Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1139 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

12 ——-+- a ee ae ee _ — — ae ee — _ ——- vhot ane side and a young middy climbed over the rail as agile as a monkey. “ Captain Clark's compliments tothe first lieuten- ant and he wishes you to return with Capt. Jones,”’ ratived off the middy rapidly. ‘* I am ordered to re- ir here with the second cutter’s men until further orilors,”’ * You see, Iwas right, father,’’ said the young mtn with a pleased smile, Ina few moments more, the first cutter was pull- ing back to the ‘* Vixen,”’ Not long afterward, the brave Yankee skipper was shaking hands with the officers on board the cruiser. Passing down into the wardroom they took seats around the table and lisf*ned in mute wonder while Captain Zeke detailed the exciting events his vessel had so lately passed through. This time the mate’s bravery and lion-heart came teas in its true colors, told by the captain's truthful ps. As he went on to describe the pirate’s escape with his victim, and the terrible fate planned for the brig’s survivors, a cry of horror broke from the listeners’ lips. eyes flashed fire. e “ Vixen’s "’ commander was no less excited, more !’’ he cried in righteous anger, ‘‘ He should not long live to triumph in his wickedness, I'd give every dollar I am worth for a new foretopmast.’ ‘You can take the brig’s, cap’n,’’ said Paul’s father. ‘‘It will answer your purpose, I guess, and it shall not cost you a-cent. Why, I'd give the whole craft, cargo and all, to see those fellows’ bodies dangling from a yard-arm.”’ ‘““Ah,”’ said Captain Clark sadly, ‘‘it is easy enouzh to say what we should so much desire to see, In our excitement we have forgotten a most apo question, and that is, ‘‘ where shall we find m?”’ “In his lair, sir,’’ replied Paul Jones pransy ay with an air of conviction. ‘ His greed is sat ated with what he already has geined. Rest assured he will retire to his den and glut himself, content for awhile with what he has in his possession.”’ The majority of the officers agreed with him in this opinion. “TI do not dispute you, Paul,” said the captain, slowly; * but, where shall we find his rendezvous ?”” CHAPTER XXzI. CAGING HIS PREY. As the prave gianced through the glass at the a.ree small flags fluttering from the highest peak wf the island, a muttered curse escaped his lips. ‘* What can have happened now?” he cried, “ and what does Baba mean by that, I wonder?” The next noment a cry of unbounded rage broke from his lips. ‘*What am I thinking of, anyhow? Baba knows nothing of sigaals, and couldn’t tell one letter from another.” As he spoke, he sprung down into the cabin, to re- turn presently with a book similar in appearance to the one he had left ashore, Over this he ran his eye swiftly, down the page. Suddenly the moving finger stood still. All the wicked passions of his nature seemed to rise to his fuce at the discovery he had made. “Help! Pirates /” **S. that is what mean those signal flags, eh?’’ he hissed be: ween bis clenched teeth. ‘‘An enemy is on the island, and would betray us. Who can it be? Surely not Baba, for itis out of his power to read. And yet, how happens it that he has allowed that signal to be raised over his head? Well, we shall 20n solve this mystery. Crowd oa all sail, Sancho. whet moment is precious while yonder bunting is t ne.” On sped the swift vessel, while the impatient and wery, pirate walked the deck with mattered curses you his lips. Oftendid he raise his glass and sweep uat portion of the island visible from the sea, in the Lope of getting some clew to the myster7. But, his ceen eyes saw nothing to reward their vigilance. Not even the dwarf’s familiar figure co, \d be dis- inguished, | At last, the schooner shot into the chanel, and, . teered by the steady hand of the pirate, soou reach- ye te usua) mooring-place behind the sheltering Hardly had her sails been lowered, befo.s the pirate ordered his boat, and was snome landed, Up the narrow rocky svaircase he mounted with surpris- ing pitty nce inside the door of his quarters, he saw .t a glance that they had been visited in his absence. Nor could it have been the dwarf. He was quik to read sizus, and the open book lying on the table, with a few other circumstances he noted, told him plainly that it was not the work of his slave. Bursting open the door of the latter’s apartment— which had been bolted from within—he saw that Baba was soundly sleeping. “May perdition seize you, you dog!” he cried, grasping the dwarf in his vigorous clutch, and drag- ging hina to the floor. ‘‘ What has happened here in my absence? and how comes it I find you asleep, in- sicad of being on watch for my return? How came those flags flying from the top of the cliff?” Black lightriug shot from the pirate’s eyes as the questious came thick and fast from his excited ‘The dwarf eyed his master with tervified, rolling eyes. A low, ryrgling sound, dreadful to hear, is- sucd from his lips, “W.li you speaks?” eried the pirate, laying his hani flereely on the hilé of his dagger, “or must I use persuasion first?” The dwarf dropped on his knees, Still uttering = ~— Their fists were clenched and their | _ lez will show you it is no child's play to trifle with | his mutilated tongue. ‘* Ah!’ ejaculated the pirate, his anger against his slave somewhat abating. ‘‘Who is this that has dared to take such liberties in my absence?’ The dwarf’s features worked .convulsively. His lips moved; but no articulate sound came from | them, “‘] shall have to solve this riddle in some other way, I see,’’ muttered Santillez, aapanage & Throwing a look of disgust upon the dwarf, he turned on his heel and strode into the open air. His first act. was to scale the cliff and tear down the ob- _ noxious signals, ‘* At least they have been discovered in time. Now to look into this mystery.” Descending to the beach, he joined the rest of the ‘men who had just landed. In a few words he related all that he had discov- ered. “ Scatter at once, men,’’ he ordered, “and search the island from end to end. When you find your rame, take it alive and bring it before me at once. ono more injury than you can help. Pedro Santil- | him,” **Oh that I could but catch sight of him once | The words came from his lipo fike the hiss of a vent, 1e pirates hastily scattered to do their bidding, while Santillez returned once more to his quarters. Every nook and corner of them was thoroughly searched by the pirate. The dwarf joined him in the task with alacrity. He felt confident that his master would be more than sufficient to shield him from the man who had so strangely controlled him. Even the secret passages were thoroughly ran- sacked, lest by any chance the mysterious individu- al had been acquainted with the secret of their ex- istence, But all their search was powerless to solve the mystery. No thought of the missing John “razer entered the pirate’s mind. He had long ago settled into the panes that the man had been washed overboard that night. Unluckily, too, the dwarf, naturally stupid, could see no way to give the chief a clew. t was past noon before the pirates began to straggle into their quarters again. Every part of the little island had been thoroughly ex- plored; but nothing had occurred to reward their se ~ Se... 0]... !!'_'..0°0..rGrS 8 SS search. Their faces bore a look of perplexity, and | their superstitious fears began to be awakened. *Tt’s all the woman’s doings, mates,”’ averred one of their number, in a low guarded tone, ‘“ We'll have no more luck until we're well rid of her. There wasa | shark following in our wake from the time we parted from the brig, and you all know what ¢ha/ means. It’s bad luck every time.” ‘* We will have to shoulder it, then,”’ replied one of his companions with an uneasy air. ‘'There’s no use telling the chief what wethink. Too well I know what the messenger would get for his trou- e,”’ ‘* We can but make our report and have the job off our hands,”’ remarked another. Santillez received the news of the men’s failure with no sign of the uneasiness that troubled his mind. Unlike the rest of the gang, there was not a particle of superstitious fear in his nature. What he did dread was that some buman mortal might steal upon him unawares and plunge a knife in his heart. Putting the best face possible on the matter, and watchful as a hawk, he sat down to his dinner. Then he started out to see that His vessel was get SeHy moored and to bring ashore his beautiful vic- tim, Finding her state-room still barred from within, he Sag it open and roughly ordered her to accompany iim. To refuse was worse than useless. Without a word the lady lifted her /tild,in her arms, and fol- lowed her captor to tlie-tledk. Then she took her place in the boat and was landed on the beach. With alook of calm resignation upon her lovely features, the woman slowly ascended the steep stairway with her burden. True, the pirate offered to relieve her of it; but with a look of intense loathing she pushed aside his rer oh hand, shuddering at the instant con- Clu, . ’ ‘* Never min 1, my lady,’ thought tue villain, grim- ly; ‘‘a few days will be sufficient to cake the spirit out of you, I fancy.”’ Reaching the main apartment of his quarters, he touched a spring in the wall. A concealed door swung open, revealing an apartment excelling in richness of interior his own luxuriant one. Opposite the door, on the side toward the sea, were two good-sized windows which served to give light to the apartment. These windows were con- cealed from without by matted vines. Notwith- standing the luxury of the apartment it was a pris- on. Crossing the windows were heavy iron bars whose Parrot? was obvious, on is to be your own quarters, my beauty,” an- nounced the pirate, with a triumphant smile. ‘I shall often come to keep you company; never fear. I’m sorry I can't stay longer, just now; but you see aman in my position has a good deal on his hands. However, you will not be out of my thoughts. Your m will be wig Sai to you at the proper time without the aid of hands, To-morrow morning shall again have the paces of calling upon you, so look your prettiest wheu I come. Al) you want is to hud for the asking. You shall dress like a queen and huve gems by the bushel Surely no woman could ask more.”’ So saying, he retired with a mocking bow and closed the door behind him » ; rd ; * oh Ter , . pts 1b indy Ce ene oe ehh ee Ts: a —~ eaten § ‘ Wass tp Fa, — | cpm) ee) We Tt ie . a — ’ * ‘ - - eae ' ort et new 1 | ———— ere o eH ti for three to+night, Baba,” he ordered. “Sancho and Ferdinand are to sup with me.”’ Soon afterward the two alluded to ap eared, and the party sat down to a table loaded w th delicacies. ‘“‘Any news yet, of our strange enemy?” asked the chief. ‘** None, senor,’’ was the reply, *‘and the men are uneasy. They say the island is haunted,” ‘* Nonsense,” retorted the pirate; *“‘ show me some sign, and—” The words died out on his lips. Bold as he was, a sight met his eyes that made him tremble, CHAPTER XXTI. THE WRITING ON THE WALL. Goop cause indeed had the iron nerves of the pt- rate to quail. Even as the bold challenge trembled on his lips, the three candles ranged around the walls flickered and expired at the same instant. Over on the rocky wall in letters of luminous light, appeared these warning words: ** Pirates, your days are numbered /” Speechless with terror, with staring eyes, and teeth rattling like castanets, the pirate gazed in dread fas- cination upon those warning words. His challenge had indeed been promptly answered. ‘* Lights! Baba!’ he shrieked, hoarsely. ‘By all the fiends, bring lights at once!” The terror-stricken dwarf with shaking limbs has- tened to aps a fresh candles were produced and peated but all attempts to make the old ones burn, ailed, ‘*More of them!” cried the pirate, and candle after candle was added to the number, until the room was. a blaze of light. Then, and not till then, did the human sea-tiger be- gin to breathe easier. Every moment, while the darkness enveloped him, he had expected to feel the tia grasp of his mysterious enemy upon throat. Filling his glass to the brim, he tossed its contents down his capacious throat. Another and another followed until the flery stimulant had re- stored his courage. His two subordinates were even more terror-strick- en than himself. “Ha! ha! a pretty good joke, my comrades,” ex- claimed the pirate with a laugh, terrible in its hollow mockery. ‘Nevermind what ou've seen, thou _for I’ve a plan in my head that will set things et right again. The fact is, our ting rather uncomfortable. You'll agree with me in that, no doubt. Well, the world is large and there’s as good dens for us as this has been. In brief, I've decided on gathering up our traps and uarters here are get- leaving the island. How those Yankeés will rage ee | —— | | | | | when they come back and find we have flown? What think you of the plan?” ‘* Nothing would suit us all better,” said both men inabreath. * Besides, senor,” continued Sancho, ** so long as the men are troubled with the dread of spirits they will be no better than a pack of cowards, !'m ay they baven't actually seen anything to upset hem as yet, so they are still manageable. Think, though, what would have happened had words of fire appeared before their eyes. Let us once more be clear of the island, and they will be the same brave men as of old.”’ Very suddenly, indeed, had the pirate chief come to his determination. Had the suggestion been made to him five minutes before his eyes were stag- gered by that warning, he would have laughed it to scorn, Crafty to a degree he was still shrewd ences to make it appear that his resolve had been slowly formed, “Yes,” said he, “I bave already arranged my plans. The cruiser will doubtless return as quickly as possible. Once our hiding-place is surely known an hey. will be around our ears as thick as hor- ang e shall find his game has once more slipped im ‘*We will to work at once to load the Isabelle with our choicest goods, The balance we will bury until there is a good chance to return for them. You, Sancho, will take half the men and work till midnight. Ferdinand will relieve you then with the remainder, and by daylight we will leave this place for good.” He leaned back in his chair wil4: the air of a man who felt that he had made a great concession. His lieutenants looked at each other unecasily® There was evidently some subject still on their minds which they had as yet failed to introduce, Pedro fantillez was not slow to note the fact. “You bave something more io tel] me,’ he ex- claimed, ares. “Out with it at opee.”’ “It is your duty, you know,” remarked lerdinand, in a low tone to his companion, ‘a And an ugly one it is,’’ muttered Sancho, in re- ply. Then aloud, with an air of bravado he was far from feeling, he said: ‘* The fact is, senor chief, the men have rot a queer idea in their heads,” ** Well?” “They've made up their minds already to leave the island to-night.” ** Have they’ roared the pirate. “That shal! he as I please. Go on with what’ you Lave to say!"" he commanded, with a sneer. ‘It was all talked over among them, this after- noon, senor,” continued Saneho, rapidly and eying his chief nervously as he spoke. “ They count on your consentiug to the plan of course, but—’’ * Out with it!’ roared the chief. ‘ ‘Well then—they say—the woman must be—/é¢/t behind.” The secret was out at last, * Do they?!” snarled the chief, with flashing eyes. ; oks.c ae . — = See ~ * i th > - f : om