Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 181 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

ee blo headed ee ee ae Don Diablo held it in his power to escape the fire of the schooner, whose commander dare not send his shot into the town. But the two vessels were nearing each other rapidly, and the Goring Chit soon got his lug- er in direct range so that the fortress dare not fire upon him for fear gf hurling its iron upon the schooner. Thus, the pirate, by his skillful maneuvering, was avoiding the fire from fortress and Spani ee AR and at the same time his iron hail was ring huge rents in the fort and also cuttin the rigging and wounding the hull of his ad- versary on the Wate’. we Elated by their success the crew yelled like madmen, hearing which, and the roarmng of the guns; yet feeling no shock of iron hitting the lugger, Nita Sabinas went on deck, for the pain of. her wound was yo _ There she beheld the terrible chief standing poe oie 4 at the, helm, and, in spite of his crimes, looked majestically grand to her and she crept to his side, awed by the wild scene, the thunder of the guns, and the shrieks of the joy-maddened pirate crew. * t means all this, Nevil?”’ she asked. ‘* Ah, Nita, you here in+such a scene? no, no you must return to the cabin, for this is no sight for you; it is fit only to give joy to a heart like mine.” ‘** What you revel in, Nevil, I, who love you o 2 na can at least gaze on,” she an- swered, ‘* But your wound, Nita?” “Is slight; the bullet, as you know, but cut its way through the point of my shoulder.” ‘** But will leave a sear that will ever give me pain, dearest.” “It will be your mark, Nevil.” ‘Do not speak of it, Nita; see, the schooner lias discovered she cannot throw me off, and in- tends to lie in wait for me to run by. ‘* Now, Sir Spaniard, if that is your game, I will show you that you can harm me little. ‘* At the guns there!” ‘Ay, ay, sefior capitan!” shrieked the wild crew, in chorus, ‘Train every gun well, and—” “Hold! Nevil, = forget that my brother is on yonder vessel, for I recognize her now. ‘‘Would you slay him and thus bring my everlasting curse upon you?” He checked the command upon his lips, ard turning gazed upon her face, for the binnacle light shone full upon it. hat be read in that white, firm, beautiful — caused him to change bis mind, for he said, softly: “Go below, Nita, I will not fire again on the schooner, unless—” “Unless what, Nevil?’ she asked, as he pa . ‘* Unless a shot should strike you; then, Nita Sabinas, J will board yonder craft, few men as I have me, and not one of its crew shall escape death.” His look was so terrible as he spoke that Nita knew well he would keep his word, and quickly she shrunk away and retreated to the cabin, while to her ears came the order: ‘Cease firing, men; we'll run by that craft now, and once on blue water will show her a clean pair of heels. The crew stared in utter amazement at their chief; but there was that in the tone of voice they had heard, and in the tall, splendid form they saw by the moonlight, standing erect at the helm, that forbade all questioning his au- thority, and they stood in moody silence at their guns. And now, straight for open water Don Dia- his vessel, seemingly unheeding the presence of the Spaniard. But, surprised at his sudden silence and see- vit Come course, the Spanish officer steered so as to head him off, while out of range by this ma- neuver of the town, he opened fire upon the fly- ug logger, while the fortress was also enabled to bring her guns upon the pirate, without fur- ther danger of sending them crashing into the schooner, But grimly silent under the double fire the lugger held on, going at a pace that astonished the schooner’s crew, and, asif by a miracle, es- 5 2 the shots d upon her. elieving that it was the intention of the pi- rate to board him, as the two vessels drew near together, the Spanish captain called his board- ers to be ready to repel boarders, - Rapidly the two vessels now came nearer each other, the Spanish schooner with the wind on her starboard side and with a fairly free sheet, the pirate with the wind almost aft and the huge lateen sails thrown a-starboard, and driving the lugger along at terrific speed. After the pirate th fort was sending iron shots, and straight at her the Spaniard was fir- ing, hitting her now and then, but seemingly with no fatal effect, as her rig remained intact, excepting a few holes cut in the can- vas. _ Nearer and nearer, until those on the Span- iard plainly beheld the lugger’s crew at their pane. stripped to the waist, grim