The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-02-28
II didn't know you knew so much

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bade her be Of good cheer; that he did
not think it likely that Morgan would
think Of calling upon her or Of sending
for her until morning, when it would
be too late. He promised that he would
watch over her and do what he could
to protect her; that he would never
leave the sfort except for a few mo-
ments before 10 that night, when he
went to admit Alyarado. What was
better earnest Of his purpose was that
he furnished her with keen dagger,
small enough to conceal in the bosom
Of her dress, and advised her If worst
came to worst, and there was no other
way, to use it He impreSaed on her
that on no account was she to allow
Morgan to get the slightest inkling Of
his communication to her, for If the
chief buccaneer found this out Horni-
COLDS life would not be worth mo-
ment's thought and Alvarado would be
baked In his plans Of rescue.
Mercedes most thankfully received
the weapon and promised to respect
the confidence.
AS far as creature comforts were
concerned, the two women Jared well.
Indeed, they were sumptuously, lavish
", prodigally provided for. Sonora
Agapida was still in a state Of COM
plete prostration. She lay helpless on
a couch in the apartment, and minis
tering to her distracted the poor girls
mind, yet such day as Mercedes de
Lara passed she prayed she might
never again experience. The town
was filed with the shouts and cries Of
the buccaneers wandering to and fro,
singing drunken choruses, now and
again routing out hidden fugitives
from places of fancied security and
torturing them with ready ingenuity
whenever they were taken. The con-
fusion was increased and the noise dl-
versifed by the shrieks and groans OF
these misera BILE wretches. Sometimes
the vWces that came through the high
windows were those Of women, and
the sound Of their screams made the
heart Of the brave girl sink like lead in
her breast.
For the rest, she did not understand
Hornigold's position. She did not know
whether to believe him or not, but of
one thing was she certain-whereas
she had been defenseless, now she had
a weapon, and she could use it if nee
essary. With that in hand she was
mistress at least of. her own fate.
AS evening drew on, everything hay
ing been attended to, Morgan began to
tire of his isolation, and time hung
heavy on his hands. He was weary OF
the women whom he had hitherto con-
sorted with. The other officers, between
whom and himself there was no sort
of friendship, were busy with their
own nefarious Weaknesses in the diff
ferent parts Of the fort or town, and
he sat long time alone in the guard
room drinking. Black Dog, as usual,
pouring at his side The liquor in
famed his imagination. and be craved
co.lpaD;onship. Summoning Horni-
gold at last, he bade him bring Donna
Mercedes before him The old man at
tempted to expostulate, but Morgan's
mood had changed, and he brooked no
hesitation in obeying any order given
by him. There was nothing for the
Eoatswain to do but to comply.
Once more Mercedes, therefore, found
herself in the guardroom Of the fort i'll
the presence Of the man she loathed
and feared above all others in creation.
She glanced at the clock, a recent i'm
portation from Spain. hanging upon the
wall as she entered and saw that it
was half after 8. Ten was the hour
Hornigold had appointed to meet Alva-
RADIO at the gate. She hoped that he
would be early rather than late. and
if she could withstand the buccdneer
by persuasion. seeming compliance or
by force for short space, all would be
well. for she never doubted that her
lover would come for her. Even if he
had to come single handed and alone to
fight for her, she knew be would be
there. Therefore, with every nerve
strained almost to the breaking point
to ward off his advances and to delay
anv action he might contemplate, she
faced the buccaneer.
He was dressed with barbaric mag
nificence in the riches and plunder he
had appropriated, and he had adorned
his person with a profusion OF silver
and gold and stolen gems. He had been
seated at the table while served by the
maroon: but; as she entered, with unu;
sual complaisance he arose and bowed
to her with something of the grace OF
gentleman