Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 210 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

OO ee He was well aware that he could seek Ai ‘by running into the haven of The Everglades; but his pride would not allow him to do this, and he preferred to take the chances, though his conscience told him he had no right to risk the lives of those under him, In regard to the life-boat of Tho Everglades, it was a far different craft than the launch, being built especially for rough waters. Long, narrow, deep in the water, it was yet light enough to be handled easily by four oars- men, and Mabel felt that she could not do other- wise than risk much to saye one who had taken his life in his hand to rescue her from peril, as Perey Wyndham had done in the past. Duke’s_ brow was dark, at being forced to rescue one ‘who had éhot him down, and near- ly eaused his death,-when he sought to avenge his master. for he did not reason that he had attacked Percy, only that he owed to bim a wound that. had cost him long weeks of bitter avguish, both of body and mind. Had ho gone without Mabel to the rescue, never would he have saved Percy Wyndham, if in his power to do so, and he felt angry that if had not been in hig power to let him diown. But Duke knew the Mortimers well, and that Mabel was no exception” to her race, and did }e dare go against her will that he would be the sufferer, so he yieldad, at first witha bad grace, and then, as though ‘wishing to re- gain Javorin the eyes of his young mistress, he devoted every energy to the work, cheering bis black comrades on with voice and exam- ple, Wortunately every negro at The Everglades plantation were good boatmen, and the four rowed together as thongh they were a trained erew, and seut tho lite-boat flying over tho waters, . Fortunateiy the turnado struck the life-boat while still under the lee of the litte point of land, which formed tbo harbor, Mabel met it well, and called to the oars- men to steady the craft, which was tossed about like a chip in a mill-race for an instant. Then it rode like a cork over the rouzh wa- ters, and the strong, sinewy arms of its crew sont it forward into the very teeth of the aie, Out of the harbor, over the white waters went the gallant craft, Mabel holding her head to the gale with firm hand, while Fidele croucied at the feet of her mistress muttering prayers to a]l the saints in the calendar, for the quairoon was a good Catholic. Aecrcss the storm-swept waves Mabel kept her eyes, and scon an exclamation broke from her, for she caught sight of the launch, jt was bottom up, and two persons were clinging to ib. One glance, through the mist of spray show- ed her that they were black faces, But, as sbe looked she saw a hand stretched up from the waves and seize the boat, and the next instant a white face rose above the wa- ters, and then she knew that it was Percy W yodham., But he did not remain clinging to the boat, but raised to a place of comparative safety the form of a negro man, who clutched wildly at the keel, while his brave preserver returned again for one more of Lis unfortunate crew. “Noble man,” cried Mabel, lost in admira- tion at the brave deed. ‘To save others at such a moment,” But, as she looked, a flercer gust of wind, and a more savage wave, together seized the upturned launch, and wrenched it in two pleces, The cracking of the timbers was plainly heard by those in the life-boat, and realizing that the last stay of hope had gone from Percy Wyndham and his crew, Mabel urged her own oarsmen on with voice and gesture, and second- ed by tho entreaty of Fidele and cheering voice of Duke, they all bent to their work with terrific energy. On, cn, through the wild waters went the life-buat, ‘notil soon a head was seen in the waves ahead, It was a black face in the midst of snowy foam, and knowing well that the aim of his mistress wai Percy Wyndham, Duke looked toward her anxiously, “Save bim, Duke!” was her command, and dropping his oar, as the life-boat went by Duke seized the negro and dragged him over the high gunwale, Then another, and another followed, until five of the etpht » gin carsmen had been StS sss? a rr ri a LT ee eee = eee TT Buccaneer Bess, _the Lioness of of the Sea. ee a ee --- = ~~ - saved, but not yet was Bacay Wyndbam’ vis- ible, ** Life-boat ahoy!” The cry came from the wild waters, clear, calm, and with no tremor in the tones. Looking in the direction from whence came the voice, and off the starboard quarter, Mabel beheld Percy Wyndham rise on a wave, and saw that he was upholding in his arms one of his slaves. Instantly the life-boat was put away to- ward him, and Duke put forth bis strong arm to aid Percy, who said sternly: “Take bim in, for I need not your aid.” Duke silently’ obeyed, dragging the negro over the gunwale with considerable effort, for he was unconscicus. Then he turned again to help Perey, who, refusing his aid, nimbly drew himself on board, while he said politely: “Miss Mortimer, I owe you my life, and the lives of six of my crew; but there are two yet missing, I see.” ‘‘Then we must save them,” firmly said Ma- bel. ‘“‘Tf we hays time; but see, this tornado is growing in fury, and you must nof risk your precious life more, “Ha! there is the stern half of the launch, and one of my men is clinging to it, ‘Will you permit me to take the tiller?” She silently released it to his grasp, and he held away for the wreck, but seeing that it was dangérous to go too near, called to the negro to let go aud swim toward the life- boat.” But tho negro was terrified, and with no confidence in himself in those wild waters, cried out: **T dassn’t do it, massa!” Percy then remembered that ha was one of the crew who could not swim, and whom he bad himself taken to the up-turned boat, with two others, and instantly he sprung overboard and, with a few vigorous strokes, reached the wreck, seized the terrified negro and bore him to the life-boat, when