Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. | 167 a a SR Violet refreshed herself with water and ‘a few pieces of biscuit, and folded her arms across her breast. Anon, black and heavy clouds span the: canopy of Heaven, Lightning darted through the firmament, ‘dis- closing more fully the frail taft to the vacant eye of Violet. | The thunder’s majestic peal resounded in the vault above, while terrific flashes cast their glare from every quarter. The breeze rose up fresh, and the limpid waves washed the feet of the outcast “This pleases me better than the withering calm heat ; it arouses me from my hideous stupor.” As Violet uttered the words, she cast her eyes upward and gazed on the forked flame. till her vision became lost. “This is as it should be,” she exclaimed ; “ bolts of Heaven strike me as ye list—waves wash me off and bury mein a briny tomb. I care not.” Then, pointing to the dagger that hung stspended from her girdle, she continued— “This little steel can do as much. * Death, I fear not. I laugh at, and defy thee. “There is no hope, **T mount my funeral bier. ** T wait the will of destiny.” Violet regained the secure space which our hero had fitted up for her in the centre of the raft. She threw herself down upon her pallet and ~ closed her eyes, ‘The thunder and lightning was followed by a drenching tropical rain, which ceased not till the morrow morning’s daylight. The wind continued fresh, but, as the sky became clear, the sun broke forth. Violet was motionless ; she shivered in every limb. As the day advanced the heat of the sun affected her exhausted frame, Her brain wandered. She saw around her yerdant meadows—fields waving ocean-like with golden corn. her garments wet, and In every direction the cocoa-nut was rocked and tossed by the wind. Her imagination then pictured to a distorted © fancy that— She saw Jack Warbold in the distaxide’ hastening to her, She held out her arms, Strove to get up and meet him, Her limbs refused their office, , She called’—she screamed; then sunk terror- stricken and exhausted, CHAPTER LXXVIII. THE STRATAGEM—HOW ROVING JACK AVENGED HIMSELF ON THE PIRATES OF THE RAFT—ONCE . MORE ON LAND, WE must now return to Roying Jack and follow his strange destiny. It ae until the dawn of day he opened his eyes, | | Vllen Peveril was kneeling by his side. His mind was distraught and pictured to his fancy a scene of dread calamity. Be last it rushed upon him, and he buried his face hands, a comforted, Jack,” said: the brave woman ; “Jet us put our trust in Providence, and we may reach the shore to-day, Once on land, we will find Olin GOO means to escape these ruffians, and go in search/of Violet,” “Oh, what a cruel death will be hers !” shuteered our hero, «She will waste away beneath a scorch+ ing’sun, without one drop of water to moisten her | parched and burning throat—at the mercy of’ the | storm, drifting about in the wind and wave alone, . with none to hear her death-shriek or close her eyes |” Ellen Peveril offered consolation again and again, but her efforts to restore the companion of | her misfortune were in vain ; suddenly, afterafew — minutes’ reflection, he started up. ‘Ellen, I am myself again !” he exclaimed.’ “1 | am tranquil, calm now; but it is the calm that © presages the tempest. Listen : Violet will be avenged !”” ** * * Ke 2 Gilt It was a lovely night ; the silver moon danced on the waters, and the sea was unruffled by’ an’air f which moved not on the heavens. | Here, on a raft, were twenty desperadoés, ready | for murder, combat, and spoil, but rendered power- | less by the poison Roving Jack had mingled with | the water they had drank. Kach of the party, feeling in their delitium that treachery had been practised, watched thé’ other, not knowing upon whom to lay the odium. Our hero feigned to suffer as the rest, and hinted that, for sake “of gain, one of their number must have administered to his companions Some per- | nicious drug, and that, on reaching land, that was not then far distant, he could give an antidote which would defeat the purpose of the dastard and traitor who had attempted the life of one and all. Staggering, as if under the influence of the deadly draught, he, with apparent difficulty, took the helm, taking care that Ellen Peveril should be by his side, to whom he might entrust at in ‘case of need. The stifled groans of some of the extpiring pirates soon told that the poison they had taken was per- forming its duty, and thatthe moment of vengeance was drawing near, The knowledge of this bore Jack up a8 he felt the keen edge of his cutlass, impatient for the time when retribution should arrive. At length he gave a signal to Ellen Paveril, which was promtly obeyed, Suddenly she let go the kalyards of the yard, and the sail fell upon their dymg enemies ‘in such a manner as to entangle them. As the sail and yard fell clattering down, the work of death commenced. There was no parley—no suspense—and each ‘man met his fate, The voice of Jack alone was heard, and ‘his reek- ing blade was soon bathed im gore. , Revenge nerved his arm, and it stayed not while one remained who had sacrificed the beloved Violet, | As may be imagined, the sail falling ‘on the crew | enervated by the noxious drug they had taken, fell an’ easy prey to their destroyer, Roving Jack, who was thus enabled to perform his: foe of blood with little or no difficulty, ° Some fell where they stood, - Others reeled back, and were bntied si in the’ green waters of the ocean, Whilst most were pierced as they flogndered ateles the fallen canvas. ® In a few minutes the carnage was completed,” ~ The pirate-hunter stood against the mast to recover his breath, “Violet, ‘thou art avenged !” exclaimed he, after