Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 999 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

———a—em ® dd r = i * Wes . - ry . 4 -¢ > ea ee ae as | : « ry “s ‘ | ‘ . ‘ ee. mi 10 ‘‘Kxamine them yourself—I can find no more than I have mentioned.” It was quickly done; there were but two pers to look at; and, satisfied in an instant that there was no other, Lang looked up at De- catur, and with an expression half-angry, half- dismayed, exclaimed: ** | cannot understand it, sir! There was, as I have said, a package addressed to the Naval De- partment, with these papers.” ‘* Perhaps your—tbhe seaman Doubledick can explain what has become of it,” suggested the commodore, adding: ‘*He may have forwarded it himself, or the negro may have done so, not knowing that these papers formed part of the communica- tion,” ** True, true! It would belike Dick!” declared Lang, in a tone of relief. **t will send for him—” ** Excuse, me, sir, but before doing so, allow me to tell you what was in that communication, and to explain any points » hich do not appear clear to you, Then (although it is more than likely that package is safe, and will bear me out), if anything bas happened it, you will el heard me before questioning Double- ick, ** Very well; if can do no harm, at all events,” assented Decatur, who felt both anxious and curious regarding the prisoner. ** But, before you begin,” he continued, ‘‘ let me caution you against saying anything which I might possibly feel bound to make known, for your commission, sir (if such a name can be iven that document), is an appointment to an nglish privateer, and, putting aside the com- mission froma the Government entirely, that would still place you in the position of aspy.” **Scarcely, sir, since when I came on board this vessel, I delivered up what I sup , and announced, to be, my commission, as lieutenant of the lugger. There was, therefore, no decep- tion as to my character,” ‘* Very true! If nothing more, that will clear ou of the charge of being a spy. e Jove, it’s ucky you thought of that point! Handle the others the same way, and I'll have your ap- pointment within a week!” ‘*1'l] certainly make a try!” laughingly de- <— Lang; then he went on with his explana- on: ** The package for the Naval Department con- tained a certificate from the English Admiralty Office, stating that the bearer was engaged inan enterprise which entitled him to the respect of all law-abiding people, of whatever nation— friendly or otberwise to England—namely, the detection of certuin English privateers, suspected of piracy. “*Hor the successful accomplishment of this enterprise, the English Government offered a captein’s commission, and the vessel, or its value, if it were seized. “Geoffrey Gerard, who was a lieutenant in the English Navy, decided to take advantage of the chance for a captaincy, and sailed in the Arethusa, to be put ashore on the Bahamas, where it was pretty certain some of these privateer-pirates rendezvoused, but the Arethusa was wrecked there, and Geoffrey Gerard was among those lost—who were never heard from,” — The last words were uttered in such a peculiar stone that Decatur, in an equally peculiar tone, as ked; ** And was he lost?” ** It would seem so, since he was never heard from,” quietly answered, or rather fenced, ng, adding: **And when he died, J took up the work. He was half American, anyhow, and I know it was his intention to throw away the com- mission, and present the vessel to the United States.’ ** You appear to have been on pretty confi- dential terms with Lieutenant Geoffrey Gerard,” remarked Vesatur, ** Very confidential indeed!” was the equally dry response, ‘How did you manage to gain the confidence of the Par enerenen, so as to accomplish your purpose ‘““As expected, the particular island the Arethusa was wrecked on wasa rendezvous for several privateers, and through a few careless words it quickly became known that I—taking the of Geoff Gerard, of course—was an a 9 naval officer, “Very soon I received an offer of employ- ment (for it was generally understood that I had so disgraced myself in the service that, al- though not sought for, I could never hope to go aa : 5 fi : vay 7 a ‘wh mer < j 3 * wid % . if ‘ pas =~ ag « , 7 Fe a wee ee. eyiss F ah 4 a et I The Man of Manv Names. eee back), and as the offer came from the very man I was looking for, I accepted it.” ‘“‘That was a bad slip of the tongue, Mr. Lang,” mentally commented Decatur, referring to the emphasized words, and aloud: ** And this lady who was on the lugger when we ran across you?” **Have you seen herf” quickly demanded ng. ‘*l have,” ‘*Then you know that I was confined below by a sprained ankle, at the time the vessel she wasin wastaken, It was piracy pure and sim- le—without a pretext—the boldest act yet done by Captain Helfer—or Hellfire, as his crew dubbed bim; but it was his last, ‘* | had allowed one of the petty officers to see, my—Captain Gerard’s commission, and when it became known that I had been a captain, it gave me an immense amount of influence among the men, who hated Hellfire for his brutality-—to themselves, ‘* When the vessel Miss Trumbull was in was taken, I managed to hobble on deck, but too late to save the unfortunate crew, who had beep killed because Hellfire could not afford to take any prisoners, or prevent Miss Trumbull’s com- panion from being accidentally shot by some of the privateersmen, while pursuing one of the crew who ran into the cabin,” ‘* But you did manage to save the lady from harm—most gallantly, and at the risk of your life, she declared.” ‘*Oh, it was not quite so dangerous as that,” modestly disclaimed Lang. ‘* Dick and Sambo were behind me, and, as I’ve already told you, my supposed former rank gave great influence with the crew—so much that, through Dick, I learned it only needed my consent to make me captain,” , ecatur remained silent for several minutes after Lang finished his story, and then asked: ‘* You are withholding something, of course?” “Tam, sir; but, will not what [I have told, with these two commissions, and the lugger, and Dick’s testimony, be sufficient?” ‘* Yes, but not for my purpose, However, I'll bear Doubledick