Morris tribune., 1905-11-18
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
~1LCSE under the towering walls
III of the old Spanish fort, now
AR for q quarter of a century
dominated by the English flag,
as if seeking protection from it's frown-
ing battlements 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
SEPARATIONS in many 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
circumspect prudence, he had ex-
tended his operations into the south
seas, where he was farther from civil
cation, 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
II declining. One Of the principal
agents in promoting his downfall had
been the most famous rover Of them
all. After rohbing his companions of
most of their legitimate proportion Of
the spoils of Panama Sir Henry had
bought his knighthood at the hands Of
the yenal 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
ne abhorred so thoroughly as bucca-
neering and the -ostensibly,
that is.
Like many reformed rake, this gen
tie child Of the devil, when the opportu-
nifty came to him with the position of
vice governor, endeavored to show the
sincerity of his reformation by his
jealous persecution. He hanged with
out mercy such of his old companions
in crime as fell into his clutches. They
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 responsibility, his assumption
OF gentility, and now that he hanged
and punished right and left without
mercy their anger and luminosity were
raised to the point of fury, and many
OF them svore deeply with bitter oaths
that If they ever caught him defense
less they would make him pay dearly
in torture and torment for these vari-
ous offenses. He knew them we'll
enough to realize their feelings toward !
him. and, blind fate affording him the |
opportunity Of the upper hand, he |
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 indifferent-on |
the island hated him. Why he had not |
been assassinated long since was a |
~. Tstery. But he was dangerous man |
to attack. Absolutely fearless, prompt, |
decisive, resourceful and with the pow |
4ers 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
4her to the reiterated pleas of the is |
flanders for his removal or to the en- |
phatic representations Of the Spanish |
cenrt. which in bitter recollection Of |
what he had done-and no more cruel |
or more successful pirate had ever /
swept the Caribbean and ravaged the /
Spanish main-were persistently urged
mpon his notice. But with the acces
sion Of James the situation was imne-
aliateIy altered. The new monarch had
at once acceded to the demand Of the
Spanish ambassador, presented anew
Mt this opportune time, and a new gov
ernOr of Jamaica was dispatched over
aiae sea with orders to arrest Morgan
and send him to England. HawXherSt,
who in common with all the officers Of
che insular' army hated the blood
stained villain whom fortune had
placed over them, had solicited Lord
CarIingford to allow him to execute
the order, with what success we have
seen.
The news of the long wished for
DOWNFALL of the tyrant had been spread
abroad and formed the one topic Of
conversation in Port Royal and the vi
cinity that day. Now the work of the
day was over, and, as usual, the Blue
Anchor tavern was crowded with men
from, the frigate and other shipping in,
the harbor, mingling with others from.
the purlieus of the town, Fumes of
ruin and spirits pervaded the tobacco
smoked barroom, which served as the
main parlor OF the inn. 1t was yet
early I'm the evening, but the crowd.
lnflamed with liquor, was already in
uproarious mood Over in corner a
zoaJrer Euo1isTyTuaIp wac SinUiDU in q |