Beadle's Dime Library No. 364 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

& The Sea Fugitive. 3 “Ttis light enough for you to see the sur- roundings, where the boatlies, and just what to O. ‘¢ You, Toddy, seize the horse, and Jenks you take the right hand side with ro gun ready, while I’llstep out and demand t young man ” “How many Jenks. will there be of ’em?’ asked ‘*The horse, the lieutenant, and then a young ; idiot they call Silly Sam.” ‘' Two to get away with?” “Two to handle but don’t kill ’em unless you have to.” ‘*T understand; but if they show fight?” “We must get the —P on them before they have a chance to show fight; but if they don’t heed, why then, Jenks, you drop one and Pll do the same for the other. ‘‘Now get your bearings down fine, get the lay of the boat, and the sloop, for it’s going to be ae in these woods soon, in spite of the moon- ight. hile this plot was going on in the forest, a league below the village, other scenes were transpiring which seemed to be just working in- to the hands of the trio of sailors. Noel Brandon had gone up to the tavern, ‘‘ The Flag Ship,” as it was called by the jolly old host Captain Buntline, himself an old sailor, who hac lost his leg in battle, and recognizing there those whom he had met before, he at once called all about the bar and treated with an open-handed- ness that soon had the frequenters of the tap- room half seas over. A good supper was set for the young sailor by mine host Buntline, and then Silly Sam arrivin with the cart, loaded down with luggage, severa lasses more all round were called for by Noel randon, his score was paid, and with a heated brain he oe upon the seat by the side of the driver and started for his home, to which he was returning in disgrace after years of ab- sence. ‘Well, Sam, how has the world used you?” said Noel Brandon lightly, addressing Silly Sam, as he drove away from the Flag Ship Tavern. j **T can’t complain, sir, with the world; but Td give much if I hadn’t been born a fool,” was the reply. ‘You are not such a fool as people take you for, Sam,” and Noel Brandon gazed at the tall, well-formed fellow, a giant in stature, but a child in brain, for the oor youth had indeed been sadly afflicted by the curse of almost thorough idiocy. ‘Thankee, sir; but folks says I is a bigger fool than I looks, and it makes me feel bad to have ’em talk so!” ** Don’t mind them, Sam.” ‘* Thankee, sir: you was always good to me, Master Noel!” ** And always will be your friend, Sam; but it seems you have not forgotten me?” ‘** No, no, sir, I know you, and I don’t forget though my mind does get most things mixed u “Tell me, Sam, how about Madge Vernon?” **She’s alive, sir.” ‘**T know that, for I saw her to-day as I land- ed, and she ran up the river ahead of us; but doer she still live with her parents down on the river-bank?” ‘Yes, sir, with her father, for her mother’s dead.” ; ‘**She has prow to be very beautiful, Sam.” “Master Noel, she is prettier than an angel and [ don’+ mind tellin’ you that I love ad Madge——” ** Mad Madge, 8am! Has she gone mad?” ** Well, folks calls her Mad because she risks her hfe so to pilot vessels into the harborage in storms.” “She always was a bold, fearless girl, and handles a craft with the best of the coast men, ‘** Sc you love her, Sam?” **T does, and Ill kill the man that stands atween me and her,” said aor A Sam with a sud- den fierceness that fairly made the young sailor start. “ Has she any lovers, Sam?” ‘‘T don’t know, and it’s well for ’em I don’t; but ° think all folks would love her.” ** And does she love you, Sam?” ‘“‘T hope so, Master Noel, for she is most kind to me always.” ** Does she know that you love her?” ‘‘She must, for I look my love, eo I don’t know how to talk it; but some day Til get my brain clear and tell her and ask her to be my wife.” ‘‘ And if she should refuse you, Sam?” “She won't marry any other man, Master Noel,” was the ise ga peng le LN ‘*- You would get rid of him?” 4; ‘‘] would kill him—yes, I would kili her be- fore she should marry any man but me.” _ Noel Brandon was silent for a few minutes lost in deep thought. He knew that Silly Sam. was as gentile as a kitte. if not aroused; but if his anger or hatred wa: excited, he was as desperate and dangerous aS mar could well be. beet. He had won the silly youth tu him in the past by kindly acts; but he saw that Sam would be- ¥ e gold from the | come his deadly foe did he suspect him for an instant of caring for Madge Vernon. The maiden he had always liked, and though she