Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 909: Midshipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

> I Og tae a i... r x A om ~ . | * i a ads 5. StS ee, 6 repairing the damage done in the action, which was confined almost entirely to the rigging of the pirate, **{ must thank you for my life, Donald!” said Captain Stewart on returning to his vessel. ‘* No, sir, beggin’ your pardon, it’s Misther Darrel, not me,” replied Donald; ‘* he turned off the cutlass just as it war a-comin’ down,” ** Quite rigbt, Donald!” confirmed Lieutenant Ballard, who had come aboard to look after his ings. ‘* [ndeed!” exclaimed the captain in surprise, ** Mr, Dare, come here!” Dare came aft, and was greeted with: ‘* My lad, it seems I owe you my life! Let me thank you for what I didn’t see, as well as what I did, and rest assured it will not be forgotten either here or at home,” Darrel flushed with pleasure at this public compliment so strongly expressed. ‘*You can go aboard the prize with Mr. Bal- lard,” continued the captain, ‘‘and act as his second in command!” Surprise and pleasure fought for mastery in Darrel’s countenance, while the former was de- picted on the faces of those within hearing. On reaching The Hawk, Darrel went below with the lieutenant, where they found the pirate captain, who had been removed from the deck. He was the only white man of his crew left alive, was badly burt, and Captain Stewart hoped to gain some information fromhim. The surgeon had, therefore, hurried to dress bis wound, + The entrance of the two officers caused the patient to turn his head, and, on seeing Darrel, to start and utter an exclamation of surprise, CHAPTER X. . MORE MYSTERY—DISAPPEARANCE OF THE HAWK. “WHatT’s the matter with you?’ asked Parkes, angrily. He did not like the job, and would have mucb preferred seeing the pirate hanging from the yard-arm, ‘** Nothing—’twas pain,” replied the patient, in excellent English. ‘*Don’t lie! You started on seeing one of these gentlemen— Mr. Darrel.” The pirate captain looked puzzled on hearing the name, which the surgeon unconsciously used instead of Dare, but made no reply to the other’s assertion, Darrel’s experience with Varney had him suspicious, and he said: , ‘* ‘You seem to know me?” ‘*PerhapsI do. I cannot tell—yet,’” replied the pirate, cunningly. He knew his wound was not necessarily fatal, that he might be—probably was, destined for the rope, and seeing Darrel was an officer and much interested in him (the pirate), or what he was supposed to kuow, would say nothing rendered more, Shortly after Grace came on board, and then, repairs being made, both vessels proceeded un- der easy sail to Kingston Harbor. | During the two days’ run Midshipman Grace was in the company of the wounded pirate al- most all the time, and they became quite inti- mate. ‘‘ Who is that young cfficer?” asked the pi- rate, the first time they were alone. ‘‘Hardly knows himself, I guess,” replied Grace, adding: ‘* Until we sunk The Dove—” ‘€ Until what?” / ‘‘ Until we sunk The Dove,” repeated Grace, wing other curiously. se ell ad ‘‘ Well, until then he was known as Ben Dar- rel, but now he is Darrel Dare—” ‘* Darrel Dare!” exclaimed the pirate, excited- ly and then regarding Grace sharply, asked: ‘‘ Did he learn nothing further than that—than his name?” ‘*Why, is that the name—the full name?’ counter questioned Grace, and then went on to relate Darrel’s story, as he had heard it. As the middy pepcecane, the pirate grew more and more thoughtful, and when the story was - finished, made no comment, ary j tan By 7s b ix 1 Bas 4 ™ ' O50 RE ada . * odes My we % é * ar _ “Mr, Grace, you’re wanted on deck,” said a seaman, sticking bis head into ths cabin, and the middy hurried above, but not before notic- ing that his name appeared to startle the pirate sir ge even more than Darrel’s bad, bio a some time before Grace returned to the cabin, interest.in him had not abated. : _ **Mr, Darrel seems to have climbed over your head,” he said when Grace had seated himself, but when he did he saw that the pirate’s _ “You are his senior?’ ® , . iu : ; . i 4" 3 : e tt . t, . ’ al : . ‘ : > LY a 4 an ‘ a - wi . is - . ‘« if e as se rr ——————— ———— SR ee Midshipman Dare. ‘¢ Yes—but he’s the favorite!” was the bitter response, ‘*Why not join a ship where you would be appreciated? A French privateer offers better chances than this,” ‘* Yes—better chances of getting where you are!” retorted Grace. ‘* Not so! Captain Stewart did not show his suspicions: of the speaker’s ignorance, but asked just as in- nocently : ‘Why? Did you not see her going out this: morning, heading for Port au Prince? This, of course, was mere guesswork, but the bait took, and the other suddenly remembered With the money I have,I could | that he had seen the missing vessel bearing in fit out a privateer that could laugh at anything | that direction. you have in your navy.” The pirate spoke earnestly, and watched close- ly the effect of his words, ‘¢‘The money you have!” exclaimed Grace in derision. ‘‘Why, you may be swinging from the yard-arm before forty-eight hours!” ‘Mr. Grace,” said the other, after a few min- utes’ thoughtful silence, ‘‘ Mr. Grace, you are from Boston, if Iam not greatly mistaken. You are expecting to be your uncle's heir, but I can assure you that the events of the past few days have rendered your chances very slender in- deed.” Grace stared at the speaker in surprise, and the pirate continued: ‘* Listen, and don’t interrupt me, for there's but little time to do what you must do, and some one may enter,” The story which the pirate proceeded to relate, affected Grace very deeply, and, notwithstand- ing the injunction of silence, he protested vigor- ously several times, and again assented eagerly, but the first words of the story, which caused the middy to shrink back in horrified surprise enee to have given the other complete control of him. ** Now,” said the pirate in conclusion, ‘‘ there’s as much gold and diamonds in a bag under this couch, aS &@ Man can carry, and you may have what you wish, but see that I am not moved un- til we drop anchor in Kingston Harbor.” Grace bowed assent, and arose to leave the cabin, saying: ‘‘ It is better for me to go on deck,” ‘** ‘You don’t seem very happy over seeing me,” said the other, with a grim smile, ** Nor am I!” replied Grace savagely. ** And Pi you'll owe me the removal of a rival, and the discovery to youof a method of revenge as well as of helping one—” ‘Stop! For Heaven’s sake say nothing of that !” cried Grace quitting the catin, The two vessels entered Kingston Harbor at sunset, anchoring close together, and many of the prize crew, including Lieutenant Ballard and Grace, went aboard the United Stateg for the night—the quarters there being in better shape and sanitary condition than they could possibly be aboard The Hawk, with its large crew of negroes, while those of the latter aboard the first-named vessel, were transferred back to their own quarters, ‘* They’ll be safe enough for to-night, and to- morrow we'll be rid of ’em,” said Lieutenant Ballard, but when to-morrow’s sun arose The Hawk was gone! CHAPTER XI. THE DRUNKEN (?) SAILORS, THE discovery that The Hawk had pare cable and stolen away during the night, was made by Allen just after coming on watch, and after looking in every direction for the missing vessel, he notified the captain of the fact. There wasa sharp though hurried investigation when Captain Stewart came on deck, but the only point made clear was that Midshipman Dare and six seamen, including the boatswain, were missing with The Hawk. The vessels bad anchored a cable's-length apart, and each of the officers who had stood watch during the night, declared the pirate to have been in view all that time—which in some one case must, of course, have been a mistake or an untruth. Captain Stewart was sorely puzzled and very angry. There were some sxtores needed, and her directing Ballard to procure them at once, he ordered the gig and went ashore. | ‘Ah, captain! | was just about to call on you!” exclaimed a man in military attire, who met the gig at the landing, ‘© Why?’ ' ** Several of your crew were found this morn- ing just below kere. They are in a very stupid condition, and unable to give any account of themselves!” : ‘So! ‘hat’sit, is it?’ exclaimed the captain, savagely. ‘* Jl get an account from them—the drunken lubbers!” ‘* Where is the other v«ssel, captain?” asked the military gentleman, innocently, after Ca tain Stewart had dispatched a message for a file of lane and the big yawl, to bring the drunkards aboar Al ' v ‘ = “op. “ ’ ed icy, L : ; Mob ae A to a SPMD AR vs oa = is as ’ - : ee ee . es. . seus 2 " : ‘4 ive ? ‘ Pim -_—¢ , ‘ ‘i t~ a» 4 | | | | . ciate & " en te a i 19 SA el 3 ‘* We must bear down toward Savanna la Mar, Ballard! Never mind the stores-—just get those lubbers aboard and weigh anchor. I’m satisfied. that fellow was sending us 1n the opposite direc-. tion. Captain Stewart had returned to the United States without leaving the landing, and now only awaited the arrival of the yaw! to get un- der way, The drunkards had to bé hoisted aboard, and when the captain ordered them put in irons the surgeon interposed: ‘Captain, these men are drugged!” ** Drugged !” ‘Yes, sir. If put in irons they will probably die without getting out of the stupor they are oH can, Lieutenant Allen, meantime, had got under way—standing down the coast of Jamaica to- ward Savanna la Mar, with every sail set and trimmed to make the most of the fresh breeze that had just sprung up. . ‘* We're getting the best of this,” observed the captain, coming on deck after breakfast. ‘‘ How mapy knots are we logging?” ‘* Hight, in the last hour, sir!” replied Allen,. adding: : ' “If it continues freshening this way, it will. soon be blowing a half gale.” ‘* Never mind, Don’t take in an inch until it’s absolutely necessary! I’d rather risk every rag being blown out of the bolt-ropes, than lose the benefit of this.” Mr, Allen’s expectation was soon realized, but the increased wind made up for the loss of can- vas, and even with her topsails housed, and jibs close reefed, the United States flew along,. logging eight and nine knots an hour, ‘*Wemust becoming upon him hand over hand!” exclaimed the captain Nase a ‘* Tf he’s ahead!” returned Alien, ‘¢ Of course, he’s ahead! But that remindsme —I must see what Parkes is doing.” Going below, Captain Stewart found the boat- swain, Donald Fraser, just coming round, and finding him able to talk, asked: | ‘** How came you to go ashore?’ ** Don’t know anythin’ about it, sir,” replied. the boatswain in a weak voice. ‘*They were all drugged and carried ashore,. captain. Trust me, you'll find that’s what hap- pened,” said the surgeon. Captain Stewart knew Donald never drank to. excess, but he was puzzled, and angry, ‘‘How could they be drugged? Who was there to doit? What was there to do it with? Don't talk nonsense, Parkes! They were drink- Very good, captain, but I can assure you it’s snuff and not rum, that these men are suffering from,” replied the surgeon. ‘‘Snutt! Nonsense!” ‘Not at all,captain. There is scarcely any- thing that will stupefy a man so thoroughly.” ‘‘ But who could do it?” persisted the captain, and turning to Donald, asked: ‘* D’ye know anything about Mr. Dare?” ** No, sir—poor lad, I hope he was put ashore wi’ the rest,’ : ‘*Humph! Ye seem to Jike him—ye don’t think, then, that twas he doctored you?” ** No, sir!” replied Donald, stoutly. ‘‘ Well, then, where is he? You were all drugged, and he’s the only one missing!” said. the ney pes? giving expression to the thoughts of all on board. ‘* It certainly does look strange,” observed the. te ‘‘but I hope no harm has come to the ‘‘So dol, sir. “You may be sure‘he’s either a. prisoner on the schooner or—or dead. The break in tte boatswain’s voice as he uttered the last words caused the surgeon to look at him in surprise. ‘‘Tmagine so much feeling in such a tough. nut!” thought Mr, Parkes. CHAPTER XII. PURSUING THE HAWK-—A HARD FIGHT. _NoTwiTHSTANDING Donald’s faith in D ' there was a queer feeling on board the United. States regarding his disappearance, and Grace’s: Very well, then, Get them out of it if you ey y NI statement that he had seen him on the fore~ % ce NA D