Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-04-11


was NO evidence that II had been nd |
den and Seton was puzzled. He rode |
10 the top OF little hillock and sur
Teyed the country. There was no place !
Of possible shelter for q mile around |
He was completely at 4 loss TO I'M
derstand the situation. but concluded
to ride forward. He rode on for an
hour. seeing nothing. obtaining no
satisfactory answer TO his questions
II was hardly possible that three PEG
pie could have ridden on one horse.
There was no reason on earth, II they
had started out on two. for abandoning
one.
II was now nearly II o'clock In the
morning. He concluded that he must
have passed the fugitivea on the way
and so he turned and rstraced bis
steps. bordering deeply. After half
an hours hard galloping he came TO
little cross road. He had noticed II
before and had been told that Il led
TO the sea Something checked him
In the road. He stopped to breathe
HIS horse a moment and consider his
course when Ii flashed into his mind
that perhaps the party In default OF
horses would endeavor to escape by
boat. He knew that Ellen was an nc
complished sailor. and he cursed his
stupidity that he had ROT thought OF
Il before.
He galloped down the road and in
a few minutes came TO a little fishing
village. Some OF the fishermen h@d
gone on for the days work in their
boats, but one grizzled sailor was
moodily pacing up and down the little
wharf Refining his horse in on the
shore, Seton hailed him
MY man." he said. have you seen
anything Of two or three people. two
women and a man inGuirinE for boat
this morning7"
NO" gvowled the man. but I had
q boat at this wharf. the best boat
In the haven, and when come down
this morning AZ Eve o'clock she was
gone"
"Gonei" cried Seton, dismounting
from his horse in his excitement
What do you meant"
Just what ! say, your honor" re-
turned the man. she was tied right
there"-he pointed to one OF the
spiles-"and when I got up I was the
nrst man down here at the wharf. she
was gone"
Was there any message-any clew
-sny sign?"
"Naught but this" returned the sail
or, pulling out OF HIS pocket n handful
OF shining guineas.
Here was proof positive 10 Seton.
II flashed into his mind that Ellen had
mentioned that a ship belonging 20
her was loaded at Portsmouth. He
saw IL all now. In some way Ellen
and Deborah had escaped from Strath-
gate. Ellen had instinctively turned
TO the seashore. She had taken this
mans ship and was bound FOX Ports
mouth.
We'll. my friend, don't see that
you have anything 20 complain OF"
'Hov's that sirq" queried the sailor
Certainly the boat was hardly
worth more than FIVE guineas"
I've naught 20 say about the price"
returned the man. but I'd like to we
been spoken to before my property
was took that way"
Il have no doubt that you viii get
your property back In the end" re-
turned Seton. confidently.
And the Eve guineas?" aueried the
man, anxiously. his countenancs
changing.
And the FIVE g'lineas. too"
Good" exclaimed the boatman.
greatly relieved
Now. ! want TO know how far n is
from here 20 Portsmouth"
"A matter OF between 80 and 40
leagues. dependin' on the wind" said
the man.
Would your boat be big enough to
make that distance7"
Lord love yer honor, she's big
enough 90 go 20 France"
But could a woman handle herr
II she knowed the sea and a boat
"A child could do t."
WAS there any provision aboard p
"A breaker OF fresh water and may
hap some hard bread"
Good" said Seton, reassured that
the fugitives were not starving At any
rate. Now. I want 70 get to Ports
mouth, and want to go by sea"
He judged thSt since CArrington
was probably headed in that direction,
by land. IL would be best for him 70
follow directly upon thu course Of
the fugitives which he had so luckily
run down.
'Thatu be easy enough, your hon.
or" said the sailor, there's other
boats in the haTbor."
Us your boat a fast one?"
The fastest for her size along the
shore" said the man, proudly.
but are there any which are
larger or better?"
There's Will Hawkes. boat yonder.
VIII amt abroad to-day, bein' down
| with a spell OF fever"
Gould We rent or charter that
boat?"
I'VE could IL you've the money" re-
turned the sailor.
Very good" said Seton. go and
see him. tell him that Sir Charles
Seton wants to charter his boat for a
run 10 Portsmouth. Are you free to
take charge OF herr"
That ] am. master"