Stories with a Vengeance — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

O4 | (eight bells), the look-out aloft came down, according to previous instructions, . and reported a large vessel looming in the distance. “All right, Simmons,” said Lieutenant Travers. eyes open.” “Ay, ay, sir!” responded the man, touch- ing his hat. Scarcely had he retired when Bill Hatton: approached, and touched his hat also. “Well, my man, what is it now?” asked the heutenant, good-naturedly. The man pointed to the eastward. “ My eyes ain’t so good as they was, sir,” he said; “ but if. you will look through your night-glass, I think you will see some- thing.” Lieutenant Travers at once acqimiesced, ‘and then gave a great start of surprise. “Two hows and some smaller boats,” he. said, in a low tone. the captain.” And going down, he soon awakened Captain Arundel, and made him acquainted with the discovery he had made. Captain Arundel was soon on deck, and himself looking through the night-glass at the approaching foe. “Pirates, by heavens.!”’ he said, in a low sie “ And they are making for the large g < hd ’ “The Admiralty were right, sir,” re- marked Travers. ‘“ There is a mist stealing up. We must be cautious.” “ Yes,” continued the captain, earnestly. “Rouse all the men, and put easy sail on her. The mist already almost conceals them. Besides, they have eyes only for their prey. We shall catch them.” His orders were at once obeyed. The bearings of both the larger vessel and the mysterious dhows and boats were taken, and the frigate was steered a middle course between the two. All was silent as death on board the frigate. Not a light was visible from with- out. She, however, glided slowly through the water. Then once more they saw the suspicious boatg and vessels at no great distance. Now occurred a singular thing. Doubtless deceived by the mist, which rendered the larger vessel wholly invisible for a time, the dhows and others made swiftly for the man-of-war. Their decks were crowded by a dense mass of dark-looking men. They came on with a low murmur of satisfaction and delight. In an instant more the ports were open, the drum beat to quarters. “T will at once rouse Google “Go up again, and keep your THE CAPTAIN OF THE FORTUNE. Then, with loud shouts, the now un- masked pirates came on with fierce glee. A broadside was fired, and the wretches knew they had caught a Tartar. Without firmg a shot, they turned, with yells and groans, and made off. Again the Fortune fired a volley, and then prepared to follow. But the mist rolled up more thickly, and the baffied pirates were unfortunately lost to view. At the same moment blue lights were seen at no great distance, which were re- peated at rapid intervals. “ The Indiaman is anxious for an expla- nation, sir,”’ remarked Travers. ‘‘T suppose so,” replied Captain Arundel. “Send up a light or two, and head directly for her.” The lieutenant obeyed, and soon the puge vessel loomed up close to them in the og. “What ship is that.P” was roared through the 2 occa are fromthe man-of-war. “The City of Glasgow, Indiaman, Cap- tain Carstairs,” was the loud response. ‘“What ship is that P” “H.M. frigate Fortune, Captain Arun- del,” shouted Travers. “Lie to, and an officer will come on board.” The Indiaman obeyed, as a matter of course, and a boat being put out, the cap- a himself went in her to visit the strange ship. He was received with due honours, and found not only the ship’s officers awaiting him, but several of the male passengers. whe had been startled by the firing of guns. “Will you step into the saloon, Captain Arundel ?” said the skipper, courteously. Our hero consented, and was at once questioned by Carstairs as to what was the meaning of the guns they had heard. “They were fired at a fleet of rascally pirates, who were coming to surprise’ your vessel.” : “ Pirates, sir!” said Captain Carstairs, incredulously; “in these seas P” “Yes,” replied Captain Arundel. “TI have come out from England specially to protect three Indiamen at this spot—the Dublin Castle, the City of Glasgow, and the Red Chief. The Admiralty have posi- tive information of pirates existing on the Achen Islands, which are protected by so many dangerous shoals.” The commander of the City of Glasgov- and the passengers stared at the speaker incredulously. ; Captain Arundel then explained what had passed, and the mistake the pirates had made in consequence of the mist. > a JOO S CO)