Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 482 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

LS } ¢ ee eae Oe ~~ a a She was under easy sail, schooner rig, but earried a large squaresail yard, up to the port end of which, as she glided toward the harbor, the horrified citizens beheld the form of a human being hoisted, while a gun was fired and the Stars and Stripes were run up with the black flag of a pirate beneath them. Instantly the shores were lined with an ex- cited crowd, gazing at the incoming vessel, and all knew that the swinging form and black flag beneath the Stars and Stripes told of a pirate captured and hanged. Upon the deck of the schooner, as she drew near the harbor, had been standing several of- ficers, while the crew were gathered forward. One of these officers, on crutches, and with one leg, the reader will recognize as Captain Sprague, the captor of Belmont the Buccaneer. When a little more than a league from the port, he bad said: ‘Senor Morte, bring the pirate prisoner on deck and rig a rope for his execution,” ‘“*Ay, ay, senor; but will you hang him at sea?” ‘* T have so decided, **T shall sail into the harbor with him hang- ing at the yard-arm.” The officer addressed at once gave the neces- sary orders, and in a moment after Belmont the Buccaneer was brought apes deck, His long confinement below, and the antici- pation of his fate, had told upon him, for he was pale and haggard. But his eyes shone brightly, and the indomit- able pluck of the man caused him not to quail when a glance about him showed the situation as it was. ‘* Belmont the Buccaneer, I sent you word a week ago, that your days were numbered. “We are now approaching an American port, and I would tell you that you shall die atthe yard-arm witbin ten minutes, in punish- ment for your crimes. “Have you any communication to make, for this is your only chance?” and Captain Sprague gazed fixedly at the buccaneer. ‘*T have only to say that I believe you, under the protection of the flag you float, have been as lawless as a buceaneer in sailing the seas, and did your Government only know what you had been guilty of, under the guise of pirate-hunter, you would suffer the same penalty that I do,” The buccaneer spoke calmly, but every word was distinctly heard by the man he addressed. Captain Sprague’s face turned livid with rage, and he called out: ‘““Forward there! hasten those preparations to choke off this man’s utterances,” ‘* And, Senor Captain, let me add that if I do go, as I suppose 1 must, [ have left youa re- minder of me in that absent leg, and when you feel twinges of pain from it, and recognize that it is gone, as you must almost every mo- ment of your life, you will remember Belmont the Buccaneer, and, in part, I will be aveng- “ Silence sir!” shouted Captain Sprague. Unheeding, the buccaneer continued: as aw ye . | Sonar a - _ ae ea ee s ‘ ie * Ocean Tramps, f Farewell, lads, I hold no grudge against ou! The order then came to haul him up, and the body of the outlaw chief was drawn up to the yard-arm and caught the eyes of the crowdson shore, Whatever his faults and crimes had been, the buccaneer had certainly died like a brave man. And into port sailed the schooner, while she was greeted with ringing cheers. Going ashore, Captain Sprague ordered his boat to return to the schooner, and a grave was dug in one corner of the little cemetery, near the sea, where the body of Belmont the Bucca- neer was laid to rest. After a short visit to Beacon Hill, Captain Sprague again set sail, having remained but ouly a few hours in his native town, to the great surprise of his fellow-citizens, who were anxious to do honor to him for the capture of the famous pirate Belmont, who had long been a curse upon the seas, But, for reasons best known to himself, Cap- tain Sprague did not allow one of his crew ashore, and hastened out of port as soon as he had seen the buccaneer laid in bis grave, and he had driven up to Beacon Hill for half an hour’s visit. While in the town Captain Sprague had mailed the letter given him by Belmont, thus keeping his word to the man he had hanged at the yard-arm. CHAPTER XXII. WON AT LAST. SEVERAL months after the hanging of Bel- mont the Buccaneer to the yard-arm of the American schooner, that _ par aneng craft put into the little haven near the Buena Vista Plan- tation. ft was a pleasant afternoon, and Victorine was seated in an easy-chair in the little arbor overlooking the sea, while she was engaged in reading. Near her, swinging to and froin a hammock, was little Norma, while