Beadle's Dime Library No. 18 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

= ‘‘ You do not know his power. LHe has the wealth of kingdoms in his hands—an influence in Spain which will make or crush me here. I stand upon the verge of a geet ppeasTE as I wish, and you will draw me back to safety and power. awart me. and I am lost!” “ And to save yourself, you would sacrifice me, soul and body !” “Ohild, he has wealth, power !” “And is steeped in crime; red with the blood of the innocent, black with sins which never can be washed away !” The marquis made no instant reply, but paced to and fro in an agitated manner for some time. At last he muttered : “To your room, girl! My plan is formed!” “And so is mine!” said Maraquita, in an under-tone, as she sullenly obeyed her father, who followed her out. “ And so is mine!” said yet another voice, when they were gone; and Mariano, the valet of Quiestra stepped from the concealment of a curtain, whence he had overheard all that bad occurred, “So, my good master does intend to play my mother false, and to wed this fool of a irl!” he said, tterly. “If she loved him, f wonld put her out of the way. As it is, she does not, and can be spared. But the marquis will do well to lock her up, for she knows too much about my master, as well as himself, to be permitted to yo tongue and hand free.” Having looked out carefvlly to see that his way was clear, Mariano left the room. And as all hands have left us alone, we’ll leave. too. CHAPTER XII. It was, for the Alligator, her second day ont from Matanzas. Hending along the east, or rather the north-eastern side of Cuba, with a fresh breeze from the N.N.W. on her quarter, she had passed the port of Cardenas and other small smuggling holes, which are plentiful alon those shores, and, reached a point where hig mountains inland, and a rocky coast yet nearer, gave token of a sterility of inhabitants. The sun was just. up, and coming red from ita blue . bed in the eastern Gulf Stream, cast a crimson glare on the few islands and rocky points which could be seen far away on the starboard bow of the schooner. ' It had just struck seven bells—a half hour to eight, when Allen came on deck; for hg had remained up late, and, perchance, slept but little after he had retired. Quiestra, who had risen long before, was on | deck, ari looked as quiet and fresh as if he never had cause to lose an hour of sleep or feel an instant of mental annoyance. “Well, senor, do you know our where- abouts ?” asked Allen of the Spaniard, as he came on deck. “Yes; very well. These islands are called Los Diablitos, or the Little Devils !” “Ah! for what reason?” “The one who is second only to Coleefri nas generally makes his head-quarters here- abouts!” replied the other. “He is called Diabolito, because he is little and utterly de- vilish in his disposition.” “Well! I hope for a chance to meet him. I may be able to teach him a Christian /es- son!’ “Your wish may be accomplished !” said the Spaniard, dryly. Your look-outs are dull of eye; I see four vessels lying close under the point of land two or three points to our lee ong They are under easy canvas, and evidently watching our motions !” : “You are right, sir!” cried Allen, sudden! aroused to excitement. “ All hands to their . stations, at quarters, and as_ sail-trimmers. Look out men, there is work for you ahead!” Three minutes later, every man on board seemed alive and wide awake for the proba- bility of a sight at, and an engagement with, the pirates, of whom they had talked so much ever since the commencement of their cruise. The officers went from station to station to see that all was ready for serviee. Rigging, gun-tackle, and canvas were all looked over; and a very few minutes had elapsed when the schooner was reported in thorough fighting order. And her commander 798 in a good humor to indulge his erew, if theirs was & desire to seo work. As his craft drew in toward the land with a breeze which made her s bend and her hull creak, his eyes ner ed with additional light, for he saw that the ves- The Sea Bandit. sels which he supposed to be piratical were well-manned, and seemed in no way inclined to avoid a contest. “ Are you acquainted with the coast here ?” esked Allen of Quiestra, as by his orders the scltooner was headed directly for the sails in aight. “T am—so well that I can say, if you head the course you are now on twenty minutes bauger, you will be high and dry upon a coral ree ” “ Ah !—the soundings are good here.” “And will be until you run from twenty fathoms to two, in half a cable’s length ’ “Then those vessels await our approach so uietly because they think we cannot reach them ?” “That probably is so! But suppose you fire a gun and show your colors. Perhaps they then will let us know who and what they are.” “T will test them !” said Allen, and he gave the necessary orders. As the American flag unfolded its stars and stripes from the peak of the schooner, and the blue smoke of one of her bow guns rose in the air, almost simultaneously from each of the vessels in shore, colors abi They were the same which we once before have de- scribed—black, with two crossed swords in crimson in the centre, and the name of Colee- frinas in golden letters below. Allen, looking with care through his tele- scope read the name and noted the colors. “The rascally pirate is ready to meet, me, but the odds are in his favor!” said he to Quiestra. “ That is evidently the fleet of Col- cefrinas !” “ Had you not better return to Matanzas; and wait for your consorte ?”’ asked the Span- iard, quietly, yet rather in a sneering tone. “No, senor, No! I can allow them their odds and beat them. All I ask of you is to ilot me into the harbor where they seem to eel themselves secure.” “T will do so, sir; but the largest schooner seems to be willing to meet you. She is head- ing off south-east by south, in a channel which leads to open water.” “And that schooner is the Pilot!” said Allen, who had been looking at her closely through his glass. “Al! That then is the vessel of which you spoke to me the other night ?” “ Yes, and she has been since taken by Col- eefrinas, whether in fair fight or by some ruse 3 his, I know not. How shall I steer to meet r 9” “Hand all your light sails and haul on a wind. There are reefs to lee of you which must be weathered; and if you haul close on a wind, you'll be in gun-shot of the schooner when she gets clear of the island shoals, which she now is threading.” Again Allen gave his orders, and soon the Alligator, under short sail, was hugging the wind and luffing away from the dangers her lee. . While her course took her directly away from three of the vessels which showed the flag of Colcefrinas, it brought her nearer and nearer to the Pilot, which steadily stood out for the open sea, as if those on board sought to meet the pirate hunters on equal terms. For, regarding speed and size, the two vessels were very nearly equal. What the crew of the Pilot mow was, Allen could not tell, for very few men showed themselves on her deck. But there was room for plenty helow. Allen knew it, and expected soon to find proof that he was matched, if not over- matched, so far as numbers were concerned. The two schooners stood on until not. more than two miles apart, and the probability of their soon being in telling gun-shot of each other, Bren into @ certainty. But suddenly, as such things ever come in that coquettish latitude, signs of squalls coming from the westward were seen, and the Pilot hove about and headed in for her former berth. “She declines to meet me!” muttered Al- len, bitterly. “This Colcefrinas is a coward !” * Prudence is not cowardice, sir!” said Qui- estra, who stood by his side, “ You had bet- ter take in your canvas quickly, or he will have to show his generosity by rescuing @ shipwrecked crew before sunset.’ “What do you mean?” asked the lieuten- ant. “That a white squall is sweeping down upon us, and the sooner sheets and halliards are flying the less trouble you'll have !” said the Spaniard. “A dark squall, rather than a white one!” muttered Allen, as almost in an instant black . od. Ddea * = 4 ot eeeeeee Gay o~- +o a ae ~~ — driving clouds seemed to shroud sky and wa ter. He had given orders barely in time te save his canvas and spars, for wuile the men were aloft taking in the one, and the schooner obeying her heim, was heading off shore so as to take the wind abaft, it came like the ebullitions of Irish friendship~—in a gush— such a one as would liave laid the schooner on her beam-enda if she had not been so well handled as she was. It came like the charge of a mounted army, sullen and heavy, wild but steady, sweeping over the inland waters which had been calm, and lifting them up in frothy foam. lt came like the first angry burst of a man in_ power, who knows that his power is not “ for all time,” but for a moment, fierce, wild, but began te flicker away before its first rude thunders had died into echoes. Yet it was strong enough to drive the Alli tor far away from the coast, in the two or ree hours it lasted. “No hope of seeing the infernal pirates again to-night!" muttered Allen, after the squall was over, and his vessel once more headed in toward the coast. “The best of topes! The very best, if you desire to meet them !” said the Spaniard, who seemed ever to be at hand when his thoughts were on duty. “How so?” asked Allen. “Because we will now have the breeze light from the north—a hazy and misty night; and [ can easily take you into the harbor where their oraft ie. They will think you blown off by the squall, and be off their guard !” “Tf you can take me in my fortune is made. I never will forget the service you do me!” said ALR. warmly grasping the Spaniard’s and, “T do not think you will!” eaid Quiestra, quietly. ‘ But bid your helmsman attend to his courses. [If I am your pilot, my directions must be obeyed, for we are on ticklish ground now !” “T know it. Give your courses, and they will be followed !” “Set her bead west and by north now,” said Quiestra. Keep your lead going. When you shoal to four fathoms let me know. Mean- time, if you please, I'll go to my_state-room, and look at an old chart which | have there “That man seems honest, and L. must trust him !” said Allen, after Quiestra had left. “Yet I cannot, forget the warning of Mara- quita. But if he Monts Jead_me into peril, his would be the first life to pay for his treach- He dare not mislead me! Iam weak to mistrust him !” | CHAPTER XIV “Why, child, how pale you are—are yea sick ?” asked her whom we have met once .# Monona, of the one whom we bave known se far as Mariano, his confidential valet and serv ant. “ Only tired, mother, only very tired, for I have come far and fast!” replied the youth, as. he sank, half fainting, on a sofa near to her, . “ Where is my lord—where is Colcefrinas !’ “With the very men who are in search of him! In disguise on board of one of the United States men-of-war |” “ Heavens and earth! He will be lost. They.. will recognize and slay him!” ' “Tt should not matter much, mother, to you if they did!” said Mariano, coldly. ' “ h aie ’ y y, chil “Because he is untrue to you. He is en-. to ve ® younger and fairer woman» rou |” . “ (4 is false, child, false!” almost. acreamed the woman. ' nye “Tt is true, mother!” said the other. ‘ His., aim now is to extirpate this American. squad- ron—that done, he will wed Maraguiia de. ; Regla, if he can. Her father’s consent is gained, hers is not wanted by so. bold and. lawless a man as Colcefrinas! You know that!” . “Child, have you been dreaming, or do.you try to mock me ?” ' “Neither, my mother! I speak the truth. And harder has it stricken to my heart thanit will to thine, for though he never has guessea a secret only ours, I haye been 80. b indy #0 weak, so criminal,.as to love this man, whom. call master and you call husband—though he is nots oon! . : “ Yes, mother—yes! I dare to co and now that I know him false to I detest him, and only joy that, | power, if le cécupes the auuer’ ren |