Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 476 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

Bob Brent, Buccaneer. 6 but I have need for more money, as I wish to give up the sea soon, and I demand larger a ? : Captain Conrad was silent for a few moments, and then he said thoughtfully: ‘¢ Brent, I will agree to it upon condition that pon undertake to dispose of for me piratical ooty instead of the smuggled goods which I have been purchasing in the West Indies through my agents and having you bring to the States for me. , ‘*T too need more money, and I want excite- ment, for this running out to meet ‘you on your voyages, is not sufficient for me in the way of TISKS, ‘*T love danger, and I like to hear the roar of guns, shouts of combatants and clash of steel, so I will take to piracy, and we will have a ren- dezvous where you can receive my booty, and run it into port for me, and you shali have one- fourth of the profits, the other going to myself and crew, and if I am successful in capturing rizes, you should make the fortune you long or within the year. ‘¢ What do you say?” ‘*T will not run in pirate booty for you, Cap- tain Conrad.” ‘* As you please; I can find plenty who will, so consider our engagement at an end,” was the inaifferent reply. ‘*No, I will yield, for I need the money,” was the reply of Bob Brent. ‘You are wise: but, I guess the freight is about transferred to my craft now, so we will part, but meet me in Boston at the usual haunt, and I will have gotten my plans into shipshape, so as to let you know all about them. ** Good-night,” and dashing off another drink of brandy, Captain Conrad left the cabin, fol- lowed by Bob Brent. While they had been in the cabin the crews of the Golden Hope and sloop were busy trans- ferring certain smuggled goods from the former to the latter, and this work being finished, the two vessels moved apart, the pretty craft of | Bob Brent holding on its way to Boston, to dis- charge the legitimate cargo it had on board, and with no suspicion falling upon its skipper as a smuggler. CHAPTER IX, UNDER A SABLE FLAG, CAPTAIN CARLOS CONRAD, as he called him- ! self, was a strange man, Certainly he was a most mysterious one, for he was known wp ng to no one, other than as a man of wealth, who seemed to enjoy life to its fullest extent. He lived in rooms on a fashionable street in Boston, frequented the aristocratic assembly- rooms, and attracted considerable attention from his distingue air. He was courteous to all, but familiar with no one, and those gentlemen who had met him socially liked him, yet seemed to feel a little dread of him. He said that he was a Frenchman, born in New Orleans, and hinted that he was a large sugar planter there, but, on account of the climate not agreeing with him, preferred to live in a Northern climate. He was fond of sailing, and was wont often to o on a short cruise down to Portland or to New ork, for the benefit of his health. To look at him one would never suppose that Captain Carlos Conrad ever had had a sick day; but then he said that he knew that he had dis- gate of the heart, and was a great sufferer there- om, He was a most successful gambler, as many had reason to know who tested his luck at ecards, and yet he was generous to a wonderful a a to all with whom he came in contaet, ome days after the meeting between Captain Conrad and Bob Brent, on board the Golden | Hope, the two met, as if by accident, in an | aristocratic salon in Boston, “Glad to see you back again, Captain Brent. “Aad a pleasant voyage, I hope,” said Cap- tain Conrad, pleasantly. Bob Brent, who was a great favorite in Bos- ton circles, thanked the captain for his good wishes and then they went off together fur a game of cards, they said, to the rooms of the - smuggler chief. These rooms were a per/ect retreat of luxury, for they were gorzeousiy furnisned, and a slave in livery presided over them to look out for his master’s comfort. ‘*T am not in, Jet, to anv one who may call,” said Captain Conrad, addressing the negro, whose name fitted him well, for he was cer- | tainly as black as jet. “Yes, massa, [ understands, sah.” ** Bring liquors and refreshments,” continued | the captain, and he led the way to bis delightful | little sitting-room, Soon the two were seated in easy-chairs, with refreshments and liquors on the table near them, and Captain Conrad lay back sending rings of smoke from his cigar into the air, while he watched them float away with apparent inter- est. ** Brent?’ he said at last. 6 Yes.” ‘¢-You have heard that there is a small cruiser “ / t 5 being built here for the Cartagenian Govern- ment, and that she is to be turned over to the officers and crew, who are to come after her in perfect condition, armed and equipped?” ** Yes, | have heard of the craft, and her com- mander and crew are expected to arrive soon.” ‘You are to go after them to Cartagena, Brent.” 4 1?” ‘* Yes, for your vessel is to be chartered for the voyage, and you will receive good pay for it. ‘¢To-morrow our envoy from the Cartagenian Government will call upon you, give you a cargo out and have you return with the officers and crew for the new crusier. “You will be well paid, for I might as well tell you, Brent, that the schooner is being built for me, as I secretly hold a commission in the service of Cartagena. ‘¢T shall give out here that lam going to my plantation in the South, and about the time you are expected back I shall set sail in my sloop. *¢ As usual I will meet you, transfer the cargo you have for me, and pay you your commission. “Then you will bring the crew for the schooner into port and you shall be paid liber- ally for your services.” ‘* And you are to enter the service of Carta- gena as a commodore of a cruiser?” asked Bob Brent in surprise. ‘*Oh dear no, but I shall sail out of this port as such, and thus get to sea in perfect shape.” ‘* And then?” ‘‘ Why I will raise the pirate colors over my deck and go cruising for game.” ‘* Ha! turn pirate?” ‘“‘Of course, for did I not tell you that I would?” ‘¢ |] remember now.” ‘‘Once, my dear Brent, I was a rich man; but I lost my riches in a way that made me re- vengeful, and I came here a poor man, almost, ‘But I bought goods in the West Indies, with the few dollars | won in gambling, and you wate we met and [I got you to bring them in or me, ‘* All the while I was building this schooner in secret, or rather for secret use, and she is now near completion, so I wish you to bring my officers and crew, for they will be ready to come, as I will give you a letter that will secure them. “‘ Once the schooner is at sea I will raise the flag of the free rover and the booty I get you will dispose of for me.” ‘*T will not break my word, Captain Conrad; but you are a remarkable man,” ‘‘ Ah, yes, I have been so called before,” was the oe reply of the smuggler. ‘“‘ When do you wish me to sail?” _ “ Assoon. as you can get your cargo on board and depart.” ‘‘ And [ am to return at once?” ** As quickly as you can, for [am anxious to be off.” ‘* Well, I will be ready soon, and yet you know I am to be innocent of what you may do after you get to sea in your vessel,” . ‘* Certainly, for I will samy let it be report- ed that the commander of the schooner turned her into a pirate, and I will not be known in the matter myself, for I shall have gone South, ae know, to return to my plantation,” and Cap- tain Conrad smiled significantly. ‘*T understand; but what is to be my pay for all this?” ‘‘T will pay you liberally, never fear, and keep my contract as to your fourth interest in all piratical booty you dispose of for me. ‘* Now let us arrange signals, rendezvous and all else necessary for our meeting when I have run up the black flag.” For a long time the two sat planning together, and then Bob Brent took his departure. But the next day an agent, purporting to be from the Cartagenian Government came to him aun. chartered the Golden Hope to go after the crew for tbe new cruiser which was being built and armed in Boston, The Golden Hope set’ sail on her mission, re- turned in good time with several dark-faced, black-eyed officers and a crew of as thorough a set of cut-throats as ever were congregated to- eether, and ten days after their coming the pre- tended cruiser put out to sea, winning the ad- miration of all who saw her. Within less than a week after a vessel came into port and reported having been captured and robbed byan armed schooner, which some of the crew had reported as being the Carta- genian cruiser, whose commander had boldly turned into a buceaneer craft, and the tidings ran like wildfire thr-ugh the town, and those who had entertained the pretended gallant Cartagenian officers hung their heads in shame. CHAPTER X. CHANGING COLORS. CAPTAIN CONRAD was a sailor, every inch of him, and this bis crew found out before Boston Light had been dropped a league astern. The schooner, which had been built presum- ably for the service of the struggling people of Cartagena, was a fine one in every particular, ; 4 J ' ce 6 re ny i a Meelis wir f 453 She had