Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 441) (1886 01 05)
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\ x \ ti: Za VZZZA: 7; (ala i chime oC PAs atl a a alin. 1885, oe BEADLE AND “ADAMS. ‘ Poorest 1886, 2.5 J WEEKLY B y i Vol XVIL. ons = PUBLISHED <LY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, “No. AAL. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. (ih LG = ie Pay Die a = yi il i Nii i. A Middy's Vengeance. BY COL, PRENTISS INGRAHAM, PRs ss |AUTHOR OF ‘SEA RAIDER,” “CABIN BOY’s SS SS LUCK,” ‘BOY REFUGEE,” ETC., ETO, SS : CHAPTER I. THE MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE. THE moon shone brightly down upon the | Shores of Chesapeake Bay, the waters 7 arklin like silver, as the waves crested in their ro landward, and the dew upon grass and trees, glittering ‘like myviads of diamonds. Cultivated fields stretch away from a cliff upon one side, and a sloping lawn and park on the pas far back toward the hills. “‘OH, LORDY! WE CHASED A FOX AND CAUGHT A TIGER,” GROANED ONE OF THE OUTLAWS, ‘ The lawn gently slopes to the shores of a AS HE HELD OUT HIS WRISTS FOR THE IRONS TO BE CLASPED UPON THEM,
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— 2 small cove or inlet, with a heavily-wooded pen- forming a barrier to cut off the wind and sea from the bay. tn this little harbor is a boat-house, a pier, and several sail and row-boats are anchored off- shore and drawn up upon the beach. The cliff overlooks the bay; up and down for miles, and stands as one of the portals, as it were, to the little harbor. There are a few trees growing on the cliff, a rustic arbor, seats, and back of it a lawn, through which winds a gravel path, runs back to a garden, with ornamental evergreens, rare exotics, arbors and beds of violets, geraniums and innumerable other flowers, their perfume filling the night air. ’ A mocking-bird sits in an arbor vite tree, trilling its notes to the méon, an owl hoots in the dark forest a quarter of a mile away, the surf breaks upon the shore, and these alone are the sounds that break the silence. Beyond the flower-garden rises a grand man- sion, with wings, a tower, and broad piazzas, It is a lordly plantation home, and is known as Castle Kenyon, after the wealthy By guoed who dwells there with his daughter Kate, a beautiful maiden of nineteen, who, with her twin brother, King Kenyon, then in England attending a university, are the only children of the rich Marylander whose house has just been described. Back of the mansion are the out-houses, stables and barns, and beyond, the quarters of the slaves, for I write of a time early in the present century. Upon the night when the scene is presented to the reader three persons are standing beneath the shelter of the rustic arbor upon the cliff. One is a young girl, whose loveliness of face and form even the moonlight distinctly reveals, Another is a man of thirty perhaps, dressed. in the uniform of a navy officer, an his form and face are striking. ; The third is a priest, clad in the robes of his eburch. The first two stood side by side, their hands clasped, the maiden with bowed head and trem- bling form, the man with head erect and a smile of triumph upon his face. The priest confronts them, book in hand, the pages of which he turns toward the moonlight, that he may read therefrom, “We are ready, father,” said the sailor with some impatience of tone, “ And it is your wish to marry this man, my daughter?” asked the priest. “J will marry him,” was the low reply of the maiden. * The priest then read the marriage ceremony, the vows were said, and the midnight marriage ended. | Then away from the spot, more as though she were leaving an open grave, rather than coming from a scene of marriage, the maiden walked, her head bent low. : Not a kiss to seal the nuptial vows, not a grasp of the hand in farewell, guly. a low moan as though iron fetters had bound her for life, and the parting came. Back along the gravel walk toward the grand plantation homes went the maiden, and down the sloping lawn to the beach went the sailor and the priest. « call from the officer and the boat came ashore, the two entered, and were rowed rapid- Jy away to a small armed schooner lying at an- chor a cable’s length distant. Once on board, the boat was drawn up to the davits, the sails were set, and the rakish little vessel sped away over the moonlit waters, the wind blowing out her sail full and revolving the black flag of the buccaneer floating at her peak. _ CHAPTER II. _ A PLOT TO AVENGE, THERE were two men ert upon a point of land, putting out from the rooklyn shore, and their was turned upon a trim little schooner-of-war that lay off in the stream at seal we opposite what is now Canalstreet, ew York. **-You say the boy is to start to-night?” asked one of the men of the othcr, oles, sire “Tell me again just what you found out?” ‘*T found out, sir, that the schooner was going into the stocks to be overhauled thoroughly, an that the young middy had invested i is prize meney in a new craft, that had been ordered for a Spanish Don whose estates are in the Indies; but the Don died, so the builder offered the little schooner = sale, and the middy told him to fin- ish her up for him. ad Now be is going down to his home, where he F oh) The Ocean Firefly. lives on a farm somewhere near Montauk, I be- lieve, and he is going to run down in a little cat- rig yawl he brought here, and which is a fleet goer. ‘“* He starts to-night, and the boat is already stored with a number of good things and pres- ents he is taking the home folks.” ** And he goes alone?” *"Y68,. Sir,” “Good! that is my chance to capture him and get my revenge for his breaking up our band on Sandy Hook.” **He certainly did break up the nest of the Hawks of the Hook, cap’n.” ** Curses rest on him, yes! but Pll get revenge, and if these sleepless navy lads won’t let me smuggle goods in peace, why I’ll take to pirat- ing,” said the first speaker orden a A ** There’s more gold in it, Cap’n Firefly.” ‘*Yes, and more risk. As smugglers, unless we kill, we have a prison before us; but as pi- rates it is a rope-end, death and ‘no mercy; but what say you to taking a crew and overhauing that boy? ‘** Pll do it, sir.” ‘You can have his boat and booty, but 1 want his life, so mind you do not take that.” “Pl get tot amd Tom to help me, and we'll go in the yawl.” ‘“*Topmast Tom and you are not enough for that boy, for there’s more man in him than in half a dozen fellows double his years. “Take four others besides yourself, and then there can be no mistake, should he have com- Pauy. and not go alone, as you say. ib hen, too, take the little twenty-five foot sloop, for the boy’s boat is a fast one, you said, and you don’t want a stern chase that will never reach, ‘* Now get your men, watch the boy depart and sdil in pursuit after he has been gone half an hour, for, of course, he goes down the Sound.” ‘Yes, cap’n, to Sag Harbor, for he don’t live very far from there, /’'m told. ‘“ Where shall I bring the boy, sir, when T catch him?” ‘To the Haunted Rookery on Kip’s Bay, for T'll move there to-night.” “T'll bring him there before dawn, cap’n; if not, to-morrow night, for I do not care to risk it in sunshine.” “You are right, Roving Richard, and it be- hooves us to be cautious, for we are hunted like wolves now. ‘¢ But ’d risk much to capture that boy as he broke up our band, captured nearly a I of our little fleet, and raked in all the booty we had saved the past year; so I feel revengeful— Ah! there goes a yawl now, the other side of the schooner!” “It is the middy’s cat-rig, sir, and he evident- ly stood in to the New York shore for some- thing.” The man addressed as captain raised a glass to his eyes, and turned it upon the boat, which was running briskly along up East river, under pressure of a seven-knot breeze. “Tt is the boy, Roving Richard, for I see the glitter of his buttons, as he runs near the stern rts of that clipper, and the light falls upon is uniform.” . ‘* Let me have the glass, cap’n,” and Roving Richard turned it upon the passing sailboat. “It’s the midshipman, for I recognize the ‘ ‘* And heis alone?” * ‘© Yes, sir.” “Then get your crew and go after him with all haste. Has he not a single reef in his sail?” “A double reef, sir, for he’s a wide-awake sailor, and knows the wind will be very brisk when he strikes the Sound; besides, he has to go through Hell Gate, and prepares for it be- forehand,” ; **T could almost wish he would go down in Hell Gate, did I not wish to see him die and thus satiate my vengeance upon him. ‘*But, be off, Dick, or you'll find hard work to overhaul yonder fleet yawl.” “* Ay, ay, sir! I'll be in chase within half an hour, for the cat-rig does go, that is certain,” and the speaker hastened away up the hiilside, leaving his captain gazing after the flying yawl. CHAPTER III. THE CHASE BY MOONLIGHT. 4 “Mates, tvere’s work to be done, and I di- vide the booty with you, though I get the lion’s share of course,” said Roving Dick, hastily en- tering a dilapidated old house not far from the Navy Yard in Brooklyn, and the grounds of which, now overgrown with weeds, had once been very inviting, sloping as they did down to the waters of East river. ‘“What’s up, Dick?” asked one of a group of a P; gr dozen or more men, who were seated around a table eating supper. ‘*Only a boy to capture for the captain, and I want four of you to go with me.” Fane boy to capture?” ** Yes,’ ‘* And you want four besides yourself to take him?” “ce Yes. ” ° ‘‘ How many has he backing him?” ‘* No one, he’s alone.” “Dick, are you growing to be a coward in your old age?” ‘* No, but this hain’t no common run of boys.” ‘* Who is he?” é 4 ‘You have heard o’ Midshipman Dare?” The question was answered by thé looks of the men, for they showed plainly that they had heard of such a person. ‘‘'Well, he’s the youth, and it’s best to go ready for him, so as to make no mistakes, e’s got a leave of a few weeks, until his schooner is ready for him to hunt us in, and he’s going to spend the time with his folks down on the island, near Sag Harbor. : ‘* He’s just gone up the East river in a yawl all alone, and it’s loaded with the best he could get for those he loved, so now we’ll follow in the Silent Slipper, and she’]l overhaul him before he gets to the Sound, for I’d like to catch him this side the fort. .““So come, boys, we'll be off.” Selecting four of the men from the group, Roving Dick led the way from the old house, and down to the shore, where lay at anchor a pretty little sloop of three tons, To get on board, raise sail and stand out into the stream was but the work of a few minutes, and then the sloop headed up East river, about half an hour after the catxig with the midship- man at the tiller, had passed. The wind was freshening, and a single reef had been taken in the mainsail, for at thatearly day, Hell Gate was a most dangerous place to pass, even under the guidance of a skillful pilot. Dick was at the tiller, and the little sloop, near Slipper, as she was named, went swiftly along. She seemed to out her name, gliding through the waters without a ripple. Into the surging current she bounded, the spray almost blinding those upon her low deck, and after following the dangerous channel, the rocks of which had heen fatal to so many gal- lant vessels, the little sloop glided out into the smoother waters beyond, OP he ‘“‘ That boy has nerve to run this gantlet lous mates, for it takes a steady hand, quick eye, and luck, if I say it myself; to go through Hell ate,” said Roving Dick. | “Tt does take just that, Mate Dick, and the middy has all three in a great quantity. ‘“‘ But my eyes are too full o’ s° lt water to see if there’s a sail ahead,” said a grizzly old sailor. ‘‘T see a sail ahead, and its the yawl, fully a league away,” called out another of the men, with a glass to his eye. “Yes, and we'll have all we can do Ory haul him before daybreak, for that yawl is a flyer,” remarked Dick, and, as a few moments more showed that the ri was not overhauling the Pint as rapidly as he reef shaken out. ae This sent the Silent Slipper swiftly along, for the wind was fresh and increasing in strength each moment. ; * We're gaining, Dick.” Z “Oh yes, we'll run alongside o’ him by the time we reach the open water of the Sound, mates; but mind you, the boy is not to be hurt, for the cap’n wishes him alive and hearty, to ay out his own ideas regarding his going out of life, é ‘Do you hear, lads, no harming the boy!” ‘* Suppose he shows fight?” ‘He'll do that, and don’t you go to thinkin he won’t; but he’ll have to do the fighting,‘not us,” ‘He may shoot,” eee ‘He will sheot, but we've got to risk that.” ‘They say he’s a bad hand with a cutlass, ‘* He is, as I know, for I’ve seen him in action, lads, the night he took the Hook Hawks’ nest so clever; but we've got totake the chances against him, and five men ought to get away with one boy. j tered one, ‘* Yes, it will doubtless be; perhaps me, per- haps some o’ you; but we’re not to hurt the oped, he ordered the . We et er a ee ae a Je 4 - e “" “a yo , . | a hs a eee tea. - | 6 ll Re ee | aa >: | sea - * \ ’ , be VES * A. “Some o! us will get hurt, for I feels it,” mut-
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‘boy, and the man that does goes overboard with a broken head, so you all understand, lads.” A murmur of assent was the answer, and the men watching the yawl saw that the sloop eae repidly, as the smaller vessel reached the arger waters of the Sound. tgs eH on his course held the youth at the tiller of the little boat, apparently not knowing that the one astern was in chase. The moon shone brightly down upon the scene, and the wind, blowing a twenty-mile-an- hour breeze, raised a choppy sea. Nearer and nearer drew the sloop, and the middy seemed not to even know the clipper was astern. She appeared to creep upon her prey as a cat might, and her crew lay well out to windward, for she was running scuppers under, and heel- ing badly when an extra heavy squall struck er. ‘* Ah! he sees us!” cried Roving Dick, as the -yawl suddenly luffed sharp. ‘Yes, and is waiting for us.” “Not he! Do you not see him cutting loose his reefing nettles?” ; “By Jupiter! but he is! and the yawl will run under if he attempts to carry all sail on her in this blow,” and the crew of the sloop narrow- ly watched the yawl, which was now not more than a third of a mile from them. Up to the mast-head went the full sail, the ‘creaking of the blocks reaching the ears of the men on the sloop as the middy drew on the hal- yards, Then, letting her fall off on her course once more, and taking his seat up to windward, steering with a rope about the tiller, the brave middy took the chances of running his boat un- der, for he seemed to feel that the craft in his ‘wake was in pursuit of him. CHAPTER IV. AT BAY. It was an exciting scene, as tlie two small gail-boats went careening over the moonlit wa- ters, roughed by the “pte that was blowing. The yawl appeared to bea stanch boat, for she carried her sail dan ar 3 well, cutting through the waves and standing up well as shou laden deeply. The youth at her helm kept her well off-shore, as though disdaining to seek the smoother wa- ters under the shelter of the land, and he held her straight on her course. Of course, in that rough sea the larger boat held the advantage, and could but gain upon the smaller one; but it made those on board feel anxious for their safety, as she drove along threatening one moment to run under, and the next to capsize, so far did she heel over under the tremendous pressure upon her. . ~ The pursuers were perfectly astounded at the behavior of the yawl, and the pluck of the boy, and Roving Richard said: ** You'd think he knew that death was in his wake, lads, and preferred to drown rather than be taken. ‘‘ But he cannot Know who we are, and mere- ly wishes not to be overhauled by us, fearing trouble, for suspicious boats are numerous in these waters now.” 7 “What will the captain do with him when we take him?” asked one. ‘* Kill him,” was the laconic response. ‘“ Well, the boy better run the yawl under, and let it be his coffin, rather than fall into Cap'n Firefly’s grip, for he’s a man who has no mercy for an enemy.” “You are right, Topmast Tom; but I guess the yawl carries good ow for she stands up like a church steeple, and staggers less than does the Slipper, as you see.” ae will you board him, Mate Dick?” “Yes: Dll hail, ordering him to lay to, and then run up and board.” ‘If he don’t obey?” : “Then I shall run along to leeward, cast a grapnel, let you keep the helm, Topmast Tom, while'the rest of us spring on board the yawl, and three of us can manage ei while you, Ned, jump for the yawl’s tiller, and luff sharp, while Tom does the same on the sloop.” | “This is a hard wind to cut up capers in with small boats, mate.” * Yes, and a worse sea.” ; “ Well, we’ve got to take the boy, and if Ned and Tom do their duty right, we'll do ours, and there'll be no trouble or danger,” said the leader. All the party stood ready to obey orders, for the yawl was now not more than a hundr teet away. i TT The Ocean Firefly. And on over the moonlit, foam-crested waves they flew, the sloop steadily gaining on the chase. As for the midshipman, after having shaken out his reef, he seemed to feel that he had done all that he could to escape, and he sat up to windward, calmly watching the behavior of his boat, and now and then glancing astern at the $,.00P. “J see the glitter of the moonlight upon his buttons, now, with the naked eye,” Topmast Tom remarked. “‘ SodoI, and I'll hail soon,” was Roving Dick’s response, and a few moments after, he made his way forward. tanding to windward, his hand grasping a stay, he shouted: “Ho, the yawl, ahoy!” ‘No answer came, and he repeated: ** Ahoy! ahoy, the yawl!” naa don’t even turn his head,” whispered ed. ‘* Ho, that yawl!” shouted Roving Dick for the third time. Still no answer. ‘* Ho, the yawl, ahoy! into you!” But the yawl held on her way as though her helmsman was both deaf and blind. “Once more, ahoy!” yelled Roving Dick. ‘“* Ahoy, the sloop!” came back in a clear, manly voice. ‘‘ What yaw] is that?’ demanded Roving Dick, anxious to gain time and to get still nearer. ‘This yawl is the Unknown, out of New York, bound on a pleasure cruise, and her skip- per does not wish to be meddled with,” came the reply, skarp and to the point. ‘* Well, you are suspec of being a smug- gler, so lay to and we'll board you.” “ By what authority?” sf Ve are Government officers.” ‘*T do not believe you.” - Boy, do you dare officers of the Govern- ment? “Oh, no, for I am one myself, and I warn you to keep on your way and not to molest me.” ‘¢ We intend to carry out our orders.” ** And what are they?” “To capture that yawl.” ‘* Why do you not board me, then, and carry out your orders? Here I am, so come and take me!” was the defiant challenge. ‘*Ha! do you intend to resist?” ‘*T warn you I shall not allow any cut-throats to board my vessel without resisting them.” ‘© Well, board you we will, sol warn you not to resist!” ' ‘*Give me Pee authority.” ‘We are Government officers.” “Your names?” ‘Tt matters not.” ‘*Tt does to me; but what is your duty?” ‘**To arrest you.” ““Then do your duty.” The coolness of the youth dazed the outlaws, and after a moment Roving Dick called out: ‘* Who are you?” “Duncan Dare, midshipman of United States navy. Iam not ashamed of my name, as you are. Lay to or I will fire “This is too much, sir, and I will teach you a lesson in politeness. ‘“*Helmsman, do your duty!” cried Roving Dick, from forward, and the sloop’s bows began to hug the wind closer and closer, and at the same time the yawl, holding straight upon her course, the two boats drew nearer and nearer together. till the youth did not move from his seat to windward, except to grasp a pistol in his right hand, while be still held the rope, about the til- ler head, in his left. “J warn you off, for I will fire!” cried the midshipman, as the bowsprit of the sloop was pointing at the mast of the yawl. “LT more at the helm, there! and Ned, stand ready to leap aboard and take the tiller while you, Jonah, throw the grapnels!” ordered Roving Dick. : A moment more and the bows of the sloop were just over the Jee quarter of the yawl. “Keep off, 1 warn you!” cried the midship- man,atbay. . “Throw your irons and we'll board and take the middy!” shouted Roving Dick, and, as heut- tered the words and Jonah raised his hands to obey, there came a flash, a report, and Jonah fell back upon the deck, still grasping the irons in his dying grip. “Cast grapnels!” came in the voice of the midshipman, and, suddenly, over the combing of the yaw] appeared half a dozen forms; two for- ward gave a swing of their arms and grapnels — their hands, falling across the deck of the oop. They seemed to rise like magic. Several flashes and sharp cracks followed their appear- ance, and, with a groan, and a cry of alarm, two more of the sloop’s crew went down. ‘Luff sharp as I do, sir, or you are a dead man!” shouted the midshipman!” addressin Topmast Tom who was at the sloop’s helm, an that worthy promptly obeyed, the two boats swinging up into the wind as though upon one pivot. . ** Now, vagabonds, you are my prisoners!” cried the midshipman; ria the tiller to a seaman, and leaping upon the deck of the sloop, a pistol in one onal a cutlass in the other. ‘Quarter! quarter!” shouted the remaining outlaws in stentorian tones, and thus the chase ended with the biters being bitten, for, when brought to bay, the daring young midshipman had been more than a match for those who had expected to make him their game. ““Oh, Lordy! we chased a fox and caught a tiger,” groaned one of the outlaws, as be held - his wrists for the irons to be clasped upon them, CHAPTER V. THE MIDSHIPMAN’S RETURN. ‘*MoTHER, here I am, happy as a schoolboy on a holiday, for I have two weeks leave, and nothing to do but to be with you all that time,” and Duncan Dare threw his arms about the neck of a beautiful woman who seemed scarcely twenty-five years of age, so lightly had time dealt with her, **Ob, Duncan! a noble boy, how you start- led me, and hew did you get here?” cried the widow Dare, as the country folk called the handsome young mother of the gallant middy. ‘T meant to surprise you, mother, but not to startle you; but I ran down to Sag Harbor in my own boat, and drove over from there, and — 80 much to tell you, I don’t know how to nD. RF First tell me how you like the new home I have built, on the ashes of the one which that wicked man, Carl, the Corsair, burned down to avenge himself on you?” ‘‘ Mother, this home don’t look much as though he had avenged himself, for it is grand. ‘““Why, it’s as fine as the on at but that reminds me—how is the Squire?” ‘¢ Jessie, you mean, for it’s one word for the Squire and two for his daughter, your little sweetheart, Duncan,” said widow Dare, with a sly smile. ‘Yes, mother, I meant Jessie too.” ‘¢ Both are well, and the Squire says my home is finer than his.” “Tt is a lovely place, mother; but I liked the dear old homestead, with its shingle sides, and can never forget it. } ‘* Still, you have built a fine house for us dear mother, and one of these days, when I get to be a decrepit old admiral, I hope to come ere to spend my latter days.” ai You are looking a long ways ahead, my son. : ‘Yes, for a middy of sixteen to be talking of being an admiral, a rank few men get until their. three-score years have Se ut, mo- ther, I am stepping up, for I shall be put in command of a Tittle cruiser in two weeks.” ** You !” ‘* Yes, mother.” ‘‘Oh, Duncan! what a fearful responsibility.” “True, mother, but I'll not be cut loose from a superior officer, for the craft I will command will be as it were, a tender to the Spitfire, which schooner Captain Burton is to command, for he has been promoted, and well he deserves it,” “You wrote me of him, in fact your letters are full-of Captain Beverly.” “He is such a splendid fellow, mother, and I owe much to him, tor he pushes me to the front all the time, sends me as bearer of important Ppa of service done, and mentions me most ighly. 3 Pou see I introduced him to Miss Kate Ken- yon, and he’s hull down in love with her, struck his colors to her, got bis guns silenced by her, and she sailed to windward of him, leaving him a wreck.” ‘*Oh, Duncan! what do you mean by all those nautical i reel ‘She refused him, mother; but he does net bear me any ill-will for it, as he knows I worked hard to have him win.” ‘¢ She is the one who was en to Carl. the Corsair, when he was a naval officer?” ‘Yes, mother, she saved Captain Carl Casam- a eT eT hast]
