Beadle's Dime Library No. 388: The Giant Buccaneer — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

a ss. eee -waist a long rope, throw it about the lightning- 6 One of these was a man not unlike in majes- | tic form and handsome face, the pirate, Barton Keys. He was dressed in a free-and-easy yachting suit, and was talking to a young girl, who was | leaning on the high bulwarks and watching the smuggler craft. Her face was beautiful in the extreme, one of those faces that carries the imprint of a pure and noble nature. She was dressed in a jaunty suit, fitted for a cruise, and her every movement was graceful, while her form was perfectly molded. Near them, examining the Iueger through a glass, was an elderly gentleman with a military air. “ Carr, that lugger is picking up a small boat, which she has hitherto concealed irom us, being between,” remarked the elderly gentleman. The young man addressed took the glass, and after a moment said: ‘‘Colonel Brandt, as I supposed, when I bade the white seamen not show themselves, yonder craft is an outlaw, and more, [ recognize her as the Sea Owl!” ‘*What! the craft of the Smuggler Queen?” cried Colonel Brandt, while the maiden started and turned slightly pale. ‘Yes, colonel, but she is well disguised.” “What do you say about it, Carr?” ‘* Ask our young middy here, who has so kind- ly accompanied us on our cruise, to use his men to make a valuable capture,” and Bradford Carr turned to the middy at the helm, who said, eagerly: ‘It would be a grand idea, sir, for though I was sent with you in your yacht, to try and find the Vulture, or learn her fate, we could easily make the capture first.” ‘Yes, and keep on our hunt for the Vulture afterward.” “Ah! Carr, I feel that I shall not find that ship, for she must have gone down in that fear- ful storm, or been seized by pirates. “T tell you, I fear for my poor boy, who took passage in her,” and the colonel spoke in a low tone. But it reached the ears of Maud Brandt, who turned and said, quickly: ‘‘Pather, I cannot believe that harm has be- fallen brother Irving, for he always comes out in safety, no matter what the scrape. ‘‘ True, he sailed on a vessel that should long ago have reached port; but I believe he will turn up in good time.” “T am glad you are hopeful, ny daughter; but what will you do, Mr. Carr, for the yacht is in your hands?” ‘“T see but half a score of men on the lugger’s deck, colonel, so 1 shall play a trick on him.” ‘What shall it be?” ““Send the white seamen below, show the yacht’s black sailors above, and fly.” ‘¢ But we can outrun the outlaw.” ‘¢ Not with drags thrown out, and [ll do that at once.” Five minutes after, the yacht was in full flight but with *‘ drags” holding her back, though she Sess Se SQN“ had all sail set, the smuggler craft steadily gain- ed on her, and all knew that before long the death-struggle must come. CHAPTER XI. THE STRANGE SAIL, Waite the smuggler craft, Sea Owl, is chasing the planter’s yacht, Lady Maud, and with every prospect of receiving a surprise by no means de- rete ss I will beg my readers to return with me to the Witch’s Island, at the time of the escape of Midshipman Brandt. The old Witch had gone to the “‘ field of sport,” accompanied by her son and the Giant Slave, with every hope that she would witness the chase of her victims by bloodhounds. , What the Giant Slave thought, his face did not show; but Perdito, the Witch’s son, took rare joy in the thought that the daring midshipman, who had thwarted his mutiny on the Vulture, and afterward defeated him in personal combat before his mother and her slave, would soon end his career. Their horror then can be imagined when they beheld the flying youth unloose from about his riven trunk and go over the cliff to safety. “Great Furies! he has escaped from the dogs!” shrieked the infuriated Witch. ‘‘ Call the hounds off, slave, and let us fly for the cave, or he will be off in one of the boats!” The long call of the Giant Slave brought the baying dogs back from the cliff, and then the trio of strange beings ran along the beach toward the cave at full speed, te hounds joining them, and going with them in the race. — ing the point near the ravine’s entrance, they beheld the plucky middy on the deck of the coflin craft getting up sail. | Ere they reached the cave they saw him head boldly seaward, wave them a farewell, and dash | fearlessly through the breakers rushing in the | inlet. , They hoped to see him swamp the boat in the | -wild sea there, but he passed through the curling