Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 468) (1886 07 13)
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Splalla! im m hk SQ) KWH \ Ad (| NSS Wol, XVIUIL. Bs sate PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, _Copyright, 1886, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, July 13, 1886. No. 468. Price, No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. Pirate in Spite of Himself. AUTHOR OF ‘‘wiIZARD WILL,” “A CABIN ROy’s LUCK,” ‘* DUNCAN DARE, THE Boy REFUGE,” ETC., ETO, CHAPTER I. THE FISHER LAD A BOY stood upon a rocky cliff, jutting ont into the sea like the huge bow of some ship of the line, and commanding an expansive view of the rock-bound coast not very far from where the Kennebec River flows into the Atlantic. A boy of fifteen, with a handsome, manly face, bold as an Indian's, and almost as brown, with eyes that wore that far-away look which comes to those accustomed to gaze at objects at NAN = \ KEDGE. AND IT DROPPED INTO THE BOW OF THE DYING MAN’S BOAT.
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ae a great distance, and a form lithe, graceful and well-developed tor his years. ia : His hair was long, waving, and of chestnut ‘hue, an exact match in color for his expressive Ry: eyes, and the fierce wind then blowing waved ; the locks about his shoulders and added to his picturesque attitude, for he stood leaning upon / a small rifle, each hand resting upon the muz- le. ; Athis feet, which were bare and brown, yet ' shapely, lay a string of game, proofs of his un- erring aim—squirrels, quail, and a duck. He wore a blue woolen shirt, with a black a scarf, tied in a sailor knot-about the neck, anda ‘s pair of duck pants, soiled by his hunt in the for- est, and upon his head was a tarpaulin. a He was attentively watching the storm, for the skies were overcast with many storm- ’ clouds, and the sea was wild under the force of " the angry wind, and rolling in in huge breakers, broke against the cliff with a force that made it tremble. _ “It is a bad blow, and I'll have to sleep in my boat, or walk home, for it’s too rough to at- tempt running along the coast to the cove,” he y muttered. A A moment after he said: Ey “111 walk home, for mother might be anx- ay ious about me, as there is such a storm on the sea; it’s a long way, but ll walk it in a couple 4 what I need for the journey. ae “¢ Ah me! I do wish I could make some money : and give mother and father a better name, but a Ican see no way now, though if war broke out : I might do better. ; ‘© 1 T had more money I’d go down to Boston to school, for I wish to learn something and_be- come a great man. “But no, I am only a poor fisher lad, and since father was crippled I have to work pretty hard for food for us all— Why what is that?” be said suddenly, as he was about to start for home, and his eyes fell upon an object out upon the ocean. oa “Jt is a boat, as true as I live,” and making a telescope of his hand he continued: “Tt is a white boat, and there is surely some- body in it—there! as she rises on that wave I ean see that there is some one in it, and she is - fast coming ashore.” & A moment he stood gazing at the boat, and e: then said hastily: ss “Tf it rounds Bald Head Island, it will come jo: right here and dash against the cliff, and Ba). nothing will save the one in it. 7 ote tt went the other side of Bald Head it o would get into smooth water and be beached bar upon Sandy Point. 7S “J wonder if I have not time to go out and a tow it in on the other side of Bald Head? fo “Tis a great risk, but I'll try.” r So saying he threw his rifle over his shoulder, picked up his game, and ran back along the ridge until he reached a path leading down to the sea-shore, where there was a basin, sheltered J by the island he had called Bald Head. ma Here lay a surf-skiff, one of those stanch ‘ ‘but light craft so much used by the rugged ; fishermen of Maine years ago, and as stiff as a Zz life-boat. 55 Ly, Laying aside his rifle, ammunition and game in gi a rocky nook, the boy sprung into the skiff, fey hoisted thesail and headed out over the waters toward the pass, between Bald Head Island and te a mass of ragged rocks. ey" The island was covered with a stunted growth ee CS of pines, and, rising above the sea some twenty (iis feet, formed a good anchorage behind it. ; = It was several hundred feet in length, and in + the center rose a barren rock with a round top, a from which it took its name. Running out to the island under full sail, the boy there luffed up sharp, and reefed down until the canvas spread was very small. Then he threw his ballast-bag to windward, ~ adding his own weight, and that like an arrow eut from under the lee, into the narrow pass between the island and the reef. RS Through the wild waters he dashed, his surf- : skiff leaping wildly, but he cleared the passage owes without tacking, and held on out into the ocean, i; riding the large waves better than he had the -chop seas near shore. } is face was pale but resolute, and bis keen -eyes were sweeping the waters for the boat he shad descried from the cliff. “There she is!” he cried, as he discerned it, ‘and instantly he threw his ballast-bag to star- oer. put his helm hard down, and went t a +. ao 3.) He now had the wind abeam, and the surf- am : skiff lurched low at times, lay well over, an of . weemed fairly to fly; but the brave boy lay far Neptu of hours, I guess, though bare feet are not just | out to windward, his ballast-bag of sand was laid upon the gunwale, and he felt that he could reach the drifting boat all right if he could only then get back into the passage through which he had come. If he failed, he knew death was certain, for no vessel could stem the rush of waters around the west point of Bald Head Island, which rush- ed in huge seas against the base of the cliff upon which he had been standing when he sighted the boat off upon the waters. But though a mere boy, the brave little fellow seemed to have mastered the knowledge of sea- manship, and cared little for the huge waves and howling winds, could he be able to reach the boat in time to work off again from the dan- ger with it in tow and regain the channel by which he had gone out. It was a race between pluck and death, with the chances in favor of the latter. As he drew near the boat he saw its occupant half rise, wave a hand toward him in a feeble way, and fall back, ‘Tf I can reach the boat before it strikes the surf, I can save him; if not, I must die, too,” said the brave boy, as his little surf-skiff leaped over the storm-swept waters. CHAPTER II. THE FIGHT FOR LIFE, As the fisher lad drew near the drifting boat, he arranged to run to windward of it, and drop the little anchor of his skiff into its bows. Holding the tiller aga nst his knee, he tied the cable to the length he deemed about right, doubled it, and had all ready to cast it into the boat as he swept by. He seemed to understand just what was best to be done and how to do it. He then kept his eye on the one he meant to try and rescue, and saw that there was but one occupant, as far as he could discover as his little craft rose on the top of a wave. The boat was a life-boat from some ship, light upon the waters, high gunwales, and some six- teen feet long. “She’s about as long as my skiff, and it will be a hard tug to tow her off against this sea and gale,” he muttered; but though he knew he had ample time to put about, and thus escape death himself, he did not do so, for he had resolved to eo the one whom he had noticed in the life- at, He -was now within a very short distance of it, and hailed: ‘¢ Ahoy, the life-boat!” *“ Ahoy!” came feebly back, and again the head was raised above the gunwale. Are you able to help me a little?” The answer came back in the same feeble voice: ‘*No; I am dying.” “TPve got todo the best I can, then,” mut- tered the brave boy, and he nerved himself for the task, adding: ‘‘If he could only steer this boat, after I get her in tow, it would help im- mensely.” Another moment and he was almost alongside of the life-boat, and, seizing the kedge, he called out: *‘ Don’t you see where you are?” The head was feebly raised once more, and then the Boy Coaster cast the kedge, and it dropped into the bows of the dying man's boat. At thesame moment he went up into the wind to go about. hen came the tightening of the cable, the erk, the turning around of the bows of the life- oat, and the hae gave a shout at his success, which. was ech by a feeble ery from the oc- cupant of the boat, for the little anchor had caught a good hold. As the life-boat felt the pull upon it, it leaped terribly; but the boy held steadily on, back over his course, well knowing that he had not a mo- ment to lose. One moment the surf-skiff was down in the hollow of the sea and the life-boat far above it, and then, their positions were reversed, Then the skiff climbed up the side of a huge wave, while the life-boat was out of sight beyond one its leader had just gone over. The boy held his tiller firmly, easing his skiff all in his power, holding his sheet-rope in one hand also, ready to let off, or haul taut, as the case needed, and paying close attention also to ius how he met the seas, and dragged the life- t after him. Then his eyes constantly sought the island, to note the speed at which he was going, and he shuddered as he saw that he was barely mak- ing headway. ‘aking a point on the cliff and the end of the island as a guide, he did not look at it again for \ Faster. | | Sa ee SSS ee ° Se * — nearly ten minutes, and then he saw that the ob- ject had disappeared which he had taken asa. guide. The one in the life-boat now and then feebly raised his head to note the result, and then dropped back again, as though the effort had | been prostrating. Seeing this the boy called: “ We are all right, though its slow work.” ‘And slow work it was, and the boy was not sure about being all right, for the sea was fore- ing him rgernh toward the rocky island, Senin which the waves pounded with terrific orce. Could he round the point, he would be *¢ alll right;” but it was a question as to whether he See - make it, or be dashed against the rocky shore. _. To cast the life-boat adrift the boy could make it alone, be knew; but he would. not desert the one he had so imperiled his life to save, and he stuck manfully to his work. Nearer and nearer he drew to the pass between the island and the reef, and nearer and nearer he drew to the ragged shore. ‘¢ Will I make it?” he muttered, and his face was anxious, though yet full of pluck. 4 “ Another moment will tell whether I can round the island into the channel], or be dashed to pieces on the rocks,” muttered the boy, and the one in the life-boat, as thotigh also realizing the full importance of a minute of time, again raised his head over the gunwale, glanced at the: island so dangerously near, at the channel-way,. and then at the brave boy. “You cannot make it, my brave boy, so cut loose and save yourself,” cried the man in the life-boat, his voice hardly audible. “T will not desert you now, sir! I will make the channel, or go on the rocks with you,” came back defiantly from the brave boy’s lips. Then followed a moment of awful agony, the skiff shot ahead into the channel, the life-boat round, as though to go upon the rocks, a /and for asecond as though it would drag the towing craft with her; but the boy hauled his sheet-rope more taut, and though laying fright- fully far over, it helped, and he man so nearly lost was hauled away from his danger. Then, as the surf-skiff shot into the channel before the wind, and swept away toward quiet waters, drawing the life-boat after it, the an- imal spirits of the plucky boy broke forth in one long, wild shout of triumph at bis grand strug- gle and victory over the gale, the sea, the rocks and what had seemed at one time to be sure death. CHAPTER III. THE MYSTERIOUS TRIO, Somr weeks previous to the scene narrated in the foregoing chapters, a small pleasure-boat was sailing swiftly away from the coast of Eng- land, before a stiff breeze. It was ce ay and the boat seemed to fairly fly over the waters; while at her helm, st her destinies, was an old hag, witch- ike in her appearance. Her hair was white, worn loose, and floated about her in tangled masses, as the wind played with it. Her eyes were black as ink, deep-set, fiery and soda while her bronzed face was shriveled and stern, | She was dressed in a blood-red gown, wore a black sash about her waist, and a band of silver around her head, upon which was perched in front a stuffed owl. ; About her neck were strings of beads, human teeth, shells and links of gold, and altogether she was a weird-looking creature, The boat was a handsome one, some three tons measurement, with a small cabin, and sloop rig. Evidently it was the pleasure craft, or yacht, from some home of wealth along the coast. The woman was not the only occupant, how- ever, for just forward of the cabin sat two per- “T seea sail dead ahead, good Mother Molsey,” said the young man, who had a spyglass in is hand, with which he often pedo the sea, “Tt is one of the American clipper ships, I guess; just what we wis f the woman at the helm, her voice seeming and stern. ”» was the answer 9 | |
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‘Then we are safe; but I hate to see you go i back all alone, as we have about dropped the ; land from sight,” said the young, —:.:n. “‘T do not mind it, for sea and luud are alike / my home, and this yacht will be safely at her | » anchorage before dawn, and no one know that : she has left. it to-night. “* Keep your eye upon the vessel, and let me know how she,heads,” and the woman spoke iu * a commanding tone. : ; ‘*T see the vessel now, and she is coming towards us, it seems,” remarked the maiden, as . she glanced out over the moonlit waters, “ Yes, but is not a packet as Mother Molsey thought, for they are merely clipper ships, or barques, and this is a brig; but her course leads me to think she is America bound.” ‘* T hope so, for we will then be safe,” was the maideu’s low reply. In fully an hour more the vessel was not very far off, a signal was made with a lantern from the yacht, and then came the hail in the voice of the maid helmsman. ** Ahoy, the brig!” ‘‘ Ho, the yacht!” was the response in gruff tones, ‘* Whither bound?” “‘ To Boston.in America,” “ T have two passengers for you.” ‘¢ This is not a passenger packet.” “Tt matters not; you'll be well paid for your ~ trouble, and they are not particular as to ac- commodations.” ‘“« Tt is worth a hundred pounds.” *« You shall have it.” “¢ All right, I'll round to, and you run along- : side to leeward.” , A moment after the yacht glided under the “lee of. the brig, and the three on her decks boarded the vessel, while some of the crew made the little craft fast alongside. ‘© A witch, as I’m a sinner!” cried the boat- swain, as he caught sight of the strange looking woman, who went into the cabin with the young man and. maiden. ‘‘ Here is your price, captain, and you can land us in Boston,” and the young man handed the skipper of tne brig a bag of gold as he spoke, Pe All right, mate, I'll get you there safe and sound; but don’t say that queer thing is going,” . and the captain looked at the woman. ** No, she goes back in the yacht,” was the ~ cold response of the young man, who then turned and offered his hand to the woman, who ! had just kissed the maiden farewell. ‘* Write to me, and expect to hear from me in ~ return. ** Good-by, and as you are gocd to her, somay : be ha » and the woman left the cabin _ you PPY; , ’ sprung upon the yacht, cast a handful of dust that looked like fiery sparks, after the brig and « sailed away. barry Siena us, mates,” muttered a sailor. ' Yes, we'll never get safe to port, and the - skipper was a fool to let her board us,” said : another. é ‘‘T think she was a witch, and if so, the brig is doomed,” replied a third, and as the yacht disappeared from sight, and the brig sailed on its way over the moonlit waters, the crew be- -came more and more impressed with the fact that bad luck would follow in their wake during -the voyage. CHAPTER IV. THE ILL-OMENED PAIR. : A MONTH has passed, and the brig, which took on board the mysterious couple, is off the coast of Newfoundland. A terrible storm is raging, the topmasts have ‘been carried away, and driving before the gale she wallows fearfully. _ Her crew stand at their posts, grim, silent, and dreading the worst, for the vessel has had quent but ill-fortune on her run across the At- antic, ; ? First a mate took sick and died, and one ‘night soon after the boatswain had sprung into the sea, taking his own life, though why, none uf his messmates knew. A few days following a leak had been sprun: Yorward,’and in a blow that followed one of the men had been washed overboard. ‘‘]t’s the queering the old witch gave us,” mnurmered a sailor, and his words were agreed to by all. ’ Z dot the couple of pampenger®, they were ve syet, remained by themselves all they could, to om spoke unless addressed, and seemed to raat 4 content with their position on board the ue Tak ‘rr ving off Newfoundland a terrific gale _ Sprungup, and the vessel was driven along at 5 Weptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. lost. The night was one of dread, and yet the young couple never came on deck to ask regard- ing their danger. Rowan morning the leak broke out afresh; the vessel was old, and it could not be kept down with the pumps, and the captain gave orders.to prepare the boats so that all hands could leave thessinking vessel. The seamen at once went aft in a body, and asked: i ill you take the two with us in the boats, ee Yes. ” ‘¢ Then we will not goin the boat with yon, sir, and you must remaln with them on the brig, for they are ill-omened folks, and have give us bad luck. ‘* Leave them here, sir, and we will be glad to have you go, but not with them,” said the spokesman of the crew. The captain stormed, urged, begged, but all to no purpose, and he was compelled to either remain with the ill-omened couple or go with the crew. Between the two alternatives he chose to save himself, and so the vessel was hove to, the boats were provisioned and lowered, then the men got into them, and away they pulled, leaving the couple in the cabin not knowing how they were being deserted The sun was well up in the heavens when the young man came on deck, He started, turned deadly pale, and hastily searched the ship. Not a soul could he find! The gale had blown itself ovt, and a dead calm had followed, which stilled the waters. Nowhere on the ocean was a sail or boat visi- ble, for aided by their canvas, the two boats had gone rapidly landward, and soon were out of sight. The brig was settling fast, and the young man knew his danger, It was evident that he was no sailor; but he was brave and strong, and the men had left the life-boat, which was the smallest of the three boats on board. It hung at the stern davits, and could be low- ered into the sea without much difficulty. But the brig was surely and rapidly going oy and the water was almost level with her decks. “T have not a moment to lose,” said the young man, and he darted into the cabin. A moment after he returned with the young woman, a carpet-bag, and a bundle of bed- clothing, while she had a tray of provisions, hastily gathered from the pantry. These were thrown into the life-boat, and both saw there was not a moment to be lost. A keg of water was then seized, and being but partially filled, the young man was going to fill it at the water-casks, when a warning cry from his beautiful companion warned him of his dan- ger, as well as did the lurch that the brig gave. __ Instantly he threw the cask into the boat, and it was lowered into the sea, the maiden standing by one rope and aiding. ‘Quick! spring into the boat, Vesta,” cried the man, and she obeyed. An instant after te followed her, and oars were seized and the life-boat urged swiftly away from the sinking vessel. But, not a second too soon, for the brig gave a fearful lurch, then a plunge and went bow first beneath the sea, causing a perfect cauldron of waters to follow her, and drawing the boat toward it with frightful genet But the man was strong, handled the oars with vigor and skill, and instead of following the brig down into the depths of the sea, the life-boat was left dancing upon the tossing waters. ‘We are saved!” cried the man joyfully. ‘From instant death, Melton, yes; but we are adrift upon the wide seas, in a frail boat, with but a few days’ provisions and water, and I feel that we will never reach the shore,” said the maiden sadly. “Do uot get blue, Vesta, for we will yet land and be happy,” was the reply, ‘“‘No, I feel that we will not, and the judg- ment has come upon us, for it was never intend- ed that your race and mine should be man and wife. ke with deep earnestness, but was yet calm in the face of her parley “That coward crew deserted us, or we might tremendous speed, and all feated she would be | now be safe, for they are sailors and know how . to reach the land, while we must wait to drift ashore, or hope to be picked up by some passinz vessel, ‘* But I do not give up hope, Vesta, not by any means, and I shall not say die until I feel all is lost,” was the plucky response of the young man. But the maiden was not imbued with his spirit, and seemed to have made up her mind that there was no hope, and so believing she be- gan to fail in strength from that moment. In vain was it that her husband strove to checr her, and urged her t» eat, drink and be hopeful ; she ate mechanically, and when night came on seemed much cast down. When the morning came there was no sail in sight, no land in view, and the young man was startled to see the change in his companion. Her face was haggard and her eyes sunken. ‘Why, Vesta, you must not lose your grip, for I tell you I have every hope for us,” he said. She smiled sadly, but made no reply, and thus another day and night passed. They had but little left in the way of food, and the woman seemed dying of thirst, and drank incessantly from their small supply of water. Another da wretched, an was dying. During the night her spirit left the body, and she just faded away like one going to sleep, say- ing sadly: ‘* Kiss me good-by, Melton.” He kissed her lips over and over again, until suddenly he uttered a wail of anguish, for he knew that she was dead. The night passed away and the day came, but he would not consign her body to the deep while she was with him, dead though she was; - va hope that she might yet live to see the and. He had eaten his last morsel of food, drained the last drop of water from the little’ tank, and could but await the end. His grief was intense also, and the pangs of hunger soon broke in upon his strong frame, and he felt that he must die, and soon. eae he raised himself and beheld land in sight. But it could but bring death to him, for there was a storm raging, and the sea was runnin very high, while the coast was forbidding an rocky in the extreme. He tried to raise himself to work, but was too weak, and fell back in the bottom of the boat by the body of his dead wife. Then he heard a hail, and yet was too feeble to answer it loudly. Then he beheld a strange sight—a mere boy daring danger and death to come to his rescue. But he could Jend the plucky fellow no aid and could merely utter a prayer when he foun his life-boat taken in tow and dragged back from the jaws of death into which it was rush- ing. , fie saw the noble, brave fight for life that the boy was making, and he wished to have him save himself and leave him to his fate. But no! the brave fisher lad. was of sterner material than that, and so fought natwe in her angry mood, fought against death so gallantly that he at last won, and the life-boat, with its dead and living occupant, was saved from de- struction. found her still more weak and the man at last realized that she —— CHAPTER V. A*STRANGE LEGACY. Wuewn he had entered the channel-way, be- tween the ragged reefs and the Bold Head Island, the boy felt that he was safe, and his face blushed with pride at his success. But he held rapidly on before the wind until he ran into the cove, where his little boat had been, when he stood upon the cliff. Here he beached his skiff, and hauled the life- boat ashore on the sand: Then he turned his attention to caring for the one whom he had rescued. The boy started, as he beheld the dead form’ of the beautiful girl lying in the life-boat, which was one third ful! of water. The girl lcoked strangely life-like as she lay there, her arms folded eae across her breast, and there at her head half reclined the man, his body supported by the stern seat, his head resting upon the gunwale. ‘* You have saved me, and only to see me die,” he said, faintly: ‘ “* No, indeed, sir; for I've got my dinner here, which I have not eaten, and there’s a spring yon- der in the pines, and it’s just what you want,” said the lad, cheerily. :
