Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 122 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

» 8 x. man's f _ “Yes, the woman,” interrupted Fagan, with an anxious exp on. The precious pair of rogues sat and earnestly con- versed for the next half hour, ‘Then at two o’clock, BhatD» to-night,’’ announced Tiendricks, with incautious loudness, as he rose to copart, ‘Make it two, I, will be ready,” replied Fagan, following from the room. They were quite unaware that the window had been raised and the shutter only bowed, and that a pair of s ears outside 1 overheard this ap- pointment, “Scool,, Dirty Dick!” whispered Phil Hardy. “The game’s afoot.”’ ' Al i. the two young spies hastily left that perilous VCALbY. The day on; the night came.—It was clear and moonlit. But as midnight went by the moon sunk low westwardly behind, the. roofs and spires of Lae eity, Only the faint starlight and the distant sieam of street lamps, broke the thick gloom which sy upon the dark waters of the bay. The night had oil the stillness of June and every g@ lay in placid varmth. The great ships rose and fell with a long, low pulse *{ the wharves and at their anchorage in the bay. A boat. containing two youthful occupants, and closely hugging the the sides of an unoccuy ied pier, vose on this sare Jow swell from the oce.n without. The seas and streanis were far more tranquil than were their young hearts at that moment, as they anxiously waited for some expected event. The hour of two tolled solemnly from some far- wit belfry tower. Almost simulianueously footsteps und low voices were audible on the adjoining wharf. ‘The boys remained silent until they heard the faint sound of oars. Ina moment more they canght the wet of a low, dark boat stealing swiltly out over the dusky waters of the East river. Their own oars moved as if muffled. No sound came from them as their boat shot out in the wake of the former. For half a mile this. silent flight and chase con- tinued. The middle of the stream was reached, and both boats headed down toward the bay. ‘** Liste!’ said one of the occupants of the fore- most boat. ‘That sounds like an oar."’ His at ge uae stooped down and looked out in a line with the surface of the water. ** By all that’s bad, ars we he replied, * there is a boat, not a quarter of a mile of, and Leaded sb ie this way. Pull hard, man, we may be pur- sued,” ‘“ Best lichten our load and head for shore,” mut- fered Fagan, savagely. ‘*We’re too heavy astern, There’s no better place than this for the job, Our te meee ee unlucky bathust will sink like a stone; and there “ah craft on the river can overhaul us with a light oat,” Well thought of,” assented Hendricks, harshly. ‘Wish ’'d puta stoue to her feet to make it surer. P.\ tl ahead, ‘Tim. .Tll do the work.” Shipping his oats he stooped over and lifted the heavy bundle io his arms. ere Was a quick shud- adler, @ folds of the clo:h fell back from the wo- e, revealing parted lips and distended oyes, whose gaze fell first on the cruel face of the mate, an | then on the dark, heaving waters. : ife resolutely lifted her over the side of the boat. One loud, long, wavering scream rung out over the dim waters, waking echoes miles away, and reach- iug the startled ears of drowsy watchmen ou the city wharves. Tuen there was a sullen plunge in the stream, and all prew silent. Tne boat of the murderers shot onward in an ar- row ee flight, leaving only a diminishing ring of wavelets behind it, The oars of the pursuers paused for a single in- stant, as that shrill, startliag cry broke upon the un- rufied silence of the night, Then their oars f-ll again ‘ in unison, and the light boat sped rapidly forward, * 8} CHAPTER VIII. A WAIF FROM THE WATERS. Ir was a critical moment in which the two boys found themselves. Phil Hardy’s keen eyes had seen the murderous act of the mate of the Strongbow. Alarmed bv the startling cry of the recovered wormdn, be had dropped his oars and looked quickly forward, just in time to catch a dim glimpse of what was passing before them. Hard ad the splash reached his ears ere he had resumed his oars, sayin: “Tf you ever let out any muscle, Dick, now’s your time, This‘boat’s got to fly.” Tight,” replied Dick, handling bis oaken blades witi: the 5 of an old boatinan. They had : sveral hundred yards to pass over, but every well-timed stroke of their oars made the ‘light sa a ened like an arrow. ‘Sue's Soue down solid!’ i ancing over his oa ne ares aint a ripple. el & “i'm ateard eo myself,” Phil ¢loomily responded. “If she is drownd>d them $10 fallars ‘ahead had best look ou! for their mutton, that’s all.” At this insaah a dark cbj-ct appeared on the water immediately slight splash ancdible, “Dow oa your oars!” cried Phil, in low, quick tones. “wiake her spin.--Sare as shootin’ it’s the drowaded wo nan.” A few nore strokes and then Phil synddenly ship- d his sacs, aud leaned over the sids of the boat. “he dark object in alvance was arain sinkings, Jt i id front of them. There was a . ‘which so shosely, Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. —— ee had just disappeared under the water when Phil's uick hand stretched down ‘snd grasped some loose ra A Rack oars!” he cried, with startling vehemence, “Tt will jerk loose from me.”’ Dick's strong reverse strokes in an instant check- ed the speed of the boat, pulled the object he had caught above water. A woman's drenched, floating hair app ; a face deathly white in the starlight, with open, star- ing ykewe ** Good, so far, Dick! But I’m efeard she’s a gon- er. Salt water keeps some things, but it dont kee human folks. Let’s see if we kin git her abo without upsetting.” ; It was no easy matter, in their light craft: but the boys were regular water-dogs, and thoroughly knew how to handle a boat. After five minutes’ busy ex- ertion their heavy prize was drawn from the water and laid lengthwise on the thwarts of the skiff. “Pretty well done,” remarked Phil, panting from his exertions. ‘‘ But I’m desperately of the notion that she’s a dead weight we've got.” “That aint so sure,” replied Dick. ‘ Turn her on her face and let her head hang down, I've heered that’s the best way to let the water run out of ’em,” The staring, lifeless face was hid from sight as Dick’s advice was taken. The long, drenched heir hung loosely on each side of the head. Phil took it in his bands and sought to press the water frorn it, ‘‘Sich hair you never felt, Dick,” he said, “It’s jist like so much siik.—And see, i? she aint got her arms looss, I don’t know nothin’! That's the way she brung herself to the se agin.” Phil was right. The sudden plunge into the cold water had completed the recovery of the attempted victim of the murderers. The bonds which confined her arms were loosened, and a short, violent strug- gle had released them. The woman had just enough consciousness left to make desperate motions with her released arms, This had brought her again to the surface, just as ‘the boatof the two young rescuers had reached the spot, ‘Sure enough the water’s running from her lips,” remarked Phil, as he raised the drooping head aud laid it in a more comfortable position. * She’s got our seats, Dick. We'll have to paddle ashore,” “oTwont be the first time,” replied Dick, taking an oar and establishing himself upright in the stern, Phil took the same position in the bow, and the boys used their paddles with considerable skill, making fair headway. The rocking motion which they gave the boat roll- ed their inanimate freight from side to side, just the motion, though they were not aware of it, to aid in getting rid of the water she had swallowed. As they neared the wharves they were startled by a faint, moaning sound from ber ape. “Sure as you're alive, Dick, she’s comin’ to,” cried Phil excitedly. ‘Tell you what, hoss, this is a big nieht § work for us,”’ B'lieve she is,’ asserted Dick. ‘‘Know I seen her arm move then. Let her lay till we git to the pier. Want to squeeze out all the water we kin.” It was a somewhat long and toilsome Progress. They looked anxiously around for the boat of their foes, fearing that they might be followed and as- saulted. But it was nowhere in sight. A deep groan followed from the recovering woman and then a convulsive movement. of the body. A few minutes more and then words came faintly from her lips. ‘*“Where am I?” she asked, with a gasping utter- ance, “You’re in consid’ble better hands than you was an hour ago,” answered Phil, joyfully. “So dont git worried, We'll have you ashore in the twirl! of a cat’s tail."’ : “T dreamed that I was thrown into the water,” she continued, in the same faint utterance. “Or was it a dream?” ‘Not much,” replied Dick, “It was the widest awuke dream I ever heered on, Jist keep quiet a bit longer, ma’atn. You aint in much trim for talk- in’ yit,”’ she made no further effort to speak. But after a moment there was an uneasy movement of the one, as if to release herself from an uncomfortable osition. a Here we are, Dick,”’ announced Phil, a few min- utesafterward. ‘“ Here’s Joe Cowper’s dock, where we borryed our boat. from. Head close in, and dont make too much noise.” In a short time more they were moored beside a low pier, unoccupied by any vessels, ‘Got a sharp knife?” asked Phil. Dick replied by handing bim a huge barlow. “Want to cut these ropes. We cant cAITY the lady, and ’ll have to guy her a chance to waik.” A few strokes of the sharp blade severed the cords : chown’ uP the yomenns a bi enveloping cloth was ‘own back, revéali form of the woman who had been so long hidden in that dark shroud, She was dressed in a light fabric, of silken luster, though now thoroughly wet. “ Lucky it’s a warm night,” said Phil, “ or the lady ep nd catch cold.