Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

108 Deep silence reigned throughout the vessel. Mr. Simon Smut retired to rest. He found no slight difficulty in getting into his hammock. He made several desperate bounds, and suffered some severe falls. j At length he found himself swinging in his strange bed. The creaking of timbers, the dull plash of the billows bowling along the side of the vessel, the heaving and rocking motion, the grim-looking deck with its lantern glimmering at one end, its low beams arching overhead, its rows of hammock- swathed sleepers that looked like so many mummies hung up in a vault; altogether poor Simon felt somewhat excited and uncomfortable. Every now and then the ship would give a pitch and roll, and poor Simon was in danger of being thrown out of his hammock, At length, however, sick, sore, and outworn with fatigue, he fell into a profound slumber, His dreams have been portrayed by our artist’s pencil with more graphic power than our pen can command. However, we shall hear some account of his first night aboard from the lips of the adventurous chummy himself, CHAPTER XLV. GONZALVO DE MERIDA, THE BUCCANEER., AFTER a prosperous voyage, the good ship “ Avenger’’ was safely moored off the shores of South America, not far from the great sea town of Rio de Janiero, Our hero’s first encounter with pirates was his adventure with Gonzalvo de Merida, a most noto- rious buccaneer, who, with twenty daring associates, ravaged the seas. The most tempting rewards were offered for his capturé, either dead or alive. Hitherto all attempts had proved fruitless, He was no common depredator. He was descended from a noble family. His youthful days, however, had been improperly spent. He had associated with designing young cayaliers, who frequented the gaming-table, and planted the seed of his future misfortunes. He had been affianced to a lady of great beauty, and their union was shortly to take place. He had, however, squandered away so much money, and so encumbered his estate by gaming and extravagance, that he found his finances fell so short of what had been anticipated by the lady’s parents that he felt ashamed to mcet them until he had, in some degree, repaired his fallen fortune. In consequence, their union had been from time to time delayed, until at last the day was irrevocably fixed, and no excuse was left for further delay. He consulted with his companions what was best to be done, Thue result of their conference was that one more attempt should be made at the gaming-table. But not on the uncertain chance by which their former play had been guided. Loaded dice were now to be used, and other des- perate means resorted to. Fortune at this time seemed to fayour him. He left the gaming house with a heavy sum of money. He was overjoyed at his good fortune, and in- (COMME OOO KS seOvann ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. wardly chuckled at the unfortunate dupes he had: plundered. The day of his marriage approached. He now felt none of those terrors or fears of ex- posure, which, but a few days since, had threatened him. He purchased a splendid equipage. His mansion was furnished like a palace. He now seemed to defy -the further frowns of fortune. Never once did he listen to the voice of con- science, which told him that he had purchased riches and grandeur by treacherous and dishonest means. The day at length arrived. Gonzalvo de Merida, arrayed in costly habila- ments, entered his carriage, It rolled on swiftly, and reached the mansion of Inez. The servants attended carriage. The morning was beautifully serene. He determined on taking a circuit through the garden instead of entering the house at once. He kad already advanced down an avenue, thickly planted with trees. A man suddenly started from behind a statue and steod before him, His cloak was raised so high as nearly to cover his face. ‘Senor,’ said the stranger, ‘‘ before you enter the mansion, I must have a few words with you,” ‘“You!” exclaimed Gonzalvo;' ‘a _ perfect stranger! What can be your motive?” “Tm no stranger; but your accomplice in villany !” replied the intruder, as he uncovered his face. “Juan de Astorga !"” exclaimed Gonzalvo. “The same,” answered Juan, “Speak quickly, Juan,’ said Gonzalvo. ‘ What can occasion this interruption? Be brief, for my absence at such a moment may cause suspicion and ruin my expectations,” ‘Thus, then, it is,” said Juan. ‘ Fortune has not been so propitious to me as yourself. Not satisfied with the sums I gained on the night we played with loaded dice, 1 went once’more to the gaming- table ; but the demon had deserted me. I had by mistake taken proper dice instead of loaded ones. at the door of the Not being aware of the error I had committed, I staked heavily; I lost every throw, and left the gaming-table without a single sequin to help my- self. I rushed into the street almost frantic; I knew not where to fly for succour, until I casually heard a party talking of your intended marriage, ae reminded me of you, and I come to ask your aid.” = Gonzalvo was surprised and chagrined. ‘‘What would you have me do?” said he. “ You, who can fool away a fortune in a few hours, would find the trifling aid that I could afford of little benefit.” “Trifling aid!’ exclaimed Juan, as he cast a furious look on Gonzalvo. ‘ Do you think I come to supplicate like a poor beggar? No, in this respect I command! Either give me a part of your ill-gotten wealth this instant, or ere another hour passes your greatness shall crumble into mere nothingness !” “What mean you?” exclaimed Gonzalvo. _ “To confess my participation in the last gamb- ling affair, when we played with loaded dice,” replied Juan ; “to expose you, and——” ‘‘ Hush !” exclaimed Gonzalvo, “Not so loud! Here is my purse ; it is full of reals; take it and