Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 11 — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

—. —— es of safety, that a breeze of wind wafted the smoke that | issued from the roof away from them, and they beheld the detachment of troops making up to the house; a loud cheer was given, and attracted the notice of the soldiers. They perceived Easy and his companions; the house was surrounded and entered in an instant. The galley-slaves who were in the house, searchin for the treasure reported by Don Silvio to be concealed, were captured or killed, and in five minutes the 844 | 1€ had possession. But how to assist those above wast difficulty. The room below was in flames, and burning flercely. There were no ladders that could reach so high, and there were no means of getting to them. The commandant made signs from below, as if to ask what he was to do. ‘“*T see no chance,’ observed Don Philip, mournfully. “Easy, my dear fellow, and you, Gascoigne, I am sorry | that the feuds of our family should have brought you | ey” to such a dreadful death; but what can be done?’ “IT don’t know,” replied Jack, ‘unless we could get | ropes.” “You quite sure, Massa Easy, that all galley rascals below gone?”’ asked Mesty. “Yes,” replied Easy, “you may see that; look at | oo of them bound there, under charge of the sol- ers.” “‘ Den, sar, I t’ink it high time we go too.”’ “So do I, Mesty, but how?” “How? stop a little. Come help me, Massa Easy; dis board (for the loft was floored) is loose; come help, all of you.” ‘ They all went, and with united strength, pulled up the board. “Now strike like hell! and drive down de plaster,” | said Mesty, commencing the operation. one of the rooms below not on fire, pulled up another board, and Mesty having fetched the ladder, they de- scended in safety, and to theastonishment of the com- mandant of the troops, walked out of the door of the house, those who had been stunned with the stones having so far recovered as to require little assistance. The soldiers shouted as they saw them ap porting the females, The commanding offic was an intimate friend of Don Philip, flew to his arms. The prisoners were carefully examined by Mesty, and Don giivio was not among them. He might, however, be among the dead who were left in the house, which now began to burn furiously. The galley-slaves who were captured amounted in number to forty-seven, Their dead they could not count. The major part of the plunder and the carts were still where they had been drawn u As soon as the culprits had been secured, the atten- | ET and down the streets, and Ina few minutes they had beaten an opening into | Midshipman Rasy. ‘*But why should I break my leg, and how am I to break my leg?” ‘‘Only pretend to break leg, Massa Easy. Go talk Massa Don Phillip, he manage all dat. Suppose man break his leg in seven pieces, it is not possible to take him board.” ‘* Seven pieces, Mesty? that’s rathertoomany. How- _ever, Ill think of this.”’ Jack then went back and consulted Gascoigne, who sreseree of Mesty’s advice, and thought the scheme feasible. a sl “If we could only pretend that we were thrown out | of a caricola, you break your leg, a compound fracture of course—I break my arm—both left on shoro at sick | quarters, with Mesty to take care of us.”’ ‘** Capital, indeed,” replied Jack; ‘‘I really would not mind it if it really took place; at all cvents, we'll over- turn the caricola.”’ ‘* But shall we get leave the last day?’ ‘Yes, it’s two days since I have becn on shore, for I have not liked to go to Don Rebiera since what Agnes told me. Besides my clothes are all on shore, and that will be an excuse for a few hours.” Our two ee applied for leave the next morning, to be off in the afternoon. The first lieu- tenant gave them permission. hotel, sent for Don Philip, and made him a party to | their plan. He readily promised his assistance, for he had resolved that our hero should marry his sister, and | was fearful of the effect of his absence, coupled with | Friar Thomaso’s influence over his mother. He went _to the surgeon of his regiment, who immediately en- tered into the scheme, Our two midshipmen got into a caricola, rattled up erceiving Captain Wilson at his window flogged the horse into a gallop: when abreast of the barracks Jack ran the wheel against a bank, and threw himself and Gascoigne out. Midship- men are never hurt by these accidents, but fortmnataly for the success of the enterprise their faces were cut and bruised. Don Philip was standing by: he called | the men to pick up our two scamps, carried them into ar, sup- | cer, who | ' | ; | ; tion of the troops was directed to putting out the | flames, but their attempts were ineffectual; the mansion was burned to the bare walls, and but. little of the fur- niture