Beadle's Dime Library No. 388: The Giant Buccaneer — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

pe Ae ae Th SPR NG EE eT DNR RR oe Ee ‘No, sir,’ was the emphatic response, Why not?” ‘Because I do not put any more ropes about my neck if [ can help it.’ ‘Why, you live in nightly danger of death over your card-table.” “True; but there I am the equal of any man, and if he catches me off my guard he is welcome to kill me. ‘‘{f I catch him cheating, I shall certainly kill him. ‘But, on the deck of a vessel which you have cut out and with a sable flag at your peak, which means hanging at the yard- arm if you are caught, it isno place for me. ‘Well, I shall keep you in mind at any rate, Senor Monte; but this will square my indebtedness to you pecuniarily, while you have my thanks for what at least you tried to do,” and the money lender handed to the eambler a roll of bank- notes, and then bowed him to the door, ‘‘One moment, Monte, please,” he called out, as the eambler was disappearing, ‘* Well, Rudolpho?” ‘*T suppose you sent the crew to the regu- lar lodging-house?” ‘Yes, they sought their old places of abode, I believe.” “Thank you,” and when the gambler had disappeared, the money-lenJer threw himself into his easy-chair and became lost in deep reverie. At last he muttered: “So that fellow Granger loves the fair Rita too? ‘* Well, I cannot blame him, for she is very beautiful, and very lovable; but he shall not have her. ; ‘‘No, no, Pll never give you up, sweet tita. ‘That is a splendid plan of Granger's though, and [ll fillin the blank to-morrow, after I have gotten a copy of the Naval Com- mandant’s signature to copy it, and I'll use it too. “Tt will be brought to a focus before they have time to suspect that it is known that the Smugeler Queen is in the carcel, and they will not be suspicious. ‘But my friend Granger must have no hand in her rescue. ‘*On, no! I'll send him off on a wild-goose chase, and I must send him some men to aid im “Then he’ll cut the yacht out, run to the spot I told him, and while he is waiting for the fair Rita to arrive up the river, she will be hidden away in my secret quarters up- stairs, where she can remain until I get a chance to get her out of the city to some pleasant spot where she will wish to reside.”’ Thus was the money-lender musing when Bono again appeared. ‘‘ Ah, boy, I was just going to call you.” “There's a gentleman to see you, senor,’ “Who is he?” ‘¢ Don’t know, senor,” <‘A gentleman?” ‘Has that look.” -‘* Ever see him before?” y** No, senor.’ “Sure?” “* Yes, senor, for he is not a man to forget, if once you saw him.” ‘“‘Ah! some distinguished stranger who needs gold, doubtless. “ Well, Pil see him soon; but I wish you to take a note to Monsieur Miguel, of the Sailors’ Haven Inn, when you have shown the gentleman in.” ‘* Yes, senor.” The note was written ordering Monsieur Miguel to get together twenty picked men at once, and then to report to Chester Granger at the Date Tree Inn, the money-lender, how- ever, giving the name by which the young smuggler was known at that fashionable tay- ern. ‘«‘ Now, Bono, show the senor in,” he said. The youth disappeared, and a moment af. ter there entered a man who had to bow his head to pass through the door. “Good God! he is one to remember,” mut- tered the money-lender, as the Giant Bucca- neer advanced toward him. CHAPTER XXIX. DON RUDOLPHO AND THE GIANT. THERE was that in the appearance of the man who entered his sanctum which caused ; to ee ee oe ee The Giant Buccaneer. Se ay 15 ry | Don No, ely. waaithipienphetle PeanDainee Don “udalgho, the money-lender, to in- stantly arise to greet him. The Don was by no means a small man, and he also possessed considerable dignity of mien, and held himself up with a certain majestic bearing, But when he saw the Giant Buccaneer he felt like a pigmy before him. He saw a man of giant stature, splendidly formed, with great broad shoulders, remark- ably small hands and feet, and a well-poised head. His bearing was haughty, though his smile was pleasant, His face was full of intellect and conscious power, while he was dressed elegantly, yet in the free-and-easy style of a man whose attire troubled him but little. Hie wore a superb diamond upon the little finger of his left hand, and in his scarf was a ruby of great brilliiancy, while he carried a watch, with fob-chain set.in precious stones. Advancing toward the money-lender, he asked in his deep, yet strangely pleasant tones, when he chose they should be such; ‘*Do I address Don Rudolpho?” ‘You do, senor; my name is Rudolpho, so pray be seated, and let me know if I can be of service to you,” and the Don was glad to see his visitor sit down, so that the contrast in their hight might not appear so great. ‘You are a money- Jender, | have heard?” ‘*T am, senor. ‘For large sums?” ‘For any sum you may! need, senor, if you have the security to offer. ‘*T am not one to seek gold, unless I have the security to offer,” was the cold reply. ‘* Pardon, senor; I did not mean to ex- press myself so that you should understand me that you were; but I mean that