Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

110 a ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. “Perhaps a great deal just now, sir,’’ replied Peter. “That is odd,” observed the officer. ‘f You must be a very extraordinary being; not two hours since you were whistling yourself.” ‘Ny, that may be,” replied Peter ; “but we had no wind at that time, but now we have got more than we want.” « What!” said the officer, ‘‘has whistling any influence over the wind ?” ‘Most undoubtedly,” replied Peter, with a grave and somewhat consequential gesture. ‘‘ Vever whistle when it blows hard; but whenever you are be- calmed, you may whistle for a wind tf you like.” The officer smiled, turned on his heel, and went - down to the cabin, leaving Peter to deal with the rising wind in what manner he might think most proper. CHAPTER XLVII. CONTINUATION OF GONZALVO’S HISTORY. THE noble guests at the mansion of Donna Inez partook of a splendid banquet after the marriage ceremony, and it was late ere the festivities of the evening concluded, The new-married pair entered Gonzalvo’s car- riage, and returned to his mansion, The next morning Inez’s father visited them, and put Gonzalvo into possession of the fortune which he had promised to bestow on the marriage of his daughter. About a month after that period, one evening, when Gonzalvo was about to retire for the night, a servant entered, and informed him that a stranger, who declined to give his name, desired to see him instantly. Gonzalvo turned pale. The hour was late. Could it be another of the gamblers come to exact further aid ? He knew not what to think. At first he thought of refusing to see him; but a moment’s reflection told him that would be an act of cowardice, and this was a moment when nothing but bold measures would suit. He descended to an apartment adjoining the hall. He entered. Juan was seated there, Gonzalvo gazed at him with surprise. “ What now?’ said he. ‘ Did Inot give youthe aid you required? Why would you trouble me further ?” “ Signor Gonzalvo,” replied Juan, with a kind of ceremonious sneer, ‘‘I do not understand you; I had expected you would have given a more friendly welcome to one so deeply interested in your fortune; but as you appear impatient, I will at once explain the cause of my visit. You cannot have forgotten the success which attended us at the gaming-table, when you made use of the loaded dice? We laughed heartily at, the dupes whom we had defrauded, and little dreamed that we should be discovered,” “‘ Discovered !”’ ejaculated Gonzalvo, ‘Ay, discovered,” rejoined Juan. “ You look agitated—your countenance turns pale ;_ but you need not fear at present; your safety depends upon your own conduct. Now mark me—it has been discovered that you were the person who introduced the loaded dice, and this very evening you would have had a visit from some of those unfortunates “who were plundered. I could not, however, help feeling for your situation: I called to mind that you kad just become united to a young and amiable wife, while I had neither wife nor children to sympathize at any misfortune which might befall me ; I, therefore, made up my mind to become a victim to friendship, and Baye’ you from disgrace: I denied that you had any knowledge of the dice being loaded ; and, with a great deal of humility, and apparent sorrow, haye confessed that I was the guilty person.” “ Generous friend,” exclaimed Gonzalvo, “such a noble sacrifice shall not go unrewarded.” “JT don’t intend to go unrewarded,”’ replied Juan, significantly. “And that is the occasion of my present visit. In order to save time, I have drawn up a paper—all you have to do is to. sign it, and our business is settled at once.” ‘What is the [purport of this paper ?” inquired Gonzalvo. “Tt simply acknowledges certain obligations due to me, in consideration of which you agree to assign half your present estate to me.”’ ‘‘Madman |!” exclaimed Gonzalvo, furiously. “Sooner would I beg my bread from door to door, rather be condemned to ,the galleys, than stoop to such conditions *” ‘‘ Don't be in a passion, Signor Gonzalvo,” replied” Juan, ‘J am cool, you perceive. You do not choose to sign the paper—well, you shall have your wish, and, therefore, I will use my interest to have you sent to the galleys. Good evening, Signor. I shall not trouble you with another visit. There are twelve more of our associates in villany that would be glad to see you.. I will give them your address ; perhaps they will meet with better success than I have done ; at any rate, it will be worth a trial.” Juan advanced towards the door. saa “ Hold! miscreant !” exclaimed Gonzalvo, as h drew forth his sword, ‘“ Think not I will suffer you to escape my vengeance, Your life is in my power, and this moment——” ; “Hush, hush! Signor Gonzalvo,” said Juan, ‘Keep your temper as I do. Your sword is cer- tainly a sharp argument, but I have two friends at hand, the sound of whose voice will ring your funeral knell.” : With these words, he drew forth a brace of pistols. and pointed them at Gonzalvo. The two desperadoes gazed on each other, It was a picture after nature. .¢ It was two tigers measuring the strength of each other’s power, ere Each stood on the defensive, At length Juan broke silence. é ““Gonzalvo,” said he, “ you see I am too cautious to place my life in jeopardy. I know you well; and Ifeel assured you are not apt to be over par- ticular as to the method of silencing friends who know too much of your affairs. Sign that paper, else this instant I will denounce you to the alcaide, For myself I care not, I would even ascend the scaffold, provided I should have you for a com- panion. I bear about me a letter addressed to Alvarez, detailing all the mal-practices of which we have been guilty : he would, of course, take imme- diate measures for your apprehension, for you are well aware that he is not friendly towards you,, since you haye been his successful rival in haying gained the hand and fortune of Donna Inez.” ‘Leave me, leave me!” exclaimed Gonzalvyo. ‘‘ Another time we will arrange this matter.” “No time like the present,” replied Juan. “I cannot depart without that paper, Your signature, Signor, your signature, Time grows short ; choose, (COMIC NOOIKS ‘s Om)