Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 369 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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4 The Coast Corsair. ‘‘T will at once see to it, and fortunately | and then into their captain’s face, while the | life of luxury in the new land to which he had there are several places I have in mind.” ‘‘ Will you use the little sloop, when you get | her, sir, in place of the Blue Bell?” ‘“Oh, no, for I must have another craft of like size with the Blue Bell. ‘‘ Now I will go to the retreat, and should I not get back in time to see my daughter off on the packet, tell her I have gone up to the village to see about another craft. Ves, er.” ‘‘ And take care of Madge, Melmer.” ‘*T will, sir.” ‘* And should you be able to capture Gaspard. fetch him back with you.” ‘Yes, captain,” and Melmer walked in to- ward the cottage, while Captain Vernon, or skipper, as he was most generally called, walked down to the shore. Here were lying upon the sands half a dozen boats of various sizes and kinds, One of these, a sailing skiff, he shoved into the water, sprung in, raised the sail, and headed out of the harbor, Rounding the point of rocks, the rocky arm that formed the safe little haven, he headed down the coast, keeping close in-shore. The wind was off the sea, and fair, and he held close along, just out of the breakers, for a couple of leagues. The coast was a most dangerous one, and vvhat appeared like safe harbors here and there, vrere, in caso of a storm from certain quarters, {> most dangerous anchorages. U>von a hill, surrounded by ornamental «rounds, and setting far back from the shore, \vas Brandon Hall, the elegant mansion of Dr. Lrandon, the father of the fugitive officer. ‘* Madge is there now, for I see her horse at tne rock,” muttered the skipper, turning his class upon the grand old place as he sailed along the shore. . Passing the basin, which served as the harbor for Brandon Hall, and which was never safe with the wind off the sea, the skipper held on until he came to a rock-bound peninsula with wild-looking shores upon every side, and sr top crowned with a thick growth of hardy pines, About the base of this point, which ended ab- ruptly, the waters surged and dashed in tho uletest weather, and there were legends among the old fishermen, that a small boat going near would be dashed to pieces, or drawn ily into huge caves that were said to be under the roc But this danger the skipper did not seem to dread, as he lowered his sail, took his oars and headed bay the foaming waters. The spray dashed over him, sending up misty clouds far above his head, but, seated with his face to the bow, and his oars grasped firmly, he ided the skiff landward, his eyes upon a dis- fant tree growing upon a cliff half a mileaway. ‘‘ After the storm of last night the sea is fear- fully wild,” he muttered, as the seething waters swept around him, At last he drew near the cliff, and Cropping his oars caught hold of the rocky wall, thus al- lowing the skiff to move along until suddenly it came to an opening not more than twenty feet wide, and through which the waters swept like a mill-race, Into this the skiff went, while upon either side, far above his head arose towering cliffs. Dashing along for a couple of hundred feet the skiff swept into a basin, a fourth of an acre in size. Here the water bubbled and foamed vicious- ly, and found vent through innumerable caves that were around the rocky walls. Upon the opposite side, cag omy | as she lay, yet with her sides protected by huge fenders, was a sloop, her topmast housed, so that her mast did not appear above the summit of the int. It was a beautiful craft, about thirty tons burden, sharp as a razor forward and with a lean, swallow-like stern, while she had consider- able breadth of beam ore Her boom, gaff, topmast and bowsprit showed that she was capable of spreading a vast amount of sail, while her build indicated that she would it well even in a hard blow, Even with the top of her bulwarks was a shelf of rock, upon which sat half a score of men, some on chains, others on boxes, and one lying at full length upon a blanket. The ap ce of this strange basin, the sailor-like looking men, the trim craft lying there where no one would have s ted a ves- sel could find anchorage or hiding-place, indicat- ed that all was not right with her, or else why this secret retreat? As the skiff swept into the basin the men rung to their feet, and as Skipper Vernon ran als ide the sloop and stepped on board, he was ory the entire party. ‘‘ Well, captain, we are glad to see you,” said a tall, fine-looking young sailor, the one who