Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 668) (1890 05 13)
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of Thar er ee ee pty PE er ee at : a» ooh + m9) ia $2.50 a Year. No. 668. The Sea Rover's Ruse. A Romance of Sea and Shore in 1812. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, _ AUTHOR OF “ BUTTERFLY BILLY,” “ THE ROYAL MIDDY,” ‘‘MERLE THE MIDDY,” “THE SHADOW SHIP,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. THE ELOPEMENT. ‘TI HAVE come for my answer, Celine.” - The one to whom the words were addressed started and uttered a slight cry, for she had heard no one approach the spot where she stood, and had su herself to be alone, She in 4 rustic arbor overlooking the ON HER Wr lle LO oo LLL oR YUM NW DRRSTo {hua [et et et i Ua Te right 1890, by BEADLE AND ADAMS Price, SAN pi : - co lal I SY = \ i May 13, 1890, Vol. XXVIL COURSE HELD THE LITTLE LIFE-BOAT, AWAY FRO THE BRAVE BOY MIDDY AT THE TILLER, ~ - a”
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- The Buccaneer Midshipman, Atlantic Ocean, but with a small sheet of water between, known as the Sound, formed by a long sand island, the dunes here and there rising to considerable height. There were several inlets through tbis island, or sand reef, through which vessels of twelve feet draught could pass, and the shore of the main- land was beautifulin the extreme, rising from forty to fifty feet in height, and with heavy forests edging the coast for miles in each direc- tion. Back among the pines and magnolias, for the scene was in the sunny land of the South, stood a white villa, a walk of sunny shells leading to the rustic arbor wherein stood the one who had been addressed as Celiney It was moonlight, a perfect, balmy, brilliant night, the air laden with the perfume of flowers, and in the cedars two mocking-birds were trill- ing forth notes of gladness in a sweet duet. he one who stood in the arbor had glided along the shell walk like a ghost, for she was dressed in white, and had been looking out over the waters, watching the moonlight glimmering upon a distant sail out upon the ocean. So intently had she been gazing at the distant craft that she had failed to see that a vessel lay at anchor close inshore, in the Sound, half a mile below the plantation villa, Nor had she seen a boat with muffled oars com- ing along under the shadow of the shore, which, making a landing near the arbor, a tall form sprung out and advanced bya sheltered path toward her, When be addressed her as above, he stood in the shadow, his arms crossed upon his breast, and attentively regarding ber. He was clad in uniform, a sword hung by his side, a cloak fell from his broad shoulders, and a plumed hat shaded a face which the moonlight revealed as darkly-bronzed, handsome and dar- ng. o At bis words Celine sprung toward him, and in an instant was drawn to his heart, ‘ This is my answer then, sweet girl?” he said, in a low tone, But she could riot answer for sobbing, and for some time she was unable to utter a word. Then she drew herself from his embrace and said, with touching sadness: “Oh, Bernard! Bernard! we must part this very night.” ‘Ha! say you so, Celine Chetwyn?” Tt must be, Captain Bazil.” **T see, you have been listening to the lies of my rivals against me, “*They have told you that I am a pirate, that the nation I serve is but a land of bandits and psi pha and so you turn against me, Ce- ine He spoke bitterly, and quickly she said: ‘No, no, Bernard, I have not turned against ou; but my father has told me that the Co- ombian cruisers are no more than buccaneer craft, and that you are lawless in your sea roy- ing, and I must give you up. ‘He is thankful to you indeed for having savéd us, as you did that day, when our little yacht was chased by a pirate, but he says that you have deceived him as to who you really are, and have won my love intending to make me the bride of a buccaneer, “So, Bernard, he has asked me to see you_no more, and they have organized a company to ‘Seize Freie cg .when next you came into the Sound. “Father asked me when you were to come, and I told him two weeks later than the day you set; a Icame to warn you, and was wonder- ‘ing if yonder vessel was yours, when suddenly ‘you appeared before me. “Oh Bernard! is it true that you are a pirate?” The young. sailor bad listened to her words in silence, and now, when she asked the question, he laughed ontright. F “True? Why, my sweet girl, they have told you the veriest lies ever placed upon the head of = a poor fellow, ‘Tam a sailor of fortune, yes, an American who found service under the flag of Cartagena, ® oe my cruiser fights the battles of my adopted and, **Come with me, Celine; become my wife. I bave a priest on board of my vessel who will unite us, and when I have proven how false are the accusations against me, then we will return here to your beautiful home of Sea Vale, and will be welcomed backwwith opel Brent **Come, Celine, « the bride of the Sailor of Fortune—the wife 6f'a Sea Patriot.” He spoke earnestly and with a tenderness she could not resist, for she loved him, : Her nature was one to love, and a daughter of the South her whole heart and soul wént with her love, “Bernard, 1 will go with you, and then it rests with you to come back and prove your in- nocence, tv win forgiveness of my old father for my leaving him this night. ‘¢ Wait for me, for Ishall soon return.” ‘Dare I trust you, Celine?” eS ** Ah! Bernard, think bow deep my trust is in you—I will return within balf an bour.” She glided away and he watched her as she walked briskly up the shell walk, and saw ber ascend to the piazza and disappear witbin the brightly-lighted hall, He waited, pacing to and fro for an hour, and then, ashe saw by his jeweled watch that the time was gone in which she bad promised to re- turn, he muttered an oath, and stamped with impatience, © ut a few moments after she appeared, bear- ing a heavy bundle with her, enveloped in a shawl, and he gave a low whistle which called to him a man from his boat. The sailor shouldered the bundle and the two led the way to the boat, entered it, and were rowed swiftly along in the shadows of the dark shore to where an armed schooner lay at anchor, - “Bernard, it will almost break my poor old father’s beart what I do this night, and will it break mine, too, I wonder?” murmured the young girl, as the boat neared the schooner. He glanced at her quickly, for her words seemed prophetic, but said tenderly: 3 ‘Your heart will never be broker prhile it is in my keeping, Celine,” « A moment more and the boat touched the schooner, which at once got under way and stood seaward, while in the luxuriously-furnish- ed cabin sat Celine Chetwyn, who was to learn ere Jong just how sad the mistake she had made, —_—_——_ CHAPTER II. THE MIDNIGHT COMBAT, Two vessels are flying over the sea on which the darkness of night has fallen, a night threat- ening to break in storm, for black clouds ob- scure the sky, and hide the stars, The wind is blowing fresh and steadily in- ereasing, whistling ominously in the rigging of the two vessels, and causing them to heel well over under its pressure, for they are both carry- ing clouds of canvas, From the bows of the vessely pursuing bursts red flames now and then and an iron shot is sent after the craft ahead, struggling to escape from a dreaded foe., The leading craft is a small brig, trim-look- ing, though as she flies from a schooner about her own size, it would indicate that she was un- armed and a merchantman, perhaps richly laden, The pursuer is a well-armed schooner, and upon her decks are many men, while, as the binnacle light now and then reflects upon the colors at the peak, the black flag of the pirate is revealed with its hideous emblem of death in the center, the skull and cross-bones, Upon the quarter-deck, regarding the flying brig through his glass, stood the buccaneer com- mander, tall, and gorgeously attired. “We will catch her within the hour, and I think she is a West Indian, trading with the United States, so doubtless has a rich cargo, and a number of passengers on board. ‘*'You say that you saw a cannon on her deck, Waldo?” : ** Yes, Captain Bazil, and yet it can only bea twelve-pounder such as some of these traders es : ; : “* Well, if she fires on us, I will board with my whole crew and cut down without mercy every man on board,” and with this terrible threat the pirate chief turned and descended to the cabin, The scene that met his gaze was a strange one for a pirate vessel, - : The cabin was large, was furnished with ex- travagant luxury, and, brilliantly lighted, seem- ed_like the palatial quarters of a king. Half-reclining upon a divan was a woman, with raven-hued hair and large, dark, lustrous eyes of wonderful beauty and power, Her face was sey lovely and her form exq ate beautiful, and though seen only in the moonlight that night, asshe stood in the rus- tie arbor at her plantation home, she is readily recognized as Celine Chetwyn, who had cast her lot with a man who, she found but too soon, was all that had been said of him—a pirate—a sea rover—a freelance of fortune, Years had passed since that night, and she still remained the wife of the buccaneer, Now, as she reclined there in her sea home, her face was tinged with deepest sadness, and tears seemed ready to fall from her eyes. They were not tears of fear, for she cared not for the booming guns, and the tread of com- batants upon the schooner’s deck; she was well used to that; but her soulful eyes were fixed upon two forms near her own. One was the form of a youth of ten years, with a bright, bandsome, manly face, and his boyish form clad in the uniform of a middy, a pirate midshipman as it were, Upon a cushion by the divan sat a tiny little fairy of four years, with golden-brown curls and eyes of deepest blue. She, too, was dressed in a neat little sailor suit, and did not even sbrink at the deep roar of the bow guns, while the boy said: = “The brig holds on well, mother, but we will catch her before the storm breaks.” : ** Yes, catch ber, and then will follow another scene of carnage, and the lockers will be replen- ished with more blood-stained treasure— Ah!” As she uttered the exclamation, the buccaneer captain entered the cabin, % ‘A pretty family picture, surely, and one I regret to break up, but you are needed on deck, sir, and it is time for you, little chit, to be in bed,” and he referred to the boy and girl, while his manner, though not unkind, was sneering. The boy arose and said promptly: “‘T go at once, father. Good-night, mother,” and with a salute to the one and a kiss for the other, the little middy left the cabin, The little girl, meanwhile, bad kissed her mother and slipped awa rooms, as though afraid of ber stern father, and the pirate and his wife were left alone. = ‘“*T suppose you have been preaching to the two children, as is your habit, Celine, how ter- rible is the life I lead,‘and that to capture the brig Iam now chasing means more bloodshed and death?” “Yes, I did say something of the kind, Bernard, and I cannot help it, for I do not wish them to believe that crime is right and that your life is blameless.” “* Well, I have warned you, and you have paid no heed, so I tell you now that you shall give those children up, as nowadays you always have od blues and do nothing but weep and sigh, 4. No! no! no! Bernard! You will not do this cruel wrong—you will not take them from me, my husband !” ‘*Husband? Bah! You are no wife of mine, - Celine, for the man who performed the. ceremony the night you fled from home with me, was one of my own crew, robed asa priest— Ha! the —_ iis firing upon us, and I must to the ec . He sprung up the companionway, unheeding her heavy fall, and running over the young middy who was coming to call him, and who overheard his fearful words to the poor . woman. While tbe boy ran to his mother, who lay in a swoon, the pirate chief reached the deck ard | found that the brig was firing from two small howitzers mounted upon her stern, _ She had taken in sail, however, as though feel- ing that she was carrying too much in the freshening breeze, and the schooner, still holding on to her canvas, had gained rapidly: The fire of tke two howitzers was well aimed and did considerable damage among the pirate crew, which caused the chief to ery out: “Boarders, ahoy! I will carry her by board- ing and, mind you, show no mercy!” hen turning to his lieutenant he continued: “They have, with their passengers. a score and a half of men on board, but we will soon finish them,” 4 ‘Yes, sir, they were mad to resist. Shall wo — go to leeward, sir?” — ‘* Yes, and I will be ready to board. You are to follow with a reserve, for we may need them.” : With this the chief went forward, and, ten minutes after, the sbarp bows of the schooner ran close to leeward of the brig, the grapnels | were thrown, and, rough though the sea wa Bazil the Buccaneer led his crew upon the decks — of the chase, But, their wild yells were answered by cheers, — and the rattle of firearms, while a voice shouted; ‘‘Now, Yankee tars, we have them in our trap! Up and at them!” My God! the brig is an armed cruiser! “To your. what buccaneers!” to one of the state — yelled But, as he did tes storm swept down upon ei:
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The Buccaneer Midshipman. 3 the pirate schooner, almost crewléss, went driv- ing away before the gale, threatening to run under with the tremendous pressure of canvas she carried, CHAPTER IIt. THE DOOMED THREE, In the darkness and the storm the schooner drove wildly on before the wind, heeling far over, plunging, staggering and threatening to pitch her sticks out of her, Not over adozen men were upon her decks, for four-fifths of the crew had followed their chief upon the deck of the brig, and those who bad remained seemed paralyzed with amaze- ment and terror combined. e They stood about, unable to act, for not an officer was upon deck, and they did not appear capable of thinking for themselves. As the schooner gave a wilder lurcb than ever, the young middy bounded from the cabin. * What does this mean?” he asked. “The brig proved to be a cruiser, sir, and so when the storm broke our grapnels loose from her, the chief and the boarders were all left on board,” said one of two men at the wheel. “Then let us not drive to destruction, so shorten sail. ** All hands ahoy, to take in sail!” and the shril] voice of the Buccaneer Middy was heard all over the deck, and recalled the men to a sense of their great danger, for they sprung to obey the command of their little commander with a will, The topsails were lowered at once, and the mainsail reefed close, while the foresail was furled, and the jib and flying jib takep in. This left the schooner under fore-staysail and reefed-down mainsail, and as the wind increased in fury, it was found to be all she could carry. A ere is the brig?’ asked the Boy Middy, as the men completed their task, and seemed to look to him for further orders, for Captain Bazil had made his son a midshipman six » months before, and had seen that he had the re- spect of an officer, while the men had all taken a great fancy to the lad, and discovered in him a sailor of no ordinary caliber, young as he was, ‘*Sbe was lost in the darkness from us, sir,” answered the man addressed, **Very well; we cannot rescue the crew, so will drive on as we are until evening. ** Bowles, you take the deck, for j have to go below to my mother, who is ill,” and the boy left the deck. The woman lay upon the divan, her little girl seated by her side, and she asked quickly, as her son entered: ** What has happened on deck, my son?” ** Mother, the chief boarded the brig with all but a dozen of the men; grapnels were thrown, and just then they found that the chase had played’a deep game, pretending to be a mer- chantman when she was a vessel-of-war, “The storm swept down just then, sundered the irons, and we drove off before the gale; but I have shortened sail, and we are scudding be- fore the tempest.” “You are ever wise, my brave boy; but, do you mean that the chief was captured?” eagerly asked the woman, ** Yes; he and nearly all the crew were left on board the i and if they do not take her, then they will be forced to surrender.” ** And that means that they will be hanged?” ** Yes, mother.” **Thank God!” and the words broke like a heartfelt prayer from the woman’s lips, while, as though feeling that she had said too much, she asked quickly: ‘How many men are left on the schooner?” ** Just eleven, mother.” ‘* Yes, mother.” ‘‘Remain on deck and find the number of the men, for there are treasures equaling a king’s fortune on this schooner. We must not be found by the brig, but go our way, and, may- hap, the men will give us no trouble. To-mor- row we will talk with them as to our future, _ and theirs.” ° The lad went on deck, andif deeply impressed with the loss of his father and chief, did not know it. The men were at their posts, vend to do their duty, for the storm was at its height, and they fully realized their danger. Bowles was on duty, yet seemed glad to have the boy officer with him, for the night was black, and the sea in a very ugly humor, as huge waves followed the flying schooner, and threatened to roll over her stern every minute, Two men were at the wheel, They were the best helmsmen on the vessel, Toward dawn the wind began to lull, but it kept blowing fresh all during the morning, Not a vessel was in sight, so they had nothing to fear from the brig, which was a relief, as a number of those on board had believed that they would find the-cruiser pursuing when the dawn came, In the afternoon the wind lulled rapidly, the sea went down, until at sunset nob a breath cf air = felt, and the schooner rolled lazily on the swell, With no immediate danger of the elements, the crew began to get into an ugly mood, They openly said that the treasure in the schooner was theirs, and at supper Bowles ap- peared with a number of bottles of brandy, taken from thé wine-room, As there was now a dead calm, nothing was to be done, so the men went below, to a man, to make a night of it, to indulge in a carousal. More liquor was brought, and then the luosen- ed tongues began to wag. It was just midnight when the Boy Middy en- tered the cabin. His face was pale, but he was perfectly calm, and said: ‘* Mother, I have been listening, and the men have formed a plot to kill us to-morrow and take the treasure. ‘* Bowles begged for us, but they said a wo- man and a boy would not keep a secret, and so we two must die,” “And in their drunken fury they will keep their word, my son. Wetwo are doomed, for we are at their mercy.” ** Mother!” ‘* Yes, my son,” ‘The men are all in the steerage, and there is no communication fore or aft, and ne te you and I can slife the hatch over the hatchway, and they are our prisoners.” ‘*You brave, noble boy, we can indeed, and thus hold them prisoners, while we can drift about in the schooner until picked up by some passing vessel.” ‘* Yes, mother, and we will do it! Come with me, and let us at once carry out our plot, for the men are the druvk now, and some of them might come on deck,” **T am ready, my son, as soon as I have armed myself, and woe be to the man who forces me to use them,” Then the two, the woman and the lad, both fully armed, ascended to the deck, slipped for- ward noiselessly, seized the heavy hatch, and, ina moment more the drunken crew beneath were firmly secured in the steerage. As the hatch closed in over them, one saw the boy’s face, realized that he had heard all, Snd his bold game to thwart them, and he sprung to his feet with a cry of alarm. But he was too late, for he and his compan- ions were the prisoners of the little Midshipman Buccaneer, CHAPTER IV, THE WRECK, Tae situation was a most critical one, and the poor woman, alone with two children on the deck of the schooner, with a dozen mad- dened men below, felt itin all the horror that could come upon her. But, what could be done? The men had de- termined to end the lives of herself aud children, and it was but just to protect her own, so she had yielded to the suggestion of her brave little boy and had imprisoned the drunken pirates in the steerage. - The lad took the situation with almost reck- less indifference, and seemed proud of the feat of imprisoning the buccaneer crew, while he did not also forget the future, as he said: ** Now, mother, we must leave the Scorpion, for those men can cut out through the hatches when they get sober, and though we could kill them one by one, still we cannot manage the ship.” True, my son, but how can we leave?” asked the anxious mother. “In the large life-boat, which is rigged for mainsail and jib, and I can canvas her over for- ward and make her all right. “We will goat once to work. You can get stores and all else we need to atest I get the carpenter’s tools and fit up the boat.” ~ * The spirit of the lad inspired his mother, and the two set hard to work. The stoutest canvas was firmly tacked over the deck forward, upon boards first nailed on, and the short mast and bowsprit put in place. : Then the boat, a very stanch ote it was too, was lowered by the mother and son from the vig and lay quietly alongside the becalmed vessel, Stores were then lowered into it and stored away forward. The two water-casks were filled by buckets let down by a rope by the wo- man and emptied by the lad into the improvised funnel made from a broken bottle. It was dawn when all was in readiness, All through the night the two had worked amid the smothered curses and howlings of the men in the steerage, As long as their Jiquor and wine held out they would take their captivity easily, and then sleep off their drunkenness, But when they awoke to soberness, then they would look fer their freedom and could, in time, cut their way out. The lad had taken soundings and finding that the anchors could find bottom had let them fall, while he bad also taken in what sail he could, so that in a gale, should one sweep down upon the vessel, she would ride easily. A slight breeze came with the sunrise, and, taking the tiller, the lad headed away in a westerly direction, for he knew something of the popes of the schooner and hoped to sightsome of the Bahama Islands, Yhe gunwales of the boat had been boarded up and canvas stretched over them, which would materially strengthen the little craft in which the destinies of the unfortunate woman and her children were placed, so the lad did not dread apy ordinary weather they might encounter, n her course held the little life-boat, away from the pirate schooner—tbe brave Boy Middy at the tiller. Until late in the afternoon the Sea Scorpion could be seen still riding at anchor, and with no one visible upon her decks. - Through the night the boat held on, the wo- man taking her trick at the tiller with the lad, for they were anxious to get as far away from the Scorpion as possible, and also to sight some island of the Bahamas, so would not take the rest they ve pe have done by letting the boat lay-to, which they might have done with safety as the sea was very calm and wind hardly more than a two-knot breeze, With the first glimmer of dawn the lad, who had the tiller, sung out cheerily: ** Land, ho!” . His mother awoke on the instant, an there, a ie of leagues ahead, was visible an island, with, afar off in the distance, another dark ob- ject, to show where anotber was located. “They are the Acklin Islands, mother, I am sure, for I heard the chief say we were to the north-westward of them when chased by the brig, and the course we took would bring us now in the neighborhood of the southeast end of the Bahamas,” : ‘** You are doubtless right, my son, for I have heard the men speak of your nautical knowl- edge, and that you could soon navigate a vessel without aid. Iam glad, too, there is land in sight, for I think we are going to have another storm.” ** Yes, mother, it looks that way, and I only hope we can make a harbor before it strikes us,” and the lad devoted himself to bis steering, not wishing to lose a minute, for the heavens were blackening fast with clouds, As the wind increased the little boat bent to it and flew Hagens along, while the islafid, as they neared it, did not look very encouraging either as a harborage, or a place of abode. But the fad held on, and while his mother steered he re ag searched the island shores with the powerful glass he had brought from the schooner. ‘* There are reefs and unknown rocks 'encir- cling the island, mother, but we can run in, and I believe there are more places where we can find a fair anchorage,” hé said, after a close survey, and again taking the tiller he laid his course for the openings in tbe reefs. There he passed ebm and under sbortened sail he ran close in and began to steer around the island in search of a harbor when he sudden- oe uttered a cry of joy and headed for the shore. ‘“‘The very place we wanted to find, mother,” he said, as an inlet opened upon bis view, nar- row, yet free from sunken rocks, and penetrat- ing the rocky coast for considerable distance. Sbut off from the wind by the overhanging rocks, the lad took his oars, and in a short while the boat was safely moored in a basin complete- ly sheltered, while upon the shore were trees and grassy banks, There was no sign of habitation, or anytbin to show that the foot of man had ever t there before, and the scene was by no means uninviting, so a camp was quickly made ashore, and all gotten in readiness to make themselves “s a 4 o | 4 2
