Beadle's Dime Library No. 316 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

Jate to save the horse. we -——-—— ——- ran down the low embankment to the spot. On finding that he was discovered Elliot ran up the branch of the tree like a cat un- til he reached the trunk, which he was about to ascend to keep as far from the blood- hounds as he could when he saw standing beneath a limb that projected over the levee, the horse that the count had dismounted from. Danger is ever quick to avail itself of resources. In an instant he had traversed the limb and dropped himself into the saddle of the hunter. The next moment he was scouring along down the levee upon his back with the speed of the wind. CHAPTER XY. THE ESCAPE. Tux count had heard his horse start, and hastened up the low bank to arrest him, bid- ding the slave in the meanwhile to get into the limb to follow the buccaneer up the tree, On reaching the levee his astonishment and chagrin were unbounded on discovering the cause of his horse’s departure from the spot. Elliot caught sight of him, and half- turning in the saddle he waved his hand and laughed rs ‘The inferna devil has escaped us! He dropped from the tree upon my horse!’ cried he. ‘‘ Put the dogs on the scent,”’ ‘‘They will only take that of the horse, massa.” ‘Let them take that, then,’’ he answered, fiercely. ‘‘ I am willing to sacrifice him to have this villain taken alive or dead.” The black brought the dogs to the scent, and with a low howl they bounded off in the track of the horse. ‘* Will they tear the horse and let him es- cape?” suddenly asked the count. ‘* Yes, I fear dey will, massa, Dey neber touches nothing but dey hab de scent ob.”’ ‘‘ But they— You are right,’’ he said, in a tone of angry disappointment. ‘‘ It is too They have gone off like a pair of tigers. Heaven grant the give him his due also, Pursue them, Paul, and if possible to secure him, do not let him escape, on your life!” Elliot rode on with an expression of stern joy upon his face. He had defeated his pur- suers—he had escaped with his life. He soon left them far out of sight, exulting, when he detected the hounds in full pursuit. He cursed his destiny, and was hesitatin what course to pursue, when he saw ahea ofhim a pirogue drawn up to the bank just far enough in the water to admit of its being casily launched. He was now about a mile below the oak and nearly abreast of the brig which was half a mile distant in the middle of the river. His resolution was instantly taken. He suddenly stopped the horse, flung himself from him, and made for the boat, which he launched and threw himself in. He then, with a piece of board for a paddle, rapidly increased the distance be- tween him and the bank of the river. The horse, freed from his rider, stood a moment looking round, and then tossing his head, turned and went back along the levee the way he had come. He had gone but a few hundred yards when he encountered the advancing bloodhounds, which he bounded from the embankment into the road to avoid, being evidently afraid of them. But the dogs, true to their instinct; paid no attention, but followed their scent. But they had not gone far past him when all at once they stopped, hesitated, and turned back. They had come to where the scents met, and united, and instead of keeping on to where the horse had been left by Elliot a alt upon the fresher one and took back after the horse. They went scouring down the bank into the road and were on his track like the wind. Each moment they came nearer and nearer, and were within twenty yards of him before the poor animal knew that he was pursued. He now heard their feet behind him and a low growl which at intervals they emitted from their dee throats. tea 2 head and neighing with a note of terror, he increased his easy gallop into a flight. Fear gave him supernatural speed. In a few moments afteward the negro his heels. The count, who was slowly walk- ing toward home along the embankment, hearin the sound of footsteps in the road, turned and beheld his hunter coming up the Lafitte’s Lieutenant. SE river-road, the bloodhounds at his haunches, The next moment they passed him, horse and hounds. The horse was stretching every sinew; his eyes were starting from their sockets. The dogs were making great leaps to fasten on his hams, the while uttering short, savage yells. In two minutes gfter- ward horse and hounds were out of sight far up the road. The count listened. He thought he heard a fearful, unearthly outcry from a distance. It was repeated. ‘They have brought down the noble crea- ture. Maledictions upon this freebooter for this night's work. He has escaped and my horse perishes. Knowing the hounds would leave him to pursue the horse, he has thrown himself to the ground and has probably es- caped.” Vith bitter and painful reflections the count hastened homeward. On reaching the ate of the villa a horrible sight presented itself to his eyes. His horse, dragged to the ground, was being torn to pieces by the two ogs, who were lapping the warm blood from his yet throbbing veins. He sickened at the sight, At this moment Theodore and the countess, whom the cries of the horse had brought out, appeared, whom he accom- panied to the villa, relating to them what had transpired. ‘*Let him escape,” said Theodore. ‘‘ Be- fore he can reach his companions we shall all be far beyond the reach of their vindictive- ness,’ ‘* Has he succeeded in making his escape?” eagerly demanded the count of Paul, who now came up. “‘] saw him in a pirogue, Massa Count, paddlin’ out to de brig,” answered the negro ‘‘Then he has indeed escaped the punish- ment I designed for him, and you have everything to fear from him and his com- panions, Theodore, The fellow has a life meoceeied by some wicked spells. My poor hasseur! I shall not forgive myself soon for thus sacrificing him. But I was anxious to secure this man at all