Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-02-23

OtneT the privilege VI dSSuiiiii6 Oh eiS
blame, and both were so happy that
Mohammed was little more than prep
osition in their conversation so far as
prominence was concerned. But all
day long the harbor was full Of fisher
boats, and at nightfall they still were
lolling about, sinister, restless, mystic
rious, like purposeless buzzards. And
the dark men on board were taking up
no fish; neither were they minding the
nets that lay dry and folded in the bot
tom Of their boats.
Far into the night there was revelry
on board the Filter, more guests hav-
ing come out from the city. The dark
hours before the dawn Of day had ar
rived before they put off for shore, but
the fisher boats still were bobbing
about in the black waters Of the har-
Dor. The lights gradually disappear
ed from the portfolios of the yacht, and
the tired watch was about to be re-
lieved. Monty Brewster and Peggy re-
mained on deck after the guests had
were leaning over the rail aft listening
to the jovial voices Of the visitors as
they grew fainter and fainter in the
distance. The lights Of the town were
few, but they could painly be seen
from the ofting.
Are you tired, Peggy" asked Brew
ster with a touch of tenderness. Some
how of late he had often felt a strange
desire to take her in his arms, and now
it was strong upon him. She was very
near, and there was a dropping weari-
ness in her attitude which seemed to
demand protection.
Il have a queer feeling that some
thing awful is going to happen tonight,
Monty" she answered, trouble in her
soft voice.
You're nervous; that's all" he said,
"and you should go to sleep. Good
night" Their hands touched in the
darkness, and the thrill that went over
him told a truth Of which he had been
only vaguely conscious. The power of
it made him exultant. Yet when he
thought of her and her too quietly af-
fection for him 1t left him despondent.
Something bumped against the side
of the ship, and grating sound follow
ed. Then came other gentle thuds
combined with the soft swish Of water
disturbed. Peggy and Brewster were
~, ha NJ nf Uyh fhair
attention was caught by these strange
sounds.
What is it?" she asked as they
paused irresolutely. He strode to the
rail, the girl following close behind.
Three sharp little whistles came from
above and behind them, but before they
had time even to speculate as to their
meaning the result was in evidence.
Over the sides Of the ship came shad-
owy forms as If by magic; at their
back panther-like bodies dropped to
the deck with stealthy thuds, as If
coming from the inky sky above. There
was an instant Of dreadful calm and
then the crisis. A dozen sinewy forms
hurled themselves upon Brewster, who,
taken completely by surprise, was
thrown to the deck in an instant, his
attempt to cry out for help being check
ed by heavy hands. Peggys scream
was cut off as quickly, and paralyzed
by terror, she felt herself engulfed in
strong arms and smothered into silence.
1t all happened so quickly that there
was no chance to give the alarm, no
opportunity to resist.
Brewster felt himself lifted bodily,
and then there was the sensation of
falling. He struck something forcibly
with all his weight and fell back with
a crash to the deck. Afterward he
found that the effort to throw him
overheard had failed only because his
assailants in their haste had hurled
him against an unseen stanchion.
Peggy was borne forward and low
her roughly upon somethingg hard.
There was a jerky, rocking motion,
the sudden splash of oars, and then
she knew no more.
The invaders had planned with a
craftiness and patience that deserved
success. For hours they had waited,
silently, watchfully and with deadly
assurance. How they crept up to the
Filter in such numbers and how the
more daring came aboard long before
the blow was struck no one ever ex-
planned. So quickly and so accurately
was the abduction performed that the
boats were we'll clear of the yacht
before alarm was given by one Of the
watch, who had been overlooked in the
careful assault.
Sleepy sailors rushed on deck with
a promptness that was amazing. Very
quickly they had found and unbound
Brewster, carried a couple of wound
ed shipmates below, and had Captain
Perry in his pajamas on deck to take
command.
"The searchlight!" cried Brewster
frantically. THE devils have stolen
Miss Gray"
To be Continued