Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 860 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

er i i oe ad * Xe we 7h . ‘ wey solve that mystery. It was distinct enough, in vine sense, yet it seemed strangely muffled. It sounded as though rising from the ground! When he arrived at this decision he found himself with a good-sized idea, Rosebud had declared that the Sea-Horses had walled the mason up alive. This was only a theory with sans but the detective did not feel like laughing at it. Certainly, the clinking which he heard rose from the ground, unless be was greatly in error. Who was usingatrowelthere? What was being done? It wasa fascinating subject upon which to meditate, and he hovered over the spot, al- most bolding his breath in order to hear the more clearly. Clink! clink! ‘‘Tt’s a trowel, sure pop!” he muttered, ‘* but / who in time is usin’it? Ef Charles Birdston is walled up alive, he can’t be,the one, an’ef they hev got another mason, what do they want 0’ Charles, anyhow?” It was easy to ask the question, but hard to answer it. So, too, it was hard to understand the present case. Where was the trowel being used? Kit could not tell whether it was be- low him, under the sidewalk, or inside the fence, The whole matter puzzled him, The Sea- Horses had ceased to work, idle and visit for the evening, yet the clinking of the trowel was go- ing on just the same. Or was it his fancy? Willing to take a matter-of-fact view of the case, he tried to believe that the latter was the fact, but found it impossible. ‘“hié J ever heerd a trowel, tuat’s one!” he muttered. ‘‘Kinit be that Charles is in thar now ?” It was a question whica interested him a good dea]. Birdston had been his friend, and, if he was in trouble, now was the time to prove his loyalty. ) ‘I'll git inter this ranch ef I kin!” the youth decided, and then he moved toward the river again. A large-sized sail-boat lay rocking by the pier. Kit decided on two points at once. First, it did not belong to the Sea-Horses; secondly, 1t was not occupied. Where could ha find a better place from which to observe the boxt-house? Acting promptly, he boarded the crait with- out trouble. [twasnotin ‘‘ship-shape;” a good deal of stuff was scattered about the deck, and, among other things, a large pile of old weather- beaten canvas, This was just what he wanted, and he crawled under so that only bis head protruded. From there he could keep his vigil to his satis- faction, he thought, Several minutes p without developments. All continued quiet, and his impatience suggested that he had made a Vain move, **‘ Reckon thar ain’t no chance but ter climb over the fence,an’thatl can’t do. Even if I could, the watchman would gobble me up. He would— Hullo! thar he is now!” A man had come out of the boat-house, and, stopping, was looking around as though to see that all was right. The detective did not doubt that if was the watchman, but further developments were in order, After a careful survey, the man turned and spoke in a low tone; then other men emerg- ed from the boat-house until seven stood on the ier. '! Tho last six did not stop, but walked quickly forward in a group directly toward Kit, The latter kept quiet under the canvas. ‘* Lucky this ain’t their boat,” he thought. Even as the idea took form one of the men sprung to the boat, and the others promptly followed, Clipper began to feel uncasy. Was he discovered? ‘‘Get her under way at once, but be quiet about it,” said a commanding voice. The men moved with the celerity of good sailors, and, almost before Kit could realize the situation, the boat was out in the stream and the brisk wind was fanning the unusually broad sail. The detective saw that he had made a great mistake, The boat was the property of the Sea-Horses; they were off on a voyage; and he was an uninvited passenger! They headed down the stream, and the wind moved them along merrily. Kit Clipper wished himself back in Stephen Leechmere’s house, True, his presence was not suspected, thus far, but that he would escape seemed impossible. The canvas which concealed him was there for some particular purpose, he thought, and, when it was moved, discovery could not but follow, And when he was found—what then? wy See a Kit Clipper, the Boat-Club we 1“ Fre —— —- He had made up his mind that the Sea-Horses were hard characters, and he expected no gen- tle usage at their hands. Luckily, he was a good swimmer, and if, when the crisis came, he was able to leap overboard, he would not be without hope. He peered out of his peculiar refuge at his fellow-voyagers. All were young men, rough of dress and of general appearance, but the darkness would not allow him to discover much of anything else. One, who seemed to be the leader, stood near the spy. ‘‘Tt’s a good night for the job,” he remarked. ‘‘ Dark as we could wisn,” replied one of his companions, sé Yes,” ‘¢ Hope there won’t be any beaks cut.” ‘‘No fear; they love their nests too well.” ‘¢ Pity the canal ain’t done,” ‘*Tt will be, soon.” ‘¢T always feel nervous when unloading.” ‘¢ Oh! there’s no danger,” ‘‘ But a police-boat might stop us.” ae Yes,” ‘¢ It’s well that the Sea-Horses stand well.” ‘*1’m not sure that they do,” answered the leader, slowly. ‘‘Some of our boys are not as wise as they might be, and whatever they do has a bearing on the club. I wish we were more exclusive, but the Board of Directors are easy, and they argue that what we need is bold Cacti That’s all right, but no man who rinks whisky and beer too freely is fit for any use. I’m nota saint, but it’s'a fact that a hard drinker is of no use in this world, whether he’s in honest business or delicate work.” ‘¢ That’s a fact.” ‘¢ Now, there was Ginger George. He was a darling, but he got to jaa too hard, was useless to us,and is now in Sing Sing. All such cases hurt the Sea-Horses, and if too many of them come up, the club will get a bad name,” ‘* Fact, cup’n.” The boat was progressing at good speed, the breeze being all that could be desired. They kept near the middle of the stream, and the captain watched with