Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 February 1893 — In Sheep's Clothing. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

In Sheep's Clothing.

BY Capt Ormond steele

CHAPTER V—Continued. While the dancing was In progress Captain Fox found an occasion to draw Frenauld to one side, when, without attracting attention, he whispered: “I say, Frenauld, I want you to have a care. ” “I don’t understand,” replied Frenauld, not at all surprised at the mysterious manner of his commander, with which he had become very familiar. “I mean you must not stop on Denham's toes." “On Denham’s toes?” “Yes; some one of these girls must be nearer to him than all the others.” “His sweetheart, Captain?" “Yes!” “If you can point her out among all these beauties,” said Frenauld, nodding' -at the many pretty girls now drawn up •on one side for a contra dance, “of course I shall take care not to offend the gentleman by showing too much attention to the lady. ” “It is one of the two, and I have been puzzling my brain and exhausting my -observation to find out if Miss Hedges •or Miss Conditis the favored one."

“Miss Condit is his adopted sister, ■Captain. ” “So long as he knows she is not his sister by the blood, their relationship will be an incentive rather than a bar to love. ” said Capt. Fox, shaking his yellow head as if still puzzling his brain over the strange question he had proposed to himself. “It really looks to me,” responded Frenauld, “as if that dark-eyed, dashing Miss Hedges were the favored one. I’ll swear to it that she has bestowed a score of kindly glances on him to-night, to one on any of the rest of us.” The unexpected appearance of the two young ladies under discussion put an end to the conversation. “Ah, Capt. Fox,” said Lea Hedges, “you have grown weary already of the dance, though it lacks an hour of midnight. ” “And Mr. Frenauld quite forgot that I was to have been his partner in this set/’ laughed pretty Ellen Condit, blushiug in the most becoming way at what she imagined to be her own audacity in addressing the swarthy young officer in this way. “I was about to seek you,” replied Frenauld quickly. “I should never forgive myself if I let this opportunity pass.” He gave her his arm, bowed to the Captain and Lea Hedges, and led Ellen to the center of the room, where the young people were going through the stately figures of Sir Roger de Coverly. Alone with Lea Hedges, and Captain Fox came back to the salutation with whtch she had first accosted'him.

“Weary of the dance, Miss Hedges,” he said, with a quick, bold glance of admiration that brought a heightened color to ner glowing cheeks; “it is not that, but I am so bewildered by my surroundings, so happy to be among the ladies and gentlemen of my own country again, that I forgot what 1 should do to give expression to my delight. We sailors are apt to err on points of etiquette, and the ladies, in sympathetic admiration of our advantages, always look over our ships and see the hearts behind them. ” “We are anxious that our guests should enjoy themselves, as these our older friends are doing,” said Lea, waving a graceful arm in the direction of the officers of the Sea Hawk, who were now drawn up in a row, as if on parade, “but at the same time we are most anxious that they shall all enjoy themselves in the way that to them is most pleasant.” “Ah, you have there given in one sentence they key to all true hospitality, though I aid not need your kind words to be assured that it was to be found here. And now, to carry out my wishes, what say you to a promenade, or is it too cool?” Capt. Fox turned to the window, by which they were standing, and drawing the heavy curtains further back so that both could look out, he pointed to the .bay now gleaming like a silver mirror in the moonlight and continued: “The land is beautiful, but it is most beautiful where the water flashes in its front like an eye, or reflects its outlines as if it held them in its heart.” “I doubt not, Capta n,” replied Lea, archly, “but you write sonnets at times or match rhymes in your idle moments with your officers. But we shall stroll down to the beach; it is not far and the air is not too cool.” Lea left him for a few moments and reappeared with a scarlet scarf thrown ever her shoulders in a way that enhanced her loveliness as a proper frame brings out the beauty of a picture. She took the Captain’s arm, and they walked out through the garden and felt on their laces the soft wind laden with the odor of apple blossoms and sweet violets.

