Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 933 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

' slaver band halted—they had suffered too - used for the purpose, and, except that the usual dow, but it was unnecessary, offer in exchange for Laurie,” he said, in talk- ing it over with Dare, and the latter gladiy agreed with him. Meantime Laurie was being hurried toward the Great Desert, lying half-consciousacross the back of a camel—the fleet-footed ‘‘ Ship of the Desert.” Hour after hour passed until evening came, and then, and only then, the remnant of the severely to do so before, Decatur’s six had not died in vain—their on- slaught alone, aside from the loss the slavers had already suffered, struck terror into the hearts of their opponents. ‘* Little” Winters was the child of wealth arents, and every inch of his uniform (whic zaurie was wearing) was decorated with all the gold lace it was capable of bearing. This at- ‘tracted the attention of the slavers, who deter- mined to capture him, butit also insured good ee of the captive—he must be ‘* some- ody. hen the slavers halted, and Laurie had fully recovered his senses, he found that he was not alone in his misfortune, although treated far differently to the others, for the first person his eyes fell upon was Maxweil. Although very weak, the powerful physique of the captain of the maintop made the slavers take him prisoner, for his wounds were all sepereicte! and he would prove a valuable slave. Maxwell, however, was not the-only one Lau- rie was interested in—Captain Lorris was there, also, and between what he knew and what he felt, the young midshipman was deeply con- cerned about the latter. Like Laurie, Captain Lorris was treated with great respect, being one whose capture the Al- gerians knew would please the bey very much, For these two favored captives, and two others who were not rescued—the father being restrained by his inability to free his child—the supper was really fine, The best of fatted lamb, with dates and dried byt and a dish of ‘‘ boseen,” composed the meal, This last-mentioned dish was a preparation of fivur and water kneaded into a paste, which half-baked, was broken into small pieces and kneaded again with new milk, oil and salt, and garnished with ‘‘ kakeed,” or mutton, dried and salted in the highest manner. Laurie was more than a little surprised that Captain Lorris did not appear to recognize him, although he passed his hand across his brow in ‘the same odd fashion as at their first meeting, From the others—Mr. Burnham and bis daughter—Laurie learned that they were cap- tured in the Mediterranean three weeks pre- ‘viously, but from Captain Lorris he could learn nothing—to him everything appeared to be a blank, During the night Laurie managed to get close to Maxwell, and warned the latter to look out for the French captain, at the same time inform- ing him of what he had learned from Hawkins, . and felt himself, **T see, sir; and I’ll be on hand whenever it’s wanted,” said Maxwell, who fairly adored Laurie, ‘I can’t say as I see any great resem- blance, but he does look at you now and then very queer,” Next morning, still keeping well inland, the rty hurried on to the City of Algiers, which, Laurie learned from Mr. Bashan, was now their destination, and’on the evening of the fifth day the journey was finished. he five prisoners were confined in the same apartment—a large room in a strong stone building overlooking the sea, and no sooner were oe alone than Laurie and Maxwell began to look about them, ‘*We must get away before morning,” said the middy, as though doing so was an every-day “* Yes,” assented Maxwell, in the same confi- dent tone, Their late arrival rendered it necessary to place the prisoners in a building never before , Sis stationed at the front and sides of the alf-fortress knew of their capture i confine- ment there, they were practically unguarded, but were, of course, unaware of that. Laurie still retained his dirk and pistol—. neither were visible—and Maxwell his sheath- knife, but the iron door was too strong for either of these, __ ‘* How far down is it to the water?” asked Laurie, still poking at the lock with his dirk, Maxwell started toward the small, open win- , P » itt 4 . « J. " 4 ‘ of rt nb ° en pata wr ° rs . » ‘ ae % G08 . , pray ‘ : as ’ « yt mS res Ro te ve y < Aga» "47 Le Te ; ser. ™ ‘ ar Fé " - 26 * 4 4 “3 an —— ee oath and Meal . bom J * w s Ti ‘ : >| an as é : ‘ Ve Sh... * -_ ‘ - ’ , » al ' : é ~ <= ¥ y * oy » 4 hd . ol . 