Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 393 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

—— - — Sere ~* * é -—. . - ob - oe all ma — S ie 4 wot ; ~ = "> » rn is "Bs * = .ee Se ee ee + Per are a Ss << _* > ~ ye Tey s i Et . -* a 72 ‘ 4 > ¥4 - 9 »/ be * at A ~~ , » t , >" ‘i: : ‘ad es ij ~ . aS * i 47 % » - i = >. | bought for your vesse L all ki it- 4 Laat NS A rd S22ae-= = The Convict Captain. eof: jasc * ee = or. = = , =e ~~ L 2a ~~. Sars eae te sets = a no aetna par Then he said: ‘“*She is certainly unarmed, and can be no other than Cordova’s vessel. ‘* There must be half a hundred men on board, and she 1s heading so as to run into the channel between the islands. ‘*T must go down and be prepared to meet ‘them, whoever they may be.’ As he spoke he closed his glass, and started to " descend from his point of lookout. The island he was upon was a peculiar one in shape. It was shaped like a human hand, and be- tween rocky points serving as fingers, jutting out from what stood for the palm, there was a hannelway or inlet. The center one was deep, and a vessel in mild weather could enter it and run directly into what was the hand of the island, where upon all sides towered rocky hills, the summits hidden by pines. In the basin thus formed was a vessel at an- «chor, and her topmasts had been lowered, or lost in a gale, for they were missing. As she lay her masts did not rise above the ‘tree-tops, so that a vessel passing near would not have suspected that a craft lay in hiding ‘there. The vessel was a schooner, heavily armed, with high bulwarks and the look of having seen hard service. She was fearfully weather-worn, her canvas was black and torn, her bowsprit was gone, and her spars were badly scarred by shot-marks., Upon her decks were a score and a half of hard-looking specimens of manhood, and alto- gether the captain, his vessel and his crew were most unprepossessing, be they pirates or honest traders. Upon reaching the shore, the one who had dis- cerned the strange vessel shouted out: ‘Up, you lazy dogs, and look to your wea- pons, for a vessel is moving in on us!” The words acted like magic, for the crew sprung about lively, while their captain got into a boat that lay ashore and sculled himself out to the vessel. As she lay, the schooner was anchored fore and aft, so that her broadside was toward the entrance to the basin, and the craft entering must face her fire. ** We've got but half a dozen shot all told; but we'll give ’em that, if they are enemies; but I think it’s that rascal Cordova, come at last,” said the pirate captain, and his men broke out into a cheer, But he quickly silenced them, and, standing at the guns, they waited for the stranger to en- ter the basin. They had not very long to wait, for soon the tittle schooner shot into sight, and she carried at her foretop a large white flag. ‘**It’s Cordova! bravo!” and her captain’s words brought a cheer from the men. , In ten minutes more the little vessel, having een peaceful signals, ran alongside, and Du- uth sprung on the pirate deck, accom anied by Elgin, and followed by three-score seamen. Ho! what means this? Where is Cordova?” ‘yelled the pirate. ** Cordova is at the bottom of the sea, sir, for Thad him hanged, and came myself with men and all that you need to fit out your schooner,” said Duluth. “* Who are you?” ** An adventurer, an escaped convict, and at nt a pirate.” ** And what of Cordova?” ** He left you to betray you, a gre ing your money, shipped on a pirate craft, sought to be- ir f me, then you, and last Captain Caspar, ‘with whom he had allied himself, and intend- “ed to becomea pirate commodore, “ft found out his plot, had him hanged stores, ammunition o nds, canvas for sails, paints, i rao fact all that you need, and more, and I have - come to bring them and fit your vessel out.” “You are a bold fellow, and have a seaman- like look, so I will offer you the berth of my cer. **My dear captain, [ cannot accept it.” “¢ Why not?” **T wish to be captain.” ‘Of a used up, crewless craft.” **'You have a few men and stores, but no ves- 1 to cruise in.” ‘* My idea is tosee whether you take what I have, or I get your vessel.” ‘** How do you mean?” * Why you wish to be commander?” * Certainly I do.” ‘**T wish also to be captain.” You cannot be.” **'You would not be willing to go as my first luff?” ** Never, sir!” Why not?” *T, a captain, go