Beadle's Dime Library No. 151 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

22 The Freebooters. SSS—.SeeeQQEYF Eee _—— — “* Not such fools.” ** Hum! I do not see how we shall escape it.”’ “ You will see; besides, must we not go and pick up our boat, which has not yet returned?”’ “That is true; I did not think of it.”’ ‘Well, you see; and our passengers?” ‘*T have not seen them yet this morning.” “They will soon come on deck.” “A ship in sight,’’ the watch shouted. “That is what I was waiting for,” said the cap- “To tack?” *On the contrary, to pass without a shot in front of the fort that commands the entrance of the bay.” ‘I do not understand.” * All right; you soon will.”’ And s ng to the look-out man, he said: “In what direction is that ship?” ‘To starboard, to windward of us; it is coming out of a creek, in which it was hidden, and steering straight down on the brig.”’ $ n answered; then, turn- . aa a the ca ing to Lovel, he continued: ‘‘This ship is chasing us; we shall, by constant short tacks, pass the fort and the battery which crosses fire with it. The Mexicans, who are watching us, feeling convinced that we cannot escape their cruiser, will not take the trouble to fire at us, but let us pass through without offering any obstacle.”’ And, leaving his lieutenant astounded at this sin- gular line of argument, which he did not at all com- a the captain went to the quarter-deck, and ning over the gangway, began carefully watching the movements of the ship signaled by the look- out. An hour passed thus, without producing any ange in the respective positions of the two ships; but the brig, which had no intention of getting too = omy from the cruiser, did not carry half the sail could. The men had been quietly beaten to quarters, and thirty powerful sailors, armed to the teeth, were hol the running rigging, ready to obey the cos, meme signal from their captain. For more than an hour the brig had been approaching the coast, and the captain, being now compelled to skirt a sub- marine reef, whose situation was not eee known to him, ordered sail to be reduced, and ad- vanced, sounding-lead in hand. The cruiser, on the contrary, was literally covered with canvas, and grew momentarily larger, while assuming the im- rtions of a first-class corvette; its black ul] could - clearly distinguished, along which ran a long white stripe, containing sixteen port-holes, through which the muzzles of her guns. On the shore, to which the brig was now close, could be seen a great number of persons of both sexes, who, shouting, yagen ae or, their hands, eager! followed the incidents of this strange chase. Sud- denly alight cloud of smoke rose from the bow of the corvette, the sound of a gun was duly heard, and a Mexican flag was hoisted at the ; . ‘** Ah, ah,’ Captain Johnson saidyas he mechani- cally mped the end of a cigarette held between his teeth, “ she has at length decided on throwing off herineognito. Come, lieutenant, politeness deserves the same; show her our colors; hang it all, they are worth showing.”’ A minute later, a large star-spangled flag was ma- jestically fluttering at the stern of the brig. At the appearance of the United States colors, so auda- usly hoisted, a shout of fury was raised aboard the Mexican corvette, which was taken up by the crowd assembled at the t, though it was impos- sible to tell, owing tod the distance, whether they were shouts of joy or anger. In the meanwhile the sun was beginning to rise, the morning was wing a and there must be an end to the affair, especi as the corvette, con- fiding in her strength, and now almost within al shot, would not to open fire on the American vessel. to say, the ) of the fort and the battery, as the captain had foreseen, had al- lowed the brig to double the point without trying to stop it, which it would have been most easy for them to do, owing to the cross-fire. The captain gave his lieutenant a sign to come to aes - ~ down to his ear, whispered some- eh!” the lieutenant said, with a hearty laugh, * that is anidea! By Jove! we may have some And, without saying another word, he proceeded forward. On reaching the swivel gun be had it unlashed and carefully loaded, adding a ball and a pe-shot to the ordinary charge. Bending over he sight he seized thescrew placed under the breech, then making a sign to the men who stood on either side with handspikes, he began laying the gun slow- ly and with the utmost precaution, scrupulously cal- culating the distance that separated the two ships, and the deviation caused by the rolling. At length, when he believed he had attained the desired result he seized the lanyard, fell back, and made a signa tothe captain, who was impatiently awaiting the termination of his proceedings. ‘* Attention !’’ the latter shouted; “stand by, all.”’ There was a moment of supreme expectation. **Is all clear?’ ‘* Yes,’’ the lieutenant replied. “Ready about,’’ the captain ordered; “* down with the helm! Ease off the j'b sheets! Sheet home top- ey Sheet home lower sails! Haul the bowlines taut!” The sailors hurried to the running rigging, and the ship, obedient to the impulse given it, majesti- cally swung round, At the moment when it fell off and) had its bows turned toward the broadside of the corvette, Master Lovel, who was owatching for a favorable opportunity to carry out the orders he had received, sharply pulled the lanyard and fired. The confounded by this sudden aggres- sion, which they were far from anticipating from an enemy apparently so weak, replied furiously, and a shower of iron and lead hurtled over the deck and through the rigging of the American ship. The fort and battery continued to preserve the strictest neutrality, and Captain Johnson did not take the trouble to reply. ‘* Brace up closer to the wind!" he shouted. ‘* Haul down the sheets! we have had fun enough, lads." The brig continued its course, and when the smoke had dispersed the Mexican corvette could be pc:- ceived in,a pitiable condition. The shot fired by ‘Spanish navy, and»bad retained its Mastér Lovel had carried away her bowsprit close by the head, which naturally entailed the fall of the foremast, and the poor corvette, half rendered un- serviceable, and unable longer to ee its auda- cious enemy, bore up to repair hastily the worst of the damage, On board the brig, owing to the hurry in which the Mexicans had returned the fire, only one man had been killed and three slightly wounded. As for the damage, it was trifling; only a few ropes were cut, that was all, ‘*Now,” the captain said, as he came down from | the quarter-deck, “in ten minutes, father, you will tack,and when we are abreast of the fort you will lie to, let down a boat, and let’'me know.” ‘‘What!’" the lieutenant could not refrain from saying, ‘*you mean to go ashore?”’ ‘Hang it,” said the captain; ““why, I only came here for that purpose.”’ *““Are you going to the fort?”’ “Yes, Still, as it is always as well to be on the right side, you will send into the boat the ten most resolute men of the crew, with axes, cutlasses, mus- kets, and pistols. Let all be in order and ready for fighting.” ‘*T fancy those precautions will be unnecessary,’ said a man Who had just come on deck and walked up to the speakers. . ‘* Ah! it is you, Master Tranquil,” the captain re- plied, as he shook hands with the old hunter; for it was hewho'had so unexpectedly interfered in the conversation. What do you say?” ‘**T say,’ the Canadian replied, in his calm Voice, “that your precautions probably be unneces- Sa 98 ‘Why so?” “Hang it! I don’t know, for I am not a sailor But look for yourself. Do you not think as I do—that something extraordinary is taking place on board Sine ali ick] ed his tel d e cap uickly open s telescope, an fixed iton the Mexican ship, “Tt is true,” he said, a moment later. “Oh, oh! ne our audacious attempt have proved success- ?’ ; ‘All leads to the supposition,” said the hunter, with his old stoicism. or heavens! I will ascertain.” “What will you do?”’ * By Jupiter! convince myself of what is taking 6 ” * As you please.” , ‘* Bear up!”’ the captain ordered. The maneuver was executed. The sheets were let go, and the brig, catching more wind in its sails, ad- vanced rapidly toward the corvette, on board which a strange scene was taking place at this moment, which must interest Captain Johnson in the highest degree. But, in order to make the reader thorough- understand this scene, we must now return to El Iferez and his comrades, whom we left at their de- parture from the | pe genie . At the moment when the four men reached the etty, although it was about seven in the morning, beach was nearly deserted; only a few ships boats were fastened up, and landing the men who were going to buy provisions. It was, therefore, an éasy matter for the conspirators to embark without attracting attention to their movements, At a sig- nal given by Ramirez, the boat which had been pull- ing back and forward during the night, came nearer land; and when the four men were séated in the