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


by that public opinion to which he was
Indifferent, but which be could not en-
tirely defy. Consequently he had not
been on the strand at Port Royal when
the Mary Rose, frigate, fresh from
England, had dropped anchor in the
harbor after hef weary voyage across
the great sea. He did not even yet
know of her arrival, and therefore the
incoming governor had not been wei
coined by the man who sat tempora-
rily, as he had in several preceding in
terregnums, in the seats of the mighty.
However, everybody else on the is
land had welcomed him with JOY, for
Of all men who had ever held Office in
Jamaica Sir Henry Morgan, sometime
the chief devil of those nefarious bands
who disguised their piracy under the
specious title Of buccaneering, was the
most detested. But because Of the for
tunate demise of Lady Morgan, as it
turned out, Sir Henry was not present
to greet My Lord Carlingford, who
was to supersede him-and more.
The deep potations the old buccaneer
had INDUCED in to all outward intent
passed harmlessly down his lean and
craggy throat. He drank alone-the
more solitary the drinker the more
dangerous the man-yet the room had
another occupant, tall, brawny,
brown hued, grim faced savage, whose
gaudy livery i'll accorded with his
stern and ruthless yisage. he stood by
the vice governor, watchful, attentive
and silent, imperturbably filing again
and again the goblet from which he
drank.
More rum,' said the master, at last
breaking the silence while lifting his
tai glass toward the man. "Scuttle
NE, Black Dog" he added. smiling
sardonically at the silent maroon who
poured again with steady hand, you
are the only soul on this island who
doesn't fear me. That woman above
yonder, curse her, shuddered away
from me as looked at her dying. But
your hand is steady. You and old Ben
Hornigold are the only ones who don't
shrink back, hey, Carib? Is it love or
hate?" he mused, as the man made no
answer. More. he cried, again lift
ing the glass which he had instantly
drained.
But the maroon, instead Of pouring.
bent his head toward the window,
listened a moment and then turned
and lifted warning hand. The soft
breeze Of the evening, laden with the
fragrance OF the tropics, swept up from
the river and waited to the vice gov
ernor's ears the sound of hoof beats
On the hard, dry road. With senses
keenly alert he also listened. There
were number of them-a troop pos
sibly. They We're drawing nearer; they
were coming toward bis house, the
summer house near Spanish Town,
far up on the mountain side, where
he sought relief from the enervating
heats of the lower land.
.sHorsemen.r' he cried. Coming to
the house! Many Of them! -Ah, they
dismounti Go to the door, Carib."
But before the maroon could obey
they heard steps On the porch. Some
one entered the hall. The door of tie
drawing room was abruptly thrown
open and two men in the uniform Of
the English army, With the distinguish
ing marks &C the governors guard at
Jamaica. unceremoniousiy entered the
room. They We're fully armed. One
Of them, the second. had drawn bis
sword and held a cooked pistol III the
other hand The first. whose weapons
we're still IN their sheaths. carried a
long official paper with portentous
seal dangling from it. Both were boot
ed and spurred and dusty from riding,
and both, contrary to the custom and
etiquette of the island, kept their
plumed hats on their heads.
.Sir Henry Morgan began the
bearer of the paper.
by your leave, gentleman" inter
r,!pted Morgan, with an imperlous
wave of his hand, Lieutenant Hawk
herst and Ensign Bradley of my guard.
| believe. You will uncover at once
and apologize for having entered so
y..lscce:esao oniously.'
AS he spoke the governor rose to his
feet and stood by the table, his right
hand unconsciously resting upon the
.ayv g2ass fagon of rum. He lowered
:.Ao7e tie otl.er two men as he stooG
.;;:e..o transfxing them with his resent
I'll glance. bis brow heavy with threat
,..::.l anger But the two soldiers mace
20 Increment toward complying with
the edmonton OF their sometime su'
.,c:..o-
Dye hear me-" he cried, stepping
ffo2,2-ord. reddening with rage AT thelr
:.2.,srent contumacy. And bethlnS
Sc :.ils. had best address me, VINO
stand il the place Of the kings maJes'
y. Us your eyceilency,' or III have you
! :a:'oii::2 knayes.''
e 3eed 10 lessons in manners from
yoi: ST. Hen: Morgan cried Hawk