Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 259 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

a me rue wh eye 8 ie = “s ee P, MM. he r a (oy ag 4 -z ~ a) ie ~~ - - is ’ ~~ p> . " 4 ~" ¥ . a P is . oe - ~ . + iy ——— 7 , 3p , . . > & Unb id ra “¥ "¢4 Ma) Me Dy im , 6 ance _ Once in his room, however, he drew from be- pyeath bis cloak a large bundle, which, upon be- ing opened displayed a suit of clothes, a false beurd, anda wig of black bair, with a slouch | hat. These the colonel soon rigged himself out in, - and no one would ever have recognized the ele- gaut looking man of a few moments before, in | | been removed back from the sea-shore; but then his new costume. Leaving the room, and placing the key in his pocket, be went boldly out of the hotel, and walked toward the Spanish quarter of the | town. At last he turned into a dingy-looking store, over the door of which bung a sign upon which was painted in faded letters: ‘RUDOLPHO, “ Dealer in Gold, Silver, Jewels, and General Merchandise. “‘Monry LOANED, AND ODDS AND ENDS PuR- CHASED,” “Tis i, the place,” muttered the disguised colon+!. .. «t he walked up to a man who was standiny near an inner door that was open, as though be might be talking to some one in the noxt room, and at the same time keeping an eye upon toe shop. ~* Are you Rudolpho?’ asked the colonel. ‘| am; woo are you?’ was the abrupt reply. “T am a man ip need of money.” “ What huve yeu to sell?” “Nothing; I wish to borrow.” ‘*On your face?’ ‘* No, on articles I have with me,” and the colonel was keeping bis temper only by the greatest effort. , “ What are the things you offer?” “ Jewels and gold trinkets,” ** Lot me see them.” Colonel Brandt unrolled the things which he had so cleverly kidnapped the night before, and spread hem out before the astonished eyes of the man. ‘*Whew! you must be a returned pirate, disposing of your share of the booty,” said the man Rudolpho. ‘Colonel Brandt’s wrath could hardly be kept under, and he said hotly: ‘*] came here to ask a legitimate loan of you, not to be insulted.” ‘* Ah, | beg pardon, sir; what do you wish on this little treasure?’ “J. need thirty thousand dollars, on one ear’s time, and I will pay you twenty per cent, luterest,” “T will give you the sum, but you must pay thirty per cent.” ** Iu is too much,” ‘*Tnen go where vou can get better terms.” ‘No, I will pay your price; but keep the jewels in this case, which I will lock before you and retain the key.” vA One minute, please; I wish a witness to 8. “* Here, captain!” At the call a man came from the inner room. He was dressed in sailor garb, bis face was heavily bearded, and he wore a tarpaulin that ws pulled down to shelter his eyes, He made no reply, but simply bent over and fooke 1 at the pres _ Captain, I lend this man thirty thousand on these jewels, and on one year’s time. ‘* He pays me thirty per cent. and locks the box and ke+ps the key. ** Just glance over the things so you can see what is there.” Tbe man addressed as captain did so and said simply; ** All right, Rudolpbo.” ‘* Well, sir, here is your money, and in ons see you cap get the things, or sooner if you _ He took from a large iron box a roll of bills, and counted out the large sum of money into the trembling band of Colonel Brandt, the wit- ness standing quietly by and looking on the while. _ Placing the bills in his pocket, Colonel Brandt left the dingy shop, while the witness turned to the money-lender and said: “Radolpho, I will give you the value of ose jewels to hold as security, and a snug sum for the loan of them for a short while.” ‘But what do you wish with them, captain?” “TJ wish to borrow them for a particular pur- se, “Mind you, I will return them just as they are, for I only desire to gain a certain point by having them in my possession,” * All right, captain; but don’t lose them, for they are worth a cool fifty thousand, as I saw at a glance, if he does not come to redeem them. “ Now jet us continue our talk,” and the two adjourned to the inner room once more, while Colonel Brandt hastened back to the hotel, threw off his disguise, and telling the landlord that he was surprised his visitors had not come, went back to his home to add falsehood to his ai ether sins by informing poor Maud that he had set the oficers of the law to work up the stolen jewels, tS ————————— ne, ————— Cutlass and Cross. CHAPTER