Beadle's Dime Library No. 109 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

Captain Kyd, the King of the B Pe TT her lips, Kate of Belmont sunk upon her knees, resigning herseif to the death she felt must be hers, and which her proud, brave heart, would | make her face undauntedly. But suddenly, when the ragged antlers of the flerce stag were within ten feet of her, and the horseman and horsewoman drew up in borror, the latter to cover her face with her hands to shut out the fearful scene, there came the sharp twang of a bow string, a steel-headed ar- row sped on its way, and sunk to the feather in the huge bedy of the maddened forest mon- and, her arch, Down in his tracks sunk the stag full length upon the green lawn fe ll Kate of Belmont, unseeing the tall form that came bounding toward her, bow in hand and a second arrow bent for use. But a second shot was needless, for the first had been unerringly aimed, as the stag lay dead where he had fallen, his sharp antlers driven deep into the ground, and his hairy body almost touching the fair form of Lady Kate, who had sunk upon the soft greensward in a deep swoon, | not listen to a peasant’s fine speeches to thee, ‘A brave shot that, my lad, and worthy the | Lady Kate of Belmont, but punish him as he eat Robin Hood himself,” cried the horseman | deserves for daring to address you as he bas,” ashing up and springing to the ground, while | and the angry Lord Manly strode forward, th whip in hand, for a lover of Lady Kate, his the one who had sent the fatal shaft, stood with | flushed face, looking down upon the maiden, | jealousy got the best of his reason for the and seemingly not daring to raise her from the | moment. ground. | Kenton ree. turned calmly toward him, | as he advanced, and there was a dangerous light CHAPTER VI. | flashed up into his dark eyes: but unheeding THE NOBLE AND THE PEASAYT. | the cry of both Lady Kate and her cousin to THOUGH the one who bad fired the unerring | stay his hand, he brought the whip down with shot that brought down the stag, seemed diffi- | heavy force upon the shoulder of the young dent about raising Kate of Belmont from the | huntsman. ground, not so with the horseman, who sprung Stinging under the insult and unheeding the quickly from his steed, and knelt by her side, | law that one of humble birth dare not raise his while he iook ber smal!, gloved hand iu his own, | hand against a noble, Kenton Cavanaugh seized avd ssid sternly: the whip, tore it from the hand of the insulter, ‘Quick! bring me water to dash in her face; | and grasping him in a clutch of iron burled bim be = ck, I say!” to the ground with a force that momentarily ‘*Here is my flask, Lord of Meredith,” was the | stunred him. haughty response, and the archer handed it to the horseman, who was about to dash the con- tents into the pale, but beautiful face, when the fringed eyelids were raised, and Kate of Bel- mont looked up at the one bending over her, _ said softly, while a shudder passed over her rame: ** Ah! Iam safe then, and to you Lord Manly I owe my life.” The face of the young noble flushed, but he said evasively: wI am glad to see you recovered, Lady ote.’ Placing her hand upon his arm she rose to her feet, just as there approached a maiden, of al- most equal beauty as Kate of Belmont, and who had becn the companion of Lord Manly. Dismounting from her horse, when she saw that Lady Kate was unhurt, she now rusted up end are her arms around her, crying ear- nestly. ‘Ob, Kate! bow near you were to ceath, and how I rejoice in your rescue; but no, indeed, | Lord Manly Merecith did not fire the arrow that saved you, but this handsoms3 young man | here,” and Lady Grace, of Greyburst Castle and a cousin of Kate of Belmont, approache the embarrassed archer, and extending her hand, conti ued: “And 1 tbank you from my heart for saving the life of my sweet cousin.” ** And it is to you, Kenton Cavanaugh, that I owe my life? 1 might have known no other band and eye could send an arrow as you have done; here, let me clasp the hand that saved me, and ever remember that in Kate of Belmont you have a true friend.” The one he'addressed was attired as a hunts- man, and one in the lower waiks of life; but his sult you by offering you gold for what thou hast done; but you are poor, and I know earn your living by your hunting and fishing, and I would that you allow me in some way to reward you. Kenton Cavanaugh’s face turned crimson, and seeing it, Lord Manly said sneeringly: ‘* Forsooth, be blushes like a lover about to ask the hand and love of his lady.” ‘*For shame, Lord Meredith, to insult® one who, not being your peer, cannot resent an in- jury,” said Rate of Belmont with evident anger, while her cousin, Lady