Beadle's Dime Library, No. 139 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

Fire-Ey CHAPTER XVI. CAPTAIN RECKLESS CAPTURES A PRIZE. ‘“ WELL, my lad, you have been rigging your- self out in as many of those old costumes I showed youas a ship has sails,” said MacGregor, as Brandt Greyhurst entered the social hall of the smugglere, in their cavern under the castle. It was the second night of his stay among the outlaws, ard all the day be had been busy, so that MacGregor had not seen him after the two had parted in the early morning. ‘Yes, and they have served me well, for if I have not put a thorn in one person’s side, and madé another believe tlat fatan walks the earth, thon am I greatly mistaken; but tell me, has Captain Iieckless sailed yet?” ‘No, he goes to-night, but he is off with the men on a little expedition he seems to think: will bring him in considerable profit, though I do not approve of these land raids.” _— “T hope the villa is not his destination,” said Brandt Greyhurst quickly. ‘Tt is to get possession of some old land-owner who will pay well for his release; but have you decided yet what you are to do?” ‘Yes, turn smuggler, pirate, or anything else that is evil,” said the young sailor bitterly. “No, no, Master Brandt, the likes of you never should turn from honor’s path,” said . en earnestly “Bah! don’t preach to me, man, of honor, for look how the innocent suffer, while the guilty hold high their heads,” and the young sailor handed the smuggler the placard, which, in his disguise of a countryman, he had torn from the gate-post leading to the Castle Sealands. In surprise the smuggler read it through, and said excitedly: ‘“* But this cannot be true.” “No, it is false, for I asked leave to come back to England, and it being refused, I handed in my resignation, and it being also declined, I secretly left tho vessel by swimming, to reach the ship that was to sail that night for England; but I was too late, was pieked up and b ht here in irons, and the man who did me this ¥. «wg was Captain Tudor Vashti, the son of the man who robbed me of my just inheritance. ‘** But you see I dare not show myself to my fellow-men, or the reward would set them like blood-hounds upon me, and unable to prove my innocence, and branded with the names of de- serter and felon, do you wonder that I say I in- tend to turn sinuggler, for in the exciting life I will lead, I can drown pons gr and perhaps it will lead the way to an enc 1 bave in view, for, MacGregor, he who wrongs a Greyhurst had better not been born.” Brandt had spoken almost wildly, and his words drew the deepest srrspalg from the heart of the smuggler, who said: “Well, my lad, I feel for you, as you know, and’ cannot say what is best for you to do; but 1t seems a shams that one of your name should be branded of a crime and a shadow put upon your life. when it is in ah to make a reputa- tion that would cause England to be proud of you. ‘*Tt us in mie to make a dovil as well; had the world treated me well, I had hopes of winning a natne for myself; but it has branded me with , and now I am what I am; ha! do you not voices?” | : ‘Yes; Captain Reckless is returning, and if you wish to go with him there will be no trou- ble about it; in fact. he needs a second in ‘com- mand, for the boys are hard to manage, and none of them fit for the duty devolving upon ov vr need MacG ‘ red Brandt, ‘It ou regor,” answe fervently, dda ‘as he spoke Captain Reckless and his men entered the assembly hall, and the chief cried, ee at “Well, Mac, we di he was ill, said; but we just ap that sweet young wife of his, and my life for it, he will a cool ten thousand pounds to Juck.” get her SO We are “Ob, Sapte youras not kidnap the Lady Lois, I hope?” cried r, anxiously, at os same time glancing toward Brandt Grey- ‘Indeed I did, and she is now a not get the old nan, for, er in the Scud’s cabin, and we sail within half an hour, although it is a vray Se ht out.” — With a bound Brandt urst ted heavile ee s eabouliaer he said, in Ls eavily | shoulder, as rol hoared frots suppressed assion; aaah Yn passion; — , ‘Did I understand you aright, sir, that you. had taken ‘he pep Eig Vashti from her home to-night, and now hold her in your power on. your vessel?” | “So I bie done, sir, and Bp dows it nd cern you?” was tho angry reply, for the ca Led not the heavy hake coon hig shoulder. In dead earnest came the answer, and in tones) oat kis) YOR Watt las asad ¥ ‘ Then ou sha ace tha y under the protantion ot Mactregor, to