Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 483 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

—[——__ ‘Them yachts generally go well stored,” an- mounced one. ‘* Their skipper often carries a big purse,” an- Other remarked. ‘* Jewelry and sich brings good prices, and fancy chaps like them yonder is, wears a fortin’ sometimes,” a third put in. Other comments were made of a like kind, and Captain Crusve—as his men called him, from the fact that he had for a long time dwelt alone up- on an island upon the coast, like a hermit, and they knew him by no other appellation—was satisfied that there would ke no dissenting voice to an attack upon the yacht, becalmed within ‘two miles of them. To further try their humor, he said: ‘‘ And the crew, lads?” ‘‘ Bob fixed that, cap’n, by saying dead folks don’t tell what happened,” a tall, beardless young fellow responded. ‘So be it, lads, we will board the yacht to- might, and use steel, not lead, and by mornin we'll have her in a new suit, so that no one wil know her; while the Sea Sneak can hunt the ottom, that she can tell no tales.” ‘‘Is there many on board, cap’n?” asked one man, a little more cautious than the others, ‘*]T don’t think they outnumber us—and what if they do? as they will suspect no danger, doubtless be unarmed, and most of them asleep below, so we can have it all our own way. ‘‘ Now, mates, supper is ready, and after we have finished eating we can lay our plans to seize the yacht,” and setting the example, Cap- tain Crusoe at once began an attack upon the edibles, in which his nen followed him with an veagerness that bespoke more appetite than. con- science, What they were believed to be—honest coast fishermen—they were not; for in reality they used the garb of toilers of the sea to hide their deeds of outlawry, as they spent their time in robbing unprotected homes along the coast, and ‘were known as Plantation Pirates. mee ee eee CHAPTER III. FOXEY’S SUSPICIONS. *Cap’n BriLuy, I don’t half like this locality ‘to be in,” said Foxey, addressing Wizard Will, as the two sat together on the deck of the becalmed yacht, glancing shoreward. It was after nightfall, the supper had been dispatched by the young ‘sailors, the colored cook had spread himself down upon the deck to ‘sleep, a coil of rope for a pillow, and a piece of canvas for a bed; and the boys had congregated forward and were singing songs, some of them possessing very sweet voices. ‘Why not, Foxey?’ asked Will, in answer to Foxey’s remark, “The fact is, Cap’n Billy, I knows this shore ‘pretty well.” “You do, Foxey?” ‘* Fact, [I does,” ‘* How did you come to know about this coast, Foxey?”’ added Will witu considerable interest, for he was anxious to know something about the ‘youth who was so thoroughly unknown to all, as far as his past was concerned, ‘ Well, I was a cabin-boy once, on a Coaster, and one night our vessel was boarded in a calm ; . n _ . b | ‘ ‘by Plantation Pirates, as they calls ’em here- abouts, and they made short work of our craft, after they took the cargo out. “They set the crew afloat, in the yaw], ex- ceptin’ me, and they took me with ’em, and it was quite along time afore I got away, and I don’t want to take no chances with ’em ag’in.” ‘You say they are called Plantation Pirates, Foxey ?” “Vos, Cap’n Billy, for they robs the houses ‘along the coast.” “Can't they be captured?” “Lordy! nobody knows who they is, and the revenue cutter has often tried to tind ’em out, but couldn’t. ‘‘You see there are a great many fishermen and oystermen along this coast, and they is honest fellows, so nobody suspects ’em, ‘‘ But these fellers play honest fishermen, but robs all the same all that they can find, and when they took me with ’em_ their retreat was about here somewhere, and they had an awful- looking old boat, but she could sail to win, and they was a bad lot.” ‘How did you get away?” “They got so they trusted me, for I played it on ’em that it were the joy of my life to be with ’em, and one night a vessel was becalmed off here