Beadle's Dime Library No. 388: The Giant Buccaneer — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

fi ‘appalling scene before them, the old The Giant Buccaneer. @ fell with ominous sound upon the ears of the Their teeth seemed to chatter, their knees buccaneer. ‘*T would see her, to ask her aid,” he said, in low response, ‘Why need you her aid?” ‘* My vessel sighted a Death Crafta night ago, and you know it is said such dooms her to loss, uuless her captain wears an amulet given by a witch, and I braved all tocome here.” “Wait and I will soon see if the Mother Witch will give you an audience,” and the giant glided away in the darkness, A rapid walk brought him to the ravine. There a fire of logs had been lighted, fronting the cavern, which had been dug by the slave. It was an appalling chamber to look into, fr skeleton forms stood on guard on either side, their bony hands grasping boarding-pikes, and the walls and ceiling were really frescoed with human bones! In a huge chair, made of bones, sat the Witch, Her left hand rested upon a skull, which formed the arm of the seat, and her right held a wand painted black. She was robed in white, her long hair had been dyed red, giving her a fearful appearance, and the tattooing upon her arms, of reptiles, and on her face and back, were hideous to look upon. Around her wrists and neck were strings of precious gems, and a crown of thorns rested upon her head. A large skull served as a footstool, and upon the back of her chair sat a raven, an owl and a parrot, the former croaking, the ow! hooting dis- mally, and the parrot chattering forth ominous words and wailing like a lost soul. Pacing to and fro was the tall form of Per- dido, and yet noone would have recognized him, so strangely was he gotten up. What appeared to be his face, when he stood still, as the Giant Slave approached, wasa skull, half-hidden beneath a cowl, while his attire was that of a monk, beads, cross and all. But turning, the other half of him displayed a perfect Mephisto in red, grinning features, burn- ing eyes, hook nose, two small horns, and the claws in place of feet and hands. It certainly was a fearful sight that the fire- light revealed, to the eyes of the Giant Slave. ut he seemed not to regard it, and advanc- ing, said: ‘** The vessel is a pirato known as the Skeleton Schooner. Her captain, two officers, and six oarsmen have landed, and the commander re- ports having seen a Death Craft at sea a night ago.” - ‘* Tt, was doubtless the boy in the coffin craft,” said the Witch. “Yes, Mother Witch; but he has come to. have you take the doom off of his vessel, with the power of your witchcraft.” ** Ah! he has gold to pay for it?” ** He is a pirate.” ‘Then he should have gold in plenty.” ** And you will see him?” ** Bring him hither.” a All 7 “If they so wish,” was the reply; and the Giant Slave strode away in the darkness, The pirates had not dared to move away from their boat, and were anxiously watching for the return of their Skeleton Pilot. They were evidently deeply alarmed at hav- ing met the coffin craft EON the high seas, for their superstition told them that they were doomed according to the legends of the sea. Suddenly they saw him approaching, and they held their breath in suspense, ‘“Senor Pirate, the Mother Witch knew of your coming, and is ready to receive you,” an- nounced the Giant Slave. ** Alone?” ** As the Senor Pirate pleases.” **Come, Donald; come, Barkis—you and the lads, for, by the Virgin! I am afraid to go aldne,” said the pirate captain, and his two offi- cers and the seamen followed him in awe, Going ahead, the Giant Slave led the way in a slow, funereal step, and just as they started, in the distance was heard’ the wild shriek of a night-bird, followed by a burst of mocking laughter, and then the dismal howling of half a score of hounds, Though men accustomed to face death daily, when brought in contact with the supernatural, the pirates shuddered in spite of themselves, and momentarily hesitated, as if fearing to go on, ‘‘Come! he who halts here is lost,” came in the deep tones of the Giant Slave, and quickly they rushed forward again, but their pace was toned down once more to the measured tread of their guide. ; On