Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 418 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

' . ; a = PE . a | 4 { ; | ) ~ _ A A A A CN NS A AES SS Se Bronx is a man who would stop at no crime to gain his end,” was the earnest reply, and having giyen her warning, Sibyl returned to the man- sion, while Robert Bainbridge went in search of Moncrief, to make known his latest discovery, so that the young naval officer need not fear he had maligned the privateersman in the suspicion they bad held regarding him. CHAPTER XXXII. SIBYL’S SAIL. For some reason, inexplicable to herself, Sibyl Hurst felt strangely restless, after the departure of Captain Bainbridge. The same dread of evil seemed to be upon her, and she went back and had a talk with her father, who was seated upon the piazza in his easy-chair. ‘*Father, what do you think of Hugh’s ac- tions of late?” she asked. ‘*He acts like a fool,” was the quick rejoin- der. ‘¢ He seems ill-humored with the whole world.” ‘‘ Yes, he does not appreciate what has been done for him, ard his seeming hatred of Mon- crief is unaccountable, for he would not see that he had wronged the gallant fellow in suspecting him of treachery.” ‘*PDo you think he would seek to harm Lieu- tenant Moncrief in any way?” ‘*No, I do not believe that of him; but the truth is, he is envious of Moncrief, and his fail- ures have made him more so, for Llugh has done nothing that was successful in his late ven- tures. ‘*T hoped he would do something as a priva- teersman, and so far he has disappointed me, and what course he now wiil pursue remains to be seen; but | wish him good-fortune.” ‘*He parted with Lieutenant Moncrief last night, father, as erry +) he meant to seek a per- sonal] encounter with him.” ‘* He had better not,” was the blunt reply. “Ww hy?” “Well, for all of Moncrief’s velvety manners and smiling face, he is a man that it will be most dangerous to arouse, and Hugh would stand no chance with him.” ‘* Do you forget, father, that Hugh is a superb swordsman, disarming even you in your prac- tice together, and that he is a dead shot, as well?” “True, Hugh is a dangerous man with wea- pons, { admit; but Moncrief may be, too.” ** ]t is not often two men of the skill of Hugh Bronx can be found, father.” ‘*T agree with you there, my child; but then, Moncrief is cool-keaded and can avoid trouble it he so wills, and 1 will send for Hugh and advise him to go to sea and win a name for himself, and this will keep them apart,” This caused Sibyl to feel less anxious; but still restless, she sprung into the sailboat belong- ing to the mansion, hoisted the sail, and went skimming away over the waters of the river. She ran around the captured barque, which was being towed in to a dock to disc her cargo, and then sailed near the schooner, which had been taken by Moncrief. This craft had been hauled inshore, and men were already busy re her, repairing the dam- es she ov 4 received in action. “Wot far away was the Brimstone, and her crew were also at work SS em her, while upon the shore, having just landed, were the prisoners from the two prizes under a guard that was to march them off to prison, a smaller squad in heavy irons being the pirate prize crew found on board the barque. Anchored near shore she saw the Sea Siren in her new rig, and she admired the vessel greatly as she glided slowly by. Only a short distance from the Sea Siren was the Sea Scorpion, and every man of her crew seemed to be at work on her from her topmasts to her water line, as though her commander was in great haste to get out to sea again. ming off from the shore were barges, bear- ing stores and the munitions of war, and all was busy work about the privateer. Rossmore, whom she remembered as a gallant young sailor on the Mermaid, was ‘ing the deck of the Sea Scorpion, but Hugh Bronx was nowhere visible Sitting low in the cock-pit of the sailboat, and with a sailor’s oe EOC covering her head, Sibyl knew that it would take a good eye to recognize her at a little distance, and she co uent] sailed near the different vessels, taking them a . in with her skillful glance. ‘‘The Sea Siren certainly is a beauty, and I hope she will sail even faster under her new rig,” she muttered, turning her gaze again upon the pretty craft. Gliding on up the river, to continue her sail, still further, she suddenly