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A The Ocean Firefly. dra’s life, and his vessel and crew; and. she really loved him devotedly; but then he had:a bad heart, was a gambler, went to, the bad, wrecked his reputation and turned pirate. “Then he kidnapped, her, and} as: you know, when I was a cabin boy on his ship; at the:time I ran:away from’ home and got into a den of thieves by mistake, Miss Kate and myself. es- ca together.” ‘You rescued her, you mean?” ‘* Well, I helped her, I admit, and she went home, and did not marry an old fellow, a South Carolina planter, her father’s boyhood chum, as he ‘wished her to, and now she has refused Cap- tain Beverly.” ‘Poor girl, hers has not been a happy lot.” ‘* Still, mother, she does not mope, for she’s a brave little woman; but I wish she would marry my captain,” ‘So do I; but you wrote me how Captain Carl died.” ‘* Yes, mother, when we sighted the Spitfire, she was in the Chesapeake, and I feel confident that Captain Carl had tried to again kidnap Miss Kenyon, as she admitted to me she had seen him, though begged me not to speak of it, and I only do so to you, mother. ‘* We put the Vidette in fighting trim, chased the Spitfire right to the harbor of Castle Ken- yon Plantation, and Captain Carl ran in along- side the cliff. ‘‘ We followed with the Vidette and it was a hot fight: we had.” “Oh, my son, what dangers you have been ex- posed to.” ‘* A-sailor’s fortune, mother; but when Cap- tain Carl heard his men ery for quarter, he ran up the ratlines, out upon the yard, and would have jumped upon the cliff; but I had seen his act, and following him close, he had to turn and face me. ” ‘‘He clung to the yard-stay, and I to a sever- ed rope, and he disarmed me; but before he could cut me down with his cutlass, I swung off at the end of my rope, and Captain Car] turned to fly, when:who should confront him but Miss Kenyon, pistol in hand, and he sprung into the sea and was lost.” “Are you sure, Duncan, for somehow that pirate chief never dies when people say so?” ‘“¢ We could not find him, mother, and he sure- ly died.” ‘“*T hope so, for I have lived in dread of his secking revenge on you.” ‘‘No, mother, I was avenged, not he, for we got his schooner, the booty on board, and his crew, and”sailéd for New York, where we also had a’ successful. affair, as I found in a secret drawer in the Spitfire’s cabin, some letters that let me into a\secret about the way to get to the retreat: of thes smuggler band known as the Hawks of the Hook. “We § i them at night in their den, and though their cn ree Firefly, escaped with a few men in a sail-boat bind out to sea through the surf, we got their ty and a large number of prisoners, while, upon my return to the Horseshoe, where I had left Captain Bever- ly with the schooner, I discovered that he had taken the smugglers’ little fleet of sloops all but one vessel that got we “Tt was to>make this report that Captain Beverly sent me to Washington, as he did also when. the capture of the Spitfire was made, ‘*My prizé-money, mother, I put to use and bought a small ooner; that was being built for a Spaniard, and it is that craft I am to go as the commander of, to sail in*company with the Vidette. . “But, as I have to wait for her, I got leave, and I bought a yawl as a present to Squire Hampton, as I knew hewanted a boat, and I loaded her with presents—f.r you, Jessie, the Squire and others, which I reserved from the booty I had.” : ““You are very good, my son, and we will all appreciate your gifts.” But, mother, I saw a fellow dogging my steps, when’ I bought the yawl and loaded her and having an idea that I was to be followed, I asked Captain Beverly to let me have a mid- Shipman and half a dozen tars, to sail with me. “J put them in the bottom of the yawl, and they proved good ballast, in the blow I had, and soon Taw I was pursued, ‘Well, I stood on down the Sound, the sloop gaining all the time on me, and at last they at- bags =: to board, believing me all alone. “But I sprung a trap on them with Midship- man Mark Manly, and his tars, and captured the sloop and her crew, who were some of the Hawks of the Hook. ‘‘T gave the yawl to Middy Manly to return in, with the prisoners, and brought the sloop on as a present to the Squire, mother, for she’s a beauty and fast as a bird. ‘*So here I am with two weeks’ leave to en~ joy your society, and: revel: in old ’Liza’s hot | muffins and delicious cooking; for a middy is al- ways hungry, mother; as you will discover when you know me better.” Mrs. Dare laughed heartily at her son’s re- mark, and soon after the old negress, ’Liza, | came to call them in to supper, when Duncan gave proof of his assertion as to his hunger. Thus the days passed joyously away to the handsome, daring young’ midshipman, in his home on Long Island; and in) seeing her son happy—in riding, boating and driving with retty Jessie: Hampton, the only child of Squire ampton, the richest and greatest man in the county—the widow was happy, too, for well she knew what a life of peril and danger was before him in his life on the ocean wave. CHAPTER VI. A GLANCE AT THE BY-GONE. As widow Dare gazed at her son, as the two were seated together that night of his return, in the cosey sitting-room, a silence having fall- en between them, she could not refrain from casting a glance of retrospection over the by- gone years and all that they had brought to her of sorrow and joy. She recalled how, one dark and tempestuous night, a vessel was wrecked upon that wild Long Island coast, and she, a daring girl of six- teen, had gone out in her surf-skiff and rescu- ed one, a dashing, handsome man, saving him from death. He had won her heart, though she knew noth- ing of his antecedents, and she had become his wife. One day he had sailed in a noble ship, and never had be returned, for the vessel had gone down into the ocean depths, it-was said, and the sea had taken from her her husband, leav- ing though, his image 1m his son. any had wooed the beautiful widow in vain, until at last an old schoolmaster, also a man who had been wrecked upon the coast, had ob- tained a strange influence-over her, and she had consented to become his wife, This, Duncan, young as he was, arose in arms pipes a quarrel with the schoolmaster follow- ed, the boy was mercilessly flogged before the | school, receiving it without a murmur, and that night Duncan Dare had fled from his home, bearing. the cruel sears of the man upon his | back and: shoulders. He had swum out to a schooner he had seen at anchor off-shore, and: she had proven to be a poate that had come to the coast to seek a uried treasure, hidden’ years before. by a sea rover known as Royal the Rover. The pirates had gone inland and the school- master had met, his death at their hands, while Duncan Dare, having gone, was» branded as his murderer, and the hounds of) the law were put upon’ his track. A. friend ‘of the schoolmaster soon after was murdered—it was upon a second landing of the pirates, and which no one'knew of and the cir- cumstances.of his death were such that it point- ed toward widow Dare as the guilty one, and she was'accused, But back again came her noble boy, wearing a widshipman’s rank, and he had captured the pirate vessel and crew, and those who had ac- cused both mother! and boy bent their heads in humble remorse, for. it! was pin who had slain the schoolmaster and his old. companion, and that the motive of the pirates was to force from them the secret of the buried treasure. Then the widow Dare had told her son why it was that she had been influenced by the mur- dered schoolmaster, for he came to her with the bold, assertion that her hushand had been a irate chief, and, threatened to make it known oall, if she did not. consent to become his wife. In despair she promised, hoping to keep from alliears! the dread, secret that her son's father had been a buccaneer, The boy had heard, but scouted the idea, and he alone of all, believed that his father was not dead, and yet would return. Then the youth went forth in his new career, to win fame and honor, and he had come again to his heme, to her side, to tell. her all he had one, All these things passed through the widow’s mind, as the two sat there in silence together, and she silently prayed that it might indeed be true that the wicked man, her son’s worst foe, Me Carl the Corsair, might indeed be dead, and that Duncan Dare’s belief that his father’s being yet alive might indeed prove true, so that he might come back to her who had so dearly loved him, and by his own words remove the staim upon his, name, which Silas Finn, the dead school-- master had cast there. Could it bethat he would one day come? Could it be that Captain Carl was ineed dead? At least widow Dare. fondly prayed tiat the corsair was dead, and that her husband yet lived, and some day would appear, as though from the grave, ; CHAPTER VII. A MYSTERIOUS PERSONAGE. In a dingy little room, of ay old and dilapi- dated. brick house, which had once, been an ex- tensive dwelling, sat aman of remarkable ap- pearance. The house was in the, then, upper part of New York city in the neighborh of what is now Canal street, and it stood not far from the waters of the East river. It had: once been‘a farm-house, then a coun- try seat, and next had been given up.to the pres- sure of advancing business that steadily march- ed up the river, shores, An ian not far away, some small farm-houses, on the street. bordering the river,.a few stores, blacksmith shop, and warehouses were néar, a straggling continuation of the city that was ra-. pidly growing into marvelous importance. Several piers were near, some shipping moor- ed against them, or anchored in the stream, and by day the scene was a busy one; by night it was dreary and almost deserted. In one of the rooms of the old building sat the: man that I have referred to. He was tall, broad-shouldered, sinewy in form, and wore his black hair and beard long, the lat- ter reaching to his waist, and the former fall- ing Upon his shoulders in waving locks. Je had large dark eyes, looked like a man of fifty, and his face, the part visible above his beard was strongly marked and sinister. He sat ina we! room, filled with books and papers, and doors opened into other chambers in which were piled up a number of miscella- neous articles, from a ship’s anchor to a wagon harness, The man sat at his desk, a pen in his hand, and now and then a knock would come upon the door. In answer to a request to enter, always de- clined in a squeaky kind of tone, in strange con- trast to the physique of the strange-appearing person, a man in half-sailor half-landsman garb would appear’ and. deposit some money on the desk, with the stereotyped remark about certain sales having been just; made. The old merehant, for as such he was known, examined the. list, of articles sold, counted the: money brought in, and then, in his squeaky voice would say something about its being too little return for so much merchandise. The clerk, an old, weazen-faced man, would an than they were worth,” and back to his stand outside he would go, to catch other customers. The long-bearded merchant was considered rich, was known to be a miser, and hard man to deal with; but he seemed to keep, stored away in the old house something that every- body wanted, and his business was prosperous. 0 one ever saw Marks far from his domicile, though he went out on a pilgrimage monthly to the pg Big get more goods, it was said, and to ni collect his rents, for.the rooms of the large and rambling, old. structure, facing on the rear street, were let out to “lodgers,” of whom there were perhaps a dozen, ranging from the humble fisherman, to a swell individual about whom ‘there hung a mystery that the ops could not fathom, any more than they could the antecedents of the old miser merchant. Looking up at an old clock on the mantle, the man saw that it was six o’clock, and he gave a long, shrill whistle; In answer the old clerk put in an appearance, ‘‘ Jenks, I am going to My room now, £0 look after things,” he said. ; “Yes, sir,” answered Jenks, as was his daily custom, and rising, and using a stout cane as a support, Marks:passed out through an adjoining room, that was very large, and filled with arti- cles enough of various kinds to make a curiosity- shop of it, Crossing the room to a stout door, Marks took a key from his pocket and opened it. A narrow hallway was revealed, lighted by a pane of glass in the ceiling. The hall was some twenty feet in length, and at the other end was another stout door. This, too, Was opened by a key, and the man entered a bed-chamber. ’ It was oddly furnished, looked like half-office, swer: ° ‘Tt was all I could get, Mr. Marks, and more
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The Ocean Firefly. mif-sleeping-room, bad but one window in it ‘and thi Aan iron grating outside, and looked out into a kind of court of the old building. _ Heavy curtains hung at one side of the win- dow, a was in one corner, and upon a large, open fire-place were cooking-utensils, some fi wood, and to one side a cupboard and table, showing that the occupant did his own cooking, The place looked miserly in the extreme. __ An easy-chair was near the window, eine by a table upon which were various odds an ends, with quill pens, ink, wafers and other bundles of letters. : Throwing himself into the easy-chair, the miser took out of his pocket a letter, which he opened and read, the sea) having already been broken, — ‘‘Well, this is strange indeed. “That man Capt.in Carl kidnapped the girl after all, and she did not willingly run off with im. ‘‘ I do not think my agent in Baltimore can be mistaken, for he is pretty thorough. ‘‘Let me read again what he says,” and the squeaky voice was dropped for one that was rich of tone and by no means unpleasant, as was the shrill voice he had before spoken in. Then he read aloud: ‘The lady did not go, as you believe, willingly with Captain Carl, but was kidnapped by him, and he wanted to force her into marrying him by keep- ing her on board his schooner, * There was a youth on board, it seems, one Dun- «an Dare by name, who aided her to escape, and he it was who afterward captured Captain Carl’s schooner and crew, though the chief escaped. “The lady returned to her father and is living there now, and when Captain Carl recaptured his schooner, hy went to the Chesapeake once more with the evident intention of again running off with the lady. * The boy, however, who had been a middy, and was an office: on the schooner-of-war Vidette, once } more thwarted him. it seems, for the cruiser follow- ed the pirate, atiacked him, r n him to the little plantation harbor of Castle Kenyon and there de- eated him, Captain Carl springing into the sea from aloft, where he bad retreated, and it was said, being badly wounded, he drowned immediately. ‘* Certain it is that tte maiden is free, happy in knowing that Captain Car! her pirate lover is no more, and you can now act as you ceem best, being in possession of these facts.” ‘‘ Well, this is good news,” said the miser, af- ye ter he had read the letter. “ AndT will act, for I love Kate Kenyon, and she shall be my wife. , ‘“‘ Her father dare not refuseme, for I hold him powerless, in that he secretly married my step- : sister, and believes her to be living, and would ; not have the secret of his first marriage known 2 for the world, $ ‘It was the one wrong act of Cyle Kenyon’s life, to desert his first wife; but he did it, and “2 while he believed her dead by her own hand he married Kate Kenyon’s mother, ‘+ Now he believes that his first wife lives, as I told him she did, in a mad-house, and he will vot dare say aught to my marrying his daugh- ie, oe ter. yom ir “No, no, for he urged it at my request, know- i ‘ing, if he did not wish me for a son-in-law, that my request. was equivalent tomy demand, ‘ So, I will soon go down to Castle Kenyon and the fair lady shall become my bride, anc then I will be content to settle down and live wholly in luxury my remaining, gays 3 ou ‘*Now to go to the hotel,” and the man arose and walked over to the large fire-place. Stepping upon the hearth, where the cupboard stood, that piece of furniture suddenly rolled to one side, as though on a slide, leaving an aper- ture likea door , .,. |. A ist & Stooping, the man entered a walled-in passage- way, and taking a lantern from a swinging nail e lighted it... . Ps | Than the cupboard was brought back in place, and Marks traversed epee some fifty feet, when he came to an irotl-barred door, This he o , and he was in a large sitting- room, adjoining to which was a bed-chamber. Both were. most. comfortable, luxuriously furnished, with soft.carpets, Persian rugs, and the windows, overlooking a yard that ran out to a street, were hung with heavy silk curtains, Other rogms.connected, and a door opened in- to a hallwa : “spite by peteres wit toa front portal.th 1 out into the, . oa Maing entered. Rig yank Marks at once be- gan to disrobe. himself, placing the clothing he took off away ina secret drawer. ii Out of a bureau he oes ‘suit of most fash- - jonable clothing, then a watch and chain, some rings and a bosom pin, set with rare gems, a pair of patent-leather boots, a stylish hat and a cane With a handle of gold. ~ Seria Cos te OW lh rir He post : Lee ee eS EE ee eee eee ee ae 8 One watching him at that time would have been astounded to see him suddenly take off a wig and remove a beard, showing that both were false. His face was clean shaven, and every feature pronounced in expression and handsome, His hair was a dark brown and worn short and he looked scarcely forty years of age, and was certainly of most distingue appearance, when he had dressed himself in the fashionable attire. Taking his cane he then left the rooms and the house, wending his way by the street down into the busy part of the city. CHAPTER VIII. MR. MARKS’S VISITOR, SEVERAL days after the introduction of the strange personage, Marks, to the reader, that worthy was seated in his dingy little office, en- gaged in writing, when Jenks came in and said: ‘CA party to see you.” sy who ** Don’t know, but have seen him before.” ‘¢Show him in!” ; Jenks departed, while Marks opened his desk drawer and drew a pistol lying within reach more readily to his hand. A moment after a man came in whose ance was that of a sailor, and one who h accustomed to command, : He was dressed as a captain of the merchant sea service, and had a bold face, full of resolu- tion and intelligence. ‘* Mr. Marks, I am glad to see you again,” he said in a blunt way. “ Firefly, as I live!” eried Marks. ‘*Yes, Captain Firefly, Mr. Marks, only I do not mention the name except in a whisper, or hail under it now, for lam plain Captain Jack peadina eh, at your service, and I’m in hard uck. **T heard of your ill fortune, and, as I did not see you, feared you were dead.” ‘* No, sir, I turn up in time out of all trouble. **But I hoped to get on my feet again, and finding I could not do so unaided, I came to you. “Luck has gone hard with me of late, and sticks to me too, for I thought I had the boy, to whom I owe my misfortune, in my power, as he sailed I believed alone, when lo, he captures my men and sloop sent to capture him. ‘“* Now I’m ashore, with one small craft only, about a couple of dozen good men, all hiding like rats in holes, and no money.” ‘* You are in bad luck, Firefly.” “ Captain Dreadnaught, sir, is my name,” ‘*Bah! no one is near, and these walls have no ears. ‘*Come, what do you want?” Money!” ‘* What for?” . To buy a cruiser with, arm her, and fit her out. . sh bon do you want with a cruiser for smug- n “Til try piracy awhile, for my neck’s in the noose now, so I don’t care, and if the risks are greater the profits are larger.” : “Well?” “*T come to you for gold.” ‘‘On what terms?” ‘You wish a certain interest?” 