Beadle's Dime Library No. 364 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

4 ] q f | ; { ed a 16 ‘** Ah! how old are they?” _*T don’t dare say they are old men, for they De pretty nigh the years I have counted.” ** You look about ninety.” '*T feela trifle more when I don’t get rum; but Pm not old in years, if Iam in wickedness, for I count just two-score.” ** You'll never see another half-score.” ~ ** Guess net, nor half that will it be before the daises blossom over me, for I’m fast drinkin’ the life out o’ me. ** But rum’s got the whip hand now, and all I ask i3 to pass my remaining years with a skin fu!l and to die drunk, for I darn’t get sober.” ““ Rum is your god, fellow.” ‘Yes, and the devil is your master, so we are oven. Now you want your men?” 6 Yes.’ “They want thirty dollars the month and found, and as much if it’s only for the cruise, be it short,” “Til give them fifty each for the cruise, if they are good men.” ** Done; now I want pay for my services,” “T paid you last night.” “To find you the men?” oe Yes.” “** Well, I found ’em.” “* Aud what more?” “4 Now I want a couple of sovereigns to deliver “the goods.” “*'You are an infernal old beat.” ‘‘T believe Iam: but where’ll I get rum if I don’t have money?” -* Bring me the men here and I'll pay you the two ag dae “Til be back in half an hour, and you wait here, for Cass is wide awake, I can tell you.” ."'The constable?” Ct Wace 7! “‘ AlL right, Pll wait here, and tell the men to come prepared to sail at once,” ‘© Where’s your craft?” _** That is none of your business!” “T guess you is right; but the packet will be along in an hour.” -“T know it, and if you get these men here in Jess than half an hour I'll make it another sov- erei n.” ““T’j] do it; but shipmate, don’t tempt me to run for I has heart disease,” and Tap-room Tom started off at a more rapid pace than he had in- dulged in for years, while Darke Darrell sought the shadow of some freight piled up to await the coming cf the packet, and then awaited his re- turn. CHAPTER XXIII. THE TREBLE ENTRAPMENT. In a very short time Tap-room Tom came back, panting with his exertions, “Well?” > « ‘**They are coming.” “ When?’ ‘“'They have gone over for their outfits.” ‘* Curse th:m! they need nothing; but that reminds me that I need some eter ‘Can you buy them for me?” “Folks would think it strange to see me buy anything but rum.” “True: 1 will have to send one of them after stores, if the lazy fellows ever come.” : ‘‘ Here they come now; my three sovereigns, ” ‘Here is your money; your men move quick- » dy.and look like good fellows,” a “They are first class— Mates, this is ther «cap’n,” and Tap-room Tom made the introduc- tion in a grandiloquent way, as the two men advanced, ; Ho, lads, I need your services,” said Darke Darrell in the off-hand manner of a skipper ad- dressing his men. ** And I need you! you are my prisoner,” and a pistol in the hand of Cass Kenedy pressed against the heart of Darke Darrell. “Tn the devil’s name what does this mean?” and the man started back, utterly taken off his guard; but the companion of Cass Kenedy was at his side, and he saw that resistance was useless. ‘‘Tt means, Mr. Darrell, that some little acts of yours years ago, have not been forgotten, and that your coming back just at this time has a suspicious look. n Agno” **T shall give you quarters in the inn to-night, and to-morrow if there is any one willing to ap- against you for past offenses, you will be he sufferer, while also I wish one, Silly Sam, and Miss Madge Vernon to have a look at you, and see if they do not recognize you as having met them on the highway some nights since.” ** You will rue this, officer, for I am an honor- able man, returned home to visit my aged moth- er, and the sins of my boyhood cannot be brought up against me at this late date.” ‘¢ For your old mother’s sake I do not take you to jail to-night, so that you cau go free if you are not held to-morrow. « ‘*Come with me.” **T can do nothing else, so submit.” he: ‘* You are wise,” “ But you Pll not forget,” and Darke Darrell furned his burning eyes upon Tap-room Tom, \ —<ssceeet lll LRRD LLL LLL, eee -_--eeereee The Sea Fugitive. **°T.s sweet to be remembered,” hummed the drunkard as he strolled