saved; indeed, the major_part of it had been destroyed in the attack made by Don Silvio and his ad- herents. Leaving directions with Pedro and his people, that the property collected by the miscreants should be re- stored to the owners, Don Rebiera ordered the horses, and with the whole party put himself under the protec- freshed and taken some repose, bent their way back to Palermo, with the galley-slaves bound and linked to- gether ina long double row. were standing by each bed with restoratives. tion of the troops, who, as soon as they had been re- the barracks, and sent for the surgeons, who undressed them, put Jack's left leg into a multitude of splints, and did the same to Gascoigne’s arm. ’ put to bed, their contused faces, with She bluod, left ‘‘in They hastened to tho | They were then | statu quo,”’ while Don Philip sent an orderly, as from | the commandant, to Captain Wilson, to acquaint him that two of his officers had been thrown out of a cari- cola, and were lying dangerously hurt at the barracks, “Good heavens, it must be Mr. Easy and Mr. Gas- coigne!"’ said Captain Wilson, when the intelligence was communicated; **I saw them galloping down the street like two madmen just now. Coxswain, take the gig on board and tell the surgeon to come on shore immedi- ately, and bring him up to me at the barracks,” Captain Wilson then put on his hat, buckled on his sword, and hastened to ascertain the extent of the in- jury. Don Philip kept out of the way, but the captain was ushered into the room by one of the officers, where turned their heads round and looked at each other, but ey were afraid to speak at first, in case of the return of the surgeon. As soon as it was announced to them that Captain Wilson and Mr. Daly were outside the barrack-gates, our hero commenced—‘*‘Do you know, Ned, that my conscience smites me; and if it had not been that I should have betrayed those who wish to oblige us, when poor Captain Wilson appeared so much hurt and annoyed at our accident, ee very near getting up and telling him of the imposition, to re- lieve his mind.”’ “LT agree with you, Jack, and I felt much the same— Sut what’s done cannot be undone. Wemust now keep up the imposition for the sake of those who, to help us, Lave deceived him.”’ “I don’t think that you would find an English sur- ‘eon who would have consented to such an imposi- ion. * No, thai is certain; but after all, it is an imposition that »as hurt nobody.” *O.., | do not wish to moralize—but I repent of m share i: tho deceit; and had it to be done over again would not consent to it.” **Not even for—? but I won’t mention her name in _barracks,’’ “*T don’t know,” replied Jack; “but let’s say no more about it, and thank these gentlemen for their kindness.” ‘* Yes, but we must keep it up until we see the Au- rora under all sail.” ** And longer too,”’ replied Jack; ‘“‘we must not let the affair get wind even on shore. We must not recover quickly, but stillappear to recover. Don Rebiera and his wife must be deceived. I have a plot in my head, but I cannot work it out clear till I see Mesty.”’ Don Philip now camein. He had seen Captain Wil- son, who bad requested him to look after the two in- valids, and stated his intention to sail the next morn- ing. They consulted with him, and it was agreed that no one should be acquainted with the real fact but his brother Martin, and that all Palermo should be as much deceived as Captain Wilson, for if not, it would put Father Thomaso on the * qu vive,” and make him fulminate more than ever. Our midshipmen ate an excellent dinner, and then remained in bed conversing till it was time to go to sleep; but long before that, Mesty had made his appearance with their clothes. ee ee ee —— The eyes of the Ashantee said all that was necessary— he never spoke a word, but unlashed his hammock and lay down in a corner, and they were soon all asicep. The next morning Captain Wilson called to ascer- _tain how our hero and his companion were, but the room had been darkened, and he could not gee their faces plainly. Easy thanked him for his kindness in allowing Meaty, to attend them, and having received his orders as to their joining the ship as soon as they re- covered, and having promised to be very cautious in their behavior,and keep out of all scrapes, he wished he found, in two beds, our two midshipmen stretched | out, the surgeon of the forces and the regimental sur- geon in consultation between them, while attendants The medical gentlemen saluted Captain Wilson, and looked very grave, talked about fractures, contusions, injuries, in the most interminable manner—hoped that Mr. Easy would recover—but had doubts. The other gentleman They halted when they had gone half way, and re- | might do well with care; that is as far as his arm was mained