Beadle's Dime Library, No. 139 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

| enamel a an 10 Fire-Eye, the Sea Hyena. cot in one of the inner recesses of the cavern, Brandt Greyburst said quietly: ‘“« Lads, 1 will bring you the gold here within a few moments.” Retreating into one of the tunnel-like hall- ways he disappeared, while the men eagerly dis- d the duel, and commented upon the re- t; but their conversation was ere long in- ‘terrupted by the return to their midst of the young sailor, bearing in his hands a leather bag eavy with gold, as was shown when he poure the contents upon the table. Forgetting their wounded chief, at the sight of the shining metal, the crew gathered around the table, and one by one they received from the young sailor the amount he had promised em. “This looks like old gold, lad,” said one, ex- oening closely a gold-piece he held in his hand. Brandt Greyhurst smiled grimly and replied: *‘Tt is, and is not much worn, as it has been idle for a century; now, lads, I have paid the ransom of the Lady Lois, and I suppose that I will have no more trouble,” Over the crowd he cast his burning eyes, and his glance seemed to fall upon every face, and toa man the answer came: s No \? “T am glad of it; ha! MacGregor, how is the chief?’ and he turned to the smuggler officer, who just then entered. - is alive, and conscious, but I think will e. **So be it; he brought it upon himself; but come with me, for I have a duty for you to per- form.” ** Ay, ay, lad, and it will not be an unpleasant one, enon gahnery as Lknow that the fair lady goes ‘She does: I have paid ber ransom.” “The devil you did! with what?” 4 Gold ” **No! where did you pet it, lad?” “ That is my aff. eGregor; but come.” ** Hold on, ate Mac, but are we to sail now the captain’s done for?’ asked the boat- swain of the Scud, coming forward. ‘*I know not what to say, Miller,” answered regor, in an anxious tone. ‘*Then permit me to decide; yes, you sail within the hour, and J go as your chief.” Every eye fell upon the speaker in utter amazement, It was Brandt Greyhurst that spoke, and calm and smiling he stood before the two-score men, watching the effect of his startling de- claration. ** Does any man dispute my claim?” he said after an instant of dead silence. ** Not I for one; there is none better to serve under, if you choose to brand yourself as an outlaw,” said MacGregor. ‘In the king’s name I have been branded as such, and I cast my fortunes with you, lads; pe ing tape from you your captain, it is but right that I supply you with another, and there- I say that I will take the Scud on her cruise; who says wan A. wild shout burst from the group of reckless men, and ape age earnestly : “ By the cross! Jad, you are the captain of the coast veg are “ So be it: t follow my destiny, lead me a it may,” was the stern, unrelenting re- y; CHAPTER XIX, A MYSTERY TO. LADY LOIS. THouGH the waves ran high without the Scud — A safely moored in the cushioned dock of the izard’s Well, ready to drop out with the tide seaward, and once more face oeenene eo he precarious calling her crew In the small, but comfortable cabin, sat a fair form on an porysebals, her face buried in her hands, and the long trail of her evening dress lying in folds around her. Presently she looked up, and the face of Lady Lois Vashti was newentad in all its beauty, Sag allah ie n it rested a scared expression, for, ed from the luxurious little tea-room where she sat alone, her head muffled, and borne to a vessel by whom, and for what pur- pose she knew not, it was no wonder that terror | face seized upon her Presently there came a heavy step on deck, and the next instant a tall form entered the cabin. : “Well, sir, who and what are you, and w have I been brought hither?” cried Lady Tay and her indignation shone in her eyes and look. It was MacGregor the anager who stood before her, and doffing his hat, he returned po- “Lady, by no desire of mine were you eal ape age ou, and I have come to bear you to your home.” ** Ah! then you are not one of the outlaws, for as they brought me here, I heard enough hy commnenene I was in the power of pi- “ Alas! lady, { am an outlaw; but though I commit acts of outlawy for gold, or excitement rhaps would be a better reason, I am not one believe in warring against women.” ‘paid my ransom?” ‘Then you will set me free?” said the wo- man eager vf ** Yes, I think so.” ** Then you shall be well paid, I pledge you.” **T act not for gold now, lady, but at the re- quest of one other.” ** And that other?” “Tam forbidden to tell; like me he has the brand upon him, but to save you to-night, he boldly faced the entire band, fought the chief, and mortally wounded him, and himself paid our ransom, and by his command I am now ere to release you.” ‘* And who is this man?’ ‘“‘T said I was forbidden to say.” ** And he knows me?” ** He does,” “Tt cannot be, for men of his class I have’ never met,” said the lady with sarcasm. ** Ah, Lady Lois of Sealands, I have seen just such beautiful women as you are, drive men to outlawry with false smiles and pledges as fickle as the wind.” The woman started and turned pale, for some- how the shot went home to her; but she said oldly: “S Wo will not discuss the matter, sir; whoever this brave defender of mine is, I thank him from my heart, and | shall repay him, if he will only tel] me how I can do so. “Lady, do not add inswt to injury by offer- ing him gold.” ** And I have injured him?” she asked in sur- prise. ““It may be; but let us drop the subject, and allow me to ask if you are willing to make a pledge if you go hence?” ‘*‘ How mean you?” ‘You are aware that you are in the power of outlaws?” “ Yes.” **'You also doubtless know that this yacht lies within a short distance of your husband’s villa?” sc Yes. ” “The haunt of smugglers on this coast has not Bay Nis suspected ¢” ‘No “We wish the secret to remain a secret.” “And expect me to pledge myself not to be- tray i m - ea, ady. , “Thereby making me a to your evil dicdseh 4 party to y “No, simply forget the circumstances of to- night’s happening. ‘I cannot.” ** No one saw you taken from your home, as I understand it?” ** No, or an alarm would have been given.” “Your husband, not yourself, was the in- tended victim; but when our captain called at the villa and asked to see him, he was told he was confined to his room ill, and would see no one, and you were then discovered in a wing of the build B and calling several of his men he seized you. ‘** And the affair will be repeated if I give the ledge?” pn Not so, lady, for I give my pledge you shall not be disturbed again.” ** And my husband?” “The same pledge I give regarding Mr. Vashti.” ‘** You are an outlaw?” * The face of MacGregor flushed at the sarcasm |- and meaning of the remark; but he answered: - ae a self-confessed one.” “ And you t me to take your word?’ “* Yes, hoon or if I meant you harm, if it was to get g d from you we now held you, you would not be allowed to go without the pay ment of one dollar.” ‘True; but you said there was one who had + Yes. ” “** And who he is Pee refuse to divulge?” “Yes, lady, at his demand.” “He holds me in high esteem,” and again the sarcasm of her tone was marked. ‘Whatever he may have to forgive for the , Lady Vasbti, be has not forgotten his nor,” was the prompt rebuke, and she felt it, for she said quickly, while the color rose in her “T was wrong to speak unkindly of one who hed A befriended me; what is the pledge you as “ Our law is, Lady Lois, that a traitor to our band, or any one finding out the secret of our retreat, must die instantly, and it has been cruelly kept, with one exception, and that one is the very man who befriends you, for his pledge was taken, dnd yours will be.” > that we should be in circumstances so similar’ but the pledge?” “That, upon your honor, you swear not to divulge by word, or act, the secret of the smug- glers of the coast?” “Tf I break my pledge?” " Pe woe Pees foo Rong rt started at the deep ressive words and manner of WacGiegne tind wishing to end a scene that was most painful to her; she said firmly ) ; pon my honor I give the pledge. ——— ‘* Enough! come, lady.” He led her from the cabin, having thrown a cloak around her, the one which Captain Reck- less had used to muffle ber head in, and with curiosity she gazed around, as she stepped out upon the shelf of rock. Into the cavern he led her, until they came to the dimly lighted social hall, and she saw around her a number of men, standing grim and silent in the background. Presently there came the stern command: “Halt!” ‘‘ Ay, ay,” replied MacGregor, coming to a standstill, and holding Lady Lois by the arm, for he saw that she was deeply moved.” ‘* Has the pledge been given?’ asked the same stern voice. sé Yes.” ** Let it be repeated here.” ** Repeat the pledge, Lady,” said MacGregor, and ina voice that at first quivered, but then grew firm she said, so that all could hear: ‘*Upon my honor I give the pledge not to betray the secret I have this night discovered.” ‘*Woe be unto thee and thineif that pledge be broken, Lady Lois Vashti, of Sealands, for the ends of the earth are not far enough to fly to, to escape our wrath that will follow y.ou,” said the stern voice back in the gloom, ‘* Come,” whispered MacGregor, and the two moved forward once more, followed one of the meget a 2 passageways, until, after quite a long walk, they came out into the cabin known as the Old Hermit’s. A path led them along then in the direction of the villa, which they at last came in sight of. Lights still burned brightly in the windows, and it was evident that Lady Lois had not been missed, or if missed, her absence had caused no alarm, as she was arpaned to be in some part of the extensive mansion, The wind still howled dismally, and the roar of the storm-lashed sea was distinctly heard, as wet, bedraggled with mud, and. worn out, Lady Lois halted with MacGregor in the shadow of the piazza, ‘* Here I leave you, lady.” “I thank you for your kindness to me, and beg that you allow me tosend you a reward.” ‘*\ No, lady; not for doing my duty.” ‘*Then to the one for whom you act, and whose name you will not betray, give this, and say that Lady Lois Vasbti ledges herself to serve him should he ever need her aid, when ks sateerete her this ring and asks such favor of her.” As she spoke Lady Lois drew from her slen- der finger a massive gold ring, shaped and carved in a most pec manner, for the top was sha as an eye, with a large, glowin opal for the ball, and so exquisitely surrounde and inlaid with onyx and pear], that it seemed almost as if it were real, and when turned up- on MacGregor the orb of fire seemed to look him through. _ Tt is an heirloom in our family, and I give it freely as a souvenir to my unknown friend, outlaw though he be. Good-night.” She glided away, and having watched her disappear in the massive doorway, regor returned to the Wizard’s Well, and found all the crew gathered upon the Scud, and Brandt Greyhurst pacing silently to and fro in the pas- sageway. : Well?” ** She is safe, and they seemed not to know of her abseuce; she sent you this ring to wear, and gave the pledge to serve you, should you ever need her aid, when you sent and it in the name of this opal eye,” ‘* And she does not know mef”’ ‘** No; nor 4 “T thank you; now let me tell you, Mac- or, this cavern holds a secret which you do not know, for to-day I found buried here a treasure-box, hidden by m ap and- father, and it was from th that paid the ransom of the Lady Lois to-night: your kindness to me I can never forget, and should luck go against us, I have in cavern, still conceal- old enough to keep you and me from want. ‘ Now I am launched upon the sea of destiny, and I shall go whithersoever fhe wind lsteth; 4 oa the hand of Mac@ 6 wrun e » Sprung on board the oan gave the orders to cast Toes, and ten minutes after the feet craft was flying off to sea under ones. sails, and Brandt e CHAPTER XX, A MISTAKE Lavine the Scud and her reckless youn captain to struggle with the storm for the who t, I will return to Tudor Vash pad given his boatmen erders to pull for the yacht, in a tone that caused them to see that commander was in no mood to trifle As the cutter was ) the Tower stairs, Tudor Vashti suddenly se the tiller from the — of the coxswain, and headed directly for em. 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