Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 949 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

Laurie assured her that he would exercise the test care and secure the boat as soon as pos- sible, and then deparied, feeling quite elated over his morning’s work, All that day he prosecuted his searcii, but eve- ning found him without having secured the much-desired boat. He hai found several, but in each case had ajso found it dangerous to deal with the captain, and there were none which it seemed at all safe to attempt to seize, Returning in the evening Laurie met Deca- tur, and the latter forgot his chagrin at their ill-success in securing a boatin his delight over the finding of a refuge for Eugenie, in whom he appeared to take a wonderful! interest consider- ing the length of their acquaintanceship., Eugenie was brought down from the retreat among the hills, and her - Sto RERW HT wc? also perhaps becauso she was F'rench—caused Mad- ame Moreau to makeroom for allthree although her quarters were limited, which, in turn, caused Laurie to force another big Spanish doubloon on the worthy madame, For the three days longer Laure continued his search, each day drawing closer to the Bashaw’s castle, and as ho returned on the even- ing of the third day, he determined, if the next doa unsuccessful, he would risk entering the city. The kind-hearted woman with whom Laurie and his friends had taken refuge, was the widow of the captain of a trading vessel, and during his lifetime his house was kept well armed to protect his family and the goods ‘which he sometimes stored away at home. Some of these arms stil] remained in the house, and when Laurie returned on the even- ing of the third day, he found Decatur and Victor, the widow’s son, busily engagcu in loading guns and pistols. , ‘* 'W bat’s up?” he asked. Decatur informed him that Madame Moreau had that day gone to market in Tripoli with a neighbor, whose envy she excited by produc- ing one of the doubloons Laurie had given her, This neighbor knew all about the escape of Eugenie with the Americans, and had watched Laurie going and coming from the widow’s house. Coupling this last with the doubloon, she boldly accused the widow of sheltering the fugitives, and as Abdel offered a reward for in- formation of their whereabouts, declared her intenticn of telling him what she knew and surmised, unless’ she received part of the money, Although placing no reliance on the woman, adame Moreau silenced her for the moment by giving her the whole doubloon. “Which was simply throwing away good money,” said Decatur, in conclusion, ‘‘ for she remained in the city instead of coming home, as usual, with Madame Moreau—for what purpose you may easily guess.” ‘*Then you are preparing for a visit from Abdel Raza?’ ** Yes, [am certain we will hear from him to-night.” ‘Put why wait for him—why not return to the hills?” asked Laurie. ** Because the husband and two sons of that woman, armed to the teeth, are watching the house, and wherever we went Abdel would be informed of it. When we stop two would keep watch, while the tbird returned with the information. : ; It was then about nine o’clock, the moon was shining brightly, and Decatur’s expectations were realized witbin an hour. “They are coming!” warned the widow, who was watching from a window above, and goon the noise of, a body of horsemen was Plainly “Six toone! They rate us pretty high,” said Laurie, who had gone above to count them, but it @ seven to one when the three watchers joined the y, who stopped shortly afterward in the roadway near the house. Dismounting, Abdel, accompanied by two of the band, came to the door, and demanded ad- mittance, ‘¢ There’s no use resisting,” he said, “‘ you know what I’ve come for and if you don’t open in- x tantly Pll burn the house over your heads.” Decatur did not believe the threat would be carried into effect—Abdel wanted his former slave and not her dead body, ‘‘Get away from that (ae instantly or I'll shoot: you, dog that you are!” was Decatnr’s counter threat, and Abdel and his companions retreated to the roadway, ‘Look sharp, Laurie,” cautioned Decatur, as the band drew off some distance and dismount- ed, ‘‘They are gone to consult and will return < - pe 8 a's * : ’ Fy 4% A 4 ™ a 7 2 ur i ' ‘et! ty nV - y fe Mae 5" ; y™ wy {i al ) : The Three Lieutenants. in a few minutes. [ll watch and fire from the upper wind« ws, while you and Victor keep guard down here.” Followed by the widow and Eugenie, each ee ay Re - 1T ow cheat them of their revenge—fired a volley through the open doorway and rushed to se- cure the survivors, A curse burst from the lips of Abdel Raza, carrying a gun and pistol, Decatur ascended to | as he saw his beautiful slave fall. the upper floor, and the fight began almost im- mediately after he took his position at the win- dow. It is unnecessary to describe the attack and defense of the house in detail, Time after time the Arabs attempted to reach the house unper- ceived, only to be detected and driven back with some of their number dead or wounded—the boy, Victor, almost invariably killing his man. About two in the morning there was a lull, the Arabs drawing off some distance, Ten of their number were dead and almost every oné of the rest, including Abdel, wounded. The latter was furious over the unexpected and deadly resistance of Decatur and his friends. ‘* Hadji!” he called to one of his men. ‘*Go to the fort and get me a dozen—two dozen men at once. [ will burn the house over those Frankish dogs, if it takes all Tripoli to do it!” Decatur heard this threat quite plainly, and he knew it was meant, not dttered. merely for for effect. He had already ascertained Victor's ability as a marksman, and called out: ‘* Victor, see if you can reach that scoundrel!” But thero was no need to urge the youth—he was burning to avenge his father, whom it was almost certain Abdel Raza bad killed, after plundering his ship, He had already fired at the pirate chief several times, but had succeeded Only in wounding him, Abdel and his band were now, however, out cf range of the guns of that date, although in plain view of the house, and they did nct stir until the messenger returned from the city two hours later, at the head of twenty men. The