Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 255 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

~ “Yes, and I will not undeceive him,” and as the schooner drew near the fisherman, Captain Chester hailed: “ Boat, ahoy!” “ Ay, ay, sir,” promptly responded the occu- pant, whom the reader has before met, for it was none other than Sandy, the assistant of Old Joe Jibboom. ‘Have you seen any suspicious sail here- about, my man?” “Yes, sir.” “ Whereaway?” “An armed schooner ran in to the cove down the coast there, just at daybreak, and I have my idea she isno better than she should be.” ‘Thank you; buf have you ever seen any- thing of the Pirate Priest in these waters?” ‘¢Lor’, sir, we hear somuch of him of late that nearly every rakish craft we see in these waters is said to be the vessel of the Pirate Priest, and maybe that the schooner in the basin is the ouclaw padre.” “T thank you, my man, *‘Come closer in your skiff and Pll toss you a souvenir.” “Talk is cheap, sir, and I haven’t earned any money.” “All right, my man, but I think differ- ently. ‘Now describe the schooner in tho inlet,” said Captain Chester, as the fisherman rowed near the schooner, which had luffed up while talking to him. ‘¢She’s a large schooner, carrying eight guns and with a full crew. “She lays low in the water, but has high bulwarks, and her top-masts are painted ted.” ‘“‘The Pirate Priest, as I live! Come on board, my man, and be our pilot into the inlet, and your fortune is made,” “This is a United States cutter, isn’b it, sir?” “Yes, my man, that is just what she is.” “Well, sir, ’ pilot you for nothing, for it is my duty to aid you take the pirate. “But he may havs a lookout watching us, so you better stand off until after dark and then come back and I will join you.” “That is a good idea, my man; but you will not disappoint us?” “No, no, sir, for though I am but a poor fisherman, I hold my word along with tho best of ’em.” “That is right, and you must always con- tinue to do right. ‘“Now let us have your fish, and we will stand down the coast around yonder point of land and return as soon as it is dark.” “ll be here, sir,” called out Sandy as the schooner continued on her way. Just as twilight was coming on she disap- peared around the point of land; but Sandy kept on fishing, and in a couple of hours he saw the schooner, under very light canvas, almost upon him, “Schooner ahoy!” he called out, fearful of being run down. ‘Ay, ay, My man, wo have had our eye on you for some time, ‘Now come on board and act as pilot.” Sandy was soon at the wheel, and the schooner stood inshore, As she neared the inlet it was decided to anchor the schooner and attack in the boats, for this would give them a double chance against the Pirate Priest, Sandy thereupon ran the schooner close in- shore, her anchor was noiselessly lowered into the water, and then the three boats were called alongside and filled with men, only a few of the crew being left behind to man the vessel in case of need, or work the guns. Sandy was in the leading boat with Captain Chester and thirty men. Then came Thornton with twenty of the crew, and Sykes with as many more, all armed to the teeth. Captain Chester was to board over the stern, while Sykes and Thornton were to take the starboard and port sides amidships, so that the surprise would be complete. The oars were muffled, pérfect silence was commanded, and the three boats moved up the lagoon without the slightest sound. After a row of balf an hour Sandy said in a whisper: ‘* There lies the schooner, sir.” “T see ber, my man, “Now, men, do your’ duty and the Pirate Priest is our game.” LLL The Pirate Prie On moved the boats and though they were now in a few lengths of the schooner, no expect- ed hail greeted them. A moment more and Captain Chester’s boat was under the stern, and springing on board he shouted: “Follow me, men!” With cheers the different crews boarded, and yet no one opposed them. Seeing a bright light coming from the com- panionway, Captain Chester sprung down into the cabin his cutlass in bis hand. Then he started back, fora tall form con- fronted him. It was a man in the full dress of a Mexican padre, and with a face that was stern, and yet sad, His eyes were now fastened upon the intru- der, and he said in a deep voice: ‘Senor, you are my prisoner!” ‘¢ Lying priest, you are mine, for I have fol- lowed you for long months for the joy of this moment,” and Captain Chester sprung forward to cut the priest down with his sword, But the Pirate Priest quickly raised a large gilt cross he held in his band and caught the blade upon it, while he placed his other hand behind him in the folds of his gown, and grasped the hilt of a sword, the act being un- seen by his adversary. CHAPTER LVI. OVERMATCHED. It was a thrilling scene, a striking tableau, as the two men stood there in the cabin facing each other. The one bold, reckless, in full uniform, and with his sword, the other in priestly robes, calm and resolute, while he had his sword crossing his opponent’s blade. ‘‘Surrender, Sir Priest! for your cross is no weapon to match my sword, ‘Surrender! or priest though you be I will run you through!” Captain Chester fairly hissed the demand, and trembled with joy, feeling that he bad triumphed at last. But, with a movement as quick as a flash, the priest dropped his cross and inits place went the sword he had taken from the