heard the sharp crack of a pistol from the shore. Glancing in that direction she beheld a puff of white smoke rising above the tops of a clump of cedars, and soon after a second shot was heard. As she glided by close inshore, she beheld the form of a man, and she started as she him. Heading her boat so as to command his move- ments through an open space in the cedars, she —— = ———— a ——-- rt DS Sea Siren. saw him place a small white object upon the — of a tree, and stepping back once more, ire. This he repeated again and again, each time walking forward and examining the target on the tree. ‘* Hugh Bronx is practicing for some purpose, I know,” muttered Sibyl, asshe turned her boat’s prow down the river and started homeward. As she went by the Sea Scorpion she saw that Rossmore had officer held the deck. | fight an American vessel, but I believe he mere- disappeared and that a strange | ‘*T am sorry, for I wished to speak to Ross- | more, as I believe I could trust him,” she said, as she sailed on her way. Arriving at the mansion landing, she was low- ering sail, when a voice near her said: ‘* Permit me to aid you, Miss Sibyl.” She glanced up jae Oram saw Rossmore, the first officer of the Sea Scorpion, and he sprung from the little dock upon the deck of the boat as he spoke. ** Why, Rossmore, I am glad to see you, for, do you know, I was thinking of you a few mo- ments ago, having seen you on the Scorpion’s deck as I sailed by,” and she extended her hand. ‘*T feel flattered, Miss Sibyl; but I recognized you as you went by, but for certain reasons did not speak to you.” ‘*Permit me to con’gratulate you upon your promotion to an officer’s berth.” “Tthenk you, Miss Sibyl, but I wishit was | of compliments.” under a different commander.” ‘* You do not like Hugh Bronx then?” ‘** Yes, insome respects; but, Miss Sibyl, I saw you in the boat, as I said, and knowing you would not be long away, I left the second officer in charge and coming ashore walked down here, for { wish to see you particularly.” ** Well, Rossmore, how can I serve you?” asked Sibyl, who had always liked the hand- some young sailor. ‘*Don’t think me ungrateful, Miss Sibyl, for Captain Bronx made me what I am, and yet it is of him that I would speak.” ‘**T am glad to hear you say so, Rossmore, for had you been on the deck as I passed back, I in- tended hailing you, and ask you to come ashore, for I wish also to talk to you about Hugh Bronx,” was the reply of Sibyl, and the sail being furled she took a seat in the boat and motioned to the sailor to do likewise. CHAPTER XXAXIII. WHAT ROSSMORE TOLD, ‘* Miss SIBYL, you must pardon me for troub- ling you, but I know your influence with Cap- tain Bronx, and sol come to you,” said Ross- more, after a moment of hesitation. **'Tell me what it is 1 can do, Rossmore, and count on my aid,” was the reply of the youn girl, who was convinced that no idle errand h caused Rossmore to come to her. ** Well, i Liss Sibyl, the fact is, Captain Bronx has been good to me, made me ls second officer on the schooner, and then after he killed—I mean after Vesey’s death, he put me in his place as first officer, so it does not look well for me to talk behind his back.” ‘Is Vesey dead, Rossmore?” ** Yes, miss.” ** Nilled, I think you said?” ‘*¢ Yes Miss Sibyl.” ‘*In battle, I te a ** Well no, Miss Sibyl, but he was killed.” ‘On board ship?” ‘** He was,” ** By whom?” ‘*T am sorry I spoke of him, Miss Sibyl, so do not ask me cy herein. about him.” ‘**T will not betray your confidence, Rossmore; but I thought [ saw something happen on the deck of the Sea Scorpion, but spoke to no one about it. ‘*She was going out to sea, and I was wavin ood luck and farewell. When Broux walk orward, and Vesey, I thought it was, sprung to the halliards and dipped the flag, when his cap- tain ran back and struck him to the deck, ‘Ts this what I saw?” ‘Yes, Miss Sibyl.” ** And he killed him?” ‘* He did not mean to do so, Iam sure.’ ‘** But he did?” ** Yes, miss.” ‘**Tt was Vesey, then?” ** Tt was,” ‘** He killed him for nothing?’ ‘* Well, the first ofticer had no right to dip the flag without orders.” | ‘**He knew me, saw my waving kerchief, and ere he was doing no wrong.” ‘Well, Miss Sibyl, we were all hurt by the captain’s act; but he is king on boank his vessel.” ‘*T should think he was to do as he did; but now to what you wished to tell me, Rossmore?” ** Well, Miss Sibyl, the captain has not seemed his _ self since we came into port on the Mer- maid. ‘*He is stern, and more, he is very ill-temper- ed, and he has sought a quarrel with that gal- lant young naval officer, Moncrief.” ‘* Ah! he seeks a quarrel with him, does he?” ** Yes, Miss Sibyl.” i af " ’ — Po 17 —— ‘**From what reason?” ‘*T do not know, miss, for he owes Lieutenant Moncrief his life, as we all do, and more, we were rescued by him, after Captain Bronx got us captured by the English brig. ‘* The other day the lieutenant helped us outof a scrape at sea, and Captain Bronx said he was a traitor, going with the English sloop-of-war to ly did it as a ruse for an escape, and stcod the fire of the British craft to save us.” ‘“You are right, Rossmore, for Lieutenant Moncrief so reported, and I suppose you are aware that he brought into port the British barque, which the pirate Bianca forced Bronx to give up?” ‘* Yes, and that enraged Captain Bronx, and IL believe is one of the reasons he has quarreled with Lieutenant Moncrief.” ‘‘ They have quarreled, then?” ‘** Yes, miss.” “* When?’ 7 ‘* Last night, I sup , for the captain sent i me on board of the Brimstone this morning with | a challenge.” ‘* A challenge?” cried Sibyl. ‘* Yes, miss.” ve “To fight a duel?” ee. ** And the result?” cl ** The lieutenant accepted it, of course, and in ’ as pleasant a manneras though it wasanotefull ‘* When was this?” ‘* Karly this morning.” ** How early?” . F pa Just as Lieutenant Moncrief finished break- ast. ‘* Was Captain Bainbridge with him?” ‘* ‘He was.” ** And Moncrief accepted?” ** He did.” 77 ** Who was his second?” . “Captain Bainbridge.” ct ** And you acted for Bronx?” ‘** Yes, Miss Sibyl.” - “‘ And a meeting was arranged?” ; ce es. ” o + ts When 9”? ** To-night at sunset.” “It is now about one o’clock?” ‘** Yes; just about one.” b; “And the place, Rossmore?” ‘“‘In the little grove up the river, a Leo which you put about in your sail a short while ago. ‘Ah, yes. Isaw Captain Bronx there prac- ticing with a pistol.” ‘* Yes; he went there for that purpose.” ‘** Then pistols are to be the weapons used?” ‘* No; swords were selected by Captain Bain- bridge, but Captain Bronx said to me that he should disarm Lieutenant Moncrief with his sword, and offer him his life in such a way that. he would demand another meeting, and pistols — should be the weapons, when he would kil © ‘** Ah! he has well laid out his deadly plot be- forehand.” ag ‘Yes; and knowing what Captain Bronxcan —- do with both the sword and pistol, Miss Sibyl, I came to you tosee if this meeting cannot be pre- vented, for the lieutenant will be killed in this _ tname for himself, for I am sure my captain has no — mercy in his heart.” glad you came to me, Rossmore <r glad; but can you see any way in which 7 matter can be stopped?” Te ‘*T confess that I cannot, Miss Sibyl; andIdo not wish to be known in the affair,so please do not betray me.” A ‘*T will keep your secret, Rossmore, and I will © do all in my power to stop this duel, for, as you say, Bronx is a deadly foe to meet and a merci- ess one.” ‘*Tam so glad I came to you, Miss Sibyl, for foolish affair just as he is making a ‘“*T am , é ae ah we we at %. ’ - “ bJ * Le * ¥ lendid officer, Lieutenant ap : part the debt lowe “T will not forget what you have done, Ross- more, rest assured; but now return to your ves- sel and leave me tothink up some plan to thwart the deadly intent of Hugh Bronx.” And after Sibyl walked toward the | 4 I wished to save that eS al and repay pe the sailor departed : ws panies ie a most oe meio. for her — n was trying to plot againsta meeting between Hugh Bronx and Manton Moncrief,a meeting which she could not but feel would bea deadly one. va , t /' as CHAPTER XXXIV. THE SECOND TIME. Try as she might, Sibyl could not grey tahe - an plan by whick she could prevent the h a. meeting between the two men whom she dread- ed to have meet. +e She understood fully that Hugh Bronx sles Las been discarded by her, had turned his bitterness upon Lieutenant Moncrief, whom heregardedas gine also understood that th jealoysy of Hugh ren aiso un a e i“ to itinese, and .. 4 a - Bronx had almost develo in Ss, and , that he would do any deed to get any man Al m co i : ° . ~ y = 4 4 \7 (G ~~ | J F| “ 7 * = Gia . ‘ | 7 2 >t a a : ‘ ? = : oe : . no q - * ,