Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 683 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

ae Saltpeter Sol. “Hawks ketch chickens, we?” ‘‘ We’ve never wanted for money, and there are men enough now who would pay you well to crack a crib, or do anything in your line. I’ve never refused to be a decoy for you, but this job goes against my grain.” ** Rubbish !” ‘‘The man who hired you to do this was a fiend, and we are no better,” “You fool!” Flocton muttered, savagely. ‘Call me what you will, but one thing you may as well understand—-if you do harm to these boys, I blow on you!” ‘¢ You will?” cried Jimmy, furiously. ‘¢-Yoes, I will!” was the defiant answer. ‘Do it, and Pl—” You'll what?” ‘* Never mind; don’t let us quarrel, Lize,. I know you’re a prize-package girl, and won’t do half as bad as you say.” ‘¢ And Isay 1 won’t have you injure the boys!” Eliza reiterated. ‘¢ Rest easy, old woman;I promise that I won’t dothemup. The ‘ stuff,’ however, we must have. We get a boodle for nabbing it, and I ain’t the lad to let no chance slip. Miad that? But it won't be necessary to harm the kids; all is to be done on the sly. That’s orders, If there was to be a racket, would I have brought you? Not much! I told you, first off, that you were to come along as a blind,,so they wouldn’t sus- t. ** Tt’s mean to rob tkem.” “Say itagain! Great Scott! I think it’s fun. And they ain’t got a suspicion that there is a boodle on the raft!” Jimmy seemed to see a great joke in the fact, and he chuckled a long while over it, Eliza was silent. Knowing of old that Flocton’s word was; valueless, she was by no means sure that the boys would not be harmed, but her confederate had talked her into silence. She stood looking off into the darkness in gloomy thought. She was Flocton’s wife, and, with him, she was treading a path of crime. Her better self was not wholly gone, and there were times when her conscience grew active, but Jimmy exercised great influence over her, and drew her along as he wished. ne her steps were ever along the downward road, | Flocton finally aroused her roughly, and they rejoined the young raftsmen, altpeter Sol was more than ever inclined to dislike the guests, and he bestowed no ceremony pe them, but Ned Brampton was more hospit- able. He suggested that all go into the cabin, and they went. A lamp was lighted, and they sat down. Jim- my seemed to feel called upon to say a good deal, and he said it. He talked like a race-horse, and told stories which he, himself, thought so funny that he laughed loud and long, at intervals, Ned smiled, too, in duty bound, but Sol was sulky and silent, and Eliza closed her eyes and feigned sleep. Sol studied her face curiously, and could not fail to see that she was dissatisfied and gloomy. This was not surprising, he thought, if she hed to ao Jimmy’s company, 89, though he thought a deal, he formed no definite opinions, everal attempts to draw him into conversa- tion failed, but, at last, he spoke abruptly; ‘Time to turn in!” “Tis getting late,” Flocton agreed. + Weill adjourn.” ‘‘ All right; Lize and I will leave you here, ane go ondeck.” “The young lady isto have the cabin,” Ned explained, ‘“‘and the rest of us will sleep on deck,” ‘I can’t agree to that!’’ Jimmy declared, hasti- Why shouldn’t y. “Why not?” * Lize and I won’t rob you of your quarters, She and [ will sleep on deck.” ‘¢ Tn the open air?” ‘6 Yes, ou don’t mind it, do you, Lize?” ‘* No,” she replied, sullenly. ‘Then we'll do it.” “Did it ever occur ter you that Ned Brampton an’ me are cap’n an’ first mate here?’ abruptly asked Saltpeter Sol. “ Why, of course you are, but—” ‘* Then our word goes!” ‘Yes, but-—” ‘* You’ve heerd the programme. The gal is ter hey the cabin, an’ we three ‘is ter sleep on deck, So Captain Ned B, has said, an’ what he says, go2s, We'll sleep ’cordin’ ter the bill o’ ladin’, or we will go ashore an’ git more fastid’us quarers, whar we kin sleep on the roof. Ketch on Thore was nothing coarse or vulgarly stubborn about Sol’s way of speaking, but it was