Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 255 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

: ! =~ - The Pirate Priest. 11 as we hayen’t got any sweops, and no one to work even if we had. ‘‘ And cannot defend ourselves?” ‘*No, miss, for though I’d fight to the death for you, what could I do against that fellow if heis a pirate?” “* And you think he is?’ ‘| fear so.” ‘*T hope that it is Palafox the Pirate, if it is an outlaw.” *«‘You mean the Sea Fox, as we call him?” “ Yes.” “Why bim, Lady Maud?” ‘* Well, he bas the name of being a gentle- man, in the treatment of his lady captives, however severe he may be with men.” “ Yes, miss, I have heard that of him, and they say tooshe was a gentleman born, but took a pirating for the pleasure he found in a wild ife.” ‘* And have you heard that he was cruel?” “He sbuns all fights, miss, I have heard, that he can; but fights like a devil if he is forced to, and his numerous escapes have gotten for bim the name of the Sea Fox; but I never heard of his treating a woman hard,” said Captain Joe. “There are other pirates that do, Captain “Yes, Lady Maud; but that is a coast buc- caneer, or smuggler, if an outlaw.” ** Why do you think so?” ** You see he has a lugger, when if he was a wide wave pirate he would have a trim schooner or brig, for that craft would not dare run out of a land haven in these times when cruisers are around.” ‘‘ Well, whatever the craft is, or whoever her commander may be, we will soon be taken,” sadly said Maud, ‘* Yes, miss; but if a wind only would come, this craft has lightning heels, and could soon show ’em to that lugger. “See, she’s walking across our bows and means to have her way with us.” The stranger was a small lugger, of a kind frequently found along the Gulf coast, and used for any purpose, from a planter’s pleasure cralt to a cotton carrier. She had rather taller masts than was usval with that class of boats, and her spread of can- vas was considerably larger than luggers were wont to carry, which, together with the number of sweeps she had out, gave her a suspicious look, even had not the manner in which she had dogged the Lady Maud excited dread of her. sud’s position was certainly a perilous one. With only Old Joe as a protector, she knew that she was at the mercy of whoever was on the lugger. She had gone to New Orleans to get a certain sum of money, and this she had with her, to- gether with a quantity of jewels which she had carried with her to reise the amount on, if she did not receive it from Madam Chotard. Tf captured and robbed, what would become of poor Bradford Carr she wondered, and the thought was most distressing to her, for she ex- ected that Irving would depend wholly upon er. But she was a brave girl, and though pale and fearful, was determined to meet the alterna- tive calmly. : As sbe stood eying the coming lugger, through a glass, she saw that there were quite @ number of men upon her decks, and she was about to make known to Captain Joe her dis- covery, when there came sternly across the waters: “i Ho that sloop!” _ 4LY, AY; that lugger,” answered back Cap- tain Joe, while he added: *‘ | answer as I’m bailed, Lady Maud.” $ eae gop is that?” he Lady of the Lake,” respo in Joe with a chuckle, , “gr in ows ‘Where from?” ‘* Orleans.” “Where bound” “ Home.” “ Where is your home?” *€ On the coast.” “ Sirrah, Pll stand no trifling. “‘T ask you where you are bound?” demanded the Jugger commander. ‘** To the Sound coast.” “ Ay, ay, what freight?” ** None.” ** Who have you on board?” ‘‘ There are but two us.” **T do not believe you. ‘Stand by, lads, to follow me on board that craft. “ Way ‘nough! ship your starboard sweeps! Sag grapes! ** Follow me!” ; These orders were quickly given, and in a voice pal was distinctly heard by Maud and Captain oe, In obedience the port sweeps were shipped, and the grapnels iret as the two vessels came together with a slight shock, for seeing that the lugeer was coming alongside, Captain Joe had luffed up to meet him and prevent damage. Then upon the yacht’s deck sprung a youn f and af his back _ | Seaman, 4 cutlass in his hand, were a score of men, while as many more were on the lugger. ' “Tclai» this craft as the prize of the Devil Fish,” called out the leader of the