Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 181 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

———E————————E——— I ee ee ae + ae. - ee he Or 20 “No, one of the crew, an En man, lives.” ‘*Ha! I did not do my work well, for [ in- tended all should die, rather than be taken and be known in my disgrace, when I am believed dead by my brother.” rhe i is why you would not strike your Ov es, ” * You wished to go down?” “Yes, and shot down those who wished to ac- cept your offer of pardon.” he midshipman fairly started at the revela- tion of the woman; but said: ~“T am glad you did not die by your own hand.” “I am sorry; no, no, I am not sorry now, for I wish to live to again meet Don Diablo,” and there was a dangerous glitter in her eye, “Well, I pledge you I will not betray you, so have no fear, as none shall know you other than as a youth, and I will aid your escape.” “‘T thank you; but come, you see how the goleta rocks; she is settling fast.” The two hastily left the cabin, and arriving on deck found that the Englishman was dying, and Campas Caliente was bending over him, while the rest of the boat's crew were gathering what booty they could find, “Come, lads, let us away,” called out Guy Stanhope, advancing with his prisoner. Cam Caliente started, as did the woman, when their eyes met, and the Cuban again bent over the dying Englishman, and none saw the knife in his hand sink deep into his side, ‘** Let us take that r devil with us, boat- swain,” said the midshipman. ‘* He is dead, sir,” was the quiet reply. “Very well, let us hasten.” All sprung into the boat and cast off, and ere they had pulled a dozen lengths toward the schooner, the goleta, with a mighty plunge, sunk beneath the waves. CHAPTER XXXV. THE WIZARD CAVERN. Anout sixty miles from Vera Cruz, and to the south on the Mexican coast, is a lofty mountain whose side slopes downward to the sea. ‘From the ocean the mountain looks grand and yet desolate, for no habitation is visible upon its slopes, and no curling ‘smoke arises from the glens and valleys to mark the home of man, Bordering the Gulf of Mexico, the coast breaks off abruptly at this point, where a rocky arm juts out into the water, forming a small bay where a vessel can ride safely at an- chor, uncaring for the storms without, A number of conical rocks, in fact rising in all kinds of picturesque shapes, are visible on all sides, and cavernous retreats pierce far in beneath the hills, and into those fronting the sea, when the gales blow from the Gulf, the waves rush with the shock of an earthquake and break into spray with a roar like a hundre guns in action. Once this bay and its rugged coast was the retreat of pearl-divers, who eked out there a fair living. But one night of storm the mountain trem- bled and lurid flames and black dust and rocks were thrown from many of its cavernous re- treats, and away fled the pearl-divers, believing the spot to be the abode of some huge wizard and some, in their superstitious dread, calling it the home of Satan himself. It was toward this coast, and into the chan- nel leading to the little bay, that a vessel was heading one dark, stormy night, a week after tie chase and destruction of the goleta El Sal- ‘tador. Upon the cliff stood a man in top-boots and a heavy cloak, though otherwise he was dressed as a Mexican, and wore a broad sombrero upon his head. He was Verne the vessel come in, and said quietly, as he lowered his glass from his eyes: es: a Her pilot knows the channel; but I do not ' recognize the craft, and did not learn of any vessel expected here. ** Malo!” The last word was called in a loud tone, and he turned toward a large cavernous opening not far behind him. But no answer came, ant he placed a whistle to his lips and gave a shrill blast. A moment and it was answered by a like shrill note, and soon after a man appeared, coming out of the cavern, and drawing his cloak around him as he confronted the Hiroe winds, There was an air of a person above the or- dinary class of life about the now-comer, as was there also about the man who stood on the cliff, and he saluted the one who had called him with respect. *“Sefior, how can I serve you?’ he asked in Spanish. ‘Malo, yonder vessel is running into the bay under a pilot who knows well the channel.” *‘ A vessel, and no report.made by the look- out? This is strange,” and the man, who an- swered to the name of Malo, gave a long, sharp whistle, and