Beadle's Dime Library No. 162 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

a - — “TI will p myself to keep the secret.” “T will not you.” ‘‘T will swear it by the most sacred oaths.” “Your oaths are worthless to me.” “No, no, do not say that, for I am oh! so afraid to die.’ ‘‘ And I am afraid for you to live.” ‘‘T wil be your slave, Duke Gregory.” ‘“‘No, you must die, for I tell you, Leroy Townsend, that I am a changed man in the past twenty-four hours.” The prisoner drooped his head again, and then after a moment of silence, in which the young sailor with a stony look down upon him, he’said suddenly: ‘*By Heaven! I will proclaim to your crew what yous are, and that you kill me to save yourself from ignominy and ruin.” ‘* By the Heaven above, Leroy Townsend, you have given me fair warning, and I swear to you your “4 => shall utter no such words,” and the eyes of Duke Gregory fairly blazed with fury, while th» ironei prisoner shrunk away from him. But, with the bound of a tiger the young officer was upon him, and his clutch of steel was upon his thront, while he seized the bandage that had been taken from his mouth, and was about to force the gag in between tho shut teeth, when, by a giant effort of strength the lawyer released his throat from the gripe upon it, and shouted in ringing tones: ‘* Help! for the love of God! help!” Hurrying feet were at once heard, for the wild ery rung through the vessel, and was heard on deck; but unce more seiz ng the throat of his victim in his iron grasp, Duke Gregory turned toward the coming scamen, and shcuted in s‘entorian tones: ‘*Back! I did not call, and what right have you to obey the cries cf this whining wretch.” The seamen fell back in dismay, at the anger of their commander, and he, exerting bis great strength, forced open the shut teeth, and thrust into the mouth the gag. Then the bandage was quickly adjusted, and pape cecscerh Het bis struggle and fear combined, the wretched man sunk down upon the deck, the very picture of woe. ‘* Now, Leroy Townsend, know that you have but one hour to live, for, as soon as we crop the land from sight I swing you up to the yard- arm. A deep groan was the reply, and Duke Grez- guard, said sternly: ‘‘Now guard your prisoner, sir, and mind you, no words with him.” Passing aft, his eyes flashing fire, and the men avoiding his gaze, for they had nm ver be- aa seen him in such a fury, Duke Gregory said: ‘*Mr. Nevil, I brought on board with me this morning, sir, a noted coast pirate, whom I ac- cidejtally got possession of, and it is my inten- tion to hang bim within the hour to tue yard- arm.’ ‘* He deserves:it, sir, as a pirate.” — a _ The Mad Mariner. A groan from the ner was the only an- swer, and he gazed with wild eyes upon the as- sembled crew, in vain striving to give utterance to acry or word, while the veins stood out upon his forehead like cords, ‘“Up with him!” came the ringing command, and rapidly the noose was thrown around his neck and the knot adjusted, and up in the air the seamen detailed for the duty, hoisted the writhing victim, from whose lips no cry could come, but in whose eyes dwelt a look that haunted those who saw it to their dying day. A short while he swung there, swaying to and fro with the motion of the vessel, and then came the order: Cut him down!” It was obeyed, andthe body fe:! with a plunge into the sea and disappeared from sight. ‘* Now my secret is safe; but alas! my soul is black with guilt,” cried Duke Gregory, as he turned away from the sickening scene and hastily went into his cabin, while Arthur Nevil muttered: ? ‘* There is some strange mystery in all this.? CHAPTER XVIII IN IRONS, Two months have passed away, since the scene enacted on the deck of the American schooner of war Arrow, cff the Masvachuseits coast, and the time of the vessei’s cruise had ended, and her prow was turned homeward. Up the blue waters of the Chesapeake she sailed swiftly, and dropped anchor under the | guns of Fort McHenry, in the beautiful harbor of Baltimore. Ordering a boat lowered away, Duke Greg- ory went into the cabin to prepare for his visit ashore, and to report bis arrival to tae Govern- meut, and the successful voyage he had made, for even after his leaving the coast of Massachu- setts success did not desert him, and he had broken up a smuggler band on the shores of Maine, and