Esta, ber guardian nurse, though half asleep, kept up the gentle moton that had soothed the pretty child to slumber. Victorine’s face was sad, but she looked very beautiful in her snowy robe, and her face showed that the poignancy of her grief for the loss of her husband had been overcome, Glancing up from her book her eyes fell upon the white sails of the schooner, gliding slowly along the coast in the direction of the planta- tion haven. She started at first, for it brought to her mind the vessel of Belmont the Buccaneer. Had he escaped from his captor and was he again afloat on an armed deck and on his way to further persecute her? : But she recognized the schooner, and saw the Stars and Stripes at the peak. Her face flushed and she called out: ‘* Look, Esta! there comes the vessel of that gallant American to whom I owe so much,” Esta sprung to her feet and gazed with interest ** Belmont!” ** Ts dead.” ‘When did he die?” ‘* Six weeks after leaving here,” * How?” ‘* At the yard-arm.” ‘** Of your vessel?” ‘* Yes, senora.” ** You bad him hanged?” ““f avenged you, senora, and your husband.” ** Ah, senor, you have been more than good to me,” and tears dimmed the beautiful eyes. Fora moment Captain Sprague was silent, and then he said in a low, earnest tone: ‘* Senora, I have but done my duty in serving you, and I would that I could have done more, and saved your husband from death, ‘** But, alas! that could not be. *‘T am a blunt sailor, senora, and one who has determined to give up the sea, for you see I am not much of a commander with one leg gone; © but I have come here, too soon, pernaps, after the loss of your husband, to tell you that I love you with all my heart and soul and ask you to be my wife some day? ‘‘T have a home in America, which I would make you mistress of, and I have riches enough to support you in luxury. ‘Your little child shall be as my own flesh and blood, I pledge you, and I will endeavor all in my power to make you happy. ‘‘ Will you be my wife some day, Victorine?” Victorine’s eyes were downcast, and her form trembled. She had devotedly loved her noble husband; but he was dead, and her life was a desolate one, She owed more than life to the American, and she greatly admired him, She wished to leave Buena Vista, to get awa from the scenes where she had known so muc of joy and of pain, and she felt that Captain Sprague would make her a good husband, and be as a father to Norma. | So she said in reply, placing her hand in the grasp of the sailor: ‘Senor, I cannot give you the love that Rafael Rodriguez won from me, for it is with him; but [admire you, honor you, and all the love that I have left in my heart you shall bave, and when one year has gone by since the death of my husband, come to Buena Vista, and I will be your wife.” ever in his life before had Rufus Sprague known so much of happiness, and after several ae passed at Buena Vista Plantation he set sail, promising to return at a given time, And Victorine set to work to arrange for her departure from her Cuban home forever. he plantation and slaves were sold, and one day a warm a arrived stating that Captain Sprague would come within two days, and that a packet ship en voyage for Boston, would touch at Buena Vista soon after to take on board the happy couple and little Norma, and bear them on to their American home. True to his promise Rufus Sprague arrived,a riest was sent for, and one day after the year — ee “You asked me if I had aught to say in| upon the schooner, which was but a couple of | had gone by, since the loss of Rafael Rodriguez . this my last hour of life?” miles away. in the pirate schooner, Victorine became the oa ** Yes,” was the sullen reply. ‘*He said he would come again,” mused | wife of the American officer. (eine **T would ask that you allow me an ink-horn, | Victorine, ‘‘and that he would tell me that I Several days after the ship came into the little i pe a quill and piece of paper, for I have a letter 1} would have nothing more to fear from that | harbor, the effects were put on board, the cap- Wk would ask you to send for me,” fearful man, Belmont the Buccaneer.” tain, his beautiful bride, and Esta i Ae | oe ‘To whom?’ After a minute she continued her musing: Norma in her arms followed, and the craft se Rad * e) **To a friend in Havana.” ‘** He is coming, as he promised. sail on her northern voyage. ie | ee ‘**T will read its contents.” ‘** But is Belmont the Buccaneer dead? After a pleasant run the ship dropped anchor geo 33 i - ‘* Yes, if you can.” ‘IT shall never feel at rest until I know that | in Boston Harbor, and a few. days after Victo- ao! Sige The order was given for pen, ink and paper | he is. rine was welcomed to Beacon Hill, which had or “sand the buccaneer wrote several lines; but they ‘* Tt has been just four months since Captain | been repaired throughout and newly furnished i Y tito were in cipher and unreadable to Captain | Sprague sailed, and seven months since the | to receive her. wet. Sprague, who said: death of my poor husband. But not one word had Captain Sprague said ‘The letter can do fo harm, so I will sendit| ‘Alas! how sad has been my lot; but I have | to his wife regarding his vessel, more than that eae for you.” my darling little Norma and so have much tobe | he had resigned his commission and given uphis >) || ‘IT thank you,” and Belmont addressed it to | thankful for, oh! so much, for, but for Captain | schooner, and the citizens knew no more than ~ cay | tees ‘*SENOR CARLOS CONRAD,” Sprague it would have been more, far more. she did; but for the service he had done they — dubbed him ‘‘ commodore” and gladly welcomed he home again and bis beautiful wife into their | midst. ‘*T can never forget him.” In a short while the schooner pointed into the harbor and then Victorine said: ‘¢ Kista, leave Norma sleeping where she is in the hammock, and go and tell Jose and Nora that we are to have guests, so to prepare for them. ‘* T will await here to greet Captain Sprague.” The negress departed, while a moment after An address was given which Captain Sprague knew was a Sailor’s Inn in Havana, and the buccaneer then sealed it with the ring he wore, and which was the insignia on his sable flag of the white skull and words around it: **The World is Mine,” ** Now, senor, as my schooner is at the bot- tom of the sea, I have no fortune to leave, so I am ready to meet my fate,” was the cool reply And, under the direction of the ‘‘ egmmodore” no who one could tell, told that little Norma was not his child, and the good folks of G—— believed that he had been married forsome years,and — the romantic history of Victorine remained un- known. of 03 of Belmont the Buccaneer. ‘* You are a brave man, I will say,” said Cap- tain Sprague, struck with admiration of the pluck of the buccaneer. “ Thank you.” “ There 1s nothing else you would say?” ** Yes, I would have you say to the Senora Rodriguez that I loved her to the last, and re- gret having caused her a moment of pain. Victorine caught sight of Captain Sprague standing upon his deck. ‘* Poor man! he lost his leg in my defense,” she murmured, and she waved her kerchief, as she saw his face was turned upward. Instantly the captain stepped to the flag halyards and dipped the colors three times in returuipg the salute. Then the schooner swept up into the wind, And so Commodore Sprague determined it should be. CHAPTER XXITI. THE BOATSWAIN’S STORY, . Wuen Carlos Conrad, the lieutenant of Bel-. o mont the Buccaneer, sailed in the lugger for a West India Island port, it will be remembered that he carried on board of the plantation lug- ger, the slaves who had been captured with — Rafael Rodriguez and his wife. ee ‘** Also say to her that I did not cower in the face of death, even though my going out of life was at the end of the yard-arm,” and the buc- the anchor was let fall, the sails furled anda boat put off from the shore. Captain Sprague stepped ashore and began caneer smiled. slowly to ascend the path toward the arbor. He also had the valuable part of the cargo, ‘ ‘Now I am ready, senor,” and with a bow he With his crutches he made but slow progress, | of luggage and furniture which had been taken held forth his hands to be ironed again, for one | and as he approached the arbor Victorine greet- | with the Cuban planter, and this, with the had been released for him to write the letter. ed him ‘“*Lead him forward to execution!” ordered Captain Sprague, and the buccaneer walked AD with bold step and fearless mien, ey ae __ He did not flinch as the rope was placed about | his neck, and said with a smile; slaves, were to be sold in some port to agents of the buccaneer ever ready to purchase stolen goods, whatever they might be. toe: Boldly into the port of Kingston, Jamaica, __ Carlos Conrad ran the lugger, and landed his cargo of slaves and booty by night, and re-- — re | It was a warm welcome she gave him, and she bade him be seated in her easy-chair to rest, while he said: ‘‘] have come, Senora Rodriguez, to tell you that I kept my word.” e r < ' : < ‘ew es Aik ai J A ‘ P é i> ‘ 4 te 4 Seer * centhie = eebiern a CONT Yt ¥ 2 a ia - chooks.com