Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 999 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

ve wee throwing away an English title, to become a plain American citiz ‘Dy Was sufficient proof that my brain was touched.” “?fis a marvelous tale,” commented the old gentleman, and glancing at bis watch, contin- ued: ** [ suppose you are tired, and will be glad to rest like a Christian for one night?’ ‘* Yes,” assented Lang, smilingly, ‘though it must be fur one night only,” As ‘* Why, what do you mean?” asked Mr, Lud- i low, amida storm of ejaculatory protests from £4 the ladies, 7 ‘fam going to Boston to-morrow night with Captain Lawrence,” explained Lang, *‘ and may have the pleasure of meeting my late keeper, Captain Broke, before returning,” ‘We will hope so at any rate,” smilingly added the famous captain, as, with the others, he arose to take his leave, little thinking of the deathless fame that meeting would bring to him, though he perished in attaining it, CHAPTER XVIIL ‘* DON’T SURRENDER THE SHIP!” JUNE Ist, 1813, 2 dies gr Boston Harbor is the English man- of-war Shannon, commanded by Captain Broke, who bas come there for the avowed purpose of seeking a combat with the Chesapeake. To briog this about, the Euglish commander sent a formal cbhalleage to Captain Lawrence, The latter’s transfer to the Chesapeake was peculiarly distasteful, tecause she was not only considered one of the very worst ships in the navy, but in consequence of her disgrace in the fignt with the Leopard, bore the discouraging re ot among sailors of being an ‘unlucky ship,” Had Lawrence received the challenge, and thus been warned to prepare his ship—bad he had an opportunity of selecting his officers and disciplining his crew—bad he, in short, been able to place the Chesapeake on anything like equal terms with the Shannon, the combat that took place that day might huve been more bloody, and an engagement seen such as never , yet had been witnessed between single ships on the ocean, and although there is good reason to believe taat Captain Broke studiously under- rated the number of his guns and crew, or that he received additions to both, after his chal- lenge, we cannot suffer ourselves to doubt the result. But, Lawrence knew nothing of the challenge —all he saw was the Shannon riding before him in defiance, and although his ship was an in- ferior one—although his first lieutenant was sick on shore—altbough three of bis lieutenants had recently left ber, and of the remaining, two were only midshipmen, acting as lieutenants— although of his crew were new hands, and all of them lacking in discipline through a long stay in port—yet, as he would have gone to sea PO am Tage Te, - Paes, s— ad ~~ bad no enemy appeared, so the gallant captain ny Aare not to delay because one was t, As soon as the ship was under way, Captain Lawrence, baving hoisted the famous flag with the motto: ‘‘ Free Trade and Sailors’ Rights!” made a short address to the crew; but, instead of the usual enthusiasm which greeted his words, there were signs of dissatisfaction and discon- tented miutterings regarding unpaid prize- moaney. These were ill-omened signs at the eve of an action; but, kind-hearted as he was brave, and sapere us of the character of his crew, Captain awrence was unwilling to dampen theirspirits at such a moment by harshness, ‘* Have prize-checks drawn and paid to these who have not received what is due them!” he ordered, and Lieutenant Lang (or Ludlow as he was now known—having adopted that name at the request of his uncle) transmitted the order to the purser. S While this scene was passing, the Shannon seeing the Chesapeake coming out bore away. The Chesa © followed her until four He when Lawrence, growing impatient, ordered: “Fire a weather gun, Mr, Ludlow! We will see what he is made of, Tue Shannon immediately hove to and await- ed her pursuer, not firing a gun while the Chesa- peake was coming head on to ber—though it afforded a splendid spormanity for a raking broadside. But Captain Broke had too much admiration for his adversary to take advantage " of this, and ordered; ATG ** Don’t fire until that gallant fellow’s broad- Rs side is full on, so he can haye an even chance!” J nar * a - P . ’ re There was very