The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-02-21
CHAPTER XVII.

OdrkueSS Ol lLG uiOuut<t1u.
CHAPTER XVII.
f~1HE clock on the wall was strik-
III ing II as Hornigold forced his
Ill prisoners into the guariroom Of
the first fort that had been cap
tured, which, as it was the larger of
the two, Morgan had selected as his
headquarters. Mercedes soul had turn
ed to stone at the sights and SOUNDS
which met her as she passed through
the town, where tie hellish revelry was
now in full blast. The things she wit
messed and heard were enough to ap-
pail the stoutest heart that ever beat
within the rudest. breast. She forgot
her own danger in her sympathy for
the suffering inhabitants Of the devoted
town. Ghastly pale and sick with hor-
ror, she tottered and staggered as she
entered the room. AS for the Sonora
Agapida, she had collapsed long since,
and for the last hundred yards of the
iourney had beer dragged heiriessiy
along By Two Of her ca2tors. who threw
her IL q seASe!ess heap on tAe stone
flaasg.s.g Q. tie great vauited chamber.
The agong aad suffering. the torture
and death, the shame and dishonor Of
his people affected Alvarado different
ly. His soul famed within his breast
with pity for the one, rage for the 9TH
er. He lusted and thirsted to break
away and single handed rush upon the
human wolves and tigers who were de
spoiling women, torturing men. muir
dering children. as if they had been
devils. The desire mastered him, and
he writhed and struggled in his bonds,
but unavai1ingly.
It was haggard, distracted pair,
therefore, which was brought before
the chief buccaneer Morgan sat at the
head of the guardroom on platform,
a table before him strewn with reckless
prodigality with vessels Of gold and
silver. stolen from altar and sideboard
indiferently. some piled high with
food. others brimming with variety
of LIQUORS. from the rich old wines OF
Xeres to the fiery native rum. LOllo-
nois, Teach and De Lussan We're also
in the room. Teach was roaring out a
song. that song Of London town, with
it's roIlicking chorus:
Though life now is pleasant and sweet
to the sense.
Well be damnably moldy a hundred
years hence
The room was full Of plunder Of one
sort and another. and the buccaneers
were being served by frightened negro
slaves. their footsteps quickened and
their obedience enforced by che sight
Of dead black in one corner whom
De Iussan had knifed short time
since because he had been slow in
coming to his call. The smell Of spill
ed LIQUOR. Of burnt powder and Of
blood. indescribable and sickening.
hung in the close hot air. Lamps and
candles were flaring and spluttering in
the room. but the greater illumination
came through the open easements from
the roaring fires Of burning houses out
side. The temptation to join in the
sack of the town had been too much
for Hornigold's remaining men; conse-
quently he and those conveying Sonora
Agapida alone attended the prisoners.
These last. after throwing the duenDa
recklessly upon the floor. hurried out
after the rest, leaving the officers and
women alone.
"Silcnce.w roared Morgan as his eye
fell upon the group entering the lower
end Of the great hall. "Pipe down.
thou believing bull..' he shouted.
throwing q silver cup that Cellini
might have chased at the head Of the
half drunken Teach. Who's there?
Scuttle me. It's our spitfire and the gal
liant captain, with that worthy seaman,
Hornigold. Advance. friends. Thou
art welcome to our cheer. Drive them
forward Hornigold" he cried as he
saw Mercedes and Alvarado made no
attempt to move.
advance quickly" whispered 1or-
nigold to .Alvarado; "to cross him now
were DEATH
Selling them with great show of
force, he showed them down the hall to
the foot of the platform, in front Of
the revelers.
81 welcome thee to our court, fair
lady, and you, brave sir. What say ye,
gentles all? Rum for the noble cap