Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 11 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

The New ° York Library. —-— ———_ -— ~~ ee ! About twelve o’clock there came on a mizzling | And Mesty renewed his noise with the ropes over the | fast, and requesting that they would jointhem. The heavy rain, which was very favorable for our cabin. Mesty was right; in a few minutes the captain | Spentaris made a bow, and the ladies thanked Jac: hero’s operations. But as it promised soon to clear | himself came up, boiling with indignation. At the | with a sweet smile; and the captain of the vessel, whu a by Mesty’s advice they did not delay any longer. sound of the cabin-door opening, the seamen and our still lay They crept softly into the boat, and with two oars to hero concealed themselves behind the companion-hatch, | to say, y the devil don’t you ask me? but the fa« ‘: steer her, dropped under the bows of the vessel, climbed | which was very high, so as to give the captain time to | was, they had had such trouble to secure him, thot up the fore chains, and found the deck empty. ‘Take | get fairly on deck. The men a y secured had been Jack did not much like the idea of letting him loos» care not fire pistol,’ said Mesty to the men, as they | covered over with the gregos. e captain was a most again. Jack and the seamen commenced their breai:- came up, putting his finger to his lips to impressthem | powerful man, and it was with angen | that he was fast, and as the ladies and prisoners did not appear i - with the necessity of silence, for Mesty had been an Af- pinion, and then not without his giving the alarm, | clined to eat, they ate their share and their own too; rican warrior, and knew the advantage of surprise. All | had there been any one to assist him; but as yetnoone | during which, the elderly man inquired of Jack if bo the men being on deck, and the boat made fast, Jack | had turned out of his hammock. could speak French. and Mesty led the way aft; not a soul was to be seen; ‘“Now we all right,’’ said Mesty, “and soon’abde | Jack, with his mouth full of sausage, replied that '> indeed, it was too dark to see anybody unless they were amp but I must make him ’fraid,’ could; and then commenced a conversation, fro... | walking the deck, The companion-hatch was secured, he captain was seated down on the deck nst one | which Jack learnt as follows: | and the gratings laid on the after-hatchways, and then | of the guns, and Mesty, putting on the look of a demon, The elderly gentleman was a passenger with th they went aft to the binnacle again, where there was a | extended above him iis long nervous arm, with the young man, who was his son, and the ladies, who were light burning. Mesty ordered two of the men to go for- | sharp knife clutched, as if ready every instant to strike his wife and his two daughters, and they were proceed- ward to secure the hatches, and then to remain there | it into his heart, The Spanish captain felt his situation ing to Tarragona. Whereupon Jack made a bow and on guard; and then the rest of the men and our hero | anything but pleasant. He was then interrogated asto thanked him; and then the gentleman, whose namo consulted at the wheel. the number of men in the ship, officers, etc., to all was Don Cordova de Rimarosa, wished to know wh: * ‘*By the power we ab the ship!” said Mesty, “but | which questions he answered truly; he cast his eyes at Jack intended to do with them, ho ing, asa gentle: must manage plenty yet. I tink der some d—n lazy | the firm and relentless countenance of Mesty, who man, he would put them on shore with their effects, as ) rascal sleep ‘tween the guns. A lilly while it no rain, appeared but to wait the signal. _ they were non-combatants. Jack en bares all this t.> inioned against the gun, looked, as much os and den we see better. Now keep all quiet.” I tink all pretty safe now,” said aaa A “Mr. Easy, | Mesty and the men, and then finished his sausage. Th» **There must be a great many men in this ey. re- | we now go down below and beat all men into the hold.’ | men, who were a little elevated with the wine which lied our hero; “she is very large, and has twelve or| Our hero ap roved of this suggestion. Taking their | they had been drinking, proposed that they shov’ ' ourteen guns—how shall we manage to secure them?”’ | pistols from the abe they rushed down with their | take the ladies a cruise, inl ack at first did not dis. “All right,” replied Mesty; ** manage all dat by-and- | cutlasses, and leaving two men to guard the cabin-door, | like the idea, but he said nothing; Mesty, however, ¢>)- by Don't care how soon daylight come,”’ they were soon among the crew, who were all naked in | posed this, saying that ladies only made a row ina “Tt has left off raining already,” observed Easy; | their hammocks: the resistance, although the numbers | ship, and the coxswain sided with him, saying that they “there is a candle in the binnacle—suppose we light it | were more than double of the English, was Of course should all be at daggers drawn. ereupon Jac'< and look round the decks.”’ trifling. In a few minutes the {paniards were all thrown | pulled out the “articles of war,’ and informed tlic “Yes,” replied Mesty; “‘one man sentry over cabin- | down into the hold of the vessel, and the hatches placed | men that_there was no provision in them for womc.., hatch, and another over after-hatch, Now den we light | over them. Every part of the ship was nowin their pos- | and therefore the thing was impossible. candice, and all the rest go round the deck. Mind you | session, except the cabin, and to that they all repaired. The next question was, as to the propriety of allow - leave all your pistols on capstern.”’ Our hero tried the door, and found it fast; the t it ing them to take their effects; and it was a d, at Jack hghted the candle, and they proceeded round | open, and were received with loud screams from one | last, that they might take them. Jack desired the the decks; they had not walked far, when, between two | side of the cabin, and the discharge of two pistols from | steward to feed his master the captain, and then told of the guns, they discovered a heap covered with gre- | the other, fortunately without injury; those who had the Spanish Don the result of the consultation, further gos. ‘ There de watch,’’ whispered Mesty; “ all fast— | fired the — were an elderly man and a lad about | informing him, that as soon as it was dark, he intend. «1 not perce for dem yet,”’ | ade our hero, They were thrown down and se- | to put them all on board the small vessel, when they Mesty blew out the candle, and they all retreated to | c ; the cabin was searched, and nobody else found | would cast loose the men and do as they pleased. Tl» the binnacle, where Mesty took outa coil of the ropes | in it but three women; one old and shriveled, the other | Don and the ladies returned thanks, and went down to about the mizzen-mast, and cutting it into lengths, gave | two, although with their countenances distorted with | k up their baggage; Mesty ordering two men to them to the other men to unlay. In a few minutes they | terror, were lovely as houris. So thought Jack, as he | help them, but with a caution, that they were not to | had prepared a great many seizings to tie the men | took off his hat, and made them a very low bow with | encumber themselves with any of the money, if there with. his usual politeness, as they crouched, half dressed, in | should happen to be any on board. “ Now den we light candle again, and make sure of |acorner. He told them in nglish that they had noth-| The crew were busy during the day making prepare- dem lazy hounds,” said Mesty; “very much oblige to | ing to fear, and begged that they would attend to their | tions for = The coxswain had examined the pro- dem all de same; they let us take de ship—mind now, | toilettes. The ladies made no repl , because, in the vender in the ship, and found that there was enous) wake one at a time, and shut him mouth.” first place, they did not know what vack said, and, in | for at least three months of water wme, and provision. “But suppose they get their mouths free and cry | the next, they could not speak English. ' independent of luxuries for the cabin. All thoughts of out?” replied Jack. Mesty interrupted Jack in his attentions, by pointing | taking any more of the vessels were abandoned, for “Den, Mr. Easy,’ replied Mesty, changing his coun- | out that they must all go upon deck—so Jack again | their crew was but weak to manage the one whi 1 tenance to an expression almost demoniacal—“ dere | took off his hat and bowed, and then followed his men, no help for it’’—and Mesty showed his knife which he | who led away the two prisoners taken in the cabin. held in his right hand. It was now five o'clock in the morning, and there was Oh, no! do not let us murder them.” movement on board the other vessels, which laid not they had possession of. A fine breeze sprung up, a: | they ~¥s y° their fore-topsails, just as a boat was shoving off from the shore; but seeing the fore-top- sails loosed, it put back again. This was fortunate, «v 2 i -— now, and keep the after-hatch fast. ‘*No, massa—suppose can help it; but suppose de et upper hand—what become of us? Spaniards ha ives, and use dem too, by de power!” The observation of Mesty was correct, and the ex- pression of his countenance when he showed his knife proved what a relentless enemy he could be, if his blood was once roused; but Mesty had figured in the Ashan- tee wars in former days, and after that the reader need not be surprised. They proceeded cautiously to where the Spaniards lay. The arrangements of Mesty were very good, others were to tie their limbs. Mesty and Easy were to kneel by them with the candle, with raised knives to awe them into silence, or to strike home if their own safety required it, The gregos were removed off the first man, who opened his eyes at the sight of the candle, but the cox- swain’s