return at once to her home, or you shall die by my hand.” — -- s PHE CHALLENGE. r Tr calm, determined words of Brandt Grey- burs. caused a decided sensation, and every though | rel end ee ee smuggler who had. seated himself at the ta- ble for a parting glass of wine, was on his feet in an instant, while Captain Reckless, in spite of his dashing courage, which had gained for bim the name he bore, seemed almost stunned by the attitude and words of the young sailor. But he quickly recovered his cool, sneering manner and asked : ‘t May I ask what the lady is to, you?” ‘* That is none of your business, sir; you have heard my words, and one or the other shall be the alternative,” was the fearless reply. ‘“*Does it not strike you that there might be another alternative?’ ** Name it, sir.” “That J might kill you,” was the sneering re- tort. ‘That alternative 1 am willing to contest with you whenever you say that you will not Ringe the Lady Lois in the keeping of Mac- iregor here.” . ‘* Bah! he would do my bidding.” ‘*You mistake me there, captain harm a woman, or even to keep ber in durance vile to exort money for her ransom,” said Mac- pir, boldly. ‘‘ Ha! this looks like mutiny, and. led by one whose life we spared, on his word alone, am oe gre MacGregor, and as such I will be obeyed. ‘*And you shall be, Captain Reckless, in all things that tend to the interest of the band, but not. when you war on women.” : ‘“By Heaven! I will teach you a lesson, do of a mutineer,” and Captain Reckless step toward M eGregor, his sword in hand, But quickly Brandt Greyhurst sprung before him, and seizing the blade, said, calmly: ‘This quarrel, sir, is between you and I, not with MacGregor.” “T'll settle you anon, sir.” ‘* You will settle with me now.” ‘* Release my sword!” “Only on condition that you cross. blades with me, and may the best man win,” was the fearless reply. ‘* By the king! but I have half a humor to oblige you, though I could have you q and thrown into the sea,” ‘Therein you would act the coward, for I am a defenseless man in your midst; but T have that confidence in the gallant men I see around me to feel that they will see fair play and if their captain refuses to meet me, will be con- vineed that he is what I believe him to be.” ‘** And that is?’ sneered the smuggler chief. “4 coward !” if it is to ‘‘Curses on you}, I'll meet you, sir, in any way you please, Brandt Greyhurst,” cried the cap- tain, stung to. madness by the insult. “ Very well, and we fight for life and death, and se instant release of the Lady Lois ‘*‘ And your men, if you fall will allow her to depart insafety?’. ‘That rests with the men.” “What say you, lads; is the lady to go free if I defeat your captain?” . A number of voices replied in the affirmative; but. there were some grumblers, and one an- swered: * You see, sir, wc would get a big ransom for er “Yes, the old man would: pay well,” added another. ‘She'd be worth more to us than 4. year’s cruise,” remarked a third, and seein t the avariciousness of the men vould defeat, him, even if he was victor over Cap Reckless, Brand et wet t will wen eH, my me you. the ransom; the amount fitty Sain to each man in the ng’s ' ‘* Done, sir; but where isthe gold?” oa pay you ere I take the Jady, from Yo Eee ing.” rs , VOR regor. looked -at. the young sailc in intense tobe cig for where ace NS to £ such a sum from/and Capfain Reckless said in scornful way: .. . “i ‘** Men, be has_not a shilling to pray his soul out of tion.” eis res eV ie i 5 your : I pledge you m word to. ay. Rb he amount, within the hour. sich gueichasba naaiaedl senas ene tee ce a ral ass reing given, Brandt turned to MacGregor and atkedt ‘* Will you lend me a sword to cross with the captain!” Certainly, my Jad; but you'd better dro this matter,” said MacGregor, and he added ih « low whisper: ** Reckl a deyil x blade.” “ And — 1” was the 56 aly, a Brandt Greyhurst took handed him by Mac G Ege ay pacer PRES acon W orth f King's seaboard, MerGre: gor ’ he said lig btly, and turning r , and . less, he con pW s ‘Now, sir, I am, wholly at your service, w ‘ e BOY, and take me along with you on your v | ‘““A Greyhburst a smuggler?” was the sarcastic retort. e, the Sea Hyena. - 4 - a 1 would think better of it, |- Laie Lois to her home, let our quar- | 9 ‘‘T am what circumstances made me, sir: but as you seem disinclined to follow my sugges- tion, let us cross blades at once.” ‘‘Willingly,” and throwing aside his coat and hat, Ca stain Reckless drew his weapon, measured