Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 933 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

« be eT - = - ie 4 CHAPTER IV. THE CORSAIRS GUNNER. DURING the voyage to London, Laurie grew steadily in favor with officers and crew—every one, except Pompey, the cook, who looked upon him with well-founded suspicion, for, as Laurie’s spirits rose, the spirit of mischief born in every boy rose with them, and Pompey suffered and suspected accordingly. To make up for this, Laurie became an extra prime favorite with Billy Boner—one of the steward’s assistants. Billy had lost an eye, was stiff in one leg, and never tired of telling—or rather trying to tell—how these casualties bad happened, but ‘he was never able to get further than: ‘‘ When I wuz down in the Spanish Main—” The momert * Spanish Main” was uttered, something wus sure to interrupt him, Hither the persou be was addressing would walk away, or tell him to “* sbut up,” or he would be called. Atone time he began his tale among a group of a dozen sailors, in an instant every man jick was on his feet, and with a vociferous and unanimous ‘‘Shut—up!” walked away from him. Billy felt rather mo pgneden. for some time after that, but Laurie’s -nature gave him strong hope—for he was determined to tell that story. On the day following the sinking of the schooner, the survivor of the pirate crew came on deck with his head bandaged, and, in pass- ing Laurie, favored him with a curious, puzzled Hawkins, as the pirate called himself, had been badly hurt by a falling spar, and, when he recovered consciousness, his story caused Cap- tain Nicholson to decide to allow him to serve aboard the frigate as a guoner—for, without any indication of boastfulness, he had declared himself to be something of an expert with heavy ns, YBa had served aboard a merchant ship that was attacked by the sunken pirate, The ship was captured, and learning that he had been a gunner aboard an English man-of-war, he was given the choice of serving in the same ca city on board the pirate, or of ‘* walking the ; ‘*So not wantin’ to die just then, 1 took the job, but I never did anythin’ but handle the guns—they never axed me to do anythin’ else, an’ many a ship’s crew I’ve saved a-doin’ of it, averred Hawkins. ‘* How?” asked the captain, in surprise. ‘* Why, by bringin’ down the’r spars an’ mak- in’’em heave to! Ye see, if we didn’t have no trouble, then the captain’d only make ’em pris- oni'Sell them?” gy OME th tai : m? e captain, % or under heaven could he sell a white ‘“‘There’s many a thousand white slaves in Algiers and Tripoli,” was the quick reply. ‘**Anddo you mean to tell me that it was an Algerian irate we sunk yesterday?!” ‘* Yes, sir. Ye see, Red Hand’s (him as was captain of the schooner)—Red Hand’s wife is pretty thick with the bey, an’ when she found out there was goin’ t’ be trouble with the United States, she gave him the hint t’ begin right away; 80, as it wouldn’t do t’ it on in the Mediterranean without ’ the word, Red Hand thought as how he’d try it on here, in American waters.” ‘* And so he was an Algerian!” mused Captain Nicholson. ‘*'Yes, sir. ’Twas him as took our ship, an’ sold the captain and crew at Tripoli.” ‘* He was the only one?” asked the interested captain. ‘Yes, sir—though sho may be a-comin’ after him,” rep Hawkes “What! Is the wifea pirate, too?” ** Yes, sir. Worse than him as is dead sure, by all accounts,” The story related by Hawkins carried convic- tion with it, and Captain Nicholson told him to report to Morris as soon as Surgeon Parkes de- clared him fit for duty. Dare was on the quarter-deck when Hawkins came up from the cockpit, and observed the ueer look with which the ex-pirate favored urie. ‘Laurie! Hawkins!” Both hurried aft at the call, and Dare asked: ‘‘ Hawkins, did you ever meet or see Laurie before?” (‘* Laurie” was the only name by which the boy was known aboard the f «) **T don’t know, sir,” replied Hawkins, with