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» x “Ah, my boy, I feel that I cannot live, and must follow poor Vesta.” “She is dead, sir?’ inquiringly said the boy, as he gazed in awe upon the beautiful face. ‘* Yes,” and the man could hardly articulate the word. So the boy ran to the spring with a gourd, and brought it back full of cold ater. Eagerly the man drank it, and it seemed he won never quench his thirst; but the lad re- strained him, and said: ‘¢-¥You must not drink too much now, sir; but I have something here for you to eat.” But he waved away the food, and said, faintly: ‘“*Too late!” Then he took from his pocket a key, and said, speaking evidently with the utmost difficulty: ““My boy, you are a brave lad, and risked your lifeto save mine. Do you live near here?” ‘¢ Two leagues away, sir, up the coast.” ‘* Who are you?” ‘* A fisher lad.” ‘¢One above his calling, I should say.” ‘* My father is a gentleman, sir, and was once rich; but weareé very poor now.” “Tam very glad I can help you, my boy; but ' will you dome a great favor?” ‘Yes, sir,” ‘“‘T have here a watch, ring, and scarf-pin, and you see upon the breast of this poor dead child a brooch, while upon her wrist is a brace- let, on her finger a ring. “Take them and mine, when I am dead, and keep them for the hands of one person only, ‘“Write to him and tell him that I married the woman I loved, and gave up title, wealth— all for her. ‘¢ Tell him we shipped upon a brig bound for America, and she went down, and you saved us, her dead body and my living one from being dashed to pieces upon the rocks. ‘You can write, can you not?” ‘Yes, sir; but I hope to be able to go toschool and learn more.” “Well, write to this address, and tell him how I died, and where I am buried, for you must bury me and poor Vesta. ‘Tell him you hold in your keeping my watch and other things, and her jewelry, and will give ’ it to his authorized agent for receiving them. “Tell him to give to Molsey, the Gypsy Queen, . my wife’s mother, the jewelry that belonged to Vesta, and tell her of our fate. “Then will we rest content in our graves. “‘ Now, my lad, in this carpet-sack are papers also for my brother’s hand, and you will find his nae and address here. ‘“« Also there is gold here, one thousand pounds, and some silver. ‘This is yours.” ‘*Oh, no!” ‘* Nay, I mean what I say, for it is yours, my lagacy to you, and it is mine to give, “He to whom I write gains much by my death, and is rich, and I ammore than happy in being able to help you.” “ But, sir, you may not die.” Q ‘Ah, my lad, I have no desire to live now, and so do not have pluck enough to hold on to life. *T am dying as I talk to you, and shall slip life’: cable as calmly as did my beautiful Vesta. ‘¢ Remember what I have told you.” “] will not forget, sir.” ‘And stay by me until I am dead.” “‘T will not leave you, sir,” said the brave boy, his eyes filled with tears, and then he added: ‘It’s only a few leagues inland, sir, to where the doctor lives, and I could go and fetch him, and perhaps he would save you.” ‘“No, my boy, nothing would save me now, for I am doomed. ** What is your name?” ‘*Ned, sir.” ‘*'Ned what?” ‘“My realname is Edward Everard, sir; but they call me Ned and Fisher Boy Ned.” ‘You promise then to obey my dying injunc- tion, Edward Everard?” “ I do, sir.” $e m it much depends, my lad, and I be- lieve I can trust you, so die with no dread you will deceive me. ‘‘Here, Edward, give me your hand and hold mive until I die; it will not be long that you will feel my pulse beating, for I feel that the end ~ goon must come. The boy sat'down on the gunwale of the boat, the hand of the dying man. The eyes of the man closed, his breathing be- eame isbored, and the poor boy, passing through a dread ordeal, did not move from his posi- EPP ne ae Re ey PP es The shadows deepened upon the sea and land, west and tinged the waters with a rosy light, as | it touched the horizon, and the boy took it as a ; good omen, for superstition ran rampant in ; those days. But, as his eyes fell upon the sea, glowing under the warm touches of the setting sun, a whisper broke through the parened lips of the dying man; but it reached the ears of the boy, and it was: ** Good-by!” Then the hand sli from the grasp of Ned Everard, and he ppes lone with the dead, CHAPTER YI. THE GRAVES BY THE SEA. Wuen Ned saw that the man was dead, the tears drop from his eyes in sorrow, for he had a tender heart, brave as he was, Then he spread a blanket over the two forms, lacing the man by the side of his wife in the ife-boat, which he hauled off from the shore and anchored, where it would be safe from any wild beast. Taking his rifle and game then in his skiff, he started for home by water, for the sea was running down and the fierce gale had blown it- self out. Still the ocean was wild enough to appall a heart less fearless than his from risking it, and night was now upon land and sea. unning along under the lee of the island for awhile, he then boldly sailed out into the wild waters, but the tide having begun to run out, there was no danger of his being swept irresist- ibly upon the rocky coast and dashed to pieces. here was an island here, an ugly rock there, and ragged reefs raised their threatening tops on‘every side; but Ned Everard seemed to know the waters thoroughly, and avoiding every peril, after a run of a couple of hours, rounded a bold headland and ran into a little basin that was so well sheltered that it was as calm as a mill-pond. Upon the hillside above where he ran his skiff ashore upon the sands a light glimmered, and, taking: his game, rifle and the carpet-bag, he made his way up the steep path to a small cabin of but three rooms. A dog growled as he approached, but recog- nizing him, came bounding to his side. ‘Ah, yes! you smell fresh meat, Tiger; but I’ve got something better than game in this bag,” said Ned. ust then the door of the cabin was thrown open, and a woman appeared. ‘Ts it Ned, Tiger?” she called out to the dog, trying to,penetrate the darkness as she spoke. ‘Yes, mother, I am home again, though I came pretty near staying away all night,” an- swered the boy. ‘ ‘It stormed so this afternoon that we were anxious about you, fearing you would attempt to round Bald Head Point in the storm,” said the woman, who was @ ladylike-looking person of thirty-five, dressed in homespun, and with a face full of character and gentleness. ‘* I did more than that, mother, as I will tell e,, replied the boy, entering the cabin and nding her the game as he spoke, while he placed the carpet-sack upon the floor. “My son, have you company with you?” asked a man, who was sea in an easy-chair near the large chimney, and whose leg was rest- ing upon a box, and splintered and bandaged as though broken, ‘t No, father, I have no company, but I have had, and I wish you to listen to me—you and mother—while I tell you a strange story.” And the boy sat down near his father, while his mother laid aside the game and came back to his side, for something in his manner and words impressed her with the feeling that he — indeed something of importance to tell them. With the deepest interest the mother and father listened to the story of Ned, and when he had told all, they discussed the matter over in all of its details. At last Mrs. Everard said: ‘* Ned, you will have to go to the town to- morrow, tell your story, and give up the papers and money.” ; ‘No, mother, I will do as I pledged I would to that poor man,” said the boy, bare “You will certainly let the judge know, for you will get into trouble if you do not.” “No, wife, I see no reason why others than ourselves should know of this matter, for I know well old Judge Wynan’s trickery, and he would appropriate the money and then ask a reward for sho ing where the bodies were to those who ht to claim Ww had a rig a eo? bees rare 2a ae Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. nee ee UUEUUUN EIR En: aU REE RR ERRORS ia ~~ 7 ) “Ned is right, and these bodies must be look-- | the sun broke through a rift of clouds in the | ed upon as merely drifting ashore; anu Ned cam go at dawn, take a pick and shovel, and bury them decently. 1 only wish I could be of some use, my poor boy.” ‘I will go with you, my son, and help you all I can, while I will take my English Book of Prayer and read over them the burial service.” ‘That is right, wife, and you can find a se- cluded burial-place, where'no one will find the graves, and Ned can simply say that he found their boat adrift, which will be the truth. “Then, Ned, I will tell you what you will have to do.” ** Yes, father.” “Go to England.” ** Oh, father!” “Husband!” “*Tt will be better than wre ‘‘ He can go to England, take the jewelry, and tell all that happened, and that the dying man gave to him the gold. “We can get aling, wife, for we can live on some of Ned’s money, and I am getting able now to hobble about, and can fish and help you some, carpet- bag.” nere were papers therein of an important. character. Some clothing marked with a crest, a few trinkets, the jewelry worn by the dead man and his wife, a thousan notes, and half a hundred dollars in silver. It was a fortune in those days, and the poor boy was as happy at his treasure as could be. “You will have to count this, Ned, and see just what you received, so as to be able to tell those to whom you go to tell your story.” ‘But, father, when sbull I go?” asked Ned, delighted at the Lipid of a sea voyage. ‘*My old friend Captain Samuels sails on the clipper ship Dreadnaught in about a week, and goes to London, so you had better go with him, and he will take good care of you. ‘*T shall work my way across, sir, for it will give me a good training on a large vessel, sir,’” said the plucky boy. ‘* Well, Samuels will let you do so, Iam sure.” ** And I shall come back in a brig, sir, so as to learn the different kinds of vessels, as you said, father, you would trust me to hanale a schooner~ and a sloop now.” * Indeed, I would, my boy, and your voyage will help you greatly; but now you must go to- bed, for you will be up bright and early in the morning,” So Ned retired to his little room, and wassoon fast asleep; but he was up bright and early, and, accompanied by his mother, set sail for the little cove where he had left the life-boat with its: dead crew. He found all as he had left it, and a secluded spot was found up a picturesque glen, back a few rods from the sea, and Ned dug a double: ave, a S it the unfortunate couple were placed, and above them Mrs. Everard read the service for the dead, after which the boy filled in the grave, Re powe: over it a quantity of fine straw, and mar fog the spot simply by a broken oar-blade. ‘ Then they returned home, towing the life- boat, and the next day Ned went up to the town to engage a berth upon the packet schooner. running to Boston, whence he was to take the Dreadnaught, clipper ship, for London. Ned also wished to make a few purchases for himself, of a new outfit and some things for his: mother, at the same time asking a boy friend of his to run down each week to see his parents during his absence, and to take bis place as: much as possible during his stay away- Bright-hearted was Ned when he entered the little Village, having run there in his skiff, but it was with a,heavy heart, several hours after, that he left if upon his return home, and why the change in his spirits the next chapter will disclose. CHAPTER VII. NEPTUNE NED. THERE was, in the village to which Ned Ever- ard had Pines a desperate character by the name of Carl Brewer, ut more Api cele Bs Neo on account of his long gray beard and hair. * The man was 4 desperado of the worst type and though white-haired and bearded, was not, over forty. Possessing ® large, powerful frame, and an ugly temper, he was ae all as one to shun a difficulty with, and the were glad hich he did when he went away on a voyage, e “Now let us look over the contents of the- pounds in gold; some bank--. ! }
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f / r] : { _ fro, and then he sprung toward the when his money gave out and he could nolonger get credit He was an Engli hman, and_had come to the little seaport as mate of a vessel that put in there in a crippled condition. Finding that the craft would take some weeks to repair, Carl Brewer left the work for the the crew to do. and went on a sprce. The result was that the captain sailed without him one nigbt, and since then the mate had made the village his home, going off on a cruise when he had no money, and upon his return boarding at.the best inn and keeping up bis dissipation while he had a dollar left. He had been captain of a coaster, mate, and foremast hand, and at one fime had disappeared for several years; but, just as the villagers be- gan to congratulate themselves on having gotten rid of him, he turned up with plenty of gold, while, to the surprise of all, bis black hair and beard had become white as snow. One day in the village he had come face to face with Skipper Everard, and the two seemed to recognize each other af a glance, while Neptune, as the desperado was called, gave a cry of rage and rushed upon the man before him, drawing a knife as he did so, Skipper Everard was then mate of a little trading-sloop running to Boston, but he was known to be a quiet man, very much of a gen- tleman in hismanners, and one who had without doubt seen better days. As Neptune rushed upon him, he drew back and warned him off; but the infuriated man, recognizing in him one against whom he had an old feud, heeded not the warning and sprung to the attack, his long-bladed knife raised for a fatal blow. ds Then came the crack of a pistol, and Neptune ai eo in bis tracks, e was not killed, but lay for several months at the inn, hovering between life and death; but at last he recovered and went to sea. A year or more he had been absent, and then he returned one day, and, as was his went, put up at the Anchor Inn, He had asked about Skipper Everard, and openly threatened that the feud between them should be settled before he again went to sea. Seated out on the piazza of the Inn, treating a number of village idlers to rum, his eyes fell beens Ned Everard as he approached, and he asked: ed: ‘* Whose brat is that?” ‘“‘That’s Skipper Everard’s boy,” answered one. ‘“‘T would have known it from his looks, for he resembles his mother immensely,” and the man’s face wore a wicked look as his eyes fol- lowed Ned who passed the inn and went on to the store. , : ; Having completed his purchases, rigged him- self out with a new belt and sailor’s knife, Ned carried all down to his boat, and then returned to the inn to see the captain of the. packet- schooner that was to sail the next afternoon, “Say, boy, are you the son of Ellen Vance?” gruffly called out Neptune as Ned passed near, “My mother’s name was Ellen Vance, but she is now Mrs. Everard,” answered Ned, who knew who the desperado was. “ And Louis Everard is your father?” sag, sir.” “Well, I hate them both, and I shall thrash you for their sakes,” and the man suddenly stretched out his hand, and, witbout rising from his chair, dragged the boy toward him. ‘Release, me, sir,” cried Ned with anger, while none of the crowd dared remonstrate. “‘] will release you, Phe young rascal, when I have marked you as I wish, for I'll clip your ears, and you can go home and tell your parents that Carl Brewer did it.” _ “Don’t you dare do it!” cried Ned, as the man held him with one hand while he put the other to his belt for his knife. ““T shall clip your ears, boy, and then kill your father, for I guess that will bring hi n to town.’ As he spoke, his face was white with wicked’ ness, and he arose to carry out his savage threat, But suddenly there was heard a warning cry and the desperado gave a cry Of anguish, as N, sprung from his grasp and staggered backward, his hand grasping the sailor knife he had just bought, and which he had driven to the hilt in the side of the huge villain. ; A moment did Neptune stand, swaying to and ] boy crying; “You have killed me, boy, but yous die “too!” But Ned sprung nimbly to one side and the bully ga he and fell his full length upon the piazza Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 5 ** Oh, sir, is he dead?” cried Ned in great dis- tress, as the landlord pent over him. ‘He is dead, Ned, and you did. but right, for he meant tocut your ears off; I saw it in his devilish look that he meant it. *“*Go, my boy, go home, and tell your parents that not one here will say you did other than right,” said the landlord. “Ay did you, my boy,” cried one. “Pid the boy not do right, lads?’ asked an- other. ‘That did he! Three cheers for Neptune Ned !” a voice cried, and the score of men about gave three rousing cheers. But Ned’s eyes were full of tears and he walked slowly away, engaged his berth on the schooner, told the captain he would board her as she ran out of the river, and then went to his boat, his heart full of conflicting emotions, for it was a sad blow to the boy to take human life, even in self-defense. CHAPTER VIII. THE DISCARDED LOVER, It was nearly sunset when *‘ Neptune Ned ”"— as he had been called, after he killed the huge sailor desperado, ‘‘ Neptune”—arrived at home, and he was in a quandary how to tell his parents just what had occurred. But he knew ‘that it must be done, and so, after having exhibited his purchases, he said: ‘*Father, do you remember the huge sailor you shot once, and whom they call Neptune?” Skipper Everard glanced quickly at the boy, and then at his wife, while he answored: "Yes, my son.” “Is he again in the village, Ned?” asked his mother anxiously. 