Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 949 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

. ad { / e va ~ », vet »'% eM a a ¥ % Mel all : : oa ant is SA. Fi i o ix a> tee? Tar AL eS ie “ elt — - The Three Lieutenants: Gentleman George on Deck, —_—_—_ -___— BY T. J. FLANAGAN, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ CRUISE OF THE OCEAN QUEEN,” ‘*MIDSHIPMAN DARE,” *‘ THE TWO MIDSHIPMEN,” ETC, CHAPTER L. HOW THEY MET, ‘** Poor short lived things! what plans we lay! Ah! why forsake our native home, To distant climes to speed away, lor self sticks close, where’er we roam.” CoWPER. *** All hands unmoor! Unmoor!’ Hark to the hoarse, but welcome sound Startling the seaman’s sweetest slumbers, The groaning capstan’s laboring, The cheerful fife’s enlivening numbers; And ling’ ring idlers join the brawl, And merry ship-boys swe!l the call, ‘All hands unomoor! Unmoor!’”’ A BLISTERING, broiling hot day in the month of August, 180L—one of those days referring to which you do not characterize it as merely warm—such was the day set for the departure of the U.S. frigate Enterprise from the Port of New York to join the Mediterranean Squadron. The frigate was lying off the Battery, boats were going to and from her (as officers, men and stores were put aboard), and, notwithstanding the intense heat, there was a large gathering to see the vessel sail, Coming across the Bowling Green toward the Battery were three midshipmen—one slightly in advance of the others, and unobserved by them, This lad (he was about fifteen), was accom- panied by an old gentleman, rather rustic in appearance, and therefore, to the loungers, an object of criticism and ridicule. ‘*Be careful, George, for 1 may not be here when you return,” the old gentleman was saying as they neared a knot of idlers. ‘ Never fear for me, uncle; thanks to you, I’m fully able to take care of myself, and—” At that moment they were passing the before- mentioned knot of idlers, one of whom inter- rupted the youth by stepping forward and mak- ing an insulting inquiry as to how long the old gentleman had been out of the Ark, The laugh which greeted this was checked in- stantly by the sudden shooting out of the youth’s left arm, followed by the fall of the fellow who had addressed the old gentleman. The strength and dexterity displayed by one of such delicate and youthful appearance aston- ished the the loafers so much that, until their leader regained his feet and rushed at the youth, they remained quiet. ‘*Comeon! Tear the buttons off him!” yelled the leader, and, thus invoked, several rushed to his assistance. The youth and the old gentleman were quick- ly overpowered by their assailants, and were being roughly handled, when the attention of one of the other midshipmen was attracted. ‘* Hello! Let’s see what’s going on, Steve!” he exclaimed, and both hurried forward, The sudden appearance of the two midship- men caused the loafers to fall back for a mo- ment, thus allowing him addressed as ‘‘ Steve ” a glimpse of the uniform of the youth struggling with his burly antagonist. ‘* By Jove, Laurie, it’s one of our boys!” ex- claimed Steve, jumping at the nearest of the ang, while his companion promptly followed is example. Although but boys, the attack of the new- comers was unexpectedly and surprisi2 Pt Said and, moreover, they were liable, even likely, to receive aid at any moment, which the loafers well knew, and were correspondingly dis- heartened. Nor were the ruffians mistaken, for two or three minutes after the appearance of ‘‘ Steve” and ‘* Laurie,” a third came on the scene, strik- ing right and left, and a man went down every time his fist shot out. The last comer was a very tall man, several inches over six feet in pelgnt, thin and wiry- looking, dressed in the garb of a seaman, and with a decidedly nasal twang, ‘* Blast ye—ye sharks!” he cried, as the last of the gang took to his heels across the Green, ae ars our officers, will ye? Are ye hurt, “a : , ‘ 2 hd * 4 hoe ‘4 § r 4 a - e ne 4 a 5 A, P . Re —- s x a, ‘ . > te + é. Ae] "1 . ——_" 4/7 