had been stretched at ease on his blanket. Skipper Vernon bowed in his reserved way and Tancing over the faces before him, said ste ; . Man. are any one of you present traitors?” The men started, an‘ cach cazed at the other, - _ the mean time, lads, we must change our rendez- young man before referred to, said: ‘Out with it, captain, if any of us have gone wrong, and let them suffer, while we know just who they are.” ‘* Glendon, I do not suspect you nor any other man here; but then, neither did I believe that Gaspard and his crew would go wrong.” ‘* And they have?” cried several voices, ‘* Betrayed us?” asked Glendon. “The fact is, they have not betrayed us—at least, not yet—but they have been traitors, for when on board the Blue Bell, they got a chance to make ten thousand in gold by delivering up a friend of mine whom my daughter was pro- tecting, and we were led by Gaspard in seizing the wounded officer and giving him over to the commander of the Scorpion. ‘*My daughter did not submit tamely, Mel- mer sided with her, and there was a death or two among the traitors; but they carried off the officer, ran away with my daughter’s sloop, the Madcap, and are now gone to Boston to get their reward, and, perhaps, to betray us for more gold,” Dark looks rested u heard the words of don said sternly: ‘** Gaspard should be run to earth and meet the punishment which he deserves.” ‘Yes, and those who sided with him,” said others. ‘* He may be taken, for my daughter goes to- night to Boston to look up her little sloop, and Melmer will accompany her; but, lads, have to report the loss of the Blue Bell, the sister craft to your sloop here the Kidnapper,” and Skipper Vernon pointed to the sloop, which was the very counterpart of the wrecked vessel, from keel to truck, paint and all. Then he told the story of her loss, as given to him by Madge, and the men received the news with deep regret. ‘‘ We must get another craft as a foil, sir, but I doubt if we can secure one as good as the Blue Bell was without having it built,” remarked Glendon. ‘* The Kidnapper will do for the present, for I have another plan in hand that has not taken shape yet, as I hope it will before long; but, in n the faces of all, as they ipper Vernon, and Glen- vous, for fear Gaspard may orem down upon us with the scorpion, and he knows well that he could bring the armed cutter in here even, when the sea is not as wild as it is to day.” ‘He could indeed, sir, did he wish to; but where shall we go?” ** Get the cargo out of the cave, Glendon, and into the craft’s hold, and I will run you to a lace I have known of for some time, and which believe is just as sure a hiding retreat as this and with a chance of escape if we are hemme in while if surprised, the vessel would have to oO. ae True, sir, and I'll have the cargoon shortly: but will you sail by daylight?” ‘* No, just at nightfall; but we will have to wait until dawn to feel our way into our new retreat, as I do not know the channel too well.” Glendon then called the men to set to work, while Skipper Vernon entered the cabin of the ies ge and taking a book out of a secret re- pes 6 over the transom, began to examine it closely. a have done well the past year, and Iam no longer a r man; but I do not like this life, and long for something else. ** Well, it will come soon, it will come soon, and then some 444 go back to the old home and my revenge will be complete: but not now, not now must I think of that, for there is work before me yet to be done.” So saying he returned the book to its place, and, going upon deck found a busy scene. The men were hard at work, some bringin boxes and bales out of the cave in the cliff, an others stowing them into the hold at the sloop. It was late inthe afternoon when the work was ended, and just at nightfall the sloop was =— from her moorings alongside of the rocky shelf. No sail was set, and the tide, going out, bore her through the pass of rocks, the men warding her off from the cliff on either side, Out into the cove, on one side of the point, she tossed about upon the rough waters, but still was swept seaward, and soon sail was set, and Skipper Vernon taking the helm, headed her away from the secret retreat, to seek another haven of refuge. CHAPTER V. LOVE AND PRIDE. Ata pace that seemed to chime in well with cseA wget Madge held on her way to Brandon It was a lordly estate, surrounded by thou- sands of acres of wild pine lands, hill, vale and meadows, with picturesque scenery on every oe a the blue ocean stretching away in ront. It had been the home of the Brandons for several generations, having been erected by one who come over from England to seek a home