Beadle's Dime Library No. 364 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

/10 ** They'll find you out.” “Oh, no, for Pll look the boy, you may be sure, and my supposed kinship to myself will ac- count for any resemblance, “Then it will be night, for I’ll not go off to the cutter until I see her about to get under way and I'll leave her before dawn,” What is your reason for this bold step?” *“‘T promised to pilot the cutter back to sea, and so I wish to keep my word as near as I can by sending a supposed substitute. a ‘You would put on a man’s garb to do this?” ‘‘T have another reason,” * Well?” **T wish to find out just who that man is, who is going to betray ey brother’s hiding: place for he means mischief, and it is best that I should know him,” ¥ toe me urge you against this | bold act, adge, if you will so let me call you.” t is my name, Miss Brandon, so why should I ob ect?” nd mine, to you, is Joyce, so let us drop all formality.” ‘As you wish; but now help to rig me out, eam and see if I don’t make a jolly sailor The lon the top of the head, and on in such a way as to cast the face in shadow and also give the idea that the hair was cropped short. Then the face, with its beautiful complexion, browned though it was, was dotted to represent freckles, and lined so that it appeared older. Next a suit of duck pants and blouse shirt, with a black cravat knotted under the collar, ‘was put on, and the small boots gave place to a locks were ga athered in folds upon the tarpaulin was drawn of heavy shoes. ‘*Now!” cried Madge, with a smile at herself as she appeared in the glass. ‘*No one would ever know you, Madge; but our hands are frightfully small for a boy’s.” ‘*T’]l keep them out of sight all I can, while a little tar and dirt will alter them greatly. “ Now, [ll bundle up my things, to get the next time I come to town, and it is time you should be starting for home, as dark will over- take you.”, “ After last night's experience alone in the forest, and waiting on the river-bank for your return, I feel no fear; but still I wish to relieve my arents’ minds as soon as I can. : But I will see you go on the cutter before I leave, and watch the result as well as I can.” “Well, here goes; good-by, Joyce, and be- lieve me that I will do all in my power to save your brother, who, if I believed guilty of the crime he is acc of, I would as readily hunt ‘him down. ** Come to-morrow, and She held out her hand, —_ and kissed her, and Madge glided from the ou will know all.” ut Jovee went for- Watching her chance, she slipped out of the inn into the garden, gained her boat, and tossin her bundle of clothes, which she had boldly de- cided at the last minute to bring with her, into a locker, she pulled ——— away from the shore, seen only by Joyce Brandon, who from her ‘window watched her course with anxiety... It was getting late in the afternoon, the sun was drawing near the horizon, and looking down the river Madge saw the two boats oo g to the cutter leaving the village dock, crews returning after their fruitless search. barre commander’s gig is alongside, so he is on board, and I can see him alone. ‘He has 8 eyes, has the handsome Lieu- tenant Ma , but Ido not believe they can gee through m y disguise Ade he anes, then I must take the conse- ai “Ho. ther cutter!” she called out in a shrill ‘voice as the middy on deck hailed with: “What boat is t?’ i. A Nhews ay, do you wish to come on board?” icing shiy No! as a cabin boy?” heads fer ther quarter-deck,” was ‘the reply, spoken in the voice of a spoiled outh, mm Come aboard then,” said the middy, and as the disguised Madge climbed over the side he continued: ‘What do you want my lad?” ** Ter see ther cap’n.’ ** Lieutenant Maynard, there is a youngster — to re you, sir, ’ called the middy down the onway d him down: but has the Girl Pilot come " ot et?” Down the companionway darted Madge, and nodding to. Mayo Maynard, who was reading, she stood toskings around her in apparent won- der. ts Well, sir what can I do for you?” asked the lieutenant, amused at the youth, as he supposed his visitor to be. Ts you Cap’n Maynard?” **T am the commander of this vessel, and my name is Maynard.” ‘¢ Oh! then you is the one I want.” ‘‘ Well, sir, hore I am, and Ill be obliged if you will make known the cause of your visit.” ry spec ps Pp ys I g| bo h rd. be- himself M Pp The Sea —- she Bea Fugitive. “Do you know SIRS, si ae svn | Ti naw Meadow & the Girl Pilot of the Kennebec?” **] do, and I am expecting her on board every minute.” ‘**[’m her brother, and my name’s Nat,” *T am glad to meet the brother of the fair maid of the Kennebec, and if a beautiful flower and a cat-o-nine tails can look alike, you resem- ble your sister amazingly.” ‘*So folks says, only I hain’t quite so han’- some.” ** No, not quite: but where i is your sister?” ‘* She hain’t coming.” ‘* What! not coming to pilot the cutter out to sea again?” ‘* No, for she can’t come, and so sent me,” iD But are you a sailor?” ‘Try me!” ** And know these waters?” ‘* Just as well as sis does,” * But why can’t your sister come?” ‘* She ’spects father back home, and had to go to meet him: but I’m a prime pilot don’t you get skeert thet I hain’t.” ‘** Well, [ll have to trust you, as you come so well recommended: but you look more like a devilish imp of a cabin boy than a pilot.” ‘** Looks is deceivin’, cap’n, sometimes.” ‘True: but I am greatly disappointed your sister did not come.” ‘*So’s the middy on deck, I guess.” ‘* Well, goon deck and console him as best you can, andw en. the boats come on board I'll need our services,” ** Likely,” said the supposed youth in the Lobe irresistibly funny way which Madge had acepted, and she went on deck. Glancing at the middy with a sly wink, she sprung upon the bulwarks, as nimbly as a cat might have done, and going up the ratlines perched herself aloft, coolly gazing around her. ** Ho, you im udent im aay, what are you doing up there?” cried the middy, as soon as his sur- prise allowed him tos ** Looking.” ¥ npn own after that, or Ill have the cat after wie bree cats,” was the imperturbable answer, and the midshipman was growing angry when his commander came on deck. He had heard what passed and was laughing. ‘*Mr, Ellis, that is oe new pilot, and the bro- ther of the fair Maid of the Kennebec whom you admire so much, ve ** Ah! she is not cami on board then, sir?” tone, asked Ellis in a disap “Tt seems not, an arate imp is sent in her place, so do not be cross with him.” ‘* Certainly not, sir; I did not know the rascal was her brother, * and raising his voice he call- ed out: ‘ rend can remain where you are, my lad; it is es, it’s all right, for I saw the cap’n tell you so,” came back the answer, and just then the ats came alongside. ** Now, Lieutenant Raymond, we will get un- der way "and head seaward,” said Mayo May- na ‘* You give up the search then?” ** No, but I wish the villagers to believe that we have.” ** And our fair pilot?” **Cannot come on board, but sends her sub- stitute, her brother, who is up there on the miz- all ri zen top. @ will run down the river until it is dark, and then put back, keeping well on the other shore, and there is a man on board who pledges to find Noel Brandon for me.” ‘“‘T had almost hoped that he might escape.” ‘For the sake of his lovely sister so had I; but it is our duty to take him if we can. ‘* Call that imp down if you need him, and see if he knows what to do hates we attempt to run out at night under his pilotage,” and Mayo laynard returned to the yanin while the Scor- ion set sail, and, with the light skiff of Madge in tow, started down toward the sea. CHAPTER XIV. SILLY SAM’S MISSION, SILLy SAM was rstitious, for, though he held no fear of mankind in the flesh, he yet dreaded the spooks and spirits that many of that day believed walked this globe terrestrial after nightfall. He also had a dread of those said to possess supernatural powers, and avoideda witch as he would Satan. Gossip had it that the old Hermit Sailor was endowed with certain weird qualities, and itwas said that he was living a life of penance for his crimes, and that it was surely bad luck to hold converse with him. On several occasions Silly Sam, seeing Cap- tain Kyd on shore or in his boat, "had hala a tately taken to his heels, or pulled away, to avoid the calamity of a word eeedel them. So the reader will understand that when Mad- cap Madge called upon Silly Sam and asked him got to the Hermit Sailor for her, she astound- mae Oh! !” he hag 08 ‘* Why Sam, what ails you?” she asked. = It’s} bad luck, Miss Madge.” ** What is bad luck!” “To speak to that old wizard.” ‘** Nonsense! he is a r old man, who is liy- ing his latter years in poverty, and with no friends, and I often see him; but, of course, if you are afraid of him, from listening to the tales of old women, l will find some one else to do my errand for me.’ **T don’t like to go, and I don’t like to refuse you Madge.” “Well, ack Buntline will go if I ask it,” and she half-turned away. Now, Jack Buntline was the worthy son of the host of the Flag Ship Inn, and Sam knew him to be desperately in love with Madge, and looked upon him as a rival. He was a good-looking youth, and half the irls in the village were in love with him, and illy Sam saw trouble ahead if Madge went to him, so he blurted out: “You don’t have to goto Jack Buntline, Madge, or to any other durned fool, for I'd do what xu asked, if it was to go to Old Nick him. se “You are a dear, good fellow, Sam, and I ap- preciate all you do,” said Madge who had not the remotest idea of going to Jack Buntline or any one else. ‘Well, what am I to do, Madge?” ‘You are just to go in and get me Will Saun- ders’s sailor suit, the one he had when he was a cabin-boy on the United States frigate.” ‘*But what do you. want with it, Madge?” **T want is as a pattern, and when he comes home, give him this to buy another with, if I have not returned it.” ‘‘Here’s gold enough to buy three suits, Mad o” don’t care, give it to him for his suit, so now get it for me, tarpaulin, shoes, and all.” Silly Sam re-entered the house and soon re turned with the bundle of articles he had been sent for. **Now, Sam, the moment it is dark, but not before, pe you, 0 to the hut of the Hermit Sailor, and— Couldn't I go in daytime, Madge?” fe) ** All right,” he said, in a resigned way, as though determined to make the best of it. ‘Tell the Hermit Sailor that I sent you to tell his guest— Do you understand?” ‘You know they sa at, silly, Madge, but I understand all you te * Well, tell the Hermit Sailor to get his guest ready to leave, and you take the sailing skiff you can hire, and run him down the river to the eyes Cove—you know it?” Rae i in there, and take your passen i into the cave, after which you return home alone.” ** Who is he, Madge?” ‘One who is er friend, and whom you will serve for himself, as well as because I ask it.” ‘But I don’t know him.” ‘Tt is Lieutenant Brandon.” ‘‘Oh! Tll do all I can for him; and I was afraid the Government sailors would find him to-day, and I heard some of them say, as reach- ed Saunders’s cottage, how he’d be strung up to the yard-arm mighty quick.” tel “Then you must protect him by doing as I ou ‘ll ‘io it, Madge; but he'll starve in the cave if left alone.” **No, for Pll see that he does not; and I'll get my father to row him to Portland, or some other port as soon as he returns.” right, Madge, Ill do as you say; , but you must not fallin love with Master Noel.” ‘Bah! don’t be a fool, Sam.” ** Folks call me one.” “Tf you talk that way, Pu sper ee with them: but donb forget to do just as ou, and Master Noel will be saved; if not, he'll ang, for the cutter’s crew are to reach the hermit’s hut to-night.” vy You don’t say so!” ‘sé Yes.” ‘‘ Well, they won't find Master Noel, that’s sure,” and Silly Sam stood watching Madcap Madge, as she walked away, with a strange ex- pression ta ced his face, wh e he muttered, as he passed his d over his head: a My head seems clearer for that shot, and I believe I thinks better than I did; but somehow ne heart seems heavier when I thinks of me aE ish I eee everything, and wasn’t silly,” and with a sigh he strolled Showhy down toward the shore to get a boat ready for the night’s work before him, his brain in a whirl at having to serve Madcap Maceo ae and pleased to be able to render a service to Noel Brandon, yet wondering why the Maid of the Kennebec was so deeply interested in the fugitive sailor. oy it'll am come clear some day, I guesses; but I hope the clearin’-up won’t sen my heart!” murmured sadly, and then added, fiercely; ‘‘ Fool that I am, no other one eal have her, for I'd kill him first—yes, and kill her, too!” CHAPTER XV. THE RECOGNITION. THE strange young man, believed by many to be halt-witted, end though really not possessed, Eomicbooks \s | out