Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 132: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

oT > 152 ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. ing it to shreds, These shreds she strewed upon the ground at intervals, as they passed along towards the beach, For she judged that they were making their way to the shore from the steep and slippery descent down which they were dragged. The path became so steep, that the dwarf at length removed the wrappers from their eyes, in order that they might walk down with the greater safety. Violet cast her eyes upwards. A deep red glare tinged the horizon. She sighed, and the salt tears began to fall from her eyes; for she knew that her ruffianly captors had set the Owlet’s Roost on fire. Her home, the scene where so many joyous hours had passed, was doomed to fall a prey to man's wanton spirit of destruction. Nell Peveril also saw the light, and though she felt a pang of regret at. the -thought that the rare old building was doomed, yct another thought gained the upper hand in her mind. Those red flames would light friends on the path to the rescue. Inspired by the thought she dropped still more fragments of paper on the path. The action was seen by Barabbas, ‘Ha, traitress! you shall suffer for this!” he shrieked, “ Hasten, men, hasten, or we shall be followed !” ‘Too late! too late! We are rescued! See, villain, the avengers are at hand !” She pointed upwards to the path they had de- scended. The dwarf’s eye followed ; and he could plainly see the forms of many men following in pursuit, The pirates ran ; half dragging, half carrying the helples girls, The Dwarf raved, swore, and threatened dire vengeance should his schemes be thwarted. They gained the pebbly beach, Those behind shouted— ‘Stop, there! Ahoy! Halt, villains, or you shall all be hanged without mercy! Surrender, rascals !” As all these cries met his car the Dwarf laughed aloud. His boats were close at hand, He leaped into one, Violet and Nell were placed in it; the men scrambled in, and, with their oars, pushed off, The pursuers came down just in time to see the pirates fairly afloat. There was a hurried consultation amongst them, “Fire on them! Shoot the rascals! Send a shower of bullets after the rascals !” Such were the sounds heard; but t SAR 74 that advised differently, etic fre) “Hold! hold! don’t fire. Miss Tremaine. is in the boat. She has been carried off by them !” The warn ng came too late. The flash of fire-arms was succeeded hy the hiss of bullets, One man in the boat fell dead, and his warm blood splashed upon Violet’s pallid cheek. Then arose a loud shout from the enraged com- mander of the boats. ‘“‘ Fools ! idiots !” shouted Barabbas, slain those you came to save.” “Villains !’? pealed back a loud, manly voice from the shore. ‘“ Your sins have caused their deaths, and your vile bodies shall pay the penalty.” Then another voice was heard, in more cheerful tones, crying out, “This way, friends, pursue the ruffians,” Barabbas heard the boat pushed off, and he urged his men to strain every nerve. “You have Here is a boat, We can GRAND DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES !! ———_——_—_ 1400 VALUABLE PRESENTS GIVEN AWAY WITH THE BOYS OF ENGLAND, Consisting of Ponies, Pet Dogs, Pigeons, Ducks, Fowls, Rabbits, Concertinas, Watches, Cricket Bats, Balls and Stumps, Bows and Arrows, Fishing Rods, Quoits, Boxes of Colours, Sets of Characters, Scenes, Stage Front, etc., etc. ORDER No, 1 OF THE BOYS OF ENCLAND. ONE PENNY WEEKLY, With No. 1 is PRESENTED A LARGE AND MAGNIFT- CENT ENGRAVING OF THE BATTLE OF CHEVY CHASE, AND A SET OF CHARACTERS FOR A NEW PLAY. FOUR TIMES THE SIZE OF ANY OTHER BOYS’ JOURNAL. LOOK OUT FOR THE BOY SAILOR; LIFE .ON BOARD A MAN-OF-WAR. A most interesting and powerfully-written Tale, to be completed in about 30 Numbers. No. 2 with No. 1, and a LARGE EN- GRAVING, GRATIS. oO