Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 128 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

- ee oe wwe ae eee +o we Se cm ee ee Redken —— he, too, in his disguise, was attired as an officer of the United States navy. There were two officers—a young and hand- some captain, and a dashing young middy ;—the latter was none other than Walter Nevil, who had so attentively regarded the movements of the strange schooner, that, diss as a priva- teer, had carried Victor De Lisle into Boston Bay the night of his meeting Marian Dalton in the grave-yard, and his painful visit to his father’s home. The other was Harold Sylves- ter, whose gallantry on a cruise in South Seas against the buccaneers had lately won him a captaincy, and the command of as pretty a pe chee as sailed the ocean. With remarkable presence of mind, the cor- sair arose, and pointing to Manuel Hernandez, said aloud: “Sefior, my duty compels me to denounce you, now that I know I am mistaken in you,” and leveling a pistol, he covered the heart of the surprised and angry Spaniard, and turning te Captain Sylvester and Walter Nevil, who with others approached, at the ringing’ de- nouncement of the Spanish captain, the Cheva- lier continued aloud: ‘Gentlemen, this person was arrested awhile since as the rover known as Belmont, the Bucca- neer, and the Chevalier Corsair, and om if, | that I recognized him, [ so told the guard, an kept him from going to prison; but now I de nounce him as a robber.” ‘* What! the Chevalier Corsair? Move an inch, sir, and you die!” and Harold Sylvester ane forward and pressed his sword against the breast of the astounded Spaniard, who shout- ed fiercely: “It is false! that man who stands there is the Chevalier Corsair.” A dag from the crowd followed, and smiling pleasantly the real corsair turned to the crowd: “‘ Messieurs, is not this the man, whom, be- lieving | recognized as Captain Manuel Hernan- dez, of the Spanish army, I saved from arrest?” ‘It is! it is the very same!” cried a number of voices, for many who came in with the guards had remained. ‘* Finding my mistake I now arrest him, and as your vessel is doubtless in port, captain, I plaee him in your charge, I being: simply here on special duty,” and the Chevalier bowed to Harold Sylvester. ** | thank you, sir; he shall be in double irons withina few minutes. Mr: Nevil, call the men!” aud ihe midshipman, at the order of his com- mander, went forward, where, at a table, sat half a dezen seamen—the boat’s crew—whom their captain had brought to the cabaret to give them a treat ef grog. ““Mr. Nevil, see that this famous rover at once on board the brigantine, and in double irons; then meet ment the Theatre d’ Orleans where I will awaityou. Hold! if you resist you shall be shot dead in your tracks.” The last remark was addressed to the astound- ed and livid Spaniard, who was trem bling with rage, and whose burning eyes were turned upon the Chevalier with bitterest hatred. ‘‘Lam Captain Manuel Hernandez, and that man is the Chevalier Corsair, as I can prove,” he hissed forth, in a voice so husky with passion he could hardly articulate. ‘‘Lead him away, Nevil, and if he resists shoot him down, though it were a pity to dis- appoint the hangman,” sternly ordered Captain Sylvester, and, as the seamen dragged Captain Hernandez away, the throng followed, so that the salon was nearly emptied of its guests; but the Chevalier turned to the American officer, and said, pleasantly: ‘Though we are of the same service, sir, I have notthe honorof your name. Mine is Victor, of the Constitution frigate.” It was a desperate risk, for Harold Sylvester might have been well acquainted with the offi- cer of that name; but it seemed that he was a and he answered pleasantly, seeing the | of his companion: **Tam glad to meet you, Lieutenant Victor, ‘and [owe you an eternal favor in giving over to me that famous pirate, whom I had orders to hunt down and whose vessel I must yet cap- ture; but you shall have the credit of his cap- ture, assure you. My name is Harold Sylves- ter, sir, and 1 command the bricantine-of-war Huntress. Come, let us have a glass of wine to- ether. Here, my pretty girl, a bottle of your Burgundy, please.” The wine was brought and the two seamen tipped glasses, the naval offiver little dreaming ot the wa” and clever ruse that had been layed upon him, and that the famous Cheva- Fier Coreair was then seated opposite to him, As the chief set his ewes down he saw a young girl, and one whom he had noticed lancing out of the cabaret-k r’s private door when the Spaniard was , enter the room and beckon to him. He could not mistake the sign. for a second time she distinctly signaled to him, and, rising quietly, he said: ‘*Pardon me, Captain Sylvester, for a mo- ment.” He