was the daughter of a poor skipper, com- manding a coaster, she had when a little girl won his respect and love. . Twice he had saved her life, and in all his wanderings he had never forgotten the fair face of Madge Vernon, the Queen of the Kennebec, as the rude fishermen had named her. Returning to his home, bearing the brand of disgrace, after years of absence, she had been the first one to greet him as he sprung ashore, and grown into beautiful budding womanhood, “8 had found his heart throb fast at the sight of ier. Now he discovered that he was to havea rival in Silly Sam, and one whose own words would prove him dangerous, ‘* Well, if I am banished from home by my fond parents, I will seek Madge, tell her of my love, and try to make her reform me and become my wife, for with the money I have, I can pur- chase a schooner and go to privateering in the war that sooner or later must break out between England and the United States. ** But poor Sam! what to do with him is the question.” Thus mused Noel Brandon, as the wagon roll- ed along the river-road, dropping the village further and further behind it. Suddenly Silly Sam slacked up for the bridge, and quickly three forms sprung out of the dark- ness on the roadside. The reins of the horse were seized by a strong arm, a rifle muzzle was thrust close up to the heart of Noel Brandon, and a pistol covered Silly Sam, while a voice cried sternly: ‘“Halt! you are my game, and resistance will cause your death!” CHAPTER ITI. MADGE, THE QUEEN OF THE KENNEBEC. Upon the afternoon that introduces to the reader Noel Brandon, the disgraced naval of- ficer, and his return home, a young girl was standing beneath a large pine that grew upon a cliff overhanging the sandy shore of a cove, or basin, a hun feet below. The cliff wasa grand point of lookout, com- Sect as it did a vast expanse of ocean, river and landscape, and the maiden held in her hand a spy-glass with which she had been sweeping the waters and coast for leagues around, A glance at her issufficient to recognize Madge Vernon, the beautiful young girl to whom Noel oh yp spoke upon springing ashore from the packet. Behind her, sheltered by a pine forest, and some hundred yards distant, was a pretty white cabin containing four rooms. In front, was a small veranda; about the ounds were beds of flowers; a parrot sat upon he back of an easy-chair, and a mocking-bird in a cage was trilling his notes gladly as he gazed out over the lovely scene. It was a quiet, cosey-looking home without, and within it) was even more so, for there was a look of taste approaching refinement resting upon all. A parlor, prettily furnished, the furniture being mostly from the cabin of some vessel; a kitchen and dining-room combined, and neat as wax; a couple of bedrooms, one containing a hammock instead of a bed, and an adjoining room back, comprised the cottage, the latter be- ing the quarters of an old negress, who was bustling about getting supper, and an amet ae a who was busy working in a garden on the hillside. Everything about the little place indicated that it was the home of a sailor, and as snug in build and weather-worthiness as any seaman could well wish his craft to be. Turning her glass upon a vessel standing up the coast, Madge Vernon said aloud: **T¢ is not my father’s vessel, but the Kenne- bec packet, so [ will have to go up to the village for stores.” A moment longer she watched the approach- ing craft, and then walked toward the cottage. ‘Jist gwine ter call yer ter supper, Mis Madge,” said the negress coming out of the door. “Tam glad it is ready, Phillis, for I do not see my father coming, and our stores are too low to await his return, so I shall run up to the town and get our supplies.” Meg coe missy, and you hab a good wind to go with. ‘* But you must eat your supper now, for dat fish hain’t no good onless you eat him hot,” and Phillis poin to a deliciously broiled fish, which, with some hot biscuit, butter and fra- grant coffee were enough to tempt an appetiteless person even. : Madge sat down and enjoyed her supper, and then ee path that led from the cottage adown the hillside, walked rapidly to the shore of the little cove. There were several sailing craft there, and half a score of rowboats, but she selected a long surf skiff that spread a large sail, and soon went flying out of the little basin. As she ran out into the mouth of the river and headed up-stream, she saw the packet not far astern of her, and a desire for a race at once seen es Sil es caused her to trim her