Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 187 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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cled toward this young man. She had known him for several summers, during her annual visits, and had always found him kind, considerate, and atten- tive; a little rough in traini but with all the in- stincts of a true gentleman, Butsince he had saved her life a new sentiment had arisen in her mind— fostered perhaps by the prose and unpleasant de- meanor of her betrothed. She was rapidly Ne all love for Will Howard. Was it being replace from another source? Had Mr. Darlington heard the tone of Fred’s voice and the softness of her replies, as they walked on, unconscious of distance, he would certainly have broken up this téte-a-téte. He had other views for his daughter—and the young so easily drift into mis- chievous beart troubles, aa were wakened from the dream in which onl their two minds lived, and the sea and sky had ae most vanished, by the loud laughter of a passing party. The beach was again filling up with people. Rose, with a sense of shame at being seen in such close conversation with a plainly-dressed lad, the son of a well-known watermanof Beach City, hastily excused herself, and turned to walk toward the ho- tel. She was angry with herself, the next moment for yielding to such a feeling. But the effects of Sar ae lie too deep to be blown off by a yreath, Fred waiked on, his brainina maze. He, too, was beginning to learn the meaning of thoughts which had dwelt deeply within him, too vague to possess any definite form and meaning. They were both, as yet, drifting, but the direction of their drift must soon reveal itself, He suddenly found himself face to face with Will mh a who was regarding him with no pleased ex- pression. “Tam afraid you need a lesson yet, my friend,”’ he said. “I saw you speaking with a young lady whom I decidedly object to your annoying. You may find it to your interest to let me see no more of ** When Miss “Certainly,” was Fred's a Ve reply. f as annoyed by me, you Darlington expresses herse shall see no more of it,”’ ‘*No subterfuge, sir. Whether she says it or not she thinksit. I Pb will continue to insult her, I shall protect her from insult.”’ * Very well,” replied Fred, in a cool tone. ‘ Any | time you wish. Shall it be life boat service now? Or | will you prefer some other mode?”’ ‘*You may save your insolence,”’ exclaimed Will, enraged. ‘* We shall see if I do not get even with ee ee ee Fred's eyes followed him with deep surprise, ‘* What ails the man?” he asked. ‘*One would imagine he had seen a ghost,” replied Mr. Darlington, with a forced smile. **I don’t think 1 am very gbost-like,’’ returned Fred, laughing. ‘‘But I must go, Mr. Darlington. Good-day.”’ **Good-day, Fred.” The lad walked onward leaving the old gentleman standing in the midst of the pavement, looking after him with a strangely rapt regard. “Tam a he muttered. *‘ Amos Yarnall knew the face. IfI can only prove it now! If I must be beggared I would much rather trust myself in the boy’s hands, than in those of this graveyard ghoul, this bloodsucking Amos Yarnall.”’ ‘*‘Thank you,” came a voice at his side. He had spoken these last words unwittingly loud. ‘* You are disposed to be me gd complimentary.” It was Amos Yarnall, who had returned. Mr. Dar- lington was, for the moment, disconcerted. ‘*What do you want?’’ he asked, in a harsh tone, assumed to hide his feeling of shame. “Nothing particular,’’ was the reply, given with an assumption of indifference. ‘‘ Who was the boy that just left you?” He attempted to make this question careless, but, despite himself, an eagerness crept into his voice, and a gleam of excitement into his eye, which Mr. Darlington did not fail to observe. ‘*A ghost,’’ replied the latter shadow of the trembles, ie “A past before which Amos Yarnall Beach City is, just now, full of ghosts my friend. Everybody is seeing the phantoms of former evil deeds.” ‘* What nonsense is this?” asked Yarnall, angrily. “The boy is only a shadow, whom I have conjur- ed up to warn you that you had better moderate our claim. How much less are you disposed to ke after seeing that face?”’ ‘Not a cent,’’ was the angry reply. ‘‘I will have all pay. son's just rights.’’ **You might have that and not be very rich,” re- plied Mr. Darlington, in a tone of aggravating satire. ‘Good-day, Mr. Yarnall. I may soon make you that promised visit.” He walked away with his proud step, leaving his questioner in a state of mingled anger and alarm and muttering to himself in a strangely-absor manner, Meanwhile Fred had reached the point of land ' where the inlet entered from the ocean. Here were | some wharves with clusters of boats, and a frame structure used as an oyster and eating-house. Will Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy. oe ee (+e oe ae ee ee - 2 eee = ee eee ee eee ee with your cur’s ton seatithenatatdarel tc athsente sexes white-winged bird, to which his little skiff was but asa swallow to an eagle. The water seethed and foamed under its prow as it flew onward before the stiffening gale. As Fred cried out he gave new strength to his oars, and his boat shot more rapidly onwa The steers- man of the other craft moved his helm, but he gave it the wrong