and savage- ooking, but receiving their fire in silence. And at the helm, tall, fearless and guiding The Scarlet Schooner. > the lugger on her way, they saw the form of Don Diablo, Nearer and nearer, until, seeing the lugger veer off, as if to avoid boardin , the Spaniard’s order was distinctly heard by the pirates; ‘“‘He sheers away, lads; helmsman, Jay her alongside; grappling-irons this way; boarders ahoy! castl But, as the irons were thrown the bows of the lugger sweptaway, her sails were trimmed with a celerity and skill that was marvelous, and the grapnels fell into the water and the schooner swept entirely up into the wind, while the pirate was dashing away at a course on a right angle from that he had a moment before been sailing Though the shock of a collision would have been terrible, had the two vessels come together, the Spanish captain had determined to risk it, feeling that the lugger would be the sufferer, and his rage was fearful when he saw how he had been avoided by the pirate’s masterly sea- manship. Hisschooner having swung entirely up into the wind, it was some time before she could be got- ten under way again, and in full chase, ’ This delay Don Diablo had quickly taken advantage of, for having run a few lengths with the wind on his starboard quarter, he suddenly squared away directly before the wind, and was nearly a quarter. of a mile off, and fairly flying over the waves, ere the Spani could again bring his guns to bear on him. Getting out from under the land’s lee, and also in deeper water, the wind blew fiercer, and the waves ran higher, both of which favored the _ craft, as the fire of the Spaniard flew wild, and the speed of the schooner was slow in comparison with the are ngs lugger. But the Spanish captain held on in geiesy with all sail set, and, as long as his guns coul throw ashot in the vicinage of the lugger, he kept them at work, though the gunners worked moodily, baving become firmly convinced that his Satanic majesty did indeed command the fleet vessel so swiftly disappearing from their view over the moonlit ear pee nonna seemingly er pier by the fiery gantlet through which it passed. But hardly had the lugger run the schooner out of sight, when the gray of morning settled eo a the sea, and in the dim light a sail was visible. Eagerly Don Diablo glanced through his glass at the stranger, and then said, while a puzzled expression crossed his face: ‘ Anton, that is Don Isadoro’s goleta, El Salta- dor, or I am greatly mistaken.” Anton took the g and after a close scru- tiny said: P : You are right, sefior captain, it is El Salta- or. ‘* Who has dared disobey my orders, for I or- sarees the goleta to the rendezvous,” said the chief, with an an flash in his eyes. “She may have n captured, captain, and be now under another flag. ‘True, that might be; we shall see as soon as the sun rises and we can make out her colors,” Eagerly all watched the goleta, which was a league distant, and tacking against the wind, as if to seek a closer view of eel re. ag “* There she flies, sefior!”’ Anton, as the flag of the goleta went up to the peak. ** Nombre de Dios! she has been captured,” cried Don Diablo, asthe yellow and flag of Spain went up to the of the goleta, ‘‘ And we will have to run for it, sefior?”’ ‘Yes, for there comes the Spanish schooner astern, good Anton, the land les on our star- board here, and that goleta is, as we all know, as fleet as the wind.” ‘*The chances are against us, sefior chief?” “Yes, Sefior Anton; but the greater the d-n- r the more enjoyable is it to me,” and Don blo smiled as pleasantly as though danger was something to be sought after rather than dreaded, CHAPTER XIX, THE GOLETA AND THE LUGGER. Havirne determined upon his course, Don Diablo immediately headed along the shore with the wind aft, and the fleet lugger went flying through the waters as though she fully realized her danger. Having discovered the goleta, and also seen her set the Spanish flag, the captain of the schooner, Don oro Sabinas, and the others on board, gave a loud cheer, for they felt that the lugger must now be taken, as there was but one chance of escape, and that was to outrun the El Saltador, which they were confident she could not do, even if driven by Don Diablo, But the joy of those on the Spanish schooner, which was some six miles astern of the lugger, was suddenly changed to grief at beholding the pirate, after continuing his flight along the shore for a short distance, deliberately change his course and head directly for the goleta, The cause of this strange maneuver was at once discerned by a