4 Yes, mother, he returned several days ago. ‘*Then he will not rest, Louis, until he has taken your life,” and Mrs. Everard turned white with dread. ‘* Father, one night as I lay awake, after you had shot Neptune, I heard you and mother talk- ing together, and both of you seemed to feel that the man would seek your life, if he recoy- ered from the wound you had given him.” “Yes, my son, Carl Brewer is a desperate man, and I fear that it must be his life or mine; but I will not strike a meeting with him if it must come.” ‘*You need have no more dread of him, father, for you will never see him again.” ‘* What? has he gone to sea again?” ‘No, sir.” ‘* Then he has been killed in some drunken broil,” eagerly said the skipper. “ He bas been killed, father, but not in a drunked broil,” ‘* Ha! some brave fellow has given him his just deserts, ‘* Tell me what you know about it all, Ned.” “ Father, I killed.Carl Brewer !” Vad a thunderbolt suddenly struck the little cabin it could not have startled the fisherman and his wife more than did the words of their son. The skipper started, until the pain of bis broken leg caused him to ery out, and thus oe dropped into a chair as white as a ghost. ‘* You killed him?” gasped the mother, “Yes, mother, and I feel very badly about it; but if I have saved father’s life, it is better so; but he brought it upon himself, for he seized me in his strong gras | my arm and neck are blue where he pinched me,” and he rolled up his sleeve and drew down his shirt collar, showing the marks of the sailor’s hand, “ Tell us of it, my son,” said Louis Everard, and he gazed upon the boy with a look that was very unfathomable, for how could Ned have slain othen Ned teh all that bad en Ned told all that had occurred, and when he had finished his father said: Ay ** My son, you did only your duty, for that man would have marked you for life, as he threatened, and you have but saved my lifo at his hands, or me from taking his life. “You acted only in self-defense, and the justice will so acquit you; but let me tell you Pali ears edie f h d possessed nce ras of honor an s riches, while he dwelt in England. BY ‘He was your mother’s cousin, for she, too, is English, and he loved her as such a man as he was capable of loving. “T was then secretary to your mother’s father, who was a naval officer, and Carl Brew- er was a midshipman in the British Navy, but began to lead a wild and dissipated life that caused him to commit crime and have to leave Engiand—though he wrote your mother and OL eS told her that he would some day come back and claim her aS his wife, for at first, with her father’s consent, she had been engaged to him. ‘‘ Finding what a wicked man he was, your mother discarded him, telling him in her letter that she had really never loved him, and ex- pected to become my wife. ‘This letter Car] Brewer sent to your moth- er’s father, who would not permit his daughter to marry his poor secretary, so dismissed me from his service and sent her to a convent. “«Thither I went for her, however, and she escaped from her place, became my wife and we fled to America. "Fortune has not been kind to us, my son, for I have been able to give your mother but a poor home, as you know; but perhaps the future may be brighter for ys all.” ““T do not complain, husband, for Iam happy. poor as weare, and now I can dismiss the dread of death at the hands of Carl Brewer, my wick- ed cousin, whom I have feared ever since your meeting him in the village, and who meant us harm, Paniow, for his nature was cruel and re- vengeful, that he is buried, and I will send word by Ned to his kindred in England, that they may know his fate; and Louis, perhaps my father bas for- given me for running away with you, and all may yet be well.” ““T hope so; and Ned can find out all when he visits England,” answered the father, his thoughts going back to the past. ‘*] will do all that I can, father,” replied the boy; and then the three talked over the matter and it was decided that Mrs. Everard and Ned should go up to the village early in the morn- ing, and that the latter should surrender him- self to the judge for trial. This was done; but it was so clearly a case of self-defense that Ned was at once honorably ac- quitted by the justice, with the remark that he had done the village a service in ridding it of so vile a character. Then Mrs. Everard saw that the dead sailor was decently buried, his effects were given into her keeping hy the judge, when she made known the kinship between them, and placing them in Ned’s hands to take to England, as po if of Carl Brewer’s death, the two returned ome, That afternoon at sunset the mother rowed out in the little skiff with her son, farewells were said, as he hoarded the packet schooner, and Neptune Ned had started upon his mission to England, bearing the tidings of threc deaths in the far-away land of America. CHAPTER IX. NEPTUNE NED’S MISSION. MELTON MANOR-house was a grand old home, one of the grandest in England, with its numer- ous wings, towers and broad hallways. Thousands of acres surrounded it, and its ser- vants were counted by the score. But a change had come over the old home from what it was a year prior to the opening of this story. Then the old lord:and master had dwelt there, alone with his wife and his two sons. One of them was an officer in the British Navy, and the other was a book-worm and de- voted his days to study and quiet enjoyment of home life. The latter was the heir to the title and estates, and while he remained at home with bis parents the brother roamed the seas, a dashing, daring young sailor, But a shadow fell upcn Melton Manor-house, for the young noble, with no love for the fair maidens of his social position, turned his gaze upon one of a strange race, the fair young ueen of a Gypsy tribe that had camped upon the broad acres of the nobleman’s home. He had been one day waylaid by two rough men, while strolling along the shore of the sea, and that his death would have followed is cer- tain had not a maiden suddenly appeared upon the scene, _ That maiden was Vesta, the Gypsy Queen, and such good service did she render that she saved the life of the young lord, who from that day became her slave. He told bis parents of his infatuation for the Gypsy girl, and it was said that his mother never recovered from the shock, that one of her race should love one of a wandering tribe. Be that as it may, she certainly died soon after, and after seeing her laid away _in her grave the young heir deliberately asked his a to allow him to marry the beautiful esta. A scene followed, which ended in a threat te Now that he is dead, however, we must see 4
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oe RAS Se tT ee Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster, — 4 send young Lord Melton to an asylum, and that “Yes,” the keeper answered, willing te humor | ca, and how the hatred of Carl Brewer had in ' night he fled from his home carrying with him | him. the end brought bim to his death. his bride, whom he wedded before his depar- The man departed, and soon called to Nep- The commodore listened attentively, but was : ture. tune Ned to approach. a man of little heart, and he heard the story : The old Queen of the Gypsies, Molsey, took The keeper would have gone, too, but was | without emotion, and said that Mrs. Everard the yours couple to sea in the Melton yacht, to told to remain where he was, and Ned was led | had chosen her path in life, and was no longer r) head off an America-bound vessel, as the reader | to a large red tent some distance poet & kindred of those she had left in England, while ‘ has see Within it, lying upon a cot, was Molsey, the | he had cast her off at the time of her marriage, n. / Finding that his son had fled, and with him | one who had run the P pany out to the brig, and | and therefore did not longer regard her as - the Gypsy, Queen, the old noble was so infuri- | whom the sailors had said had “ queered” the | daughter of his. ated that it brought on a disease, with which he | vessel, giving them ill-omen. ‘My mother asks no favors at your hands,.. had long been a sufferer, in its most virulent “You would see me, boy?” she asked in a sir, and [am_not here as a beggar! form, and he soon followed his wife to the | harsh voice, motioning for the man to depart. “But for the fact that I had to make known” ave. “Yes, madam,” and Ned, with innate polite- | to you, as his former guardian, the death of Thus Melton Manor-house became closed, only*| ness, removed his cap. Carl Brewer, I would not have come,” said Ned : a few faithful servants remaining there to await “ Who is it you would see?” asked the woman | hotly, angered at the manner of the old commo- the return of its runaway heir. in a tone of some suspicion. dure. It was to this deserted house that Neptune “ graf the Gypsy Queen.” . “ Ah! you_have that rebellious spirit of all Ned wended his way one afternoon, going on “Tam Molsey, and Roderick said that you | Americans, I see, boy and even beard me in: foot along a green lane that wound toward the | came from my child, the Lady Melton?” my own bome,” replied the amazed old seaman. . ‘ ‘¢T came to England with messages from Lord It is not my intention, sir, to be disrespect- ) Melon to his brother and to you.’ ful to my grandfather, but I do not care to hear “ And sent my child no word to me?” sharply | my mother referred to as though she had com- ) asked the woman. mitted some crime. Ned hardly knew what to say, but after an “Give me a receipt, sir, please, for these, instant of hesitation answered: things of Carl Brewer's, and I will depart at “Tam sorry tosay that I bear to you only | once.” bad news.” “You have spirit, my ‘boy, and if you will : The woman sprung to her feet and asked | give up your home in America, yes, your par-~ hoarsely: , ents, I will adopt you and get youa midship- old mansion, He had taken passage from Boston on the clipper shi Dreadnaught, and arrived safely in London, where his inquiries had directed him how to find Melton Manor-house. * As he reached the massive gateway leading into the ornamental grounds surrounding the handsome mansion, he beheld there an old man with gray bair, who was watching him. ‘Ts this Melton Manor-house, sir?” he asked, raising his cap politely. ‘‘ Boy, does my child live?” man’s berth in the British Navy.” |’ ‘Yes, lad, and what do you want here?” was “No, madam, she is dead.” *T thank you, sir, but I aman American boy, i the reply. “* And Lord Melton?” and I would not wish to enter the English ser~ “ T wish to see Lord Melton, sir?” ‘Ts also dead.” vice, while I love my parents too dearly to give ; “1f you mean the old lord, my lad, he lies wver yonder in his grave; if you mean the young master, he ran away with a Gypsy maid, and is wandering in foreign parts.” ‘‘T wished to see the elder gentleman, sir, for I came from the young master with messages to his father.” “Ah! so?’ said the old man, with surprise. “Yes, sir; but where is the brother of Lord Melton?” She sunk down ps as her knees, bent her face | them up ” was the spirited reply. to the earth, and thus remained for some mo- " Well, you will go the way that Carl Brewer ments. did, and some day be han ed, if you are not At last she said calmly, as she arose: murdered for some act,” hotly: said: the old com - ‘Tell me all you have to tell.” modore. . In his own way Neptune Ned told the story of Ned’s face flushed; but he made no reply; and the shipwreck, and his finding the boat drifting | bowing, left the room and the house. ashore, and how he went to its rescue only to Having accomplished his mission wholly, the see Lord Melton die soon after. boy returned to London; and after seeing the He gave the old Gypsy Queen the jewelry he | sights fora few days ee in atrim brig j ‘¢ At sea in his vessel.” had which had belonged to poor Vesta, and told | bound to Jamaica, from whence he intended to . “And who is here that I can communicate her how he had with his mother buried the two re-ship for New York and thence home, for he . with, sir?” side by side. ~~ was anxious to get all the sea experience that he ‘ ae Sie drive you there in my cart, 50 you can see her, | reached the ears of the dusky people a wail of “Oh, sir, you are very kind,” said Ned, and ah he and we can get back by nightfall.” ang ish arose. he was at once installed in the cabin as a kindof . eo \ “J will thank you, sir, 1f you will take me hen ali counted the strokes, sounded by the | supercargo. 7 ad there,” answered Neptune ed, and half an|old woman, and when one score had been e captain, mates and crew all took a fancy a a hour after the two were in a small cart going | struck, loud cries were heard on all sides, for | to him, and whenever there was work alow or WEF e.! through tbe forest to the camp of old Molsey, | that number told that Vesta the Gypsy Queen | aloft to be done, Ned lent a ready hand, and" | ae a, the Gypsy. was dead. showed a skill beyond his years. d : es - “ Come, lad, let. us get away from this howl- The brig was a fleet sailer, some three hundred a ei Bi CHAPTER X. ing gang,” cried the old keeper, in alarm, and | tons burden, and had a crew of twenty-three all Ss NEPTUNE NED'S PLEDGE KEPT. whipping up his horse, they drove rapidly away told, with a broadside of .two twelve-pounders, { ; iy one Tux Gypsy camp was situated ma most pic- | from the Gypsy camp- and a pivot stern chaser, an eighteen-pounder, j | a nL, turesque spot, inthe midst of a vast woodland — to protect her in flight. { ee bordering upon the sea. CHAPTER XI. In those days pirates swept the seas. and @ | I There were fully two-score tents and wagons, bright lookout was kept fcr any strange sail. AY | ee eae and nearly two hundred of these dusky children THE CHASE. ed was anxious to take his trick aloft, and a oe of the forest, and the eyes of all rested upon the As the guest of the good keeper of the home | one evening, just as the sun set, be called out: Be. ot -old keeper and Neptune Ned as they drove up. | of the tons, Neptune Ned remained all “Sail, ho!” . a ee “What is wanted?’ asked a brawny fellow, night, and the next day set out upon his trip to| ‘ Whereaway,. lad” asked the captain; who: 7m addressing the keeper. visit the kindred of Carl Brewer, and make | was on deck. ; es “This lad wishes to see your queen.” known his death. “ Almost dead ahead, sir, one half point off ~.. Faas «J will see if. she will speak with him,” and The few effects left by the dead man Ned | the starboard bow, and with no sail set.” ~ ae the fellow disappeared, to soon return and state carried with him, and after some trouble found| “Ay, ay! and a schooner lying under bare. wes that Molsey declined to speak with any one. the homestead of his peorke and the stern father | poles to hide whilé we ran vga him. { ‘ ; As Tel] her that I come from her daughter,” | of his mother, who had become @ commodore “You have sharp eyes, lad, and have keptus ; gaid Neptune Ned, | and retired from the sea. : out of trouble, for thav fellow has an ugly — ei Bee The man started and said: In a few worls Ned made known his errand, | look.” | 4 ee!) Melton?” told the story of his parents’ dwelling in Ameri-' The brig was still heading directly for the { Oa i oi R ; 7 oe
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J :, Which could now be seen indistinctly pier, gm the gathering darkness; but soon she was put sharper to the wind, and began to leave the schooner upon her starboard beam, Instantly a change came over the schooner, for her masts were covered with canvas, and she at once started in chase of the brig. “T knew that fellow meant mischief, and but for you, lad, we would have walked right upon him in the darkness that was gathering,” and the captain turned to Ned, who was delighted at having discovered the stranger. | r Sail was then crowded upon the brig, and it at once became a stern chase, the captain maneuver- ing so as to throw the pursuer as far astern as was ible. But the schooner came swiftly along, and the two pretty vessels went flying over the dark waters under a stiff breeze. After an hour’s chase the moon rose out of the sea, and then it could be seen that the schooner was armed and crowded with men, while Ned observed: “T have been watching her closely, sir, and she is gaining upon us steadily.” “You are right, lad, and the brig must be made to do bettor than she is doing, for I have no doubt but that fellow is a pirate, and these West Indian rovers are a merciless set!” and the captain gave orders to put on the brig every stitch of canvas that could be made to draw, while all else that could aid her speed was done. But still the schooner slowly gained, and by dawn a bright flash broke from her bows, anda shot came tearing along after the flying brig, . showing that the pursuer was in deadly earnest. CHAPTER XII. THE CAPTURE. Wuen the schooner had first s' arted in chase of the brig, it was a trifle over a league distant; but through the night it had slowly gained, and by the dawn of day was not over that dis- tance off, Then the schooner’s commander concluded to try a shot, and sent a ball after the brig from his bow chaser. It flew over the brig, showing that the pursu- er was within good a ‘* What flag does he show?” asked the captain, as the sun rose out of the sea and revealed the schooner quite distinctly, ‘* He has no flag up, sir,” answered Ned, anda moment after he called out: ‘He is sending up a flag now, sir, and it is a black one !” “A pirate, as I thought; well, we have only to run for it and try to beat him off, though hehas three times as many men,” and the brave cap- tain of the brig began to get his vessel ready for action. In the mean time another shot was fired, and went to the side of the brig; but no attention was paid to it, and the stern pivot eighteen- pounder was cleared for action. Neptune Ned watched these proceedings with deep interest, for he had never been under fire before, or seen a heavy gun manned, and he took in all that he could learn on the subject, with real boyish glee at the chance of having a bat- tle with a sea rover. Seeing that the brig’s commander paid no at- tention to to his demand to come to, the schoon- er began to fire more rapidly and aim for the chase. “T did not think any craft could hound the Flying Fish as yonder fellow is doing, for she always shows a clean pair of heels to a pursuer,” the captain of the brig remarked, and all seemed surprised that the schooner could gain on the brig. ‘ ONE ite is a iehan sir, in his aim,” said Ned, who had observed that each shot came closer and closer. : “You are right, lad, and he’ll soon— Ha!” and the captain sprung to the side of his mate, who had been cut down hy a solid shot from the schooner. . Ned had felt the windage of the ball, but had not moved from his position, though his face ed slightly when he saw the poor mate killed fore his eyes, ; ‘Poor Dorion, he is done for,” said the cap- tain, and several seamen bore the mate below, while a second shot tore along deck, wound- ing slightly two men with ters. ‘Hit him back, lads, and avenge poor Dor- lon,” shouted the captain, and the eighteen- - pounder began to respond to the fire of the hooner. _, The first shot flew wild, but a second was in and the third cut through the sails of the in favor of the former. 4 Once having begun to hit his foe, the schoon- er’s commander dealt some heavy blows, his shot being aimed with an accuracy that was sur- prising. The maintopmast of the brig was cut away, a solid shot buried itself in the foremast, a boat was cut from its davits, and two men had been added to the death list and half a dozen more were wounded. ‘“‘Tf we could only cripple him!” cried the brig’s captain, and he began to fire the gun bim- self, while Ned sprung to the place of a man | who had been shot down at his post. * Bravo, lad! I wish I had a score more like you, in addition to my crew, and we'd beat that fellow off with ease,” cried the captain, as he saw that Ned was a little giant at his work. But now a well-aimed shot from the brig cut away the foretopmast of the schooner, and asec- ond one splintered the bowsprit to atoms, and the former went up into the wind, while a shout arose from the gallant tars. But it was a short-lived triumph, as the schooner, in wearing around, fired a broadside, and the pivot eighteen of the brig was dis- mounted, burying a couple of men under it. ‘* Keep her steady, helmsman, and we'll trust to our canvas now,” cried thé captain. But with astonishing quickness, the schooner rigged another bowsprit and came bowling along once more in chase, her bow gun firing more viciously than ever. Then « shot shattered the rudder-post, and the chase was ended; but not the fight, for the gal- lant old tar called to his men to man the small broadside guns and beat the enemy off, should they attempt to board. Seeing that ne had crippled his foe, it would have been su 1d that the schooner’s com- mander would cease firing; but, on the con- trary, he kept up a vicious fire as he drew nearer, and Juffing sharp, poured ina broadside. “‘ Ho intends to murder us, lads, so let us die game—fire!” yelled the captain, and the small guns of the brig opened upon the schooner. But another broadside did fearful havoc on the brig, and four or five men went down, while the oe drew nearer and nearer, still spitefully ing. . Bo you surrender that craft?” cried a voice on the schooner. _*T suppose I have to do so, if you spare our lives,” was the answer. “* Suppose | refuse?” “Then you will have to board and pull down my flag yourself and you'll find none but dead men to greet you,” was the plucky response. ‘* T will spare you on one condition.’ “ What is it?” ‘“That you step into the places of my men you have killed.” ‘* [ll see you dead first,” and the brig’s plucky eh: again gave the order to fire, he discharge was a surprise on board the schooner, and did considerable damage; but a broadside quickly followed and the brig reeled under it, while her brave captain fell Sind by the side of the gun he was again about to fire. “* Ho, the schooner!” yelled the mate. Ay ays ay. ‘We surrender on your terms,” ** All right, haul down your flag and I'll send boats to board you,” was the Femponee; and the order was instantly obeyed, Neptune Ned wondering what would now become of him and if the pirates would massacre them all, as some of the crew suggested. CHAPTER XTII, A PIRATE’S PROTEGE. THE conduct of Neptune Ned from his coming on board the brig, had won the highest admira- tion of all on board, They had seen that though he was a boy he was a good sailor, and more, he was polite to all and won the regard and friendship of the men as well as no weeps ; During the long chase he had been perfectly cool, and not even had he shown Prear of death. As the pirates lowered away two boats, while the brig lay to, and filled them with men, all of whom were armed to the teeth, the boy stood calmly watching them. As they came over the side he saw that their leader was a young man of striking appearance, and yet one who looked as thous his life had been spent in reckless dissipation, $ Who commands here?” he called out, as he a Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. back among his men, not at all anxious to have the anger of the pirate leader turned upon him, ‘‘ Who commands here, I ask?” sternly de- manded the pirate. **You do ess,” The words came from Neptune Ned as-he 8 - ag forward and confronted tho captor. he pirate laughed, as did his men, while he said: ‘‘T guess you are about right, lad; but where is your captain?” ** Dead.” ‘* And your mate?” “Dead.” Ned did not care to say more, as he saw that the second mate hung back to avoid notice. ‘“Well, they fought their ship well; but if some keen-eyed fellow had not seen me, under bare poles, lying m your course, 1 would have had no trouble, for you would have run upon. me; who was your lookout?” “ I was. ” “ Ah! are you? “My name is Ned.” ‘The captain’s son?” “oe No. ” ‘* A cabin-boy?” “Not exactly.” ‘‘ Supercargo, maybe?” “So-called; but mostly a passenger willing to work his way over.” “Whither bound?” “ Jamaica.” ‘‘Out of where?” ** London.” ** "What cargo?” ‘* Merchandise,” ‘‘ Pye made a good haul.” “T guess so.” ‘‘ And I will transfer your cargo, ship your men among mine, throw your dead and badly wounded overboard, and make you my especial ras ‘Yes, for I rather like you, my lad.” “‘Itis more than I can say about you,” said Neptune Ned, in a low tone. he pirate then ordered the crew of the brig to go to his boat, telling them he would sh them as his own men, and the mate went wi them, inwardly thanking Ned for not having be- trayed him. e boy started off with the rest, but the pi- rate said: ‘““T want you, lad.” ** You, six,” ‘‘Do you know who I am?” ‘A pirate, I guess.” “ I am.” ‘*T thought so.” < Why? ‘‘-You chased us under a black flag.” ‘Where aro you from?” ** America,” ** You live there?” “ es, sir.” ‘* Where?” ‘* On the coast of the Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts,” ‘““ Ah! near Boston?” ‘Near mouth of Kennebec.” ‘I gee; you can be very useful to me, for you know something of the coast, doubtless?” Ned made no reply, and the pirate continued: ‘* Did you ever hear of Redfern, the Rover?” “* Yes, sir.” ‘‘ What bave you heard of him?” “That he was so cruel that he should be called Red Hand, the Devil.” : ** Ab! Iam Redfern!” ‘ ’ Ned never winced, and the pirate smiled. “Now, Ned—for you said such was your name—I wish you to go over the brig with me, show me where the captain keeps his valuables, and then we will return on board the schooner, and you will bunk in the cabin with me, for ve taken a fancy to you.” Ned was a boy of much nerve, as the reader has doubtless seen. y . He was not one to stand in his own light, and he bad heard much of the cruelty of the Rover Redfern. He had heard it said that he had been a British middy and was & son of one of the colonial governors, but had, by dissipation and gambling, disgraced himself and been dismissed from the navy, after which he had taken te you have a bright eye, lad; but who
