Beadle's Dime Library No. 341 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

—_> 2 ——- = oe - ——~ ~~~ ooo L<J eo —_ a st if 4 wre wre? =o aS: a cerrsE ee P ~— = Sie od i —e* an aie nal ra zw wa *, > ~~ ~~ . ~~ > —— ~_-_ > * 4 # * «= Yt. —_ 3 ee SS aa 9 ot P i we ~ . - . . pixies — -— +o” 4 log on the waters, di ee - 22 > - = ‘* Now let every eye search the waters for him,” cried Buck, and eager eyes scanned the sea in all directions for the fugitive. Rowing here, rowing there, pulling across each others’ course again and again, goin around and around the tossing skiff, a dhrusting their oars upon either side of it, to see if he were clinging to it, the pirates cer- tainly kept up a busy search for the hunted man. Thus half an hour passed, one boat re- maining near the skiff, while the other made circles about it, each circle becoming larger and larger. ‘‘ It is no use to look longer, for he meant to drown himself, and he has done it,” cried Buck. ‘* Better tow his boat in with us,” said the officer in the other boat. ‘Yes, | will do that, and we can report him dead, for no mortal man could reach yonder land, as it is two leagues away, and with his clothes on he could not hold up a quarter of an hour. “Give way, men, and we will return to the ship.” The painter of the skiff was made fast to the stern-cleets of the cutter, and the row back began. But the oarsmen were fagged by their long and desperate pull out, bes their stroke was slow, and by no means strong. ~ The stitel (er boat certainly had the best of it, and the cutter’s crew began to grumble at _ having to tow the skiff. ‘It's but a light sea-skiff,” said Buck. “That may be, sir, but in this sea it pulls like a log,” averred an Oarsman. ‘‘T wish to be able to tell the captain that we brought the traitor’s boat back,” said Buck. But, cheer them as he might, the men grumbled more and more, and it was evident that they were making very little headway. ‘‘The other boat shall have a trial at it,” called out Buck, and the skiff was soon in its wake dragging hard upon the smaller crew. ‘‘Let her go, for we will have all we can do without it.” The two crews broke forth in a cheer at this, and the boats passed on, leaving the skiff tossing about upon the waters. Hardly had they grown dim in the dis- tance when a dark object was visible slowly advancing toward the skiff. Nearer and nearer it drew, until at last it reached the side, a hand grasped the gun- wale, and Duval drew himself over with an effort and dropped into the bottom of the boat, while he gasped out: “That was the hardest swim of my life, pulled down ag I was by shoes and cloth- ing. me If it had not been for the rope [ would have gone under sure.”’ After resting for some time he arose from his prostrate position and took a seat in the stern of the skiff. ‘** So they thought Pe towed hard, like a they, old boat?” ‘Well, I do not wonder at it, with a hun- dred and seventy five pounds of live man at the end of a rope astern. ‘‘ Well, I am out of that trouble, and sup- nen to be dead, too, so I will see what ife holds in store for me from this day on.” As he spoke he put nis iittle mast in posi- tion, hoisted sail to stand on up the coast, when suddenly he beheld a large vessel al- most upon him. ‘‘Boat ahoy!” cried a hoarse voice, and before he could answer came the com- mand: ‘“‘As we luff up run alongside, for we want you.” ‘Great God! I seem doomed, for it is the old lateen-rigged Winged Witch, and Riaz is _ her commander,” said Duval, as he moodily obeyed the stern summons. CHAPTER XL. A DUEL FOR RANK. ‘‘Smr your boat adrift, man, for we want you on board,” was the order from the ves- sel’s deck, as Duval ran under her lee. ‘*Ay, ay, sir,” responded the fugitive offi- cer, determined to make the best of his un- fortunate position, and obeying the order he went up over the side. It was a bitter blow to him to be suddenly taken, when he held high hopes that all was brightening before him. ‘I got tired of serving a man who knew not a friend from a foe.” —— SS se a —- The Sea Desperado. oO Se a ee ee —_- + + He had intended running to the seaport where his brother lay ill, and from there shape out his future destiny, and so shape it as to save Helen Hayward from Captain Morte. This he had thought of as he rowed out ahead of his pursuers, and now he feared that all of his plans were to be frustrated. | As he reached the deck of the vessel which he knew so well, he recognized the man who | had hailed him as the old boatswain under _ Captain Morte, and who had gone with the rebel Riaz. Seeing him in uniform he knew that it must have been the hope or promise of pro- motion to an officer's rank that ,had made him go with the Spaniards. ‘* Ho, York, how are you?” he cried, as the boatswain met him at the gangway. | “Who are you that knows me?’ Why, you are—” ‘* Duval, and at your service, York.” ‘* Lordy! it 7s you, lieutenant, and God for- give me the trick I helped to play on you; but I had to go with the majority, sir, and then Captain Riaz run me up the ladder a few rounds, for I’m third luff here now and acting second, for Lieutenant Rito got wash- ed overboard in a storm some nights ago. ‘*But come back into the cabin and see Captain Riaz, and then you can tell us where you are from and where bound.” York then led Duval aft, and into the cabin. ‘“Why did you lay to, Senor York?” asked Riaz, the captain, as he saw his officer enter, and had not yet caught sight of Duval. He was seated in his sumptuous cabin, a bottle of wine before him, and enjoying life as he most liked to do, by addling his brain with liquor. ‘*To pick up a passenger, Senor Captain, and one you have met before,” answered York. ‘* Senor Duval, por Dios /” cried the Span- iard, springing to his feet as though he had been surprised by a vessel-load of enemies. ‘* Yes, Captain Riaz, | am Duval, your old messmate, whom you so cleverly stole this vessel from some time ago,” answered the Englishman. ‘‘And in the name of Satan, what do you here, and alone?” ‘‘T have left the vessel of Captain Morte, and was going to seek another berth.” ‘*Ha!l is that so?” **Tt is, Captain Riaz.” ‘“‘Then what say you, Senor Duval, to a berth under me?” **On this vessel?” ” a ‘With what rank, senor?” ‘ll make you first officer in the Vandura, and if he does not like it him to the forecastle.” ‘*Tll accept the berth, senor, though I do not wish to step into the Senor Vandura’s shoes.” “‘Send him here, York, and we’ll settle that question right off, and it will be sport for me to do so. ** You never liked Vandura, Senor Duval?” ‘‘T confess, senor, that I did not.” ‘‘And he hated you so religiously that he wished to put a knife in you before we left that night, but 1 would not let him, and tried a drug instead to quiet you.” “It was very kind of you, senor,’ Duval, with a sneer which the Spaniard did not detect. 7 But why did you leave Morte, Senor Du- val?” cemamme a lace of ‘ll send said ‘“‘That is true; Morte never knew what friendship was, and would have driven a knife in my back without compunction; but here come York and Vandura,” As Captain Riaz spoke the two men enter- ed the cabin. The man known as Vandura was a Cuban, and he had held a grudge against Duval ever since he had been thwarted by the English- man in the commission of an act of cruelty one day to some of the crew. He had a dark, evil face, and his temper was fiery and his disposition bad. ‘*Well, Vandura, here is an old friend | who has boarded us to-night,” said Captain Riaz. Duval slightly bowed, and as his enemy saw who it was, he scowled and said: => ‘‘The Senor Duval is no friend of mine.” “Well, he is of mine, if I did play him a shabby trick one night in stealing this vessel; but he has forgiven me for that, I know, and, having left Captain Morte, I offer hima berth on this craft.” ‘‘T see no reason why the Senor Duval should not take Senor York’s place as third officer, and the latter step into the position of second luff.” ‘No, Vandura, you know that the Senor Duval is a far better seaman than even I am, and he must not be put last upon the list, when he is superior to all.” ‘But you will not surely put him over Senor York?” “Yes.” ‘* And give him Rito’s place?” ** No, you can take that.” ‘*Captain Riaz, do you intend to place that man over me?” angrily said the irate officer. ‘‘My dear Vandura, I want the Senor Du- val for my first officer, and you hold that rank.” “1 do, senor.”’ ‘Well, if you want it sufficient to fight for it, you can keep it, if you are the best man.” ‘You surely do not mean that lam to fight you, captain?” “Oh, no; but you are to measure your strength, skill and courage with the Senor Duval, and may the best man hold the rank,” was the rejoinder of Captain Riaz, who showed in his face the delight he felt at the prospect of trouble. ‘““T am at the Senor Duval’s service,” was the Spanish officer’s remark, as he turn- ed upon Duval, conscious in his power to hold his position, should they fight with swords, for he was a skilled man with that weapon. ‘‘As Captain Riaz wishes me to hold a position which seems already filled, I shall not refuse to make it vacant so that I can step into it with better grace,” was Duval’s remark. ‘That is square, and we can settle it in the morning,” said York. ‘The morrow is too far off, Senor York, and my creed is never wait until to-morrow to enjoy what can be enjoyed to-day.” “Then you mean for us to fight to-night?” ‘Yes, Senor Vandura,.” ‘Then I will get my sword and adjourn to | the deck.” ‘*No, you can have it out here, for I do not mind a little blood-letting upon the floor.” When Duval had sprung into the sea from his skiff, he had taken off his sword and left it in the boat, and when coming on board the vessel he had brought it with him, so that he simply said: “I have my blade here, senor, and am ready now.” The Spanish lieutenant at once hastened away for his sword, while Captain Riaz said: ‘““Come, Senor Duval, fill up a glass of wine, for I notice that your clothes are all wet, and you need it.” ; Duval did as directed, and when Vandura returned, the two took positions opposite each other, while the captain and York stood upon one side, and a score of men crowded into the companionWay. ‘“Now, gentlemen, I am ready for the sport to begin, and the slayer of the other holds the berth of first officer on board my vessel,” called out Captain Riaz, with an _ex- pression upon his face that showed evident delight in the anticipated struggle, which he knew could end but one jag 2 Vandura had never seen Duval use a wea- pon in a single combat, and with perfect con- fidence in his own masterly handling of a sword, he stepped forward with a free and easy air, as though he felt confident of having all his own way. But his blade was crossed by one whose strength did not break down under the pres- sure he brought against it, and his first thrust was met with a parry so skillful that it amazed him. Surprised that he had found a foe worthy of his steel, the Spanish lieutenant warmed to his work and began to press the attack. Duval was perfectly cool, and showed no anxiety upon his face as to the result, while Vandura was fretful and every action was quick and nervous. Geom JOO cS (E (E(0) H |