Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 683 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

Saltpeter Sol. bein’s of the outfit—the crew, I mean—one of us must be the cap’n.” ‘* Are you out for business or pleasure?” ** Business, ev’ry time. This byar craft is the raft-o’-war, Flyin’ Fish, a merchant ship o’ the Independent Line, bound fur Peekskill, Ned Brampton and §8, Wayne, cap’ns, crew and cooks, all in one,” ‘‘ An imposing array, surely,” ‘“*In brief,” put in Ned, *‘ we, being poor, are rafting our worldly effects down the river asa means of saving money. We tied up at the island to-night, and thought we were so far out of the channel that we would not do harm to any one,” ‘** Don’t reproach yourselves, boys,” Fordrest geoially answered, ‘‘ All was due to Inck and the darkness, and the chief blame rests with me, ‘Let the Dancing Dervish fly!’ was the order I gave Twombly, captain of my craft; and he obeyed, The Dancing Dervish won’t dance any more just now, but | can bear the loss. In the mcrning we will see just what the damage is. No; I don’t blame you, and how can I? I’m told that one of you assisted in saving my daughter, Caslina, when she recklessly tumbled over- board,” ‘It was Sol!” Ned explained, hastily. ‘Young Sol, I thank you heartily,” Fordrest declared, ‘' Let that suffice for now, but Ill speak of it again to-morrow.” ‘* That’s all right, sir.” , “We'll make it all right. Now, I know where we are; it is several miles to the nearest station on the Central, and there would be a long wait for a train, probably. 1s there a chance for us to sleep here?” ‘* Plenty of it,” Ned answered quickly. ‘*Then I will ask you to accommodate me, my daughter and her maid.” ‘** We shall be glad to, sir.” **Captain Twombly, take a look at the Dan- cing Dervish, and see if you can arrive at an estimate of the damage she has sustained.” The sailor hastened to obey, while Sol, seeing that the rescued girl, or Caslina Fordrest, as her name seemed to be, was shivering, suggested that she retire to the Flying Fish’s cabin and make herself as comfortable as possible, This aroused Caslina’s father, who hastened to apologize to his daughter for forgetting her com- fort. Learning that no female apparel was to be had aboard the raft, he sent a man to the Danc- ing Dervish to see if any of Caslina’s garments, there, remained dry. It was found, after wading in water, that what was needed, having been hung up, was free from any sprinkling of river moisture, and, equipped with these, Caslina and her maid, Anna Joy, re- tired to the cabin of the raft, Fordrest and Twombly consulted again, and it was decided to send the latter, and allof the sailors except one, on to New York to bring up another boat which Fordrest owned, with capable workmen, who could put the Dancing Dervish to rights again. This programme was carried out; the captain and crew went shoreward by way of the island, and the sole tenants of the Flying Fish became Sol, Ned, Fordrest, his daughter and her maid, and a saiJor named Jim Nixon, All these persons gathered in the cabin except Nixon, who declined to enter, averring that it was not his place. Edmund Fordrest proved to be a friendly, jovial man, and, despite their previous ill luck in acting the part of Samaritans, both the young raftsmen made him welcome, acted the part of courteous hosts, and did all they could to help him, They were positive that kindness to him would not be misplaced, asin Jimmy Flocton’s case. Caslina was an interesting young lady of twenty, who hada fair share of beauty. Dia- monds glistened in her ears, and all things went to indicate that the Fordrests were well supplied with worldly goods and means, 4 Edmund was still curious in regard to the raft and its owners, and Ned gavea full history of the case, omitting nothing except what concern- ed their late lawless guests, Of them and the double attack on the raft he said nothing, Mr. Fordrest became a hearty sympathizer. He saw that the idea of the raft was born of boy- ish love for novelty, romance and adventure rather than what was practical, but he admired the ingenuity with which it had been