stern-sheets, and Ramirez had taken the tiller, the boat started for a small ‘creek situated a little distance beyond the roadstead. The breeze, which during the night had been rather weak, had gradually risen; the boat was easily 8 a out to sail was hoisted, and it soon entered the creek, where the Libertad was riding ently on her anchors. Still, it was easy for a sailor 0 see that this ship, apparently so mae was el to slip out at a moment’s notice. e sails, thou furled, were cast off, and the anchor, apeak, only needed a turn of the capstan to be tripped. Posted in this creek, like a bird of prey in the hol- low of a rock, the corvette could easily expand its sails, and dart on any suspicious vessel signaled by the look-out. Without uttering a syllable our friends ane a significant glance; they understood one another's maneuvering. The boat had searce come within hail ere a gentry standing in the starboard’ gangway, hailed it Spanish. Ramirez replied, and, leaning on the tiller made the boat describe a graceful curve, an brought her up to the starboard acéommodation ladder. The offi¢er of the watch was standing at the top to receive the visitors. receiving a lady, he hurried <iown the ladder to Offer his hand, and do her the honors of the ship she Was about to enter. To the right and left of the entrance, sailors, drawn — file, saluted by raising theirhands to their caps, while a boatswaim gave the accustomed whistle. As we have already mentioned, the Liber‘ud was a fifst- class corvette. Don “Manuel Rodriguez, her com- mandant, was an old sailor, brought up in the ealthy ‘tradi- tions; hence his ship was always kept neat and trim. Don Serapio and Don Cristoval, themselves naval officers, could not refrain from expressing to’ the officer of the watch the’ satisfaction they experi- enced at seeing a vessel in such splendid order. Commandant Rodriguez, called by a midshipman, hastened on deck to receive his guests; the boat was fastened astern of the corvette, while its crew went forward with the sailors of the vessel. Like the other Spanish-American republics, the Mexican Confederation has but few vessels; its navy is composed of but a dozen ships at the most—con- sisting of corvettes, brigs and schooners. The grav- ity of the events taking lace'in Texas had induced the Mexican governm to’ send a corvette there, in order to render themselves masters ‘of the sea, and prevent the United States, whose sympathies with the Texan .revoliition were notorious, from giving the insurgents help’in arms, men or money, Commandant Rodriguez, an ‘energetic man, and excellent sailor, had been chosen to out this dangerous mission; for two months he had been cruising off the coast of Texas, where he had es- pg ein A rigorous ro ep and owing y» — ntelligent arrangemen e managed, u e period we have arrived at, to stop or turn k all vessels sent from the United States to the help ot ’ a a ee ee —izzzzatttt A LL LLL LLL ALL LLL LLL LILA man aaa the insurgents. The latter, reduced to their own resources, and understanding that the decisive hour would soon strike for ther, had resolved to get rid of this corvette, which did them enormous njury, and seize it at all risks. The chiefs of the insurgents“had formed their plans to this effect. During Commandant Rod- riguez’s rare Visits to Galveston, he was adroitly surrounded by persons who ostensibly professed a deep hatred for the revolution, while in secret they were the active and devoted agents of the insurgent chiefs. Almost involuntarily the commandant had been induced to invite several persons to visit his corvette, and breakfast on board; but the old sailor was a true Mexican, that is to say, acciis- tomed to all the tricks and treache of a count where revolutions have been coun by hundreds during the twenty years since it proclaimed its so-called dependence, and his prudence did not fail him under the circumstances. Being not at all anxious to run the risk of seeing his ship boarded, he left the roads and anchored in a solitary creek, in order to have his elbows at liberty, and then, instead of inviting many persons at the same time he merely requested Dona Mencia, her father, an two of her cousins, officers_in the United States service, to pay hiin a visit. We know now who the persons really were who accepted the invitation. The captain frowned on sprig Bo number of the boat’s crew, but reflecting that he had two hundred and fifty men aboard, he did not think for amoment that sixteen’men, apparently unarmed, would