Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 284 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

cs Se —— cr ae ee ——— ———- —— — ‘‘ Now, lads, the time is near for you to win the reward I promised you.” They seemed pleased at this statement, and then the three waited in silence and kept their eyes upon the river. They had not very long to watch before the steady stroke of oars reached their ears and a light appeared in sight. It was evidently a boat coming up the river, Nearer it drew, and rounding the point, held on up the stream to soon pass out of sight. ‘It is the Monte boat, Iam confident, but I will soon know,” muttered the pirate. And soom was heard another oar-stroke upon the river. It was a quick, sharp pull, and evidently was made by but one pair of oars, Direet'y for tbe point it headed, and soon tonched the bank. ** Abram,” ‘Yas, massa,” and the negro coxswain of Merle Monte sprung ashore. ** What boat was that ahead of you?” ‘*Zeke’s boat, sah.” “You teld him what I bade you say?” ‘*T did, massa,” ‘And he has gone with the message to Basil Branch?" ‘* Yas, massa,” “Good! pow follow us in your boat.” Re-entering the boats, they both were urged up the river, going far out to again pass the yacht umseen, and then making a landing above the plantation. ‘Now, Abram, you wait here until you see a vessel coming down the river, hail it, and ask if Peon is on board.” ¢é Yas, massa,” “Tf so, tell him to drop a mud-hook and wait for me here?” “Yas, massa.” . The pirate captain then rapidly walked along the levee road toward The Retreat, and s00n Came in sight of the landing of the plan- tation. He saw dark forms standing near the pavil- ion, and he drew into the shadow of a clump of bushes and waited. It was not long before several persons came in sigbt, coming from the mansion, and he dis- tinctly heard the words in a man’s voice: ‘Who did you see on the yacht, Zekiel?” “‘ Conrad, sah?” “And he said Captain Murell had gone up the river with two boats to attack some river pirates?" : ‘* Yes, sah.” “And did not know when to expect him back?’ “Not amtil after midnight, sah.” “And it is now only a little after nine, so we had better go in Zekiel’s boat, Annabel, as Conrad does not feel at liberty to take the yacht without Captain Murell was here.” ‘Certainly, Basil, for we can reach Monte Manor some time before midnight, and I am anxious to know what is the matter,” said Mrs. Branch. All this did Captain Pierre hear, and watch- ing, he saw them go down the bank and enter the boat, which at once pulled off down the river, “So far all works well, and as I was sure it would, for my plot is too geod a one to fail. “Now te get the fair Pearl into my power and then the schooner,” and so saying the pi- rate ram back to the spot, where he had left Abram and his two oarsmen. As he drew near he saw a vessel lying close inshore, and evidently made fast to a tree on the bank. It was a coasting craft, such as was used at that day by the planters to carry their cotton, sugar and other produce to market, ‘‘Ho, Peon! you are there, are you?” he ealled out, ‘Yes, senor, and all ready,” said Peon, springing ashore to meet him, ‘‘And Abram?’ ‘‘T is here, massa.” CN eens The Sea Marauder. ae * Well, I want you to come with me, while you, Peon, wait here, but get three boats filled with mon to be ready to move, and let the balance of the crew wait on the vessel.” “* Ay, ay, senor.” . The chief and Abram then started off at a run, and arriving in the ornamental grounds of The Retreat, the former said: “Now, Abram, you go up to the mansion and—” ‘* Any dogs dere, massa?” ‘‘No, and if there were they wouldn’t bite you, **Do as I tell you, sir.” ‘Yas, massa,” ‘Go up to the house and tell Miss Pearl that her mother and father sent you back to tell her to come too, and to hurry along as fast as she can,” ‘Yas, massa.” “Bring her bere, and I will meet you,” ‘Yas, sah,” “‘ Now go, and lose no time if you wish to earn your freedom,” Abram bounded rapidly away and Pierre Du- pont began to pace to and fro, as was bis wont when deeply excited, and he certainly was nervous, for the end was approaching rapidly that would bring him either success or failure, and the latter meant the hangman’s rope he well knew, CHAPTER XX. SPRINGING THE TRAP. PEARL had felt really hurt at having Merle Monte send for ber father and mother, and not only leave her out of the invitation, but request that she did not accompany them. She was most curious to know what it was that was so important as to drag them off in the night, and leave her behind. For a few moments she felt blue, but then she turned to her barp as a comforter, and was playing a lively waltz, when the negro butler came in to say that: “Massa Monte’s boatman, Abram, wanted to see her,” Quickly she went to the door, and Abram delivered his message well.. She had seen him at the Monte Manor, for his boat had taken them on board the yacht, and she felt no shadow of suspicion, ‘‘T