The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

————_—_—_——__ —_—— 82 THE FROZEN CREW AND ICE-BOUND SHIP. Having seen that the captives were secured, the former, with an odious grin, informed them that they saw their place of lodging for the night. “Yes,”’ said Nipcheese, ‘‘ and it appears to me to be a very pleasant, retired spot, where a man may reflect on the vicissitudes of human life without much fear of interruption, What do you say, Caesar ?” “ Ay, ay, it will do,’’ grunted the negro; ‘ they’ll have no one to overhaul them here.” “They will be as safe here asin the snow-hut to which we were directed to take them.”’ “Tt is fortunate we fell in with the caboose,” said Caesar; “we have saved ourselves a great deal of trouble, and have only half the distance to reach the ship. “T say, messmates,” said Nick, ‘‘you might as well do me a favour while you remain here.”’ *“‘Humph, messmate, that’s familiar,’ thought Nipcheese, standing on his present dignity. ‘*A favour,” he continued, “ What is it ?” ‘Just to take off my bracelets,’ answered Nick, intimating the irons that encircled his wrist. *‘Can’t do it,’’ said Nipcheese, satirically. Caesar, having satisfied himself that the prisoners were secure, intimated his intention to Nipcheese of taking a short nap, and was soon in the arms of Morpheus, or in plain English fast asleep. Nipcheese followed his example. CHAPTER XXX, FERGUS BLAKE IS SHOT BY THE PIRATES. It was midnight. The torch which lit the lonely cabin, was still blazing. | A thick vapour rose from its flame, and obscured its more distant portions. The broad pathway or passage to the door could scarcely be discerned. The light struggling through the gloom only im- perfectly revealed the figures within the building. The prisoners, as far as their position would allow, appeared to be asleep. Their watchers fatigued, seemed also in a drowsy state. All at once a slight noise reached the ears of the restless Nipcheese. Half dozing, yet half awake, he looked around him, asif to ascertain whether fancy or reality had conjured up the sound ! It was now that the eye of Nipcheese rested in the direction of the doorway. He thought he discerned a figure in its shade. After steadily regarding the object for a few mo- ments, during which it continued perfectly still, a superstitious terror overcame the astonished ob- server. He began to think it was the arch enemy of man- kind standing before him in proper person. Too terified to speak, he aroused Caesar. Nipcheese directed his attention to the mysterious intruder, and asked him, in accents that betrayed his alarm, what he thought of him. Caesar rubbed his eyes, gave a long stare, and failed in the murky vapour, which filled the chamber, to recognise his features. ‘** How the devil has he found us out 2?” “ Who the devil is he?” These were the questions the bewildered pirates put. “‘T’m not afraid,” said Caesar, after a pause, . “I will address him.” With this, the speaker got up and staggered dreamily forward. ** Ah,” he exclaimed, as he drew nearer. “ I have it now.” “Whom,” continued Caesar, ‘do you think your satanic majesty turns out to be?” ‘*T really can’t imagine,” replied Nipcheese, ina voice a key lower than its previous pitch. “No other than Paul Jones; a rare prize for us. Senor Rotaldo will come down with a handsome round handful of Chili dollars for his capture,” ‘‘ Had we better wait till——” ‘‘ What is it brings you hither ?”’ said Caesar plac- ing the muzzle of his pistol to the breast of Paul Jones. ‘* You rush on death if you stir.” “Bethink you who you speak to,” cried Paul Jones. “Surrender yourself.”’ “¢ Never. ” As Paul Jones spoke, the negro found himself grappled by two nervous assailants. A third snatched the pistol from his vigorous hold. Caesar’s arms were pinioned. This was scarcely the work of a moment, and he was a prisoner before he could offer any resist- ance. “ Bravo my lasses!” cried Fergus, for it was he, Sumach, and Zoe, who had effected the seizure so skilfully. : ‘What had we better do with this aged black bird ?”’ he continued, The furious imprecations of the negro were now giving an alarm. Without waiting for a reply to his question, fear- ing his cries would bring assistance before Paul. Jones could prevent the act, Fergus had drawn hig knife across the throat of Caesar. “Since you court your fate,” heexclaimec, “take it.” A struggle of the most terrific kind,now ensued. The wounded negro dashed forward to the door His progress was stopped by Paul Jones. ~ He turned toconfront his previous assailants, Fergus Blake aimed a blow at him with his dis- charged pistol. Had it taken effect, it must have instantly ter- minated the conflict. Caesar avoiding the seaman’s stroke grappled with him. He was rescued by the others. The negro, in despair, again made for the door, which was now unguarded. Blinded by the blood with with which his face and body was covered he, in his haste, hurried over the precipice at the rear of the dwelling. A hollow plunge was heard the next moment, It marked his descent into the abyss and water beneath. “ jt’s all over with him,” muttered Fergus Blake, as he returned to the hut, from which he had issued to pursue his enemy. Paul Jones’ first consideration was the prisoners. {t was total obscurity as he released them of their bonds and fetters, the light being extinguished during the struggle. The ignited torch was soon succeeded by a fire, Ample materials laying ready at hand. As the flame blazed up the adventurers could better view the dismal aspect of the lonely and de- solate cabin. The looks of Paul Jones did not dwell long upon the dreary ruin. ; They were soon east upon the countenance of his wife, concealed so long by the outer darkness and gloom. books-coim