Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 25 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

The Boy Captain. But he might as well have saved himself the trouble, for the blade of the hatchet failed to penetrate the thick blubber. Swimming forward, wildly beating the water with her flukes, the leviathan, rolling sideways, dislodged the youth from her back. On she rushed, in her fury; then, endeaver- ing to turn, her head struck the yacht under the countor. There was a crash, betokening that a timber had parted, followed by a gurgling sound, as the water poured into the hold! The whale now made off toward her dead calf, which had drifted far astern, her jaw like a great, white scoop, still wide open, rippling through the water. Sinclair comprehended, at last, that she _ would not shut it, on account of the harpoon, which having penetrated near the jaws, proba- bly caused her great pain every time she en- deavored to close them. This it was which had evidently saved his and Mora’s life, for, otherwise the monster would have crushed the boat with its occupants, when the little craft was between its deadly fangs. Now rolling about, apparently in great agony, the whale partially lowering her upper jaw, dove down into the sea. Sinclair swimming to the gig, which Mora had been endeavoring to move toward him with a paddle in the boat, clasped both the girl’s hands. “You are safe!” he exclaimed. “Yes, because you would have sacrificed yourself to save me,” she answered, looking up at him, admiringly. ‘You are very-——very brave.” “1 only did my duty,” he answered, “I would willingly die for your sake, because —because—” He was going to say because he loved her, but she let go his hands, and turned away from him, as if—so at least he thought—she dreaded to hear him say it. a “The yacht will sink. See! it is going down,” she cried, pointing toward the little vessel, which, in fact, now lay with her lee rail almost submerged. : Sinclair paddled toward the yacht. The gig was within ten feet of her, when, with a sudden lurch, down she went, going under, un- til only half of her mainmast was_ visible, when, haying struck bottom, she became sta- tionary | Sinclair turned pale. The two young people looked at each other, in dismay. “What shall we do, now? What will be- come of us?’ exclaimed Mora, wringing her hands, The young captain now endeavored to soothe his fair companion. “The cutter will soon be back. We can get to the island in her. As to the yacht, I am in hopes we will be able to raise her.” “But the cutter’s people must have heard the gun you fired,” said Mora. ‘It is very strange they donotcome. Oh,Iam afraid that something dreadful has happened to him!” “ Him?” “T did not know what I sare Make tbe pretty brun hiding her face with her han “T meant ths Custer’s people—all of them!” Sinclair turned away to hide a bitter ex- pression. He leaned forward, peering through the fog and listening; but he could neither see nor hear any sign of the cutter. For an hour he waited; then he said to Mora, “‘ Let us go in search of them.” He paddied the gig in the direction the larger boat had taken, as he moved on, shout- _ing with all his might, but there was no re- A Sa Suddenly, right ahead, through the fog, he fancied he heard the creaking of yards and ropes, ! . Then he distinguished the mast of an ap- _proaching vessel, looming up through the mist. _ “ Perhaps he—I mean they are aboard that _eraft!” cried Mora, joyfully. “ Hist!” said Sinclair, in a low voice, as the | 9 ee eE—eeEEE EEE eee hull of a schooner now became visible; “it is the Malay?!’ He endeavored to turn the boat away, and put off in the fog, in time to escape being seen, but a shout from a man on the lookout showed him that he had been unsuccessful. On came the schooner, a few fathoms further; then she was brought up into the wind, and her small boat, containing half a dezen dusky men, was lowered in pursuit of the two fugi- tives, Ere Sinclair had proceeded far, he heard the voice of one of the Malays in the boat. **Stop or me shoot you!” The pursuing boat was not ten yards distant, with one of her dusky crew standing in the bow, leveling a pistol at the occupants of the g. The young captain perceiving that further flight was useless, stopped paddling, and, pick- ing up the boat hatchet; stood ready to die in defense of Mora. “Put down hatchet, or me shoot quick,” cried the approaching Malay. ‘Put it down,” whispered the trembling girl; “you can do nothing against six armed men.” : “T can perish in trying to defend you,” he answered. ‘‘I do not think the man will fire. If he does I do not care much.” Even at this perilous moment, the girl failed not to distinguish the singular tone of bitter- ness with which he spoke. Her eyes flashed with a peculiar expression. She suddenly seized the hatchet, jerking it from the hand of the youth, and allowing it to drop into the sea. “Forgive me,” she said, gently; “but I hope I have saved your life—at least for the present.” Then, to the unbounded surprise of