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comfortable during the storm, which was now bearing down from seaward and causing them to feel thankful that they had not to face it in their boat, stanch as she was, After a hearty supper, while his mother laid down in the little tent made from sails, to rest and get her little daughter to sleep, the lad climbed to the cliffs, whither he bad gone that afternoon, and gazed out upon the tempest-swept ea, Suddenly he uttered a startled cry, as a vivid flash of lightning revealed to him a vessel out upon the storm-tossed sea! ‘Tt is a schooner—perhaps the Scorpion,” he said, and hastily descending from the cliff he ran to the camp and told his mother of the dis- covery. Little Kate was in dreamland, and hastily throwing a cloak about her the now frightened mother hastily followed her son to the cliff, The storm was at its height, the waves run- ning furiously down upon the island and fairly shaking it with their rude blows. The clouds bung low and were as black as ink, while ever and anon they were rent in twain by the most vivid flashes of lightning, followed by peals of thunder like the broadside of a line-of- battle ship. And while that vivid glare was upon the sea it revealed tothe two on the cliff, a schooner, her masts gone, and the seas driving her right down upon the reefs that encircled the island. Upon her deck men were seen clinging for their lives, in seeming despair. On, on drove the vessel, now almost a wreck, at the mercy of the waves, and,in a minute more, she struck with terrible force upon the reef which encircled the island half a mile dis- tant from the beach. The crash, mingling with the cries of the men, the howling winds and roaring waters, reached the ears of the two on the cliff, and from the lips of the lad came the words: ** Mother, it is the Scorpion—our schooner!” CHAPTER V. THE TREASURE. On the cliff stood the two who had seen the fate of the schooner, and they gazed down up- on the rocky shore beneath their feet, as though to pierce the gloom and behold the forms of the shipwrecked crew struggling in the mad waters for life. But, no other cry was heard, no call for help, and the mother and son turned away from the spot and sought the little camp in “the vale, where the baby girl, all unmindful of the horrors of the night, slept peacefully in the canvastent. . The two crept in and also sought repose, Too well used to the howling winds and roar of the sea to be disturbed, they soon also sunk to sleep. The storm blew itself out before dawn, the dark clouds drifted away, and the sun rose ina clear sky, while the waves, though still rolling landward with snowy caps, were a in height and becoming less turbulent eac minute, The birds singing in the trees was a sound which the ears of the three unfortunates were unused to, and it awoke them, All nature seemed beautiful, and while little Katie ran about to chase the birds, her brother built a fire and the mother prepared a substan- tial breakfast. Then they had time to look about them, and ascending to the cliff they saw the wreck of the schooner lying high upon the reef, Not a soul was visible aboard of her, both masts were gone avd her bulwarks had bee stove in by the force of theswaves, ; But the glass of the lad turned upon the schocner, proved to him that he had been right in his assertion that it-was the pirate craft they had deserted, for there on her bows was the rehead, a huge red scorpion. = Mother, Ido not believe there is a soul on * Still, there may be, Clifford, and we must be cautious,” “Yes, mother, for if there were but two of them they would be that more anxious to rescue the treasure, and to kill us and take our boat.” “Yes, we. will keep in hiding until we are cer- tain, aud then go out to the schooner, for this good weather will doubtless last now for a week or more,” “« And the treasure, mother?” *“We must find a hiding-place for it, Clifford, for the jewels which I brought with me will be ample for our needs until we see what the future has in store for us,” and the beautiful face again resumed its look of intense sadness, which quick- The Buccaneer Midshipman. ly changed, however, to an expression that was almost wicked in its intensity of hatred, Then the two returned to the valley, and all that day the lad worked at improving the sea- een of their boat, his mother helping 11m, The night passed away in quiet, and the next morning a tour of the island revealed half a dozen dead bodies cast upon the rocks, If further proof was needed as to what the wreck was, the bodies were sufficient to give it, as the mother and son recognized the men of the pirate schooner. They were buried in the sand by the lad, who had heard his mother say: *‘1t is bard for them to lie unburied, for they were human beings,” Another night passed, and the next morning, convinced that not a soul remained upon the schooner, the lad set sail and headed for the wreck, The water was deep up to the reef, and the bow of the schooner projected beyond the rocks, Climbing on board, the lad lowered a piece of ratline for his mother, and the two set out to in- vestigate, little Kate following them about the vessel. They saw that the crew had cut through the partition with their knives and had thus made their escape, but there was every evidence that they had kept up their carousal, for broken bot- tles and jugs lay about in profusion, and it was because they were unable to attend.40 the work- ing of their vessel that she had goné to her de- struction as she had, The cabin was a scene of wildest confusion, for the crew had transferred their orgies there from the steerage, and the woman gazed sadly upon the sight, The schooner was broken up badly in the bull, and realizing that another storm ®r two would break her to pieces, the lad and his mother set to work to get all that was valuable and not per- ishable, into their boat. ' Captain Bazil had quite a fortune in treas- ure hidden away on board. This was all trans- ferred to the boat, which made several trips to the shore and back, The lad also had an eye to their future safety, and with so much at his command in the way of tools, canvas, rigging and lumber, selected all that was needed to strengthen the boat, and also to add to her qualities as a stanch craft and to their comfort also, The treasure was buried in a secluded spot, in casks taken from the schooner, and then ample stores were secured from the larder of the vessel to Jast them for a long time, The following day the boy and his mother wené to work in earnest upon the boat, and ina week’s time had certainly transformed the little craft intoa very safeand comfortable vessel, capable of resisting severe weather at sea, hen all was in readiness they set sail one morning, bright and early, steering west by north, the young Buccaneer Middy intending to run by the Bahama group as well as he could and thus reach the Coast of Florida. Upon several islands they sought shelter dur- ing a day or more of rough weather, and at length left the last of the islands of the Bahamas astern and headed boldly out across the Florida Straits to cross to the mainland, When the coast was sighted the Jad said cheerfully: ‘*Now, mother, we have made the run in safety.” “es, my son, and it is all owing to your courage and skill, for I would "have given up long ago. ‘** You are a wonderful sailor for your years, Clifford, and I feel that your career is to bea noble one, now that the lawless life we have been forced to ledd has been buried in a past that we must try to forget.” “But if the chief should find us again, mo- ther?” ‘* He is dead ere this, eo to the yard-arm of that American cruiser for his crimes, He well deserved his fate!” was the savage reply, The Jad said ae for he knew the secret that weighed so.heavily upon his mother, the words he bad heard the buccaneer, Bazil, utter when he left the cabin of the schooner, and left her in a deep swoon, Those words told him how bitter was his mo- ther’s grief, and bow deep her hatred had be- come for the man who so deceived and ba ba her, Before, she had endured his evil career, but with his confession of wrong to her who had trusted him, she became so imbittered as to hate even the memory of the man for whom she had forsaken home and all. ** Clifford?” suddenly asked the mother, ** Yes, dear mother,” **Tt is just one month since the schooner was wrecked, and now we sight the mainland. Have you any idea of the port you intend to make?’ “San Augustine, I had thought of, mother.” ““My son, we can cruise by day and run in- shore by night, keeping the land not more than a league or two away, and thus hold on up to North Carolina,” ‘* Yes mother, if you wish it.” **I do, for on the North Carolina Coast is my home and there still dwells my dear old father, on his plantation by the sea, ; “T left it years ago, how many you need not know, to become the wife of the Buccaneer Bazil. “He saved my father and myself from cap- ture by a pirate that was chasing our little plantation yacht, and we believed him to be all that he said he was—an officer in the Cartage- nian Navy. - **T loved him from the first, and, although others who loved me warned me against him, I —— heeded them nor believed what they said. ‘* At last they boldly said he was a Meta My father was convinced of it, and bade me never to see him again, while a plan was arranged to capture his vessel the next time he put into the Sound, a sheet of water near our house. “'T was asked when he would come, so gave & wrong date, met him when he did arrive, and he urged me to fly with him to his vessel and be- come his bride. : “T loved him, was weak, and I did as he asked, and thus I became the Buccaneer’s— bride,” She faltered at the last word, yet uttered it, for she would not tell the truth then, and so kept the secret of the mock-marriage in the schooner’s cabin, little believing that the boy knew what she kept back. ‘* Now, my son, I wish to go to my home, and beg forgiveness of my td old father, and ask him to welcome you and dear little Kate as his own children, **T will know the shores when we see them, for I have sailed often from the plantation to Wilmington, and will find shelter there, ‘“*T was becoming cruelly bitter, and cared not what would become of me; but now my mind is made up; I will go back to the dear old home, to the scene of my childhood, the — where Nad mother is buried, and where my old father welcome me—yes, all of us, with open arms, ‘*Now, my son, you know the course I wish you to steer.” ** Yes, mother, and to your old home we will 0!” The little craft was headed up the coast, and went skimming along under a six-knot breeze, two leagues off-shore, CHAPTER VI. THE STORY OF A GRAVE, ‘*THERE is the Sound, my son; we are near home at last. & ‘Years have passed since I last saw those dear old shores, but I can never forget them. ‘It was just bere, where our little boat is now, that the pirate overhauled our yacht, in which were my father, neyself, and a dozen ne- groes, the plantation crew men; and then Basil rau out of the sound yonder, where bis vessel had gone for repairs, and recaptured us, defeat~ ing the pirate. “Ah! what has not my lot been since those happy days of girlhood! : : “ But sorrows are over now, and the future in the dear old home, for I will be forgiven, looms up brightly before me.” The woman had seemed to muse aloud rather than to address the lad, who sat at the tiller. The little craft, weather-worn, and the worse for its rude buffeting with the wind and waves, had reached a point on the coast near the home of Celine Chetwyn, which she had fled from years before to become the wife of a man who had proven to be a buccaneer — The little vessel had sailed by day, and hunted a harborage by night, and by not holding far, off the land, the lad had been enabled to steer by the coast. At last the mouth of the Cape Fear River was passed, and that pleasant afternoon the woman recognized the familiar scenes of her girlhood, A long stretch of sand, with dunes here and there rising to a considerable height, formed what was known as the Sound, and beyond on the mainland were plantations here and there, the homes of rich Southerners. An inlet in the sandy barrier was before them,
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~ and through this the woman bade the lad steer, and the craft shot into the breakers and then in- to the quiet waters of the Sound. ° ‘“There isthe barn, glimmering among the trees; but the foliage has become so dense I can not distinct] y see the mansion,” said the woman, Soon after she added: ‘We will land yonderat the pier, Clifford; but it seems to be little used now, and I see no . boats about it.” eae. cloud came upon her face, and she said noth- ' ing more while the youth ran alongside of a ae that was crumbling to decay, and made ast Then he lowered sail and followed with little ' Kate, as the woman had told bina to do, for she | had hastily ascended the rickety steps to the highlands, The boy followed, leading Kate by the hand, and they saw a couple of hundred yards away a large, substantial mansion. Ba t it seemed desolate and deserted, and the gravel-way leading to it was overgrown with weeds and grass. But on the two children went tosuddenly come upon the form of their mother, trembling and , swaying, as with sudden weakness, Her face was white, her eyes staring and she Sots at the mansion as though she looked upon he face of the dead, ‘fo is not here, my children, for I have been all around the house, ‘* The servants are not here, no one is here, all , ere a pee as hat can it mean?” ** Perhaps be has moved away, mother?” “No, he would not leave this kome, unless it was to go—” _** Where, mother?” “To the grave—come!” She bounded suddenly away leaving the boy and girl to follow her, and they saw her glide through the shrubbery along a path leading to a little copse of trees on the bank overlooking the Sea. It was an eighth of a mile distant, and she fairly ran there, while the two children ‘followed as fast as little Kate could toddle along, for this path too was overgrown with weeds, AS they grew nearer the children saw through _ the treesa brick wall, also with the finger of - Time touching ic with decay. A gate stood open and fifty feet square. A weeping willow grew in the center and its protecting ‘branches completely sheltered the - graves beneath. _ _ It was the burying-ground of the, Chetwnys for several generations, and perhaps a score of _ graves were there, Over one grave a stone tablet had been re- ently erected; that is it had not become stained : ey by the weather and time. “Tt was next to a similar tablet, the latter - -—s- moss-grown and aged. -~-_ By the newer tomb knelt the woman, and her ey face was resting upon the cold stone, her arms outstretched across it as though to embrace it in _ loving clasp. She uttered no word, only lay there like one whose grief was too deep for tears, or utter- er iitle Kate drew back at the gate, afraid to @pter the dismal spot, but Clifford entered and _ stood with uncovered bead by the tomb. any » And his eyes fell upon the es on the = anne, which was as follows: ** Beneath this stone Rest the mortal ashes of CALVIN CHETWYN, A gallant sailor of the Revolution. ~ * Died of a broken heart, because the idol of his eart and home, a once loving daughter, deserted im to become the Bride of a Buccaneer.” ed into an inclosure ~The boy already knew the story of bis mo- ther’s life, but tears came into his eyes as he saw here cut into stone the story of her deed, and he pitied her in her deep anguish as she elt there, her face upon the tomb, ber arms wn across it. _ “Mother, twilight is coming on, pe will you net come with me?” he said, presently ‘She pressed her lips to the name of her father instantly ng d rose es Ng apa a hte il £03 but I have read the om as wo will o to the mansion, for rain a ae ‘we can be comfortable there, Se ass for ae does t The Buccaneer The Bucodneor Midshipman =. as Ske spoke calmly, but there was a touching | ride the waves like a life-skiff. sadness in her voice. The negroes from adjoining plantations soon They reached the piazza, and there a tablet of | discovered that the Sea Vale Mansion was cccu- brass, but tarnished, met their eyes, and the | pied, and they looked upon the dwellers there as woman bent over and read aloud what was en- | akin to Satan, for what buman beings would graven there: dare face the curse and threat of the old master “ , , of the place. «And Lill t that my home, known. as Sea Vale | y,VVitt, i rile Clifford was wont to roam the Plantation, shall be allowed to crumble to deca chee igor Me bis wi onging to the place, and with all in the mansion as it now stands, the family | furnish the table with game, while be found fish burying-ground and ail, to become a wilderness, a | 4nd oysters in abundance in the waters of the terra ixcog: ita, and T place the sum to pay taxes‘in | Sound. the bank to be paid for one century. at the end of His mother did the housework, quietly, sadly, | dabghier Celine? forthan lone: shall’ my ouree Pose | aie ae eae ae Hee Bate ¢ Jeline; n 1all my curse res upon her and those of her blood. a She ba gern to be her Ate tic apts ‘If there be no heirs, I will that at the expiration ae ez amd cruel though every recollection of one hundred years from the date of my death, the burying-ground be plowed over, leaving no trace of And the boy and girl seemed equally content of a grave, the walls be torn down and the tablets | to pass away their lives there. broken and seattered, and the land of the estate re- Their mother taught them a'couple of hours vert to fhe Government hes emp eo ge that a each day, and with his gun and boat Clifford name o etwyn may obliterated from the - earth as far as those of my blood are concerned. managed to pass lo Re the vena Bi reseed being ** And woe be unto those who dare cross the thres- | bored, while little Kate devot er time to hold of my home thus left, for good or evil, for my | belping her mother. spirit shall haunt the spot.” he neighbors shunned the vicinity even more Such mast engraving on bras which the | "wu no oven land onthe shores wl a Fay Se Y_ too, Hut where Vir | the negroes never went within a mile of the plantation limits after nightfall. ford had expected to see his mother fly in terror When asked, at his voyages to town after . { Come!” | gale, ina long, narrow boat which seemed to from the house, she said with a strange calm- ness: ‘‘Come, my children; this is my home, our. provisions, who be w Ee and about bis mother, aie The place” thi — live. hind ithi “My name is Clifford Sweegan, and as we A go; Sipe, _ repair within, | disturb no one, I think others sbould leave us nd is eos three years since my father’s and our affairs alone.” on fi ‘ One day some one saw Mrs, Swe as ome. the key is in the door, and I will enter, | Qgjine now called herself, and recogni ras as be e you, it son, » B to Stood. and bring 4 | the once beautiful belle and heiress, capresso a It was one of her old lovers, a rival of Buc- he key turned creakingly in the lock, and with a face that had become bitter, almost’ sav- Fags Emcee ant who had warned her ogeines age, the woman stepped across the threshold into the spacious hall, Kate following her, while Clif- aan “had pores if Nur arhentine toeinkalae pe Ne aa on 0 ‘errand ee 9 ae. bl was her bair whitening, and her beauty bad lost th evgirpe ba “es » tem > hi ich auag - its softness, her eyes their bewitching fascination © spacious library, a lamp which was half- | o¢ old, and becone cold, piercing, avd a cynical filled with oil, as it had been left after the funer- | aimost cruel expression ested upon ber face. al, gave a cheery light, and the gloom of twi- “Great God! Can this be you, Celine Chet- light without was banished from the mansion, wyn?" cried the planter, as he drew his horse f All had — os aot et ee weet Reaper, suddenly to a halt, while passing the gate lead- or no one had dared intrude there once the at-| ing into the plantation from the main road, and er oy haps the brass tablet with its warn- beheld the woman standing there ng upon the door. 5 a provisions, old and musty, were found Sstet not canine’ sabe Fie li wah in the storeroom, and the room of the recreant unconscious of his presence until be drew rein daughter, to her horror, sbe found draped in | before her and she heard his words. crape, as though for her death. It was a large, weird old structure, but the heart of the returned woman seemed turned to gall, her nature had become suddenly warped, and she held no fear of her surroundings, 1t was her home, and she would remain there. never married. Now his face paled and he gazed like one fascin- ated at bebolding in the mysterions mistress of Sea Vale none other than ‘the woman whom he had never ceased to love. She regarded him coldly and responded: “Yes, lam the wreck of her that was once CHAPTER VII. WHAT THE MOONLIGHT REVEALED. It was a gloomy nightin the old mansion, with the wind whistling mournfully about the eaves, and the rain pattering upon the roof like clods upon a coffin-lid The lad had brought some things from the little craft, which had been left moored to the wharf, and the children ate a good sup though the desolate woman fouaer nota tlocsel ured vows of love. ‘*T know that thou didst mean me well, Robert Mayo, and in what I am to-day thou art ‘awfully avenged. “Go, and never cross my path again, or I will bring blight upon thee and thine.” She had drawn herself up to her full height and faced him now, her bands glittering with jeweled rings, ber wrists crowded with bracelets, while her dress was rich and out of place there in the woodland. She looked weird and wild, and the man seemed to shrink away asin awe of her, for be raised his hat and rode off in silence, while a mockin laugh echoed in his ears, a laugh that grat harshly upon his senses, for once her voice had been as music to him From that day it became known that Celine Chetwyn, the buccaneer’s bride, had returned to her home, in defiance of her father’s curse, his will and his threat, and she came to ke regarded with real awe, while the negroes called hera@ witeb and soon the more superstitious among the whites began to regard her in the same light. Thus did Sea Vale and its mysterious dwellers become more than ever shunned, A year and more went by, and one bright mnecontictit night Celine was pacing up and down -of food, And while they slept she paced to and fro, her heart and brain aching with the memories called up by the spot where she was, Not once did she close ber eyes, for when tired of her pacing to and fro she took the lamp and went over the entire house, from cellar to garret, as though she sought for some one, or even longed to have her father keep his threat to haunt the placa that she might meet bis spirit. At last the day dawned, and Clifford hastened down to the boat. No one had been there and nothing had been disturbed, Securing some provisions for breakfast he re- turned to the mansion, and the rain continuing to fall the day tbus passed, The next morning they moved all on board the craft into the mansion, and a boat lying upon the shore was patched up, and the little vessel that had served them so well was towed out toan rene day.to Wilmington after provisions, usu Several days ra voyage was made in the | two days’ voyage, and Kate lay asleep in her little vessel rf Pilmington, where ample stores "eg bed, the same in which the young hei were purchased to last several months, "aed _they } et Vale had slumbered in her Innocent girl- were paid for in Spanish gold, to the surprise of the dealers, Suddenly she started, for she bad seen no ves- Then it began to be noised about.that strange | sel enter the inlet, and’ yet one now swept into * | Boy wa ple dwelt »t Sea Vale Mansion, and a mere | view in front of the nee seen flying up and down the Sound in a | wind and droppe#anchor. He had been true to his love for her and had ~ Celine Chetwyn, she into whose ears thou once the piazza, and alone, for Clifford had gone 8 mansion, ran up into the —