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. piracy, and became one of the worst buccaneers afloat, with all vessels his prey and mercy toward none. “Tf I don’t make him mad I guess 'll get a chance to escape. SE BESS, ST, ET OT Oe - : aa ae ean a ee Me | | “Tf I make him mad I think he will chuck | | der most trying circumstances for one of his me overboard and we are a long way from land,” was Ned’s mental decision, and so he | said: ““P]] show you the best I know, but I only sailed in the brig out of London.” “Well, the better you do for me, lad, the better it will be for you,” was the reply, and the search of the brig’s cabin was begun, while | the men had already begun to get out of the hold all that was valuable and place it on deck, ready to take it off on the schooner. The freight of the brig was a valuable one, and it was nearly nightfall before the transfer had been made, the schooner having been made fast alongside. Ned watched the robbery with the deepest in- terest, saw the poor captain and_his dead men thrown into the sea, and then the ters came into his eyes as he heard the order given to set the vessel on fire. ; This was done, the schooner swung loose, and the flames rose brightly and swifty from below, Soon the vessel was a mass of fire, illumining the darkening sea for miles around, and light- ing up the path of the little schooner as she sailed away from the damage sLe bad done. ‘¢ Now, lad, you are a pirate in spite of your- self, and you are just the one I want, so we will be the best of friends, if you do as I say; but if not, if you are treacherous and mean me harm, then you will find I can be as merciless as a ser- ent. “© So which will it be, war or friendship be- tween us?’ and the pirate held forth his hand. “Tt will be friendship, sir,” said Neptune Ned quietly, and he grasped the outstretched hand of Redfern the Rover-in an eager way, though in his heart was a resolve that the forced friend- ship should soon end. CHAPTER. XTV. A PIRATE IN SPITE OF HIMSELF, Hap Neptune Ned sought the deck of the irate schooner of Redfern the Rover simply to earn seamanship, he could not have found a better school. It was “seamanship” all the time, the pirate officer, while cruising, not only keeping his vessel constantly under a pressure of canvas, but al- most continually taking in and setting sail, maneuvering the craft in various wys, and doing all in his power to keep the crew from idleness. He overhauled evéry vessel he saw that was not a cruiser, robbed them, set them on fire and went on his wicked career with, seemingly, a love of pillage and carnage. Cruisers he “ flirted with,” so to speak, for he ‘would run near them, fire upon them, and then sail away, fully conscious of his power to escape in his fleet schooner, and also risking the reck- lessness of daring them to chase him. ~* In this way several months passed and yet no _ opportunity of escape had presented itself to poor Ned. He knew how anxious his mother and father would be regarding him, and yet he had no op- portunity of communicating with them. _ Redfern had boldly entered several ports, it was true, but the men he could trust watched those whom he could not, and there was no chance to escape. Ned made the best of his situation, anxious to show that he was pleased with his lot, whatever he felt at heart. He had won the confidence of the Rover, and more, he bad made himself most useful to him. Writing a good hand, and a fair scholar, he had gone over the accounts of the pirate, ar- ranged his books, his divisions of spoils, and_ to his tee ° found that Redfern was putting away his infamous earnings in investments in Havana and several other Gulf ports. Every now and then Ned was presented with some handsome jewel, or a purse of gold, as his share of the plunder gained, and quietly put his piratical profits away until he could make his escape, always arguing that the value of the “might some day be turned to good. As though determined to keep his boy protege, Redfern told him he would some day make him on Pa apn: after he had gained the: fortune which he sought, and to teach him all he could was wont to — Ned in command of the schooner for a day and night at a time. This suited the boy exactly, for by could learn to become a thorough sailor, E 7 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. get full practice in the duties on board a vessel- of-war, even though it floated the black flag. Now and then when a storm was coming on Captain Redfern would turn to Ned and tell | him to take command, and nothing daunted he did so, showing wonderful nerve and skill un- years. Once in action with a small Spanish cruiser which Redfern, being in ill humor, determined to fight to the death, he called upon Neptune Ned to handle the schooner, bring her into ac- tion, order the men to their guns and in fact do the entire work of a commander. Ned obeyed, for he could do nothing else, and Redfern calmly smoked a cigar and eyed him, throwing out no look or word as & suggestion, So masterly was the boy’s management of the combat that several times the crew cheered him from the guns, and the Spanish cruiser, hardly a match for the pirate, was beaten off and turn- ed to run. ‘“‘ Now sink him!” yelled Redfern, furiously. ‘¢No, Captain Redfern, I will not give tho or- der to fire upon a beaten foe who is fl ying,” said Ned, firmly. ‘‘ What! do you refuse?” yelled Redfern. “You told me to take command and beat off the Spuniard, and I have done so, sir: but I will not order the men to fire on him when he is running.” Those who heard*the bold words expected to see Ned shot down; but Captain Redfern laugh- ed lightly and remarked: ‘* Ned, you have immense show it again against my will.’ Ned made no reply and the Spaniard escaped, wondering at the clemency of his foe. But Ned had seen how cruel was the nature of Redfern the Rover, and how utterly merci- less, and longed more and more to find some means of’ escape, while he hoped that the schooner could also be captured. Among the crew who had been forced to join he knew that he had friends; but they were a mere handful, and he dared not attempt a mutiny, fearing others of the seamen, though many of them, like the brig’s men, captives, would not uphold bim, The truth was Redfern paid his men most liberally, and this kept them true to him, or rather to their own sordid interests. One night the schooner was cruising along the coast of Florida, the wind being so light as to barely move her through the waters. Ned was on wateh, and’ he saw the outline of a vessel ahead, and he was confident that it was an armed craft. He meant not to make his discovery known, hoping they would run upon ‘the stranger un- seen, and thus be taken, as the vessel.was a large brig-of-war, he saw as he eyed her through his glass. Just then he saw Captain Redfern preparing to come on deck, and he knew well nothing would escape his keen eyes, so he called out: ‘** Sail ho!” Then he added, calling toa seaman: - “‘ Ask Captain Redfern to come on deck.” : “Tam here, my lad,” and the captain joined nim. Ned was disappointed, but he did not wish to do one act to cause suspicion of himself, and bsg prevent a chance of escape some day, so he said: ‘There is a vessel dead in our course, sir, and I am sure she is armed,” ‘Right you are, lad, and it is the British cruiser, Scorpion, fleet as a greyhound, carry- ing double my weight in guns and in men. ‘Helmsman, rut her away straight for the shore, for there is an inlet we can hide in yon- der,” and while Redfern spoke he had been watching the stranger through his glass. ‘¢-Yes, I know that craft in the dark, and your sharp eyes saved our necks, Ned, for she is coming right along the coast toward us. pluck ; but don’t ‘‘Ho, men, strip the schooner of every stitch | of canvas, get the boats out with muffled oars, and tow in.” This was a wise move on the part of Redfern, for his sails would soon have been seen: Aceustomed to quick work, the crew took in the canvas and lowered the boats almost with- out @ sound, and the schooner was towed rapid- ly shoreward, while the stranger came slowly along, with just wind enough to keep steerage way upon her, CHAPTER XV. BOARDING THE STRANGER. As he neared the shore, Redfern could not this he | but congratulate bimself upon the timely dis- and | covery of his boy protege. for. had the schooner RE LT a no _™ ey <7 Tens) ae 7 held on as she had been heading, she would soon have been under the heavy guus of the large brig-of-war, and escape would have been im- possible, ‘“* My boy, you have owl’s eyes, and some day you will be a great commander,” said Redfern, as he watched the brig coming slowly along. ‘‘Tf we had our canvas up, she would see us now, but under bare poles, and with the forest- lined shores for a background, they cannot find us; while we can tow into a hiding-place in the lagoons, and wait until morning.” “Phe wind is leaving the brig, sir,” said Ned, as he saw that a dead calm was coming. “You are right, and she will be Secalmied dangerously near us. *. ‘‘ But the dawn will bring a breeze and take us out of her way, I hope,” and yet Redfern seemed anxious, But the boats had now turned the schooner into an inlet, a search revealed a narrow lagoon and into this the vessel was bauled, her spars mingling with the branches of the trees. “You take the first watch, Ned, and [ll re- lieve you at midnight, for we are in a most tick- lish place. ‘¢ 11] send all the crew below decks, for I fear that some of them may escape, reach the shore and hail the becalmed brig, and I'll batten down the hatches, leaving only officers on duty to- night.” “Yes, sir,” said Ned, and he gave orders for the crew to go below, which they did reluctant- ly, not liking the close confinement below decks in that warm latitude. But they knew Redfern well, and dared not disobey, and soon but four men were on the deck of the schooner, Ned and three officers, the cap- tain baving gone into bis cabin. ‘‘J’]] be forward if you want me, Mr. Creal,” said Ned to the first officer, and he walked to the forecastle. The first officer was aft, and tke other two were amidships, Ned being forward. Hardly had he reached the forecastle when he went out on the long bowsprit, which projected into the trees on the banks. Here he sat for a few minutes, and seeing that no one had observed him, he stepped off upon the branch of a tree and slowly descended to the ground, Ned knew well his danger from reptiles and alligators; but he was. determined to take all chances, and so made his way through the woods ier by the roar of the reef falling upon the each. He had brought with him two cork life buoys, and in his belt was his share of the pirate booty, so he had left nothing on board the schooner to regret. j At length he reached the shore, though ascore of times he felt that he had trod upon a snake or some other loathsome reptile, but he had er ed ed this by wrapping his legs with leather and clothes, Arriving upon the beach he found that there was nota breath of air sme tr ‘ The brig-of-war had dropped anchor and lay nearly a mile distant, and the tide was running out. f ‘ For some time Ned stood regarding the brig, dimly seen in the distance, and at last he said: “T must try it if I lose my hfe.” He threw off the bandages about his legs, put his cork buoys about his waist, and drawing his cap down over his eyes calmly walked into the surf. ? Here he paused, while he again regarded the rig. t “Ttis a long swim, but if I make it can lead the boats against the schooner of Redfern the Rover hiding pata in the lagoon. ‘Tf Ido not reach the trig-of-war then Red- fern the paso escapes and I will die in the sea,’ said Neptune Ned with tie calm resolve of one who had determined to take desperate chances. ; Then he sprung into the surf and struck out boldiy for the brig-of-war. He was a superb ‘swimmer, With an endur- ance in the water that was wonderful; but un- acquainted with the way the tide ran there, and the currents setting along the shore, he was not certain that he could reach the brig. ‘If he failed he knew there was no hope for him, and to save bis strength, he had brought the two cork life buoys; Which, would readily uphold his weight. The tide, as I have said, was running out, and Ned soon saw tbat he had to swim hard to keep it from bearing him past the brig at a long way So he got down to long, powerful strokes and saw that he was edging nae and nearer,
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A cl tt a ll AN - ee —— eS Thus half an hour passed, and the briz-of-war yas yet a couple of cable lengths away, f But Ned struggled on, and he would not hail, determined to reach the vessel unaided if be could do so; if not, he knew he could hail, for he would doubtless be heard, and so he felt quite cheerful over his success. — As the buoys retarded his efforts he cast them aside, feeling ample confidence in his own pow- ers to make the swim, and soon after was under the bows of the brig. yin She was’ riding at a single anchor, and it did not take Ned long to mount over the bows, Just as he did so, rising like his namesake Neptune from the sea, the negro cook of the forecastle mess happened to open his eyes, as he lay there asleep enjoying the balmy air, The yell he gave startled the watch, while he darted aft with a speed that was wonderful for his fat body, But he ran into the arms of an officer, who quickly brought him to his senses, and then turned to Ned, who had quickly followed the frightened negro. ‘*T didn’t mean to frighten you, my man, but having swum off to the brig, ] boarded over the bows,” and the last part of his sentence was ad- dressed to the officer, who asked, as he gazed in surprise upon the youth: ** Who are you? ‘Neptune Ned, my mates call me, sir, and I have come off to see your commander, for I have news for him. ** Are you the commander, sir?” “No, [ am the first lieutenant; but come with me,” and he led Ned into the cabin, The captain of the brig was a young man, and he had just retired for the night; but he hastily threw on his clothes and joined the lieutenant and Ned, the former saying: “Captain Harvey, this isthe youth, sir, and he says his name is Neptune Ned, and I guess he’s right, for he boarded like old Neptune, and says he has news for you.” « ‘I have, sir,” and Ned saluted. ‘¢ Where are you from, my lad?” ‘*T left tho deck of the pirate schooner of Redfern the Rover, not two hours ago, sir.” This assertion created an immediate interest, ‘and Captain Harvey and his lieutenant listened ‘most attentively to the youth’s story, of his having gone to England on business for others, his capture on the brig, and since then being forced to be a pirate in spite of himself. “TI did not mtend to report your sail, sir, when I sighted you, hoping we would come too near to escape; but seeing that Captain Redfern was coming on deck, I did so, as he would at once have discovered you, and then he put into ithe lagoon. b “When [ saw that it was calm, I determined to swim out to you,.and the schooner can be taken, though they may have discovered my es- «ape, and be prepared for dab ‘What force has Redfern?” asked Captain Harvey. | ‘“‘ Seventy-one men, sir, and fully half of them Pa really captives, forced to fight after being en. ‘‘ Tf my absence is not discovered, the men are all below decks, : “There are four broadside guns on the schooner, twelve-pounders, with a pivot amid- ships, a thirty-two, and two more pivots of the same caliber, fore and aft,” ‘Lieutenant Norton, get out four boats, sir, and one hundred men, besides officers, carrying two boat howitzers, also, 4 “‘) will lead in pw Bis; and this young lad will go with me, and I t ink we can catch - fern, while if we wait he may tow out before dawn, through some of the lagoons, so have all te ready to start at once, and let the oars be muf- fled, “Ay, ay, sir,” and the lieutenant left the cabin; while Captain Harvey called his steward and ordered him to bring Ned a midshipman’s suit and some supper, for the boy was chilled by ong swim and very bungry. : an hour after, Ned, looking very spry in his middy’s rig, and feeling very comfortable after a hearty supper, went over the side into the captain’s gig, and the boat expedition pulled off to attack the pirate schooner hiding in the lagoon. CHAPTER XVI. THE FATE OF THE PIRATE SCHOONER. . Hipine away as the schooner was in the lagoon, and feeling assured that she had not ‘been seen by the brig-of-war, the pirate officers peo feél the necessity for keeping strict Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. They therefore made themselves as comfort- able as possible, and went calmly to sleep, lit- tle dreaming that Neptune Ned had quietly slipped away upon his mission to reach the vessel at anchor off the coast. When midnight came, from force of habit one of the heutenants awoke and looked about him, He did not strike ‘‘ eight bells,” not wishing to send any sound off over the waters to tell those on the brig that another vessel was near; but he looked about him, aroused his comrades and called to Ned, No answer came and he walked forward. But the boy was not to be found, ‘* He’s turned in,” gruffly said one, “Well, the captain will quickly turn him out, I guess, for he told him to call him at twelve,” and the pirate lieutenant walked aft and called for Captain Redfern, who responded promptly and soon after came on deck. ‘Ts the boy in the cabin, captain?” asked the officer, ‘* Neptune Ned?” Yes, sir.” 5°. No.” ** Tfe is not on deck.” ‘* You are sure?” ‘¢-Y@s;: sir,” ‘*Have an instant and thorough search made, for he must be here,” and Captain Redfern was both excited and angry. But the schooner was searched from fore to aft and without result. ‘*That boy has escaped, and if that brig does not sail before dawn he may signal her and be- tray us,” the pirate chief said anxious] “Tnever thought you could trust suggested the lieutenant. ‘** I did,” was the laconic reply. Then after a moment the captain said: ‘“Get up my gig’s crew, Mr. Lorence, and I will row out into the inlet and see how matters are. A few minutes after the gig left the schooner, and with muffled oars started out of the lagoon. But hardly had it disappeared from sight when it de sein fairly flying through the waters and then came the low orders: “Ho, Lorence, get the men up and at the guns, for we are to be attacked,” At the same moment there came a volley of musketry from down the lagoon and the bullets pattored about the fleeing boat. Instantly all was excitement on board the schooner, the hatches were thrown open, the men swarmed on deck, with imprecations and cries, and ran to their guns, Captain Redfern had already boarded, and springing to the stern gun with his boat’s crew hastily manned it, and aiming it himself fired upon the five dark objects coming up the lagoon. The roar of the heavy gun awoke a thousand echoes, sent hundreds of birds shrieking from their rodsts and. caused the reptiles to spring from the baz.!:s into the dark waters near them, The shot however struck between two of the boats, showered them with spray and went crashing through the forest. “Curses upon me! I missed them!” yelled Captain Redfern, as he once more had the gun loaded to fire, ; ‘* Pull hard, men, and carry her by bearding!” cried a voice on the leadinio boat and the. boats sprung to the attack, while the broadside guns of the schooner were fired. _‘* They, will not reach them, sir, as she now lies,” cried an officer, and just then Redfern fired the stern pivot a second time, The ball well aimed struck the gig, cries arose,and the crew were left struggling in the water, “Don’t mind us! pull for the schooner!” shouted the gallant young captain, who with bie sir,” Ned and several of his men, was in the water, | while some who had been killed or wounded sunk from sight, ‘* Seize your muskets and give them a volley! “Then beat them off with pistols and cut- lass!” shouted Redfern. and in obedience somo scattering shots were fired, But they did little harm, and seeing that tho schooner was to be taken Redfern dashed into the cabin. When he returned a moment after he held a lorge bundle in his arms, and bounded over the bulwarks upon the shore whither some of his men had already gone. _ Others of the pirates were crying for quarter, that they surrendered, and the attacking force was upon them. A few shots were fired as the gallant tars reached the deck, and the schooner was cap- tured, though out of the cabin suddenly burst a vast flame and volumes of smoke. ‘* He has set her on fire!” cried the captain of the brig, who had, with the others, been picked up by one