Beadle's Dime Library No. 109 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

—— that you are going to desert your old father Captain Kyd, the King of the Black Flag. : —— - - ae ee ee - - —————— ee @ ele broke the seal of the letter, while Lady Grace now that the snows of sixty winters have | asked: whitened his head?” asked the old man sadly. “Rather, I must. education superior to that of nobles; you have taught me to be ambitious, and to feel myself a | man, and the result is that I shall prove myself one, for I go to-night on board the cruiser in whatsoever capacity they may take me.” “Do you mean this, Kenton?” “I do, father, for I will no longer be a serf, but win a name that will bring joy to your heart.” ‘You may never return.” * But I will; destiny will not be thus cruel to me,” ‘‘ Kenton, not a wordof mine shall deter you, and, upon the whole, I think it best, for I am not blind, and can see that you have been allow- ing your heart torun riot with your brain. “IT have ample funds to keep me, even should 1 dono work fora year, and you have it in you to make a name; go, andmay God guide you is my prayer.” The voice of the old man trembled, and Ken- ton, too, was deeply moved; but he cast off the gloom creeping over him, and set to work making his arrangements, his father aiding him all in his power, and telling him he would see him on board the cruiser. Half an hour after, with his worldly goods tied up in a kerchief, half a dozen rix-dollars in his pocket, and a stout heart, he sprung into the skiff, and bis father following, took the tiller. Seated upon the jutting baicony of stone, in her own wing of the castle, Kate Belmont saw the little boat put out from the shore, and called her cousin, who wes in an adjoining room. ‘*'There he goes, Grace, and—” ** And he carries a maiden’s heart with him, cousin mine.” ‘* Why, Grace, do you love the handsome fisher lad?” ‘Very dearly, for my sweet cousin’s sake; but, joking aside, Iam glad he has gone, for [ know the nature of Lord Manly too well to for a moment think he would forget the youth; and it was a lucky thought of yours to get him out of the way of your jealous lover.” ‘*T fear I was too severe with Lord Manly to- day; but he should bave known better than to be jealous of an humble fisher-lad.” ‘*It depends upon the lad, Kate, and. also apon the woman; besides, love is a queer disease, and strikes the high and low alike,” said Lady Grace. ‘You speak from experience then, cousin reine?” ‘Oh yes, for I have loved half a dozen times, and yet I could love but once, when it comes to the bona fide article; but see how the lad’s skiff glides over the water; he will soon reach the cruiser, and then his path leads him—” ‘‘ Where?” asked dy Kate as her cousin paused. ‘* He is the architect of his own fortune; he will either become a great man, or—” Again she paused, and Lady Kate asked: ‘‘Or what, Grace?’ ‘Ora very bad one, for Kenton Cavanaugh will do nothing half-way.” ‘“Why what a prophetess you appear; but God grant he become great and good.” ‘“‘ Amen! but here comes your brother,” and as Lady Grace spoke there entered the room a young man in bunter’s dress. His face was strangely like his sister’s, for the roung man was Lord Gerald, the first-born of he Earl and Countess of Belmont. But there was a look of recklessness and dissi- pation “pos his face that marred its beauty and manliness, and one would not have to be long in his society to have it proven that he was an arrogant, wild young sprig, the idol of his parents, and an object of aversion to the peasants on the estate of Castle Cor. ‘‘Ah, here I find you, moping like two old maids; but Kate, what is the trouble with you and Lord Manly?” asked the young noble, throwing himself into a chair, ‘He was so rude as to insult a person’ who saved my life to-day, and I drove him from my presence.” **It was only the fisher lad, Cavanaugh, and whom he believed impertinent.” ‘** And Cavanaugh is possessed of a heart and You have given me an | ‘* Who is it, Kate, that your brother knows on the cruiser?” **1 do not know—yes—oh God! Grace, it is Lord Manly Meredith,” and Lady Kate dropped her face in her hands; but only for an instant, as her cousin sprung quickly to her side in sur- prise. ‘See, itis Lord Manly, for listen to his let- ter,” and she read aloud: ** MEREDITH CASTLE. ** LADY Kare Beioont, of ** Castle Cor. ** Driven from your presence to-day, by your com- mand, I obey, though I had hoped that 1 was ere long to have the honor of claiming you as my bride, and, so believing, I had sent in my resignation to the Admiralty, as an officer in the navy, intending to devote my future life to you. ** But instead of an acceptance of my resignation; Tam ordered on duty