Commodore Junk — page 190: what you’re looking at

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

THE BLACK SCHOONER. 183 Devon man seemed to burn. ‘“ Do you know who commands this ship that has been hunting us these six months?” “Yes; a brave ofticer in the king’s service.” “A brave officer!” cried the captain, contemptuously. Well, that’s what they say ; and that he has sworn to die or take us.” “ He—sworn!” cried the captain. “A brave captain! Did you and poor Abel find him so brave when you met him that night on the road to Slapton Lea?” “What!” cried Bart. “No; ’tisn’t him!” ‘That ship is commanded by Captain Armstrong,” said the captain, hoarsely ; “by the man, Bart, who blasted my life ; who sent my brother to his death out here, for it was through him poor Abel died.” “No! Never!” cried Bart, incredulously. “Tt’s true, Bart. I have just learned that it is he by Dinny, who has returned from Belize. She is commanded by the man I once thought I loved.” “ But you don’t love him now?” “Love! Bart Wrigley, can you believe in a person’s nature being changed by cruelty and wrong?” “No. Not yours,” growled Bart. “Then you may believe it, Bart ; and now the time has come, and I am going to have my revenge. Do you know what I am going to do?” “You told me,” said Bart, roughly. “ Fight.” “Yes ; but so as to spare my men, and to spare inyself. Bart, I am going to teach the king’s grand officer what it is to trifle, and to treat those he holds beneath him as if they were meant for his pleasure, and made for that alone. I am going to destroy the ship of this grand officer, to scatter his men, and to take him prisoner if I can.” “No!” said Bart, hoarsely. ‘Don’t do that.” Gomilcbooks =