sheet, and, determine to beat the vessel up to port. Not onee did she appear to watch the packet, though she kept her eyes upon it, and after a close race she had the satisfaction of landing first. Then it was that she met Noel Vernon, as the reader has seen, and her beautiful face flushed at sight of him. Leaving the young sailor upon the dock, Madge took ber basket and walked on to the village to purchase the supplies she needed for her little household. While the storekeeper was putting up the gro- ceries for her, she made a visit to an old sailor, living alone in a cabin on the river-bank. The old man sat before his door, smoking a pipe, and his hair and beard were white as snow; but he rose as Madge approached, and said, ina pleasant way: Saieice Kyd welcomes you, Miss Madge, for it has been some weeks since I saw your pretty face.” ‘‘T have not been up to the village much of late, Captain Kyd; but I hope that you have not been neglected, I have brought you some sea-fish and a few things,” and Madge took her basket into the cabin and put the articles named away. 2 You are ever kind to tke poor old sailor, Miss Madge, and [ only wish I could return our kindness; but [ am very poor, as you snow, and though they say I sailed with Cap- tain Kyd, and call me after him, and gossip has it I know where there is treasure buried, sti!l, but for you and a few other good souls I would starve to death, ‘* You are very good to me, miss; but is your father at home?” ‘* No, Captain Kyd; the Blue Bell is off on her voyage yet, though she was due several days ago; but I must be off now, and when father comes, I will run up and bring you some mvre things.” ‘* Bless you, miss! L only wish [ could return your kindness to a poor old sailor; but I can- not! ‘*T wish no return for doing my duty toward one who deserves kindness, Captain Kyd,” and WwevEg her hand in farewell, Madge walked away from the lonely little spot where the old sailor dwelt alone in his cabin, looked upon by the villagers with a kind of awe, as they knew nothing regarding him, and yet helped by a few of them in his old age. Years before he had come to the village, and buying the point of land upon which stood his cabin, had there lived the life of a hermit. Strolling there one day, while waiting for her father, whom she had accompanied to the town, Madae heard groans, and, entering the cabin, found the old man _ lying prostrate upon the floor, severely wounded by a bullet in his side. She summoned aid ; the old sailor was placed in care of the village doctor and a nurse, and Ca tain Nick Vernon, the father of Madge, had paid all bills, while the young girl had often carried him edibles when going up to the town. From some reason, yet just why or how no one knew, the old Hermit Sailor had gained the name of Captain Kyd, and some went so far as to say that he had been a pirate under that no- ted rover of the seas, , Who had wounded him, or aught canteen his wound, he would not tell, and this but add to the mystery surrounding him. Certain it was, if he had not been found, as he was, by Madge, he would have died, and this the old sailor realized, for he seemed devoted to the young girl ever since his recovery from his dreadful wound. ; Before leaving the cabin of the Hermit Sailor Madge went back to the store, and a half-grown boy helped her to carry her supplies down to the As she passed the Flag Ship Tavern she saw Noel Brandon within, drinking deeply and surrounded by a crowd of thirsty villagers. She sighed, involuntarily, but walked on, put her supp ies on board, and soon after was flying down the river before a good breeze. The moon was just rising as she cast off from the pier, and the youth who carried her purchases said: ** It’s going ter be a moonlight night, miss, so ich gg t be soscared as you would be if it was dark. ‘¢ What should I be frightened of?’ she asked indifferently. <E They say spooks and sperits is seen at night, miss. ‘* Well, Ido not fear the dead or the living, ghost or goblin,” she said with a reckless laugh, as she sped away over the waters, while the youth, having no such courage, and left alone upon the pier turned and fled rapidly back to the village. Having to beat down the river, Madge, upon one tack stood into a little cove, when suddenly her eyes fell upon a small sloop ahead, and at anchor. Instantly she held toward it, and as nobody hailed her, ran alongside. ‘* What does this mean? Her cable is ready to slip, her mainsail set, and she’s fixed to run ata moment’s notice. Gomicboo (C cS ec (0)