at once, and the cruiser now in the bay came to bear me away, perhaps forever, oR my native land, and to you I now bid fare- well. ** MANLY OF Merepira Castie.” ‘*Oh Kate! the very means we took to keep them apart has brought them together,” cried Lady Grace. “Yes, it was a fatal mistake to sent Kenton Cavanaugh on board that vessel, and now it is too late to Senben it, for see, the cruiser flies like the wind, and is already a league away,” and burying her face in her hands she continued: ‘* Grace, | have sent him to bis death; but be- hold! from whence comes that bright light?” There was now a bright, red glare filling the rooms, and in alarm the maidens looked around them, and discovering that it came from the windows facing up the sea-shore, ran there, to start back with cries of horror upon their lips. What they beheld was the cot of Dermot the fisherman in flames, and before the humble dwelling a fierce struggle going on, for several rough-looking men were beating to the earth the gray-haired defender of his little home. ‘*Oh God! this is terrible, for they have killed him!” cried Lady Grace. ‘* Yes, they have killed him, and they fly for their lives; but they must not escape—help! help! help!” he ringing voice of Kate Belmont brought the earl and half a dozen servants rushing to the room, and beholding what had happened, they all started off in pursuit of those who had left the old tisherman dead before the door of his burning cabin. CHAPTER X. SAVED BY A FOE. WHEN Kenton Cavanaugh went on board King William’s cruiser, it was his determina- tion to do his duty in all things, and so act as to soon bring the eye of his commander upon him. A thorough sailor, ever since he was a boy of eight, he felt no fear for the result, though it would be his first deep sea service, and he stood leaning over the forward bulwarks, gazing upon Castle Cor, and straining his eyes to catch sight of the one who was all the world to him now, even though his love was hopeless. ‘*The boat is ature. . Lacey: have all ready to make sail and get out of this, for we have no time to lose,” and the officer of the deck, who had given the order turned to retrace his way to the quarter-deck, when his eyes fell ie the splendid form and fine face of the ad. ** Well, my man, you have shipped, I see.” ** Yes, sir,” and Kenton saluted politely. ‘**'You dwell on this coast I believe?” iT Yes, sir.” ‘‘Then you should know these waters well?” ** As [ do my cabin home, sir.” “Then come aft and take the wheel, for we have no pilot to run us out though we came in by day without one.” Kenton silently obeyed, and, as he took his place at the wheel the boat from the shore touched the side, and the first man that stepped on deck was Lord Manly of Meredith Castle. It was a source of regret to the young sailor | to behold his foe, now in full uniform as a junior officer, come on board the very vessel on which _he had sbipped as a foremast hand, for he felt how thoroughly he would be in his power; but | his brave heart did not quail, for if he gave him a bran and is the nobler of the two,” was the | no chance to find fault, he would not dare to hot reply of Lady Kate. ‘* By the Rood! how you talk, Kate: but one never knows how to understand a woman, does he, Lady Grace?” ‘* Men are incapable of understanding women, cousin Gerald: at least such men as we meet nowadays.” “Whew! well, I'll not bandy words with feminine tongues, for defeat will follow; but, sis, Lord Manly seemed hurt deeply, poor fel- low, and gave me this letter for you, as I stopped at Meredith Castle on my return from the chase, to wet my parched throat with a flagon of wine; but see, the cruiser is under sail and standing out of the bay, so I will go on the tower and wave an adieu; will you come, for by this high moonlight, he can easily see us.” “No, I prefer to remain here, thank you, Gerald,” and, as the youth left the room she persecute him. ‘*] knew he was in the navy, but I had no idea that he was connected with this vessel; could Lady Kate have known it, when she—no, no, I will not wrong her with the thought: but let come what may, my lord of Meredith will not find me a coward,” and he stepped to the wheel, as the order came: ** Ajl hands to make sail!” The vessel was soon under canvas, the anchor up, and with Kenton Cavanaugh at the helm, when Lord Manly came on deck, and approach- ed his commander who stood near the pilot. The eyes of the two young men met, and car- rying out his ne to adhere strictly to duty, Kenton saluted; but the young ies took no notice of the salute, and nates . ‘Captain Defoe, I see that you have a fisher lad from our coast at your wheel.” . “Yes, and heis a bright fellow, and I am glad he has shipped with us.” A triumphant light came into the eyes of the young noble, and he said in tones that could ill conceal his joy: ‘* He has then shipped for the cruise?” “Yes; do you know aught of him, my lord?’ **He will bear watching, Captain Defoe, though he is a thorough sailor, I must admit.” ** Yes, he handles this vessel as he would a innace, and I like his looks, and regret that e is not all that I could wish; but you should know,” and Captain Defoe walked over toward Kenton Cavanaugh and stood admiring the easy way in which he managed the cruiser. “Pardon me, sir, but we are going to have a bad night of it,” said the young helmsman, who had been glancing searchingly around the horizon. *‘Indeed! you must be a good reader of signs, my man, to see aught but fair weather promis- .ing now.” ‘**Do you feel a dampness on your face, sir, when you turn it toward the wind?” **T do, in faith.” “Well, sir, that is a sure sign of a coming storm in this latitude, and a severe one, for it is the the blown far in advance—see, sir, look at that dark line rising above the horizon.” “IT see it, and feel you are right, and shall take the necessary precautions,” and giving his orders to have all snug aboard to meet a gale, caused the crew and officers to think their captain had suddenly become most timid. ut rapidly now over the heavens skurried the storm-clouds, flinging huge black shadows over the sea, and shutting out the light of the moon, while a deep, moaning sound was heard, like the rumbling of far-off wheels. *‘ Lord Manly, Iam inclined to like my new man more and more, for he predicted this storm, when I should have retired to rest, willing to wager a month’s pay on fair weather for forty-eight hours.” ** As I said, Captain Defoe, he is a good sea- man,” said Lord Manly, significantly; but the captain was now all devotion tio his ship, as the rumbling sound grew louder and louder, and the sails flapped now and then. **She is not making two knots, and it will be dead calm in a few moments— Take in the lower studd’n’sails, Lord Manly, and stand by to hand down all the light canvas, for we shall have it blowing great guns soon.” The orders were quickly obeyed, Lord Manly proving himself a good officer, and then the calm came and the cruiser lay motionless upon the sea, with only her topsails, spanker and jib. And now, on came the storm, with a roar and fury that meant death and destruction to the brave ship and men not prepared to meet it. “Secure the guns with lashings, Lord Man- ly, for we are going to have a fierce blow!” ** Ay, ay, sir,” and the young nobleman issued his orders promptly, and nimbly the men sprung to obey, for one and all knew their danger now. Calmly at the wheel stood Kenton Cava- naugh, seemingly indifferent to the comin storm, but a kee instant duty when need- ed, and having already discovered that he knew well what he was about, the captain approached and said: ; ** Well, my lad, you predicted right; we are coing to have a blow, and a biting one too,” ‘Yes, sir; and though the topsails are reefed close, you'll find they won’t stand, or will lay us over on beam-ends when the gale strikes, for I never saw it threaten worse than it does,” “Then I shall make an Eolian harp of the craft; stand by the topsail halyards! Lower away ! Strip er naked, for she won’t need even a lady’s kerchief in this blow,” cried the captain in ringing tones, and then he added: ‘Two steady men come here to the wheel, and mind you,” he continued, as they approached, = a> as this lad directs, for he knows what is The men made no reply, for they had, with the remainder of the crew, come to the con- clusion that the fisher lad was no fresh-water or. Not a breath of air yet moved the sea, and the moaning sound grew louder and louder, and | afar off was seen a long white line, the glare of the wall of water rushing down upon the de- voted vessel. All now stood in a death-like silence, the ship lying bows on to meet it, and yet as quiet as a miniature boat in a duck-pond, though the sea was torn into fury only a mile away. “ Down on the deck all!” suddenly shouted the captain, and the next minute the bows sprung into the air as it were, and the wind and waves, with a terrific roar, burst like a deluge upon the stanch cruiser. And then, amid the shrieking winds, was heard the despairing cry of those who were torn from their holds upon the rigging and guns, and swept away upon the sea to die. All who had been standing when the shock came, were thrown down, and for a moment it seemed as though the vessel was being riven in pieces, for the cracking of spars, the shrieking of the winds, and the heavy wash ef the waters were appalling. > (eof ‘ — - 4 “> a . . : Pe i. i = d 4 = : < — —= - . b ‘ - > Tee — 7 7 Cc mnicboo!