Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 418 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

| | | | a _——S The Sea Siren. Upon the faces of Moncrief and Surgeon Ben- nett there rested no shadow, but Captain Bain- bridge looked a trifle anxious. Arriving at the point of land the boat ground- ed, and the three officers sprung ashore, the cox- swain and his men remaining in their places. ‘‘ You can land if you wish to, lads, and wit- ness a little scene that is to be enacted here,” said Moncrief in his pleasant way, and the men saluted and Sprung ashore, the coxswain bear- ing the litter, and his men the weapons and sur- gical case. A walk of a few hundred paces brought them to an open space, the same in which Sibyl had seen Hugh Bronx practicing that afternoon. Here the party halted. ‘‘We are first on the scene,” said Captain Bainbridge. ‘*T saw the other boat coming as we entered the thicket,” Moncrief responded. Then he moved about carelessly, while the sur- eon opened his case of instruments and got all in readiness, and Robert Bainbridge laid out his weapons. Soon there appeared at the shore a second boat. In it were four oarsmen, a coxswain, and two officers. The latter were Hugh Bronx and Rossmore, his first officer. The face of the former was pos wicked in its expression, and that of the latter anxious. ‘* Meet them, please, Bainbridge, and say that I gave my crew permission to be here,” said Moncrief. ‘Captain Bainbridge walked rapidly toward the shore, and saluting politely, said: ‘‘Mr. Rossmore, Lieutenant Moncrief gave his coxswain and two men permission to go on the field, and you are of course at liberty to do like- wise if so you wish.” : ‘‘Thank you, sir,” and turning to his com- mander, he continued: ‘‘ You heard what Captain Bainbridge just said, sir?” sé es,” ‘* And your response?” ‘“* Let them come, for they will be entertained,” was the reply. Captain Bainbridge felt like rons the words and manner of the man, but wisely re- frained, and all moved toward the opea space in the woods. Arriving there Moncrief saluted all politely, raising his hat courteously, and arrangements were at once begun for the duel. The preliminaries were soon arranged, Robert Bainbridge showing that he was an expert in the art of being second, while Rossmore had never been on the field before. Seeing this Captain Bainbridge was very courteous, and all was arranged most satisfac- torily to both sides, od The principals were then planed in position and their swords handed to them, Moncrief, up to that moment, had been smok- ing a cigar, and his face turned toward the west, he seemed to be enjoying greatly the beau- tiful sunset, while the light revealed not a symp- tom of emotion upon his handsome features. Called by Bainbridge to take his stand, he had thrown his cigar away, smiled pleasantly and stepped to his position. pon the face of Hugh Bronx still rested that look of maliciousness, a triumphant flash being in his eyes. He had been pacing to and fro, his hands be- hind his back, until called by Rossmore, and then he had walked briskly forward. It had been decided to use the brace of swords which belonged to Hugh Bronx, and he grasped his weapon as though it was the hand of a well- tried friend. Moncrief had taken the weapon handed to him by Bainbridge, in an easy way, tried its temper casually, and then both men were ready, Bronx throwing his left hand behind his back, while his adversary still carried his in a sling, but lowered to his belt, so as not to be a barrier to the point of a sword reaching the heart. The swords were crossed, and Bainbridge stood between the combatants, his blade held up beneath theirs. “Are you ready, sternly. ry } Moncrief bowed, and Bronx said impatiently: sé Yes.” Down fell the sword of Captain Bainbridge and he stepped quickly back. But halter blade moved, for each seemed to be measuring the strength of the other. The face of Hugh Bronx was now really wicked in the glitter of his eyes, while Moncrief gentlemen?” he asked _ was placid and smiling. A moment of suspense, with their seconds watching them, Surgeon Bennett unmoved and with arms folded standing near, and the two groups of seamen in the background, made up a picture that was most ee Then Hugh Bronx began the fight by a light- ning like movement intended to disarm his foe. To his surprise he did not succeed. ain