Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 972) (1896 03 10)
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WN Copy righted 1896, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, 2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY B DLE No. 972. 8 Y BEA AND ADAMS, Price, a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 cents, NY | eee ——— ange 1, HOV vain OH Sen mi ee: : SESE SS SAY Ny ~ \\ / ws SS A \WA $5 SS ES =~ THE CONSTITUTION’S GUNS WERE 1 IN READINESS FOR THE STRANGER. a i a 1 cao ~ = th
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2 Fighting Jack’s Middies. _ . . i) - . : “The vessel reached the place in safety, but Fighting Jack S Middies . | among the crew, it seems, was a man who knew the object of the voyage—for he had been one OR, of the pirates—and this man created a mutiny, He did not know the exact spot where the treas- DASH, | ure was buried, and demanded a map of it * which your father had in some way obtained, / ** Your father refused to give up the map and was killed, but tie map was not found, for | your aed ee Renee igs the "vce lonlia , : TAGAN of a small mu-ic-bux, which had been brought BY T. J, FLANAGAN, along to amuse you, 8 = AUTHOR OF ‘' FIGHTING JACK SHUBRIOK,” “ THE “ That box on the shelf over my head is the THREE LIEUTENANTS,” ETC. music-box, and contains the map and other | } DANDY DICK’S A Story of the Constitution’s Cruise, \ ; ote papers relating to yourself,” PROLOGUE, “The devil himself could not be up to the Axpovt nine o’clock of a stormy nightin the | tricks of these women!” muttered the man at early part of November, 1812, Mrs, White, the | the door, as the widow paused for want of proprietress of the ‘‘ North Star ”—an inn much | breath. : frequented by seamen, situated in the lower | ‘But, how did my mother escape?” asked art of the city of New York—breathed her | Raoul, ‘*It is a long story, andIcan only tell you that after killing your father, the leader came and informed your mother, telling her that both you and she would share his fate, if she did not give up the map, “Had they simply threatened to kill your fath:r, and demanded the map, your mother would have surrendered it instantly, but the ast, ‘ i: During the evening her half-dozen lodgers RS had congregated around the fire in the snug sitting-room, smoking aud drinking as usual, but talking unusually little, and that little was almost whispered, for, with one exception, all , were regular customers of the ‘t North Star,” and felt sad over the impending death of its , : ; j kind-hearted, motherly mistress, shocking intelligence of his death, delivered so ih About nine o'clock, Jane, the chambermaid, | brutally, as it was, appears to have driven her , who was attending Mrs, White, entered the | insane, and for months she wandered around sitting-room, looking a little out of temper. | unheeded—the would-be pirates spending their “On, it’s nothing!” she exclaimed, in re- | time hunting for the treasure. sponse to the inquiring looks caused by her ap- ‘“‘ Atlength, one morning she awoke restored arance in that room; but, as this did not re- | to her senses, and, providentially, a man-of-war fieve her feelings, for she was an old (and | came near in search of water, and through the usually confidential) servant, she added: | boat sent on shore she managed to infcrm the ‘* The missus had something—some secret, to | captain of what had heppened, tell to the young gentleman ”—with great em- ‘The mutineers were captured and taken to phasis, England—I think—where some were hanged aud “*So you got your walking-papers, eh?” sug- | the rest imprisoned on your mother’s testimony, gested one of the men, but she feared to remain in the same country “Just so! And what if I did?” tartly retort- | with those still living.” ed Jane, ** And the box—how did she regain that?” a ‘* None at all, Jennie,” soothingly interposed ““Your mother regained her reason to find . a big, brawny seaman, “‘ and very proper, too, | herself and you in the cabin of the schooner— to my thinkin’, Mother ’n’son ougaot to have |; and the only personson board. From her own tueir last confab alone, before she slips her | appearance and yours she saw something strange eable for the golden shore.’ ; must have happened since the demand made for Tne angry domestic did not look particularly | the map, and this caused her to look for the pleased to hear this approval of her mistress’s | music-box, It was lying on the floor, uninjur- ¢ uduct, but Maxwell was a general favorite, | ed, among a heap of broken articles of every and she made no remark as she marched off to | description which had been destroyed by the the kitchen, mutineers in searching for the biding-place of ‘Hello! What's become of the Spaniard?” | the map. ; exclaimed one of the company, at this point, ‘¢ The box contained considerable money (and ‘Gone off t’ sleep, I s’pose—the lazy son of # | 80me jewels—which your mother had me sell), a sea-couk !” growled another. and when dying she directed me to spend this The Spaniard referred to was the exception | on you. hat accounts for the education and Berri among the Widow White’s customers, having | bringing-up—so much, apparently, out of your Bigs errived there for the first time about a month | station in life—which you have received, but f previous to the opening of our story. - much of the money remains, for I loved you as Save that bis name was Moredo, and that he; my own, and the inn will be yours when I appeared to have plenty of money, nothing was | die.” ; known of the new lodger. He neither worked, During the last few minutes the dying wo- nor looked for work, his whole tims being spent | Man’s voice was so weak and her story inter- in and about the ‘‘ North Star,’’and that, too, | rupted by spasms of pale coughing, as to be , notwithstanding the fact that from the very | almost unintelligible to the unseen listener, but ¢ outset Mrs, White had evinced a desire for his | he bad heard all that was important, and now room rather than his company, substituted his eye for his ear at the key-hole— At the first word uttered by Jane regarding | to make sure that the precious box should not be i a secret commuaication between Mrs, White | removed without his knowledge, ‘ and her son, Moredo left the room, muttering All that the eavesdropping watcher could see gometiing to the effect that he was“ going to or hear wasa youth bending over the form of a.? : the dying woman and sobbing a prayer in which she endeavored to join. This lasted but a few minutes, when a cry from the youth announced the departure of the spirit of- her whom he had called mother (and who had indeed been a mother to him), and then Tom White, as he was known, arose from his knees and walked toward the door. As the youth advanced, the eavesdropper re- treated further back in the dark passage, where he remained unnoticed by the boy, who went below to summon the female help to prepare Mrs, White for burial. The moment Tom was out of the passage, Moredo entered the death-chamber, from which he emerged a few moments after, carrying a small box, and hurried to his own room, which opened off the head of the stairs, Once in bis room, and having locked his door, the midnight marauder, intent on immediate flight, and caring only for its precious contents —sought to open the box, but in vain. ‘Conscience makes cowards of us all,” Finding the false bottom resisted the point of his dagger, and fearing the noise which he must make in smashing it, would attract attention, Moredo laid the box aside, thrust the dagger in- to his bosom, and hurriedly prepared to depart. The Spaniard’s preparations were scant and Ss eh ae Instead, he stole up to the sick woman’s cham- ber, and placing his ear to the door, heard Mrs, White say: “ But I must tell you, my dear boy! Some- thing urges me to delay no longer.” aR ee ** Why distress yourself, mother? To-morrow o will do as well, and you may then be stronger,” Pe remonstrated her son. Ri , “No, no, Raoul! To-morrow will not do as well—there is no to-morrow for me! And, be- : _. . gides—I am not your mother!” — Beis 55 “Hal I knew it “~ knew it!” muttered the aa DO listener, ° ** Hush, dear—don’t interrupt me! I have much to say and little time, | fear, to say it,” continued the dying woman. “ Pifteem years ago, on a stormy night, just such as this, your mother came here with you. Sone was very weak from recent sickness, and exposure to the weather, and had never recov- ered from it—dying a week after her arrival. “Before her death, your mother told me something of what had ned her, but died before completing the story. — ** Your father discovered aclew—some knowl- edge of a large amout of hidden treasure, and . engaged a vessel aad crew to the place where it had been buried by some pirates. re ee aE ¥ o44 . A / van abs NS Reva ee i hurried—the donning of an-oilskin coat and **sou’wester,” and the wrapping up of the pre- cious box to protect it from the sturm, being all that he dare risk. A very few minutes sufficed to complete these scanty preparations, and after listening a few moments to make certain no one was in the way, Moredo stole down-stairs—the precious box in his left hand, a dagger in the right. At the foot of the stairs was a lantern, and as the faint light yielded by the candle in this, fell upon the Spaniard, Tom White entered the hall on his way to the floor above. But for the attire of Moredo, and the gleam- ing dagger in his hand, tbe youth wouid have passed him unnoticed, and as it was, he had only stopped fora moment before the Spaniard struck him down, As the youth sunk to the floor with a loud cry for help, the occupants of the sitting-room dash- ed out just in time to see the assassin rushing through the door, cz CHAPTER J, A TERRIBLE LESSON IN POLITENESS, It is a pleasant evening in October, 1812—just a trifle chilly, perhaps—enough so, at a)l events, to excuse the fire glowing in a grate 1n a cofiee- house in Boston. Assembled in this room are civilians, and army and navy officers, ond among the latter are two or three officers of the British frigate Guerriere (recently captured by the Constitution), who are on parole—one of whom is particularly disliked by all present, This man—Carden, by name—is a powerful- looking fellow, and has proved himself an expert in the handling of both sword and pistol, havy- ing, during the short time he has been in Boston, killed one man and severely wounded several others, in duels which be provoked intentionally —by his offensive language regarding America, and Americans. The habilués of the coffee-house soon began to fight sy of the bully, who they knew would pick a qvarrel on the slightest pretext. A quarre! niecant an insult or blow, end either, ac- cersing to the ideas then prevailing, meant @ uel, It was for this reason that, on the night our story opens, Mr. Carden had the fire pretty much ‘to himself, and although there was an arm-chair, with a newspaper lying on it, on the opposite side of the grate, nobody appeared anxious to occupy it—the paper had been placed there by Carden as if to tempt (or care) somebody to do 80, Shortly after the “trop” had been baited, a youth of fifteen or sixteen entered the rcom, and inquired for Captain Lawrence, The lat- ter was not present, but the naval cfficers re- ferred the youth from one to another for in- formation regarding the famous young captain’s | whereabouts. The bully had noticed the bey going around the room, but had not been able to catch what his object was, and when in crossing the room the youth passed close to him, he called out to the latter to stop. 5 Heedless of the order, the youth was pits: on to the officer to whom he had been last di- rected, when Carden tbrust out his foot, and the lad stumbled and fell, striking his head ageinst a chair, No one bad geen him do it, but there was en ugly bg Dp that Carden was the cause of the boy’s fal}, and there were some threatening mur- rours when it was seen that the latter bad been injured enough to draw blood. e bully appeared to derive an immense amount of amusement and gratification from the situation, and lying back in bis chair, smil- ing maliciously, awaited the utterance of some- thing which would give him an excuse for call- ing the speaker to account. t is but justice to say that no one present was actually afraid of Carden, but there was a tacit understanding not to notice him in any way, and therefore the expected words were not uttered, wire ' Seeing that there was no likelihood of fasten- ing a fight upon any one through his last, dirty trick, the bully l hoping some one would take possession of either of his chairs during bis absence. He was not disappointed—though it was not one of the frequenters of the house who wag caught. ‘They knew the trick—bhad seen bim mm! it before, when it cost an unoffendivg man is life, Carden had barely left the room when a tall, fine, magnificently-built young man, in civilian’s clothes, entered and upon which the paper was lying, left the room for a few minutes, took possession of the chair Ce ey eee