folds of his gown and held behind him. ‘*“This weapon will overmatch yours, Ches- ter Granger, and I command you to surren- der,” came in the deep tones of the Pirate Priest. ‘Great God! youcall me by name!” and momentarily unnerved by being recognized, Chester Granger lowered his guard, and in an instant bis blade was struck from his hand and the point of the priest’s weapon was pressed hard over his heart, ‘Surrender or die! Take your choice!” “‘T surrender, Sir Priest; but this is non- sense, for my men have charge of your ves- sel,” ‘You are mistaken, Chester Granger, for a parf of my crew boarded and captured your schooner soon after you left it, for I gave them orders so to do, and shielded in the rig- ging are half a hundred gallant fellows who cover your crew on deck,” ‘‘Tt is false!” “Ho, the deck!” called out the priest, “Ay, ay, sir!’ and to the horror of the man, whom the reader now recognizes as Chester Granger, @ person appeared who was not one of his men. He was dressed in uniform, and a moment was sufficient to show that he was under tho orders of the priest. - “Senor, what is the news from the deck?” asked the priest, calmly. ‘When the pirates heard my order to sur- render, Senor Padre, and saw that they were wholly in our power, they surrendered and are now in irons,” = And this man’s vessel?” : ~ Has run up and dropped anchor near us,” ¥ Under my orders or his?” r eS moll your orders, Senor Padre.” ow, Chester Granger, you see that you are wholly in my power.” “Ay, and I know that face and voice now,” cried Chester Granger. és wet am I?” : “You are no ” “ Who am eri “You are Bradford Carr, and you it was « 7 +) 45 va . or — that has caused me all my misery and made, | me what Iam,” said the captured pirate, bit- terly. ‘6 Indeed, sir, and how have I been the cause: of your ruin?’ asked Bradford Carr, for the Pirate Priest was none other. ‘Through that smooth-tongued fiend, Bar- ton Keys,” ‘‘ Ha! your words give me the idea that you can tell that which I would know,” quickly said Bradford Carr, “ I can.” “ And will?” **T roust have terms,” “What terms do you wish?’ ““T wish my freedom and my traps on board this vessel, with the promise that I will not be — published to the world as a pirate for the sake of those that have loved me and know not what. I now am,” “I grant your terms, Chester Granger, and your crew may believe you dead, and they shall be sent at once to be turned over to the ~ Government vessel. ‘** Now, sir, what bave you to say that will interest me?’ . “‘T have much to tell you, but first get my men out of the way and let me feel safe, and then come here and I will talk to you.” **T will do so, but as I doubt you, let me see that you do not escape,” and taking a pair of manacles, fastened by a chain to the floor, Bradford Carr clasped them upon the wrist of his prisoner and then left the cabin. CHAPTER LVIL THE GUILTY ONE, Ir was after breakfast at the Blue Anchor Inn, and the guests were all seated upon the piazza, or standing upon the lawn, watching the approach of two vessels that were standing in toward the little barbor. They were both armed schooners, and the — one in advance was flying the United States flag, and the one astern had a flag with a sable field beneath tbe Stars and Stripes, “Tt is a Government cutter, and she bas a pirate as prize,” cried Irving Brandt, who, in the year that bad passed, had developed into a very handsome and manly youth. “Let us go down to the pier, daughter, with Irving, and see what it all means,” said Colonel Brandt, whose face no longer looked careworn. Maud arose, beautiful as ever, though with a face somewhat saddened, and instantly there stepped to her side Barton Keys, who offered his arm, which she accepted in silence, Arriving at the pier, they saw that the two vessels had dropped anchor, and a boat was coming ashore, in which were several officers and a crew of twelve oarsmen. As it touched the pier a young officer stepped out, and, bowing politely, asked: ; “Is Mr. Barton Keys here?” “My name is Keys, sir,” and the young gambler stepped forward, “Then, sir, I arrest you in the name of the law!” Exclamations of amazement were heard upon all sides, while Barton Keys placed his band threateningly in bis bosom and said fiercely: “What means this outrage, and who are you, sir, that dares to iusu!t me?” ‘* Tt means, Mr. Barton Keys, that you are a dead man if you move, and I arrest you for the murder of Soule Ravelle, one year ayo to-day!” Barton Keys staggered under the blow, while Maud gave a cry that seemed almost of joy. Springing forward, the young officer clasped manacles upon the wrists of the gambler before he was able to recover from the shock, Then he rallied and asked: ** Who is my accuser?’ ‘*T am, Barton Keys.” A second ery of surprise was heard as Ches- ter Granger, dressed neatly in citizen’s attire, stepped forward. “You! you! dare accuse me of that murder, Chester Granger?’ shouted Barton Keys. “Yes, you urged me into a plot with you to kill Soule Ravelle, because we both owed him money, and to make your villainy greater, be- - cause you feared Bradford Carr would marry Miss Maud Brandt, you arranged to have him arrive upon the scene after you had shot your first victim down, and I appearing, by your ees —— . i tg it % - _ ‘ * ee a eS oe —_ T - ~ - ~ ft NS ee ee te — - » * aé « —— ec i = a ge # 2 ie +o e GOmiechboo Sn(E) ~ . —— <n a