Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 181 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

a“ DEE EE Ee EE Se were awaiting the sailing of the packet to New Orleans, to return home, and had taken up their quarters at the hotel. Watching the chief narrowly Midshipman Stanhope came to the conclusion that it was in- deed the pirate, and that he was playing some deep game, appearing in the dress of a Mexican gentleman, Yet why was it that the famous pirate was in close intimacy with a Mexican officer of dis- tinction, and who held the authority vested in Major Navaro, whom Guy Stanhope had met? That puzzled him to find out, and he whis- pered to Lieutenant Warburton: ‘*See if you can catch Major Navaro's eye.” The lieutenant knew that the miushipman had some deep motive, and presently the Mexi- can looked over toward them, and bowed plea- santly to the American, who returned it cor- dially. Den Diablo also looked up, yet though he met the eye of Guy Stanbope tixed upon him, and recognized him, he showed not the sli htest sign to betray him, and again the midshipman was puzzled. ‘‘Hurry through breakfast, lieutenant,” said in a low tone Guy Stanhope to Warburton, and readily obeying, the two soon after left the table. ‘‘Who is that elder officer you bowed fo, Navaro?” asked Don Diablo. ‘* \n American lieutenant of the navy; War- burton is his name, and he has brought in the vessel which the IJexican Government had built by the Amezicans especially to hunt you down, Diablo.” “My name is Nevil Vane; don’t be a fool, raajor.” ‘“ Trae.” ‘IT know the younger officer, for he was on the vessel I captured in Florida waters.” ‘*T saw him watching you, and he doubtless recognized you.” ‘Or thinks he does; what a disappointment for him. ** Bat come, Iam going out fora walk; will you join me?’ “Yes, come to my quarters.” In the meantime Guy Stanhope had gone to the hotel office and discovered that the one he believed was Don Diablo had registered as Nevil Vane, and the landlord told of the mis- taken recognition of the pea This again puzzled the midshipman, and walking aside with Lieutenant Warburton he made known his suspicions. ‘* You must be mistaken, Guy, for he is with Major Navaro.” ‘True, sir; but did he and his lugger not both fool me in their disguises?” ** Yet he does not seem to be disguised.” ‘*He isa bold man, as you know, and is evi- dently fooling the Mexican major; ab! there is Campas, the boatswain; how strange he should wish to remain in the Mexican service, when he seems at heart an American.” ‘‘ Yes, he isa fine fellow and I would like to have had him with me; but he seems to have taken such a fancy to the schooner he hated to leave her, and indeed did I, for I fear I will never command her like i ‘‘Well, boatswain, how fares the Wizard?” and Lieutenant Warburton addressed Campas Caliente, who just then was near, “Well, sir, though I must say I wish you were back on her.” ‘*Campas, you told me you once saw the pi- rate gue, Don Diablo,” said Guy Stanhope, ‘ainda tates etl hing?” ou see gentleman approaching ! Yes sir,” and the Cuban started as his eyes fell upon his chief. ‘‘ Well, he is registered as Mr. Nevil Vane, an American, and I say—” ‘Pardon me, Mr. Stanhope, but he is start- lingly like Don Diablo, yet I know him well. . ‘It is Mr. Nevil Vane, and, hearing he was in the city, I came here to see him.” ‘* Well, Stanhope, what say you now?” ‘* That I was mistaken, thatis all, lieutenant.” . *Good-day, boatswain,” and Guy Stanhope, thoroughly disappointed, turned away just as Don Diablo approached and spoke in a most friendly manner to Campas, the boatswain. CHAPTER XL. MAJOR NAVARO IN LUCK. WaEN Don Diablo caught sight of Campas Caliente, no longer in his suit of a boatswain in the United States navy, but in the rig of an un- der officer of the same rank in the Mexican ser- vice, he was indeed glad to see him, and said, quickly, in a low tone: ‘* Meet me at Rafael’s in two hours.” Engaged with an orderly, who had brought him dispatches, Major Navaro neither saw the seaman, or heard the greeting given him by Don Diablo, which the latter was exceedingly lad of, as the Mexican officer must have met ampas on the schooner, and observing that he was known to the chief, it would have at once excited* his icious nature. ne After regoining Don Diablo, Major Navaroled him to his own quarters, which were furnished with the greatest luxury, and calling a servant bade him bring wine and cigars, ‘‘ Your cigars I wi'l smoke, your wine I will not drink, my dear major,” said the chief, with his sweetest smile. ‘‘What! do yousuppose I would offer you an inferior quality?” **Oh, no,” ‘* What then?” ‘*T do not care for your wine.”’ ‘‘[ am a good judge of all liquors.” ‘‘T do not doubt it, and of poisons, too,” was the significant reply. ‘Ah! you think I would poison you?” ‘*T know you to have done worse,” ‘‘ Bah! you fear me.” ‘‘Oh, no, I fear death at your hands when I am off my guard.” ‘‘T am no assassin, Reno Quesala.” ‘Nevil Vane, my dear major.” ‘Well, by whatever name you care to be called, I say I am no assassin.’ ‘* Not my assassin, at least. though there are certain other tongues, if not silent, might tella different story; this is a good cigar, major.” Fernando Navaro turned very pale but made no reply for the moment, and Don Diablo con- tinued: You have elegant quarters here.” es ‘You live extravagantly.” pict ite ‘‘ Your pay is rather small for suth luxury.” “c i ‘Yes, and have lost heavily of late.” ‘* Draw on the Government cash-box,” ‘“‘l have.” ‘* Borrow.” *‘T have.” : “Borrow again.” “1 dare not.” “Why?” *‘Tt would cause men to suspect,” *‘True; itis unpleasant.” ‘It is, indeed.” “Do you owe much?” **Some twenty thousand pesos,” ‘* That is a small sum.” ‘*To a man that gets his gold as you do, yes.” ‘*The sea is open to you, too,” ‘* T am no pirate.” *¢’You are worse.” ** What do you mean?” ‘TY risk my life for booty; you steal it with- out risk.” ‘You are plain, at least.” ‘Tam truthful; but how much do you want me to lend you?” ** Did I ask you for money?” ** No, but you intend to.’ “Well, give me thirty thousand.”’ **'You said just now that twenty thousand covered your debts.”’ ‘True, but you thought it so small a sum I put on ten thousand more.” ‘‘T never lend, Major Navaro,” ‘Then give it to me.” ** That is what it would amount to, so take me to your club to-night and we will have a game together and you can win that sum from me,” ‘Can I trus you?” ** More Shep any. than I can you; now I must leave you, but I will call and dine with you. ** Adios, my dear Major Navaro.” With a smile Don Diablo took his departure, and at an easy pas walked down to the plaza, where he turned off into a Puree A walk of a few minutes brought him to an inn, over the door of which was a sign with an anchor upon it, and beneath it the words; “Kl Brigatina.” Turning into the door that led to the drink- ing-saloon, where a number of sailors were drinking villainous aguardiente, Don Diablo stepped up to the bar where a Spaniard was in attendance and said, ape ‘* How is Sefior Rafael of El Brigatina?” ‘Ho, sefior, you are welcome; follow me!” said the Spaniard, in a low tone, and he led his visitor into a back room where Campas Cali- ente was discovered seated at a table, a bottle of good wine and a tray of wafers before him. e arose at the coming of the chief and mo- tioned him to a seat, at the same time saying: **More wine, Rafael, and remember the kind.” “Stolen fruit is sweetest, sefior, and you shall have that which never had a peso of duty paid on the bottle.” . The wine was soon brought, with more wafers, and Don Diablo asked: ‘What news, Rafael?” ** All is quiet here, sefior, but I have feared for you, as the cruisers are as thick on the sea as padres at a feast.” True, but I do not fear them, or at least will not soon. ** Have you a few good men to spare me?” ‘*Yes, sefior, the Sefior Campas here knows them all that I have in view as good cam- aradas.” ** Very well, we will need them soon.” The Spaniard departed, but as he reached the door, Don Diablo called to him: ~The Scarlet Schooner. a I I S80 (0 TT SSS ee sen A SMe SS Oe canbe 5 eee a _— ed ee **Say, good Rafael, have