Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1919-04-02
CHAPTER v.
The Namur of Rotterdam.

The Namur of Rotterdam.
The brig. with all sails set and IA
vored by strong wind, drew rapidly
in toward the point of landing. The
great majority of the prisoners re-
manned on deck, chained together and
helpless, yet surrounded by armed
guards, while the few who had already
been purchased by passengers hum
bly, followed their new masters ashore
the moment the gangplank touched
the soil of Virginia. There were five
of us altogether thus favored, but 1
was the only one owing allegiance to
Roger Fairfax. The rude landing
wharf along which we lay was already
densely crowded. Altogether it was
a bustling scene, full of change and
color, the air noisy with shouting
voices, the line of wharves filled with
number of vessels, either newly ar
rived or preparing to depart. 1t was
with no small difficulty we succeeded
in forcing our way through this jos
Ting throng until we attained to an
open space ashore. I followed closely
behind the three composing our party,
Roger Fairfax and Sanchez, with the
laughing girl between them FOR pro-
lection. Fairfax was evidently we'll
known to a number present, for he
was being greeted on all sides will
hearty handshakes and words of vel.
come.
We boarded the Fairfax sloop. The
hotrorourO \
with the Fairfax servants and it cut
my pride TO the quick. Out in the bay
/ was sent to the wheel.
Not another sail appeared across
that surface of waters, not even a fish
eTman'S boat, the only other vessel
visible along our course being dim
outline close in against that far-away
headland toward which had been in
structed to steer. / stared at this OBJ
ject, at first believing it a wreck, but
finally distinguishing the bare masts
of a medium-sized bark, evidently rid
ing at anchor only a few hundred
yards off shore.
The Spaniard presently pointed out
to Fairfax the position of the bark.
Surely strange place in which to
anchor, Lieutenant" said Fairfax.
''Bark rugged and very heavily spared.
Seems to be all right. What do you
make of the vessel?'
The Spaniard twisted his mustache
but exhibited little interest, although
his gaze was upon the craft.
Decidedly Dutch, should say" he
answered slowly. 1.-THE beggars seem
quite at home there, with all their
washing out. Not usual anchorage?''
mo, nor a particularly safe one.
Travers' place is beyond the bend
Wen put up with him tonight. D-n
me, Sanchez, 1 believe I'll hail the
fellow and find out what he is doing
in there"
Sanchez nodded, carelessly striking
flint and steel in an effort to relight a
cherOot.
We cage about slowly. The dis
lance to be covered was not great, and
in less than ten minutes We were
drawing in toward the high stern of
the anchored vessel
No evidence of life appeared on
board, although everything looked
shipshape allow and aloft, and a rather
extensive wash tapped in the wind
forward, bespeaking a generous crew.
A moment later my eyes made out the
name painted across the stern-Na-
muir of Rotterdam.
Fairfax leaned far out across the
rail as we swept in closer, but the
Spaniard exhibited no particular in
terest in the proceedings. A hundred
feet distant / held the dancing sloop
to mere steerage-way, while Fairfax
hailed.
A red-faced man with a black beard
thrust his head up above the after
rail and answered. using English, yet
with a faint accent which was not
Dutch.
"We ran down to see if you were
in any trouble. This is a strange
place to anchor. What are you
Dutch?"
The fellow waved his hands in a
gesture indicating disgust.
Oats Get. We're ov Rotterdam
you see re name ov re sheep. But
We not sail frum thar dis time-no.
We cum here from re Barbados" he
explained brOkenly. "wiz cane sugar
an hides. We wait here for our agent"
But why anchor in a place like
this? Why not go on up to the
wharveST
wye not? For ziz-T no trust my
crew ashore. Fay Vest Indy niggers,
an vud run away ven re chancescum.
know vat gay do"
In spite of my efforts the two yes
sells were drifting rapidly apart. Dor
othy appeared at the door of the
cabin and stood there gazing in sur
prise at the bark, while the moment