The Boy Captain of the Black Swallow — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

LHE CHALLENGE. “Now, Mr. Thurrel, you are in my power, not I in yours,” he said, calmly but firmly. “I should serve you right to throw you into the dock after your weapon, and let you crawl out as you could. But I do not wish to pursue an advantage that, howeevr much you may merit it, becomes me not to make use of. But now you are upon your knees you shall ask my forgiveness for using the name of the fair maiden upon your polluted lips. Come, sir; I wait for your words.” “ You choke me! I cannot speak.” “There! Do you breathe freer? I would not hurt you; I despise you too heartily. Agk my pardon.” “Tt is cowardly, Arthur Denwood, to hold me down thus, and force me to speak.” “Then get up. Men say you are a brave man though a profligate one. Get up to your feet and go, but promise that you will meet me to- morrow morning at eight o’clock in the pines by the South Ledge, with cutlass or pistol. We will then fight this matter out.” “T promise,” answered Thurrel, in a sullen tone. “Then good-night.” With these words, Arthur moved on his way down the street, leaving Thurrel standing alone. * Yes, Ihave promised, and I willbe there ; but not alone. The fellow! Ife is as braveas & lion, and as strong, too. Tle took me com- pletely at advantage. Who would have ex- pected such courage and firmness in a mere fisherman? ‘The girl has seen these points in him. and she admires him. Does he believe I will fight him, the low upstart? One would suppose he thought himself a gentleman. He shall know I don't think him so. He shall die for his arrogance and presumption! Am J, the s0n of the richest man in Bath, who have been educated at the University, who have fought a duel in India, who have associated all my life with gentlemen—am I to be thrust aside and scorned by a fisherman, merely because he has a handsome eye and a good figure, and is brave withal? The time will come when I shall avenge myself on her. ‘To-morrow morning I will give him his reward. The low villain, to sup- pose that I would kave the condescension to meet him. I will repay him for losing me Letty Linn and her ten thousand dollars.” He was so much absorbed in his thoughts of revenge that he was not aware of the approach ee & person until he was within five feet of im, ‘* Ah, Bissey, you have come at last?” he said, in an authoritative and reproving tone. ‘I could not well get here sooner, captain,” answered the man, a thick-set, stout-built fellow, in a pea-jacket. ‘I had to see to the earts and load the horses. The last cart was late, as the driver said he got the wheel into a rut and had to prize it out with agreat deal of difficulty.” “ Ilave the horses gone to the wharf ?” Yes, and I don’t think we shall want more than two or three loads more, | is “ When will they be in?” “ To-morrow night, about this hour.” “Then we will get off the same night, if possible.” “ Are we going down to the cove after Den- wood ?P” “No, not to-night, I met the upstart here. We have had a bit of a quarrel. I would have shot him, but somehow he was quicker than I, and got my pistol from me and tossed it into the river.” “The deuce he did! Tcisa hard hand, they say. ‘Three weeks ago he nearly killed Ben Fly with a single blow of his fist.” “ He sha’n’t live to boast of his exploit this night, He had the impudence to ask me, if | had a quarrel with him, to meet him at the South Ledge at eight to-morrow, armed with cutlass or pistol, as [ saw fit, and he would fight it out.” “Ha, ha! He hasn’t the first stiver to buy either. He had better have said boathook and harpoon, Do you mean to meet him ?” “Do you suppose f would degrade myself by such a course?” answered TPhurrel, haughtily. “TI shall meet him. though, I want you to go with me, Bring Ben Fly also, for the fellow must have a grudge sgainst him.” “ Bly will be glad of the opportunity, I dare say. Shall we meet you there at the Ledge ?” “Yes, but coneesl yourself. You know there is ® projection which overarches a sort of cavity. That will secrete you until I want ou.” “ What do you intend to do with him ? I don't want murder on my hands, captain. I have never had a night’s sleep this three years, since I killed that man in Boston, without dreaming of him, and having his ghost staring me in the face. I would rather be in Hades than have another ghost to keep him company.” “Well, I won’t hurt your conscience, Bissey. I don’t mean to murder him, I will take him and carry him on board the schooner, and when we get outside John Bull will give us five guineas bounty for him. Do you under- stand me ?” “ Yes. A capital idea. I will be at the Ledge—Ben and I. But are we three enough ? You know he is a hard hand, as I said before.” “T can’t trust another. Jf we three can’t manage him, we ought to be whipped by him,” *So I think. Shall you be down to the dock to-night, captain ?” asked Bissey, moving AWAY. » “ Yes, by-and-by. Ihave to go and see old Sapping first.” “ Well, good-night.” “See that everything is stowed away well, and be watchful that no one is permitted to come near to see what we are about. Every- thing depends on secrecy. If the Custom Elouse officers should get wind of us, or the commander of the troops at Wiscasset, we should have trouble.” “‘] will take good care.” The two men then separated, Thurrel taking the street up towards a large mansion situated oO cS (CO) GCoOmichboo =