Beadle's Dime Library No. 307 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

OD f sty, - Rea wr eee © ~~ eee ee ee i. ore tbl * = ee cs The Phantom Pirate. 13 mpon the quarter-deck with the Sea Monster one oe as the schooner came in sight of the and, ‘*That trick has been done so frequently, young sir, that I might try it once too often. 4a No, will catch some coaster, and then hunt a lagoon on the coast to hide my schooner in until my return,” ** And I can accompany you, sir?” ‘*Oh, yes, for I suppose you wish to make ‘your report to the money-lender.” * Yes, wr.” ‘I shall perhaps not see him while there, for I have some business of importance to attend to; but, if I cannot accom pl sh it alone, I may have to call upon bim for his aid, though for all he does for me he needs must have a fortune in payment.” he boy’s heart beat more freely, for he feared it was the intention of the pirate chief to at once seek out the money-lender, and of course he would learn the story of how he had mysteriously disappeared. ono was anxious to prevent this, and also desirous of getting his men off the schooner in safety, while he also had a desire to learn what business the Sea Monster had in New Orleans, To therefore keep the pirate from sr rae the discovery regarding the supposed death of the money-lender, if possible to do so, he said; “The Don is grasping, senor, and more, he wants an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth, according to Scripture, so 1 would not be sur- prised if he wanted you to pay him for the loss of the brig and her cargo.” . ‘*T would see him in Satan’s clutches first,” angrily answered the Sea Monster. **Unfortunately,” cunningly urged Bono, **the Don bas the advantage of you.” ‘*In what way, boy?” ‘“‘He knows you as you are, and could have you seized and—” ** By heaven! but be should suffer, too.” ** Ah, senor, let me tell you that Don Rudolpho would not be barmed by the officers of the law, for they are all indebted to him, and more, it would be said your charges against him were made through revenge.” ‘*By the gods! but you have a wise head, boy.” if I like you, Captain English, and I do not care to see you entrapped, so my advice would be for you to keep very quiet while in the city, and, as soon as you can transact your business, - to leave.” *Tll do it; but [am something of a stranger there, and would have you tell me who I can go to as one who would serve me well?” ‘‘ What is the work to be done, senor?” *‘ Have you a mind of earning an honest peso by doing it yourself?” **T bave done much for the Don, my master, senor.” ‘*T believe you, and I feel that you can be trusted, or you would not have warned me, so Pll give you a handsome sum to aid me.” ‘**Tt’s a bargain, captain.” ‘You know the city well?” “Perfectly, senor.’ ** And could find any one hidden there?’ **T think so, without doubt.” ** Well, Bono, I seek a woman and her son.” ** Who are they?” ‘The one is a woman who goes robed in deep black, wearing a deep vail to conceal her face, for it is greatly disfigured.” ** Deformed?” ‘* No, and yet itis tattooed in red and blue inks. “‘ This is strange.” ‘¢Tt was done when she was on the South Sea Islands, where she was wrecked with her hus- band and child years ago, “The natives tattooed her, and she was a long time a prisoner; but she made her escape and is now in hiding in New Orleans.” * And her son also, you said?” ** Yes, he is with her.” ** Also tattooed?” *‘ No—or at least his face is not, for he is a handsome fellow.” : ‘*I think I can find them.” “I do not doubt it, if they are in the city.” “ And if I do?’ ‘You will inform me, for I shall stop at an inn where [can remain unknown, and we will concoct some a to get them on board my vessel, when I will pay you well for your work.” “*T will do it, senor.” ** And will the Don “re you the time?” The youth hesitated, while thoughts flashed rapidly through his mind, 6 was shrewd far beyond his years, for his wanderings bad madea man of him by bitter experience. Knowing as he did that the townspeople knew of the mysterious disappearance of the money-lender, and believing that he had left him to die in the vault, he feared that the Sea Monster might learn of the Don’s death; and so, deciding to come out boldly and meet the dangor half-way, he said: “Oh, yes, captain, I can get the time, for just mow my master is in hiding.” * In hiding?” ~ yar? 2S ° Ps a. ** Yes, senor.” sig I thought you said he had no fear of the aw. ‘* Nor has he; but he has a certain point to gain by being supposed to be dead for a few weeks, and he so left his home as to cast such a suspicion in the eyes of the community ; but this is a secret I can tell only to you, sir.’ ‘*T will not betray it, my lad; but that mas- er of yours is up to all kinds of tricks and dev- iltry. ‘Yes, senor, he is as cunning as a fox, and has the courage of a wolf; but 1 of course know where to find him, and as the shop is not open, it will give me ample time to serve you.” ‘That is fortunate, and according to your services you shall be paid.” ‘‘Thank you, senor,” and casting his eye rey the horizon, Bono's keen eyes fell upon a sail, He was about to sing out his discovery in the usual beh but remembering the fate of the other negligent lookout, he quietly walked away and rapidly ascended the rigging. ** Man, where are your eyes that you do not see yonder sail on our quarter? “Wait until I descend to the deck and then sight ber,” said Bono, in a low whisper. The lookout started, bis eyes fell upon thesail, and he murmured: ‘The Virgin bless you, senor.” The Sea Monster, as Bono left his side, had bent over the taffrail in deep meditation, and did not notice the youth’s return, apparently. But he started as there came from aloft the *€ Sail, ho!” ‘Ha! where is she, my man?” ** Off our starboard quarter, sir.” ** Ah, yes, I see her, and your eyes need clean- ing that you did not see her before. ‘She is a coaster, and doubtless a plantation craft, and just what I need, ‘*Give chase, Senor Tabor, and wé will soon have her fora prize,” and at the order of the chief the schooner changed her course and started in pursuit of the stranger, which only then seemed to have sighted the dangerous enemy so near, CHAPTER XXXVI, SAVED BY EAVESDROPPING. THE vessel sighted from the deck of the pirate schooner, proved to be, as the Sea Monster had predicted, a coaster from a plantation. It was soon overhauled, and on board a crew of negroes, with the overseer of the plantation as captain, and her cargo was produce for the New Orleans market. Running close inshore those on board had not suspected danger, and the pirate was about upon them before they sighted him. To run from so fleet a craft as was the schooner they soon saw was useless, and the overseer cap- tain quickly surrendered, With his blacks the overseer was taken on board the schooner as prisoners, while, selecting the negroes from among bis own crew, the Sea Monster placed them on the coaster, and puta lieutenant in charge. ‘“Now, Senor Bono, we will take passage in this craft, while you, Tabor, run the schooner to the rendezvous up the coast and await my com- ing,” said the Sea Monster, as he sprung on the deck of his prize. - ‘*Come, lads,” called out Bono to the men who had been in the boat with him. ‘* No, let your men remain on the schooner until your return,” said the chief. ‘My return, senor?” “ Yes, for you will have to bring back those whom you are to seek for me, and besides, I have an offer to make you soon, which I think you will accept.” Bono dared not rebel, so be merely said a few words in a low tone to one of his men, and hastily followed the Sea Monster on board the coaster, which at cence set sail for the Balize, while the schooner stood off along the coast. After a fair run the little craft dropped anchor goeeaite the city, and Bono at once went on shore, and securing a vebicle returned for the Sea Monster, who was driven to the inn an be made his quarters when in New Or- eans, Having seen the chief secreted, Bono sought another tavern for himself and as it was after midnight retired, leaving word to be called at an early hour, He was up with the sun, and having seen the woman in black at the money-lender’s, and then discovered where she was residing, although he did not make this fact known to the Sea Mon- ster, he at once went to the inn. But inquiry there proved that the Witch and her son had departed some time before, and gone no one knew whither. But Bono was not one to be dismayed, and he set to work to trace the fugitives, and it did not take him long to ascertain that the strange couple had left the city; but more he could not find out. It was night when he again returned to the inn where