Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 674 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

_— ' allow you to take command, for the next news from England must be tidings of war.” **Ah! I see your plan now, Cousin Creola, and [ thank you. ‘*{ will make my proposition to the com- modore to-night, and you back me up in it by suggesting that I be given the schooner intended for that fellow Sweegan.” ** Not until you can refer to Mr, Sweegan in more respectful tones, sir.” ‘““Ah! 1 beg pardon, I° mean the Wizard Sailor, as the people call him simply because he handles his little pleasure boat well.’ **'Yes, [have seen him run out to seain her with his sister only to help him, when large ves- sels dared not beat out, and you seem to have for- gotten that on several nights of storm, when vessels struck on the sunken reef far out, that he has gone in his little pleasure boat, as you call it, to their rescue and saved many lives. **{ think, Kenton, that he has well won the title of the Wizard Midshipman, and you are the last man who should hate him, for your words against him always imply hatred. *T am giad to see that you have a desire to serve your country, though I do not give all credit to patriotism in your case, and I| shall urge father to give you the schooner, and will hope for your success, *“*Now 1 must goin and prepare for dinner, and to-night we will talk over the privateer affair, for this afternoon I shall go to Overlook Cliff and learn the truth about poor Kate,” and with a cold bow Creola Carr walked away, not even waiting for her cousin to escort her. CHAPTER XIX, THE SORCERESS’S SUSPICION. TRUE to her word, Creola Carr mounted her ae after dinner, and rode away to Overlook iff, The commodore was enjoying his usual after- dinner nap, and Kenton saw her gowith feelings of considerable dread. Creola had asked her maid several questions about the trio at Overlook, but at once saw that she had heard nothing of Kate’s alleged kidnap- ing. . Creola was a fine horsewoman, and sent her spirited roan along at a rapid pace, which soon brought her to the cabin of the sorceress. There sat Mrs. Sweegan, and she gave a cry of joy at seeing the young girl. ‘“My dear Mrs. Sweegan, what has’ hap- pened?” she said as she slipped from her saddle threw the rein over a post and advanced toward the woman, *“My child! my child!” moaned the poor woman, now breaking down from her strong will to remain calm. After a few minutes’ burst of grief, in which Creola did not disturb her, knowing that it was best, she said: ‘These are the first tears I have shed, and they have helped me, for I was nearly mad.” ** Now tell me all, dear Mrs, Sweegan.” ** My child has gone.” **So my cousin told me.” ** Your cousin, Kenton Carr?” é Yes.” ‘** It seems hard to speak of one’s kindred, but, my child, beware of that man, for he hasa black heart,’ ‘*T know that Kenton is wild—” , ** He is wicked.” **Tam sorry to hear you say so; but he told me he had come here and that Kate had been kidnapped, and you accused him of taking her away.” ‘*God forgive me if I wrong him; but I will tell you all, my cbild, and you can judge.” ** Yes, tell me all; but what motive could Ken- ton have for kidnapping poor Kate?” be Ho bas a master, and gold is at the bottom of if. * But Kenton is rich, very rich, Mrs. Swee- gan, ‘**In name, yes; but he cannot get hold of bis money, I learn, and as he is a fast man and gambles he needs gold, and Kate’s ransom would come in well.” ** I hope it is not so bad as that.” ** You shall judge.” “Yes, I wish to know all; but first tell me why you have told no one of Kate’s having been takenaway from you.” ‘** | s :ffer in silence and alone, ‘*My son is away on a voyage south, and I thought of making no outcry that I might be able to discover the perpetrators, ‘*It was Saturday a week ago, and I wént down to the town to market, going in my skiff. On my way back I met a strange boat with a strange man in it, sailing toward the town. ote me Ce ee re a re er er net = ee Me 2 The Wizard Sailor. ‘* The boat I had observed Red Ralph have in tow one day, baving evidently picked it up adrift; but 1 noticed that all forward it was coy- ered with canvas, ‘* It was dark when I reached home, and I saw no light, and Kate came not to f he me, ** I hastily lighted a lamp and called, ‘But she answered not, and I searched the house and found a piece of rope cut in twain and near it a handkerchief—here it is,” Kato looked at it quickly, and her face paled as she saw in one corner the well-known crest of her family with the letters K. C. beneath. She had embroidered the handkerchief for her cousin. ‘This was the only clew I had, and I at once knew that she had been taken away, but dreaded no harm coming to her if he had her, knowing it was done for money. “So I gave no alarmand waited, but I watch- ed as well. ‘*] saw a man come the next night and pin a letter upon the door. ‘*The man was Ked Ralph. ‘* He had gone out in bis smack the afternoon Kate was taken, and came back the next morn- ing at dawn, and he watched me with his glass all day, for Il saw withoutappearing to be watch- ing. ‘“* Tlere is the note he left, read it.” Creola did so, and said: ‘** The hand is evidently disguised.” ‘Yes! but 1 paid no attention to the letter, and then I saw your cousin visit Red Ralph, and he went on horseback and kept hidden among the pines, ‘* Three nights ago the smack went to sea, and she ran first to a point near your house and took some one on board, for I followed in my skiff. "She came back before dawn, and two men landed at Red Ralph’s cabin. ‘Then came a visit from your cousin, and though he came up the path from the village, when I frightened him with my curse he fled straight back up the shore, sprung into Red Ralph’s boat, for that man was waiting for him, and was rowed back across the inlet.” “This is remarkable.” ** Yes, and when he came here his words