Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 418 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

, es . a Sa? + ‘ed, so that she had gons up in flame _ quarter-deck of the captured brig, and I observe 8 | The Sea Siren. oe eee — and up goes the American flag, and it is Mon- | Moncrief and Captain Bainbridge also were crief that has raised them, for | can see him dis- , asked. tinctly with my glass in the vivid glare.” | ‘* T will go with pleasure, thank you, major, ‘Father, he has won the fight which Hugh | avd I feel sure that Captain Bainbridge will not Bronx lost!” and dropping her head upon her | refuse,” said Moncrief pleasantly, and turning to hands Sibyl burst into tears of real joy astoher | the English officers, half a dozen in number, he tears came wild cries of triumph from the sol- | continued: diers at the fort, wio seemed delirious with joy. **Gentlemen, I accept your parole not to leave the vessel, so will not place you in con- finement.” Then Moncrief followed young Bainbridge into the major’s boat, which at once pulled for the mansion, disappointing the populace, who had hoped it would dead at the town. Speaking pleasantly to Hugh Bronx, Moncrief > CHAPTER XIV. INGRATITUDE, HAVING convinced herself that it was no op- tical illusion, but a reality, that Manton Mon- crief bad won the fight, and so told her father, | said: Sibyl was willing to seek her room and gain the | ‘‘ Have you any idea, sir, when Captain Hurst rest she greatly needed after the night of ex- | will sail for home?” citement. ‘*T have not, sir,” was the cold reply. She had seen, by the burning bark, that the ‘* Could you tell me if he would part with his wounded had been removed, and the boats were | brig, for [ would purchase her of him, if he rowing to the schooner, which had now drifted | would do so?” apart from the brig, and now lay to not far ‘* You will have to ask Captain Hurst, sir,” distant, the British cruiser being in charge of a was the somewhat sullen reply, and Moncrief prize crew. said no more, as he could not but notice the The flames of the burning vessel also showed manner of the young mate. her that the forts were crowded with soldiers = Arriving at the mansion, Major White wel- eagerly watching the scene, and shouts were re- comed his guests, and at the door they were sounding through the town at the glorious vic- | greeted by Mrs. White and Sibyl. tory won, ‘*Lieutenant Moncrief, 1 congratulate you ‘And he is spared, as though he bore a! with all my heart upon your splendid achieve- charmed life,’ murmured Sibyl, as she laid her | ment, and for rescuing our gallant mate here, head upon her pillow. Mr. Bronx, who so recklessly ran into the lion’s ‘ And Surgeon Bennett, and poor Hugh, and | mouth,” said Sibyl. that gallant young officer who led the attack ‘' Fate favors some, but it turned its back on on the barque and then went to the rescue of me,” said Hugh Bronx, ina half-whisper to Sibyl. the schooner, 1 hope they are all unharmed,” | She turned quickly upon him, saw his dark and with this hope in her heart she went to face full of gloom, and said: sleep, from which she was awakened by the ‘Hugh, I am so glad to see you safe once thundering of heavy guns down the harbor. | more, and you owe much to Lieutenant Mon- In alarm she sprung from the bed an rushed crief in the way of gratitude.” to the window. ‘‘T owe him only hatred,” was the fierce re- The sun had been up for several bours, and joinder, as the young mate turned away and as- what she beheld was a sight that thriiled her cended to the room of the skipper, and unheed- heart with pride, for up the harbor came the | ing the words of Sibyl: Scorpion, and astern of her the British brig- ‘*Come, Hugh, we are going in to breakfast of-war, while the forts were firing a salute to now, and you can see father afterward.” the gallant men who had won so brave a battle. | The vessels had been through a fearful ordeal, | as their torn bulwarks, spars and sails shew.d | clearly and they were coming slowly along, | towing the boats that held the soldiers from the | fort. As they passed the forts the boats were cast loose, the soldiers cheering wildly, and the two vessels held on their way up toward the city. Every vestige of the barque had disap ee ibyl | CHAPTER XV. THE MATE'S RESOLVE. ‘* Writ, Bronx, I am g'iad to see you out of the hands of