Duke drew him up to safety. A moment after Percy bad again relieved Mabel at the helm, and confident that the re- maining man of his crew had sunk, for he was nowhere visible, he put about and headed shoreward, just as the tornado increased in fury. Then, as the heavily laden life-boat went toward the harbor of The Everglades, Mabel watched the cool helmsman, now he took every precaution, and skillfully met wave and wind, and saw that it would have been im- possible for her to have carried the craft back in safety. At last the harbor was reached, and the life- boat went ashore, and was dragged far out by the crew, while Percy Wyndoam took Mabel in his arms and placed her upon dry land. **Miss Mortimer, I can never forget that I owe you my life,” he said, in a low, earnest tone, and motioning to his slaves to follow him, he walked quickly across the Jawn and disappeared in the foliage of the garden on his way homeward, bis faithful blacks at his heels, while Mabel slowly retraced her way toward the house, her heart and brain throbbing with commingled emotions, for she had saved the life of one to whom she was twice indebted for a like service. : CHAPTER VIII. A MOTHER'S THREAT. HastTi.ty did Percy Wyndham retrace his way homeward, as though most anxious to got bis feet off of the soil that belonged to the Mortimers, and as he walked along his face was cold and stern with conflicting emo- tions that almost overpowered him, for almost would he rather have died than owe bis life to one of the name of Mortimer, even though that one was tho fair mistress of The Everglades, with a heart as pure as the white magnolia blossoms in the forest. The route he took homeward led him around ‘the flower gardens, and thence into the magno- lia forest, where upon all sides was visible the fury of the winds, as strong trees had been uprooted, limbs torn off, and fences laid down. At his heels, in Indian file, came the seven negroes, their faces gloomy with the thongbt that one of their number had been taken from them, to find a grove at the bottom of the BCA. Along the path leading to Magnolia Arbvr, 5 —-— -+- ‘ity years before the meeting place of his fa- ther and Mabel’s father when they were boys, and in after years the scene of the duel, in which Major Mortimer was wounded by Cap- tain Wyndham, and again where the major lost bis life in the fatal meeting’ with Mrs, Wyndham, and when, to shield his mother, the son had avowed himeelf the slayer of the master of The Everglades, Percy Wyndham wound his way, memory rushing upon bim with overwhelming force as be reviewed the spot, and making him almost unmindful of the fierce storm that sent branches of trees falling about him, and turned the faces of his black comrades ashen with fear. At last he breatbed more freely, as he sprung over the nailed-up gate leaditig to Lake- lands, and arriving at the mansion presented himself before his mother all dripping. as he was, “Percy, my son, what has happened” cried Mrs. Wyndham, \ ‘ho had been gazing nervous- ly out over the waters, and wondering if Her son had been caught in the storm. ‘The launch went down, mother, under ‘ete blow of the tornado, and, as you see, I have bad a struggle for life in the waters,” be: an- swered calmly. ‘Thank Heaven your life is sparéd, Perey,” said the mother fondly. ‘In that I was more fortunate than poor Leo, who sunk, though the rest of the crew were saved.” ‘Leo drowned?’ said Mrs, Wyndham eddy. * Yes, mother, for he could nov swim, as you may reme mber. “*T took him to the upturned raeheh twice when the waters wasbed Lim off, but a savage wave broke the boat in two, and IT saw bim no more,” * Poor man; you?” “Were saved, mother,” “The Virgin be praised for that. “You had better give orders for the men to watch the shore for Leo’s body,” ‘*I will, mother,” and Perey seeming dis- trait about something, which attracted his mo- ther’s attention, she said quickly: - “Surely that poor girl did not attempt to return with you, Percy?’ ‘* No, she remained alone at the cottage with her dead father, for she would have it so. **T intended remaining, as you know, to dig the grave and help Bessie pack up, and await your coming in the yacht this evening: but she would not listen to it, and it would have been rude of me to persist in staying.” **Poor child, we must basten to ber as soon as this blow dies out, for I cannot bear to leave her there alone: but, Percy, there is something else that troubles you”? * Yes, mother.” ** What is it, my son?” | “‘How do you think I-escaped death, mo- ther, wben the launch was wrecked?” but the others who were with “T had hardly thevght of that, for I fete that you must bave been near the shcre,’"’ “No, I was balf a mile off shore, and in front of The Everglades mansion.” ‘““Ab! then how did you escape, Perey, for it is strange that only poor Leo was lost under the circumstances?” ‘Yes, and all might have been drowned, though I believe I could bate’ reached the shore, had we not been rescued.” “A vessel was near to pick you up, then?” ‘*No, mother, but a life-boat was, and man- ned by a crew from The Everglades.” ‘* ‘Hal saved by a crew from that accursed house?’ cried Mrs, Wyndham, with pale face and flashing eyes. Percy made no immediate reply, and when: he did, spoke in a low, calm Voice: ‘ ‘Mother, I could have saved the launch, for I was near enough to The Everglades harbor © to run in, when I saw the storm coming; but I would rather risk my life than save it by land- ing on the soil that belonged to the Morti- mers.” “You were right, my son.’” , **But there was one who saw the danger of the launch and at once came to its rescue.” ~ ‘‘Did he know that it was a boat from Lake- lands?” ‘*'Yes, mother.” “He was doubtless some negro who te fnendly with Toby.” *“No, mother, it was Miss Mortimer.” The lady sprung to her feet as though stung by an adder, and her face became livid, While, ry she hissed forth: <S IO (E(@) AMIS (E(o)|