Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 172 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

———— — ee ere — re ee w ae. - | a a ® * bd “> r oy .!, “Se J ‘ ; * _ ik : , ne pe Ose 4 wh = * Li 25 OPE * 4 4 '~ > - 16 Se aa like opening of the rock, and at length they eame to the bottom, for there was a pool of 4) =A he Black Pree eee inaey | ‘ CHAPTER XXVIL THE WARNING. ** Tt is five years since I became member of the Black Pirates’ band.” PAE. Sees ne , ‘ — e ' r mn | ——— ae ee eS eet oe =——— —_—* £ _ 7 : / . ~< = : al r a © . ~ we 7 : '. % ‘ ~\ P * ed al ‘ . - : - ¢ - . - . >-—- ES EE OE RE. OR ee ge ee ee ee “ aa S = — <a. s - «= * > m by = P + Re? * Oe rn eo - = ad - @ i ee ee 2 — . y - * l | | | water, bubbling fiercely up from the dark depths, and flowing out under a natural tunnel ef rock. Several of the pirates were drawing upon a rope, and soon a large, flat-bottomed boat was hniuled into the pool, and all got into it and floated into the rocky tunnel, A short space of total darkness, and then eame Jight, as the barge moved out into a basin surrounded by rock upon three sides, and open en one, and to the surprise of St. Vale and the eaptives, in this channel-way lay moored a schooner of a hundred tons. The pirates seemed to enjoy the surprise of the captives, but their glances at St. Vale re- vealed to them no sign upon his face that he had not before beard of the secret retreat, while in fact he was as amazed at the mysteri- ous discoveries as were the others. Glancing around him he saw that the mass of rock surrounding the basin wholly shut off approach from the island by any other route than the one in which they had come, and that the vessel moored in the narrow channel could hoist sail and be ont in deep water within a minute’s time, while a boat encircling the island would never suspect a break in those apparently solid walls of rock, Upon the schooner the captives were plaeed, and St. Vale bore the body of the dead mother into the cabin for her Camp ater to prepare it for burial. Then he returned to the basin, and getting into the beat with a couple of men, was pulled back to the tower rock, which he ascended, and was informed by the guard left there that the boats of the brig had come ashore and the erew were searching the island. This fact soon became very evident, for their voices were distinctly heard, and soon the sinoke and flames of the burning huts were visible ith the power he held over the pirates St. Vale knew that he could then and there master the men with him, and lead the crew of the Vulture by that secret way to the schooner in the basin; but for some reason of his own he made no such attempt, and calmly sat there - watching from his safe retreat his comrades searching the island, while some of them came so near that he could have dropped a stone upon their heads, Yet grim, stern and quiet he remained in the pirate secret retreat, evidently plotting some daring act in his mind, in spite of his _ calm face. CHAPTER XXXVI. THE MYSTERIOUS BUOCANEER, From his high look-out St. Vale saw the re- treat of the crew to the boats after their un- successful search of the island, and even bis - eye wag deceived by the dummies rigged out _ torepresent men, and he believed all bad re- _ turned to the brig. But expecting another search on the morrow the pirates determined not to leave their place of concealment. ** You come with me, sir,” said St. Vale, ad- dressing a young man, the most intelligent- _jooking of the whole band ef pirates, and one _ whom he had observed often when ou the brig- antine as a man strangely out of place on a _ buccaneer deck. “ The rest of you remain on guard here,” he Fao continued, referring to the other pirates crouch- ing in the hollow rock. _ _ Without a word the young man followed St. _ Valo down the rope ladder, which was at once , drawn up again, and the two set off together to a point where they could command a view of the sea. . it was just dark, and they could see that the Vulture bad run in as near as she dared and dropped anchor, and that all on board looked as though her departure would not be burried. After watching” the vessel for awhile St. Vale suddenly confronted his companion, and ' the muzzle of bis pistol was pushed hard over the heart of the surprised young buccaneer, while he said sternly: _ “Move or cry out and my finger draws on _ the trigger; reply to my questions and you - have nothing to fear.” The young pirate, though evidently amazed, did not flinch, nor did his eyes quail while he asked calmly: ‘What would the senor know of me that 4 2 he asks it at the muzzle of his pistol?” _“ First, how long have you been a pirate?” “ You are not a osiser “No, senor, an American.” rT Crime bas driven you to piracy?” Even in the dim light St. Vale saw the eyes flash, as the answer suddenly burst from his lips: ‘No, senor, but revenge drove me to pi- racy.” ** Revenge?” But the youug man remained silent, for he seemed to feel that he had said too much. “‘A strange motive for becoming a pirate?’ inquiringly said the officer. But still the young pirate remained silent, and St. Vale asked: *‘ Do you like the life you lead?’ “‘T have a contempt for it, senor.” “Then why not give it up?” *‘Senor, from the time I saw you come on board tbe brigantine I have felt that you were playing a part, and when you sprung into the proa to-day I was the more convineed of it. ** Be frank with me and I will be with you ” St. Vale could not but give the youth credit for wonderful power of perception, but was not to be caught off his guard, so replied: ‘How mean you that [am playing a part?” ‘The men may believe it, but I do not, that you are sincere, although you carry the Golden Fetters,” was the bold reply. ‘fin what do you doubt me?” ‘‘ Frankly, senor, I believe you are plotting our ruin.” ‘*You are frank to say the least of it, and if you have a contempt for your evil career and your pirate comrades, you will doubtless be willing to be my friend,” cautiously said St. Vale. ‘‘ Senor, do you believe in a God?’ came the abrupt answer. sé I do.” ** Will you swear before that God that you will not betray me, even if you are heart, body and soul a pirate?” oT wali” * You swear?” as Yes.” ‘Then lam a weman.” - St. Vale fairly started at this discovery, and gazed earnestly into the clear-cut face before him, while he said in a low tone: By Heaven! I believe you speak the truth.” *‘T do, senor; now tell me who and what you are?” ‘* First tell me the motive you had in leagu- ing yourself with pirates?” “T have told you, senor, itis to revenge a wrong.” ‘*Who did that wrong?” ‘Ebony, the Black Pirate.” ‘‘Ha! then you became one of his band to revenge yourself upon him?’ ‘Yes, senor.” ‘* And yet have been five years a member of his band without avenging yourself?” ‘‘T have Jaid plan after plan, which some- thing bas always prevented my carrying out, for I want that red beared monster wholly in my power before I act, and then sweet will be my revenge,” and the disguised woman spoke with savage earnestness, ** Does the Black Pirate suspect you?” ‘* Ah, no, senor, for did he do so I would not live an instant. ‘‘ He believes me dead, and so believing little dreamed that there was in his forecastle a woman in male attire, who lived but for revenge on him. ‘Now, senor, I have trusted you.” Yes, ‘and strange as it may seem to you, I have always thought, since I saw you on the brigantine, that there was a mystery hanging over your life, and it was becauseI needed a friend that I bade you come with me to- night.” " ‘‘And you too seek revenge upon Captain Ebony?’ ‘‘ Yes, I seek to string him up to the yard- arm for his crimes.” “No, no; you can hang his crew, senor, but he is my game as long as he lives, and then you may ornament the fore-truck witb bis hideous head if you wish,” and the woman spoke in a voice that quivered with passion. Deeply impressed with her words and manner, St. Vale remained silent for an instant, and then said: “Well, there is work for you and I to do, and from this night we are sworn ‘allies in a good cause,” : ‘‘ Frank is the name my comrades know me by, senor,” said the pretended youth, in answer to St. Vale’s question as to what was his name, as the two retraced their way to- ward the rock tower. Suddenly the woman, or rather Frank, as I must now call her, came to a halt, and said: “Senor, do you hear that low moaning sound?” sé Yes.” ‘Tt is the sure precursor of astorm in these islands, for the sea seems to grow restless here when the tempest is tar off, and dashing into the water worn caverns and against the hollow rocks, causes that sound,” ‘‘Well, Frank?’ ‘Your vessel is in danger.” “ My vessel?” ‘Yes, the brig from which you came.” ‘* Ha! say you so?” said St. Vale, quickly. ‘Yes, senor, for no matter from whence comes the storm, where she now is at anchor is a most dangerous position, and she will go to pieces, for no anchor will hold on that rock bottom.” ‘*Tben I shall sacrifice all other motives, and go on board and warn them to put to sea.” “No, senor, you would but end the good work you have begun, and | can tell ;oua better plan.”’ “ Quick! what is it?” ‘I will go out and pilot her toa safe an- chorage." “ You?” “Yes, senor, for I spent three years of wretchedness on this island, and then my only pastime was in learving these waters, and }o one knows them better, not even the Block Pirate, as be is now called,” * You can, then, and will pilot the brig to a safe anchorage?” ‘‘T pledge you my word, senor; but you must return to the retreat and state that you left me on the Point of Rocks as a look-out, fo; our absence may attract suspicion, and when J bave run the brig toa place of safety, | will come to the Tower Rock and report that sbe has sailed up the coast.” “Very well,I will go on to the esac egal and while Frank went back tovard the sher St. Vale continued on toward the Tower R. ck, to be suddenly confronted, as he was pa the burned shanties, by Lord Ceci] Milnor. The result of their meeting the reader u)- ready knows, and it left St. Vale oarxions indeed, for knowing that some of the crew were on the island, he feared they might cap- ture his disguised companion. Hastening on to the retreat, to lull any sus- picion by his presence, that might be arcused in the minds of tbe pirates, he hailed the louk- out and instantly a» cended the rope ladder that was lowered for him. ‘* Where is Frank, senor?’ asked one of the pirates. ‘f Jeff him at the Point of Rocks, as a look-out, for the brig has anchored, and evi- dently intends to renew the search to. morrow,” he said, quiekly. _ They’ ll never find us, senor, and if the signs around us of a coming storm do not de- ceive us, we'll bave hard work to find even the brig’s bones to-morrow, for the spot sbe is anchored we of the island call the Devils Jaws,” remarked the same man who had asked about the supposed youth, and who was next in command to Jacques Quentin. ‘It’s a pity to see a brave ship go down,” said St. Vale feelingly. ‘*No, senor, for the pity is for us who are hunted by the navy hounds of England and the States. “DPve got no pity for them, but can laugh while they drown, for they have dogged my wake on the seas for a rcore of years.” ‘*You have been a long time a pirate, my man.” ‘‘ Yes, senor, a long time while you are new at the business of piracy; but I was with tho Sea Vampire, and learned my trade under him.” “ Under that famous rover whose vessel was sunk with all on board by an American vessel of war some years ago?” ‘Yes, senor, the same, and he was a devil too, was the Vampire of the Sea, and wel) won the name they gave him. _ “*He showed no mercy, loved to fight «a vessel-ef-war the same as a treasure-slir, , s2SY) o JOO (E ecom S 4 he : ed al ao a it : P * é Py ~ ~ * ” ——