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6 The Buccaneer Midshipman. i It was a schooner, and she had a rakish, saucy Icok, such as free-rovers of that day had. ‘‘ Ha! a vessel anchoring here and she has the look of a pirate, ‘Hal hal coming here to pillage, as prizes at ““T will carry her to the old secret room in the attic, and then return and watch for the coming of the robbers,” So saying she hastened to the room where Kate slept, roused her and bore her away to the secret chamber, where in Revolutionary days the Chetwyns had hidden their valuables from the British. folks began to regard them with suspicion, until on Christmas morning a hunter went into their cot to warm himself and found them both dead. There were tracks leading down to the shore through the snow, where a boat had landed, and 3 sea are scarce, I suppese. the man and his wife had seemingly been killed “It is enough to make you answer, if you Roe |. ae q * Well, be is welcome to all that he can carry | with cutlasses, and trails of blood dyeing the | don’t wish to feel my grip,” was the insulting — i, : off; but I rejoice that Clifford is away, and | snow to the water's edge showed that those who | remark, ; : : Sa neither Kate nor I must be seen. bad done the foul deed bad also suffered severely “Then here is my answer, sir,” and quick as a@ , Hp at the hands of the two who had fought for their lives. And more, the hearth had been dug up, and a broken box, iron-bound, lay upon the floor, and had evidently been robbed of a valuable trea- sure, This would prove that the man and his wife had not been poor, and others knew of their ‘‘Show me your authority, my man, for ask- ing your questions, and I will answer you.” * My authority is this,” and the bully shook bis huge fist in the face of the sailor, ‘Ts that all the authority you have?” flash the fist of the sailor dealt the bully a blow full in bis face, which fairly lifted him off of his feet and felled him to the ground with a force that stunned him, while the blood-stains that - followed the blow showed how terrible it had Be been, A general cheer greeted the act, for the go! rs was a dangerous character, feared by all, an . a Then she put out the lamp, caused the room | riches hidden away in their humble home, avoided even by the bravest of men, who cared ay ae to look like as if it had not been recently occu- The hunter reported his ghastly discovery to | for no trouble with him. : as re st ied, and closing the front door, concealed | the authorities of the little seaport, two miles His great strength, and bis known readiness lat ‘ Barosit at a window in the parlor. away, and all day long a stream of humanity | to use a knife, caused him to be feared, while in pe. “4 The moon shone with unwonted brilliancy, | was going to and from the house, the eyes of those who dreaded him most, he was aes ‘ and the vessel was distinctly seen at anchor, her The bodies were buried on the cliff, beneath | a pretended hero. ax eR = sails remaining set, excepting her jib. a wide-branched pine, and the bumble bome He had made the threat that he would know ea eS Then a form was seen coming along the weed- | was closed and from that cay avoided by all as | thesailor’s business ashore as soon as he landed, eile a grown walk to the bluff, on which stood a rustic | a fatal spot, and one where evil spirits dwelt. throwing out the hint that the craft was doubt- = arbor. Men who sailed by at night were wont to as- | less a smuggler. 5 pc The form was clad in white and came slowly, | sert that they saw white robed forms upon the But his downfall was greeted with a cheer, directly toward the mansion. cliff, near the two graves, and others claimed to | and the young sailor passed on without even a Nearer and nearer he approached, the eyes of the woman riveted upon him. The form was tall, commanding, clad in a snow-white suit, even the tarpaulin being white. The face was dark, a mustache shaded the upper lip, and long eurling hair fell upon his shoulders. He halted at the first step and regarded the placv with silent interest. In one hand he carried a sword, and a pistol was stuck in a white sash about his waist. “No, the {place is deserted, surely, for no one can dwell here,” he murmured, and bis words reached the ears of the woman at the open window. Then his eyes fell upon the large brass plate upon the door, and ascending the steps he read | known to the port. Bart 8 by the light of the moon shining full upon it, She carried a great deal of canvas, was high ‘Where is he?” : what was engraven there. in bow and stern, and very roomy and comfort- **Gone up-town.” “Ha! a broken heart killed him, did it? able she appeared, “That blow with a piece o’ iron must have “‘ And she has not returned, that is evident— But three persons were visible,upon her decks, | stunned me, for I didn’t see him go, “He was a coward to strike a man without not yet. “* But she will come here, for as surely as a murderer is seized with a longing that is inevit- able to gaze upon the grave of his victim, so surely does one exiled from home in childhood, return to it in later years, ‘“ Yes, she will come back here, and the chil- dren I must have, while she must die. “T can wait yet awhile.” With this the man turned slowly upon his heel, glanced about the sagt for a few minutes and then walked back o the shore, Soon after his jib was run up and the schooner swung around and headed out of the Sound, Like a deer the woman ran to the arbor and leveled a spy-glass at the vessel, ‘ “Tt isan armed craft, crowded with men, so he is no apparition; no, he escaped the gallows an:| is once more afloat and the black flag waves over him, ‘‘He will come back; Bazil the Buccaneer oodgd fails to keep bis threat, so I must fly from ere. ; “Yes, we must go far away, where he can never find us, and he must deem us dead.” Some days after it became noised about that the little craft with its boy skipper was no lon- ger seen on the watersof the Sound; fishermen no onger beheld lights in the mansion of Sea Vale at night, and the mysterious dwellers of the ype were known to have departed as strange- ly as they had come. CHAPTER VIII. @A STRANGER IN PORT, THE little seaport town of —— on the Massa- chusetts Coast wasin a ferment of excitement one morning over a double murder committed in the -vicinity by parties unknown. It was said that a vessel had sailed into the rbor during the night, on Christmas Eve, when a violent storm of snow was in pr 3 and she had run up the inlet and decueet, ot chor off a desolate, cedar-clad point wheréon stood a small cottage, the home of a fisherman and his wife. They had come there two years before, built their home far away from their neighbors, and seemed content to live in isolation. _. The man now and then brought in a cargo of fish to the town, fishing alone, and yet this seem- \ ed hardly to afford a living ‘forthe two, and have heard piteous cries for help. . Every Christmas Eve it was said cries could e distinctly heard coming from the cliff, and reaching the ears of sailors upon the deck of vessels anchored a mile away in perce In truth it soon became so well chown a fact that the Overlook Cottage was haunted, that masters of vessels coming to port; would never seek an anchorage in the upper part of the harbor, where they could be within hail of the dreaded spot, Thus several years went by, and one mornin an unknown — ran into the little port an ws * = anchor above the town. The craft was of some thirty tons burden, and as thin of build and rig as any coaster and two of these were clad in feminine garb. No one in the port recognized the craft, and she created surprise by running up above the town further than vessels of late years had dared to venture, on account of the spirits said to haunt the Overlook Point, where the midnight double murder had been committed, Posring around gracefully the sloop’s an- chor was let fall, her sails came down with an easy run, and a light skiff was lowered from the stern davits. and started shoreward with but one occupant, The idlers on the wharves regarded the boat curiously and gathered to note the oarsman. The latter sent his skiff along with a powerful, skillful stroke that showed the perfect seaman, and as he ran it upon the sands, he drew it out of the water with a strength that won general admiration. As he turned the crowd saw a tall, elegantly formed youth, scarcely over twenty, with a face bronzed by long sea service, waving brown nat and features that were cast in a noble mold. He was strangely handsome, with a cheery, daring face, full of determination, while bis carriage was upright, dignified though graceful, About him, taken altogether wasa Divil-I-care air that was very attractive, added toa manli- ness that was undemable. He was attired in a sailor suit of dark blue with a black silk scarf knotted under his broad collar, and in the corners of the latter were neatly-embroidered anchors in gold thread. About his waist was a scarlet silk sash, in which was a pistol and long knife, and bis head was surmounted by a blue silk tarpaulin en- circled by a gold cord, and with an anchor em- broidered on the front. A dandy sailor he would be taken for, until one looked into his face and saw there the per- fect man. As he turned toward the crowd, he doffed his tarpaulin gracefully, and said in a pleasant way: t @ood-afternoon to you, gentlemen,” The salute was returned, and the sailor was pee on up into the town, when one of those ullies, always to be found ready for trouble, eg. 5 Fe directly in front of him and said: ‘Hello, young Bandbox, what are yer busi- ness in this town, and what colors does yer sail under, fer I notices you has no flag at your ‘ peak?” — look at the prostrate form of the town bully. Abe Holly, for such was the bully’s name arose to his feet bewildered by the blow he ha ES received. 38 5, He glared about him, but nowhere beheld the = Saal one who had so quickly and well resented his = | insult to him, oti ae The crowd stood by in silence, awed now that ary. the tiger was about to show his claws. - ‘What did he hit me with?” he growled, 8av- agely. ‘* His fist,” ventured some one. ; ‘‘ You lie! he had a piece o’ iron in his hand, for see how my face is cut and bleeding.” The “lie direct” was not resented by the one who had answered him, and then came the warning, and with a piece o’ iron, and you is alk a Jot o’ cowards not to arrest him for it, “But just wait until he returns, and see if I in b revenge that blow—you hear me, don’t ou : A number answered in chorus in the affir- mative, and stepping down to the boat of the young sailor, Abe Holly sat down upon it, took out his long-bladed, ugly knife and patient] awaited the return of the one who had so promp ly punished his impertinence. CHAPTER IX. A DUEL WITH KNIVES, Ir was a quaint old town, for even then it was an ancient place, that the young stranger found himself in, and the people were seafaring Men — and their families, with a few tradesmen. ; Ships sailed from there the world over, and many a gallant sailor had the little port pro- duced, and one and all were honest, hard-work- ing people who admired pluck and were true — patriots, The youth had made his way up to the town, made a sligbt purchase at a store, and then made inquiry regarding the possibility of securing & little home there, or rather in the outskirts of the place. ; The traderman was the very man to know, a he owned several houses; but he was sorry that all were occupied just then, and he did not re- member a single cottage then for rent. “There ig a cottage upon the cliff up the bar- — bor, which seemed to be unoccupied, sir,” sug- gested the youth. Be sp 4 Merchant Daley fairly started, while he said in a whisper: . iS “You connot mean the Haunted Cabin?” “T mean the cottage, or cabin upon a bold cliff clad with cedars and pines above the town, — if that 1s the place you call haunted,” said the sailor with a smile, ; te “That's the place, sir, and if you have got the — nerve to take that place you can have it and welcome,” ; . “What is it baunted by?” ae The merchant told the story of the double — murder in Overlook Cottage, and then the young — sailor said: , “* Well, I rather like the place, and asIdonob dread ghosts, I wilsee the owner of it.” - “Tt belongs to me, sir, and as [said youare = welcome to it, if you will live there,” ;
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“No, thank you, I prefer to buy it; if you will name your price.’ “¢ Well, sir, there are five acres to go with it, a couple down in the valley that are good for rais- ing vegetables, and there is wood in plenty, while the cabin is of iogs, has four rooms and is not uncomfortable. “Tt bas some little furniture in it, and there the inlet puts in beyond the cliff, forming a snug Ne harborage for small craft, only I have yet to ia ee know tbe skipper that ‘would drop anchor as ae there.” eats “T will, sir, this night if you will name your ene price, for ‘Lhavo a little craft at anchor off the z town now.” ae” “Saya couple of hundred, sir, for it, - it ne stands,” +) Ce ‘*Draw up adeed and here is your money, “i ee and the young sailor took out a purse heavy inte with gold. hae ‘Tn what name, sir?” Ethene: “Make it in the name of Salina Sweegan, Sots: please.” Pasi “‘T will, sir, and here is the key, which 1 have aes not touched ‘since it was locked the day after fe: ‘ae the murder. «The man and his wife are buried right there, sir, I should tell you.” ‘They will not prove. bad neighbors, I am sure, and we will not disturb them, **T see that you have some furniture and when we know what we want, I will give you a eall and sign the papers—say to-morrow,” and the sailor walked out leaving the amazed merchant gazing blankly after bim, for to bave any one willing to buy and live in the Overlook Cottage surpassed his comprehension, f The sailor then retraced his steps toward the wharves, walking with a graceful, swinging manner that showed one in perfect health, and at — with the world in general, saw the now large crowd gathered at the shire, near his boat, but did not hesitate, and really seemed * have forgotten his affair with the bully, Abe Ho She But that morse. ad not forgotten tbe blow , eg him, aving stanched the bleeding rom his nose and brow, sat, knife in hand, ugly in humor and anxious to avenge the insult put upon him, for he considered himself the injured rty. ais were those in the crowd only too anx- ious to see an affray, and others still who were determined that the bully should not go too far with a stranger in the town. W hat they bad seen led them to believe that the young stranger was not one to be trifled with, and all seemed to feel that he’ had struck the bully with some hard instrument held in bis hand, so stunning bad been the blow. As the young man came in sight, the murmur of voiees ceased and all eyes were u bim. “ Ab, mates, admiring my skiff, 1 see; well, it isa prett boat, is it not?” Severa replied, and as the youth now stood by the boat, ready to shove it into the water, Abe Holly still kept bis seat upon it. *“You will kindly move, sir, if you please,” ‘said the sailor politely. * But I don’t pc reered young dandy.” “Ab! you are the same fellow that I was forced to strike down a while since, Do you wish to feel the weight of my hand aguin?’ “Tt wasn’t yer hand yer hit me with, but a stone, or piece of iron, you coward!” Again the fist shot forth, and once more the bully was taken unawares, Fall in his face the blow fell, and Abe Holly was sent over backward off of the boat, <3 With a cry like a savage dog he sprung to his _. feet and rushed upon the sailor, his long knife drawn. 5 A dozen men sprung forward to check him, but the sailor waved them back, his own knife ashed from his belt, and he caught the blade of the bully upon bis own and held it there, Abe Holly released the pressure at once and again sought to = the ugly knife, but again _ bis blow was parried, dened, at being so skillfully foiled, the bully tried time and again to drive his Knife into the heart of the young sailor, who skill- fully rried every thrust, slash and blow, and a yet $3 smile never left his face, i fi he crowd shouted with admiration and de- ; at seeing the bully thus thwarted, and stung at pate vs lause for his foe and derision seen Dy ly rom a mighty spring and ee ee eee ee =a to 4 stunned and almost lifeless man and said **My man,$you are worsted, and I feel no ill- will toward a fallen foe, so here’s my hand.” ‘*T'll have your life yet some day for this, z gasped the bully. ‘* Ah, that is your game is it? “So be it, [care not, so long as you do not get in my way,” and raising bis bat to the cheering crowd he shoved his boat into the water, though a score of hands were ready to do it for him, and seizing the oars pulled rapidly away, without even another glance at the bully, who was skulking away, followed by several who from some motive known to themselves, still clung to him in his fall, As for the crowd in general they were de- lighted at the downfall of Abe Holly and looked — the stranger as a hero of no common or- der. Eagerly they watched him as he rowed back to his sloop, saw him board and drop his boat astern to tow it there, and then beheld the an- chor raised, the jib run up and the little sloop glide away ‘from her anchorage. But a cry of amazement went up in a chorus as they saw the sloop run up the harbor and drop anchor under the very shadow of the cliff whereon stood the haunted cabin, CHAPTER X. A MYSTERIOUS TRIO. THE little sloop that had run into the port of M——,, dropped anchor in the inlet that swept inland beyond Overlook Cliff, The young sailor upon his return on board had been welcomed by the only two other occu- pants besides himself upon the sloop, and who had watched the scene ashore with considerable interest and some alarm, One of these was a woman of perhaps forty, when one closely regarded her face, though at a glance she appeared older, for ber hair was streaked with silver. Her face bore traces of having once been very beautiful, and her form was still elegant, ber movements graceful. But her complexion was bronzed almost to the hue of an Indian, her eyes seemed to have receded in their sockets, and looked forth black, piercing, tbreatening from heavy, arched brows, while the long lashes gave them an expression hard to define, Her teeth were even, snow-white, and gave her a sinister smile when they were visible, and her chin was firm, her mouth possessed an almost cruel expression, and altogether it was a very remarkable face to behold, In her ears wig | heavy rings studded with rubies, and about her neck was a neeklace of emeralds which gave a beautiful glare as the | sunlight fell upon her. Both wrists, and ber fingers were ornamented with bracelets and rings, set with precious stones, Her dress was deep black, cut close, showing her form, and witha red scarf encircling her slender waist, and in this was thrust a jewel- hilted knife, by ag her head she wore a Turkish fez cap, of black, ornamented with a silver tassel, and with a big ‘skull and cross-bones in front, Altogether sbe was a remarkable-looking wo- man, and one to stand in awe of, The other person who had welcomed back the young sailor, was a young girl of fourteen, a picture of grace and beauty, She was dressed in a light-fitting sailor suit of blue cloth, trimmed with silver lace, wore a scarlet Turkish fez, ornamented with a gold tassel and gold anchor, and about her waist was a white silk sash. She wore no jewelry, nor was there a weapon in her sash, or otherwheres visible about her. Her face was well browned by exposure, flush- ed with the tint of perfect health, and she was certainly very beautiful. “There was some trouble ashore, my son?” said the woman as the young sailor reached the, sloop. oO more than that I had to punisha bully, Scan who scught to make tpgdtin “But I have a house for us!” aaa is the tees yonder, which you said you ‘“‘T am glad, for we can live aloof there from bay i ‘ ught it, with Ave acres, for a cou le of hundred dollars. and there is good sacheirnes in | the inlet beyond the cliff, and the cabin bas four 3 The Buccaneer BRAN EA DE rooms and has some little furniture in it now; but it is said to be haunted.” ““Good! that will keep neighbors from being too intimate,” was the reply of the woman...’ The anchor was then gotten up, the woman and girl working like regular sailors, and the sloop “stood ou to an anchorage under the cliff. The three landed and went up to the cabin by the steep path, and opening the door they found it a very comfortable home. “ Make a list of what you need, mother, and I will sail down to-morrow and get the things; but in the mean time we will open the house and clean up,” said the youth, ‘** Yes, and this is the very place for us, and I am delighted with our new home.” ‘*And so am 1, mother, but there are two graves on the cliff, * said the young girl, who had been strolling ar ound the premises, ‘*So much the better,” was the stern réply of the woman, and she added, as she stepped out in front of the log cottage: “The view is grand from here, and we can make certain improvements that will add to our comforts immeusely.” The three then set to work cleaning house, and when they returned on board their craft at sun- set the place presented a very different appear- ance from what it bad on their arrival, The next morning the young sailor alone sailed down to the town, ran alongside of a wharf with a skill which the idlers there admired immensely, and went up to the store of the merchant from whom he had purchased the cottage. ‘**Ah, good-morning, sir; come to back out from your bargain, " suppose?” said the mer- chant, as the young sailor entered. - “Ob, no, why should I?” ‘“*On account of the ghosts?” ‘** We do not mind them in the least,” was the smiling reply. The papers were then signed, and some needed purchases made, and sent down on board the. sloop, which at once cast off and sailed up the harbor. The youth anchored fore and aft Just under the overbanging cliff, and going ashore soon had a rope lowered to the deck, to haul up the things he bad purchased. By night the little home was in good trim, and the sloop was carried to an anchorage around the point of the cliff, where she would be safe in bad weather. The coming of the strange trio to the port, and the purchase of the Haunted Hut of Over- lock Cliff created a sensation in the little sea- port town, The denizens of the place were more or less filled with superstition, and they bad strange fancies ee the strangers. The able manner in which the young — had met and handled the town bully, Holly, bad made bim very popular, while chore was that in his general appearance and pleasant manners to win admiration and respect. His sloop meee was a@ costly-built vessel, and what business was going to put her i in was what bothered the people, while some of the skippers of the coasting packets feared that they were to have a dangerous opposition in the pew-comer, The first Saturday after the arrival of the strangers was market-day, and the sailor, bis mother and sister, went down into the town, rowing there in their skiff, § They were gazed at curiously, and many @ one shruvk from the piercing glance of the woman, while the beauty of the young girl won general praise They strolled about the town, seemingly un- mindful of the stares they attracted, made some purchases and started for home. But as they moved away from the wharf their ears were greeted with the words: “That woman is a witcb, mates, mark my words.” Quick came the answer from the woman. “Then beware and not cross my path for evil.” The man shuddered and the crowd remained silent, while the young sailor said; “The one who spoke, mother, was the man I unished the day we arrived in port. “I must keep my eye on him, for he means trouble,” es, a man seldom forgives a blow, and cer- I would not, Clifford, ut this is our home, mine, and we are not to be fear and threats,” ‘*No, mother, we will remain here, for we have been wanderers long enough,” and the beni sailor sighed as though the memories of is past were not of the pleasantest nature. tain] ours, Kate’s and davon from it by