you cut the ears off of your walls since last I was here?” ‘Yes, sefior, a knife in the heart deadens the hearing, and the spy who heard then sleeps now, so have no fear,” and Rafael’s remark was significant enough to bring a smile of perfect understanding to the face of the chief, while he remarked, pleasantly : v Yes, Rafael, dead men tell no tales.” CHAPTER XLI, GLAD TIDINGS AND BAD TIDINGS. ‘“ WELL, Campas, you see I have kept my word and joined you in Vera Cruz,” said Den Diablo, after Rafael had left him alone with Campas Caliente. *“Yes, chief, and I was startled to see you come so boldly without disguise.” ‘* Boldness is half a battle often, Campas,” **But you are known to many here, sefior.” ‘True, Don Diablo is well known; but if Nevil Vane, an American, resembles him great- ly, what can be said?” **T fear they may get a proof of who you are that it would be impossible to evade,” ‘“*No, no, not with the great Major Fernando Navaro my friend.” “Well, sefior, you know best what chances you can take; bit the young American mid- shipman, the Sefior Guy Stanhope, who joined us at Havana, recognized you.” ** He thought he did.” **He did do so, and spoke to me of you; but I said you were the Sefior Nevil Vane, and that I knew you, and he gave up his idea.” **You did well, good Campas; but that is a gallant young officer, and a dangerous one.” ‘‘He is a noble young man, sefior; I met him in Havana in company with Don Isadoro Sa- binas, and Major Enrique Alvarado, of the Gov- ernor-General’s staff, and my worst foe, and I was recognized us Caliente the Conspirator. “The three returned, and the Spanish major was determined to arrest me, but left it to Mid. shipman Stanhope if I was an American. “TI saw that he too recognized me, for T had done him a good turn once, but he spoke to ma as he would to a stranger, and Major Alvarado was compelled to be satisfied. ‘* But he followed me to Vique’s, and you saw his body in the Tribunal Hall.” “Yes, and you did right to get rid of a trouble- some enemy, Campas; this young Stanhope came on the schooner with you then?” ** Yes, sefior chief; he goes back with her officers to the United States.” “You found her a stanch craft and ‘fast sailer?” ‘* A marvel, sefior.” ** And Lieutenant Warburton has turned her over to the authorities?” ‘* Yes, sefior, and her captain*is on board, and, by the way, is a great friend of Major Navaro,” ** Indeed! his name?’ * Martinez Castellar.” ‘*Ah! Iknow him as an old enemy, and he is a fine sailor and good fighter.” ** He has that reputation, senior.” ** And his crew? ‘* All but three are my men, sefior.” ‘Well done, Campas; how many have you on board?” ‘“‘ Righty.” ‘*€Good! and her officers?’ ‘Have not all arrived.” . ‘* When is she expected to sail?” ‘* Tt is said within two weeks, but I know or- ders have been given Captain Castellar to sail when he pleases, after he has received his full complement of officers and men.” ‘* Well, I cay get a score more men from Malo, at the Wizard’s Cavern.’ “That will give you a hundred.” ** Yes, and Fok You will n a large crew, chief, for you are not very sparing of men I have heard,” said Campas Caliente, with a smile, ‘True, I use them; but I take the same chances they do.” Re i 1S not doubt it; now what do you propose, ‘*To sail the third night from this.” “ T will be ready.” ‘*'You get all in readiness, and have your men you are not certain of below decks.” **T will, sefior.” ‘Late at night I will come on board with Navaro, and—’ **T would not compromise him, sefior, for he may be useful at some future time.” ‘True; well, I will pire out that I, Nevil Vane, leave on the packet-ship, which sails at midnight on that night, and none will suspect me, “Then I will work certain dispatches, through Rafael here, as to get Navaro on board in con- sultation with Captain Castellar, and then I will, in disguise, row out from the shore and the schooner will be ours. ‘“*What think you?” ‘* A good plan, chief; but why Major Navaro on board?” ° _ “Just to give him a little surprise; I will not appear to know him, before Captain Castellar, Gomicboo S) (GE