they marched, wh‘le the hounds howled in dismal chorus, and soon they came into the en- trance to the ravine, and the full glare of the firelight, ; As they drew near, and their eyes beheld the Witch in her chair, the skeleton sentinels, the bone fresco of the cavern, the three ominous-looking birds, the hounds squatting in a circle around the fire and howling, and Perdido pacing back and forth, displaying first the monk and then Mephis- to as he turned, the group of pirates again came to a halt, and a sudden one. | smote together, and they seemed about to dart | away as fast as their trembling legs could carry them, when the Giant Slave said sternly: ** Follow me!” In spite of themselves they obeyed, and he | halted them in a line before the Witch. | They doffed their hats and stood in silent awe, while the Giant Slave said solemnly: ‘* Mother Witch, the Senor Pirate has come before you to seek your aid. He will speak to you. The burning eyes of the woman turned upon the outlaw chief as though to look him through. He wa; a young man, a Spaniard evidently, though speaking English well, | His face was fearless but cruel, and he seemed | one who loved red deeds as he did gold. gr Yes, Mother Witch, { seek your aid, for my craft has become accursed, and myself and crew are doomed, unless you give me an amulet to save us,” He spoke in a voice as firm as he could com- mand, and in reply the woman said: ** Your vessel, in cruising, meta Death Craft?” ** ‘Yes, Mother Witch,” ** By night?” ; ‘Yes; for they are not seen by day.” ** You are wrong, they are.” ** Il never heard so before.” ** Then know so now.” ‘Your knowledge is great, Mother Witch.” ** Had you a dead body on board your schooner when you saw the Death Craft?” se No.” ‘*Then you are doomed,” said the woman, hoarsely, and the pirate started at her words and became livid. % D Without your aid, Mother Witch, we know it.’ ‘** And you expect me to destroy the spell upon your vessel and yourselves?” ‘* We hope for it, Mother Witch,” **Gold must flow like water to get me to place an amulet about your neck,” ‘**T have gold in plenty, good Mother.” **'W here?” ‘** Tt is here, for I brought it with me,” and he took from two of his men bags that they carried of the precious metal], ‘** Pour it there, one in each skull,” and as the _ woman spoke, the Giant Slave placed skulls, hol- lowed out, upon the ground, and the gold was poured into them, ‘* Now match those with eleven more just like them, and I will save you and your vessel with my witchcraft,” sternly said the Witch, while the Giant Slave brought out of the cavern the other eleven empty skulls, and placed them in a row. At this the pirate captain winced. a loved his gold, but he loved his life, and said: ‘*T have no more with me, Mother Witch.” ‘* My slave will return with you to your ves- sel and get more.” With a sigh the pirate chief turned away, and, as his comrades were about to follow, the Giant Slave bade them remain, and walked off alone with the outlaw. CHAPTER XIV. THE SLAVE REBELS, UPON reaching the cove, the Giant Slave bade the pirate captain get into his skiff, and in silence he obeyed, Without lighting the lantern, he seized the paddle and sent the light skiff skimming over the waves out toward the anchored schooner. The crew were ORG the deck, the one officer on board, and in charge, having his eyes fixed on the shore, for all were nervous about their comrades who had Janded, and the doom, which their superstitious fears caused them to believe their craft must suffer. The skiff coming out was soon discovered, and the officer hailed: ‘‘ Ay, ay, Miguel, I am here,” called out the captain, and the skiff soon ran alongside, and boarding, the pirate was followed into his cabin by the Giant Slave. Out of a trap in the flooring, which he un- locked, he handed out several large bags of gold, and asked: ** Will these fill the skulls, think you?” ‘¢’Yes, senor.” ‘** Then I will have my men carry them.” ‘*T will do so,” and with an ease that was re- markable the giant raised the bags, and the two left the cabin and the schooner. ‘*“You have a fine vessel, senor,” said the giant, as he paddled away, the men standing | gazing at him in awe, ‘Yes, and fleet as