of the boats. Ned dashed into the cabin, followed by half a dozen of the seamen; but instantly he rushed out, crying: ‘*To the boats, all, for he has fired the maga- zine!” All was .confusion for an instant, and pirates and British tars leaped from the burning schooner out upon the shore and into the boats, which hastily pulled away from the vessel. And not a moment had _ they to lose, for the flaines poured out of the cabin, the fated schoon- er rocked from side to side as the fiery serpents ran up the rigging, and then, with a crash and roar that shock the earth, the pretty outlaw craft was blown to atoms. For an instant all was bright as day, and then came heavy thuds on land and water as the debris fell back again to earth, and intense darkness and silence reigned, broken suddenly by a mocking laugh from far away, and the words: ‘“* Redfern the Rover still lives!” To capture the daring pirate in that dense forest at night, the-brig’s captain knew was im- possible, so he set about looking after the dead, wounded and prisoners, building fires along the shores to’see just what to do, The death roll and wounded list were both light, and about two-thirds of the pirate crew surrendered, all claiming to have been captives of the pirate chief, forced to serve bim, and many of these Neptune Ned sustained in their stories, from what he had heard. But, excepting the crew of the brig on which he had been captured, the others were ironed until they could be tried aboard the vessel-of- war, and the boats went back to their ship, the English captain determined to send parties ashore at daylight to search thoroughly for the pirate chief and those of his men who had es- caped with him. : ‘We owe it to you. my lad, that the seas are rid of Redfern the Rover, for with no vessel he will be powerless—at least, for some time.” said Captain Harvey, and Neptune Ned felt that he was fully repaid for his risk of life in escaping from the pirate schooner and swimming out to the Scorpion, CHAPTER XVII. THE FLYING FISH. “My lad, you have proven yourself well worthy of a middy’s berth in the navy, ard Vl see what can be done for you in time; tat in the meanwhile you can serve on board the Scorpion,” said Captain Harvey to Neptune Ned, the day following the destruction of the pirate schooner, With the comirg of the day parties had been landed to goin search of the pirate chief and his men whohad escaped, and Ned had accompanied the party. He saw that the schooner’s boat, which had been lying alongside of the bank, astern of the vessel, was gone, and speaking of this fact to Ronin Harvey, it was concluded that Redfern and his men had returned after the departure of the brig’s crew and taken the boat, in which they made their escape. he search of the land and numerous aepous revealed nothing, and so the effort to find fern and his followers was given up. Then the captain returned to his vessel, and it was when reaching the deck thet he turned to Ned with the remark that opens this chapter. Neptune Ned thanked the officer most warmly for his kind words, and told him he would be glad to serve as long as he was cn the brig, but that his parents would be most anxious regard- ing him, and he would therefore have to return to his home and look after their welfare. and yet would hold himself ready for duty should he get the warrant of a midshipman, and hoped he would be ordered to serve under Captain Harvey himself. For a month did Ned remain on the Scorpion, studying bard all the duties on board, from a cabin-boy to captain, and anxious to learn all that he could, Then the Scorpion ran into a West Indian port, and the pirate crew, with few exceptions, were allowed to go, or ship on the brig, for Cap- tain Harvey became convinced that those he had with him were in reality men whom Redfern, after capturing, had forced to serve him, ; Biddmmg adieu to the gallant young com- mander of the Scorpion, Ned went on shore, and _ several days ater shipped on board of a schooner bound for Baltimore. Arriving there in safety he re-shipped in @ . r 4 f ’ .) s - vee 4 ; at z my ree pe ct PE tee “{ iota, wt : ‘ =, r¥. io * , ey wie Oe : : Fi ™ Brows’ =~ ihe aah ' . a) t Me 7 4 ae. Mi) =“ ce — ka a WF i 7” & FS +e F 7 ne . = ~~ ew ‘ 5 als as es ot ded a Se a er RRR —— Pt i SRR | GTQ 7 7 — : : ihe’ tad se oe = ee, cu = = | Sate a PS " vr. _ wer a 2 |»
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10 y; packet sloop for Boston, and there determined to make a purchase that he felt would please his father. This was of a small, trim little craft which he saw was offered for sale, and which Neptune Ned had known as a coast trader, and one that was noted for her fleetness and sea-going qualities. The little vessel registered not twenty tons, but the cabin was large and comfortable for carrying passengers, and Ned did not doubt but that his father and himself as captain and mate, with one man for crew and another for ' steward and cook could do a very good business running between the river towns and Boston, carrying passengers and freight. So Ned invested his money from his piratical experience in the little craft, which was one of the style then known onthe New England coast as a chebacca boat. * He had spoken to Captain Harvey about what he had received from Redfern, the Rover, ask- ing him if it was honest for him to use it, and that officer had plainly told him that there was no way to return it to its owners, whoever they might be, and if given toa charitable object, as Neptune Ned had suggested, it still would be irate gold, so that he better invest it as he eemed best. So Ned purchased with it the chebacca boat, which he rechristened the Flying Fish, not be- ing satisfied with the name of Sally’s Slipper, Ae her in honor of the daughter of her former per. king about him for a crew, Neptune Ned secured the valuable services of a giant negro, who was not only a sailor, but a cook, and who could also play the violin and guitar, while he sung in what the boy considered the most de- ‘lightful manner. e ‘crew proper” consisted of a young man whom Ned knew as one from the village on the river, and who was a thorough seaman, though simple as a child, and called Simple Sam. The yey musician, sailor and cook was known as Charcoal, and was just the hue which had doubtless suggested the name, With ample stores on board, a fair freight for the merchants of the village, and his crew at their posts, Neptune Ned sailed out of Boston Harbor as proud as it was possible for him to be, and enjoying the surprise he meant to give his parents in the purchase of the Flying Fish, while he knew it would delight their hearts to f seo him again at home after his long and ; perilous wanderings. CHAPTER XVIII. 1, THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM. Ir was certainly a most lonely home that Neptune Ned had left behind him when he set sail for England, and his mother felt the full oh) force of parting with her brave boy when she A: returned to her cabin and sat that night talking with her crippled husband. “Tt isa long voyage for him to make, hus- Se hand, and Iam really sorry we let him go,” she stay sai as she wiped a tear from her eye. 7 “Oh, Ned can look out for himself better than a, any boy of his hai I ever saw. ie ‘Tn fact, he is a better man to-day than half Pap Sa of those who call themselves so; but I hope he ae. will get back before we have war.” i “You really think, then, there will be war?” anxiously asked the woman. “Yes, for it must come, as the colonies are Batt worn out by England’s course toward them. ** See how they are treated upon all sides, and our ports are but garrisons for British troops.” “You have become thoroughly American, husband,” said the wife with a smile. “Indeed I have, for I love this land of our adoption and her people, and I will go with them g in the struggle, heart and soul, and ed certain- : ly is an arrant little rebel, and will make a name Di for himself if he gets the chance.” “ Ah! what is there before us all? I dread to think of it,” and Mrs. Everard’s face became very sad at the thought of what might may ft for America was just then on the eve of the Revolutionary War. A few days after Ned’s departure, Mrs, Ever- d received a letter from him saying he was just about to leave port for England, and then came a long and anxious wait of months, when one day word came from him from London. - He had just arrived, and hastened to write, he said, that they might know that he was well. He promised to write soon again, and sure coon a few weeks after they bad a letter tell- ing of his visit to Melton Manor-house, and to .Molsey the Gypsy. His visit to his mother’s father he told as pleas- antly as he could, not to wound her; but Mrs, ee Ee orn Pn PFT ONT OI N-ptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. Everard felt that she was still unforgiven by her stern old parent; but she had cast her lot with Louis Everard, the man she loved, and she could feel no regret. Ned’s letter also stated that the feeling in Eng- land was most bitter against the colonies, and that it was hoped that the Americans might sound the tocsin of war, so that they would see how useless it was for them to begin a struggle against the mother country. In his letter he spoke of coming back via the West Indies, that he might get all of the *‘deep sea” experience he could, and he knew that it would help him immensely as a sailor, Then followed a long and weary wait of months, and no word came from the missing boy. The arents talked over the usual runs made to the West Indian ports from London, and the time thence on to Boston, and they became alarmed as the weeks went by after the time, and no word came, and Ned still failed to ap- ar. Mr. Everard had become strong again, so he went about his daily work without pain from his leg, and his wife did all she could to aid him in fixing up the little home to make it cheerful for Ned’s return. But the faces of both began to look haggard, as the days passed into weeks, and their brave boy came not. The long, cold winter went by, and with the coming of spring the parents began to fit up this cabin and have all ready for a welcome, for they would not allow each other to feel that they almost given up hope of ever seeing Ned gain. The rumbling of,the coming war was growing louder each day, and the colonists were wearing blank looks at the persecutions the British in- flicted upon them. The English Press Gangs were at work, taking fishermen from their boats and crews from their coasting vessels, to serve upon the British men- atte ec and the towns were swarming with Red- coats. No actual hostilities had broken forth, but that there was surely to be a break soon, all knew, though the English did not think it would pe more than a show of hostility, soon to be put own, ” One afternoon Louis Everard and his wife sat upon the cliff, near their cabin home, looking seaward, as was often their wont, and talking over the prospects of war, while their thoughts were upon their absent son, whom they seldom spoke of now, so intense was their d that he was dead. Suddenly a deep boom down the coast startled them, and going to the point of the cliff, Louis Everard gazed in the direction from whence the sound came, ar came the deep roar, and he said: “That is a ship’s gun, wife, but she cannot surely be in distress in this blow,” and he gazed seaward where the waves were leaping about in chaotic confusion, tossed by a wind that was blowing strong. “Tt looks like a storm yonder, Louis, and the vessel may be firing fora pilot, to get into a safe anchorage somewhere.” ‘Yes, we are to have a blow, that is certain, and a heavy one. ‘*T guess you are right; and that it is a signal from a British vessel-of-war for some coast pilot; but heis yonder behind that point of land, and we cannot see him— Ab! there goes an- other report; ay, and another, and another! “That is no signal firing, Ellen!” cried Louis Everard. ‘* No! see there!” As Mrs. Everard spoke there suddenly shot into view, as though coming out of the rocky point of land itself, a small chebacca boat. It was under full sail, though it blew a double- reef breeze, and was fai ly foaming along the coast, while again came the deep boom of @ heavy gun, and then another and another in quick succession, followed by a broadside. ‘Oh Louis! what does it mean?” cried Mrs. Everard anxiously. “It means that some British vessel-of-war is trying to capture or sink thatgallant little craft, wife, that has just run through a channel to es- cape, that I did not believe but two persons living knew of, Ned and myself,” was the slow response of Skipper Everard, and he step back to a large pine tree, where hung his glass and turned it upon the flying craft, just as an- other broadside was fired by the unseen vessel beyond the rocky point and a cry came from Mrs. Everard as the chebacca boat was seen to reel under it and her topmast fell from aloft, cut away by the shot. eae hater | CHAPTER XIX. THE RUN FOR LIFE. Tue situation of this little craft as seen by Louis Everard and his wife, was a dangerous one, The point of land that concealed the vessel of-war from their view, was a bold and rugged peninsula that rose into a lofty ridge, and formed the arm that sheltered a harborage be~- yond it. It was over a league in length, covered with a hardy growth of trees, and t ough a quarter of a mile wide at some points, was very Darrow at others, and here and there was split in twain by channels through from the haven inland to the open sea, At low tide the peninsula was unbroken, but at a very hi dozen islands, over into the haven. h tide it was but a chain of half a the waters of the sea running The arm of land was bent from the cliff, whereon stood the fisherman and his wife, and the haven beyond was therefore not visible to. them, while their position was such that they could not see the passes through the ridge, and the little vessel had seemed to shoot boldly out of the land itself. The waters into which it came were thick with isléts and reefs, and certainly only a skilled , pilot could make his wa open sea a league beyon through them to the. this miniature archi-. lago. But the one at the helm of the little boat had. evidently known full..well, with the water at high tide, he could run through the ridge, and. had done so, while whoever his pursuer was he had been furious at his escape and poured his, broadsides upon him. The last broadside had, as the reader has seen, . cut away the topmast, and bringing the wreck on deck with a crash, it caused a momentary confusion, while the chebacca boat swept up» into the wind. “Oh! the boat is crippled and will be cap-- tured,” cried Mrs, Everard anxiously. “ He is crippled, wife, but her crew are work- ing like beavers, and I am sure have no idea of surrendering, for they are clearing very hastily and intend running again.” the wreck. ‘But can they?” “Oh, yes, for that shot only took off her top- mast and cut some minor rigging, which will be quickly patched up; see! they are already getting her on her way again.” ‘Yes, and hark!” Gun after gun pealed forth until nine were counted, and the shot flew thick and fast about the little craft, which was now dashing along once more upon ber way. “That British craft carries nine guns, any>: how, to a broadside,” said Louis Everard. ‘‘ How do you know, Louis?” : “TJ counted them, and as they were fired sin-- gly she doubtless discharged them as she swung” up for a broadside, upon discovering that the chebacca had not surrendered.” “You think they thought so?” ‘* Evidently, or they would have kept up their. hot fire upon her; but see, the chebacca is fairly, flying along toward the sea,” ‘And where going!” ‘Perhaps for the river.” “Tt is a dangerous run for these waters,” ‘« Dangerous indeed, wife.” “And she will have to gain an offing, round’ Bald Head and then run in for a harbor?” “ce a 7 ‘© And the vessel-of-war?” “Will have to run out of the harbor and: travel along tbe coast, but will be a league astern of the chebacca,” ‘* And cannot catch her?” *‘ [ do not think so.” “Tam so glad; but what can the chebacca: have been doing?” “Smuggling, I guess.” “Ah! and the British will hang her crew if me ” “ ‘Yes, Ellen, they make American stigiglesys but 1 think I know that. chebacca.” ; “Indeed! is it a river craft?” “No, a coaster from the Penobscot that, called! the Sally’s Slipper, was sold by her skipper, I heard, and went to smuggling, though was soom after captured.” . ‘“Yot she is free now?” “Yes, they have gotten her out in some way; but I heard whep last up in town that she had © been taken and was sold as a prize.” “Then I feel little sympathy with her crew, if they are smugglers,” Except for their ee escape— See, th “ e are g for the offing, and will about reach short work of the. i : { '
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ee 4 | boy is not dead, JOST — Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 1f At PES Ng PONT Hy RO NT a 4 Fi oe ° water a league ahead of the cruiser, if | will send boats in and capture the chebacca, if the Englishman has run out of the harbor in ” . ase. ‘He doubtless has, for them cruisers hang on tenaciously when there is prize money to gain, I have heard,” * : ‘*You are right, wife; but whoever is at the helm of that chebacca knows just what he is about,” ‘Those waters are most dangerous through which he is now running, Louis.” “So very dangerous, Ellen, you know we coasters call that rock-dotted bay the Devil's Net.” “T thought only a few people could pilot even a small boat through them?” “Tt is true.” : “« And sec how that chebacca flies along, avoid- ing every danger.” ““That is what puzzles me, for she has some one at her helm who knows the Devil’s Net better than I do, even, and_who certainly knew he could run through the Blind Pass at this tide.” “T never saw a vessel go through there be- fore, only you and Ned in your skiffs.” “No vessel has ever attempted it, though it cuts off a league coming here from the harbor beyond the ridge— Ha! there comes the cruiser, and she is a large brig-of-war,” and far down the coast there suddenly shot into view a large and pretty vessel-of-war, ; ‘« She has run out of the harbor and is heading up the coast to catch the chebacca as he gains open water,” said Everard. ‘¢ And can she do it?” | | “Not if that skhipper’s nerve does not fail | + ” m.” “What can he do?” ‘He can run back into the Devil’s Net, and, with this half-gale blowing, the boats from the brig-ot-war dare not follow him, while he can escape after nightfall back through the Blind Pass again.” ‘No! see, there isa boat.” * “You are right, Ellen, the brig-of-war has left a boat filled with men to guard the pass, and she has come round to head him off and catch him in the Devil’s Net.” ° ** But can she?” “« The chebacca still holds on for open water; but the brig is carrying all the sail she dare with this wind, and will certainly get within close range before the chebacca can round Bald Head.” ‘* And if he rounds Bald Head, he is safe?” ‘Yes, wife, with the knowledge of these wa- ters that her skipper has.” ‘*How many men do you see on the chebacca boat?” ‘*T see but four.” “Would there not be more if she was a smug- ler?” : at It would seem so; but we cannot tell, and if not a smuggler why is she running?” Crna; bat may not she be running to save her crew from imprisonment on board the cruiser?” ; : “Yes, Ellen, that is true, and if so all my sym thies are for the little craft.” ‘* Just so are mine.” “ But see, Ellen, how she rounded the Porcu- pine, Rock. “T tell you, wife, the man at the helm of onder chebacca knows the Devil’s Net better en I do, and as well as—” He paused, for he did not wish to bring up sad memories by reference to the absent boy. But his wife sighed and said sadly: ‘You meant Ned, husband?” “Yes, Ellen.” ‘¢ He indeed knew this coast as no one else does,” ‘* Tt is true, for he had a knack of finding out dangers and remembering them, sf Phsve known Ned to go over a sheet of wa- ter, studded with dangers, several times only in his skiff, end then sail the smack over it with- ’ out a break.” “T do hope in my heart that our poor, brave ouls. “God grant it, and I yet hope for his return; but see, wife, the brig-of-war is coming along at a slashing pace.” ““ And yoo fear will head the chebacca off be- fore she can round Bald Head?” “Tt does look so, I am afraid. ‘** And then?” : ve The chebacca must run back into the Devil's et.’ — * And cannot escape?” ‘oe . “No, for with the wind off-shore as it is, the -of-war can anchor off the inlet to Devil's _ Net, and the boat in the Blind Pass can keep | that. secure until to-morrow, when they her skipper does not burn her.” ‘‘ That is why he struggles so hard to round Bold Head?” . ‘ ‘* Yes, and is carrying sail enough to run him under.” ‘‘Can the brig see him yet?” “Hardly yet awhile, but she will soon do so and I fear open on him.” ‘Ts not that some one going up into the rig- ging on the chebacca?” ‘“Yes, itis one of the crew, and he is evident- ly trying to get a look over the point to see if he can find the brig.” ¢ There are men up in the rigging of the brig, too. “Yes, and they are looking for the che- bacca.” ‘The boat at Blind Pass seems to have stopped there to stay, for the crew are all ashore.” “Yes, they know they must stay there to guard the pass should the brig not catch the chebacea in the offing and drive him back into the Devil’s Net; but the weight of that man aloft in the little craft’s rigging makes her lay over fearfully and he is coming down again. ‘* Ah! it is the helmsman himself, for he takes the helm, and, as near as I can make out, wife, the one who steered while he was alott,is a woman.” ‘ **A woman?” ‘‘- Yes, it certainly is a woman,” and Skipper Everard gazed fixedly through his glass. ‘« And on board a smuggler?” ‘“‘T may be wrong about the craft being a smuggler, but I am suro it is the fleet little Sally’s Slipper, for Ned and myself boarded her twice when she was becalmed off the coast here, and I know her well. “She is the trimmest little coaster in these waters, and I am sure I am not mistaken; but the brig-of-war has now come into position where they can see the chebacca, for there goes a gun from her bows.” ** And they will head her off from rounding Bald Head?” ‘Tt looks so, Ellen.” ‘Ts there no.escape?” “Yes, but a desperate one.” “What is that, Louis?” ‘* No, no, her skipper cannot know of it, for Ned told me only, I am sure, and I could not run a craft through,” ‘What is the secret, Louis?” ‘You see how the waters sweep about Bald Head?” “a Yes,” “Tt is all cho up by reefs, rocks and islands?” oped. =p ** True,” ‘ Would you believe a vessel could go through there?” “* Ne indeed.” “Well, you see the reef puts out from Bald Head for nearly a mile?” ; ; ‘Yes, Louis.” “And to escape, the chebacca must round that reef at the Sentry Rock?” **T know that.” ‘‘As he holds on and the brig now heads and sails, he would round Sentry Rock hardly a quarter of a mile ahead of the cruiser.” ‘Then he will be taken?” “Sure, if he does not know the chebacca can run through right under the face of Bald Head.” And it can?” ? “There is water enough for a line-of-battle ship, but the passage is very narrow and dan- gerous, and could only be made with the wind from the quarter from whence it now blows.” ‘‘ Heaven grant he knows of the passage under Bald Head!” ‘ __“*T could hardly hope it, as it would be fatal if the helmsman lost his nerve, or made the slightest mistake.” “*The brig has fired no more on the chebacca since that last shot.” ‘No, she feels sure of her game, and to crip- ple the chebaeca where she is would be to de- stroy her upon the rocks,” ‘Oh! husband, the chebacca is going to round to and surrender!” suddenly cried irs. Everard. | ; For an instant Louis Everard gazed at the little vessel, and then he cried, excitedly: ‘Not a bit of it! he has hauled his sail well aft, and is heading directly for the secret chan- nel under Bald Head.” ‘‘Heaven have mercy on him! you see how wild are the waters there?” “Yes, it is a desperate resolve he has taken, and may Heaven indeed have mercy upon him, for it is now life or death to him.” i “Tf he finds he cannot make it, he can put back.” ‘No; he can only run on now, for with this: breeze he can never go about among those rocks, and a moment more he will be into the narrow channel. ““Tf he makes it he escapes the brig, throw- ing her a league astern at least, and then he can escape under cover of the darkness; but if he fails, all on board must die in those wild waters,” said Louis Everard, solemnly. CHAPTER XX. A DESPERATE CHANCE, ALTHOUGH half convinced that the little ves- sel was a smuggler, striving to escape from the king’s cruiser, the sympathies of both Louis Everard and his wife went out to it, so brave was the battle of the weak against the strong. The position of the two craft were wholly un- der the eye of the fisherman and his wife from the cliff. They could see the ridge-like peninsula, witl. the break in it through which the ckebacca had. passed from the bay beyond, and where were- now the crew of the brig’s boat, to prevent am escape back through that way. They beheld the Deyil’s Net, dotted with its. rocks, reefs and islet, through which the che- bacca was flying to turn a rugged isle and head away for secure havens beyond along the- coast. Out in the open sea, rushing along under a. tremendous pressure of canvas to reach the: oal, and head off the chase, was the stately "ig, a handsome craft and a rapid sailer. he latter had about a mile to sail to the rag— ged point, and the chebacca boat about balf that: istance, and in those rough waters the former- was going the faster. . But when Louis Everard had told his wife of the secret passage close around Bald Head’s: island cliff, he had suddenly seen the little vesseh haul in her sails, for she had been running be- fore the wind, and head directly for the chan- nel which he had considered known only to him-- self and to Ned; in fact the boy alone knew its channel, though he had run his smack through there when his father was on board, “Can it be possible shat he knows of that secret channel?—if he does, he can escape, and if not, be goes to death,” said Louis Everard. “Tf he wrecks his vessel, is there no chance for him to escape, Louis?” anxiously asked Mrs. Everard. ‘None in that wild sea about Bald Head, and he is daring indeed to run around it in so smalb a craft.” ‘* May he not intend to run to the mainland, . and beach bis craft?” ‘*No, he is heading for the entrance to the: secret channel.” ‘God be with him.” : ‘**T hope he may get through; but see how his vessel sways under the sail she carries,” ‘He should reef.” ‘No, the more sail there the better for him;.: but he approaches the entrance now, and if he- rounds that huge rock, he knows what he is about; but if he holds on as he now heads, he is» running at random.” Breathlessly the two now watched the little vessel, which was rushing like a pigeon in its fight, directly toward the huge rock referred Then, as though its danger was not sufficiently. desperate, the brig-of-war began again to open: fire upon it, seeming to fear that the daring- ‘helmsman knew some way of escape, Shot after shot flew about the chebacca boat, ahead of it, astern, over its deck, and one went. through its huge mainsail. But on its way it went, reached the rock, swept by, then off ran the heavy boom, and be- fore the wind once more the chebacca drove, burying her bows far under the wild waters. A shout burst from the lips of the fisherman as he saw this, and his wife gazed at him in amaze- ment at his excitement, while he cried ex- citedly : “Bravo! bravo! that helmsman knows the se- cret passage and means to use it. “* Bravo for him, whoever he be, Ellen.” _ Mrs. Everard was also carried away with de- light at the daring act of the belmsman of the chebacca boat, and, with ber husband continued to keep her eyes riveted upon its flight. As though realizing that the skipper of the lit- tle craft knew what he was about, and how he could escape the brig, the commander of the lat- vessel sent a broadside flying after the chase. On all sides the iron shot fell, but without- damage the chebacca flew on, j ee ee
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' « fe trims in his sail now; see! he rounds the ‘Spe af Head Rock and has the wind almost ahead. ‘“‘ She works bravely into the teeth of the gale, and through that wild sea among the rocks—his decks are swept by huge wayes—his hull is out of sight, Ellen, as you see, half the time, and now he rounds Turtle Back Rock, and takes the wind abeam, while he heads for that narrow assage you see between those two spots that ook Jike fountains. “They are reef ends, Ellen, and between them is a break with fifty feet of water; but you see he has but a narrow space, not thirty feet to run through. “Tf he gets through he is safe; if the wild sea drags his boom under there, for he has got to let it off and go before the wind, he is lost, and if he loses his nerve and goes a point to either side, he is dashed to pieces, ‘‘Now pray for him, Ellen, for he deserves your prayers, for braver man T never saw.” So did Louis Everard tell the story of the —. to be run, while his wife listened breath- essly to every word. The uarrow pass between the reef ends was now in the eyes of both, and the chebacca was Seger it as a race-horse might the goal. The little craft was sailing almost parallel with the long reef, as marked by the surf-like wave breaking upon it, and to go through the ‘pass must suddenly shove her helm to port, let her large boom run off, and dart away before the wind for the opening, which was frightfully narrow. Tn a suspense that was terrible the fisherman and his wife stood gazing upon the scene, neither uttering a word, while the brig-of-war luffed up and lay to, firing no longer, as if her officers and crew were transfixed with admiration at the edesperate pluck of the helmsman. That they could see what the chebacca boat -was aiming for was certain, and the pilot on poard told them that the helmsman evidently knew some secret way through the reef, thoug he had never heard of one being there. So all waited, watched, and held their breath in suspense. Then they’saw the huge mainsail swing off as the bows went round,.and the craft head direct- ly for the foaming caldron. A moment the hull was lost to view, the mast swayed like a tree wrenched by the storm, the waters dashed in torrents nearly to the gaff, and then, rolling, staggering, plunging, lurch- ing, the little vessel swept out into the open water beyond, while the gallant captain of the brig set his British tars the example, and three long, rousing cheers rung out for the pluck of the daring skipper of the chebacca boat. In the moment of supreme peril Mrs, Everard ‘had turned her eyes away, but a wild shout -from her husband’s lips told her that the helm:- man had triumphed over death, and looking -once more she saw the chebacca boat flying -away through open waters, and heading for the ‘haven near their home where Louis Everard’s fishing-smack lay snugly at anchor. By this bold deed the brig had been dropped -far astern, and darkness was coming on, so that vthe safety of the chebacca boat was assured. CHAPTER XXtI. THR WRECK. THERE is no doubt but that, the reader has “recognized in the chebacca boat the Fly’ng Fish, and in her daring helmsman Neptune Ned; but to acquaint him with the facts of why the little vessel was chased by the brig I must go back to the night on which the young skipper sailed from Boston Bay for home. He had not gotten far to sea before he discoy- ered that he had two good sailors in Charcoal and Simple Sam, for they seemed more than anxious to do all in their power, and certainly felt proud of their little craft and young beg s the craft was running briskly along, a few leagues off-shore, and under a_ seven-knot breeze, the keen eyes of Neptune Ned, who was at the tiller, detected something on the waters off the starboard bow, It was not a sail he was certain, but looked like the bull of a vessel. After glancing at it more closely he saw just what it was, and called out: “Wreckho!” . Charcoal was on his feetin an instant, while Simple Sam echoed tne cry, having just been awakened from a very comfortable nap by Ned’s call, “That's a wreck, boys,” said Ned, “It are fer sure, Massa Ned,” Charcoal re- joined, trying in vain to find what he had af- a a ee ee as SS yn i a ee Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. firmed was a wreck, for to tease him Ned was | looking off the port bow. “It’s a wreck, sart’in,” chimed in Simple Sam, also looking for it. ‘‘ You are both right, for see, as we near it, it looms up, without a stick,” and Ned now looked toward the wreck, which was only a quarter of a mile distant. ‘* You is right, sah, dere was a storm two nigat ago, and I guesses it hurt her.” ** Yes, and there’s another storm will break now afore daylight,” asserted Simple Sam’look- | ing around at the skies, as he pretended, while he was searching the seas for the wreck. Having discovered it ke said: ‘* Goin’ ter run alongside, Cap’n Ned?” “Yes, for there may be some one on board— see! there waves a lantern now, and that proves there are people on board, and we must hurry to get them off, for as you say, Sam, there will be a storm and within a couple of hours too.” So Ned headed for the wreck and upon draw- ing near hailed: ** Ho the wreck!” “ Aho, the chebacca boat!” came back the an- swer in a deep voice. ; ~ t will run under your lee, so stand by with a ine!” ‘“* Ay, ay, sir,” and sail having been reduced on the Flying Fish, Neptune Ned went slowly up under the lee of the wreck. It was a sloop, for her single mast was visible, | broken off some six feet above the deck, and her | bowsprit was also gone, while her bulwarks | were badly stove in. About thirty tons burden she was low in the | water, and her skipper called out: | ‘“Wesprung a leak, after we were dismasted in the storm, and are settling fast; but I have a valuable cargo and will pay you well to de- liver if in port for me.” **T do not care for pay, sir, to help one in dis- tress, so let your men get it aboard as I have ample room, and we have but little time, as you see that storm rising.” ‘The cargo is light, my lad, and can soon be transferred; but where is your skipper?” “T am skipper of this craft.” ‘You are the youngest captain I ever saw; but you look like a good one, and you saved us from going down, for we have no boat, and the wreck will sink within two hours.” Ned saw that the man was one who had evi- dently been well rea ed, for he had the air, and used the language of a gentleman. Ho was dressed in a sailor suit, wore a tar- paulin pulled low down over iis eyes, and was armed with a pistol and knife in his belt. : There were six other men on the sloop, a large crew for so small a. craft, and they were set to work to transfer the freight to the Flying Fish. Ned was surprised to see that the. freight was mostly in light bales, with an occasional box and cask. “Them things bas a suspicious kinder look, hain’t they, Cap’n Ned?” said Simple Sam in a fe a d “What do you think they look like, Sam?” asked Neptune Ned. ““Smuggled goods,” was the reply, while a moment. after Charcoal came aft and said: ‘“‘ Massa Neptune, these folks may be honest, but them goods looks stolen,” Ned laughed and said: “Well, boys, we have got nothing to do with | the goods; we found the wreck sinking and will | take her crew and freight to some port near for the poor skipper, though I admit the cargo | looks too fine for a coaster to carry.” Just then the skipper of the wreck came up to Ned, and said politely: * "Young captain i have a passenger for you, and am going to ask cabin room for her, for it | is my little daughter of thirteen. ‘“« She has been asleep, for we have hed a hard time of it, and I only just awakened her— Ob! here she is—come here Bertie, and let me intro- | duce you to our young rescuer,” and a girl, well | matured for her age, and very beautiful, as Ned | saw by the lanterns’ light, came aft. “This is my daughter, Miss Bertie Buckner, young Captain—Captain—” “My name is Ned Everard, sir,” and Ned turned to the young girl, took her hand, and said: ‘* fT am still more glad that I saw the wreck, now that I know there was more than barely sailors on board. ‘‘-You shall have the use of the cabin, so make | yourself comfortable there, please.” | ‘You are very good, and we all owe you our lives,” was the reply in a sweet voice, and then the little maiden, dressed in a pretty costume suitable for a sea cruise, stood near Ned and | watched the men working in getting the eargo on board. Calling to Tom and Charcoal to help, they too set to work, and soon had the sloop’s freight safely stowed below decks on the Flying Fish, which at once swung away from the wreck, | that was now settling fast, while the threaten- | ing storm was now near at hand. “Where do you wish me to land you, cap- tain?” asked Ned, as the Flying Fish, stripped to meet the gale and with the crew of the wreck standing by to be of service, headed off over the black waters. ‘‘ There is a little vessel at Portland which I can get, so if you will run me off that port, young captain, and lend me your boat to run in with my crew to get it, I will feel under deep obligations.” ‘Why shall I not run into Portland?” asked Ned, quietly. ‘Oh, I won’t put you to that trouble, though I will ask you to care for my daughter until my return with the vessel I go after. “‘ The fact 1s, I know of a little harbor on the coast where you can wait for me, and I will leave a couple of men on board to belp you.” Ned did not need such help, but he did not sa so, and was more than ever convinced that all was not right with the crew of the wreck. Still he could not account for the presence of the young and beautiful girl on board the wreck, if it was a smuggler vessel. So he d termined to.keep his eyes open and watch all that took place, at the same time showing no suspicion, and telling Sam and Char- coal not to do so either, of anything that he might think regarding them. So deciding, he set to work to meet the storm, which now came howling along over the sea, CHAPTER XXII, THE SMUGGLER’S DAUGHTER. Tue storm that broke upon the little Flying, Fish was a severe one indeed, and the crew of the wrecked sloop at first seemed alarmed for the safety of the craft. . But they soon saw that she rode the waves like a cork, while the one who guided her des- tinies was a thorough sailor; in fact, Neptune won the utmost admiration of the men he had rescued, and they watched his handling of his vessel with delight as well as wonder. Bertie Buckner, the daughter of the skipper of the wrecked sloop, also kept her eyes upon him, crouching near him in the cockpit, and refusin to go below either at the entreaty or comman of her father. But the storm, though fierce, was of short duration and soon swept over, and the Flying Fish held on her way once more. After a rapid run she arrived at a Small curve near Portland, just at sunset, and the skipper told Neptune Ned just where to find an anchor- age. << Do you not think we had best run into Portland?” asked Ned, who, during the stay of the strangers on board had become more and more convinced that they were a lawless set. Still, as he had rescued them from death, and had promised to take them where they wished, he intended to do so. : ‘No, I do not care to take the chances of you being overhauled, and having my men impressed by the cruiser Restless, which we would have to pass to get in. ““ She lies a league away yonder, and would surely bring us to, and my idea is to prevent this.”’ ‘- Will she not stop your craft coming out, sir?” ‘‘ No, for I shall run out as a fishing smack.” Ned did not think this a satisfactory explana- tion, for there were plenty of fishing smacks then in ports on the coast that dered not at- tempt to come out; but he remained silent and the skipper continued: eth -** Besides, I can dodge the cruiser by running around into Casco Bay. “Should I not return before dawn, wait for | me of course, for I shall get back to-morrow night, or at tho earliest moment,” and calling his men together all but two of them took one of the two boats, with which the Flying Fish was provided, and moved away in the darkness, leaving the Chebacca securely anchored in a curve under the lee of & small island, They had not been gone very long before one ef the two men left on board of the strange crew came aft and said: ’ “ Young skipper, my mate and me will take the boat and fish around here in the waters for a few hou ” “ All right, my man,” replied Ned quietly, — | a te
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Neptune N d, the Boy Coaster. 13 and in a short while the two men rowed away | them to remain on this vessel, when he and the | Bertie be sent ashore; if he escaped he would. | others went up to the town. and disappeared in the dar!:ness. Charcoal was asleep forward, Simple Sam was near him, napping, and Ned was seated in the cockpit, alone, Bertie Buckner being in the cabin. Presently she came on deck and sat down near Ned, while she asked: : “Have Rufe and Nick gone?” “ Yes, they went off to fish awhile,” The girl was quiet for a moment and then she said: ‘* Do you know what my father is?” ‘¢ A skipper.” ‘¢ He is more than that.” ‘¢ A very pleasant gentleman,” said Ned with a smile, The girl bowed her head while she uttered an impatient exclamation: __ : Then she said, after a silence of a few min- utes: ‘‘My father was born a gentleman; but he met with reverses some years azo, for I can re- member when we had.a pleasant home near Portlapd, and. were happy, my father, my moth- er and myself. WE: ‘‘ But mother died, and poor papa fell in with a bad set, and lost his money at the gaming- table, “Then he went to sea, leaving me at school in Portland; but I heard. a rumor that father had gone to the bad, and‘I determined to find out, and so told a sailor, who each month brought me letters and presents from him, that I would go back with him to see my father. “He would not take me, so I just disguised myself as a boy and followed him. ‘ He took a skiff at the dock, and I got anoth- er, for our home was on the water and I ama pretiy fair sailor. “TI kept his sail in sight and I found my fatb- er anchored in this very cove, on the sloop which was wrecked, ‘*T lay off yonder near the shore, and I heard enough to conyince me that my father was the leader of outlaws. ; ‘*Then I came on board, and such a scene as there was, “He stormed, the men wanted to kill me, and in his fury father kille1 the man I had followed, although he was not to blame. ‘* But I said I wished to remain, and so it was settled, I pretending to be content; but having in mind that I would some day get a chance to betray the sloop, on condition that my father should be set free. taeda ‘Now he has a valuable cargo of smuggled goods on your vessel, which he got from a ship at sea, which he was wont to meet at stated es. “The night after we got. them on board the storm wrecked us, and father has gone after another craft he krfows of to still keep up his smuggling. % Now, Captail Ned, you know just what we all are, and that I am a smuggler’s daughter,” and the pretty girl looked up innocently into the face of the boy, who was deeply impressed with her story. CHAPTER cera THE COUNCIL OF W ; ‘Now, Captain Ned, you don’t think the worse of me for telling you the truth, do you?” asked Bertie, as Ned remained silent. “No, indeed, Bertie, I think more of I was thinkin “a Ve ; } Ob Pa ‘*He told them also to keep a close watch on you, and your men; that you should make no excuse to leave the anchorage until his return, ‘*Then I heard Nick and Rufe talking to- gether, and the latter suggested that the best thing for them to do would be to make a haul for themselves. “Nick asked how, and Rufe said that they could go to the British cruiser end lead them here to seize this vessel, they getting well paid for it, ““So they agreed together that they would say they wished to take the boat and go fish- ing, and then row with all speed to the brig-of- war, which is not over a league distant, and there is just where they have gone,” Ned was surprised at this story, and most de- lighted that the plot had been overheard by Bertie. He hardly knew what to say at first, for he was ina quandary,soheasked: ‘“ Well, Bertie, what do you think it is best to do?” ** They will hold your men, and even you, on the cruiser, along with your vessel, even though they may not believe you a smuggler, after we have told our