XXIX, THE GHOUL OF THE SEA. departed in his lugger, the Lady Maud, to return to the plantation to see if all was well there. The colonel bad little dread of the pirates doing any damage there, as all of value had he was anxious to know if they bad returned, and if all was progressing favorably. As for Irving, he was more desirous of being on the lugger than in the city, and wanted to see if be could muke any discoveries to lead to | the solving of the mystery as to who was really | the Ghoul of the Sea. With this desire, be left the lake-shore anchor- | age, and headed for home, perfectly fearless as to the consequences, srould be meet an enemy, | as be had already tested the speed of the lugger to his entire satisfaction, while be bad full con- fidence in bis negro crew, who he felt would stand by him to a man, They had black faces, were ignorant, and slaves; but they had big hearts beneath their broad breasts, and were as brave as lions, while they were devoted to their young master. With a fair breeze, the Lady Maud went ah sarag away on her return voyage, and when | hl night fell she was well on her ey aving held the deck since his departure, Irving became wearied toward midnight, and left the vessel in charge of Wood, who was a most competent sailor, and acted as first mate, Wood wasin a good humor, particularly so as were the others of the crew, for Irving ha promised them alla handsome present in money, when the smuggled goods were sold, and they were anxious to show their appreciation of his kindness. Not anxious to get home too quickly, Irving bad stood away into Chandeleur Sound, and the lugger was bowling merrily along, with Wood in charge, when suddenly out from behind an island shot a large schooner. All was at once confusion on board the lug- ger, Wood putting the helm hard down and or- dering the crew to let everything fly to dart away before the wind, while he sent a man below to call Irving. The youth sprung on deck to see the schooner almost in easy pistol range and to hear the stern command; ‘* Lay to or V’ll blow you out of the water!” Irving Brandt possessed a wonderful nerve for a youth of his years, and he took in ata glance the entire situation. He saw that areef was between the lugger and the schooner, and that the latter must round the head of this, half a mile distant, b2- fore she could come directly in chase. By that time the lugger could have a mile start, and directly before the wind she sailed with marvelous speed, But to fly he must risk the fire of the scnooner. A glance told him that it was bis old enemy, the Ghoul of the Sea, and, from the record of the commander, he felt that he need expect no mercy. Seeing that Wood had done just what was right he told him so, and added: ‘We'll run for it, Wood.” ‘* Yes, massa, it am de best, for while we is going we hain’t ketched,” was Wood’s very philosophical remark. Just then, having received no answer to his command, and seeing that the lugger was fly- ing with all speed, the pirate commander shouted in trumpet tones: ‘‘Rire! knock him out of the water! you devils, at those guns!” The guns along the schooner’s broadside flasbed, almost together, and the hail of iron tore on after the devoted lugger. In an instantit was upon her, cutting agaot | her sails, severing a rope here and there, splin- ii a spar and tearing up the deck in several aces, ‘““Who is hurt?’ shouted Irving, in a loud voice, ‘‘Not a blamed nigger of us all, massa, praise de Lord!” cried Halpin, the second mate, from forward. “That is joyous news. Now let him have it from our stern gun,” cried Irviog, and almost instantly the Gqneene PU Roee mounted aft sent forth its red flame, which hurled a solid shot upon the schooner. The crash, as the missile tore through the schooner, was distinctly heard on the lugger; but the cheer of the sable crew was quickly checked by another broadside from the schooner. This fire of the pirate was fatal to one poor negro, while several others were wounded, an what was worse, it cut away the rudder-chains, and the lugger was at the mercy of her foe. As she swept up into the wind sail was quick- ly lowered, and seeing this the schooner did not again fire, but rounding the reef came down toward the Lady Maud under a full press of canvas. As she drew near Irving stood upon the quarter-deck in no enviable frame of mind. He had glanced sadly at the faithful