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The Buccaneer Midshipman. ee ea aD eR ae CHAPTER XI, THE SAILOR SPENDTHRIFT, SITUATED upon a bill overlooking the town in one direction, and with grounds sloping down to the harbor on another, while in the rear was a fine woodland, stood a mansion which was the pride of the good people of M E The master also of the mansion savas an object of admiration, for he had served bis country well in the war of the Revolution, two-score years before, and left a leg upon a death-storm deck, yet captured the enaemy’s ship after re- ’ ay . I ; ceiving 28 all bad then believed his fatal wound, Commodore Caleb Carr, was his name, and be had come from a good American family, who were poor, But the prizes of the daring sailor had en- riched him, and after leaving the service he had built the mansion on the hill Overlooking M and gone there to pass the remainder of his days, though he was then but a young man. The home he had given the name of Harbor- age Hal}, and as it was a fine mansion, hand- somely furnished, and with many broad acres surrounding it, while a large bank account, and interest in several clipper sbips would bring in a liberal income to support the luxury, there were a number of young maidens who at once set their caps for the dashing young commodore, considering his wooden leg nothing to be ashamed of, One of these maidens, the only child of the vil- lage doctor, was so fortunate as to capture the commodore, and so became the wife of Caleb Carr. As the years went by and no child was born to bless the nnion, the commodore adopted his brother’s son, a handsome lad of eight years, who bad also a fortune in his own right left by his parents, and of which the old sailor was the sole executor. But soon after the arrival of young Kenton Carr at the Harborage Hall, a little girl was born to become the idol of her father’s heart, for the mother died soon after the birth of the in- fant, The commodore was greatly prostrated by tho death of his loving wife; but be rallied for the sake of the little daughter, and a competent nurse was found to take charge of the httle Ethel, and the father began to feel after all that there was much to live for. Some years after, his nephew, Kenton Carr, was sent into the navy as a midshipman, and the commodore held bright hopes of a distin-~ guished career for him. But after half a dozen years of service he re- turned home, dismissed for his wild career, and at once entered upon a fast life which soon gain- ed for bim the name of being reckless and a dis- sipated spendthrift, is uncle at last put a check upon him, and he toned down, to all ontward appearances, but in secret was as wild as ever, and often spent whole nights at the gaming-table when in Boston or New York. be The commodore at lengtb sent bim to sea as first mate of a clipper ship, and after a voyage of two years he returned to report a most suc- cessful cruise in a financial way, and that the captain bad heen lost at sea in a storm the first nigbt out, so that he had been in command ever since. His uncle was proud of his achievement, and hoped to make something of him after all; but as soon as he had been at home a few weeks, his old wild ways broke forth, and bis orgies and gamblivg became the talk of the town. Again, after a few months ashore, the commo- dore sent the young man to sea, this time in command of a mercbant brig trading in South America, and three more years passed ere bis return, and once more his cruise proved a finan- cial success, Upon his return, too, he found his cousin Ethel rown to be a beautiful girl of seventeen, and he ell desperately in love with her, But Ethel did not love her wayward, reckless cousin; she read bim aright as insincere and wicked, and so refused him, and upon this a debauch of weeks followed, which very nearly ended in the commodore driving the young man from bis home forever. But when convinced that this would be the result, Kenton Carr changed at once, and from that day his orgies were few and far between; that is, those that were known to his uncle, while he was no longer seen at the gambling- table in the village tavern, and passed most of his time in his little yacht, cruising about the vicinity of M——, or riding horseback through the adjoining country. One night when in Boston, Kenton Carr went | i to the house of a money-lender, and when ushered into the library, said abruptly: ‘‘ Keys, I have come for more money.” “TI told you the last time, Mr. Carr, that I could advance you no more,” said the money- lender, a shrewd-faced man and an attorney, “But you must, Keys, for my uncle gave me a couple of thousand to pay taxes and make some purchases with, and I lost it at cards last night after arriving in town. “T have played all day on my notes, hoping to win it back, but now am out the two thou- sand and half as much more in I, O. U.’s at sight.” ‘¢ Mr. Carr, let us understand each other.” ‘That is just what I desire, Keys,” “Your parents’ will left you a fortune of just seventy thousand dollars, which your uncle’s good management has very nearly doubled. “Now, the will read that he was to allow you what income he deemed best per year, and to retain control of the principal until he felt that it was right to intrust it to your keeping. “Ts not that so?” “Tt is.” ‘* Now, you came to me with papers showing exactly what your property consisted of, and asked for a loan. ‘‘T investigated, and so gave it to you, as all was right, ‘“Now, your uncle allows you a couple of thousand a year, and gives you your home, so that is liberal enough; but he will not intrust you with the control of your propemy, and he is rigbt. “And you, for loans advanced, have mort- gaged to me every dollar of your inheritance, and its accumulated value, to be paid into my hands when you come into possession. ‘‘Now, I have advanced you, in the last half dozen years, just sixty-five thousand dollars, all of which you have spent in riotous living and at the gaming-table,” ‘Tt is true; but I want five thousand more, Keys,” “Very well, I will give it to you, but nota dollar more after this, and you must now un- derstand it. **- You will have then had the amount of your inheritance, and my pay will be its accumulated value, which runs as high as fifty thousand, and { deserve every dollar for taking the chances. **Come, I will count you out the money, for this was my collection day for house rents and ship charters, and I happen to have the sum with me to-night.” He went to an iron safe in the room and took out a bag of money, counting the amount before the young man, “ Now, Carr, take my advice and leave two thousand with me, the amount your uncle gave you for taxes and purchases, and attend to that husiness the first thing for him to-morrow morn- ing.” “No, Tl take it all, for I'l net gamble to- night,” and with the five thousand dollars in his pockets the young gambler left the attorney’s house, An hour after and he stood at the gaming table in a fashionable Hall of Kortune, and was losing rapidly and steadily, for luck was running against him, CHAPTER Xfi. THE LAST RESORT. 4 Wren Kenton Carr looked about the rooms, after entering the Hall of Fortune, he was not long in* finding some congenial spirits, and he was welcomed by the master of the house who had always known him to bea good loser in all games he played. He took up his I, 0, U. notes to the keeper and a few friends, placed the two thousand due his uncle in a separate pocket and began to gamble upon the balance. , : He won for awhile, but soon luck changed and he began to lose steadily. Growing reckless and nervous he increased his bets, and by midnight bis limit was reached. Feeling assured that luck must change, he be- gan to draw upon his two thousand laid aside, and in two hours this was also gone, Then Be began to borrow from the keeper, and at last turned from the table five bundred dol- lars in febt and without a dollar in his pocket, ‘*My God! I am ruined, unless Keys comes to my aid agaiv, and I feel that he will never do it! “No, IT am ruined, for my uncle will never forgive me now, and the truth will come out that I have mortgaged every dollar of my in- heritance, ‘* Whatam I to do?” ‘* Allow me to tell you, sir.” Kenton Carr started at the voice, for in his preoccupation he had-not observed that another person sat in the darkened room which he had entered, after leaving the gaming-table, He was half-inclined to resent the words of the stranger, who he knew must have heard bis muttered words. But he said, sullenly: ‘*T was not addressing you, sir.” ** But I did address you, Captain Kenton Carr, and I am sorry you are in such a scrape.” “Ah! can it be that you are he whom they call Red Ralph Rogers down in M——?” **T am he, sir.” “But you look so different from the man TI have often seen there who answers to that name.” . * [am an humble fisherman there, sir, dressed in-coarse garb; but here Iam a gentleman, and so attire myself.” 5 ; * Yes, and it is hinted that you are in leaguo with smugglers, I now recall.’ ‘Yes, folks will talk, you know, for they say some very evil things of you. ‘* But let me repeat my words to allow me to tell vou what to do to save yourself from ruin?* “You overheard my words then?” ‘Yes, I had just won heavily, and came in here, for a quiet smoke and to calm my nerves, and you followed me into the room a few mo- ments after, and it seems luck has gone against ou, me Yes, I have lost my last dollar,” ‘* Get more.” “That is good advice, but how?" ‘ Boter my service.” “ Yours?” “ Yes.” ** As a fisherman?” ‘“Tn one sense yes, but we will fish for gold.” ** How do you mean?” ‘“* Are you aware that smuggled goods bring @ high price?” So T have heard.” “ Well, itis easy for you, under certain cir- cumstances, to get the handling of certain smuggled goods of a costly kind, and make a very handsome income thereby.” ‘Sir! do you intend to insult me?” ** How, pray?” ‘** By asking me to league myself with lawless men?” ‘*My dear Mr, Carr, do not get angry, for I wish to belp you and ean do so, ** Now you have just confessed to having ruin- ed yourself at the gaming table to-nigbt, and I know enough of your uncle to understand that he is not one to tolerate gambling and other arts in his nephew, ‘““You spoke of a man by the name of Keys, and I happen to know that he has you in bis ower, ‘* Your temper is aroused at the thought of wishing to have you league yourself with law- less men, and yet I was the one in M—— who advanced the money to Landlord Lucas of the tavern, on your note, indorsed by your uncle, “Tn twenty days that note is due, and J hap- pen to know that not wishing to trouble your uucle with so slight a thing as writing bis name on your note of hand for five hundred for ninety days, you simply wrote it for him.” “My God!” gasped the young man, “Now as you told the landlord that you wish- ed to borrow the money secretly on your note, he said that he knew a man who would do it for a large per cent, “ That man is before you, and—” “You?” ; “Yes, I was disguised then, when I met you, and [ told you to get your uncle’s indorsement and you should have the money. “You said you would do so and the next day met me and the indorsement was there; but happen to know that your uncle was in New York at the time, so now do not get angry when Isuggest a plan to help you out of your trouble by lawless acts, and to enrich you as well, “* Are you ready to talk business,Mr, Carr?” “You have me in your power, so what reply can I make but that of yes,” was the sullen re- sponse, ; , ‘Well, ll explain the situation and your duties, if you will come with me to my rooms,” The young man obeyed in silence, and leaving the hall after a walk of a few blocks his guide balted at a house, Jet himself in witha key, and ascending a dimly lighted stairway unlocked a door upon the right, Tt was acomfortable bedroom, a fire burned on the hearth, a table was there with books and other things upon it, anda clothes-press stood
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I ST ne a te ener crm er a er rer St RR CL LA < eee. Ae ay athe ee ¢ near, while there were a couple of easy-chairs inviting rest. A decanter and glasses were upon a shelf near and placing them before his visitor the host said: id: “To our better acquaintance, Captain Carr, and your success.” ‘Thank you,” and the toast was drank. The host was a man of fiery red hair and beard, and dressed most extravagantly. He wore eye-glasses, a watch, fob-chain, seal ring, and in his scarf glittered a diimond pin. e carried a gold-headed cane, wore patent- leather gaiters, andin fac# was attired as an exquisite, ** Captain Carr, you have known me for years only as Red Ralph, a fisherman, and suspected of smuggling. **T was born a gentleman, was once an offi- cer in the Navy of the United States, and am now off duty for a week and enjoying myself in wn. ‘*T am a smuggler, however, and I makea very handsome living by the work, and I need your aid, aud we can do still better, “T am fond of a game of cards and. to-night won just five thousand six bundred dollars, while you lost—” * Just onethousand less than that sum,” ** Yes; well, here are five thousand five bun- dred, so I'll be content with making a hundred to-night, “This money I loan you on conditions, “You are to take the two thousand you said, on the way here, you had received from your uncle, and use it as he directed, “You are to pay back the five thousand do!- lars to take up your I. O, U. to the keeper, and then you are to investthe three thousand in a pretty schooner, which gives you one-fourth share in our business, * One-fourth is owned by the captain, and one- fourth by the crew, [I hold one half, so sell you half of that, and so you see we are arranged for. ** The schooner is known as the Storm Beacon, for she only appears off the coast in a storm, and she transfers her cargo to hiding-places and I send them to the city and sell them. ** Now it is dangerous work for me; but you have a pleasure craft, and often cruise alone; no one would suspect you, and going to the hid- ing-places in your runs you could bring them into port, and I could go by night in my boat to your yacht and transfer them to the farm on the coast where they can remain until sent up to town in the farmer’s wagon, _ ‘* You see my pian, and it will pay you from five hundred to six hundred dollars every time our schooner brings a cargo off-shore, and she makes half a dozen runs a year, ‘What do you say, Captain Carr?” **T can but yield to the temptation you offer, and thank you for having helped me out of a very black-looking scrape,” was the answer. “You are wise, for our business may some day lead to something better,” was the signifi- cant reply, and the two men thus strangely met, took another drink to the success of their law- less enterprise. CHAPTER XIII, A RESCUE, It was three-quarters of a mile from the cliff, the width of the inlet at its mouth, where the fine harbor of M—— began, hidden, an winds from sea and land. The cabin had two rooms in it, and a covered way along the front, which served as a piazza, or shelter at least. The rooms were plainly furnished, one used as a sleeping room, the otber as a kitchen, and work-shop. In the rear of the house was asmall veget- able garden, a couple of score of chickens roamed about the place, and a large black dog, and a savage-looking white cat lay in peaceful content upon fine straw beds evidently arranged for them. Fishing nets, lines or other paraphernalia of a fisherman’s craft, and a skiff and an oyster-boat were drawn upon a small bit of sandy beach on the inlet shore, while off at anchor lay a small smack of five tons, her sails neatly furled. Swinging in a hammock among the pines was the master of this by no means uncomfortable home, and he was considered a man of consider- The Buccaneer Midshipman, able nerve to dwell as near as he had, for years, to the Over look Cliff, where the ghosts of the mur- dered man and his wife were wont to be seen and heard of nights, for so said many people who professed to speak from actual experience, This man in the hammock was Red Ralph, as he was called, partly from the belief that he had been engaged ina crime-Stained career, as well as on account of his fiery red hair and beard. Here at home he was not the exquisite the reader has seen in his room in Boston, but at- tired in plain sailor garb. He was smoking a pipe and reading a book with seeming interest, but now and then looked through an opening in the pines over to Over- look Cliff where could be seen two forms seated upon a rustic settee near the edge of the rocks. He had a glass in his hammock and now and then turned it upon the two, “The girl is going to make a beautiful. wo- man, and one to be proud of, while the boy is certainly as handsome as an Apollo, and is one to make a name for himself, ‘* How strange that they should cross my path again and in this quiet place; but I knew her the: moment I saw her, and then it came back to me about the two children,although they have grown up since then, 2 ** What can have brought them here, I won- er? ** Ah! there comes the Harborage Hall sail- boat down the inlet, and Master Kenton has his pretty cruiser out for a sail, and he had better have a carein this squally weather. ‘The girl is a fool to go out with him, for sbould the boat capsize, by accident, of course, and she be drowned, why it would just kill ber old father, and that would leave Kenton Carr in full possession of the old man’s large fortune, and he is none too good to bring about such a climax— By Heaven! [ suspected it,” and the man sprung from bis hammock and rushed for the shore where his skiff lay. The boat in question was a small cat-rig be- longing to Harborage Hall, and she was under full sail, though it was blowing stiff and very squally, for a fierce squall would rush over the hills now and then and fairly churn the waters into foam as it passed along, But Kenton Carr was a good sailor, and his cousin, very fond of an outing on the harbor, trusted herself with him without dread. They bad run up past the town, and rounding the cliff, to sail up the inlet, for Kenton bad sug- gested that they go by to get a look at the mys- terious dwellers in the Overlook Cottage, and who had now been living there nearly a year, Ethel Carr had been glad to get a lock at the weird spot and the strange trio, so had consented to go by, with real pleasure at the thought, She was about seventeen, and there was nota dweller in the town but had said, men, women and children alike, that she was the most beauti- ful girl that had-ever crossed their paths in life, and a lovable one too, After the coming of Kate Sweegan to dwell in the cottage on the cliff, there were some who were divided in their opinion as to whether she was not equally as lovely as was Ethel Carr, a few asserting that the mysterious maiden of the Haunted Cottage was even more lovely, and so it was the maid of Harborage Hall found a rival inthe unknown beauty, whose mother had now become kuown as the Sorceress of the Cliff, Having a desire to see this lovely rival, Ethel had willingly accepted her cousin’s invitation to sail up by the cliff, though it certainly looked dangerous to do so with the cat-boat carrying full sail. But Kenton would not reef, and so held on, until just as they rounded the cliff a fierce squall swept over the hills and down upon the little craft, which seemed not to be able to stand it an instant, for over she went, and Ethel Carr was hurled into the caldron of waters, while Kenton Carr was dragged along some distance with the boat, and seemingly un- able to aid her, A cry broke from the young girl’s lips, and she gave up all hope for life, and asa prayer was uttered, raised her eyes heavenward, to suddenly behold a man’s form in the air, com- mag VSS the cliff, own like an arrow he shot, and disappeared beneath the waves, just as Ethel sunk for the first time. When she rose she did not see the bold res- cuer near her, but heard bis cheering voice: ** Have no fear, miss, for I will reach you.” But she could not support herself, and once more sunk beneath the waves, to rise and fee] a strong arm thrown about ber waist, and again hear the cheery voice: 2 ‘ Now you are all right, for there comes my 9 sister to our aid,” and he glanced toward a skiff just shooting out from the shore, and the one who held the oars was Kate Sweegan, “But ob, sir, my cousin will drown,” cried Ethel, anxiously, looking at the upturned cat- boat, some distance away. ** He has the boat to cling to, and is perfectly safe, I assure you; but I will see tohim when you are safe,” was the answer, and Clifford swam leisurely, but with strong stroke to meet the coming skiff, and seemingly did not mind the precious weight he varried, In a minute more the skiff was at hand, and seizing the gunwale, Clifford said: “ Draw the lady in, Kate, while I help you.” This Kate did, and then seizing the oars, said: “* There is some one clinging to the boat, Clif- ford,” ‘Yes, we will go to his aid now, though his own awkwardness capsized the boat, and a man who knows go little of seamanship should bever endanger lives as he did by going out sailing.” ‘* Oh, sir, my cousin is said to be a splendid sailor!” cried Ethel, ‘*T only judge by what 1 saw, miss; but, see! he is in no danger, for he is clinging to the boat all right. ‘* But can he not swim?” “Oh, yes, sir, he is a fine swimmer, but let me tell you, now that Pbave caught my breath, how more than grateful [am to you, for I owe pa my life, and my deepest gratitude to this ovely girl also. “ But for you I would now be dead,” and tho lovely eyes filled with tears, ‘*T am bappy in having saved you, Miss Carr, for I take you to be Miss Ethel Carr, as that is the Harborage Hall boat,” ‘Yes, I am Ethel Carr, and had I been drowned, it would have broken my dear old father's heart; but here we are at the boat,” and she said no more as Kate, who was rowing, swung tke skiff around for ber brother to help Kenton Carr who was clinging to the boat, his face very pale, “You are just in time, for I have a severo cramp, and you were so slow in coming,” he said petulantly. “My sister isa rapid rower, sir, and she did her best,” coldly re fad the young sailor, as he grasped the arms of Kenton Carr and drew him over the stern of the skiff. “For shame, Cousin Kenton, for your life, as I do, to this gentleman an ter,” cried Ethel, indignant at his words, “ Well, an instant more, and I would have let go; but don’t you see, fellow, that my legs are all entangled in the sheet-rope?” ‘*Let me untangle them for you, sir,” and alongside came tke skiff of Red Ralph, who had rowed ne a! to the rescue. ‘* Ah, Ralph! it is you? ** Yes, my feet are all in thesnarl of the sheet- rope, and but for that I could readily have saved my cousin; but this fine fellow here, and his pretty sister, have helped us out of what looked at one time like an ugly scrape.” - “They have saved our lives, Cousin Kenton, and I appreciate it, for I was sinking the last time when this gentleman reached my side, and — face was livid and you were giving up when 1e seized you; and but for the splendid rowing of this beautiful girl we never would bave reached you in tine,” and Ethel spcke with in- dignant anger, for her cousin’s words and man- ners she was determined to rebuke, “Nonsense, Ethel! It was not as bad ag that.” ‘Tt was. just that bad, Master Kenton, for I saw it all, and I never beheld a more daring leap than you made, sir, from the cliff. ‘‘ That is forty feet high, and few men would risk it, while, miss, if you had not run down and come out in .your skiff, Master Kenton here would now be food for the fishes, for he ig as cold as an icicle now and would have let go. ‘There, this snarl is out at last, and it was as tight about your legs, Master Kenton, as though tied there,” and the sheet rope was released from about the ankles of the young man, who ou owe Wis sis- said: “Tl leave the boat, Ralph, for you to tow ashore and right, when you can bring it to me, and I will hire this young man to row us up to the hall wharf.” “Thank you, Mr, Carr, but I am not a boat- man to hire out, but J will be glad to sail you home in my sloop, after this young lady and gpa have changed your wet clothes, and ad a stimulant, for the water is very cold and you will both be ill if you do not put on dry clothing.” “Thank you, I'll accept your offer, for Ethel is as blue as indigo, and if you have any liquor .
