Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1165 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

> eee ~~ . Wie ¥ + _ 7 - ¢ =f c a : —— * - > nw”. Sap i} ~hS 4 ane hs f - 3 r c « we ¢ * . ~ - a sea by the devil and pulled out by an angel. | again to Enoch Ellis, this noble man, and be- | | ‘‘ Yes; it is well, Mr. Marmaduke; you have = i aa ‘Lady, Iam your humble servant with thanks ’ | came his wife, for he deserted her not when he | done well; but let us away frombere, § ey and he bowed to Claudine, who did not fail to | knew I had discarded her.” — S Racing you take command of vessel, | ~~: note the pretty compliment paid her. ‘Now, my lord, listen; yes, you discarded | and with thirty of my crew, carry her into |) ** Well, my man, what is the cause of your | me, and Enoch me again to his heart; we | Pertland harbor, and soon I will join you there. | Sa Sean here? Was there a mutiny aboard?” asked | were married, and I gave birth to a little girl | Come, Harold,” — Sree we | Lord Vivian. the very day that your proud wife a' Sosaying, Bianca, followed by his first officer, La “Se " > clash of _ Claudine, her beautiful + girl ‘and in and estates, in the offspring of his own son, the earl received Harold most kindly, for he desired to atone all in his power for past unkindnesses to the father of the young man. The finding of his grandson rejuvenated the old gentleman, and he consented to return with Harold to America, for the young officer had told him all his life, and then learned how the earl, in his youth, when but eighteen years of age, the father of the hero of this story, had secrotly wedded the dauchter of a worthy but poor baronet, and the marriage becoming known ~o his father, tho Earl of Marmaduke, the young couplo wero at once separated. Disappointed, and devotedly attached to his girl-wile, Lord Marmaduke had offered to re- siva his titles and estates to claim her; but this the proud earl would not allow, and sent his son to Iadia, as an officer of a cavalry regiment, hoping to wean him from his attachment. in that far-away land, in a charge against the enemy, the young nobleman lost his life; but to bear his name had been born a son, which had beon taken from its mother and reared in a dis- tant town, until the man and his wife, in whose charge he had been left, emigrated to America, carrying the boy with thom, for they were paid by the young mother to do so, as she feared harm might befall her son. Sesing that his grandson was determined to remain in the American navy, the earl acceptel the invitation of Bianca to accompany them to America, and accordingly the party started for Ireland, stopping en route for the captain to keap his promise made to Bnoch and get tho woman, Mary Smythe, to go with them, whith a large briba caused her to do. Determined not to havo an engagement or capture an Kaglish prize with his distinguished ast on board, Bianca stood directly across, and in twenty days sighted the hills of Neversink, where was the home of Enoch Elis. Standing upon the Highland lock-out, Enoch saw the distant Steel Balt, and calling to his _ wifs and Aline, bade them get ready to accom- pany him, ‘he preparations were soon made, the house -Jeft in care of a trusty servant, and the. three wont on board the little Marmaduke, which at once got up anchor and stood out to meet the iucomins vessel. Shortly after dark the Marmaduke ran along- side the Steel Belt, and the pilot, his wife and Aline were gladly welcomed on board tho priva- teer, and presented to the earl, while a stii? eeting passed between Captain and Mrs. lis and ay Smythe, for in the bosoms of the three was locked a deep secret of the past. A week after the ne of the Steel Belt and the Marmaduke off Sandy Hook, Lord Viv- jan and Lad y Claudine were standing together upon the rocky point near the villa, glancing down upon a vessel, upon the decks of which was waging a scene of dire confusion and car- | Bho vessel was the Surf secalt, Balling quietly along over the waters, while a terrible combat was waging upon her decks, for rapid firing, the steel, and yells of contending foes were heard far and wide. “What can it mean, dear father?’ asked face pale with dread. ‘* It is doubtless a mutiny on board, daughter; at first I thought it was the Steel Belt, but now I recognize the uniform of the United States, “and discover itis the Surf Queen; that young Montclair has gotten himself into trouble. See! the mutineers have raised their own flag, and, horrible! they are throwing the bodies of their ead and living foes into the ocean,” exclaimed Lord Vivian. © ae And as they gazed, they saw the beautiful vessel turn seaward, having cleared her decks of the dead and dying, and peacefully sail away over the quiet waters. _ : But ere she was far distant an exclamation from Claudine attracted her father’s attention toa dark object upon the water. “Wather, it is a man swimming shoreward; let_us hasten to his aid,” cried the enthusiastic ten minutes more they were In a rapidly pulling toward the swimmer. _ Ere oot he was drawn into the boat; an honest-faced seaman, who exclaimed, pleasant- / “By the holy Moses, I am thrown into the hw af - a _* = wean -» a ~ > 5 , ae al =_ Py See sox o> . € The Shadow Ship. ‘Indeed was there, sir, the devil of a one, begging your pardon, miss, and Captain Mont- clair, Lieutenant Lyle and a host of others given to the fishes for food by that hound of hell, beg pardon, lady, the second luff of our craft,” ‘The second officer heading a mutiny! do I hear aright?” asked the nobleman. ‘‘Tt’s as I tell you. Jieutenant Talbot Lat- robe, bad luck to him, was the old sarpint; he won the crew over to his way of thinking, and just as we was putting in here, up rose the muti- neers, headed by the second luff, and in a short while the good and true boys were cut down and thrown overboard, while 1, seeing how matters were going, played poe and was cast into the sea for dead, and struck out for the shore— Holy apostles! and the ten tribes of Israel! what is that?” With pale face and staring eyes the seaman pointed to where, just having rounded a wooded point of land was seen a vessel the very twin of the one just taken ny the mutineers. ‘The Steel Beit!” , **'The privateer!” exclau.ned Claudine and her fathor, as their eyes feli upon her, and then Lord Vivian, aroused to action, spoke sternly; ‘We'll head her off and tell them all, and if Bianca does not quickly overhaul the Surf Queen and punish those mutineers, I am mistaken in the man.” Away flow the light skiff over the waters, and soon a fond hail came from the Steel Belt, for it was indeed the privateer. ** Luif up, and we'll board you. Stand ready to throw us a line!” cried Lord Vivian, and a few moments after the three stood on the deck of the Stee! Belt, while the skiff was hastily cast loose, as the nobieman cried; ** Set all sail, Captain Bianca, in chase of yon- der craft. Hor crew, under her second Heuten- ant, Talbot Latrobe, have mutinied—” “Talbot Latrobe! My lord, ere I welcome you on board, let me ask you if’ you said Talbot trobe?” **T did, sir.” “Thea I overhaul that vessel, or sink this : ie al 15 daughter. Then I thought of revenge, and bribed this woman here—Mary Smythe—who had come down as my nurse from London, and whom your lady was forced to send for, as she was taken prematurely ill; I bribed her; I say, te make an exchange of the babes, that any child might grow up to inherit wealth and fame. Claudine Vivian, do you recognize in me your own mother?’ and with streaming eyes and out- stretched hands the poor woman stood awaiting recognition. Claudine turned pene death, glanced around her slowly, letting her eyes fall upon Aline for a moment, then upon Lord Vivian’s face; then turning upon Enoch and again toward her mother, she spoke slowly: “Yes, it must be true; surely you would not deceive me, Yes, you are my mother, and you my father”. ith a cry of joy Mrs, Ellis sprung forward and infolded her to her heart, while Lord Vivian, with proof too Rong for doubt, drew the sur- prised Aline to his breast and called her his daughter. | , ‘* Now, my lord, listen to my confession, for I have something to say,” and the voice of the earl broke the spell. ‘““{ am listening, Earl Marmaduke.” “Were you aware that Marguerite Danforth, the daughter of Sir Lacey Danforth, was mar- ee in hor fifteenth year, ere she became your wite? ‘By no means, sir; that were impossible,” al- ao ere most angrily said Lord Vivian, grandson, Harold Marmaduke, who stands here. lis father, my son, entered into a secret mar- riage with a young girl of fifteen, he being then. eighteen, but which marriage I had legally dis- solved, and sent my son to India, where, you may remember, he lost his life. His wife re- turned to her home, and her marriage being un- known, nothing was said of it, and asa young rirl she married you, although she had then liv- ing ason, and that son is rold Marmaduke, the half-brother of your daughter, Aline.” craft in the