Sinclair, she waved her hand to the Malay, saying, in a quiet, commanding voice: ‘¢ Pat up your pistol, Marno.” The man bowed submissively, and obeyed, CHAPTER VIIL THE CAPTIVE. ‘Wat does this mean?” inquired the youth. Tears rushed to the eyes of the beautiful brunette. ‘“‘ Ask me nothing, now,” she answered. The Malay’s boat glided alongside the gig. Rough hands were laid on Sinclair; half a dozen knives were pointed at his breast, “Hold!” cried Mora. “ Harm him not!” ‘‘ We see what captain say,” growled Marno; and he motioned to his crew to put up their knives. They did so; and the youth was taken into their boat, which the girl also entered. With the gig in tow, the boat was pulled to the schooner; then Sinclair was made to mount to the deck. Ere he could do so, Mora bounded lightly up the gangway steps. As the youth reached the deck, there was a yell from the dark-skinned crew, who closed round him, brandishing their knives; but the girl placed herself in front of him, motioning the fierce band away. A moment later, the captain of the party—the Englishman who had spoken the yacht, when she was anchored near the island—made his appearance. ** So, ho! caught at last,” he said to Sinclair, “You have played your part well,” he added, turning to Mora. “ We all thought you were lost.” The girl did not answer. Sinclair gave her a reproachful glance. She returned it, with a sad look, slowly shaking her head. Her soft eyes seemed to grow larger and brighter. They burned into the very soul of the youth, He could not help fancying, as he looked upon that beautiful arched neck, and those dark, glistening orbs, that there was a sort of ser- pentine fascination about this girl. ‘‘Come with me,” said the Englishman, tak- ing her arm. + Yes,” she answered: ‘‘ but first promise me | you will not harm him,” , The pirate captain frowned. **And why should I promise that? you not brought him within my power?” “He has saved my life twice,” she answered. “‘T had no wish—no intention—of putting him in your power.” The man shrugged his shoulders. ** But he has taken away the lives of half a dozen of my men. Know that my Malays have been almost demoralized by him and his band of youngsters, who have so frightened them that they say this insignificant party of boys are little demons,” **'You will spare his life?’ **T will do so for the present.” He said something in the Malay tongue to Marno, who ordered the men to thrust the youth into the hold. This was done, and the hatch having been fastened over him, Sinclair found himself in total darkness. Meanwhile the captain of the schooner went into the cabin with Mora. **Now then, tell me everything,” said he. “In the first place, why did you hide yourself away aboard the merchantman we attacked, and which her captain set on fire?” ** Because I wanted to die!” she exclaimed. ** To die?” ‘Yes. I would die a thousand times, if I could, sooner than become the wife of that bloodthirsty Mako!” : “Mako is powerful. He has great influence with the Malays; more than [, although he is my lieutenant. By marrying him you would more closely cement between us a bond, which, otherwise, may be broken, for Mako is treach- erous, and, I have reason to think, begrudges me my share of the treasures we have taken from so many vessels.”’ **T can never marry him!” ‘**’You shall.” **T will die sooner.” The captain raised his eyebrows, *“T am not afraid of that. You have ne : the courage. This has been proved. You haa come back to me, instead of destroying yot ?- self, as you say you intended.” “My life was saved.” And she went on to describe most of the events which have alre dy been related. ‘So your coming back here was all accid nt? Well, it matters not. I thought I hed lost you when I could not find you aboard the merct ant- man. As I have not, I shall caryy oui my purpose.” ‘*Mako shall never be my husband.” “TI say he shall. Why, what hayn you against him, girl? He is not handsome, }»ut he is as brave asa lion. Do you love anottk ar?” The girl bowed her face upon her han is. **T do,” she murmured, softly. “His name?” “That you shall not know. Icarry it here” —laying her hand on her heart. “Itis one of our band. I will ferret sim out; he shall die!” **No—no!” cried Mora, wildly. Then she colored deeply, and hung her head. ** Your manner confesses that my ¢.uess was right!” cried the captain. Then he suddenly added, his eyes lighting: “By the skies above us!—I know, now! It it the prisoner—that beardless boy, you were so anxious to spare! His fate is now sealed!” ““No—no! Jt is not he!” She spoke steadily, looking him straight in the face, although she was deadly paiv and her eyes glittered. “Not he? I believe you speak falsely?” "Tt is one you cannot harm!” “Why then hesitate to tell me?” “*T hesitate no longer.” as Who is it?” : owly she raised her hand, pointing . ward, while, in her rich, caamalths + Ey answered, solemnly: “Tr is Gop!” The pirate captain Have shrunk buck, abashed. _Then he forced a laugh. | “Yes,” she went on, “you brought me up, E@OMICLOC CY <S (E (E()