Beadle's Dime Library No. 316 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

Lafitte’s Lieutenant. and very white teeth, which seemed to bid de- flance to the ravages of time! ‘* Where is the captain?’ he inquired. ‘“‘ Senseless from a stroke of lightning,” re- plied the youth; ‘‘ we must claim your bospital- ity, Manuelillo,” * Pobre capitan! with all my heart. Bring him into the cot, hombres,” he said to the men, ‘* Pobre capitan—es mateo—no? Senor Theo- dore?” ‘*No! there is life, but he is insensible.” In a short time, the chief was laid upon a of dried grass and rushes, constituting the couch of the fisherman, who in addition to his piscato- ial profession, was ulso privateersman or smug- gier, as interest prompted, or taste allured. Slowly yielding to their exertions and skill, the stagnant blood once more fl »wed through bis veins and he returned to consciousness. In the morning a fever succeeded, which increased in violence during the day, That night he became delirious, and wildly raved like a maniac— calling on ‘* Constanza,” ‘‘ Henri,” ** Gertrude,” —names often on bis burning lips during his ill- ness. F r five days his fever and delirium con- tinued, without abatement. His disorder then assumed @ more favorable character, and he ae 7 rapidly to convalesce. n the seventh day just before noon, as he was seated at the door of the hut under the shade of a tree, giving orders to bis boatmen, who were preparing the barge for departure that evening, u heavy cannonading reached bie ears, borne upon the south wind over the level country from the quarter of Barrataria which was about twenty miles distant. ‘‘Do you hear that, sir?” said Theodore, from within, who, during bis illness, had watched over him with untiring assiduity and tender- ness, ‘‘What means it, Manuel?” demanded the chief, starting. ‘*] don’t know, senor; there must be some fighting between your vessels and the cruisers.” ‘‘T suspect as much, Quick, with that boat, men!” he added, with auimation. ‘‘ We must away from this.” , With a strength unlooked for, he stepped into the boat, after warmly grasping the hand of the old fisherman, and thanking him for bis at- tention and kindness, and was soon swiftly moving on bis way to the island. As he approached, the firing increased, and became more distinct. Night set in, however, before they reached the mouth of the bayon, from which, as they emerged into the bay, they conld see, far over the water, a flame apparently rising from a burning vessel. The cannonading had ceased several bours, and it was now too dark to see across the bay, or dis- tinguish the outline of the island. “There has been warm work at Barrataria, Theodore,” suid Lafitte. ‘TI am afraid we have been attacked te superior force,” “It may be Massa Cap’um Pattyson,” said Cudjoey “he tinky catch Cudjoe, and make sailor ob him, when in de boat, when you gone to see de Gobernor.” ‘‘ What is that?” said Lafitte, quickly. “‘ Press ou!” ar L now recollect,” answered Theodore, * as I went for the Governor's reply, it was rumored in the streets, that Commodore Patterson was completing his crew by every exertion, and that he was to sail the same evening, on some expedition. It may have been destined for Barrataria.” ‘““You are right, Theodore; he has no doubt attacked our camp. Set the sail, and spring to your oars, men; we must know at once if our fears are true.” Having raised their sail, their speed increased, and shooting rapidiy away from the mouth of the bayou, they steered across the bay. When within a league of the island, a barge full of men was discovered a short distance ahead, “Ship your oars, and see to your arms!” said Lafitte, shifting the belm so as to weather the boat, ‘‘We are now more likely to meet foes than friends in these waters.” , As be spoke, the strange boat hailed, and the click of several pistols was heard from her by the pirate and his party, who answered the hostile preparation with similar sounds of de- fiance. ; ‘‘Ho! the boat, ahoy!” bailed a voice in Spanish, ‘It is Sebastiano,” said Theodore, hastily, as he recognized the voice of rhe gg hailing. “ Camaradas !” replied Lafitte. “‘ Ah, captain, is that you?’ exclaimed a rough voice, with a strong French accent. ‘‘ We thought you bad gone to pay off old scores in the other world.” ‘‘T have been on business, Belluche, connected with our safety, and have been detained by ill- ness. But the news, the news! Lieutenant Bel- luche,” he added with impatience, as the boats came in contact. ‘Bad enough, my good captain,” said Se- bastiano, aerpooes in reply, “bad enough for one day's work; in proof of which. senor, I refer you this handful of men, who are all that remain of the pretty Julie, who, by the same token, is burned to the water's edge. May the grande diuble bave the burning of the Lady of th 3 those who