about where we is, and I know’d the pirates were going to board her, so I swam out and told “the crew, and they up anchor and drifted off “with the tide, and thus got away ‘¢The craft was bound for Cuba and landed vial : > 2 » +" , * - my rs , brs Lae he, |» rage aS ae lod i, ht ee eS a 6 < . ¢, at » ¢ Ce | ’ 5 The Ferrets Afloat. me there, and in time I made my way to New York,” ‘Well, Foxey, we must be on the alert, and not be caught napping by these pirates,” said Will. ‘*That’s my idea, and [ll keep my eyes open, you may be sart’in, Cap’n Billy, and | think it would bea good idee to tell the boys what we may expect, for my suspicions is that we'll get a visit from ’em.” ‘* How many are there?’ ‘*They’ll come a dozen strong, you may be sure, and you’d better get our guns on deck so as to be ready.” ‘*Tll do it at once, Foxey.” ‘*Don’t tell the boys I know aught about the pirates, Cap’n Billy, only say you has heard of em, and we may be attacked.” ‘TI will, Foxey,” and going forward Wizard Will informed his crew of the suspicions he had of danger threatening, and they at once got their arms in readiness for use at an instant’s notice, As the tide swept up the coast, the yacht lay broadside to the inlet, and Wizard Will thought it best to make-a better protection for his crew, in case the pirates should fire on them, and ropes, spars, and a number of things were put along the bulwarks, so as to form a barrier against penetrating bullets. Then the crew sought their places of rest for the night, while Wizard Will and Foxey remain- ed on watch. Midnight came, and not a breath of air stirred upon the waters, ‘‘[ guess your pirates are off on a cruise, Foxey,” suggested Will, getting tired of watch- ing and waiting. ‘“They’ll be along now, if they come at all— Ha! see there, Cap’n Billy!” As he spoke, Foxey pointed landward, and the eyes of the young captain fell upon tbree dark objects upon the waters. ‘*'There are three boats, Foxey.” ‘* Yes, they are the pirates, and one will go around and approach from the stern, and one on our starboard, as we now lie, for that’s tha’r game, to seem more’n there is,” ‘*T ll call up the boys.” ‘* 'Yos, for we'll soon have work ter do, ‘* Don’t you notice how silent they come?” ‘¢ Yes,” ‘*They has muffled oars,” ‘¢ Well, we will soon break the silence,” was the significant reply, and awakening his crew, Wizard Will soon had them at their posts, si- lent, determined and anxious for the ordeal. CHAPTER IV, A CLEVER CAPTURE, As quiet as a grave was the little yacht, her crew, on the alert, seeming hardly to breathe, as they watched the coming boats, For one of the boats it was hard work pulling, as they had to go against the swift-running tide, while another was coming across the cur- rent, and the third w_th it, the last having only to keep steady and come on without exertion. Seeing the manner in which they were ap- proaching, Wizard Will directed his crew to meet each boat, and with their Winchester rifles in hand the boys were ready for the fray. Nearer and nearer the boats came, each one seemingly guiding its movements by the other, so as to approach together in the attack, and board at the same time. ‘* Boat ahoy!” suddenly hailed Wizard Will, in a voice that reached the occupants of each boat. ‘Their watch is awake, but he sees but one boat,” muttered Captain Crusoe, and he an- swered: ** Ahoy, the yacht!” ** Who are you, and what do you want?” ‘‘ An oyster boat, with fish, game, and oysters for sale, ‘‘This is no time to board a vessel, so keep off,” sternly responded Wizard Will, ‘We want to see you,s0 we are coming aboard,” called out Captain Crusoe, ‘‘ Keep off, or I will fire into you,” Will re- sponded. ‘‘BRire away—we don’t care,” was the mock- ing response, and then in trumpet voice came the order: ‘¢Py)l men! all of you!” With a cheer the men in the three boats now bent to their oars, but ere their voices had died away over the waters, came the command from the lips of Wizard Will: ** Wire!” A dozen rifles flashed