Srcth The Three Lieutenants. $e The last question was addressed to the old | gentleman, as he was assisted to arise. ‘IT thank you, sir, but [am uninjured,” re- | plied the other, adding: ‘*] see you are a seaman, and I hope my nephew will have the good fortune to have you near him,” Steve and Laurie had in the mean time helped the third midshipman to bis feet. His clothes were torn and dirty ; there were bruises all over him, andan ugly cut in one cheek, but he took matters very coolly, ‘‘Thank you,” he said to the midshipman, when his uncle paused, and then to the sea- man: ** And you, too, sir—although if you bad been a little earlier I should feel more grateful and less sore,” The young man looked amused, and the sea- man grinned, ‘* Nevertheless, gentlemen,” continued the youth, ‘‘I feel deeply obliged to you. Allow me to introduce my uncle, Mr. Spence,. and my- self, George Spence.” Still more amused at the ceremoniously polite tone and manner of the speaker, the eldest mid- sbipman sald: ‘And I’m Stephen Decatur; my comrade is James Lawrence, commonly called ‘ Laurie,’ and our friend, if I’m not greatly mistaken, is Reuben Thomas, late of the Constellation, now master’s mate of the Enterprise. ‘** Thankee, sir, and glad I am to get into such good company,” answered the tall seaman, looking much pleased. ‘* Well, let’s get aboard or somebody will be after us,” admonished Decatur, and turning to Spence, continued: ‘* You were expected a week ago; you'll have to explain,” ‘*Oh, that’s simple enough. When uncle and i arrived from Philadelphia, ten days ago, we thought we might as well take a look about us. That occupied a week, and since then we’ve been quietly resting and enjoying ourselves. | should like to have had another week, but, of course, we couldn’t expect the vessel to wait.” ‘*Ohn, Lord!” gasped Decatur. ‘' Thomas, you’ve sailed, under Sterrett—what d’ye think he’d say to that?” The master’s mate grinned and grimaced, while Laurie said very gravely that it was real- ly too bad Mr, Spence had not informed the cap- tain of his wishes, ‘‘for then we might all have had a week ashore,” adding in an undertone: ‘* Hunting for what was left of you.” The are were now, at the landing stage, where Mr. Spence parted with his nephew, after being earnestly assured by the others that they would **Jook out for bim,and afterward by Laurie that all the officers were equal, and com- elled to obey the same rules (which was true as ar as it went, only) but very much relieved the old gentleman’s fears as to the treatment his young relative would receive. ‘Hanged if he ain’t got more traps than the commodore!” growled one of the boat’s crew when Spence’s sea-chest, portmanteau, and sev- eral small bags were put aboard. ‘* More bone ’n’ less baggage ’u’d be better for the sarvice,” growled another, and certainly both remarks seemed justified by the quantity of baggage, and the delicate, almost effeminate, appearance of its owner. ~ Once on board the Enterprise, and having re- rted to the first officer, Mr. Dare—under whom ecatur and Laurie had already served one cruise, they repaired to the midshipmen’s quar- ters to change their clothing, ‘* A glum-looking fellow—your first lieuten- tenant, Is he very severe?” Spence was busy divesting himself of a gor- geous neckerchief, and did not perceive the in- dignant glances his question caused to be cast at him, ‘* Is he old?” he continued, ‘¢ Three or four—perhaps five years older than I am,” replied Decatur very quietly, and then his indignation getting the better of him, he burst forth: ‘“‘As for being glum—he’s only just married and had to leave his wife! As for sternness or severity—if you had any other officer to report to, you would probably be under arrest at this moment!” ; ‘Lieutenant Dare isthe youngest manin his station, and the bravest and best in the service!” exclaimed Laurie, clinching Decatur’s words. ‘*T must thank him,” said Spence quietly. ‘“ Well—you are 4 cool one!” exclaimed De- catur with a half-angry laugh, as he left the berth-room. ‘But you must admit he