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10 it will do us both good,” and Kenton Carr spoke in a very condescending tone, which caused Ethel to bite her lips in a vexed way. “Give me the oars, Kate, for I need warming up,” said Clifford, and he sent the boat flying homeward. Landing they walked hastily up to the cabin, and taking Ethel to her room Kate gave ber dry clothing, while Clifford did the same for Kenton Carr, at the same time calling to his sister to give them all a glass of brandy. “This is splendid brandy, my man, such as I had not expected to find here,” said Kenton tig as he dashed the drink down with a swal- ow. Clifford made no reply, and Kenton Carr con- tinued, as he dressed himself in the dry clothing put out for him: *You wear fine clothes, too, above your station in life, for though a sailor suit, they are of the finest material, all even finer than mine,” “JT am glad they please you, sir, and if you will excuse me I will go and get up sail on my sloop to take you home. ‘“*When ready, pray come down to the shore with your cousin, and my sister will bring you out to the Wave Witch, as I call my little vessel,” and Clifford left the cabin and was soon on board the sloop, wheré half an hour after he was joined by Kenton Carr and his cousin, whom Kate rowed out in her skiff. ** Anchor your skiff, Kate, and go with us,” said Clifford, and she seemed glad of the chance, and away sped the pretty sloop out of the inlet on her way to Harborage Hall. CHAPTER XIV. THE COMMODORE IN A RAGE, THE breeze was, as I have before said, blow- ing strong, and the harbor was rough, while an occasional squall made it dangerous sailing. And yet Clifford Sweegan had not taken a reef in his sail, and sent the sloop flying along ata pace that even brought an expression of admiration from Kenton Carr upon her fleet- ness, Squalls struck them, but the skilled helmsman met them well, and he knew just what his sloop could do, Ethel Carr looked very beautiful in one of Kate’s picturesque suits and fez caps, and it fitted her faultless form to perfection, though a trifle short, which, however, but revealed her very pretty feet and neat ankles, She had been surprised to find that the cloth- ing of the supposed poor girl matched her own even surpassed them in fineness of texture and beauty; but she was too well bred to make com- ment upon the fact. She had, like all others, stood in awe of the mysterious family, and hai been rather glad that the ‘‘ Sorceress,” as Mrs. Sweegan was known, was absent in the town during their presence at her house, having gone there on foot on some errand of her own. In truth, the woman rather enjoyed the awe” she inspired, and had been given to fortune- telling, which but increased the powers she was supposed to possess by many persons of a super- natural order, . if Clifford or Kate felt chagrined at her going to the village, and indulging in ‘‘ fortune-tell- ing,” pot a word against it did they utter to e r When the sloop was bounding along on its five-mile run down the barbor to the wharf of Harborage Hall, Ethel Carr for the first time had an opportunity for a good look at her dar- ing rescuer, as he sat at the helm. She had already discovered that Kate was no ordinary person, and had fairly fallen in love with the little fairy-like maid, who bad been so sweet to her, and so brave too. Her cousin bad taken a seat near Kate, her beauty seeming now to strike him, aud he was trying to make himself agreeable to her, so Ethel moved nearer to the young helmsman, who had been sailing his vessel seemingly un- mindful of her earnest gaze, She had seen a man of splendid physique, a face to admire, respect and love, and she felt drawn toward the one who had risked his own life in that splendid leap and hard swim to save her from a watery grave. In her frank, sweet way she laid her hand softly upon his arm and said earnestly: " “ et me again tell you, sir, that I am so ap- preciative of your noble rescue of me, and will, ever regard you as a friend,” ‘*T feel honored, Miss Carr, by your kind words, and shall appreciate your friendship I assure you; but our paths through ‘life go dif- ferent ways, and we may never meet egain, The Buccaneer Midshipman. “Yet I am glad, very glad to have served ? ‘*Then why may we not be friends if you ap- preciate my regard, sir?” ** As I said, our lives run different ways, for you dwell in your elegant home, admired and beloved by all, while my mother, my sister and myself are—well, little more than Sea Gypsies, for we have roamed about a great deal, and the home we have now is a humble one, while though we injure no one, we are regarded with suspicion by all and hated by many. ** No, our friendship, born of the lucky chance [had in being near to serve you, can be but a hollow mockery.” He spoke almost bitterly, and Ethel dropped her eyes before his earnest gaze, while she said, after a moment: ‘*My friendship for you, and your sweet sister, shall be no hollow mockery, Mr. Sweegan, as perhaps some day you will be willing to ad- mit, ‘*But let me congratulate you upon your skill as a sailor, for I never saw any one handle a vessel as you do,” The last she added quickly, as though to change the subject, for she felt that perhaps she had said too much, though she had only given utterance to words her feelings dictated. ‘*May I ask a favor of you, Miss Carr?” asked Clifford, in answer to her praise of his sailing. ‘*Certainly, and I grant it before its purport is known,” ? “Thank you; but though Ido nct Know the feeling existing between your cousin and my- self, and I may offend you, the favor I would ask is that you never again intrust yourself to his care in sailing.” ‘“*AsI said, I grant it, for it is just what I never intended to do after my experience to- day, but—” She paused, and her face flushed and paled, and seeing that he awaited for her to say more, she continued, in a lower tone: “Will you tell me your motive for asking this?” ‘*-You referred to your cousin as a good sailor, and 1 have heard that he has commanded vessels, so that, as I was watching him sail the cat-rig to-day, I can only say that he was either criminally reckless, or—” “Or what, Mr, Carr?” “Or intentionally se, and I say this with full permission for you to tell him my views of his upsetting that boat to-day.” **No! no! I will not tell him, but I will heed your warning, for such it is and you are a man who mean just what you say, and I thank you— no, no, Kenton must never know you opened my eyes to the truth, for I really now believe— but I willsay no more—only J thank you again,” and she’sprung up and joined her cousin and Kate, the latter having gone forward ready to haul down the jib, for Clifford intended to run in alongside of the wharf, The commodore had seen the sloop heading for his wharf, and bad walked down to meet, as he believed, visitors, and recognizing his daughter and nephew as the sloop drew nearer he hailed with: “ Ahoy, you runaways! you found the wind too muen for you in the cat-rig so had to charter a sloop tocome home in—ab} well done, young sir, for you handle a craft in a way that de- lights my old sailor heart,” and the commodore added the last to Clifford at his skillful manner of bringing his sloop alongside of the wharf against many difficulties, for Kenton’s yacht was anchored right in the way, and also two fishing-smacks, which made it a pretty piece of seamanship, to make a Jending as he did, **No, no, you are not going to run off that way, sir,” cried Ethel, as she saw that it was Chifford’s ‘intention to cast off at once, and she continued: “ Father, this gentleman and his sister saved my life and that of Cousin Kenton, for we cap- sized in the ecat-rig right off the Overlook Cliff, and to rescue us he boldly sprung from the cliff into the sea and seized me as I was sinking for the last time, while this brave young lady rowed out in her skiff and picked us all up.” The old commodore, who had never paled in battle, now grew white as a sheet at the danger his daughter had been in, and saidina voice that a eee as he grasped the young sailor’s and: “My young friend, a father’s heart goes out to you, and to this beautiful girl for your brave deed this day. . “Your name even I do not know, but you shall never be forgotten by old Caleb Carr as long as life remains to him, ‘*God bless you, my son, God bless you both,” and the eyes of the old commodore filled with tears. “* Why, uncle, it was not so terrible as Ethel would have you believe, and inetead of gushing thanks I would pay the young fellow bandsome- ly and let him go, for he didn’t risk bis life with- out the hope of a liberal reward.” Kenton Carr regretted the words the moment he uttered them, for the indignant cry came from Kthel’s lips: ‘* For shame, Kenton Carr! for shame upon you for such cowardly words!” ‘* Silence, sir, and don’t you dare speak to me, or my child again, or cross the threshold of my home until you have asked that splendid man. there to forgive your words, called up by envy because you placed your cousin’s life in danger and were unable to save her. ‘*Do you hear, sir?” The commodore was livid now with anger, and never before had his nephew seen him so moved, and the young spendtbrift was anxious to make amends and check bis anger, which could but end most disastrously for him, so he said hastily: ‘“*T beg your pardon, my man, most nee toy for my words, and yours, too, Miss ‘Kate, for cannot recall your other name, as my uncle and cousin seem to think I have said something ter- rible, when I only meant to give the commodore a hint to reward You.” Kate had uttered no word, but glanced at her brother a trifle anxiously, Ethel thought; but Clifford was perfectly cool and replied: ‘* Mr, Kenton Carr, 1 neither sought reward, nor would f{ take one, nay I am amply well pro- vided with riches for all our wants, and more, I will not accept your forced pardon any more than I would resent an insult from a man of your caliber.” ** Good! you got a bull broadside that time you insolent fellow,” cried the commodore, an as if to prevent the irate old gentleman from saying more, Clifford added quickly: * Commodore Carr, I honor you, sir, as aman who won fame as the bravest of the brave in his country’s service, and my reward is in having served you and your daughter. ** Good-afternoon,” and Clifford quickly let go the line he held and his sloop fell away under the pressure of the wind, for he stood upon bis own deck, ‘* You have dodged my further thanks, young man, but we will meet again, and my blessing go with you both,” called out the commodore, Clifford raised his tarpaulin, and Kate havin hauled up the jib, waved her hand in farewel as the sloop bent to the breeze and went flying away seaward, CHAPTER XV. BROUGHT TO TERMS, It was very evident to Kenton Carr that tho old commodore was intensely angry with him. The commodore liked the younz man, had done so from his boybood, and tried to do his duty by him as his guardian and the holder of his estate. But he never saw the petty character of the —— man revealed often, and knew him not as e really was. That he was wild, reckless, impatient, he knew, and haughty to his; inferiors but the spirit shown by Kenton against the young sailor who had saved his life, he was surprised: at, and it pained him. So he said, as the sloop sailed away and Ken ton made some remark, “Kenton, I am very much displeased with hart and unless you wish an outbreak which oth may regret you will go to your room until i feel in a different mood from what I now do.” The young man dared not disobey; he saw saw that his uncle was aroused, and so with a cold bow he walked rapidly away toward the Hall, several hundred yards distant, and situ- ated upon the hill that commanded a fine view of the town a mile away, the harbor and the dis tant sea. * My child, tell me your story of this affair,” said the commodore, as the young man walked away. ‘““Tt is soon told, father, as far as the acts of Kenton and T are concerned, but the deeds of tbat noble young man and beautiful maiden are beyond all words to express. ‘Kenton has urged me of late to go sailing with him, and this evening I pee goa and he suggested running up to Overlook Cliff and have a look at the cabin and its mysterious occu- pants, ‘*1t was blowing fresh, and very ny aa and when we got off the cliff, and close in, a squall or Sonn ttm. a
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The Buccaneer Midshipman. 11 swept down upon the boat and she was knocked down so that I was thrown out into the sea, while she drove on for a short distance and then capsized. ‘I had seen two persons seated upon a bench on the cliff; and the moment I fell overboard they arose, one leaping from the cliff into the sea and swimming toward me, and the other dis- appearing. “The leaper was the young sailor, Clifford Sweegan.” “My God! the cliff is nearly half a hundred feet in height.” “Yes, sir, and yet he made ii with seeming ease and soon grasped me about the waist just as { was sinking for the last time, and was per- fectly conscious, “Then L saw his sister, who had run down the cliff path to her skiff, rowing rapidly toward us, “She took us in and we went to theaid of Kenton, whose feet were entangled in the sheet- rope, and who had been seized with a cramp, so was very pale, trembling and just on the eve of letting go his hold when Mr, Sweegan caught hold of him, “A moment after the man known as Red Ralph came up, and helped to disentangle the sheet-rope, while he praised the leap the young sailor had made, “From the very first Kenton was disagree- able, and Mr, Sweegan quietly put up with his ill-humored remarks, and carried us to his home, where he supplied my cousin with dry wear, and his lovely sister gave me her clothing to put on, and is it not beautiful?” “Yes, and most becoming, my child; but I supposed these people were poor, as their mother is said to be a fortune-teller.” *‘ Yes, father, but she never takes pay for her fortune-telling, it is said, and people are unable to find out how she lives; but she must be rich, and only eccentric, while her children certainly appear to be well raised.” ‘**We will not be the ones to criticise them, Ethel, after the debt we owe them. ‘The young man’s appearance at once checked me in speaking of a reward for his services, and it was cruel in Kenton to say what he did, “The boy does not please me, and I will have to be more severe with bim than I have been. “ But, about these good people on the cliff?” ‘* Yes, father.” “T must go and call on them, and we will ’ drive there to-morrow, for there was a drive- dangerous m : ble his pride before him, way years ago leading to the cliff.” “T think there must be now, sir,” said Etbel, and her face flushed guiltily, as she knew that there was, for she anda lady friend in the vyil- lage had ridden to the cottage on the cliff, a few weeks before, to have their “fortunes told.” _ ‘The Sorceress was there alone, for both Clif- ford and Kate were off sailing,and the two maidens had been welcomed in a cold, haught manner, but in a perfectly well-bred way, whic showed that Mrs. Sweegan was no ordinary per- on. They had been impressed by her manner, had been invited into her room, where she told them of the past and the future, and then offering them a glass of wine and some delicious cake, had refused all pay for he1' services, Ethel bad intended to tell her father of ber visit, but he bad that very night opened upon fortune-telling as a fraud, and those who went to them as fools, and so she wisely kept her own secret for avother time, Now, however, feeling guilty of keeping some- thing from him, she made a confession of her visit, and told him all, and just why she bad not one so the night following the trip to the Cliff ’ Cottage with her friend. The commodore did not scold, and when he heard from Ethel how the Sorceress was fairly covered with gems of rare value, he said: “Then these people do not need money, so in some other way we must repay this debt we owe them, for what would my home be without you, my child? My God! I dare not think of it; and it angers me the more to think of that scamp Ken- ton getting you into such danger and then act- ing in such a rude manner to the man who had saved your life and bis.” That night Kenton did not come down to sup- “per, and bota the commodore and Ethel seemed _ glad of it, and the old sailor seemed to be almost unwilling to have his daughter leave his side for ute. Be ared at break- . The next morning Kenton a fast, and the cloud had left his row, for he had discovered that the commodore was in a very and be was compelied to hum- So he came in with a smiling face, and a heart that was bitter in its fury, and said pleas- et A “*My sweet cousin, I congratulate you upon your having suffered no ill effects from your mishap of yesterday, as you are looking bright and cheery this morning. “And uncle, I must ask you to forgive and forget my rude manner of yesterday, for I deeply regret what occurred, and can only ac- count for it by my feeling chagrined at having placed my sweet cousin in such danger, and uhen have her rescued by another. ‘Tam truly sorry, sir.” ; “All right, my boy, it’s all forgotten; but you were intensely rude, and I really think owe amends to that gallant young sailor also.” ‘*T shall see him, sir,” was the response, and Kenton Carr sat down to his breakfast, not at all liking the cool manner in which bis cousin had received his complimentary apology. After breakfast the carriage was ordered, and the commodore asked Kenton if he cared to go with.them, but be excused himself by saying that Red Ralph was in sight with the eat-rig in tow, and he would ‘go down to the wharf and see if the boat was injured, and pay the man for bis services, “Yes, yes, and he came to your rescue, too, Ethel says, but arrived too late to be of much ser- vice, yet is deserving of reward. ‘“* Here, Kenton, take him these bank-notes a me, and there are a hundred dollars in the roll. “T will, sir,’ and the young man tock the money and started upon his way to the shore, which Red Ralph had now reached with the cat- boat in tow, while Commodore Carr and Ethel entered the family carriage and were driven off for thelr visit to the mysterious trio of the Haunted Cottage. “ CHAPTER XVI. RED RALPH’S LECTURE. WueEN Kenton Carr reached the Harborage Hall wharf, he found there Red Ralph, calmly smoking his pipe, and seated in the little hoat- house making himself comfortable. ‘* Well, Captain Carr, you had a close call yesterday,” he said quietly, ‘Yes, but you have brought my boat, I see.” ‘*- Yes, you ordered me yesterday to do so, and of course, as Red Ralph is simply a poor fisher- man, it would not have done for me to refuse the chance of good pay for righting and bring- ing the cat-rig home, so here’s your craft.” *T won't use her again, that is certain.” “Why ” “Well, she is so cranky.” ‘‘Now, I rather like the craft, so what will you take cash for her?” ‘ ‘¢ Whatever she is worth to you, as you righted her and pee her in shape again.” “The boat is not hurt, but Pll give you fifty dollars,” **Tt’s a bargain, though she cost me a couple of bundred half a year ego.” **Well, your uncle had her built for you, so you are fifty dollars in pocket; but here is the money, and I guess you will have to pay out well for your life and that of your cousin, which that gallant fellow saved.” “Do you know, though I would not say so to him or to others, I was about gone when he seized me?” “T know it.” * An accursed cramp completely upset me, and then the sheet-rope hampered me.” Red Ralovh laughed, and the young man asked with show of anger: ** What do you see to laugh at?” ‘¢The sheet-rope.” “Well” “Well?” ** See here, Red Ralph, what do you mean?” “My dear Carr, don’t get angry, for there must be no quarrel between youand i, as neither would like the result.” hae do not understand what you are driving at. : “Then I will explain to you just what Imean for I do not wish the same game to be played a “ n Satan’s name what do you mean?” To begin with, your cousin is one of the love- liest of girls—” be We are not discussing her, sir.” Weare, for in spite of the bad character I bear, when po one else came near me, at the tine T was so ill, half a year ago, she drove up in her carriage one day, and ba the footman ask how I was, and then bring in a basket of most tempt- ing things, with wine and medicines too, along with a pair of soft blankets, a feather pillow and an easy-chair, in fact all that she could think of to make me comfortable, ‘‘Now that is ber nature, and I am not one to go back on her, for I’d risk my life any day te serve her,” / ‘Well, what has all this got to do with me?” *¢ Just this, that I untangled you from the sheet- rope, and you had tied yourself up on purpose, to have an excuse not to go to her aid.” * This is false!” ‘‘T was watching you, and I saw how reckless- ly you sailed, and when the squall struck you, not a foot of sbeet did you let off, nor did you bring her up to meet it.” “The rope was tangled, and—” “ Just woat I said; the rope was tangled before the squall struck you, and you expected the beel- ing of the boat to throw your cousin out, which it did, and you bad ro idea that you would be seized with a cramp, but could hold on the boat until rescued, and the sbeet-rope about your legs would be excuse enough for you not to go to the aid of that poor drowning gir).” ‘““ Red Ralpb, you lie! you lie!” almost shrieked the young man, his face now pallid with rage. ‘Don’t apply harsh terms to me for 1 do not like them, and, as I said before, it will not do for us to quarrel, “But I saw whatI say, and I believe, by Heaven, that that young sailor also saw it, for he is no fool, as I know well,” ** Tt is false!” ‘It is true, and because you are driven to the wall, you sought her death, ‘She is heiress to a very large fortune, which in case of her death Pate would get. ‘* Her death would kill the commodore as 3er= tain as you stand there, for she is his idol, andif it did not, a little poison might help along, and you would then hide the fact from him that your | inheritance is mortgaged, and get a very large fortune, with Harborage Hall to dwell in, . “Now you loved your cousin, but she does not love you, and will not marry you, so you are revengeful toward her as well as desirous of getting her riches, and it seemed so easy to rown her and no fault laid at your door. ‘* Now that young girl is not to die thus, and I say what I do to give you fair warning, for if she does go off in any way except by a natural death, then, if I hang for it, I will hang you. ** Now keep silence, for curses and bard names do not alter the situation, and we must under- stand each other better, and if you arein press- a ag why [ haveto help you ont, that is “Tamin need, for I have another note ont; but let me first tell you how wrong you are to suspect me so cruelly as you do,” ‘*Now that is settled, so don’tsay any thing more about it, Kenton, but tell me about this note.” “What do you wish to know?” ** How much is it for?” ‘One thousand dollars,” “* Who holds it?” ; ‘¢ A man the landlord recommended, for [ did not wish to call upon you.” ‘‘ Very well, let us look at the situation coolly. ‘* We have heen partners now for over'a year, and “ro began by owing me a few thousands, and have never paid a note I first let you have money on. ‘** Now, our smuggling has paid handsomely and in your sloop-yacht you bave done your duty well, and nota shadew of suspicion falls upon you. ‘Our sales amount—our share, I refer to, not including the captain and bis crew, to just seven- teen thousand doilars, making eight thousand five hundred received by you from me. “Now, my dear Kenton, your uncle allows you two thousand more, and all this money you have squandered in riotous living, not paying me my debts, and owing me one thousan more,” x “« You, one thousand more?” ‘t Yes, for J was the we ppesed stranger you got the money from that night in the botel. “Thad a white wig on, my beard whitened, my nose made hooked by a little putty and a pair of tacles, so made up a very good Jew, you see, * The devil!” “No, a truly, Red Ralph, for I do not as- pire to the bonor of being his Sa at least just yet. “Now this note of yours, has your uncle’s in- dorsement Pha ga it, as bad the other, so that makes it good, and I don’t mind holding it as I have the first one, so donot trouble yourself about paying it, and in conclusion let me ask you to be less reckless in your gambling, and your career, , * tanic Majesty, |
