Beadle's Dime Library No. 307 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

a4 bee Wi by one of his officers, was rowed ashore, and walked up to the inn just as the sun was setting. Wishing to take supper ashore they or- dered a good meal of mine host and took a stroll about the quaint old town. Upon their return they found that the landlord had indeed set before them a most delightful repast, and they discussed it with a relish that did credit to his cuisine. While enjoying their cigars upon the piazza after supper, they were approached by a handsome young sailor who touching his hat politely said: ‘Pardon, gentlemen, but you are from the little cruiser that put into port this after- noon?” ‘We are, sir,” answered the young com- mander in a respectful tone, for there was that in the man’s appearance to command re- spect. ‘*Do you think I could see the captain if I went on board, sir?” *‘T am in command of the yacht, so how can I serve you?” A look of intense surprise passed over the man’s face, at the youth of the yacht’s com- mander; but he responded quietly: ‘Then, sir, I wish to make known to you how you can do good service to-night.” “Tam always ready for any good service, so Out with it, my man.” ‘Well, sir, I cannot tell you how I know it; but it has come to my- knowledge that an attack will be made at midnight upon a villa situated a mile down the shore, and where it is known the owner keeps his riches and quantities of silver plate.” ‘‘ Ha! this is indeed news; but who is to make this marauding attack?” asked the young midshipman with earnestness. ‘Tt will be made, sir, by a band of buc- caneers, whose vessel will run in and land them near the villa.” ‘* What buccaneers are they, my man, or do you know?” ‘“They are what are known as the Reef Pirates, sir, but they are a bad lot.” ‘Ab yes, they are indeed, and in their small vessels they frequently defy pursuit; but they are not generally in large force.” ‘“To-night they will have a full crew out, some twenty men, as they know the owner of the villa keeps a number of servants.” ‘‘ And how know you this, my man?’ ‘That I cannot tell you, sir; but the raid is to take place, and I felt that you, as an of- ficer of the navy would like to protect the villa and at the same time capture the yirates, when their vessel, which will be lightly manned, with her crew gone, can easily fall into your hands.” “You plan well, my man; but what mo- tive have you in urging this, when your re- fusing to give me full information, leads me to suspect that you are in some way connect- ed with these same pirates?” and the mid- shipman commander looked sternly in the face of the man. But he met the gaze unflinchingly, and, after a moment, answered: “<7 will frankly say, sir, that I am a sailor ashore, at. present in hard luck, and I need a little gold, which I know the owner of the villa will give me if I protect his property.” ‘You shall have it, my man, and a berth on board my yacht with me, too; but have you formed any plan to thwart these pirates?” “Yes, sir, my idea was to come out to your yacht, as soon as [ had seen a person that might give me further information, and pilot you and your men to a spot where you ceuld ambush the pirates, after they had made a landing, and thus capture them all, for they will have to march a mile overland from their vessel.” “‘Good! Now go to this man from whom you wish to get more information—” **TIt is not a man, sir.” ** Ah! there is a woman in the case, then?” said Brandt, with a smile. ‘“*T may as well confess, sir, that I am aid- ing one who has cause to hate these same pirates, and she acts from a motive of revenge in the matter.” ‘*T see; well, we will avenge her, and give ou gold. ‘‘Take this purse, and come on board as soon as you can, and we will be ready to start,” and the midshipman slipped several gold pieces into the hand of the young sea- ” ~~ 2 ‘ ..4 % pw a ner at * 7 : pe eal [ Py : , a mm “ .. 1 SAS ie. Vaso sy ad ett nig OEM oe — —xese —_—____ — —— ae eo — The Phantom Pirate. touching his hat, departed. | Assoon as he had disappeared down the street, the two young officers arose and hastened to the landing to go on board their yacht, the Sea Owl. CHAPTER XXXVI. TREACHERY. A¥TEeR the young sailor had walked some distance from the tavern, and knew that he | was out of sight of the two midshipmen on the piazza, he turned and retraced his way slowly. “ Watching closely, he saw the young swiftly forward and entered it. As though familiar with the place, he ascended to an upper floor and tapped three times upon a door. ‘Come in!” said a deep voice within. Entering, he found himself in a pleasant room, in which there was but one occupant. That occupant was none other than the Sea Monster. A tray, with the remnants of a supper, sat on a table near, and the pirate chief was enjoying his after-supper cigar. ‘“ Well, Benedict, | was wondering if you would put in an appearance to-night,” he said pleasantly. “Yes, captain, for I have news for you.” ‘Out with it.” “The armed yacht Sea Owl came into port to-day.” ‘‘T saw her run up the harbor and she made four knots out of a mere catspaw breeze.” “*She’s a sailer, sir; but I have seen her captain.” ‘*The Planter Midshipman?” ‘Yes, sir, and he’s as handsome as a girl.” “Yes, and as dangerous as a tiger, ‘‘Hands off that young middy, Benedict, unless you know your strength.” ‘*T believe you, sir; but I had a long talk with him.” “ About what?” *‘T told him a little story that interested him.” “Well?” “T gave him to