7 Yes,” ; s ‘“* How much?” aie ene fy “One-third for your Officers and crew, one- third for yourself, and the other third for me.” “+B big interest, Mr. Marks.” “ And Ve I take, for you "may be cap- tured and hariged before I get & dollar.” ** True, so I'll accept, your offer.” ‘* How much do you want?” ‘* All of forty thousand.” | “Have you a boat in view?” “Yes, sir.” y *¢ And armament?” R “ ef arr “ And crew?! : . ‘*T have a chance to get good men.” ‘¢ When do you want the money?” “ Now.” _— ‘‘ Sion this paper and partnership,” Marks wrote a few lines, and Capitals Firefly signed tpi ‘Jenks will give air the money; but what are you to be known as ‘‘ Firefly, the Buccaneer.” ‘Sion that name also to this paper.” Firats faking the order pear- been The pirate obeyed, and then for the money was leaving the room when Marks called out: — ‘ ‘© When do you sail?” ‘Within ten days, I hope.” ‘*Good! the sooner the better.” “So T think.” “IT suppose you know that Captain Carl the Corsair is dead?” ‘Ss Yés; D heard 80, and am sorry, for ho seemed to be a nice fellow.” ‘* He was; but an idea strikes me?” “Well?” ‘* Suppose you take his name.” ; ‘*Hal-a good idea, and it will cause mé to be feared by the small cruisers, for he has the name of a desperate fighter.” “ e had, and you had better take his name.” ‘Pil do it.” ** Then sign his name to this paper, and make it ‘Captain Carl, the Ocean Firefly.’” * You are full of good ideas, Marks, for that gives me my name with his, and TH call my ves- sel Firefly.’ ‘* Now get your money, and if youshculd need more, call on me.” ‘Thank you,” returned the pirate, as he left the dingy room, and when he got his money, he said: ‘** Well, I'll need more, for I might as. well have fifty as forty thousand, as I have to for it so large an interest; but Ill not be the one to buy a schooner and her armament, when I can cut out either the Spitfire or the Vidette, and either will suit me, and T’ll save my money for myself, laying it away for a rainy day, or turn of fortune. ‘Now. to see just how to get one of those vessels, and it will sound well, to hear Captain Carl is again afloat, and not dead, as was sup. posed. ‘*Captain Carl, the Ocean Firefly, is a good name, I declare, and it will be heard of at sea before very long, and once I am afloat again I'll not forget what 1 owe Midshipman Duncan Dare in the rey of revenge. No, Pll strike quick and hard at him,” and the pirate’s eyes fairly blazed with hatred as he thought of the daring young middy, CHAPTER IX, OUT _OF THE DEPTHS. So — different was Marks in his dingy business office from what he was when freed of his disguise, that no one would for a moment suspect that he was one and the same man, — Mr. Marks was a strange character, living a double life, with no one knowing him as other than he appeared, according to his humor to serve as a gentleman or miser. That he had underhand dealings the reader has seen, through his Sa iy with Captién Firefly, the’ smuggler; but his tracks were so well covered up, that were he to be caught ip any act of rascality as Marks, and be eble to escape, he could defy discovery as the fashiona- ble and handsome man-akout-town. be" Hardly had Captain Firefly left his office when in came the old clerk to say ibat an old white-haired sailor wished to see him, . For some réason Marks never denied a sailor, and he said promptly: : “Show him in.” , ; A moment after a man entered and sunk, as though weary, intoachair. His form was ‘bent, his clothing seedy, and bis hair and beard were gray with seeming age, ce e Well, old man, how can I se: ve you?” asket Marks, in his squeaky assumed voice. ‘Do you know the pirate, Captain Cari?” ash- ed the old man. ‘‘T knew there was such a man, but he ? dead.” ‘““Do you mean it?” quickly asked the straw ger. . sc ¥v ‘ ” 2 “When did'he die” Be Rissie “Oh, some time ago; but why do you comé here to talk, to me about that red-handed pi rate?” impatiently said Marks. **T come to tell you that he is not dead,” ‘“Not dead? Captain Carl not dead!” cried Marks springing to his feet. yn you seem terribly excited about it; but it is the truth,” and the old sailor wheeled gore, watt the room and disappeared before arks could overtake him. This visit left a very unpleasant poe with Marks, and he appeared to be considerably wor- _ ried as the days passed by. . ree) But at last Captain Firefly told him he was going to be ready to sail soon, and be hooted at the idea that Carl the Corsair yet lived, wh he said: oF ‘“ Way I have talked to the men who were in
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ee 27 the fight of the’schooners, and they tell me that Captain Carl was badly wounded, fell from the yard and struck the water with terrible force, disappearing at once beneath the sea.” ‘Why should that old rascal come and tell me such a story then?” “That I do not know, but he has lied to you, Marks, for Captain Carl is dead, and more, should he turn up he will find me afloat, bear- ing his name, and I love it so dearly I intend to stick to it even if his ghost should appear to claim it.” So saying Captain her 9 departed, and soon after in came the clerk with the news that the old sailor who had called before wished to see Mr. Marks. ““Show him in, and do you be near to head - Son should I call on you to stop him,” said r * Yes, sir,” and in came the old sailor. , ‘“ Well, my man, you have come back with another story about Captain Carl the Corsair being alive, I suppose?’ said Marks with a sneer. “Yes, I come with the same story,” was the reply. t Yao not believe you.” ‘¢ What is the corsair to you?” “Nothing.” ‘¢ Why do you doubt me?” “From the manner of Carl’s death, I feel that he could not have survived.” ‘Stranger things happened.” ‘“‘Yes; but what are you to Captain Carl?’ “ Nothing.” ‘** Why do you come to me about him?” se I wish to talk business with you in his be- ‘‘ What business can I have with the pirate?” ‘‘ He sent me to you to say he was alive, and wished you to again send h:m to sea.” “* Again?” “That is the word he used, and he said he was ready to go at any time.” ‘“* Where is he?” ‘“‘That I will not tell.” ‘“ Who are you?” ** His friend.” “Then go to him and say I will do nothing for him.” “You better consider.” ‘‘T have nothing to consider.” “You refuse?” sé Yes, ” “ Why ?” “T am no fitter out of pirates, and care to have nothing to do with them.” “‘ Captain Car] is an exception.” ‘*T make no exceptions.” ‘‘ He may force you to do so,” Z ‘Bah! no man can force me to do that which I care not to do, and I tell you now to begone, for I am tired of this.” - ‘*T prefer to remain.” “Then I'll have my office man throw you out,” angrily said Marks, for he was growing uneasy in the presence of the man. ‘¢-You will do no such thing, Marks; but how fearfully obtuse you are, and how blind, for a man who wears dis i ar ‘*Great God! you are Captain Carl!” and Marks was upon his feet in an instant, and es excited, | ‘Yes, I am Captain Carl, and as you see, I am pot dead,” was the cool reply, and the pirate chief drew nearer to Marks, and threw himself ‘lown into an easy-chair, while he seemed to veally enjoy the situation. CHAPTER X. THE PIRATE’S STORY. MARKS was a man not easily disturbed, but he certainly was in this case, when he beheld before him in the old sailor, none other than Captain Carl the Buccaneer. ‘* What! do you tell me the truth?” he fairly gasped. ae ‘* You are Captain Carl?” 4“ am,” “*T can hardly believe it.” “It is true; lam the man you got out of eens and other debts, by making me turn irate. “ T did well by you.” | “Oh, yes, you fitted out a vessel for me, and I hoisted the black flag, killed, robbed, and sent the booty to you, 5 FOWe agents, and the result was that you grew rich. ‘* My crew got ate pay, I made money, and yall seemed to gc we EE Tee The Ocean Firefly. ‘¢ But I lost my vessel, and had to hide. like a cur to save my life. “T got again afloat in my old vessel, and had barely begun work when I was again captured.” uf ou should not have gone into the Chesa- e. : “Pardon me. As captain of my vessel, I go where I please.” ** And lost your vessel, and, asI believed until but now, your life, as you got hemmed in.” ‘*T met one who will yet be heard of in the service, for he handles a vessel superbly. ‘‘He is but a boy in years, but a man, anda thorough sailor, ‘*He has thwarted me in everything, and I owe to him the losing of my vessel each time. ‘You may know that I hate him, Marks, and some day I will get my revenge; but let me tell you of my escape.” ‘** Yes; I would be glad to know, for your fight was by day.” ‘Tt was; and when all was lost I sought to escape by the yard, which was on a level with the top of a cliff. ‘‘T knew the waters there, so ran in alongside of the cliff, ran my port guns to starboard, and tried to beat the enemy off with my double bat- tery. ts But this boy, Duncan Dare, ran his schooner Slingers, and the men cried for quarter. ‘*T saw a way of escape, so went up the rig- ging like a cat, and was WALEDY, along on the yard to reach the cliff, when that same boy eyes me, for he had run up the port rat-, nes, ‘‘T disarmed him, and would then have reach- ed the cliff, but just then a girl faced me, pistol in hand—” ‘‘ Miss Kate Kenyon?” ‘Yes, it was she,” a“ Ah! ? ‘“‘T saw my danger, so leaped from the yard and into the sea, between the hull and the cliff. ““T swam a long way under water, and came up against the cliff some distance from the schooner’s bows, and, as good luck would have it, just where a hollow had been washed by the waves in the cliff wall. “‘Tnto this I went, and, with the spray dash- ing hard into it, lay hidden until nightfall, looking at the boats searching diligently for me. ‘“‘ After nightfall I made my escape, and I did not wonder that all said I was dead, for I esca) only by the merest chance in the world, and here I am,” “‘T am glad to see you, Captain Carl, and I eoueretniels you upon your escape,” “Do you?” “T think you should know that I do.” “IT do not look upon you as my friend, Marks, ane where it suits you to be.’ “Tam your friend, Captain Carl.” * And will prove it?” ‘* How can [?” “T need money to ges me another vessel, fit. her out, engage a crew and get to sea. ne “You will return to piracy, then?” ‘* What else can I do?” ‘Nothing that I can see; but what terms do you offer?” ‘*T have nothing.” ‘““And you expect me to advance all the money?” — ‘‘ Certainly, for you made ten times as much as I need out of the booty I sent you.” ‘* How much do you need?” ‘‘ Call it fifty thousand, though I will not need that sum.” ‘* Money is scarce now, captain.” “* Not with you.” ‘“‘ But I have a vessel now under way, and that will soon sail.” “* Who commands her?” “* A friend of mine.” “Well, you will reap a double income then, when I am out at sea.” : ‘‘T must have half the booty,” ‘* Well, so be it.” ‘* And you are to pay your crew and all other expenses out of the other half, keeping the bal- ance for yourself.” ‘s You Twill do so.” of Well, come here to-morrow, and have my answer as to what I will do.” ‘*T will be here without fail.” And, after a few words more of conversation, the pirate took his leave, ‘* Jenks!” called out Marks. “ Yes, sir!” ‘Send at once for Captain Firefly, and tell him I must see him without fail.” And it was evident, from the cunning look upon the face of Marks, that he had plotted some scheme for mischief. ou shall CHAPTER XI. MARKS PLAYS A DEEP GAME, In a couple of hours’ time, Captain Firefly put in an appearance in the miser’s office. ‘¢-You sent for me, Mr. Marks?” ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘‘ Has aught gone wrong?” ‘* Well, yes, Rolain Firefly.” ‘‘Captain Carl is my name now, sir,” said. Firefly, with a smile. “* Ah, yes! and it is to tell you that Captain Carl is not dead that I sent for you.” ‘Not dead?” ‘No, sir; he escaped in a. most miraculous. way, and has not been gone from my office but a short: while.” “This is strange; but I wonder if he would go Gt my first luff ?” ‘ re) rh) “Why not?” ‘*‘ Captain Carl plays second to no man.” **Nor do I.” ‘““You cannot make an arrangement then, for no vessel can sail under two masters.” “That is true.” ‘ ‘“‘But Captain Carl has come to me to fit a. vessel up for him.” ‘“‘And your answer?” ‘“ That I was fitting one out now.” * Well?” “And that we must do.” ‘*Do ycu refer to mine?” ** Certainly.” . 6 aoe you mean to say that I must give way to ar **-Your name is now Captain Carl, as I under-- stend it?” “oe Yes,” : ‘‘ Well, there can be but one Captain Carl.” ‘* So I say.” . ‘‘ Well, sir, I have only one piece of advice to- ive.” ‘fT am ready to hear it, if I do not heed it.” ‘¢ You will heed it.” ‘“‘-You speak with strange confidence, Marks,’” ‘¢ T know whereof I speak.” ‘¢-You do not know me.” ‘‘T do not ask you to let him be captain.” ‘¢ What then?” “T can fit out but one vessel, and you have that in hand, but there can be but one Captain Carl.” “oc Yes.” : ‘ How does he know what is being done by” me ‘“*T told him I had a vessel being gotten ready, and would not help him.” | : se an and he threatens, if you do not?” es.” ““T fear he must die then.” “Yes, it seems 80, and if you take my way of getting rid of him, I'll give you a clean five thousand.” : . ‘¢ And what way is that?” : “You are to meet him here; challenge him to fight you with cutlasses on your own deck, be- fore your crew, and let the survivor take the craft as captain,” 4 Lam no coward, Marks, but I do not care to Oo Ss. “ You fear that he will kill you?” «Oh, no, for I have never met my equal with a blade; but I’d rather put a man on his track — to knife him in the back.” , ‘*You must end it as I wish, for I am deter- mined upon it.” , “What motive have you for this?” “To get rid of Captain Carl.” ‘Or myself? sneered the pirate. — ‘‘ No, for I like you, and while I am anxious to see Carl stands in my way.” : “Indeed!” “Yes, that is my motive.” vai wish you to live, — de » as he See a - ot
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The Ocean Firefly. But why select me to do the work?” ‘* Because I know your skill as a swordsman, and I feel that you can kill him.” ‘‘ Well, I shall do my best, for 1 am deter- mined that he shall not betray me.” ‘So am I, so be here to-morrow afternoon.” “*T will come, but:mind you, I set sail to-mor- row night, and the duel must be fought then, after we are well under way and you must be there.” ‘*T will go and then [ll know whether Carl be dead or not, for he is like a cat in the way of lives it seems,” ‘* To-morrow we meet here, in the morning, and then arrange for the night.” “ Yes. ” ‘You and Captain Carl can go up the river in a small boat and await my coming off Witches’ Island, and I will take you on board and the duel can take place then, and may the best man triumph, for I am determined there shall be but one Captain Carl.” “You are right, sir; now I will not detain you longer,” and Marks bowed the captain out, while he muttered, as he locked the door and then sought his secret rooms, as on a former oc- casion: ‘‘Now, Carl Casandra, I remove you by the hand of Firefly out of my path, and then there will be no dread of you running off with Kate Kenyon, no barrier between us, so that she shall become my wife. “* As for Firefly, he will make more money for me than would Carl, for he is not so reckless, and will place all of his booty in my hands for salsa, while I am sure that Casandra deceived me as to his captures and had an agent elsewhere. ‘“Now to get Captain Carl into the trap, by telling him to go with me ina boat where he can see a vessel I have selected for him; but Firefly will be the victor, I am sure. “Tf not, Pll have Carl assassinated, for he must not live to thwart me in any game I wish to play.” CHAPTER XII. FIREFLIES AT WORK. WseEn Captain Firefly left the office of Marks, he wended his steps down toward the city, and stopped at a sailors’ tavern, which stood not far trom Fulton street, and fronting the East river. He was met at the doorway bya young sailor, who appeared to be hardly more than a boy in years, and who was ‘a handsome, dashing youth, with a frank face, full of earnestness, and whose manner was jaunty and winning. toy wal Redfern, what news?” asked Captain efly. The plot is working, father, and all will go well, I hope, for to-morrow night,” was the an- swer of the youth, who scarcely looked bint and was dressed in a neat sailor-boy’s suit, ** All must go well, Fern, for we must know no such word as fail.” ‘*Tt will go all right, sir, for I am trusted by the officers, and they will go with me at the ap- inted time to make the seizure.” ‘“T hate the risk ie have to run, Fern, and wish that some of the men would have under- taken it.” suiks “It is better that I should, for the gain is reater for you, than for any man, father, and cannot be in more danger than one of the crew would have to face. “*T shall BO on board the schooner to-morrow, ary ings ter nightfall we will start on the ex- ition. ‘But I don’t like it, I confess, with you tak- ing all the risk, for how can you escape, Fern?” “Tl get off some way, sir, never fear, and you'll get the schooner.” «Well, I hope so, but upon you all depends, and it is a young head and shoulders to put such a weight epee “Both head and shoulders will bear the weight, father,” replied the youth. with a light laugh, and the two passed on into the tavern, “sie ascended to the floor above, Entering a pleasant sleeping-room, with a smaller one adjoining, Captain Firefly drew aside a curtain, which concealed what appeared to be a window. , ; But, touching a spring, the window opened, and a large room appeared on the other side, There were Matin along the walls, two long tables, running the length of the room, benches and a few chairs, The room was occupied by fully half a hun- dred men, wild, reckless seamen, as their garb and appearance indicated. The lent and air in the room came from open skylights in the roof above, and that the oles was a@ secret resort a look revealed. There was a subdued air upon the men, and they one and all seemed to feel that they were to keep quiet in their retreat. As the captain entered, accompanied by the boy, the crowd arose and saluted with the same air of respect that honest tars might have shown | a naval officer upon the quarter-deck; but then | Captain Firefly was a stickler for etiquette and discipline even among his outlaw crew. ‘* Lads, I have come to tell you that all goes well, and we start to-morrow night upon our ex- pedition,” and at the words of their commander | a murmur of satisfaction went through the crowd. ‘*“You are to leave here, half of you to-night, under my guidance, and T will quarter you at the old Haunted Tavern up the river, while the rest of you can depart by twos and threes dur- ing to-morrow and make your way thither quietly, so as not to attract attention. ‘“‘The boats are ready, or will be to-night, and to-morrow night my son here, and who is my lieutenant, will place the schooner in our power. “Tf any of you wish to withdraw from the affair, say so now, for I wish no cowards, or men who intend to play me false. ‘Such a man’s Tite shall not be worth a shil- ling, I wish to say, for he shall be slain without mercy. ‘“* Tf you prove all I hope of you, your share of the profits of our cruise shall be most liberal, and I will not ask you to do what I will not share in, ‘The best two men I find among you, shall be my second and third officers, and the boatswain, and other officers I will appoint from among ou, making my selection from those I deem the vest calculated tor the positions. ‘* You have behaved well in your close quar- ters here, and I believe you will be all I could expect. ‘** Now be Toney, to move to-night,” and with a wave of the hand Captain Firefly turned and de- parted, accompanied by Redfern the youth, while a murmur of applause followed them. Late that night a band of men left the tavern, and, going toward the river in straggling par- oe entered boats that were there awaiting em. . Captain Firefly was in their midst, as was also the youth Redfern, and they proceeded up the river, one boat at a time, so as not to at- tract attention. Just this side of Hell Gate, on the Long Island shore, they came to an old tumble-down man- sion, large, high and rambling in structure, It was what is known as a shingle house, its sides as well as roof being covered with shingles, and to-day even it is a fashionable style of struc- ture on Long Island, while there are houses so built standing there now that are two hundred years old, and good for another century. The place had once been a tavern, ata ferry that there crossed the river; but one night a pirate vessel had landed its crew and the occu- pans had all been slain, while a large hole in he hearth of the landlord's sleeping-room show- ed that a treasure had been taken from there by the murderous marauders. Others had sought to keep the old tavern, but all had failed, for it was said the place was haunted by the ghosts of the slain, and it had been deserted and gradually went to ruin. The crew of Captain Firefly knew of the place, and rather disliked the idea of being quartered there; but their numbers gave them courage, and they followed their teader into the deserted structure, their entrance disturbing page owls and some wild animal that fled with a yelp. As though acquainted with the surroundings, Captain Firefly led the way into the long hall, and then, opening the shade of his lantern, he passed into what had ovce been the tap-room, and then into the dining-room. “Lads, this isin the rear of the house, and lights here are not apt to be seen, so remain here and make yourselves as comfortable as possible on the chairs and tables; but first put blankets up over the windows,” said Captain Firefly. The men all had bundles with them, and some carried baskets of provisions, so that it was not long before they did make themselves as com- fortable as the surroundings permitted. and Captain Firefly, telling them that the remainder of the crew would follow in small bands, took his