Stories with a Vengeance — page 59: what you’re looking at

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

THE CAPTAIN OF THE FORTUNE. 5) a ‘“‘ And have you seen nothing of the City| He speedily returned. of Dublin?” asked Carstairs, in a very srave tone of voice. ‘“‘ Nothing,” was his answer. “ But she :nght have passed us in the storm.” ‘I am compelled by duty,” continued the ther, hesitatingly, “ to tell you that among her passengers was a Mr. Charles Arundel, invalided home on leave of absence.” “My brother!’ cried Henry Arundel, turning deadly pale. “I hope nothing has nappened to him.” “Of course the Dublin Castle may have escaped both the perils of the deep and of these miscreants,’ said Captain Carstairs, feelingly; ‘“ still I thought I should mention it. Steward, wine.” 7 “JY deeply thank you,’ responded the younger brother. “I will remain by you until daylight, and then will make a minute search of the islands.” The other thanked him ; and having par- taken of some wine, returned to his ship, anxious and thoughtful. That he had not sighted the Dublin Castle was, of course, not very wonderful, because though vessels follow, as it were, a beaten track on the ocean, they often diverge from it sufficiently to prevent them bemg seen by one coming the opposite Sill he was anxious in the extreme, and communicated his forebodings to his de- voted friend Travers. , “But,” said he, “of course she might have passed much farther out, and the storm was one to keep even pirates at ome.”” “Time will show,” was the grave an- swer. Until day broke they kept the Indiaman m sight. Then Lieutenant Travers went 2 board with despatches for the Admi- ralty, and private letters from the officers ind the men. After this, she clapped on all sail, and “ith a loud cheer for the frigate’s crew, continued her voyage, thankful to have ‘scaped a danger fearful to contemplate. When Arundel and Travers: came on “eck after breakfast, a midshipman ap- proached, and saluting, called their atten- ‘ion to a lot of wreckage at no great dis- wince, in the shape of large masts and spars, “ith sails attached. Captain Arundel turned deadly pale, and aught Travers by the arm. “Go and see what it is,” he said, noarsely. “I cannot.” His friend at once crdered a boat to be ;ut out, and immediately rowed for the wreckage, which was floating away at the nercy of wind and waves. Google = asked the captain, “ what is it 99 “The mizzen and mainmast of a large vessel,” was the low-spoken reply. ‘“ The rigging has been cut away by axes, the ship being doubtless in terrible peril.” “It must be the Dublin Castle!” said Captain Arundel. “ What is to be done? Shall we search for the hulk, and land on those accursed islands in search of the sur- vivors P’” “Look!” cried Travers, pomting to where a column of smoke rose on high. “Head for the land!” was the captain’s reply ; “and then come into the cabin with Hatton. The mystery must be solved !” Travers obeyed; and bringing Hatton with him, he descended to the captain’s cabin. The old “salt” was reticent at first, but after solemn promises of reward, and of im- munity if he had anything to reveal which | might implicate himself, he owned that, though sorely against his will, he had in his young days been a member of the g they were in search of. His escape had veen a marvel, but all that was necessary to be known was that he could show them how to land on the island. a ae ee CHAPTER III. FURTHER ADVENTURES OF THE DUBLIN CASTLE AND HER CREW. A sHARP look-out was kept on board the Dublin Castle, which, beg rather un- manageable, might at any moment run on a shoal or on rocks. Daylight came at last, bright and clear, and then orders were given to erect jury masts, by the aid of which they might reach some port where they could refit completely. of course, the vessel was in a miserable plight, but thanks to the courage, skill, and discipline of the officers and crew, the lives of those on board were apparently safe. The passengers had been fastened down under hatchways, and to add to the horrors of that terrible night, which none expected to survive, they had been for a long time in total darkness. They had passed the hours huddled up like sheep in a pen. It was only when the ship righted that some of the gentle- men contrived to relight the lamps. They revealed a group of ghastly faces. All knew that never had they been nearer death in their whole existence than during the preceding hours, | The steward and stewardess, who were CY, JOO S CO)