Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 122 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

18 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. a ee eer et “The gentleman Puil spoke of, he was sweet on Miss Alice,” Mr. Russell was on the point of answering; a little iets as it seemed. Then he paused and ug “You shouldn’t speak that way before the gentle- man, Susy,” expostulated Mrs. Hardy. ‘“‘ But lam sure Miss Alice was worth loving, for she was the sweet- est, loveliest, prettiest, charmingest creature that my old eyes ever looked on, and I have seen beauties in my time. I know I was in love with her myself, and I dont blame anybody else.” Mr. Russell listened with all a lover’s pleasure to this warm prai He would not have cared had the old lady gone on for an hour in the same vein. “She is an old friend of mine,” he explained. *“* And Saggy I do like her a little. But I am afraid io friend Phil has drawn a good deal on his imagin- ation.” “I dont believe he has,’’ said Susy, looking him squarely in the eyes. ‘‘AndIdont think you ought to be ashamed if you were a dozen times in love with such a lady.” Susy’s tone was a little indignant. “Yet somebody I know was angry with Phil just now, for talking about her.” “Oh! that was different,’’ responded Susy, quickly. i 4 keeps talking that way, and he knows I dont e it.’ ‘Why you shouldn’t be ashamed to be in love with such a fine fellow as Phil.” “T aint ashamed, either,’’ she replied, turning on her heel irately, and walking away. It was with a merry laugh that Mr. Russell excused himself to Mrs. Hardy, and went down to find his companions, They were waiting somewhat impatiently, and hastened Mr. Russell in their walk to the wharf. **You would be much too dilatory for a police- man,” said the chief of the officers. ‘* Every minute counts in our business.’’ “TI doubt if I was intended by nature for that line of trade,”’ replied Mr. Russell, pleasantly. ‘‘Ah! here we are now.’ “And there goes our prize,” responded the officer, pointing to the ship which was half-way across the viver. ‘*We are just the ten minutes late which you wasted in that tenement-house.”’ “ Are you Mr. Russell?” asked a boy on the wharf. “This gentleman is,’’ replied the officer. ‘‘What do you wish, my lad?’ Mr. Russell in- ‘“*T was — told to tell you that the Strongbow was bound to Longmyer’s wharf, in Brooklyn,’’ ** And where is that?”’ ‘*Oh! that wont need a directory,” said the officer, “We must cross at once.”’ ‘*By what ferry?”’ ‘By one of our own. As matters stand aboard that vessel, ten minutes may be all-important. There is a tug, under the control of the police, at the next wharf but one. If it ig ready for service we will pursue the fugitives.’’ The boat was found prepared, and in a very few minutes they were upon the river, heading, under full steam, for the ship. But by this time the Strongbow had achieved two- thirds of her Sage ey and was rounding-to to enter her dock ere the rap d tug had got within easy hail- distance. it was now evident that the officer’s views as to the value of time in police business were well founded. For before their eyes was enacted the tragical occurrence of the murderous shot at Phil Hardy, and his headlong fall into the stream. / But, Harvey Russell had eyes only for another in- cident. He had caught a glimpse of the brown locks and delicate face of Alice Homer, just rising above the level of the bulwarks. He was a herror-stricken spectator of her impul- sive movement, and his heart throbbed strongly ‘ with indignation when the potting hands of the murderous gang were laid on her for whose little finger he would have bartered his life, et no word came from his white, set lips; no trace of emotion save a fierce impatience marked his impressive face. ‘‘ Haste! Haste!’’ he half-whigpered, turning his head back. “ Putonallsteam! Every second now is precious!”’ e seemed to leap forward in response to his wishes. He stood on her bow, his eyes glaring, his foot advanced, in readiness. to leap. And now the stern of the ship swung slowly round just as the tug came up. pot six feet separated them. One fierce spring and the lithe figure of the avenging lover had caught the bulwarks of the Strongbow, and swung hiinself on deck. Yet the main actors in the scene of villainy being perpetrated there were so intent upon their work as to be quité unaware of his approac “She must go with me,” said Cunningham, looking at Alice with assumed kindness. ‘“ No one need fear but that the unfortunate lady will be kindly treat- ed ”” He sought to take her arm, but she shrunk trem- blingly back, her éyes wildly wandering in search of aid They lit up with a sudden joy as they caught sight of an approaching form, of a well-remembered face. ‘Release her, villain!’’ cried a voice that was hoarse with intense emotion. “Dare not, for your life, put that false hand on one so innocent and pure she!’ as ‘‘Ha! What ranting fellow is this?” asked Cun- pane satirically, excited young man. ‘Tam Harve traced your your face as a robber and murderer!” ing and confronting the you know. The one | bags | there, on the very extremit | the dimin Russell. I am hethat has for years | water, but as bold and saucy-looking as ever boy’s inous schemes. I now brand you to | face was capable of | A fierce light shot from Cunningham's eyes, such as might come from the eyes of a tiger at the mo- ment of springing. In an instant he a pistol in d, aimed point-blank at his foe. “This for you, ey Russell,” he said, with con- centrated fury. But Russell was in no mood to stand and be shot at. The acts of the next few moments were so rapid that the lookers-on could scarcely follow them. Springing forward with a quick leap, in an instant he had grappled with his enemy. There was the trip of a wrestler, a strong upward heave, a step forward, and Andrew Cunningham was hurled over the side of the ship as easily as if he had been a child. He struck the water witha loud splash, sinking like a stone from sight. But the pistol-shot which he had intended for Harvey Russell was not without its victim. He had thrown up his arm at the moment of f ,» and | pulled the trigger, with a wild attempt at aim. | A loud cry of pain followed, and the fall of a heavy | body to the deck. | a had shot his own confederate, Hendricks, the | mate. “Stone dead,’’ said one of the officers, who was now aboard. ‘‘ He has got it through the brain.”’ The other two villains started involuntarily back, releasing Alice, who rushed excitedly to her lover. “Oh, Harvey!’’ she cried, clinging wildly to him. ‘Save me! Save me from these men!”’ ‘**Do not fear, Alice,’’ was his warm reply. ‘‘ There is no man of them all dare lay hands on you now. You are safe.”’ “Will he be drowned?”’ she asked, falteringly, as the head of Cunningham appeared again above the water. ‘Drowned? No. His sins will float him.” The drenched villain was caught by hands from on board the tug, and hauled vicnroushy out of the water. He was a pitiable object, with all the elegance wasbed out of him by the streaming fluid. ‘*Hold there!’ cried one of the officers, as he ae vigorously forward. ‘* Youare my prisoner.”’ ‘* Your prisoner?’’ replied the enraged villain. ** On what charge?”’ ‘*On charges enough. Abduction, false imprison- ment, and a double attempt at murder. If that is not enough, there is the murder of the man whom you have just shot.”’ “Harvey Russell?” asked Cunningham, a quick light of joy in his eyes. ‘*No. Itis Mr. Hendricks, the mate of the Strong- bow, who has fallen a victim to your murderous esigns,”’ HOME AGAIN. Tue tables were completely turned on the would- be murderers, One of them lay dead, cut off with- out a moment’s warning by what seemed the direct- ing hand of Providence. e three others were in the hands of the officers, the captain and his brawny confederate overwhelm- of at this sudden and unlooked-for ending of their plots. As for their employer, Cunningham, he was a miserable-looking object, dripping with water, and with all the starch washed, not only out of his clothes, but out of his whole nature. He seemed thoroughly cowed by the retribution which had over- en Mr. Russell and Alice stood somewhat apart from the others, her hand in his, eager words passing between them. Suddenly she started. She had heard Dick pro- nounce mpi 4 the name of “* Phil.’’ ‘“*Oh! how neglectful of us all!’ she cried. ‘‘ Can it be possible he is drowned? Oh, gentlemen, do try and save him! It may not be too late! He may be swimming!” “T rather guess not,” said Fagan, with a look of brutal triumph. ‘‘ He’s got a bullet through his ribs. He's paid for his fun, anyhow.” “TIT am afraid the ain is right,’’ Mr. Russell vely remarked. ‘‘I saw the shot and am sure e was struck.” ‘**But he may not have been killed!’’ exclaimed Dick, eagerly. ‘‘Might as well try to killa cat as Phil , Hardy. Aint water enough here to drown him ke the feeling heart of ee cee ‘“*T hope so, fervently,”’ Alice, as she looked with frightened eyes over the vessel's side. Where are you, Phil? Come, lad, turn up. Dont let them say they made vvu step out!’* cried Dick, in a tone of earnest ar , “Ahoy!”’ shouted old Bowline, excited.by Dick’s call. ‘“‘Thatsthe talk! Ahoy,lad! Tumble up for rations! Dont let Davy Jones rope you in.” “You can hail till you’re blue,’’ was Fagan’s hr eepuaner: ‘That wharf rat has gnawed his Oo 9 st ; “Beta fip you’re a-lying,’’ came a familiar voice from the direction of the vessel’s bow. ‘‘ Maybe ou spose it’s in you to lay out Phil Hardy likeId y out a crab; but _I dont spose itis. If Tim ~ oe dont kick the bucket from an overdose of rope afore I peg out from lead or salt water, why jist callme a liar, that’s all.” Ere this speech was half through Dick had given vent toa regular Indian yell, and was darting like an arrow for the bowsprit of the vessel. . Ail eyes were turned in the same direction, and of the spar, was perched utive form of Phil Hardy, streaming with le of. It’s me—Phil!” he shouted, ‘‘Good to take the EE EEE ee starch out of a dozen sich outrageous gangs as this. —You kin take hold of me; Dick. I’m all here.