backward?” "You have made a poor success, to judge from what I see about me,” **T still am captain.” ** Won’t be first luff?” “No, ar” **T will not be either.” ** Well, what is to be done?” ‘*T have what you need.” se Yes. ” ** ‘You have what I need.” sé Yes.” ‘** We cannot have two captains.” ** No, indeed.” ** Then we must decide who is to be the one.” **T have already decided.” ‘You have not yet won your position, sir, and so I say to you that we will gamble for it.” ‘*Gamble for it?” ‘ec Yes. ” ** With cards?” ** Certainly.” ‘** Risk my rank upon a game?” ‘** Your rank, or your life!” ‘**T will not.” **’'You must!” ** Ah! you have the power to dictate terms.” “*T know that I have.” **T'll tell you what I'll do, man.” ** Well, sir?” ** Vil fight you for it.” ‘* Nothing could give me more pleasure than to oblige you.” ** With weapons?” ** Certainly.” ** What weapons?” ‘Suit yourself, captain.” ‘* Swords!” shouted the pirate. ‘** As you please; swords or pistols are all the same to me.” ‘*Clear me space here, men, and let me clip this fellow’s claws,” yelled the pirate, and he drew his cutlass. Duluth did the same, and instantly advanced upon him. As their blades cressed Duluth shouted: ** Hold!” ** Do you withdraw?” ‘Not I, sir; but I wish to say that if I fall you are chiet of all, if you fall I assume com- mand. ** Do you so understand, lads?” A loud affirmative was given, the pirate crew joining in, for they liked the dashing style of the andsome young stranger, Then the blades clashed again, and the com- bat was begun. The pirate was a good swordsman, for what he lacked in consummate skill he made up in strength and endurance; but Duluth was a mas- ter of a blade, and he drove his enemy back step by step, and soon ended the combat by disarming him, ‘Will you go as second officer now, sir?” ‘** Never!” and seizing his weapon again the pirate attacked him furiously, to fall dead, struck down by Duluth’s blade. ‘* Men, [ command here! so get to work and fit this craft at once for sea,” was Duluth’s stern order, and it was obeyed. CHAPTER XXXTII. THE DEMON OF THE ISLE. Wuen Henry Harvey arrived on board of the Blue Blazes, accompanied by Count De- lorme and Queen, it was observable that the vessel in the offing could not be seen from the cruiser’s decks, some wooded islets lying be- tween. The boat, however, pulling in-shore, soon came in sight, and that those on board had not before seen the schooner was evident from the fact that they had suddenly ceased rowing. But after a moment they resumed rowing again and headed shorewa Placing a middy in the stern of the boat, in which he had just come from the shore, Henry Harvey bade him go and ask Captain Conrado to come aboard and dine with him, telling him to say also that Count Delorme and the Lady Queen were also the guests of the captain of the Blue Blazes. ' They saw the middy hail the boat, run along- side, and soon the two came toward the schooner, Captain Conrado, as the pirate pretended to be seemed a trifle nervous, as he stepped on board the deck of the schooner; but he was well-cov- ered by Count Delorme and Queen, and the lat- ter peoenes him to Lieutenant Harvey. The young sailor fairly started as he saw the outlaw leader, while, feeling that he had really shown emotion, he said quickly: ** Pardon me, Captain Conrado, if I tell you that your striking resemblance to a once famous pirate chief, almost unmanned me.” ‘You mean C r the Corsair, who was hanged nine years ago, Senor Harvey?” said the pirate, with the utmost coolness, ‘* Yes, sir; I captured him, and he was quick- lyesentenced and hanged, though I have heard a rumor that he escaped and the prison-keeper kept it secret; in fact it is said that he has since been seen several times; but I hope you will on me for my seeming rise, and the penayA that you so closely resemble such a vil- ain “Certainly, Senor Captain Harvey, for I have been told of the resemblance often before and, but that the pirate were dead, I would have to have care that I was not captured and hanged by some of your American cruisers,” and the disguised pirate smiled blandly, while Count Delorme hastened to change the subject. It was a delightful dinner they had on board the Blue Blazes, Henry Harvey with the courtesy he always showed, inviting the officers of his vessel to dine with his guests. And the pretended Spanish captain made him- self most agreeable to