Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-10-07


Historical Society, chairman OF the Board Of
Trustees OF the Peabody Academy, BaIti.
more and trustee of the Peabody Education
and OF Life OF William writ. e''
(Reprint from the Lipplncott edition OF 1851.
Another interval of silent labor at
the oar, and the dim light in the
windows of the Chapel attached to
the House of st Inigo's. yet far of,
upon the narrow strip of land which
Jutted entirely across the direct line
OF the boat S course. as she hugged
the shore, showed the marines that
some one of the officials of the house
was at the service OF early mathis
on the vigil of the Feast of All
Souls; and their familiarity with
the watches Of the night apprizsd
them that the hour approached four
OF the morning.
And now the creek OF St. Inigoe's
is opened upon their view; and on
the further bank. the house OF the
Rose Croft, with its empowering
trees, is distinctly traced against
the clear starlit sky. A solitary
taper glimmering through an upper
xiedaw, dan0tas .. lsdy's. bower,
'Se%vr. under the protection OF the
friendly ray, Blanehe Warden, pre-
chance, reposes In ipnocent slumber,
her fancy sporting in dreams of
him who day and night lives in her
thoughts.
This reflection flashed across the
brain of Cocklescrafs as he directed
the head OF the boat into the creek.
Pull, with a long sweep and q
quick, he said in low but stern
voice. These watch-dogs of the
fort may catch a glimpse Of US. +"
Then having advanced far enough
to interpose the bluff bank Of the
Rose Croft between him and the fort,
he commanded the men to cease row.
ing, whilst they muffied their oars.
Not a word above your breath, +"
he now added in giving the orders
which were TO guide his followers
through the enterprise for which
they have been brought hither.
Listen to me: we land under yon-
der bank-creep in silence to the
dwelling you see above. and pluck
from her bed the fairest damsel of
this Western world. Mark me,
comrades. you have sacked towns
and spoiled many an humble roof:
you have torn children from the
breasts of their mothers, and wives
from the arms Of their hus bands YOU
havedraRged maidensfromthe
chambers Of their dwelling and
laughed at their prayers for safety,
and you have rioted over all, with
the free license ofthe Bloody Broth
ers-but take il to your souls this
| night. that IL, in the assault Of yun-
| der house, one unnecessary blow be
struck. war-cry be raised or deed
OF violence done, the mao who offends
dies by my hand. And further,
when the maiden is brought into
your presence let no rude speech
assail her ear Igoto seek q bride,
not TO plunder; and / command you
all, on the duty you owe your lead
er. as Brethren OF the Coast, that
you do her all honor as mistress of
the Escslfador. My sweetest rev
enge, he muttered without intend
ing TO be heard by the crew-''is to
marry the worshipful Collector s
daughter without his leave-or her
own. by St. Isgoi The rose shall
consort with the sea nettle, Anthony
Warden!-though it be not to your
liking. Do We heed me, messmates7 2
Roche del Csrmine, 70 you / took TO
see this order enforced!"
IF il be but the taking of single
dsmsel, murmured Roche, lit was
hardly worth leaving the warm ere
and the bottle of the Chapel. Ha |!
it will be story to tell in the Keys
that our last frolie in st. Mary S
was at the Captain s wedding
"Dost thou pirate. sirrah?" de-
manded Cocklescraft. by nv
sword, l am in earnest in what
say-I will shoot down the man that
disobeys my order"
Il will answer for the crew."
said Roche de Carmine; the lady
shall be handled as gently as q child
in the arms of its nurse"
"Ay," responded several Of the
sailors; the Captain shall not COM
plain Of US.
The oars were muffled. and the
boat was once more infull progress