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gy A murmur ran round the room, and several of thoze nearest the stranger moved forward to warn him of his danger, but were stopped by a young army officer, who said: “Hold on! Letthings goasthey are! We've stood enough of this fellow’s bullying, and I, for one, will tiave no more of it! ‘““If the gentleman who has just taken the chair leaves it when ordered, J shall take it. « {f he does not, and fights, and falls, then Ill chal- lenge the ruffian, myself!” ‘And if that man in the fatal chair is Lieu- tenant Shubrick—and I’m pretty sure he is— you'll never have a chance tochallenge the other fellow,” declared a young naval officer—a friend of the first speaker. ‘* Why? asked several of the listeners, ** Bacause if it’s Shubrick, he'll teach thai bully a lesson that will keep his mouth closed for along time, He's the quietest man in the navy, I’ve heard old officerssay, but when he’s aroused! Then you understand why they christened him Fighting Jack.” ; At this point Carden returned to the room, and smiled ferociously on seeing the stranger in possession of the paper and chair, Striding across the room, he threw himself |. into his chair, and leaning forward began star- ing insolently at the stranger, but the latter calmly continued his reading. He had not paid the slightest attention to the noise made when Carden seated himself, and seemed oblivious of that gentleman's presence. Thus ignored, the bully became very angry, and a suspicion that the bystanders were smil- ing at his efforts to provoke this wooden-like stranger, did not improve his temper. “Tsay, sir!” he exclaimed, fiercely. ‘‘ You have taken my paper. I’m not through with it. : The newspaper belonged to the house, and according to custom, the moment one person laid it down, another was at liberty to take pos- session of it, for newspapers were scarce in those days, and eagerly sought for in public-houses. Just as Carden asserted his claim to the pa- per, the lad whom he had tripped re-entered the room, and mistaking the stranger at the grate for another gentleman, hurried over to bim, : **Can you tell me, sir, where I can find Cap- tain Lawrence?” he asked, as Carden fivished, ‘* He will be here—” began the stranger, ignor- ing the bully, and addressing the boy, but the former interrupted him. “Did you bear me, sir? I am not through with that paper!” he fairly roared... Turning slowly toward the enraged speaker, the stranger gazed at him in mild astonishment mingled with curiosity—as if he were looking at some newly-discovered specimen of the ani- mal kingdom, : This action caused a titter among the spec- tators, but the stranger did not appear to notice it, and with his eyes still fixed on Carden, said: “Sit down, my lad, Captain Lawrence will be here iuside of ten minutes.” ‘¢ What d’ye mean, sir? What are you star- ing et?” thundered Carden, springing to his |. the amusement feet, infuriated as much b 's conduct, as the caused by the cool strang conduct itself. ‘** You look at me*as if I were some wild beast—some curiosity—d’ye know it, sir?’ he - continued, striding up to the stranger. “ Well—yes,” doubtfully admitted the latter. Apparently, he did not understand what Car- den meant, but the latter was now determined to pick a quarrel, and roughly exclaimed : “You're an ass, sir, an ass! and Jet me re- mind you for the last time, Iam waiting—” “Take care, sir!” interrupted the youth, alarmed at Carden’s threatening attitude: “ take care, sir, or be’ll hurt you as he did me,” touch- “a blood-stained bandage around his head. - he stranger’s eyes flashed on hearing this, but his voice was calm, and his manner even meek, as he asked: “You were saying that you were waiting—” ‘“‘ For that paper. Hand it over!” Every one expected that this insolent demand would cause an explosion, and there was no lit- tle surprise and disappointment felt when the stranger meekly folded up the paper. and hand- ed it to Carden. ; Even the latter seemed surprised at this tame submission to his bullying, and when the former quietlyasked: ‘ Anything else, sir?” he laughed contemptuously, and answered: 24 No, I’ve got all I want; I’m through with you,” eee ~ The stranger lookea~ at him, renectively, and paused for a few moments before making any response, Then, in clear, cold, cutting Fighting Jack’s Middies. tones, plainly heard in every part of the room, and with his eyes fixed on Carden, he began: ‘“* You will excuse me, I hope, for contradict- ing you, but you are not through with me! You may have gotall you want, but you have not received all J want to, and shall, give you! ‘* Presently, I shall spit down your dirty throat !” Tae spectators, listening in dull amazement up to this point, now uttered exclamations— the majority, of astonishment, and approval— afew of disapproval and disgust, but heedless of the confu murmur that reached him the stranger calmly continued: ‘* At first, 1 mistook you for some harmless fool, and therefore, paid no attention to you, but now I recognize you as the cowardly hound who has been taking advantage of his skill to fix quarrels upon inexperienced, boyish officers, and inoffensive citizens—and then fairly mur- der them!” Carden, who had sat as if paralyzed by amazement, now sprung from his chair, but even as he reached his feet, the stranger’s hand ae, his throat and forced him down like a c ’ os Down, you dog! Down! I’m not reaay yet. And, despite his struggles, the bully’s heaa was bent back across the chair, and the other went on: “But your victims were to blame for allowing themselves to be badgered into meeting such as you. MynameisShubrick, I aman officer, and if any of your comrades—any of the gentlemen who are compelled to associate with you—wish to take your part, I shall be glad to meet them, but for you—that is all you are fit to re- ceive!” e With the last word, Shubrick grasped Caraen by the nose and chin, tore his jaws apart until the bones cracked, and deliberately spat in his mouth! , “Then, turning to the youth, he directed: t “Follow me, my lad. Captain Lawrence is over here near the door.” quietly CHAPTER II. DANDY DICK, * At the same instant that Carden’s jaw-bone snapped Captain Lawrence entered through a oe facing Shubrick, and the latter had seen m, For fully a minute not a sound broke the stillness that followed the terrible punishment of the bully, save the groans of the latter and the footfalls of Shubrick as, followed by the youth, he advanced to meet bis friend. ‘* What’s the row?” asked Lawrence, noticing the suppressed excitement visible on every side of him and hearing the groans of Carden, Then everybody began talking to everybody else. Carden was led out of the room by an un- 8 <2 are comrade, while Shubrick ex- ined: ‘That fellow has had bis jaw broken, I be- lieve; bué never mind him; here’s a lad who wishes to talk to you.” Thus cutting off any further immediate con- versation regarding Carden, Shubrick stepped aside, and the youth came forward. ‘Ah, Cooper! Looking for me?” asked Law- rence. ** Yes, sir. Captain Bainbridge wishes to see you as soon as sible, and I was sent to find you, and to say it was about a matter of im- portance.” ‘* Sailing orders, as sure as fate!” exclaimed the captain, and beckoning to Shubrick,who was standing in the center of an admiring group of aap — ae of the room. ell have to give up our party—or, rather, I will,” explained Lawrence, when his friend joined him. “Mr. Cooper—my pet midshipman, Jack— bears a message from Bainbridge. Wants tosee me at once about an important matter—sailing orders, without a doubt.” ‘*Sounds like it,” assented Shubrick, ‘‘ and that being the case, [ shall return to the ship with you. ‘** But Mrs, Danton will be very much disap- pointed,” objected Lawrence, “Oh, Pll arrange all that a sending her a note. Can Mr, Cooper deliver it?” “Oh, yes! Dick won't mind,” assured Law- rence, and ‘‘Mr, Cooper”—about fifteen and one-half years of age—bowed politely, and said aig soiipobent i Bayt pe d ¥ ooking lad, that, and very gentle- sins oeeneten Skubrick, as the pei Ag nid- oo } 3 shipman departed with the note explaining the absence of Lawrence and himself. “Yes, he’s the pink of politeness—a perfect young gentleman, and every day I grow more and more convinced that he is a descendant of some of the French nobility.” ‘‘French nobility—Dick Cooper?” questioned Shubrick. ‘* Yes—-but that is not his name, though all the name I kaow of—or be, either. “ He's Cooper right enougb, however,” con- tinued Lawrence, “‘ for he was formaily adopted by an old gentieman of that name—an uncle, or relative of some kind of poor Dick Somers, that was lost in the Infernal.’ *“ Ah, I see! That explains the name.” “Yes, toa certain extent, but his real name is a mystery. Old Mr. Cooper went to Tripoli after 6 was established, to satisfy some doubts of poor Dick’s mother, and on his way back stopped for some time in Paris, looking up some relatives of the Somers family, for, as you probably know, they are of French extrac- tion ‘‘ Whetner he roun. any relatives, I do not know, but he did run across some friends of Dick’s—the father and mother of this boy. ““The father was about to engage in some strange treasure-hunting expedition, and in- tended coming to this country when it was end- ed—for he was of the old nobility, and hated the existing Government, “The wife was in delicate health, and her physician suggested that she should accompany her husband, but there were two children to be taken into consideration, and the father did not want to be bothered with them. ‘‘Old Mr. Cooper then suggested that he would take charge of the older boy, and bring him to the United States—to his home in Phila- delpbia—where he invited the parents to visit him on their arrival here. “The su tion was adopted—the father, mother and younger child sailed away one fine day, and that was the last seen or heard of them.” The captain and lieutenant were now at the ne and while awaiting a boat the latter asked : ‘But, surely, the old gentleman did not for- get the lad’s name—the nam? of the people wsth whom he had been so intimate?” ‘“‘'That’s just what happened. He had taken a great liking to the boy, and kept his story to himself until shortly before he died, a few months ago. I happened to be in port at Phila- delphia at that time, and having been a friend of poor Dick Somers, the old man sent for me. “* He had waited too long, however, to say or do much, and was a little ont of his head when I called, soI set down a good deal of the story he told me as nonsense, but the lad himself has since confirmed it in many particulars.” ‘* It’s a queer story,” commented Shubrick, **Tt is indeed, and | am much interested.in the lad, not only because I am his guardian, in @ manner, but, also, because of his being so differ- ent from the average youth of his age. “« He seems to have replaced poor Dick Somers in the old man’s affections, and money was spent liberally—lavishly—in educating him,” . ** How long has he been with you?” “ About a month—and as I’ve only just ob- tained a commission for him, this, of course, will be his first cru'se—in fact, this was his first day on board the Hornet.” he arrival of a boat closed the conversation, and iv a few minutes both officers were on board the Constitution—being received by Captain Bainbridge, in person, who appeared to be de- lighted to have found Lawrence so quickly. ‘““By Jove, Lawrence,” he said, taking the young captain’s arm, and leading him to the cabin, ‘‘ you'll have to give, or lend me, that midshipman of yours. He’s as sharp as a steel- trap—just the boy I want.” . Shubrick heard Lawrence utter a laughing protest against being robbed of his pet as he disappeared below, but within an hour an order was sent to the Hornet, directing Midshipman Cooper to prepare to exchange to the Constitu- tion next morning. ' ' “Ts only temporary,” explained Captain Lawrence, when he came aboard his own ves- sel, ‘‘and for that reason I did not oppose Cap- tain Bainbridge’s fancy to have you with him, ‘* Moreover, Old Ironsides is both famous and fortunate, and_ you will be certain to have bet- ter chances of distinguishing yourself in ber than the Hornet, for you have Jack Sbu- brick—” They were alone in the cabin. The youth had . no knowledge of the superstition then (and for some years after) prevalent regarding “‘Shi:-
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~ brick’s luck”—as it was called—and he wonder- ed when his commander stopped short, looking rather confused, fhe latter had taken the trouble to explain the situation to his midshipman, because the lad looked a little sad on entering the cabin, but he explaining now, and continued: *““You will find Mr, Shubrick a very good friend, and Captain Bainbridge a kind and con- siderate commander, ** Bo ready to leave immediately after break- fast. Wesail early to-morrow,” The midshipman bowed and withdrew; he had quickly detected the change in Lawrence’s tone and manner, and thoroughly understood that it was his commander who was now talk- In, . Ctter leaving the cabin, the midshipman, not knowing what to do with himself, went on deck, and was just in time to meet Lieutenant Shu- brick coming aboard with a message from his commander to Lawrence, ** Well, my lad,” said the big lieutenant, in his usual cheerful, hearty way, ‘‘I understand ‘ou are going to honor us with your company in die Constitution?” ** Yes, sir.” **Glad to bear it! Have you packed up your traps?” ““ Yos, sir; I’m all ready.” ** Then take my advice, and have your kit put in the boat so that you ean go aboard with me to-night, for we sail earlier than was ex- an hour ago. ‘I'll arrange the matter with your captain,” added Shubrick, as he descended to the cabin. Half an hour later, Midshipman Cooper was on board the Constitution, and being introduced to the various officers assembled in the. ward- room, nearly all of whom appeared to be as much taken with the handsome, gentlemanly youth as their commander. “‘ But, he looks rather delicate for the rough work that will be required of him,” observed Lieutenant Alwyn, who was a powerful, rough- and-ready fellow, just promoted to a lieutenancy for his bravery during the engagement of the Constitution and Guerriere.” **[ don’t agree with you, Alwyn,” said Shu- brick, ‘That lad’s one of those deceptive look- ing fellows, who are as hard as iron, and who, while they look as if they were on their last legs, can stand— ‘Hello! *What’s the row?” After being introduced to the senior officers, the new midshipman was placed in charge of one of his comrades to be introduced to the others. Ten minutes after Cooper and Warren—his companion—left the ward-room, there was a tremendous racket in the midshipmen’s quar- and the noise caused Shubrick to interrupt jimself as above quoted. “Guess the young one’s getting licked,” re- amarked Hoffman, the (now) second lieutenant. ' As he spoke the noise ceased, and a moment after Warren entered—all smiles, . Very sorry we made so much noise, gentle- men,” he apologized, ‘‘ we'd have gone aft, but ‘Garret was in such a burry, that it was going almost before we knew it.” “What orth ety A Couldn't you allow the boy one night’s rest before abusing him?” sharp- ly demanded Shubrick, Warren’s smile became a broad grin, as he answered: ** There was no intention to abuse him, sir, if you mean Mr. Cooper; but Garret did try a lit- tle bullying, and—well, it was the quickest— most beautiful thrashing you could wish to