he tried a sudden device, and once more was foiled. ee aca ss ssssssesesss-sssssssssessseseseemeaee = el 00 OO —— | He was si mply amazed, for his skill had never met its equal before. Enraged, he began a savage attack, forgetting his intention to humiliate Moncrief by disarm- ing him and giving him his life, and determined to kill him. But he was foiled at every thrust, and with a skill that was marvelous, a nerve that was like iron, while the pleasant smile never left the lips of Manton Moncrief, and the color in his hand- some face was in striking contrast to the pallor of his adversary. Instantly the face of Robert Bainbridge cleared of its shadow, for he had feared the re- sult, knowing of the remarkable skill of Hugh Bronx, though Surgeon Bennett had told him there was no cause for dread, as his commander was a fine swordsman. Being a fine master of fence himself, Captain Bainbridge soon saw that Moncrief was fully the equal of Bronx, and he watched the combat with the greatest interest as a piece of expert- ness on both sides which he baal never seen equaled. Several times did Hugh Bronx show a desire to lower the blades for an instant of rest, but just then Moncrieff would begin to press him and he would be forced to struggle on, and di so with a furious attack, asif to cut his adver- sary to pieces. As the fierce battle continued, the smile sud- denly left the face of Manton’ Moncrief, and he changed from the defensive to the attack. His eyes were threatening now, and his lips sternly set, and the manner in which his blade was handled showed to the lookers-on that Mon- crief had simply been playing with his enemy before. ‘*His mastery of the sword is phenomenal,” whispered Robert Bainbridge to the surgeon, who responded in the same low tone: ‘“* IT told you to have no fear of the result.” Rossmore and the seamen were also amazed, pe no one more so than was Hugh Bronx him- self. From its being a science with him, and never having met his equal, he had come to think that he would never find his match. In a few short moments he had discovered his master, and he became livid with rage and fought with desperation. Pressing him backward step by step, Moncrief seemed at last to tire of the sport, for to him it seemed nothing more, and suddenly he sent the sword of Hugh Bronx flying in the air. Bronx shrunk back, pallid as a corpse, ex- pecting his death-thrust; but Moncrieff said sternly: ‘*Captain Bronx, I give you your life—yes, and your sword, too!” And he took the oe from the hands of his coxswain, who had picked it up, and gracefully handed it to him. Not a word passed the white lips of Hugh Bronx for fully a quarter of a minute, and then he hissed forth: ** 1 demand a meeting with pistols.” / “ And I say no!” came from the lips of Sibyl], as she suddenly rh ap from behind a thicket, before the astonished gaze of the duelists. CHAPTER XXXVII. A MAD ACT, THE appearance of Sibyl Hurst upon the duel- ing-field was a surprise to all, with one excep- tion, and that one was Rossmore, who had anx- iously hoped for her coming, or looked for some interruption of the duel through her agency. She was dressad in her riding-habit nod: car- ried her whip in her hand, Her face was flushed from excitement, and she looked grandly beautiful, as she walked briskly toward the group on the field. ‘Miss Hurst, this is no scene for you, and I must request that you allow Surgeon Bennett to at once escort you home,” said Manton Mon- crief with a sternness that surprised her, while Hugh Bronx said with a sneer: ‘She has come \to save your life, doubtless; but I demand that on grant me a second meet- ing, and with pistols.” ‘Lieutenant Moncrief. I am here for a pur- | pore, and but for the fact that I could not cross a fence with my horse, I would have been here socuer, ‘‘I however arrived in time to see you give that man a life he does not deserve, and who meant to take yours, ‘* And more, he xi, his word to me this afternoon that he would not meet you, and he has broken it, and now I say he shall not have a second meeting, and I command him to de- part at once, for he is unworthy of your notice, and as a gentleman you can decline to meet one wat not.” ‘* This to me, Sibyl Hurst!” cried Hugh Bronx savagely, and he stepped forward threatening- ly; but there was that in the faces of those pain him that checked his intention, whatever it