Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 959 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

The Four Commanders. 1I. Mee eee ee eee —————————————————————— nn I’m afraid—both for his sake and ours,” said Jones as he trotted along, *‘ but, if we can reach a little house along here we’ll be safe.” ‘¢ Along here” was about two miles outside of the city, and the little house was reached in safety—and they hoped, unnoticed, The dwarf had done the fishing—smuggling— piratical owner some service in the past, and when the situation was explained, he promised to befriend them. ‘“‘Can we trust him?’ asked Spence, as he assisted in binding Harry’s wound, which was in the side, and more dangerous than the half- dozen cuts received by himself and the dwarf. ‘‘T rust him? I saved his leg from amputation by a fool two years ago—you see he limps a lit- tle and can no*longer ride—but I saved the leg. He isa pure Arab, and an Arab never forgets a service. The man referred to, who was limping up and down the roadway in front of the open door, now came nearer, and spoke to Jones, who i i- ately picked up Harry, saying: : ss They are coming! We must get up to the oft. The loft, which was reached by a ladder, and 80 low-ceilinged that even the dwarf was forced to bend over, was used to store fishing-tackle, sails, oars, guns, goods—smuggled and stolen, and 80 choked up, that as a hiding-place it offer- ed many adv for one, ‘** But for three?” questioned Spence. ‘*‘ Never mind—they haven’t come up here ren returned the dwarf, as he drew up the er, As soon as the ladder was stowed away, the dwarf crept t= the one little window in the loft and had barely reached it when the thunder of horse-hoofs was heard approaching, and in a few minutes stopped at the a For just one minute the fugitives in the loft were in suspense, and then the horsemen thun- dered away. ‘¢ Gone to find us up among the hills,” chuckled the dwarf, turning from the window. ‘‘ What now?’ asked George. ‘* Keep quiet till we hear from below.” Full five minutes elapsed before the Arab’s voice was heard at the hatchway, and in re- sponse Jones put down the ladder. “Goa ” he said to Spence, and followed himself with : A short and earnest conversation followed be- tween Jones and the Arab, which the former explained to George. The false mnformation given by the Arab would gain the fugitives two hours at most, Then the party would return and search the house, and it would cost him his life if they were vered—asthey would be without doubt. He, therefore, pro to take them off in his boat ‘* But it’s blowing half a gale and increasing oe minute,” protested George, ‘‘ Tf it was blowing a hurricane we must go— it’s our only chance,” returned Jones. ‘* You oe a him (Harry), and we'll attend to the Scarcely had the dwarf and the Arab begun to get the boat ready, when an to re- cover, and long before the boat was ready, was up on his feet, though still very weak. The boat, which was something like an English cutter, but smaller and lighter, was ready in an hour, and then amid a tremendous gale, the little party began a voyage which might appall the stoutest heart. ¥ There was no hope of doinganything but scud before the blast, and this they did hour after hour, expect every moment to be ingulfed by the mountainous seas that swept everything from the deck, save the Arab and Jones at the wheel, and George, clinging to a life-line ready with an ax to clear away the wreckage of the mast, which threatened to go at any moment. Suddenly the wind changed, and now the boat was swept back toward the land, and as it con- tinued the Arab began to grow alarmed, for they were rapidly nearing the worst part of the coast, and still holding the ax, George struggled for- _— to the bow to watch for the dreaded shore. Six hours out and nearly six hours in, and all exhausted by the terrible storm, and then from George forward came that awful, terro i ing cry to all seamen: Breakers ahead | CHAPTER XVIII. A NARROW ESCAPE, Ir was about ten o'clock at night when the vag aha popes Aa been for Swale Sere — efore the now epproac the ving straight to destruction. Breakers ahead!” thes 4% - x eae Pte Ste , ¥ « * , - ia , é . Lh a , © > 4 - ” < » - oe © 4 “4 mp ’ | —4 a 4 CAPR peer RS y= FS Sa y Sa rr > 4 . » tS af ct ees), v. Vea nf { * » Pp ‘ * , 4 , tol ite ~~" : - « od th te ‘ ? At< re CW “$9 -—.°0€0000 DO O!_—=”_120C EE as wean . 7 As they drew near the rock-bound coast, there shone through the blackness a distant beam like a tiny star, and an instant later, as a flash of lightning revealed to George the true conforma- tion of the coast, he uttered a joyful cry. Struggling aft to the wheel, he bade the dwarf take the Arab forward, and stand ready to drop anchor. ‘Don’t stop toargue! Doas I say—I know the place!” cried George, pushing aside the helmsman. On and on flew the boat, and, as the light grew larger, George w more confident that it was the signal light in the window of a cabin, at the mouth of the lagoon where he had landed over a year before to rescue Laurie and De- catur, The thunder of the breakers lifted itself above that of the heavens, as George yelled the order: ‘* Stand by to let go!” A great surge of the sea lifted the boat high in the air, between two great walls of seething foam. It was touch and go, and God’s grace for the rest | The signal flame was now a steady glow, and George threw his weight on the spokes, sending the wheel over till the blocks grated! Then, as the boat’s head flew round, he yelled: Splash! went the anchor, followed by the rat- tle of the chain, and then, as the boat felt the snub of the biting iron, she swung at her moor- ing in water comparatively smooth, except for the heavy swell hove in from the sea without the little lagoon. | It had been a very close shave—the slightest variation would have dashed them upon the rocks, and all were so excited that, notwith- sta g their exhausted condition, sleep was out of the question. The Arab set about making coffee, and, while he was doing it, Jones gave each of the drenched, half-drowned party, a much needed dose of brandy. The night was spent in talking, and laying plans for their future movements—plans which were set aside at daybreak next are ye = During the night, the gale abated y, until at daybreak nothing was