see. He left ‘Garry’ as limp asa wet rag inside of three minutes, and Garry's a good twenty-five unds heavier than the little dandy.” : “En? Licked Garret, did ho? Gad! I’d have given something to see that bullying cub thrash- . ed!” exclaimed Alwyn, adding: **T guess you're right about that youngster of yours, Mr. Shubricke As Warren puts it—he’s a dandy, in more senses than one,” As is usually the case, the name ‘ stuck,” and pen? Midshipman Cooper” became ‘' Dandy ic { ee Sint CHAPTER II. “MAN OVERBOARD!” Ow the day following the arrival of Dick : on board the Constitution, that frigate, with the Hornet (a.small in, gra vessel, commanded by Lawrence), sailed from Boston, The new midshipman of Old fronsides, it was soon well known, had never seen service bef: wand, notwithstanding his ha ore, ving thrashed the Fighting Jack’s Middies. bully of the midshipmen’s berth the boa, night, the mischievous, fun-loving middies ex- pected to extract no little amusement from their green comrade’s first day at sea, To the surprise of all, the new middy failed to become sea-sick, and Shubrick, who had prom- ised Lawrence that his pet should not be too roughly handled, was agreeably surprised to find the lad perfectly capable of taking care of himself, The lieutenant had arranged that Dick—as we may as well call him—should do duty, that is, walk the watch with him; but when he came on deck to take the first dog-watch (four to six in the afternoon), bad not the slightest expecta- tion of finding the middy fit for duty. ** Hello! Not sick, eb?” he cried on seeing the midshipman, who was in the act of descending from the mizzen shrouds and looking perfectly at home, ‘* On, no, sir—never felt better!” replied Dick, and, taking bis station beside Shubrick, began pacing the quarter-deck, Knowing the ordeal through which newly- appointed minor officers—midshipmen more especially—have to go, the latter was astonished to find that Dick was thus far free from moles- tation, Indeed, at that very moment a newly-appoint- ed surgeon’s mate—Doctor Forreau—was being put through a course of sprouts, on the orlop deck, by the thoughtless youngsters, Wondering as much at the lad’s escape from the pangs of sea-sickness as bis unusual im- munity from the pranks of the midshipmen, Shubrick remarked: “You scem to have got on your sea-legs pretty easily, Mr. Cooper.” ‘Th is only seeming, sir,” returned the middy, with a faint smile. : Sick?” ; “Oh, no, sir! But, in a heavy ship like pal strange that any one should become sick. “Right, my lad—but how do you come to know that?” confirmed and questioned the deep voice of Alwyn—himself, probably, the most thorough seaman on board. He had come on deck just in time to catch the last question and answer, and as Dick turned to reply, continued: “ This is your first cruise, is if not?” **In a ship of size—yes, sir.” ‘* What d’ye mean?” came the surprised ques- tion from both lieutenants—one because of what Lawrence had told him, and the other on ac- count of the youthfulness of the middy. The latter smiled at the wonder expressed in the tones, and exhibited in the looks, of his su- periors, while he answered: “*T mean, sirs, that this is the first ship I have sailed in, but itis not my first cruise, for I’ve been in a great many foreign ports in my own schooner,’ ‘ This statement was barely finished, when the newly-appinted surgeon’s mate came rushing on deck—about half drunk, and wholly frightened; | the elegant uniform in which he had arrayed himself, when coming on board, all in tatters, and, like his face and head, covered with flour. ‘* What does this mean, sir? Have you taken leave of your senses?” thundered Alwyn, grasp- ing the frightened doctor, who was makin, for the side of the ship. ‘ The lieutenant was a strict disciplinarian, and the sternness of his tone and manner was the reverse of reassuring to the frightened, be- wildered, half-mad doctor, who, wrenching him- self free, plunged over the rail. ** Man overboard!” cried the helmsman, ** Man overborrd!” echoed from every quar- ter of the frigate, and while Shubrick's sho : sharp order to ‘‘ Lower away the gig!” was be- ing obeyed, Alwyn had as quickly hove to, The Constitution was running before an eight- knot breeze, and the water was rather rough at the time of the doctor’s taffrail, so that, quickly as the orders to heave to, and lower the fast-rowing gig could be, and were, obeyed, the chances were all against the drowning man, but long before this was accom- plished there was a second cry: ‘* Man overboard!” This time, however, it was a boy—Miishipman Cooper, who had gone to the aid of the rapidly- disappearing doctor, ; On bearing the second warning cry, Shubrick and Alwyn both looked for the cause—the latter uttering an angry and decidedly profane asser- ‘tion, to the effect that all hands were going crazy. Fe ts th’ new midshipman, sir!” cried the man ith an exclamation half-angry, half-alarm- Se ae et Sere plunge over the | | ed, Shubrick snatched up a loose grating [made | of wooden bars] and springing aft, threw it after | the plucky midshipman. | Tne latter had waited only long enough to pull | off his tight jacket, and kick off his low, silyer- buckled shoes, before going to the rescue of his messmate [surgeons’ mates and midshipmen for- merly messed together], and being—as it proved —an expert swimmer, gained rapidly on the struggling doctor, until, as the boat was leav- ing the frigate, they were only a few feet apart, ‘Courage, doctor!” cried Dick, as he drew near, ‘‘ Keep up for a few minutes—there’s a boat down by this time!” Doctor Forreau made no response, and de- ceived by this into thinking the former was wisely saving his strength, as instructed, the midshipman drew alongside him, directing: ** Put one hand on my shoulder, but don’t hold too tight!” ‘*Let go!” he shouted the next instant, ‘* Let go, I say! You'll drown both of us!” : But (as is usually the case under such circum- stances) the doctor’s only response was to tighten his clutch on the middy’s neck and shoulder, and both were very quickly in a fair way of be- ""fpsoce in the rapid hing gi lt ose in the rapidly-approaching gig, as’ we as almost all on board the frigate, understood what had happened, and what soon was more than likely to happen. ‘‘ By the Eternal!” cried Alwyn, half-rising in the stern-sheets of the boat. ‘‘ That lad ’ll be sh pg before our very eyes! Pull, lads, uu Pe Good heavens! They'll be too late—that cursed fool is drowning the boy!” declared Shu- brick about the same time, as glass in hand, he stood on the poop of the frigate, ‘*'m afraid you are right— Yes! There they sink together!” exclaimed the captain, and as he m ag the struggling pair disappeared beneath e surface, : CHAPTER IV. A QUEER SUPERSTITION. WHEN the brave young midshipman and the cowardly doctor sunk beneath the waves the gig was but fifty yards distant, and the lieuten- ant groaned as he saw them go down, Still, hoping against hope, the boat was urged onward, and a minute later the crew were startled by a joyous exclamation from Alwyn, followed by: ‘ af They're up again! Bend to it, boys—jump er! F The men obeyed with a will, and in less time than it takes to record it, both Dick and the doctor were pulled from the grating that Shu- brick had flung after the former. Both rescuer and rescued were unconscious, and vothing could be learned until they reecov- ered, but it was noted by all, and with great | surprise, too, that it was Dick who, grasping the grating with one hand, was holding on to the doctor with the other. ‘‘Don't understand how he got loose,” solilo- quized Alwyn. ‘“‘ Might ’ve managed t’ give him a kick, sir,” suggested one of the seamen. he lieutenant shook his head doubtfully. ** No,” said he, ‘‘the lad must have been too weak for that. More likely the Jad sunk pur- posely to get rid of him, and then when the grating floated by caught him again.” Alwyns conjecture covered almost exactly what had bappened, for when the plucky middy found his warning appeal unheeded, and saw that both would be sacrificed to the unreagoning fear of the doctor, he deliberately relaxed all ef- fort to get free, allowing bimself tosink, _ The doctor, finding his support sinking, and having sense enough to realize that the Jad ena? have become unconscious, 800n let go his hold, and just as the grating came along Dick rose to thesurface, _ As the boy came up, the man went down— more as the result of the push he had given the - former when releasing him than anything else, — and for a moment Dick feltinclinee to leave bim to his fate, but putting aside this (perfectly justifiable) feeling and thrusting his foot under the doctor’s arm-pit, drew him near enough to his sleeve, thus they were found. ‘*And why did you trust yourself a second time within Her of the cur?” half-angrily de- manded Shubrick,when Dick had recovered and gone through a seriesof congratulatory-edmiring interviews with all the officers, from Captain Bainbridge to Midshipman Warren. ‘Oh, it was safe enough—nothing to deserve’ all this praise, sir. With one hand on the grat- <2? Se a, i ea
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SITS Fighting Jack’s Middies. ing, I had both legs free, and could kick him off if he tried to come closer.” They had left the gun-room, and were ascend- ing the companion-ladder at the time this mod- est disclaimer was being uttered, and as it was finished appeared on the main deck, where, not- witnstanding Dick’s opinion of his daring act, his appearance for duty (while the doctor had taken to his berth) was greeted with cheers, “‘That wasn’t the wisest thing ye could have done—savin’ that lubber,” observed the boat- swain to Dick that evening. ‘Why, Mr. Bolt?” asked the midshipman, wondering at the grave tone in which this strange assertion was made. ** Well, I dunno as I can say—exactly,” re- plied the grizzled old seaman, speaking slowly and cautiously, and turning his quid a couple times before continuing: ‘* But I ginerally wants t? know my man, be- fore I'd go off the ship for him.” ‘‘What! Leta man perish because he hap- pens to bea stranger?” ‘Well, Mr. Cooper, I won't say ag’in’ it ashore, buu at sea ye’ll find it means trouble, The man ye save is always gettin’ foul o’ ye.” Several old salts standin’ near nodded ap- proval, and the boatswain gravely added: ‘*T got foul of a cuss when [ wor a young- ster, but fortnitly he got shot before I got any worse luck than four dozen [lashes] for bim.” (!) There wasa general stir among the seamen, and all crowded around when Dick smilingly asked; ‘* How did it happen, Mr, Bolt?” ‘* Ob, it warn’t no laffin’ matter, Mr. Coop- er,” was the reproving reply. ‘‘ Discipline ain’t now like it wor in them days—an’ our cap’n bated me anyhow. ‘* Well, this here land-lubber went over just like t’other one done t’-day, an’I pulled him out, but it wor beavy weather, an’ I took t’ me berth for the night, ‘* Next mornin’ I wor off the sick-list, an’ soon asthe cap’n heard of it, the hands were turned up an’ the gratin’s rigged for punish- ment, ‘«* What for?’ says I, when he ordered me t’ strip, ‘Are ye goin’ t’ flog a man for savin’ anotber? ““*No, sir! for quittin’ the ship without leave,’ says he—an’ got the four dozen, but next day we fell in with an English sloop-o’- war, an’the other chap, by good luck, had his ‘bloody head carried away.” (!) | Murmurs of indignation and sympathy, from all save the minty, followed the ending of this strange story, which was told with every ap- arance of sincerity, but Dick felt inclined to augh, and could not repress a smile. ‘*Laugh away!” growled the boatswain. “Laugh away! But look out for squalls through that same man ye saved from Davy Jones’s locker! You've robbed the sea of a man —look out it don’t claim you instead!” / Again the sailors nodded approval, and again the midshipman smiled—and laugbed outright as be turned to go below, but before the week was out, be felt asif there might be some truth in the boatswain’s words. The morning after the “bath” the first per- son Dick met was the doctor, whom he saluted with acheerfyl: ‘*Good-morning, sir! How do you feel after your dip?” , The doctor belied the character for politeness which is granted without question to French- men, and after ® momentary but none the less unpleasant stare, passed on with the cool reply: “Quite well.” x ‘Well, that is cool!” observed Dick, looking in comical amazement after the retreating form -of the doctor. 