Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-10-14
,prln. nom tho LippIncot. edition Of 1851,
CHAPTER XXI.

Bytheaidof the good father himself,
he was dismountea from his horse
and straighwsy conducted into the
study OF the churchman.
"You have reason to be amazed at
this early visit, reverend father"
he said, but my errand will allow
no ceremony.
"You come to tell somewhat OF the
ruffiaus," hastily answered Father
Pierre, with look and tone OF sor-
row, which informed The Cripple,
at the outset, that some deed OF hor-
ror had already been done, who
last night violated the sanctury OF
the worthy Collector's roof. and
stole away his dauehter----"
Hail" exclaimed Rob. kindling
with sudden wonder; was that the
drift OF Dickon Cdcklescraft's raid
last night He has stolen the dam
SELF viperl hell-ESandI ! heard u
not, holy Iathers6Hl guessed some
such outrage. I have FASTENED
bither faster then these crippled
lambs are won't 10 taayel, 10 tell thee
where the robber may be found. l
know his purpose Of mischief,
though not against whom it tended
-ha, ha. bal l have banked himl
have baylked himl"
"Speak, old man, more coherently:
we are lost In doubt, and overcome
with grief. say, where has the raw
Usher fled2"
"To the Heron islands. at the
mouth Of the river. There he hopes
to find his briRantine-but have
cheated him, Father Pierrel Lose
no time-but set pursuit on foot. I"
"The town is wild with copject-
ure," returned the priest; Master
Warden's servants have told the
dreadful tale: but whittier to search,
no one yet has told. Come instantly
with me TO the Proprietary's. He
who can point out the path OF rescue
will be more than welcome guest. /"
The priest lost no time In causing
Rob to be again set 10 his saddle;
and walking beside the horse across
the plain which separated the dwell
ing Of the Proprietary from the city,
Father Pierre soon halted with his
companion at the door.
Previous TO the arrival OF The Grip
pie, and afterwards, during the con-
ference between him and the Pro.
prietary, In which measures were
debated for the pursuit of the pirates,
the excitement OF the inhabitants OF
st. Mary's wasaroused to the most in
tense agitation. The tidines brought
from the Rose Croft had awakened
the town at the dawn OF day, and
rumor told In every dwelling the
sad history Of the skipper's on
slaught. The fate Of Blanche was
bewailed by all with bitter lamen-
tation. Old and young grew fran
tic at the thought OF a delicate
and defenceless maiden, toru
from her parent bower, In the dead
Of the night, and abandoned to the
custody OF miscreants, In whose
bosoms pot one sentiment Of pity or
remorse mitigated the fury OF their
brutal passions; and they uttered
deep imprecations as they dwelt up
on the dreadful fate which he'd be.
fallen theif cherished Rose Of St.
Mary's. All were astir TO do some
thing for her rescue. yet none SEEM
ed to know what was proper to be
done. The women wrung their
hands and wept, running wildly
from place to place; the elder burg
hers conversed la doubling and
dilatory consultations; and young
men OF the port vented their anger
in loud cries for vengeance against
the perpetrators Of the outrage
suggesting as many plans Of pursuit
as there were verying rum0rs OF the
retreat OF the invaders, and calling
loudly to be led into immediate &C.
ton.
1.-THE Olive Branch did not slip
of 50 quietly on harmless flight"
said Nicholas Verbrake, the lieuten-
ant OF the fort, as be stood In the
midst Of some eight or ten compan-
ions, on bluff bank, which, near
the middle OF the town, gave view
OF the whole extent In the river. II
thought that there was something
too saucy both In the craft and In
her skipper tobave either Of them