hand was on his mouth—he was secured in si- lence. The other two men were awaked, and threw off their coverings, but they were also secured without there being occasion to resort to bloodshed. ** What shall we do now, Mesty?” ‘Now, sar,” said Mesty, “open the after-hatch and watch—suppose more men come up, we make dem fast; suppose no more come up, we wait till daylight— and see what take place.” Mesty then went forward to see if the men were watchful on the forecastic; and having again gone round the whole of the deck to see if there were an more men on it, he blew out the candle, and took his station with the others at the after-hatchway. It was Sp at break of day that the Spaniards who had to keep the morning watch having woke up, as people generally do at that hour at which they expect to be called, dressed themselves and came on deck, imagining and very truly, that thoce of the middle watch had fallen asleep, but little imagining that the deck was in ossession of Englishmen, Mesty and the others re- reated, to allow them all to come up before they could srceive them, and fortunately this was accomplished. our men came on the deck, looked around them, and tried to make out in the dark where their shipmates might be. The grating was slapped on again by Jack, and betore they could well gain their eyesight, theywere seiz- ed and secured, not, however, without a scuffle and some noise. By the time that these men were secured, and laid between the guns it was daylight, and they now per- ceived what a fine vessel they had fairly taken posses- sion of; but there was much to be done yet. There was, of course, a number of men in the ship, and more- over, they were not a mile from a battery of ten guns. | do Mesty, who was foremost in everything, left four men | hold of the two young ladies, ve litely pulled them abaft, and went forward on the forecastle, examined | out of the uarter gna biga® ‘ the cables, which was “‘ coir” rope, and therefore éas divided, and then directed the two men forward to co ahawser upon the foregrating, the weight of which would make all safe in that quarter, and afterward to join them on the quarter-deck. ‘‘Now, Mr. Easy, the great ting will be to get hold of captain; we must get him on deck. Open cabin-hatch Two men stay there, the others all come aft.” “Yes,” replied Jack, “it will bea great point to secure the captain; but how are we to get him up?”’ “You no know how to get captain up’ By de holy, I tnow very well” And Mesty took up the coils of rope about the mizzen- mast, and threw them upon deck, one after another, making all the noise eects Ina short time there was a violent pull of a bell at the cabin-door, and in a minute afterward a man in his shirt came up the cabin-hatchway, who was ery “Dis de captain’s servant,” said ity; “‘he come say no make such d—d noise, ; Stop a little—captain get in passion, and come up himself,” Pee. There were two men to gag them while the | far from the ship. ‘*Now, then,” said Jack, ‘‘ what shall we do with the prisoners?—could we not send the boat and bring our own vessel alongside, and put them all in, tied as they are? We should then get rid of them.” ‘*Massa Basy, you be one very fine officer one of dese days. Dat €—n good idea, anyhow; but suppose we send our own boat, what dey tink on board of de oder vessel? Lower down lilly boat from stern, put in four | men, and drop vessel ‘longside—dat it.” This was done; the cutter was on the seaward side of | xebeque, put them and their trunks on Geck, and re- / turned to the ship. ' and as the anchor was too heavy to weigh, they cut the , cable and made sail. The other vessels followed th«'\ the ship, and, as the ship was the outermost vessel, was concealed from the view of the Spaniards on board of the other vessels, and in the Emeeny on shore. As soon as the lateen vessel was along- side, the men who had already been secured on dec amounting to seven, were lowered into her, and laid upon the s in the hold; all, except the captain, the two cabin-prisoners, and the captain’s servant. They then went down below, took off one part of the hatchés, and ordered the Spaniards up from the hold: as they came on deck they were matte fast and treated in the same manner. Mesty and the men went down to ex- amine if there were any left concealed, and finding that they were all out, returned on deck. The men who had been beaten down in the hold were twenty-two in num- ber, making the whole complement of thirty. As soon | all would have been discovered. The other vessels also loosed their sails, and the créws were heard weighi + the anchors. But the Nostra Senora del Carmen, which was Jack’ : prize, did not move. At last the sun went down, t! » ° age was placed in the cutter, the ladies and pas- sengers went into the boat, thanking Jack for his kind» ness, who put his hand to his heart, and’ bowed to the deck; and the captain was allowed to go with the: :, Four men, well armed, pulled them alongside of tle The eutter was then hoisted