The Blue Clipper — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

COFLASS AND PisTOr. 85 Pe ‘dlouds upon the distant horizon, oat wondering if Wand’s ves- gel was among them—wondering what ber lover was now do- _ ing, and, above all, hoping that he would not be cuptured. _ The ve-sel steering south-west bad kept on for three days- Without a sign of the blue clipper being seen, when, on the 4 evening of the fourth day, a number of lights, like lanterns, _ were observed, moving hither and thither through the long grass ashore, growing near the beach, about two miles above Vera Cruz. ‘Watson did not seem to particularly notice the lights; but Mr. Clare had watched them narrowly from the first. _ « * They are nothing but will-o’-the-wisps,” answered the cap- tain, to a query from the merchant; “we may‘as well keep z along on our course.” _. *] think you are mistaken,” replied Clare ; “ I am sure I see the faint outlines of human figures.” _~*Do you? Oh, well, I shouldn't be surprised if they are Indian fishermen.” E: _ The old gentleman went below, procuring his night-glass, af- _ ter looking through which he exclaimed: ile casks ; I see casks ashore, there, in the long _ Brass ; and there, also, near the beach, is a large boat like a - Captain, those men are smugglers.” Now Watson seemed to show considerable interest. The ' pight-glass revealed to him also the casks and jhe bout. Back jhe muin yard and clear away my quarter-boat,” he 5 % He was obeyed ; the boat was lowered and manned by men ag “armed with cutlasses and pistols. The cutter’s lights were - then extinguished. “a eer: Clare requested permission to go with the captain. The Tater hesitated at first; but Clare almost insisting, he was per ted to go. _ “Emnst go, too—oh, papa!” said a sad voice ; and looking ap, the bent’s crew beheld Mary at the rail. ‘s s “ Ax there niay be a combat,” suid Watson, in a low voice, to Mr. Clare, “ your child had better remain where she is.” So Clare thus urged; but she was resolute, Feeling al, sure that her lover was involved with those smugglers she was apxjous to go, and insisted upon it. pee gt a a ee