Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-10-28
reprint nom me Llpplnco,t edition Of 1881.
CHAPTER xxxII.

vi TAI LII AA0AAs
As Cocklescraft and his band de-
serted their b2at and fed into the
wood, Dauntfees with the barges
drove rapidly 10 upon the shore A
loud huzza from his men announced
the recapture of the maiden and
Mistress Bridget. The Captain
himself, by the aid 81 a boat-hook,
made spring from his barge with
an agility that would not have pass
ed unappltuded even al an earlier
period OF his life, and was the first
to board the shippers abandoned
yawl,
God bless thee. gentle damseli''
he exclaimed as be eagerly seized
Blanche by both hands and almost
lifted her iuib bis arms, whilst the
maiden, With scarce less alacrity,
= her eyes laughing thorough the
big drops that rolled down her
cheeks, throw her head upon his
breast, and sobhed with convulsiye
Joy" God bless thee, dear Mistress
Blauchel we viii make your father
a happy man again, And you. old
sweetheart. Bridget. they would
have stolen yca awayl Bymy troth,
that Trojan war and rape Of Helen
the poets tell of, was but Q 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 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 we're left
alone with the boats and their ap.
pointed guard.
Spread yourselves across the
neck" said Arnold de Ia Grange,
as with a small division OF the horse
men he had now reached q position
not more then haft q mile from the
Point "Pamesack. creep down on
the Short. and repore whatever
comes In sight. The 6rst man who
finds the enemy will discharge his
frelock. Scatter, gentlemen, scat
ter"
This little party OF scouts were at
the next moment extending their
line across the extremity Of Medley g
Neck, and cautiously drawing TO
wards the Point. Some distance 10
the rear was TO be seen Talbot and
the rest Of the horsemen moving at
walk. in 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 short period OF
suspense, the report OF q carbipe,
from the direction taken by Pane
sack, arrested the general attention,
and, on the instant, Albert, with
three or four companions. set OF at
high speed towards the spot. On
reaching the margin Of the little
bay which formed one confine OF the
neck Of land, he discovered, advanc-
ing at a quick pace, though yet
some distance of, the handful Of
men whom the wild adventure Of the
skipper had brought into 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.
ed to indicate an unconsciousness
OF any foe except the party In their
rear. The conviction was now in
stantly changed, as they became
aware Of the presence Of Verheyden
and his friends. Staggered by this
unexpected disclosure, they we're
observed TO halt for a moment. as Il
TO receive some counsel from their
chief, aud then 10 advance with o
steadiness that indicated prompt
and desperate resolve. Their ranks
were formed with more precision;
their pace gradually quickened, and
they came nearer 70 their enemy;
and having approached so near as 10
enable either side to hear the com.
mapd Of the other, Albert could dis.
tinctly recognize she voice OF Cock.
lescraft exhorting them to the onset
In another moment, they set up the
war-cry which they had learned
from the Spani6rds Of the Gulf, and
| and which had grown 70 be their
own, from the reeolIections Of the