does look stern?” said Spence to Laurie. ‘* Yes, but that is only since this mornit when be received a letter from a man in a shore- boat. He was laughing and talking with Mr. Porter, the second lieutenant, bus when he opened the letter he grew white — white as a ug and staggered back as if some one hit im,’ ‘* Did he say anything?” asked Spence, ‘“When he staggered back he cried out. ‘ My God!’ hen his face got hard and-- Hush! Here comes Harper!” A. tall, heavily-built young fellow of seventeen entered, at that moment, and, noticing the sud- den cessation of the conversation, he asked in an ugly, authoritative tone: ‘What are you two conspiring about?” ‘* I fail to see how that concerns you,” replied Spence in his usual quiet way. ‘Kh? What's that?” Harper could scarcely believe his ears, but stepped forward threateningly as he spoke. ‘Don’t you interfere with him, Harper!” boldly interposed Laurie, This brought the wrath of the senior midship- man on himself, as well as on his new com- rade, ** Now I'll give it to both of ye!” began Har- per. He produced a rope’s-end, and the others were preparing to resist the bully, when the boat- swain’s whistle was heard. The captain was coming aboard; the officers must be on deck to receive him, so the contem- plated punishment was deferred. ** Until to-night!” threatened Harper, as, in response to the call, all three hurried to the quarter-deck. The Enterprise weighed anchor almost imme- diately after Captain Sterrett’s arrival, and, a fair breeze having sprung wp, the beautiful vessel was soon outside on her long eruise, About the same time Géorge Spence was ex- periencing the first qualms of conscience at having insisted on becoming a midshipman— which qualms were as nothing to those he was oe to feel in the region of his stomach. ben, too, there was the promised punish- ment to be expected from Harper, and the sick ah groaned as he thought of his helpless con- dition. Decatur and Laurie were on deck attending to their duty, and George feared the worst when the senior men 6 omni came below; but Harper was not so brutal as to interfere with the sick Ve ‘*Sick, eh?’ he said, on seeing George, and, peace oe we rope’s-end to his pocket, took his revenge by describing the delicious (%) sensations to be experienced by eating plenty of fat, very fat, bacon. This, in its way, was worse than the colt, but fortunately did not last long—Decatur’s entrance ending the torture, **Get out!” exclaimed Decatur, seeing what was going on, and Harper ‘‘ got.” CHAPTER II. AN ABDUCTION OR ELOPEMENT OR WHAT ‘“STRICKLAND. These doings in my house distract me. I met a fine gentleman; when lL inquired who He was—why, he came to Ciarinda. I met A footman, too, and he came to Clarinda. * * My wife had the character of a virtuous oman—”’ SuSPIcious HUSBAND. LONDON was the first port the-Enterprise toucbed at, and ha ae the voyage thither was) quick and uneventful, it gave officers and crew an opportunity to become acquainted. The three midshipmen—Decatur, Laurie and Spence—became sworn friends, and were favor- ites with all on board, except their comrade, the senior midshipman, Harper, Williams, the steward, and Gorman, the master. Decatur had thrashed Harper more than once, Laurie had offended the master by interfering on behalf of one of the boys on the second day out, with the result that the boy escaped punish- ment, and Spence, who was very dandified, in- curred the enmity of the steward by treating him as if be were a servant—and a very inferior one, at that. The stay at London was short, and then the frigate prrates on her voyage along the coast of Spain, rounded Cape San Vincent, and then entered the Straits of Gibraltar, without en- countering anything hostile. ** We'll drop anchor in the Bay of Gibraltar ‘to-morrow coy gh said Decatur, as they en the Straits; ‘‘ at least I hope so, for we may get a chance to go ashore.” 7 ‘* Why?” asked Laurie, o ab : 7 - ; , ‘De , J - 4 : . 4,4 e <> + a : oP, » iS _ & ; ' - 4 ‘ é y i. 2 >| —"* a * » | Xx | | |. I | yt ‘ M ox: " 7. ae 2h Je A Pere Lae ks.cc