repeated it three times. OO ee ee FT ET ae ee a ee eo Pure - Ss eyes eee ee on ee ee ok ed a The Scarlet Schooner. —— Hurrying feet were at once heard approach- ing, and two men in sailor garb came from the cavern. ** José, you and Juan go at once to the look- out on the mountain and see why he has not re- ported yonder vessel; hold! there is his signal now,” and as Malo spoke there resounded through the cavern the ringing of a tocsin. “Yes, the low clouds doubtless obscured the vessel from the vision of the look-out; but what do you expect in, Malo?’ said the one who had been first on the cliff. ‘* Nothing, sefior, for the Don has lost his ves- sel, and the craft is too large for a smuggler. “There goes the look-out’s signal, and we shall know what He is.” As Malo spoke a red light flashed in a circle for an instant on the mountain as though a man had whirled a lantern around bis head, and a second after a blue light was seen. A moment passed and all eyes were turned upon the vessel still running rapidly in. Then there was visible upon her decks what appeared to be a huge re of fire. ‘It is the chief, Don Diablo; that is his sig- nal,” cried Malo, and he stepped closer to the one he had come out to join and continued in a low tone: “Sefior, you had better retreat now to your quarters, for you care not to be seen.” “Oh, no, he must not see me, or even suspect, until I am ready to act. **Good-night, Malo, and when the chief has left come and talk with me.” “I will, sefior,” answered Malo, and as the other turned away and entered the cavern, ac- companied by the two sailors, he descended a steep path leading to the beach below. By the time he reached the sandy shore of the little bay, the strange vessel had run in and dropped anchor, while a boat was putting off from her side. Malo and his two comrades awaited the boat in silence until it grated on the sand, and a tall form sprung ashore. ‘Welcome, sefior chief; your visit is unex- ected,” said MAlo extending his hand, which on Diablo grasped. “Yes, | was running up to Vera Cruz in my lugger, and remembering that she was known there, I concluded to put in here and take a horse up to the city; youcan furnish me with two? ‘Yes, sefior; and you will leave the lugger here?” ‘*Yes, Malo; but bas the goleta not arrived?’ *W hat goleta, sefior chief?” **T captured a craft which I sent here under Victorio Nunez, with Captain Alma in com- mand.” **She has not put into the bay, sefior chief.” **This is remarkable, and I have been de- layed, too. ‘**I guess the American schooner must have overhauled ber and either taken her or sunk her,” said Don Diablo, speaking more to himself than to his companion. ‘*She is overdue, then?” “Yes, for with the strong breezes we have had she should have been here days ago, as she is voy fleet. “She must have been taken, then, and it is. bad, for you have met severe reverses of late, sefior chief,” “Yes, but they are only temporary set-backs and I go now to get mea vessel that will gdd new terror to the name of Don Diablo,” w savage response. ‘* Well, sefior, when do y;-u wish your horses?” “Upon second thoughts IT wi:] need but one, for, if the goleta is not here, there will be no necessity to have a comrade go with me I ex- pected to take. ‘* But, Malo, I wish the lugger towed into the Wizard Basin to-night, and a guard set to pre- vent any one leaving the craft, and, should the oleta come in, have her run into the Black In- et, and ou no account let the crew of one ves- sel know that the other is here.” **It shall be as you say, chief; wil] you go up to the cavern now?” ‘No, I will return on board and meet you there in half an hour.” | Without another word Don Diablo sprung into his boat, and Malo returned up the steep path to the cliff, . CHAPTER XXXVI. FROM DECK TO SADDLE. WueEn Don Diablo returned on board the lug- er he was met at the cabin companionway by ita Sabinas, attired still in her masculine dress. ** Well, Nevil, I am ready,” she said, plea- aaah **My dear little girl, I am compelled to dis- appoint vou, for I can obtain but one horse, and [ will have to leave you in command of the lugger, for you are my lieutenant now.” Nita looked disa pointed, but made no reply, and the chief continued: “The lugger will be towed into a secret basin, and, as I desire none of the smugglers here to know that we have run in, do not per- mit any one of the crew to go ashore,” Cre pe es 59 aS Pe : = =< ee ** And naust I too be debarred from a glance at ee green fields, valleys and mountains?” she asked. ** Yes, for the present, little girl; but when I get my new schooner then we will land many a time and enjoy a trip on shore,” ‘“*Ah me! I fear no grass will look as green, no trees will cast as cooling shade, no moun- tains will be as grand as those of my loved Cuba, in my dear old home.” “Don’t get blue, Nita; I have onl live for, and if I were in a dungeon would be content.” “*I do not repine, Nevil; I gave up all for you and I ask no more, ‘“Wuen do you return?” “* Within a week at furthest.” ** A long week away?” ‘It may be in shorter time you will see me. ‘* Now farewell.” He kissed her affectionately, and as he turned away, still clinging to him, she said, earnestly ; ‘* Do not be reckless and get into trouble that may end fatal y.” ‘* Nita, 1 am not doomed to die yet. *‘Tearry my destiny in my own hand, and I have an iron gripe upon it yet, ** Adios,” aie turned away and was soon once more on shore. As though perfectly familiar with the place, he ascended the path to the cliff, entered the cavern, and, feeling against tue rocky side, found a rope ladder, This he ascended for some thirty feet and stepped upon a rocky platform, upon which a lantern dimly burned, Passing through a narrow passage between the rocks, he came to a large cavern, some sixty feet in depth and thirty wide, with shelves ranged along the sides, and swinging iron lamps giving light to the place. In the center of this huge rock-chamber was a long table, surrounded by benches, upon which sata score of roughly-dressed, reckless-looking you to th you I en. Woolen shirts, canvas pants, and sailor caps predominated in the dress of the men, though their nationalities were Mexican, Cuban, Span- ish, American and French; in fact, they were the dare-devils and outlaws of half a score of copmarlan, banded together for safoty and ci ine. At the appearance of Don Diablo in their midst, they all arose from the table, upon which were scattered cards, dice and dominoes, and saluted him with a respect that was born of fear rather than love, ‘* Well, lads, how is business with you?” asked the chief, throwing himself down at one end of the table, ‘A little dull, just now, sefior chief; but soon our trade will open briskly again,” answered one, who seemed to be an officer, “Well, I may give you a chance soon to fill your pockets with gold, but it will be by piracy, not smuggling, and consequently cause you to face double the danger you do now, ** But I will want only men who arenot afraid of death.” You can find ’em here, sefior chief, and I hope ‘you'll want us soon, for our blades are rusting, and our muscles softening on account of having no work, while Captain Malo said only yesterday, if he had a good craft, he would like to take a short cruise just for luck.” ‘Captain Malo shall have a good craft before long. my lads— Ah, Malo, you are here, are ou?’ ‘Yes, sefior, and your horse awaits in the valley for you,” replied Malo, whose face the light of the lanterns falling upon, was seen to be that of a Cuban, dark, severe, full of a quiet dignity and courage, and intelligent, and a trifle reckless, He was dressed in a Mexican caballero suit, with fesy neatness, wore a soft sombrero, en- circle by a gold cord, and beneath his Spanish cloak, which hung over his shoulders, were visi- ble in his belt a trio of pee and a poniard, the hilt of which sparkled with gems. Without another word, yet with an inclina- tion of his haughty head to the outlaws, Don Diablo arose and followed Malo from the ecav- ern, and, after passing through a long passage- way they came to a glen, ere stood a man holding a horse, and quickly the chief mounted. ‘Captain Malo, I shall return within a week—” ‘‘ Barring accidents, captain, death and—” “IT shall meet with no accidents, senor, but shall return within a week, and p-rhaps sooner. ‘** Please remember my orders regarding the uard over the lugger’s crew, after it is turned into the Wizard Basin, and in ref: rence to the goleta, should she come into the bay.” “I will, sefor chief; you change horses at the hacienda of Canova, you know?! ‘“ Yes, and the two horses ought to fetch me to the city by sun-up. ** Buenas noches, Sefior Malo.” Driving his spurs into the flanks of the hardy Mexican horse, Don Diablo dashed awav at a cee that showed he had no mercy for the ani- mal, EONNIE DOO KS (E(0)