all, and fairly won the hearts of Henry Harvey and bis officers, At length it became time for the Blue Blazes to put to sea, and Count Delorme, as Captain Conrado had hinted it, said he would ask Lieu- tenant Harvey to signal for a pilot, and they would then run out upon the American cruiser and return on the Spanish vessel. _ This seemed to pee Queen also, and after a signal gun, one of the coast pilots from the De- lorme estate quickly came off and the Blue Blazes put out to sea, Henry Harvey himself at the helm. ‘You know these waters well, Captain Har- vey,” said the pretended Spaniard, as he watch- ed the skillful manner in which Henry Harvey handled his vessel. ‘*I do, Senor Captain, for my home is not far from here. *‘See, we are nearing the Haunted Island; but we turn in a few minutes and leave it on our port quarter.” ‘*By the way, Harvey, we have seen other manifestations from the island since your de- parture,” said the count. ‘* Indeed! what were they, sir?” ‘* A black ghost, spook, devil, or whatever he may be called has been seen on the island,” ‘** That is surprising, sir, for I believed that there was no color line after death, and that an Indian and negro became like other spirits.” “So I believed, but my men report a large black being having been seen upon the island. — “He is manlike in form, but possesses huge wings, horns on either side of his head and dress- es in scarlet shirt and short breeches, while he carries a spear in the sbape of a cross,” “It must be Satan himself,” said Captain Conrado, crossing himself as though he were a devout Catholic. ‘‘ Well, [ have never seen the creature, or whatever it is, nor do I wish to; but a score of my people, some of whom I[ cannot doubt, have seen him, and, as I know that a spirit being did dwell there, I cannot doubt them.” All gazed upon the island with increased in- terest, and then it was dropped astern, and the Blue Blazes ran down near the Iron Don and farewells were said as the count, Queen and Ca p- tain Conrado were transferred from one vessel to the other by a boat. ‘* You will touch as you come back, Harvey, for there is something I wish to talk with you about,” said the count in a low tone, and the young officer’s heart beat more rapidly, as he thought that it was to be about Queen, now that he had become the old admiral’s heir. ‘Tt was just dark as the two vessels parted, and while the Blue Blazes held on her way north- ward, the Iron Don started back into the bay. As they neared the Haunted Island, at the point where the conversation regarding it had occurred, the ag who was at the helm of the schooner, fairly shouted: ** Oh, see there!” All eyes were turned upon the island, and there suddenly flashed up a weird, bluish light on the top of a rock, ae the midst of it stood a huge black form, the body and legs tothe knee enveloped in scarlet. He had a huge per of black wings, spread as though about to flv, horns upon his human-like head, and held in his hands a cross, the long and pointed end to serve as a spear. The light about him, coming from some un- known source seemed to attend him, and a more startling sight could not have been imagined. Cries of alarm went up on all sides, the crew prayed lustily forward, many of them dropping upon their knees, while it was certain that Con- redo, the count and Queen were deeply impress- ed by the alarming spectacle. Suddenly the light went out, and his Satanic- like Majesty panrgeered. : A groan of relief went up from the crew, and when the anchor was let go near inshore, all seemed deeply impressed, Captain Conrado went to the mansion with the count and his daughter, but after breakfast the next morning he set sail, promising to re- _— _ a few days and investigate the Haunted sland. Hardly had his vessel disappeared from view up ws coast, when another sail appeared in sight. t was a schooner-of-war, as Loth the count and Queen saw, as it drew nearer, and, instead of passing on up the coast, it put its helm astar- board and ran directly into the bay, and in a manner that caused the maiden to exclaim: ‘Father, that vessel has a coast pilot on board!” died CHAPTER XXXTYV., THE BLACK DEMON, WHEN Congo ran into a quiet pool, in the midst of the pile of castle-like rocks for which he had headed, he knew exactly the spot for which he was heading. The mass of rocks had, through some convul- GONE JOO ;,* “~~. a : = P ‘ — % |. “d - a