horsemen immediately dismounted, and the attack was renewed, Abdel’s band now numbered thirty, and am- munition was running low in the house, but day was breaking, and for a short time the Arabs were kept off. At length one fellow got close enough to hurl a blazing torch on the low, wooden roof, and before it could be dislodged, the house, dry as a tinder-box, was afire, A triumphant yell from the Arabs greeted this misfortune of the besieged, ‘and, after firing several volleys at the windows of the house. they stood waiting impatiently for the flames to consume or drive out the doomed in- mates. Decatur started out through the scuttle to knock off the torch, but nearly paid for his temerity with his life, being driven below bad- ly wounded in the shoulder, and nearly stunned by a bullet which grazed his sealp. There was only one pail of water in the house, and that Laurie threw on the blazing roof, but it was Of course useless, Their situation was indeed desperate, for in a few minutes the fire’had gathered so much headway that, even if unmolested by the Arabs, they could not have extinguished it. Even re- sourceful Laurie could think of nothing but to rush out among the Arabs and die fighting. ‘* The women can follow a half-minute after, and will thus escape the volley that will be fired at us,” said Laurie, The heat was now unbearable, and with a parting clasp of the hand they prepared for the coming death-struggle, each arming himself with a pistol and yataghan, although none might have a chance tv usc them. : “Get ready!” cried Decatur, ready to open the door. **One moment, Mr, Decatur!” it was Eugenie who spoke, and, as he turned to her, she continued: ‘* Please let me gO With you—or shoot me _ be- fore ) ou leave us.” Decatur understood her, and stood hesitating. It seemed a horrible thing to do, and yet— ‘¢ Please do not refuse this last and greatest favor,” she pleaded. ‘‘ Death is infinitely pref- erable to the fate that awaits me,if [ fall into the hands of those fiends!” « ,. vou are right!” exclaimed Decatur, firmly, But I wish it were another hand you had chosen for the deed, If I bad not learned to love you— But enough of that.” He stepped slowly towari her as he spoke, the eyes of each fixed on the other, and those of — ris on them, | u the excitement, Decatur forgot that he had unfastened the door, SD hilels hake swung open unnoticed. The Arabs, however, saw it, and when Decatur raised his istol—thinking mm a mm a a a | } ' Eugenie’s prayer appeared to have been. strangely auswered. CHAPTER XYV. GENTLEMAN GEORGE ‘' ON DECK.” ** Their preparation is to-day by sea.”’ ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, WHEN Eugenie fell as the Arabs dashed for- ward, Decatur thought his pistol must have gone off accidentaily; but a sharp pain in his shoulder reminded him of the volley, and firin his pistol at the approaching party, he rushe to meet them, yataghan in hand. Victor, who had escaped unhurt, rushed after him, while Laurie, who had been hit in the side, staggered after both. As Laurie passed through the doorway, an- other volley rung out, but it was one that laid many an Arab low, and was followed by a wild hurrah, as a party of sailors, firing as they came, dashed up from the shore, The new-comers were headed by a gray-haired man and a youth in naval uniform, and the lat- ter caught Laurie in his arms as he was about fall, crying: ‘* Laurie! Laurie, old boy, [ hope you’re nots badly hurt!” The youth was Midshipman Spence, the y- haired man Hawkins, master gunner of tae Enterprise, and these two, paying no further attention to the fight, carried Laurie to a. spring at the back of the burning house, In a very few minutes Laurie had recovered sufficiently to assure bis friends that he wage merely weak from loss of blood, and to tell them. that there was either one or two women in the burning building, Spence and Hawkins started to go to it, when they saw fwo women coming toward the spring, and returned to inform Laurie. ‘*Two!” echoed Laurie, in surprise, ‘‘ Then one of ’em must be a ghost, for I saw Steve shoot her.’ | But, as we know, he was wrong. Nor was Eugenie injured by the volley; her overtaxed nerves had given way when the Arabs fired, and she fainted. The onslaught of the sailors was so fierce and unexpected that the Arabs fled to their horses— that is, those that were able, and within five minutes Decatur and Victor were returning at the head of the rescuers, On reaching the house, Decatur paused, and looked mournfully into the blazinginterior. He was perfectly satisfied that the body of her to whom he had become so strongly attached in the last few days, should be burnt—it would prevent desecration of the temple of the heroic and loviny spirit. After a few minutes the walls fell in, and, with a sigh and a broken-hearted expression of countenance, Decatur started to join his com- rades—for be had learned of the presence of Gentleman George. As he turned the corner, Decatur stiffened up: before him was Laurie lying on the ground, and beside the latter, dressing his wound, was Eugenie! Could he believe his eyes? Well, he was compelled to do so when the girl’s attention was attracted by the glances of those around her who were staring at Decatur’s strange action, “Ob! Excuse me!” she cried. And leaving poor Laurie, leaped to meet Decatur, and then, oblivious of the presence of the others, convinced ‘‘Stephen” that it was flesh and blood he was gazing upon by throwing. her arms round his finck fn an instant the impulsive, warm-hearted’ girl remembered that they were not alone, and: drew back blushing furiously. | Decatur and Eugenie were kindred gpirits— made for each other—aend, the first surprise: over, he was as calm as the metaphoric.]: clam, “That's all right, cr toda he said. ‘* Let: me introduce you to my friend Spence.” And taking her by the hand, led her back to: the spring where the gentleman, who had heard his purposely loud-spoken talk, awaited their coming and was introduced to ‘Miss De Morny ” “By Jovo! Decatur’s ‘struck’ to the best blood in France,” thought Spence, who was bet- ter versed than his comrades regarding social all were about to commit suicide, and thus matters, _ 2 } Sia A “ * 4 22S 1 ve Mie A ¥6. ‘ av ; ee