1 should say so,” laughingly commented some one at the middy’s elbow, and turning quickly he saw Wa-ren—the youngest midship- se cn board—a brave, bright-faced little fel- w, tik ‘* Don’t speak of it,” cautioned Dick, ‘‘he may not be feeling as well as he says, or may think I was one of his tormentors.” **[ don’t know about that, for Garret, who was tho leader in yesterday’s fun, told him ina joking way that the mess was going to present me with a leather medal for saving the caterer from drowning.” ‘‘We began the fun, you know, by electing | him caterer in place of Garret,” add smiling broadly, __ ; **No, 1 did not know,” returned the other, a ““How did it end—the meda] ques- tion . ‘End? Why, it ended right there, for the Warren, Gallipot gentleman [the doctor] promptly in- formed Garret that the man (?) who saved him was not present. ‘** Another thing, Mr. Cooper—” “Dick, if you please,” interrupted Mr. Cooper. “Allright! My maiden name is Harry. ** Well, Dick—Dandy Dick, we've christened you—there’s another thing you ought to know, and that is that this fellow actually doubted that your name was Cooper—still more so, that you were not much older than your humble ser- vant, ‘* That came out—your age, I mean—when he | Said you must be about: eighteen; that be had seen you in France as lung ago #s that, but although he laughed it off afterward, I could see he meant,it.” ek The shrill whistle of the boatswain’s call to breakfast, interrupted the conversation at this point, and it was not resumed afterward, al- though while at the mess-table, Warren made several pointed remarks regarding Cooper’s ae appearance — considering his real age (?), Dick’e eyes were on the surgecn’s mate during all the time they were at breasfast, but the latter paid no attenticn to Warren’s sarcastic remarks—did not appear to hear them, And so 1¢ continued until the Constitution and Hornet arrived off San Salvador, where Lawrence went in, and finding an enemy’s cruiser of equal force, remained there, while ** Old Ironsides ” continued along the coast to the southward. ‘* The Constitution parted company with the Hornet on the 26th of December, and at mess that noon Warren remarked: ** It’s about time we bad some of Shubrick’s luck—the Hornet’s stolen our share of it this me, “* By the way,” continued the little middy, speaking in ‘a loud tone, though Cooper, whom he was addressing, sat next him, ‘t by the way, Dick, have you ever received any ucknowledg- ment of your services in pulling the Doc out 0’ the deep? ‘* Iv’s. nearly six weeks, now, isn’t it?” Midshipmen, taken “aH in all,” as Bolt was in the habit of saying, ‘‘ area rum lot,” Every one at the table, including the mis- chievous speaker, knew perfectly well that the surgeon’s mate made a point of avoiding Coop- er, and of speaking to him only when absolute- ly necessary, and that the subject referred to had never been mentioned, but that only added - their enjoyment of the embarrassment of the oc r. Although Dick had perceived that the sur- geon’s mate had little love for him, and was be- ginning to put some faith in Bolt’s assertion that the former would yet make trouble, be was indifferent to the first, and fearless of the other. So, with a careless laugh, he replied: “Come now, Harry! You know how lon ago it is, just as wellasI do. As for acknowl- edgment—you also know that I’ve been over- loaded with it, From the ‘oll man’ down, everybody had som thing to say about the triflmg thing I did, So, sir”—with assumed sternness—‘* you will oblige me by saying no more about it; such trifles are not worth men- tioning,” (!) ‘‘ Je—u—piter!” commented Harry. **Do you mean to insinuate that our doctor's death would be a trifling matter?” bullied Gar- ret, from the head of the table, ‘* Well, no—not exactly.” was the cool reply, ‘But let me remind you, Mr, Garret, first, that I was not addressing you, and, second, that to insure personal comfort, it will be wise to con- fine your conversation to those whom you are certain will enjoy it, ‘“* [ want the subject dropped!” A dead silence followed this order, All eyes —except the doctor’s—were fixed on Garret, and for a minute he appeared inclined to rebel, but, although over six weeks had elapsed, he had not forgotten his first meeting with Dandy Dick Cocper, and the erstwhile bully of the berth remained silent. The surgeon’s mate—except for a red spot on either cheek—seemed totally unaware of, or in- different to, what was going on, but Warren was determined to ‘have him out of his hole,” as he said, and began: ‘ _ Tsay, Mr, Fouroar (Forreau)—” _.**Bailho! Sail hol” came echoing through the ship, and forgetting the doctor, the speaker was ‘first on deck, t CHAPTER V. COMMANDER TOM WHITE, “Two strange sail, inshore and to windward,” observed Warren, as soon as he had learned the SA, ¢ “ > “4 Sy ~ < un} i rating! ay, | t 0% a or att RAE hae L ‘ Rs Yr inie Ae oer Wk RE oe Pte eh Ve Rely ALP eros Fh Bray 4 " see ae FASS Sine oe EE ied Ce oe a A ees occasion of the bail; ‘‘now the ‘spell’ is begin- ning to work,” “What do vou mean?” asked Dick. “Why, Shubrick’s Juck, of course! Haven't ou heard of it, yet? Bet you a copper we're at it inside of no time!” The officers within hearing smiled as the vol- atile lad rattled off this rather vague prediction although secretly placing no little faith in the luek supposed to follow the ship fortunate enough to carry Fighting Jack Shubrick. After a little maneuvering, one of the vessels began closing, while the other stool on slowly toward San Salvador, and Captain Buinbridgs felt quite happy, for he was now satisfied that he mae an English frigate fairly within his reach, ‘No doubt of it, eb, Parker?” he said to the first lieutenant. ‘“*T think not, sir —though~ she’s French built.” They were standing on the quarter-deck, as were nearly all tbe otber officers, watching the stranger, some with glasses—others without. Cooper and Warren bad, with their comrades, come up a few minutes before, and as Parker expressed bis belief in the correctness of the cap- tain’s opinion, the younger middy was heard expressiug his belief in Shabrick'’s lack, Before the smile caused by this had died away, Dick was heard replying: ‘*That’s a very safe bet, Harry, my boy, for you may rest assured that there is just as little chance of tbe Java avoiding us, as there is of Old Lronsides lowering her jack to a piccaroon.” Captain Bainbridge and his three lieutenants —Alwyn was forward—turned and stared in amazement at the speaker, but the two midsbip- men were engros in the stranger, Dick with the glass to his eye,and Harry staring at him much ns the senior officers were. ‘* What do you mean? How the deuce do you know what ship it is?’ demanded the latter, asking the very question the captain was about to put, -< ‘Ob, I know ber well enough,” assured Dick, moving bis giass from one vessel to the other, **T was all over her the last time I was cruising along the English coast—before I sold my schoon- er, you know,” . The last explanatory statement caused almost a8 much astonishment as the announcement of the name of the advancing vessel, but there was more to follow, cn ** Yes,” continued Dick, bis glass roving back to the frigate. ‘‘ Yes, it’s the Java, sure enough. She was the La Renommée, before she was captured from the French—carries forty- nine carriage-guns and between four and five bundred men,” “Mr, Cooper!” callec Captain cine aba a and, as the midshipman advanced and saluted— ‘“* Are you merely romaccing regarding that frigate, or is\she really the Java, and is she manned and armed as you have declared?” ' “Tt ds really the Java, sir, and what I have ‘stated regarding her is true, or was, when I was on board of her at Portsmouth, six months ago,’ : This assurance was uttered calmly, and so positively that Captain Bainbridge, who was well-versed in English navai affairs, felt certain that, surprising as it might be, his midshipman’s information was correct, ‘*He is certainly a most extraordinary lad,” commented the captain, speaking in a low tone, and was about to dismiss Dick, when the latter exclaimed: ‘“‘ There go two men off the prize!” ‘‘What prize? What do you mean, sir?” de- tmanded the captain, turning hastily toward the frigate and her late consort, ‘**Tbat schooner, sir, looks like a prize,” ‘En? Bless me! but the lad continues to im- prove!” exclaimed the captain, “Damme, sir, but he'll be running the ship for us!” asserted Alwyn, who had been standing within ear-sbot for the Jast few minutes, The junior lieutenant had himself seen the two men jumping from the schooner, and, address- ing the captain, asked: sage ‘Shall we bear down, sir?” -“ Yes, yes! Do so at once!” Alwyn immediately gave the necessary o,'ders, and tke Constitution, which had been drawin, the enemy off the land, hauled up her m Kk took in her royals, and tacked toward the stran- ger, cutting in between the la and the swim- mers. Sod as _ After surveying the situation for a few min- utes the captain ordered: ) ‘Keep everything aloft, ready for use, Mr. Parker, and close with bim, royals crogsed! “Lower away the gig there, and pick up ay , ve ,
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— Fighting Jack’s Middies. thosemen! Mr. Cooper, you take charge of the boat!” ‘* Ay, ay, sir!” came the prompt and hearty response from both officers, And as the first lieutenant turned away to at- tend to the ship, the midshipman hurried to look after the boat. Noted as the American seamen then were for the extraordinary rapidity of their movements, in less time than it takes to record it the Consti- tution was put about and bearing down to meet the stranger, while the gig, under command of the proud young midshipman, was dashing away to meet the swimmers. Ordinarily, one of the cutters would have been lowered for the latter service, but, under the existing circumstances, the fast-rowing gig was the boat for the occasion, and the big, brave cap- tain—like Shubrick, he stood six-feet high and was most beautifully proportioned—the man to direct it to be used, As the gig left the frigate Captain Bainbridge gave the order to beat to quarters. He had asslight impediment in bis speech, and when the stranger was about a half-mile distant, aud to windward of Old Ironsides,having showed no colors except a jack, ordered: / " Set out colors, Mr. Parker, and give hima gun! This order, given merely to induce the stran- ger to set an ensign, was misunderstood, and produced a whole broadside from the Constitu- tion. Scarcely a minute elapsed before the stranger returned the compliment and had an English en- sigu floating from each mast-head. This was the signal for the commencement of a furious cannonading on both sides, and as it commenced, the gig returned to the Constitu- tion carrying three wet jackets—one of them blood-stained. It was the blood-stained jacket—or rather the blood-stained coat of a commander—that caused Captain Bainbridge (whose sole thought was the successful handling of his ship), to direct that the wearer, if able, should come to him on the poop. a ** Certainly, I am able!” exclaimed the weare of the blood-stained coat when Harry, who was with the captain, delivered the message of the latter, adding: ; “Though it is entirely owing to this gentle- man,” indicating Cooper, “that I am able to do so. \ The speaker was a strikingly bold, fearless- looking fellow, whose flashing black eyes, al- most square jaw, and firm mouth an‘ chin, warned even the casual observer that he was one whom it were as well not to interfere with; but, notwithstanding his semi-naval command- er’s coat, and athletic figure, it was equally evident that he had not yet attained his ma- jority! ‘So I supposed,” returned Harry; ‘I was watching, and saw Dick dive as you sunk—but the woe awaits you.” “Well, I reckon Tom White’s not the man t’ keep him waitin’ for long,” observed the second stranger, adding, in an explanatory way: ** Knows his duty too well for that, ** Let's go aft, sir.” Tom White, as his companion had designated him, smiled and nodded assent, and Harry led the way to where Captain Bainbridge stood on the poop, directing the movements of the famous old frigate. Both vessels were eager for battle, and closing Se irae & each maneuvering to rake and to avoid being raked. *“*Huemy’s about to wear!” warned Alwyn from the main-deck, as Warren and the rescu men approached the captain. ~ ‘“* Bear down in his wake!” cried the captain. “Starboard your helm! Hands by the lee- braces—fore-and-main—clew garnets! . “Ease off—let fall! rated ** Haul on board fore-and-main tacks! ** Main-deck quarters, below there! Stand by the lurboard broadside—ready to rake the ene- my’s stern!” ‘As these orders came ringing in trampet-like tones from Bainbridge’s lips, he darted an occa- sional glance at the youthful wearer of a com- mander’s uniform, ** Ay, ay, sir!” replied the first lieutenant, as his captsin ceased. All the old commodores and captains were especially severe on any departure from the here uniform which an officer’s rank entitled mi to wear—Preble once going to the length of Sridnes a a Ba - as nd or e paused in giving his orders long enoug to aly quand: i ‘¢ What does this mean, sir?’—touching the youth’s sleeve, and then continued: ‘On the quarter-deck! Stand by the lar- board broadside}! **Cool and steady, my lads! Don’t—throw —away—one—shot!’ Pausing again, the captain looked expectant- ly at the youth, and the latter calmly ex- plained: ‘*f was commander of yonder vessel, which was a prize to the Java.” CHAPTER VI. THE JAVA AND OLD IRONSIDES, Tue surprising explanation of the youth who had been designated as Tom White, was lost in the excitement and confusion created by the loss of the wheel of the Constitution, which was pio how and carried away by a shot from the ava. This misfortune, serious as it was, was not all the mischief done by the shot, for a small bolt, knocked out of the wheel, was driven into the captain’s thigh, and at almost the same moment, a musket-ball struck him in the hip. “Hit bad, sir?’ asked White,. catching the —— as the latter staggered under the double ow. When a frigate’s wheel is gone, the tille worked by tackles below the decks, making most awkward—and, in the presence of an enemy, exceedingly dangerous—work, since the men who At the very beginning almost of the firing, as the vessels came together, rough and ready, bold and fearless Alwyn, while directing the battery that held the eager enemy in check, fell to the deck, wounded ina half-dozen places by a discharge of musketry. Shubrick was below on the gun-deck when this happened (and, with his customary good fortune, remaiping unhurt while men were fall- ing all around him); Parker was—under his cap- tain’s supervision—busy with the ship, and, al- most unconsciously, the commander sent his new recruits to the ‘‘slaughter-house”—the midship division of the main-deck guns, ‘You, sir,” he said to White, ‘‘go to the aid of Mr. Alwyn—assist him in handling the mid- ship division |” As if one of the regular officers of the sbip, and thoroughly accustomed to the duty, the - youthful ‘‘ex-commander” bowed and turned apy? to assist the sadly-hurt junior lieutenant, “ Make any use o’ me, sir?’ asked the youth’s gigantic companion, adding: ‘* Used «? be cap’n 0’ the maintop here, sir.” ‘*Eh? Ob! You're an old man-o’-war’s-man, are ye?” “Ay, ay, sir! I served durin’ the little trouble with Tripoli,” ‘Very good! Go to the midship division— What’s your name?” ‘* Maxwell, sir,” “Yes, yes! I think I remember ye—get along!” The brawny seaman had barely reached his do it are unable to see the sails, and the orders | quarters, when Alwyn was removed to the cock- are transmitted by a line of midshipmen, or a | pit, and the command of the division fell upon tube fitted for that express purpo Se, hite. No man could more quickly and thoroughly | Handling his guns and directing the men with had appreciate the seriousness of the evil which befallen his ship, than Captain Bainbridge, and ee of answering the youth’s question, he cried: ‘ ‘* Ready there, with your boarders, Mr. Par- er! ** Starboard, and