Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 909: Midshipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

“ eS wil, wes * or . Midshipman Dare. 9 ——$—————————————————X—{c«_x{_zz__—————————— with a heart beating so loudly that he felt sure it was that, and not his really fine appearance, which caused people to stare at him, Emily King answered his rather timid rap of the big knocker, and the delighted ‘‘Oh, Mr, Darrel!” with which she greeted him, evin be- | fore extending both her hands, set the middy’s already fluttering heart going worse than ever. ‘*Come in! come in!” she cried, dragging him into the parlor. ‘* Now tell me where you’ve been, and what you’ve been doing!” was the next order of the imperious little beauty. Now Darrel Dare was just the kind of a fellow to recite all about other people’s doings, but when it came to detailing his own—! But Darrel was saved all further present trouble by the entrance of Captain King, who was delighted to see him and to whom the middy delivered Captain Stewart’s letter. Leaving Kmily tocare for Darrel, until his wife came, Captain King retired to the library to peruse his friend’s epistle. He had hardly left the room before Mrs, King entered and greeted Darrel very kindly, asking in a general way regarding his experience, and particularly regarding Captain Stewart, in answering Mrs, King’s questions, Darrel was unwittingly in a fair way of making a hero of himself, when the captain entered and saved him the trouble, Going up to Darrel, he took him by both hands and shaking them heartily, said: ‘*My dear boy, you’ve certainly won your shoulder-straps! Let mo see your sword and pistols—those you got from the pi: ate!" Biushing till the blood showed red through the bronze, Darrel exhibited the weapons, which ex- cited great admiration, ‘* Shall you go to see your uncle, Mr. Darrel?’ asked Mrs, King, “Ob, IL forgot! My dear, Mr. Darrel is no longer Mr. Darrel, but Mr, Dare. Let me read you Charley’s letter,” and Captain King read-a detailed account of Darrel’s services and ex- perience, ’ This, if possible, made the young midshipman more interesting than ever, ‘*But I should‘callon him,” advised Captain King, ‘and try to find out what he really knows about you. I will accompany you if you wish— but to-morrow will be time enough for that. You, of course, will rémain with us while asbore,” : It was like another paradise for Darrel, and the day and evening passed like a dream—most of the former being spent outdoors in the com- pany of Emily King, and the latter in the par- lor, where Darrel was skillfully drawn out by the captain, and without being at all aware of it, proved what a really brave fellow he was. Next morning Captain King and Darrel were rowed over to Fiushing by two of the former’s negroes, but as in all other matters connected with his name, Darrel was doomed to disap- pointment, CHAPTER XVII, PLEASANT DAYS—PROMOTED, TuE trip to Flusbing was fruitless—Jabez Smith, Darret’s reputed uncle, laughed at the story 0. the pirate, and when Darrel asked to see Mrs, Smith, ordered him to “clear out!” _ Don’t come here with yer cock-and-bull stories about pirates! Ye’y’ gone and ye must stay—so, Clear out!” were Smith's final words as he entered the house, barring the door after im, ‘‘Don’t feel downcast, Darrel!” said Captain King, as they returned to the boat. ‘ That fel- low knows gi and so does his wife. The fect that he would neither tel] you any- thing himself, nor let you speak to her, proves that to my satisfaction. ‘* But what good is that to me?” asked Darrel. ** He will never tell me—nor allow her to do so, if he can prevent her.” ‘* Precisely—if he can prevent her! [ wil] send a smart fellow over here to watch him, and the first time ho goes off in his boat you can “come over and talk to her. Darrel shook his head doubtfully, but bright- ened up a little. Had he »vitnessed the scene that followed Smith’s entrance of the house, he would have remained downcast. ‘That brat’s come back!” he exclaimed, after barring the door, ; ‘* Darrel?