Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 393 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

£ = a} a oe ae, a am ve / The Convict Captain. 29 charge a skipper, Nick Noland, and five of his men who are there.” ‘* The pirates, sir?” ‘i Yes. ? ‘You are to tell “ines men that Lieutenant Harvey gave you the written order, and you are to tell the prisoners simply that they are to be sent off for trial. ‘‘There will be a small coaster off the East India wharf that night, and a boat will await you at the shore. ‘‘Take the men on board and give them in care of the skipper.” ‘« Yes, sir.” ‘¢ You understand fully?’ ** Yes, sir.” ‘*'You are to speak to no one about the affair, other than to tell your few men, who act as guard, that Lieutenant Harvey gave you your orders and the papers.” ** Yes, sir, but I'll be discharged at sunset.” ** All right, get four marines not on duty to go with you, aud pay them a few dollars each. ‘‘ Here is the amount of your ticket, and here are five hundred dollars more, to add to what you have saved.” ‘*Oh, captain!” “Not a word, sir, but obey orders as I have given you. “Then goon board the clipper ship and sail for home. - ‘‘She gets up anchor just about ten o’clock, so you will have ample time.” “1 1] do it, sir, and thank you for your good- ness,” was the reply of the marine sergeant, who, when Saturday night came carried his orders out to the letter, and, while Nick Noland and his men escaped in a coaster, he set sail in a clipper ship, bound for Liverpool, to see the old folks at home, whom he had left long years before, to settle in the new land of America. It is needless to say that he did his work so well, even to reporting to his men, that Henry Harvey gave him his orders, that Nick Noland and his crew escaped in a vessel which Preble Bainbridge had waiting for them, and thus saved their necks from the noose, CHAPTER XLIII. SPREADING THE NET. THERE was certainly every reason to make a “lion” of Henry Harvey waen he returned to Boston as the captor of a vessel, which, though not an acknowledged pirate, was yct a flagless cruiser, for Duluth had sailed for revenge and a fortune, both to be taken from Caspar, the Cor- sair. Having formerly servedin the Cartagenian Novy, ard still holding his commission, he might perhaps have escaped the stigma of pirate, es- pecially when he was hunting down the noted Caspar the Corsair. It was taking this view of the matter, and to save a man who had been his boyhood friend, that He Harvey had sent him to his home to be nursed by his mother, hoping to arrange his pardon with the naval authorities in Boston. The crew he had divided, shipping a number of them upon the Blue Blazes, so that when he had put his own men on board the schooner of Duluth, others as prize crewson the smuggling French brig, and the Surprise, he had his own force almost equally divided between Duluth’s men and his own. The loss of Caspar, the Corsair was a great disappointment to him, and yet, his going in with an armed schooner, the French brig, and the smuggler Surprise, was enough certainly to make a lion of him. He was met by Captain Preble Bainbridge and warmly complimented upon his services, though that yo officer was greatly annoyed at the capture of the Surprise, fearing it might prove unpleasant for him. eat was the honor done Henry Harvey, that Preble Bainbridge felt that he was winnin all the laurels, and would therefore gain still greater favor in the eyes of Queen Delorme. Those high in authority in the naval command about Boston, accepted of? Harvey's explan- ation of the position held wi uluth, and so pa- roled his crew to serve on the various vessels-of- war where they were needed, until the Govern- ment should decide fully me are them, and Duluth was allowed to remain at the farm in Maine, Harvey making himself responsible for his appearance when needed. ; The skipper, Nick Noland, and his men were sent to prison for trial as pirates, and the French brig was confiscated and her captain and crew ordered out of the country. So stood matters soon after the return of Hen- Harvey with his prizes, and while hajwas get- ting ready for a long cruise in search of Caspar, the Corsair, and putting his vessel and crew in trim for the desperate battle which he knew must come ere the sea outlaw could be taken. But. suddenly there seemed to be a coldness shown to the young hero, Henry Harvey. What he had done no one could say, and yet there were rumors