glance at the goleta, which had abruptly lowered the flag of Spain from her peak, and raised in its stead a huge sable ee Oe. field, in the center of which gleamed 4 biirning eye. wThis strange flag was also seen by those on the lugger as soon as its dark folds caught the breeze, ~ ¢ wis cheer broke from the pirates, as Don Diablo cried: ‘Behold! it is the wreckers’ flag!” Instantly his course was changed, and half an hour after those on the Spanish schooner had the mortification of seeing the two fleet vessels lying pear together and a boat passing from the goleta to the wegen. In that boat Don Diablo saw, for he was at- tentively watching its ap , one who brought a flush to his cheek and then left it e, instantly, with the quickness with which he always acted in moments of danger, he said: ‘* Sefior Anton, hail yonder boat and tell it to return to the goleta, " 'y also that I will come on board El Sal- tador. ‘* Si, sefor.” “And you, Sefior Anton, take command of this lugger and follow in my wake.” “Si, sefior,” and, as Don Diablo entered the lugger’s cabin Anton obeyed the command given him, and a voice answered from the boat: ‘But I would see the chief.” . ‘(He will board the goleta immediately.” Somewhat reluctantly the boat put back for the goleta, while Anton ordered the lugger’s cutter lowered and manned. In the mean time Don Diablo had entered the cabin, where he found Nita Sabinas reclinin upon a lounge, and Alena the octoroon sea by her side. ‘Nita, my sweet one, I will have to leave you now,” he said, softly. , ‘‘ Leave me?” and she sprung up in alarm. ** Be still, aed child, for I only go ou board the goleta, which I took from your brother, you remember.” “Yes, Alena told me she was in sight, but my shoulder is painful, and I cared not. to move,” she answered, languidly. ‘‘There is some business for me to settle on board, and as we are near the island rendez- vous, { will remain on the goleta until we reach there.” ‘* And the lugger, Nevil?” ‘Will follow close in my wake, so do not get blue, for we'll drop the schooner out of sight in a few hours, and then run for the rendezvous.” Nita made no reply, and Don Diablo bade her farewell and departed for the goleta. As he stepped on deck he gave the order to get under way at once, for the Spanish schooner was slipping up on the two vessels rapidly during their ci and almost immediately the oleta, with the lugger following, were stretch- ing away out into the Caribbean Sea. ieee , sefior, when am I to be taken notice re) The speaker was the one who had been in the stern-sheets of the boat that was on its way to the lugger when turned back by Don Diablo’s order, and he approached the chief as he walked aft, upon seeing the two vessels under way. At the question he turned quickly, said, in his pleasant way: ‘Well, Alma, what lucky breeze has blown you on board this goleta?” The person addressed answered quietly: ** An unlucky breeze, sefior, for the rendez- vous has been taken, the cabins are in ashes, and those of the League who are not dead, are in irons onan American frigate, excepting half a dozen who esca with me,” ‘* By the cross! but you bring cheerful tid- ings, Alma,” cried Don Diablo, in an angry to ne. ‘* Yes, Don, it seems as if your star of destiny was going rapidly down in gloom,” was the sig- nificant reply. ““There your red lips speak falsely, Alma; but come with me into the cabin and let me know all that has occurred, and why I find you thus masquerading?” Don Diablo led the way into the goleta’s lux- urious cabin, and throwing aside his hat and belt of arms began to pace to and fro, while his companion sunk down upon a velvet divan and attentively regarded him. Ata glance it was evident that the disguise of a man hid the beautiful form of a woman, for, also removing the cap she wore, a wealth of red-gold hair fell from its fastenings and dro around her like a vail. e face of the woman was young, beautiful, and yet marred by a certain look of reckless- ness and lack of honor; for, let a woman com- mit a: heinous crime, and almost indelibly is its impress left upon her face. Men may sin day after day and their faces hide the vileness of their hearts; but when a woman has once fallen from grace and lives a life of hidden sin, its stamp upon her face she cannot hide. But I forget that I have gone to moralizing, when lam hse digg a sea story of over half a» century ago, in the days of piracy upon the high seas. he face of Alma was beautiful, in spite of the wicked look resting upon it, and her form was exquisitely molded, slightly above tne aver- CONUIEOOOKS (E(0)