the Philistines, and Moncrief is deserving of all praise for his gallant rescue of you,” said the skipper, as he saw the young sailor enter bis room. ‘* That Moncrief again,” hissed Hugh Bronx, ey he bg ri teh om pnee a upon which the skipper lay, and gras is hand, Aloud = said, shortly: ** Thank you, sir.” ‘* But how secret you kept your expedition. ‘Tell me of it.” ‘“‘There is little to tell, sir, more than that T conceived the idea of rescuing Lieutenant Mon- erief and his men, and retaking his vessel.” ‘It was worthy of you, Hugh; but 1 fear you were too rash ” ‘** Pace was against me, Captain Hurst, for the barque was slow, the two guns were not worth much, and my men did not know me, orl them, so it was a failure.” ‘* And you were taken?” ‘* As you know,” ‘* But you had little idea of a release?” ‘‘ None, sir, and yet, when it was rumored ** Did he, sir?’ was the innocent response. about the ship, and I heard it, that it was found ‘* Who is on the schooner, my child?” that Moncrief had escaped, I supposed he would ‘‘ Hugh Bronx is at her wheel, father.” | just be fool enough to attempt to capture the ‘‘Tam glad he has escaped unhurt; but from | Englishman, and | told them so.” what you say, Moncrief has not confined the; ‘ What! do you mean to say you put them on British officers below decks, which shows he isa | their guard against an attack?’ asked the sur- generous foe, for he was put in irons.” | prised skipper. ‘‘They stand near him, father, gazing atthe The face of the young mate flushed, and he town as they approach.” | stammered out: ‘* And the town people are mad with delight, ‘Oh, no, sir; but I said that if Moncrief I judge, | from the cheers that come from that safely reached the shore they would hear from im rter. ; ‘* Yes, sir, the shore is a solid mass of people, * atm they did.” es, sir. and a battery is getting ready to fire a salute.’ As Sibyl! spoke the roar of artillery was heard, ‘** He swam ashore, was here when your attack failed, and at once decided to act, and well did ing a salute, the tribute of the town to the ant deed of the young commander. he doit, and you should be overwhelmed with im for it, as he saved you from a Rumor had already spread around that it was | gratitude to Manton Moncrief, the Dashing Privateersman, cruel and long imprisonment.” who had escaped from the British brig, and, | Hugh Bronx made no reply, but his face work- with the aid of some soldiers from the forts, un- | ed with the bitter thoughts that seemed to have der Captain Bainbridge, had retaken his vessel | taken possession of him. and captured the Englishman, and all gathered | _ “‘It was a useless af*air, that attack in boats, about the landing, eager to welcome him as he | Hugh.” well knew. ‘Dressing herself, Sibyl sought her father’s room, and reached the window just as the two vessels were passing the mansion. | She saw the flag on the brig-of-war dipped three times, in answer to the waving of her > kerchief from the window of the mansion and at Father, Lieutenant Moncrief is on the several officers in British uniform by his side, while also with him is the young leader of the attack on the barque, whom I recognize now as Captain Robert Bainbridge who was at the major’s reception the other night.” ‘* Yes Major White spoke of him as a splendid — dashing fellow, rich and handsome, and told me | he seemed to fall desperately in love with you, Sibyl,” said the skipper slyly. | came on shore. . ye Major White, after the two vessels had |“ Moncrief led the one on the schooner, I sup- the forts, had driven ney home to order | pose?” breakfast prepared, and had then gone to the ‘* Yes, sir.” landing to welcome Moncrief, and request that ‘‘And Captain Bainbridge led against the he and Captain Bainbridge should return home | rque?” with him. “Yes, sir.” He also did not forget Hugh Bronx, including | ‘‘ What was the trouble about the barque?” him in the invitation, especially as the skipper ‘*She had as many men on board as were in had expressed a desire to have his mate visit the attacking party, and when forced to surren- him, and learn about his attack and capture. der they broke open some oil casks and set the Rowing first on board the schooner, the ma} barque on fire.” urged Bronx to accompany him’, and he had ‘‘ Were you on the harque?” done so; but his brow grew dark asthe boatran ‘‘I was held there »» 9 prisoner, until rescued to the side of the En n h brig, and Lieutenant by Captain Bainbric;:.” wie m ‘ $83 ae é i > Po i 5a oes 2 afr Pe -.. a i ——— —— —————————————————— ———— — ‘* And then you went to the aid of Moncrief?” “*T did not, as I remained in charge of the barque, to get the wounded and ten prisoners in- the boats.” ** And then?” ‘* That was all, sir, for when we reached the schooner, to which 1 took the boats, the brig had struck her colors.” ‘‘ Why, Hugh, you seem strangely indisposed to talk upon the subject.” hal Bronx was silent for a minute and then said: ‘Captain Hurst, will you do me a favor?” * Certainly, Hugh, if in my power.” ‘*T am anxious to serve my country, sir, and I wish to purchase f:0m you the Mermaid, arm her and command ber as a privateer, ‘* IT will give you so much cash, and my note, secured by my house, for the balance, until she is paid for,” ‘ But, me ig T have already decided to give the Mermaid to Moncrief, and 1 thought you ee that I was having hcr refitted for him, as a gift? e Something was said about it, sir, but I will pay you your price, for I can get privateers- man’s papers.” ‘*No, Hugh, I will give the Mermaid to Mon- crief, for I owe much to him, and I would ad- vise that you seek an officer’s berth under him, for I will ask it.” ‘‘ Never, sir!” and Hugh Bronx spoke with savage earnestness, and seeing the surprised look of the skipper, he added: ‘* No, Captain Hurst, I can never win fame as a second officer, and I am determined to make a name for myself, ‘You know that I am a good seaman, can command men, and I am no coward, so I will risk all chances as captain of a privateer, and as you will not sell me the Mermaid, I must get an- other vessel.” ‘* Don’t be rash, Hugh, for you have had too little experience as an officer, and your experi- ence last night as a commander, was most disas- trous.” ‘1 fought fearful odds, sir, and with a green crew.” ‘Yet Moncrief had no better, and captured the brig, as well as the schooner, also the barque, though he divided his forces, and went in boats at that.” A muttered oath escaped the lips of Hugh Bronx, and he said, sharply: ‘* Well, Dll yet win as great a name as has ras Moncrief, Captain Hurst; you mark my words! ‘* And I beg now to resign as second mate of the Mermaid.” ‘*Do nothing rashly, Hugh,” said the skipper, kindly. ‘*T will not be rash; but my mind is made up, sir, and I will turn the Mermaid over to boat- swain Brace until ber repairs are completed.” ‘Well, Hugh, I am sorry about your deci- sion; but you know best—so pay yourself from the ship’s fund which you have charge of, and if you need more call upon me, while you must keep me aware of what you are doing,” said the kind-hearted skipper. ‘*'You will know of me, sir, and before long,” was the reply as the young sailor left the room, making an excuse to a servant who came to call bim to breakfast, as the family awaited him in the parlors. ‘*'You certainly will go to breakfast with the major, Hugh?” said the skipper. ‘* No, thank you, captain, for I must get back to the brig. ‘* Please say, my man, that I have important business calling me at once away, but thank Major White for his kind invitation,” and Hugh Bronx left the room, walked out of the front door, and disappeared down the foliage-border- ed gravel walk. The servant reported the result of his errand, and all regretted that Hugh Bronx had not joined them, as Captain Hurst and Sibyl bad al- ways spoken so highly of the mate of the Mer- maid, and his daring attempt to recapture the ar ery with the barque had been greatly ad- mir CHAPTER XVI. THE GIFT, Tuer capture 'of the British — and recap- ture of his own schooner, along with the rescue of the unfortunate men who had gone in the barque, made a greater hero than ever of the young sailor, and many were anxious for a look at the dashing privateersman. Whatever others might feel of the conduct of Hugh Bro>=, Lieutenant Manton Moncrief saw that something was wrong, but. what he could not discover. He had noticed that Hugh really seemed to regret being rescued, and had acted in a man- ner that showed real ingratitude; but not sus- pecting bis love for Siby], and not for a mo- ment dreaming that he had caused him a jealous pang, he did not know in what way to account for the strange conduct of the Mermaid’s second mate. After mE the omicbooks*com f