the wind.” ** A large crew.” ** No, for my men have been thinned out of late in combats, and I lost half a score one night In a storm,so have but forty all told, but I shall run for the Indies and recruit from here.” _ The Giant Slave said no more, but upon reach- ing the shore took up the gold and started for | the ravine, the pirate following him. | Arriving before the Witch, who had sat in silence the while, eying each man in turn, until i ! -_ eee ——— ee TT —————————_—_—_—- pa" they were all as uncomfortable as possible, the gold was poured into the skulls and more than filled them all. ‘*Give that to the slave,” said the Witch, as the pirate captain was about to appropriate the amount over. With a sigh he handed it over, for every gold- piece was as dear to bim as a drop of blood. ‘*Now you desire to sail the seas without meri said the Witch, her eyes gloating on the rold. arr Yes, Mother Witch.” ‘You wish fair weather?” ae Yes. ” < You wish to sight rich prizes?” ‘Yes “You wish Death to keep away from your deck?” pes Ry “You desire that the doom now resting upon your vessel be taken off?” “Lao.” ’ . You would sail without fear of the gal- o'vs? **Gladly would I.” You believe in witchcraft?” ** Most fully, good Mother,” * And in my power to aid you?” ‘‘ Did I not, never would I have come hither.” ** Then I will grant Ms your wishes, and give you an amulet to shield you, ‘*Now stand there while the amulet has the mystic power put upon it.” The Giant Slave stepped forward, placed the men in a circle around the fire, and clasped their hands together, and said sternly: ‘*As you love life, close your eyes and do not open them until I give you permission.” The pirates stood in as holy awe of the Giant Slave as they did of the Witch, almost, and their eyes closed simultaneously. Then the man beckoned to the Witch, and she followed him down the ravine into the shadow beyond the firelight. Seeing his mother depart, Perdido, represent- ing the monk and Mephisto, quickly followed. **'You wish me, slave?’ said the woman, evi- dently believing that the man had something of importance to communicate, ** Yes, Mother Witch,” he answered, solemn- vu Well?” ‘“-You desire to leave this island?” **T do as you know.” ** You fear the return of themidshipman with help to destroy us?” ‘ I do ” ‘*Tt is your wish to seek Death Island?” 7 Yes,” ‘In the smack?” SOR ‘* Better conveyance is at your hand,” * What do you mean?” ‘* The schooner that lies off yonder.” ‘‘ Hal would you have me lose my power?” “Oh, no; but I will convey you to Death Is- land.” ac You 3”? ac Yes.” ‘**T do not understand you, slave.” ‘*T will convey you to Death Island in yonder schooner.” ‘** What power have you over that vessel?” st intend to command her,” was the cool reply. he Witch started back with a look of amaze- ment, and gazed upon the man for an instant, Then she said, hoarsely: “Slave, have you gone mad?” ‘* Oh, no, but my term of service to you has expired,” “Your term of service?” and the woman re- peated the words in a dazed kind of way. ‘*So I said,” he answered, coolly, ‘* Explain your words, slave.” ‘* With pleasure, as you seem to have forgot- ten, Do you remember five hepa ago this night a vessel was wrecked on this island, and you found me upon her deck?” eh ag ‘*T was the only one that lived of all on board.” **T remember.’ ‘You appeared before me like a ghost, and, knowing that we had struck on the Haunted Island, I believed you a spirit, and you held power over me.” “ Well, slave?” ‘Then I swore to sell myself, body and so to you for five years. Have you forgotten?” ** 7 remember,” “The five years end to-night.” ‘** But I do not release you,’ the woman said, quickly. ‘** Bah! woman, what care I for ycur release?” was the contemptuous reply. . The Witch started; the slave was becoming the master. But she would not yield without a struggle, and said, savagely: ‘You forget my power, slave. I will—” “ You will do nothing, woman, and you hold no power over me. Iam free this night, and I offer to take you and your booty to Death Island. I offer to make your son my lieutenant, and to make you comfortable in your new home, dis- 08e of your booty for you, and return you gold or it. Micboo (E(0) SiG om