for the night. The next day, at noon, Don Re- biera and his family were once more in their palazzo, and ourtwo midshipmen and Mesty took their leave, and re- paired on hoard to make themselves a little less like ney-sweepers. Captain Wilson was not out of the ship. Jack made his report, and then went down below, very much leased at what had passed, especially as he would ve another long yarn for the governor on his return to Malta. c CHAPTER XXXIII. IN WHICH OUR HERO AND GASCOIGNE OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, AND DID FEEL WHAT MIGHT BE CALLED MIDSHIPMITE COMPUNCTION. Tue Aurora continued three weeks at Palermo, during which the most active search had been made for the remainder of the palley alevet and some few had been captured, but stil ber, were at large; and it was said that they had retired to the fastnesses of the mountains. Our hero was con- stantly on shore at Don Rebiera’s house, and, after what had become a member of the family. — igion was overlooked by Don Rebiera and the relations me all but the confessor, Father Thomaso, who now ] be to tate and fulminate into the ears of the | Donna Rebiera all the i etical connection, such as excommunication and utter damnation. The effects of his remonstrances were soon visible, and Jack found that there was constraint on the port of the old lady, tears on ae eg of Agnes, and all a ather confessors heartily wish t the devil ten times a day, on the part of Don Philip and his brother, At last he wormed the truth out of Agnes, who told her tale, and wept bitterly. ; . “Ned, I don’t much like the pppparener of things, observed Jack; ‘tI must get rid of that Father Thom- oO ” “You'll find that rather difficult,’ observed Gas- coigne; * besides, if you were rid of him you would have his place filled with another.” ‘“He has frightened that poor old woman into the dismals, and she has the — of purgatory on her already. I shall go and talk to Mesty.”’ ‘How can mgs Hae # you?” ‘“T don’t know, but you can’t; so, for want of better advice, I'll try the Ashantee.”’ Our hero went to Mesty, and laid the difficult affair to him. PST see,” eaid _Mesty, showing his filed teeth, * you m skull, win) No, I don’t, Mesty; but I want him out of the way.” “How that po Master Easy ?—ship sail day after 0 to-morrow. Now, ‘pose I ’ab time, I'll soon manage all dat, Stop a little.” “ Odatedad it! but there’s no stopping,” replied Jack. “Suppose, Massa Easy, you get leave go on shore— net Ft ll be lewerting, Mesty.” : eserting, ‘ “By holy poker, I’ab it—you go on shore and break (Bronk my leg !—break my leave, you mean?” “No Massa Easy—you break your jon—<den cppanin a rN y leave you shor, aud leave me to take care concerned, but there appeared to be a concussion of the brain. Captain Wilson looked at the cut and blood- smeared faces of the two young men, and waited with | anxiety the arrival of his own surgeon, who came at them a speedy shag 2 and departed, In little more than half an hour afterward, Mesty, who had been peeping out of the shutters, suddenly and aloft, standing out of the roads. threw them open with a loud laugh. The Aurora was under way, with studding sails below Jack and Gas- coigne got up, threw off the splints, and danced about _in their shirts. As soon as they were quiet again, Mesty aad i a grave tone, ‘‘ Den why you stay at sea, Massa asy 7? “Very true, Mesty, I’ve asked myself that question _ often enough lately; because I’m a fool, I suppose.”’ last, puffing with the haste he had made, and received | the report of the brothers of the faculty. The leg of Mr, Easy fractured in two places—had been set—bone protruding—impossible to move him. Gas- coigne, arm, compound fracture—contusion of the brain not certain. Now that all this would have been dis- covered to be false if the surgeon had been able to ex- amine, is true; but how could he not credit the surgeon of the forees and the regimental surgeon, and how could he put the young men to fresh tortures by remov- ing splints and unsetting limbs? Politeness, if nothing else, prevented his so doing, for it would have been as much as to say that either he did not credit their re- port or that he doubted their skill. He looked at our ero and his companion, who kept their eyes closed, Don Silvio, and a considerable num- | and breathed heavily with their mouths open, put on a grave face, as well as his brothers in the art, and re- ported to Captain Wilson. “But when can they be moved, Mr. Daly?” inquired passed, he was now looked upon as soon to | the latter; ‘‘I cannot wait; we must sail to morrow, or The difference of re- | the next day at the furthest.” The surgeon, as in duty bound, put the question to the others, who replied that there would be great risk in moving before the fever, which might be