away on his own hook. By a side entrance Cass Kenedy took his risoner to a room in the hotel, the one that had en occupied by Noel Brandon, and which opened upon the garden porch. ‘** Now, sir, I shall leave you free in here; but a guard is at the window without, and if you | shove at the same time, and it went off into the stream. . Then Tom saw two hands held out toward im. One held the ten sovereigns, the other held a pistol, and Darrell said: ‘*M¥ man, here is the balance of your money; but I need a little aid to-night, and, as you fail- attempt to escape he has orders to shoot you | ed to get me the men I wanted, you will have to down, while I shall lock this door and take the | hel with me,” key arresting me,” hissed Darrell. me. ‘*What I promised them I'll give to you; re- You will rue this night’s work, constable, in | fuse and [ll kill you as I would a dog.” Tom’s teeth were chattering, for he was terri- ‘That remains to be seen, for I believe you | bly frightened; but he said: intended some game to-night, or else why were you engaging seamen?” Darrell made no reply, and Cass Kenedy walked out of the room, locking it behind him and taking the key. ‘*Ho, Tom, do you wish a job, for I feel you deserve it?” he said as Tap-room Tom s in his path. ‘** ['m always ready to earn an honest shilling, Cass.” ** Then go round to the window; here take one of my pistols, and watch that man all night.” ** Pll do it, but I should have a flask to keep my eyes open.” ‘*Go and get you one, but mind you, keep awake.” ‘** Did you ever know me to sleep, Cass?” **T confess I never did, as long as the bar kept open,” and with a waar he gave Tom some money, and soon after the drunkard took up his stand upon the porch, and through the window saw Darke Darrell pacing to and fro like a caged tiger. or an hour did-Tom keep his post, every few minutes taking a sip from the flask, “Tt’s empty; I guess it wasn’t full; but I don’t dare go fill it up. **T guess [ll see i money. ** Let me see, 'm gettin’ rich, for in the first place Cass gave me two dollars last night to treat that yonder fellow, and I didn’t treat. ‘*No, it’s against my principles to buy any liquor for a man. **So Ive got the two dollars yet; then I got two sovereigns, then three sovereigns, and then a few shillings just now, for I didn’t pay for the rum I got, as 1 told the barmaid it was for Cass Kenedy and to charge it. ‘Yes, I'm rich; but I don’t see why I should not make as much more as I have, and I guess I will, after which I can go to sleep, for Ill slip down to Tinker’s Tavern and fill up on rum.” Stepping up to the window Tom tapped light- ly upon it. Darrell started and then came toward the window. ‘* Hist,” said Tom, and he motioned the pris- oner to be cautious. Slowly an noiselessly the man obeyed, * It 1s you, is it?” ‘* Tt’s me.” You are an accursed traitor.” “T had to mind what my cap’n told me, so I ot you ged; but there’s no reason now why shouldn’t let you out.” ** Do you mean it?” ** How much is it worth?” ** A couple of sovereigns.” * Just shut the window, mate, and compose yourself until to-morrow.” ‘* Call it five.” ‘* T guess they'll hang you if Madcap Madge recognizes you, and and she’s got sharp eyes.” Darrell grew uneasy, and said: ‘*T'll give you ten sovereigns.” ‘That will keep me in rum for six months, at the moderate way I guzzles; but call it enough for a year, and ess that will end me up, and I doesn’t care to leave any fortin to buy mea fine monument on which to record my virtues.” ‘* You aid me toescape and Pll give you twen- ty em pe ten now, and ten when we reach my skiff. ‘Must I go with you, then?” ‘*'Yes, because you betrayed me once and Pil be sure this time. ‘*Here are ten sovereigns, and the balance I have here for you when I reach my boat.” Twenty sovereigns, a hundred dollars, was a fortune for the poor devil, with what he already had, and his head was turned. A poor schoo!l-teacher once, whose yearly pay was sixty dollars and board, to now possess in money over double that sum made him almost childish, rum-steeped as he was, and he giggled like an idiot. ‘Come, start, or stay! which is it?” sternly, said Darrell. “Start it is,’ and Tom led the way as the prisoner leaped lightly to the ground. Down