Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 418 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

20 ** ‘You have Moncrief there?” _ “Yes, sir.” ' “*Ts ‘he alive?” ** Yes, sir, but very seriously wounded.” **So Sibyl] said, for she met me at the city ‘wharf as | was starting home. “T told her to ride on and have a room pre- pared—so row at once for the mansion.” ‘*f thank you, sir: it will be a great help to Lieutenant Moncrief’s recovery to be there,” said Surgeon Bennett. I'he boats were now near together, and Bain- bridge said: Ai Did Miss Hurst tell you how he was wound- ed, sir?” Ves, by a shot meant for another, in the ‘hands of that mad fool, Bronx.” ‘* Here is Captain Bronx’s first officer, major, and his second, and he says the shot struck the one for whom it was intended.” ‘* Ha! this looks bad, Bainbridge.” ‘* Yes, sir; and worse, to see the Sea Scorpion already on her way out to sea.” ‘By Heaven! you are right; but the Brim- ‘stone can go in chase.” ““T am sorry to say, sir, the Brimstone has now but one officer on board who could com- mand,” said Surgeon Bennett, “Tf I would considered capable my ser- ‘vices are at your command,” Rossmore said. *‘T advise that Mr. Rossmore’s offer be accept- ed, for the Brimstone might catch the schooner if she started soon, before she got many leagues away,” Robert Bainbridge said. “True, and she must try it, for I will set you on board the brig, Mr. Rossmore, and take the responsibility as port commandant of ordering the Brimstone to give chase.” The boats now ran alongside, and Rossmore leaped into the barge, which at once pulled for ‘the brig, while Captain Bainbridge ordered his men to give way with all haste for the White mansion. CHAPTER XXXVIII. THE BRIG SETS SAIL. UPON arriving on board the Brimstone Major White quickly made his errand known to the lieutenant in command, and presented Rossmore as one to aid him as a junior officer, He told of the duel, of the wounding of Lieu- tenant Moncrief, and his having been taken to the mansion, and added: ‘‘Surgeon Bennett told me, Lieutenant Roe, that you were short of officers, one being in charge of the prize, your captured schooner, and Mr. Rossmore has volunteered to aid you, having severed his connection with Captain Bronx. ‘The Sea Scorpion has a league the start of you, but I hope you can catch him, and as [ said, I will take all responsibility of sending you to sea in chase.” ' ou, Major White, but it is a case where I would readily assume responsibility to catch that man Bronx, whose conduct | think is detestable. ‘‘ And, Mr. Rossmore, I gladly accept your aid, sir, and you can get the brig under way, and crowd her with all she will stand,” said Lieutenant Roe. Rossmore was a thorough sailor, and had risen from a boy before the mast, so there was not a rope about a ship he did not know well. Fre had sailed on vessels from a Massachusetts coaster to a ship-of-the-line, and his fine voice rung out with a thrill, as he gave his orders, that sent the men to work with a zeal that showed they obeyed one fit to command. es Egad, but that young fellow has stuff in him,” said the major. ‘He has, indeed, sir, and I[ hope I can retain his services, for he seems to be the gentleman as well as the officer,” replied Roy Koo, glad to see that he was to be so ably seconded. Wishing the young officer success, the major bade him farewell, and went over the side into “his boat, which at once pulled rapidly down the awiver toward his home, As he reached his landing the Brimstone went flying by, under clouds of canvas, in hot chase -of the schooner, now a long way ahead. In the darkness Sibyl came toward him and said quickly: ‘‘ The Brimstone has gone in pursuit?” ‘** Yes, Sibyl, and she is fairly flying, as you ” ‘* Rossmore went on her, Captain Bainbridge id,” ‘* Yes, and he’s a splendid officer, too, as the seamen of the brig seemed to recognize at a glance; but he was with you on the Mermaid, was he not?” “Yes, sir.” ** And what kind of cfficer did he make?” ‘He was only a seaman, but a a one, and father often said he was fitted for the quar- ter-deck, for he is a fine fellow, and I believe has been a sailor all his life, his father having been a sea-captain.” ** Well, T hope he will do well enough to get a berth on the brig; but how is Moncrief?”’ “There is nochange, sir, and gl, Wie Bennett ee OC Cee eee > The Sea Oe Siren. affair and said that Moncrief fairly played with | Bronx in the sword combat.” | ‘** He did, sir; but how strange that the bullet | es _-usssssssst-seeenssennenesns~esnesaseseten i A SS or intended for Allen Rossmore should fly so wild as to hit Lieutenant Moncrief!” ‘* Rossmore says the bullet hit the man it was aimed at.” Sibyl stopped short at the steps, for the two had walked on toward the mansion as they talked. ‘** What did you say?” she asked in a whisper. ‘** Rossmore said that the anger of Bronx with him was but a blind to fire upon Moncrief.” ** Major White, 1 am convinced now that this it the truth. the man for whom Hugh Bronx intended it, and I pray that the Brimstone may catch him and he be punished.” ‘If [had my way I would string him up to the yard-arm,” said the major. ‘** He deserves it, sir, and if Manton Moncrief at the major was amazed. Entering the house they were met by Captain room where the wounded officer lay. Both glanced anxiously into his face, and he said quickly: ‘*Surgeon Bennett has found the bullet.” ‘* Thank Heaven!” cried Sibyl. _ “ And what says he, Robert?” asked the ma- or. ‘* He says there is hope, for Moncrief has a aa of iron, and may pull through all right.” R God grant it.” ‘*To that I fervently say amen, major; but what of the brig?” , ‘*She has gone after the Sea Scorpion ata splendid pace.” , a hope she may catch her; but did Rossmore 0 ‘**’Yes, and he will render good service.” **1 believe it, for I like the young man, and was struck with him when he came as the second of Captain Bronx; but I will go to the fort now, sir, so have you any orders?” ** No, Robert, but come up to breakfast, or sooner, if you have to report the capture of the Sea Scorpion by the brig.” ‘** IT hope I will have to do so, major, but I fear this breeze is dying out.” Sibyl step quickly to the piazza and raised her hand. ‘* Yes, this a land breeze, andI fear will not last long; but there may be a good wind out up- on the sea,’ she said, with the air of one who knew of what she spoke. ge major good-night, and bowing to Sibyl, Robert Bainbridge walked away mutter- ing to himself: ‘*It is true; [can never win her, for her se- cret is betrayed. She loves Moncrief, and she is not a woman to love but once.” And standing on the piazza, gazing out into the gloom, and far down the harbor, the major eo gone up to see his wounded guest, Sibyl said: id: ‘* Heaven help him, for if he should die I would ecnere revengeful, and Hugh bronx should ng. CHAPTER XXXIX. PURSUER AND PURSUED. WueEN Hugh Bronx fired the shot that struck Lieutenant Manton Moncrief, he believed that he had given him his death-wound. As Rossmore had said, the shot had not been at him, though Bronx meant that it should so be considered, Seeing his victim fall, he had quickly entered his boat, and his oarsmen had no need of being told to row hard, for they saw by the face of their captain that he intended that they should O SO. ‘** But for the secret that Sibyl Hurst holds, I need not fly, but remain and face an investiga- tion, as it would be thought an accident, to kill Moncrief, and I had a right to subdue mutiny among my own officers,” he muttered, ‘No, she will do all in her power to punish me, and she will gain the port captain over, as _ has the port commandant now on her side. ** I will find it best to leave at once, and there will be no need for me to enter tnis port again, as she will return to her home on Long Island, and I can see her there.” For a moment he was quiet, and then he said sanngery: ‘* 1 have ended his career, and so shall perish every rival for her hand!” Reaching the schooner, his voice rung outavith orders to get up the anchor and set sail before he got fairly on the deck. His vessel had been undergoing repairs, which were not completed, and his crew bad not been | increased, in the short time since his arrival; but that mattered not, when he felt himself in danger, and he determined to go at once to ich entered | His stern commands made the crew work with ‘“‘- Yes, Allen Rossmore is right, the bullet hit | LL lt ttt SS tS rapidly as possible, began to forge through the | waters, The wind was blowing about ten knots, and directly astern, while the tide also favored her, _ and the Sea Scorpion went down the harbor at a lively rate of speed. ‘There will be weeping and wailing in that grand mansion to-night; but so shall all your lovers die, Sibyl Hurst!” said Hugh Bronx, as he gazed upon the home of Major White while the schooner was gliding by. The forts were soon after left astern, and the open sea seemed to insure safety, for the fugi- tive privateersman seemed to have no dread of ursuit. ** Sail ho!” The cry came from the man whom Hugh | Bronx had a ypointed to act as first officer. in the place of Rossmore. ** Whereaway ?”’ He asked the question eagerly. ** Dead astern, sir; she is coming out of the dies, then shall Hugh Bronx die,” and Sibyl | harbor after us.” ~ gr with a voice so full of depth and feeling | ’ The privateersman called for his glass and e veled itat the sail. ‘It is the brig-of-war Brimstone, and she is Bainbridge, who had just descended from the | crowding on sail in chase. ‘* Ho, men, set the topsails, throw water on the sails, and do all you can to make this craft jump ahead, for there is a vessel astern that must not catch us!” The men sprung to obey with a will, and the schooner was soon doing her best. But the wind grew lighter and lighter, and, by the time the schooner was well out to sea, she was hardly making three knots. The brig however seemed to still hold a breeze and was coming rapidly along. Cursing his ill fortune, Hugh Bronx knew not what to do. The vessel in chase was under an officer of the regular navy, and he was but a privateersman, so must obey if ordered by his superior. lf he dared fight the brig, he knew that the combat would but a short one, and he would be taken, and hanged. He was in a frenzy of dread, when the first officer, a burly, weather-beaten seaman, said: ‘**Cap’n we have sweeps aboard.” ‘** You are right,” cried Hugh Bronx gladly, remembering that Moncrief had the Sea pretuein fitted with six heavy sweeps to a side. They had been lying in the hold unthought > “ys et but they were quickly ordered on eck. ‘* The wind has left us, sir,” said Hutchins. **Tt has indeed, bnt the brig still comes on, **She is barely moving, sir, as you can see if you look close.” ‘** Yes, she is becalmed, as we are; but they are lowering their boats,” said Hugh Bronx who had his glass to his eye. As he spoke a bright flame shot from the bows of the brig, and a shot came flying after the schooner. It however did no damage, and the distance was so great that it fell into the sea soon after passing the schooner. That the boats were being lowered from the brig, the seamen of the schooner knew, for they had heard the words of their commander, and they seemed anxious to get the sweeps out. These were brought up, twelve in number, and were some twenty-five feet long, with heavy blades, and two men were put to each sweep. , Sail was taken in, so as not to retard the schooner’s motion, and the heavy sweeps were set to work. A glass showed Captain Bronx that seven boats, filed with men, were coming from the brig. He knew well that Moncrief’s crew idolized him, and that they would seek quick revenge for his death, for he had not a doubt but that he had killed him. He anxiously watched the movement of the schooner, to see how rapidly she was being ur forward by the sweeps, and was glad to see that they were making good time. The brig still kept up her fire, and one shot fell on deck, killing the man at the wheel, and rolling forward, injured two more. ‘*Pull hard, you devils, and we will escape them!” and Hugh Bronx went forward among the crew, urging them with oaths and promises of reward, if they kept ahead of the boats. But some one was urging on the oarsmen of the boats also, for they came rapidly on. “There’s our friend, sir,” said Hutchins, and he came up to the side of ody ot Bronx and pointed to a dark cloud rising above the hori- zon. * A storm?” “Yes, sir.” ‘“ The boats will reach us first.” ‘‘They dare not risk it, sir, for they must get back to their vessel.” | ‘‘ Yes, for they are miles away from her.” ‘* Yes, sir. ‘But they are gaining on us rapidly, Hut- chins.” ‘* Yes, sir, but our men must do better. is now searching for the bullet, w “just over the heart.” - ‘‘ Shall I put three at each sweep?” a will, and the schooner was moving away from ** Yes, at once.” ESS ‘What a pity; but Rossmore told me of the her anchorage, and, under her sails, set as ALA. eee ‘ . mi - ‘ es © cf, as , / : | a ated | oie aa a ae a sis: Eomichbooks i 7 " . a 4 a Ps @ , et by ‘ * , . J : . ’ +