expected ins and penalties attending her- | the next day, and which might last ten days; but that Captain Wilson had better not think of removing them, as they should have every care and attention where they were, and could rejoin the ship at Malta. Mr. Daly, the surgeon, agr that this would be the most prudent step, and Captain Wilson then gave his con- sent, That being settled, he walked up to the bed of Gas- coigne, and spoke to him: but Gascoigne knew that he was to have a concussion of the brain, and he made no reply, nor gave any signs of knowing that Captain Wilson was:near him. He then went to our hero, who at the sound of Captain Wilson’s voice, slowly openec his eyes without moving his head, and appeared to recognize him. se re kindly. seas closed his eyes again, and murmured, “ Mesty, esty!”’ ‘‘He wants his servant, the ship’s corporal, sir,” said the surgeon. ‘** Well,”’ replied Captain Wilson, “he had better have him; he is a faithful fellow, and will nurse him well, When you go on board, Mr. Daly, desire the first lieu- tenant to send Mesty on shore with Mr. Gascoigne’s and Mr. Easy’s chests, and his own bag Good heavens! I would not for a thousand pounds that this accident had occurred. Poor fovlish boys— | they runin couples, and if one’s in a scrape the other is sure to share it, Gentlemen, I return you many thanks | for your kindness, and I must accept of care for my unfortunate officers, I aay gee. ou will oblige me b friends, the Rebieras, of their mischance, as I am sure they will contribute all they can to their comfort,” So _ saying, Captain Wilson bowed and followed by the surgeon. | _ As soon as the doer was closed the two midshipmen exil to-ntorrow at | and hammock, | , ‘‘And I, because I can't help it,’ replied Gascoigne; ‘never mind, we are on shore now, and I look for a famous cruise.” ** But first we must see what the ground is we are to cruise on,”’ replied Jack; ‘‘so Mesty, !et us have a pala- ver, as they say in your country.”’ resorted to—was he to be kidnapped or thought that briber The two midshipmen got into their beds, and Mesty sat on the chest between them, looking as grave as a judge. The question was how to get rid of the padre Thomaso, Was he to be thrown over the molehead to the fishes—or his skull broke—was Mesty’s knife to be oisoned—or were fair means to be i! en ed—persuasion, bribery? Every one knows how difficult it is to get rid of a priest. As our hero and Gascoigne were not Italians, they would be the more English-like | way of doing the thing; so they composed a letter, to be delivered by Mesty to the friar, in which Jack offered to Thomaso the moderate sum of one thousand dollars provided he would allow the marriage to proceed, and not frighten the old lady with ecclesiastical squibs and crackers, As Mesty was often on shore with Jack, and knew the friar very well by sight, it was agreed that the let- ter should be confided to his charge; but as it was not _consistent that a person in such a state as our hero was represented to be should sit up and write letters, the delivery was deferred for a few days, when after wait- ing that time, Mesty delivered tbe letter to the friar, and made signs that he was to take back the answer, The friar beckoned him that he was to accompany him _to his room, where he read the letter, and then ' our promised | my informing their | to quitted the room, as made sign to him to follow him. The friar led the way to his monastery, and as soon as Mesty was in his cell, he summoned another who could peak English to act as interpreter. ‘* Is your master recovering?” Yes,” replied Mesty, “he is at present doing well.” ‘* Have you served him long?” ** No,” replied Mes y. ‘Are you very fond of him? does he treat you wel} you in much pain, Easy?” said the captain, | give you plenty of money?” At these questions, the artful black conceived thaf | there was something in the wind, and he therefore very quietly replied, “I do not care much for him,” The riar fixed his keen eye upon Mesty, and per ceived there was a savage look about the black, front which he augured that he was a man who would suii | his purpeee. our master offers me a thousand dollars; would you wish to gain this money for yourself?” Mesty grinned and showed his sharp-filed teeth. ‘It would make me arich man in my own country.” “Tt would,” replied the friar; “now you shall have it, if you will only give your master a small powder.” ‘‘T understand,” replied Mesty; ‘‘ hab those things in - coun. Well—do you consent?—if so, I will write the lettes 2 the it SO ‘Suppose they me out?” replied Mesty. “You will be safe, and you shall be sent away a soon le—say, will you consent?” ** The whole thousand dollars?" “Every one of them," | wees t =e SE Se ee ea TT i ge ee ee a eee w comicbooks.com