Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 418 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

-.: ~ te =%. * © on my cruisin * But called to the su The Sea Siren. ‘* Well, we met, with swords, and neither of us was injured; and when I demanded a meeting istols, why upon the field came Sibyl—” t was unmaidenly in her,” said Mrs, Bronx. *‘T am surprised that Sibyl should do this,” Bessie remarked. ** Well, she did, and so the affair ended; but one of my officers, who had seconded me, was very insulting to me, evidently bought over by Moncrief, and I ordered him on board ship. “ He refused to go, and seeing that his con- ‘duct was influencing my boat’s crew to mutiny, I again ordered him aboard under penalty of death, and seeing that trouble was coming, I ‘fired upon the man, but unfortunately the bul- Yet missed him and killed Moncrief, Mrs. Bronx groaned, and Bessie turned white as death, as young privateersman uttered these words, CHAPTER XLIJ. THE MIDNIGHT DEPARTURE. Hues Bronx could not but see how deeply ‘his deed pained both his mother and sister, ashe related it, and he understood but too well how great would be their grief, if they but knew the whole truth. His desire was to place the skipper and Sibyl in so bad a light, and as such foes to him, that ‘all communicdtion would end between the two families, and, upon the return of the inmates of Hurst Haven, neither his mother or sister would go near them, or permit of a visit from them, ‘*Mother, my act was unavoidable, and it tp me deeply, I assure you,” he said, in a sad ‘tone. ‘with sé ** My son, I will not censure, for I cannot see that you are to blame, and with a human life resting upon your soul, your punishment is great; but I regret excsodin gly that you are called to be so severe and to have under you men ‘who are mutinous.” ** Tt isthe fortune of all commanders, mother.” ** T suppose so; but what did you do then?” *“*T was so deeply grieved that I had to be led saway to my ship, and I decided to at once put to ‘sea, and did so, ‘** My vessel, as I said, needs repairs, some fit- ting out, and I wish to ship about thirty more seamen, when I will be in a position to cruise the seas for prizes, and I will win a name that will make that false woman regret her conduct to- ward me.” . * Try and forget her, Hugh,” urged Bessie. ‘Yes my son, she is not worthy of you, and it was throngh her acts and words, as I under- stand it, that you were led into the difficulty that -cost a human life at your hands; but will Cap- ‘tain Hurst not go to sea?” ‘* No, mother, for I forgot to tell you that his “wound, received from his pirate brother’s vessel, cost him his left arm.” ‘*T am sorry for him, for I have always liked him: but does he remain in Charleston?” my No, he will return here to Hurst Haven, and I suppose before long; but for my sake I beg you not to allow either him or his daughter to cross your threshold, for it will be just like them to visit you.” ‘‘My servants shall have their orders, Hugh, and neither Captain Hurst or his daughter will attempt to call a second time,” said the woman, sternly. ~s en sorry, but it shall be as you wish, bro- the:; but oh! what can have so changed Sibyl?” and tears came into Bessie’s beautiful eyes. ‘* Now, my son, what are you to do?” ‘‘Remain to-night, mother, with you, and early to-morrow morning, on the full tide, run out of the inlet and head for New York. ‘*T will see our agents, and carry your order, _and Bessie’s, for that money, and—’ ‘*But was not the man you accidentally killed, “my son, the one to whom you gave the order?” ‘Yes, mother, but he had already received its equivalent, having negotiated it there in Charles- ton “Ah, yes, and I hope you will be in ample time to arrange the matter before the holder presents it to our agents.” __ “There will be no trouble about that, mother, _ * And when I get the schooner in perfect trim, T will run up here and have you and sis come on board and dine with me, after which I will go ising to seek fame and fortune.” | is so great, Hugh.” “Oh, no, not on a privateer, you know mother, as T can run from English cruisers an war upon merchantmen only. “T pray the war may soon end, that you may return to us and livein peace and comfort,” fer- vently said Mrs. Bronx, and _ then she left the room to seeif supper wasready. A