Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 674 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

tom i e ~~ > ay ret: 3 ie Salt, x Pp Aart iu 2 ' me! . — 4 * Yes, sir, and if you will permit me to make a suggestion I think I can show you how you can capture the pirates,” ‘* A suggestion from a boy, Colston,” said the captain with a smile to his lieutenant, ‘Yes, sir, but I have no faith in the boy, Cap- tain Chadwick,” replied the lieutenant, The lad turned upon him with flashing eyes, and said with a ring of anger: “Then, sir, it is well for this crew and this vessel that you are not in command, else many would regret that you had not heeded the warn- ing of a boy ere a few hours bave gone by.” ‘Ha! ha! ha! He has you there, Colston; but, my lad, I wish to hear your suggestion as to how I can capture those Reef Rovers,” **T can pilot your boats up to the camps, sir, at midnight, to attack them, and thuscatch them in their own trap.” ‘*' Well said, my brave boy!” ** Captain Chadwick, the boy wishes to lead us into a trap, for I believe he belongs to the pirate band, and, afraid to attack us on the cruiser, they wish to get us away in our boats to fall an easy prey to them,” ‘“*My dear Colston, under ordinary circum- stances 1 would agree with you; but just now I do not, when I look into this lad’s manly face, I shall trust him.” **{ thank you, sir! and, as you do, I will offer you a guarantee of good faith,” ‘*\V bat guarantee can you give, my lad?” ** My lifeshal! be the forfeit, sir,” was the bold response of the boy sailor. CHAPTER V, THE TRAP SPRUNG, ‘BRAVELY said, my fine boy, for no man could do more than to offer his life as proof of goodfaith. ‘* Are you satisfied now, Colston?’ and the cap- tain turned to the still doubting lieutenant, who replied: ‘I cannot see how he can offer his life as a guarantee,” **T will pilot the boats, sir, and the officer who sits next to me can hold a pistol against my heart, so as to kill meif I lead you into a trap, And more, I will take you now to where my own little sloop is anchored, with my mother and sis- ter on board.” “* There, what have you to say now, Colston?” ** It could all be arranged about the sloop, sir, and a woman and girl on board. “I believe in being on watch against attack and thus beat the pirate crew off.” ** And I shall do as this lad urges, goin the boats and attack the pirates,” sternly saul Cap- tain Chadwick, **T am sorry that is your decision, sir,” **It is, and you, Colston, remain in command of the vessel, with thi ty men, while I take sixty to the attack, for my lad, my crew numbers something over ninety men, “You go with me in the leading boat, and though I trust you, I will say that should you prove false, I will kill you then and there, while when you show that you have told us true, and I believe you have, I will send your name in for a midshipman’s berth in the United States Navy, for we need just such material as I judge you to be made of, ‘ * Now, when do you wish to start?” **The storm, sir, will aid you, for the wind among the trees drowns all noise we may make, and the pirates will doubtless retire early, as they expect to be up before dawn to attack ou. ** Then, [ shall order the boats ready, the men doubly armed and the oars all muffled.” ** Yes, sir, and a small gun in the bow of each boat to open fire with first on the camp, would be a surprise and do greater damage.” **Do you hear that, Colston? ** Just think of it from one so young. ** My boy, you are a born sailor and fighter. ** What is your name?” ** Clifford Sweegan, sir,” ** All right, Master Sweegan, we will be off within the hour.” Lieutenant Colston sbook his head doubtingly, yet dared not say more, and left to obey the orders given him by his commander. Within the hour five boats left the cruiser’s side filled with armed men, and those left on board were all on watch against surprise. In the leading boat was the captain and the youny pilot, the latter holding the tiller, while is skiff towed behind. The wind was blowing a gale outside, and the sea thundered heavily upon the beach, sending anountain waves for up into the secluded lagoon. The Wizard Sailor. But the swaying trees rustling wildly, and the wash of the waters were in the favor of the attacking party. **My sloop lies in there, sir, not a hundred feet away,” said the lad, And he added: ** Do you wish to go aboard, sir, and see if my mother does not vouch for me?” *“*No, my lad, for I trust any boy who is willing to Cave his mother to vouch for his good name. | ‘** Keep on!” The boats continued on up the stream, and after a slow row of half an hour, came in sight of a light, and then another, *‘It is from their camp-fires, sir, and their vessels lie right ahead of us inshore,” ‘* When near, if not discovered, we can form in line and open fire with the boat howitzers and then land; but it would be well tosenda couple of boats to seize the schooner and sloops, for if there are no crews op board your men can then come On as a reserve and support ou. ** Boy, you are a marvel, and by Neptune you are the one who will gain this fight, not I, for ‘eal plans are to be carried out,” and as the oats came alongside the captain’s cutter he gave his orders to his different officers. Nearer and nearer the boats approached, now in line and then oar-lengths apart, and still nosign of life came from the pirate re- treat, All seemed to be lost in deep slumber, and the howling wind and rustling leaves deadened every sound made by the cruiser’s men in their emma hen the boats rested on their oars, the men grasped their arms, ready to land, and all eyes were turned upon the huts of the pirates, not two hundred feet away. ‘* Ready at your howitzers?” “Ay, ay, sir!” ** Aim at the huts, and steady!” “* Ay, ay, sir!” answered the gunners, in low es, * Hire !” . With the command the five boat howitzers in the bow of each boat, poured in an