Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 1014 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

oe Middy Ned, the Runaway. reese part, perhaps, though encouraging the men by bis non-interference, and the two ** youngsters” masters of the situation, He laughed aloud as he pictured the scene: aed then, as the thought occurred to him, ask- ed: so pleased with your work this morning that they wish me to retain every man I can, and in such rank as I see fit to place him. ‘“‘To_ you, Mr, Turner, I offer the rank to which I think you are best adapted, and which I’ve no doubt you prefer—that of master. “To you, Mr. Hansen, I offer the first lieu- tenancy; no man can fill the bill better. ‘* Now, gentlemen, what is your decision?” Both officers expressed their thanks, and “By the way, you covered a seal stretch of water there ina very few minutes af- ter the long-boat left you. How did you man- age that? It puzzled me when after seeing you allin company, and a long distance from the promptly accepted the proffered commissions. brig’s boats, to find you engaged with them **Very good! I will go ashore to-morrow when I looked again a few minutes after- and arrange matters, Now,send down Preble.” ward.” ‘**That was becausre one of us happened to CHAPTER XVI, mention that there was a strong current setting AT THE COMMANDANT'S RECEPTION, THE captain was buried in thought when Ned toward the other boats, and, that there would have to be some stiff pulling, or we’d run in | entered the cabin, but starting up waved the lad to a seat, saying: among them, The youngster caught the words, relieved and started your boat~to the ‘“* [have a few words to say to you, Ned, re- schooner, while we pulled right in the current | garding yourself and your prospects. to cut off the cutter—which we did. ‘It was his idea, and done by his orders— for he was one of your representatives, and claimed to be an officer, so we obeyed him,” added Hansen, ‘‘and I venture to say that lad will make his mark in the profession he has | French officials areeager to meet you, and I have promised to bring you ashore this evening.” Ned flushed with delight on hearing this, but it was at thecaptain’s praise, and not, as the lat- chosen,” ter supposed, at the prospect of meeting the Never did prophet predict more wisely. eager French officials, ‘“*T agree with you,” Mistaking the cause of Ned’s quite evident returned Blcod, thought- | fully, **he’s hot enough to suit a fire-eater— | delight, Blood shook his head doubtfully, and ret he’s long-headed where anybody other than | warned: imselfis concerned. I must look after him,” ‘* Don’t be carried away by flattery, my lad. The Volunteer was now entering the river, | and the deafening cheers which greeted her, | [am now talking to you. precluded further conversation. ‘* The French are very polite—effusively so— ** You did a clever bit of work in cutting off | those boats this morning—so clever that the | ns ! ' It isto put youon your guard against that, that | 1 When the people began to leave, Ned souzht the captain, (from whom he had been kept. separated almost all the night, and found him surrounded by a knot of officers, *‘Fine feathers may not make fine birds,” thought Ned, commenting on the difference be- tween the appearance of Blood the smuggler, and Blood the captain, ‘‘ but, they do seem to help in making the bird look better,” He wasslowly approaching the group, admir- ing the fine appearance of his captain, when, suddenly, the latter, (who was listening atten- tively to the remarks of a white-haired army officer,) started, and stared at a ludy who was passing, like one who had received a great sbock, The object of the captain’s attention was a beautiful woman of about twenty-five, who passed through the crowd, escorted by the com- mandant, as if unaware of the presence of any one except her gallant companion, “*Who is the lady with the commandant?” Ned inquired of a young Frenchman to whom he had been introduced, “‘Ab! It is easy to see you are a stranger,” smilingly replied the other, ‘‘ otherwise you would know the beautiful Mademoiselle Elring- ton. ** She is indeed beautiful,” commented Ned. The Frenchman shrugged his shoulders, and laughed, ‘* So is that statue,” he said; ‘‘and, were you older, I would warn you against falling in love with ber, for one would be as likely to respond to your passion as the other, She is beautiful, magnificent—but an iceberg—and as danger- A pilot came aboard at the mouth of the Ga- ronne, and left her safe under the guns of the castle-fort three miles further up, where Blood, as soon as his beautifui craft was at anchor, went ashore, ‘* There is no permission, either to go from, or come aboard, this vessel,” he said to Turner, and at Hansen, The former returned the customary “ay, ay, sir!” and the latter bowed, while exchanging a significant look with the captain, ully two hurs elapsed before Blood returned, during which the Volunteer was besieged by hundreds of admirers, but all were trea alike, and kindly but firmly refused permission to come on board, As soon as he reached the quarter-deck, the captain summoned all hands aft, and addressed them as follows: ‘My lads, you will all be at liberty to go ashore within an hour, if you so chooge, Mr. Turner will give each of you a guineu going, and to any of you who expect any of the license usual On board a merchantmen, and sometimes perroitted on a privateer—or a smuggler, for instance, [ woula say—don’t come back, for un- oer me you will be treated to the strictest digci- ne, ‘*T hope, however, to see you all on board at noon to-morrow, I should not care to part with a single one, for a finer body of seamen never trod a ship’s deck, Nevertheless, if not fully prepared to yield implicit obedience, don’t come back, Mr. ac Mr. me!” As the captain ceased, and turned to go be- low, one of the men called out: ‘* Any harm t’ give three cheers, cap’n? Just t’ relieve our feelin’s ye know.” ** Cheer away!” hastily returned Blood. ** Then here goes—t’ the cap’n, lads! Take the time from me!” The speaker was Jason, the gunner, a prime Turner! Hansen! Come with ' ' | | | | ' favorite among his comrades, and the cheers | were given with a hearty good will, while Blood gtood istening in astonishment, ** Now, three more for the first an’ second an’ = lad what handled the boats an’ brought us ere! Tbis was done with equal vigor, and the men dispersed in great good bumor, Tne reference to Ned seemed to recall some- thing to the captain’s mind, and, as he again turned to g0 below, he called out: ‘I shall want to talk to you by and by, Preble, ashore , leave!” ‘*' You, too, Horton!” he Frank’s eye fixed u noting the rather cheerful youth’s face. ‘*Now, gentlemen,” began the captain, as s00n as the others were seated in the cabin, “I am empowered to offer each of you a com- mi French one, of course, **T have, myself, accepted one by taking com- mand of a 38-gun frigate, and the French were Don’t go When the men continued, catching n him inquiringly, and expression of that usually | ous,” ‘* English isn’t she?” asked Ned, ‘* Yes; the daughter of General Elrington—a. great friend of the commandant, although they ne eee each other on many a hard fought eld. “Thank you for te warning vou gave mea moment ago, though, as you intimated, there ig no need of it. The fact that the lady is Knglish would be sufficient.” The Frenchman Jaughed heartily at this dis- play of patriotism, and shook his head doubt- ingly, hero. ‘*T have accepted command of a frigate, of which Mr. Hansen will be first officer, and Mr, Turner master. These are my own selections, and I might choose the other lieutenants from the ship’s company, were there men capable of filling the vacancies, but there are none, and the Government must supply the two officers,” The captain Saneed a moment—like one who has hae disagreeable tosay, and then con- tinued: ‘*So far, everything is perfectly satisfactory tome; but these Frenchmen are erratic devils, “Patriotism is all right until opposed to and unfortunately (in response to their inquiries) | love,” he began, but was stopped by loud talk- I dilated a little too much on the value of your | ing at the other end of the long room. Then, really long-headed work this morning. | like lightning flashes, came the sounds of blows, ** And, what do you think is the result?” | a heavy fal!, a scream, and acry of “ Fire!” Full of wonder at all this explanatory talk, | With the first words of the noisy talk, Ned from one who seldom deigned to explain any- | had darted away from bis companion, for he thing, Ned made no response other than a nega- | had seen that Blood was one of thuse engaged in tive shake of the head. the altercation, and, as he rushed forward, ‘* Why, they want to make you something ex- | caught the words: : traordinary—a wonder—by appointing you a ) ‘*A deserter from the English service, anda junior lieutenant—the fourth of the frigate I am | murderous scoundrel—” | and to-night you wil) find yourself quite : to command! It was Blood’s opponent who was talking; but “Of course, it’s all nonsense,” continued Blood, | at that point be ceased, further utterance being” noting Ned’s amazement, with an approving | choked by several of bis teeth, which a blow nod, ‘* You are entirely unfitted for the posi- | from the fist of the powerful ex-smuggler set tion, and it would not only make you a laughing | rattling in the speaker’s mouth. stock, but prevent you from ever properly ac- The loud talk had gathered the crowd so quiring the knowledge necessary to fit you for | thickly around the excited men, as to prevent tnatrank. Still the Frenchmen insisted against | the man from falling, but the people fell back, my protests that the question should be laid be- ' and a lady was crushed into a corner against a fore you to-morrow, and you will probably hear lighted taper. Then came the cry of ‘‘ Fire!” something of it to-night,” | Ned bad seen all that occurred, and as he ' i **It sounds very nice to be made a lieuten- | rushed through the crowd, snatched a wrap ant; but, as you say, sir, if would be nonsen-i- | from the shoulders of a lady, who was too ex- cal when applied to me,” remarked Ned, when cited to notice ber loss, and amoment after, was the captain paused to note the effect of his | tearing off the gauzy fabric which formed the words, ; | drexsof Miss Elrington! It bad taken fire in “That's the talk!” exclaimed the iatter, look- Several places, but the material underneath was ing greatly relieved, ‘That’s thetalk! Stick heavy, and was barely scorched—except one to that to-night, and they'll understand you are | sleeve—when the excited youth began bis de- not to be made a monkey—a toy for the satis- | structive, yet saving work, faction of their caprice, Throwing the borrowed wrap across the ‘* Indeed,” continued Blood in a thoughtful | shoulders of the burning women, and drawing tone, ‘it would be wise not to accept any offer; | its folds around her so as to inclose the burni ne but, never mind; I'll arrange that. sleeve, Ned held it tight with one-band while ‘‘T am going to place Horton's name before | with the other be tore off the burning dress, them for a midshipman’s commission, and you | __ This was quickly accomplished, hut not unti? may accept the same appointment. When we | Ned’s right hand was severely burnt; then the arrive in American waters, your father must | fabric underneath began to burn. decide whether you will continue in the service, There was a large skin lying underneath the “Tam glad you bave shown yourself so sensi- | stand from which the taper had fallen, and see- ble. Get ready to accompany me, and send | ing this Ned shouted: down Horton.” | “Quick, with that skin! Ned left the cabin in quite an excited state of | you!” mind, and informing Harry that he was wanted! Not very polite, it is true, but it needed by the captain, went to prepare for his visit | something forcible to arouse the the terrified ashore, | spectators, who appeared to be unable to do We must pass over the grand reception to | anything more than utter senseless shouts and which Ned accompanied Blood that evening, | cries, and run hither and thitber, each directing and the attentions paid to both while there, | the others to do something, but none doing any- contentiug ourselves with saying that, but for | thing, the warning he had ieceived, the former cer- Tbe whole affair had occupied only two or- tainly would have surrendered to the flattering | three minutes, and was ended when Ned shouted influences brought to bear vpon him. | for the skin, Quick, confound CcCOmIcDOOKS