a “eaoreap expression on his weather-beaten, sun- burot countenance, adding: ‘Tf I did, it must have been long ago—still, The Two Midsnipmen. ST his face looks sorta familiar-like, But it can’t he, ’cause way, he’s too young.” ** Sail ho!” came the hail from aloft. ** Sail ho!” was echoed from the deck, and the conversation was cut short. ’ Dare had beard the story of the ex-slave re- garding the Female Corsair, and sprung into the rigging. “Can you make her out, Mr. Dare?” called Captain Nicbolson, ‘* Yes, sir; that is, I don’t think she’s an American; she’s coming up very fast, and we can soon decide.” ‘* It is Red Hand’s—Zora’s!” exclaimed Haw- kins, excitedly. Laurie, passing at the moment, heard and carried the remark to Dare. ‘‘ Wir, Hawkios says it is Zora’sship—the craft of that pirate’s wife,” ‘Is it possible?” exclaimed the captain, look- ing in astonishment at his first officer. ‘‘Tt is more than likely he is right; he knows the ship.” The strange vessel came with such rapidity that within a half-hour Dare was able to re- port. ‘‘Corvette, foreign build—looks decidedly French,” ‘*On what course?” ‘* He’s got the starboard tacas aboard, sir.” ‘“* Has he any signals flying?” ‘‘He has nothing—no flags, signals, or any- thing else.” Shortly after he made this announcement: ‘* 1¢ is undoubtedly Zora’sship. She’s simply tryin to deceive us.” ‘I believe you’re right,” returned Captain Nicholson; ‘‘ back your topsail, and we’ll wait for her.” When within a mile, the corsair—for such she was now regarded—apparently began to grow suspicious and edged down cautiously until within a half-mile, when she rounded to on the same tack as the United States, The ag now lay ina state of entire rest, without betra ing the slightest interest iu the movements of her hostile poe god it being Cap- tain Nicholson’s idea to lull the corsair into a feeling of security in attacking him. The stranger, however, appeared more in- clined to stand off than down ov him and, turning to Hawkins, who had declared that Zora would fight anybody or anything, said: ‘* We'll touch Ats pride, since you think he is a mau of spirit. Fire a weather gun and show our colors! The Union Jack was quick] y hauled down, and the American flag immediately hoisted ; then fol- lowed the roar of the . The frigate’s top- sail was filled, and she bore down on the cor- sair, The latter, however, displayed no inclina- tion to escape, the fact being that she was eine looking for the American corssir- unter. The latter stood down until within musket- shot range; then Dare, who was surveying the arene through his glass, surmised that her captain—Zora — had seen Hawkins, and had probably discovered the identity of his vessel. ‘*She has the modesty to carry a naked gaff in our presence,” said Captain Nicholson, while standing on to board her. ‘‘ You have no love for them, Hawkins; see what you can do; give them a gun,” “Ay, ay, sir!” returned the accommodating gunner. The ex-pirate, who had coolly taken his sight while speaking, deliberately applied his match and sent what he boldly announced was a “* straight-goer.” The moments of suspeps.s succeeded ; then the torn ay which were scattered in the air proved that the shot had stricken the corsair’s fore-topmast, ‘‘A splendid shot!” exclaimed Dare, ‘* You will be a credit to the service.” He was still speaking, when a succession of flashes came from the corvette, and so well di- rected was the volley that the iron hail passed directly across the deck of the United States. Up to this time the weather had been fair, but was now becoming threatening, and as Ca tain Nicholson was standing down to board, h main-royal was carried away.