Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 280 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

ore — — ~~ ——- - A - ee eee te ee eee * Do you know the mysterious vessel, Mr *. 7? : —~ Brinch ow “@nly “as*a craft that is said to contain im- inte wensée’tredsure, and which Brandt the Bucca- mxi §§ #oer was continually searching for, while I was a prisoner on board.” 3 ‘“"Wellsir, the Gold Ship is now at anchor in a lagoon not half a league from here.” bs 5 Heaven! what a chance to capture her!” Sea said Basil Branch ex ‘itedly. tery 7 The pirate lieutenant smiled, and contin- be , ued: ‘** But to the other vessels, sir.” ed, ‘* Ab, yes.” ‘ul, “The Peon went last night to discover the 10, cause of their presence on the coast, and re- me turned only a few minutes ago and made his report, 1e~ ‘And he found them?” elt ‘* He did, Mr. Branch, and one was a Mexican of cutter captured by a Captain Eduardo, and which he turned into a pirate craft.” hy ‘*T have heard of this craft. as ‘She is known as the Gold Hunter, and a sea- ve man who joined us, or rather Brandt’s vessel, of reported that she was cruising in search of the Gold Ship, but at the same time boarded and 8, robbed any defenseless vessel found on the high a seas; but the other craft, Lieutenant Mur ll?” r, « Was the brig Huntress.” ay ** Ha! the vessel of Brandt the Buccaneer?” ry ‘* The same, sir.” a ** And Brandt?” ) ** Is a prisoner, sir.” **Great God! you astonish me!” and Bas'l P~ Branch arose and paced the cabin in an excited r— way, that surprised both his daughter and the pirate officer, and which c1used the former to 2, say calmly: & “Father, why do you allow this news of i. Brandt the Buccaneer to so unnerve you?” The man flushed, then paled, and throwiug - himself again in his chair, answered in a low O tone: | ‘“‘ It is surprise and joy at feeling that Brandt SS => er ww ‘'y is at last in chains, and will meet his fate; but, lieutenant,” he continued: ‘* Who was the captor of the brig?” ‘Merle Monte, sir, the commander of the Gold Ship.” 4 No 1” ** It is true, sir, for while Peon was there the American cruiser Sea Wolf swept into the inlet, and the Condemned Midshipman surrendered the cutter of eemeatn Eduardo, and the Hun- tress, with Brandt, to Captain Meredith.” “This is astounding.” ‘‘It is indeed, sir; but, as Merle Monte has just retired to his vessel in his boat, and cer- inly will not put to sea to-night, I have de- cided to go and attack her.” * A bold carry it out ““T have sixty men.” ** And the Gold Sbip?” ‘** Peon reports her with a crew of three score; but [ rely much on my surprising her.” ‘** Does she lie in a position that will give you that advantage?” ‘““ She does, my spy reports.” Then by all’ means attack her, and 1 will aid you,” said Basil Branch with entiusiasm. ‘It was to ask you to do this, sir, thatT sought you bere, for I have no Officer to aid mb, as we suffered severely awhile ago, in escaping from the Sea Wolf.” “You may rely upon me, sir.” ‘Thank you, sir, and if we capture the Gold Ship I will release yourself and ys tA upon my own responsibility, feeling that the treasure thus gained will more than repay my captain for your loss.” : ‘And should [ fall, sir?’ and Basil Branch glanced in a significant manner toward his ett will regard Miss Brarich ist ** I will regar s Branch as my own sister, sir“until I can return her to-her friends.” ‘* And should you fall; lieutenant, will your men release us? ‘I will give my orders to that effect, Mr. peal and Peon will see that they are carried eu ‘* Enough, I am ready.” “I eall you, sir, when the boats are ready. eS Farewell, Miss Branch, and hope for the ‘best,” and Vance Mureil, the pirate lieutenant, jeft the father and daughter alone in the éabin, CHAPTER VT. A BLACK SPY. WITHOUT any adventure, Merle Monte re- surned to his vessel, which, as the Peon sp poe sir, but have you the men to ” ne y | had ust be the Sea Marauder bad reported, lay at an- | there is @ boat coming up the s.ream. Hate «me oe me _Mgrle Monte's chor . a lagoon, some half mile from its mouth, The lagoon was deep, the banks were heavily fringed with trees, and the spot was a dismal one, but a secure retreat. from prying eyes on any vessel cruising along the coast, in search of craft that might be of a suspicious character. The watchful lookout on_ the Gold Ship sighted the boats, and promptly reported their coming to the officer in charge, who was the former captain of the Galveston packet schooner, which had been wrecked in a storm, with Mis. Branch and her daughter on board, but who, with those of his crew that bad been picked up by the treasure craft, had willingly united their fortunes with those of Merle Monte. : Recognizing the boats as those from the schooner, Lieutenant Trenor, the former mer- chant captain, called down the companionway: ** Ho, Mezrak!” ‘Ay, ay, sir,” and there appeared in the companionway, where the cabin lights fell full upon him, the form of a negro. Black as ebony, deformed in shape, for his legs were short, his body stout and arms of great length, and with a head of massive size, the person who answered to the name of Mezrak was one to be feared by those who would bring his anger upon them, An Abyssinian slave, he was the one who had reared Merle Monte from infancy, and he loved his young master far more than all else on earth, while he seemed to almost hate the rest of man- kind. He was clad in a rich Persian costume, gems of rare beauty glittered upon his huge fingers, and in spite of his appearance he seemed a dandy in dress and Jove of ornaments. He wore a pair of pistols in his sash, and a superb cimeter hung from his belt, the hilt glittering with precious stones, ‘Your master is coming, Mezrak, and will doubtless need supper,” called out Lieutenant Trenor, to the