Beadle's Dime Novels No. 87: On the Deep — page 38: what you’re looking at

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

40 | ON THE DEEP. foreyards being braced a little to larboard, he had good reason to believe, that her captain would keep off for the launch, instead of taking the trouble to brace on the other tack for the sake of capturing the cutter. Before the launch could be taken, the skipper’s boat would have been left far astern of the pirates’ vessel, and have become shrouded in the fog. ou ) “ Ay, ay,” replied Capstan, when Block had concluded, “ it’s the only alternative left us—the only one. As we can’t save both boats, it’s proper that we should sacrifice the launch to save the cutter, which has in it this precious freight of womankind that you, Block, understand so well. ll con- sent to it on the condition that you take my place, while I take yours. Them as old as Iam don’t mind being cut out of the last few years of their lives; but you, Block—yow are still young enough to splice with a fourth wife, and, blast me, if I desart you! Besides,” he added, mournfully, “ My old heart is with the Rainbow, which [ve sailed for so many years, and which has gone to the bottom of the sea, never more to return. So, come on, Block—come on, sld chum, and take my place!’ 3 | “Tf I do, may I be dissolved!’ cried the mate. “ No— no—I can never consent to your deposition. I’ve braved death Many a time, Capstan, and [ ain’t afraid of him now, let him exterminate me in whatever capacious manner he chooses !” | The two boats were now so close that the starboard gun- wale of the one, and the larboard of the other, almost touched. Capstan had placed his foot upon that of the cutter, intending to jump into the launch, and push the mate into the stern sheets of the other boat, when Loring, with a sudden but gen- tle motion of his powerful arm, pushed the skipper aside. Then he sprang into the launch, and seizing the tiller with one hand, dexterously pushed Block into the cutter. Before either the astonished mate or his superior could utter a word, the receding boat was full five fathoms distant, running along on the larboard tack, her crew having already trimmed her sails. “Good-by, Capstan! Good-by, Block! Good-by, Miss Greenville!” shouted the young officer, smiling and waving his disengaged hand. comicbooks.conm |