sent in as a prize a large pirate schooner captured off Montauk Point. The haggard look of the young commander had passed away, and the wild gli:ter of his eyes, which his officers and crew bad so noted after the hanging of Leroy Townsend; but in their place had settled a look of inexpressible sadness. The past came to him in bis quiet hours as a hideous nightmare; but the breaking up of bis | boyish loves and hopes, the uncertainty of the ory left the steerage, and calling to the waiting ) ‘So I have decided, Mr. Nevil, so call the | men to witness execution, and rig a rope to the vard-arm at once. ‘When ready call me.” Without another word, he went below, while Arthur Nevil muttered: “Grief at his father’s death, and over his other sorrows, seems to have turned the lieuten- ant’s head, and heart too, for he seems to relish hanging that poor devil, while ever before he was merciful even to the worst of outlaws; but he is in no humor to trifle with, and his orders shall be promptly obeyed.” So saying the young officer sung out to the boatswain to call all hands to witness exceu- tion, and ordered the rope for hanging a pirate rigged. This let the crew into the secret as to who it was to be hanged, bus why he should have cried 80 wey ee help, when their commander was talkin them, they could not understand. ‘* All ready, sir.” called out Arthur Nevil down the companionweay, and instantly Duke Gregory came on deck, white, stern, and fierce- eyed. "He glanced quickly landward, and saw that the turret of his boyhood’s home was just visi- ble above the horizon, and then around upon the sea. No vessel was in sight, and he said sternly, addressing a midshipman: ‘Bring the prisoner aft, sir.” “In irons, sir?’ “Yes, and gagged as he is,” was the re- sponse. The middy went forward and in a few moments returned with the prisoner, two marines having to hold him up, for his knees seemed hardly able to Sree his weight. They led him aft to where their commander stood, and the eyes of the two men met, one stern and merciless, the other pitifully pleading. ‘Leroy, for your crimes,” said Duke Greg- ory, Perey leaving off the prisoner’s last name, ‘‘ 1 have decided pereet” fo ie, and I now order yoy hanged to the yard-arm of this vessel, . may God have mercy upon your guilty sou fate of his beautiful wife exd child, w re ever with him, leaving their sed impress upon his countenance, The old kindly wey to his crew ha returned to him once more; but they could not hut sce he had had the iron of grief center dcep into his soul, Suddenly, as he was about dressed in his full uniform, tle officer of the deck armnounced a Government boat alongside, and.a moment after a captain of the novv entered bis cabin. ‘*Captuin Duke Gregory, I believe,” said the ) (fiver politely. ‘‘Lieutenent Marmaduke Gregory is my name, sir; bow can I serve you?” was the re- sponse, ‘*'You were commissioned captain, sir, some three months since, for gallant conduct at sea, and it therefore pains me the more, Czptain Gregory, to tell you that I have boarded your vessel upon a most serious matter,” “Indeed, sir, and, after knowing have the honor of addressing, may I nature of this serious matter?” Duke Gregory spoke with the utmost calm- ness, theuyh semehow his heart sunk within him, and his fuce became a shede paler. “T am Captain Lee Lianning, sir, end I have orders to arrest youund ra most scricus charge and carry you on board r- y vessel in irons. ‘*In fact, my vessel was ordered vo go in search of you this very night.” ‘Do I understand you eright, sir, for this is no matter to jest upon®’ said D hotly, ‘“T am sorry, sir, to say that you do under- stand me aright, sir.” whom I know the } white as though the breath had left his bory, and it wore a look tbat was pitiful in its serrow, _“* Ho on deck there!” cailea out Cuptain Mau- ning. Instantly there was heard the steady tramp of marching men, and a Sergeant of Marines and tour men came iato the cabin. ‘“‘There is the prisoner. sergeant,” said Cap- ‘tain Manning. The sergeant saluted politely, and stepping forward held forth his bands with iron mauacks in them. Mechanically Duke Gregory bared bis wrists, and the irons were locked upon them, and he said calnily: “‘Tam ready, Captain Manning.” Out of his cabin he walked a prisoner ip irons, and accused of what he really did not