Morris tribune., 1906-01-13


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 the hellish revelry was
now in full blast The things she wit
messed and heard were enough to APP
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 CHASTITY 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
journey had been dragged helplessly
along by two of her captors, who threw
her in senseless heap on the stone
tagging of the great vaulted chamber.
The agony and suffering, the torture
and death, the shame and dishonor Of
his people affected Alyarado different
". His soul famed within his breast
er. He lusted and thirsted to break
away and single handed rush upon the
human wolves and tigers who were de-
spelling 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 unavailingly.
y,S ouI n ir,4rp 0foI ~
therefore, which was brought before
the chief buccaneer. Morgan sat at the
head of the guardrOOm on a platform,
table before him streWn with reckless
prodigality with vessels of gold and
silver stolen from altar and sideboard
indifferently, some piled high with
food others trimming with a variety
of liquors, from the rich old wines Of
Here's to the fiery native rum. LOllo-
nois, Teach and De Lussan were also
In the room Teach was roaring out a
song. that song of London town, with
it's rollicking chorus:
Though life now is pleasant and sweet
Well be damnably moldy a hundred
years hence"
The room was full of plumber of one
sort and another, and the buccaneers
were being served by frightened negro
slaves, their footsteps quickened and
their obedience enforced by the sight
of dead black in one corner whom
De Lussan had knitted a short time
since because he had been slow in
G,so LII
ed liquor, of burnt powder and of
blood. indescribable and sickening
hung in the close, hot air. Lamps and
candles were daring 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 duenna
recklessly upon the floor, hurried out
after the rest, leaving the officers and
women alone
"Silencet' 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 silver cup that Cellini
might have chased at the head of the
half drunken Teach. who's therei
Scuttle me, tbs our spitfre and the gal
liant captain with that worthy seaman.
Hornigold! Advance. friends. Thou
art welcome to our cheer. Drive them
forward, Hornigoldr' he cried as he
saw Mercedes and Alvarado made nc
attempt to move.
advance quickly" whispered Hor-
were DEATH
Selling them with a great show of
force, he showed them down the hall to
the foot Of the platform, in front OF
the jewelers.
II welcome thee to our court, fair
lady, and you, brave sir. What say We,
gentles all? Rum for the noble cap
tain here and wine for the ladyt' call
ed out Morgan, bowling over the table
in malicious mockery.
II drink with no murderer said Al
varado firmly, thrusting the negro
who proffered him glass violently
aside with his shoulder, causing him to
topple over, drenching himself with !
the liquor.
"Ha! Is it SOL" laughed Morgan in a
terrible manner. "Hark'ee, my young
cock, thou shalt crave and beg and
pray for another drink at my hand |
presently-and get it not. But there is
another cup thou shalt drink-aye. and |
that to the dregs. Back you! would !
speak with the lady. Well, Donna
Mercedes" he continued, art still in
that prideful mood 2"
Silence. The girl stood erect, disdain-
fully locking him full in the face.
II shall break thee yet, proud |
wench, he shouted. s'Come hither. |
What, you move not? Black Dog.
Black Dog, I say!''
The huge maroon lurched from be- i
hind his masters chair, where he had |
lain half drunken