little maneuvering, Law- rence’s only thought being bow he could soonest come to close quarters, and at about six o’clock the vessels being within pistol-range, they ex- changed broadsides, The result of the action thus commenced is well-known, Three broadsides only were ex- changed, and eleven minutes after, the English bad boarded and taken pos-ession of the Chesa- peake, every officer of which, down to the chap- lain, had been killed or desperately wounded, and, baving no oue to lead or rally them, the seamen were s00n Overpowered—many of them following the example of the leader of the mal- contents of the morning—a Portuguese boat- swain’s mate, who skulked below, saying: _ ‘*So much for not paying men their prize- money.” No signal of surrender had been made, for, as the beroic Lawrence was carried below (twice wounded by musket-balls), perceiving the melan- choly condition of the Chesapeake, he uttered the famous order: ** Don't surrender the ship !” The English were soon in ion, however and, perceiving that the noise above had ceased, the indomitable Liwrence ordered the surgeon to go on deck and tell the officers *‘ to fight to the last, and never strike the colors!” ‘* They shall wave while I live!” he cried, But, alas! there were no officers to tell, and the enemy was already in possession, Four days after, surrounded by his wounded Officers, the gallant Lawrence expired, His body, wrapped in the’ colors of the Chesapeake, was luid on the quarter-deck until they arrived | at Halifax, where he was buried with the high- est military and naval honors, Six of the old- est c»ptains in the English navy—then at Hali- fax—-carried the pall, which was one of the colors of the Chesapeake, and on top of the ccffin was placed the dead hero’s sword. Following immediately behind the coffin, came the wounded officers of both ships (making the scene most impressive and affecting), and then followed a long pane a regiment of moe and a full band playing the “‘ Dead March in Saul.” Thus the British officers showed their admira- tion of the character of him who but yesterday was their enemy. Lieutesrant Ludlow, who had been twice wounded and twice carried below, only to re- turn to the deck a third time when he saw bis brother-officers brought down, was one of those who assisted Lawrence below, and although his conduct during the engagement had won for him unstinted praise, among both friends and enemies, Gallant Jack Lang was severely cen- sured, and suspended by the Naval Department ‘sir leaving the deck while the fight was still go- on! his was a rude return for services which had ned for him the name of Gallant Jack, and, ull of resentment, Lang resigned the commis- sion he had received on the day following his escape from Captain Broke. **It may be the law, but circumstances alter cases, and you’ve been unfairly dealt with! I shall appeal to Congress!” declared Mr. Ludlow, who was even more angry than his nephew. ‘*Oblige me by doing nothing of the kind. I would not accept reinstatement, even with a captain’s commission pinned to it,” quietly af- ed Jack, ** And what will you do?” It was the evening following Lang’s return to New York, and tne whole family, together with Shubrick, were at the table, Glancing slyly across the table at Nettie, Lang replied: ‘First, with a little assistance from you, I ropose to purchase the lugger, and turn her in- to an American privateer, and then after a cruise or two—” He paused for a couple moments, with his eyes fixed on the fair girl opposite, causing the old gentleman to impatiently demand: * And then what?” ** And then, sir, if moderately successful, I pro to marry Miss Trumbull!” coolly finish- ed lang, adding: ‘‘I now ask your consent to our engagement,” This caused something of @ sensation, but be- fore it had died away, Shubrick took his turn in firing a bombshell, **] suppose I may as well put in my claim, now,” he said, imitating his friend’s cool, matter- of-fact style, and causing Miss Ludlow to become as blush ngly confused as her cousin, while all eyes were turned on the ker. ‘* What—another?” exclaimed Mr. Ludlow, in comical dismay—kalf-pretended, as it was, for ° 4 ' 4 me) 84 é ite -’ - : The Man of Many Names. —- fab SN A RLS Phage 4 ) ———s —-) ~~ he