The Boy Captain of the Black Swallow — page 31: what you’re looking at

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= THE RESCUE. 27 firmly. “ We will do all we can to escape, and | leave the event to a good Providence.” “ We are willing to stand by you,” said Ben. “They have seen their first fire overshot us,” said Arthur, ‘and now have trained their guns as much too low. They will do better next time, and | fear we may have something carried away. ‘There go the bow-chasers again! We are fairly outsailing her. In ten minutes she will not be able to reach us. Our most dangerous neighbour is the frigate.” And a dangerous neighbour she proved. Shot after shot went over and fell around her, and one, coming on board, dashed into the main hatch, and buried itself among the eargo, Jt was acritical time. All Arthur’s coolness and courage were called into action. The safely of the schooner, and of those who had embarked with him in this expedition, depended upon his skill and example. Ti was a noble spectacle to behold this little Yankeeeraft keeping her course boldly%eetween two formidable foes, the American flag floating proudly over her stern. A frigate with five hiundved men, a brig with a hundred and fifty, were both in full chase; yet, with only fifteen men and two useless guns, Arthur Denwood held on his course with the ealm confidence of power. Nine shot struck the “ Arnold” but with little damage, considering the weight of the metal. One from the frigate stove one of her boats to pieces, and another cut away the lifts of her foretopsail yard. Three shot from the brig came on board, severely wounding two of the crew with splinters, and killing one of the prisoners by severing him in two. The wind, which had been in the N.N.W.,., suddenly veered to the 8,E., and the weather thickened with a heavy mist that shut them out entirely from both the brig and the frigate. Arthur now devoutly thanked Heaven for his escape. By sundown, at his present rate of running, he expected to pass Boston Light. But here. he now recollected, a new danger was to be encountered. Boston was strictly block- aded. To get in he would have to pass the enemy's ships. “JT am proud of you, Arthur,” said the old man, grasping his hand warmly. “TI have this day, for your sake, my boy, made a vow that I Pe never drink another drop o’ spirits in nay ife.’ “Have you, indeed. father?” cried Arthur, his countenance beaming with joy. Arthur felt deep joy at this sudden change in the habits of one he so dearly loved, and his spirits assumed new buoyancy. ‘This is indeed a victory!” he said to Jerry, smiling as he saw tho negro’s face radiant with delight. The schooner kept on her course, hugging the land until nightfall, when she made Boston Light, and ran safely into the harbour without sceing a single cruiser. As the Old South bell rang nine, she furled her topyuils, and dropped auchor off India Wharf, ? CHAPTER XII. THE RESCUE, RTHUR, having brought the schooner thus safely into port, now went below, where he had not gone since the capture, for his responsibility. was too great for him to leave the deck a moment. Thurrel had been provided with food and locked in a state-room, where he remained during the chage along with his unpleasant re- flections.. All was a mystery inexplicable to him. How Arthur Denwood should have chaneed to be at sea with an armed force and achieve the capture was unaccountable. <As the British vessels chased he prayed fervently for the recapture of the schooner; but when, as the night came on, he learned from what was said on deck that they were safely going in past the Boston Light, his chagrin knew no bounds. He cursed himself, Arthur, Sapping, and even the schooner, When at length he heard the step and voice of Arthur Denwood in the cabin, his knees trembled and smote together. Arthur un- locked the cabin door, and said, in a firm, quiet tone : : “ Captain Thurrel, step out.” : Thurrel obeyed, and stood before him with an air of abject submission, while malice and revenge rankled in his heart. “ Weare now anchored in Boston Harbour, sir,” said Arthur, in the same quict, severe tone. “In afew minutes I go ashore to report the capture cf the schooner and surrender up the prisoners, who, with Bissey, are confined in the foreeastle. I have come to ask if you have any choice with reference to your own dis- posal.” “Yes, I would be set at liberty,” answered Thurrel. “I am not your enemy, Mr. Den- wood. It is true we had a quarrel before now, but I am sorry for any injury I have done you. I loved the girl, and——” “Silence, sir! Breathe but the slightest allusion to the maiden, and I will have you hanged to the fore yard-arm.” *“ Well, I didn’t mean offence.” “You cannot give me offence, sir. You are too contemptible for my notice, rich and well- born as you are! I have come to say to you that if you will promise solemnly that you will leave the United States for ever, and never speak of the names of your employers in the vile affair I have been so fortunate as to arrest ere its consummation, I will give you a chance for life. Delivered to the authorities, you know your doom.” “YT promise it!” answered Thurrel, with eagerness. “Tf I did my duty fully I should deliver you up to your country. But there are cireum- stances which render it expedient for me to give you the chanee of escaping I offer you. My country will, doubtless, he satisfied wita the total defeat of the infamous project ? oO Comichboo S 5} (©)