unflagging care. At rare intervals some other craft was seen, and then they headed away so as to avoid notice. This remarkable caution added force to what Kit Clipper had seen and heard, Plainly, the Sea-Horses would not be so anxious to preserve secrecy if they had no fear of the Jaw. Nobody was more interested in their trip than the chance passenger. Sticking his head out of the canvas, like a turtle in its shell, he specu- lated on the chances. What was the errand of the Sea-Horses? What would be done with him when he was found ? Resistance would probably be out of the ques- tion, for they were six to one, and each person was larger and older than he, Their course indicated that they were going on below New York, but when welldown, their course was changed and they swiftly approach- ed the Jersey Coast. As they drew near, their watchfulness increased. ‘¢ Have you all got your weapons ready?” the captain asked. — here was a general affirmative response, ‘¢ Don’t use them unless I give the word. We don’t want to shed blood if we can help it!” Kit Clipper drew a long breath, Truly, he was in hard company when they so coolly re- ferred to such lawless matters. CHAPTER IV. A MASCOT APPEARS, ‘Ins some robbery,” decided Kit Clipper, as he looked at the dark shore ahead of him, ‘‘Mebbe some vessel is ter be gone through. Ef that’s the case, 1 reckon somebody about my size will waltz out o’ danger as soon as I kin, Don’t want ter be gobbled as one o’ the river- pirates!” Somewhat to his relief, the boat avoided all the larger vessels, and wasfinally brought up at an old pier which did not seem to be used for anything. be captain looked sharply toward the land, anda man came out of the darkness and ap- proached them. ** Ahoy!” called the captain. *€ Aho, all!” was the reply. ** How blows the wind?’ ** Nor’, nor’, est.” ‘* How rolls the water?” . ‘¢ Wrom bow to stern.” After this preliminary the man advanced briskly. : = g ~ ¥v ; xf “ Osan n . vi) is A Mascot. | LS TTT OL a ET a a ea oar ee eee ww ‘* So it’s you, Hamblin?” he asked, és Yes. ”? ** You can go back.” sé Kh 9? ‘* No cargo for you.” ‘* How’s that?” ‘¢ The net has come up empty, or, rather, was never cast, The beaks were too lively.” ‘* ‘he blazes! Were they ‘ on?” ‘‘Can’t say, but they blocked our game, We didn’t dare run the risk, and we were wise in so deciding ; but the game isn’tup yet. We want that haul, and we'll have it, if you'll give us time.” ‘* Let it alone, if there’s danger. don’t want to get into trouble.” ‘¢ No fear; 1 won’t make a move unless all is safe. I see you brought canvas to cover up the goods, but you’ll have to go back with as little as you brought under it.” it Clipper smiled grimly; there was more under 5 canvas than any of the lawless gang su ted, ‘It’s all right,” replied Captain Hamblin, ‘‘but we won't come out again until we are notified that you’ve made a haul. Word may go out that the Sea-Horses are given to night- voyages, and that won’t do.” ‘“‘T see. Well, lay low until you get word from me. Next time, we won’t disappoint you. A little more conversation took place, but it was all on commonplace subjects. Then the man on the pier retreated, the boat was shoved off, and they were soon moving along on the homeward course. The Sea-Horses were not pleased, and th growled persistently over their ill-luck, thoug cautious Captain Hamblin was inclined to. re- gard their ally’s course with approval. They did not mention the nature of the articles of which they had been disappointed, and the de- tective was not sure whether the Jerseymen had aimed to rob house, store, bank or vessel. Straight toward the boat-house they went, and Kit realized that he had an interest in their future movements, The canvas which had thus far concealed bim had been put in the craft to cover the illegal goods. These had not been se- cured, but it was not likely that things would be left as he had found them. Probably the boat would be housed for the night, and, if it was not, be felt sure that the canvas would not be left in such a dangerous place, Even thieves must take precautions against other thieves. This matter became one of vital interest to Kit. If the boat was put kf or the canvas moved, discovery was inevitable. How was he to save himself? He had plenty of time to consider this point, and the result was inevitable: the cnly plan which gave any hope was for him to leave the boat before it touched the pier, This did not give much promise, but it was the only thing he could do, Having reached this conclusion, he moved at once, but with the utmost care. Slowly, and as far as was possible, noiselessly, he crawled out from undertbe canvas, He expected every moment that he would be discovered, but the Sea-Horses were busy with their conversation. The first step was successfully taken. He did not see how he could possibly leave the boat undetected, but chance favored him. As they were making the final run for the pier, the craft struck a floating log. As it proved, no injury was thereby sustained, but it sent the Sea-Horses flying about; and, before they had recovered their balance, Kit Clipper whisked over the edge of the boat and dropped lightly into the water. They righted without trouble, and, uncon- sciousof the fact that they had lost a passenger, reached the pier soon after, While they were stowing the boat away, they had a watcher in the person of a very wet boy who sat on the adjoining pier and looked and meditated, | ‘‘ Sea-Sharks ought ter be yer name, by gra- cious!” be muttered, ‘‘fur you are a tough lot. Reg’lar robbers, ef not pirates, hey? Hum! That's a pretty go fur my natyve city. New York must blush ter hey sech critters, An’ the rleece ain’t onter the dodge. Wonder ef I’d b’lieved ef I tol’ ’em, or ef they’d be sharp enough ter git proof o’ yer iniquities?” He considered the last possibility for some time, but without acquiring much faith in the blue-coats. Another idea was also strong in his mind. ** Wish I could git in thar openly somehow, Don’t s’pose they’d let me j’ine, bu Td like it, You nor we \ com — | ve B® é TN | +