—Do you think you kin stand up, ma’am The boys took her gently by the arms and aasisted oe to Her feet, she ‘making feeble efforts to aid vhem., The boat rocked with the movement, and it was not easy for any of them to keep their feet. Phil leaped lightly to the wharf. , ‘‘Give me your hands, ma’am. Dick and me, I guess, kin git you up.” She mechanically laid her hands in his. The tide Wwabin and tie Loat rose near the and his companion again eee ee + en ee a a a rm -— — toy of the wharf. ° effort, and they succeeded A moment’s strenuous , ‘am ly” she | eebly, looking at tne You're inthe big city of Now ‘am,” re- **' You're e big c | m,” Bos Pim. 8 this one of barsheats ma , what we oa!! oe Cowper's, Some Pe non throwed you into e river, and tried to drown you. But- ick and me, we was about. We got you up afore you swal- lered too much salt water.—Though you're as wet as a drownded ent.’ is Th we) ‘“* Yes,”’ faintly responded the ming feeling her habiliments which clung closely — her form. “What shall I do? Where t all Igor” There was a hopeless ring in her voice. — . ‘Dont you be Peeurd, answered Phil, encourage ingly. ‘I’m goin’ to take you home, and guv you to my old granny to take keer of. ‘And if she dint = Peper with you as if you was a baby, I'll eat my She looked for a moment into the earnest face of the boy; then placed her hand ¢onfidingly in his. “T think Ican walk,” she said. “‘ You dont know how you have obliged me.” 7 ‘* Yes, Ido,” replied Phil, bluntly. “I know if wo hadn't been a peg too high fur the mate of the Strongbow you'd been food for fishes now." “The Strongbow!’ she repeated, with a quick shudder, and a startled look around. , 72 Pg gh so — oe at ean gested Dick, soothingly. ‘* Best ome, and a sleep. “Then it'll be time enough to go fur tiie Strongbow.” She yielded to them without a word more, both boys assisting her as she walked feebly onward. She gained some strergth, however, as they pre ceeded, and moved with a firmer step. It was a considerable distance to Phil’s home, ana dec] ey are some arg in repens it. f. si we n't have to carry you, : Phil, after they had ascended the stairs, Wer willin’, Dick and me, but we're litile fellerg yit. Jist wait here a minit and I'll wake up a "wy In very little more than a minute Phil ad his grandmother up, and had acquainted her with the main points of their adventure. | “Deary me!” she cried, anxiously. “A lady saved from drowning? And my Phil has brovgh her here? Why, to be sure I will do.all I can for her; and glad to do it too.” Mrs, Hardy came out, lamp in hand, and gazed, with deep interest into the beautiful, pale face of the seg The latter had heard her- 4 tones and looked up trustingly into her tender old face. “Tam wet,’’ she said, simply. ‘“‘l owe everythin to your boys here. I shall be so thankful to you fur a ’ shelter. “ Why, certainly, and the best I can give you too,” replied Mrs,. Hardy, earnestly. ‘Come into: my room, ma’am, You must get these wet thin at once.—Just to think of the horrible v whe tried to drown rea !—Come with me, ma’am, I de Lope you wont take your death of cold' from thie we I E- t’s dreadful trying to the constitution.” , ve a vities smile the lady yielded to her impor- : unity, sa “TL hope nic. I do not take cold easily. sd She gave her hand to the old lady, who was ner- vously fluttering about her, but lo back at the boys. dean or aioe tabear @ Never mind them,” ~o i bore noe Pah aon ; . OF them, will get along. They are This room, ma'am,” and she led her charge quickly into her own room, ‘‘Kin we take care of ourselves, Dick?” Phil, with an odd grimace. “TI rayther guess We could sleep on a clothes-line, if there we nothin’ else handy. Where are you goin’?” Home” Te lied Dick. f in , ‘“ What! at this time of night? To git the edge of a broomhandle fur your breakfast?’ I dont think - s0. I’ve got room enough fur you to’ P out, Bet our lady’s all right now, in . , y Dicks arms oftuily yi Ided to th rttinities of his ck grac elded to the 0 frietid, tnd the two boys rye ope a ) Pas the re- Peers ce gone sags : ality eir recovered waif, too, slept well” r Grand mother Hardy’s foste See the! kind 'o lady yan her as if she had been @ snnabering in- an | CHAPTER IX. _ on ple peng es gg saree” an Morninc. dawned as brightly over the humble dwellers in the tenement-house as Ae We Nin residents of the up-town avenues, An “chung to thet eyeli until yearly as! te an hour in the morning. | | had bean rather exhausting, and the sut ‘was hich when they sin opened their ath the comforts and discomforts of the w work ' “Come, nae fh to elee l, sha ow ro . “*Gom' to t 1 e Dunkel. erie Dick, rabbing his drowsy eyes. “ Long as a feller's jist a8 happy asleep | S awehe- what’s the odds? f was havin’ the beau dream, and 1 wish you'd let me alone.” ‘“What was it?” asked indifferently. — a t that I'd been found ty at the te oly : ane Sepa for, | atch ta ‘Ber i to be locked up in a mountain of ice-cream, n to git out till P'd eat my wa “out Tell you w 0 ¥ out, on Phil, it was just luscious! Y had eat about a foo deep into the wall, and was goin’ in headforemost like 2 ground mole, when you to come and stir me up.” ‘**T dont blieve in fellers that has such ridicklug dreams,” responded Phil, witha sniff of contempt, *Yuu're as bad as Joe Dot with his jiants. Best gige late r the nighily exercise of our friends: > ECORMIC HOO K<S (C (E(@)