fellow who had been killed, and said a few words of . \ -_——--—— — of —_——— ae re te ee a ee | kindly sympatby to the wounded, after whick | he walked aft and said, calmly: I WILL now return to Irving Brandt, who | © Well, Wood, it is all up with us.” “Tt am too bad, young massi; but I reckons dat de darned priest won’t kill us, sab.” **T sincerely bope not; but at any rate, Pil soon know just woo it is that conmmands that vessel, and that will be one sati-faction.” In a short while more the schooner was near enough to hail, and sharply came the words: ‘ Lugger ahoy |” “Ahoy the Sea Ghoul!” boldly responded Ir- ving. ‘* What lugger is that!” ‘*The Lady Maud pleasure yacht.” A silence of some moments followed, during which tne schooner luffed up to leeward of the lugger and lay to. ‘** Who conimands that lugger?”’ ‘‘Irviog Brandt, at your service,” responded the youth coolly. ‘‘Did you suffer any from my fire?” ‘Yes, I lost one killed,jand three slightly wounded,” ‘*Did your vessel suffer any?” ‘Yes, my rudder chains are cut, and other damage done,” ‘“Who is on board the lugger, Captain Brandt?’ and the tone Was polite, while Irving muttered: ; * Wood, I have heard that voice often be- ore. ‘** Tt does sound familiar like, massa,” Then in a loud voice Irving called back, in answer to the pirate’s question: ‘‘T am bere alone with my crew.” ‘* Had I known that it was your yacht, Irvin Brandt, I would not have molested you, and the damage I have done you, my crew shali quickly repair.” “ Well, thisis strange,” said Irving, and aloud he called out: ‘* W bat schooner is that?” ‘The Ghoul of the Sea.” ‘* Who is ber commander?” “The one whom men have called the Pirate Priest.” ‘*Do you mean that you are Bradford Carr?” and Irving asked the question in strangely distinct tones, aud breathlessly awaited an an- swer. ‘Yes, Iam he that was Bradford Carr; but, fallen from grace, lam now the Ghoul of the Sea,” came in deep tones from the deck of the schooner, now not a cable’s length distant, from the Jugger. rs ‘No, no, Icannot yet believe it, for I must see him face to face, as well as hear him, before J am convinced. rod ‘‘T may be a fool to still doubt; yet doubt I do, and shall until convinced,” and Irving looked moodily over the waters toward the schooner, from which a boat was now putting off. In a short while the boat ran alongside the lugger, and an officer sprung on board, followed by a dozen men. Dr, Saluting politely, he said: . ‘“*T am directed, sir, by Captain Carr to ex- press bis great regrets that he fired upon your vessel, and to do all I can to repair the damage done.” “Thank you, but my crew can do that, sir, and as for your captain firing uyon me, 1 expect it, as lam bis foe and beg for no mercy,” re- turned Irving haughtily. s Toe officer merely shrugged his shoulders and answered: > 4 ‘Your words I will repeat to my captain sir, upon my return; but | was sent on oard here to repair damages, and I shall obey orders.” ‘* As you please,” and Irving turned on bis: heel and went into the cabin, while ‘se pirates set to work with such right good will that, with- in an hour’s time they bad the lugger ready to go on her way once more, ‘The repairs are made, sir, andI am about to return to my vessel, “ Have youany message for my commander?” and the pirate officer entered the cabin where bh sat in moody thought. ‘Yes, tell bim that if be is really Bradford Carr, I bope to see him hanged at the yard-arm some day for a treacherous bound and the red- handed pirate that he is,” said Irving with flerce earnestness. ‘* T will deliver your message, Captain Brandt. ‘ Gocd night, sir, and a eee voyage to you,” and the young officer left the lugger. Back to his own vessel he went, while Irving went on deck, but gave no order to set sail. He preferred to wait and see what the pirate- intended doing. He had not long to wait, for the boat was soon hauled up to her davits, and the schooner fell off until her sails caught the wind, when sle sped swiftly and silently away in the darkness, CHAPTER XXX. CHANGING HIS COLORS, ‘ RUDOLPHO, you are a good hand at dis- guises, and do you think it possible to fix me up so that my friends cannot recognize me, whep they have not seen me for months?” ‘*T can fix you up, captain, so that your ow®. mother will not know you,” : ‘* Do so, and name your price.” micboo #*\ _ — ul (eo) bis ™!, pr .é . ~_