Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 959 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

— — Apt Sea . ; S — i ee —— The Four Commanders. Next day the bodies were recognized as those of two soldiers who, with three others, had left garrison the previous evening. One of the lat- ter was quickly caught, and before night it was known throughout Syracuse that five soldiers, armed with swords, had attacked threeunarmed American officers—one a mere youth, and not yet recovered from wounds received in action— with the amazing result, that two of the soldiers were killed, and the others compelled to fly for their lives. This last, which was owing to the statement of the fellow who had made the confession, that it was “‘ through the mercy of God, and their own extreme agility, that he and the others es- caped being murdered(!)” caused much amuse- ment among the Americans, but the commodore knew the value of such prompt and vigorous ac- tion (which is neither imaginary nor exaggora’ ed), in teaching foreign nations that the citizens of the young Republic would stand no infringe- ment of their rights. He always acted on that principle himself, and yada 8 afterward gave a striking illustration of it to H. M.S. Donegal,a 60-gun razee, Preble, in the Constitution, 44, cruising in the vicinity of Gibraltar, one dark night, suddenl found lf quite close to a strange vessel-of- ‘war. He oo anereiggt beat to quarters, and was ready to engage by the time the vessels closed. Hailing now commenced, both vessels more anxious to ask than answer questions. Vexed with delay, Preble ordered: ‘Give them our name andcountry! And tell ‘them we’]l ‘give them a shot, if they don’t give theirs!” This was done, and the stranger promptly re- ao that he would return a broadside for a shot. In an instant, the commodore was in the miz- zen rigging, trumpet in hand, and in a clear, strong voice, announced: ‘This is the United States ship Constitution, 44, Commodore Edward Preble! ‘*T am about to hail you for the last time, If you do not answer, I shall give you a broad- side, ** What ship is that? ** Blow your matches, boys!” This last to warn the gunners, but it was un- necessary, the stranger promptly answering: “This is his Britannic Majesty’s ship Donegal, @ razee of 60 guns, But Preble was angry and suspicious now, and declared he did not believe it, and would stick by thé stranger until morning, to make certain of his character. A boat, however, soon came from the other ‘vessel, and having explained matters to the commodore’s satisfaction, they parted, but he had done something which created a t im- pression, and produced a revolution in his favor among his young officors., They saw he could be as prompt with an English man-of-war as with them, and soon they had a y-daps F fe nan old man’s temper is wrong his heart rig _ Fewmen would have dared to “beard the lion,” when England was nearly what she claimed to be: ‘* Mistress of the seas,” Right on the heels of the affair of the three American officers came Decatur and Stewart, to keep the excitement alive. uch anxiety was by this time felt by all con- cerning the fate of the expedition, and by none more t the commodore, who thoroughly unde the dangers attending the enterprise, but, at the end of fifteen days, the long-e ed craft hove in sight, and Preble soon bad the pleasure of seeing the signal of success flying on the Siren. The ovation that greeted the conquerors, over- ‘whelmed them with surprise—the Sicilians, who ‘were also at war with li, joining in firin salutes, and rending the air with shouts an cheers, with as much delight as the Americans themselves. This success was Of great moment to the future prospects of Preble, and he was not chary of expressing his pleasure at the success of Decatur in recapturing and destroying the frigate, thus wiping out the stigma attached to her loss—for, in war, misfortune ever leaves a reproach, hen, too, Decatur had met the Turk at his own play, and where every sea officer was cau- tious of meeting these bloody-minded sabreurs, mamely, on the plank sheer of his own vessel, ‘and proved that the Christian was the better aman, As the season was advancing, and the import- a et ee ry ‘ . 1 hole ae P= - - ot eee ant work of destroying the Philadelphia disposed of, the commodore prepared still more earnestly for the coming summer. Stewart, in the Siren, with Somers, in the Nautilus, under his orders, was n sent off Tripoli, to blockade, while he, himself, in the Constitution, proceeded to Malta, thence to Tripoli, and from there to Tunis, leav- ing *‘ the three inseparables,” with the Enter- prise and Intrepid, to amuse themselves as best they could in and about Syracuse, How they managed to do so will be told in the next chapter. CHAPTER VI, THE BIRDS IN THE TRAP, SHORT as the separation of the ‘‘ inseparables” had been, the reunion caused great pleasure, for they were sincerely attached to each other, and now a fourth, Harry Lee, was added to the little band of heroes—and a valuable addition he proved, On the departure of the commodore, Decatur allowed those under his command a great deal of liberty, while he, with Laurie, looked ofter the work of refitting, and Spence and Lee were among those particularly favored with leave of absence, because of the severe wounds they had received, although now fully recovered. The third day after the commodore’s depart- ure, Gentleman George came to bis commander ~ request leave for two days, with his friend, arry. *“*Where are you bound for, George?” asked Laurie, who, with Decatur, was busy shifting the mainmast of Somers’s prize, ‘* We’re going as far as possible for one day, and will come back the next. We have a Sicilian soldier—a sergeant—to guide us.” ‘© A Sicilian soldier, eh? Well—take care of yourself—also, that he don’t ‘come the old sol- dier’ over you,” warned Laurie, in a half-jest— whole-earnest tone that attracted Decatur’s no- tice, and as Spence started off, he asked. ‘What did you mean by that warning?” **Ob, we had some trouble with a few Sicilians while you were away, and I feared they might revenge themselves on George,” replied Laurie. He was half-ashamed of what he had said but