Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1165 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

- . . - = - — . : . * \. . s “a. : t had ws -_ , *s . : ‘ > . By he ‘ oF =. J ¢ a - > ’ yi ey em Oe we. : oe 6 Fe;%. ? as af < ; ys « ; he : = . 5 : © - x") ~ , = - e : 44 * >. >» é 4 + “vv? ‘ * si> 7 . 7. be : o x » . : . . » et ne eet eee he ee se » < - - ® : 7 > 4 . * ° . . i’ : y - 2 a> OO EE 7 é « i” <-_ - - i “at a 3 De st *. 5 . ,& ' = ~> he . a eg +, pi 4 a ve P +. ¢ = ny . 2 4 / - ‘ . r ; : >. i & t+ by j ' Ow se | }. 25 i 7 . . i-~ * z . ; ? ¢ * ° * a ae ee em ee re tr ee eee ST I eta Tarr XE OO el mt, ee iy ee ee ag ay a ih lS. ‘ : ; 4 > d ‘ v2 - “J « y . ‘ ‘ re »* : a . . >": : > - . Weitz’ the Shs ee . . - : > . P al . - bad . . - > . ° a) , \ — ~— » ee Pa S PO. = sy s ~ t ae ‘de - az ™ » f lr ty 1+ . a bie ).- - i » 7 yf we | [oo v 4 ¢ a ¥ mS uae J F* i Tits A: A al ra ke al an ; a4 4 s,¥ : Ad | . * . s ez. 3 i r " \ i a io Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. until he slips his cable for a better world,” un- feelingly laughed Lennex Montclair. | 4 Lyle, have you heard aught of Marmaduke since his resignation?” suddenly asked Lennox. ‘Not a word; the commodore returned to the Portmouth and the devil was to y Eeenereny. when he-heard how we had acted. “He damned ns all for a set of idiots who preached up repub- licanism, and thought more of a name than European princes did. ‘*T tell you he was red-hot, and coolly told us all, luffs and middies, that Marmaduke knew more in a minute than the whole of our k would ever know in the whole course of our lives on earth, and our sojourn in a warm climate hereafter, to which an he calmly invited us to proceed with all due dispatch.” ** Why old Moreton must have had a high re- gard for that low-born youth.” ‘** Indeed he did, and I tell you I was giad to be excused from remaining under his eye, after what had happened, for the old hulk had a way of looking clear through you; but you should have seen Marmaduke’s departure from the fri- “Tt was elegant, I heard.” “That it was, prime! He made us all feel as though we were guilty of some crime, and until -he got into the gig alongside, I did not know whether he would give me a (Soe parting sa- lute with his foot or not, and having once seen him seize an Algerine in his arms and hurl him bodily over a precipice into the sea, I well knew his strength. “Yes, I Heard of that; the frigate’s crew had landed, I believe, to communicate with General Eaton, near Tripoli?” . ‘“*'Yes; Commodore Moreton, Marmaduke, = igs and some forty men were of the party. e had penetrated inland a short distance, and had come to a high hill of rock, where, rae sounding, we were attacked by a band of Alge- rines, one of whom would have slain the com- modore, had not Marmaduke prevented it by sending the fellow on a flight through mid-air. - I shall never forget the look and gymnastics of that pirate as he descended en route for the ocean, hundreds of feet beneath. Ugh! I took the same trip with him, for weeks and weeks after in my dreams while upon Marmaduke it had no effect, or if it did, he did not show it. By Jove, how this craft flies.” 7 “ Indeed she does, and I was lucky to get er. ‘‘ How did it happen, sir?” ‘‘ Why you see she was built in a most secret manner by a wealthy Spaniard one Havana, who cut the model himself, and did not wish any one else to get hold of it, as he was deter- mined to out-sail everything afloat. ‘*But as he wrote to his builder he could not come on for three months after her, he deter- mined to play on the Don, sell this craft and build him another at once; so he ran her ou into the river li A ry old governor, my father, ran afoul of her, and at once paid him his fifteen thousand do condition I should command her.” __ ‘‘ Lucky indeed for you; then she is the only craft of her build afloat?” ‘Ay, ay, and wouldn’t the Don swear if he saw her; but Lyle, do you know aught of our second luff?’ asked Captain Montclair, in an undertone, nodding toward Lieutenant Latrobe, a man of perhaps fifty, with a commanding figure, quick, nervous manner, and a face ex- ceedingly dark, and well preserved for one of his years; his hair was gra long mustache, and his eyes keen, black, and ith a bitter cruel look in them—a look that was but increased by the hardened expression of the _ stern ne “No, I never met him before ragga he shat has a striking face; name is c nch, “Yes, Talbot Latrobe he hails to, and I be- lieve he was in the French navy; at any rate, he is a thorough seaman, and comes well recom- mended. . “My father told me he was a count in