uj, example. Mesty and the seamen cast longing ey::! upon them, but it was of no use; so they sailed in com - ny for about an hour, and then Jack hauled his wind or a cruise. CHAPTER XIV. IN WHICH OUR HERO FINDS THAT DISAGREEABLE OCCUR> RENCES WILL TAKE PLACE ON A CRUISE. As soon as the ship had been hauled to the wi: ', Jack’s ship’s company seemed to think that there was nothing to do except to make merry; so they brougl out some earthen jars full of wine, and emptied thc: so fast that they were soon fast asleep on the deck, a me | ' as they had all been put into the xebeque, she was | with the exception of the man at the helm, who, in: ain hauled off and anchored outside, and Jack found | stead of thirty-two, could clearly make out sixty-f ” mself in possession of. a fine ship of fourteen guns, _ points in the compass, and of course was able to stc: i’ with three prisoners male, and three prisoners female, | toa much greater nicety. Fortunately, the weathc. When the men returned in the boat from the vessel | was fine, for when the man at the helm ie steered tili in which the prisoners had been confined (the hatches | he could see no more, and requested to be released, hoa having been secured over them, by way of further pre- | found that his shipmates were so overpowered with *:: - caution), by the advice of Mesty ey put on the | tigue thatit was impossible to wake them. He kick: 4 jackets and caps of the Spanish seamen, of which there | them one by one most unmercifully in the ribs, bui :; was a plentijf 3 0¢e ow. was of no use; under these circumstances he did 24 ‘Now, what’s to be done, Mesty?” inquired Jack. they did, that is lay down with them, and inten minr’ ‘Now, sar, we send some of the men aloft to get sails | it would have taken as much kicking to awake him =; all ready, and while they do that I cast loose this fel- | he gave his shipmates. low,” pointing to the captain's servant, “‘andmakehim | In the meantime the ship had it all her own way, a: :' get some breakfast, for he know where to find it."’ not knowing where she was to gO, she went round ai.:/ “ Capital idea of pours, Mesty, for I'm tired of bean | round the compass during the best part of the nigh. so alread y; and 1 will go down and pay my respects | Mesty arranged the watches, Jack had mad + to the ladies.”’ h, and the men had promised everything, but t)) » Mesty looked over the counter. wine had got into their heads, and memory had take “Yes, and be quick, too, Massa Easy; d—n the | that opportunity to tdke astroll. Mesty had beendov : women, they toss their handkerchief in the air to | with Jack, examining the cabin, and in the captaiy’; people in the battery—quick, Massa Easy.”’ state-room — had found fourteen thousand dolls ‘$ esty was right—the girls were waving their | in Of this they determined not to tell the me, handkerchiefs for assistance; it was all that they could | but locked up the money and everything else of valu., poor things. Jack hastened into the cabin, laid | and took out the key. They then sat down at t)» cabin table, and, after some conversation, it was 1 matter of surprise, after having been u all the ni; ! before, that Jack laid his head on the table and fell {: ery, and that they would 3 asleep. Mesty kept his eyes o f reir age tend fron yes open for some time, but . 4 not give themselves so much uble. The young ladies looked very much confu and as they coul no longer wave their handkerchiefs, they put them to their eyes, and began to weep, while the elderly lady went on her knees, and held her hands up for mercy. Jack raised her up, and very poli handed her to one of the cabin lockers. In the meantime Mesty, with his gleaming knife and expressive look, had done wonders with the captain's stew for such the man was: and a b ast of down upon his chest, and he al: slumbered. Thus, about one o’clock in the mornil | there was not a very good watch kept on board of *’ Nostra Senora del Carmen. | About four o’clock in the morning, Mesty tum! «! forward, and he hit his head against. the table, wk 4 roused him up. “By de mass, I tink I almost fall asleep,” cried | ., chocolate, salt meat, hams and sa white biscuit | and he went to the cabin window, which had been ! ;* and red wine, had ge on the quarter deck. | open, and found that there was a strong breeze blk . The men had come from and Jack was summoned | ingin. “ By de Lord, de wind ab come more aft,” s: 4 on deck. Jack offered his hand to the two beter Mesty, “‘why they not tell me?” So saying, |» © old | went on deck, where he found no one at the hel: : ae, and beckoned the old oe to os Be advisable : refuse urtesy ’ soon as the females came on deck, and found the two cabin prisoners bound Bay ran to them and em- braced them with tears. Jack's h melted, and as there was now no fear, he asked Mesty for his knife, and cut loose the two Spaniards, pointing to the break- d not think it évery one drunk, and the ship with her yards bra 4 up running before the wind just by way of achan; °, esty