run him aboard! ‘* Away there, you boarders, away! Heave with your grapnels, men, heave! ‘* Meet her with thehelm! Hard down! Meet her, Isay! Steady—so!” Regardless of his two painful wounds (which soon afterward threatened his life), Captain Bainbridge, limping back and forth on the poop, mindful only of the disabled condition of Old Tronsides, and that the stronger-manned enemy could out-maneuver him in the light winds, the brave commander had determined to avoid the danger by immediately closing with the quick-movivg Englishman, To close with the Java, Bainbridge had to risk being raked, but he cared little for that, serious as it was, compared to the danger involved in allowing the enemy to play at their favorite game of ‘long bowls,” that is, firing at long range, and disabling the op g ship before attempting to rake, or close with her, Having set her courses, the Constitution luffed up close to the wind, and opened on the Java, thus bringing matters to a crisis, for finding the fire of the all-conquering old frigate now too heavy to be sustained, the Englishman made no effort to avoid closing, but the crippled con- dition of the American prevented the ships from coming together in a way to suit Bainbridge’s ideas, so for three hours and a quarter they ran almost continually side by side, exchanging mur- derously short-range broadsides. History gives the result of the fight, but aside from the doings of the principal officers, has space for little more than the fact that at the end of three hours the English frigate had noth- ing except a few stumps of her masts and spars left standing, while the American was, actually, just as she had gone into action—royal yar across, and every spar in its place! / The Java’s guns now were silenced, her ensign down, and boarding his tacks, Bainbridge luffed up across her bows, gaining a position ahead and to windward, to repair damages, This last occupied only a short time, and then the crippled but still conquering Constitution wore around intending to crossthe enemy’s fore- foot, but plainly seeing the utter hopelessness of further resistance, and unwilling to sacrifice— uselessly—his men, the commander of the Java hauled down the jack, which had been flying at the stump of his mizzenmast, ee Here ends the historical, but we must go back to the beginning to follow the doings of our people during the action. During the early part of the engagement, when Captain Bainbridye first attemp to close, the jibboom of the Java got foul of the Constitu- ray mizzen rigging, and then our boys began ne- af f he rl ~ a er eee hp teenies n= all the coolness and skill of a veteran, the young commander quickly inspired confidence in those under him, and almost as quickly shot away the entangled jib-boom of the Java—as well as her foremast—thus freeing the vessels. ‘* Well done, sir!” commented Bainbridge, as he passed forward among the men at the bat- teries. : White raised his cap and bowed, but made no other response, and the captain’s eye happening to = upon Midshipman per, he sharply in- uired: we What are you doing here, sir? Why are you not in line with the others?” (‘*The others” were the line of midsbipmen engaged in transmitting the steering orders.) “There were more than enough without me, sir, and Mr. Parker thought I could be of more service here,” replied Cooper. “As you see, sir,” added White, ‘‘the ‘slaughter-house’ has not belied its character. We would have been short-handed but for this young gentleman,” “ Short-handed! What service could this boy be?” demanded the irritated, suffering cap- n. ‘* His last shot carried away the Java’s fore- mast,” was the dry response, } The captain stared a minute, as if half doubt- ing this statement, and then passed on among e@ men, A few minutes after this, the Constitution wore around and took a position across the bows of the Java, intending to rake that ves- sel, but the striking of the latter's flag obviated this, ‘“‘T hear you've been distinguishing yourself, my lad!” exclaimed Shubrick, coming on deck immediately after the en ment was over, The big lieutenant slapped the little middy on at re he spoke, and then looked inquiring- a . fe And you appear to have astonished the ‘ old man,’” he added, addressing the latter. ‘‘ We on the gun-deck have been left entirely in the shade, according to him.” The middy smiled—the other bowed, and doffed his cap, but neither spoke, for Captain Bainbridge cailed at the moment, and, as in duty bound, Fighting Jack instantly responder’. Shubrick was wanted to go aboard the prize, and on bis return reported the vessel to be the: Java, rated as a 38, commanded by Captaia mbert, ; \ The English captain had been badly wounded —so “| that he died immediately after the arrival of the ship at San Salvador, where an interesting interview took place between the two commanders. Bainbridge came to the cot of his late adversary supported on one side by Shubrick, on the other by Hoffman, to take leave of the dying man, and restore to him his sword. The American captain’s reckless disre- rard of his own wounds nearly cost bim his. e, and his illness prevented any inquiry re- garding White and Maxwell. |
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CHAPTER VIL. TRANSFERRED TO THE ‘‘ HORNET,” ALTHOUGH there bad been no official inquiry regarding White and Maxwell, there had been considerable private taik, as well as much ad- miring and wondering comment over the escape of the strangers from the prize, and the work the first named and midshipman Cooper per- formed during the action, Among the men, opinion was divided as to which—Cooper or White—was entitled to the greatest praise, while the officers were fuily as admiring, and more ready in applauding the two youths. . Young Warren, too, came in for a share of the commendation so freely awarded to the others, having proved himself as fearless as any of the dauntless fellows of the gallant old frigate, and more intelligent than a great many who had served longer. “ Them three youngsters ‘ll make their mark, you can depend upon it,” observed Bolt, the boatswain, while be and most of the men were lounging around the forecastle, resting from the labor of the first day’s work of refitting at San Salvador. ‘‘ That's no more’n any Tom, Dick or Harry that’d fall in the mud would do,” commented the joking young captain of the foretop, but seeing the old boatswain (who resented this familiarity) frown, added: “But, 1 say, Mr. Bolt, that warn’t your *pinion Vother day, when the doctor was pulled out o’ water by one o’ the three,” ** Ay, ay, Billy my lad, ye’r’ runnin’ on another tack entirely,” said the master’s mate, grinning his approval of the topman’s remark. “Of course, I am,” sharply retorted Bolt, “cause why—Mr. Cooper’s pulled out two more since then, an’ I’ll bet my prize money one of ’em ’il do for the ugly lookin’ doctor. ‘* The lad’s had a big hand in savin’ the three, an’ the last two’ll be more’n a match for the first one,” added the boatswain, speaking thoughtfully, and as if the subject under dis- cussion was of the gravest importance, . The master’s mate was a very irreverent fel- low, with very httle superstition in bis compo- sition, and being a somewhat important person- age could afford to, and did, laugh at the boat- swain’s words—which none of the others would have dared to do, even if so inclined, though it must, be confessed that all the older seamen shared Bolt’s opinion regarding the misfortune attending the rescue of a man from drowning, “Laugh away, Mr. Mate!” growled the old tar. ‘* Laugh away, but just mark my words: peur be @ death atween them four afore lon roe Well, I can’t say I’m in love with the cut of the Frenchman’s jib,” admitted the mate, as, tiring of the subject, he walked aft. ‘* No more am I, nor the way he looks at that jolly little gentleman, Mr, Cooper,” added the ee captain of the foretop. Right, my lad!” approved the boatswain. ‘An’ it just s what I’vesaid, for ye must've noticed that the Frenchman’s afeerd t’ look that other young gentleman [White] in the face,” ‘** Though he’s always a-watchin’ the three— more especially Mr, Cooper and Mr, White,” affirmed the topman. The arrival of Stubrick on deck at that mo- ment, and bis call for the boatswain, put an end to the conversation, which has been detailed to give the reader an idea of the feeling existing among the crew of the fri two midshipmen, White, and the doctor, Among the ‘flicers, Forreau’s sirange avoid- ance—to give it n0 barsher name—of the youth who had so gallantly gone to bis rescue, bad also been remarked, though but little was said of it, for Shubrick’s luck, which it would seem was now beginning to be rated against that of the Constitution berself, furnished a topic at once interesting and irritating—the reason be- ing that the big lieutenant was about to leave the frigate, | Lieutenant Ballard was anxious to get into the Constitution, hopivg she ae bave an- other fight on her way home, while Lawrence was more than willing to take Shubrick in ex- change, trusting the latter would nig | his usual good fortune, and certain he would bring ao conduct, hen the exchange was finally arranged, there was no little dissatisfaction extending from the ward-room to the forecastle, for the custom of * borrowing ” Fighting Jack had not yet become fairly established, though, aside from the question of ‘‘ luck,” every commander was glad to have so skillful a seaman and so brave an officer in his ship, te regarding the an inv Fighting Jack’s Middies. a: When the question of exchange was finally decided, and about to be effected, the slumber- ing discontent broke forth at the midshipmen’s mess, “Allright! If Mr, Shubrick’s going, ’'m go- ing too!” exclaimed Dick; when the news was announced at the tabdle, adding: “Tm only borrowed anyhow, and I’m going to ask Captain Lawrence to get me back.” * ** And what aboui me? Can’t you manage it so that I can go with you?” eagerly asked War- en. ‘** And what shall you do?” continued the little fellow, turning to White, between whom and himself and Cooper a strong friendship had sprung up, beginning almost from the moment a had met each other. White (who, by the by, it bad been learned was, notwithstanding his athletic form and man- ly appearance, but eighteen) smiled at, the anx- iety displayed by Warren, * As you know, Il am a freeagent,” he answer- worse off than my friend Maxwell, for having been an officer—in a sense—I do not care to go before the mast, while he can—yet, my object in visiting these waters bas been defeated through losing my schooner, and I am at a joss to know what to do with myself.” ** Stay with us!” came a chorus of voices, for, with the exception of Forreau and Garret, all had been taken with the bold, frank speaker, and of these two, the midshiproau’s dislike (if it deserved that term) was more the effect of White's liking for Cooper than anything else, Forreau, on the other hand, appeared to both dislike and fear White, but the latter, like Cooper, appeared to be either indifferent to, or unconscious of, the former’s ill-concealed feel- ings. **No, no!” protested White, Cooper, and War- ren, in the same breath, and the last-named gave the reason when he added: ‘* We stay or go together,” “Well, I'm going with Mr. Shubrick,” de- cided Cooper, ‘anc as you must go with me, Captain Lawrence shall arrange for you.” he positive way in which this assertion was made, caused an almost general smile, but Dick obtaining leave to visit the Hornet that evening, the truth of his words was proved by an order from Captain Bainbridge (irecting the transfer of Sopp and Warren to Lawrence’s ship, and tation for White and Maxwell to accom- pany them, : The official notice of the transfer was brought by the orderly midshipman attending Captain Bainbridge on shore, just before the boatswain piped to breakfast, and Dick’s influence with the young and famous Lawrence, created a fresh and astonishing topic of conversation at the various mess-tables. : The Constitution was to sail that og Se Boston for repairs—her condition, now, being very rotten—and among the officers much sur- prise Was expressed because Dick and the others did not care to return in her, while among the crew there was a genera) feeling of regret at the prospect of losing the gallant boys, but the boat- swain expressed the opinion of the old hands when he said: ‘Pm as sorry as any 0’ ye t’ lose the Jads, but they’re safer out o’ the ship while that p’izen- faced son-of-a-sea-cook is in her!”—meaning, of course, Doctor Forrean. White, Cooper and Warren left the frigate immediately after breakfast, Maxwell following a. after in the boat carrying their raps, About four bells in theafternoon watch (2 P.m.) Captain Bainbridge came aboard the Constitu- tion, with Lieutenant Ballard, and bis orderly midshipman, and a few minutes after the party had reached the cabin, the first lieutenant ap- peared on deck to give the usual orders to get under way. ‘* All hands up anchor, ahoy!” ** Man the capstan-bars!” ‘* Nipper! Heave away!” In a very few minutes aj] these orders were fulfilled, and when Captain Bainbridge appeared on the quarter-deck, Parker was ready to re- ort: ‘* We aro short, sir,”—(meaning that the cable was straight up and dow»). “Very good—set your topsails!” _ The cunvas.was instantly dropped, ana it was no sooner stretched to the yards than force was applied to the balyards, and the sails hoisted, Cast the ship to seaward!” continued the captain, and when the beadyards had been b aback in the proper direction, and all re- ported ready to get under way, asked: “ Has that—that doctor left us, yet?” - ed, ‘‘and can go where I please, but am really | ‘**No, sir; but this shore boat approaching us must be for him.” ** Very likely.. As soon as he’s gone, trip the anchor at once, and when it’s stowed, and the decks cleared, report to me.” ‘* Ay, ay, sir!” responded the busy agent of all work, and as the captain turned toward the cabin, ordered: ** Pass the word for Doctor Forreau to get his traps on deck—boat’s coming for bim!” Five minutes after, the doctor and his “‘ traps” had been rather unceremoniously bundled into the boat referred to, and was being pulled ashore, while the Constitution was standing out to sea, **It looks durned queer an’ I don’t like it, though I can’t say as }’m sorry the leaden-faced lubber is gone,” remarked Bolt that evening at mess on the Constitution. About tho same time, Warren came down to the midshipmen’s mess on the Hornet looking somewhat excited. ‘*l say, Dick!” he called to Cooper who was sitting opposite. ‘‘-Who do you think’s just come on board? Make the wildest guess you can Dick laughed and shook bis head, **No use,” he said, ‘‘ not enough of a Yankee for tbat.” ** Well, it’s your old friend—ihe doctor!” The little middy’s tune and manner indicat. | a