boarders, and he advanced aft, seemingly pmpeCen a netipianice. There stood Maud and Captain Joe quietly awaiting him, The young freebooter stopped, looked about him with surprise, and seeing a female raised his hat, while he said: ** Pardon, lady, I meant not to shock you; but the ways of we freebooters are a trifle rough. ** May I ask where is the crew of this craft?” ‘* You see here, sir, all there were on board,” said Maud quietly. ‘*T told you there were but two of us,” added Captain Joe. “ Is there some trick in this? Are we to ex- ct a prize?” and the young freebooter seemed Gawtlaetsd: “There is no trick, sir, and no surprise in- tended. “Tam returning to my home, and this sailor is all there is on board to man the yacht.” “fT am sorry, lady, but I must claim this pretty craft as a prize, for it is just what we need, and you I will hold for ransom. ‘* But bave no fear that you will have to face danger or rudeness, for your cabin shall be wholly at your service.” : ‘*] thank you, sir, for at least this kindness, and I would ask what vessel this is and what name you sail under?” ‘As for my name, lady, it matters not, for what’s in a name? but this vessel has the rather strange appellation of the Devil Fish.” *‘I have heard of such a craft, sir.” “And so have I, and never any good of her,” growled Captain Joe. * Ah, my man, your remark reminds me of your presence, and you will have to be placed in safety. “Put him in irons, lads, and then half of you return to the lugger, and follow this craft, for I will take charge of her.” The orders of the young sea-rover were obeyed, Captain Joe finding bimself thrust be- low-decks and heavily ironed, which caused him to mutter: ‘**] should have kept my mouth shut.” Then the grapnels were cast loose, and while Mavd retired to her cabin, wondering what was to follow, the two vessels got under way, and under a stiff breeze that was now blowing, but too late to save the Lady Maud, they headed down the coast, the lugger showing re- markably good sailing qualities. CHAPTER XAXIIL THE PIRATE’S ROMANCE. WueEn Captain Palafox, the Sea Fox, after proving to Irving Brandt that he was nota man to forget a favor done him, asked how he could serve bim, the youth remained silent, as though lost in deep thought, He knew that Palafox had been for years noted as a pirate whom the law could not lay hands upon. A reward had been offered for him dead or alive, but stiJl the rover remained at large, and his escapes bad been so numerous and wonder- ful that he had well deserved the name of the Sea Fox. Irving knew that he was also a smuggler, and that he was a man who ought to be cap- tured. But then the youth had a high sense of honor. He had picked the pirate and his canghter up at sea, as Palafox had stated, and he felt that he had no right to refuse the appeal of Myrtle. Deeply interested in the man, and pitying, and drawn toward the little girl, he had done all in his power for them, and their secret he had faithfully kept, and intended to keep, as long as the buceaneers did not strike at the dwellers along the coast. Now he had boldly invaded the baunt of the pirates, and it was for a purpose which be hesi- tated to make known. : ; While hesitating to break his object in com- ing to the chief, he led off with the remark: “Captain, why is it that such a good fellow as you are will be a pirate?” irate half expected some sad story of love and crime in response to his question, but in- stead the pirate said coolly: | **T will tell you, Master Irving, why I am an outlaw if you would like to know.” ** I should like to know.” ‘* Well, the truth is, I was brought up for a profession, but my father sent me to sea to get the wildness out of me, as l was sowing wild Oats ashore at a great rate. . ‘“‘H- smuggled me on board a fine brig which he owned, and when out at sea coolly told me that he was to return in the pilot boat, while I was to go on a voyage to the East Indies. - ‘* Master Irving, if was a stunner to me, for [had lots of friends ashore and I had been wild, gambling and horse-racing, until me involved heavily in debt. ** My father bad refused to give me the money, although I promised repentance, and thus took the reins in his own hand, and I was sent off, a young man of