—Ben, I mean!” said Mrs, Smith, her face lighting up with pleasure. ‘* Why—who else would it be? Have you been dealing in others?” sneered her husband. te x. Cupciae like to see him,’ faltered Mrs, ith, i P * és ¥ 2 4 7 ba oy J - ‘ . * hire’ 3 a . A ane i we rk Fa ** Would you? Well—you listen to this: We won’t be here long, but i’ he comes around here while I’m away, keep him out! If you let him in or speak to bim, ll brain ye! I’m goin’ away to-night, but you'll be watched.” Meantime, Captain King and Darrel had at the gangway to look after those who came aboard, felt sad and lonely as he watched them. Iivery man on board—every man except Dar- rel Dare, had some relative, some friend, to bid him good-by and wish him good luck, Presently he saw Captain King approaching. reached the boat and set out for New York, the | with a large party, and resolved to be carefully former driving all thoughts of Smith out of his polite—nothing more, companion’s hend by informing him that he had been recommended for promotion, and sostrong- ly that he was certain of gaining bis step, Arriving home in due course, and having ex- plained their disappointment, Captain King went down-town to find the man who was to watch Smith, leaving Darrel to the care of the ladies, Kaily Sing was not only pretty but wealthy, and vhough the numerous callers at the King homestead came ostensibly to visit the mistress of the house, mavy anxious, envious glances and thoughts were bestowed upon the handsome young midshipman, who was treated go kindly by both Mrs, King and Emily, , To Darrei if seemed like a dream of happiness, from which there must be a cruel awakening, but he was happily disappointed, ‘Captain Stewart!” was the announcement, one evening two weeks after Darrel’s arrival at the King homestead, Mrs, Stewart was now on the fair road to re- covery, and he had taken the first opportunity of visiting his friends, ; ‘And I believe I’ve good news for you two gentlemen,” said Captain Stewart, after a few minutes’ conversation, ** You, Harry,” he continued, “ are appointed to the command of the corvette we captured— she’s now the ‘ Rattlesnake’—and you, Mr. Dare, will be her third officer.” Both the newly-appointed officers were de- lighted, but neither Mrs, King nor Emily ap- peared to show their joy, and Darrel’s counte- nance, too, scon began to look a little troubled. “What's wrong?” asked Captain Stewart, his sharp eyes detecting the shange. ‘* L hope [ will not be thought ungrateful,” re- plied Darrel, ‘‘but I would rather have re- mained a midshipman on board the United States,” There was a general smile over Darrel’s way of saying he wished to remain with Captain Stewart, and the latter said: ‘* Never mind, /ieutenant, we shall be close to- gether,” and turning to Captain rorig ‘* We sail together for the West Indies in a week,” The last piece of information drew attention from Darrel’s blushes at being addressed by his newly-acquired title, es By Jove, I’m glad!” exclaimed Captain ing. | ‘‘ Harry!” said Mrs, King, reproachfully. ‘** Well, now, don’t blaine me, Nellie, I’m a sailor, but if L was left in the dry-dock much longer, I'd get so rusty that I wouldn’t know the foretopsail from the mainyard!” But this failed to satisfy Mrs, King, and she looked troubled for the balance of the evening— both ladies retiring carly, The proposed trip was discussed by the gentle- men until a late hour, Darrel being included in the conversution, although he was a better listener than a talker, During the week preceding their sailing, Dar- rel was kept busily engaged in assisting to pre- pare the Rattlesnake for sea, and nothing was seen of him at the King homestead until the day prior to ber departure, When he called, Darrel found Mrs, King and Mrs. Macomber, the wife of the first officer of the Rattlesnake, seated at the entrance to the garden back of the house, while Emily, with a number of young ladies and gentlemen, were at the further snd, Up to. the time of his entrance Emily was quiet and thoughtful, but, after giving Darrel a cool welcome and introducing him to the others, she became very merry, and flirted most outrageously. Darrel stood the unexpected neglect for a short time, and then sought the company of the married ladies, but they were exchanging conso- lations, and he bade them good by, leaving