its oa he with the sword in the hand of Brandt Greyhurst, and said in a bitter, in- solent way: ‘* Now, sir, to gain my reward, for I noticed to-night that there is a thousand pounds offered for you dead or alive,” “Then sup you earn the blood money,” , cried Brandt Greyhurst. his face flushing, and he at once advanced upon the smuggler captain, and with aclash that made the rocky cavern and its halls ring again, the two blades met. to- ther in a vicious, determined stroke that showed plainly that both men were in deadly earnest. / CHAPTER XVIII. THE DUEL IN THE CAVERN, THE career of Captain Reckless, the smuggler” chief, had been a strange one, according to the yarn span by one of the seamen of the Scud, tee clai to have known him ‘in his boy- The old tar, for tho -yarn-spinner was an old man, had told his messmates that the captain was an Isle of Wight ‘boy, born of a family of ood name and wealth, whose father dying left im a fair inheritance under the control of his mother; but the widow had married again, and the. boy had found a hard master in hiss father, and had one day bidden farewell home and kindred and gone to sea, Rumor had it that he had gone to the Ameri- cas, and had there set up in. businessin some Atlantic seaport; but he came back in a few years a very rich man, squandered his money in fast living in London, fought a duel that was fatal to his adversary, and had to fly to escane trouble, as the one he killed was a king's’ cffi- cer. on, Several years more passed away and his mother died, and he came back to claim his estate, but found that his step-father had run through with it, and he revenged himself upon him by killing bim, and again taking to the sea. The next the old tar heard’of him was on the deck of the Scud, which boarded a French ves- sel, on which he was a seaman, and received the goods to be smugeled into England. Making himself known to him the captain had instantly asked bint to go with him, and thus it was that the old cea-dog had become a smuggler under one who was an infant in arms when he was &@ man grown. MacGregor said of Captain Reckless that he had been with the band several years, and had been picked up by Red Joe, their former chief and bad been his protege, and by his pluck and sea skill, had been chosen ¢hief. «» 00 All united in caving he was a poets ‘man when aroused, as brave as a lion, » the ‘best hand with a blade any of the band had ever seen handle one, ASH tht Onl It was on this account particularly, that Mac- Gregor had desired to prevent a hostile meeting with Brandt Greyhurst; but that young’ man had yet to meet any one whom he could be made to fear, and was determined to meet: Captain “Garp bell Woden plaice! Nad, bedhodxchang alf a dozen passes had -excha between them, the smuggler chief’s conti nt smile faded from his face, for he had ex to instantly disarm the youth, trusting in his own prowess and strength; but he felt convinced that he bad met a master of the weayon, and a few skillful es and dangerous thrusts, caused him to be on his guard egainst bis foe, As for Brandt Greyhurst, he well knew his own prowess, and wishing toend the matter at once, and free the Lady Lois from the dee anxiety ske. aust, necessarily suffer, he ohedeadt the Katie, We ror the first, and benmcrice warmed to the work soon'showed the crowd o interested cnueeye thet their captain bad all he could do to defend hisiife.': 2° 4. ‘Surprised at the skill and strength of the oung sailor, never having met his match even efore, Asi ey Reckless seemed to t with less nerve than in previous combats, it was but a few moments before he stood at bay; his back against the rock wallof the cabin, and ae every energy devoted to protecting him- But Brandt Greyburst ‘seemed ‘bent only on the task he had set out for bimself to accom- lish, and with set lips and stern. brow, pressed his adversary harder and harder at last he got in under the guard of the smuggler chief ry Ue u and drove bis sword deep into bis side. | The cry of rage pain commingled, that broke from the _ of Ceptain. Reckless, was drowned in the cries that issued from the band, as their chief sunk down in bis tracks, ou have killed him!” cried “Great God! Ma Gregor, spr g to theside of the wounded The eyes opened, lips quivered, and then in firm, stern accents came the words: “Not yet; I shall live to see you die, Brandt uv } © iF rm . i th ii Paying no heed to the remark of the man all believed dying, and whe was at once borne to a (E(0) (0) mMmIiGbooks