moment after Hugh and his sister were per-room, and there had gather- ed to welcome him home, all the servants on the farm, having braved the stormy night to see him, when word was sent that he had returned. In spite of the most tempting supper spread the ri — out be a Hugh Bronx ate but little, for he seemed nervous and really wretched, and soon left the table; but until a late hour that pe - . the three sat up talking together, and then . privateersman retired to his room, How familiar every object seemed to him, and upon all seemed to rest a shadow he could not rush off. When last in that room he had been a happy man. Now he was wretched, crime-stained and a fugitive. ife had seemed to him then a dream of bliss to come; but then he had never d through any great temptation, never had to stand any ave trials, and so he appeared to be strong and onorabel. But when sorely tried he had proved so weak that he went quickly downward, and his real pane developed with a rapidity that astounded To and fro, to and fro he paced, clutching in one hand the orders he held, signed by his mother and sister, and waiting for the dawn to break. At last he sat down to his little table and wrote: ** DEAR MoTHER:— > eet so crowded upon me that I could not sleep, and so I slip away to my vessel, and shall put to sea, not awaiting for the morning. ** Within a short while I will return, however, and hope then to be in better mood, ‘Remember that between Hurst Haven and our blood a great gulf is fixed, and that we must never cross. ‘*Say good-by to sis, and with love to you both, believe me, Ever your ek son, | * Hua.’ This note was left upon his table, and then the man, feeling like a culprit, stole out into the hall, donned his storm-coat and hat and made his way to the shore of the inlet, where he had left the gig which he had come ashore in. In a few moments more he was upon hisdeck, and though the storm still raged, the anchor was gotten up, the sails were set, and the Sea Scorpion was run through the breakers out into the open sea. CHAPTER XLII. ON THE DOWNWARD COURSE. Wirdi a skill and nerve that won the admira- tion of bis crew, Hugh Bronx ran the Sea Scor- pion out through the surf and headed her for New York, hoping, with the gale then blowing, to anchor in the harbor before dawn, and in a secluded anchorage where he would not attract too much attention. It had been his intention, after running out of Charleston as a fugitive, to head directly for New York; but he observed a spirit of discon- tent among his crew. ” They had not taken a prize while under his command, and consequently they had received no pay, for the privateersman had spent all of his money on the repairs of the schooner in Charleston, Provisions had run short, and the men needed clothing. All these things Hugh Bronx had hoped to ob- tain through the capture of a valuable prize. But iron, not gold, they had gotten, he had lost heavily in men, and fiving to sea in a brig- of-war, flying the American flag, in bot chase, was not cheering to the men. So it was no wonder they grumbled, and hay- ing been one of them, Hutchins had heard their grumblings and reported it to Bronx. The men had been very much attached to Allen Rossmore, and they liked not bis remain- ing behind. Then those who had been at the duel with Bronx, had reported the mad act of their cap- tain, and altogether they feared him and yet were afraid to trust him. ** Something has got to be done, cap’n, for the crew are as ugly as sharks,” said Hutchins, as the schooner neared New York. ‘What can be done, Hutchins?” ** Do you ask me because you wish me to tell you, cap’n?” c Yes. ” “Take a prize.” ‘s oe sem find none.” . e have passed sev: ** Not Englishmen?” “é No. ” * Americans?” Yeu” « Why should I war on my own country’s vessels?’ ‘To quiet the crew, cap’n.” ‘* No, I will never do it.” ‘** There'll be trouble, sir.” “*Tt must come, then.” “Could you not raise some mony to pay the men off, for if they got say, a hun each all round, they would be satisfied.” ‘*T have no money now.” Could you raise it, you think, sir?” _ Bronx was silent for a moment, and his face wore a troubled look. ; Then it brightened up, as an idea flashed through his mind, and he said: ‘* Hutchins!” | ** Well, sir.” ‘* We need stores, ammunition, supplies of va- rious kinds, and repairs done to the schooner.” ‘** True, captain.’ ** Tt will take about three thousand dollars for all this?” ** Yes, sir; all of it.” ‘We have thirty-six men on board, and a hundred each will be all they need.” ** Yes, sir, and give them confidence in you.” ** That will make about six thousand six hun- dred dollars.” ** Yes, sir; but better say seven thousand, for fear of accidents—such as repairs and supplies costing more.” rT right.” ** Then ¥ ha forget the officers, sir?’ “c Who ’ ‘“* Your three mates, if you will call us so, and we would like to have a couple of hundred each—in fact, I would like to use three hundred in the city. s ““ I see, ? “Call it eight thousand, cap’n, and it will cover all.” ‘* Very well; I will devote that sum, for I be- lieve [ can get it,” and having decided what he should do, Bronx headed for the inlet on the Long Island sea-coast near his home, and the peoees has seen that he arrived and departed in safety. As he had hoped, the schooner reached an an- chorage about dawn, and it was near a shipyard on the East River. As soon as he had breakfasted, Hugh Bronx ordered a boat alongside to go ashore in, and called to Hutchins to accompany him, He made his way at once to the agent's office, in Water street, and Mr. Blake, the senior mem- ber, knowing him well, greeted him pleasantly, for he had often seen Hugh there with his fath: er, and in fact within the year past. ‘* What can I do for you, Skipper Hugh?” he asked. ‘** Well, Mr. Blake, I am after money, for I have purchased a vessel, an armed schooner, have got her papers as a privateer, and am go- ing cruising for a fortune.” ‘*Indeed! well, if you are half the man your father was, you'll do well, my lad; but ou know how we hold er money, in trust or your mother, sister and yourself conjointly, and it can only be drawn on the written orders of all three?” * Yes, sir, I know that now, for mother told me yesterday of it; but I had given my order for ten thousand on your firm, and now revoke it, as I will draw the money myself and pay for the vessel, for here you see, I have the requisite papers,” and he placed the orders of Mrs. Bronx and Bessie on the desk. ‘* These are all right, and when yours is placed with it, Hugh, I will send to the bank and get the — ef for you.” ‘*Thank you, Mr. Blake, and I would like to have you for my agent, for the sale of prizes I may capture, and other business.” ‘* Certainly, my lad, we are always willing to do business.’ ‘‘ And if my order comes in, you can simply say that the money was drawn out by me to pay for the vessel in cash.” ‘‘ Certainly; ah! here is your order,” and tak- ing up the piece of paper which Hugh Bronx had just written on, he handed it, with the sea 2 orders, to a clerk and sent him to the ba In half an hour after Hugh Bronx left the office of Blake & Co., and joined Hutchins, who was awaiting him in an inn near by. “Well, cap’n?” ‘* | got ten thousand,” was the reply, in a tone that was meant to show how readily he could raise me ‘* Holy Neptune! as quick as that?’ s Yes. ” ‘* And now you wish to order the spars and all needed for the schooner first?” se Yes.” ‘* Now, cap’n, suppose I tell you how to save a couple of thousand, will you go halves with & **T will, Hutchins.” ** You command the Scorpion, don’t you?” ‘**T call her the Sea Scorpion.” ** Yes, but she is entered on the navy register as the Scorpion.” (6 "V es,” ‘** She is a re r cruiser,” ‘* She was.” ge ‘That is what I am after, sir,” ‘* What then?” “Why §° to the Navy Yard, tell the com- mandant that you are Lieutenant Hugh Bronx, commanding the American schooner-of-war, am and that Lieutenant Moncrief sent you here to refit and get su — with all haste, while he is waiting at arleston for you, wounded, and in command of the British brig- of-war Brimstone.” ‘**T don’t see through your plan, Hutchins.” “Why, cap’n, you will have your schooner put in A No, 1 condition in half the time it could be done in a mercantile yard, and all would be charged to the Government and not cost you a cent,” ‘* Hutchins, eo have a wise head on your shoulders, and I will do it; but the crew?’ ‘*They’ll never betray you, after you have given them a hundred all round, never fear.” “T will do it, and you shall have half the cost <eom S) T am saved. 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