Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 320 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

Saal . J * m Pe e - . The Sea Sorceress, CHAPTER IX. A FOE’S FRIENDSHIP. WHEN the party from the wrecked yacht reached the other shore they found it rocky and precipitous, and were forced to go along the coast in search of a place where they could in safety reach the water. This took time, and upon coming a from a point where they had hoped to find a spot where they could gain the water, they saw their pursuers coming across the island. There were over a score of them, and upon their shoulders they carried a boat, while an officer led them at a quick pace. ‘That young officer is determined not to let us escape, lads, and we can only surrender,” said Ned, as he saw the boat and the ardent pursuit of their foes. ‘‘Halt or we fire!” cried the English officer, as he caught sight of the fugitives. But they had already come to a stand-still, realizing the hopelessness of their effort to es- cape, and stood awaiting the approach of their ursuers, Nora leaning upon the arm of her rother. Approaching, aud his eyes falling upon Nora, ae young officer raised his cap politely, and said: ‘* Ah! I have a fair prisoner it seems; but who commands this party?” ‘*T do, sir,” said Ned quietly. ‘‘TIndeed! you are young for a commander, and one who has led us such a daring chase. ‘‘ But are these all that were upon the yacht?” ‘They are, sir.” ‘*T hope our fire did you no harm, and, had we known there was a lady on board, we would never have fired.” ‘My sister took the chances with the rest of us, sir, and fortunately none of us were hurt; but may I ask what is your intention regarding us? ‘“You are Americans, of course?” “Yes, sir.” ‘In the service of your country?” ‘‘T am, sir, or was, on a vessel-of-war that was captured, but my comrades are simply fishermen.” ‘¢T am sorry, but I must carry you on board the vessel and let my commander say what is to be done with you.” seh You are the stronger, sir, and we can but obey. ‘*Rrom your determined flight, and the char- acter of your craft, which we saw wasa yacht, we supposed you carried some important per- sonage or Government dispatches on board, so pl 3 determined to capture you at all haz ards. ‘‘T am sorry, miss, for the inconvenience and alarm we bave put you to,” and the officer turned to Nora, while a voung middy muttered to another regarding the maiden: ‘‘ Lovely as a picture, though a trifle pale and gad-looking.” ‘She is a beauty, and looks as though she had been ill,” returned the other in the same low sone while in response to the officer, Nora said: ‘‘- You caused me no alarm, sir, and the in- convenience [ fear my brother and his crew must suffer even more than I.” ‘You look pale and tired; may I offer my arm to the boat?” said the officer. ‘‘No, thank you; my brother will aid me,” and the party started upon the return for oe beach, the British seamen carrying their at. ’ Arriving there they launched it, and with their prisoners, started upon their return to the vessel, which was lying to off-shore awaiting the coming back of the boats sent after the fugi- tives. As they ascended to the deck of the British vessel, all eyes were turned upon them with evident curiosity ; and seeing a lady among the captives, the captain of the sloop-of-war ad- vanced politely to meet them, But as he did so his eyes fell upon Ned, who caught his glance, and the recognition was mutual, for the Englishman said quickly: ‘‘What! my gallant boy pilot, is it you that I have captured? “From my heart I regret that I have given you all this trouble,” and he held out his hand Ned, who presented Nora, and then the two were invited into the elegant cabin of the ves- sel, and the captain called for wine and refresh- ments. Turning to Nora be said earnestly: ‘“‘T assure you I little dreamed that I was turning my guns upon a lady, and also one who once proved himself a true friend to me, for your brother swam off one night, when I was —_—_—_—_ —_————— eG ee RS UU EIEN eS I . lying off his home becalmed and a storm threat- ening, and piloted me to safety. ‘“‘T did not command this vessel then, and never would have done so but for him, for we would all have been lost that night; and you may feel assured | owe him aservice I can never rh rec : ed did not think it necessary to explain to the Englishman that when he so boldly swam out to save bis vessel he thought she was an American cruiser, but he said: ‘‘T must thank you, sir, fora purse of gold which I found in my pocket, and it served me well, I assure you. But as I then refused to accept money for my services I must doso now, and beg that you allow me to return the indebt- edness as soon as I can do so.” ‘* Certainly, if you wish it so; but let me re- lieve your minds at once and say that I will cruise down off your home and land you, while I am sorry that I caused you to wreck your pretty pleasure craft; but t was certain it car- ried some high dignitary of the American Gov- ernment, or dispatches of importance, as you paid no attention to my shots. ‘‘T can account for it now, when I am aware that you were her commander, my gallant young friend.” As the British commander intended to set his prisoners free, returning them to their home, the sloop-of-war was put for the Haunted Fort channel] under easy sail, for Ned did not care to land until after nightfali, as he feared busy tongues would at once make harm of it, CHAPTER X. THE ARREST. As Nora was still weak from her long illness, the British commander, upon hearing the story of how she came to be on board the yacht, at once said: ‘‘ Now, Miss Evans, I will send for our act- ing surgeon, who is also the young lieutenant who captured you, as our man of medicine was lost overboard in a storm some nights since, and fortunately Sir Lucien Lonsdale having studied medicine for his own pleasure, is able to. take his place, ‘““You doubtless found Sir Lucien a. gentle- man, and ever will do so,” and, although Nora aphae phe the captain insisted and the same