compelied me with my own hand.to set her on fire. But it was mecessary, captain. I can prove to you it was vile necessity,” “ Be brief, Sebastiano! What bas happened? Who are the aggressors, Belluche? What means the firing | have heard to-day? Be brief, and tell me!” ‘This morning,” said the whilom captain of e Gulf, ‘‘ betwe-n eight and nine, we saw a fleet of small vessels and gunboats standing im for the island. Our squadron lay at anchor within the pass, and on seeing the fleet, I ordered the Carthaginian flag be hoisted on all the vessels. As the strangers approached, I got under way with the whole fleet; including prizes, which made ten in number, and formed in order of battle, in case the intentions of the flzet. should be hostile, As the evidences of. their hostile character thickened, I sent boats in various directions to thé mainland to give the alarm, and ordered my men to light fires along. the coast, as signals to our friends ashore that we were about be attacked. Tbe enemy stood in, and formed into a line of battle near the entrance of the barbor. Their force consisted of six gun- vessels, a tender, mounting one six-pounder, and full of men, and a launch, mounting one twelve-pound carronade, and a large schooner, called the Carolina.” ‘“Well provided to assail our post—a second armada,” said Lafitte, ironically; ‘‘ but go on,” “On discovering these demonstrations of battle on their part, and not being in, the best condition to withstand them, I hoisted a white flag at the fore on board the Lady of the Gulf, an American flag at the mainmast, and the Carthaginian fixg at the topping lift. The enemy replied, with a white flag at bis main, I now took my boat, and weut from vessel to vessel to ascertain the disposition of the crews for fighting, and none but Captain Getzendanner, and Sebastiano and their men were for awaitin the attack. Lin vain tried to convince them o the expediency of fighting to save our vessels,” ‘*The cowards! ready enough to fight when there is spoil to be won; but chary enough of their metal when our honor is at stake, hat did you then?” “I then determined that the Lady of the Gulf sbould not fall into the enemy’s hands, and telling Captain Gelzendanner what I in- tended to do, I returned on board, and fixing a train in the hold, and setting the rigging on fire, | took to the boats with my crew. Getzen- danner and Sebastiano did the same, while the other cowardly poltroons deserted their vessels and took to their oars, and pulled for the main- land. The enemy no sooner saw the flames rising from the schooner, than he hauled down the flag of truce, and made the signal for battle; hoisting with it a broad white flag, bearing the words, ‘PARDON TO DESERTERS, knowing that we had vot a few from the army and navy among us.” ‘*Heaven send them safe back to them, with a halter about their necks!” interrupted Lafitte, angrily, on beating the treachery of bis men. ‘* But what further?’ | | “The enemy ran in and took possession of the vessels, while a detachment landed upon the island, and destroyed our buildings and fortifications, All this I witnessed from the mainland, where we had retired. The enemy’s fleet is now outside, including our Own, number- ing in all seventeen sail. They will probably get under way in the morning for the Balize.” ‘* We,” interposed Sebastiano, who had wait- ed with much impatience for an opportunity to speak, ‘‘have just returned from the island, where I have been since they left, to have ocular demonstration of the true state of things, and an old woman might easier hold good her pantry against a party of balf-starved recruits, than we have held the old island; and this admits of the clearest demonstration, cap- tain, Lafitte listened to this recital with various and conflicting emotions, He did not reply for some moments after the commander of the Lady of the Gulf had completed bis account of the attack upon the piratical hold, by the American flotilla.. This expedition was under the command of that naval officer, whom we first introduced to the reader, inspecting a map with the commanding general, He was a young and gallant man, whose ambition to signaliz» bis command and benefit his country by the destruction of the buccaneering borde, which had so long infested the southwestern shores of Louisiana, had rendered him, with the majority of the council called by the Gover- nor, incredulous to the extraordinary proffers of the pirate. If blame in reference to this decision could be attached toeither party, Lafitte felt that it was justly fastened upon himself, | “It is right,” he said, after reflecting for a few moments upon the communication of his efficer, ‘‘It is but justice. Not them—not bim—do I censure, but pune may’ past career of crime aud contempt for those healtby laws which govern society. I blame them