France, who, losing his fortune and title, for some poli- I scheme against his sovereign, came to this country to offer his ices in our war with *'Then he is all right, but he looks like a thorough devil.” | “Mr. Latrobe, run in about half a dozen cables’ length, and then come to anchor; I will go ashore in the Big, and you please retain com- mand, for Mr. Lyle will accompany me,” said . Montclair. ag bh you nage Sughon qo pene — : iy Wi an accent thoroughly ‘ = - . = ~ - , = . ~~ gt e = _ ¢(&, a 3 o — es eS ee Pee __ a St > -". aS ae , giving her to Government on y, as was also his” and wonderful stre ‘*Yes, sir; I will be back by eleven and will then at once get under way,” and the gig rowed landward toward the wooded point half a mile distant, leaving the Surf Queen, as the young officer had named his vessel, lying like a swan upon the waters. the sig grounded 2 es the sandy shore, near asm Ove, watts Ae ee a pathway led to the hill above, and telling the men that he would send a servant down with refreshments for them, Lennox sprung ashore, followed by Wal- ter Lyle, and the two started up the steep hill- side toward the Montclair mansion, a mile dis- tant, and beautifully situated upon a command- ing eminence. tily walking along, the two officers failed to notice the forms of two men, clad in citizens’ attire, but armed with swords, who were stand- ing in their pathway, until they exme full upon em. ‘A word with you, Captain M“ntelair!” © voice was stern and thren ening, as Ha- rold Marmaduke stepped forward and confront- ed the surprised officers. “Ha! Marmaduke, as I live. wWhas would rer _*I would hurl in your teeth the epithet of liar; you are a base villain, Lennox Montclair,” came the hissing words. ‘* This to me, sir? you forget—” | rt nothing: you poisoned the ears of my friends against me with your lies, which were believed bygnany, and I am sorry to say by Walter Lyls, for 1 always considered him too true a man to be swayed by the false tongue of a villain.” ** You shall answer for this, Marmaduke! be- ee et you shall,” said the officer, pale as eath. “Before God I expect to one day answer for the sins done in the body; but before me you shall now answer; draw and defen yourself, if your hand has nerve enough to defend your craven heart; or, if you prefer pistols, my friend here and ‘Lyle can arrange for us;” and Harold spoke calmly. niitandl . Lennox Montclair hesitated, his mind filled with conflicting emotions: well did he know the eat prowess of his adversary with the sword, or he had heard often of his skill, and with a istol he felt ’twere certain death to face him, or he was a dead shot; his heart sunk at the wrong he had done a man that never had in- jured him, and he felt that indeed he was a criminal; but then came the vision of Claudine Vivian before him, and his brow darkened, for he had learned to love the beautiful maiden as dearly as it was in his vile nature to love, and intended to move heaven and earth to make her his wife, though he knew that she loved Harold, and believed not the stories he had told of him. Determi to use every effort to put his rival from the field, and feeling .considerable confidence in his own swordsmanship, for really he possessed great skill, and was a powerful man, he decided to fight, and so said sneeringly: “y will meet you, and with swords, for did I say pistols it would bring my friend and lieuten- ant here into difficulty, and though I hesitate not to punish the impertinence of a low-born disowned, | would not mix Lyle up with the affair, by having him arrange terms with your friend, who is doubtless like yourself, a man without a name.” pe The words were said slowly, and with distinct utterance, that they might sink as deep as pos- sible into the heart he intended to wound more ceaaey with his sword, if possible; but hardly had the sound of his voice died on his lips, when he was seized in a grasp he was powerless to re- sist, and hurled with terrible force to the earth, where he lay stunned and bleeding, while the deep tones of Bianca said: “Come, Marmaduke, I have punished him sufficiently for the present; another time he may cross our paths,” and then turning toward Walter Lyle, who had been a startled spectator of the scene, he continued: | ‘To you, sir, I will ag that, ey oe you are found in bad company, I will not desert a fel- low seaman in distress; but will send you help from your boat.” Marmaduke was as much startled by the act, h of eee as was Lyle for he had handled Montelair as though he had been a child in his arms; but seeing that the stunned captain did not show signs of returnin consciousness, and