andsome young lieutenant, who had so per- sistently pursued them, came in to see the young gir’, and soon gave her the medicines which she really needed to build her up. At sunset the vessel-of-war came in sight of Fort Cliff, and an hour after dark lay to off- shore, while a boat was ordered alongside to send the party, who had become guests, rather than prisoners, on shore. Lieutenant Sir Lucien went in charge of the boat, and seemed most attentive to Nora, who could not but appreciate his unpresuming kind- ness, shown her in many little ways. Ned took the helm to run through the chan- nel, and the night being dark and blustering, the seas were falling with terrific roar upon the reefs and rugged edges of the island, causing the Englishmen to admire the cool courage of the boy as he guided the Jaunch through the numerous dangers that beset its way. Arriving in the barborage between the isl- ands, Ned wanted to land on the nearest shore: but Lieutenant Lonsdale insisted that the fatigues of the walk home would be too great for Nora, and said that he would go right on to the river dock. For Nora’s sake then Ned said no more, and the launch soon after arrived at the pier in the river, Riverview Mansion loomed up grandly back on the hillside, and lights were visible in many of its windows, as though the captain and his wife were waiting to welcome home their long-lost daughter. Fancying the young Englishman, and not for- getful of courtesy, Ned invited him up to the mansion; but Sir Lucien would not intrude upon the happy reunion, and, after giving Nora some more advice as to her health, and the medicines to take, which he had carefully pre- pared for her, be raised his cap in farewell, Instantly she held out her band and he warm- ly grasped it with the low words: ‘* We shall meet again.” ‘‘TLeander, you go up with my sister to the mansion, while I run the boat back through the channel. ‘‘ Sis, ’ll soon be back, and tell father not to forget to look after Leander and bis shipmates,” called out Ned, as he returned with the English officer to his boat. ‘‘It is a shame to take you away from your home at such a time,” said Sir Lucien.” ‘Oh, no, for I will soon be back,” and taking a small surf-skiff in tow, to return in, Ned once more took his place at the tiller of the launch, and gave the order,in seamanlike tones; ‘* Give way, lads!” Out of the river glided the launch, urged. by its twelve oars, which Ned had asked to bave muffled, so as not to attract attention, and pass- ing through the island and reef channels, was soon after alongside of the sloop-oi-w ar. The night had now come on to be stormy, the waves were running wild, and the English com- mander and lieutenant urged Ned to remain on board all night, and not attempt to run back in his little skiff. But he made light of the danger, and, having borrowed the money from Leander, who had his purse of gold along which had been giver his wife, as he intended to buy stores at the vil- lage, Ned gave it toSir Lucien to hand to bis captain, saying simply: “This will square a little debt Lowe your commander.” Then, with a wave of his tarpaulin, Ned raised his tiny sail, and went flying away on bis run homeward. Safely he went through the channels and ar- rived at the river dock. With a light heart he sprung on shore and started to join those at the mansion whom he knew to be anxiously awaiting his return. But hardly bad he taken a dozen steps, wren out from behind a row of cedars, sprung two men, and he was seized in a grip which he could not shake off. ‘‘What does this mean, Constable Drake?’ cried Ned angrily, as he recognized in the dark- ness the village officer and bis deputy. ‘Tt means, my young gamecock, that you will get your neck stretched for being a spy for the Britishers. ‘¢Oh! we have watched you, and we can prove what we say. ‘‘Come along quiet now, or we’ll drag you.” Ned said nothing inreply. His heart was full, and it almost crushed him to feel the irons upon his wrists. To resist, he knew would be useless, and, though he was well aware that a loud call for help would bring his father and Leander and his fishermen to his aid, he refrained from doing so, as he felt that the result would be that they would get into trouble. So he remained silent and passive, and was taken off by the officers who told bim that they would give bim quarters in the village jail. CHAPTER XI. ACCUSED OF TREACHERY. Nep was not one to bewail his fate, though he was a boy in years, and his captors had not the satisfaction of seeing him made wretched rir te they placed bimin a cell at the village ail, ‘ Disappointed at not hearing the boy beg to be jet go, or ask regarding his fate, Constable Drake said rudely: ‘‘Now, boy, this is the cell where your mother passed some time when she was up for a witeh, and the devil came here and released her: but I guess you won’t be that lucky. ‘‘They say as how your pa has come home awful rich and bought out Judge Elmore; but his money won't save you, for you have been spying for the Britishers and that’s hanging, that is.” ‘¢ You lie, Constable Drake, and you know it, when you call me a'spy,” said Ned. ‘Oh! you may talk, for that is cheap, but you won't talk enough to get off this time, for you are a deserter and a spy. Ned laughed lightly to show his indifference and responded: ‘‘ Do you know why I think you arrested me to-night?” sé No.” ‘‘ To make money.” ‘* Well, boy?’ ‘‘You thought, as my father had returned home rich, you would make me beg off by pay- ing you a large sum; but you don’t know me, old man, for Iam innocent of wrong and shall take the consequences.” e constable muttered an oath at havin been so clearly read by the boy and left the cell, which was nothing more than a strongly-built room upon the upper floor of the little jail, which during the troublous war-times had been garrisoned by a company of home troops. A guard was placed at the door of Ned’s room, to whom he handed a note, accompanied by a gold piece, with a request that he would send it to his father at Riverview marsion, so