Stories with a Vengeance — page 65: what you’re looking at

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

THE CAPTAIN built of strong poles driven into the ground. ,. It was deserted; but, from a miscel- laneous collection of empty casks, wooden tubs, buckets, iron hoops, and the like, it appeared to have been the abode of some shipwrecked people. While they were looking at this relic of the past, they were startled by the report of a rattling fire of musketry. “Qn, my lads!” cried Captain Arundel ; ‘there is work for us!” And away they all went at a sharp pace, until, after crossing a small belt of wood, they saw clouds of smoke rising at no great distance. The firing was rapid, the assail- ants advancing in two columns. | Then they suddenly dashed off, evidently in pursuit of some foe. On, on pressed the British tars, who soon thoroughly understood the meaning of the’ picture presented to their view. The sight of the women crouching in the boats was enough for the gallant Fortunes. On they sped, with a ringing shout, with what result we know. The congratulations on both sides may be better imagined than described. ‘‘ Are these the passengers and crew of the Dublin Castle?” asked Captain Arundel. ‘“* Yes,” was the answer of its skipper. ‘*'Where is my brother Charles ?” cried the young officer. ‘“‘ Here is all that is left of him, Harry,” said the other, who was lying on the ground severely wounded. “I’m done for !” And so they met. Harry was thunder. struck at the sight of his elder brother, who was pale from loss of blood. The surgeon came up at once, and at- tended him with all the care he could. ‘‘He must be removed on board your vessel at once,” said he. ‘* Yes,” cried Captain Arundel; ‘enough men will remain to take the ladies and invalids on board.” Then, at a sign (Bill Hatton placing him. self at the head of the column), the started for the pirate stronghold, whic was at the eastern end of the island, rded by an intricate set of reefs, extend- mg for miles, through which no ordinary pilot could have passed. . Brief as had been the space of time allowed, it had been enough for the terri- fied pirates, who were seen on board three dhows and several boats, escaping as fast as they could. They were by this time beyond the reach ef anything but the ship’s guns. Before the Fortune could be brought round, they Google OF THE FORTUNE. 61 would be out of sight, and reaching the dis. tant mainland, would disperse up country. All the English could do, after securing a good deal of valuable plunder, would be to go back to their vessel, and there discuss their future plans. The Dublin Castle men returned to their boats, while the Fortune’s returned to theirs. | Soon all were on board, but it was mani- festly impossible that all could be properly accommodated. Luckily at this juncture the Red Chief hove in sight, and was signalled to come close. Captain Harcourt went on board, and startled his fellow-captain and friend by his wonderful narrative of the real existence of a pirate den among those islands, and its utter destruction. It fortunately happened that the Red Chief had room for a large portion of the wrecked passengers and crew. With this news Captain Harcourt re- turned on board the Fortune. — In the meantime a state-room had been given up to Charles Arundel, who was indeed very severely, if not dangerously, wounded. Sir Ralph Morton expressed his deep regret at having to separate from his friend. . “You see, he will want a nurse, Captain Arundel, and my girl and he are old friends.” “‘T will find room for you, your daughter, and your servants,” replied Captain Arundel. “You want to overwhelm me with obligations,’ the judge remarked, warmly. “6 ere,’ he added, gravely, “should we all have been, but for you P” “Tut, tut, Sir Ralph! I did but do my duty and obey orders,” said our hero. “All men do not obey orders, or do their duty,” was the dry answer. It was therefore arranged that Sir Ralph Morton, his man, Lucy, and her maid, should remain with Charles Arundel in the Fortune. Captain Harcourt offered to ship even as a sallor, to get home to see his owners; but the midshipmen found him a berth. The rest were transferred to the Red Chief. s- * The Fortune now cracked on all sail for England, the captain happy in having car- ried out his mission. Charles had every comfort. The sur- geon of the frigate was a very experienced practitioner. Then the young man had two excellent nurses in Lucy and his brother Henry. > a JOO S CO)