try to seize his ship, and it was with the most smiling and affectionate air that he received Dona Mercia and the persons who accompanied her. After showing them all over the corvette, he led his guests to the stern gallery, where a table had been laid, and a cent. breakfast awaited them. Only five persons sat down, the supposed young yf her pretended cousins, the comman- dant, and his first lieutenant, an old sailor like himself, full of experience and bravery. The breakfast began in ‘the most cordial and frank manner; the commandant regretted that Dona Mencia’s father had been unable to accompany her, as he had promised, and a most gallant conversa- tion went on. Presently, a warrant Officer opened the door, and, at a sign from the commandani, whispered a few words in his ear; the latter, after excusing himself to his guests, gave him ‘an order in a low voice, and the officer retired as discreetly as he had come in. - ‘** Senora,’’ the commandant. said, leaning over to the Spon. lady seated by his side, “ are you afraid of the sea?’’ **T?” she ree with a smile; “why do you ask, commandant ?’’ “Because,” he answered, “unless you immediate- ly leave my vessel, whieh, I confess, would greatly annoy me, you will be compelled to take a trip to sea for some hours,” “I am the daughter and cousin of, sailors, com- mandant; that is as good as saying that atrip to sea would be most pleasing to me under any circum- stances; at this moment it would be a most delight- ful interlude, and complete the graceful hospitality you have been kind to offer us.”’ “Very good,” the commandant said gayly; “‘ you are a true heroine, Dona Mencia; you fear nothing.” ‘“* Will you permit me to ask, commandant,’’ said Don Serapio, ““ whether you aré sta simply to afford us the pleasure of a trip, or whether a more serious motive obliges you to leave your anchor- ey” ; “TI have no secrets from you,” he said simply, “and a few words will exp the affair; for about a fortnight Iliuve been playing a game of chess with a brig, whose appearance is most suspicious. Its rig; and'fine lines, lead us to believe that it is a North-American privateer, trying to land arms, and possibly men, for the insurgents,” “Do you imagine,’’ Don Cristoval objected, “that a privateer brig, knowing you to bein these parts, would venture to force a er” **Yes,I do. These demons of privateers are afraid of nothing; and, besides, during the war of indepen- dence, I myself carried out more daring adventures than this.’ 5 an “Then, we are about to witness a sea-fight?”’ Dona “Mencia asked timidly, ‘Oh, do not feel alarmed, senorita; it will not go so far as that, I hope; this brig, which I had lost out of sight for two days, has just reappeared, but this time with the apparent object. of getti close enough to‘land to send a boat ashore, I will chase it vigorously, and do not doubt I shall compel it to ut out to sea again, for it is impossible that it serious! s should piace M too us.” “Really, that is delightful!” Dona Mencia ex- claimed with a laugh; “‘the fete ‘will be com- ried, a trip to sea, a chase, and, perhaps, the cap- ure of a vessel. You’ are really ‘too Kind, com- mandant.”’ neg A , While the conversation became more and more friendly and lively in the state cabin, the corvette had started, and with all sail set, was pursuing Cap- er he “ Halloh!’ n stoval suddenly “ has become of our boat?’’ Wr, MRPD,,”. MAO “It was left fastened to a buoy,"’ the command- ant said; *‘ We will pick it u ain to our anchorage.” PST arenes See Or “Well,” Don Serapid remarked laughingly, ‘if the privateer should Feel inclined to nent ene six- teen mén are quite at your disposal.”’ “I thank you, but do not think I shall their euistence:® ayeute “Who knows? no one can foresée-events. Our sailors are brave, and, if it should come to fighting, be assured they will do their share,” Only one of the gpa had remained silent during the breakfast, contenting himself with eating and drinking, while attentively listening to what: was said around him, This was. the lieutenant. So soon as the ship had sd, he Jeft the table, bowed to the company, and went on deck, “Your lieutenantis no talker, commandant,’’ Dona Mencia observed; “he only opened his lips to eat and drink." “That is trué, senorita; but y excuse him, he is an old sailor, but little accu ed to society—he felt embarrassed and almost in his wrong place with you; but few men know their profession so well as he, or are so firm and intrepid in danger.” , com Eboo cS (E (0)