be- trayed a guilty conscience. ‘* Now [ have kept quiet, and I intend to do so, for not a word will I utter, and I donot wish you to do so. ‘*But watch your cousin, and see what he does, where he goes, and all, ‘*] have no fear for Kate’s safetv, and so will not worry, only watch, and when Clifford comes home then she will be found, never fear.” ‘** But this man, Red Ralph, what of him?” **T knew him in the past, and he recognized us, and he knows that! am able to pay a big ransom for Kate’s return, and the note proves that it was for that purpose she was taken.” vn will gladly pay a share of it, Mrs. Swee- an, if—’ ‘*God bless your sweet soul, my child, [ am amply able, and willing to pay it, but I do not intend to be robbed by those villains, ‘* Kate will not suffer, she is a brave gir], and Iam sure understands the situation, while by watching the two men in their movements, we thay be able to find out where she is in hiding aod rescue her.” ‘“Command me forall I can do; but I only wish that your son was here.” ‘Yes, but he is not, and will be away yet for some time. ‘*We must wait and watch, and [ am sure that they have hidden her somewhere down the coast, for the smack goes in that direction, ‘‘T will wait, and again I say, I have no fear for Kate.” ‘*T am glad you take this hopeful view of it, for it cheers me up, and I only hope Kate will not suffer from anxiety.” ‘* Not she, for she has a nerve of iron, and it was @ smart game that kidnapper played on her, or he would not have caught her off her guard. After a stay of balf an hour longer Kate mounted her horse and rode slowly homeward, her thoughts very busy in planning and plot- ting. Hor cousin met her a8 she rode up, and she saw that his face was pale, his manner nervous. ‘Did you see her?” Yes,” ‘* She did not curse you?” **On the contrary she blessed me, Kenton.” ** And the girl?” ‘** Has been kidnapped and the sorceress has a suspicion of the kidnappers, and quietly bides her time; but if Kate is not returned to her soon, without ransom mind you, she will act, as ee eee — — will also the Wizard Sailor who will not be long absent now.” ‘* She suspects, you say?” sé Yes. 9? ‘She accused me,” ‘‘ Well, she will act at the proper time,” and Creola passed on to her room, leaving Kenton Carr in a condition of mind that was terrible. CHAPTER XX, JUST IN TIME, ‘So you wish to go to sea as a privateers- man, Kenton?’ and Commodore Carr laid down bis paper, in which be had just been readin that war had been declared between England and the United States of America, and regarded his nephew keenly. ‘Yes, sir; you won a gallant name, and I hope to emulate your example.” ‘Well said, sir, well suid; but you threw away a good chance once, for you would now have been well up in the navy; now you will poy to accept rank as skipper of a privateer craft. ‘“‘T hope to win distinction, Uncle Caleb, that will regain me a place in the navy.” ‘* Why, boy, you are improving; but tell me your wish?” ‘*T desire, sir, to have you fit out, with my money, a suitable craft for me, armed and equipped thoroughly, and I will secure my officers and men, and now, as you bave just read that war has been declared, t will go to sea at once,” ‘* And if you are successful?” ‘*T will gain fame and riches, sir,” ‘*if unsuccessful, captured, in fact?” ‘*T must aecept it as a misfortune of war.” ** If killed?” ‘Then, sir, I die in a good Cause,” ‘**Good! now about your fortune” ‘*What about it, sir?’ und the young profli- gate turned pale, for fear his uncle had heard that be had already mortgaged every dollar coming to bim to a money-lender in Boston, “Well, to whom does your property go, should you be killed?” ‘To you, sir, of course,” ‘*No, Lam getting old; but I’!l tell you what I'll do.” ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘“*T will give you a vessel now ready for sea, almost, and ten thousand dollars to carry with you for contingent expenses until you begin to earn your way. ‘‘T will give you the craft and she is a fine one too, armament and all, and ten thousand, and you can go when you please—” “Oh, sir, 1 thank you!” ‘‘In return for your willing to Creola, my child, your inheritance, in case of death, and to remain in my keeping.” “VY—es, y—es, «sir,” gasped Kenton, not knowing what to say. “Why should Cousin Kenton leave his for- we to me, father?” asked Creola, and she add- ed: ‘Surely I do not wish it,” ‘My child, there is something in the will of Kenton’s parents that calls for it, and which, when he copied the will some two years ago, he did not observe, as it is a codicil upon the following page. ‘‘Tt says that in case J should marry and have an heir, for I was not married then, and Kenton Carr was to die, the estate was to go to my heir, or heirs, see?” Creola was indifferent, to her good fortune, in case her cousin should die; but Kenton Carr turned livid. He saw no codicil to the will, when he copied it for the benefit of the money-lender, and so he had mortgaged his estate under false retenses, So receiving the money, Should he die the money-lender could get nothing, and did the man know this he could send him to prison. Now, in his desperation, he was only anxious to get away, and so’said with a pretended cheer- fulness : ‘Tam most happy to sign any contract in favor of my sweet cousin, or yourself, uncle.” ‘*Well, the estate in my keeping has just doubled itself in value, though you have called on me rather heavily for funds. “Tt was left at my diseretion when to give it to you, and I have not oy you capable of managing a fortune, 8¢ have held on to it. ‘But make a name for yourself in this war, and I will turn it all over to you gladly. “T>.morrow L will have Squire Cheney up here and we can fix up the papers, your will and allelse, and you may start the next day for Bos- ton to get your craft ready for sea.” = + 7 nd | \| f (" y a, : —_— — ie po “-books.com © @ —— he, a ee ee my