Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-10-28
sprint nom tho IappIneOs. edition Of 1851,
CHAPTER xxxII.

As Cocklescraft and his band de-
serted their boat and fed into the
wood, Dauntrees with the barges
drove rapidly la upon the shore A
loud huzZl from his men announced
the recapture OF the maiden and
Mistress Bridges. The Captain
himself, by the aid OF boat-hook,
made spring from his barge with
an agility that would not have pass
ed unapp'tuded even at an earlier
period OF his life. and was the first
to board the skipper's abandoned
yawl.
God bless thee. gentle damseli'
he exclaimed as he eagerly seized
Blanche by both hands and almost
lifted her into his arms, whilst the
maiden, with scarce less alacrity,
her eyes laughing thorough the
big drops that rolled down her
cheeks, threw her head upon his
breast, and sobbed with convuisive
joy" God bless thee. dear Mistress
BlauehetWe win make your father
q happy man again, And you. old
sweetheart. Bridget, they would
have stolen you a-syi BY my trotb,
that Trojan war and rape OF Helen
the poets tell Of. was but scurvy
adventure compared with thisl-
Lieutenant "he sdded, almost in The
same breath, leave six files with
our oarsmen toguard the boats; and
see that they draw of from the shore
into 6 fathom water, there to await
our signat when we return. The
rest OF the men will push forward
on the track of the runaways Fol
low. comrades; we have no time to
lose."
As the Captain spoke. he was al
ready pushing his way into the wood,
on the footsteps OF the retreating
pirates, at the head of some dozen
files OF musketeers. In another
moment, the two females were left
alone with the boats and their ap.
pointed guard.
Spread yourselves across the
neck" said Arnold de la Grange,
rs with a small division of the horse.
men he had now reached a position
not more then haft "A mile from the
Point "Pdmesack. creep down on
the short. ard repore whatever
comes in sight. The first man who
finds the enemy will discharge his
firelock. Scatter, gentlemen, scat
ter"
This little party OF scouts were at
the next moment extending their
line across the extremity of Med lev 's
Neck, and cautiously drawing to
wards the Point. Some distance in
the rear was 10 be seen Talbot and
the rest of thu horsemen moving at
a walk. 10 a compact body, upon the
trail OF the rangers advance, and
silently awaiting the signal by
which they were TO be guided to the
quarter where their attack was to
be made. After a short period of
suspense, the report OF q carbine,
from the direction taken by Pane
sack, arrested the general attention,
and, on the instant. Albert, with
three or fonr companions. set OF at
high speed towards the spot. On
reaching the margin of the little
bay which formed one con mine OF the
neck Of land, he discovered, advanc
ing at a quick pace, though vet
some distance of, the handful of
men whom the wild adventure OF the
skipper bad brought ;ntc these des
perate circumstances. They were
10 close array. armed with pixies.
and led forward by their reckless
captain. The confidence with which
they hurried upon their march seem
cd TO indicate an Dnconsciousness
OF any foe except the party In their
rear The conviction was now in
stantly changed, as they became
aware OF the presence OF verheydeu
and his friends. Staggered by this
unexpected disclosure. they were
observed % halt for moment. as IL
10 receive some counsel from their
chief. and then 10 advance with a
steadiness that indicated prompt
and desperate resolve. Their ranks
were formed with more precision
their pace gradually quickened, and
they came nearer 10 their enemy;
and having approached so near as TO
enable either side 10 hear the com
maud OF the other. Albert could dis.
tinctly recognize the voice of Cock
lescraft exhortiug them 10 the onset.
In another moment. they set up the
war-cry which they had learned
from the Spaniards OF the Gulf, and
~nd-whtnh had rwn1n 80 ha shas~