waves in safety to the smoother sea beyond, and | in al) haste they began to bend the sails upon the | The Giant Euccaneer. It was no light task; but they worked with SNe ed -——— “* There are the dogs,” further suggested Per- rapid hands, completed their task, set sail and | dido. headed out of the cove. But darkness had now come on, and the coffin craft had become lost in the gloom, and they furious at the escape of the.midshipman. Seeking the fire in front of the Witch’s cavern, they sat down to talk over the affair. **We cannot remain on this island,” said the | Witch at last. “Why not, mother?” asked the son. ** Because that accursed boy will bring down a crew upon us that will soon end our days.” “Do you possibly think that he can reach a haven in that frail boat?” ‘* Yes, he will reach a place of safety.” ‘* But not for days?’ ‘* He will reach it.” ** Suppose it storms?” Then the deep tones of the Giant Slave an- swered: | were forced to put back, the Witch and her son | | | . They will quickly fall under the fire of the sailors,’ ‘*My God! what can we do?” and the young man grew very anxious. ‘* Await our doom with a bold front,” came in the deep tones of the Giant Slave. Then he turned a glass upon the coming schoo- ner, and as the last lingering rays of the setting sun fell upon the craft, he saw something that: caused him to start, ** Mother Witch, yonder craft flies the black flag!” he suddenly cried out in a voice that had the ring of joy in it. The Witch seized the glass from the slave’s hands and bent it upon the schconer, while Per- dido’s face flushed with delight and hope. ‘*T see the flag distinctly, for the sun lights it up well. Itis a black field, a white skeleton form in the center, which grasps in one hand a red sword, and in the other a golden anchor,” ‘He will reach a port, calm or storm, for he the Witch slowly announced. has it in him to do it.” “T believe you, slave, he will, and hence we | cannot remain here.” ‘But whither go, mother?’ and Perdido asked the question with deep interest, for he | did not care for a life on a desolate island, and had no desire to play wizard. He knew that his mother had vast quantities of valuable booty, taken from wrecks that had come ashore, not to speak of the fortune in gems which she carried about her. If they had to leave the Haunted Island, his desire was to go to some city where he could live in luxury; therefore he waited with deepest interest for the reply of his Witch mother. It soon came. ‘There isan island many leagues from here, which, I have been told by the few prisoners whom we have allowed to live for a while among us, is called Death Isle, on account of the many wrecks upon it. It is bleak, I believe, and | with but one inlet to reach its shores; but the | bleaker the better for us. | ** Once it was said to be the haunt of a wizard but now it is deserted. If there are dwellers | upon it, they must give place to us.” | ‘*So say I,” was the answer of the Giant Slave, and Perdido dared not do other than | yield consent; but he fretted under his captivity. | ‘*Then we sail soon for the Death Island?” asked the Giant Slave. ‘Yes, we will get our best booty ready to- morrow and load the smack with it, and I shall carry my frescoing too,” and the Witch pointed to the skulls and bones about her. Thus it was decided, and the three, so strange- ly met, so strangely clinging together, sought rest for the night. But bright and early they were up, and the smack, a little craft of twenty tons, was put in rfect contition for the cruise, and the valua- le booty first taken from the store-huts and It was toward sunset that the quick eye of the iant fell upon a sail. A schooner was approach- ing the island, and coming on at a telling pace. ‘Sail ho!” he sung out, in his deep tones, and oe cry brought the Witch and Perdido to his side. ‘* Ha! she comes this way!” Perdido soon an- nounced, “Yes, and is an armed craft. Can the boy have been picked up by a _ cruiser?” and the Witch turned pale, giving her tattooed face a mos pey look. es it is a cruiser and the boy has been placed on board in the hold. picked up by her, then our doom is sealed,” ad-_ ded the Slave Hercules. ‘But can she get in through the breakers!” | anxiously asked Perdido. ‘** Yes, her boats can, and the youth can pilot them,” was the response. “Tl tell you, mother, if it is a vessel-of- war let me appear as your prisoner, and I wee free, can rescue you an English,” said Perdido. If the Witch saw through his cowardice, her face did not show