Beadle's Dime Library No. 162 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

18 The Mad Mariner. the feeling is in my heart, that soon you will be alone in the world.” “Then 1 wish you would remain here in your old home, and I pledge you that Grace shall never disturb you.” “No, I should go mad to remain here; see, am I not in man’s attire? Have I not cast off all ties of womanhood? “No, I follow you, for good or evil, until one of our lives shall end.” He said nothing, but held out his hand and she grasped it warmly, and then walked on in silence to the shore, where Carl, a moment after joined them. : They beheld the Mischief, which was lying only a short distance off, held only by a kedge, and with her sails up, and a boat came ashore and carried them on board. ‘Now, Whenton,” said Duke, addressing the man who was serving in the place of Mad. docks: ‘* Back to Baltimore we go.” And back to Baltimore the swift cratt ran with all speed, and swept up the bay to her old anchorage, having to pass not only the Dol- phin, but several other vessels-.1-wur inso do- lug. **T do not see the Arrow,” :aid Carl Carter, who was closely eying the vessels im port. ‘““T do; she is over yonder at the dock re- pairing,” was Duke Gregory’s quiet respouse, and having removed his disguise as a peddler once more, he rowed ashore, As he stepped out of the boat, he was met by a woman who said quietly: — “Say, old hulk of the tribe of Israel, come to my room with me and I'll trade with you, for I need some httle things.” ‘*He’ll cheat you out of your .eye-teeth, messmate,” put in a sailor near. ‘‘No, mine fri’nts, I never cheat nobodys, so help me Moses; yes, mine goot sailor-mans I goes mit you right straight off.” “Then come along, for I have no time to parlez-vous, or Dutch either with you.” The pretended Jew at once swung his pack on his back and followed the seaman, who led him to a boarding-bouse near. Up to his room he went, and closing the door, said: “ Welcome back, captain; I saw the Mischief run in and was just about to go out to her, when I saw you coming ashore.” ‘““Tam glad to meet you again, Maddocks; what luck?’ answered Duke Gregory. “T made up the even hundred, sir, this morning, and they are a fine set of men. ” ‘“ Who will ask no questions?” “ None, sir.” “They suspect not the service they are wanted for?’ ‘‘T told them hot work, rich pay, and death at the guns with them at all times as a ship- mate.” “ And they shipped readily?” ‘(T had my pick out of hundreds, captain.” ‘You have done well, Maddocks,” “Thank you, sir; now let me ask you if you have any objections to strike the Government for a craft?” “Why?” “The Arrow has just come off the stocks to- “Yeas.” ‘* She is fully refitted; has had a new bottom put on her, and they are now putting stores in her for a three years’ cruise, I hear.” ‘‘She is the very craft I have my eye on, Mad , “T am glad to hear it, sir, for I feared it was a schooner up in the yard.” “No, it is the Arrow; when will she be oned?”’ ** By to-morrow.” “Good! now I will get some extra stores and arms on the Mischief and have Carter run her down the bay, aud wait for us in the Arrow.” “They are shipping men ftor.the Arrow now, sir, and sending them on the Dolphin tc drill.” * When does she drop down to an anchorage, Maddocks?” ‘‘To-morrow night, sir, I hear.” ** What force ison her?” “A middy and twelve seamen, and a ser- geant and four marines.” ‘‘ Ab! we must take her where she now lies, Maddocks.” ‘* It will bea bold game to play, sir ” ‘*Tt must be done; when can you get your men?’ en ne ee ee - ee ee ‘* All of them within an hour’s notice, sir.” “Then hold them all in readiness for to- morrow night; get half a dozen boats to carry them in, aud row out to the yacht just after dark. ‘‘ In the mean time here is a list of purchases I wish made, and have them sent on board the Mischief as soon as possible,” ‘*T will, sir.” ‘‘] will now go round to where the Arrow lies, and go on board, under pretense of selling some articles to the seamen, which will give me a chance to reconnoiter.” “* A good idea, sir.” “ Andif I form any other plan that is bet- ter, I will let you know.” So saying, Duke Gregory left the sailor tavern, and at the shuffling gait he had as- sumed, wended his way along the docks, in the direction of the spot where the schooner-of- war 4rrow was anchored. CHAPTER XXXVIIL RECONNOITERING THE ENEMY. LIZUTENANT ARTHUR NEVIL was pacing the deck of the Arrow, engaged in the enjoy ment of a cigar and admiration of the schooner since it had been overhauled, refitted and rearmed. He felt a little miffed at his not being placed in full command on her expected cruise, as a captain and full crew was to ba put on her from the frigate now in port; but then he had been promoted from passed midshipman to lieutenant, and that certainly was honor enough for one of his years, for every one could not expect to bea Duke Gregory for luck. Presently the boat sent ashore for stores re- turned, and the boatswain came aft, and said: ‘‘There’s a Jew peddler, sir, I brought out, as be had some nice things I thought the lads might wish; I hope I basn’t done wrong, sir?’ ‘* No, bo’sen, for I wish some little articles myself, and will be too busy to run up-town for them; send him to the cabin first.” The lieutenant went into the cabin, and soon the boatswain came in with his Jew peddler, who bowed and scraped with marked polite- ness, at the same time looking around him with curiosity, as though he had never been on ship- board before. Lieutenant Nevil could not refrain from smiling at the quaint figure cut by the Jew, and asked: ‘Well, my Hebrew friend, you have never been on shipboard before?” ““Yesh, L ish, mine fri’nt; but I hash goots and t’ings vat you vants.” “Let me see your goods, for you are all | business, I observe.” “Yes, mine fri’nt, I ish all pizzinesh, to pe sure,”’ The goods were displayed, the officer made several purchases, and during the transaction the Jew said: ““Yesh, I hash peen on ships pefore; I ish have a fri’pt vat ish deat now, dat vash a loot’nent on a vessel, t’e Arrow.”’ “ Why, this is the Arrow.” ‘*Mine Got in Himmel, no!” “Yes; who was your friend?” ‘TI lives near him in Massachoost, and his name vash Duke Gregory, mine fri’nt.” ‘*Duke Gregory! indeed! why he was once the commander of this vessel; but he was found to bea low-born wretch, a murderer and all that was bad, and he only escaped hang- ing for his crimes by managing to escape on the way to the gallows. ‘* Your friend Gregory, my Hebrew gentle- man, I would not mention if I were you, for it is no credit for any one to know such a vile creature.” “Ish dat so?’ was the calm reply, of the pretended Jew. ‘Yes, it is so.” ‘*Ish t’e gentlemanish deat now?” “No; he bas gone pirating, I guess; it is just what she ought to do, to in the end be strung “« Ish ich so?’ again said the unmoved trader in nick-nacks. “Vell, I t?anks you, mine fri’nt. I is have a petter class of goods I vill pring you to-mor- row, and—” ‘‘No, we will be too busy to-morrow, for we get under way after sunset, and after luffiung up for our crew from the at will sail on our cruise.” “Ah! dat ish pad for me; vell, imine fri’nt, I pids you farewell.” The pretended Jew then took his departure, and, after half an bour spent among the few men ou board, who purchased liberally from him, he took leave of the ship, having made a most thorough examination of the vessel, her men, and the possibilities of cutting her out by a bold maneuver. Leaving the schooner Duke Gregory re- turned on board the Mischief and made known his plans to his mother and Carl Carter, and for the rest of the day and night, and the follow- ing morning, all was quiet preparation for the daring deed contemplated. CHAPTER XXXTX. A PROPHECY FULFILLED. LIEUTENANT ARTHUR NEVIL was about to give the order to set sail on the schooner, for the anchor was slowly leaving the bottom, un- der the pressure of the .windlass, when a boat came alongside, containing a young middy and half a dozen seamen. “‘Lieu‘enant Nevil, I believe, sir?’ and the middy politely raised bis cap. ** Yes, sir.” ‘‘T am from the frigate America, sir, and Captain Delorme, who is to command the Ar- row, begs me to say that he will join you at your anchorage here, so as to keep directly on down the bay, the Chesapeake Pirate having been reported below doing considerable dam- age.” ‘‘Thank you, sir; I will await the captain here; forward there! leave that anchor where it is; do you sail on the schooner?’ “ Yes, sir, I have that honor.” ‘Your name, please.” *‘ Gregory Bond, sir.” ‘* Your Christian name has been a rather un- fortunate one in our service of late.” ‘‘You refer to poor Captain Duke Gregory, sir?” ‘* Yes, but don’t poor him; he is unworthy a thought of pity invan hovest mind. How long before the captain and his men come?’ “I expect them any moment, sir,” and the midshipman glanced out over the dark waters toward the distant anchorage of vessels, and then said quietly: ‘They are coming now, sir; the boats are just visible crossing the harbor.’’ ** Ah yes, I see them; forward there!” “¢ Ay, Ay, ar.” ‘Get that anchor up; and, sergeant!” “‘ Ay, ay, sir,” answered the Marine Sergeant addressed. ‘‘Get your men to the gangway to receive your captain, ‘*Mr. Bond, as you are to serve with us, please have the crew, not at the capstan, set sail; you see I am very short in men, those I have with me being only a guard as it were for the schooner.” The midshipman saluted, and ordered the men who were not busy with the anchor to un- furl the sails and get all ready to set at a mo- ment’s notice, and there was that about his manner and orders that caused an old salt to remark to a shipmate sotto voce ; ‘(Guess he’s frcesh trom the shore, messmate; but he’ll l’arn suthin’ afore the cruise is over.” “I reckon,” was the significant response, in the same low tone, With his marines ready at the gangway, Lieutenant Arthur Nevil, having hastily donned his full uniform, stepped to the side at which the boats were expected, and stood awaiting Captain Delorme, whom he had met several days before, he having been the First Luff of the frigate America, promoted to a captaincy to take command of the Arrow. The boats, according to the laws of discipline were hailed with: ‘Boats aboy! what boats are those?” “From the United States frigate America,” came the response, sag ay; come e.” The boats, which had rested on their oars during the hail and response again moved for- ward, and the larger one touched the gang- way, while one went forward of it, another astern, and two more around the bows and stern of the schooner. Then out of them swarmed scores of dark forms, and ere Arthur Nevil could start back with surprise, he had a pistol to his head, and a low stern voice said: “Lieutenant Nevil, you are my prisoner, and I resume command of my own schooner. ” “Good God! Duke Gregory!” “Yes, lam Duke Gregory the disowned, the outlaw, ‘and whatever else you may seem fit to call bim.” “Then by Heaven, you die!” €omie JOOKS a