Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 June 1893 — In Sheep's Clothing. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

In Sheep's Clothing.

BY Capt. Ormond Steele

CHAPTER XXll—Continued. The people of Sag Harbor were never surprised at seeing Dinah. She was in the habit of appearing suddenly on the one street that then constituted the town, and disappearing as mysteriously as she came. The citizens who claimed to be above superstition were very sure that “Dinah was not herself,” meaning thereby not that she was some else, but that her mind was affected. In those days every one supposed to be out of mental balance was said to be mad; but the word has, fortunately, become much more limited in its significance, and now it is applied only to dogs and people who lose their tempers. But the majority of the people in and about Sag Harbor were superstitious, like the people of every other little town, and in this respect the world has not changed much, and they were sure that Dinah possessed supernatural powers. Had she been white they would have called her “a witch,” and it might have gone hard with her; but being black, she was looked upon as a sort of weird pagan priestess, gifted with a wonderful power of looking into the future. She derived no little income from telling fortunes; as she knew every one, and was a remarkably shrewd reader - of human nature, her success as a seeress was not to be wondered at. Untilla, so graceful, beautiful, and consistent, was a favorite with every one. In the cabins of the fisherman, as well as in the more pretentious dwellings of the rich, she had a home, and was always received as an honored guest. Like Dinah, whom, of course, she in no way resembled, her coming and going, though always a matter of interest, was never one of surprise. So, now, as they hastened, side by side, to the town, they had no fear that their coming would create a sensation. » There were two places where they could get information about Lieutenant Hedges and Valentine Dayton; one, and the most certain, was Doctor Hedges’ house, and the other was Squire Condit’s. But Dinah did not like Doctor Hedges; he had sneered at her skill as a dispenser of medicine, and she retorted by saying that she never liked to undertake the cure of a till it had baffled her white brother’s skill. Squire Condit’s was the nearer of the two houses, and seeing a light burning there when they had reached the gate, it decided them to go in. Before entering the house they heard Squire Condit talking in loud, excited tones, while his daughter Ellen and his wife tried to soothe him with milder accents. “It’s an outrage, a high-handed outrage!" shouted the Squire. “Think of it, wife; think of it, Ellen; this man Fox, without any writ or order, but with the high hand that we should expect to see only in a pirate, dares to send his subordinates ashore, and to seize the Governor’s post-rider and carry him a prisoner on board their ship.” “But, father,” said Ellen, “did not Mr. Frenauld say that this post-rider was an impostor, and that he had the authority to arrest him?” “Yes, Ellen, he did say so; but the fellow mistook power for authority. Martial law has not been declared in this province, and so no man can be arrested without due process of law, and on a complaint made by one or more respectable citizens. The post-rider should have been brought before me for examination and committed, if suspicious, to await further examination. If her majesty’s ships are to be transformed into prisons, and her. officers into lawless tyrants, then the sooner they get out of these waters the better it will ’’ The knocking of Untilla at the door stopped the squire in the midst of a speech that promised to be treasonable if he continued. Great was the surprise ‘of the squire and his amiable family at seeing Untilla and her dusky companion. They were always made welcome, but their presence at this particular time caused the sturdy host additional uneasiness. Like all the very old people of her race, Dinah was inclined to be garrulous, but to-night she fully appreciated the importance of coming directly to the point. After getting the squire to examine ,the room in which they were and the rooms adjoining, and the outside of the house, to make sure that what she was about to communicate could not be overheard by ears for which it was not intended, she made them gather about her, and then told Balph Denham’s story, or rather, the story of his extraordinary adventure. During the narrative the squire now and then stopped her to offer an objection or to express incredulity; and at such tqnes Untilla assured him of the perfect accuracy of everything the old woman was saying. Balph Denham was as dear to the squire as if he were his own son; and it can be said that Mrs. Condit and Ellen felt towards him as if he did sustain that relation to the family. Naturally enough they could hardly credit Dinah’s remarkable story, even though Untilla indorsed it. But when Dinah told where Balph then was, and spoke of his anxiety to get in communication with his officers, all the squire’s doubts vanished. “The wildest excitement fills the town, and extends to the adjoining islands," said Squire Condit, raising his hands and feeling, as he let them fall heavily by his side, that his exclamation did not exactly express what was on his mind. It did not take him long to get cooled down, and on occasions the squire could be as cool as an iceberg. “Something must be done, and that at once; let us see what it shall be.” This looked like an Invitation for the others to take part in the consultation that was then going on, but Squire Condit made all the motions, and declared them carried, without waiting for the others to give an opinion. In this conference it was decided that Dinah and Untilla should at once go back to the Captain, carrying with them additional arms and a complete disguise; and, after assuming this disguise, he was to make his way with all speed to the Squire’s house, and take possession of his own old room, where he must await further developments. In the meantime the Squire would find either Lieutenant Hedges or Valentine Dayton, and bring them to the house. The instant this scheme was decided on, all who were to take an active part in its execution started off. Untilla and Dinah went back to where

they had left Balph Denham, and the Squire made straight for Dr. Hedges’ house, where he exected - to find either the Lieutenant or Valentine Dayton. He was about to enter through the gate that opened on a garden path leading up to the house, when his attention was arrested by hearing voices inside, where there was dense shrubbery. Belibvinr that Sag Harbor was at this time in a state of war, and impressed with the belief that it was fair to take every advantage, looking to one’s safety and the safety of one’s friends, the Squire drew near on tip-toe and stopped to listen. One of the speakers was Doctor Hedges; of that there could be no mistake, and the other was, the Squire thought, Captain Fox; on the latter point ne was soon decided. “And so she refused the jewels,” said Fox; “well, there is no accounting for women’s ways.”

