Beadle's Dime Library No. 307 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

. P ((_« a SD The Phantom Pirate. craft and leave her for the fishermen to come after, as I wiil direct them to do.” “But you?” **T shall play officer, Clotilde, and carry the official paper to the Planter Middy.” ‘“No, no, for he may recognize you.” **“ Not in the disguise I will wear. ** Now, Clotilde, I will ride in all haste down to the fishing-grounds, and charter a smack, which I| shall dispatch to a point where I will send three of my men to meet it and-take charge. **] will instruct them to come into port. at such a time, and, when I sight her | will get my two allies and board the yacht. *“But now I wish an official paper, the Seal and some Wax.” “‘T have never yet done an act to compro- mise my father, Manuel,” and the maiden : hesitated, ‘Your father is away, is he not?” “Yes, he left for Pensacola several days 0.”’ ** And will return when?” ‘*In a few days.” ** Then what is done in his absence cannot compromise him.” «c oO. ” “You might give his office the appearance that it had been entered forcibly, and the +4 paper taken and seal used.”’ ** Yes, I can do that to-night. - +. for me here.” tre. She left the arbor, and in twenty minutes returned with a small basket in her hands. Me From it she took a roll of paper, a quill pen, ink-horn and brass seal. _ Seizing the implements Manuel Benedict hastily wrote a few lines, and addressed them to oS = ore Aart, . Now wait {o- ** Acting Captain ee “IRVING BRANDT, Mee : “U7. 8. Coast Guard Cruiser Sea Owl, fe ‘i “Orr San AvuGusTrINg,”’ tess This document he read to the maiden, and hte receiving her sanction to its contents, he , sealed it, the wax being lighted from a taper _-—s-which Clotilde had not forgotten to bring with her. _ , ‘Now, my dearest, our plot cannot mis- ini. Carry,” “And when will I see you, Manuel?” “To-morrow I will call, and in my pres- ent disguise. ‘*T will profess to be an old friend of your father, so that your mother will allow you to entertain me. ees. "', <** Now Nea eek sweetheart, and accept ‘my heartfelt thanks for your goodness.” _ He embraced her affectionately, and then walked away, assuming the gait and bearing of an old man, while she murmured: “TJ thank Heaven he has forgiven me! but oh! had he been dead by my act, I could not P-. «nave lived.” ee CHAPTER XLII. a CAUGHT BY CUNNING. _ ‘Mrpsurpman ‘Irvine Branpz,. acting y captain of the Sea Owl, was feeling proud of his victory over the pirates. _ . He knew that, but for the mysterious girl, who had given him the warning, he would have lost his vessel, while he was off on a _ wild-goose chase after supposed pirates. Warned by her, he had been not only able to beat off the buccaneers, but also to capture the noted sea wolf, besides saving the hang- “man trouble by ridding the sea of some of _ the red-handed outlaws. : He had gone on shore in the morning, in an effort to find the girl, but had returned unsuccessful, greatly to his disappointment, _ for he was anxious to show her some appre- ciation of her kindness.. __ He had failed in capturing the false lover, Y but sincerely hoped that he had been slain, and had sunk to a watery grave. He felt elated at having the Sea Monster in his power, and, as he paced the deck, - murmured half-aloud: **'fhose I love at the old plantation will “yt S | certain. —— if capturing the Sea Monster did get me a ' Monster to you, for I shall at once put to sea airs a | young as I am. ‘Well, [ll not remain in this port long, after the pirate. ‘‘Mr. Herbert, get the anchor up and sail but run down among the Bahamas to see | on the yacht at once, please.”’ what new adventures will turn up; but I’m half-tempted to leave the Sea Monster in the strong calabosa of the town until my return, so that 1 will not risk the losing of him. ‘‘Egad! if lL take him with me, and I see danger of his escaping, by some strong vessel taking my yacht, I'll hang him up first.” Thus mused the young commander as he paced his deck, while the sun was nearing the horizon. He had just been called below, to supper, when the officer of the deck reported a shore | boat alongside, with a person who desired to | see the captain on important business. ‘*Admit him,” said the midshipman, and a few minutes after a stout man, in a semi- official uniform, and with red beard and hair, entered the cabin. He saluted the young commander politely, and said: ‘* Hope I don’t intrude, cap’n, but I bring you a letter from our magistrate, who is also our high-sheriff, Squire Emory, and I have | two deputies with me, who are now waiting on deck,” ‘*Be seated, sir, please,” and so saying, in his pleasant way, Irving Brandt broke the seal and read the official-looking document, which, it is needless to say, was the forged paper of the young sailor, who, with his form padded out, and his red hair and beard, was most completely metamorphosed from the handsome young pirate whom the mid- shipman had conversed with the day before, and been so nearly led into a trap by him. “This 1s quite opEpnerns, sir, I may say, and of course you know its contents?” said Brandt, after reading it. “It is a request, sir, that the Sea Monster be sent ashore, under guard of myself and deputies, that the councilmen may ask of him certain information, as I understand it.” ‘Yes, and I was just thinking, this after- noon, as lintend to run off on a cruise, to ask the magistrate to take my prisoners in charge for me until my return.”’ ““Phey will do it, sir, with pleasure, [ am “Thank you, and I will accompany you ashore and ask it of them, at the same time carrying the other prisoners under an escort of some of my own crew.” This was different from what the sailor had expected. He had not hoped to get all the prisoners, and he certainly did not wish Irving Brandt and some of his men to go, too, for he dared not let them visit the calabosa, as the plot he had laid would be discovered. His only hope then was in the fishing- smack; but if that failed, he made up his mind to boldly attempt the rescue of the prisoners, come what may, ‘* Woods, a decanter of brandy and refresh- ments for the gentlemen, for, officer, you must call your men down,” said the midship- man, ; Benedict was growing anxious About the delay of the smack, and seized gladly upon this chance to gain time, so went on deck and called to his confederates to enter the cabin. They well knew their danger, and were not as free-and-easy as their leader. But they all quaffed a generous drink of brandy, Benedict the while talking con- stantly, and telling his young host how the town regarded his. exploit of the night be- fore, and the while hoping for the coming of the smack. ‘‘ Now, gentlemen, I will order up the prisoners, and four of my men as guards, and we will start,” said Irving Brandt. Benedict's heart almost sunk within him; but just then Henry Herbert entered hastily, with the words: ‘A small craft has just arrived in port, Captain Brandt, and reports having been run feel proud of me, and it will bea great relief | in by a Reef Pirate, that is now only two _ to father and all at home that I have rid the sea of that red-handed man who lies in irons Ay below decks. : “Myrtle, my darling little sweetheart, and * 5 to be some day my wife, said I would win pro- motion before my first cruise was over in my * bd - xy { “ 4 2 z Sug) alo laa oe 2a er%, » : : . : . | MND ee, 4 ae leagues away robbing the fishing-fleet; and he says that, as the outlaw is crippled, you can readily capture him, for he does not sus- pect a vessel-of-war being in this port.” “By Heaven! but I will make the at- tempt. - Ul ta | uae cs - beautiful yacht, and I wouldn't be surprised | * Officer, I will have to intrust the Sea ‘“‘] can take all of the prisoners, sir, if you have them in irons, and the magistrate will _ gladly keep them for you,” said the cunning Benedict, seeing his chance to rescue the men along with their chief. ‘* Well, if you think you can manage them I will give all in your charge, though they are a hard lot. ‘* But several of them are wounded, and I will have the others doubly ironed.”’ Benedict was as anxious to get off the yacht as was her commander to set sai] after the pirate reported down the-coast, and it was with a glad.heart that he gave the order to let go when he had the prisoners in the boat. As the boat swung off, the yacht was al- ready moving, so rapidly had her crew worked. 4 ‘* Well, Captain English, if 1 got you into a scrape I have gotten you out of it,” said Benedict, as the boat was rowed shoreward. ‘‘Benedict! By Heaven, man, | half-be- lieved you to be a traitor!” cried the pirate chief. ‘* Never, captain, could I be treacherous to you. “I was a fool to trust a woman witha part of my intention, and having set her adrift she revenged herself upon me by in- forming young Brandt of my plot; but she helped me in rescuing you, and I[ am con- tent, for I will soon have those irons off of you and the lads,” and the boat headed for the landing of the Anchor Inn. CHAPTER XLII. A MYSTERY OF THE SEA. UNDER a heavy pressure of sail, the Sea Owl flew away from the port of San Augus- tine in the darkness. Her young commander, little dreaming of the clever trap in which he had been caught, was thirsting for another chance to distin- guish himself. He had never heard of one of the Reef Pi- rates being captured, and could he manage to catch one, it would indeed be a feather in his cap. These Reef Pirates were a nuisance along the coast, for their vessels were of exceeding- ly light draught, they could run in what a seaman would say was ‘‘a heavy dew,” and knowing the reefs, lagoons, inlets and keys thoroughly, they could always escape capture from larger vessels. They seldom went far out at sea, but al- ways remained within sight of safety, and where they would pounce down upon even a large clipper ship, for they always carried a full crew, they would fly from any vessel that could show its teeth and fight. Nothing in the merchant marine was too large for them to try to capture, and nothing among the coasters too small, for they often robbed a fishing-smack of its cargo. Knowing well just who and what these pirates were, Irving Brandt and his crew were elated at the thought of capturing one, and the men stood at quarters ready to begin work as soon as the outlaw was sighted. Soon the little fishing-fleet came in sight, riding quietly at anchor, their lights dancing merrily as they rocked upon the waters, stirred by a seven-knot breeze. ‘But there seemed no excitement in the fleet, and no stranger was visible in their midst. This surprised the young commander, and also his officers and crew. But, as the yacht was sighted, there was visible a stir in the little fleet. The creaking of blocks was heard, and soon sails were visible, being spread rapidly, as though dreading a foe in the Sea Owl. ‘* Burn a blue light, and show our colors,” guaared the young captain, and this was one. Partly reassured by the sight of the Ameri- can flag, and perhaps also realizing, that, if a foe, they could not escape, the crew made no further attempt to fly, but awaited the coming of the yacht. ‘Ho, the smack!” hailed the midshipman as he drew near the first of the fleet. | ‘“ My, ay, sir,” came the answer in gruif tones. | zg. ORteadl _ ‘© Where is the Reef Pirate?” iy ms BY : . 7s laa) / a y a4 ty an Ane OMIeEROe ~s we on . i