the Sea Monster was in hiding, and oing oe to his room he saw a man glide in the oor before him, Bono was suspicious, and more, he was anx- ious to know Jost what was going on, so he crept to the door and placed his ear on a level with the keyhole. What he heard was of at value to him and he listened with the deepest interest and attention. ‘* By the cross! Mendon, but I nearly sent a bullet through your heart, for coming in as you did unannounced,” he heard the Sea Monster say to the intruder, ‘Pardon, cap’p, but I recognized you last night as you took the vebicle on the levee, and tried to catch you, but could not, so have been all day trying to find you.” ‘** And bow did you find me?” ‘*T went to every tavern in town and made inquiries,” ‘** And the host told you I was here?” “Oh no, cap’n; be told me you was not; but I swuoped around and found a carriage had put down two people here last night, and one was a giant in size so I just took a room on this floor and waited until your supper was sent up, Sa then I found out just where you was and bets am. ** Well, what do you want, Mendon?” ** Tm in ill-luck, cap’n, ana though I left you, as [ told you, to be bonest again, TY idisend stays and so I’m in for another cruise for yellow dust.” “Well, Pll give you a berth, for you are a good man aboard ship, Mendon, so remain here until I sail.” “Thank you, cap’n;, but do you sail soon?” ‘Yes, in a day or so.” “Pm glad, for I was anxious for a berth, and bad the money-lender been alive, I’d have known just where to go and get one,” “You mean Don Rudolpho?” ** Yes, senor.” **Ts be dead?” asked the pirate, remembering what Bono had told him, Yes, cap’n; and murdered for his gold, too. “What?” “You see he kept a mighty sight of gold and gems in bis den, and a youth he had as private clerk killed bim and got away with the riches.” j - What?” and the Sea Monster was upon his eet. “They say that a youth, Bono by name, killed the Don, threw his body in the river at night, and then set sail in a craft with his gold, ‘gems and other riches.” _ “ By Heaven! but this is a strange story, and it tallies with the truth, for I remember the boy had plenty of money; but then I supposed the Don bad given it to him for expenses. _“*Can he be playing me some game?” ard the pirate walked to and fro, talking aloud, but rather to himself than to his visitor. ‘“*] guess the story’s straight, cap’n, for folks say the boy was a cunning one and knew what he was about,” **Mendon, do you know I captured that boy at sea?” ** No, sir.” “Yes, [ chased his vessel; it was set on fire and blown up, and I picked up a boat with the boy and five men in it. ‘*He told me it was the Don’s brig, and he came here with me, and is now off executing a mission of importance for me.” ‘* He’ll be He, ra and bagged, cap’n.” **Not he, for he assumed a disguise before reaching the city.” ** Ob, he’s a cunning one!” “*He is, indeed; but I will not give him a chance to betray me, for when he returns here I will seize him, as he may be even now selling me out.” ‘* Maybe, cap’n.” ** Well, Mendon, you go out and see if you can glean any news, for I dare not be seen on the streets even by night. “Tf the boy comes [ will keep him here, and when you return we will knife him, if it appears that he intends to give me trouble. ‘Now go and see if there is anything threat- ening brewing.” 4 Yes, cap’n; and I can find out if anybody can, Away darted Bono before the door opened and the sailor passed out, little dreaming all that had been said had been overheard. Shortly after the disappearance of the man, a servant took a note to the room of the Sea Monster. Breaking the seal, he read: ‘ Be not disturbed at my absence, for I find that I am suspected of being the murderer of the Don and running off with his riches. _* Of course I have to be most careful, until such @ time as the Don chooses to reappear and prove my innocence, ‘“T have already found a trace of those you bade me seek, and hope to give you full information re- garcing them before long; but be patient, should it a day or two before I see you. I told the Don who was my captor, and he sa = rely make you pay for it when next you visit the There was no address and no signature to this letter, and the Sea Monster read it over twice. Then bis face wore a puzzled look, and after awhile he muttered: Ebooks ‘com — — ee —=