floating about. No one could trace wa hs np definite, no one knew the source from which they sprung; but the tangible thing heard was that Henry Har- vey had to raise a certain sum of money, and that he was really in league with smugglers and pirates, and had allowed Caspar the Corsair to escape. To add to this story the semblance of truth, Captain Nick Noland and his smuggler crew escaped from prison, and it was said by the guard that Henry Harvey had ordered it. Before this could be investigated, Henry Har- vey, whose ears it at last reached, sought to find Captain Preble Bainbridge and place the matter before him. He at last found him in a fashionable gamb- ling saloon, one pet eo by the wealthy young Bostonians, and army and navy officers, when the humor seized them to tempt the fickle Goddess of Fortune. Preble Bainbridge was playing, and winning heavily, and so, in a recess of the game, Henry Harvey told him he would like to speak to him upon an important matter. In a few words he told him of the rumors he had heard against his honor, and asked his ad- vice as to what to do. ‘‘ Idle rumors, Henry, so do not mind them.” ‘* But J do mind them, as here to-night I find I am treated with coldness.” ‘*T have also heard rumors against you, but did not give them a second thought, as I felt that some one jealous of you, envious of your rising fame, was setting them afloat.” ‘I feel deeply pained, and I wish you would trace them for me,” ‘**T will to-morrow.” ‘* But the commodore goes to Philadelphia to- morrow, and I know that these rumors have reached his ears; and I called to-night, fearing he might carry papers against me; but he de- clined to see me, and so I came to you.” Just then the game was called, and Preble Bainbridge said: ‘* [ll tell you what I'll do, Henry.” ** Well?” ‘*T am winning heavily, and I know you pla a on game, little as you do play, and if you'll take my hand and play for me, I'Jl go to the commodore, have a talk with him, and come back here to join you.” j ‘*] seldom have ever staked money on cards, Bainbridge, and dislike to do it.” ‘* But this is for me, merely playing for me, you know.” ‘* Very well; I will do so, under the circum- stances.” ‘Mr. Dealer, Lieutenant Harvey takes my hand, please, for I am called away,” said Preble Bainbridge, and Henry Harvey stepped up to the table. He was a good card-player, and played with nerve and rapidity, and he continued on in the luck with which Bainbridge had been playing. The stakes gradually increased, but still Har- vey won, but at last, when the stakes were re- markably high, he lost, and from that moment luck was against him. Striving to regain for Preble Bainbridge his lost luck, he kept on, until at last the dealer told him he had played away the sum the cap- tain had begun the game with, and lost heavily besides. Henry Harvey had but little money with him, so was forced to give his I, O. U. for the sum of five thousand dollars. Just then Preble Bainbridge returned‘ and said that he had seen the commodore, and that serious charges had indeed been made against him, but that he hoped all would be well. He ended by telling him that he had an order for him to run out into the bay the next day, to look up a anges ‘* But I have lost, instead of won for you, Preble, and have a due bill of five thousand to y at twelve o’clock to-day, for it is now near- fy. dawn.” ‘‘ Give me the amount of the I. O. U., and I will arrange that for you, while you had better sail at once.” ‘* And I will give you anI. O. U. for thesum, which is five thousand dollars,” and Henry Har- vey hastily wrote out the note, and then depart- ed for his vessel. It was a couple of days before he returned, and when he did he brought back as a prize a ba a which had es capture, But with this in his favor, Henry Harvey re- alized that somehow he was not honored, or trusted, and he at once, after making his report, sought the rooms of Preble Bainbridge. ‘** You have done gery! Henry, for that was a sly fox to catch; but It seems some one is at work against you, for rumors of all kinds fill the town,” said Preble Bainbridge. ‘“Tassure you that I am guiltless of doing any wrong act, Bainbridge,” retorted Harry, va ee. . know, my dear boy; but to show you how they talk, it is said you owe large gam- bling debts, that you let Duluth go, because he peas allowed Caspar the Corsair to escape use he gives you a certain tax, but seized the brig to get the price of the smuggled cargo, and