departure, followed by Redfern. The captain carried his dark-lantern, with the slide open, and ascended the stairs with the air | of one who knew where he was going. In the second story was a hall, which penetrat- ed one of the wings, and down this he went, bis son close at his heels, until he came to the end, as it ap But leaning against the oaken panel, on each side of the window, it turned under his weight, and a narrow aperture was revealed, into which | the two stepped. | There a pair of stairs hardly eighteen inches wide, were visible, and ascending them, they en- tered, through a trap in the floor, a room some fifteen feet square. “This is in the roof, Fern, and so arranged that no one would suspect a room being heré; see, we get our light and air by skylights, but no one on the main roof of the house could see this place,” and Firefly seemed to enjoy the surprise of the boy, who saw that the room was furnished comfortably, that cooking utensils were upon the small hearth, and that bales and boxes, seeming- ly of precious goods, were piled in one corner. ‘** Father, some one lives here,” said Fern, “Yes, it has been my quarters for years, when I happened to be in hiding on my visits to the city.” ** But the ghosts?” “They never trouble me, Fern, for I knew them well in life,” sadly said the pirate. ‘You knew them, father?” ‘“* Ah, yes.” ** And you know this place well?” ** Put your traps down here, for you will stay here until you go on board the schooner to-mor- row, and ] will show you how well I know it,” and lighting a lamp that stood in the room, Firefly picked up his lantern and bade the youth follow him from the room. In surprise, and somewhat awed by his sur- roundings, Redfern obeyed, and the two descend- ed the narrow stairs, leaving the trap hid in the floor open behind them. CHAPTER XIII. THE HAUNTED INN. ‘“‘ Tus is the way you open and close this pan- el,” said wages A addressing his son, as the reached the little space on one side of the hall window, and he showed Redfern the secret, entrance, It certainly did not look like a secret panel, for its counterpart in appearance was cn the other side of the window, which looked out from. the end of the hall upon a weed-grown garden, “The walls were built purposely thick here, for.the stairway, Fern, and the secret chamber has been the hiding-place of many a poor wretch. ‘* Nor is this the only secret room in the man- sion, as you shall some time know. ‘* Here, come into this room with me. “* See, it is furnished as it was years ago, for nothing here has been disturbed. ‘Tt is a pleasant chamber, and those windows command a fine view of the river and country about.” ‘*Tt seems to impress me, father, in som strange way, and I must have fresh air,” sai the youth. ‘* Throw open that window; there! now you will feel better; but I do not wonder that you feel strange in this room, for it was where you were born, Fern.” The youth uttered a cry of surprise and glanced about him with an awed look. ‘*T was born in this room, father?” ‘* ‘Yes, my son, just eighteen years ago.” | ““And my mother?” ‘Is buried out yonder in the woodland, along with her parents, and the two faithful servants who were murdered with her, seventeen years ago. ‘““My God! father, what does this mean?” ‘¢T was then a young sailor, mate on a coaster of which I was part owner, ‘‘ We were sailing through Hell Gate one day when a squall struck us and I was knockcd over- board, and the schooner dashed on, leaving me to my fate, for no rescus could be attempted by | her crew in those wild waters. | “Suddenly, out from a rocky cove where she had been fishing, dashed a young girl in a light skiff, and she saved me srom death, for my arm had | ‘been hurt by the boom striking me as it jibed. That girl was your mother, and I loved her at first sight, “She was very beautiful, and so very kind and brave, and her parents gave me a warm welcome, and made me their guest the two weeks I spent at the inn. ‘The result was that I loved your mother with all my heart, and in return won her pro- mise to become my wife. ‘‘She bad had many suitors, one a cousin who was well to do and a shipping clerk in the
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\ f { i | city; but she did not love him, as it was said he led a fast life and was squandering his inherit- ance, “One night we were married, and a gay party were at the ina. ‘In the midst of a dance with your mother a bullet came through the window and sunk into my shoulder, **We searched for the assassin, and yet he was nowhere to be found. ‘“The wound was not serious however, and soon after I continued my cruise. “A year after I bought a trim brig and sailed for the West Indies, and being most suc- cessful [ remained away for many months, ““When I returned, it was to find that your mo- ther, her old parents and two servants had all been murdered, and the place robbed of con- siderable treasure; it was the work of pirates, it was said, though I had my suspicion that your mother’s cousin had done the deed, for he had been forced to fly from the city months before on account of his debts,” ‘* What was his name?” **You will find it cut into a tree, with your mother’s, years ago. ‘The treé stands on the hill above the little burying-ground where all were placed after the murder, ‘*T came back to find all dead that I had loved, my child, and yet, strange to say, one who was in this room remained. “That one was you.” ** Mather!” ‘*You lay in your cradle—there it is, in the very corner where it stood that fatal night, and you were not seen by the murderers. ; ‘‘The next day you had been found, crying from hunger, and your mother dead upon the floor. “*T greeted you, on my return with joy un- told, and, when I visited your mother’s grave, I saw growing there a species of fern, only it had turned red under the touch of the frost. “From that circumstance I gave you your name of Fern, and, upon your coming into my band, rechristened you as Redfern, my son. ‘“*T was broken-hearted at the death of your mother, became idle, went to the bad as it were, and one night I killed a man in self-defense; but it was sworn that I murdered him, for he had friends and I was almost a vagabond, and I was sentenced to die on the gallows. ‘*But one night I was rescued by a band of irates, who had landed and attacked the jail, free some of their own men, and I went with them. “J was not bad at heart, so soon left the ves- sel, and I became a smuggler, as that paid well, and I did not look upon it as such a great crime to keep the Government from getting a few dol- lars in duty. nd changed my life of dissipation too, placed you in a family where you would be happy, and receive an education, and then I began my career of smuggling, soon rising to the leader- ship of the band, ‘* From various causes you suspected me, dog- ed my steps, discovered my occupation, and ‘orced me to consent to let you join me.” ‘*T wished to get you away from such a life, father.” “True, and instead you have become a mem- ber of the band.” ‘‘T would not leave you, father.” : ** And I would have given up all, as I prom- ised you, Fern, had I not met with my last ill- ‘fortune on Sandy Hook; but I cannot give up now until I have enough for us to live on, and _the cruise I now make will give me that.” “Tt will be blood-money, father.” “ All money has been, ‘in some way, put to evil p s, so what T get will be no worse, my son; but you have my pledge to give up out- lawry as soon as I complete this cruise we start on.” . ‘Tam glad to h you say this, father, for I have ho all along that you would yet change your life, and that is why I have shared your fortunes the year past; but how Geophy 2 am impressed with this room, and TI feel that _your promise, made here, will not be broken. “But you must be off on your return to the city, as there is much for you to do, and I will remain here to-night, in this room, and to-mor- row afternoon, late, I will go on board the schooner,” ‘¢ Yes, itis time I should be returning, but I hate to leave you here alone.” “Tf I get lonesome I will go down where the ply, and a moment after men are,” was the repl Captain Firefly departed, “ bess leaving the Came standi the open ow ng out upon the starlit Waters Pe the river, While thick and |. m~ ei ie See hanperey * The Ocean Firefly. fast upon him crowded memories of the past, recalled by his being there in the room where he was born, and where his mother had been cruel- ly murdered. F | CHAPTER XIV. THE TELL-TALE DAGGER. For a long time did Redfern stand at the window, buried in sad meditations. Then, with a sigh, he closed the shutters and turned to have a better look at the room, Tt a pare to have been left just as it was on the fatal night of the murder, even to the bed- clothing, which lay in disorder. In fact the room had been closed at once, and no one had cared to even go there again, while Firefly, into whose hands the property had fal- len, had locked up the family rooms, in which the crimes had been committed, and rented the inn to a landlord who had the pluck to reopen it. But he had soon failed for want of patrons, and thus the old place had been left desolate, and went to decay, avoided by all, ani standin half a mile from other habitations, no one car to go near it in its solitude. s he turned the bull’s-eye light around, to get a better look, Redfern’s eyes fell upon a glittering object lying under the bed and far back against the wall. . Quickly he walked there, and stooping, picked it up. It was a small dagger, with jeweled hilt, and the blade was stained with rust. Upon the hilt were two initials in small dia- monds, “Great God! this is the ver weapon that killed my "a mother, for I feel that itis, and it may lead to the discovery of her murderer. ** F will keep it,” and he again glanced about the room. In an old desk he found some papers, and these he took, and then went back to the secret chamber in the roof. As he did so he heard a voice. It startled him, for certainly it was a human voice. For a -— time he listened, but the sound was not repeated, and he said: ay It was some of the men looking around out- side. ; Then he lay down upon the cot in the room, and leaving the lamp burning went to sleep. But he awoke with a start, for again he heard that voice. Still as death he waited, but the sound came not again to his ears, and once more he slept. When he awoke the sun was up, and he arose and descended to the dining-hall where the men were, They saluted him politely and said they had all been quiet, and had heard no suspicious sounds during the night. After breakfasting with the men, Redfern walked out into the grounds, They were desolate and overgrown with weeds, while the fences were rotting away. A weed-filled roadway led back up the hill into the forest, and following this he soon came to a little inclosure in which were five graves, over one of which was a marble slab, the others being marked by simple stones. A stone wall about the graves, and the one with the marble slab seemed to have been kept free from weeds and underbrush. Leaping over the wall the youth halted by the well-kept grave, for something told him ti was beneath that marble his mother’s ashes rested. Aloud he read the inscription: “**SacrED To THE MEMORY of HELEN TRUAX, A WIFE AND A MOTHER, Cruelly Slain in Hell Gate Tavern, August 15th, 17—, by Pirate Marauders, | May her ashes rest in peace, May her joy above be complete.’ ‘“‘Such was my mother’s name—Helen Truax —and my father’s is Tracey Truax, though he never claims it now. _“* Now to see the name cut into the tree,” said Redfern, and he again leaped the wall and as- cending the hill, halted by a clump of trees, which had evidently at one time been a shady retreat for those living at the inn. Upon the smooth bark of one of the trees was cut, with a knife, as follows: “HELEN MERTON AND MERTON REGNIER, October 15th, 17—, This day shall nerer be forgotten.” . Marks the miser mercha: moss “ And why was this day to be remembered muttered the youth. “Did my mother accept his love then, or re- fuse it? ‘*Ha! the name on the tree, the initials on the dagger! *“M. R. is on the dagger, and Merton Regnier is on the tree. ‘Great God! this is proof to me that my mother was murdered by her discarded cousin. ‘* But where is he now? ‘Heaven only knows; but if alive, some day we may meet, and then she who lies in yonder grave shall be avenged!” And the white face and set lips of the youth showed that he meant what he threatened. For some time he remained by the tree, and then went back to the grave of his mother. After a long time he turned his steps slowly toward the inn, and after a short talk with the men, went down to the shore, sprung into a light skiff, hoisted the little leg-of-mutton sail, and started upon his way back to the city, On the run he passed a couple of fishing-boats, with half a dozen men in each, but he knew that they were others of his band. earing the city he ran toward a small schooner that was anchored close in-shore, and was aber 3 hailed from her decks. ‘* 7] would see Captain Beverly,” he answered. ‘* Ay, ay, come alongside,” was the answer. In a moment more he had boarded the vessel and was in the cabin talking earnestly with the handsome young officer who commanded the pretty schooner-of-war Vidette. CHAPTER XV. THE RIVAL ROVERS. TRUE to his promise the next day, made to nt, Captain Firefly went to his office and there found that mysteri- ous individual awaiting him. ‘Has Captain Carl put in an appearance yet?” he asked, ‘“No, but you are prompt.” “T always am.” ‘* He will be here soon.” ‘*T hope so, for there is much to do.” “You have fully determined to carry out my ideas?” “ Yes.” ** Where is the schooner?” “She will be at the rendezvous to-night on time.” ‘* How much did she cost you?” ‘When you see her you will know, and can then say if I paid too muc “*T hope you have a good armament.” “ T have.” *¢ And your crew?” ‘** Are all good men.” “How many?” “ Sixty. ” “‘Hardly enough.” ‘‘T Gan increase them as I need them.” ‘* Where will you cruise?” “‘ Southward.” as he the Indies is the richest picking.” es. “You see I take it for granted you will be successful in your =r Captain Carl.” ““T intend to be, for I have no fear of any man’s blade.” ; ‘You are certainly an expert; but here comes Carl.” As Marks spoke ghey Carl entered the tnner office, ushered in by the clerk Jenks, He still wore the disguise of an aged man, and nodded to the merchant as he entered, and then offered his hand to the smuggler, while he said: ‘Well, Captain Firefly, we meet again, and both of us are in ill-fortune, it seems,” ‘No, for I bave a vessel ready for sea to- night, and I wish to offer youa berth in her,” ** As captain?” fit yly “Oh, no, as first luff,” ‘*T play second to no man, Captain Firefly,” was the stern response, “« As you please, sir,” **T will take command if you wish.” “No, Iam to be co: ; but there isa chance for you, too.” ‘* Not in an inferior position.” “Perhaps in a leadership.” ‘‘ Ah! in what way, pray?” “* After all that I have done to enrich you?” | “You have had your share, sir; but I am at °
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4s tr >: ‘ ¢ ix ae : ‘ ee : od 2 re x) ts a ae a a 4 ~ nS? ¥ a Sos SES Bresent cramped for funds, and my advice to you is to take Captain Firefly at his offer.” “Of first luff? **No; of a chance for the captaincy.” ** How do you mean it can be done?” ‘‘Go with us to-night to the captain’s vessel, and we will show you.” “Pil go.” “One moment, Mr. Marks. I go alone, but ou and Captain Carl can come in.a whale- oat I'll have ready for you, and board me at a point on the river above Hell Gate.” ** That will be as well,” said Marks. “Tt suits me,” returned Captain Carl, and he ded: ‘Only I would like to know more aboxt this affair.” ** All in good time, Captain Carl; but take m word for it, there is a fine schooner, fully armed, equipped, manned and stored, that you have an opportunity to command on certain conditions, which will be explained to you upon reaching the vessel.” ‘Well, Pll go; but I don’t like this mystery, and if it was shown by other than you and Marks, I would be suspicious of foul play.” “‘T assure you, Captain Carl, that no foul play is intended, and, as fellow-outlaws, I deem it that you can trust me,” remarked Captain Fire- fly. "nee IT do; but Marks, now is it true you cannot raise me some money?” “T told you I was cramped.” **T do not believe it.” ‘¢ Still it is true.” “Firefly has lost his den, his booty, and his vessels, and yet he is enabled to buy a schooner and get to sea in her,” “Very true.” **'You advanced him the money, doubtless?” ‘Taide’ ‘© And will not do as much for me?” ; ‘“-You may find to-night that I have done the same for you that I have for him.” **Tndeed! how is this?” ‘* Wait and see,” was the cool response. ** Well, I trust you, Marks, and, in fact, can do nothing else; but I have found it best to put confidence in no man.” *“Not even yourself, Captain Carl, for you have been your own enemy all your life; but you must trust me in this work, for you cannot do otherwise, and I repeat to you, there is a chance that it may end in your commanding a fine vessel.” ** When?” ** To-night.” “Good! I am at your service. ‘© When do we start?” “ This afternoon at four, I will have a boat with a good seaman in it, ’at the Rocky Point above here, and he will take you to the cove, where I will join you to-night. ‘ ‘* Yes, sir, and a good landing.” ; On the boats went, then some changed toward the wooded point, and in a little while they were in almost impenetrable darkness as they glided into the deep shadows of the overhanging trees. Suddenly a crash of fire-arms fell upon their ears, coming from far down the river, and the shouts of men and other shots followed. “ Hark!” The order came from the lips of, Burton Beverly, and, as he uttered the word, there was a splash in the water ahead and Redfern disap- peared from sight beneath the waters. J ‘““The boy has fallen overboard, sir!” cried a seaman, | ‘No, sir, he jumped!” called out another, ‘““ By heavens, he is a traitor, and has led us into a trap.” , “Hark! there is fighting down the river, and it is on board the schooner.” ‘This was a scheme to get possession of her.” ‘‘ Back water, lads! Now give way, and pull, you hearties! Pull until you break your backs!’ shouted Burton Beverly, and the boats fairly leaped through the water as they rushed down the river on the return to the schooner, The firing and cries of the combatants had lasted but a minute and then all was still once more, But the silence was foreboding, and as the boats reached the spot where the schooner had heen kept at anchor, Burton Beverly said thxough his shut teeth: } “Tt is as I dreaded! The Spitfire has been again captured, and I half believe after all that Captain Carl, the Corsair, is not dead.” { CHAPTER XVII. THE CAPTURE. : Ir was just dark when Captain Firefly arrived at the old Haunted Inn, accompanied by several of his men. , R They went up to the house, joined their com- rades, all of whom had now arrived, and had a hearty supper, after which ay ey to their weapons and departed upon ir trip. to the rendezvous. There were four boat-loads of them in all They were whale-boats, with small sails, and at the tiller of each was a pilot who knew the river well. ste ie Straight over the dark waters they went, and headed into Harlem river, running in under the shadows of the further shore. ‘ Here the trees overhung, the waters, and under these the boats disappeared. A man in each boat then seized the branches, and held them stationary, as soon as were —— around, with their bows pointing out- ward. The boats had taken up pos'tion some fifty feet apart, the oars were muffled in ve way ” at the order, the rowlocks, ready to “ y h e tigers in ambush, and thus nen. waited, waiti r prey. p ‘ roan o!” said pace forward, and a schooner came in sight. “Tt is the schooner-of-war, and Redfern is at her helm,” said Captain Firefly gery. , Into the river the schooner sailed, and running up within a cable’s length of the ambushed boats dropped anchor, The pirates watched the boats row away, and then remained in dead silence, awaiting the order of their commander. , Out of sight went the schooner’s boats and | Captain Firefly, who had been watching the ‘schooner most attentively said: ‘That craft is Captain Carl’s Spitfire, and not the Vidette, as I supposed. Something has caused Captain Beverly to send her instead of his own vessel. rake. ** Well, she’s a splendid craft, and just as Lari] and I am content; but it will make Carl wil with rage.” ;