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% ** You never win anything, for if luck comes to you, you fight on for more and lose alland more too ‘‘ Now, Kenton, some one will yet let your unele know all, so be quiet in your living and give him no cause for compiaint. “Now you don’t need any money, except to gamble, as you do not have to pay this note just now, so you will have to wait until I am paid for the last cargo sent in,” ‘* When will that be?” “ Thirty days.” ‘*T must have money before then,” ** Ask your uncle for it then.” “ Not j.” ‘Then you must do without, and now let mo have your attention, for I have something to tell ‘you of importance, and there is money in it, I think, if properly managed,” **T am with you, Ralph, in anything to make smoney,” was the eager reply of the young profli- gate, — CHAPTER XVII, AN EX-PIRATE, ‘““Wrunt, Ralph, what is your plan to gat gold?” asked Kenton Carr, as he saw the sailor uietly light his pipe and resume his seat with the air of a man who was in no hurry to com- municate what he knew. As for Kenton Carr he was all curiosity and impatience, and he only wished to grasp at some more gold, Had he received ten times the very liberal sum which his uncle allowed bim, and which his secret smuggling operations brought him in, it would have been the same, for his mania for gambling was his ruination, He played blindly, recklessly, and was a pigeon the gamblers loved to pluck, and when- ever he entered a saloon where gaming went on all who knew him felt sure that he would go out a large loser, Of course it caused comment to those who figured up his losses, taken into consideration with bis extravagant mode of life, and if was supposed that his fortune must have been enor- mous. He was known to keep his yacht, his horses and live extravagantly when he came to the city, as he did half a dozen times a year, and that he could keep this page up much longer many doubted. It was just a question of time and the depth of his purse they all know. e was fond of plunging, anxious to appear dike a fast man, and pretended to utter indiffer- ence to money. When losing heavily he was utterly uncon- cerned in appearance, though mentally in dread of a's 4 evil and cursing his luck with every turn of the card against bim. But for Red Ralph be would have gone to the wall long before, and that strange character, a contradiction of good and evil, knew Kenton — perfectly, and more, kept him in awe of him, He was the young man’s master, and Kenton Carr dare not break the chains that held him in beck as the sailor’s very slave. Aware that the sailor would not enter upon any plan unless it paid well, be again asked, in his impatience: Come, Ralph, tell me what you have on band?” i You are to keep,the secret as your own?” es, ** You swear it?” 4 ” Very well, bear your oath in mind, and at the same time do not forget the fact that as I am the only one who knows the secret, and you the only one that I am to tell it to, thatifa whisper of it goes abroad on the winds, I know ~ just where it leaked out, and I would silence you as surely as my name is deservedly Red Ralph, oe T won, the name before it was given to me ere, ; “ What would be my fhotive in telling?” . No man can read another’s motive under varying circumstances, and I only warn you not to tell what I am going to say to you.” ‘You have my oath,” **T shall remember it, * But to my story, Kenton.” “*T am all attention.” '**T don’t think that I have ever been very com- municative about my past life.” “No, on the contrary.” “Well, [ don’t mind telling you that once I The Buccaneer Midshipman. an fe ent os TOE eae ee 'S lost my temper and resented the insult of my superior officer. ‘*I challenged him and he refused to fight a midshipman, so I resigned, and as they had found me a splendid sailor, though I say so my- self, they refused to accept my resignation. “But my temper got the best of me, and [ deserted the ship, was dismissed ia disgrace and then outlawed with orders to shcot me when captured, ‘**T however was biding my chance and one night met the lieutenant whom I had the trouble with, ‘* He had been refused by my sister, and then attempted to blacken her fair fame, and that was the cause of our quarrel. ‘* He was in company with one other, an offi- cer, and I had half a dozen hired men with me, so the odds were in my favor, and I forced him to fight a duel with me, and, J killed him. ‘* Of course that made me more than ever an outcast, and I went to the Mediterranean as a foremast hand of a clipper ship, and thus drifted about until I found myself upon a pirate schooner.” ‘Turned pirate, eh?” ‘“* Yes, and I served under that arch fiend Bernard Bazil, “He was an American, entered the service of Cartagena, turned his cruiser which they placed him in command of into a pirate, and thus won the name he did under the black flag. ‘*T was on board his schooner when he madea pirate of her; but to my story: ‘This man Bazil met a Ppp ade girl, a planter’s daughter, and he befng a handsome, dashing fellow, just the one to fascinate a woman, she loved him to despera’ion and eloped with him, for she did not believe him to bea irate, ‘* But she soon discoveredsthe truth, yet clung to him, after taking long cruises with him, and again living in a villa on the coast of Cuba near one of his secret haunts, ‘*For some years she disappeared, or rather was not seen by any of the crew, and then she came back to the schooner with two children, a boy and a girl. ‘* They were lovely children, and the boy soon became as expert as a monkey in going aloft, and when ne was ten years of age the chief made him a midshipman. A uniform was made for him, and he was as good an officer as many a man [ have seen on the deck of a vessel-of-war, ‘One night our vessel went in chase of a brig. “The chief was in aa ugly mood and had not been kind to his wife of late, and we all hoped the brig would prove a valuable prize so as to cheer him up, for he was a very Satan when in a bad humor, ‘* We chased the brig for hours, gaining grad- ually, until she at last opened upon us with two small guns astern, ‘““We held on rapidly, for it was rough, the breeze was freshening and a storm threatened to break upon us very soon, “At last we ran alongside, grapnels were thrown, and as the brig was supposed to havea good crew and a number of passengers who were determined to defend her, the chief boarded with four fifths of his men, ‘** As she reached her decks the storm suddenly broke upon us, the two vessels were snapped apart, and a terrible fire was poured upon us, “*Then, to our horror, we discovered that the brig bad entrapped us, pretending to be a mer- chant craft, when in reality she was an Amoeri- can cruiser, “The chief was wild with rage, and rallied us around him to fight it out. I was second officer then, of the schooner, the Red Scorpion, and I saw at a glance that we were doomed, for the first fire of the brig had hurt us hard. “The schooner bad gone driving away before the gale, with sail enough to run her under, and was lost sight of, and the crew of the brig were rushing upon-us and outnumbering us largely, “But we fought desperately, and, as I got near the chief I whispered to him that I meant to play the pirate prisoner, and then I could help him escape if we were taken, “He nodded assent, and I dropped back among the fighters in the rear, and feeling that the game was against us, for our men had suf- fered fearfully, I began to tell them to throw down their arms, and perhaps mercy would be shown. “I was careful that the officers and men of the brig should see me do this, and the result was that, ten minutes after, all were in irons be- low except myself, and I was in the captain’s cabin telling him how I had been captured on an American vessel and forced to join the pirates, and, as my actions had been seen, and the chief admitted that 1 was not a sea outlaw, I just had things my own way.” ** Red Ralph, you are a perfect devil for wick- edness,” ‘Thank you; I appreciate the compliment. Birds of a feather flock together, you know, my dear Kenton,” was the smiling rejoinder. CHAPTER XVIII. RED RALPH’S SECRET. ‘WELL, Mate Kenton,” resumed the sailor, “T wish to tell you the rest of my story—my secret, in fact.” “Ts it not your secret that you were a pirate?” ‘Oh, no; something better far than that.” ‘*T should hate to confess such a secret to any man.” ‘*Bah! what harm is there in it, for what could you do now that you know it?” ‘Tt is a great power to hold against you.” “Bah! It is only your story of my guilt, while I have proof of yours, so don’t think you have any hold upon me, my dear fellow, as you have not the slightest. ‘““Now let me go on and tell you the secret I meant to, and which my story led up to,” ‘*T am listening.” *“*T told the captain of the brig how I had been treated by the pirates, and I was quitea hero, I assure you, and, seeing that I had been reared a gentleman, I was invited into the cabin as the commander’s guest. ‘“*The men were in irons below, so did not know of my little game. The chief was given a berth in the wardroom and heavily ironed also, and it was to his interest to acknowledge my in- nocence so that I could help him escape, don’t you see?” ta Yes,” ‘The brig was put awa in chase of the *scbooner, which, I said to the a ome had not over a dozen men on board of her, but I was careful to tell the wrong direction which they were likely to steer, “The dead were thrown overboard and the wounded cared for, so that soon all the crew had to do was to look after the Scorpion. ‘* But, they never found her, and I felt certain that she had run under in the storm,or had capsized and all had been Jost on board, Re- member the chief’s wife, and his two childreit were on board! in fact, the Buccaneer Middy was the only one to take command, as every other officer brig.” ‘*So they were lost?” We “Don’t anticipate my story, Master Kenton, for I shall come to the climax in good time. ‘Of course they meant to hang the captain and all of the crew, upon reaching port, and \ what I did for the chief I knew I must do * prone though had I no chance to help bim I new that it was my duty to make my escape as soon as I could do so, ‘* We reached the port of Charleston in good time, and I found that it was utterly impossible to do anything on board the brig for the chief so I thanked the captain for his kindness, told bim I was anxious to get back to Rae who must believe me dead, and then I took my eave, y Pe aie ‘‘But, I had recognized among the crew a ~ eoxswain who hai once served with me, and whom I knew to have killed a comrade, so that he dared not betray me. = tay “*T bade him come up into the town and see me, and when he did so, that night, I gave bim a few hundred dollars, for I had all my wealth with mein. gold and jewels, and told him if he would aid the chief to escape that he could i = count on as much more from him, ‘* That very night he did get the chief off, and — - the camp allowed the blame to fall upon another man who was shot for it. Bae “Where the chief went Ido not know, but — of course the present Buccaneer Bauil ‘must be he, for who else could he be? _ pitas * But, to return to myself: Hr ‘‘T had had all the danger I cared for, so determined to lead a less risky life and sought — a place where I could settle down and do a little smugp ling. man Thad once well known went as captain and thus 1 began my smuggling work, which has aid well, l assure you, and as you pretty well — now. “But this secret you were totell me!” = == | “T am coming to it pow: “You remernber that I said the supposed to be lost?” E iSe ” * Yes, ** Well, she was not,” schooner was ad followed the chief on board the ey jewels bought for men vessel, and a ae
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‘How do you know?” ‘* Well, if she was lost three persons who were on board of her escaped.” o Ab )” ** Yes, and they are not far away.” i ‘© Who are they?” ‘Si I'he chief’s’ wife, his daughter and the Buccaneer Midshipman.” sae ‘*By Heaven! you mean the Sorceress and | her two children?’ * Just so.” ** This is glorious! glorious!” *Calm yourself, my dear Kenton, for this is my secret, you know.” ‘SGo on.” ‘“The woman has changed in the years that have passed since then, for she was very beau- tiful in those days, but now she is handsome, a weird kind of beauty. “The little girl, then, is now nearly a wo- man, and a very lovely one, as you have seen,” ** And the boy?” “Well, as a man, the Buccaneer Midshipman is simply a large edition of what he was as a i ¥ ne 7 : boy. nf A handsomer, more manly little fellow I f never saw, and he was as good a sailor, boy t): though he was, as any seaman on board the pirate craft. zs “ His father had taught him how to fence, and 4 I have seen him disarm men, while he has often : shot a bird that lighted in the rigging, for he oe seldom missed dead-center with his pistol, S “ As for swimming, the boy was wont to jump i overboard when we were at anchor, in the ‘ wildest seas, and he seemed to be a very fish in the water. “Now, in the young man on the cliff you A have my Boy Pirate, or, in otber words, the f Buccaneer Midshipman,” “ke ‘* You think tere can be no mistake?” : “None whatever.” me * Have they seen you?” rf “Yes; but in those days my hair was cut j clos, and I wore no beard, so they would never ee kno v me,” 4 aif a f hope there is no doubt as to their iden- iN tity. e “Don’t be over anxious, for look at the Sorceress, aud see her jewels, while just take notice of the elegance with which they all dress, “Have they ony visible means of living, aud yet how well they live, for they stint themselves in nothing. : “They came here in a sloop that is finer than the yacht of sny gentleman yachtsman in Bos- ton, and a mystery hangs over them.” “*T guess oe are right, Red Ralph.” “T know [ am.” “‘ But, what are you going to do about it?” “ Just this: that if they are saved, the schooner was not lost. If nt ot ashore, if she struck, they doubtless sav er treasure, and there was considerable in the Scorpion’s chest. : ‘Of course there were a dozen of the crew on . board, and they came in for their share; but the woman got the best of it by far. In fact, I should not wonder if she had vast riches now hidden away in her home.” ** Red Ralph, you are a wonderful man.” “Yes, witb a fortune insight for you, I im- prove on acquaintance.” ~ But, can you get it?” ‘*T intend to try.” “How?” *¢T shali let her know that I recognize her, and demand big pay for silence, If she refuses, then you must become their best friend, for you have the foundation in the Buccaneer Midshipman saving your life,and then you can watch and discover much that will be useful. * “Tf we cannot thus work together and get a handsome fortune out of the Buccaneer Middy, _ then Iam much deceived.” “As I will be, for we can do it, “But you try your plan of threatening to be- tray bim first, if he does not pay well tor your “T']] do it; but which had t best see?” The Buccaneer Middy, of course,” _ *T believe you are right, for I do not care to _ deal with the old woman, for she ig too much like _ a witch nowadays, and folks tell strange stories of her weird powers.” “Half of them, if not all, started with that The Buccaneer Midshipman, ‘Yes, I guess you are right, Ralph.” “T know Lam, and it is only when that fails, that we must see what can be done, for they have the schooner’s treasure Iam sure, and we must get our share of it,” ‘*T am with you, for if ever man needed mone I do, for, except the fifty you just handed me have nothing,” and the young spendthrift had his hand in his pocket then upon the roll of bills given him by his uncle for Red Ralph, Soon after Red Ralph took his leave, going back in his new purchase and towing his own boat, and Kenton Carr returned to the mansion full of hope that good fortune was in store for ‘him through the robbing of the Buccaneer Mid- shipman of his pirate treasure, CHAPTER XIX, A GAME THAT WAS LOST. - THE coachman on the box of the Harborage Hall carriage was in dire distress, when told by his master to drive to Overlook Cliff Cottage. **Do yez mean the Haunted Hut, sur?” Eda” ““Thet same where the witch lady is afther living, sur?” “cc Yes.” ** Yis, sur, 1’ll get there,” and Pat drove off in great style. But the horses seemed to grow very lazy as they turned off the main road into the unfre- quented track that led to the cottage. In fact, the Jrishman purposely dilly-dallied, and at last stated that the tire of one of the wheels was loose, ‘and he dared not go further. “*Tt’s a short walk to the cottage, sur, and I'll wait for yez back in the main road, for I’m bel’avin’ it best not to put weight on thim same wheels in this rocky path,” ; _The commodore fully saw through Pat’s cun- ning plan to avoid going to the cottage, as did Ethel also, so they dismounted from the vehi- cle and started on foot to make the eighth of a mile yet to go to reach the cottage. They discovered, too, that’ Patrick lost no time in hastily driving back to the main road, As the commodore came stumping along on his wooden leg, the sight that greeted the two villagers on coming in sight of the cottage was a pretty one, The Sorceress was there, seated under a tree engaged in some needlework, andin a hammock near reclined Kate, while her brother sat near reading aloud to his mother aud sister. So engrossed were they in their reading, that they did not see the visitors untii the commodore laughed to attract their attention. * They arose with no seeming embarrassment, and both Clifford and Kate advanced and wel- comed them pleasantly, the young sailor pre- senting his mother to Ethel and then the com- modore, “My dear madam, I came with my daughter to thank in person your noble children for what they did yesterday, and you, as a mother, can fully appreciate all that a father can feel in having his only child saved from death.” The commodore spoke with feeling, and the Sorceress replied quietly: “Yes, sir, Ican feel what it would be to lose one of mine, for they are all I have to cling to in this world, and I am very glad that the mis- hap took place where it was in the power of Clifford and Kate to be of service,” . ‘* Ab, madam, but for tthe fact that Master Clifford was willing to dare more than most men, my child would have been drowned, fer he took the leap from that cliff,in itself a daring feat and fearful risk of life.” ‘“*It was not such a feat, Commodore Carr for me to do, as often, when a boy I have leaped from aloft into the sea in sport, so you see I did not think much of the jump.” ‘You cannot make it seem the less in my eyes, Master Clifford, and I hope that our meet- ing thus through your courage will be the foun- dation of a sincere friendship between us, while I must beg of you to pardon the rudeness of my nephew, which is accounted for by the fact that having placed his cousin in danger of her life, you rescued her, and saved him also.” © not refer to it, sir, for I saw that Mr. Carr was in an ugly humor, so tried to pay no attention to his.words, and surely I care to hold no ill-will against him,” was the frank re- sponse, Thus began a friendship between the commo- dore, a power in M—— and the family of a wo-. man who had been called witch and sorceress. After a visit of full an hour the commodore and Kate took their leave, Clifford and Kate'es- corting them to their carriage to the great dis- tress of Patrick, who eyed them curiously. Returning to the cottage Clifford went down 13 on board of his sloop to see if all was shipshape for the weather was threatening, and was just coming out of the cabin to row ashore when he heard a hail. ‘‘Ho, young master, can Icome aboard and have a word with you?” It was Red Ralph, and he had taken his cat- rig home and seeing Clifford go out to his sloop, had sprung into his skiff and rowed rapidly across the inlet. “Certainly, sir, come aboard,” responded Clifford, politely, recognizing Red Ralph as a man he had often seen on the inlet, and who had come to the rescue the day before when Kenton Carr upset the cat-rig. : Red Ralp laid his skiff alongside, made the painter fast to the rai] and sprung on board. ‘‘ That was a brave deed of yours yesterday, sir,” he said, by way of opening the conyer- sation. r “Tt looked so to those who may have seen it, and yet the leap was not so great and the swim a short one,” ‘You are modest, sir; but did you note the handling of the craft before she went over?” ““T thought she had an ignorant or awkward helmsman, ‘‘-Yes, and a man who should have known better too, for he has commanded ships.” Clifford made no reply, and Red Ralph, after a moment of silence, in which he seemed at a loss to know just how to begin his attack, . said: } ‘* May 1 ask you, sir, if we have not met be- fore?” ““T saw you yesterday, yes, and have met you on the harbor, and several times in the town,” ‘No, I mean years ago.” “*T think not.” ‘Will you tell me your name?” “ Certainly, Clifford Sweegan.” ‘Suppose I called you Clifford Bazil, the Buccaneer Midshipman—what then?” The man was disappointed, for the face of the young sailor did not change color, he did not. even start, and replied coolly: ‘‘ Why should you call me by a name that is not mine?” ‘See here, mate, give you credit for about as much nerve as ever falls to the lot of man in this world; but you cannot deceive me, for I know you as the Buc- caneer Midshipman, and your mother was tbe wife of Captain Bazil the Pirate, and you and your sister are his children—see?” “No, not as you wish me to, for you desire me to pay you gold to keep the secret? ‘You read my mind exactly, mate,” ‘‘ Well, you are mistaken in your man, for FE shall do no such thing.” - x ‘* You confess then to being the son of Bazil?’ “The Buccaneer chief is the only one I ever knew as my father.” “He is still living.” ** So I have reason to believe.” ‘* And you are the Buccaneer Midshipman?” oe Tam not,but I was so called when I was a Me ** Ah! and you refuse to pay me gold?” ‘“* Why should I?” “Your mother, your sister and yourself got the treasure that was upon the pirate schooner Red Scorpion?” ‘* Let me tell you something, my man.” **Go ahead.” *That schooner was wrecked and all om board were lost.” “* How about you three?” “We escaped from tbe schooner in a boat, while the men were coming, for I overheard their plot to kill us and take the treasure, *“We reached an island, and soon after, ina storm one night, the schooner drove upon the island and was wrecked, and not a soul escaped. “Then we made our way to the mainland, and have been sea waifs ever since.” ** And you did not get the treasure?” “It is on the island, and I have even forgot- ten how to find the place.” “Your mother sports a great many jewels, I. notice?” ** She does, for she brought off with her from _ the schooner some of the chief’s special share.” “Well, if you are not willing to pay well for- my silence, I will let it be known that you are pirates, all three of you, and the result will be — that you will be hanged as the Buccaneer Mid- shipman, and your mother and sister will be. sent to prison, if nothing more,” “See here, my man, if you are in distress, and desire aid, I will help you, for I never turn my back upon one in ; but let me show you a paper that may prove to you that I cannot be- ou are a cool one, and I , millied into paying out gold on demand of any~
