Captain Joe; or, The Days of the Mint — page 14: what you’re looking at

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62 THE HALZPENNY STANDARD. ** You would know that boy again anywhere?” he said in a deep and savage undertone. "* Aye, aye, captain.” ‘“And you know the value of the gold in the eavern 2” # Aye, aye." “Well, I would give all that to have that boy brought to me on this lugger alive—not dead, mind you, my men—I want him alive, full of strength and courage, so that I may break. his heart, auc kill him at my leisure.” The cold-blooded ferocity with which he said this sent a shudder through even the worst and | most hardened of those who heard him,. for they knew how slow and cruel his revenge could be when once he had his victim in his power. There was one who heard him and determined to put Dick on his guard. He knew it would have to be done secretly, for the flaxen-haired Netherlander, Hans Steinitz, was aware that if Heidrich even suspected him, he would be no more safe from the skipper’s fury than the meanest of the crew. ‘t A gallant lad—a hero,” Hans thought, ‘‘ and my heart kindled towards him as he stood there risking his own life for his friend, and he shali Ea be entrapped to his doom if I can save CHAPTER XIV, HOW DICK SAVED NELSON, Ir was a mystery to David Sherlock how Cap- tain Lindrake and Dick could have found their way to the cavern, but he was enlightened on that point before the eventful night was over. The revenue officer was singularly thoughtful and reserved to the landlord of the ** Albatross.” He could not forget that Sherlock had tried to save his life when he was first in peril, but it grieved him to find that the man he had always treated with respect and liking, belonged to the smug- glers’ gang, and was as bad as any of them, if not worse. When Sherlock knew that he had been dis- covered, he soon regained his natural hardihood. He did not af first like to meet the glance of the gallant boy who called him uncle, but that was a short-lived fecling, and passed away, as many a regret and good intention had done before. ** You had better come into my room and have a drink, captain,” he said. “After the excite- ment you have been through you must want one.” much reason to be sorry for it; but I had given it up for years—ever since that boy there, Disk, was left to my care.” ** It does not look like it after what I saw last night.” “That was Vandergrift ; he is the only one who kept a hold on me, and though I no longer take an active part in their proceedings, 1 cannot quite turn against them or betray them, and I did my best for you, captain.” “*Too much,” said the officer, gloomily; “ but for the obligation you placed mo under, I could make a clean sweep of the whole gang.” ‘‘So you can as itis, at your own time ; when, for instance, he comes to unship that cargo next week,” ‘That would be to break my word, and I would not do that even to such a villain as Vandergrift. No, Sherlock, my mind is made up—I carmotre- main in the service, having once been untrue to my duty.” ‘‘ What do you think of doing ?” “Thaye not yet decided ; but I shall try to find my way into some career where I can redeem my honour, and serve my king and country.” Sherlock saw that further persuasion would be useless, ‘* Well,” he said, ‘‘if ever you want help, re- member that you have afriend in me. [am not without a few handfuls of money—but I should like to know how you found your way to the eaverm as you did.” ‘That is easily told. I was on the alert, and your attempt to drug meconvinced me that you were in with them. You made so sure I was asleep that yon took no precautions, and when you let Vandergrift and his men in I saw the way you took them.” “That accounts for you,” said Sherlock, “ but how did Dick manage to be there as well ?” TT 2” said Dick. ‘I lelt sure there was some- thing going on, and I could not sleep. I saw the caplain steal downstairs alter you, and I followed hin 3 you know the rest,” ** | know you made me feel proud of you,” said , David, with # glance of affectionate admiration at him. ‘“ Very few men, even of twice your age, would have behaved with such ready nerve and daring; you will make your way in the world, Dick, whatever you undertake,” “Tam glad to hear you say so, uncle, for I shall besin to make my own way very soon. _— aceept the hospitality that was offered him at the “ Albatross." His own unaffected manners; and his friendship for Dick, ensured him a welcome. “T thought you were such an early riser?’ ‘the said when Diek made his appearance. “‘Tam generally,” replied Dick; ‘but I did not have much rest last night,” ‘“Then you are too tired tocome ont for a row this morning?” *" Not a bit, it’s the very thing I want.” You have missed a grand sight if you have only just come down,” said Marmaduke, ‘‘ 'I'wo or three ships of the line have passed in full sail, and one came to anchor just as I yot here.” ‘“ We will go and see what it is like,” said Dick. “Better not,” suggested Sherlock ; “ they might ask you on board, and they would’ not easily let you go again. You would find your- selves on the ship's books in no time.” “They would not dare to keep me,” said Duke, “T would not leave Dick behind.” “*'Von had better not be too sure of what, they would or would not do,” said David, '‘ and thw best way to keep out of trouble is not to go inte it. It might be an opening for Dick,” he added, with a enitle, ‘he is burning to begin his career, but I hardly think he would care to commence as a common seaman impressed to serve before the mast.” **T would not serve,” said Dick, ‘‘ they should never make me do anything against my will.” ‘‘Many lads and men have said that before,” Sherlock observed, ‘‘but they have had to serve all the same.” ‘* Because they gave in,” Dick said. “‘I have heard you say that a pressed man is not obliged to serve till he is entered on the ship’s books by his own consent.” ‘* Strictly speaking, he'is not obliged to serve, nor does he by right come under the articles of war till he has entered the service, but they have a way of making him glad to do it.” “ How can they ?”’ ‘Well, heis pushed and shoved, kicked anid sworn at for being in everybody's way. He 1 provoked till he retaliates, and then had up be- fore the eaptain, who winks at what has beon done to him, and sends him \to the hold in irons for interfering with the working of the vessnl, He is left there in darkness and hunger, with the bilge water up to his knees and the rats swarm- “Will it be drugged, like that you gave me | After what has happened, I do mot intend to not long ago #" asked Lindrake with stern signi- | remain here.” ficance. | ‘You need not be in a hurry to leave me, ing over him.” ‘* Monstrous,” said Dick* ‘Tt is done covery day, my boy, and when ho “© You found that out, did you?’ Sherloek said, with a grim laugh. ‘* Well, I did that for your own sake, and that dee*' ~".adergrift, assured me it would only make you sleep.” Dick,” Sherlock said, reproachfally. “I shall be better away,” said Dick. ‘‘lam old enough to let the world see what I am made of, but we need not talk of it at present. “T almost wish it had been poison, and I had |I will say good-night, as I have gone through taken if,” said Lindrake. “Captain !” said Dick, reproachfully. “Do net think me ungrateful, Dick. You saved my life, but you have broken my heart, I have betrayed my trust. Neglected my duty. I am no longer fit to remain in the king's service. I shall resign.” ‘«Then the king will lose a good. officer, and no one wall be a gainer,” Sherlock said. ‘‘ Come, captain. Why not let this night’s work sink into oblivion. You can start now with a clean sheet, and more experience than you had before.” “T shall cesignu,” Lindrake said, with great re- solution ; ‘‘if we ever meet again it will not be while I am a revenue officer. But my name shall be such a terror to the smugglers, that they would rather have Satan in their midst.” “Ne doubt,” said Sherlock, drily. ‘They would » nob care so much for hini—he is only one of the iamily, and would be more likely to help them than not ; but you carry your sentiment too far, captain, when vou talk about resigning your com- MIsslon. ‘Ts it for yon,” asked Lindrake, “to judge of the sense of honour that actuates me 2” *\ Yes,’”” was the firm reply ; ‘‘ my own sense of honour was as keen till I was ill-msed and de- graded. [ slid not become a smuggler from choice, Captain Lindrake. They stood my friends more than once, and did me many a kindness when I was poor and in trouble, and so | drifted mto it after a time, became one of them, and have had |not be such a bad day's work. quite enough for one day.” He shook hands with them both, and the cap- tain retiring soon afterwards, Sherlock was left alone, “Tf the boy and Lindrake had not found me out,” he thought, with a grim smile, ‘‘it would A cellar full of gold which I am not obliged to give up if I can tind a way of keeping it, and L think I can; as for Dick, he will not leave me when it comes to the point. ‘The jad is sonsitive and proud, and he is ashamed of me as his uncle, but that will soon pass away.” In this he was mistaken ; though Dick was apt to act on impulse he had extraordinary stedfastness of purpose, avd the events of that night had strengthened a resolution which had heen for some time forming in his mind. He felt that he was idling away his time at Tre- gardon, aud he had all a high-spirited youth's heroic longing to distinguish hitself in the world, but he had not yet decided upon his career, and he would not consult his unele now, He was not without fricnids towlvise him. He had Captain Lindrake, Sir Heron Penraven, and Marmaduke, who still remained at Tregardon. When he awoke late in the morning, after a long and troubled sleep, Marmaduke was wait- ins for him. The havonet’s nephew wo eat at the browk Cast tales inexhaustible appetite, aia! wa sive snnething to wy dike, le had an ‘aways willing to bay is down there they act as if they had forgotten him till he begs to be released ; then they tell him they must keep him there till they can pnt him ashore, and that there is no room on deck except for the sailors. If he likes to volunteer, have his name pat on the books, and go to his daty willingly they will see what can be done.” “And, of course, he volunteers,” sail Marma- duke, ‘‘ 1 sheuld, under the cireumstanees, ‘ut I should not value an oath so extorted from aie, and | should escape at the first opportunity.” “To be captured and flogved, or shot as a de- serter,” Sherlock said. ‘‘ No, my lad, take my advice, aud if ever you tind yourself in that pre- (dlicament, make the vest of it.” ‘* Or prepare for it,” said Dick, ‘' by carrying a pair of pistols, and I shall do that in future, as I think Captain Van——” He stopped suddenly, remembering that Mar- maduke knew nothing of Captain Vandergrift, and there was no need of the warning look sher- lock gave him, ‘» Who is Captain Van 2” Duke enquired. “ Oh, a rough kind of fellow I had a tew words with yesterday,” Dick said, carelessly, ‘and lie might do me an ill turn if he got the chance. Arc you ready for the boat 2” “ Onite.”" ; 2 Duke sprang to his feet, and Dick, who had made a good breakfast while talking, went out with him, and the light craft was soon hauled down to the beach. Here they saw Captain Lindrake, thoughtful and sad, pacing to and fro with a telescope under his arm. “Did you see those ships this morning, Cap- tain?” Duke asked him. (Zo be continued.) comicoooks COTM