The Forrest City times., 1913-09-12
Y TIE 6oBB5 -HERRilL co.

royalists; French English, English. French. the landlord-old Pierre La roche. retired sea-captain and owner Of number of craft employed In a dangerous, but profitable, occupation received them willingly. and in his solicitude for their creature comforts and the subsequent reckoning, cared not jot for their politics, morals, or social views. It was enough if the visitor had no lenten capacity; looked the feshpots in the face and drank of his bottle freely.
 The past few days the character of old Pierre's guests had left some room for complaint on that score. But a small number of the crew of the sWift-looking vessel. weil-known to the islanders, and now tossing in the sea-nook below, had. shortly after their arrival toward dusk of stormy day, repaired to the inn. and then they had not called for their brandy or wine in the smart manner of seamen prepared for unstinted sacrifice to Bacchus. On the contrary, they drank quietly. talked soberly, and soon pre- pared to leave.
 Something has surely gone wrong" thought their host. Why did not your captain come ashore?" he asked Not see his old friend, Pierre Laroche. at once. It is most unlike him"
 And on the morrow. the islanders. or English French, more or less pri- VatperSmpn theyoco1vae 1rora oouanr curious. Where had the ship come from? Where was it going? And how many tons of wine, bales of silk and packages to tobacco, or "ptum," as the weed was called, had 1t cap tured? Old Pierre would soon find | out. for early that day, despite the in clemency of the weather, he came down to the beach, and, followed by a servitor, got into a small boat moored 1 close to the shore
 He is going aboard!" Who has better right? His own vessel"
 No; Andre Desaurac-the Black Seigneur's They say he long ago paid for it from prizes wrested from the Governor of the Mount"
 At any rate, old Pierre entered into bargain to build the boat for ] him"
 And added to his wealth by the transaction"
 Later that morning tho old man | came ashore, but, according to habit. preserved n shrewd silence; in the l afternoon small number of the crew landed 10 take on stores and ammunition-of which there was ever A plentiful supply at this base; that | night. however. all. including their master. betook themselves to the 1 Cookies
 Glad to see you ashore. mon capi- taine.' Pierre Laroche, standing at tho door. just beyond reach of the fierce driving rain. welcomed the Black Sclgncur warmly; but the young man. one Of whose arms seemed bound and useless. cut short his greeting; tossed brusky aside his heavy cloak. and called for room where he might sit in private with a ! companion. This person tho landlord | eyed uakance; nevertheless. with a show Of blun hcartlncss. he led the way to small chamber. somewhat apart. but overlooking the long low l apartment. the general eating and drinking place cf the establishment. now filled by thc crew and number of the islanders
 "Your capitaine has been hurt? 1 IIow?" A strapping. handsome girl. clad in red and of assured mion, pass. ing across the room. paused 10 ad. dress a man of prodlgious Girth, who drank with much gusto from a huge vessel at his elbow.
 Did not your father. Pierre La. roche, tell yOu'"
 "Ho? No; all he thinks of Is the money"
 Then must lo capitaine speak for hin self. Mistress Nanctte"
 You are not very polite, Monsieur Gabarie." she returned. tossing her head: but 1 suppose there is req son: you have been beaten. In an en- counter with the Governors ships? Did you sink any of them? lt would be good news for US islanders"
 "You isiandcrs," derisively
 Yes. islaudeTs.' she answered de- fautly. But tell me. number of you wear patches. which make you look very ugly They were acquired how"
 "ia lr''o elcrl.al arsuwCn''" gIowlgd the poet
 She slanccd toward the secluded apartment: its occupants the subject Of their conversation. and a priest a fccblelooking man of about seventy. whose delicate. sad face sAone white and out ofkceplng in that adventure some company. At any rate. tue Black sciFncur hasn't lost his good looksl"
 Take care you don't lose your heart,"
 Dol