now, if you wish, though it’s unnecéssary and useless, for if you were a spy, and he your confederate, you would, of course, have a tale prepared for just such an oc- casion as this,” ‘* Very true, sir; I had overlooked that,” re- turned Lang, adding: ‘‘T am anxious to hear about that package. Will you kindly send for him?” ——— oo CHAPTER XIII, WHO LANG REALLY WAS. WHEN Dick entered the cabin, the commodore motioned Lang to do the questioning, and the latter accordingly asked: ‘*Did Sam say anything about the sealed package I gave him?” ** No, sir.” . ‘*Did he give any papers to Lieutenant Shu- brick?” — ‘‘ Not as I know of; sir, but he might have done it.” ‘*No, no!” interposed Decatur. ‘‘Had Mr. Sbubrick received any papers, be would have mentioned the fact to me; he has been here.” Lang looked somewhat surprised, but making no comment, continued: ** You are sure these are all the papers you re- ceived, Dick?” | ** Sart’in sure, sir,” **He kept none? Had no others?” **Not as I know of, sir, 1n the scuffle be had with the man-c’-war’s-men, they took the papers away, but gev’em back ag’in when they found what they were,” **Commodore Decatur, if those papers—that package is lost, your men are responsible for it!” hotly declared Lang. For once bis admirable coolness was con- quered, and, altbough his tone was anything but respectful, Decatur, apparently, sympa- thized with him, ““T have entire confidence in your statement as you have made it, Mr. Lang,” he said, and turning to Doubledick, asked: ‘“*Woat was there about the scuffle you men- tioned?’ Both the quasi prisoners now understood that Shubrick had not reported the conduct of the men placed on board the lugger, and Dick was embarrassed by the question, **I see, I see!” declared Decatur, speaking in an ominously quiet way, ‘‘The men intrusted with the logger have been having a good *ime— at the risk of another man’s life, ~. a =. He was white with suppressed rage, but after a few moments regained control of himself suffi- ciently to calmly declare: ‘“You shall not suffer any more than I can possibly help by the loss of that package -if it should be lost—Mr,. Lang. I1 wiil send the launch to look after the lugger immediately, and, if you wish, allow yourself and this good fellow to go with it—free as the air you breathe!” ‘Thank you—a thousand times, tiank you, commodore!” exclaimed Luny, toucbes t» tue quick by this confidence, ts ‘* Better get ready at once, then, for [ shall allow nuthing but your absence t>:‘'e! v tte de- parture of the boat,” warned t/e cm “odore, adding: ‘*] will send a midshipman with y ut is will be under your command, with di » Ont) act as you think fit. If necessary,sho, tava down like dogs!” The speaker’s temper had the mastery, now, and jumping up he began to pac» thec ibin-flxor, Oblivious of the presence of the others, be con- tinued: “By thegodsof war! Totiink that a :: fficer, and a gentleman, came Wituin an ace: s~ing- ing at the yard-arm of this ship becau'e a parcel of rum-soaked scoundrels (they were his: avorites among the crew) failed tobalf-way do their duty! Flaying alive ts too good for them!” **T beg your pardon, sir!” interrupted Lang. ‘* But, as I will not—can not—tuke advantage of your kind, generous offer, will you allow Dick to go alone in the boat?” “Kn? Oh—yes. Why not yourself, as well?” asked Decatur, betraying his surprise, ‘* Because whatever mischief may bave beer done, cannot be remedied by my accompanying the launch and whatever information there is to be gained regarding the package, Dick can gather even better than I could—for my pres- ence, especially in command, might frighten them,” “* Ts that your sole reason ?” ** Since you put it so sharply, s'r—it is not / ‘‘ All through you have exhibited a spirit of friendliness and confidence, pot warrapied by the circumstances under which I huve hecome known to you, and I will not place mv lf be-. yond your control, until I am exonerated from the charge of being a spy!’ v. For one moment, Decatur looked at the speaker as if he would read his very heert, Then, with an approving nod, he turned to Dick ani direct- ed him to prepare to accompany tie launch, adding: ‘* And, I shall order that any suggestions you may make, be given as much consideration as if they came from an officer, so, be both pradent waif ready in offering advice, wherever you deem it advirable,” ‘‘ Be careful, Dick!” warned Lang. ‘ See that you do not abuse the commodore’s kind- ness,’ Half-an-bour later, the launch was on the way to Barnegat, and Decatur and Lang, who had watched its departure, returned to the cabin, ‘*T have been requested to send you ashore to- night,” scknowledged the commodore, when they were seated, “but hardly know how to make the proposition. Lieutenant Snubrick will be bere about the end of te first dog-watch —(six o’elock)—tu use his o« n woris—with the expectation of accompanying you to the home of the Ludlows. !-shall be glad to have you go, but if you prefer to stay and dine with me, you may do 80.” | ‘Again, thank you! I prefer to remain, J will not, of my own volition, leave this sbip un tiJlall doubt regarding my character has been cleared up.” Decatur looked pleased, but made no com- ment other than a careless * As you please, Mr, ang. Next day about noon the lugger and the long- boat hove in sight, and fora ~hort time there was considerable excitement on board toe United Scates, which was not stall allayed wnen four men in irons were bundled into the bout and brought alongside the frigate, Leaving the prisoners in the boat, the third lieutenant, who bad been dispatched with the long-boat, followed by Doubledick, and a slim, boyish-looking mulatto—the Sambo referred to by the privateersmen—came on board,” ‘‘ We found them all bard at work, sir, with the lugger almost off, but, as ordered, I placed them in irons,” reported the lientenant, ‘Did you recover the package of papers?” ‘No, sir. Martin, who had the pepers for a short time, declares he returned +11 of them.” Decatur stamped his foot with anger, but, as a rule, where punishment was cuncer ned, he re- vy - * P 1 a al ee ¢ yaa * é f : : ipa! ion eer NN £: dattt bey eS a : : é comicbogks-eom ~~ >¢