walked toward the half-open door, which | led into a hallway, and stepped within, unno- ticed by the officer, who had his back in that The Chevalier Corsair. od — ~~ we ee eee we ee _ —< oe ee eee oe ee ee we ee e+ ee me a ae ae ee ~~ ee | direction, and the others in the salon were busy over their cards and dominoes, ‘Come, monsieur, for you are discovered; the sefior met his consul, who recognized him, and they .re consulting outside to seize you now,” saia the young girl, hastily, and with evident alarm. —_——— a And just in time, for against the steel clashed steel, while sparks of fire flew from the blades and lighted up, momentarily, the face of each. ** Holy padre, forgive me!” cried the voice of the assailant, while be suddenly. dropped his arms to his side; but the Chevalier was now aroused, fully, and in an instant, almost, by an effort of his wonderful strength, he hurled his oon selle?” asked the Chevalier, with a coolness that | adversary to the stone floor, and the click, almost drove the gir! wild. ‘*T know who you are; I saw you disguise yourself in the area. Come with me, quick, for would save rendered my lover once—oh, come! for do you not hear the steady tramp of the guard?” ‘*And whom do yon think I am, mademoi- | tread, and The Chevalier did hear the hea | they halted at the cabaret door; but he said, quickly : ‘““You area noble girl. Lead on, and I will | follow you.” And, just then, the startling tones of Mid- | shipman Walter Nevil were heard in the caba- ret: “Captain Sylvester, we have made a terrible mistake, for the man we left with you was the Chevalier Corsair !” CHAPTER XX. A KIDNAPPBR CAUGHT, In the darkness the Chevalier felt a firm grasp upon his hand, and, following without hesita- tion, he was led along a narrow passage, up a pair of stairs, through another corridor, and then his fair guide paused and said, in a low tone: * Wait here a minute.” He heard her glide away, and séveral mo- ments passed ere she returned, and then she said: ‘* Hore is the mask of a priest, cowl, robe and all. Putit on, and then I will lead you, by an other way, to the street.” He silently obeyed, rolling up his cloak and hat and hiding it beneath the long, priestly garb, and silently followed her, by another way than tliat they had come, until wry. stop door beyond which were hear merry masqueraders in the street. ** This door leads you out upon the Rue St. Pierre, and you are now so thoroughly dis- guised you can even return to the cabaret and not be known. Adieu, monsieur!” She beld forth her hand, and the Chevalier, by the light of the hall lamp, gazed into her face, while he said, earnestly: “T owe you my lite, mademoiselle, and you are a noble girl; but, why do bee serve me, when, if Lremomber aright, we have never be- fore met?” ‘*Monsieur, from my room in the cabaret, for lam the daugbter of the proprietor, I saw you enter the area, and quickly make the chan that so disguised you; yet I believed it but a freak of Carnival night, until I heard the uards in the salon say they were in chase of the famous Chevalier Corsair, and then I de- termined to save you, for once my lover, Pierre Louis, received a good turn at your hands, for, when you rescued some of your men from pris- on in St. Jago, be was there, condemned to death for taking life, and you freed him, too. Now I repay the debt of gratitude.” hed yp hae <n the ane hand =~ Hin slip a sparkling diamond upon one of the slender fingers, and said, in his tones: ‘* Mademoiselle, your name, please?” ** Louisette Soto, monsieur.” ‘A name I shall ever remember, my sweet irl, and that I may not be forgotten, wear this ittle souvenir, to remind you of your noble deed this night. Farewell.” He passed out of the door before she could re- ply, and mingled with the gay throng, many a pious Catholic saluting the vis bei riest with respect, and little dreaming whom the priestly garb concealed beneath its dark folds. As if having already decided upon his course, he moved swiftly along through the crowds that thronged the streets, turning his steps in the direction of the old ruined monastery, or convent, Where dwelt in solitude, the Padre Bo- nito, Evidently he had traversed the dismal way before, for he entered the ruin unhesitatingly, traversed the long, dark corridor, and soon ap- reached the door of the padre’s cell: but, there - stopped suddenly, for a low whisper fell upon his ears, Big, it the sefor padre?” he asked, in a low ne. But no reply came, and still as a statue stood the chief, for, instinctively, be felt the presence of a human being near him, though not a word broke the deathlike silence. ‘* Padre Bonito, it is I—#1 Maldito,” he again said, giving a password he knew would be re- ized, if his voice was not. till no answer came, and