story.” “Yes, so it seems.” “What will be done with me, I do not know.” ‘Doubtless the brig’s captain will send you to Portland to your friends.” ‘“*T have no friends, Ned, and as I said in- tended to look up work to support myself with, for I will not live under the care of my father.” “‘T suppose I can do nothing more than sur- render the Flying Fish, for I do not wish to do any lawless act against the Government.” ‘**Would it not do for you to go’to the town authorities where your home is, and surrender your cargo to them, telling them how you came by it, and that you knew it was to be taken into port by the smugglers?” “Bertie, that is a splendid suggestion, and I will carry it out. : ““T can run home and deliver the freight to the village officials, and that will free me of all blame.” ‘* And poor me?” and Bertie spoke in a voice that trembled, for she felt her utter loneliness, i Pil tell. you, Bertie, what I will do with you, “Well, Captain Ned?” “Tl take you home with me and adopt Mie as my sister, and father and mother will de- lighted to have you, re ga will be so happy there, and mother will find you such a comfort to her when father and I am away from home, as we will be.” “Oh, Ned, do you mean it?” “Indeed I do.” “But I am a smuggler’s daughter, Ned, and your parents may—” *“You are not to be blamed for what your father has done, Bertie, so you go with me; but now I will call Charcoaland Sam, and tell them just what these two men have gone away to do, and what T shall do, and they are’ not to speak to any one at home as to who you are, for neigh- bors have cruel tongues sémetimes, and it is best that they should know nothing about you, or your affairs.” “You are very kind, Ned, and I thank you,” and she grasped ‘the boy’s hand warmly, while he called to his crew to come to him, Then the force held a “‘council of war,” as Ned called it, and it was decided to get up the anchor, set sail and run for home, leaving the cruiser and the smugglers to find them gone when she cathe, and to catch them if they could. _ Half an hour after the Flying Fish was gliding swiftly along the coast; but when dawn broke, far astern was seen the brig-of-war, and that she had sighted them and was in hot chuse, they quickly discovered. CHAPTER XXIV. THE FLIGHT, WuEN Neptune Ned saw the brig-of-war in chase, he gazed at it long and earnestly through his glass, and felt convinced that it was indeed a cruiser, and that he was the object of her at- tention just then. Under ordinary circumstances Ned would not have done aught to resist the laws of the land; but now he argued in his own mind that he had determined upon surrendering the rich smug- gled cargo to the officials of the little town near which he lived, and therefore was doing right. _ If taken by the brig he and his vessel’ might be heléfor an indefinite time, Charcoaland Sam might be imprisoned on board the cruiser, and get the benefit of the prize money for the smug- Ren goods, save his vessel, his crew, and carry rtie to his home, which he felt most anxious: | to do. “*T shall run for it, Bertie, and if I cannot escape, knowing this coast as I do, why,‘I de- serve to lose my vessel,” said Ned. “The brig is very fast, [ have heard father say,” said Bertie, ‘She may be; but so is the Flying Fish, though of course in this sea, and with the wind blowing free as it is, the brig will overhaul us rapidly.” “She’s got all her clothes on, Massa Nep- tune,” called out Charcoal. ‘* She has, indeed.” 7 “‘She’s comin’ like a hound arter a rabbit,” said Simple Sam. “* Well, we must do like a rabbit, and run jnto some hole,” Ned answered, with a laugh. ‘hen he added: ‘** But let us dress the Fish up in all she will stand, boys, and hold our own until we can reach the bay this side of the Devil’s Net, where we can run in and the brig dare not follow, for I do not thivk she can have an up-coast pilot on board.” So the Flying Fish was dressed up in her best for the occasion, and went rushing along in splendid style. The sea was very rough, the wind very strong,. and of course the large hull of the brig-of- war beld the advantage under such circum- stances and gained rapidly. “Those two rascals brought the brig upon our anchorage and found us gone, so they will do all in their power to push the commander to catch us.” ‘She gains,” said Bertie, somewhat anxious: ly. ‘*Oh, yes, she'll do that, and if we had no. shelter would overbaul us before night; but I'll run into the bay I spoke of, and she can never: follow unless she has a pilot on board.” And so the chase continued, the brig steadily” gaining, until Ned darted into the entrance to. the bay just as the brig was preparing to open fire upon the Flying Fish. : The entrance to the bay was island dotted and though there was ample water, without a pilot, and a one too, a large vessel dared not run in, and Ned felt safe; but as he watched the brig and saw her come boldly in too, he said, quickly: ‘She has a coast pilot on board, and we are: in for it.” “ You will surrender then?” anxiously asked: rtie. ‘** No, indeed!” ‘“ We is catched, I guesses,” said Simple Sam: “We is done gone, sart’in,” added Charcéal. “No, if I can run ‘through yonder: arm of land,” and Neptune Ned pointed toa ridge-like ninsula that put out from the mainland and ormed the protecting arm of the bay. “Ts there a fantage through there, Ned?” “Yes, Bertie, with the tide full as it now is, we can run through what ‘we ‘call the Blind’ Pass, and have a couple of feet under our keel to: spare; but at very low tide it is dry sometimes, and again only a skiff can go over.” | ‘“* And you think we can do so?” ‘*T know it,” was the confident mse, and Ned gave orders to shorten sail, and headed for peninsula, while the brig now began to open re. But, to the amazement of those on the cruiser the chebacca boat headed directly for what ap- peared to be a solid ridge of rock, and shot into a narrow pass out of sight. ‘*Now, Bertie, we are in the Devil’s Net, and if we can round the reef points you see yonder, before the te ete run out of the bay and get there, we are all right.” “The brig will have to go back the way she came in?’ ‘Yes, but we have plenty to do to round the point before she can reach within easy range of us. ‘‘ And if you round the point, Ned?” __.| There are half a hundred of places I can run. into where she cannot follow us, for I know this coast well, and we'll get home toa late supper, sure. **See there, Ned!” and the young girl pointed astern to the pass through Which they had’ come. f ‘* Yes, they have sent a boat there to rd the pass,” said Ned, as he saw a boat ap] in the channel-wayi® = bere tir ‘‘ ‘Why have they done that?” ** Doubtless the pilot has told them they can run around outside and cut us off before we can, ; ey j Piece " En —
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get out of tho Devil’s Net here and boats can be sent in to capture us.” “ And there is no way that you can get out of ‘what you call this Devil’s Net, if you do not ‘round the point of reefs before the brig heads _you off.” , “No—and yes, for there is one way, but a :most desperate one.” “ Well?” and though Bertie Buckner was per- ‘fectly calm, the girl was most anxious not to have the Flying Fish taken. You seethat rugged cliff yonder?” ‘Yes, Ned.” -“© You see how wild the waters are about it?” “They are indeed most wild.” er Weil, there is a narrow, a very narrow channel there which I can ‘run through, though at a desperate risk, but rather than taken I shall do it,” was the firm response of Neptune Ned, and as he spoke the brig-of-war appeared in view once more, CHAPTER XXV. HOME AGAIN. Wire, I do not wish to raise your hopes to “dash them down, but, as sure as I live, I feel convinced that yonder helmsman is our noble boy.” it was Louis Everard who spoke, and his voice “trembled with excitement, while his wife was “white with hope and suspense. Mrs. Everard was a fair sailor, for she could “fandle a boat very well, and was a good oars- woman; but she had not studied the waters » about their home as‘ had her husband and son, and though she knewtheir many dangers, she -could not, as Louis Everard did, follow the chebacca boat in its perilous course through the wild channel under Bald Head’s shadow. He had seen a rock grazed here, a broken reef avoided there, chebacca luffed sharp to keep off of a ragged island point, and he knew that the bold helmsman well understood his duty. He had not heard of but one person on the coast who could make that run, and that one was Neptune Ned, who had. daringly put the smack through there qagge in just such a blow, they being anxious 1 Seam one day, be- , fore a rising storm s them in the *” Devil’s Net. So he became more and more assured, as the « chebacca came in, that it could be none other ’ than Ned at the helm. Yet why should his son be there in that little » eraft? This question he could not answer for his own satisfaction, and as the chebacca boat drew ~ nearer, thetwilight deepened so that he could not . distinctly see who it was at the helm. He saw that there were four persons upon the + chebacca boat, one in female attire, then a huge “negro, and two others in sailor costume, one of : the latter being the helmsman. The one in female attire he observed met ‘ close by the helmsman all the time, while the » negro and sailor stood at the sheet ropes ready - to do theiy duty at the command of the skipper. After having so daringly run_ the fearful «channel under the shadow of Bald Head, the - chebacca boat had headed directly for the basin or haven where Louis Everard kept bis little fishing smack and skiff. The manner in which the chebacca ran into the harborage showed that the one at her tiller knew his way there as well as he did through the Blind Pass, across the Devil's Net, and around Bald Head. : Standing on the cliff Louis Everard saw the --white sails of the chebacca boat run for the - basin, and as it luffed up to avoid a bar which was there, but not visible, he gave vent to the . expression that opens tnis chapter. ‘Oh Louis! can it be our noble boy?’ cried “Mrs. Everard, her voice quivering with emo- repare supper, with every hope , that it is he,’ apa while rs. Everard started for the cabin, her husband hastened along the hill path which led to the shore below. ‘As he reached the cove, a boat suddenly ran upon the sands, and a voice called out: “ Father!” “Ned, my noble boyj” and Captain Everard ped the hands of his noble son, who d wn greatly inthe year he bad been gone, - ‘and was a splendid looking young sailor. “T felt it, L knew it, when I saw you run those fearful waters, Ned,” and the man’s voice trem- bled with deep emotion. “Tt had to take big chances, father, for I new what to oxeey if taken, and I saw you _ and mother watching me, so wished to show iy ad - bh PVE he hana you that I had not forgotten the dear old coast in the ras time I have been away. ‘“‘But I have much to tell you, and have now | to present to you a young lady, to whom I owe my life. ‘* Bertie, this is my dear good father, Captain Louis Everard, and father this is Miss Bertie Buckner, a girl sailor, and I have told her she should have a home with us.” Captain Everard was surprised as there step- pee rom the boat a young girl and he hardly new what to say. Had Ned gotten married, boy though he was, or had he run off with the young beauty? Bertie seemed to divine his thoughts, and laughingly said: “You must not think I have eloped with Ned, Captain Everard, for I have not, and he deserves all [ have done for him. ‘“ Who I am you shall soon know, and if you are indeed to make me welcome to your home, I shall be most happy.” “My dear child, you are indeed most wel- come, and you must come right up to our house that my wife may greet you both. “Come,” and the happy fisherman led the way up the hillside, Ned chatting gayly as they went along. As they drew near the cabin Neptune Ned gave his old-time call, which his mother knew so well, and with an answering cry of joy, the happy woman rushed forward to greet her son. Tt was a touching meeting, and for a moment neither spoke, as the boy’s strong arms were clasped about his mother. Then Captain Everard led Bertie forward, and presented her to his wife, who received her without an atom of the suspicion which her husband had shown. Going to the cabin, they found a_ log fire blazing briskly on the hearth, and Mrs, Eve- rard had begun to prepare a most substantial supper. Then Ned, as his mother continued her duties told the story of his adventures—how he had one to Melton Manor-house, to find the master ead, and the next heir, after the one who lay buried by his Gypsy wife upon the coast, absent in foreign seas on board his vessel. Then he told of his visiting Molsey, the old Gypsy, and the distress his story had given them all . He showed the necklace of gold links which the Gypsy had clasped about his neck, and said: ** Mother, this is wear a necklace.” Then Ned told of his shipping on the brig, the capture by the irate, Redfern the Rover, and all that had followed, up to the time of his purchase of the chebacca, when he said: ‘Father, I knew that you had only the little smack, and sadly needed a larger and better craft, and this was one motive for my buying the boat. i “But another was, that I know war is upon us, and I did not know but that a trim little craft like the Flying Fish would be most serviceable.” “Tt will be, Ned; but is there any news about the war?” “Yes, sir, the colonists have fired upon a arty of British soldiers, there was a riot in ston, and the ports of the coast are to be blockaded.” ‘Indeed! then the brig-of-war off here is doubtless going to blockade the river?” “Yes, sir, and she has a good pilot on board, as you doubtless saw, and will run up the-river to-morrow, and for that reason I am anxious to 4 on up to-night and give up the cargo of the lying Fish to the proper authorities.” . ‘It would be best, for if they should search for you to-morrow, Ned, with that cargo they would hang you, for they would believe nothing you told them.” ““No, father, and as soon as mother gives us supper I will start.” * And I will go with you, my son.” “T would be most glad to have you, father, and Bertie can stay with mother.” it was arranged, and after a supper, that yours, for a sailor must not Ned said was better than any he had ever before, known, the father and son set off for the chebac- ca boat, Mrs, Everard sending a basket of pro- visions to Simple Sam and Charcoal. They were soon on board the Flying Fish, which was at once gotten under way and run out of the cove for the mouth of the river, Ned following a channel near in-shore, which he knew would enable him to avoid the brig-of-war, which he did not doubt was at anchor not far away. Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. : . Set es ees _Nor was his surmise wrong, for the brig was sighted, lying snugly at anchor, and riding out the blow, while the Flying Fish, unseen by those on her deck, crept by, ran into the mouth of the river, and shortly after midnight was alongside of the town wharf. CHAPTER XXVL. NEPTUNE NED’S RESOLVE, Neptune Nep ‘having gone to the homes of the town authorities, and aroused them, he told his story and led them back to the dock, where Captain Everard, with Charcoal and Simple Sam were busy discharging the cargo. All bands turned in and helped, while carts were sent for to send the freight to the village’. warehouse, and by dawn the ying Fish held only her ballast. “T am confident, father, that the brig will | run up the river, so Charccal and Sam can run the Fying Fish up the river to some place of safety and keep her there until we know what is to be done, while you and I can wait here, and if the brig comes, go home by land.” “Yes, Ned, that is best,” answered @aptain Everard, and they went up to the inn to break- fast, while Ned became a hero, as the constable and other officers at once told of his exploit, as a secret of course, in escaping the British brig- of-war with his contraband freight. As Ned had surmised, the brig was soon sighted ae Oe the river, and coming very slowly. . She bad been firing down the river, but at what no one knew, and she was feeling her way along with just sail enough to steer ber. ** She looks as though she was feeling her way without a pilot,” said one. “Oh, she has a pilot, and a gocd one on) board,” said Ned, who overheard the remark. | “That don’t look like it,” cried one, as the, brig almost went upon a sunken rock, ‘True, but she made no mistakes below.” “‘ Maybe her pilot deserted her last night, not wishing to run her up to the town, for he must ov! come from hereabouts,” said the chief con- stable. This view seemed to be the right one, and all watched the brig as she came slowly toward the town. ‘“‘ She’s got her men at quarters.” ‘Yes, she looks hostile.” ‘Maybe she will burn the town.” ‘“‘ Wish we could board and take her, and it would be a good start for an American navy.” “No, we would only bring death and destruc- tion upon us if we did so, while the trouble may blow over and we have no war after all,” said Ned, who knew if the desperate spirits of the town were aroused they would do something to cause the brig to retaliate, and if she was cap- tured, that a fleet would be sent into the river. “Never mind, in another week or so we'll » have some American soldiers swarming the old fort below, and then we will see wha British craft can come up our river,” said one, “T move that we take this Britisher.” “Bravo for you, mate.” eA ‘* She can be taken, for the wind is light, and we can raise a score of boats and fully three hundred men all well armed.” ‘We can take her, boys.” These suggestions were dangerous, and began to gain ground rapidly, and a mo.t dangerous spirit was being invoked. The brig was now little over a mile distant and coming directly toward the town. he crowd numbered hundreds, and many of them were a bold, reckless lot. The Press Gangs of the British ships had caused the coasting craft to stop megan Y and their crews fearing imprisonment were ashore. Then the trading-coasters durst not run, or at least seldom attempted it, and great ‘bitterness was felt on all sides by the Americans against the English. Here there seemed a chance to retaliate, and it was certain that the one who proposed the riers of the brig-of-war was gaining allies apidty. Bee 15 ‘I say, mates, she carries nine guns to a broadside, is a snug craft, and can hardly have over a hundred men. “They do not & an attack, and we can form our boat fleet yonder behind the point, dash out upon her, and she is ours before they can kill half a dozen of us. ‘What do you say, mates?” and the ring- leader looked over the crowd. Qne moment, mates,” cried a voice, and all gazed upon him: ar “Let us send fifty men down to the old fort, to man the big guns there, and so keep the brig. from getting ewer, ey we not take her.” “ A good idea, Hal, and the guns are all right,
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~ Al A oe we : * . Sera nT fe Pa bee poe Ra Me though the old fort has not had a garrison for for [I do not wish to do one act to bring on more many a day. “You take your to the fort, Hal, and Y'll lead the boat attack,” cried the ringleader. There was at once the most intense excite- ment, but all became hushed as Neptune Ned called out: ** Attention a moment, friends!” “ Well, lad?” cried a chorus of voices. ‘* War is not declared yet, though the English have been most cruel, and some skirmishes have occurred. ‘‘But if you take that brig, you will cause a fleet to come here and destroy this town, while you will not be the’sufferers. _ ; ‘Let her go in peace, until war begins, and then strike her; but not now.” Many sided with Neptune Ned, those who had houses and families; but the reckless ones laugh- ed at his fears, and the ringleader divided his men to hasten away, one part to the old fort, they going by land, while his immediate com- mand he ordered to the cove beyond the point, to arm themselves and get the boats ready. . Wise ones warned them, but they heeded not, and all became a chaos of excitement which no one could quell. “Father, J will not see them bring ruin upon the town, and cause women and children to suf- fer,” cried Ned. | ‘* My son, nothing can be done, for they are mad,” ‘‘T will do something, sir.” ‘¢ What can you do?” '" « Wait and see.” And Neptune Ned walked away, taking a ath down the river-bank, his movements being idden from view by several large warehouses along the shore. CHAPTER XXVII. THE YOUNG KING OF THE SEA. WuEN Ned reached the last warehouse, he came upon a skiff that was tied to the dock. Into this he sprung, and seizing the oars, shot out into the river. . At the town landing the crowd suddenly caught sight of him, and wild yells arose upon all sides, The party to the fort had already gone, and those to attack in the boats were making their way to the cove behind the point of land, where they could not be seen by the approaching brig- of-war, which was now not ever half a mile distant. 