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provided for, so, as soon as you’ve dined with me, make your arrangements for going ashore.” *Toank you, sir; iil attend to1itat once, for I think we had better get there as soon as pos- sible.” As Shubrick left the cabin, a midshipman en- tered to announce: **Gentleman trom ashore, sir, with letter from Captain Bainbridge.” his was strange—almost startling—intelli- geuce, and; deep as the famous young captain was engaged in thought, he roused up instant- ly, ordering the midshipman to admit the visi- tor. Sbubrick, meanwhile, had gone to the ward- room, and summoning » master’s mate, ordered him to provide clothing and arms suitable for the trip ashore, By the time supper was finished, Shubrick’s preparations were completed, and summoning those whom he had chosen to accompany and assist him, the lieutenant informed them of what was intended to be done, an the part to be played by each. "Now, gentlemen,” he concluded, ‘it’s not particularly hazardous or glorious work ; neither is it particularly pleasant, and if any of you dislike it, do not hesitate to say so.” All four of his picked men stared first in as- tonishment, and after a moment or two, asif amused, ‘* Excuse me, sir,” said Whits, ‘but these gentlemen ”—indicating Dick and Harry—‘ un- derstand your bumor better than I, of course, sol presume you are jesting, for we naturally must feel honored by your selection.” As the bold-looking youth finished, he began to remove his coat, and without & word the the others fullowed his example. ‘* Very well, gentlemen,” commended Shu- brick, *‘ jesting or not, ’m happy to find | was not mistaken in my men.” His tone was so earnest, that even Maxwell (who rivaled the big lieutenant in size and strength, if not in graceful proportions), felt stirred, and they burried their preparations, In a short time all were ready, and Shubrick (who made a fine looking mate for Maxwell), gave bis final on Seng, 2 ‘* Now, remember, lads, that we are no Jonger officers of any rank, and the only respect or obedience Maxwell or [ may expect from you, is that usually accorded by ship’s boys to sea- men, which I need not tell you is just as much as can be knocked, or coaxed out of them, ‘* Now, if you are ready, we'll go to the cap- tain—hbe’!l like to havea look at us before we start. ‘* It will not be necessary for you to come, Maxweil—you see it Vance has the boat ready. ** Ay, ay, sir; Vil’terd to it!” responded Max- well, andleaving him to find the master’s mate, the others followed Shubrick to the cabin. As the party reached the quarter-deck, a man in uniform, coming from the cabin, passed them with a sharp look, and a smothered exclamation of surprise escaped him as the cabin lights fell upon the faces of Shubrick and his companions, Of the four, Warren only rec gnized the man as Doctor Forreau, and he was too angry over Cooper’s indifference to the Frenchman’s pres- ence, to say anything, Maxwell, having ascertained that one of the cutters was in readiness to go ashore, now came up and stood at the lee gangway, and on seeing m Fes passed over to the weather side, “ W. » good luck to you, boys! If you suc- ceed in coaxing the Britisher cut of bis hole,. you'll all be captains!” laughingly declared Law- rence, as the party came on deck. “Ob, ho!” muttered Forreau. ‘*So that’s what's going on, is it? Well, I’ll see about it,” He was moving forward while speakivg, and was below when the boat was pushing off, so. he missed seeing that Maxwell (whose appearance was not suspicious) formed one of the ** coaxing” arty. ‘To prevent any suspicion, a couple of boats followed the first cutter—at intervals of a half- hour—and brought eff some stores for the cabin and ward-room. mia When the return of the third cutter was_re- ported, Captain Lawrence directed the mid- Shipman who had been in charge of it to ‘* send down that doctor—Forreau,” Jna few minutes the midshipman returned, accompanied by the first heutenant and another inne pman, who had had charge of the second cutter, | ‘ ‘Both cutters waited in turn for that sur- geon’s mate, sir, but he’s a lubberly sort, and rust have missed his course ashore,” explained the first lientenant, adding: rahe . ‘Of course, he can come off in a shore < ———————————— ss . SS he ee Fighting Jack’s Middies. boat any time, but ought to be keelhauled for keeping the men waiting on such a night as this!” ‘*T quite agree with you, Mr. Stewart,” dryly assented the captain: ‘‘but how came you to permit bim to go ashore at all?’ The captain bad locked very much astonished when the lieutenant began talking. It was now tne latter’s turn to do so, and protest: ‘*Why, sir, be had your permission to go ashore, to transact some private business for ou. Lawrence was cool, very cool, notwitnstand- ing bis impetuous style of fighting, and be re- ceived the lientenant’s explanation with a queer simile, but made no remark other than: “Ah! 1 understand,” and to the midship- men: ' ‘Thank you—that is all.” But, as soon as the midshipmen were gone, Lawrence’s manver changed, and after pacing the floor for several minutes, looking perplexed and uneasy, be asked: “I suppose you took this fellow’s word for it that he had my permission?” ‘No, sir, I wouldn’t take his word for a rotten lanyard,” was tlie prompt reply, ‘‘ I saw your name for it,” ‘*Sure if was my writing, Stewart?” ‘* Positive, sir—to an order ‘to pass bearer ashore at any hour.” ‘Ah! yes—thank you,” and left alone, the captain sat down, looking more troubled than ever, CHAPTER IX. HOW IT WORKED, WHEN the five adventurers fanded from the cutter, Shubrick directed their movements until a wine-shop frequented by English-speaking sea- men and landsmen was reached. Here he divid- ed tbe party, sending Maxwel!l—whom he had found intelligent, and well-posted in such work —to engage the sailboats, fixing a time and place for their meeting, and with the three ship's boys entered the wine-shop, 5 ‘The place was crowded with people of various nationalities besides Engli-h, but all appeared to understand what was said when Shubrick 1n a loud, bragging tone, began: . ** Well, lads, [’m owe th’ cap’n isn’t goin’ t’ wait no longer for that cowardly Englishman, for we’d never have a copper 0’ prize money if we waited for him t’ come out.” “Ay, ay,” said White in the same tone, ‘'"here’s neither fun nor money in wantin’ for that Britisher.” ; “Tess pluck for an Englishman than any I’ve ever seen or heard of,” affirmed Warren. ‘We'd have more jun and make more money taking a merchantman,” added Cooper, with the air of one who had been through a dozen engage- ments, This kind of talk was in itself irritating enough to the Englishmen who were present, if coming from men, but when the taunts were uttered by three ship’s boys it became partic- ularly so, The Frenchmen, the Spaniards, the natives— every one present—appeared to enjoy the joke on the Englishmen, who had many times thrash- edull of them, and a French quartermaster in a spirit of mischief, added fuel to the tire by joining the American party, saying: ‘‘ Ab, messieurs, it ees a shame! Ze English ca crag seem to bave lost hees—courage—you call it, , ‘You will have ze vine wiz me, eh?” “*Certainly—NoT!” promptly answered Shu- brick, ‘Dye thivk we're goin’ t’ let a citizen of the country that’s our best friend spend any money on us! No, sir! We'll have the wine, but ivll be with us! We've plenty of money, luck—and pluck!” The character of a braggart was anything but suited to Fighting Jack, and his last words lacked the spirit which should have been given them—so much so that a plucky little English seaman retorted: | hy N ‘*You may have the money, and you may have the luck, but Pll bet a shilling you’ve not got the pluck!” it was a bantam defying a shanghai, but be- fore any one could speak White interposed. Wherever he had picked it up, the young ex- war’s-man’s Style of invective: _ Why,” he scornfully began, “ you burgos- eating, peasoup-swilling, trowsers- scrubbing son of a sea-cook, you're talkin’ to a man who'd yr pe and all who’re with ye! ow, if you'll just step out on the floor, I'll | make ye see more stars than astronomers ever commander was & master of the English man-o’- | did, and cyt more capers than all the dancing masters in France!” Tbis was undacious language from a youth of eighteen, to a well-made, though small-sized man of thirty, and Sbubrick would have inter- fered, had it been possible to do so without be- traying himself and hi< companions by exert- ing his authority, but it was too lite, now, for as White finished bis challenge, be advanced toward the Englishman, who stepped forward, saying: “ Well, you’re a cheeky young rip @’ talk so t? aman, and Vil give yews jolly good hiding just t’ teach ye manners.” ** Brag’s a beautiful dog— to look at,” retorted Tom, ‘‘ but, like you, he can do nothin’ more’n bark, for teeth he has none, or if he has any, daren’t use ’em.” ‘*Toere! 1 told you your teeth were no good,” he added a moment later, and to the surprise of every body the Englishman was knocked down— not only that, but Jay in a heap on the floor, It was more good-luck than anything el‘re—ag Tom frankly acknowledged atterwari—for, angered by his boyish opponent’s language, the English seaman lost his temper and made a blind rush, intending to finish the plucky youth at one swoop. Instead, the latter stepped aside, and as the man passed struck out— throwing his whole weight after bis fist. Hand he missed, Tom, too, would have gone down, ut asi. hap- pened he struck what is nowadays called a ** knock-out” blow, fetching his opponent full on the neck, under the ear, rendering the latter insensible for severel minntes, Chance, or not, the fall of the English sea- man made the boys—and Shubrick, too— more confident in themselves, aud before any one could speak, Dick stepped cut. ee “Come!” he cried, ‘‘ while we’re waiting for your man to pull himself together, I’ll give any of you a lesson at anything you please, nb A “ Single stick used to be a favorite exercise in England. Do you—any of you—care to take a lesson?” ' This was going further, and chancing more, than Shubrick cared for, but he was spared the trouble of interfering, by a man who had been standing epart from all the others, watching what was going on, Tbere were about a dozen English seamen and petty officers present, and while the first ban- tam’s (Tom’s) challenge was received with some little respect—owiug to his siz9 and appearance —the second’s for the same reason, excited a mixture of indignation, disgust and ridicule. ** Jack!” called a boatswain’s mate to one of the younger seamen, ‘‘take that cub by the scruff o’ the neck and spank him—sound!” “That I will, sir!’ promptly returned the man, stepping into the circle which had been formed around the late combatants, The short but decisive fight between Tom and his opponent—preceded, as it was, by the inso- lent talk regarding the cowardice of the English —had already accomplished Shubrick’s pur- e, and he had no idea of allowing anotber of his bentams to slip through his fingers to face a shanghai. Keeping his eyeon theseaman coming toward Dick, the big lieutenant arose with the de- liberateness of one who knows he has the game in his own hands, as was indeed the case, for no two ordinary men would have troubled him, and there were enough American eran ats to prevent any unfairness, but the stranger above referred to obviated any interference on his part. “ Btop ” As the stranger uttered this command, the angry seaman stood stock-still—asif shot. The word itself came like a shot—like the bang of a gun, and all eyes were instantly turned on the speaker, who was still in the position he had been in from the time the Americans entered— his arms folded across his chest, and leanin ne ad shoulder against a post outside the crowd, Although all noted the direction from whence came the stern command, none believed it pos- sible thet the man leaning against the post could have uttered it, for while the volume of sound indicated the lungs of © giant, he was scarcely of the average height, or rather th great breadth of his shoulders and depth o chest made him seem 80, The stranger met the stare of the crowd in a. cool, unconcerned manner, that did much to convince them that he had not spoken, and again the sailor started forward. rea ak I said stor! I shall not repeat that or- er * i: Aw SD : There was no mistaking the speaker this time, although he did not move a muscle of his body