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E q | ‘also AES, RPE BeR rT Abie 10 i he a> tem Ocean Firefly. So long did Captain enedy wait, after the de- parture of the boats, that the crew grew most impatient, a did not show it openly. aptain Firefly knew that to attack too soon before he had given his son a chance to land and make his escape, might prove the boy’s death. So he waited until he felt that he darcd not longer delay. ‘Ready all!” The men started, and the oarsmen braced themselves for a pull. * Give way !” The oars fell in the water as one, and the boat shot out from under the trees. It was a starlight night, and as the boat was seen by the other three, they too left their hid- ay apse quietly did the four boats move through the waters that no one heard their approach upon the schooner. But suddenly the officer in charge beheld a dark object moving out upon the waters. Then the other boats caught his eye, and loud- ly he shouted the alarm. The few men on board seized their weapons and fired upon the boats, but the position of the schooner just then prevented their using the heavy guns, In another moment the boats were upon the schooner, one at the bow, another at the stern, a third at the starboard side, the fourth rowing around to port, and the vessel was in the clutches of the pirates, some of her defenders dying before their assailants as they boarded, several springing overboard, and those who re- maiued being tossed into a boat alongside and set adrift. ‘* Up with the mud-hook, lads! ‘'That’s the way! Now she moves! “Trim in those sails, and let her feel the breeze. “Now we are off, and we have won,” and the pirate captain walked to the side of the helmsman. ‘* Head for the spot where we are to meet the other boat, helmsman,” he ordered, and in a short while the schooner ran close in along the East river shore, and, shortening sail, came to an anchor. At the’ same time, a shore: ‘* Schooner ahoy !” “ Ahoy \” ‘* What schooner is that?” ‘* Who is it that asks?” ‘* Rirefly !” was the response. ** Ay, ay! come on board,” called out Captain hail came from off- Firefly, and a boat soon after appeared, bearing three occupants, Captah Carl, I am glad to see you; and you r. Marks. “You see that I have been successful, gen- tlemen.” ‘* Yes, but this is my schooner, sir!” cried Captain Carl, sternly. ‘“T am well aware of that fact, sir.” ‘* What does it mean, then?” “Tt means that I expected to cut out the Vidette, schooner-of-war, Captain Carl, but for some reason this vessel was brought instead of the other.” dials eae chad “And she is mine, sir,” angrily cried the pirate captain. : “Softly, Captain Carl, softly, for it remains to be seen if it is your vessel or not.” * But, Firefly, you say you cut the schooner out?” asked Marks. - Yes, ‘Mr. Marks, I plotted, and captured ‘Then you did not buy her?” 4 “Why should I, when I got her without?” “ med purchase arms and equipments for er ** No, sir, she had all on board that I needed,” “Then she cost you no money?” “Only a little ready cash for my men, and some little blood-letting, Mr. Marks,’ ‘Then, sir, you will return to me the money 1 gave you?” ; ; ‘** By no means, Mr. Marks, for if I preferred to get a vessel by strategy, rather than by pur- chase, you seo it makes no difference to you.” ‘Tt does, sir, and I shall demand my money.” . To demand and to get, sir, are two different Oe ** But it shall—” “Nay, my dear Mr. Marks, both you and Captain Carl seem inclined to be angry to- night, and there is no reason for it, I assure you. 4 “Your money, Mr. Marks, I invested in awa that will do one whom I care for more than life some good, and I chose to get this vessel without buying her, so it is just the same as though she had cost the gold you advanced. ‘** As to you, Captain Carl, this vessel was no longer your craft after she was captured from you, and I have her now under my command, with a fine crew and all ready for a cruise.” ‘* But you shall not keep her,” fairly shouted Captain Carl. ; ‘“That remains to be seen, sir, for,as I told you to day, you might get command of a vessel to-night, and, as I am ready to fill my part of the game, I willask Mr. Marks toexplain to you the exact situation.” Marks was a man to take matters quietly, when they could not be helped, and seeing that Captain Firefly had obtained a schooner without paying for it, he put the money he had given im to the credit of the vessel, just as though she had been paid for, So he laughed lightly, and said: ; ‘“ Well, Firefly, you are a cunning fox, and no mistake; but as you have the schooner it is all Sey eng I will explain to Captain Carl your plan. ‘*T surely shall be most delighted to hear it,” said Captain Carl, impatiently. ‘* You see, Carl, when it was believed that you were dead, and that you therefore would have no further use of your name, Captain Firefly here determined to add honor to you, even in your grave, by raising the black flag as Captain Cal, the Ocean Firefly.” ‘*A bold game this against me!” hissed the pi- ate. “Oh, not at all, for you see Firefly had met with ill luck as a smuggler, and determined to bt pirate, which pays better, as you know, sar, : ‘**So he came to me for gold, and I advanced him a large sum with which to buy a schooner, arm, equip and man her, ‘*He did all but buy her, as you see; but he has her, so let that drop. ‘* He asked you to be his first lieutenant, and you declined.” ‘* Certainly i did.” ‘* As you refused that, and as he had decided to take your name to give him prestige upon the sea, there was but one thing for him to do.” r ‘* And what was that?’ asked Captain Car! in the same hateful manner he had before spoken. ‘*Of course there could not be two Captain Carls, and this gentleman here most generously offered to give you a chance to retain your name, so has made a proposition that depends upon you to accept or refuse.” -“ And what is the proposition, Marks?” “That you fight him, here on this quarter- deck, with cutlasses, or short swords, as you may desire.” ‘By Heaven! Ill do it, if the survivor takes the craft.” “That is the situation, sir, and if you kill poety you are captain; but if he kills you, oe e becomes Captain Carl, the Ocean Fire- y. ‘* Now what do you say, my dear captain?” “*T accept the terms, sir,” was the stern rejoin- der of Captain Carl, and a light of triumph flashed in his dark eyes, while a defiant smile arose to his lips. CHAPTER XVIIL _ THE DUEL OF THE CAPTAINS. _ GRIM and silent Captain Firefly stood wait- ing for the preliminaries to be arranged, for his sword combat with his rival. He now recalled that he had forgotten to tell Redfern about his proposed meeting with Ca tain Carl; but he had invested his money for the youth, and this the boy knew about, and where to get it if he needed it. He had arranged to meet the boy, after he should escape from the schooner’s crew up the Harlem river, at a point on the north shore of the Sound, Redfern intending to make his way there and to remain until the schooner calle for him. 7 tus But at heart Captain Firefly meant to deceive the boy, for he did not wish to have him on the vessel with him, and so determined to land near and send.a fisherman to him with a letter, bid- ding him return to the city and lead a differ- ent life, Now he thought of his boy, and, though he did not dread his encounter with Captain Carl, owing his own skill as a swordsman, he yet bays > it best to write the youth, Y ‘Marks, if I write a letter to my son, will you = that it is delivered to him?” he asked. es. ** You will find him at a tavern on the Sound shore, not far from New Haven, and I rely upon you to see that he receives it,” ‘* He shall get it, I pledge you,” Marks rep Entering the cabin Captain Virefly hasti wrote as follows: ‘*ON BOARD SCHOONER SPITFIRE, LonG Isuanp Sounp Wednesday night. “My Drar Fern:— “This letter is to be given you by Mr, Marks, whose address in the city you know. “I did not tell you yesterday that I intended to risk the command of ‘the vessel by a mortal com- bat with Captain Carl the Corsair; but such is my intention, and within a few minutes it will be set- tled one way or the other, “Tf Iam successful, and I feel that I will be, for you know my skill with swords, 1 will cruise the seas under the name of Captain Carl; the Ocean Firefly, and, as soon as I have completed this voy- age, asl pledged you I would, I will return to pass my days with you, and no longer as an outlaw. “If Captain Carl kills me, then he will be the pirate chief and take the schooner and all. ‘Should I fall, you know where. to get the money Tleft you, and I feel that you will use it for your wap port and live honorably through lite, ““Go to Lockwood & Lockwood, attorneys, No. 7 Wall street, and tell them who you ere, and give them proofs, and you will inherit the Haunted Inn, your grandparents’ old home, and its many acres, and before you are old it will make you very rich, forthe city is growing rapidly, and all land near will be valuable, “You did nobly in getting the schooner for me, and T hope made your escape without accident, “Tf I live, I will see you some time before very long, and shall be heartily glad to have finished my lawless life; but I wish to get back for the lads with me the losses they met when under my com- mand, and also lay up a golden nest egg for our- selves in days to come, ‘*Heaven bless you, Fern, and protect you,-is the wish of Your father, : ‘Tracey TRUAX.”” This letter Captain Firefly sealed, and going on deck gave it to Marks, who put it carefully away in his pocket. a Then he said quietly: ‘Iam ready, Captain arl.” ‘“‘T have been for some time, sir.” ‘“‘ Well, sir, you will have to wait, no longer, ‘* Do you select cutlasses or swords?” ‘*T have selected swords, sir.” ‘¢ Hither will suit me,” and turning to one of his officers Captain Firefly bade him muster the crew aft to witness the combat. The men came quickly aft, and Captain Fire- fly said: ‘Lads, as you see, I am to face this gentle- man in deadly combat, and the one whe triumphs is to be captain of this vessel. “Tf I fall, you need feel no anxiety as to sail- ing under this gentleman, for he is one of whom you have all heard, being none other than Cap- tain Carl the Corsair.” A murmur of surprise ran around among the men, and Captain Carl at once threw off the disguise that he wore, with an outer coat, re- vealing himself in uniform. ‘¢ Now, lads, you will soon know who is to be your captain.” Then he turned toward Captain Carl and said: ‘‘I am ready, sir.” ; Instantly Captain Carl raised his sword and. the two men advanced toward each other, Marks, stood to port, coolly watching the com- bat, and the schooner’s officers to starboard, while the crew, stretched across the deck in a solid mass looked on with deepest interest, The swords came together’ with a loud ring, and the sparks flew right and left, while instan ly the combat became hot and PAYARE, In an instant was it revealed to Captein Fire- fly, that, skillful swordsman that he was, he bad met his equal, if not his master for once, and he became more cautious in his attack. Recognizing this, Captain Carl acted at once on the offensive, and pressed his adversary with both skill and fury. = fe Captain Firefly was forced to give way before the onslaught, and big only when he felt his back was against the bulwarks; but the knowl- edge that he had met his master seemed to ren- der him less skillful, and before long his sword- point was struck down, and Captain Car! thrust is Lyra forward and threw his whole weight upon it. rato the body of the smuggler it drove, and stuck into the bulwark behind him, thus pin- ioning him there. A groan ef anguish and the head of Captain . Firefly drooped upon his heart, his hands dropped limp to his sides, and he was dead. __ Ma, ers Carl, you have killed him!” said arks, {, paper Way ane C9) ply. . ‘* And you are captain now of this vessel.” ‘“-Yes, Marks, and I have a mind to issue my first order to have you hanged; but you will be el
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: SS LE useful to me, so I spare you; but beware how you act against my interests in future, for I am werful once more now, and can reach you.” ‘‘T have been your friend, Captain Carl, and expect to be.” ‘Bah! The friendshi where do you wish to land?” ‘‘Over on the other shore, near a tavern I will tell you how to reach.” “Very well,” and turning to the crew Cap- tain Car] said: } ‘‘ Lads, there lies your former captain, and by his terms with me, [ am chief now.” “Tf you know aught of me, you know that I pay my men generously, and in return expect perfect obedience, the discipline of a vessel of war, and a courage to follow my lead without question. ‘Now to your posts and get the anchor up, and sail on the schooner, for we must not delay here, as those boats are well on their way back tothe Vidette, and she is a craft to fear, as well I know.” . . The men sprung nimbly to their posts, and five minutes after, the schooner, was flying over the waters, her desperate commander again upon her deck, and a determination in his heart of a snake! But to make his name a terror along the coast from |- Maine to the Carolinas, for he said: ‘I will be Captain Carl, the Ocean Firefly now, and woe be unto my foes, and first of all that boy, Duncan Dare.” As the schooner left her anchorage and began to fade in the gloom, out from the shadows of the shore came a small sail-boat containing but one person, and at a swift pace she headed down toward New York City. CHAPTER XIX. A CHASE AND CAPTURE. THE little sail-boat, as I have said, contained but a single occupant, and this one held the till- er with the skill of one who knew how to get his boat’s full speed out of the wind then blow- ing... ‘The craft was a long, narrqw aes: boat deep in the water, carried a large sail an stood up well under it. It was half decked over, so that there was a small cabin aft, while the combing was high, so that she could not be deluged by a boarding wave. : She cut along at a lively pace, carrying full | sail, and held down to her work well. Hardly had she gotten clear of the little cove, where the schooner had run in and anchored, when the quick eye of the one at the tiller de- tected a dark object off on the waters, ‘It is a boat, and without sail. “Ah! he turns and runs, so that looks suspi- cious and I will overhaul him,” and _ the sail | The Ocean Firefly. **T am an officer of the navy, and your row- | ing made you appear suspicious, so I gave chase; but come, get into my boat, and I will take care of you as soon as I get to the city, for now I am in great haste. ‘*Come, do not delay me longer!” The boy obeyed, springing lightly into the sail-boat, while he held the painter of his skiff. ‘*Do you live near here?” ‘* No, sir.” ‘** Where do you live?” ‘**Tn the city.” ‘““Then cast off your skiff, for it will only de- lay me, to take it in tow, and I will pay you for it. ‘“* Now, every moment is precious.” The Pry. obeyed, and the sail-boat was put away on her course once more, ‘‘ Why are you out here alone?” asked the cap- tor of the boy. “‘T will not tell you, sir.” _ “Very well; but I am afraid you were up to some mischief— Ah! there comes a vessel!” Both now gazed upon the approaching sail, and soon the boy called out somewhat anxious- ly: Vie It is the war-schooner Vidette, sir.” ‘Yes, I discovered that just as you spoke. ‘*TDo you know her?” ; ‘Pye been on board of her, sir.” “‘T will hail her, for I was on my way to the city to go on board of her.” “Oh, sir, please let me go on shore,” cried the boy, in an earnest tone. ‘No, I will see just who you are, and find out what you were copy: out here at night, and alone, for I have seen other suspicious work go- ing on that I do not like,” and running across the bows of the schooner,’soon after he hailed; ‘* Ho, the Vidette!” ‘Hold there at that gun! ay, ay, who are you?’ was the response, showing that the schooner’s commander was just about to fire at the sail-boat when hailed. “ Duncan Dare!” rung out the answer, and quickly came the response: ‘Luff sharp, Dare, and [ll run up to you. ‘Bravo for you! for of all men I wished to | see you, for there has been wicked work played this night.” ; A moment after and the schooner, with flut- tering sailsmoved slowly up to the sail-boat, and was trimmed close, the helm put well down, | You,on board. and away sped the sail-boat in chase of the on By Jupiter! how that fell ; upiter! how that fellow rows ft He fairly spins over the waters, and it will be noeasy matter to overhaul him,” said the one in pursuit ‘ ut the sail-boat gradually overhauled the row-boat, and wind was telling over muscle. “* Ahoy that boat!” cried the one in the sail- boat as he drew within easy hail. But no response came, and still the boat sped on. **Come to or I will fire on you!” came the threatening atk But the north shore of East river was not far distant, and the fugitive seemed determined to ress on to it. Nearer and nearer drew the sail-boat, but it began to look as though the fugitive would es- cape, as the sea rolling astern showed that the water was getting shallow, “He will escape me if I do not fire!” and with this remark the former called out sternly: ‘* Rest on your oars, or I fire!” Still the boat sped on, and then came the crack of a pistol, a cry of pain, and the oars dropped from the rower’s hands. “Great God! that was no man’s yoice,” cried the pursuer anxiously, and the next moment he luffed sharp and ran alongside of the skiff, just as he began to feel that a few lengths nearer shore would have gotten him aground. “Who are you?” he asked of the occupant of the boat, who sat upright, his right hand upon his left shoulder. ‘*T am only a boy.” “T am surry that I fired upon you; but are you badly burt?” ; .* No, it is only a flesh-wound, I think.” ‘You should have stopped when I ordered to do so.” i you to do $0. ” What right had you to order me? shall not suffer, for I will have the surgeon see you, and then you can tell me what your treach- ery meant— Ha! he has fainted,” and, as Cap- tain Beverly spoke Redfern sunk upon the floor in a swoon from Joss of bl had been steadily bleeding. Instantly the kind-hearted young officer called for the schooner’s surgeon; and leaving the boy in his hands turned to Midshipman Dare, and said: ‘* Now, Duncan, tell me to what happy circum- spans I owe meeting you here just at the right time?” . , tor his wound CHAPTER XX, A SURPRISE. |. In answer to the question of Captain Beverly the handsome young midshipman replied: __ “J felt anxious, sir, regarding my little schooner, and wished to see that she wanted for nothing, so I determined to shorten my leave, a ETE SE him to make him come to.” then?” muchas I cnyjoyed my visit home, so bought a Sag Harbor boat and started alone. **T loided her with good things my mother gave me to share equally with you, and we'll have a perfect Christmas time in eating them. “T left yesterday morning, and feeling the need of rest, ran into a cove some miles down the Sound to rest for the night. _ “Thad just drop anchor, and lowered sail, in a small creek, when I saw a boat sailing into the cove, and in it were three persons. at cA did not land, as IT expected they would, but luffed sharp, threw their anchor overboard. and calmly waited. ‘What they were Nagrand Me or who the were I could not tell; but before very long saw a vessel coming toward the cave. ‘*To my surprise 1 recognized the Spitfire, and then I wondered what it all meant. ‘*Into the cove she ran, dropped anchor, and then came a hail from the shore and I heard the name Firefly given, after which the boat ran out to the schooner. ‘*T was amazed, for it looked to me as though the schooner had been captured by the pirates, and I congratulated myself that I had not hail- ed, as I felt inclined to do, Determined to know what was oing on on board, for the schooner gtill remained at anchor, I threw off my clothes and swam out to her, for she was but a cable’s length away. . ‘“T at once discovered that something impor- tant was going on, and no one seemed to be on the watch, so I got into the boat alongside and. gazed in through the last starboard * Yee “Then I had a shock, Captain Beverly, for who do you think I saw on the deck?” “T half suspect it.” ia) Who?” “Captain Carl?” “ Yes,” 2 “*By Jove! but that fellow is remarkable for his escapes, ‘Tt was he then that cut the schocner out.” ‘*No, sir, it was Firefly the Smuggler, who did that, as you will understand when I tell you what I heard,” and Duncan Dare went on to re- late the conversation he heard on deck. “This is astounding, Dare,” ‘Yes, sir, and then followed the fight. ** And such a fight! I would not have missed it for a fortune. the two occupants sprung on board. ‘* At first I feared Firefly would kill Carl, and “Put acouple of men, please, into my boat, | thus cheat the gallows of its prey; but soon the Captain Beverly, and let then run her down to |} pirate warmed to his work,.and I never saw the city, for she is a good craft, and is well car- | such exquisite swordsmanship in my life, and I+ | goed with fruits and vegetables sent you by my | only hope I can some day equal bis skill.” mother. ‘“Yes, when in the navy he was famous as a ‘“‘Then press on with the schooner, for the | swordsman; but tell me all, for I'am most deep- Spitfire is ahead of you some three leagues.” ly interested.” : ; “Ha! that is what I am after, and I welcome “Well, sir, at last Captain Carl drove the smuggler back against the bulwark, within a “Two of you men, and one who knows Hell | few feet of me, and soon after struck down his Gate, get into that boat and run her to the city. ard and killed him, thrusting his sword clean ‘“‘ Now, Dare, come into the cabin and tell me | through his body.” what you know; but who have you here?” ‘“* And Carl escaped, of course?” | ‘* A boy I captured, sir, after a hot.chase, and “Yes, sir.” he is wounded, poor fellow, for I had to fire on ‘Satan certainly protects his pet. But what “T am Redfern, Captain Beverly,” the boy ‘Captain Carl claimed the command of the said quietly, as he followed the two into the | schooner, and then I slid down into the water cabin. ye! and swam back to my boat. : ‘* Ah! it is you, you young traitor? ‘‘Soon after I saw the schooner get unde “Were you a few’ years older I’d string | way and run out of the cove, and I assure you I you up to the yard-arm for this night’s work!” | lost no time in following her example, deter- cried Burton Beverly angrily, and he turned his | mined to reach you with all haste and make my flashing eyes upon the pale, ‘put handsome face report. , ; of the ay ‘On the way I sighted the row-boat and cap- “He does not look like one who would do | tured the boy, and so my story ends,” — an evil act, sir,” said Duncan Dare. ' You have done nobly, my dear Dare, as you “No, he does not look it, but he belies his | always do, andI am glad that your pluck en- looks; but come, boy, you are wounded, and you | abled us to know just who it is that we are to fight. ° ‘¢ But do you know his course now will doubt- less be to the Chesapeake, and that lovely girl will be made his captive once more, if we do not prevent it?” ; . ‘He will not allow Miss Kate Kenyon to es- — cape him, sir, if in his power to kidnap her; but how was it the schooner was taken, for her an- chorage seemed most secure?” \ * Ah, yes, but it was the work of that hand- some boy you captured; for he came to me with Sai pe hs knew a retreat of Firefly, 4 muggler, his men, his vessels, and where his boot ‘was hidden. : es planned with the treacherous young- ster, and started off with the Spitfire, fea n her anchored ‘in the Harlem river, while make the at- ran up-stream with my boats to make kk. ““We had gone but a ing ar we heard firing astern, the boy leaped into the river and escaped in the darkness, and returning, I found
