Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 418 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

_ quarters, but in half an hour he was back again. ** Well, sir?” ‘* Mr. Blake said that Bronx had drawn the money himself, intending to pay the cash to the cuptain, as he stated.” **I told youso; and mark my words, Moncrief will never see a doliar for his vessel until he re- captures her, so we will leave the work to him to do. young gentleman.” The admiral then told Allen Rossmore to hoid himself ready to return in about two weeks, and that the cargo of the barque should be gotten ready by that time. The other two vessels were ordered to be got- ten ready for sea, and then the three young admiral, elated over their good fortune, yet ee at the brana of outlawry which Hugh roux had vrought upon himself, | CHAPTER XLVI. f Tix SEA SIREN SETS SAIL, | THE barque sailed at the allotted timo, and the -- ¢rew of the Sea Siren were on board and Allen Rossmore in command, proud of his position as | heutenant, and delighted to be the bearer of a _. eaptain’s commission to Manton Moncrief. : “With such a crew the barque was superbly - manned, and the admiral had ordered her _ . armed with a battery to protect her against any ordinary fve. | There was on board, besides, a regular crew, with an cflicer to command her on the return af- ter she had delivered her cargo at Charleston, so that she would prove a dangerous adversary to ‘any small crui-er she might meet. But Allen Rossmore knew that he was to take - no risks, so headed at once for Charleston, de- _ termined to press on with all sail, as his freight Ax ’ was too valuable to detain by the way, or lose, bf in trying to act as a vessel-of-war. _ — *$o, after a very rapid run, he swept up the ie harbor one d y, saluting the forts and dropping - anchor near the Government dock. | Captain Bainbridge had recognized the vessel, ' and Rossmore on her deck, and met him as he ~4 tT landed, ao _. * Weleome back, Mr. Rossmore,” he said, eS I am glad to get back, sir, and especially as | Ibring good news, for our armies have been | -vietorious of late in the Northern Colonies, and I bring a cargo that will be welcome to our troops in the Carolinas; but how is Captain Mon- _. erief?”’ | “T may say well, for he walks about now, and ie. Ss gaining strength daily. - ®& But come, we will go to the mansion at once, and you will have a warm welcome.” \ nd a warm welcome did Rossmore get in- | deed, from one and all, and they listened at- __ tentively to his story of all that had iy a and congratulated him upon the rank he had Pe attained, while Moncrief fairly blushed under | the warm congratulations showered upon him. a -* And so poor Bronx has been outlawed?” said Captain Hurst, who was quite himself | again, with the exception of having but one mee, 9° Yes, sir.” Peg regret it exceedingly on account of his poor mother and sister,” the skipper returned. |” Yes, Heaven help them; but Hugh brought | it upon himself,” Sibyl] said. . You say’ that he went into New York wih ™* \Y y i harbor and fitted the Scorpion out at Govern- _ - ment.expense?” Moncrief asked. Pad A ‘one s+ Yes sir” Py. «8S nd drew the money that was there to | - meet my order?” + “So Blake & Co. said, sir.” F Well, be is welcome to the schooner, if he ia will put her to a ood use, but I almost doubt | it,” and Moncrief looked pained that his pretty -_ eraft should ‘be devoted to other than a good wy eause, for he cared nothing for the money. TJ wonder if he will turn pirate?’ said Sur- -. geon Bennett, who still remained at the man- gion near his patient, at the urgent request of Major White. ) TF he is outlawed, he is really no better ) than a pirate now,” Major White said, and Captain Moncrief, having opened his special _ orders, remarked: ‘‘ Here are orders for me to - eapture Hugh Bronx, Fugitive Privateersman - and outlaw, and hang him without trial. » “ T regret this exceading)y.” _. The words fell like a pall upon all, and every / eye was upon the young se Incr “You will have to obey orders, captain, bitter as it is, for it is indeed a painful thing . to have to put the noose about the neck of one | whom we have known and called friend, believ- - ing him to be such,” Major White said. © Yes, I shall obey my orders; in fact, were he my brother, I would not shrink if my _ Government ordered me to do it,” was the low Again a silence fell upon the group, broken ~ at last by Moncrief, whosaid: | * Tjieutenant Rossmore, 1 wish you to get | the crew on board the Sea Siren, and have all | jn readiness for sailing ten days from to-day, ' and you are to be my first