Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 25 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

The Boy Captain. 5 In the passage, noth turned, leveling their revolvers at the two foremost of their pursuers, who were about drawing pistols from their belts. Lighted by the lamps, the Malays, in their wide-spread trowsers, short jackets and low caps, presented an appearance at once fierce and picturesque. Ere the fugitives could fire, three of the party discharged their pistols at the white men, over the heads of their two companions, who blocked the way in the narrow passage, Sinclair felt a bullet graze his ear; two more were heard, clattering along the rocky sides of the passage. Then there was another report as the two revolvers were simultaneously discharged, fol- lowed by a shrill cry of pain, as one of the Malays fell flat on his face,and the other on his side, with his knees drawn up almost to his chin. : Retreating with their faces to their foes, at whom they continued firing, until they had emptied every barrel of their revolvers, the young captain and his companion, having thus kept the Malays in check, gained the outlet of the cavern, unharmed by the bullets of the pirates, who had been too busy endeavoring to avoid the constant stream of shots from the yachters, to aim with much accuracy. Out of the cavern, the two now ran in the direction of the bay, where their vessel was anchored, They were not pursued far. Ere they gained the beach, they could see nothing of their enemies. : About twenty of the boys from the vessel were near the shore, to which they had swam on hearing the shots. They had started in the direction of the noise, inferring that Ben and Sinclair were in trouble, and would need their assistance. Their captain gave an account of his adven- Then he held a conference with Ben, after which he addressed his companions. ‘* There are only five men in the cave. We must capture that place. Once in possession of it, we may bid defiance to the pirates!” “‘ Hosray! hooray!” shouted the boys. ‘*There is no time to lose. We must be ma-ters of that cavern before the proa, which is evidently bound here, reaches the island.” Ben and the young captain then boarded the yacht, taking with them six of the party, who were to remain in charge of the vessel. Then, having loaded their revolvers, and placed a few hatchets and crowbars in the boat, they returned ashore. The hatchets and crowbars were distributed among the party. Ten of them were thus provided with implements; the others had only their sheath-knives, which they wore in the belts around their waists. “‘ All ready?’ inquired Sinclair, ** Ay, ay,” was the response. With Ben and the young captain taking the lead, they all started. They soon reached the entrance to the cave. ‘t Now, lads!” said Sinclair, as, with the old tar, he entered. Cautiously they advanced, their weapons held ready for use, Ahead of them, they saw the lighted, rocky chamber, but no signs of the Malays. Sinclair quickened his steps. ““ Not too fast, my lad,” said Ben. ‘‘ Depend on it, them rascals are hidden somewhere, thinking to pounce upon us unawares.” At length they gained the apartment. It was empty. The boys looked surprised. Sinclair thought that the pirates had gone to bury the two men he and Ben had shot, and would soon come back; but the old sailor said he felt pretty sure they woukl not t d y not return, .as Shey: had: doubtless ee the sides of the low craft, which pulled w of armed men—the shipmates of the two o had discovered their retreat. Foe they would be attacked by a large ‘Now, lads,” remarked Sinclair, “you see nance. Have you any idea of what 1 am going to do?” His young companions looked at him inquir- ingly, and he went on. “‘T am going to take plenty of these small- arms aboard the yacht, and also some of the guns. We must not only defend ourselves against the pirates, but we must also be the aggressors. My uncle’s treasure is, probably, in the hands of these wretches, and must be wrested from them. I also intend building a sort of fort, making a stronghold of this island, for we know not how many of those pirate hordes may attack us. What do you say, lads—are you ready to join me in this un- dertaking?”’ : ““ Ay, ay,” was the unanimous response. Ben went outside to look at the shore, in neighborhood of the cavern. He returned, saying there was a good depth of water within a few yards of the beach. Sinclair then sent him with a few men, to bring the yacht round t> this point. Meanwhile the party in the cavern at once went to work. Two six-pounders and one nine-pounder were, by means of some ropes, taken from the cavern, and dragged to the beach, to be ready for transportation to the yacht. Some barrels of beef, pork and sea-biscuits were also con- veyed there. Then the boys proceeded to arm themselves from the weapons hanging on the walls. The whole crew were in excellent spirits at having thus come into possession of such a good stock of arms and provisions. ‘“* Here she is!” cried one of the lads, as the yacht suddenly emerged to view out of the fog, which was not yet dissipated. Ben brought the vessel within a few yards of the beach, and let go the anchor. Some large, thick planks were then taken from the cavern, and placed, so that one end of each rested on the yacht’s gangway and the other ashore. Over