“I’ll account for her ways. Heretofore I have been the kindest and most indulgent parent on Long Island, and I fondly believed that Lea was’ in every way worthy of my confidence ” “Beautiful girls are apt to have whims,” Interrupted Fox, with a low laugh that impressed the Squire as having something fiendish about it. “I am only sorry that you told her who the unfortunate donor was. ” “But I insist that I did not tell her. Why, the moment she saw them—and she didn’t stop to give them a second glance—she turned away her head and said ‘Captain Fox sent them.’ I tried to impress her with their value and beauty; but bless you, she paid no more heed to them than if they were so many of those shells the Indians make wampum of. Oh, she is stiff-necked, but I am determined, and I’ll warrant me she’ll soon be glad to do as I say.” And the Doctor stamped his feet on the ground to give emphasis to his words; ordinarily he was the most mildmannered of men, but to-night he was evidently a.igry and bound to have his own way. “If she could be Induced to come on board again with you and any other friends that you choose to bring along, I think I could convince her that I am all I claim to be, and that I am not unworthy of her regard,” said Fox. “Oh, she does not doubt you; that ain’t it; but she’s got this Denham In her head, and as It’s only a fancy, of course she’ll soon get over it.” “She’d get over it soon enough if I could convince her of what I know.” “What is that, Captain?” asked the Doctor, eagerly. “That this Balph Denham, unknown to your brother, the Lieutenant, and to your nephew, Mr. Dayton, has been in direct communication with the noted Captain Kidd.” “What!” exclaimed the Doctor.

The Squire on hearing this had to bite his lips and shake himself, so much did he yearn to shout at the top of his voice: ** “That is a hideous, a monstrous lie!” Captain Fox repeated his statement in substance, and continued: “I came here to watch Denham, and it was through my influence that he went on my ship to New York; and it is through my influence that he is now a prisoner with his life in danger and his ship under my orders.” Here was a most ingenious presentation of the actual truth put in such a way—for it deceived—as to make it a lie. “You astound me!” said the Doctor, grasping his hat with both hands to keep his hair from throwing it off. “Say nothing about this for the present. If what I told you became generally known It would interfere with my plans,” said Fox. “Oh; of course not. I know what the interests of her most gracious majesty’s service require, and if there is a more loyal man than myself, I don’t know him, and I won’t except Squire Condit.” “Squire Condit has neither your intellect nor your breeding. Pardon me for saying so, but I think Squire Comalt is very much of a conceited ass.” Squire Condit bit his lips again, and mentally invoked heaven to help him in restraining his temper, which threatened to break loose and run away with him.

“Squire Condit means to do right;’’ said Doctor Hedges, still feeling some warmth for his old friend, “but I often notice that those who have anything to do with the administration of law become contracted, and perhaps a bit arbitrary in their methods. It is most natural for men who have the power to incarcerate lawbreakers to desire to incarcerate every man, woman, and child that does not happen to agree with them. ” “No doubt you are right. But before I go on board, where, by the way, I should have remained but for my anxiety to see you, I wish to know if you cannot make up a little party, and come on board to lunch to-morrow, and bring Miss Lea with you; she will surely accord me that favor. ” “I pledge you my word of honor as a gentleman and a practicing physician, that Lea and myself, with, perhaps, Mrs. Hedges and some other friends, will give you a call to-morrow. Which shall it be, morning or afternoon?” asked the Doctor. “Afternoon if it suits you as well.” “It will suit me better.” “Then we’ll sav to-morrow afternoon at 3. I will see that a boat is on the shore awaiting your order.” Capt. Fox shook hands with the Doctor, who returned the pressure with, much warmth, and then left. »

He passed so close to the Squire that the latter, without taking a step, could have knocked him down with, the stout hickory stick which he grasped. Capt. Fox went toward the bay, and when he was out of hearing the squire rose and entered Dr. Hedged* garden. The Doctor was in the act of closing the front door, for the family had gone to bed long since, when the squire startled him by giving a double rap with his stick on the strong oak panels. Dr. Hedges opened the door, and, shading the candle with his hand, he let the light fall on the visitor’s face. The instant he recognized the squire he caned out: “What! you, Squire Condit, roaming round at this hour of night?” The Squire confessed his identity, also that he was roaming round then, and hinted that he had no expectations of sleep that night. “Bless me. Squire, is there any more bad news?” “Lots more news, and it’s of the sama kind that has been coming in all day. But my business here is to find your brother, the lieutenant, or Valentine,” eaid the ’Squire, speaking with great precision, lest the doctor might read his secret. “They are very busy on board the Sea Hawk to-night,” said the doctor. “Any idea of what they are doing?” 'Yes; in accordance with Captain Fox’s orders they are taking all the ammunition out of the Sea Hawk, and sending it on board the Wanderer.” “How can I get on board at once?” “Don’t know, Squire, unless you swim,” replied the doctor, who began to think bls neighbor a little cracked. “Then,” said the Squire, “I’ll go on board if I have to swim. ” [to be COSTIKVSD.]