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villain that may have known me as the Bucca- neer Midshipman in bygone years, Tt so happens that when coming in our little vessel that J ran into a lagoon, and it was near a buccaneer retreat. ‘I saw lights ashore, landed and crept near, and thus discovered a plot to capture a fine scbooner-of-war that had put into the lagoon below in distress, to make repairs. ‘The buccaneers had two vessels, and they were getting their boats ready to attack just ‘before dawn, ‘T at once went to my boat, and as she was in a safe hiding-place, i rowed to the schooner, and reported to her captain, telling him’I could pilot a boat expedition up the lagoon and sur- prise the buccancers. “This I did, they were surprised, routed and their camp and vessels captured, and I was given a paper from the captain which I presented in person tothe President of the United States, when some year after we ran into the Potomac in our little craft. “T told him who I was, and the paper I show you isa full pardon from the President for our acts of piracy, I being named init as at one time the Buccaneer Midshipman, ‘And more, I have a midshipman’s berth, dated and signed, which gives me the right to enter the Navy of the United States at will, so be see that cancels my career as the Buccaneer idshipman, and does away with any fear of be- trayal at your hands, “Tg there anything more you would know, my friend, than that I have given up being a middy under the black flag, and shall serve in the same rank under the Stars and Stripes in the war that ‘we are now on the eve of with England?” Red Ralph smothered a curse and glanced at ‘the paper shown him by the young sailor. There it was, duly a ge sealed and delivered, and he could not doubt the evidence of his own iy 5 e had played his cards and lost the game, and there was nothing for him todo but to get out of the affair as gracefully as possible. So he said: “Master Clifford, I congratulate you upon , your good Juck; but it wou d be well if you did we not let it be known that P peed mother was Pirate aes Bazil’s wife, and you and your syeet sister were cs his children, ea ‘¢ It would look bad in spite of the pardon, and folks would make it very unpleasant for your mother and sister.” “T agree with you, and [ do not care to have it known; but when you showed that you knew us, [ would not be robbed of such a large sum oat to have the secret kept, so told you what did. * «But it is not a large sum that I want.” 9 - “ What do you wish?” , “Iam a poor man, sir, and I need money, ‘and you are rich, very rich, for the chief I re- member had quite a sum in precious stones, for T often saw them.” ** Ah! you were an officer then, and now that ‘I look at you memory brings back your face ‘and I will tell you your name in a minute,” ** Who am I?” “Those old scenes were so vividly impressed upon my brain and heart that I cannot forget them—yes, you are the man who held second officer’s berth, and became known on account of your red work in action as Red Ralph Rogers,” “You have a good eye and memory, Master Clifford; but to my price?” : ‘Name it.” ** Five thousand.” “ T-will not give you half as many hundred.” **-You had better do so.” *T will give you two hundred dollars to keep ‘quiet, no more.” ae “Phen I will have to let the good people of M—— know that your mother and sister— “Stop just there, Red Ralph Rogers, for I will arrest you as a pirate officer, not a hoy ‘when you served under the black flag, and who has"never been pardoned, ~ ‘Yes, I can have you banged at the yard-arm of med first yessel-of-war that enters at this por * t. Red Ralph’s face became white as a corpse, and he'felt that he was fairly caught. It was not often that he entrap himself, but he had done so this time, and he was only anxious to retreat from his position. So he said: __ “Master Clifford, I am no more the man to betray you and those you love, than are you the one fo arr and hang an old comrade on a awe y dl e ¢ ee) ieee I am driven against the wall, as it were, and _ [I thought that outof yourriches you could spare ee Ce On ee The Buccaneer -angry with, yet not without admiration for the bas . ro a pel, | ae Pweg nae Ae ee ek he . 2 pent BB ge TOS ed) Midshipman. Beadle’s Dime Library. i BY CAPTAIN MAYWNE REID. Kd 8 The Headless Horseman; A Strange Story of 5} Texas. } 12 The Death-Shot; or, Tracked to Death, 55 The Scalp Hunters, A Romance of the Plains. 66 The Specter Barque. A Tale of the Pacific. 74 a Conanen of the Rifles; or, The Queen of the Akes, at 200 The Rifle Rangers; or, Adventures in Mexico. | 208 The White Chief, A Romance of Northern Mex- ; me considerable to make me comfortable; but never mind, I will not ask it of you now, and you won’t wish to see me die at the yard-arm,” ‘“No, but I will not be driven, Ralph Rogers, so if you care to take a couple of hundred dol- Jars and keep your knowledge to yourself, well and A ge you shall have the money at once. “Tf you do not, orif I find you have broken faitb, then I shall bang you as certain as you now stand before me. an eee will you do, for it rests with you to say? ** 1"]l take the money, Master Clifford.” Taking from his pocket a roll of bills, the ex- Buccaneer Midshipman counted out the sum he had named and handed it over to Red Ralph, who took it, thanked the young sailor, and get- ting into bis skiff rowed homeward, cursing with every stroke of the oars, for he had been over- matched, and his visions of wealth from the Buccaneer Midshipman had faded away in a few minutes, ‘““T must tell that fool, Kenton Carr, that I was inistaken, that the resemblance was start- ling, but that he was not the Buccaneer Middy. ‘Tf I do not, he may play some game for gold, and it will get me hanged. “Tf I do not disturb the Middy, he will not trouble me, but I saw in his face to beware if I 1c0, 213 The War Trail; or, The Hunt of the Wild Horse, [ 213 The Wild Huntress; or, The Squatter’s Ven- { geance .. 228 The Maroon, A Tale of Voodoo and Obeah, 34 The Hunter’s Feast. 4 7 The White Squaw. ' BY FRANCIS JOHNSON, 25 The Gold Guide; or, Steel Arm, Regulator, 26 The Death Track; or, The Mountain Outlaws, 123 Alapaha the Squaw; or, The Border Renegades 124 Assowaum the Avenger; or, The Doom of the Destroyer. : 135 The Bush Ranger: or, The Half-Breed Pajah, 136 The Outlaw Hunter; or, The Bush Ranger. 438 The Border Bandit: or, The Horse Thief’s Trail. BY NED BUNTLINE. 14 Thayendanegea,the Scourge; or, The War-Eagle, 16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet, 18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle. 23 The Red Warrior; or, The Comanche Lover, 61 Captain Seawaif, the Privat-er. 111 The Smuggler Captain; or, The Skipper’s Crime. 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot vg 7 220 Andros, the Rover; or, The Pirate’s Daughter, 361 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail. 584 Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King. BY EDWARD WILLETT. 129 Mississippi Mose; or, a Strong Man’s Sacrifice, 209 Buck Farley, the Bonanza Prince. | 222 Bill the Blizzard; or, Red Jack’s Crime, 948 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp, 274 Flush Fred, the Mississippi Sport. 289 Flush Fred’s Full Hand. 208 Logger Lem; or, Life in the-Pine Woods. 808 Hemlock Hank, Tough and True. wy 815 Flush Fred’s Double; or, The Squatters’ League, 4 827 Terrapin Dick, the Wildwood Detective, j y do. ‘‘T guess I'll keep on the safe side, and stick to smupeling to make money by. ‘‘f wonder if he told me the truth about the treasure being lost on the “#and, and thet he had even ve Seg how to find the place?” “‘T guess he does not remember, for he was very young then; yet, what a boy, yes, and what a man, ‘‘ He is likely to be heard of one of these days as more than the Buccaneer Midshipman,” and thus musing, Red Ralph rowed on homeward, man he had attempted to blackmail. CHAPTER XX, @ONCLUSION. In bis surmise that the young sailor, Clifford Sweegan, would one day be heard of as some- thing else than the Buccaneer Midshipman, Red Ralph Rogers was perfectly correct, for whether the pirate treasure of the Red Scorpion bad been left on the island, or brought away, cer- tain it is that there was a vessel fitted out and armed at the expense of the Sorceress, and it put to sea flying the Stars and Stripes, as an American privateer. The commander of this craft was known in the naval official lists as ‘* Midshipman Clifford Sweegan;” but upon his own deck he was called Captain Sweegan, and it was not very —_ be- fore his schooner made a name for herself and her commander, in fighting the battles of his country. At home remained the Sorceress and Kate, They were wont to read the accounts of the gal- lant doings of the young commander and it made their hearts rejoice, for they were more than proud of his splendid career. And up at Harborage Hall the old commodore was also deeply interested in the young sailor, and used to have Ethel read all that the papers said of him and his victorious cruising. Nor was Ethel at all backward in desiring the same information, for when Clifford sailed on an armed deck, he carried her beart with him! but he left his, in return, in the keeping of beautiful Ethel, so that he bad an incentive to win a name which she bad promised him she “would one day w As for the profligate, Kenton Carr, he played his last card to win his uncle’s favor by going tosea in command of a well-armed and manned pore and Red Ralph Rogers went along as is first officer; but somehow, fortune did not smile upon him, for he captured few prizes and one day his vessel was sunk by a frigate flyin British colors, it was said, and no one ever hear of that scrapegrace of the sea again. Clifford returned to port after the war, his name made famous by bis deeds, and Ethel Carr was proud to become his bride; but ere she did become his wife, the gallant sailor told her the story of his life, of the deep sorrow his mother had borne for long years, and that it had imbittered her life such a degree that she had been glad to have people fear and avoid her, and was willing to be called a sorceress, not even caring when spoken of asthe Witch of Overlook Cliff. Nor did he fail to tell her, also, that he, -branded as a pirate’s son, had once been known as The Buccaneer Midshipman of the Scorpion. THE END. 837 Old Gabe, the Mountain Tramp. 348 Dan Dillon, King of Crosscut. 368 The Canyon King; or, a Price on 483 Flush Fred, the River Sharp. BY PROF. J. H. INGRAHAM, ( 113 The Sea Slipper; or, The Freebooters. i 118 The Burglar Captain; or. The Fallen Star, i B14 Lafitte; or, The Pirate of the Gulf. ; a 816 Lafitte’s Lieutenant; or, Child of the Sea, hee: MISCELLANEOUS. ee: 6 Wildcat Bob. By Edward L. Wheeler, 9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. : 10 Vidocg, the French Police Spy. By himself. ase 11 Midshipman Easy. By Captain Marryatt. i 82 Bthoys of Yale; or, The Scrapes of Collegians, By John D. Vose. = 60 Wide Awake, the Robber King. By F. Dumont. 68 The Fighting Trapper. By Capt.J. F.C, Adams, * 76 The Queen’s Musketeers. By George Albany. 78 The Mysterious Spy- By Arthur M. Grainger, 102 The Masked Band. By George L. Aiken. 110 The Silent Rifleman. By H. W. Herbert. 125 The Blacksmith Outlaw. By H. Ainswort 133 Rody the Rover. By William Carieton. 140 The Three Spaniards. By Geo, Walker. 4144 The Hunchback of No tre Dame. By Victor Hugo. 146 The Doctor Detective. By George Lemuel. — 152 Captain Ironnerve, the Counterfeiter Chief. 158 The Doomed Dozen, By Dr. Frank Powell. 166 Owlet, the Robber Prince. By 8. R. Urban. 179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof. Gildersleeve, 190 The Three Guardsmen. By Alexander Dumas. 261 Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt, By Col, his Head, Jo Yards. 275 The Smuggler Cutter. By IDs Conreys 7 312 Kinkfoot Karl, the Mountain Scourge. By Mor-© ris Redwin ; 830 Cop Colt,the 350 whe ve sa the Society Detective. . Cobb. > 353 Bart Brennan; or, The King of Straight Flush, By John Cuthbert. 366 bi Telegraph Detective. By George Henry orse, 410 Sarah Brown, Detective. By K. F. Hill Suaker City Detective. By C. Morris. y Weldon 500 The True-Heart Pards. By Dr, Noel Dunbar, pa 518 Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred, 3. We sbon, + ; 534 Green Mountain Joe; or, The Counterfeiter’g = Cave. By Marmaduke Dey. tS toes 542 The Coon Dar or, The Fight for Two Lives, s eee y A. F. Holt. , es 566 The Dauntless Detective; or, The Daughter — —.: " Avenger. By Tom W. King, en i Se A new issue every Wednesday, at 2 | | Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by Sore on receipt of twelve cents each. ADLE & ADAMS, — Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, hes. |) Pea Se EA ye! eet ae S re ea) ¢ Sa a is ‘ ss
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406 The BEADLE’S*H ALF-DIME¢]_ JBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sol®at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. Jo Double Numbers. BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 275 Captain Arizona; or, Petent-Leather Joe's Big Game, 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Duelist; cr, The Mountain Vempires, B88 A Tough Boy; or, The Dwart’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen. BB Little Jingo}; or, the Queer Pard, L38 Little por or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly ; or, A Race for a Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Carse, 481 Little Ah Sin; or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the alines. 430 Three Jolly Pards, 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue, &47 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 656 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 674 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs, 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. > 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy Blazer; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy, 85 Oklahoma Hi, the Blue-Coat Scout, 648 Mappy Harry’s Big Find, BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. or, The Doge’s Daughter. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lanee and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. .154 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The ace t Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise to the mn Polar Sea. 265 The Tiger Tamer ; or, The League of the Jungle. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. B95 California Joe's War Trail, BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Rall.) 284 eee, Reeks's ** Boyees3 or, Benito, the Young Horse- reaker. 246 Giant George; or, The Ang’! of the Raege. 275 Arizona Jack}; or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos ; or, Giant George’s Revenge. 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 Rare heey Ker-whoo or, The Tarantula of Taos. B27 Groepiag at, the Caddo}; or, The Red and White Pards. 882 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust, 844 The hting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. 857 The Ranch Raiders i The Siege of Fort Pargatory. 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy nger. 875 Chiota, the Oreek 3; or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front. B92 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Larlat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 427 The These Tratlers} or, Old Rocky on the Ram e ree Trailers; or, cky on the e, 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the pod — 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo, 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant BY EDWARD WILLETT, 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum. 228 Ozark Alf; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws, 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. 811 The Roving Sport; or, Phe Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, 822 Nemo, the De ive z or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta. 840 Clip the Contortionist: or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY J, ©. COWDRIOK, B60 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. : 869 Shasta, the Gold King; or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name. 334 OClbuta Jonny? or, Red-Hot Tumes at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. A867 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude, 490 Broadway bt by the Bootblack Bravo. 606 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road, 5+] ap ee Bi : fei 2 a e Engineer Detective. 686 fireedway Billy’s ‘Difikilty.” Mart, the Night Express Detective. , BST Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 71 Atr-Line take the Young Engineer, 79 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party, 692 The Boy Pinkerton. 605 William 0’ Broadway: or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. the Chief of Chained Cyclone, Hy’s Dead Act. th, the Centaur of the Circle, : Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. BY JO PIERCE, 97 Bob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street 15 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob's Boom, 259 Hotspur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective, ‘ A460 The awyer’s Shadow iy Luke’s Legaey, A72 Jaunty Joe, the Young Ho -King. 232 Bey eee ag Fa Ferryman Detective, : ve Points 5 B09 J Detective, aggera, the Butcher 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 526 North River N at, the Pier Detective. 588 Wrestling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward, 641 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective, B51 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detectiva, B77 Pavement Pete, the Secret Sifter, BSS Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector. OR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Ald. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hammer. 689 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret. 649 Gamin Bob, the®owery Badger; or, Scooping a Sitppery Set. BY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-8cout, 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Out Pardes. / h. r, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, 1K ee erie the Dandy of the Rockies. 98 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard; or, The Gold King. Mad Man-Hunter; or, The Mystery of Golden Ich. 505 Powell’s Pards or, The One-Armed Giant, ' BY WM. G. PATTEN. | Diamond Sport am The Double Face of Bed Rock, tain My ve in One. re the Sport from Denver. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ef a Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 79% Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buck of Angels and His Bey Pard. 447 New York Nat, A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Fewadling. 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Tnos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hal!-Breed Detective, 518 Cool Colorado in New York. RY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE, 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. 90 The Dread Rider}; or, The Texan Duelist. 99 The ‘Tiger of Taos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel. 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. 181 The Golden Mand; or, Dandy Rock to the Reseue, 164 Dandy Reck’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death. 178 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, The taunted Maid of Taos. BY CAP’. J. F. ©. ADAMS. 84 Oregon Sol}; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Glass-Bye, the Great Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whifles’s Pet; or, In The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scout of the Yellowstone, 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods, ' 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buckram ; or, Beas, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and His Peta; or, The Wild Huntress, 251 Light-heuse Lige; or, Osceola, the Firebrand. 57 The Lost Hunters; or, The Underground Camp. 288 The Scalp King; or, The Human Thunderbolt. BY ROGER STARBUCK. 25 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar. 259 The Golden Harpoon; or, Lost Among the Flovs. 848 Fire-Heelsa; or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow. 854 Big Horn Ike, the Ill Tramp; or, The Odd Pards, 861 The Phantom Light-house, 870 Breaker Len, the Reef-Runner. BY WILLIAM RP. EYSTER, 190 Panes Darke 5 or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down BY COLONEL DELLE SARA, 108 The Lion of the Sean; or, The Vailed Lady. 186 Cool Desmond; or, The Gambler’s Big Game, BY JAMES L. BOWEN 4 107 One-Eyed Sim; or, The Abandened Forest Home. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies, A Story of Texas. BY ©. DUNNING CLARK, 185 Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. 80 The Yankee Rajah}; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef. BY GEORGE ©, JENKS, 455 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 18 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 598 Flute, tne Singer Detective, 608 f hand epener Detective’s Fotl; or, Double Curve Dan’s ouble Play. 616 The Ocean Detective; or, The Last Cruise of the Black Bear. BY OAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR U. 8. Ai 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bills Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, BY CHARLES E. LASALLE, 50 Burt Bunker, the Trapper. 562 The White Buffalo. A Tale of the Northwest BY JOHN J. MARSHALL. 40 Roving Ben, A Story of a Young American. 97 The Outlaw Brothers; or, The Captive of the Harpes, BY HARRY S8T. GEORGE, 80 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Ranger. 44 Rattling Rube; or, The Nighthawks of Kentucky, 59 Old Hickory ; or, Pandy Ellis’s Scalp. 108 Daring Davy ; or, The Trail of the a Wolf. 166 Hickory Harry; or, The Trapper-Brigade’s Spy, 172 Thunderbolt Tom; or, the Wolf-Herder_ BY MAJOR E. L. 8ST. VRAIN. 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit, B01 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimatone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand,” 859 Duraure Dave, the Youny Cham ion Wrestler. 