Grace, cried: ‘** Well said, cousin mine, and if Lord Manly repeats the offense I will look upon Kenton Cav- anaugh as the most noble.” The young peer bit his lip angrily and his eyes flashed, but he made no reply, and the huntsman again spoke: ‘*Lady Kate, you have given me, in your friendship, a greater reward than I could ask; may Ialways deserve your respect.” ‘By the gray castle of Meredith, but I will ‘““Oh Kenton, what have you done?’ cried Kate, in alarm. ‘* Ay, young man, you have struck a noble- reid said Grace, with an angry flush on her ace. **T have resented an insult offered me, and were he of royal blood I would do the like again; but I crave pardon, Lady Kate of Bel- mont, for losing my temper in your presence.” ‘““Cavanaugb, you have just saved my life, aud, as Lord Manly acted cowaruly to insult and then strike you, so I cannot condemn you; but go, or he will take Our life,” and te spoke see enti while Lady Grace said: ‘Yes, fly while you can.” ‘** No, I will not fly from any danger, even at poate command, naa y Kate,” and turning to rd Manly, who bad risen to his feet, and stood like one dazed by astonishment, he continued: ‘‘And to you, Lord of Meredith, I will sa that peasant though you call me, and noble thoug ten be by birth, I will not shun you, _and my home, should you wish to find me, you | know full well.” ‘*Ha! is this a challenge, fellow?’ burst from Lord Manly’s lips, ‘* As you please, noble,” and raising his hat to the surprised Lady Kate and her equally as- tonished cousin, Kenton Cavanaugh slung bis bow and quiver upon his back, and strode on to the castle with the bag of game, the result of his afternoon’s bunt. ‘Peasant though Kenton Se be by birth, he isa nobleman by nature, Lord Manly,” said Kate of Belmont, as the young hunter walked a **Ay, and peasant as he is, his life shall be - poneley for this day’s work,” hissed Lord anly. he You gave the insult, and he but resented it, my Lord of Meredith,” said Lady Kate. ~* By tke Cross! but you uphold that lew-born dog in what he has done, and admire him for it I verily believe,” and the noble became pallid with rege, while Lady Kate calmly replied: ‘‘I admire any man who has the nerve to re- cent an insult, my Lord of Meredith, and I ad- mire Kenton Cavanaugh more because I owe it to him that I am not lying at your fect mangled and dead.” ‘* By the Chastening Rod! but I believe you a costume, though not of rich texture became him well, and fitted his splendid form, as though *twere made by the same tailor who cut the vel- vet riding-suit worn by the young Lord Manly. Witb a face that was darkly bronzed by ex- posure, there was yet upon every feature the stamp of intellect and character, and in his dark eyes there dwelt a power of fascination few men could boast of, and, knowing him to be the son of a poor fisherman of the coast, the haughty young Lord Manly was angered at the kindly tone of Lady Kate in addressing bim, and spoke up quiekiy's love this dastard pean, Lady Kate of Bel- “it was a feir shot, Lady Kate; but the fel- | mont, but you shall weep over him dead, rather low but did his duty, and, had it been neces- | than smile on him living.” sary, Should have sacrificed his life to save| ‘Lord Manly of Meredith, you have gone too thine.” far: leave my presence, sir!” and Lady Kate’s ‘“‘} would gladly have given my life, Lord of | eyes flashed dangerously, while her lips quiver- Meredith, to save the Lady Kate from harm,” | ed with emotion. was the reply of the’ young hunter, in as haugh- Instantly the young noble saw the mistake of ty a tone as that used by the noble, whose face | his words, and dropping upon one knee he said ushed with auger #s he hotly responded: earnestly: “By the Cross! but thou art become imper- | a on I crave, sweet Lady Kate, for I was tinent fe low.” | mad and knew not what I said.” Unheeding the remark of Lerd Manly, the | “Gol! Lord of Meredith,” and Lady Kate huntsman ried his game bag from the ground, | pointed toward the mghway. and touching his hat to Kate of Belmont, said ~ “ Forgive and forget my words, I implore.” with deep respe: t: **Go! : ** Lady Kate, I have game here for the castle, | Hesaw that she was unyielding, and rising to whither I was going when I saw your danger, | bis feet he strode toward his horse, and throw- enc J am more t Lappy to have serve ing bimself into the saddle dashed away like the you.” wind; but the curse on lips boded evil te “@tay, Kenton Cavanaugh, f would net ia- Kenten Cavanaugh. , 5 CHAPTER VII. KENTON CAVANAUGH'S OATH. Tue young fisherman, or huntsman, for he was both, passing his time almost equilly upon the sea fishing, or in the forests hunting, deserves more than the passing notice given of him in