.
lie was hideous figure Of old hat
and rancor, of unslaked passion,
n monstrous possibilities Of cruel tortur
II Even Morgan himself, intrepid as
IL was, shrank from the awful menace
the mordant words.
20 ITO BIB Continued