The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-12-13

| ley. Il didn't want to come. reL31-
strate;, with him Z moment since. For
Gods, sake
Silence. sirrah. And how auca tine
have now, l wonder:" He looked at
bis watch as be asked the question.
Three minutes. Three minutes De
tween yoa and instant death, Ens.sn
Bradley. for shou.d one Of your men
enter the room now YOU see what you
would have to expect, SIR
"Oh, sir, have mercy
Unless you do exactly what I say
you will be lying there with that car
rion," cried Morgan, kicking the pros
trate body savagely with his jeweled
shoes.
What do you want me to do? For
Gods sake be quick, your excellency.
Time is almost up. I hear the men
move"
"You are afraid, sir. There still want
two minutes
Eyes, yes, but
Go to the window yonder,' cried
the old man Observation-Disclosures
be was he was not afraid-"and speak
to them. Do you, Carib, stand behind
by the window we'll concealed. If he
hesitate, if he falter, kill him instant
ly."
"Pistol or kDife?"
1.-The knife 1t makes less noise"
cried the buccaneer, chuckling with
devilish glee. only one minute and a
half now, eh, Mr. Bradley"
They're coming, they're coming"
whispered Bradley, gasping for breath.
ooh, sir
1--WE still have a minute answered
Morgan coolly. "Now, stop them."
"But how?"
'sTell them that you have captured
me; that my wife is dead; that you and
Lieutenant Rawxherst will spend the
night here and fetch me down to Port
Royal in the. morning; that I have
yielded myself prisoner. Bid them
stay where they are and drink to your
health in bottles Of rum which shall be
sent out to them and then to so back to
Port Royal and tell the new governor.
And see that your voice does not trem'
BILE, STRIP
There was sudden movement out
side.
'sIf they get in here" added Morgan
quickly, you are dead man."
Bradley, with the negro clutching his
arm. ran to the window. With the
point Of his own sword pressed against
the back of his neck he repeated the
message which Morgan had given him,
which was received by the little squad
ron with shouts of appreciation. He
turned from the window, pale and
trembling. Moistening his lips he
whispered:
"I stopped them just in time
''Well for you that you did" said
Morgan grimly. Come hither. Face
that wall. Now stand there. Move
but hairs breadth, turn your head
the thousandth part of q degree, and l
run you through he added, barring his
sword. PUN for the men without,
Carib," be added, "and then tell me
when they are gone
While the two were left alone IN
the room Morgan amused himself by
priching the unfortunate officer with
the point Of the weapon at the same
time enforcing immobility and silence
by the most ferocious threats OF a
speedy and cruel death. The mea out
side drank roisily and presently de-
parted. and the half breed came back.
Bind this fcol," Morgan commanded
briefly. "Then bid the slaves keep
close in their cabins on pain of my
Gispleasure-they know what it is.
Then fetch the fastest horse in the
stable to the front door. Get my riding
boots and cloak, and before you go
hand me that little desk yoDder. Be
quick about it, too, for time presses,
although l have more Of it than these
gentlemen would have allowed me-
AS the maroon, after carefully lash
ing the officer with q seaman'S expert
ness, rushed out to busy himself in
carrying out these commands, Morgan
opened the desk which he had Landed
to him and took from it several rou-
leaux of gold and little bag filed
with the rarest of precious stones. Then
he made careful examination OF the
body on the floor.
Not quite dead yet" he murmured
"but there is no use wasting shot or
thrust upon him, he won't survive that
blow As for you. SIR looking at the
paralyzed ensign lying bound upon the
floor, you thought you could outWlt
the old buccaneer. eh? You shall see.
l dealt with men when you were
babe in arms. and babe in arms you
are still. 30, ho!''
He laughed long and loudly, though
there was neither mirth nor merrl-
,nent in his sinister tones. The blood
OF the poor listener froze in his veins
at tie sound of it.
The brief preparations which Nor
gan had indicated as necessary for the
journey were soon made. He was al
ways promptly obeyed by his own peo-