— And powr oe reg lar first-class hoss!”’ Old Bow4ne caught the two boys in his arms.as they came in from the bowsprit, giving them a hug which seemed as if it would have crushed the ribs of an elephant. re ape I aint hurting you,” he apologetically re marked. ‘Maybe you've got a bullet-hole through you, and it mayn’t be healthy to be squeezed.”"’ “Dont b’lieveit would he healthy to be hugged by = if a feller had white-oak muscles, anal bk a othole in them,’ answered Phil, rubbing his sides pecan ‘*Wouldn’t like to be the gal you was.in ove with,”’ ‘* But are you hurt, Phil?’’ asked Mr. Russell; pregs- ing anxiously forward, ‘‘I was sure his bullet struck you.”’ “It plowed alittle openin’in my left arm,” said Phil, carelessly. ‘“ Nothin’ to hurt, though. Onlya musketo bite.” Alice gave a cry of. alarm at this information, and hastily pulled up the lad’s loose sleeve. The sleeve was full of blood, from a wound which seemed to run from the wrist to the elbow, ‘*Poor fellow, he is badly hurt!’’ she pathetically remarked. Taking her handkerchief she wrapped it dexter- ously round the boy’s arm. = “4 for a doctor, Mr. Russell!” she cried. ‘He is badly wounded! See how he has bled!” “TIT wont have no doctor but you,’ said Phil, sturdily. “So ‘taint no use botherin’ them. ‘his bankercher will be all the medicine J'li want.” ‘Tt is only a scratch,” remarked old Bowline, in a reassuring tone. ‘That's all. It’s only cut the skin, and plowed an inch or two under,” Phil coolly declared. ‘Guess that aint worth goin’ on about.’ The tugboat had proceeded with her operations through all this startling episode, and had hauled the Strongbow up to her new wharf, against which she quietly lay. The parties on the wharf, full of excitement at the scene they had witnessed, swarmed on board, asking a thousand questions, and managing remarkably well at getting in everybody’s way. “If there ever was a p:rcel of folks without the common sense that human critters cught to be born with, it’s a set of land-lubbers,”’ growled old Bow- line. ‘‘ Ahoy there! Clear ship! and give the lads a chance to rope her in.”’ ‘Guess old salt water will have his hands full to t rid of that crowd,” said Dick. “But stir up, hil. You haven't told us yit how you got clear from drownding.”” | “Drown me’ replied Phil, with a sniff of con- tempt. ‘* Dont spose I could be drownded in a duck- pond like the Eastriver? I aint one of them gort.” ‘*But you sunk under the water and failed to come up again,” said Mr. Russell. “I am curious to know how you escaped.”’ An eager throng had gathered around to hear Phil’s answer, for there were more than Mr. Russell —- ape the Lowe gn a ard “Di e fas goin’ pop my head up in the same ae to draw another bullet, did you?” asked Phil, somewhat contemptuously. “I aint that kind of chap. Got two bullet-marks now, one in the arm and totherin the head. That’s enough rlory fur one day.” The pitying eyes of Alice were turned to the boy’s head, where a red line showed itself through the matted hair. His plunge overboard had washed it clean, but the bl was slowly oozing again, ‘*He must have a doctor! At once!” cried Alice, anxiously. ‘* He may be dangerously wounded!” ‘* What? that?” asked Phil carelessly. ‘* That's only a pin scratch. That’s arter I got you up into the second story of the ship. He chased me and fired pistols at me, jist as if 1 was a rat.—I flung him tho 'zh, neat enough.”’ ‘*but, you have not told us yet how you escaped from your fall,’ remarked one of the curious by- standers. ‘*Oh! that was easy enough,” Phil carelessly re- ages “T weren't goin’ to pop up to poppe off, e mought take better aim next time. SoI1 jist took a little divé and a swim under water, and come - tother side the ak Then I hauled myself along, hand over hand, till I come to the bow, where thar was a handy rope hangin’. I went up that rope jist like a cat shins up a tree, and ’stablished myself on the bowspirt.—And here’s me now, sound in wind and pocket.” Phil walked loftily away through the throng, as if contemning them too much to be made the target of any more of their questions. ° The officers meanwhile had been busy in remoy- ing their prisoners to the police tug. The dead body of Hendricks was taken on board, | with the living villains. One of the officers was left in temporary charge of the ship, and particularly of the effects of the captain and mate, Mr. Russell had declined going with them in their boat. He did not quite like the notoriety of such a‘ ssage. He and Alice, accompanied by the two oys, sought the nearest ferry. | On the way, however, Alice insisted on stopping at a physician’s, and having Phil’s wounds ex- amined. They were pronounced in no respect dan- erous, though he would have a painful arm for a ew weeks. ‘** Guess I kin stand it,”? announced Phil, as he sub- mitted to the bandaging. ‘I’m goin’ to keep this hankercher, Miss Alice, I ain’t got notin’ of yourn, ou know. And I want somethin’ to remember you ‘*What? an old blood-stained handkerchief? No indeed! I shal) give you something of more value.” com JOOKS-EOM