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

tIAt LEX IL.
@}LOSE under the towering walls
il of the Old Spanish fort, now
IL for a quarter of century
dominated By the English flag.
as if seeking protection from its frown-
ing battiements with their tiers Of Old
fashioned guns, stood the Blue Anchor
tavern. 1t had been a famous resort
for the bold spirits of the evil sort who
had made Port Royal the base of their
operations in many a desperate sea
venture in piracy in the two decades
that had just passed. But times had
changed, even if men had not changed
in them.
The buccaneer had been banished
from the Caribbean, whereupon, with
a circumspect prudence, he had ex-
tended his operations into the south
seas, where he was farther from civili-
zation, consequently harder to get at
and naturally more difficult to control.
Since the sack Of Panama, twenty-five
years ago, his fortunes had been rapid
ly declining. One Of the principal
agents in promoting his downfall had
been the most famous rover Of them
all. After robbing his companions Of
most of their legitimate 1portion OF
the spoils Of Panama Sir Henry had
bought his knighthood at the hands OF
the venal Charles, paying for it in
treasure, into the origin OF which, With
his usual careless inSouciance, his easy
going majesty had not inquired any
too carefully. And the old pirate had
settled down, if not to live cleanly at
least to keep within the strict letter OF
the law. There was thereafter nothing
he abhorred so thoroughly as bucca-
neering and the buccaneer-ostenslbly,
that is.
Like many a reformed rake, this gen
tie child Of the devil, when the oDpo-tu-
nifty came to him with the position Of
vice governor, endeavored to show tle
sincerity Of his reformation by his
Jealous persecution. BE hanged with
out mercy such Of his old companions
III crlUlS dS ISll lllIO LIS S1Ql(hC.>. AHSS
had already vowed vengeance upon
him, these sometime brethren Of the
coast, for his betrayal of their conf
dence at Panama. They had further
resented his honor Of knighthood, his
cloak Of respecta5ility, his assumption
Of gantility, and now that he hanged
and punished right and left without
mercy their anger and animosity were
raised to the point Of fury, and many
Of them swore deeply with bitter oatas
that if they ever caught him defense
less they would make him pay dearly
in torture ard torment for these vari-
Gus oTenses. He knew them We'll
enough to realize their feelings towarl!
him, and, blind fate affording him the
opportunity of the upper hand. be
made them rue more bitterly than ever
their wild threats against him.
He had, moreover, SO conducted him.
self in his Official position that every
body-good. bad and indihe"ent-on
the island hated him. Why he had not
been assassinated long since was 4
mystery. But be was dangerous man
to attack. Absolutely fearless, prompt,
decisive, resourceful and with the pow
ers and privileges Of the Office he held
besides, he had so far escaped all the
dangers and difficulties Of his situa-
ton. Charles had constantly befriend-
ed him and had refused to give ear Ell
ther to the reiterated pleas of the is
landers for his removal or to the en-
Dhatic representations Of the Spanish
court, which in bitter recollection OF
what he. had done-ard no more cruel
or more successful pirate had ever
swept the Caribbean and rtvaged the
Spanish main-were persistently urged
upon his notice But with the acces-
sion of James the situation was imme-
diately altered. The new monarch had
at once acceded to the demand Of the
Spanish ambassador, presented anew
at this opportune time. and a new GOV
ernor Of Jamaica was dispatched Owe
the sea with orders to arrest Morgal:
and send him to England. Hawxherst.
who in common with all the officers OF
the insular army hated the bloo;i
stained villain whom fortune haC
placed over them, had solicited Lorr
Carlingford to allow him to execute
the order, with what success we have
seen.
[7o BE CONTINUED