to the shore they went, into one of Cap- tain Buntline’s boats, and thence down to the pier. f The packet had come and gone, being now half a league away; but the skiff of Darrell was where he left it. - “ Now, my man, get into the skiff and bale it out for me, and I'll give you your money.” Tom obeyed, but found no water in the boat. As he looked uw to tell Darrell so, the latter I can’t make some more | ; | | | | i ** Put up that weapon, and I’ll go with you.” ** Done!” ‘* You said you would give each man fifty dol- lars for the cruise?” ts Yes. ” ** And you'll give it to me?” es,” ““T'll go, for I'll be rich, won’t 17” ‘* You will, if you serve me well; now take those oars and let me see if you can row.” Sam obeyed and pulled a good stroke, though the exertion soon tired him out. **P]l pull now,” and taking the oars, Darrell sent the boat flying along on its course. In an hour’s time he reached the cliff, and finding the entrance after a short search, sent the boat into the Mystic Cove. With staring eyes Tom locked, but kept si- lent, and the boat soon reached the rock. “ Mind you, Tom, don’t you have anything to say, no matter what you see or hear, **Do you understand?” ‘**T guess I do, but I’m kinder feeling queer.” ‘* Stay here in this boat until my return; but I go but a_ few steps away, and if you touch those oars I'll drop you with a shot from my pistol.” **P’'m not going to move,” whimpered the poor wretch. Going into the entrance to the cavern, Darke Darrell saw the glimmer of a lantern. Then his eyes fell upon a ship’s lantern upon a basket, and reading by its light was Noel Bran- don, lying upon his blanket bed. ** Mr, Brandon!” The young sailor started, and raising himself upon his elbow, grasped a pistol that was near at hand. **Tam a friend, Mr. Brandon, sent after you by Madcap Madge.” ** Come here.” Darrell walked forward into the cave, and Noel asked: ** Who are you?” **One of Skipper Vernon’s men Miss Madge sent after you, sir, for ae hiding-place is known, and [| have to take you on board the sloop and run you to some sate port,” ott is fearful to be thus hunted down; but I can do only as I am bid, I suppose, do I care te escape. " fam ready, my good fellow, but you will have to help me, for I am almost helpless.” **T will, sir, and I have a poor wretch with me in the boat, whom I brought along fearing he would betray me if I left him ashore; but he'll not be in our way.” ‘* All right, kindly collect my traps, and we'll start.” Noel Brandon raised himself upon one leg, took his crutches, and holding the lantern to give Darrell light in gathering the things to- gether, then moved away for the boat. The skiff was reached, Tap-room Tom lending a hand in getting the sailor and his traps into it, and dousing the lantern, Darrel seized the oars. Sh ia we not met before, my man?’ asked oel, ‘* Yes, sir, some years ago.” ‘““Your face and voice seem strangely fa- miliar.” Darrell made no reply. He had shaved off the beard he wore when he came on the packet with Noel Brandon, and the years that had passed since he had last been seen by the young aristocrat, had changed him so, that a recognition in the darkness, or by the faint light of the lantern, was hardly rpossi- ble., As for Tap-room Tom, he knew the young sailor at a glance, but remained speechless and kept his bloated face hidden so that he would not be seen. Years before he had taught the little school which Noel had attended as a little boy, riding there daily on his little pony. He had drank with him at the tavern several nights before, but had not made himself known, as he felt ashamed. Now there flashed through his mind the mem- ory of the past, compared with the present—he then a young teacher, respected by all who knew him, while Noel was a handsome boy, bright as" a silver dollar at his lessons. ow, he was a drunkard, placing nails in his coffin with every drink he took, and Noel was a fugitive, accused of murder and robbery, and the man with them was also one upon whom the brand of guilt had fallen he well knew. As these thoughts flashed through his mind, sprung upcn the bows cf the stiff, giving it a Tom Fletcher—so long the frequenter of the kar va { ; io ff, * - a Coim e “ ; 27 El ecbhooks.com a