slave. “Ay, ay, sir, I will prepare it,” answered Mezrak, in his deep tones, A few moments after the boats touched the schooner’s side, and Merle Monte was met by his lieutenant, Aiding Mrs. Branch on deck, Merle said: “ Have the boats hauled up, Mr. Trenor, and get all in readiness to sail at daybreak.” “‘ Ay, ay, Captain Monte,” responded the offi- cer, and he at once gave the necessary orders and while they were being obeyed paced to and oO. After awhile Merle came on deck, and light- ing a cigar handed one to his lieutenant, to whom he then told the story of bis successful surrender of the two pirate vessels to the Sea Ol, + ‘And Little Belt did not return?” “No, and I will relieve you in ber place to- night, so get what sleep you can.” ‘I hope no harm befell Lieutenant Little Belt, Captain Monte?” “Oh, no, she but remained to go in the bri to New Orleans and witness the execution o Brandt, the Buccaneer, after which she will re- join us,’ ; “Poor woman, he has madé her suffer fear- fullv,” sighed Lieutenant Trenor, “Yes, and soon she will be avenged for all her wrovgs; but now seek rest, for we sail at dawn, and we must hunt down that Sea Marau- der, for that is my one aim now, as her captain holds ns prisoners the husband and daughter of poor Mrs. Branch.” The lieutenant made no reply but left the deck, and Merle Monte told the watch they could turn in and that he would remain up for the remainder of the night. Pacing to and fro he became lost in seep reverie, until presently he started, for his quic ear had caught a strange sound. It was not the ery of the night-birds on sbore, nor the snort of the alligator, or croak of a frog but a sound that had a strange meaning Stepping to the companionway he pave & low cal], and instantly, Mezrak, the Abyssinian slave ap red. ‘Well master?” asked Mezrak politely. ‘‘] heard a sound over in the foliage, down the stream some few cables’ length; listen and see if you bear it.” Mezrak listened attentively, and for a mo- ment stood thus in silence. MM Thén he said quietly: | ‘* Master, I hear the splash of of oars,” “T heard a soun arc Mezrak, as though an oar ‘had broken, and T faust be right in, be ~ lieving. 5 a” ene woe ———_ ‘Yes, master, but if so the oars are mufited, ** Mezrak will see,” Instantly hé cast aside his turban and ek costume, and sl over the side d noiselessly into the water Merle went fe. side and watehed him, for be knew the danger he ran in that lagoon, where alliga bad their haunts, But Mezrak seemed to dread no danger, and swan rapidly away toward shore, r minutes, which seemed almost heurs, Merle awaited, looking searchingly out over the dark waters, At last be beheld a ripple upon the surface of the lagoon, then a dark object appaarer, and next, Mczrak came over the side. of the schooner. ‘* Well, Mezrak?”’ asked Merle quickly, for the rapid pace at which the slave bad returned proved to him that he had made some discov~- ery. ‘* Master, boats, filled with men are coming up the lagoon, and one awaits opposite the schoon er, now, for the others to come.” ‘Ah! you have done well, Mezrak; but you always do that, my brave friend. ‘Now call the men on deck, and tell them te make no sound, andl will call up Mr, Trenor and arm myself.” \ Merle spoke with the ntmost calmness, and Mezrak quickly disappeared to obey his orders. Entering the cabin the Jong captain was absent but a.couple of minutes, and returni to the deck was accompanied ty Lieutenan Trenor, both armed to the teeth. ’ The crew were coming rapidly amd silently to their posts, arming themselves from the sword and pistol racks as they appeared, and five minutes after Mezrak’s return * the schooner all was in readiness to grees “ Wa price the Black Spy had reported coming em. CHAPTER VII. THE BOAT ATTACK, For ashort time only had the crew of thé penpenes be ma tee og ay to . hee selves, an e seam em, £0 they bided the moment breathlessly that youst open a flerce conflict, and lay many of their number upon the deck, . | The schooner swung starboard broadside to the dark shore, from which the attack was ex- ted, and Merle took up his post on the quar- er-deck mear the wheel, wkfle his Lieutenaat eosarnt tiger" LO it * Marie. wi ot far from Merle Monte was ,w had resumed his Persian garb once more, and exchanged his handsome blade with the studded hilt, for one of a more businesslike as far as its capability for killing was con- cerned, He had also stuck two extra pistols in belt, and thus armed was a most fer OTe cacant tele by Merle, Monte for the. de- e reg elt by . Monte for the de- formed black was such that he Avan Neamnale to posrd bim from danger, if in his power, e well knew Mezrak reveled in mado aay ts Peer ? a ote Ae ees ore **Mezrak, ha ou not ft r in the cabin, to protect Mrs. Branch, should the fighs go against us on deck?” wae “Tf master so wishes,” calmly responded: Mezrak. ‘emo ‘It is my wish, Mezrak.” The slave simply bowed and made his w rhe the companionway, and evenentered theeahin, where he found Mrs, Branch quite anxious re- pending the expected attack from unknown 0e8, To keep her mind occupied, Mesrak Suge - that she load a number of pistols, and place. them conyenient for use during £8 Se 4 the braye woman at once set to work at the ask, [ baw ‘There they come, lads,” rv ‘‘ Await my order to fire,” said Merle, in a low tone, and his words were passed forward, . just as four dark objects came ous, a the shadow of the shore and moved. » toward the schooner. It was evident that those in, the pected to completely serprise pant, 3 they came on witha rush, aod though thet ; were muffled, tha blades splashed load water, Sr ee is Guile Taso rie hauled in rl at s . through his area for thoy a ted the order that soon must come. io betas | ; Involuntarily, as they heard the clarion wr. Gomicbooks rn ei :