Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1912-04-19
cut out the rations. What you got
a bo,

mony was concluded IL was alter
o'clock.
The wind had changed to the SOUTH
east, and the sky was overcast as they
shot out from under the shadow OF
the long pier and beaded across the
bay. 1t was three miles to Cedar
creek. where the phantom pirate was
supposed to be in hiding. They made
the wreck near the creeks mouth and
made fast to her rotting timbers. She.
loomed big and black above the natty
little launch and afforded u measure
of protection from observation. Abel
and Myron Fladd lounged In the cab
in and took turns watching through
the tiny portfolios for some sign OF
life near the mouth OF the creek.
There was nothing save an OCCASION
al king6sher to disturb the solitude.
Hour after hour passed In tedious
waiting.
Maybe he went while you were
across the bay" suggested Abel Wat.
kins.
There wasn't FIVE minutes I didn't
have my glasses trained on that
creek" said Myron sharply. Con
found him. Why can't he come out?"
Lets go after him." suggested
Abel. I'VE might as we'll catch him
in there us to chase him all around
Little River bay"
Myron Fladd agreed. and just as the
day was fading they painted into Cedar
creek and made for its upper reaches.
There. drawn on little pebbly beach
and half hidden in the tall salt grass.
was a narrow. dark gray motorboat.
Lounging on the deck was a long limb
ed young man. who shot to his feet
as they approached.
well. what Is it," he asked sharply
as Fladd's launch grounded in the soft
mud
Myron Fladd stepped ashore and
crashed through the grass to the side
Of the gray launch. He drew short
barreed shotgun from underneath his
pilot coat. and. throwing back the lapel
of the garment. he flashed a brief
glimpse of his freman's badge and
cried authoritatively:
Hold up your bands. in the name
of the law"
The stranger threw up his hands.
With one be caught the gun barrel
and twisted the weapon out Of Myron's
hands; with the other be lifted that
stout gentleman to the deck OF the
craft By way Of a strong grip inside
the collar Of his coat. With lightning
like rapidity be snatched up rope
and tied the ambitious pirate hunter
with dozen hard knots.
Then the stranger leveled the shot
gun at the shrinking form Of Abel
Watkins and beckoned with a long and
crooked forefinger. Come here.' be
ordered unkindly.
Abel went and was trussed quite as
neatly as his friend. Together they
watched the strange young man dive
into the cabin Of his launch. come
forth with a suit case and shrug him
self into q warm oyercoat.
"l'l borrow your boat for awhile,
and I'll leave mine for security.
had breakdown. confound il. I'll
send somebody after you. Sorry l
can't take you along. but Nv" got an
important engagement with lady.
BY. byr He waved a mocking fare
well at his sputtering captives. push.
ed Fladd's boat out Of the mud. leap
ed nimbly aboard after his suit case
and was soon chug%ing quietly from
sight in the gathering mist.
When all was still again Myron
Fladd turned uneasily to his compan-
ion.
Abel. did you recognize that fell
low: Seems like I've seen him be-
fore"
Il don't know. Looks like u chap
that was boarding over to the hotel
last summer. took him out fishing
once. and he gave me $40. | heard
he had lots of money. don't believe
it's the same. What would be be do
ing around here this way"
Hes the pirate, all right" uttered
Fladd gloomily. Yet he looks con-
foundedly like that chap that used to
come and see my daughter Mabel last
summer. | told her wouldn't hear
Of TO city chaps for sons-in-law. and
so | give him to understand. He was
staying to the hoteI too. His name
was Turner"
Whats he got TO do with that
phantom pirate and $500 reward?' de-.
nianded Abel sonrly. working AT his
bonds.
There WAS the sound Of oars and
voices of men. and presently a light
blurred through the fog. and boat
came cautiously up the creek. Five
minutes afterward Abel Watkins and
Myron Fladd were free men. and sew
pral Of their DeighborS were breaking
the news to Mr.. l'ladd that his daugh-
ter Mabel mad PIoped in IL motorboat
with a young man OF he name Of
Turner and that Mrs. Fladd had said
she was glad of it If Mabel was happy.
Somebody had telephoned one Of the
men that Abel and Myron were ma
rouued In Cedar crerk-hence their
timely arrival.
It waS silent party that rowed
across the rhoppy bay in the leaking
aat bottom boat. Myron Fladd was
planning all sorts Of revenge upon his
newly acquired son-in.Aw for bis
harsh treatment. while Abel took con
ISOLATION in his Disappointment ana
fatigue by recollecting that a frighten-
ed Deborah would gladly prepare