in America, and who had vast wealth, so that he had been enabled to livea os —_—_—_—_——— i ee come, He hed built a structure in style like the old Enpliih Lomestead, with numerous wings, a couit, several stories and gabled roofs, until it looked like a castle, with its towers and vast space. Surrounding it on three sides were flower gar- dens, a velvet lawn and park in front, and in the rear vegetable gardens, stables, and the necessary buildings belonging to a vast farm. The revenue of the estate was not large, but then Doctor Brandon, the lord and master, own~ ed large real estate interests in Boston and other cities and his income was a handsome one, while Brandon Hall Farm gave him at least a living. A proud man, Doctor Brandon was one who had nointimate friends among the country folk, and seemed happy in his home life with his rifle and children, the latter being, at the opening of this story, Noel, a son of twenty-five, and Joyce a daughter of eighteen. Mrs. Brandon was a weak woman, handsome in face and graceful in form, but wholly in- fluenced by her husband, and consequently she had reared her children to look down upon all who were not their equal in wealth and family. Yet, strange to say, that though her false training had its effect, it still did not influence ejther Noel or Joyce to become like their pa- rents. Noel had shown a love for the sea from early boyhood, and had early entered the American Navy, to return home, after years of gallant: service, in disgrace through dismissal, and then to be hunted down for a crime that was hcrrible in its atrocity, as he was accused of it. The blow had been a bitter one to his parents and sister, but the former would offer one thus accused, though their son, no protection what- ever, and they left him to his fate. With his beautiful sister, it was different, for she had become the strong ally uf Madcap Madge Vernon to save him. As for Madge, it seemed as though she was acting from love for the branded sailor, and yet she would not admit it, and said she was prompted onl ot oe But she had pledged herself to save the life of Noel Brandon, to keep him out of the hands of justice, until he was able to help himself and could prove his innocence, and then she hoped he would be able to do so, When, therefore, sue had made the condi- tion, of saving the Scorpion from wreck, that. Lieutenant Maynard should surrender his pris- oner to her, she but carried out her determined resolve, and gained her point. The loss of the Blue Bell, and what followed, the reader knows, and it was to tell Doctor Brandon and his wife and daughter, of the fate of the Blue Bell, that Madge went over to Brandon Hall. As she dashed up to the doorway, Doctor Brandon was pacing the piazza, alternatel glancing over the ccean, and looking down wit studied silence, as though lost in deep and pain- ful reverie. In one of the open windows sat Mrs. Brandon, her hands clas in her lap and her eyes seem- ingly not seeing the sea, though turned upon it. e faces of both showed suffering. | Presently there came out upon the piazza a age vision of beauty, though the sunny ight upon her face was dimmed by sadness. t was Joyce Brandon. ‘‘ Joyce, Bruce the boatman tells me that you went on board the United States war-cutter Scorpion yesterday, for he says it anchored in our bay for a few hours?” said her father. ‘“*T did, sir.” ‘‘ Why did you do so, and why did you not in- form your mother and myself of the fact?” ‘“You were away, father, with mother, when the Scorpion came into the harbor, and I went. on a mission which is a forbidden subject to ou.” ms Ha! was my son—I mean Noel Brandon on board?” asked the doctor, eagerly. ‘* He was, sir.” ‘They have captured him, then?” ‘Yes, father.” The strong man seemed choking up with feel- ing one a moment, while Mrs. Brandon groaned orth: “*God have mercy!” ‘* Where was he taken?” ‘It seems that those he trusted delivered him up to the Scorpion, to get the large reward offered.” ‘““Ha! the Vernons, pretending to be his friends sold him for gold—I knew that such was the nature of those very common people.” ‘You are mistaken, sir, for the Verncns shielded him where his own ents deserted him,” was the angry retort of Joyce. ‘* How dare you speak thus, Joyce? ‘“‘ Did you expect your mother and I to shield an assassin, a robber?” ‘Father, it is not proven that poor brothcr Noel is guilty.” ‘He was charged with being, and Lieutenant Maynard told me that your brother’s cloak and weapons were found in the room of the mur- dered man, while it is well known that he had caused the dismissal of Noel from the navy, and. 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