not. It would ave been strange if they had believed me. After a few moments’ pause, he added, earn- a LL LT TE estly, ‘“‘ This shall not change my determination; they shall yet know and believe that I acted from motives they must-bonor, They shall yet acknowledge that they have injured me by their decision, Injured! But let that pass— my country shall have my arm and a single cut- lass, if no more!” ‘*And mine! Wherever you are, my bene- factor, you will find me by your side!” ex- claimed the youth, warmly. ‘‘T knew it, Theodore, I knew it,” replied L»- | te returning the enthusiastic grasp of his and, ““Whereaway, now, Belluche?” _ “To the city, captain] We hear of fighting about to go on there; we may perbaps find something to do.” ‘*Sebastiano—Belluche, my worthy comrades and friends, and you, my brave men! the Americans have destroyed our fleet; bat they have oply done what wasright. If I know you all in that boat, like myself, you are Americans hy birth or adoption. Fight not against your country, then; draw every cutlass in her de- feuse; forgive her injuries and bleed for her. The tyrant of England seeks to-enslave her; meet his minions foot to foot, blade to blade. Endeavor to atone for your wrongs to your country by devotion to her cause, Fighting is vour trade—but fight now on the right side, hat say you, my mén? Belluche—Sebasti- ano, stand you for or against your country in this struggle?” ‘ Viva Louisana—vira la ria—viva La- fitte!” shouted the men in reply. “This is as it should be, my brave fellows! If you are faithful in the cause you espouse, Gov- ernment may yet wink at the past; and then if any of you choose to follow honest liveliboods the way will be open before you. To the city! i will soon follow; gather our scattered forces, and persuade them tv adopt the same course, You will bear from me on the third’ evening from this at the cabaret of your old com- panion, Pedro Torrio, on Rue Royale. 1 must now Visit tbe island. Where is Getzendanner?”’ ‘He has taken the western bayou to the city, I suspect,” replied Belluche, “Tell him our plans, if you. meet witb him, and hold out to him perdon. He will aequiesce, I think,” said Lafitte, laughing 3 ‘for there isa fair frow in New York, be would fain should supply bis lost rib; but sbe will not take bim without a license from the President. I depend on you both,” he added, seriously, ‘‘ to collect our followers, and unite them to the American party.” er With a shout from the crews of each, the boats separated, and in an bour afterward, La- fitte reached the island, and secured his boat in the inlet, from which, under very different eir- cumstances. he had unmoored it.ten days before, on embarking tolay before the Governor the let- ters of the British officers. The next morning, having remained all night in the bont, he was awakened by the report of agun, Rising, and gaining a slight elevation on the island, he discovered it to be the signel for the enemy’s fleet to get under way with the prizes. With calm and unchanging features, he watched their departure; and as the last sail disappeared on the horizon, be turned to Theo- dore and said: ‘‘] bave only to wait to give the Englishman his answer; and then,” he added with a bitter smile, “return to New Orleans to welcome my captured fleet.” 4 ** There is a sail south of us!’ exclaimed Theo- ore. **T see it,” replied the chief; ‘‘it may be the English brig coming in for my reply, although I did not expect her before evening.” The vessel which attracted their observation, in the course of an bour after being discovered, showed the square rig and armament of a brig- of-war. Approaching within balf a mile of the shore, she sent off a boat, which pulled di- rectly for the island, ‘What answer shall you give them, mon- sieur?” inguired Theodore, doubtfully, watcb- ing the face of the outlaw, and anxious to know if he would aces pt the proposals of the British, now that be bad received such treatment from the American Government, Lafitte made no reply, but hastened to meet the boat, which grounded, as Theodore spoke, upon the beach, ‘You are welcome to my fortress, gentle- men! You have doubtless come for my an- swer,” he said, addressing the midshipman who commanded the boat. ‘So your captain did not like to trast himself on shoreagain, Well,” he added, in a melancholy voice, “he might have come now in all safety, for he would have little to fear. What says Captain neces? be ‘* He desired me to give you this seal i. ané await ycur answer to his proposed alliance with yous replied the youth, giving him a packet superscribed with bis address, 4 ‘‘ You have not long to wait.” replied Lafitte, receiving it; and with a pencil, be wrote upon the back: “NO TERMS WITH TYRANTS!” “There is my answer!” he said, sternly, re- turning it to bim. (Ej 9 (09) com —_—_ —— <S= GO m