this bridge, with tackles and ropes, the crew’ soon conveyed the guns aboard. Then came barrels of provisions, which were low- ered into the hold. Ben, who was a good carpenter, proceeded to saw, in the bulwarks, which, aboard this craft, were higher than usual, openings large enough to admit the muzzles of the guns, “That will do for ‘temporary,’” said the old sailor, when the task was finished. ‘‘ The holes want trimming off. And, now, one very important thing has been forgotten, and that’s the ammunition.” Small chests, containing ammunition, were brought from the cavern, and were conveyed to the beach, whence they were soon carried aboard. At this juncture one of the boys sprung on the bow, and peered earnestly through the fog. “Sail O!’ he cried, pointing off the star- board bow. Ail the others looked, to see the shoulder-of- mutton sails of the Malay proa, not a hundred rods distant, just emerging from the mist. On she came, her long, low hull gliding, with little noise, through the water, the dusky faces of her numerous crew visible above her bul- warks. ““She has men enough aboard to eat us, but she has no guns,” said Ben. ‘‘ She is almost at our mercy.” He ordered the nine-pounder to be run out; then, quickly loading the piece, he sighted it. “Now, then, give it to the Malay!” cried Sinclair, who had brought a hot coal from the galley, in which one of the boys had been cooking dinner. With a report that made the little yacht rock, the piece was discharged, and away went the pirate’s mast, falling over the side. lt was cut clear, and now oars were run out away from the dangerous yacht, and soon dis- appeared in the fog. For awhile the shouts and cries of baffled around you a fine lot of small-arms and ord- rage from the lawless gang were heard, but | | at length they seemed to die away in the die tance. Sinclair wanted to give chase at once, but Ben dissuaded him from doing so. The old sailor thought it best to proceed with the erect- ing of a fort, as, in his opinion, they would need one before long. From the cavern the boys obtained picks and shovels, with which, under Ben’s direction, they went to work ashore. The site of the fort, which was to be about fifteen feet square, was chosen on an elevated promontory. Mean- while, wakened and alarmed by the report of the gun, Mora Morton had come on deck. Sinclair, however, soon quieted her fears; then he went on to describe the discovery and capture of the pirates’ cavern, with all ite arms, provisions and useful utensils. “T am going to try and obtain my uncle’s treasure,” he added. “There is too much risk,” said the girl, trembling and turning pale. ‘‘ Already you have been absent from your friends long enough to iuspire them with the most dreadful forebodings as to your fate. You had better return to them.” **T will not do so until I have procured what rightfully belongs to my uncle, from the rob- bers,” was Sinclair's firm reply. ‘“‘ Besides, I deem it the duty of myself and crew to cruise against these scourges of the sea, and punish them all I can. As to our friends whom we left, it is likely we will fall in, ere long, with some vessel bound to Australia, when we can send letters to them.” Mora Morton, as Sinclair spoke of cruising against the pirates, seemed much agitated, although she looked up at him with the natura! admiration of her sex for spirit and daring. The bright, handsome face, the clear, flash- ing eyes, the wavy brown hair, and the grac> ful, manly attitude of the youth, awakened in her gentle heart such feelings as she had never before experienced for one of the other sex. “You think nothing of the danger—th great peril you will run,” she said, softly. There was on his face a look of mingled re spect and tenderness, as he gazed upon the rounded, glowing cheeks, the supple waist and shy, dark eyes of the beautiful brunette. She blushed deeply and smiled, while with one of her little gaiters, as she stood leaning against the rail with her ankles crossed, she lightly tapped the deck. Insignificant as this movement was, it was noted with absorbing interest by Sinclair, who was of that age when every motion of a pretty woman seemed to him invested with an inde- scribable charm. In fact, these two young people, drawn to each other, felt strangely happy when they were together. ‘““Will you go with me and see the cave?” Sinclair at length inquired. “Yes,” she replied, throwing over her head the little red, worsted shawl, in place of her hat, which had been lost aboard the burning ship. Old Ben went with them to the cave, ‘‘Here’s a small chest which has not yet been opened,” said the youth, pointing to one corner. With a few blows of a hatchet, Lb. soon knocked away the lock of the chest, Mora uttered an exclamation of admiration, when, the lid being raised, several fine dresses and other articles of female wearing apparel were disclosed. ‘““You will please accept these,” said Sin- clair. ‘“‘I am sorry there is not a hat among other things.” “There is some cloth there of which I can make me a hat,” replied Mora, ‘I am skillfal with the needle.” “But where is your needle and thread? I regret we have nothing of that kind aboard the yacht.” f Mora, smiling, took from her pocket a little cushion, full of needles and also a spool of “T always carry my tools with me,” she said with sudden gravity. (GOA AICE OXON) KS RECO)