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Y»ung Hard-Shell Detective, 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide, 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line, BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS, 6 Bill Biddon, Trapper. 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontler, © Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive, ‘rne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. 182 The Hunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains. 271 The Muge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON, 278 The Three Tra pers: or, The Mountain Monster. 288 Indian Joe; on ie White Spirit of the Hills, BY FRANK DUMONT. 120 The Branded Hand; or, The Man of Mystery. 127 Wild-Fire, the Boss of the Road. 140 Blue Bl , The Break o’ Di f Rosky Bar. 121 Ebon aces tes Ralage ee 185 Evil Eye; o-. The Vultures of the Rio Grande, BY OAPT. MARK WILTON, 256 Young Kentuck; or, The Red Lasso. 270 Blizzard B , The Riot at Keno Gi 956 Josh, the toy Tendorfect. BY BRACEBRIDGE NEMYNG, 89 Taland Jims or, The Pet of the Family. 91 The Captain of the Club. or. The Rival Athletes, 101 Jack Harkaway in New York. KY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Dick jePs V 8% The Land Pirates: or. The League of Devils Ialand, 187 The lel gto 289 The Golkneekae Gulde, of, The Last Mountain, BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper, 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam ; or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-thawk Kit; or, The Daugiter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 161 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Resene, 160 The lack Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire, 184 The Boy Trailers ; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca W olf; or, The Beautifal Decoy, 819 The Black Rider}; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist; or, ‘he Strange Guide : $55 The King of the Woods: or Danie: Boone’s Last Trail, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Bey Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer. BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood; or, The Twelve Avengers. 66 Single Hand; or, A Life for a Life, 72 Mad Tom Weatern, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop. BY JACK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY LIFUT. H. D. PERRY, U. 8. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay. 180 The Sea Treller; or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point. BY HARRY HAZARD. 828 Arkansaw Jack; or, The Surge of the Mines, 829 Red-Skin Tomy, or, The Demon's Trail, 842 The Mountain Devil; or, Yellow Jack, the Outlaw, BY COL. A. F. HOLT. 899 Black Buckskin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyom 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. 485 Little Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods, BY J. W. OSBON, 469 The Rival Glants« of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck, 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 4 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner. 609 Bolly Dorrit, the \etersn Detective. 620 Little agctats *s League; or, The Mystery oftne Island 688 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector. BY FREDERICK DEWEY. se Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots. 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective. 5642 The Canyon Parda., BY ARTHUR C. GRISSOM. 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowle Kid. 558 The Sure-Shot Parda, 621 Truthful James, the “Pecooliar” Man. e BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock, 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow. . 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 601 Happy Mana, the Dutch bee 611 Bildnd Barnacle, the Detective Hercules, 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad. 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Ivan’s Great Combine. 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 5 MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters, By Capt, Mayne Reid ané Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travele. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe, (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Juaa Lewis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By S, W. Pierce. 86 2 Boy Clown; or, The Queen ofthe Arena. By Frank inn 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 ig: Boy Rives; or, The Underground Camp. By Archie . Lrons. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. ts 98 Robin Ifood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 4 112 The Mad Hunters or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe, 124 ‘Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George epson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. Harry Cavendish. : 148 Sharp Sams; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy, By J, Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper; or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By Edward Emerson, ? 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Y irk Boy. ByG, L. Alken, 266 Kittb’ar, the Guide; »r, Davy Crockett’s Trail. By Ensign C. D, Warren. : 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff. By Captain Comstock, 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville, By Liew tenant Alired Thorne. 828 The Sky Detectives or, A Boy's Fight for Life and Honos. By Mator Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother’s Re venge. By a a a <n 865 Baltimore Ben the ac! tective. By A. P. 874 Sotd-Dust Tomy; or, Ben’s Double Match. By George a oree, ‘ 876 Caitfornia Joe’s First Trail, By Colonel Thomer Hoyer Monstery. 418 Biily Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F. 8. Winthrop. 4%5 The Binck Ore: By John S Warner. Comanche Dick and His Three Invincible. By Henry J. Thomas. S28 Wizard-Arm, the Dandy Sport. By Arthur F. Holt, Edwin oke Forrest. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library 1s for sale by all newsdealers, tivo per copy, or sent by mail on recerpt ot six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New You!
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BEADLE’S«H ALF- JJIME* LIBRARY. ———— - never te: BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novela, e 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, 20 Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance, 28 Buffalo Bens or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. 85 Wila Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval, 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, AY Omaha Me or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. 67 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine, 77 Cordurey Charlie; or, Deadwood Dick’s Last Act, 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 oe ighas o Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s zuich. 188 Blonde Billy or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base. 149 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. 1566 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party, 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivels of the Road, 201 The Black Hills Jezebel; or, Deadwood Dick’s Ward. 205 Bensweed Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jaue’s Last Ad- venture. 217 Captain Orack-Shot, the Girl Brigand, 221 Sugar-Coated Sam; or, The Black Gown. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Rough: and Toughs, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. B09 | erchaas Dick’s Big Weal; or, The Gold Brick of regon. 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- ings. B51 feodqued Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, 862 Deadwood Dick’s ‘Claim. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds. 421 Deadwood Dick in New Yorks or, A “Cute Care.” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 448 Nickel-Plate Ned; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Defiance. 458 a ghee Sam, o! Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full and. 459 Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- Up. 465 Phitto Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at ‘aim 10. 471 Bozeman Bills or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. A476 Humboldt Harry the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Dog Detective, 481 Moll Mystery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood. 491 Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Compact. 496 Monte Cristo, Jr.: or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance. 500 Deadwood Dick's Migsings 3 or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop. 508 Deadwood Dick’s Dellverance, 515 Deadwood Dick’s Protegee. 522 Deadwood Dick's Three. 529 Deadwood Dick’s Danger Ducks, 584 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt. 5839 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Texas, 544 Deadwood Dick, Ir. the Wild West Vidoog. 549 Deadwood Dick on Mis Mettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick tn Boston. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Philadelphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Chicago, 67S Deadwood Dick, Jr. Afloat. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr's. Decree. 595 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick Jr. at Coney Island. 606 Deadwood Dick Jr’s Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Cincinnatl. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr, In Nevada. 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in No Man’s Land, 686 Deadwood ey dr. Atter the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Buffalo. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr's. Chase Across the Continent. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 4% Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 5S Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn aus or, The Red Rifle Team, 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud Rob or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. S4 Idyl, the Girl Miner}; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet 5 or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull's Camp. 96 Watch-Eye; or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City, 118 Jack Moyle the Young Speculator, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner. 188 Bese Bob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid oe the Boy Road-Agent. 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. rt New York Nel, the Soy-Girl Detective. 17% Nobby Nick of Nevada} or, The Sierras Scamps, 181 Wild Frank, tke Buckskin Bravo. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective. R86 Apatite Bill, the Trail Tornado. 240 elone Kit, the Young Gladiator, 244 Sferra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam's Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll's Victory. 285 Denver Doll’s Decoy ; or, Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll's Drift; or, The Road Queen, 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker, 808 ’Liza Jane, the Sirl Miner; or, the Iron-Neryed Sport, B25 Kelley, Hickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia. BEO Little Quick-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggeraville. B84 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, . 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. 858 Firat-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher, 868 ¥reka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Lottery of i Life. 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 78 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. 8&2 Cool Kit. the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 85 Yreka Jim's Joker ; or, The Riyals of Red Nose. 89 Bleyele Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 6 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 6 Ram Slabsides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, =| 23 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher, 6 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler, Published Every Tuesday. Hach Isswe Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 7 The Flying Yankees or, The Ocean Ontcast. 17 Ralph Rey, the Boy Buccaneer; or, The Fugitive Yacht. 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 62 The Shadow Ship}; or, The Rival Lieutenants 75 The Boy Dnelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smaggier. 111 The Sen-Devil; or, The Midehipman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Captain ; or, The Hermit of Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport. 216 Bison BIH, the Prince of the Reins. 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailers 229 Crimson Kate; or, The Cowboy's Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy ¢ or, ‘The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer 3 or, Brandt, the Buecaneer, 264 ae Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure sland. 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold onip. 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Piraté’s Bride. 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler, 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 he | Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long Tall. 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rovery or, The Flagless Schooner, 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath Will, the Boy Phantom, 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Isodor, the Young Consptrator; or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtaman; or, The War-Cloud’s Cruise, 9 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy's Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly ; or, A Midd}’s Vengeance. 446 Maphazard Harry; or, The Scapegrace of th Pa. 450 Wizard Will: cr, The Boy Ferret of New York, 454 Wizard WIil’s Street Scouta. 462 The Born Guide; or, The Saiior Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster. 474 Floray or, Wizard Wil!’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Will’s Last Case, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revoiver Ranger. 495 Arizona doe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King of thy Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 507 The Hunted Midshipman. 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Sliadow, 525 Brothers in Buckskin, 530 The Buckskin Bowers. 585 The Buc: skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the Ri, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee Bill, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King, 570 Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 580 The Outeast Cadet; or, ‘The False Detective, 6586 The Buckskin Avenger. 591 Delmonte, tie Young Sea Rover. 597 The Young Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines, 607.The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout; or, The Raiders and the Red Riders of the Rio. 2 644 The Hereules Highwayman. 650 Rutterfly Billy, the Pony Rider Detectives or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para. t» BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon, Wm. F. Cody), 8 Kanaas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy : or, The Pilot of the Prairie, 65 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Sccut, ‘ 68 Border Rebin Hoods or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fauecy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trappet’s Trust, BY CHARLES MORRIS, 18 Will Somers, the Boy Detective, 2 Phil Hardy; the Boss Boy. 6 Pieayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. ) 80 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 42 Wandsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 47 WILL Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. B2 Black Beas, Will Wildfire’s Racer. 5? Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. 62 Will Wildfire in the W ooda. 65 Billy B age, the Railroad Boy. | A Trump Card or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, z 8 Ss ww - 4 Bob Roekett; or, Mysteries of New York. 9 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner. 8 The Hidden Hand £.0% Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 7 Fred Nalyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 89 Bob Reekett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner} or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 25 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two “ Blooda”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ¢ or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 208 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker City. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe} br, A Boy of the Times, 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, Tlie Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firefly Jack, ihe River-Rat Detective, 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invinelble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagaoond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Dodge}; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty, 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 566 The Secret Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, Tho Wolf in the Fold, al inadinal No Double Numbers. BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Kalfe, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 68 The Border King? or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. & 74 Hawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Ranger, 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. k 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter, 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. . 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. ‘ 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Prospect Pete ; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised Guides or, Wild Raven, the Rangon 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Yoing Prairie Ravger, 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon 3 or, Rafnbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. A417 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. 78 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 562 Blundermg Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper, BY T. C. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Night} or, The Boy Spy of '76. 8? The Hidden Lodge}; or The Little Hunter, 47 Nightin ale Naty or, Tne Forest Captains, : 64 Dandy Jacky or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trait, : 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. F 94 Midnight Jack ; or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, Jr.¢ or, The Boy Vigilante. 155 Gold Tri er, the Sport;-or, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansnaw ; or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 207% Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot's Crusade, 281 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Red Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, The Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoliv, tne King-Pin of Bowie. 67 The Backskin Detective, 79 Old Winch? or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 | 2 ho pate Dany or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa, 802 The Mountain Detectiye: or, The Trigger Bar Bully, ‘ 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona. : 826 The Ten Pards; or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Big Reneon; or, The Queen of the Lasso. r 845 Pitileas Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret. ‘; Bd6 Cool sam and Par4; ov The Terrible Six. a , B66 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. ie: 886 Captain Cutlase 3 or, the Brecaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob; or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes. ; 411 The Silken Lasso; or, The Rose of Ranch Robin. ~4 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. = 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler, 2s 486 Phil Fla«h, the New York Fox. ; “4 445 The City Vampires; or, Red Rolfe’s Pigeon. ; ; 461 One Againat Fifty 3; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, “ 470 The es Shadow $ or, Felix Fox's Hunt. : AT? The Exceisior Sport: or, The Washington Spotter, : 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. : Be 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 2 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. ae 521 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows. 588 Dedger Dick, the Dock Ferret. “it 548 Dodger Dick’s Double}; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, y 558 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case. is 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidooq. f- 578 The Two Shadows. a 5S2 Dodger Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sherp on Guard, ae 626 The Champion Pards, S 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. : 64 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. *. 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective. By Wm. G. Patten. ry 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, By Ol! Coomes. x 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. By T. C. Harbaugh. J 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. By 5 Edward L. Wheeler s ae 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. By Charles Morris. i 656 Butterfly Rilly’s Man Hunt. By Col, P. Ingraham. 657 Warbling Wiliam, the Mountain Mountebank. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. > f 658 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver; or, The Storm-Waif of SS Giant’s Boot. By Jo Pierce. ~ 4 659 Moonlight Morgon, the “ Pizenest ” Man of Ante Bar; or, a Cibuta John's Champion Chase. By J. C, Cowdrick. 660 paecyes Dick, Jr’s., Insurance Oase- By Edward 4 eeer. 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; ot, Banner Ben, the <?x Wildfire of the Prairies. By Oll Coomes. Sol 2 662 Butt-rfly Billy’s Bonanza; or, The Spectre Soldier of =) the Overland. By Col. P, Ingraham. = 668 Violet Vane’s Victory; or, The Juspar City Clean-Ont. By Wm, G. Patten. 664 Cheeky Charley, the Specials or, The Life Rneket at Rattlesnake Ridge. By P. S. Warne. ¥ i 665 Jolly Jeremiah, the Plains Detectives or, Warbling Wil- liam’s Home Run. x: By Liew ag ota ES A = » r- ae ; . “ peat bes patina Double Game. By Edward L. Wheeler. 667 Bob and Sa the Daisy Detectives; or, The Gamin Spies’ zB Big Stake. By Charles Morris. : a 668 The Buccaneer Mid<hipman; or, The Sea Rover's ing Ruse. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. ot 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack Bravo in po San Francisco. By J. C. Cowdrick. Ready May 20. b 4 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer; or, The Rival “~ Rauchmen. By Oll Coomes, Ready May 27. : A New Issue Every Tuesday. Tho Half- Dime Library 's for sale by all newsdeaters, five a cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. <i BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, — 98 William Street, New York, ) a » pa =~ Seta BOT INR LOE SR