Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 999 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

strained his temper, that no injustice should be done the offender through hasty judgment, “Send them below! I can't talk to them just now,” he directed, and turning to Lang: “It is really too bad! Ill do the best I can, however, and, if you wish, we'll adjourn the court-martial, leaving you at full liberty mean- time.” *“Not at all, sir—let it go on! When at lib- erty, 1 may be able to fin! some trace of the papers, aad, in any event, the offer of the Eng- lish Government for that particular vessel can be proved within a few weeks,” **Thatisso, We will goon, then, this after- noon, have the charge dismissed, and address a communication to tue English Admiralty, in or- der that you may be suitably rewarded, **Come! We'll worry no more over the affair at present, and as they’re about to pipe to din- ner, we'll go to ours,” During tae afternoon Lang’s case was re- opened, the charges against him dismissed, and @ decided inclination shown to reward bim with- out further proof, but the accused would accept nothing that even approached a favor, What- ever reward he received must coms to him asa Tight—as a roward for services performed. Secretly, Decatur was highly pleased at the stand taken by Lang, though he added his re- monstrances to those of Shubrick and other offi- cers who were present, when, the court-martial having acquitted the accused, expressing their confidence in him, and declaring his conduct in the finding and bo irding of the Macedonian worthy of substantial rec: gnition, Lang refused to accept auy reward untilhe had proved him- self all that he had claimed to be, ‘* Well, I suppose you must be allowed to have your own way about it,” remarked Shu- brick, ‘* bat you are not going to have it so that your friends will be deprived of your society. I am under orders to bring you to the Ludlows’ (where Miss Trumbull is staying) to-night, and am instructed not to leave you until [ have you safely anchored there.” “Very well,” smilingly assented Lang; ‘‘ since your orders are so positive, 1 suppose it is best to submit gracefully.” That evening, accordingly, Shubrick and Lang presented themselves at the home of the Ludlows, where the latter was warmly wel- comed by all the members of the household, be- cause— ‘*My dear sir, we can never repay you for our kindness—your gallant conduct in saving ife—more than life!” declared Mr. Ludlow, grasping Lang’s band, “Where is she—where is Nettie?’ he con- tinued, looking around the room, which, be- sides Mrs, Ludiow and her daughter, contained & number of visitors, invited for the express purpose of meeting Lang—the mystery still clinging to the latter apparently making him all the more interesting. In response to Mr, Ludlow’s call, a beautiful girl of seventeen, or thereabouts, came to his side, smiling and blushing as she shyly placed her hand in Lang’s, and murmured a few words inaudible to even ber uncle. Lang, however, seemed to understand her—and that was suf- ficient. ‘Though it beats me how he could do it!” muttered the old gentleman, as, with the hero- ine and hero of the evening, he proceeded to in: troduce the latter to bis wife an daughter, and their frienis. passed a pleasant evening, which was only the fi:stof many during the ensuing two months, and then came a letter from. Decatur informing him tbat Lieutenant Alien had beep pointed to the command of the Argus—-one of the brigs captured at Tripoli, “f kaow of nothing more wearisome than waitinz, and no greater relief to aa active mind than action, so it occurred to me that the pleas- antest way in which you could pass the time which must elapse before we caa hear from England would be with Allen. As there is a strong probability that he will fall in with a British man-of-war brig, reported as cruising in the Sound, I inclose you an acting order as lieutenant, which places you under no obliga- tion, as it will not be confirmed until the British Admiralty -ees fit to reply to our letter.” There was a pt stating that Allen had just arrived with the Argus, and hoped Lang would join him at once, as he would leave port within a couple of days, Lang had not found Waiting, in this instance, at all wearisome, be Ludlows and their frierids, and particularly Nettie Trumbull, had taken care that he should not; but the tempta- tion of a short cruise, with the strong probability of an engagement, was too great, and he imme- ‘ eh Sa 5 \e Pie: “ " oe YY ay wae : The Man of Many Names. diately went on board the Argus, leaving at least one young lady quite angry at what she termed Commodore Decatur’s officiousness, and unhappy over Lang's departure, ** Fighting Jack ” Shubrick, too, had heard the news, and volunteered with the whole crew of the Hornet, boping his “‘ luck,” which was uni- versally believed in, would bring on an engage- rent. ** With two such lucky birds, as Shubrick and Lang bave proved to be, you ought to have some news for us within a short time, Alien,” remarked Decatur, jestingly, as, with the com- modore of the Argus, and the two yolunteers, he stood on the quarter-deck of the brig just before she sailed, ‘*T hope to,” returned Allen. And be had, and startling news, but it related to Lang, and not to the British brig-of-war, ‘* Jack Lang” had been positively identified as Geoffrey Gerard, by a dying mun, who had uaconsciously betrayed bim, by saying: ‘** Master Geoffrey, you have succeeded to the title, and are now my lord!” CHAPTER XIV, LORD GEOFFREY GERARD, For a-week after leaving New York, the Argus cruised in and turough the Sound, but without seeing or hearing of the British brig-of- war, and allon board felt disgusted—especially Shubrick and the men of the Hornet, who had volunteered in the expectation of an early en- gagement with the enemy. Lang, too, felt disappointed, and when Allen announced, on the evening of the seventh day, that he intended turning back next morning, remarked: ‘*The presence of Mr. Shubrick and myself appears to have bud a repelling instead of an attracting effect on the enemy,” He had heard of the superstition attaching to Fighting Jack’s presence on a ship, but had not been long enough among his present companions to observe that, though treated as a joke, it was really secretly believed in. Indeed, Shubrick had himself volunteered in the hope that his “luck” would bring