The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-02-14

lust out Of IlllSket Sh0t ana concert
our further plans. We have the govern
or in our hands. lads. The rest will be
easy. There is plenty of plunder in La
Guayra. and when we have made it our
own We'll over the mountains and into
Caracas. Hornigold. you are lame from
a wound. Look to the prisoners
The rising moon flooding the white
strand made the scene as light as day.
They. kept good watch on the walls Of
La Guayra. for the sound Of the shots
in the night air had been heard by
some keen cared sentry, and as re-
suit the garrison had been called to
arms The firing had been too heavy to
be accounted for by any ordinary cir
cumstances, and officers and soldiers
had been at a loss to understand it.
However, to take precautions were
wise, and every preparation was made
as if against an immediate attack. The
drums were beaten, the ramparts were
manned, the guns were primed, and
such of the townspeople as were not
too timid to bear arms We're assembled
under their militia officers.
The watchers on the west wall of the
fort were soon aware Of the approach
Of the buccaneers. Indeed, they made
motions. Who they were and what
they were the garrison had not dis
covered and could not imagine. A
prompt and well aimed volley, how
ever, as soon as the buccaneers came
within range apprised them that they
were dealing with enemies, and de-
termined enemies at that Under COW
er of the confusion caused by this un-
expected discharge Morgan deployed
his men.
Lads he. said, well board yon
fort with rush and cheer. The lad
ders will be placed on the walls, and
under cover of heavy fire from our
musketry We'll go over them. Use only
the cutlass when you gain the parapet
and ply like men. Remember what's
on the other sideH'
At.Aye, but who'll plant the ladders?"
asked one.
ssThe priests and the abbess," said
Morgan grimly. Il saved them for
that"
a roar of laughter and cheers broke
from the rufianly gang as they appre-
ciated the neatness of the old bucca-
neer's scheme.
'.'Tis an old trick" he continued;
1--WE did the same thing thirty years
since at Porto Bello. Eh, Hornigold?
How's that leg of yours?''
'3Stiff and sore.''
''Bide here then with the musketeers.
Teach, you shall take the walls under
the cliff yonder. L'Ollonois, lead your
men straight at the fort. De Lussan,s
let the curtain between be your point.
1 shall be with the first to get over.
Now, charge your pieces all, and
Hornigold, after we have started, by
slow and careful fire do you keep the
Spaniards down until you hear us
cheer. After that hold your fire.
"But I should like to be in the first
rank myself. MASTER" growled the old
boatswain.
'Ha, ha!~ laughed Morgan. That's
a right spirit, lad, but that cut leg
holds you back. for which you have
to thank this gentleman" bowling to-
ward Alvarado with a hideous counte-
nance. ''You can be Of service here.
Watch the musketeers. We would have
no firing into our backs. Now bring
up the priests. And, Hornigold, watch
Senorita de Lara. See that she does
not escape On your life, man, I'd
rather hold her safe,' he muttered
under his breath, "than take the whole
city Of Caracas"
With shouts of fiendish glee the buc-
cancers drove the hapless abbess and
priests, who had been dragged along in
the rear, to the front. The Spaniards
were firing at them now, but with no
effect so far. The distance was great
and tne moonlight made aim uncertain.
and every time a head showed itself
over the battlement it became target
for the fire of the musketeers, who, by
Horn;gold's orders, ran forward under
the black shadow cast by the high cliff,
where they could not be seen, and from
this point of concealmeat, taking de-
liberate aim, made havoc among the
defenders.
Now, good fathers began Morgan,
you have doubtless been curious to
know why you were not put to death.
I saved you not because l loved you,
but because / needed you. l had
purpose in view. That purpose is now
apparent"
What would you do with US, senor?'
asked Sister Maria Christina, the alb
bess
"a little service, my sister. Bring up
the ladders, men. See, there are seven
all told. That will be four apiece to
four ladders, with one priest over for
good measure and to take the place OF
any that may be struck down"
and what are we to do with them,