the foregoing chapter, as he is destined to pley a prominent part in the pages of this story of the ocean in the olden time when the 1ame of Kyd was a terror to mariners from the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Mexico. : Though scarcely over twenty years of age his} pie was perfect, as be was tall, with” road shoulders, a slender waist and small bands and feet that would moie become the noble than the peasant. is face, as I have before said, was darkly bronzed, and his eyes were his most remarkable feature, being soft and gentle almost to sadness in moments of calm: but, when arcused to an- ger they fairly burned, and his habit, when deeply moved, of lowering his brows, caused them to fairly bleze, and seemingly to emit fiery gleams, like flashes of lightning bursting out of a thunder-cloud. Carrying himself with the air of a high-born youth, and with his dark, waving hair falling vpon his shoulders, his coarse, though well-fit- ting hunting-suit alone distinguished him as one not of noble lineage; but ot humble origin though he was, he possessed an independence of spirit, and pride of character not compatible with a poor fisher Jad, and a fearlessness that tie reader has already seen exhibited when in- sulted by the young Lord Manly of Meredith Castle, Stopping at the side entrance of the castle, and re upon the lawn, Kenton Cavanaugh celled to the pompous butler, delivered to him the game for the earl, and which he bad orders to furnish for the nobleman’s table twice each week, and strode on round the wall toward the cliff, down which a steep aud rugged pathway lea to the beach. As he went along it was evident that he was deeply moved; but it was not by the scene with Lord Manly, or his threat; on the con- trary it was because what he had not dared cream of before be now knew was realily—he loved Kate of Castle Cor. Peasant though he was, and the daughter of an earl as she was, he loved ber, and to his own heart be could not longer disguise the truth. When a little girl he had oiten killed for her a noble eagle, and sent Ler the wings, or brcught down a splendid stag with far-t ranching antlers, and made her the recipient of this proof of bis skill with the Low and srrow, while in many other ways he had shown his interest in the sweet little maid of Castle Cor. And Lady Kite, knowing that Kenton Cava- naugh, humble led though he was, was the truest archer in all the country near; and the best sailor on the coast, she could not withhold ~ — her admiration, especially when, as a horse- man he had no equal among the young nobles of her acquaintance, and was engeged by her father, the earl, to train the refractory steeds in his stables, while, added to all of his accomplish- ments he was certainly the kands«mcst youn man she bad ever seen, she felt herself irresisti- — bly drawn toward bim, though the idea that the, Lady could love a poor her head. Besides, was she not, throvgh an egrecment made when she was a child, between her father and the old Earl of Meredith, the promised wife of Lord Manly, the Loon companion of her brother, Sir Gerali? . No, the thought of loving Kenton Cavanaugh had never entered the haughty bead of beautiful girl until the moment she felt that the owed to him her life, and then her fece flushed with the revelation of the secret her heart had securely held, and in very shame she bad dropped her eyes kefore the huntsman when he stood before her, as proud, and far pandagner than Lord Manly, her accepted over. And this very circumstance brought to Ken- ton Cavanaugh, as he wended his way to his Lumble home, that Lady Kate Belmont was dearer to him than ali the world besides, and he groaned in agony of spirit as he felt how far apart in life his path and hers must lead. ‘*Oh God! what a curse is Lirth, if it elevates one and lowers another.” he muttered; and, es he swung himself recklessiy, yet unerring- ly down the cliff, and gaining the beach walked swiftly along, he continued: ‘Curses upon my low-born lot that keeps me from the side of that beautiful being, whom now I know I love with all the passionate idolatry of my strong nature, ‘Am I not like those they call noble? ‘Is there one of them with eye as true, and hand as steady with the bow and arrow? “Ys there one of them that I cannot crush with my greater strength? ** Am I not a sailor as well asa landsman, and has not my good old father taught me the mys- fisher lad, had never entered teries of learning until lam their equal, if not — their supericr in knowledge of men and tke | great wide world? . “And I cannot, thus sme Bae a ma and the equal of nebles, except in birth, dare adi Kate of Belmont and Castle Cor, a ~~ €comicbooks:. cor eo i a - - - q a ; es ‘a 4 + .