carried out thus far. : ‘* Pil see you on your way again,” he promised, **and you shall lose nothing by harboring us.” ** Don’t mention it!” Ned requested, ** Are you sure your craft is all right?” **T think it is.” ** Tt ought to stand a collision,” y : 5 of 2 EL LL LLL LL LLL LLL LEE — 4°, _** Seemed as ef *twas going all ter smash when the kerlision came,” Sol admitted, ‘‘an’ I ain’t sure we be all right. Can’t be much hurt, though.” ‘* if injured, ’ll see you made right. all blame for the accident,” All finally lay down. and secured a little sleep, but the nicht was about over, When Sol awoke hesaw thesun first ofall, shining from a clear sky: a very gratifying change from the clouds which bad lately pre- vailed. The whole party was soon astir, and prepara- tions were made for breakfast. Jim Nixon, in the mean while, looked to the Dancing Dervish, and found that, though helpless in her present condition, she could be repaired without much trouble or expense. She still lay, in shallow water by the side of the raft. After breakfast attention was given to the Fiying Fish, and it proved that the latter was in- jured far more than had been thought. The collision had been just right to cause damage, and the steering apparatus was broken, and the end of the raft so disarranged that a part of the cargo was in danger, ‘¢ Here’s a big job!’’ Sol confessed. ‘‘ Wave you tools to fix it?’ Fordrest asked, anxiously. ‘¢ Yes,” s Then you can count on Nixon and me to elp.’ * * But it may take all day.” : ‘* Never mind. I’m bound to wait for my re- lief boat, somewhere around here, and why not make myself useful? Bring out your hammers, and other tools, and we’llturn to and fix the Flying Fish fit for wing-work again!” I take CHAPTER VII. FOUND IN THE CABIN. THE work began. Fordrest showed some skill as a carpenter, but Jim Nixon was_ useless, Being a sailor and nothing more, he could not even drive a nailaccurately, and he was allowed for some time to sit in idleness, Later, use was found for him. It was found that much of the cargo must be shifted to get at the injury, and here Jim came in useful. He moved the goods uncomplaining- ly, some having to be carried to the island. Noon found the repairs only half completed. ‘‘We sha’n’t get in motion tcr-day,” Sol admitted, while they were eating dinner. ‘‘ Well, there’s another day coming,” Ned answered. ‘‘ Yes; ef it don’t git belated.” '‘ Have patience, boys, and you'll be all right. One might lie here a weak and not mind it; the place is-pleasant, peaceful and safe.” So decided Fordrest, but the raftsmen were not wholly of his dépinion. They remembered Flocton and Eliza, and wondered where those strange persons were. Jimmy had left with threats upon his lips. Would he carry them out? Was hestill near? Washe watching them from ambush? Would he, when night came, again reinforced, perhaps, by men as evil as himself, make another attack? Such possibilities were not pleasant to dwell upon, and the navigators would haye been more leased if the Flying Fish had been hourly drift- ing nearer her destination. As the party arose after eating, Caslina chanced to disarrange tue piece of carpeting which lay loosely upon the floor, and this brought to light something which she first look- ed at in surprise, and then bent and picked up, ‘‘ A bracelet!” Fordrest observed, ‘*I did not know, young men, that you carried jewelry.” ‘¢ Tt don’t belong to me,” replied Ned. ‘¢ Nor ter me—hardly !” Sol added. ‘‘ Didn’% you drop "it, miss?” Ned continued, addressing Caslina, The latter did not answer; she was looking at tke bracelet with strange intentness, and it was to be seen that her color changed, Fordrest noticed that it was but a cheap affair, and he jovially asked: ‘Do you claim it, Cassie?” ‘ Mather,” she cried, ‘did you ever see tais bracelet?” Prt. INO.” ‘But you have. Look at it carefully!” ‘* Don’t expect me to recognize such a vanity and empty trifle.” ‘¢ Mather, it was Sarah Stoltz’s!” ‘What?’ cried Fordrest, sharply. ‘¢T’veseen Sarah wear it many a time,” He snatched the bracelet away, and regarded it with dilated eyes. : ** Useless!” be finally commented; ‘‘I never