Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 959 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

‘than comm 12 The Four Commanders. ther to obey my uncle, and now I must comply | death of the fair girl whom he expected to make wishes,” . bis wife. with his Astonished and indignant, George asked if rests was no hope of changing Mr, 3 views, adding: ad After being publicly complimented, and with every chance of promotion, it’s an infer- nal shame to drag you out of the service!” ** It’s not only useless, but dangerous to at- tempt to argue the matter.” replied prac ‘and if he were in good health, and I sho d insist on remaining, my sister would suffer for it. That ended George’s opposition, and after a minute’s mournful silence, the midshipman continued: “If you can obtain my immediate discharge, it will.be the best kindness you can show me,” “*{ fear that cannot be obtained until we reach Malta, but I will see what can be done,” replied George, and he at once sought Laurie, whoin turn invoked the aid of Decatur. man, promised to obtain Harry’s discharge. Next day, however, George was informed that the matter could not be attended to then— other and much more important matters were, and would be for some time, engaging the com- modore’s attention. CHAPTER XX, TWO CHALLENGES. THE important matters, referred to as delay- ing attention to Harry’s discharge, were brought about by the peace overtures made by the Ba- shaw on the arrival of the squadron, The capture of Derne, and the approach of General Eaton by land, while the largest squad- ron that had ever appeared before Tripoli menaced him by sea, alarmed the wily Yusef, and caused him to consider the advisability of coming to terms. ** Well,” said George, after communicating the message he had recwived, ‘I don’t see how your uncle can blame you for the delay. If he is ina burry, he can leave at once—there are English ships about here frequently. You can follow when discharged.” This was suggested to Mr. Lee, but he would not listen to it, and before the negotiations were concluded, asked for the discharge of another man—Surgeon Jones, whom he wished to have accompany and attend him. He had taken a fancy to the dwarf, who had treated him kindly and skillfully, and who, moreover, was a British subject. Jones, on his part, was tired of ship life, and had agreed, in case a treaty was signed, to ac- company Mr. Lee to Madeira, where he was of- fered a good home and plenty of money to estab- lish a business. At length, on the 4th of June, 1805, the offi- cers and crew of the Philadelphia. were released and a treaty signed hy which the payment of tribute, and the system of making slaves of Christians cantured in war, were abolished, This treaty was religiously adhered to until the War of 1812, when the Bar States, pre- suming that the United States had its hands full with England, again began operations on American commerce, but had scarcely more when Decatur—risen to the rank of ore—swooped down upon them, and a ended all further attempts in that direc- on. As soon as the treaty was signed, the dis- charges of Harry and Jones were obtained, ‘but, as there was no English ship in the vicinity, Mr, Lee decided to accompany the squadron to Malta, where the commodore had considerable business to transact. On the way to Malta, there wasa great deal ef talk between the “ three inse bles’ as to their future movements. The war being over, there would be nothing worth doing for some time—so they thought—and each intended to apply for a long leave of absence, Decatur intended to use his in visiting his promised bride, Eugenie de Morny, in Paris. laurie’s mind was fixed on Naples and the girl he had saved from being burnt, and George had not forgotten Laura Lee. Of the three, Decatur was the only one who avowed his real object, while George was the only one who afterward did apply for leave of absence, Luurie and George both declared they would like to visit Paris with Decatur, and then all three would visit Harry and Jones in Madeira and their friends in Naples, If this were a love story, the balance had bet- ter be left unread, for, on reaching Malta, Deca- tur received a letter announcing the sudden The | latter, although angry at the obstinate selfish- | ness and dislike of America, shown by the sick | This was a terrible blow to the warm-hearted | Decatur, and he became so unlike his usual bright energetic self as to cause much comment ' among his comrades, for, except Laurie and George, none knew the secret of his sorrow. A few days after the arrival of the squadron at Malta, Mr, Lee, with Tom Jones and Harry, sailed for Madeira. | The evening previous to their sailing, Deca- _ tur, Laurie and Spence called at the lodgings Mr. Lee bad taken immediately on arriving, _ but, as he was not feeling well, the three friends | remained only a short time, and left with a promise to visit Madeira in the near future, Laurie and George were relieved until next | morning, and while accompanying Decatur back to the ship they entered a café. The three were in uniform, and a whisper _ quickly passed around the crowded room that one was Decatur; but the latter, unconscious of the interest he excited, remained only a few minutes, and, telling his friends that he preferred to be alone, bade them good-night with a very dejected air. Theroom was crowded with English 6fficers— naval and military—and three of the latter were on the opposite side of the table at which Laurie and George seated themselves. ‘* By Jove!” exclaimed one of the officers, a fine-looking fellow about Laurie’s age, “by Jove! I fail to see where the ‘ Fiery’ Decatur comes in. He looks more like a sick cow—eh, Jack?” ** Ya-as,” responded Jack, a still younger and rather dandified cornet. ‘'Doesn’t look as though he would charge a half-dozen old | women,” Laurie, glaring across the table, demanded, angrily: ‘** Are you referring to Captain Decatur, sir?” ** Was really he Captain Decatur—the famous, fiery Decatur?’ asked the first speaker, in a most provoking tone. ‘* Had he heard your ungentlemanly remarks, you would have little reason to doubt it!” ex- claimed Laurie, ‘* What do you mean, sir?’ demanded the lieutenant. ‘* Precisely what I said—that you would have no reason to doubt the identity of Captain De- catur had he heard your ungentlemanly, cow- ardly remarks,” calmly replied Laurie, ** Cowardly |!” cried the other. ‘*VYes—cowardly! You would not dare use those words if Captain—” ‘** You lie, sir!” interrupted the lieutenant. The words were scarcely uttered, when the untasted wine—g¢lass and all—that had been standing before Laurie, struck the speaker full in the face. In an instant the place was in an uproar, The half-blinded lieutenant tried to draw his sword, but friends restrained him, Laurie was now the coolest man in the room— out wardly—and as s00n as the excitement had subsided a little, arose and addressing the cornet in tones of the most withering contempt said: *‘As for you, youare the most unmitigated ass I’ve ever met, and not fit to clean the boots of the gentleman you 80 foully defamed! “George! attend to either or both of these— gentlemen !” and flinging several cards on the table, Laurie stalked out of the café. A balf hour. later, George met Laurie at the inn where they had arranged to spend the night, ‘¢ You are challenged by both,” said George, ‘“The cornet is Lord Manners, and the lieuten- ant is—” ‘“Never mind—I don’t care who they are!” interrupted Laurie. ‘‘Go back, George, and give them the choice of weapons, if they will agree to to-morrow at daybreak, Any place they like will suit me. (Go, like a good fellow, and don’t forget 1t must be to-morrow, at day- break!” An hour later, George returned, ‘*Pistols—at daybreak— I'll show you the place!” he said on entering. CHAPTER XXI. ONE KILLED—TWO WOUNDED. LAURIE had a double object in insulting both the lieutenant and cornet, and forcing the duels for next morning. The first prevented George from interfering, and the second kept the news from reaching the officers of the squadron— particularly Decatur, Spence su this, and was more than a little angry but he also suspected something else, and shed to talk about the duels. Lau- rie, however, would not listen to him. ** George,” he said, “‘ I’m going to turn in— EL LLLLLLLLLLLLLL_ LLL LLL LL LLL LLL LL LLL LL LLL LC CC CC CL tt tt Nt. ttt ptt a ee ee ee + ee & © ~@ > P J “a a4 @ ? you arrange to ae «4 a in time—now don’t try to spoil my sleep by ing. ‘* Good-night!” With the last word, George was pushed out of the room, and the door locked. The Gentleman never used profane language but he came very near swearing as he turned. away from the door ‘* Never mind—l’ll tell him in the morning,” he muttered, as he went to arrange for the early duel, As soon as Spence was gone, Laurie sat down and began to write letters—one to his father and mother, one to Decatur, and one to the girl in Naples—Agnes Mackay. It was eleven o’clock, when George returned after arranging for the two duels. It was just | pgp daybreak, when he rapped on Laurie’s oor. ‘¢ One minute, George!” cried Laurie, as he sealed the last of the there long letters. ‘‘ Now, we must burry,” he continued, as he admitted Spence. ‘‘ They will furnish the pis- tols, of course!” “* Yes, yes! I want to talk—” **Don’t! We'll be late, my boy! Come, now hurry along,” and Spence was compelled to de- fer his proposed talk, The place of meeting was only a half mile distant, and despite rge’s efforts to ‘‘say his say,” the carriage reached the field before he could accomplish his purpose. Lau: ie would not listen to oy So in any way approaching the business in hand. The parties reached the field simultaneously, er as Laurie stepped from the carriage he said: ‘* Here, take care of these letters, George. If an ything happens, see to their delivery.” Had Spence looked at the supersciption of the Naples, the letter duels would have waited until he did have his *‘ say ” with Laurie, but the other seconds were already waiting for him, and os the letters into his pocket he joined them. Notwithstanding that the lieutenant was the first to quarrel with Laurie, it had been decided by a committee of officers that the insult to Lord Manners was the worst, because deliberate, while the other was hot-tempered and provoked. Therefore, Lord Manners was to have the first La gate few could surpass him with the pistol. The ground was quickly measured off, the pistols handed to the principals, and then one of the English seconds, who had won the toss, gave the word: ** One—two—three—fire!” As the word was given, and Laurie, pulled the trigger, his right foot 5 on the still wet grass—and that saved his life, Lord Manners, still full of anger, had aimed for sie fi heart, and he seldom missed his mark, As it was, the bullet tore across Laurie’s ribs, and he arose bleeding profusely. Laurie was not a particularly good pistol shot, but my lord received a bullet in the shoulder, as the result of the exchange, ‘¢ This has gone far enough,” said the English surgeon, as after binding up Lord Manners’s shoulder, he hastened to Laurie. ‘‘T insist on My shot!” savagely exclaimed the lieutenant. ‘‘ With all the pleasure in the world,” said Laurie, who had caught the words, and address- ing the surgeon: Kindly step aside for a moment—then [ll be at * pig service,” And to Spence: “Quick, George! Put it through while I’m able to stand!” Knowing the nature of his friend, Geo ‘put it through.” The second pair of pisto were handed to the principals, and by a tremen- dous effort, Laurie stood steady at the mark un- til the word was again given, although his sight failed him as he fired. Again both men fell—one to rise no more. Laurie’s blind shot had struck his opponent fair between the eyes, killing him almost instant- ly, while he had, himself, been hit again in the left side. When Laurie recovered consciousness he was ef = ia board the Congress, bound for New ork, He gained strength rapidly, owing to a | . i 4 which had — naturally magnificent constitu never been abused was able to attend to his duties. , and before reaching home, | He bad no | idea of the effect of his second shot—supposing © from his condition that it had gone wild, but | the day before they reached port, while talking | about the intended trip to Europe, he said: “4 « a 7 1M » . ~f" y a os f a ; + J ? _ i x + tm! pox » v ee | # a hd ' @ / ¥ a i| Y « | \ j y . , 7, : ’ ie ¢ O mM Cc @ re) oO a) & S a. Cc O Mm re : Ps ¥ ~~" ry