about an engagement, and the crew of the Hornet had followed him in the firm belief that it would do so, ‘* By Juve! Lang, you’ve suggested an idea!” exclaimed Shubrick, ‘* We, together, as you say, appear to repel the enemy. Now, suppose we divide forces—take watch and watch—never appear on deck at the same time? As it is, or bas been for the past week, it looks as if each was counterac.ing the magnetic influence of the other.” Fighting Jack spoke in a jesting way, as bad Lang, but the latter was surprised to observe that the varivus officers standing with them on the quarter-deck appeared to regard the propo- sition seriously; but, pretending not to notice this, be laughingly answered: ‘*Apreed! You take the first watch, and I'll turn in, 80 as to be ready for mine, Some- thing will surely come of it, before the sun sets again!” No man is entirely free from superstition— not even in the-e bard, practical days; and the last sentence uttered by Lang, as he turned to go below, impres-ed his. bear rs wonderfully, not withstanding the fact that it was mockiials oracular. Something did come of it, however—accord- ing to the ideas of those who were present when the arrangement was made-—for early next morning Lang himself sighted a large vessel about four miles to windward. Fura few minutes there was considerable ex- citement on board the Argus, and a great many ‘‘[ told \ou so’s” were excnanged; but, as they neared the stranger, it was seen that ber foremast was gune, and that she was o.berwise in a disabled state, , It was soon evident that she was a merchant- man, though of what natiovality was dfficult to decide; but whatever it might be mattered little, for it was plain she was in distress, and that is sufficient with sailors to obtain assistance, Nation or country is lust sight of in the feeling of sympatby for the misfortunes liable to be fall all who follow the fickle goddess upon the seas, When the Argus was within a mile, the stran- ger threw out American colors, and hoisted a whiff, half-mast down, ‘As I thought; she’s in distress!” exclaimed Allen, and to the quartermaster: ** Keep her aw ay, sir!” When alongside the stranger, a boat was lowered and sent to ascertain what assistance ee ere CCT Oe Ee - SSC Fs - MS :—“—ts— SS ++ + 2 Ose eel fe ee eee ee ssn a re ll rr could be afforded. With the boat went Shu- brick, and in a few minutes he sent it back for the surgeon, saying that several of the sbip’s crew, and @& passenger, bad been hurt—the latter dangerously—during the storm which bad carried away the foremast, and half of the crew, Canning and his assistant were immediately dispatched to the ship—which was the Storm King, of Boston—and then a second boat wes lowered and filled with provisions, which Stu- brick bad also reported as short, ‘“*T should like to go with that.boat, sir,” remarked Lang, when the second cutter was lowered, “Then go—take charge of it!” returned Allen, Had Lang been asked why he wished to visit the Storm King, he would have been una!:lea to answer, He was not: fflicted with that morlid curiosity which impels some people to visit scenes of suffering and horror, and yet he couid not restrain a desire to board her, A Turk would say it was Kismet—Fate. Perhaps it was. At all events, he entered the row and was quickly pulled on board tue Storm ing. The injured men were all in the cabin, and having superintended the unloading of the boat, Lang took several bottles of wine, which were among the supplies, and went below with them, ‘*Here is some wine for tbe tick folks, doc- tor—” he began, on entering the cabin, but was interrupted by a j yous cry from the man over whom Canning was then bending. ‘* Iv’s Master Geoff! I know his voice—let me see him!” It was the psssenger who bad been reported as dangerously injured who uttered the words, and as the surgeon stepped aside he cried: **Thank God! I have found you before I died! Master Geoffrey, you have succeeded to the title, and ar. now my lord!” Crash! went the small basket containing the wine, and for a few seconds Lang looked like a rman turned into stone, ‘*What is—the—oatter, sir?’ inquired the injured man, in @ weak voice, @ was very old, bad been terribly crushed by. a falling spar, and could live but a few min- utes, ‘*Leftenant Dixon—wrote home that--that they were—were going to hang you, sir,” Le continued, but could get no further, His evident desire to speak, and the struggle the old man made to do so, seemed to arouse Lang, upon whom all eyes were fixed; but, heediess of the wondering glances of the others, he step forward and bent over the—dead man! Thestruggle to speak had suddenly ended the old man’s earthly career! f course, only the ponte from the Argus understood the full significance of the scene just enacted, but even the utbers were ustonisbed to hear that the young man attired as an American lievtenant was an English nobleman, . Satisfied that the old man was really dead, like a stag at bay Lang drew biméeif up proud- ly and gazed defiantly around him. Shubrick and C «nning looked both astonished aod worried by what they had heard, while the latter’s assistant looked maliciously knowing and the coxswain of the first cutter, who had followed Leng, was gazing at the latter in open- mouthed amazement, ‘* W here is this man’s baggage?” asked Lang. . “You knew him, sir?’ questioned the mate of the Storm King, whom Lang had addressed, “I did,” was the reply, after a little besita- tion, “I did, and I want to examine his bag- gage !"—the last peremptorily. “It is here—this is all be had.” hastily re- turned the mate, indicating a smull valise iviig on the floor beside the dead man, **He came aboard just as we were going to Sail,and had to leave the rest of his baggage behind,” added the mate, ‘*It is locked!” impatiently exclaimed Lang, who was endeavoring to open the valise, **See if you can find the key!” he continued, in the same peremptory tone, The coxswain, standing next the dead man, began to search for the key, and in doing so drew forth a sealed packet addressed: “LORD GEOFFREY GERARD,” Hastily snatching this, Lang made a move- ment asif going tu break the seal, but changed his mind and thrust the ket into bis breast- gg Then turning Shubrick, be asked to take of the dead man’s valise wan the key of it, when found), and left the cabin. ue ; . ’ % - ~~ fel + > a x —_-. ~s 7 - a.) 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