hazards. If he had never returned to his comrades they would be as likely to suppose he had gone off with any money hea might have given him, as that you had secured him. It would besides have given me a few weeks more security here as I cannot well leave without great sac- rifices till Christmas, before which time his comrades would not think of coming to look after their companion, and call you to an ac- count, Theodore. But now, if he joined the brig he will be in Havana in a week, and in three weeks from now we may hear from him. So next week we will leave here for the city.” ‘‘Do not delay,” said the countess, carnest- ly. ‘‘He may betray Theodore this very night; and what protection have we if the brig should send armed boats up to take him?” ‘*Do not fear for me, dear countess,” said Theodore, smiling. ‘‘] will leave then to-morrow with you and Theodore, for the city,” answered the count. ‘‘lcan then return with my agent to arrange affairs finally.” “If Il get you to town, dear Alphonse, I shall be careful that you don’t leave me,” said the countess, half playfully, half serious- ly. ‘Nor you either, Theodore.” ‘Yes, you are surrounded with too great dangers from these wretches, Theodore, re- marked the count, earnestly, ‘‘ to be suffered to leave either of us.” ‘“Then, do you mean to keep me a pris- oner at your house in town?” asked Theodor with a smile. ‘““Yes—if you won't give your parole not to leave the town, nor be abroad after twi- light,” replied the countess, ‘‘That parole I cheerfully give, if you promise to go to Europe early in March, my dear countess,”’ “That is as Alphonse says,” she replied, turning toward her husband, ‘It is arranged. It shall be as you wish, Theodore. onfound that infernal buc- caneer. I would not have lost my noble Chasseur for a score of the lives of fellows like him. There isa consolation in the hope | that he will one day swing at a fore-yard- Paul saw him go past him, the dogs close at arm.” They had now reached the steps of the veranda which they ascended in silence and from which they soon after entered the house and retired for the night. -_—— —EEEE The gun-brig in the meanwhile had floated down mid-stream from her late anchorage, about a league, at the rate of three knots an hour. The top-gallantsails, jib, and trisails were set, though ro air was stirring, and one of her boats remained alongside with the men in her, ready to pull her bows off- shore in case the current should take her to- ward the bank in any of the bends of the river. The regular watch was set and the men were forward in knots, conversing or leaning over the hammock-nettings gazing at the water or the shores. ‘The moon shone with cloudless luster, delineating every shadow of the rigging upon the deck, silver- ing the sails aloft, and giv-ng to the broad river the appearance of a polished mirror. On the quarter-deck walked arm-in-arm General McDonald and his daughter, enjoying the beauty of the night, and occasionally ausing to admire the picturesque appearance y moonlight of some villa they were gliding past, half buried in gardens of strange trees. On the other side of the deck, near the waist walked Captain Lennox, alone, while the lieutenant of the watch was leaning over the gangway smoking a cigar. Captain Stew- art was balow, All on board was quiet and in perfect Keeping with the beauty and repose of the hour, Captain Lennox suddenly stopped in his walk, and addressed his lieu- tenant. ‘Masterton, did you notice that young count? Ill be hanged if I can get his face out of my head. i have scen him some- where, and not in the best company either. I would give a month’s pay to tell where I had met him.” ‘‘T noticed him to be a very handsome, distinguished-looking young man,” answered Lieutenant Masterton; an old seaman of five and forty, waiting promoticn; “but I was so busy getting the anchor up that I didn't pay particular attention to him.” ‘‘Well, it is my impression we have met and not very pleasantly either. What is Carson doing there in the first cutter—and at the bow oar?” he demanded, glancing down into the boat. “T suspect he must have left the man that ulled that oar ashore. He was not to be ound when the boat’s crew were piped, and he is either ashore or overboard.” ‘‘He has more likely run away. What was his name?” ‘Elliot, sir,” answered the coxswain, who was addressed. ‘‘T remember him. A fellow with a hang- devil look. I could never catch his eye. We shipped him in the Havana, I think, Masterton.” Yes, ar.y ‘He is well away.” ‘‘There is a boat pulling after us, sir,” called a man from the maintop. “Whereaway?” ‘‘In-shore, a point off the larboard quar- ter, sir.” “Ah, I see it,” answered Captain Lennox. ‘‘My glass here.” The steward placed it in his hands, and he leveled it at the object. After a moment he said to General Mc- Donald, who had approached him: “It is a skiff containing one man, who is pulling for his life, one would think He has neither hat nor jacket. He will be aboard of us shortly at the way he is com- ing.” ‘Al eyes were now turned toward the ap- proaching pirogue, and numerous were the conjectures as to the motive which led to this pursuit of the brig. Aided by the cur- rent, and a piece of board, the boat came on, though slowly, and at length, Captain Len- nox was able to detect the features of the person if, contained. ‘It is the bow-oarsman, Elliot,” he said. ‘The fellow got asleep or drunk, and find- ing the brig off has stolen a shore-boat and put after us.” In a few minutes more the close under the stern, when the the watch hailed: ‘What boat is that?” “The Sleuth Hound,” answered a voice from the pirogue. Captain Lennox laughed at the reply, and ordered him to come alongside. The next moment Elliot stood in the waist. ‘Well, sir,” said Captain Lennox. stern- ly. : ; ‘‘T have no excuse to give, sir,” answered pirogce was ieutenant of milcbooks (El)