left of it except a strong breeze, and a moderately heavy sea. With the first streaks of dawn, George was on deck, and before the sun had fairly risen, he had made out the Constitution, at anchor, about two miles distant. The joyful discovery was quickly shared by the others, the anchor was lifted, sail set, and, with the aid of a couple of sweeps, the boat was got out of the lagoon. It was the first lieutenant’s watch on board the Constitution, and he was astonished at the bold manner in which the little boat, with its four piratical-looking occupants, approached the frigate, but as it drew nearer he discovered the identity of three with his glass and received them with open arms, Scarcely noticing Laurie’s warm welcome, Jee briefly related what they had learned in Tripoli, and the first officer immediately aroused the captain, to whom he repeated it. ‘* Get under way as soon as possible!” exclaim- ed Decatur. And, under every inch of canvas she could spread, the Constitution started for Malta. It was a quick and uneventful voyage, duriag which the adventures of Spence and his com- panions became public property, which, needless to sav, did not lessen them in the esteem of their comrades. Arriving at Malta, Decatur found Commodore Rodgers in command of the squadron, who, im- mediately upon hearing his story, set sail for Derne to cobperate with General Eaton against the Bashaw’s principal eastern sea-port—the only place on foreign soil over which the American neg aie floated. ike all other commodores, Rodgers fell in love with the Constitution, Decatur was trans- ferred to the Congress, and, being now a full- fledged captain—not a lieutenant-commander— had no longer the rank which gave i sin aed for the daring acts which previously distin- ished him, and he was compelled to rest on his fara in the closing scene of the war against ripoli, Laurie and Spence, however, as well as Mid- shipman Lee, had opportunities at Derne, which they did not neglect. et had eagerly accepted the overtures of General Eaton and furnished him with a fine any of Arab cavalry and some Greek sol- ers, ; With this force the general set out from Alex- andria on the 5th of March, 1805, and, after | simply kill him, Moreover, I promised my fa- ¢ ; : 7 . : er if \% : “i, 5 eos ’ ¥ A or >" a ree Be a : f thd ars 3... comicbooks.com traversing the Desert of Barca for one thou- — arrived before Derne on the 25th of Apri he Bashaw was sending a large force, the town was pre for resistance, and eral Eaton found it would be necessary to carry it by storm. At this fortunate momenta division of the American fleet arrived in the harbor, and oper- ations were at once begun. CHAPTER XIX. ‘“ MUST QUIT THE SERVICE,” GENERAL EATON’s assaulting column consist~ ed of Arab cavalry, Greek infantry, Tripolitan rebels, and American sailors serving on land. Before or since, the American flag never waved over so motley an assemblage. Yet the town was most gallantly carried. Cannonading was _— by the ships in the » early morning, and, while this was going on, the assaulting column was formed, while boats from the various vessels of the squadron prepared to» act with them. Laurie commanded a division of boats, armed with howitzers, and Spence commanded one- under him—Harry Lee being the latter’s cox- swain. When the signal was given, the boats dashed forward under a heavy fire from the a and attacked the enemy’s light craft which was lying close inshore. Accustomed to fighting in Decatur’s stop-at- nothing style, Laurie’s method of go right . ahead, and c ng whatever came in way,. was sO amazingly simple and successful, gm long before the town was carried, both he and: had been noted for promotion. Returning to the squadron, after the town had been stormed, a ge boarded and manned a. deserted gunboat, and found several slaves con-- fined in the hold. When these unfortunates were released and brought on deck, one of them attracted George’s: attention by his sullen, savage demeanor, while his companions were full of joy over their <7 from slavery, and a second look convinced 3 that it was Harry’s uncle, Harry had been sent below to see if there was anything of value in the cabin, and on making the discovery above noted, George said: ‘‘Mr. Lee, go below to the cabin—you will find somebody there who will be glad to see you. The late slave looked up in dull surprise, for- a et and then, without comment, went. Ww. At the end of a half-hour, the reunited uncle. and nephew made their appearance on deck, and as they y gma George was surprised to see. that, of the two, the elder appeared most pleased: at the meeting. There was no time to inquire into the reasor.. Derne being taken, all haste must be made back to Tripoli, so baving made Mr. Lee as comfort~ able as possible under the circumstances, George: was compelled to leave him to the care of Har- ry, while he, himself, attended to his duty. r. Lee had proved a very intractable ca tive, and consequently, had been treated with great brutality, and, although still unsubdued, was suffering terribly from the effects of this ill-. treatment when rescued. The dwarf—or, to give him his proper title,, Assistant-Surgeon Jones—found, on examining: him, that nothing but the greatest care and free- dom from worry and excitement of every kind would preserve Mr. Lee’s life for any length of” time. The free use of the lash and the bastinado, to- gether with lack of proper nourishment at all times, and starvation occasionally, had broken his constitution, and the surgeon so informed Harry, to whom he had become greatly at- tached, Bad as this was, it was not the cause of the. dejection which the midshipman plainly exhibit- ed before reaching Tripoli, Harry had been relieved from duty, and spent much of bis time with his uncle, so that it was not until the squadron anchored opposite the Bashaw’s palace that George had an opportunity of asking the cause of his friend's troutile. That evening, when Mr. Lee had fallen asleep, Harry came be for a breath of air, and. who asked: met with you, H ” rge, wh ‘* What’s wron “‘T must quit the service,” was the mournful reply. NOuit the service! Whatdo you mean?” “My uncle will not allow me to remain— will not listen to a word of argument about the matter, and opposition to his wishes will e * 7 - 7 Sg .* « = + 3" 4 ~