The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 85: what you’re looking at

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

‘ THE FROZEN CREW AND IGE-BOUND sHiP. ian “Merciful heaven, ’tis Rotaldo!” she shrieked out; “then all hope is gone.” 3 “She sprang from the Spaniard, to whom she had advanced, and was immediately overtaken by a state of insensibility. The pirates, who had secured Black Bill, looked with anxious astonishment upon the scene, while Rotaldo awaited with impatience the recovery of Emona. Nick, once more free, addressed his late preserver. ‘Spaniard, you have saved my life, and I thank you forit, but whileI am floating on the tide of gratitude, I hope you won’t say me nay to a further favour I’ve got to ask at your hands.” “Cuerpo di dios,’ exclaimed the other, “what favour can he expect from Rotaldo, who has in every respect shown himself an enemy ?”’ “Well, skipper, plain sailing is the best for a sea- man, and I won’t deny that I’ve hoisted my red rag against your pennant, so don’t let my misconduct fall on the shoulders of others. Let one victim serve, if you still retain any sense of honour, and duty.’’ As Nick continued to speak, he pointed to Emona. “Bear in mind,” he said, “what sort of cargo you have got on board; don’t addinsult to cruelty, or forget that you are amenable to the great com- mander aloft. Let me sufferalone. String me up to the yard-arm; riddle the battered hull with ball, and [’ll take it kindly, if you'll only say yonder poor woman shall be respected.” ‘Tis too late to parley !” replied Rotaldo. have taken my course, and intend to stick to it.” ‘Tf its a bad one,” said Nick. “That's my look out,’? continued the Spaniard. *‘Qur prisoner won’t be left destitute, since we have driven the Indians from the border the fish and game of the region are all our own, and I am too far on the way to ware ship.” Emona, restored to animation, now spoke— “These men are lost to every feeling of humanity, and will show no mercy; if death is to be our por- tion let us both meet it without useless pleading.” ‘ “Tg it thus Emona speaks of Rotaldo ?” “He is a villain !” ‘In that my character is not original ; so are many men.” ** You spare neither man in your hate or woman in your lust!’ ‘Ah, that reminds me of your promise.” ‘What promise ?” “That you would resign yourself to him,who saved your companion’s life.” ‘**T spoke in wild delirium.”’ “Probably ; but as your word is pledged, I shall expect you will regard it.’’ If the complexion of Emona had been hitherto white as snow, its colour during the conversation with Rotaldo had assumed that of the crimson sun- set. Every lineament was tinged by the blushing hue of shame, anger and resentment. ‘Infamous man!” she exclaimed, with bitterness, *‘though defenceless and forlorn, I have yet the courage to despise and defy your worst threats |” ‘*No more piping,” returned Rotaldo, ‘‘ we've had enough for one spell. Where's the steward?” ‘‘ Here he is,’ answered Nipcheese, advancing obsequeously. “Listen, and obey me.” “It is my duty,” replied the cringing dependent ; I hope I have always performed it.” _ “Ttis the duty of the dog to follow the groom that feeds him,’ returned the haughty Spaniard. “Hark ye: put the prisoners in irons, and lead them to the snow-hut ; it will serve as a place of durance till we can reach the ship,” eT “What me?” asked Nipcheese, in astonishment, and evincing by his countenance a considerable dis- like for such a responsible office. “Yes, you—it is all you are fit for,” was the re- ply of Rotaldo. “Caesar,” he continued, turning to the pirate at his elbow, “bear him company, till I come up with you, and mind the milksop don’t let the whole cargo slip through his fingers.” The negro hissed an affirmative through his white teeth. ‘IT hope Senor Rotaldo don’t doubt my firmness in his cause,’ simpered the steward, “No growling !’’ shouted the other. “ Out with yout cheese toaster if you are not afraid of the sight of it.” “T should like to run it through the cursed Spaniard’s paunch,” thought Nipcheese to himself, as he drew his cutlass from its scabbard. ‘“Now then,” continued Rotaldo, “off with the prisoners while I collect together the stragglers,”’ To this remark the officer of inferior degree bowed acquiescence, Like petty tyrants who possess more power than brains, he commenced his show of authority, by as- suming an air of ridiculous consequence. “Come, we can’t wait here all day,” he said, ad-: dressing those committed to his custody. “ By the blood of St. Magnus the martyr, you stare like wild cats instead of obeying my orders. “Do you forget,” Nipcheese continued, “that I am here in point of trust, that you presume to measure judgement and weigh reasons with me, who represent the full dignity of your judges?” “My eyes,’’ said Nick, ‘‘ one would think that the whole ship was afire, anda hungry tar would scarce seek a better kitchen, to toast his biscuit, than just to watt it in the reek that rises out of your lubberly mouth,” “‘ No swaggering, it won’t do with me. I am reso- lute, and——” Before Nipcheese could proceed, Nick was upon him. The seaman caught up the chains with which he had been loaded to make a blow. Agility stood the steward’s friend, and he darted back, just as Rotaldo sprang forward, and arrested the arm of Nick. ‘‘Hnough of this,” said the Spaniard, stamping his foot with rage, and handing the prisoner over to his comrades; ‘‘if he attempts to do further injury let him be shot down like a dog.” ‘Ah, do fre at an unarmed man,” replied Nick, overpowered by numbers, “it’s like you, isn’t it? Mayhap you'll have a shower of iron rattled into your own ribs before you're aware on it.” s ‘‘Tnsolent dog!” said Rotaldo, ‘did I not despise your threats I would this very moment send you to keep the long watch in Davie Jones’ locker.” “ The sooner the oetter,” retorted Nick, resolutely. “T see it’s all over with me.” ‘Blaze away, you piratical algerines,” he con- tinued. ‘‘ You may send your bullets into my hull, but I'll set you an example how to die without kicking my heels at the yard-arm.”’ ‘“No, no,” cried Emona, throwing herself before the speaker, at whose breast several weapons were levelled, “for mercy’s sake do not hold to your say- age purpose.” weft “Let them proceed to extremities, if they like,’ said Nick, as he looked with some anxiety on the suppliant. “I thought I should have shown my grinders to the last ; but somehow or other, when I think about you, my lass I find I’m more chicken- hearted than I expected.” “He will not offend again,’’ exclaimed Emona,