twenty-one, without a word of regret or farewell. ** T stormed, but it did no good, for back went my father into the pilot-boat, while J remained on board in irons. ‘“* Well, the captain \7as a hyena, and he be- gan hard work with me, for I was put before the mast and beat around until I could not stand it. ‘** The lads felt sorry for me and I told them that my father was ricb, owned a number of vessels, and that the loss of one would not burt him, while [ would take the brig for my share of my inberitance, and let my brother and sister havo all the rest. ‘* The crew listened to my reasoning and we just took charge of the brig. ‘*The captain, bis mates and several of the men who did not care to join us, wo just put ashore at the nearest port and I became cap- tain. ‘** Since then I have knocked about the seas as a rovor and am the football of Fate, ‘‘But, Master Irving, I forgot to tell you : that I had secretly married a young and beauti- ful girl before I left homeand I did not see her again for years. ‘** But one night I went to my home quiet) and in disguise and found my young wite still hoping for my return, ** She was true to me,sinner though I was, and she came with me in my vessel and cruised with mo for years, ‘Myrtle there was born at sea, and two years after ber birth her mother was washed overboard one night of a storm, and my little girl is all I bave left now. ““She knows me as I aia, that lam a bunted man, but sho loves mo and I am raising upa fortune for her to be bappy with some day. “Now, Master Irving, you know why IL turned pirate, and 1 remain so simply because I have no other calling, and what is more, f like the wild life of danger I lead. ‘* But you did not tell me how } could serve ou?” ™ Irving had listened most attentively to the pirate’s story; but, brought back to the object of his visit by the question, he said: ‘* [am not sure that you will care to do what Task you.” 4s Tr , me,” * It is a great deal for me to ask.” ‘* And youdida payee deal for me.” “Well, I will tell you just what I wish you to help me in.” ; ** Been gambling and gotten in too deep for the old gentleman to help you out?” **Oh, no,” cried Irving. * Well, if you want money, you have but to say so, for I have the gold in any sum you need and you bad better get it from me than owe debts to others who thereby become your master.” ‘* Ah, Captain Palafox, you misunderstand me, for I never play cards, and Ido not owe a dolar in the world.” “Then tell me what I can do for you,” and the pirate smiled pleasantly and it encouraged Irving to speak out: CHAPTER XXIV. IRVING BRANDT’S BOLD GAME. ‘*CAPTAIN PALAFOX,” began Irving Brandt hesitatingly: **Tf one you loved was in danger would you not do much to save bim?”’ “Just you get in danger, Master Irvin , and see the chances I’d take to pull you through,” was the ready response, ‘“‘ But | am not in danger.” * Who then?” “‘One I care much for.” ‘* What is her name?” “It is not a lady,” and Irving blushed. “Ah! a man?” “ Yes.” * Tell our story.” ** Well, sir, when North my father’s life was saved by a young man, and he being a teacher he came South as my tutor. ‘“‘ Father wished to serve him in some way, ee know, and as he would not accept money e took this way to do it, while I also needed a private teacher. “That young man went with our family to the Blue Anchor Inn, on the Sound—” ~~ ““T know it so well that I ran off a West In- dian pirate who intended to descend upon the place some weeks ago, thinking he would get a rich haul from the guests, “But I headed him off, told him that this was my cruising-ground and as I never touched home-folks [ would not let others do so. ‘“* He beat to quarters, ran his guns out, and said he would do as he pleased. ‘* But | was firm, Master Irving, and Captain Jake Curtis did not lose his guests, and they did not lose their liberty and their jewels, for the fellow would have held them for ransom,” “You have saved us all well. captain.” “Ob, yes, I will do aJl I can for the dwellers along this coast and won’t allow othersto harm ~ them, but continue with your story.” rs Well, sir, this young man went with us to the Blue Anchor and there were those there who were jealous of him; at least, one of the planter *s 4 ~ | | 174 (E(6) JOOKS (E(O) AMIS