The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-02-14
BY CYRUS TOWNSEND
Author Of ..The southerners.' y Fer Low


men she lifted it and struck him vio-
lently again and again full in the face.
sss@Thou devil!!' cried the captain in
fury, whipping out his sword and men
acing her with it.
Strike" cried Mercedes bravely,
"and let my blood wash out the Insult
that youehave put upon my cheekH
She raised her whip once more, but
this time young Teach, coming .on the
other side, caught her hand, wrested
the jeweled toy from her and broke it
in the struggle
s.Thou shalt pay dearly for those
stripes, ladyw roared Morgan, swerv-
ing closer to her. "And not now in hon
orable wedlock
81 will die frstp returned Mercedes.
Alvarado meanwhile had been .strug-
Cling desperately to free himself. By
the exercise Of superhuman strength,
Just as Morgan again, menaced the wo-
man he loved he succeeded in freeing
himself from his loosely tied bonds.
His guards for the moment had their
attention distracted from him by the
group on horseback. He wrenched a
sword from the, hand of one, striking
him a blow with his naked fist that
sent him reeling as he did so, and then
flung out his other arm so that. the
heavy pommel Of the sword struck the
second guard in the face, and the way
was clear for the moment. He sprang
forward instantly, seized Morgan's
horse, forced him away from Mercedes
by wrench of his powerful arm and
stood at bay in front Of the woman he
loved. He said no word, but stood
with his sword up on guard, painting
heavily from his fierce exertions.
ssAlyarado, you will be killed"
screamed the girl, seeing the others
make for him.
Here we have it, sneered Morgan
sThis is the secret Of your refusal. He
is your lover"
eSeize himr' cried Teach, raising his
sword, as, followed by the others, he
made at Alvarado, who awaited them
undaunted.
s. AsStay.' shouted De Lussan. sThere
is 8 better way
Rudely showing Sonora Agapida aside,
he seized Mercedes from behind.
ssDo not move. mademoiselle,' . he said
in French, in his excitement. which
forflrateIy she understood
ssThats well doner' cried Morgan.
captain Alvarado, if that be your
name, throw down your sword if you
would save the lady's life"
mind me not. Alyarado," cried Mer-
cedes, sput Alvarado, perceiving the
situations instantly dropped his weap-
oa. -.
.sNow seize him and bind him again.
And you, dogs" Morgan added, turn
ing to the men who had allowed the
prisoner to slip before, ''if he escape
you again you shall be hanged to the
nearest treer
..Hadst not better bind the woman,
too:' quecied the Frenchman gently.
still hol0i2sg her fast in his fierce grasp.
..Aye, the wench as wen. Oh. I'll
break your spirit, my pretty one," an
swered Morgan savagely. Tipping the
young woman's cheek. 'Wilt pay me
blows for kisses? Scuttle me, you
shall crawl at my feet before I've fin
ished with your
"N'hy not kill this caballero out OF
hand captain:" asked Hornigold, saw
age from slight wound, as he limped
up to Morgan.
"No. I have use for him. Are the
rest silent?"
.iThey will tell no tales" laughed
L'Ollonois grimly.
did none escape back up the road"
'None. Sir Henry" answered the
other. "My men closed in after them
and drove them forward. They are
all gone"
.sThat's we'll. Now for La Guayra.
What force is there, Senor Captain"
Alvarado remained obstinately silent.
He did not speak even when Morgan
rrthlessly cut him across the cheek
with his dagger. He did not utter a
sound. although Mercedes groaned in
anguish at the sight Of his torture.
You'd best kill him. captain said
L'Ollonois.
40, have need for him, say" an
swcred Morgan, giving over the at
aThou devil!u
? 20 o.