understand, captain, that I was a sailor ashore and in hard luck.” ‘« And he offered youa berth?” * ‘He did, indeed.” ‘And did you accept?” and a flash of sus- picion shone in the eyes of the pirate chief. “Of course, captain; but I told him that the Reef Pirates intended to attack the villa of an old and rich Spaniard down the shore a mile, and offered to guide him to a spot where he could ambush them, and also cap- ture their craft.” Well?” “He bit at the bait on my hook, and ar- ranged for me to come on board within the hour and pilot him to the spot.” ‘“What does all this tend to, Benedict?” asked the Sea Monster somewhat impatient- ly. ‘‘T told him I would be there, sir.” ‘* What nonsense.” “Of course, captain, but then it was part of my plot, for I shall send another man.” “Why do you not out with it all at once, Benedict, for Pantiiet see why young Brandt should trust you in such a case, knowing nothing about you, and when he must suspect that you belonged to the pirate band to thus know of their movements.” ‘“‘No, captain, I led him to believe I had a swectheart—”’ ‘‘Which you doubtless have, and a score of them.” ‘Oh, yes, but I led Captain Brandt to think my sweetheart had suffered at the hands of the pirates, and, instigated by re- venge, ene | to betray them, ‘“Now, I intend to send a young man to guide the boats to the spot—” ‘* What spot?” ‘‘An imaginary spot down the coast, sir; and when they have gone, I will get our men into boats, and after half an hour pull for the yacht. ‘Of course they will think on board that the boats are those that belong to the yacht returning, and we can readily board and cut her out, for not more than four or five men will be left in charge.” ers | ‘*By Neptune! but your words ring now ‘ py oe Sirs A = ee ee a officers leave the inn, and then he walked | like true steel, Bencdict, and the plan shall’ —“ Zo seize your craft!” . , * " . * : . eo. wE y i i - Pe. P » 19 , man, who thanked him kindly for them, and | work well; but how many men have you shipped?” ‘* Forty-five, sir.” sy Which, with you and I, will make forty- seven. “Can you collect them at once?” ‘“‘They are in the Anchor Inn now, sir, for I ordered them to be in readiness when I saw the yacht coming into port.” ‘You have done well; but the boats?” “Can readily be obtained, sir, at the beach.” ‘*Good! then I will get ready and go with you.”’ | ‘‘If you please, captain, as soon as I write 7 a note to the young captain.” ‘‘Here are pen, ink and paper, so write it | here.” ia Benedict took up a quill and soon wrote: “To CAPTAIN BRANDT, Commanding Sea Owl :— ‘*Srr:—I send you a man who will serve inmy | place as a pilot, as I go down to the scene of the pirates’ landing, with a note from the woman of whom I spoke, and which will lead them more thor- — oughly into your power, as they do not suspect her of being a traitress. “Trust the bearer as you would your humble ser- vant, and I will meet you at the proper time. * Your obedient servant, ** BENEDICT, a Sailor of Fortune.” Having addressed and sealed this letter, Benedict left the inn, accompanied by the | Sea Monster, and the two wended their way ) to the low tavern where the crew were in — Waiting. rod Selecting a man to bear the letter, and giving him certain instructions, he paid him . liberally, and saw him go down to the beach Lat and hail the yacht. Tae A response came, and soon a boat put off » for the shore and the messenger was taken = on the boat. urn ‘‘Now to see if it works all right,” said the Sea Monster, who stood watching the messenger with Benedict. Tye Half an hour passed, and then they saw | two boats filled with men leave the yacht and pull down the coast with muffled oars. 4's “Now the yacht is mine,” said the Sea Monster in his deep tones, and the two | hastily retraced their way to the tavern to a get their men together, and both of them, greatly elated at the success thus far of the ies - plot to capture the graceful Sea Owl. ve CHAPTER XXXVIU. om A DISCARDED SWEETHEART. * As Midshipman Brandt and hiscompanion —_ reached the beach after leaving the inn, and were about to hail the yacht fora boat to hy come ashore, a form suddenly glided upto them. Ja It was a woman, With a slight form, grace- Ja ful and evidently youthful, though she wore ~ Pt, a vail. > Sel ‘One moment, please, gentlemen.” any The two midshipmen turned and doffed their hats respectfully, for there was that | — about the woman which did not denote a | mendicant, as they could see even in the darkness. : > a “You are from the armed yacht?” contin- =| ued the woman. Misnak “Yes, lady,” answered Irving Brandt, (ae “You have just returned from the Good _ cia Cheer Inn?” oe ‘* We have.” > ‘“You met there a sailor?” a ci Yes.” i ‘‘A young man, with a dark, handsome — at face?” he a ‘You have described him.” Widees °° ‘‘ He told you he was in ill-luck ashore?” eo “Yes, lady.” : tne ‘‘And gave you some information of am | important character?” eh eae ‘“ You seem well informed, lady.” eebne! ‘* Sir, that man has deceived you,” said the =| woman, impressively. Niche Cia ‘“Deceived me?” and Brandt started. = ast) “Yes. He has led you astray by his | | bP) Tn what respect?” yeahs a ‘‘ He has gotten your consent to leave your vessel, on some excuse, with your crew.” Srwelr. michs ag “What his story to you was, cannotdo more than conjecture, but his aimisto get you and your men to leave your vessel on ;. some pretended expedition of profit or — ~ “But why?” fat | A ‘ oe (@) > N im We ' a ie a a eee af . x “4 1 st *.