t can ad- vance any sum that you may desire.” “You are a judge of gems, then?” ‘‘There is no one that is my superior in the city, senor, though I say so that shouldn't, perhaps.” ‘Give me the exact value of these,” and the giant tossed a silk purse upon the table, which the money-lender picked up and emptied of its contents. A mass of rare gems were exhibited, dia- monds, rubies, emeralds, pearls and opals i in great number. One by one the money-lender glanced at them, making a few figures after each one had been valued, and then he said: ee You have here, senor, thirty thousand dollars.” ‘* Face value?” “Yes, just what I will give you for them, though of course they will bring me in a margin on that.” “Doubtless; but do you want them?” ‘* At that figure?” ‘ee. ‘7 will take them.” ‘* And when pay for them?” **To-night, now, if you wish.” ‘*T have other goods to sell you, but of a different kind.” ‘*T buy all there is a sale for, senor.’ oe it was come by ya or not?” The money-lender looked up quickly, and then asked: ‘‘ Who sent you to me, senor?” ‘*One who has dealings with you.” ‘‘His name?” ‘“‘T am not at liberty to give it; but I need a good agent here to dispose of goods for me. “What is the nature of your goods, senor?” ‘‘ Laces, silks, wines, jewels, and other articles of rare value.” ‘“Come into the country without paying duty?” ‘« Perhaps.” ‘“« Smuggled in?” “Perhaps a trifle stained in the importa- ) “Ah! this looks as though you were—” ‘‘ What?” and the giant smiled straight in- to the face of the money-lender. ‘You will not be angry, senor?” ‘*No. ” **T may be wrong, but—" “ Quick, tell me what I may be?” ‘‘ A free rover.’ ‘“‘ Why do you think so?” ‘*From your words only.” “‘T do not look like a corsair?” ‘*Oh, no! you look the planter; but ap pearances are often deceitful.” “True, Now one not knowing you would mistake you for an honest man,” “Senor!” and the money-lender’s face flushed with anger. “But | came not here to discuss your looks, Don Rudolpho. ‘‘Tam pleased with you, and your valua- tion of my gems proved to me that you did not wish to rob me of half their value. Iam a sea rover, and—” ‘*T never heard of a buccaneer answering to your description.” ‘No, but you shall hear of me before long. ‘ “Under what name, may I ask, senor?” “You can be trusted ?” ‘‘T certainly should think that you feel so, as youcame here to hold the converse you have with me. ‘Why, I might have denounced you on your words.” ihe Giant Buccaneer smiled and answer- e ‘My dear sir, I have but to stretch forth my hand and seize you, and you are power- less—see!” Ashe spoke, quick as a flash he grasped the money-lender, who saw that he was in- deed powerless in that iron grip. But as quickly he released him, and said with a smile: “You see I could talk as I please without fear of your denouncing me. *“But come, I will trust you with my name, for it is my intention to intrust to your keeping a quantity of valuable plunder, For the first time in his life Don Rudolpho was cowed. He felt that he had met a man who could readily become his master, and the strength he possessed was something marvelous. Instantly he determined to become upon sendy terms With the giant, and to keep " eratting faintly, for the grip had alarmed him, he said: " Senor, you will find as we become better acquainted, that I am to be fully trusted, and in all things. ‘‘My name is Don Rudolpho, and men call me the money-lender. ‘‘ Now, may | ask, who it is that I have the honor of meeting?” ‘*My name, sir, is ee te English, but my men call me the Giant Buccaneer, while the craft I command is known as the Skeleton — Flag.” ** Ah! I have heard of such a craft.” ‘‘Doubtless; but she does not ei suit me.’ ‘There are others you might procure.” ‘* Where are they?” \ ‘* Two ot them are due hete, I learned to- night, in a very short while, for one was cut out by a pirate crew, and the other set sail in chase and captured her,” ‘They are fleet?” ‘The fastest keels in the Gulf, and I guess in other waters, too, senor,’ ‘* Cruisers?” ‘‘One was built by the rover, now mined honest, known as Palafox, the Sea Fox.” “And the other?” “Was the craft of the Sea Ghoul.” ‘It seems to me I have heard, years ago, of the former; but only lately of the Sea Ghoul, ‘The fact is, I have not been where I could get news the past five years.” ‘Indeed! you are a stranger in these wa- ters then?” ‘‘By no means, only I have been living the life of an exile; but I have on my schooner, which lies hidden ina bayou on the lake- shore, a quantity of booty for you, and you can hope for more; but I desire you to see these two vessels you speak of, let me know all regarding them, and I will cut out the one I like the best.” ‘*T’ll do all in my power, senor; but where are you stopping?’ ‘‘ At the Date Tree Inn.” ‘*T know it well, and it is a fashionable re- sort; but what name do you register under?” “ That of Ethan English, an Alabama 1 riv- er planter.” “Then I will keep you informed, senor; but now let me give you the money you de- sire for the gems. This was done, and the Giant Buccaneer \P Gomichboo “S|