sheer. Instead of avoiding the skiff, it ponies directly toward it, not two boat-lengths dis- tant, Fred, for the first time, now fully realized their in- tention. He euony pave his boat a shift so as to escape the threatened stroke—but it was too late. In a moment the powerful fishing-boat struck his light skiff nearly amidships. A grinding, rending, crashing noise succeeded. The boat was cut nearly in two, and rolled under its powerful antagonist— Fred saving himself by a quick leap overboard at the instant of the collision. The event was too evidently intentional for the boy to be deceived for an instant. Not knowing what their full purpose might be he started to swim to- ward the island, which was not far distant. But in a minute more the sail-boat glided between him and this refuge, Will Howard standing erect in it, oar in hand. ‘* Back!” he cried, savagely. ‘‘ You are not going to get ashore so easily as that, I am going to give you a swim for your health, Straight down the inlet with you if you want to save your head from ac- quaintance with this oar.”’ A glance told Fred that he meant it. The quick- witted lad obeyed this stern mandate. He wanted time to think. As for theswim he did not mindthat. He was like a fish in the water, and could easily have swam to Beach City, if not incumbered by his heavy clothes, But he could not tell the full intentions of his an- tagonists, and it was necessary to keep every sense on the alert. He continued to swim down the center of the chan- nel, the swift boat playing about him, while Will Howard kept up a constant fire of scornful and in- sulting remarks, ‘* We will see if you speak to young ladies again, e,’ he cried. ‘It's my game | now, and I intend to be even with you.” you yet.”’ All right,” said Fred, lightly. ‘‘ Any time, and | Howard ha Fh turned from the bar, and caught a — any weapon. I’m your man.” He walked on, leaving his antagonist pale with anger. CHAPTER XVII GETTING EVEN. “Try and get back before night, Fred,’ said old Tom Halyard, ‘‘ You know that you are to go on that business for Mr. Proctor to-morrow, and you will need a good night’s sleep.”’ **] can row there and back by six o’clock, and not half try. Ihaven’t had a good tussle with the oars these two weeks now, and it is about time I was get- ting my hand in practice again,”’ ‘No fear of you, boy,’’ answered the old man, looking on him with pri e. ‘There are not many can beat you at oar or tiller.” Fred laughed. Yet a flush of conscious pride came into his face. In fact, old Tom Halyard’s raise was worth something. He did not lavish it ightly or indiscriminately. he boy walked away with his swinging step and erect bearing. The old man’s eyes were fixed upon him with a satisfaction, into which there slowly came a look of sadness. He shook his head gravely. ‘*T don’t like this Monsoon business,’’ he muttered. ‘*A ship that’s been buried for fifteen years ought to be well settled in the ‘arth; but here comes this dead ship up again, like a ghost, to haunt my old age. But I can trust Fred, I can trust Fred—I know he will stick to the old man.”’ Fred walked on briskly. He turned into a street leading to the inlet. lington, who was advancing with his stately stride, his hat in his hand, and his ample brow exposed to | the air. ‘Ah! glad to see you, Fred,” he exclaimed. ‘“‘Where have you been these days past?”’ ‘‘Out of the city, Mr, Darlington,” Fred quietly answered. ntleman, his eyes fixed on the lad’s face with an tent scrutiny which Fred somehow did not relish, ‘Ts he very anxious to know me again?” he asked himself. ‘You will excuse me, Mr. Darlington. I am in something of a hurry to-day.” ‘Certainly, certainly,” was the response, ‘* Don’t let me detain you.”’ As he spoke Fred noticed a different expression come upon his face, a flushed, annoyed, half-angry look. is eyes were bent down the street. The bo stoopin Here he encountered Mr. Dar- | d glimpse of Fred as he entered. A look of hatred came into his face. He stepped to the door and looked after the lad, who had stopped to speak to a boatman. ‘*For a row up the inlet, Fred?” asked the latter. ‘“* Yes, as far as Gore's,’ ‘** You'll find it a fresh day. back?”’ ‘** About six, [ reckon,"’ responded Fred. A quick flash shot over Will Howard’s face. He turned his head aside as if there was something re- vealed in his features which he preferred to hide He watched Fred with an eager glance until he saw him, in a light boat, rowing across toward Turtle Island, with a long, easy, powerful stroke that sent him swiftly through the water. Will Howard’s experience in the Schuylkill navy had taught him the points of a good oarsman. He watched Fred for several minutes with involuntary admiration. He then turned away, touching, as he did so, a hard-featured, evil eyed fellow, who stood near him. The latter walked after him to a more secluded How soon will you be tion. Meanwhile, Fred was making swift headway up the broad, inner channel, the same which had been followed during the memorable chase of the smug- glers. He enjoyed the fresh air, and the muscular “You ure even with me,’’ said Fred, in a faint voice. It was the first time he had spoken, But he had been latterly swiinm ng with a heavy, unsteady stroke. He now suddenly threw up his arms, and went down beneath the water as helplessly as a stone, ‘** By Heaven!" cried Will, in alarm, ‘‘ the fellow is drowning, Idon’t want that. We must save him." ‘*He will be up again,’’ the fisherman coolly re- plied. * They always rise."’ The course of the boat was shifted so as to bring it near where Fred had sunk. The man was right — roughly. ‘ | as that’ Take the tiller a moment. —he rose again just as they came opposite. * Pull him in!’ cried Will, grasping him by the collar. The fisherman came to his agsistance, and ina moment Fred was lifted from the water, a imp. dripping, apparently lifeless form, and laid flat in the bottom of the boat, Will Howard gazed on him for a moment with a growing dread. ** What are we to do?” he asked, helplessly, ‘'Can the fellow be drowned ?” ** Drowned, the devil!” exclaimed the fisherman, You don’t drown us water rats 80 easy I will tie him. We may have some trouble with him when he comes to ” Picking up a rope he a oy back to where Fred lay, and bent over him with the purpose of binding his arms, spot, where the two entered into earnest conversa- | exertion of rowing. Slender as he seemed, a keen | eye would have seen a breadth of shoulders, and an expanse of chest that promised strength and endu- rance; while active exercise had given his arms an iron-like vigor and firmness. The day moved on. Fred had accomplished his | mission, and was rowing more slowly down the inlet, | about five o’clock in the afternoon. The breeze had _ freshened, and was blowing now with considerable _ force. ‘‘T missed you from the beach,”’ returned the old | He had noticed, for some time, a sail, which seem- _ ed to be moving through the inner channels which | | | | | | : 2 ee eee ee turned and saw approaching a_ thin, | re, with a strangely pallid face. He re- | cognized him at a glance as the elder passenger of | the Triton. This personage approached, his eyes fixed mean- ingly on Mr. Darlington. Only when he came oppo- site did he cast a passing glance upon Fred. This look at once became fixed, eager, intent, while a slight shiver went through the man’s frame. For a moment he seemed to forget where he was, in the sort of fascinated eeaey with which his eyes were riveted on the boy’sface. He then recovered himself, and walked, rather r than usual, if possible. | permeated the marsh. As he came opposite one of the outer openings of these channels, the emerged into the open water of the inlet. It was a large, strong fishing boat, with an unusu- alshow of canvas. Fred recognized it at a glance as belonging to Tim Grady, a fisherman, between a whom and himself there was no love lost. The fel- | low, indeed, was not of the most savory reputation, Fred rowed on without giving further attention to the sail-boat. The latter had caught the full force of the strong breeze on emerging into the inlet, and was shooting rapidly through the water toward his boat. = ————— ee Thoughtless of any evil design on the part of the | sail-boatman, he rowed easily onward, paying no heed to its rapid approach. It was now buta distance from him, and he suddenly noticed two thin First, that the fisherman was accompanied by Will Howard. Secondly, that if they continued on that course he would be run down, ‘‘Down with your helm!” he fiercely shouted. ort | _ Fred Fe oS Sane xu wat to cut me intwo? Down with your | Beach ; on; ashade helm, I say!” , ] The aail-boat was swooping on him like a great | But he calculated without his host. Suddenly as if an earthquake had opened beneath him the re- cum bent figure half-rose, grasped the stooping fish- erman by the legs, and with a sudden, peculiar Jift, hurled him he ong over the side of the boat into the waters of the inlet, ln a moment more Fred stood upright, looking down on Will Howard, who shrunk as from an ap- parition. ‘Tt is my turn now,” exclaimed Fred. ‘' You've had your play. I'll take a hand in the game.”’ They were already fifty yards from the fisherman, who was slowly swimming after them. Will Howard rose as Fred approached him, In a moment they had grappled, and were struggling with all their strength for the mastery, Will was much the heaviest of the two, but he had not the toughness and agility of Fred. They were, in fact, very evenly matched, and they drew each sail other from end to end of the boat in their fierce struggle, now the one, now the other, having a tem- porary advantage, The boat was directly before the wind, and held its course unchanged during this vigorous wrestle. Not a word was spoken. With set teeth and labor- ing breath they continued the conflict, as though they were two athletes striving for victory. red, in fact, was working bimself toward the rudder. Reaching it he shifted the tiller with his foot. Instantly the boat obeyed, veered round to meet the wind, and careened until their footing was rendered very precarious, Fred, fully Ereneres for this, stood like a rock, Arn himself loose from his reeling antagonist, and giving the,latter a surge from which he vainly sought to recover. With a cry of alarm he plunged headlong over the side into the foaming water. ‘Isn't the shoe on the other foot now?” asked ‘*Have you any commands for City? I’m bound straight. there.” Howard had risen spluttering and DP apiy it reget ening Fred with dire vengeance. x kept GoOmiecboc G CON