The regular beating of dancing feet, the rise and fall of the music, the murmur of the tide, like the drowsy sound of sea shells, all forbade conversation. They walked to the sea shore, where Lea sat down on the gunwale of a stranded boat, against which the Captain leaned. “Ah,” he sighed, “since my earliest memory I have tried to fancy what heaven is like, but without success; hereafter I shall have no difficulty; I shall only have to recall this night." “I am glad you like this place,” said Lea, her eyes on the water, and the moonlight showing the frank expression of her face. “It is to me the most beautiful place in the world; but perh«ps that is because I know no other land. ” “Nor do you need to.” replied the Captain, with well affected rapture. “It has been my good fortune, or my cruel fate, call it what you will, to see every land under the sun where men dwell, but though my acquaintance with your beautiful island is brief, I must confess the pleasure of being here is only clouded by the thought that I may at any moment be called to leave.” “Is this your first visit to America, Captain?” she asked. * The question was evidently unexpected, for the Captain coughed slightly and hesitated; he thought she would ingke some comment on the words of praise, which ho had delivered for effect, rather than with any idea of their truth, for, in this respect, he was like all other men of the world. “I have been on the American coast before, particularly along the South American coast, and through the West Indies, but this is my first visit to the province of New York.” “Then you have not seen New York City?” *No; but I hope to do so unless or-

dered to the West Indies to look after the pirates. ” “An undertaking that is as dangerous as it is thankless,” said Lea. Then, with a sigh, “the Sea Hawk has just returned from duty, though many were fearing that she would never come back. ” “She has in Denham a brave captain, and the crew are, without doubt, worthy of him,” said Capt. Fox. “True; but the Adventure Galley was a fine ship, and Capt. William Kidd, who took command of her in Bermuda, was said to be a very brave and competent man—he came from England for that purpose, yet Capt. Kidd and the Galley have not been heard from since. ” “He is supposed to have been wrecked or destroyed by the pirates,” said Capt. Fox, as if he were uttering an opinion about which there could be no disagreement. “Yes, that is the general belief; at least it was until the last few months.” “And it is changed?" “It is changing.” “From what cause?” “They say, that is, those that should know, that Captain Kidd is still alive and his vessel still afloat.” “Then he must be unable to find a port, like the mythical Flying Dutchman,” laughed Captain Fox. “But how do the people account for his absence?” “They say that instead of fighting the pirates, in the Spanish Main, he joined them, and is now their chief, ” said Lea.

“Impossible!” “I simply told the story as ’twas told to me. The news came from New York only last week that the Adventure Galley was recently seen off the coast of the Carolinas. But,” she added, with a slight laugh and a changed manner, “what should wo care if there be one pirate the more or less. They will not trouble us I am very certain.” “And if they should do so, Miss Hedges, may I be there to see. He would be a very rash pirate, indeed, that dared to enter this bay while the Sea Hawk and Wanderer swing at their anchors, with shotted guns and strong ariys to man them. The true sailor never courts a fight that can be avoided, but I cannot imagine anything that would inspire us to action' like the defense of these shores, and their hospitable—l will not add charming, inhabitants.” “Thanks. Shall we go back? the music has ceased,” said Lea, rising and taking his arm. “As you say, though it seems to me that I could never weary of the place or the companionship,” “The novelty would soon wear off ” Lea started, for a figure rose from the shadow of the boat on which they had been fitting, and hobbled directly in front o» them, and came to a stand. “Hah!-' exclaimed the Captain, releasing his a,'m, and stepping to the front, with his r.and on the hilt of his sword, “whom have we here?”

“It is only old Dinah,” said Lea, who, now that the intruder came into the moonlight, recognized an old neg o woman, who for some years had been living among the Montauk Indians, whose lands were near by. She was old, crippled and repulsive; and not even the Indians, though her coming was comparatively recent, could or would explain who she was, or where she lived before they adopted her. The superstitious red men cared for her, and held her in awe, if not in veneration. She spoke English imperfectly, and claimed to have been a voudoo priestess in Africa, from which land she was carried to the New World as a slave She still practiced tho voudoo incantations and repulsive mysteries, which gave her unbounded power over the sim-ple-minded Indians. The crone saw the motion of Captain Fox’s hand to his sword, for she raised her staff to warn him rather than to defend herself, while, in a vpice that sounded like an old man’s, she called out: “Is de dead come to life, en whar’s all ez hez gone en died at Bermooda?” “She is insane,” whispered Lea, again taking the captain’s arm. As they turned towards the house, the old woman stepped nimbly out of their path, but one trembling hand shaded from the moon the bleared eyes which were sternly fixed on the captain’s pallid face.