that further chastisemen was then out of the ion, he walked awa with his commander, wing no other loo upon his foe, or former shipmate. True to his word, Bianca hastened down to the shore, and informed the coxswain of the gig to go up the hill with his men, carrying their a - —_—-—-- --———r oars to make a litter for their commander, who ~ was severely hurt, Hurrying up, in a few moments they came to the spot, where lay the elegant form of Lennox Montclair, the head supported in the lap of his lieutenant. . The handsome face was as pale as death, the passionate eyes closed, and a blood-stain around the mouth, where he had bitten his lip. _ ‘‘Come, boys, the captain has met with an accident; but it is not serious, I hope. Here, raise him gently on your oairs, and carry him on board the vessel—gently, gently, my lads! ““There, now, coxswain; get aboard at once and I will hasten on to the mansion, and let, Judge Montclair known about it,” and Walter Lyle was hastening away, when a faint call came from the wounded man. ‘Well, captain, I am glad to see you are better. What can I do?” said the lieutenant, kindly. Drawing his head near him, Montclair whis- pered in his ear: ‘‘Say-I am not seriously hurt— that I hada severe fall, and, Lyle, have the governor send some cases of that good old sherry aboard, for we must put to sea to-night, as I will soon be better.” The lieutenant promised, and hastened away upon his mission, and returning two hours after on board, accompanied by Judge Montclair, a mpous, portly, port-loving old gentleman of y, found his commander reclining upon a luxurious lounge, and entirely willing and able to enjoy a glass of the coveted sherry, which the oung officer, as much on bis own account as on that et his captain, had not forgotten to bring aboard. CHAPTER X. THE TWIN CRUISERS. THovuGcH Lennox Montclair had been severely stunned by the violent fall Bianca had given him, he was not seriously injured, for, except- ing a slight dizziness, and pain in the side, he was, in a few hours, comparatively well. Toward midnight his father took his depar- ture, still ignorant of thereal cause of his son’s injury, and the moon having risen, the cruiser got under way, and before a stiff breeze sped across the waters, carrying her three lateen sails, jib and flying jib, and with every officer and man on deck, enjoying the evening, and ad- miring the Sal ge flight of their vessel. Hardly had she rounded the low point of Sandy Hook and squared her lofty triangular sails to the eight-knot land-breeze that was blowing from the south-west, whenacry from Lieutenant Latrobe caused all to turn and hbek in the direction in which he was pointing, of their stern quarter. Every eye fell upon a sight that caused a feeling of dread to strike the hearts of the bold- est, for not a mile distant, and just pointin her sharp nose around the low ‘ Hook,” was their vessel's twin, an exact counterpart of the Surf poe from keelson to truck, from stem to stern. Glasses were called for, and every officer lev- eled his at the strange, to them, apparition, and noted the remarkable resemblance, for the strange craft had her huge lateen sails spread, with jib and flying jib, as had the Surf Queen. ‘‘My God! what can she be?’ said Lennox Montclair, his fall having almost unmanned im, 1 4 ‘*God only knows; it is the very shadow of this vessel,” answered Walter Lyle. ‘*' There is no other vessel afloat like this, that is made by mortal hands?’ said, inquiringly, Lawton Spencer, the third luff, and a man who had risen to the querter-deck from before the mast. ‘* No; this vessel was built after a peculiar model, and I cannot account in any way for yonder counterpart,” said the young oH ‘‘She is over auling us, sir,” said Talbot La- trobe, who had been regarding her closely. ‘* Strange! she has the same sail set; ah! I have it, she is getting a stronger puff of wind.” “She still ice rapidiy, captain,” said La- trobe, after a long pause. ‘Then set the foremast-staysail and rig the bonnet on the jib, Mr. Lyle.” ’ 6s Ay, ay, sir.” | The order was obeyed, and simultaneous with ~~ its execution the same sails were added to the ursuer, to the great surprise of all on board he Surf Queen, who saw how quickly their movements were followed by their strange com- panion. , te ‘*T dare not send a shot over her, forsheis | coming out of New York harbor, and hence F) he fs 1 ~ ‘ ey? o> a e . >. el! : vw i‘ mip. Whey $i gt PA RTOs es oe apt wy fh. ~ _ Py » vs sie! ay ee 5 it 3% “0 oveip. : \ Tet hes 3 : _ ; ° ; * , ra Fl ae Vy os / Pin ‘ on) ‘ at To. ee . + ie Pd GEES ‘, sy? aL Ys ¢ : iad > * ae ’ ‘ ’ a ey y > ' — =