iron hail post the pirate retreat ashore, their red flashes umining the dark lagoon and the moss-hung trees upon the banks, Ere the roar had died away three of the boats landed their crews, while the fourth and fifth ran alongside of the pirate vessels lying near, With wild cheers the American tars dashed into the midst of the terrified pirates, and the rattle of musketry and pistols made lively music, The buccaneers were so completely surprised that they were dazed, and, half dressed and ter- rified they ran from their cabins to be shot down by the boat’s crews. Some rallied under the command of their officers, but not for long, and then they dashed away into the gloom of the forest in the rear and the retreat was taken, half » hundred men lay dead or wounded. among the camps, the ves- sels were in the possession of the victors and vast quantities of piratical booty was found. Skirmishers were sent to drive the coast out- laws still further into the dense forest, and several of the cabins were set on fire to light up the scene, “*' Where is my gallant boy here?” called out Captain Chadwick when the fight had ended. ‘*T last saw him cut down this pirate officer at my feet; but have not seen him since.” Search was made at once, but- the brave lad was not to be found. He was either dead, or had mysteriously dis- appeared, u il CHAPTER VI, AN UNFORGOTTEN FACE. THE mother and sister of Clifford Sweegan grew very anxious as he failed to return at mid- night, and they sat on deck listening and watch- ing for his return. Suddenly the woods around them fairly shook under the terrific roar of the five howitzers, and the mother and daughter dropped upon their knees and uttered prayers for the safety of the brave boy whose life was exposed to the car- nage they knew was being waged up the lagoon. He has led the cruiser’s crew to attack the pirates, Kate,” said the woman. eS mother, it is just like brother,” was the reply. And so they waited until the firing ceased and the howling winds were again hea Their su se was growing terrible, when suddenly the skiff shot alongside and Clifford sprung on deck and was welcomed by his mother and sister. ‘The captain and his men took the camp, mother, und the slaughter of the pirates was terrible; but I slip away because I did not wish to be thanked, so, as the wind is going down and has chopped round off-shore now, let us move out and go on our way,” ** As you wish, my son,” was the reply. “J will tow out with my skiff ahead, and Kate can steer the sloop, but we must be very uiet, for the cruiser lies below and I wish to -" by her without being seen.” he sloop soon after, with Clifford th the skiff ahead, drew out of the basin into the main lagoon and slowly went down-stream. As the lagoon widened into a little bay, near the mouth, the cruiser was dimly seen at anchor near the middle, so that Clifford held on close in- shore, thus hoping to elude the vigilant eyes on board, This he would doubtless have done, bad not Lieutenant Colston, not hearing from bis cap- tain, decided to turn a blue light to brighten up the dark shore around his anchorage, and send up a rocket as a signal he boped would be answered, for he still feared that the lad had led the trusting captain into a trap. The blue light at once revealed the little sloop slipping along the shores of the lagoon bay, and loud rose a chorus of voices in alarm, _ “‘T see her,” and raising his yoic> Lieutenant Colston called out: * Ahoy, that sloop!” ‘* Ahoy, the cruiser!” Clifford answered. ‘¢ Come alongside of me, or I will fire a broad- side into you!” ‘‘ Ay, ay, sir,” responded the lad, and to his mother he said: ‘It’s no use, mother, we are seen, and that lieutenant would blow us out of the water,” So he headed for the cruiser, and as he board- ed and was recognized by Lieutenant Colston, the latter said: * Ah! it is vou, is it, and trying to escape, after having led Captain Chadwick and his men into a trap. “Put him in irons, and put a guard on his ressel,” ‘* There are two worsen aboard, sir,” reported a seaman. ‘*Send them into the cabin aboard the cruiser until t discover what this young villain has been up to. Trhen turning to Clifford he continued: ‘* Now, sir, how do you like the feel of these irons upon your wrists and ankles?” ' ‘‘They are by no means pleasant, sir,” was the cool reply. ‘* Well, a rope about your neck will be less so; but now, what have you to say for yourself?” ** Nothing.” ** What?” ‘I have nothing to say for myself, sir.” ‘‘Where were you going when the blue-light revealed you?” a to sea, sir.” oe ‘Trying to escape ** Yes, sir.” * And Captain Chadwick, where is he?” ‘‘T jeft bim in the pirate camp, sir.” ‘* By Jupiter, boy, you are a cool one; but you will suffer for this. ‘For what, sir?” “ Ror leading Captain Chadwick and his men into a trap.” ‘Lieutenant, I have not done so, and you are all wrong, as you will sce when Captain Chad- wick returns.” ‘‘Boat ahoy!” shouted the lookout, and the answer came: “ Ahoy the Bee! it is I, Colston.” A moment after Captain Chadwick stepped on deck, and as the battle-lanterns reveaia’ the lad in irons he said, with marked anger: ‘*Mr. Colston, you have Overstepped your duty, sir, for what does this mean?” ‘“He was trying to tow his sloop out to sea, sir, with muffled oars, and I ordered him along. side and put him in irons, while his mother and sister are in your cabin.” - “You are all wrong, Sir, and over-zealous in your hatred of this lad. Come into my cabin, sir, with the lad, as soon as you have en the irons off of him. The officer was much crestfallen and hastened to obey, and the captain, having stopped to give a few orders, the three entered the cabin to- gether. Captain Chadwick was more interested than ever in the youth when he beheld his mother and sister. He gazed with a strange look into the face of the woman, whose face changed color, and she boo 1 wh a be opt MA a ~~ ~*