together, the roar seem- ing like the report of a cannon, and instantly cries of alarm, groans and curses resounded froma each boat. The fire was wholly demoralizing, for in each boat was a dead man, and one or two wounded, ‘‘ Back to the shore, for we are defeated!” yelled Captain Crusoe, and there was great con- fusion in the attacking party, while the boat being borne toward the yacht by the tide was in a bad way, as two of the oarsmen lay in the bottom, one dead, another wounded, and the, others were trying to stem the tide. But they were now almost down upon the yacht, and Wizard Will shouted: ‘* Surrender, or I fire again!” ‘Don’t fire! we surrender!” sponse, in a frightened voice. “ATI right! come along, quick!” A moment more and the boat touched the side of the yacht, and in a minute after its five occu- pants were on the deck, one dead, another with a broken arm, and the remaining three terribly alarmed, for the tables had been turned upon them and the biters bad been bitten. ‘‘Cap’n Billy, just see there! we is in luck!” cried Foxey. ‘* Well?” ‘‘The wind is coming up lively, and we can catch yonder boats.” ‘* Right you are, Foxey! All hands ahoy, to to get up anchor and make sail,” and Wizard Will’s voice sent his crew flying to their posts. ‘*T fear we won't catch them, Cap’n Will, as we won’t dare run in without a pilot after them,” said one of the crew. ‘** Pl find a pilot; bring the man on deck who had charge of that boat,” was the stern reply of the young captain. He was at once led on deck, his wrists in irons, ‘*‘A heavily-bearded, hard-faeed man he was, and he scowled savagely at his boy captor. ‘*My man, do you wish to save your life?” ‘* Tt hain’t in no danger,” was the sullen reply. ‘* We is honest fishermen and we was coming out to serenade yer and sell yer fish, and you fired on us, so you'll have to suffer fer it,” ‘*No, you are Plantation Pirates, and your vessel is the Sea Sneak, while you have a hiding- place in yonder inlet. You see I know you, and you'll hang as outlaws, so if you wish to save your neck, say so,” “How kin’ {”” eagerly asked the man, now thoroughly alarmed, : ‘By taking the tiller and running into the in- let after yonder boats.” ‘*My mates would kill me.” ‘* No fear of them, for [ll see that they do you no barm while I'll kill you if you don’t,” ** Chances are ag’in’ me.” ‘* They are, ninety-nine to one,” ‘* How do I know you'll keep your word?” ‘‘T am an officer of the law—see?” and Wizard Will threw open his coat, revealing bis badges. ‘Well, you wears ther metal, and I guesses I’ll have to do it; but when do I go?” ‘* Just as soon as your vessel has been taken T’ll let you ashore,” “Tt’s a bargain,” ‘* Now go to the helm, for the yacht is already moving.” ‘**T can’t work with irons on my wrists,” “True, Foxey, put irons on this man’s ankles and then free his hands.” A muttered curse showed that the man had plotted jumping overboard when he got near shore, ' ‘* Now, my man, I like your company so well, [ shall stand right here, and if the keel of this yacht touches bottom, I'll blow your brains out!” The man saw that the youth meant all that he said, and he took the tiller with the air of one who knew his life depended upon it. ‘‘T knows a leetle about this channel myself, and I'll keep my eye onto him, and jist post yer, Cap’n Billy, if I thinks he’s going wrong,” whis- pered Foxey, The yacht was now under way, with maih- sail, foresail and jib set, and she was gliding swiftly a'ong in pursuit of the boats, One of the boats was some distance from the other, and Wizard Will ordered the’ outlaw toe head for the furthest one away, as it was in a position to first enter the inlet and escape, ‘The other boat’s got ther cap’n in it,” said the outlaw, after a close look at the boats. ‘You wish him taken, I see?’ ‘“‘Tf he is, he hain’t likely to harm me, while ef he escapes, and you let me go, I’m likely to suffer, for Cap’n Crusoe’s a bad man to bave fer an enemy.” ‘Still I will hold on after the furthest boat, came the re- ——. oe <2