1 ‘ i™% a re tee 2 i ent neat ane aetiee oe ™~ - - - The Two Midshipmen. ‘* Just forty feet,” replied Captain Lo»rris, This exhibition of knowledge and interest startled every one, ‘* You know the place, sir?” inquired Laurie. **Oh, yes. It’s just forty feet. But why not overpower the slave who will bring you your supper? He will be here soon, and won’t be missed for some time.” At that moment fovtsteps Were heard ap- panes along the stone corridor, and raising is hand warningly, Captain Lorris continued: “© You (to Maxwell) stand behind the door. When heenters shut the doorand lock it. I will catch him in front and prevent any outcry, Then ycu can all escape—I will show you how,” All noticed that he did not appear to include himself, and the midshipman, especially, de- termined not toleave the man whom he believed to be his fatber, but there was no time for com- ment—the key was already grating in the lock, and the next moment, a well-armeu Arab, not a slave, entered bearing a rude wooden tray. CHAPTER XVIII. LAURIE’S ESCAPE, As the Arab entered ‘the room, Maxwell struck him a powerful blow, knocking him into the arms of «'‘aptain Lorris, and sending the ao to the floor, on which it fell with an alarm- ingly loud crash. - tunned by Maxwell’s terrific blow, the Arab was quickly choked into quietness, and then bound and gagged while the door was being locked and opened again to ascertain if the noise had been noticed, ‘It’s all right—come along,” said Lorris, after listening a few moments, and, after reliev- ing the unconscious Arab of his saber and a pair of ee led the way toward the rear of the building. ‘*He’s getting mixed up—the rear faces on the sea,” whispered Mr. Burnham to Laurie, but even as he spoke Captain Lorris proved him mistaken. Using one of the bunch of keys taken from the Arab, he opened a smali door at the rear of the corridor, revealing a dimly-lighted spiral stairway, down which he led the way. ‘** Now, it is likely there are several guards at this corner, and we may have to fight,” said the captain on reaching the bottom, at the same time pointing to a door in the side of the build- ing. R But won’t that bring ’em all down on us?” objected Maxwell. ‘We can’t help that,’ replied the captain coolly. ‘‘ Outside that door lies a boat, anda hunured yards away a ship—English, I think. You can hardiy go back now—it would be dangerous,” **Oh, no! Let us go ahead by all means,” exclaimed Mr, Burnham, who was an English subject, ‘*How many?’ asked Maxweil, nodding to- ward the door. ‘* Perhaps two—perhaps ten, it’s impossible to say. They gather there on account of the sea breeze, and—” } A tremendous pounding noise above inter- rupted the captain, and, seizing Laurie and Jen- nie Burnham, he dragged them-.back into the shadow of the stairway. The others followed quickly, reaching the friendly shadow just as the door was thrown open, and a half-dozen guards dashed up-stairs, ‘¢Take her in your arms, and turn to the right when you get out. Then run for the boat!” pale e his grasp on Jennie and Laurie as he spoke, the captain stepped softly to the part- ly-open door, outside of which dark forms could be seen passing to and fro. ‘*There are four or tive between us and the boat,” he whispered, ‘‘ Now get ready to make a dash, and don’t use pistols!” A moment of anxious silence followed, evemy nerve strung to the highest tension, and then came the signal: ** Quick now!” and out they dashed among the ee sg who at first mistook them for their com- rades, Maxwell’s hard fist and the captain’s saber disposed of two of the guards before they real- ized their mistake, and by that time Mr. Burn- ham had gained the boat—although, owing to the intense darkness, he almost missed it, The guards now fired on the fleeing prisoners, and though harmlessly, the noise brought others, wey bores nearly fatal to their hopes of es- pe when, as Laurie neared the boat, he stum- bled and fell, fons 4G ’ | ae . ——. 