| The delay occa- sioned by this, and the accident itself, gave the pirate a cproenaniiy to — down Nag. 0 spars and prepare for the impending West I i aapaec to mins @ co ap as anxious to engu the frigate as the latter was to reach hen, bas when the United States was within a half- cable’s length, the white squall parted them, the loss of her main-royal having. so crippled the | noble old frigate that she could not reach the | | | | ' i , EEE EE emmmeimmmmmmnsmmm mmm mma nnn nnn mmm mmm meanest suum eS a 2 oe ee light-heeled corvette, Zora, now driving before the blast, looked and acted as angrily disappointed as Captain Nicholson was himself, and leaning over the stern rail of her beautiful vessel, shouted her defiance to the American: ‘* When I meet you aghin, I shall sink you, or be sunk!” The squall now burst in all its sudden fury, and prevented any reply to the challenge, but, standing on the capstan of his vessel, be returned the defiance of the female corsair with: ‘*)’]] follow you, if necessar y, to Tripoli, and. I'll sink you when I[ reach you!” As quickly as it came, the squall passed away, but when it had gone by, the corsair had vanished—at least as far asany hope of pursuit was concerned, As soon, however, as Captain Nicholson had replaced his main-royal, he made all sail after the Algerine, determined, if pos- sible, to overhaul her and make good his threat. CHAPTER V. A WHITE SLAVE, WHILE the United States was lying in the Thanies at London, Hawkins suddenly remem- bered who it was that Laurie resembled, It flashed across him one evening just after i per, and ae from the gun, he excitedly exclaimed: ‘* ve got it, my lad! I’ve got it!” Laurie, sitting opposite on a block, looked at him in surprise, ‘*Got what?” he asked ‘* Your face! It’s a, old captain—him as was in command of the Flying Scud when she was took by Red Hand—tbat ye reminded me of, an’ ye do look uncommon like him,” ‘Why, that was the name of my father’s ship!” cried Laurie, ‘* But it was Captain Lawrence—” ‘‘ Yes, yes—I know!” interrupted the excited boy. ‘* How long ago was it captured? Is—is he still alive?” ‘But it was Captain—” began Hawkins, in. a Haven't I told you I know all that? My name is Lawrence, but they call me Laurie— every one does.” Laurie had sprung up at the mention of the Flying Scud, and stood looking with eager ex- pectancy at the old gunner, The latter was too astonished to reply, and Laurie grew impatient. ‘* Can’t you speak?” he cried, ‘¢ Yes, sir, but you knocked me all of a heap,” replied aw kins. ‘The Flying Scud was took "bout ten year ago in the Mediterranean, There was only a small crew, and no arms of any account, so they had no trouble. ‘‘ Ag t’ whether Cap’n Lawrence is alive—I can’t say. Him 'n’ the rest was took to Tripoli t’ be sold for slaves, ‘‘Cap’n Lawrence was a fine sailor, 'n’ well eddicated, ’n’ mebbe he was put at some soft job. If so be he was, he’s alive yit, mebbe!” wae was all Hawkins could tell—ali that he ew. Laurie listened like one in a dream. His father sold as a slave! For a long time the boy remained silent, thinking over the strange story he had heard, How could he find out if hia father was alive? And if he was, how secure his liberty? ‘T must talk to Mr. Dare,” he decided, and leaving Hawkins still wondering, sought the lieutenant. The latter was in the cabin, conversing with the captain about their future movements, for, all the stores and water being aboard, the United States was to sail next day. Laurie hesitated, and was about to withdraw when the captain caught sight of him. ‘* Come in, Laurie! What is it?” His tone was kind and encouraging, and the boy said: ws I wanted to speak 'to Mr, Dare about my fa- er, ‘‘ Your father? He’s dead, is he notf’ asked the captain, in ° ‘6 So we believed, sir, but I have heard of him to-night, and now I believe—I hope—he is liv- in With this prelude, Laurie related the story told him by Hawkins, and finished with the two questions he had asked himself: ‘‘ How can [ find him, and how secure his liberty ?”’ a Nicholson (through Dare) knew Laurie’s history—knew that he was poor and friendless, and therefore said nothinr about ran- som, /eomicbooks.cc ee eee ee ee a ~~ wets 84 Gee bg - ey wr