know. Into the boat alongside he was aided, and bis crew gazing in silent commiseration upon him, he was rowed away toward a large +loop-of- war at anchor further up in the barbor. A row of a few minutes, and he went up the side of the sloop-of-war, gazed on by many with curiosity, and by few with pity, for stranpe stories had gone abroad concerning bin during the two months which bad passed since he cropped the bold coast of Massachuset s beneath the horizon. CHAPTER XIX, THE STRANGE SAILOR. SHORTLY after dark of the day of Duke Greg- ory’s arrest Arthur Nevil was paciug the quar- ter-deck lost in deep reverie, from which be was we by the watch bai:ing au approaching t. The answer was: ‘* A Loat from the Dolphin.” The Dolphin was the sloop-of war to which Duke Gregory had been carried in irons, and the boat was permitted to come alongside the schooner. There were but two oarsmen and a coxswain in it, and the latter ascended to the deck and asked to see the commanding officer. “Tam in command, coxswain; what is it?’ said Arthur Nevil. “ —_ Gregory bas sent for his c’othes, sir, and asks you please to send what cu tLink he may need.” ‘** Certainly; come into the cabin while the steward gets them ready for you.” The coxswein obeyed, seemingly wondering at this honor done him, but soon realizing wiy it was confe : As be stood in the light of the cabin lamp he seemed slightly ill at ease, as if nervous at be- ing so highly honored. He wus a slender man, slightly under the me- dium in size, and hud gray hair and a dark face that bore traces of suffering. He was dressed in the checked pants and blue shirt of a man-of-war’s man, and held bis tar. paulin in his band, ‘‘ Well, my man, as we are just in, an’ you have been lying in port, perhaps you can teli us what this strange arrest of our captain mea: s?” asked Arthur Nevil, in on off-hand way. “There are some severe charges against the cantain, sir; but I hope they woun’t prove true,” said the seaman, with a salute, ‘* And mention one of them, my lad.” ‘* Murder, sir, is one.” ‘Murcer! great God! can they accuse Duke Gregory of so vile a crime?” said Arthur Nevil, excitedly. ‘*So it seems, sir; but we lads hope itis not true, for the young captain has won a great name.” ‘‘And I cannot believe it, my lad; give my compliments to Lieutenanr Gregory—’ ‘‘He is cuptain now, sir; he was promoted a short t.me since.” * Poor Gregory! promotcd to a ceptaincy rt uke Gregory | bis age, and this charge against him; well, give my compliments to Captain Duke Gregory. and say to hint he has the sympathy ot his offivers and crew in his misfortune, and that we hope ‘Upon what charge, sir, is thisarrest mace?” | to have hiin back with flying colors.” “‘A most serious one indeed; that of prompt- ing one murder, and committin7 another.” ‘*Ha! who dares accuse me?” “‘] make no accusation, sir; I have orders from my Government to make the arrest, and so peremptory are those commands, that, if you answer one question I rive you in the af- firmative, I will bs compelled to put you in ircns.” ‘* And that question, captain Manning?” “Have you executed a man on board your vescel witbin the past few months?” ‘“‘T have, sir.” 2 By hanging?” é es.” ‘‘A person you brought aboard jn a shore boat?” a Yes.” “Enough, sir; my duty is plain, though most - painful, for I have greatly admired your gallant | a moment after, armed with the bag career, “ Captain Gregory, you are my prisoner, ! “Tl do it, sir, and it will go right to his poor heart to know that you feel so,” suid the sziior, with deep feeling. ‘Were, my man, the cabin boy has the bag- gare ready for you.” ‘oA ‘Thank you, sir,” politely returned the sailor, and with another salute he left the cabin, re-entered the gig Le had come in, and rowed away up the harbor. In a short while the large hull of the Dol- hin loomed up ahead, and soon after came a hail from her deck: ‘*Poat ahoy !” ‘Ahoy! the Seep hs ” “ Ay, ay, what do you want?” ‘We are a boat from the schooner-of-war Ar- row, and wish io come on board,” was the re- ply of the coxswain. “Ay, ay, come on,” cnme haek the reply, a re © Duke Gregory, the sailor went over the side and was directed to tite officer of the deck. “I am coxswain of Captain Gregory’s gir, Duke Gregory did not move; his face wasas_ sir, and was sent by Lieutenant Nevil, with the cEComircboo Su