The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

72 Neen a eee esa aS te Sa ET I a aT TT I eA Ts STE TS ST Caer eee eee aren crn ec en eet ete ai THE FROZEN CREW AND ICE-BOUND SHIP. . A Fy ee a a The attack of the assailants was repelled, and | Paul Jones from the mercy of the wave, and was one of their number hurled over the side of the | devising a scheme to save Emona. skiff. There was a pause. Each seemed to await, with much impatience, the moment which should deliver the other into his power. They had not to tarry long. In another instant a second conflict took place. A fierce struggle ensued. The boat rocked violently, and had it not been lashed it must have been upset, and have precipl- tated the opponents into the gulf beneath them. The screams of Emona, the curses of her perse- cutors, and the fire-flashing blows of the cutlasses caused reason to totter on her very throne. ' There was a deep splash, succeeded by a shrill cry. The heavy plunge told that a man had been con- signed to the waves. “‘ Die!” cried a voice of thunder. A discharge of fire-arms and a groan followed the exclamation. After a pause, resembling the silence of death, Paul Jones was seen to raise his body convulsively half out of the water. He floundered. The clear blue wave was discoloured with blood. He was sinking, as the pirates rowed off with Emona. The feelings of Fergus Blake were increased into a paroxysm of agony, as he beheld the lessening boat pass away. Lost in contemplation and thoughts of his own actual danger, his straining eyes wandered over the dreary expanse around him. Suddenly he seemed to perceive the white and fluttering habiliments of a female in the distance. For a moment she stood at the head of the boat she was guiding. Her arms were outstretched to receive something floating on the surface of the water. His imperfect vision failed to make out what the object could be. Excited by feelings which he dared not analyse, he passed signals to the stranger. The seaman felt his heart sink within him. A cold tremour ran through his whole frame. The hailed vessel neared the ice-block upon which Fergus was standing. He could distinctly observe its occupants. In the stern sheets lay Paul Jones, pale, bleeding and haggard. By his side a handsome young woman, who was now watching over his reviving form. Could he really believe what he saw. “Yes,’? he exclaimed, “’tis Sumach. One of those pitying spirits, whose eyes rain tears for mortals’ crimes, and who are permitted by fate to avert their doom.” \ How Sumach came thus opportunely to the rescue of Paul Jones and Fergus blake, may be explained in a few words. The lengthened absence of the latter from his abode beneath the load-stone rock, had excited fears in the bosom of the doting Indian. Suspense added to her terror, and she determined to learn tidings of her favoured lover. While prosecuting her search, she had been at- tracted to the spot where the capture of Emona had been effected. She had witnessed the conflict, but had not ven- tured to take a part, conceiving she could better serve her friend by outwitting, instead of engaging with the enemy. Her plan was as yet successful, for she had snatched CHAPTER XXVII. EMONA RECEIVES HELP WHEN SHE LEAST EXPECTS IT.— ROTALDO EXACTS THE PROMISE. A perilous journey of two hours, brought the pirates to their landing place. Black Bill ordered the anchor to be dropped, and the men to prepare an inpromptu breakfast. While the directions were carried out, Emona re- mained a solitary prisoner in the boat. “Spare me, heaven, spare me from these cruel men,” were the first words she uttered. “I am pre- pared to die. I have no husband—for me life has no sweets. ‘‘*And yet,’ continued the speaker, “one little hope remains—a straw to the sinking wretch. Could T but ascertain that——” A slight noise interrupted Emona as she was speaking. An uncontrollable impulse caused her to rise, and turn inquiringly in every direction. She could not distinguish from whence the sound proceeded, A few moments elapsed, and it was again repeated. Her keen eye rested on a seaman’s cloak that had been carelessly thrown at the bottom of the boat. The garment shook, and a mans face rose from beneath it. Emona, as may be supposed, was startled. Her emotion was increased, as she recognised tha features of the intruder, Brandy-nosed Nick. A finger pressed upon the lip, imposed silence. on her part. The seaman retaining his covering, crept stealthily to his companion’s side. With caution and secrecy, he ascertained that they were alone, and unobserved. The curiosity of Emona was aroused to learn how Nick could have appeared thus marvellously. Her desire was not long ungratified. She smiled, trembled, turned pale, and smiled again. “You didn’t expect to see me here,” said Nick, in a low voice; ‘“‘in fact, arter what I’ve gone through, I’m surprised at it myself.” “Where is my husband?’”? was Emona’s first question, | ‘‘Oh! he’s anchored in safety,’ said Nick, in evasive reply to calm her fears, ‘“‘ we shall soon re- turn to him; in fact I’m come for such a purpose.” “You are sure of this ?” “Certain,” answered the seaman. ‘ Heaven for- give me for the innocent lie,’ he continued, in a low voice, to himself— “The powers on high,’? exclaimed Emona, “to whose mercy I have trusted—to whose love I have confided, and to whose will I bow, has heard my ardent prayer !”’ “So, moored at last, dry docked after the squall,’ said Grandy-nosed Nick, throwing off the cloak that had concealed him. ‘ My head is all in shivers ; it can’t be from liquor, ’cos I can’t get none ; worse luck, it must be from thinking how wecan get out of the deep water we’ve dropped into,” ‘‘ By what mysterious means do I find you here>” asked Emona, of the seaman at her side. ‘* Listen, and I'll tell you all about it,” he replied. “We were popping away at the infernal pirates, as you may remember, when their firing suddenly ceased.