Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 482 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

24 away, mounted his horse and dashed off ata gallop. The next day farewells were said to the slaves, with a few words that daty called him away, and, true to his promise to the pirate seaman, he met him in New Orleans at his hotel. ‘‘T have ruined myself for you,” he said sternly to the man. ‘*T bave sold my home, slaves and all, and go forth again in the world as a wan- derer ” ‘You have done so, senor, as I know, for IT had a watch upon you,” was the cool reply. ‘‘Ha! you have dared to watch me, to doubt me?” ‘‘The pledges of pirates are worthless, senor, where interest of self is at stake, so I was determined that you should not give me the slip, so I had a spy upon your move- ments and know that you really did sell our estate, your slaves, and gave up your ady-love. ‘*T had not believed that you would have to do so; but it seems you are not so rich as I supposed and rumor gives you the credit of being. ‘‘lt was a hundred thousand, you know, I demanded—forty thousand for the vessel, thirty thousand for myself and as much more for my friend.” ‘‘T know just what it is.” aa ‘* And, senor, if you are willing, I am sure I will be glad to have you be our captain, for to you [ will serve as second luff, and my friend can hold third rank. ‘‘T know what you are, senor, and we can share profits so that you can gain back your fortune in time.” Carlos Conrad was silent for a moment. He seemed tempted by the offer, and at last said: ‘*Tet me understand you, senor,” PCB, ‘* You offer me the captaincy of your ves- sel?” ce I do,” ‘*Upon what terms?” ‘*You are to go as full chief, but you and I are to share equally in the profits, and the other officers and men are to be upon a per- centage.” ‘* You think you can trust me?” ‘‘T am sure of it, senor, and well I know your ability.” ‘* Well, as I will go forth to-day with very little to call my own, after’ paying you this _ money, and I despise to be poor, I am tempt- ed to accept your offer. “Get your vessel, arm and man her and then send me word to an address that I will _ give you, where I am to join you and I will - come; but let me tell you that I know of a craft, one about completed and armed, building in Baltimore for the Columbians, _ and it would be cheaper to cut her out than — to buy one.” ' _ ‘Certainly, senor, and the money I hold for the purchase of a vessel I will return half of to you, if we get the craft without T shall expect that, so get your men to- gether here, sail in a merchant craft for Bal- timore and [ will méet you there just six eeks from to-day, and will have all arranged for the cutting out of the vessel.” _ “She is fast, senor?” ‘* She is built for speed.” “A fair size?” _ ** Yes, and will carry a broadside of four guns, with a pivot mounted forward and astern and the latter are very heavy guns. Thappened to know of her through an American officer who is having her built for the Columbians and who passed a few weeks at the house of my brother-in-law, whose _friend-he was.” , _ “Senor Captain Conrad, you delight, me, and I gladly yield to your yiews. | _ J will have the crew gotten together, icked men all of them, and seventy in number, and we will take passage on some ft I will charter for the voyage, and start as to arrive on time. ‘“«T felt, senor, that the old feeling had not t you, that you were still at heart a bold ea rover, and, under your command I look or wonders to be performed.” — One moment?” ~~ *“¥Yes, senor,” **Pell me just how many men know me I am?” : r°, 4 Ocean Tramps. “ Two besides myself, senor.” “Who are they?” ‘“My friend Winstone, who sailed with you, and an old shipmate who was with me for years, and to whom I told the secret for fear you migbt play me false and he could avenge me.” ‘* These are all?” “‘ Yes, senor.” . ‘Do not betray me to others, for I do not care to be known to have been other thaa Conrad the Corsair.” ‘‘] can understand that, senor, as, if you win a fortune under the Black Flag you will still wish to return to the light of two bright eyes, ‘“T comprehend, Senor Captain.” ‘‘ You have read me, so I beg you to keep my secret from all others.” ‘‘Upon a pirate’s honor, will I, Captain Conrado.” “ Enough, I trust you. ‘‘Now let me turn over to you these bank- notes,” and the large sum of money was counted out bill» by bill and the pirate sailor Las Vegas departed from the hotel feeling happy at his triumph over his old com- mander, and delighted at again having to serve under him, for the outlaw was not as confident of his own abilities to become a successful buccaneer chief as he pretended to be. CHAPTER XLVI. THE PLOTTER. In the cabin of a vessel at anchor in Bal- timore Harbor, an officer sat at a table look- ing Over some papers. The vessel had the appearance of being new, and the furniture of the cabin had evi- dently not been long in place. The cabin was comfortably furnished, and about it were signs of luxury, such as a good liver might wish to have in a place that was to be his home for a long time. Upon deck all was stir and preparation, for men were busy in getting guns into place, bending on sails and touching up the vessel here and there, while a couple of officers were directing the work. The craft was a schooner, trim