Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1909-09-16
tRsprlns nom the Lippincoss edition Of 1851.
CHAPTER XVIII.


With q view TO communicate his
intended change of position to bis
confederates, he made his second
visit TO the town pretty nearly In
the same manner that he had accom-
plished the first. His stay in the
port. however. was longer than on
the former night. and 10 was conse
quently after break Of day that he
passed the hut OF Simon Fluke. On
bis near approach TO the spot where
his skiff awaited him. he encounter
ed the fisherman, who was lurking
upon his path, and who, at the NOM
ent they came withinispeakiug dis
tance, was endeavoriug 70 conceal
himself in thicket OF cedars. Cock
lescraft was not q man to hesitate in
the commission ofa crime under any
circumstances, and least OF all when
it concerned his safety. On the per-
sent occasion he did not stop TO
parley with the person who way.
laid his footsteps, but obeying the
impulse OF his habitual sense of hos
tllity to his kind, ane the fsrocity
OF bis nature, he drew o pistol from
his girdle aud discharged the con-
tents with such certain effect, that
the fisherman fell dead at his feet
without q groan. He tarried not TO
look upon the murdered man, nor TO
take any concern even for the dis
posal OF the body,-but leaving IL q
prey to the wild birds that lowered
near, he stepped into his boat with
as little emotion or remorse as IL he
had despatched some prowling beast,
not caring to inquire who or what
he was that invaded his path.
On the night that followed this
adventure the Olive Branch Quilted
her temporary harbor, and the next
morning found her secretly ensconc-
ed behind q woody headlard, In q
nook OF st. Jerome's creek, about
two miles above it's mouth, where
she lay safe from the view OF all
who navigated the Chesapeake.
Cocklescraft began already to feel
that he had joined his new associ-
ates in hour not the most auspici-
Gus TO his fortunes. The arrest OF
the leaders and the quiet that seem.
ed to prevail throughout the land.
created doubt in his mind whether
any thing was likely to be achieved
in the way that he desired; and more
then once he meditated o retreat
from the province, yet resolved, be-
fore he did so, TO signalize the event
by some fragrant act of vengeance
upon his enemies. This thought
seemed to please him; and he spent
the day in Illuminating over schemes
of retribution against those who had
OF late treated him with such con-
tumely. Uppermost in his breath
ings OF hatred was the name of AL
bert Verhay den, and a demon smile
curled upon his lip when he mutter-
ed it
Such provision as might hastily
be made for q short voyage, now
engrossed the attention of bis crew.
His armament was put In order
water taken in, and every thing
done,-except the slowing on board
OF such commodities as he designed
to take away to other markets,-to
prepare him for sailing within the
next twenty-four hours. il occasion
should require.
When night came on, and the
rain fell, and the moon was quench.
ed, and the murky, cheerless atmos.
phere, so congenial with the unlaw.
full complexion of his designs, ad.
monished him how little likely /,
was that prying feet or watchful
eyes should be abroad. o revel was
held in the Wizards Chapel,
Amidst the lumber that lay piled in
confusion over the floor OF the rude
but spacious building. room was
found for q rosgh table, around
which empty casks, broken boxes
and other appropriate furniture o
a smuggler's den, supplied seats
sufficient for the accommodation o
twelve or fifteen persons. Here
were assembled she crew of ths
Escalfador, with an abundant sup
ply Of strong liquors and tobacco
A FIRE blazed on the ample hearth
furnishing 70 such 40 desired it the
means Of cooking, In q simple fash
ion, some substantial elements oi
the evening meal; an opportunity
which not was neglected, as was ap
parent from the bones and. scrap:
Of broken victuals which lay scat
tered about the fireplace, and frou
the strong fumes of roasted mea
/ which SAINT kheir say0r inko avary