The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-14
CHAPTER '.
The Nsmur of Rotterdam,

The Namur Of Rotterdam
 The brig, with all sails set and fa- vored by a strong wind. drew rapidly in toward the point Of landing. The great majority of the prisoners re- Tnained 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 l 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 8 number of vessels, either newly ar rived or preparing to depart. It 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 with hearty handshakes and words Of vel come.
 We boarded the Fairfax sloop. The baggage was transferred. I worked with the Fairfax servants and 1t cut my pride TO the quick. Out in the bay I was sent to the wheel.
 Not another sail appeared across that surface of waters. not even a fish erman's boat, the only other vessel visible along our course being a dim outline close in against that far-away headland toward which I had been in- structed to steer. l stared at this ob- ject, at first believing 1t a wreck, but finally distinguishing the bare masts of medium-sized bark, evidently rid ing at anchor only 8 few hundred yards off shore.
 The Spaniard presently pointed out to Fairfax the position of the bark
 "Surely a strange place in which to anchor, Lieutenant" said Fairfax. Bark rigged 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 -~ss upon the craft.
 "Decid3 ..y Dutch, I should say" he answered slowly. "The beggars seem quite at home there. with all their washing out Not usual anchorage?"
 NO. nor a particularly safe one. Travers' place is beyond the bend. We'll put up with him tonight. D--n me, Sanchez, I believe I'll hail the fellow and find out what he is doing in there"
 Sanchez nodded, care1essiy striking flint and steel in an effort to relight B cheroot.
 We came about slowly. The dis tance 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 ana aloft, and a rather extensive wash Tapped in the wind forward, bespeakiug a generous crew. moment later my eyes made out the name painted across the stern-Na- mur or Rotterdam.
 Fairfax leaned far out across the r.il as we swept in closer. but the Spaniard exhibited no particular in terest in the proceedings. A hundred feet distant I 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 Dutch7'
 The fellow waved his hands in a gesture indicating disgust