full of quiet determination. Flocton’s face flushed with anger. CHAPTER IV. A GRAPPLE IN THE DARK. EVERYTHING pointed to an outbreak, but Jimmy, angry as he was, realized the need of caution and controlled his reckless tongue. ‘¢ Tt don’t seem right to drive you out of your quarters,” he remarked, pacifically. ‘* We're all right,” asserted Ned. ‘¢ T,ize and I would be glad to take the deck.” ‘6 Wo couldn’t think of it.” ‘6 An’ we won't!” added Sol, under his breath. ‘¢ We yield to your way, of course,” returned Flocton, ungraciously. ‘‘ And I, for one, am ready to turn in,” All arose. Jimmy gave Eliza a warning, knowing glance, and then moved toward the cabin exit. He and the raftsmen went on deck, “You will find a reccss among the goods, right there,” explained Ned, ‘‘and you'll get cover simply by dropping the canvas after you crawlin, You'll be free from all dew and raw winds,” ‘* Thank ye, on dt Flocton tried to be jovial, and he lost no time in crawling into the recess named. Sol and Ned went to another, which was just like it, Little conversatiou passed between them as they settled down. Sol was not yet ready to forgive his friend for being so hospitable to those he did not like, and, though friendly, he did not encourage useless speecb. Ned was weary, and, having nothing upon his mind, he soon fell as‘eep. Sol noted the fact with satisfaction which was somewhat dimmed by a resolution he had made, He arose, moved his blankets to suit himself, and lay down near the opening of the recess, By moving the canvas which hung over the entrance a trifle he could gain view of a large part of the deck, and this he proceeded to do, He had determined to keep a watch through the night, and make sure that no harm came to themselves or the Flying Fish, ‘* That Jimmy Crook is a tough one, an’ don’t mean any good!” he murmured, to fortify his resolution. ‘* Pil bet my last year’s shoes he’s a sand-bagger when he’s at home on the Bowery an’ that his pictur’? shows up in the Ro ues? Gallery. He’s built jest that way. But he don’t want ter come no shines on this palace steamer, fur thar’sa chap at the foretop-gallant, main- mast cross-trees, on watch, an’ that same is §, Saltpeter, Esquire!” The worthy young raftsman was a trifle weak in his nautical phrases, but, having gone on a voyage, he was bound to talk as near like one bred to the salt, rolling waves as possible, It was easy to resolve to keep awake, but not so easy to do it. The situation was peaceful and quiet, and the barely-audible rippling of the water, and the gentle rocking of the raft, were like being rccked in a cradle and sung to in strange measures. It had effect upon So). He kept awake bravely until an hour had passed, but the sleep lost on the previous night made it hard to resist Nature. The rippling eound of the water grew fainter; it seemed to be miles away, and then Sol Wayne slept. Two hours more passed. It was about mid- night. All was quiet on the raft; the night re- mained dark and clondy. Suddenly Sol awoke. At that time he did not know what caused it, but when, the next day, a mouse was found on the raft, be understood his vague impression that some small object had run across his face. His nerves were good, and he did, not start. He improved the chance to } look out again, however, He could see the canvas that hung over the recess where Jimmy Flocton had gone to sleep; it hung without motion. ‘¢ Wonder ef J, F. is in thar?’ mused the rafts- man, ‘lve fell asleep at the main-mast cross- trees topgallant sails, fur which I ought ter be court-martialed. Wonder what Stowaway J. Flock has been doin’, meanwhile? Id like ter peek inter his bunk!” The canvas stirred in front of Jimmy’s ‘*bunk,” yet there was not much wind stirring. ne corner of the curtain was pushed aside, and a white face became visible in the darkness. ““Cap’n Kidd is reconnoiterin’!” thought the along of the Flying Fish, in sudden excite- ment, The face remained stationary, as though its ‘owner was listening and looking. Sol followed his example, but took care