Decatur, understanding the revengeful nature of these people, who carry their “ life for life” motto from generation to generation, took alarm at once, although having no idea‘of the character of the trouble. ‘* Better follow George,” he said, adding as Laurie prepared to go: ‘** Be careful, Laurie—these people never for- give an injury.” With this warning ringing in his ear, and knowing the nature of the injury—though by no means appreciating the extent of the danger —Laurie hurried to the barracks, arriving there just in time to catch his friends setting off with their friend, the sergeant. The latter was 4 tall, slender, graceful fellow, of engaging manners, and a g conversation- alist, He exhibited such genuine pleasure on ee that Laurie was to make one of the party, that the latter was ashamed of his sus- picions. So entertaining was Sergeant Galileo, that no one noticed the speed at which they were travel- ing, and when they halted at an inn for the night, all agreed that their guide was a fine fel- ow, “‘A rather rough-looking place,” commented George, as, alighting from the carriage, he stood surveying the inn. **Ay, and if the landlord’s heart is no better than his face, and his fare than his house, we shall have a sorry night,” returned Laurie, laughingly referring to the low-browed, ugly- looking innkeeper, who was talking to Galileo, and to the wretched appearance of the inn. As the carriage was approaching the inn, the sergeant suggested that, as it was several miles to the next inn, which was in a town, they should stop, and see if lodgings could be ob- tained at this one. ‘““If we stay here to-night, we will have a magnificent drive through to the town in the morning, which we will miss by going on now— it is so near dark,” he added. The Americans accepted this asa very good reason for stopping, and when the inn was reached, the sergeant jumped down tomake the inquiry. The others alighted to stretch their legs, and as Laurie made the above-quoted re- mark, their goide turned toward them, sayi it was all right—they could be accommoda George and Laurie accordingly followed him into the inn, where the latter ordered a bottle of what he informed his companions was ** most aes Madeira,” his was served immediately, and hastily draining his glass, Galileo, calling their atten- tion to ‘‘ the fool of a driver,” who was still standing at the door, left the young men, while he went to order the horses put up. What he said was: **Go to Captain Paulo, Tell him the birds are in Lot trap, ut that there is one more than ex- He did not see Harry Lee, and looked startled when the latter called out from where he sat be- side the entrance: ** May I see the birds, sergeant?” Harry was a very shrewd boy, for adversity had sharpened his wits, He saw the startled ex- pression of the sergeant’s face change toa scowl, and then to a smile, as he returned to the en- trance, saying: ** Certain! shall see them,” **Thank you—lI like birds,” returned Harry. Rar arose as he spoke, and strolled down the road. ** Yes, you shall certainly see them,” mut- tered the sergeant, as he entered the inn where he ordered more wine, and entertained his friends, while the landlord was preparing supper, | pS H was strolling along, pon- dering over what he had seen and heard, per- fectly satisfied that something was wrong, but unable to imagine what, or why there should be, until he suddenly remembered the affair with the soldier-thieves, and immediately con- necting the sergeant’s profession with that of the |\dead men, guessed that his friends and himself were the birds—Laurie being the un- ac one, aving solved the enigmatical words of the sergeant, Harry was about to turn back when a poorly-dressed woman suddenly came from among the trees and bushes lining the road, and asked, in Italian, if he spoke that language. Rather startled by her unexpected appear- ance, Harry drew back as he replied that he did, but the woman begged so earnestly that he came to ber, ‘If Il were seen talking to you,” she said, ‘‘ my life would be ended before morning—and I am not yet absolved!” The last words sounded like the wail of a lost spirit, and Harry felt certain he bad met a mad- woman, but her next words undeceived him. ** You are of the ple now there—with my unfortunate, sinful, lost husband?’ she asked, pointing toward the inn, Harry nodded—too surprised to speak—and she continued: ‘Then you must warn them to run—fiy—fly for their lives—their death is already decided on! ‘*To-night, Paulo and his band will be there—” She stopped abruptly, and grasping Harry’s arm, in @ listening attitude. She was not deceived—the heavy tramp of hob-nailed boots could be heard approaching, and with a moan the woman shrunk back among the trees, drag- cies trong with her. ** Lost, lost!’ she moaned, as a body of men, headed by a gigantic fellow bearing a long- handled ax passed their hiding-place, “ t lost! °Tis Paulo and his band! I shall never be absolved—never!” CHAPTER VII, HEMMED IN, LAURIE and George were so taken up with the wit and humor of their new-found friend, that Harry’s absence was not remarked until the inn- keeper came in to say that supper would be ready in a short time. ‘“‘But was there not another?” asked mine host, as he turned to go back to the kitchen. - By Jove! Yes—where is Harry?” said Laurie, starting up. ‘* Don’t be alarmed, he is only taking a walk— I saw bim going "the sergeant interposed, be- fore George co a speak. Their anxiety thus quieted, Laurie and George —who had also s to his feet—resumed their seats, but scarcely had they done so, when the door was wn open, and a stranger enter The new-comer was a man about four feet in height, with an enormous head and breadth across the shoulders, very long arms and power- ful 2 gr his legs were very short, and mere spindles, ‘* A giant from the hips up, and a baby below,” whispered Spence, as the dwarf in thundering tones demanded the landlord to furnish a bottle of brandy—immediately !” The liquor was produced with such quickness, and served with such respect, that it was plain . y—when Captain Paulo arrives you ” ‘ rt - : ; . é ] / ‘ - ‘ . ) . a : Cc | , | 0 [@) - , ] ? > i a > . t 4 ; 5 - e, " eb? \ aaa .