with the feeling that he was mistaken regarding the interest taken in him by the King family. Searcely had he gone when Emily—pl headache—retired to her room, and when she appeared for supper her eyelids were very red and her cheeks very pale. : CHAPTER XVIII. p AT SEA-~A DOUBLE VICTORY—GRACE, THERE were a great many visitors to the ships on the morning of sailing, and Darrel, standing erie «+ . ° a . “44 "Fg : P eS | a" % a’, ee! & ak bk eu ; oor » het ate fas et. ee swe WO idehes APeahrhorg pease tf war Wey arG a y ‘‘For it is plain they consider me beneath them,” thought Darrc), But his heart warmed a little, and he thanked Mrs, King with a grateful smile, when she stop- ped to say she wished him a safererurn. ** And Vm sure it will be with distinction!” she added, as she turned away, Emily bowed as she passed and he saw no more of her until the visitors wereleaving, She was almost the last to go and, holding out her hand, said: ‘*T pray no barm may befall you, and—and— I’m very sorry !”—and then she was gone, It was rather enigmatical, but Darrel thought he understood it. Perhaps the tears in her eyes and her tremulous voice gave him a clew to her meaning—although parting with her brother might cause both, The voyage down to Port au Prince — the first port they stopped at—was a rapid one, the weather being fine and the winds favorable. The second officer of the corvette was a Mr. Rawson, a fine seaman, and one to whom Darrel took a wn i, liking. His most pleasant surprise after getting under way, had been to find that the old boatswain of the frigate, Donald Fraser, was on board the | Rattlesnake, These two had become great friends, and dur- | ing the cruise Donald told Darrel that on the night he fell overboard the foot-rope had been cut. ‘I looked at it next mornin’,” said Donald, ‘‘and [ found it fresh cut—and the nearest one t’ye was that imp, Grace!” Leaving Port au Prince, the two veasels cruised across the Caribbean to Carthagena, and on nearing there, work commenced in earnest, Captain Stewart had changed his mind, and was about to bear off toward the Mosquito Coast because of information received from a neutral, when two vessels were discovered coming from toward Carthagena, Both strangers were under full sail, and evi- dently in company. ‘What d’ye make of them, Mr, Dare?” asked Captain King, as Darrel descended from aloft where he had been viewing the strangers through his glass, The one to windward is a schooner, and if I’m not greatly mistaken, it’s The Hawk—the one that slipped away from us at Kingston, The a “¢ about our own style—French,” replied arrel, ** Dye think they will be fools enough to bear down on us?” ; ‘* Not after a good look at the frigate. The geese of the schooner knows her too well for a . ‘Clear thedecks! Beat to quarters!” ordered Captain King, adding: ‘* We may as well be ready for the chance if it’s offered us,” When a mile distant, the privateers reduced sail and rounded to on the same tack as the cor- vette and frigate, \ ‘*Tbe other’s a corvette, sir, like ourselves,” said Darrel, ‘* but shecarries twenty-eight guns, There go the colors— French !” ‘*It must be Moreau’s ship—The Lily,” re- marked Captain King, examining her through his glass, ‘* Yes, it certainly is,” he continued, “ and he’s a hard fighter.” ‘‘ The frigate is signaling to let him take care of the corvette,” said the st officer, ‘It would appear to be their wish, also,” re- plied the cap By indicating the privateer edg- ing up to them—The Hawk appearing to select the Rattlesnake, and The Lily bending toward the United States, re Ne As The Hawk drew near, the Rattlesnake hove to. This was barely done, before the courses of the enemy fluttered iu the breéze, then her canvu. filled, and, when she had gath- ered sufficient headway, hove in stays, crossing on the opposite tack, Standing on this tack until well abaft the beam, The Hawk wore round and ranged up on the weather quarter of the Rattlesnake, but the third officer of the American had been through that game once before, and filled his mainsail to be in readiness for the next move, Sep | “‘Tll take the helm, sir, if you please,” ane nounced Darrel; ‘‘ f know his game.” a