7 Hy + Be Le 3 rien -—-~, ae am ~ : —s . am a Ae, . ‘ ; ee . cd ne Je . , ee end : Jha ig ew 5 ee sd MC ee Cee FEE PIES TOR TERIA SOs BCS, PAE een a < tlt be oe — : : . } ' - ' Ate : # > » feng @ _ * ‘ it oe — : ? "ael - ‘ :? ; “i> . . “ . t ® ha Y a * ’ . 4 ‘ - ho ue of | r - : ate ° SBN, , Po) ¥ 7 P j ut fe ie + vy i wee d, iv Pe _ Pe 7 feae + oF * be 6 J , an <. “* r as . ~ Wheeling around on the instant, Captain Lor- es and Maxwell struck 1izht and left to protect im. ‘Run, Laurie! Run!” cried the latter as he knocked down the nearest guard and wrested his gun from him. ‘“*l’'m ready — come along!” responded the middy,. The boat was only,a few feet away, but there were now fully adozen guards upon the two*men struggling toward it, so instead of running, Lau- - rie went to their assistance, His sudden appearance, and the fall of one of their number before bis pistol, and the wound- ing of another with his dirk, created a diversion in favor of his friends. It was only momentary, but that sufficed to enable them to gain the boat and push off, amid the shots and cries of their baffled pur- suers, Captain Lorris was last to enter, and almost upset the boat, plunging head-foremost into the bow, where he lay quite still and, for a short time, unnoticed, while the boat was being pulled out of range, “* Captain Lorris isn't hurt, is he?” asked Lau- rie from the stern-sheets, : ‘* Don’t know! Waita bit!” puffed Maxwell, bending to the oars, e Lights were flashing along shore, and in their late prison, the dull boom of a gun rolled over the water, and ee fired at random, the shot whistled unpleasantly close, so the. midshipman was compelled to curb bis impatience, for they were far from safe. ., ‘‘ Where can that ship be lying?” exclaimed Mr. Burnham, impatiently, ‘‘Never mind that—stick t’ yer oars! + a i puttin’ off after us,” said Maxweil, ad- ng: 4 ‘*it’d be as well t’ have yer‘pistols loaded, Mr, Laurie.” ' Sey ‘‘ Nothing to load with,” replied fhe middy, ruefully, as he looked backward and saw several boats advancing, their location indicated by the lanterns in the bows. The outlook was anything but promising. It looked very much like a dangerous game of hide and seek until daylight, and then re- capture, ‘*T wish he would come to!” growled Mr. Burnham, : ‘Hush! Listen!” said Laurie. His attention had been attracted by some ona singing—singing as if he intended to attract at- tention, and never was sweeter music than con- | veyed in the jolly words: ‘* English sailors have a knack, Haul away, yo ho. boys. Of hauling aown a Frenchman’s jack, ’Gainst any odds you know, boys.”’ i * T's the English ship!” exclaimed Mr, Burn- am, ‘* Silence!” commanded the boy in the stern- sheets, as he brought the boat around, and the tone was so stern and manly that Maxwell grinned all the way to the ship’s side, ‘* Ship ahoy!” hailed the middy, ina guarded one. ‘* All right, my hearty!’ replied the singer, in| a similar tone, and a rope ladder was thrown over the side. ‘ ““Up with you!” said Laurie, and Maxwell, carrying the little girl, led the way, while the midshipman, waiting until the others were safe on deck, hung in the ladder and gave the boat a parting kick that sent it adriff, — Captain Broke was agreeably surprised to find Laurie’s party aboard when he awoke next morning—especially as it included Captain Lorris, who had recovered sufficiently to take care of bimself on reaching the English ship. | ‘‘There’s a big boat-load of Arabs coming out!” announced the third cfficer, while the cap- tain and his guests were at breakfast. “Very well. You know how to receive them,” said Captain Broke, calmly, adding; _ ** Tf necessary send for me.” | A few minutes later a midshipman came to say the captain .was wanted on deck, _‘*Don’t be at all alarmed,” he said, as he fin- ished his coffee. ‘I'll send these fellows off pretty lively.” For a few minutes after nothing was heard below, Then the commander of the Algerians was heard angrily demanding to be allowed to search the ship, and threatening: ‘*Tf not, the guns of the fort will be opened on you, the moment we leave!” “Indeed! And suppose you are not allowed to leave?” was the cool rejoinder, followed bv: “ff that boat moves a foot, Mr Barton, blow _1 it out of the water! Hang your fort, sir!” ; ’ a : \ zz 4 fey Fa! ‘ . * a“ e - - , _ Aa ~ Sie