officer.” - i thank you, Captain Moncrief.” ’ ets | oe se “ A> aa Sin” Fi i : et a - shoe | ‘se ena fe = _— ro ety a 2 Allen Rossmore departed from the admiral’s officers departed from the quarters of the old | —— eee ee ed ee The Sea Siren. ing, Captain Hurst, you and Miss Sibyl?” ‘* Yes, sir, for I think we have taxed the hos- | pitality of our host for a great while.” ‘*T only wish I had you with me always, my friends, for Mrs. White has not been as well in two years, as during your stay,” the major re- plied. ‘* Yes, and I shall miss you all greatly, in fact the house will be as lonesome as a graveyard without you,” responded Mrs, White. Sv it was arranged that the Sea Siren should _ Sail within ten days, and that she might go out _ to sea as slippery as an eel, she was drawn out upon the ways and her hull made as smooth as glass, Then she was put in perfect trim from keel to truck, her crew of eighty men donned their new uniforms, and all was in readiness to receive her | captain. | Two days before sailing he went on board, and | the mornmg she was to depart Captain Hurst 'and Sibyl took possession of their luxurious | state-rooms, for the skipper had spared no ex- | pense in making the cabin of the Sea Siren like nishings, ‘* This 1s fine enough to suit the tastes of an Algerine corsair,” said Captain Moncrief, when he first entered the cabin and looked about him. Farewells were then said, the anchor was hauled up, sail spread, while the cheerful sea songs of the crew filled the air. Like a snow-cloud the Sea Siren darted down the harbor, saluted by the forts, cheered by the populace thet lined the banks, and her guns ringing forth an answering salute. ‘** That craft sails like the wind,” said Major White to Robert Bainbridge, as the two stood away in the distance. ‘* She is well named, sir,” was the reply of the of deep sadness, for the Sea Siren carried away his heart, and Sibyl the siren knew it, though mo gallant soldier had never breathed his love er, CHAPTER XLVII. THE NIGHT CHASE, . ‘* Dogs her change of rig improve her sailing, think you, Captain Hurst?’ asked Manton Mon- at sea. ‘‘Immensely, I am sure, and what is more, windward several points closer, and [ am sure be superior in every respect,” answered the aad se e. he seems to fairly fly,” Sibyl said, admir- ingly. he Sea Siren was carrying full sail, thougha lower sail breeze, for most vessels, was blowing, and she was cutting through the water at a rate that won the admiration of her crew, who watched her with the greatest pride and in- terest. They saw that she stood up well under the great pressure of the wind, that there was no her sharp prow like a razor, and that she did not, under heavy gusts, get her lee scuppers under. She was also a dry boat forward, though the sea was very rough, and her wake was clean and even. To try the vessel more, Moncrief pointed her into the very eye of the wind, and forged abead well with her sheets as flat as a board, Then he jibed her, and she stood it without a lurch to her scuppers, while before the wind she ha along, wing and wing like the very wind itself. ‘*There is no good on, Captain ing up with her for a couple of hours upon every course, and saw that she also went about as though she was upon a pivot. So delighted were the crew with her, that when relieved from duty they te her captain three cheers, then three for the schooner, and ended up with three for Sibyl, the fair siren for whom she was named. The wind held good, and the third night out the lookout called from aloft: ** Sail ho!” It was a beautiful night, and several hours crief, when the Sea Siren had been a few hours | she will be a better rough weather boat, go to | a bijou palace in all its appointments and fur- _eried | fired. ' ’ ‘*¢’You will be satisfied with that date for sail- | ship,” answered Moncrief, and then he called out: ‘* Forward, there!” “* Ay, ay, sir!” ‘* Lieutenant Rossmore, clear that Forecastle Pet for action, and toss a shot over that fel- low.” ** Ay, ay, sir.” The gun was quickly loaded, and belcbed forth its fiery flame and iron. All watched attentively, and the crash of timbers, accompanied by cries, followed. ‘* 'W ho fired that gun?” called out Moncrief, as Sibyl, hearing the shot, came running on deck from the cabin, ‘* I did, sir,” was the reply. ‘You are a superb shot, Lieutenant Ross- more, but I hope she is not an American; but we will know soon.” All waited for a moment, and it was seen that the stranger suddenly changed his course and began to fly. ‘‘Show our naval secret signals, Mr. Ross- more!” ‘Ay, ay, sir!” came the answer, and it was done. ‘* No, she