brought Skipper Noland and his crew in as risoners, as they would not pay you for their ‘“ This is infamous!” and Harvey’s voice quiv- ered with emotion. ‘“*T know it, Henry, and Tl it; but you must keep quiet, an and so prove out of sight, for Duluth is to be sent after and hanged, and your conduct is to be investigated.” **T only hope it will be.” ‘*T went to your uncle, the old admiral, and he is furious, and says he will change his will to-morrow; it is now in your favor, you know,, for he has had all these rumors taken to him.” “I do not doubt it; but what am I to do,, Bainbridge?” ‘Go to your quarters and await me there; but do not leave under any circumstances.” ‘“*T will do as you say,” said the unhappy Har- ; vey, and he left the rooms of Preble Bainbridge, the latter soon after putting on his hat and go- ing out, his steps leading him toward a part of the town frequented by the lowest order of hu- man beings, « CHAPTER XLIV. THE ASSASSIN. THE old admiral sat alone in his elegant home, a decanter upon the table by his side, and some papers of an official character in his hand. is face was white and stern, and it was evi-— dent that he suffered mentally. Soon a servant in livery entered, and said: ‘The attorney is here, sir.” ‘‘ Show him in,” was the blunt oo ervey A gentleman entered, with a kindly face, and one full of intelligence. “Er, Justin, IT sent for you as I desire to re- write my will,” said the admiral. ‘“* Indeed, sir?” sé Ves. bb) ‘You are not satisfied with it then as it now “Tam not.” ‘* You will make it against your nephew—” ‘“‘Henry Harvey, yes.” ** And in whose favor?” “That of my other nephew, Preble Bain- bridge.” ‘*T am sorry, sir.” ‘And I am sorry that that boy’s behavior caused me to change it, ‘*T doubted Preble at first, but he is after all the honest one, though wild.’ ** My dear admiral, you refer to the rumors: you have heard against Harvey?” “‘T do, and I know all, for only to-day did Preble bring me an I. O. U. he had paid, a. Caen | debt, for Henry Harvey, and more,,. e holds one himself from Harvey of twenty- five thousand dollars, and offered to destroy it, in his generosity toward his cousin.” - Admiral.” “Well, sir?’ ‘*T admit appearances are sadly against Lieu- tenant Harvey, but I, with others, have been watching matters closely, and I believe he is- the victim of a conspiracy. ‘*T do not believe he is guilty of what he is’ charged with, and I beg you to delay changing your will for a day or two, to give me time to ferret out who is his enemy.” “*T have trouble with my heart, sir, and may die to-night.” | ‘* Perhaps so, as you say; but if you do, Har- vey, if guilty, would never get your fortune, so I beg you to delay a few days, though of cnn we if you demand it, I will draw up your w anew.” ; ene admiral was silent a moment, and then said: “Justice, when a man with your wise head bids me hesitate, 1 obey, for you may be right, _ ; after all. ‘“* I shall wait a few days, at least.” And so the good lawyer departed, while the __ admiral, after musing deeply for awhile, sunk to sleep in his easy-chair. His valet came in to undress him, but seeing” that he slept, knew he would not awaken for a couple of hours, for he knew his master’s habits well, and so departed, to finish his flirtation with — the chambermaid. So an hour passed, and then the curtains over the window opening upon the piazza, were drawn softly aside, and a face peered in. It was a masked face, and the eyes seemed fixed upon the sleeping admiral. Then a man, enveloped in a cloak, entered, and it glided toward the ae gt Rte justthen started, awoke, and springing to his feet, grasp- ed the intruder. ; a There was a short struggle, the table was. overtanen darkness ap tee oat co “t hea Breen an Oath, and the rapid i Falk's tant rom the windo ; moment after wheels were heard upon the: gravel drive, while the valet dashed into the % * room. y Soon Hahts were brought, and the admiral , lying dead upon the floor, having was foun been murdered. Then into the room strode two officers in. naval uniform. One was Preble Bainbrid the carriage. - ‘“See here! We came to urge the admiral not to change his will against Harvey, as we heard he intended doing, and these tell the story. ‘They are his cloak, gloves and sword,” Gomichbooks : 7 ; , the other the commodore of the port, and they had arrivedin econ * - ¢ * a> Ye 7 a, ee ‘ — > * . “~) ‘ * = “4 ' . had ie ‘ > . = - 4 ‘ vio & » te , ag Sia wi eh * a M % * - , i