7 Other villagers and many reckless young sailors were constantly coming to the dock, many of them armed with muskets and pistols for word had ~one about that an English vesse intended attacking the town. When Ned therefore shot out from the shelter of the warehouses, it was very plainly seen what his purpose was. ‘** The boy is a traitor!” yelled one. “ He is going to warn the brig and ruin all!” cried nage. \ ‘*Shoot him!” shrieked a third, and above the shout that arose at this a score of muskets were discharged, while Captain Everard groaned in agony of spirit, now seeing Ned’s bold resolve fearing he would be slain. But though the bullets pattered about the Hey ys wy ig jesclt in his starboard oats e not flinc ut held ri r he been under fire before. “sep Those on the brig now seemed to realize what was going on, and an officer on the quarter-deck hailed: ** Ahoy, that boat!” ‘ ‘* Ahoy, the brig!” responded Neptune Ned without lookmg around, while he still pulled hard for the vessel. * Do you wish to come on board?” “ Ay, ay, sir.” : ‘* Stand by, men, to help him,” ordered the officer, and a moment after Ned was on deck, me Well, lad, are you a fugitive from justice?” Ei, mua a splendid-looking officer as he approached ‘him "NGy sir, I have done no wrong in my mind, though many yonder think so. “The truth is that our people have heard that fighting has begun between America and Eng- land, and they wished to capture your vessel, and have sent a party below to man the old fort, while twenty boats filled with men, will soon round yonder point to attack you.” ,, Ab! this is great news, and—” one ut, sir, it will not do for our people to fire _ on you, or for you to slaughter them, so I beg 4 dete an? pat back down the river, : the fort | Sees ‘ison party get there to man the a arr vice, rou, and thus get to sea.” ‘ ba rts pe -T assure you my fine fellow, ' the smuggler trouble than now exists with the colonists; but the truth is my pilot went ashore after getting us nearly up to the town, and then deserted me. ‘* He pretended to wish to get the depth of water, and took two men in a boat, went ashore and left us, so we have had to feel our way up this far, as I am anxious to capture a little smuggler craft a fisherman told me had run up the river last night.” ‘* T will pilot you out to sea again, sir.” ** Can you do so?” ‘¢T do not believe you could find any one who knows the coast better, sir,” was the modest abi 3 ‘Then I will accept your services, my lad, and reward you well; but there is a terrible storm sweeping up yonder.” ‘Yes, sir,” ‘* Had we not better anchor in the river until it is over?” ' ‘No, sir, for the boats will attack you any- how, and the fort party will be ready to fire on you as you run out.” ‘* But this looks like a tornado coming,” and the young captain gazed anxiously at the fear- fully black clouds sweeping down the river. ‘Tt is one of oursummer storms, sir, but I can run you out all right,” said Ned, and he took the helm, ordered just what sail set he wanted, and showed all that he knew just what he was about. As the wind suddenly came in a violent puff, he headed the brig down the river, just as the boats shot out from behind the point. ‘* Shall I send a load of grape into those boats | for their boldness, Captain Hammond?” asked a lieutenant, addressing the handsofne young cap- tain who stood by the helm near Neptune Ned. ‘No, Bostwick, I will do nothing to cause trouble, for we can easily run away from them under the guidance of this bold youth,” was the swer. ‘Ts vour name Captain Cecil Hammond, sir?” asked Ned, suddenly. ‘Yes, my lad.” ‘* Ts this the brig-of-war Restless?” ce It is,” ** Aré you a younger brother of Lord Loyd Melton?” “Yes, my lad,” and the young officer seemed surprised, “TI have something of great importance to make known to you, sir, as soon as T have run the brig to a safe anchorage on the coast; but now I will have all I can do to manage the ves- se], as this is a fearful storm sweeping down up- on us,” and Neptune Ned bent all his energies to the work before him. And a fearful storm it was; the darkness seemed almost like night, the winds howling in mad fury, the waves of the river lashed into at oo at times the banks being wholly lost sight of, _ But Ned did not flinch, and won the admira- tion of all as he stood at his post. It was a desperate gantlet to run, but the brig made it in safety, passed the fort long be- fore its amateur gunners reached there, and went out to sea in the coming night and in the face of another ganas All breathlessly watched the daring young pilot, saw him take the brig out of the mouth of the river and from the dangers about them, and then, amid a blackness thet was tangible, head in toward the coast once more, and after fight- ing a fight with death as it were, run into a sheltered harbor and give the order to let fall .the gates as he brought the brig up into the wind, ‘Bravo, my Young King of the Sea!” cried fe prise captain, and he seized Ned by the and. A moment after he called out in words that rung through the vessel: ; ‘Ahoy, my gallant tars! three British cheers for the Young King of the Storm!” And three such cheers _were given as gladden- ed the heart of Neptune Ned, who then asked the a to give him a private interview in the cabin with him, and the British officer led the way, imp by the manner of the brave ry. CHAPTER XXVIII, CONCLUSION, As the reader has doubtless surmised, Captain Hammond was_the brother of Lord Loyd Melton, whom Ned had buried upon the coast with his Gypsy bride, and the youth told the full story, from his rescue of the life-boat to his es- cape from the Restless in the Flying Fish with cargo on \ Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. oe ES TT a SS = ; tire £tx: ad 0 cpap rT aa ams oT a ak ww - 15 The gallant English officer was deeply im- pressed with Ned’s story, and listened most at- tentively, saying he would gladly accept the in- vitation of the ‘‘ Young King of the Sea,” as he insisted upon yg meg to gu ashore to his cabin with him, for Ned was anxious to go at once. So a boat was lowered, and half an hour after to the amazement of his father, who had come to the cabin on horseback and told his wife and Bertie the story, in walked Neptune Ned and Lord Melton, for by his brother’s death he was such. Then Ned showed him the articles left by his brother, and returning on board the brie that night the next morning took him to the grave in the nook. **’'You shall have a middy’s berth for this, my gallant Young Sea King,” said the nobleman warmly. ‘* No, sir, I will not enter the British service against my country, though I thank you most sincerely, for if war comes I will go into our colonial navy when we get one,” said Ned. ** Well said, lad, and my word for it you win a record second to none; but heaven avert a war between the English and our American cousins,” fervently said Lord Melton, while Captain Everard uttered a fervent . ‘* Amen!” But the war did come, kind reader, and we won our independence, and Neptune Ned made a record that was a superb one, for he began on the Flying Fish, then went with his father upon a privateer, and ended the struggle in command of his own vessel, when he claimed as his wife pretty Bertie Buckner, the smuggler captain’s daughter, who had loved the brave boy from | girlhood to womanhood, and been most happy in the end in winning for her husband such a prize as was Neptune Ned, who indeed had a claim, after his exploits, to be known as The Young King of the Sea. THE END. Deadwood Dick Novels Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. 1, Deadwood Dick; or, The Black Rider of the Black Hills. 20. The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick's Defiance. 28. Buffalo Ben; or. Deadwood Dick in Disguise, 35, Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval; or, The Brotherhood of Death. 42. The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. 49. Omaha Oll: or, Deadwood Dick im Danger. 57. Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 73. Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine of Whoop-Up. 9%, ey! Charlie; or, The Pee Act of Dead- wood Dick. 100. Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty. 104. Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross. 109. Deadwood Dick as Detective. 121. Cinnamon ce the Girl Sport; or, The Golden Idol o Mount Rosa. 129. Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. 1388. nis e Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home ase 149, A Gane of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big trike. 156. Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. 195, Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of The Black Hills 201. e Blac ills Jezebel; or, Deadw Dick’s Ward. —s wii 205. Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Adventure. - Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand; or, Gypsy Jack from Jimtown. 221. Sugar Coated Sam; or, The Black Gownsof Grim Gulch. The above are for sale by all newsdeal five cents a copy, or sent by mail on receipt six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, ta 98 William street, New York,
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oo BEADLE’S*H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. BY EDWARD L, WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novela, 1 Dendwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance, 28 Buffalo Wen; or, Dendwood Dick in Disguise, 85 Wild Ivan, the Boy Glande Duval. 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 49 Omaha ve of Bs Deadwood Dick in Danger. 5t Deadwood ck’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 8 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or. Calamity Jano, the Heroine, 77 Corduroy Charlie 3_or, Deadwood Dick’s Last Act. 100 Deadwood Dick im Lendville. 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detcotive. 129 pestest Diek'’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s suich. 188 Blonde BUll; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base, 149 A Game of Gold} or, Deadwood Dick's Big Strike. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood ; or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream}; or, The Riv Is of the Road. 201 The Black Hills Jezebel; or, Deadwood D ck's Ward. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jaue’s Last Ad- yenture, 217 Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. 221 Sugar-Coated Sam; or, The Black Gown. 282 Goeld-Dust Diek. A Romance of Rough. and Toughs. 268 Deadwood Dick's Divide; or, The Spir.t of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s« Death Trall. 809 Reedweed Dick's Big Veal; or, The Gold Brick of regon, 821 Dendwood Dick’« Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick's Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- gings. 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, B62 peadweod Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro ‘juts. 405 Dendwood Dick In Dead City. 410 Suadnees Dick's Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan orter. 421 Deadwood Dick In New York} or, A “ Cute Care.” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust}; or, The Chained Hand. 4243 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 448 Nickel-Plate Ned} or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. 453 Sunflower Sam, of Shasta; or, Deadwood Diek Jr’s Full Hand, 459 Flach Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- ye 465 Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at im 10, A71 Bozeman Bill; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Corral. 476 Huniboldt ‘iarry, tie Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Dog Detective, 481 Moll Mystery; or, Dendwood Dick Jr. in Dendwood. 491 Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Duadword Dick Jr’a Compact. ‘ 496 Monte Cristo, Jr.: or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance, 500 Deadwood Dick’s Diggings 3 or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop, 508 Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance. 515 Deadwood Dick’s Protegec. 522 Deadwood Dick’s Three. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler, 26 Cleven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avaigmeeas or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, = Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 1 Mackhorn BIL; or,. The Red Rifle Team. 69 Geld Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective. 80 Rosebud Rob or, Nugget Ned, th. Knight, 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappenrance. Canada Chet ¢ or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, 96 Watch Eyes or, Arnbs ond Angels of & Great City, 18 deck oyle _ the, Young Speculator. 17 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sp rt Detective, 121 Cinnamon Chip, tho Girl Sport. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner. Boss Bob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Bolid Sam, the Boy Road. Agent. 145 Captain erret, the New York Detective; or, Boss Bob’s Boss, oo 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada} or, The Sierras Scamps, pi Wild Frank, the, Buckskin Bravo, 9 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventril 226 Bnoozer, the By Sharp; or, The Arab 236 Apolle Bll, the Trail Tornado. 349 Cyclone kit, the Young Gladiator. Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’« Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or. Tho Angel ot Big Vista, 258 Sierra Saim’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denve oll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll's Victory. f Gi. 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-Tak ulst Hunter, ietective, aker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Birl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport, 825 Kelley, Mickey & Company, the Sleuths of Philedelphia. B80 Little Quick-Shot 3 or, Five Yuad Face of Daggeraville, 4 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. K aroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. B58 Fir«t-Class Fred, he Gent trom Gopher. 868 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Lottery of Life 872 Yrek im’s Prize. + 87 Rreke aim 3 or, The Secret of Slab City. _ BS2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance. R85 Vreka Jim’« Jokers or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bieyele Ben; o . The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Hat Marry, the Base Ball Detective, 6 Sam Slabsides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 436 Sealskin Sau, the Sparkier. BY ALBERT W, AIKEN. The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes of s Bowery Girl. Colt, the Crow -Killer. 5 _ ¢ yr wren Trai Pitie B ae oe Buck o aan x w port Nats Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. ma ‘I or, # Fort f . ~ ible” tek ihe Direds rinee, rs bach en Taos Ted, toe Arizonn Coe) Colorado, the Hail Brood Detective. Cool Colorade in New York. ‘ BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM. or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. ip 3 or, The Rival Lieutenants. ‘aptain. mM e, the Middy ¢ or, the Freelance Heir. 250 The Mid«h{praan Mutineer 3 or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 : he Fleating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure sland. The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold Ship.’ Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirnte’s Bride, The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. Billy Blue-Eyes, the Bey Rover of the Rio Grande. 4 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. Keno kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s gs 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long rail. 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner, 888 The Indian Pilot; or, Toe Search for Pirate Island. 887 Warpath WII, the Boy Phantoni. pred | may pha aint Lieutenant. Thott y svdor, the Young Conapirator} or ¢ Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or The Cuban Vendetta. eT 412 The Wild Vachtamans or, The War-Clouu’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 ; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Maphazard Harry ; or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will; or, Tie Boy Ferre. of New York. 464 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 462 The Born Guides or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Will's Last Case, AST Nevada Ned, the Revolver Kanger, 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 497 Buck Taylor, King ot the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 507 The Hunted Midshipman. 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin BAL, the Comanche Shadow, 525 Brothers in Buckskin. BY ©saIARLES MORRIS, i 7M SF Ry ee am tne MU eee ir y Baggage. the roa ° 70 A Trum tard; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, 174 Bob Rockett ; or, Mysteries of New York, * 179 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner. | 188 The Hidden Handy or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge, 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; cr, The Smugglers. 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. an 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the wed Detective. 220 Tom Tanner; or, The Binck Sheep of the Flock 235 Sam Charcoa the Premium Darky. > * 285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two “Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ¢ or, A.Dakota Boy in Chicago, 262 The Young Sleuths; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim's Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Mound; or, The Young Therougtieee. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western in the Quaker ty. ; = 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 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost. Finger; or, The 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. 5601 Boots, the Boy Fireman; or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR, Yellowstone Jack ; or, The Tra ne Rlack Johny, the Road-Agent; or. Hf ve Outlaw’s Retreat. Murricane BUll; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. Muatang Sam 3 or. The King of the Plains. Night-lawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, ainty Lance the Boy Sport. : anther Paul’ or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. The Black Giant; or; Dainty Lance iv J opurdy. Deadly Dash ; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 1 a he Boy Tratlers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. The! Boy Pardes; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. Crooke Cale, the Caliban of CelestinI City. 810 The Rarranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist; or, lhe Strange Guide. 855 ‘The King of the Woods* or Dantet Boone’s Las 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective, ; et ek et ee et wr ~_ Trail. BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. fll Biddon, Tra: th J Y : i a The Enchanted Island. The Strange Horseme_ lunted ‘anther of the aL na. e Hal No Double Numbers. BY BUFFALO BILL (lion. Wm. F, Cody), 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand, 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Pratrie. 55 Deadly-Eyey the Unknown Scout. : 68 Border Robin Hood ; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado ; or, The Trapper’s Trust; BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. : 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knuife, the Prince of thé Prairies, Al Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. BS Vhe Border King: or, The Secret Foe. ry polsware et the hes ae —— a3 z awk-eye Harry, the Young Ti apper, Rr ngers. $8 Rollo, the Roy Ranger. ~- 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunk. 146 Silver Star, the Poy Knight. 158 Eagle kit, the Poy Deion. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, th. Boy Captain. 202 Prospect Pete; or, The Youig Outlaw Hunters,. 208 The Soy Hercules: or, ‘Ile Prairie Tramps, 218 Tiger Tom, the Yexas Terror. 224 Dashing Dilek; er, ropper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad, 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disentsed Guide ¢ or, Wild Reuven, the Ranger 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharp: hooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon; ‘or, Ruinbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-hing Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. 444 Little Buckakin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemie, 452 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. BY T. C, HARBAUGH, 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of '76. 87 The Hidden Lodge} or The Litt! Hunter, 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaws of the Oregen Trah, 2 Kit Marefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Froaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, Jr.i or, The Bey Viefiante. 155 Gol r, the Sport; of, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tomy or, Injun Jack From Red Core. 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkanaaw ¢ or, The Que n of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. pg Captain Bullet 3 er, Little Topknot’s Crasade, 1 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Rei Jezebel, 241 Bil: Bravo; or, The Roughs of the Roekies, 255 Captain Apoll-, the King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winch; or, The Buckskin Desperadees. 294 Dynamlie Dan; or, The Bowle Blade of Cochetepa. 802 The Mountain Detectives or, The Trigger Bar Bully, 816 Old Eclipse, Tramp Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Parda; or, The Terror of Take-Netice. 886 Big Benson; or, The Qieen Of the Livso. — 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Red Thunderbolts Seeret, 856 Cool Sai and Pard ¢ ov The Terrible Six, 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass 5 or, The Becenneer’s Girl Foe, 896 Rough Rob ¢ or, The Twin Champions ef Bloe Blazes, All The Silken Lasso; or, The Rose of Raneh Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump, the Bordér Rattler, 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox, 445 The City Sleuths; or, Red Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty s or, The Last Man of Kene Bar. 470 The Boy ‘Shadow $§ or, Felix Fox's Hunt. ATT The Excelsior Sport; or, The Washingten 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. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue. By P- S. Warne. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows. By T. C. Harbaugh, 529 Deadwood Dick’s Danger Ducks. By E- b. Wheeler, 580. The Buckskin Bowers, By Col. P- Ingrabam. 581 Dalsy Dare, the Sport from Denver. By Willlam G, Patten, 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. 588 Wrestling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward. By Jo Pierce. 584 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt. By E. L. Wheeler, Ready October 18. ’ B85 The Bue skin Bower* By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Rea lg October 25, 526 ™-oadway Billy’s “DIMKiIlty.” By J. C, Cowdrick. i.oty November lJ : : 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Sleuth. By J, W. Osbon. Ready November 8 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. By T, C, Harbaugh. Ready November 15- Le A New Issue Every Tuesdays The Malf-Dime Library is for anle by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents eneh. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.