The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

1 Wilder had been noticeably disturbed
 since the cruiser had come close enough l to distinguish her. Now he tried to re-
 monstrate, but his reckless commander
 was bent on the enterprise. He disap- peared in his cabin, to emerge in the cer-
 emonial uniform of a royal captain. l He descended into his boat Turning to
 Wilder with look of high and generous confidence, he said:
 q leave you captain of my people and | master of my fate. I am certain that both trusts are reposed in worthy hands"
 Without waiting for reply, as if scorn- ing the vain ceremony of idle assurances,
 he ordered the crew to give way, and in
 few minutes was mounting the side Of
 his enemy amid the honors due to his assumed rank.
 Wilder stood on deck watching the cruiser with a strained face, sorely troubled. Short as his acquaintance with
 the pirate had been, he had found in him generous and even noble traits that had inspired him with respect if not friend ship. He had found this Captain Heideg- ger, as he chose to call himself, no vul- gar sea robber, but a man capable of kind deeds on occasion as he was capable of lawless ones. That he was without the | knowledge of the thing called fear Wild CT knew. He had also said enough of his previous career to inform Wilder that he
 had turned rover not for gain but through fierce hatred of the British. ;, A long time elapsed, during which the | two vessels lay quietly near each other. Then the rover appeared on the deck of the cruiser, escorted by the stout old
 captain.
 i He boarded his own vessel and went l into his own cabin. Within a few sec ends Wilder received a summons from | him. l Ut seems," said the rover, that Cap tain Bignall of wonder vessel, the Dart,
 has been sent into this latitude in quest of a certain vessel called the Red Rover. | He accepted me without question as the noble captain of the Antelope, and ingen-
 uously gave me to know that he has an | agent in the employ of the enemy, who i is to communicate with him when oppor- l tunity serves. That agent is his first 1 lieutenant, Henry Ark, alias-Wider."
 Wilder arose and said steadily: 'It is
 true. I have done my duty, knowing my
 risk. I incurred those risks to drive a
 scourge from the seas. I shall not shrink
 from the penalty"
 MT. Wilder" said the rover, ''there is l a law in this community of ours into | ool,a would consign you to the yardarm were l I to open the door and give you to my
 crew. He paused for a moment Then 1 he continued: But my resolution was
 taken on the instant of my discovery.
 No apprehension of the consequences to l me shall change it. Co., sir. Rejon your
 ship. You are free.'
 ] No revilngs could have touched Wild
 er This generous conduct cut him to tine
 heart"
 Captain Heidegger," said he sadly, "as soon as I am on my ship I must betray
 your true character"
 DO your duty
 May, more," replied Wilder, 'T may i die here, if you wish; but if I go to yon- ! der cruiser I must become your enemy at
 once."
 "Wider," cried the rover, grasping his ] hand with fierce energy, i've should have
 becomme acquainted earlier. But regret
 is idle. My life is what I have made it.
 Go! should my people suspect the truth, you are lost"
 1 Wilder did not move. "When came, I did not come alone. My two men must l leave with me, or I shall stay. Neither 1 shall I desert my two charges"
 Captain Heidegger drowned. Then he 1 gave signal and ordered the two sailors i into boat. He handed the ladies to the
 side treating Mrs. Wyllys, in especial, 1 with studied politeness She looked al
 him, half in fear. half with a wondering,
 searching expression. such as had passed over her tkce many times since she had beheld him first when he picked them un