it; but the Giant Slave did and responded: “You forget that the young midshipman | knows you as you are, Senor Perdido.” ** Yes,” was the low reply, and Perdido felt that he too was doomed with the others, and turned his eyes anxiously upon the coming craft which was now distinctly seen to be an arme schooner, and her course lay straight for the in- let between the reefs, and soon after darkness had fallen she would drop anchor. CHAPTER XII. THE SKELETON PILOT. THAT the three persons on the island were alarmed, there was no doubt, by the presence of the coming schooner, and well they deserved the heart-pangs that were upon them, The Witch was pale and nervous, the Giant Slave calm, though by no means indifferent, and Perdido was pallid and pee tie pf ‘Tet us try and keep them off with weird dis- play.” Perdido suggested. ** Bah! you forget the boy cannot be alarmed,” amet the Witch, with some anger in her nes. er ch “Then a buccaneer Can mean us no harm,” Perdido remarked. ‘*No, and perhaps yes. It will be night be- fore he can land, and we will be prepared to re- ceive him: but why he comes here I cannot tell. Slave I will go to my cabin and dress to receive guests. Perdido, come with me, and I will tel you vour duties, ** Slave, watch the schooner and report to me; but first put on yeur skeleton suit and meet, them in your coffin skiff.” ** Yes, Mother Witch,” answered the Giant Slave, obediently, and the woman and her son walked away, leaving the Hercules standing amid the clump of trees watching the coming vessel. Suddenly he stepped to a crevice in the bank and took therefrom a huge black flag. This he ran up ona branchless pine, and as it fluttered out it displayed a seemingly spirit form floating in the air. It was at once discovered on board the _ schooner, and the pirate flag was dipped three times, as though to salute it. Darkness now settled upon the sea, and the giant walked hastily to the ravine and disa peared in his hut. Soon he came out, and im the dim light looked like some huge skeleton gliding along, for he bad on a black suit, striped and painted in waite to resemble the fleshless humen frame. In his bends he carried a lantern, the light of which he shielded. Walking down to the cove, he threw off a canvas covering that protected a small skiff, and it was revealed in the shape of a coffin, and colored jet-black. This he launched, and taking an oar with @ double blade, he got in, placed the lantern be- fore him in the bow, so as to reveal his hideous proportions distinctly, and also to cast its light upon the ghastly craft, and paddled slowly out of the cove. The sea was not rough, and the breakers in the inlet were not heavy, so he passed through them with ease. There he found the schooner had just come to anchor, and ho bailed in his deep voice: ‘* Ho, the schooner!” ** Ahoy, the boat!” came the answer, yet in not a yery confident tone, as though the speak- er longed to be far away from the ghastly skiff and its still more aga occupant. “Why seeks the Skeleton Schooner the Witch’s Isle?” cried the Giant Slave, sternly. Tnen he heard a chorus of voices in carnest conversation, while one said: ‘‘ He knows us to be the Skeleton Schooner.” “ Aha, it is the craft of that name of which I have heard,” muttered the Giant Slave, and then he called out sternly: ‘‘Answer me! Why comes the Skeleton Schooner to an anchor off the Witch’s Island? ‘“‘T have come to seek the Mother Witch, to re- ceive from her an amulet to protect my vessel from doom, for we met last night upon the high SEAS & Death Craft,” was the answer in a man y voice. ‘‘ Ay, ay! Come on shore, and I will seeif the Mother Witch will receive you,” answered he Giant Slave. The creaking of blocks was soon after heard as a boat was being lowered from the davits, an then the steady stroke of oars. “Six oarsmen, and as many more in the boat,” muttered the Giant Slave, as he paddled backward to the cove, still keeping the light upon him, so as to reveal him in all his ghastli- ness. Keeping ahead of the beat, he led it into tke — cove to a landing, and then suddenly extivguish- ing his lantern, he stepped out and confronted the pirate captain just as he sprung on shore, In spite of himself the outlaw sprune back as his eyes fell upon the giant form, while those with him could not refrain from an exclemation of amazement or fear, perhaps both com- mingled. - CHAPTER XIII. IN SEARCH OF AN AMULRT. “Wri, Senor Pirate, you would see the Mother Witch?” and the deép tones of the giant »s pr hk NE ECO (E ——