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Le : eee ‘ee 885 as ioe ‘ . a : z ECR Page Mea Peek 12 the schooner gone, and so knew how I had been cleverly trapped. ‘* With all speed I returned down East river, threw my crew on board the Vidette, and start- ed in chase of the Spitfire, half-believing that Captain Carl was not dead, and that he had re- | wish to meet me whose actions have confess taken her, for the act is just such. a bold one as he would be guilty of—° Well, Surgeon Has- tings, what is it?’ and Burton Beverly turned to the surgeon, who just then approached. ‘‘T have dressed the prisoner’s wound, sir.” ‘‘ Well, he had better be placed under guard, for he’s a daring fellow.” ‘* Is the wound dangerous, Surgeon Hastings?” aasked Duncan Dare. “No, sir, but it bled freely, and faintness from the blood-letting caused the swoon.” ‘* Well, I will have him placed under guard.” ‘‘T have made a discovery, Captain Beverly.” ‘* Well, sir?” ‘*T wish to say it is not a boy.” “What can you mean, Hastings?’ ‘¢The prisoner, sir, is a young girl; but she ‘beg ed me to keep her secret. Still I felt it my duty to tell you, as I knew -you did not care to puta girl in irons or have cher tried.” ‘* By no means; but you astound me.” ‘‘T was astounded m elf, sir, but girl she is, and a lovely one too.” ‘Who is she?” ‘* She will not make known who she is, sir.” ‘Well, this is indeed a surprise, but as no one knows, except we three, that it was the supposed ‘boy who betrayed us, that Fou captured, Dare, I wish the secret kept, and I will set her free as soon as we return to New York.” ‘“*T am glad to hear you say that, sir, but it pains me deeply to have fired upon a woman,” said Duncan Dare with deep feeling. **You are generous, Captain Beverly, and I too am glad to hear you say you will set the poor girl free.” ‘¢ Tell her what I have said, Hastings, and let her feel at rest; but she must keep to her state- room and not be seen.” ‘*T will see to that, Captain stig i and the surgeon returned to the state-room, while Burton Beverly and the middy looked at each other in rfect surprise, until a call from the deck took Them there in haste. CHAPTER XXI. REDFERN TRACKED. THE call that had taken Captain Beverly and “the midshipman on deck was thesweeping up of a dense fog that shut out every obstacle from sight. ‘*It looks as if it were going to hold in, and we had better put back slowly, feeling our way with the lead, and try and head the pirates off ‘by running out to sea through New York bay,” said Burton Beverly. ' ‘*T was going to say, sir, that as Captain Carl evidently means mischief in the Chesapeake, would it not be well for you to return to New or. rl, enlarge your crew and sa York, land this girl, enlarge y r d sail at once to the vicinity of Castle Kenyon Plan- ‘tation and lay in wait for the Spitfire, while I will get to sea as soon as I can and will hunt up the — and follow in his wake.” - “Ever right, my lad, Fhe are, and I_ will fol- low the suggestion, for this pirate must be taken -at all odds, and next time there will beno escape for him,” and Burton Beverly gave orders to ao sail and put the schooner back for the arbor, : Puli The fog lifted a. little now and then, and the Vidette dropped anchor just before. dawn, - . Instantly a buat was lowered, and, enveloped ‘in a cloak, and accompanied by’ Surgeon’ Hast- ings, Redfern was taken ashore. With a sailor’s jacket over his uniform, Dun- can Dare also went ashore in the boat, landed and started up one of the streets, while the surgeon looked after the smuggler’s daughter. ‘You will not allow me to go after a carriage for you, miss?” he said. ‘No, thank you.” ‘“* But you are hardly able to Yes, I can walk very well.’ “You will certainly allow me to accompany and aid you?” ‘No, I thank you, sir.” ‘Would you yo alone?” ‘‘T prefer to.” int ‘It is dangerous at this hour of early morn.” ““Chave no fear.” ‘You are astrange girl. ‘“‘ And you are a good man, and I thank you eover_and over oan for your goodness to me, -and I hope you will tell Captain Beverly I ap- pg his kindness after my treachery to Ww: ” 7 fe REDS 5 eo / The Ocean Firefly. ‘* Now I bid you good-by.” “* Must it be good-by?” pier ge “Will we not meet again?” ‘“* Why should you, a gentleman and an pees, her an outlaw and who has been playing the part of a boy in male attire!” And the young girl spoke bitterly. “Still I do wish to meet you again, and, though I will not intrude myself upon you, m name is Hugh Hastings, my vessel is the Vidette, and, should you ever need a friend, come to me as you would to a brother,” ‘**T thank you, sir, and I will do as you ask, should I ever need your aid, for I know it is of- fered in good faith. ‘‘ Now, farewell, and may Heaven reward you for your kindness to me.” She grasped his hand and then glided away; disappearing in the gloom of the early morn. As she went up the street, a form stepped out from the shelter of a doorway and followed her. It was Duncan Dare, and he stealthily follow- ed her footsteps until he saw her enter a tavern near Fulton street. After awhile he too entered, but the girl was nowhere visible in the tap-room. Calling for a drink of liquor, which, however, ne meyer touched, he asked the half-asleep land- ord: ‘*Did not a young sailor enter your tavern a few minutes ago?” NOL? bluntl said the landlord, eying the questioner closely. “I was mistaken, then,” and Duncan Dare arose and departed. But he knew that he was not mistaken, and going outside, he saw a light in one of the win- ows. ‘There was no light in the house when she entered, except in the tap-room, and that is her room. “Ah! I recognize her now, as the wind blows the curtain back; there! she puts down the sash; but it is she, and she stops there, and that crabbed landlord knows who she is, I am confident, and I will know too, for though I would not see her harmed, I believe I can make some valuable discoveries by following in her wake, and I will do it. ‘*Now, to go on board my little schooner, and hasten the men with their work, for I must be at sea in a couple of days atfurthest.” etracing his way to the river, the midship- man sprung into a harbor boat, and bade the pr gt row him to the Government ship- ard, The men had not yet gone to work; but he boarded a small and beautiful schooner, and quickly aroused all to busy action. . ‘¢ This craft must be ready to sail within two days, Mr. Manly,” he said to the middy in nares ‘“‘T wish you to get the stores on board; have the men come aboard also, and see that every spar and sail needed is reson for she must sail at the earliest moment possible.” Having set his officers and crew to work, and seen that all would go well, and with dispatch, Duncan Dare took his breakfast aboard the chooner, and then sprung into a boat, to be taken back to the New York side. As he was erossing the river the Vidette came along like a race-horse, with a large spread of sail, and her course lay toward the sea. ** Success to you, Captain Beverly, and I will follow as soon as I can,” shouted the middy. sail Sc! me my lad, and good fortune attend you,” called back Captain Beverly, as the Vidette swept on. Upon lan rf Duncan Dare went again to the tavern, which he had seen Redfern enter, deter- mined to find out who she was, if he had to arrest the landlord, and force the secret from him through fear, But, as he approached he suddenly recognized the boyish form come out and walk rapidly away. ‘ The girl’s left arm was wornin a sling. and she walked like one fatigued, and the good-hearted middy felt sorry that he had wounded her, and said softly: ** Poor girl.” — Going to the river Fern took a boat, and or- dered the boatman to row her up the river. Following her, Duncan Dare did the same. After a short pull the boat landed not very far from the old mansion, which was the abode of Marks, and springing ashore Fern entered the rickety looking structure. The midshipman then landed, and as he ap- proached the old place, he saw a vehicle das up, the horses covered with foam and dust, showing that they had come from far and had * been driven hard. , Out of the vehicle sprung a stooping form, a cloak about his shoulders. E ‘* Ha! it’s the same man I saw early last night on the deck of the Spitfire, and whoa red to be econ to each of the outlaw chiefs in their uel. ‘‘Now I will find out where he is, and just why that girl has come to this place; which has the look of a lawless den to mé,” and the middy boldly entered the house to be suddenly confronted by Jenks, the clerk, who turned pale as he saw his uniform. CHAPTER XXII, REDFERN AND MARKS. JENKS did not exactly understand what'to do, when he beheld an officer enter the old’establish- ment, where so much rascality was’ transacted. It never before had been honored by an offi- cial vistor, and he was nonplused. But Duncan Dare gave him no time to con- sider, as he font 0 } “T have been told I could get articles here that cannot be purchased elsewhere, and, as I am fitting out a vessel for sea, I wish to get certain things which you may have.” Jenks breathed more freely, and said at once: ‘* Yes, sir, yes, sir, anything in our line you can buy at low prices. ‘““ What would you like to see?” ‘*Oh, a hundred things I could almost say. ‘“‘ Have you a store-room I could overlook?” ‘‘-Ves, sir,” and Jenks led the way into a long room filled with almost every conceivable object. ‘** There, sir, look over these things, and call me if I am needed, for I will be in the front of- fice,” and J: rsa el spied => In an instant did the middy get his locality placed, and he walked quickly to the rear of the long room. : He had noted the shape of that wing of the house, and had seen Redfern enter a hallway that seemed to go its lengtb, and at the end was a door which he had doubtless entered. He reached the end of the wareroom, and dis- tinctly heard voices. There was an cffice beyond, and there the speakers certainly were. The plastering had fallen from the’ walls in places, and in one spot daylight gleamed pagh a the wareroom, for it was darker than the other. Springing lightly upon a box he peered through, ana his ra fell upon Marks at his desk, while a sailor stood near, evidently wait- ing for something the miser was writing. ear the door sat Redfern, waiting for the leisure of Marks. Leaping down from the box the youth re- traced his way to the front office and saw Jenks: ciFli ts es dear sir, you have a number of things here that I need, so, with your kind permission I will take my time in looking over them, and note down on paper just what I wish. © ‘When I get through I will point all out to U1. ; “ Certainly, sir, certainly, and I will give you more light in the room.” ‘Oh, no, for I can see well enough,” and Dun- can Dare returned to the wareroom and leaped up to the top of the box, es BF The man was just taking from Marks}s hand a wdtted onde teniern quickly sppea Moree: pa. while fern quickly step forward. “Well, boy, I have ‘had ® ches» after you,” said Marks, on ‘** And I have come to see you, Mr.’ Marks, to learn how the schooner got out and all about it,” was the reply. 7 LW ers “Oh, she got out all right, my lad, only she has a different commander from what was ex-- ” sted. ‘“*T do not understand.” Ag ‘Here is a letter your father gave me for you,” and the letter was handed over. ~~ “The seal has been broken,” quickly said Red- fern. “Yes, I did it.” ‘* When it was intrusted to your care?” “Yes, for I never carry a letter, the con- tents of which I do not know.” “It is just what I might expect of you, Mr. Marks,” “Nes.” ‘« As you know its contents I will read it aloud, Bpe ey you to explain anything I do not under- “ A's you please.” Then Redfern read the letter aloud, and, cone /
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—— ** Now tell me!” ‘‘T wish to ask a few questions first?” ** Go on.” “You are the heir to the Haunted Inn upon the right bank of the river, above here?” ‘“‘T am, for it was my grandparents’ home.” * Will you sell it?” “ec Wo.” ‘*T will pay you well for it.” ‘“*T will not part with it.” : f ‘* Give me proofs that you own it, or are heir, and a quit claim to it, and I will pay you twenty thousand dollars for the estate.” pa by ‘“¢-¥You are not rich enough to buy it, sir.” ““T am very rich.” ‘* Doubtless, but you have not the command of enough gold to buy that old home.” ‘‘We shall use, for you will have to part with it; but now tell me how much your father left you?” y “The sum you gave him, or rather advanced him, with which to buy the schooner and equip her. ‘‘ Where is this money?” “* Safe.” ‘« Tt is mine.” “You are mistaken, for it is mine.” ‘‘] will have you arrested as one who aided in the stealing of the schooner Firefly, .f you do not do as I wish.” Redfern laughed, and replied: ‘‘Mr. Marks, misfortune and sorrow made my father drift into outlawry; and in you he found one ready to dispose of his smuggled ‘“‘{ accidentally learned the life he was lead- ing, and | joined him, to wean him from it. “Had not Midshipman Dare attacked his re- treat of the Hawks of the Hook, my father would have been far from here now, leading an honest life, for he had laid away a snug sum that was captured. 3 ** He asked me to aid him to get back for his men what they had lost, and I did what I could to help him capture the schooner. ‘+ Now you can have me arrested, and if I go to jail, you go to the gallows, sosend for a con- stable and carry out your threat if you dare.” “Lad, I was just trying you, to see your pluck, and you have plenty of han “T like you, and I always liked your father, and I wish to serve you, 50 give into my hands the money you have, and I will invest it for you so that it will bring in treble its present amount.” F ; “No, sir, I will keep it royale so do not delay me longer in useless talk, but tell me about my HTS is dead!” , s dea AA eye dte from Redfern’s lips, and he stag- gered back to a seat and dropped into it. : A moment she sat the picture of silent despair, and then she sprung to her feet with: “Tt is false! for my father was too skillful with a sword to be slain in a personal comba - _4\Hesimply met, one who was more skillful. ‘*Oh! curses on that man’s head! ‘“‘ But his day of reckoning shall come! ‘* My poor, poor father! to be slain as he was. ‘t And'you stood by and saw this deed done? she cried, fiercely, turning upon Marks. ‘Yes, I saw the deed.” ‘‘ By Heaven! man, I believe you urged it on to get rid ‘of my father, so that Captain Carl, your great friend, might have his vessel and crew.” a ag ; “On the contrary, I wished to get rid of Cap- tain Carl, for he. stands in my way, in a certain love affair, and I arranged the meeting to have your father kill him, knowing Captain Firefly’s skill as a swordsman. “Would to God it had happened otherwise, and that my poor father had lived, for I am now alone in the world.” ‘“* What does a boy, such as you are, care for that?” on ‘IT care more than you think. ib your father is dead, boy, and that ends it. 4 3 “Tf you wish me to be your friend, I will, or if you wish to go to sea as an Officer on a craft without a legitimate flag, 1 can arrange it for “Tam no outlaw, Mr. Marks, and I have an honest heart. : . , § Or nces made me herd with evil men, such as you, but I have done no wrong, other | | oN: ge oo et Ne bares beg Cm ae J iy an crime. ‘‘ From to-day your path is not the one I fol- low, and I lead a different life; but I am re- vengeful, and’ Captain. Carl shall feel that I can strike at the slayer of my father.” ‘*T have offered to barter with you, boy, and it has done no good; so now I shail uss force, as you are wholly in my power,” and Marks arose from his chair. ' Leaping from the box, where he had seen and heard all, Duncan Dare sped like a flash of light- ning along the wareroom, out of the door and into the hallway, his light step not reaching the ears of Jenks who was in the front office. As he reached the door of Marks’s office, he heard a stifled cry within, and throwing it open, beheld the man with the supposed boy in his arms, and struggling hard, bearing him toward an inner room, In an instant he was upon Marks, sword in hand, and his stern command to halt was the first intimation of his presence. _ “Hold! Release that boy, or 1’) pin you on my sword!” he cried. A’startled ‘ery broke from the lips of Marks, and Redfern slipped from his powerful grasp and sprung to the side of the midshipman. Seeing an officer, Marks turned deadly pale, and said: “It is my son, sir, and I was about to lock him up for his misdeeds.” ‘You lie, Marks! He is not your son. “T came here to make some purchases, and sought your office, when I heard that boy’s cry for help, so I came to the rescue. ** Come, my lad—come with me, and as soon as I have paid this man’s clerk for some pur- chases I am forced to get of him, they not to be had elsewhere, I will see you in safety to where you would go,” ‘“*Oh, I thank you, Midshipman Dare!” cried Redfern. ve mabe started and said, in a voice that quiv- ered; ** Are you Duncan Dare?” ‘Tam, gir,’? “Thave heard of you, sir, as a most gallant officer, and have been most anxious to meet you, “Well, we have met, and you are worsted; but if you attempt to harm this boy we will meet again, and it will be a most unpleasant meeting for you, Marks, : . “Come, my lad,” and the middy left the of- fice with Redfern, while Marks stood like a statue, seemingly deeply moved, for he was pal- lid and quivering. At the outer office Jenks was met, and he was astounded to see the middy and Redfern comin out of the hallway, for no one ever was allow to go to his master’s room unarmed, . 2 _“Did you see the merchant, sir?” he asked, in a tremor." " *" ' ; - “Yes, and I will show you the things I need, and éntering the wareroom they were quickly picked out. t. a “How much?” Jenks gave him the sum total. “Here is your money, and I wish you to lead them’ in’ a Boat and gend them to the Govern- Want ship-yard for the schooner-of-war Ocean refly. ‘ Ocean Firefly?” gasped Jenks. “* Ocean Firefly?” cried Redfern. | ** Yes, that is the name I have given my ves- rink and Duncan Dare turned away with Red- ern. ‘Here I must leave you, sir, and for all your kindness Lean only thank you,” said the young girl, the tears in her eyes. ‘Promise me, when you have found a home, you will let me know, for I havea greater knowl- edge of you than you suppose, as I was in the wareroom, and heard all that passed between you and that villain Marks, and I know my mother would be most happy to give you a home with her, while no one, other than she, shall know of your past life, or its secrets.” The tears came into the beautiful eyes of Red- fern, and she grasped the hand of the middy, while she said: “Oh, how I thank you,” but now I will go to my desolate home up on tke river, and when I have thought it all over I will seek you, tell you all, and ask your advice as I would a brother, for you alone know me as I am, sir. “ Now, good-by.” : She turned quickly away, and after seeing her enter a light skiff, which she hired from a boat- man, who rai the sail for her, as her arm was still crippled, Duncan Dare started back from the river. i 4 13 He had not gone far when he looked and be- held Marks and Jenks, and the former was point- ing to the skiff in which was Redtern, now far up the river. Instantly Duucan Dare sought a hiding place and from it saw Jenks go off and get a boat and take it to the water steps near Marks’s home. Then a large bundle was brought from the house by Jenks and plated in the boat, and, just at sunset Marks came out and went to the end of the pier, disappearing from sight, “He is following the girl, and I have no time to lose. “Ha! there is a vehicle and he will drive me up the shore to where I can get a boat, and thus: head him off, and then woe be unto that evil man, for I know him now as he is, and the gal- lows shall yet claim him.” So saying the middy hailed the driver of a carriage, and was soon whirling rapidly up the river road, CHAPTER XXITI. THE SECRET OF THE HAUNTED INN. URGED hg a golden fee the driver drove with eat speed, and at last drew rein in a small shing hamlet, “You can await my return here, my man, for I go across to yonder inn, ‘Should I not return, go to the Government. mit eh and report where I went.” “That inn is haunted, sir,” said the driver im an awed tone. ‘*So I have heard, but I have business there. “* Now to get me a boat and a Jantern.” From a fisherman these were soon obtained, and the middy was put across the river not far from the Haunted Inn. ** Don’t go near there, sir, I beg you,” said the fisherman. **My man, I am sorry I cannot oblige you, for to the inn I go; but I desire that you go up the river and then across, on your return, and say nothing about my movements. “Here is a gold piece for you, and I'll give you more if you do as I wish.” ‘Bless you, sir, 1 will; but I urges you, for your own safety, as ghosts are yonder day and. night, for I have heard and seen them.” Duncan Dare laughed, sprung ashore, and saw the fisherman start up the river. In a little cove near he saw the white skiff whieh had brought Redfern, dnd he knew that: Marks must arrive soon. pho ‘With his Janitern shielded by his cloak, he made his way up toward the inn, and as he did so he observed the flash of a light in one of the rooms. “That girl has nerve toenter that old rookery at night as she does, for I don’t like’the idea of doing so; but she is there, and has lighted a lamp or candle,” he muttered. In a clump of shrubbery he then took his stand, and soon after saw a form approaching. Tt was Marks, and he carried a et a. bundle, Lae She Halting within a few feet of the youth, he said aloud Curse the place! I never enter it without a ernate and a wonder when I can never for- ge scene here twenty years ago. _ “But I'dare not phic m, secret to others, and he will die if I do not’bring him food, and I do not. wish that ‘until I foree from his lips the secret of the treasure he buried on Long Island, soon after he was wrecked there, *‘ But that boy’s' coming here I did not like at. first, though now it must be his priscn, as L shall co’ fine him in the sécret roof room, ‘Now he is in that fatal bed-chamber, for I see his light through the window, so he will not. hear me on the way to the stone room, so I will go there first and leave these victuals, ‘Ugh! how T bate to cross'that threshold; but soon all this secret life will'end, and when Kate Kenyon becomes my wife, I will live like a. rince, for her inheritance, and what I force m that Firefly boy; and then learn the secret: of that buried treasure, I will have riches second to 4 one,” “4 - saying the man entered the house, and his aR word had reached the ears of Duncan are, M Nae the youth slipped off his boots and. i mn farks was in the hallway, ascending the ro ie lighting his way with “a -bull’s-eye Jan- rn. Following him, his cloak concealing his light, came the youth, a pistol in Oats hala step- ping so lightly that he was not | eet _ Up the stairs, along a hall went Marks, turn- ing into a doorway, which he left open, and then crossing a room he pressed hard against q } .