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while shooting forth this threatening mandate, in a voice thut startled all, and brought the sailor to an instantaneous halt, For half a minute there was a dead silence; all eyes were bent on the stranger'in the expec- tation that some explanation or movement would follow the order, but none came, and in a few moments a voice from the knot of English seamen asked: ‘*Who’n thunder are you?” “Go ahead, Jack! Don’t funk over that chap —vwe'll stand by ye!” encouraged another, As if expecting him to leap at Jack, a lane had been formed between the stranger and the sailor, and notwithstanding the encouraging words of his shipmates, the latter appeared to be spelibound by the piercing gaze fixed upon him, ‘“‘That is right,” quietly commended the stranger, and without removing his eyes from the sailor, continued in a louder tone: ‘* Your comrade is not fool enough to lose his life in attempting to punish a boy for uttering what you yourselves know to be the truth! *“*Tf your captain is not afraid, why does he remain here, while a vessel of certainly no greater force lies outside offering battle? No attack has been made upon your courage person- ally; if you cannot listen to the truth, you should return to your ship and tell your courageous commander what you have heard, ** Return to your friends, my man—there is no safety in standing in that spot!” As the young sailor obeyed, the stranger added: ‘* As to whol am—it’s sufficient for you that I am one who will be obeyed!” The last authoritative words caused an angry outburst from the English seamen, All that preceded this strange declaration of authority had been listened to in sullen silence, for every man of them secretly acquiesced in what was said, With tho utterance of the first of the angry, menacing oaths and cries which greeted the stranger’s last words, a half-dozen men who were scattered through the crowd, gathered around the calm, unmoved man, leaning against the ost. e The half-dozen men referred to, were all at- tired alike in neat sailor uniform, wore red worsted caps, were armed each with a cutlass and pair of pistols, and evidently were picked men, forming a boat’screw. They did not speak to each other, nor even look at the stranger, but ranged themselves on either side of the latter, when the English boatswain pro : ** Let’s duck the blackguard, and then make him stand treat! What d’ye say, lads?” The proposition was greeted with a roar, and the Engl en rushed toward the stranger, CHAPTER X. THE SAME AND MORE OF IT. | . SHUBRICK had listened to the bold words of the stranger with a feeling which was a mixture of astonishment, admiration and delight—the last because of the advice to the English seamen | to report what had occurred to the captain. Great as was the lieutenant’s delight, it was very little compared with his astonishment at the stranger’s interference in behalf of Dick, and admiration of his boldness, Unobtrusively as the worsted-capped sailors had ranged themselves on either side of the stranger, their movements had not escaped the keen-eyed lieutenant, who thought: “That accounts for the fellow’s coolness, and boldness, He’s mistaken, however, in thinking that those six and himself are a match for taat of Englishmen.” er “Tom! Dick! Harry!” he continued, calling the youths to him. We must try to belp our friend at the post. There will be trouble in a very few minutes, and he'll be right in the thick of it. * You and I, White, must bear a hand with those red-capped fellows, in keeping off the Britishers, ; “You, gentlemen”—to Dick and Harry— ‘* must remain where you are, unless they use weapons—” *«Excuse me, sir,” interrupted Dick, “ but you said before coming ashore that we were all on the same footing?” “ Yes?” ** Then, I shall do as I think best—which is to help him who helps me!” ins And I’m going to do the same!” exclaimed larry. % ta Tom was smiling and Shubrick, perplexed by this mutinous language of the boys, was won- dering what was the best course to follow, when the proposition to duck the stranger was made, Fighting Jack’s Middies. As the Englishmen rushed forward shouting “Duck him! Duck him!” Shubrick saw that there was no intention to do the stranger any serious injury, for though armed and angry no weapons were drawn. } ; re and that turned the scale in favor of t ght. A **hurrah!” from the heretofore irresolute group of seamen plainly indicated what course they intended to follow, and as the new-comers ‘* They're merely venting the anger they feel, | rusbed to the assistance of their comrades, the but cannot show before their own captain,” thought the big lieutenant, and springing after the knot of excited men, seized one of those in the rear, | stranger emitted a low whistle, Then motion- ing the boys to fall back, he called: ‘Ho, my tigers! Look to the youths!” In an instant, the six seamen who had re- It was only the work of an instant to throw ; mained as motionless as statues since forming the man backward on the floor—and only child’s play at that. on either side of the now vacant post, dashed Another and another followed, | through the crowd and stood between the stran- and then the boys joining in the attack by trip- | ger and Sbubrick, and the boys, ping up the unwary Englishmen, half of them were tumbling on the floor, before their com- radesin front were aware of what was going on. All of the English party had been drinking, and maddened at the thought of being thrown by @ mere boy, one of the men on regaining his feet drew his cutlass and rushed at White. ‘Look out, Tom!” cried Harry. ‘* Here’s a bull-dog with a bare cutlass!” | Shubrick caught the words, and turning his head saw the bloody minded seaman almost | within striking distance of Tom. The big lieutenant’s great strength has been | , tols and two cutlasses amung the entire English mentioned before, butit was doabled on perceiv- ing his youngcompanion’sdanger, He had just laid hold of the young sailor who had been ap- pomies to punish Dick, intending to throw him ack ward like the others, but instead, lifted the man hodily above his head and hurled him at the other, Tbe men came together with terrible force, and when they struck the floor did not stir, This brougut the wrath of the whole party upon the Americens, and although only two of them were armed with cutlasses and pistols— being ashore on service—all had knives, and drew them as they rushed on Shubrick and his companions, The latter were armed with dirks and pistols, but three boys anda man could hardly expect to successfully oppose twelve or fifteen armed men, and throwing himself in front of his com- panions, Shubrick cried: P ‘* Back! Back, I say, or I fire!” ; He held a pistol in each hand, and though it meant but two men cut of a dozenor more, none cared to be one of the two, and the rush came to asudden stop. It was onlya momentary pause, for one of the men had a brace of pistols, but, short as it was, it was sufficient for the stranger (who had up to that moment remained as if nailed to the post), dart like a bolt through the irresolute seamen, and place himself beside the big lieutenant. . ** Now, sod gone far enough! This must stop right here!” cried the stranger in that sams terrific voice, but now the strength of the voice was, or rather seemed to be, increased ten-fold by the flashing eyes, and majestically threaten- ing bearing of the now more than animated man. Shubrick looked (and was), a very lion at bay, The boys, so to speak, were his cubs—and cubs with well-developed teeth and claws, too—and the agile stranger seemed a Royal Bengal tiger come to their assistance, ‘The stranger bore no visible arms, but his sudden sieebranine beside Shubrick (knocking them aside like ninepins to get there), held the man back, and the stranger continued: “What little hurt you may have received was fully deserved. If you provoke more trouble, not one will live to leave this room! ** Remember, men, this is neither boast nor threat—simply a warning, If you heed it, well and good—if ar BRA ed blood be on your heads!” There was something singularly impressive in the way these words were delivered, and the bearing and tone of the man conveyed a sense of power that was much more impressive than the words—so much 80 that the disciplined man-o’-war’s men, angry as they were, stood ir- resolute, | This plainly did not please the masterful stranger, and be showed the first symptom of temper by an impatient stump of his neatly- shod, slender foot, as he sharply demanded: . “Come, men! Are ye fools? Retire quietly and quickly to your place, or you will not have = opportunity to do so five—ay, one minute ence!” Still the men stood irresolute—too obstinately brave to retreat at the bidding of ,a single man et overawed by his authoritative tone and g,as well as that of Sbubrick, and the determined and dangerous air of the boys— each presenting a pair of pistols, Just what might otherwise have happened is- impousible to say, but before the minute was | the waterside where they half gone, three or four more English seamen ! oneexplaining: — cet ‘ ~ £2. a i aa eee ee af Rates! my | ay ioslx inthe te mas : an ; tie suo d - alts
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SS a aad af .* 4 » = 9 ’ ST ITT Ee PULL EF PED ny ; . , en 10 **Our boats are near at hand, senor—there is no need to hurry.” A few minutes later the boats were reached and White was placed in one, with Shuabrick— himself wounded—supporting him, while the two midshipmien, who had escaped unscathed, were directed to another. “This boat, as you see, contains one of our | wounded,” explained one of the red-caps to the | boys, ‘‘and there is room only for us who will row it immediately to our surgeon.” This ending all objection to parting with their friends, the boys gladly took seats in the boat indicated, and Warren endeavored to get into conversation with the boat-keeper, but at the first word the latter commanded silence, and | tor once the midshipmite subsided. Soon shots were heard in the direction of the wine-shop, followed quickly by the appearance of several men bearing others, and then came a half-dozen more at full speed. Among the last toreach the boats, was the stranger who bad directed the attack on the British seaman, and his arrival was the signal to push off. “*Lively, lads, lively!” he ‘cried. ‘Those fools are our friends, and must not be compelled saw a vessel lying at anchor. The night was dark (neither moon nor stars being visible), and except that she was a rather small, low-lying vessel, the midshipmen could distinguish nothing, but on reaching the deck they found her crowded with men and armed to the teeth. ¢ “A privateer, or a pirate!” whispered War- rep. “Go below! You'll find the captain and your friends in the cabin,” directed one of the red-caps, As this was one of those invitations which are never refused, because they carry a command with them, Dick and Harry descended to the cabin, which they found divided into three luxuriously furnished apartments, Seated at asmall table, made of some precious wood, in the main room, was the extraordinary individual who had so boldly addressed, and fiercely attacked, the British seamen, and who had been designated asthecaptain, | Motioning the midshipmen to he seated, the captain resumed the thoughtful attitude in which he had been discovered—one elbow on the table, and his head resting on his hand. Gazing at him curiously, the boys saw a man whee form indicated more of strength than the activity they had so recently seen displayed while his face was manly, bold, decided, an rather han(some, though expressing little more than bigh daring, coolness, obstinacy, and a cer- tain degree of contempt for others thatits owner seldom took pains to conceal, His head was thickly covered with a mass of black hair that was already a little grizzled, and his age was—a puzzle. It might be thirty- five, or a balf-score years more. The midsbipmen were still gazing at this re- markable man, when the door of one of the Paro was opened, and a man entered the cabin, ' ‘* Armand?” questioned the captain, turning hastily to the new-comer, ‘** Has fallen asleep, and will be as well as ever in the morning,” assured the latter, who was a gray-headed, grave-looking, neatly-attired man, e carried an open case of surgical instro- _ ments ip one hand, and was, what he looked to be, a physician, and the surgeon of the vessel, he stern, gloomily-anxious expression faded from the face of the captain, and addressing the midshipmen in a courteous tone, he invited them to enter the other state-room, saying: * ‘You are of course anxiousabout your friends, Our ea. ray has already given them some atten- tion, and is now going to complete his work,” Then, addressing t continued: ; ‘ “If there is any danger—any question as to who should first receive your attention—give it to the youth, I am strangely interested in him, and the lieutenant must give way to my in- terest.” The surgeon bowed, and they entered the state-room, Dick, who thoroughly understood e surgeon in French, he the ee order, wondering: , se - 44 the deuce does he know Mr. Shubrick’s In the state-room, on a pile of cushions, lay Tom White, while lying on a standing bed was Shubrick, _ Both wereconscious, and the latter said: 6 a RE TAL Ey eae - | ( to fire by finding us here,” The men responded with a will, and after ten minutes’ hard pulling along the shore, the boats entered a little sheltered cove, where the boys a Sn Tween heen ean emir tan natin inthe retrenirg “lve remained here, doctor, because you’ve ordered it, but there’s really nothing the matter with me except a little weakness from. loss of blood, so, if you don’t object, Pll get up.” He arose without waiting for the desired per- mission, and continued: ‘The bullet traveled just under the skin and around and out at the top of the shoulder.” The surgeon looked doubtful, but a glance from the captain stopped any questioning,and he turned to Tom, saying: __ ‘ ‘“* Are you too going to disappoint me by turn- ing up all sound like your friend?” A faint smile was the only response the wounded youth could make, and the captain sharply directed: ° Keven to your business, sir!” “Part of it—and often the most important part of it, is to amuse and encourage the patient, sir!” retorted the surgeon, bending over the al-. most unconscious youth, The latter had received several knife wounds, but only one was serious—a deep stab in the back, After making certain that the other wounds were harmless, the surgeon turned Tom on his face, and stripped his back to get at the wound. ‘*Not so bad after all,” declared the surgeon. * He'll be—” A cry of astonishment, which burst from the lips of the captain interrupted the speaker, and caused a low exclamation uttered by Warren to pass unnoticed, as all—even the surgeon—turned and looked at the captain, The latter was the picture of amazement and doubt, staring at tbe bare back of the youth, as if he were looking at something passing belief, but quickly recovered his usual composure, and waved the surgeon to proceed, saying: ‘© It is nothing! . Go on, sir!” ‘‘He will be all right in a few days—with careful ettendance,” slowly continued the sur- geon, who, like the others, had seen that the cause of the captain’s emotion, was a birth- mark, in the shape of a smal! horse-shoe on White's right shoulder. “Careful attention! By my soul, sir, you must see to that, if you have any love for life!” With this grim threat the captain stalked