as a yacht in build and showing stanch sea-going pow- | ers as well as speed in her model. - Her masts were very tall, tapering and raked far aft, while the long spars showed that she could spread a vast amount of sail when needed. Her battery consisted of ten guns, four to 8 penaieiae and a pivot mounted fore and att. There were boxes of small-arms on deck, still unpacked, and her crew. had evidently not yet come on board, as there were less than a score of men visible all told. With the exception of one or two of these the others were of foreign birth, their dark faces showing their Spanish origin. , The schooner was anchored away to itself, and but a few days before had come out of the shipyard. The officer in the cabin was dressed in a fatigue uniform, such as were worn by the naval officers of Colombia at that time. He was bronzed: as from sea service, but was not a Spaniard, but an American. His face was striking in the perfection of the features and the boldness that rested upon it. Presently there came a hail from the deck, and soon after an officer appeared in the cabin, and said: ‘‘ Oaptain Rockwell, a boat has come along- side, sir, and it brings an old man who says he is anxious to see you.” ‘‘ Send him to me, then, Dorsey,” was the reply, and the captain went on with his work of looking over his papers. A minute after a man, seemingly bowed with age, for his hair and long beard were white, came into the cabin. ‘‘Be seated, my man, and tell me how I can serve you,” said Captain Rockwell, with that respect for gray hairs which showed that he had been well reared. The old man sat down, and said: ‘Captain, I’ve come to see you, sir, upon an important mission, and I must ask you beforehand to promise if you do not act upon my advice offered you, you will at least let me go unmolested from your ves- sel.”’ ; This is'a strange request, sir.” EEE ‘‘T must ask it, sir, and more, that if you do act as I hope you will that you must grant me the full protection I demand.” ‘1 certainly cannot understand just what you mean; but, as you appear to be the pos- sessor of some knowledge that I should know, I will do as you ask.” ‘‘T have your word, then, in both cases?” “sé Yes. ” “Thank you, sir; and now I must beg you to answer my questions without anger, and then you are at liberty to question me, ane all that I can make known to you I will.” Captain Rockwell looked surprised, but made no reply, and the visitor continued: ‘You are Captain Edgar Rockwell, I be- lieve?” “lam.” ‘‘At present a captain in the Colombian naval service, and commander of this fine vessel which you came on here to have built for your Government?” ‘You are right, sir.” ‘*You are a Baltimorean, and, sailing on one of your father’s vessels, years ago, left it to become a resident of the country which you have adopted as your own, and in which you now hold high rank?” ‘‘ You seem to know me pretty well, sir!” said Captain Rockwell, annoyed at the ques- tionihg of his strange visitor. **[ can tell you more, sir, for upon ~~ar way on to Baltimore you landed at New Orleans, and meeting there an old friend of -your boyhood in this city, you went to his plantation with him as his guest to pass the few days you were waiting for a vessel to sail on which you could take passage to this port?” ‘You have my movements down pretty well, sir, I confess.” ‘‘T can tell you also, sir, that you told your friend, Mr. Andrew Esmond, that you had come to America to have a vessel built, and showed him your model and plan of arming her. ‘‘In the home of Andrew Esmond at the time of your visit, was another old boyhood friend, Carlos Conrad; but he was absent on business at the time and you faiied to meet him. ‘‘Now, having shown you that I know something about you, let me say that | have done so to gain your confidence, and to have you trust me.” . ‘‘Well, my friend, to what does all this lead?” ‘‘ Your vessel is nearly ready for sea?” ‘© Yes, she will be ready to sail within a few days.” ‘* Are her stores all on board?” ‘* Yes, nearly all.” ‘‘Her ammunition and small-arms?” ‘You are inquisitive.” “‘T told you that I would question you, Captain Rockwell. ‘Please answer me, for I will soon let you have your turn at questioning.” ce es,”’ es You have no crew on board to speak of?” ‘‘T have a dozen men who will sail with me, for I shall simply run the schooner under all speed to my adopted land and there her crew awaits her.” ‘‘Well, Captain Rockwell, let me tell you that there is a plot on hand to capture your vessel.” The vaptain started at this, and gazed more fixedly at the old man. ** What do you say?” ? ‘‘T repeat that there is a plot formed to cut your vessel out.” — ‘*Oan this be possible?” ch-TG ie SYule. 3: ‘‘ How do you know this?” ‘<T will tell you what I do know.” ‘* Pray do so.” ‘“Your vessel lies at a lonely anchorage here, and is about ready for sea. ‘She has been built for speed and sea- going qualities of a high order, and she is splendidly armed and equipped. «‘ Hence she is just what a sea rover would wish. “You have but a handful of men on board, and intend to take her to your coun- try with these, getting your crew there. ‘‘Some of the men working now on your vessel go ashore at night, being ship carpen- ters employed in the yards here, and onal vf : om ee titi a i: Caan ~~ = S ae