been designed for stanchness at sea. in rough weather, and speed in all weathers, Her bulwarks were very high, massive, and a fair protection against all ordinary shot. Her hull lay low in the water, rising in bow and stern. and she carried a broadside of four guns, with a pivot mounted fore and aft, and of large caliber. er spars were light and capable of easy handling, and both masts and top-masts were very high, while her main boom, and even gaff, went far out over the taffrail, arfd her bow- sprit pushed its sharp point away ahead of the razor-like bows. Every one who saw the beautiful craft was | delighted with her, and the young Cartagena Captain, who was known as Senor Moralez, was kept busy entertaining visitors up to the moment of sailing. Bob Brent, who had brought the officers and crew on to take charge of the vessel, was down tosee her set sail, and he told the Senor Moralez as he was to depart with a cargo for Southern ports, he would follow him out to sea and thus a good idea of the speed of the schooner could be gained by a test with the Golden Hope, which was known to be the swiftest craft that entered the port of Boston. It was near sunset when the schooner set sail, and many a farewell and bon voyage was waft- ed after her by those who little dreamed of the cheat nactiees: upon them by the daring smug- gler, Conrad, who had decided to try his hand at piracy. As she sped down the harbor the Golden Hope was seen getting under weigh, and soon after she came dashing along in the schooner’s wake, All on board the new craft were delighted at her speed, for she seemed fairly to fly by the islands. She was carrying a fair quantity of canvas, in spite of a threatening storm, and the city was fading from sight astern when suddenl out of the cabin came the man who was to rule the destinies of the craft. Tt was Captain Conrad, and he was dressed in a very picturesque uniform, but one which was not known as belonging to any nation’s service. ‘‘She is a fine vessel, Senor Moralez,” said Captain Conrad. Senor Moralez started. He had not heard the approach of his chief, though he was well aware that he had been in hiding on the schooner since the night before. ‘‘-Yes, senor, and I congratulate you,” he said with a bow to Captain Conrad, who smiled and returned dryly: ‘“Thank you; but, Senor Moralez, yonder comes the brig Golden Hope, is it not?” ‘Yes, sir, for Captain Brent said he was bound South on a voyage and would race us out of port.” ‘* And how does his vessel go as to speed com- pared with the schooner?” ; ‘She is gaining, senor.” ‘‘ Ah! can the schooner be less fast than I thought?” ‘‘No, sir, for she is matched against a craft that I believe has no equal.” ‘“ Crowd on canvas, then, Moralez.” “ But the storm, Senor Captain,” and Moralez pointed to the dark clouds gathering. ‘‘'The men must stand ready to take in sail at an instant’s notice, so crowd on the canvas.” It was done, though the men shook their heads in dread. But the Golden Hope also ran up extra sail and came along in the same fleet manner as be- fore. Both vessels swept out of the port in the dark- ness, right into the teeth of the coming storm. But as they sped on, the Golden Hope ran up to the schooner and passed her to windward. ‘*T never sawa craft hold me as your schooner has, captain,” called out Bob Brent, as he sailed ‘i I am glad to know that much; but your vessel isa wonder, was the reply. And as the canvas was taken in with a rush on board of both vessels, they dashed into the very jaws of the tempest and were lost to sight of each other in a moment more. ‘* Remember the rendezvous on your return,” Bob Brent beard, in the clear voice of Captain Conrad, and then wes wafted back again: ‘* Ay, ay, sir, I will be on hand!” Then the officers and crew of the schooner had all that they could do to look after their vessel, for the tempest was a severe one, But the new craft proved berself all that could be wished of her, and without the loss of a sail or a spar rode ont the gale. The next morning the storm kad blownaway, and the schooner was cruising along under easy” canvas, when Captain Conrad came on deck, ‘‘Senor Moralez,” he said, quietly. ‘¢ Ay, av, Senor Captain!” “Call the men to quarters and let them see Nie the flag that they are to sail under.” The order was obeyed promptly. It was a critical moment, for the crew had — been shipped by Moralez in South American and West Indian ports, presumably to serve upon a& Cartagenian cruiser. That they suspected another flag than am “com be ine “ ‘yy,