am so glad mamma decided to let me go, “Twill be ready in a moment, and you, William, must look after the house,” It was but a few minutes ere her return, with bonnet and shawl on, and a toilet sachel in ber hand. This Abram took, and the two moved off to- gether down the gravel walk to the river, But suddenly out from behind an arb-r vite hedge stepped a man and a heavy cluak was was thrown over her head and a band pressed so tightly upon her mouth she could utter no cry. Then she was raised in strong arms, and knew that her captor was running with her, and in great alarm, unable to cry out, and half smothered, she swooned away. “ Quick, Peon, take charge of this girl, tie her arms, place my handkerchief across her mouth, and then walk down the bank until you get opposite the schooner. ‘Take the men, not in the boats, with you, and let them come off in the plantation boats aud join in the attack, as soon as they see me board. ‘Abram, you come with me!” ‘: Lordy, massa, am dere goin’ ter bea fight?’ cried the now thoroughly alarmed negro, feel- ing that he had been made a tool of in some bold game. ** Tf those fellows resist there will be a fight, >: ‘Come! no nonsense, or you'll get your freedom in a way you won't like, but serve me well, and you shall! have all I promised you.” * Oh Lordy!” “ Silence!” “T were jist prayin’, sab, fer de goo’ Lor’ ter hab marcy on dis sinful nigger.” ‘Silence, I say, or I'll knife you. 11 ‘Now what is the name of the negro boat- swain in the yacht?” “Conrad, sah.” “All right, now get in this boat with me.” The negro dared not disobey, and then Cap- tain Pierre turned to his crew and in a low, stern tone: ** Men, you see in me your commander, and it is my intention to make your fortune, and this night. “‘T want perfect obedience, no shirking my orders, and all will go well. ‘Now give way and let the other two boats follow this one.” The men received these words with a low murmur of approbation, and it was evident that they felt that their commander was a mam to command, and meant just what he said. The oars of three boats were let fall together, and they moved out into the stream, and then the one in which sat Captain Pierre led down the river. Soon the yacht loomed up ahead, and when they came within hail a deep voice bailed; “Ho, the boats!” “Ay, ay, Conrad,” answered Captain Pierre, assuming as much as he could the voice of his. former officer, Vance Murell, “Ay, ay, sah,” returned Conrad, and a mo- ment after the boats ran alongside the schooner. Then over the sides the pirates threw them- selves, cutlass and pistols in band, and Captain Pierre shouted. : “Spring overboard and swim ashore, you black devils, if you don’t wish to be cut down, for Captain Pierre, the Sea Marauder, bas your =~ vessel.” Surprised wholly, a mere hendful to the forces that boarded the schooner, and with no white leader, the frightened crew of blacks readily obeyed the order of the pirate and did spring overboard, for they also beheld other boats coming off from the shore, “Lively, lads! up with that anchor, and set sail, for we must get out of this,” cried Cap- tain Pierre, and bis untried crew sprung to work with a will, just as Peon came over the side with Pear! in his arms, and conscious, but ; her bands were bound and a bandkerchief was . drawn tightly across her mouth. — ** Hold up that lantern, sir!” The chief addressed Abram, and the half: dazed negro readily obeyed, holding the large battle-lantern so that its light fell full upon the group. | “Ah! my beautiful Pearl, now you see that you are the Sea Marauder’s prisoner, and that I have just captured Merle Monte’s treasure schooner to run off with you in,” cried the chief, savagely, to the poor girl who was white with alarm. ‘“‘ Bear her into the cabin, Peon, and see that she does not escape,” continvéd Captain Pierre, and, as the Indian obeyed, be turned to the duty of getting the schooner under way. * As the anchor Jeft the mud and the vessel felt the current and the wind together, the young man who had acted as Jeader until the coming of the chief, cried: *‘ Boats, ho!” ‘‘ Ay, ay, sir; the lieutenant is coming, and now I’!! capture him,” answered Captain Pierre. ‘Ho, Conrad, what means this setting sail?’ cried Vance Murell, as he sprung on board. ‘‘It means, Vance Murell, that you are the prisoner of Captain Pierre, the Sea Marauder,” answered the chief, confronting him with drawn sword and pistol. ‘Ho, you black tars, on board here!” shouted Vance Murell to his crew. _» But a blow from behind brought him to the — while his negro crew sprung into the and struck out manfully for the shore, for they saw that the schooner was already in other hands. Anfl then down the river under clouds of canvas, and driven by a five-knot breeze, the Dragon sped, her destinies guided by the bold Sea Marauder, who had so daringly captured her by his well-laid plot. Past a boat going down the river, and in . Eomicbooks.Go . .e5 oh Bw oes - —