was well aware of the feeling existing between tne big lieutenant and his daughter. ** Yes; as engagem: nts appear to be the order of the day, [ must ask your consent ‘(.. one be- tween your daughter and myself,” ‘¢ We'll discuss the engagement question, with the lugger question, after we’ve finished cating. Come! everything is getting cold!” replied Mr. Ludlow, after a minute’s thoughtful silence. That was the way it ended, however, for the fatber and uncle had not the slightest ohjection to either of the young men, and when Fighting Jack Shubrick returned to Decatur, and Gallant Jack Lang sailed away in the lugger, each had the satisfaction of knowing that ‘‘ the girl he left behind bim” was bound to him with the approval of her nearest relatives. THE END, Beadle’s Dime Library. BY LEON LEWIS, 785 Che Down-East Detective in Nevada. 773 Buffalo Bills Ban: or, Cody to the Rescue. 699 The Cowboy Couriers. 686 The On-the-Wing Detectives. 624 The Submarine Detective: or, The Water Ghouls. 454 Captain Ready, the Red Ransomer. 481 The Silent Detective; or, The Bogus Nephew, 456 The Demon Steer, 428 The Flying Glim; or, The Island Lure. BY J. ©, COWDRICK, 752 The Suspect Sport of Daisy Drift. 626 Ducats Dion, the Nabob Sport Detective. 612 Sheriff Stillwood, the Regulator of Raspberry. 598 The Dominie Detective, 591 Duke Daniels, the Society Detective. 580 Shadowing a Shadow. 565 Prince Paul, the Postman Detective. 557 The Mountain Graybeards: or, Riddles’ Riddle,’ 519 Old Riddles, the Rocky Ranger 499 Twilieht Charlie, the Road Sport. 473 Gilbert of Gotham, the Steel-arm Detective. ? 452 Rainbow Rob, the Tulip from Texas, 436 Kentucky Jean, the Sport from Yellow Pine. 422 Blue Grass Burt, the Gold Star Detective, 890 The Giant Cupid; or Cibuta John’s Jubilee, BY NED BUNTLINE, ' 657 Loog Tom, the Privateer. 633 The Sea Spy. 621 The Red Privateer; or, The Midshipman Rover. 584 Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King. 517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail. 361 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 270 Andros, the Rover; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot 34 { 111 The Smuggler Captain; or, The Skipper’s Crime, 61 Captain Seawaif, the Privat-er. 23 The Red Warrior; or, The Comanche Lover. 18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle. 16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet. 14 Thayendanegea,the Scourge; or, The War-Eagle. BY GEORGE C. JENKS, 772 Captain Corden, the Twister Detective. 755 Wild Pete the Broncho-Buster Detective. : 72% Fearless Sam, the Grand Combination Detective. 719 Boston Bob, the Sport Detective. 572 Jaunty Joe, the Jockey Detective. 554 Mad Sharp, the Rustler. ‘el 538 Rube Rocket, the Tent Detective. ' 526 Death-Grip, the Tenderfoot Detective, 507 The Drummer Detective. 432 The Giant Horseman. 898 Sleepless Eye, the Pacific Detective. BY PHILIP S. WARNE, ; aptain Adair, the Cattle King. ; oes Contain Midnight, the Man of Craft, } 544 The Back to Back Pards. 1 522 The Champion Three, Reh Bareback Buck, the Centaur of the Plains.) 472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to “ Tie To.” 431 California Kit, the Always on Hand, 404 Silver Sid; or, A ** Daisy ” Bluff. 880 Tiger Dick’s Pledge: or, Tne Golden Serpent, 359 Yellow Jack, the Mestizo. $38 Jack Sands, the Boss of the Town, / 299 Three of a Kind; or, Dick, Despard and the Sport. 280 Tiger Dick’s Lone Hand; 201 Tiger Diex vs. Iron Despard. 207 Old Hard Head; or, Whirlwind and his Mare., { 171 Tiger Dick, the Man cf the tron Heart, 114 The Gentleman from Pike. 80 A Man of Nerve; or, Caliban the Dwarf. 54 Always on Hand; or, The Foot-Hils Sport, x 29 Tiger Dick, Faro King; or, Tne Cashier’s Crime. 4 The Kidnapper; or, The Northwest Shanghai. 1 A Hard Crowd; or, Gentleman Sam’s Sister, A new issue every Wednesday. We BEeADLE’s Dime Lrerary is for sale by all News | dealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on re- ceipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William St,, New York. > a. i An i a a P ~ 4“ 7 pate 4 F cea’ pre ei ae 1 Vas HL h« wal | 7 . _ : =) * * s Lis VS ins 04 apenas ‘oD a Bee ees Cant Mamet ng) ee hh we on ‘ 4 ‘ 34. “ ri N y “th ity AA Age scat MN on et A AL Ca so ‘comicbooks.com