could remember such things, But, child, you ae Als “ , ; ; %, A tun & - a i 40 aN Lectin it ee yeh Le eit a @ (@) e et , o e. i ge eo se 4 ed YG rd ‘s - a _ . a surely are mistaken. How could her bracelet come here?” Caslina turned a doubtful gaze upon Ned and Saltpeter Sol, ‘* Perhaps remarked. ‘¢ Ef it was here afore you, I should say ’twas left by one Eliza Burch, ter wit, namely,” Sol replied. ‘* Who is she?” ‘* Now you’ve got me!” ‘* Boy, if Caslina is right, we must know all about this matter!” declared Fordrest, with stern emphasis very unlike his late kindness, ‘‘Hev we refused any infermation? Mebbe you taink we’ve got somethin’ ter conceal?’ ‘Pardon me, my young friend; I meant no harm, But pray tell me all!” ‘* We've had other passengers sence we set sail in this man-o’-war; a male an’ a female; an’ the male was a ’tarnal snake with p’izon on top all around his fangs. He smote me, an’ we had it hip an’ thigh, on’ all the rest o’ the j’ints an’ muscles; but we driv him out o’ the sanctum, an’ now he’s cornspicuous by bis absence as ’twere,” ‘1 don’t understand,” Sol was bracing himself for another effort, but Ned Brampton came into the case and took the burden of explanation upon himself. He told the story well, and both Fordrest and his daughter listened with rapt attention. Several times they interrupted with questions, and mani- festly, they grew more excited as the story went on. ‘*Describe this Eliza!” ordered Fordrest, as Ned paused. The youth managed to givea fairly good de- scription. ‘* By my life! tioner declared. ‘‘ How else should the bracelet be here?” asked Caslina, quickly. True, true.” ‘* Father, after our long hunting we have, at last, almost encountered her!” ‘* Why didn’t we arrive sooner?” ‘¢ But the man—who can he be?” ‘¢T don’t know, but of this rest assured; Eliza Burch and Sarah Stoltz are one and the same person.” ‘* And she has escaped us!” ‘*No, no! Weare on her trail, and she shall be hunted down. YTll go tothe nearest village, and telegraph our detective in New York, ‘¢Tt seems she is still in evil work.” ‘Why not? One like her would do anything.” The speaker’s gaze wandered, and then rested upon Sol. He sighed and added: ‘‘Of course you are wondering at our strange talk, and I will explain what it means, Nearly a year ago a servant-girl who gave the name of Sarah Stoltz entered our home, having been en- gaged to care for my two-year-old grandson, Joseph Fordrest, only child of my deceased son, Joseph, senior, She wasa fair-appearing girl, but, to be brief, she stole my grandson and dis- appeared. Since then [ have bunted far and wide, had many detectives on the track, and spent thousands of dollars to find the cbild, but you have given us the first clew, The descrip- tion of the girl, together with the bracelet, makes me almost positive that it was Sarah who came here,” . ‘‘ She’s got a partner worse than her, fur while she was right downcast, now an’ then, Flocton was as flippy as you please,” ‘Sarah was often downcast and gloomy at our house,” added Caslina, ‘Very likely, this Flocton was then, as now, her evil genius, and led her to steal Joseph,” sug- gested Mr, Fordrest, “They must be captured, father.” “True, true; I'll go and telegraph, immedi- ately. Boys, I'll leave Nixon to help you, but L must be excused,” ‘‘ Sartain, sartain!” Sol agreed, heartily, Fordrest acted upon his plan and departed at once; then, when the excitement had worn off somewhat, the raftsmen and Nixon resumed work. All the afternoon it went on, By five o’clock the Flying Fish was in as good condition as ever and ready for progress, but the rearranging of the cargo took up so much time that, when it was done, it was decided not to start until the next morning, Fordrest bad returned, and, as. there was no sign of Captain Twombly, the former was unwilling to leave the place. Again night fell. The little party were far from being Con- tented, and Fordrest was no longer the jovial companion he had been. His troubles had been these boys can explain,” she I believe it was she!” the ques- brought back afresh, and he and Caslina were in — Lay 4 ; . ' : 2 ¥ 11ICDOO| — i _ a ; | ; |