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_ » me the secret I so lon panel in the wall, the light revealing his every action. The panel turned and the man entered the narrow space, leaving tlic youth in darkness. But Duncan Dare uncovered his lantern, found the panel, pressed it hard as he had seen Marks do, and also entered. He was in a brick-walled passageway, and, having covered his light, saw a glimmer ahead. Going forward he came to a door that was closed, and chains and bolts were outside, but they were unfastened. Within he heard voices, and he shoved the door gently and peered through. The room was small, as he saw it, with stone ‘walls, windows, and a sky-light in the top through which a current of air came. A cot, table and chair, with some shelves were visible, and in the latter were books, dishes and other articles. On the chair sat a man, and his ankles were ironed and a chain attached was secured to a ar in the stone wall. eneath the iron shackles the man had placed ieces of blanket, to prevent their cutting into he flesh. The prisoner was thin, haggard and sad-look- ings and his clothes were scant and worn. ' Near him stood Marks, and he said: ‘Well, brother, I have brought you more provisions for the week, and I have also the hope that you will end this cruel captivity by telling to know.” ‘¢ Merton, you should know by this time that I am not to be forced to tell what I have sworn I would never reveal. ‘“* That treasure was re rink from a pirate vessel, and when the craft I was in was wrecked I buried it, intending some day to devote it to good uses. ‘* Some sailors betrayed to you the secret and you come and claimed it as your own, but I would not give it up, and then you threatened. ‘“‘T went to sea in my vessel, and you, Rafael, the Rover, though my brother, hunted me down, destroyed my vessel and took me away toa cruel prison life. ‘*In Baltimore you held me a prisoner, hoping to force from me the secret, and I stood firm for long years. ‘Now you have me here, and you hope I will yield, but I never will, for I know you will not ill me.” ' ‘Ha! do you believe that, my brother? ‘You are mistaken, for it was I who nearly twenty years ago killed in this very house the girl who discarded me for Tracey Truax, and with her, her parents and the servants. ‘They were our kindred, as you know, and yet my hand was not stayed. * “Tracey Truax, as Captain Firefly, went. to the bad, and became a smuggler, a saw him die last night, while his son is now in this house, _and, like you, shall live a life of solitary con- finement within these walls unless he gives up his gold to me. ‘‘T am no longer Rafael the Rover, brother mine, but a rich merchant, trading in pirate goods, and I live two lives, ‘“‘T am Marks the miser merchant in one wing of my house, and in the other I am Merton Reg- nier, the gentleman of wealth, and it) is my in- tention to marry the daughter of our old boy- hood chum Kenyon, , who is a wealthy planter on the Shesapeake.’ “The mae who married and deserted our sis- ter?” asked the prisoner. ““-Yes; but he believes her living, for I told him she was in an asylum, and so he dares not have me tell the secret of his marrying again to the daughter of his second wife, so will give me the girl.” ‘‘Oh, what a wretch you are, Merton Reg- nier,” hissed the prisoner. ‘“* Well, life went different with you, for old Dare adopted you and left you his property, while I was forced to live in poverty, until my pe ee 1a gan ; ae Na **T offered you a of my fortune, left by Mr. Dare to me, if I would take his name,” **Oh, yes, but I wanted all; but now let me tell you that I have no time to waste with you and to-night, if you do not reveal the secret o that treasure hiding-place, I shall have your life, if not your gold.” ‘“* Life to me is little worth now, Merton Reg- nier, for my wife and child believe me dead, and I will not reveal the secret, as I will not be forced, though for the gold I care nothing.” ‘Then you shall die! ** You will kill me?” “Yes, with this knife,” and he drew a long blade from his Fe geri But as he did so, it was struck from his hand, a A a aa The Ocean Firefly, me aaa Dare confronted him, his sword in nd. ‘¢ Surrender, sir, or you die!” ‘*Curses! Duncan Dare, you shall die in the presence of your father!” yelled the infuriated man, and he drew a pistol. But before it was leveled, the blade of the midshipman pierced his heart, and he sunk dead on the stone wall. Then the boy turned to the prisoner, and cried: ‘*T have heard al], and know you to be my father, the brother of that vile man!” ' CHAPTER XXIV. CONCLUSION, OVER what followed between father and son, rted for long years, a vail must be drawn to ide the touching scene. But, in that stone cell of the Haunted Inn, re- mained the father and son for several hours, die Br the past, with the dead body of the wicked brother and uncle lying before them. The chains had been unlocked, with keys found on the body of the pirate, and the prison- er was free, and then the father and son ascend- ed to the floor where Redfern had gone, the freed man walking with difficulty after his ong rsa though he had paced his cel ily for hours, to keep up his strength. A tap at the door brought a startled query from Redfern. ; “Who is there?” “It is Midshipman Dare, and I wish to see you. ‘*T will open the door in a minute,” came the response, and the maiden, her eyes red with weeping soon ap tae § Then she heard from the midshipman’s lips all that had occurred, was presen: Mr. Dare, and heard his story, and how her mother was his first cousin, and almost overcome the poor girl would have fallen in a faint, but for the support of Duncan’s strong arm. i Gta’ the three talked, and it was decided uu done, Duncan Dare digging a shallow grava, Then the three left the mansion coe went down to the shore, got into the skiff which Dun- can had hired, and rowed over to the hamlet, where the driver was found asleep in his car- riage. ‘Arousing him, they entered the vehicle and were driven to an inn, where, after ear his father and Redfern comfortable, the midship- man went over to the yard to hasten on the work on his schooner, for he was anxious re- garding Kate Kenyon, being at the mercy of Captain Carl, hough it was night the men were at work, and that day the schooner was ready to sail, and a beautiful craft she was, Bidding his father and Fern good-by, and ask- ing Mr. Dare to keep quiet and recuperate all he could before going home, leaving his pre cousin as his nurse, Duncan wrote his mother that he had reason to believe that his father was not dead, but had been a prisoner for long years, but that he would come and tell her all be his return from a short cruise he was then ing on in his new vessel. — aboard he spread sail and headed south- ward. As he sailed up the Chesapeake, and came in sight of Castle Recnyon's turrets. the lookout h ¢ rung oa chewy “‘ Ay, ay, there are two vessels, and one is the Vidette, the other the Spitfire. “Bravo! the pirate is taken, so give three cheers, lads!” The sails fairly pres under the yous of the crew, and an hour after the Ocean Firefly ran into the cove of Castle Kenyon, where the Vi- dette and Spitfire had just cropped anchor. . Going on board the Vidette Duncan Dare met there planter Kenyon, Kate and her twin bro- ther ine, who had just returned home, They had just come on board the Vidette, at the signal of Burton Beverly, and to aJl he told how he had Jain in ambush for the Spitfire, sighted her coming, run out from his hiding- lace with the men at the guns and after a | fierce fight had captured her by boarding. ‘“‘ And Captain Carl?” gasped Kate Kenyon. “ec Is ead.”’ “Ts it true this time?” : ‘He lies on his deck dead, for I ran him through the body myself,” was the response of the nt captain. = Thank God! now I can tell you my secret,” He OSAP ted Lia RR aS the body in the cellar, and this was’ ea. | el Te and Kate Kenyon told of her forced marriage with the pirate. ‘* And I too have a secret to tell,” said Dun- can Dare, and he made known to all the career of Marks, and how he had kept his father in durance vile for long years. To planter Kenyon he told how the pirate had deceived him, and that his first wife was indeed dead; and this secret, the middy said, should be kept between themselves, f Redfern, or rather his sweet cousin, Fern i Truax, he also told, and leaving the crew to 5 look after the wounded and bury the dead, the little party went up to Castle Kenyon as guests : of the planter for a couple of days, a Then the three vessels set sail for New York f and arrived in safety, when another meetin ; was held in the City Hotel, where Mr. Dare an Fern were also of the pany: As Captain.Carl had been slain and _ his schooner retaken, Burton Beverly accepted Dun- can Dare’s invitation to take a rest for a short ¥. while, and the whole party sailed in the Ocean Firefly for the homestead on Long Island, and * the welcome they received from the beautiful v mother of the daring middy made their hearts ‘2 glad, as it did hers to receive back, as from the Me grave, her long-absent husband, 1 Added to the party were also Squire Hampton and his lovely Jessie, and it is certainly useless for me to add that in good time Kate Kenyon became the wife of Captain Beverly, and Fern’s heart was won by Doctor Hastings, surgeon of the Vidette, while, upon reaching his twenty- first year, Duncan Dare married the sweetheart of his schoolboy days, to whom he had been true through all, sweet Jessie Hampton. Gaining her inheritance, Fern Truax became most wealthy in the possession of the Haunted Inn estate, for she was glad to sell it, all but the little graveyard on the hillside, and with its dis- posal was lost the strange secret that had clung to it in the past. Jenks received a visit from Duncan Dare, who intimated that he could either be hanged or re- veal what he knew of Marks, and the double life of that man was made known in full, and his clerk was glad to escape to a foreign land with the gold he had put aside for himself, while Mr. Dare, as the brother of Merton Regnier, came in possession of the property, and at once turned it over to be used in charity, The buried treasure he never found, for he had lost all trace of its hiding-place, and so allowed it to remain without a search, for, as he said, he had enough of this world’s goods, and the treas- a ure was stained with blood. “Ts Thus ends my story of Captain Carl the Cor- AS sair, and Duncan Dare the gallant middy, who Ae for long years became known as the Ocean Fire- y: PE THE END. ; j t/ DIME DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS = FOR SCHOOL EXHIBITIONS AND HOME ENTERTAINMENTS. Dialogues, Nos. 1 to 82 inclusive, 15 to % popu Me lar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each vol: ume 100 pages 12mo. ; ‘ 5 Speakers, Nos. 1 to 4 inclusive. Each speaker ; 100 pages 12mo, containing from 50 to 7 pieces. fe PE TPIT ee : . YOUNG PEOPLE'S SERIES, a Me Dime Book of Winter Sports, ig ag Dime Book of Summer Athletic Sports. = tr, * ; Dime Gents’ Letter Writer. et) ee Dime Book of Etiquette. ap 5 aii . : Dime Book of Verses. a “* Dime Book of Dreams, oe a = ; Dime Fortune Teller. ae Dime Ladies’ Letter Writer. , . “4 B Dime Lovers’ Casket. _ ; oe = Dime Ball-Room Companion. eS. a Dime Book of 100 Games, 3) ro z, : Dimé Chess Instructor. — ee Aer Dime Book of Beauty, . eee 2 The above books are sold by newsdealers Fs es everywhere, or will be sent, post-paid, to any ad ania Age dress, on receipt of price, ten cents each. Brapis Di 3 Bo AND Apams, Publishers, 98 William st., N.Y —
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id &, Z BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 6T Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Oaptain Arizona; or, Patént-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Duellat; or, The Mountain Vempires. 888 A Tough Boy; or, The Dwartf’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado; or, the Outcasts of the Glen. B78 Little Jingo; «r, the Queer Pard, BSS Little Oh-my 3 or, Cuught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly ; or, A Race fora Ranch, 408 Little Leather- Breeches; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse. 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the olines. 480 Three Jolly Parda. 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Jolly Parda to the Rescue, 647 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. 556 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER. 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page Oe The Poge’s Daughter. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Hunters ; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise to the , Open Polar Sea. 200 The Boy Bedoultna; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance. 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine, 249 Milo Komer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World The Tiger T The League of the Jungl 265 The er Tamer} or, The League of the Jungle. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider, 4 895 California Joe’s War Trail. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Hall.) 284 G04, Beosks"s **Boyees;” or, Benito, the Young Horse- reaker. 246 Giant George; or, The Ang’l of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack}; or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Tavs i or, Giant George’s Revenge. 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Retewherh. Ker-whoo 3 or, The Tarantula of Taos, B27 Creeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards. 882 Frio Aired or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. 844 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattleanake, the Tonkaway. B49 Wild Wolf’; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front, 857 The Ranch Spaidors + or, The Siege of Fort Purgatory. B64 Snap-Shot, the Boy Ranger. 875 Chiota, the Creeks or, The Three Thunderbolts, 881 Bandera BIIl; or. Frio Frank to the Front, 892 Romeo and the Reda; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 4at Tho These Trailers} or; Old Rocky on the Rampage e ee Trailers; or, 442 Bluff Bill; or, The i of the Leona. ' 455 Little Lone Star; or, The Belle of the Cibolo, _ BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the'Boy Champion of the Muskingum. . 228 Ozark ed or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws, 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. 811 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, 822 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta, 840 Op the Contortionist: or, The Montana Vigilantes, BY J, ©. COWDRIOCK. 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. S69 Shasta, the Gold King 3 or, For Seven Yoars Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a ame. 424 Cibuta John; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 439 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 506 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road. 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 53% The Engineer Detective 58 Broadway. Billy’s ‘Diffikilty.” 548 Mart, the Nigh 557 Broadwa 671 Alr-Line t Express Detective. Billy’s Peath Racket. uke, the Young Engineer. ‘ BY JO PIEROE, 97 Bob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street bee The Vagabond Derective; Peary Bob’s Boom, Motapur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective, , 460 The Laywyer’s Shadow; or, Luke’s Legacy. 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 504 Five Points Phil. + 509 Jack Juggern, the Butcher Boy Detective. 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 526 North River N at, the Pier Detective. S Wrestling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward, 6A Jeff Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective, 551 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective, 669 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective. BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, 4 Kentucky; or, The Red Lasso, Bro Eiteseed Benj or, The Riot at Keno Camp. 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. “ BY OAPTAIN MAYNE REID. “k¢ or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance, ae eer irates or, The League of Devil's alan ar 187 The Helpless Hand; or, Backwoods Retribution, 289 The Gold-seeker Gulde ; or, The Lost Mountain, BY MAJOR SENRY B. STODDARD, Ex.-8cout. Y B06. - The Dug-Out Pards. bie erate Bd eotit "or, The Swordamen of Zacatecas. . 34 Kid-Glove: kit. the Dandy of the Rackies, Kid-Glove Kit and Pard; or, The Gold King, 06 The Mad Man-Hunter; or, The Mystery of Golden 505 Powell's Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. _BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG, 1 im . he Family. ; he Oe ath of the Glub i “e The Rival Athletes, 101 Jack Harkaway in New York. Is BY MARRY s8T. GEORGE. 80 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Ranger. 44 Rattlin ubes ‘or, The Nighthawks of Kentucky, 59 Old Hickory 3 or, Pandy Ellis’s Scalp. 208 Daring Davy3 or, The Trail of the Border Wolf. 166 Hickory Harry ; on, The ces se Spye ia Wollf- * 89 91" 172 Thunderbelt Tom; or, + Herder. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs. BEADLE’S*HALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Hach Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl, 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killor. ZY Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 258 Joe Buck of Angela and His Boy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes ofa Foundling. 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 ‘Tao Ted, tne Arizonn Sport. 510 Cool Colorada, the Hall-Breed Detective, 515 Cool Colorado in New York. BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE, 86 Dandy Roék the Man from Texas. 90 ‘The Dreud Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. 99 The Viger of Taos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel, 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom, — + 181 The Golden Hand; or, Dandy Rock to the Rescue, 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge 3 or, Hunted to Death, 178 Dandy Rock’s Rivals or, The tiaunted Maid of Taos. BY CAP. J. F. ©. ADAMS. 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Glasa-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whifilews Pet; or, In The Valley of Death, 60 The White Indian; or, The Scovt of the Yellowstone, 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; er, The Greenhorn in the Woods, 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buckram }; or, Bess, the Female Trapper, : 247 Old Grizzly and His Peta; or, The Wild Huntress. 251 Light-house Lige; or, Osceola, the Firebrand. 257 The Lost Hunters; or, The Undergroun4 Camp. 288 The Scalp King ; «r, The Human Thunderbolt. BY ROGER STARBUCK. 25 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar. 259 The Golden Hlaxpoon 3 or, Loat Among the Floes. 848 Fire-Heela; or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow, 854 Big Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp; or, The Odd Pardes. B61 The Phantom Light-house, 870 Breaker Hen, the Reef-Runner. BY WILLIAM VP, EYSTER. 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards. BY COLONEL DELLE SARA, 108 The Lion of the Scan; or, The Vailed Lady. 186 Cool Desmond; or, The Gambler’s Big Game, BY JAMES L. BOWEN 107 One-Eyed Sim; or, The Abandoned Forest Home. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies, A Story of Texas. BY ©. DUNNING CLARKE. 185 Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy” of the Mountains. 280 The Yankee Rajah} or, The Fate of the Black Shereef. BY GEORGE ©, JENKS, 455 Git Thar Owney the Unknown, 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. ; BY OAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, U. 8. A. 191 umole Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker; or, The Doomed rteen. : 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, ‘BY ONARLES E. LASALLE. 50 Kurt Bunkér, the Trapper. 52 The White Buffalo. A Tale of the Northwest BY JOIN J. MARSHALL, 40 Roving Ben. A Story ofa Y. American. 97 The Outlaw Brothers; or, The’ Captive of the Harpes. BY WM. G, PATTEN. 489 The Diamond & The Double Face of Bed Rock B19 Sertatn Myasater ae bive’in Gans 581 Dalsy bare the Sport trom Denver. BY MAJOR E. L. ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. > 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 ‘Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand.” 859 Duransroe Dave, the Young ‘nm ion V restlers 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective, B80 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. R90 Jaguar Joe, of the Mount.in Mail-Line, BY ae, 8. ELLIS, 6 Fill Slddon, T Ts 8 SNeth J peer or, The Captives of tne Frontier, 10 at Todd; or, pies of the Sioux Captive, 21 The Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners3 or, The Enchanted Island, " 182 The Hunted Hunter} or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steain Prairie Man. BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON. Three Trappers; or. The Mountsin Monster. are ree” Joe; or, The White Spirit of the Hills. ' BY FRANK DUMONT. 