not to make himself A long pause ensued, and then Flockton crawled out of the recess. He used the utmost care, and not a sound betrayed his movements; if Sol bad not been on the watch, he would not have heard him at all, The skulker’s gaze was upon the boys’ quar- ters, and he crept that way. Sol released the small corner of the curtain which he beld, and prepared to feign sleep. He ex;ected Flocton to look inside, but the latter, after reaching the curtain, stopped again, , Evidently he intended to satisfy himself by means of bis ears, not by his eyes. After awhile the raftsman heard him turn away, and then Sol again looked out. He saw Jimmy climbing upon the cargo, It now became clear that the passenger had some secret scheme afoot, and young Wayne was resolved to watch him. This he could not do from his present position, so he crept out boldly but quietly. Jimmy was among Ned’s furniture, turning over the various articles, peering under the covering here and there, and acting like any- thing but an honest man, ‘‘The measly scamp!” muttered Sol; “I knowed he was no good froni the first, an’ now I reckon he’s a thief. Shall I jump on him? No: I’ll wait a bit, an’ see w’ot he finds.” This decision was all right, at first, but it did not remain so, The man, failing to find what he wanted, began to disarrange the carefully- laden cargo in a way which aroused Sol’s anger afresh. If Flocton was allowed to go on he would make several hours’ work for them. The raftsman sprung to the top of the cargo. ‘¢ Drop it!” be commanded. Jimmy started up, and, so startled was he, he obeyed the figurative order literally and did drop an article he chanced to have in his hand, He gazed at the raftsman in bewildered dismay, ‘You'd better hire out as a ’longshoreman!” Sol sarcastically added. Eh?” ‘‘ What yer doin’ there!” ‘‘ T was—I was hunting fora knife I dropped,” stammered Flocton. ‘Yes, you was! Tell that ter the marines} I’ve had my eye on you, old chap, an’—” ‘¢7)] fix things all right.” ' ‘No, ye won’t; you’ve poked enough in that cargo. t it alone!” ‘“* Can't I get my knife?” ‘‘ Rubbish! You ain’t lost no knife. I’ve had an eye on ye ever sence you crawled out 0’ yer den. Isee how you skulked, an’ come to listen at my curtain, an’ tried ter besosly. You’rea thief! that’s what you be!” ‘‘ You're a liar!” cried Flocton, hotly. ‘¢ Don’t put your cap on my head.” ‘Pretty way you have of using folks!” ** T s’pose your way is all right, eh?” ‘‘Now, look here, young feller, I’ve had enough of your cheap talk!” Jimmy declared, ‘¢ You dry up, or you'll git burt,” ‘“T ain’t afeerd o’ you! You ain’t?” ‘* No, sirree.” Flocton advanced a step. ‘‘ 7m a good mind ter do you up!” he asserted, ‘‘ But you won’t. Tl tell ye what ye will do; you'll leave this raft, right off, quick!” ‘6 What!” Skip!” * ‘You don’t mean it.” ‘“ You bet, I do! I don’t keer ter have no thieves aboard. I’ve been s’pish’us 0’ you from the first, an? hey watched you. I knowed you'd try miscbief ter-night; I set out ter ketch ye, an’ I hev!” Jimmy was silent, He looked hard at Salt- peter Sol, as_if considering the chances of the situation. Hesaw himselt badly placed; he had come aboard the raft by means of a prearranged scheme, and with a fixed purpose, He had been baffled in his attempt to carry out the plot secretly, and it was plain that he must now give it up or rely upon other than secret measures, There was too much at stake, from bis point of view, to yield without an effort, and he made new and sudden move. Without any warning he sprung upon the boy raftsman, Sol had been expecting this, and was ready for it. He had taken along a wooden club, well fitted for offense or defense, This he had kept concealed, but ready for use, and, when the ruf- fian made bis attack, the raftsman, without giv- ing way a foot, aimed a swinging blow at his sos iy If his aim had been perfect his execution would have brought mpeorly victory, but the ex- temporized weapon only gave a glaneing blow to Flocton's head, ” gh : Fe i - —_ \ Re IOOKS, COrT' oe A ‘ ”