attempt with all on board,” and the ords cannot piewre the surprise and joy all tone of Claude Bianca rung with terrible dis- | felfjat these startling revelations; and congratu-~ tinctness as he gave his orders, lations ‘were exchanged upon all sides, and all Turning again to his guests, his manner sub- | in their happiness forgot the flying Surf (Queen, dued once moro thougzh there was a deadly | until the stern voice of Bianca was heard. twinkle in his eyes, Captain Bianca continued; ‘Ladies, you must go below now, for I am ‘My lord, now will £ welcome you and Lady | going to fire upon the chase, and sinke her, for Claudine on board the Steel Belt, and ob i oe ges? vessel is commanded by my uncle, 'Tal- to you other guests of mine,” and he led the | bot Latrobe, a man who has brought much nobleman, whils Harold escorted Claudine, aft, where stood Marmaduke, Knoch Ellis and his wife, and the beautiful Aline, who had watched with interest the coming of the party on board, and with surprise the angry vehemence of Bian- ca’s orders that followed. “The Marl of Marmaduke!” ‘“My Lord Vivian!” were the exclamations from the two noblemen as their eyes fell upon each other, and tueir hands were clasped in a warm grasp, for they had been friends for years; but, as the eyes ot Raphael Vivian fell upon Enoch Bllis ani his wife he started back, his face pated, and it was a moment ere he spoke; then he said: “ Kilis, have you and your wife forgiven me? It was cruel of me to thus deceive you, but bit- terly have | repented.” ‘You are forgiven, my lord, for I have been avenged. Here all are friends, and now I will * , for my heart is bursting to—to—to— yhael, you tell all,” and Mrs, Ellis would have fal a had not Lord Vivian upheld her while he ** Yes, I will tell all, even though it is hard for me to do so. | “Years ago, as a college boy, I won the heart of this woman, who was the daughter of a vil- lage curate near the university; she was hap thon, and had for her lover this man, Enoch lis, a brave young sailor on the king’s yacht; but dazzled by the offers I made her she gave him up and promised to be my wife; but will- fully I deceived her, for already was { betrothed to Marguerite Danforth, the daughter of a bar- onet, of little wealth but good family.” “Well do I remember that, my lord, and af- ter a while I have a confession to make,” said the Earl of Marmaduke, “Indeed! then I am not the only B cr wir anforth, and cast from me this poor woman, who turned but to continue: I married Marguerite ~ J ee .. ye -. =; - a and - fal a * Se See? eS eS - >, + 4 misery — me and mine, and who entered the service of the United States to get possession of a fet cruiser to.devote to piracy.” Saving seen that Aline, Claudine, Mrs, Ellis and Mary Smythe had descended into the cabin, and given the earl, Lord Vivian, Enoch and the seaman from the Surf Queen, arms to join in the attack, Bianca issued the order to fire, and a terrific broadside of iron hail was poured upon pg flying Surf Queen, then less than a mile dis- ian most disastrous, for the bowsprit was shot away, the mizzen-mast was cut down even with the bulwarks, and the beautiful vessel lay almost a wreck upon the water. Put though in a dangerous position, the bold and wicked Frenchman who commanded the = hee Sear ea to Mi ht to the a ihe end, and he rapidly trained his guns upon the Steel Belt, - ‘ ‘i Changing his pasion, Bianca sailed rapidly ‘down upon his foe, pouring jn a terrible fire as he advanced, and soon ran his re bow over the stern of the mutineer’s craft, while, with a cry of rage, and followed by Harold and — Racine, he sprung confronted ‘Talbo eyes fell upon his ne “ Hal then to your death.” | ‘* So be it, vile man of crime,” The swords crossed with a clang, flashed for moment, and then the mutineer’s weapon was beaten down and Bianca drove his keen blade through his heart, just as Harold came aft bt» report that the crew of the Surf been all slain or made prisoners, _ Bianca stood for a moment in silence, S& Slain m upon tho vessel’s decks, and ‘Latrobe, whe cried, as his hew: resting then, diy upon the and sndvlenty, as if recalling himself fron starting ‘ bitter memories, he said: “You mistake. Some weeks sinceI found my — The effect of the fire from the Steel Belt was Claude Bianca, you live? Come on | 3 > Queen hod his eyes. f 2 . . 2 « * . r* ~ 7) ° se . ' ~~ | rT." . a _— : a * o; - - : ‘ . OE ~ #1, * : Paes gf y - “ wie - + : ba) ara: —_— ~ " ly a tome WZ) yr Fay ~~ > er SNe - ) 2, - -