he moved cautious- ly forward, to suddenly have his extended hand come in contact with a human face, And ag wed A his hand was grasped firmly, while again instinct told him bis life was in dan- ger, and he threw up his disengaged arm, his short blade on guard. at a the voices of low, pleasant ou, and thus return a service you | | click, of steel clasps proved manacled., ‘* Ob, sefior, save me! for the love of the Vir- gin save me!” The soft, pleading tones arose from the dark- ness beyond, and instantly the Chevalier cried: ‘I will, lady, for such your voice proves you tobe. Haveno fear, for you are safe now, and I will look to this gentleman, who has been playing a devil’s game.” As he spoke he dragged his prisoner forward a few steps, and taking from his pocket a key, placed it in the lock of the door leading to Pa. dre Bonito’s cell, With a creaking sound the door swung open, and a dim light from the window flooded the room; but if was occupantless. Raking up the smoldering coals on the hearth, the Chevalier lighted the iron lamp, that stood on the table, and turned upon his prisoner, ‘Stand there, sir, and if you make an’ effort to escape you seal your doom,” he said, sternly, while he crossed the room and stepping out into the corridor beheld a form crouching down be- side the wall. ‘**Lady, come with me, for you are in no dan- ger now,” he said, in a kindly tone, She arose to her feet, and he saw that her hands were bound behind her back, and that a g had been placed across her mouth; but he involuntarily started as he beheld the face turn- ed upon him—a face to remember through a lifetime. e was securely By her rich dress and aristocratic air be saw that she was of high birth, and the jewels she wore proved that she came also of wealthy pa- rentage, while her innocently beautiful face, and exquisitely molded form, would drive an artist into raptures of admiration. Turning her large, earnest eyes upon the Chevalier, whom she believed to be a priest, she said, in a voice of rare sweetness, though it trembled a little with excitement: 3 _— padre, vou have rendered mé a service y brother and myself will never forget.” dy, I am not as rt believe—a priest. This is Carnival time, and I assumed this garb merely for the evening; but I am happy in hav- ing served you,” and he led her into the ce where he at once threw aside the artistie face o a priest which he wore, and his robe also, and stood in his uniform of a naval officer, bis hand- some, fascinating face turned upon the maiden in all its earnestness. **Oh, monsieur, what a metamorphosis,” she cried, in almost childish delight; but. be made. no reply and turned to the prisoner, who did not seem to relish the change from priest to sailor, and muttered forth: **I thought you had an iron hand, for one who counts beads and fumbles prayer-books,” He was a fine-looking young creole, with dark face, marked with utter recklessness and agel ess pation, and yet, withal, had a look of fran and kindness upon it that was winning, for it softened what was bad in the countenance. He was dressed as a sailor, and at his belt hung the sheath, from which he had drawn his knife to attack the Chevalier. Well, sir, what have you to say for your, dastard act?” demanded the chief, sternly. “Til-fortune led me to_seek gold any way I could make it, sefior, and I enga in a little secret service for the Padre Bonito, whom you doubtless know, as you seem well acquainted with his den,” was the reckless reply. * - a Padre Bonito bade you bring this lady ere?” ‘‘He did, sefior; I was to meet him here at this hour,” answered the young man, and yet with acertain air of respect which the Che er could not fail to command. ‘Lady, your appearance proves you came not willingly here with this fellow,” and the chief turned to the maiden, from whose hands he had mans loosened the silk kerchief that bound them. ‘‘No, monsieur; I left my home with this man, if is true; but ha came with a message, as I believed, from our family priest, to the effect that I should visit a poor woman who was dy- ing. Once here, I doubted the story, but was seized and securely bound, for what resistance could I offer to a strong man such as he is?” ‘“‘ And you say that the Padre Bonito told you te bring this lady to his cell?” ““He did; this is the Mademoiselle Manine Valverde, the sister of Mr. Noel Valverde. If you know aught of our aristocratic families in the city, sefior, you will see that gold was the motive, for they are rich enough to pay a princely ransom,” ‘Ab! well, sir, I shall punish you as you de- serve for this vile act; and the padre, who you say is your master in the villainy, shall an- swer tome. Now] will secure you so that there will be no danger of your escape before my re- COMMEDOOKS (E(@)