was. ‘Go, sir, ere I make known all,” cried Sibyl, sternly, and her eyes flashed fire as she spoke. He met her gaze and seemed to read there that she meant all that she threatened, and a He changed to an attack then, and again he | muttered curse escaped his lips as he half-turned was met with a defense he had not expected. away. Then he said with a sneer: ** As I will not engage in a duel before a lady, I shall ne our meeting until another time, Lieutenant Moncrief.” ‘*As you please, sir,” was the cool reply, and beckoning to his men to follow, he called to Rossmore and was walking toward his boat, when he saw that his lieutenant was not follow- ‘Come with me at once, sir!” he shouted, furi- ousl you longer, sir, so resign my position,” was the calm reply. ‘** Did you hear me, sir?” te I di 7 ** And you refuse to obey?” **T do.’ ‘** Remember, you are under my command,” ‘“*T acted here, sir, as your second, not as arm officer, and my berth I give up.” ‘*Obey me, sir, or take the consequences as a mutineer!” fairly shouted Hugh Bronx, frenzied with passion. “T will not obey your command, Captain Bronx.” ** Then die J” As Hugh Bronx spoke he threw his right hand forward and it was seen to hold a pistol. In an nstant came a flash and report, and the desperate man walked rapidly on, his boat’s crew crowding close upon his heels. But he had seen one man fall, and a wicked smile crossed his lips as he muttered: ‘* That ends his life.” But it was not Rossmore that had fallen, for the bullet had flown wide of him and entered the side of Manton Moncrief, who sunk to the earth with a low moan. A cry of horror broke from every lip, and Sibyl sprung forward and threw herself by the side of the fallen man, while she cried in piteous tones: ‘*Save his life, Surgeon Bennett! save him from death, I pray to you!” The surgeon was already by his side and ex- amining his wound. **Come, lads, get the lieutenant on the litter and carry him to his boat, for this is a very bad wound.” ‘** He is not dead, then?” ‘* No, Miss Hurst.” “Thank God! but will he live?” ‘**T hope so.” Turning, without a word ig be glided away in the gathering gloom, going the way she had come, and as the party bearing Moncrief reached the boat, they heard the clatter of her horse's hoofs, as she rode at full speed back to the to wn. * Will you permit me to lend what aid I can, for I am the unfortunate cause of the lieutenant’s wound?” said Rossmore to Captain Bainbridge, who responded in his frank way: ‘*My dear sir, you are not to blame, and L honor you for severing your connection with such a man.” ‘*Captain Bainbridge, that shot was not aimed at me, sir.” ‘*Ha! say you so?” San, ae ‘**'Why do you think so, Mr. Rossmore?” ‘“*T stood ten feet to one side of Lieutenant Moncrief, and Captain Bronx is a dead shot, sir. ‘* By Heaven! I believe you are right.” ‘*T had intended to go with the captain, but wished first to ordered in the manner that I was, I declined.” ‘You did right, sir; and if Lieutenant Mon- crief dies, that man Bronx will go to the yard- arm!” and Robert Bainbridge spoke earnestly. ‘*The Sea Scorpion is getting under way, sir,” said Rossmore, as they rowed down the river. “You are right, and we have no power to stop her; but I will go and see the port captain, sind: see if he will not send the brig in chase, under Moncrief’s lieutenant.” ‘‘He must not go to sea, sir, for absolute quiet alone can save him,” said the surgeon. ‘‘True; and his quarters are on the Brim- stone—but can we not take him to the Sea. Siren?” ‘* She is getting her armament on board,” said the surgeon. ‘*Ah! I have it: Iwill take the liberty of taking him to my kinsman’s, Majer White, for there he will be most welcome.” ‘*Tt would greatly add to his comfort, Cap- tain Bainbridge,” Surgeon Bennett remarked. ‘‘Then wo will head for the mansion pier— see! the Sea Scorpion is well under way, but the brig can catch her if the port captain orders her in pursuit.” As the beat neared the brig, a barge was seen coming from alongside of it, and Ro Bainbridge at once said: ‘Jt is Major White's barge, and it is coming toward us.” The barge was soon near to the boat, and Major White called out: ‘Is that the Brimstone’s boat?” Ki Ay ay, major.” - ‘* Ah, Bainbridge! that is you?” “ec Yes, sir.” (E “No, Captain Bronx, I decline to serve with | with Miss Hurst: but when bert | ~¢€om 4 > & IOO oe i ¢