120 The Branded Hand; or, The Man of Mystery: 127 Wid-Fire, the Boss of the Road. ; 1 lue Blazes; or, The Break o’ Day Boys of Rosky Bar. 1 Ebony Dan; ar, The Rival Leagues. 85 Evil Eve: or. The Voltures of the Rio Granda Cents. No Double Numbers. BY JOSEPH E, BADGER, JR, 2 Vellowatone Jacky or, The Trapper. Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 HWurrteane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sanh The King ef the Plains. 186 Niqht-llawk Cit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch. 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in J-opardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. , 1814 The Boy Trailers ; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca W olf’; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider ; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide. 855 ‘The King of the Woods: or Damei Boone’s Last Trafh 449 Kit Fox, the Border Bey Detective. BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood; or, The Twelve Avengers. 66 Single Handy; or, A Life for a Life. 2 Mad Tom Weatern, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop. BY JACK FARRAGUT, : 815 Ned, the Cabin Bey. 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper, BY LIFUT. H. D. PERRY, U. 8, N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay, 180 The Sea Trallert 27, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point. BY HARRY HAZARD. 828 Arkansaw Jack; or, The Scourge of the Mines. 829 Red-Skin Tom bot The Demon’s Trail, $42 The Mountain Devil; or, Yellow Jack, the Outlaw, BY COL, A. F. HOLT. 99 Black Buckskin; or, The Masked Man of Death Canyon. pity iP onnete, the Knife-King. ‘ es eerie on 485 Little Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods. BY J. W. OSBON, 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck. BST Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow, 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner. BY FREDERICK DEWEY, 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots, Tangemund, the Desert Detective. z 542 The Canyon Parda. BY ARTHUR C, GRISSOM. 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kid, 5658 The Sure-Shot Pards, BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport.” MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS. 4 The Wild-Horse Munte Red 9 pends! biehene ree Pr Sen win ind sé ventures 0 aron Munchau ” 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean tote 14 Aladdiny or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe, (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages, 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Roblogon Crusoe. By Juan Lewis, oe Garber: By &, W Perse |) Ot The Red Firs «Ms 86 The Boy Clown; or, The Queen of the Arena. By Frank 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Rites; or, The Underground Camp, By Archie C, Irons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Missiselppi, By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. 98 Robin Wood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Mon of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. . 112 The Mad Hunter; or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe, 24 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George lerson. ; 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish, 148 Sharp Samy; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy, By J, Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trappers of, The Green Ranger of the Ye!- _lowstone. By Edward De 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New t Boy. By George L. A " ° 266 Killt’ar, the Guldes Davy Crockett» Crooked Tra By Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Ned Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Clift By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete. the Lively Lad from Leadville, By Lieu tenant Alired Th orne. 828 The Sky Betectlves or, A Boy's Fight for Life and Honos, "By Major Mickey Free. 850 ed Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother’s Re- Hhaltimare Been the Bootblack Detective, By A. P. Mors 65 Baltim ch. By Ge ses Gold-Dust Tomy or, Ben’s Double Match, py George H, f Morse, Call ian Joe’ Firat ( ore Hover sioner 78 ie Trail, By Colonel Thomas , n Chi 4 le 7% The Blnck hip. By Johe B Wareato tt ee Comanche Dick and His Three Invincible By B28 Berry J. jog D zard-Arm, the Dandy Sport, By Arthur F, Holt. he Cowboy Duke, hi dwt Br E59 Ariel, the Athletes By Devi DR A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Lib: in hy all einen tere ee nny en a READLE Awp +148, Pablishers, PR Wiilinm St ect, New York
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Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at tne Uniform Price of Five Cents. BEADLE’S«H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. | No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WITEELER, Deadwood Dick Novela. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers } or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance, 28 Buffalo Bens or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise, 85 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 49 Omaha OL; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. &! Deadwood Dick's Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 8 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine. 77 Corduroy Charlies or, Veadwood Dick’s Last Act, 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville, 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, the Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective, 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s mich. 188 Blonde Bll; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base. 149 A Game of Goldy or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. 166 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivels of the Road. 201 The Black Hills Jezebel; or, Deadwood Dick’s Ward. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Ad- venture. 217 Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. 221 Sugar-Coated Sam; or, ‘The Black Gown, 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. B09 penawend Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of regon, 821 Deadwood Dick’s« Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. $47 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- KINA 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. 862 Dealwees Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro nts. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City, 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds ; or, The Mystery of Joan orter. 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; er, A “Cute Cave.” 480 Deadwood Dick’sa Dust; or, The Chained Hand. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 448 Nickel-Plate Ned; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. 458 ee. Sam, o! Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full and, 459 Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- 465 Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at aim le 471 Bozeman Bill; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. 476 Humboldt Harry, tie Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Dog Detective. 481 Moll Myatery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr, in Deadwood, A491 Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Compact. 496 Monte Cristo, Jr.: or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance. 500 Deadwood Dick’s Diggtugs ; or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop. 508 Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance. 5615 Deadwood Dick’« Protegee. 522 Deadwood Dick’s Three. 529 Deadwood Dick's Danger Ducka, 5684 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt, 539 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Texas, 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoog. 549 Deadwood Dick on Ilia Mettle. 5654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Bick in Boston. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadetphia, 572 Deadwood Pick, Jr., in Chicago, Other Novela by E. L. Wheeler, 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf's or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludaoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bll; or, The Red Rifle Team, 69 Geld Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud Kobi or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner 3 or, Rosebud Rob on Hand, 88 Plhectograph PhIL; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reap nee, 92 Canada Chet; er, Oli Anaconda in Sitting Bull's Camp. 96 Watch-Eye ; or, Arnbé and Angels of a Great City, 18 Janek Hoyle the Young Speculator. 7 Gilt-Kdged Dick, the Sport Detective 1 Ciunamon Chip, the Girl Sport. % Bonanza Bill, Miner. 88 Boss Bob the King of Bootblacks, letelele cen 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road -Agent. 8 145 Guptata erret, the New York Detective; or, Boss Bob’s 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scampa, 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz te the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Bnoozer, the Boy Sharp: or, the Arab Detective, 286 Apallo Billy the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam's Secret ; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sterra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel ot Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven 3 or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll + the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll’s Victory. 285 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or. The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 8 Liza Jane, the Gir) Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. elley, Mickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia. 880 Little Quick-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville. 884 Kangaroo Kit: or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood, 858 First-Olass Fred, ‘he Gent trom Gopher, 868 Vreka Jim, the Gold-G:atherer}; or, The Lottery of Life 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 878 Nabob Ned 3, or, The Secret of Slab City. 882 Cool Kit. the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 885 Yreka Jim’s Joker}; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bicycle. Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 Wigh Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Sam Slabalides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Seulskin Sam, the Sparkler. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody) 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 9 — Phantom Spy or, The Pilot of the Prairie. eadly-Eye, the Ceanews Scout, fonder Robin Hood 3 or, The Prairie Rover. a ‘aney Frank ef Colorad @; or, The Trapper’s Trust, = gt er —— BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. 122 Phil Mardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Handsome IWarry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildtire, the Thoroughbred. Black Beas, Will Wildfire’s Racer. Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy, WII W ildtire in the Wooda, 165 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 170 A ‘Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, 174 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York, 79 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 88 The Hidden itand ; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 8? Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; cr, The Smugglers, SY Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. } Shadowed; or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life, Dark Paul, the Tiger King. Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. Tom Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 25 Som Charcoal the Premium Darky, 56 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. The Two * Blooda”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. Dick Dashaway ¢ or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. The Young Sharps? or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. | 289 Jolly Jim’« Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-HMound; or, The Young Thoroughbred. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Queker City. $24 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Levelers or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, Uhe Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty, 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman; or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 566 The Secret service Boy Detective. BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew, 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide, 81 Keen-Knuilfe, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 68 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Wawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Rollo, the Roy Kuanger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight, 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon, 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper, 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Cuptain, 202 Prospect Pete 3 or, The Young Outlaw Hunters. 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps. 218 Viger ‘Tom, the Texas Terror, 224 Dashing Dick; 7, Irapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildtire, the Yeung Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Be tective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised Guides or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, ‘the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxtire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon ; or, Ruinbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. A417 Wehbfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yeliowstone, 444 Little Buckskin, toe Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot Fred or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemte. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Baall, the Hermit Boy Trapper. 4 BY T. C. WARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Nights or, Th- Boy Spy of 76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Little Hunter, AZ Nightingale Nat; or, Toe Forest Captains, Pandy Bri or, tie Ontlaws of the Oregon Trait, {t Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack; or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 reve Lynch, Jr.¢ or, The Boy Vivilante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tom 3. or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkanaagayw ; or, The Quen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullets or, Little Tovknov’s Crusade, $L Plueky Phils or, Rosn, the Re! Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tie Roughs of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apoli , the King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winch; or, The Buckskin Desperadoes, 294 Dynamite Dany or, The Bowle Blade of Cochetopa, 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully, 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pards; or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Larso. 845 Pitilesas Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret, BSG Coot am ve Par'sgo The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, ‘he B) ccuneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob: or. The | win Champions of Blue Blazes. 411 The Silken Lasso; or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler, 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The Olty Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pizeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; ©, Felix Fox’s Hunt. A777? The Excelsior Sports or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. 521 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the bowery Shadows, BSS Dodger Dich, the Dock Ferret, 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, fhe Rival Boy Detectives. 558 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Roy Vidoeq, 578 The Two Shadows, 641 BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, Dirks or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 62 The Shadow sh 02 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Sinuggier. 11 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 16 The Hussar Captain 3 or, ‘Nhe Hermit of Hell Gate, 97 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 04 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport. 216 Rison BILL, the Prince of the Reins. 222 Grit, the Bravo Sports or, The Woman Trailer. 229 Crimson Kate}; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 237 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy ; or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 ore Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure Siand, 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 erie Monte’s Crulse; or, The Chise of “The Gole on rp 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirate’s Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler, BOS Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long rail, 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover}; or, The Flagless Schooner, B88 The Indian Pilots or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath Will, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Isodor, the Young Conxpirator ; or, The Fatal League. | 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. , 412 The Wild Yachtaman; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise. 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly 3 or, A Middy’s Vergennce. 446 Haphazard Harry 3 or, The Scapegrace of the Sea. 450 Wizard Wills or, The Boy Ferre. of New York, 454 Wizard WII’ Street Scouts. 462 The Born Guide; or. The Saiior Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Nea, the Boy Conster. 474 Flora; or, Wiaard Will’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Will’s Last Case. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revoiver Kanger. 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King of thy Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ¢ or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 507 The Hunted Midshipman. 5611 The Outiawed Middy. 520 Buckskin BILL, the Comanche Shadow 525 Brothers in Buckskin, 580 The Buckskin Bowers. 585 The Bue skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marander ot the Rio, 545 Licutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’«s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son 555 The Creole Corsatr. 560 Pawnee BIL, the Prairie Shadower, 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen, 5675 The Surgeon-Scout Detective, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. Bb??? Pavement Pete, the Secret Sifter, By Jo Pierce. 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. By Edward L. Wheeler, 579 The Chimney Spy; or; Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party, By J. C. Cowdrick. 580 The Outcnst Cadets or, The False Detective’ By Col. Prentiss Ingranam, 581 Deusis lurve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. ‘By George C, enks, B82 Dodger Dick’s Drop. By T. C. Harbaugh. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man Witl a Shadow. By Lieut, A. K, Sima, B84 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver, by Ed. L, Wheeler, BSS Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. “ By ti. Enton. &R6 The Buckskin Avenger. | By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, B87 Old Bombshell, the Ringer Detective. By Wm, G. Patten, BSS Jack-o-Lantern, the Under-Sen Prospector. By Jo Pierce. 589 Tom-Cat and Purd; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. By Lieut. A. K, Sims 590 Dendwood Dick, Jr’s,, Decree, Py E. L.. Wheeler. 591 Lrelmonte, the Young Sea Rover, By Col. P Ingraham. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. By J. C, Cowdrick. 598 Keen Clem, the Kanch Imp. By P. 8. Warne. 594 Little Lon, ‘the Street-Singer Detective: | By T. C. Harbaugh, 585 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Beelzebub’s Basin. By E. heeler. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. By Chas, orris. 597 The Tens Texan Detective. By Col. P. Ingraham. BPs Flute, the Singer Detective, By Geo. C. Jenks. 599 Jim Dandy, the No-Name Sport. By P. S, Warne. 600 Deadwood Dick Jr. at Coney Island, By Edward L. Heeler, 601 Happy Hans, the Dutch Vidocq; or, Red-Hot Times at Round-Up. . By Lieut. A- K, Sins. 602 The Vagubond of the Mines, By Col. P. Ingraham. 608 Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. By Jo. Pierce. 604 Iron Fern, the Mun of Fite. By Wm. G, Patten. 605 William 0’ Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big In- ning. By J, C. Cowdrick. 606 Deadwood Dick Jr’s Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and Bneket’s .. coms By E. L. heeler, 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. By Col. P. Ingranam. 608 The Pitcher Betective’s Foll; or, Double Curve Dan’e Double Play. By Geo, C, Jenks. . 609 Bolly Derrit, the ' etersn Detective; or, Little Lightning’s Invinei*les. By John W. Osbon. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard. By T. C. Harbaugh. Ready / pril 2. 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules; or, The Tussle at T ble Mountain, By Lieut. A. K, Sims. Ready April 9. 612 Deadwood Diek Jr. in Detroit; or, Turning the Tablee on Satan. By Edward L. Wheeler. Reody April 16. . 618 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. By P.S. Warne. Ready April 23. — 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Ald; or, The Queer Com- 1 enon By Jo Wloree.: Rede a) a eva ti 615 Fighting Warry, the Chief of Chained Cyclone; or, The Heathen Chinee’s M ission, By J. C, Cowdrick. Ready May 4. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Walf-Dime Library ‘e for sale by all newsdeslers, five centa’per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 4 98 William Street, New York,