is not of our navy, so try your hand again, Mr. Rossmore.” The gun was again fired, and again was heard the crash, showing that the aim had been true. ‘‘ If you can do that a third time, Rossmore Vil say you are the best cannon shot afloat,” loncrief, and a third time the gun was . A moment of deathlike stillness, then cries ,and crashing timber, end a wild cheer broke | from the crew of the Ses. Siren. ‘*T give you the palm, Rossmore, as a dead shot; but cease firing, as the craft may be one upon the parapet of the fort watching her fade | | | a | | | | of our privateers, though sbe should show her | private signals, that we might know it.” As Moncrief spoke there came a flash from the young cuptain, whose face wore an expression | stern of the chase, but the shot fell short. Then the vessel rounded sharply and gave the Sea Siren a broadside; but these too fell into the sea before reaching her. ‘* That is a marvelous gun, Captain Moncrief, ap you have there,” said Rossmore, coming t. | ‘** Yes, it is a wonder at long range, and I had it on board the Sea Scorpion with me. ‘* But yonder fellow ts running well, and we will follow in his wake until daylight, when we will make him show his colors and fight _* ‘* He sails well, sir,” said the skipper. ‘* He has all set that will draw, father, and we have not sent up our topsails,” responded Sibyl. ‘*And we are gaining rapidly enough,” was. the reply of Moncrief, and he continued: “is shall still shorten sail if we creep up much closer, for I wish to have a look at him by day, and, as he is sailing our way, it is all right.” And soon, as the Sea Siren showed an anxiet _ to overhaul the chase too rapidly, the mainsail | had a reef putin her, which held her about an | equal rate of sailing with the stranger. ‘* bone in her teeth,” as she cut the waters with | ascended to the deck, ke saw the sea growing | | et she | | | answer, oint of sailing that she is not | urst,” said Moncrief, warm- | with enthusiasm, after he had practiced | said: tetiring to his cabin, Moncrief left Rossmore in command of the deck, with orders to call him at daybreak. This was done, and when the young captain bright under the approach of day. His first glance was at the chase, and he saw that the Siren crept up nearer, though no more sail had been cet upon her; and: the schooner ahead was covered with canvas and lay well over as she drove along. ‘‘ Ah, Miss Sibyl, you up so soon?” he asked, as he saw the young girl standing near. ‘‘- Yes, Captain Moncrief, like you, I had a desire to see that vessel by daylight,” was the ** Will you have my glass?” ‘¢ What do you make of her?” ‘*See for yourself if I am right,” and she smiled, and a strange smile it was. He leveled the glass and almost instantly ** Jt is the Scorpion.” Then he turned ee gave orders to change the course of the Sea Siren, to the great surprise of the crew; but when the dawn grew brighter many of the old crew of the Scorpion recognized her, and they wondered more at the strange act of their commander. CHAPTER XLVI. THE FAIR PILOT, WHATEVER those on the Sea Scorrion might have thought of the strange conduct of a ves- after sunset, and the stranger was under full | sel, which they could not but see it was in the sail, coming up on the starboard bow, and head- | power of to overhaul them, and yet drew off, it so as to cross the bows of the Sea Siren. t was soon descried to be a large schooner, and Moncrief said in a low tone: in ‘With Miss Sibyl on board, Captain Hurst, I will run from that fellow, for he is surely arm- | ' on board o’ this craft, and the cap’n looks on ed or he would not be in these waters ” ‘No, Captain Moncrief, my daughter is not one to stand in the way of your doing your duty, sir a British cruiser you think you can capture, fight him,” was the plucky reply. so hold on as you are, and if the stranger is ‘I will make him show at least whether he is a lambor a wolf, for I have a pivot-gun forward that has not its superior on any line-of-battle ** Me ~ et . vy . J “- a Ale wey ® . ~~ _— - | was certain] a surprise to the crew of the Sea Siren, and the talk in low tones about it. But an old seaman at last set the matter at rest by saying: ‘‘Shipmates, there is a mighty pretty leddy her asa angel, and I guesses she is, and as he has orders to capture the Sea Scorpion and hang | her skipper, he don’t want no fight. nor no yard-arm and noose work, while Miss Sibyl are on board, so he jist bides his time, yer see.” They all did seem to see that this was the case and thought no more of it. | But that afternoon Sibyl came on deck, and 7 c€omichooks on Oe os - Com — (oe