“De wisest ain’t dem es knows de mos’. Es I go up to de bukra house, honey, kin I get eating? Ize offen hungry now!” said the hag, in tones at first insolent, then whining. “Certainly, Dinah, I am sure Mrs. Condit will be glad to give you all you want to eat. But why are you so late?” “ ’Taint late, Miss; en es it was, late en early’s all de same to me, sept w’en de moon’s at de full, en de black snakes crawls from dar holes, en don’t know Dinah's darwid de forked stick foh to cotch ’em.” D inah stamped her stick on the ground, and broke into a low chuckle, which ended in a wheezy, asthmatic cough. “Why,” said Lea, when she and Captain Fox came into the light from the parlors, “your adventure seems to have alarmed you. ’’ “Whatmakes you think so?” he asked with a little laugh. 11 You are pale.” “I am glad of it, for I can lose much tan without being as white as those who do not face ocean storms. But the adventure, as you call it, did startle me, I must confess. Y’ou see, Miss Hedges, when one has a precious treasure under his charge he becomes alarmed at shadows, while those without such a care can pass on, singing and thoughtless. ” “Dinah is eccentric, but I am sure she wonld not harm any one.” “Where have you truants been?” asked Lieutenant Frenauld, appearing before them with Ellen Condit on his arm. “Bambling to the shore,” replied Lea. “Proving that sailors soon weary of the land.” “No, Miss Condit,” said Captain Fox, with a gallant bow, “but the night was beautilul and I could not resist. And then we were repaid with quite a little adventure with a certain old Dinah, who practices the art of prophecy, or something of the kind, for the neighboring Indians." “En I kin tell the futch-ah foh de bukra. Ho, ho! all wait en see, in de good time, wat all tings I kin do.” This was croaked out by Dinah, as she hobbled past,with her grinning face still turned on the group.

CHAPTER VI. CAPTAIN FOX RETURNS THE COMPLIMENT. Captain Fox and Mr. Frenauld made a most favorable impression on the generous, hospitable islanders. Even the reticence of the officers was looked on as an evidence of that modesty which is popularly supposed to accompany great bravery and decided merit “Most gallant and accomplished gentlemen,” said Dr. Hedges, when, a few days after the arrival of the ships, he was discussing the merits of the strangers; “I tell you again, neither the mother land nor the colonies need to fear, so long as their shores are defended by sailors who are at once patriots and gentlemen." Squire Condit, before replying, tapped his sliver snuff-box, touched » spring,

and the lid flew open, and then handing it to the doctor, who took a pinch and bowed as he raised it to his nose—just as men bow when about to drink wine—he took a pinch himself. This done, he imitated the doctor by taking out a red handkerchief, that looked like a goodsized flag, and they inclined their heads toward each other and blew bugle blasts of great vigor and resonance into the hankerchiefs. “I agree with you, my dear Doctor," said the squire, replacing the handkerchief in one of the side-pockets of his velveteen coat.- “The officers of tho Wanderer are .gentlemen tried and true, 6f that there cannot be the slightest doubt; and I am right glad to welcome them here. But I cannot see that in any of the essential requirements of gentility or seamanship, or even in those exterior qualifications that rejoice the eyes of women, and which men are pleased to behold, that they surpass our own people, the officers and crew of the Sea Hawk.”

“Well said, Squire Condit,” said the doctor, taking out his snuffbox and presenting it in turn. “Perhaps, one who has a brother and a nephew among the officers of the Sea Hawk is not competent to judge impartially between the merits of these sailors; but I would not fear, were they foes opposed to each other—which may heaven forbid—as to the result of the contest.” “Nor would I,” replied the squire, helping himself to a pinch of snuff from the doctor’s box, and preparing for another blast by taking out his handkerchief. “Kalph Denham is as dear to me as if he were flesh of my flesh and bone of my tone. It is not for me to say what the Condlts are or have been, and, I pray, ever will be; but, though I know not Balph’s antecedents, I am sure if they ever are known that they will prove to be quite as good as mine, or yours, or any one else’s in the provinces.” “I think, my dear Squire, that you made a mistake in not giving him your own name, when that stranger first placed him in your oharge——” “I could not; the boy was too old then, and would have remembered,” replied the squire. “How old was he?” “A little over five, the stranger said.” “And that was twenty years ago? ■ “Twenty-one years ago—let me see; why it is. twenty-one years ago this blessed first of June. Ah, now I recall; my wife spoke of it this morning, and told me that we always celebrated the event like a birthday. Captain Fox has invited us aboard his ship this evening, so, after all, Ralph’s arrival, as we call it. will be made much of. Of course, your family will be there, Doctor?" said the squire, stamping his feet as if preparing to move on. “Yes; Mrs. Hedges and Lea are great admirers of the new comers; and then, you know, Valentine Dayton and my brother can’t well refuse. Sailors, though informal in their ways with landsmen, are said to be very rigid with each other. ” Dr. Hedges mounted his pony, and rode off, to visit his patients on the other side of the bay, and Squire Condit walked briskly to the eastward, where he had a large farm and many hands to oversee. |TO BE CONTINUED. |