out of the cabin—apparently unable to control him- self, . CHAPTER XII... ‘*SOME PEOPLE CALL US PIRATES!” SHUBRICK, the surgeon and the two midship- men stared at each other in dull amazement, The captain’s strange emotion on seeing the birthmark, and his fiercely expressed interest in one whom he had never before seen, was simply inexplicable, and the surgeon’s: ‘“‘ Well! That beats me!” expressed the general feeling. Further comment was prevented by the en- trance of a quartermaster, who invited the strangers to acco ny him, and to the surgeon delivered the significant message: “Your assistant will relieve you, when the morning watch turns out,” “Thank you,” ironically returned the other, adding in a disgusted tone: ‘*Tt’s a mortal saame he wasn’t killed instead of wounded! Send down a glass or twoof grog, Matthews—will you?” ** Certainly, sir!” ‘Come, gentlemen—your quarters for the night must be such as we can arrange in the cabin.” The quarters were very comfortable, for the outer cabin was full of cushions, and the exciting events of the evening made the trio only too happy to avail themselves of the by oabrinat: | to rest. They had easily penetrated the apparent brutality of the surgeon, and had no doubt that their comrade would receive the most careful attendance, notwithstanding the wish that he bad been killed, Very tired, and 0: course accustomed to sleep- ing on a moving ship, Shubrick and his fellow- adventurers were not at all disturbed by the noise made in raising the anchor, and setting sail, so that when they awoke, and found them- selves out of sight >f land, they were not only surprised, but alarmed--that is, the boys were, but the lieutenant was mad—mad right through, . f The trio, on awaking, were about to visit Tom’s state-room, when the motion of the vessel attracted their attention, and Sbubrick, direct- ing the midshipmen to remain below, hastened on deck. One glance was sufficient to show him what had taken Linge and forgetting his as- | e went to the captain, who |. sumed character, was standing near the helmsman, and demanded with the regulation quarter-deck intonation: ** What does this mean, sir? You have carried eS —$—$ $$$ $$ us off from our ship, without so much as ‘by your leavel’” The quartermaster. and helmsman looked aghast at the ton, and the lenguage—evidently expecting thespeaker would be terribly punished if not immediately killed, Observing these terrified looks, Saubrick re- membered his apparent condition, and before the captain could speak, continued: ‘* Pardon me, but thiugs are seldom what they seem, and five minutes’ conversation will, I trust, excuse my language,” The captain bowed gravely, and, with a wave of bis hand, invited the big lieutenant to accom- pany him to the cabin. On reaching the little anteroom, the captain stopped Shubrick, saying: ‘* [tis unnecessary for you to explain anything. I know you and your young companions must be ¢(ffivers; but, let me remind you, that you would have spent atleast one night in @ Portu- guese guard-bouse had you not come with me, and as there were several men killed, it is more than likely you would remain there to abide the result of an official inquiry, which would un- doubtedly reveal your identity.” «© As the captain proceeded the lieutenant’s anger cooled, When he finished, Shubrick felt asbamed of the warmth and place of his attack; still = had been sent ashore on duty, aud ex- lained: pw I must apologize for my rudeness, captain, but as an officer,”—he already had some queer doubts as to what kind of an officer—‘ you will understand my feelings at finding mysélf at sea, when I tell you l was sent ashore on an impor- tant, and, as yet, only half-fulfilied mission.” ‘«The part fulfilled being to taunt the English seamen enough to cause talk that would reach their commander?” shrewdly guessed the other, adding, with a grim smile: ‘‘ But through no fault of yours, the mark was overshot—to the sore suffering of your Eng- lish friends.” ‘¢ True—their loss must have been severe,” as- sented Shubrick, wondering whether he should reveal to the other his mission on shore. ‘*He has certainly shown himself a stanch friend of America,” reflected the lieutenant, but then came the ugly suspicion that the ves<el was of an unlawful character, and would receive _ scant mercy if she came within range of the Hornet’s guns, As if divining the debate going on in the lieu- tenant’s mind, the captain said: *T do not care to know your business ashore, but if I can be of any assistance, the vessel and crew are at your service. The Sea Queen has yet to meet its match in speed, and its people— well, you have seen some of their work. ‘Your generous offer deserves more recogni- tion than Iam about to give it, for before de- ciding to avail myself of your assistance—which would indeed be most timely—I must ask who and what you are, : ; ‘*Do not misunderstand me,” hastily added the big, iar naginae a lieutenant, flushing as he saw the frown gathering on the brow of the captain. ‘‘ Personally, I can only tender my most sincere thanks both for what you have done and what you offer to do, but as an officer I must know with whom I am dealing.” + ‘* T have offered you the use of my brigantine and my people,” slowly and coldly replied the other. “If you cannot accept the offer without prying. into my private affairs—the loss is ours. * “I regret it, but so it is and must be,” re- turned Shubrick, earnestly, adding : ‘* And that being the case, it is very important that we should get ashore as soon as possible,” There was a question—a request—in this state- toent, but the captain refused to notice it, and the lieutenant was compelled to ask: ae ‘“* How soon can you conveniently land us?” ‘*Conveniently—not soon, at all,” answered the other, with a grim smile, ‘ The dull boom of a heavy gun interrupted the conversation at this point, and referriag to it the captain, still wearing that grim smile, continued : “That settles all doubt on the subject! We are running down the Bay of All Saints. If the wind holdsas itis, you may get ashore within forty-eight hours. If it freshens—much—it is doubtful when you will get ashore—if ever!” The report of another—and nearer—gun, reached them, as the astonished, but not al- together unsuspicious lieutenant asked: ** What do you mean, sir?” ; ‘“¢ That little affair of last night, unfortunately, apprised the captain of the Spanish man-of-war that I was in port. He is my personal as well as official enemy, and isin pursuit. Those shote Se ee
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came from his vessel, which is the fastest in port, and Iam sorry to say that it will go hard with all on board if we aro captured—for some people call us pirates!” CHAPTER XtlI. RIGAUD THE ROVER. On board a pirate, with a man-of-war in hot pursuit! A pleasant state of affairs, truly!” So thought Shubrick, but before he could 8 an officer entered the little anteroom, e drew back immediately on seeing the cap- tain, and his companion, instead of the attendant usually there. ‘* What is it, Francois?” called the captain. The officer returned, and uttered a few hur- ried sentences in French, ‘‘ Repeat that in English—my friend does not understand you,” directed the captain. The officer permitted astonishment to get the better of discipline, and for one moment stared hard et the American, before announcing in very fair English: : ‘The frigate is almost within range, sir.” *¢ And the wind?” ‘¢ Freshening every minute, sir.” ‘* Very well—it does not matter. Keep every- thing as it is until I come up, and we will show the eager gree BY or that the Sea Queen’s su- perior is not yet afloat,” ‘The sky looks very threatening, sir,” warned Francois. ‘* Has the Spaniard reduced her canvas?” ** Not when I came down, but—” **Keep her as she is, sir! Send the men to their stations, but stir nothing—we can laugh at such a pursuer!” “That does not sound as if you had much fear of capture?’ observed Shubrick, as the pirate officer departed, ‘’T would be poor policy for a general to tell his troops when going into action that they were Certain to be defeated,” calmly replied the other, adding: ‘¢T must see what is going. on ondeck. You can accompany me, or join your friends as you please.” *‘T will accompany you,” decided Shubrick, following the captain, who was already on his way to the deck, About two miles astern of the Sea Queen was a large frigate, which, notwithstanding the threatening ap nee of the heavens, was carrying every inch of canvas she could spread, The threatening cloud which was rolling east- ward with fearful speed, had not yet broken and with the exception of a few drops, that fell seemingly from a clear sky, it was, as yet, what is called a dry squall. ** There will be some lively work on board that frigate within a very few minutes,” observed the self-confessed freebooter. Shubrick did not reply, fora heavy crash of thunder succeeded a vivid flash of be Ig that glared so suddenly across the swarthy linea- ments of the silent, attentively waiting crew, as to draw an involuntary exclamation'from him. “She is holding on to the last,” continued the captain, watching his pursuer. ‘‘ These squalls are always in favor of the heavier craft, t “Ab! He feels it! They are shortening—we must do the same,” ] The speaker’s sudden interruption of himself as indicated by his words, was caused by his seeing that the frigate was reducing her canvas, and after waiting another minute to get the ut- most benefit—without da e—of the wind, he raised his terrific voice a trifle, and directed: “Down with your studding-sails, Francois! Settle away that mainsail! In i and top- gallant sails—topsail oa the cap! Lively, now, and heavy as she is, we will still hold our advan- tage!” he crew, who had heard the orders, were already executing them, and in a few moments the brigantine was in trim for the battle with wind and wave. Nothing was furled, but as everything was hauled up or lowered, the squall had little to waste its fury on. The diminished surface of the sails protected the spars, while the canvas was saved by the rine In a short time the fury of the squall began to abate, and then (more bardy then his heavy spalelies without waiting for the end of it, the eebooter began to sway his yards aloft, while the sea was still white witn foam, and the brigantine was under all her canvas before the oe had begun to profit by her superior phys- orce, ‘* A bold but thorough seaman, whatever else he may be!” admiringly commented Sbubrick, as he saw that, through her skillful handling, the Sea Queen had not only held her advantage, but actually increased it, and now, as the wind began to die away, drew steadily away from her pursuer. ‘*Good-by, Sefior Lopez!” said the pirate chief, with a derisive laugh, a3.he, too, observed the rapidity with which his beautiful brigantine was leaving the frigate, and turning to Shubrick, in- vited him below, saying: **Come, we will drink a £lass to the well- named Sea Queen! The danger is past—you need worry no more—and we can afford to per- tS Fagan truly Christian duty of visiting the sick! He was in high glee over the fulfillment of his prediction that the brigantine, notwithstanding the squall, would escape the frigate, When they reached the anteroom, so often re- ferred to, be struck a silver hand-bell, and di- rected the attendant who auswered it to: ** Bring a bottle of that sherry which we took the liberty of borrowing from his Britannic Majesty ! ‘Tis the last dozen, 1 fear,” he continued, turning to Shubrick, ‘‘and I would go a long distance out of my course to meet another con- sigoment of it,” Shubrick made no response, “The man was a self-confessed pirate, aud though he had ren- dered no mean service to the little party of Americans, the lieutenant had no desire to cul- tivate his acquaintance. Observing that Shubrick remained silent and standing, the freebooter, smiling scornfully, ex- claimed, ironically: ** Ah! I forgo that you are a republican, and would doubtless consider it treason to taste wine which one king sent to another, but sey the Sea Queen appropriated to her own use!’ The big lieutenaut had very strict notions of oe and of duty, and quietly but firmly re- plied: ‘Sir, you have rendered myself and my friends great service, and doubtless incurred on our behalf even more danger than we are aware of in performing it, but you have yourself declared this vessel to be of an unlaw- ful character, and my most anxious desire is to a your craft as soon as possible, and when I 0, never to set eyes on it again, for it would be my duty, if I should, to endeavor to capture or destroy it, and perhaps be compelled to cross swords with you, to whom I feel so much in- debted, Under such circumstances, any show of friendship now would be simply farcical!” For a moment or two, the pirate seemed touched by the quiet, earnest words of the lieu- tenant. ‘*Thank you for your frankness,” he said in an unusually low tone. Then with a reckless laugh, he exclaimed: ‘*My dear sir, you give me too much credit! Helping you never entered my mind, and though I hate the English, I would never have brought attention to myself for interfering, had it not been for a fancied resemblance—” Stopping abruptly, as if he had said more than was judicious, the speaker changed the subject to White, asking: ‘* What rank does the wounded yout’ hold?” ‘*None—he is a volunteer, having escaped sm bis own vessel, which was a prize to the ava, ‘The prize by the by was bearing toward San Salvador when last seen,” added Shubrick, ** Yes—I saw her, but is he not very young to command an armed vessel?” Shubrick had remarked the interest manifest- ed by the other in White, and now bluntly re- ferred to it, saying: ; ‘*Yes, he is young for such a responsibility, but I was not aware she was armed—you seem better posted regarding the young man than any of us, and, indeed, more interested in him.” ** Very true, and it is just possible no one has a better right to be interested in bim,” calmly replied the corsair, “Tam known as Rigaud the Rover—Claude Rigaud—itis as good a name as any other—but no unresisting man has ever suffered at my hands, nor has any female been maltreated by meor mine, Secure from the guns of you gen- tlemen of the cruisers, through the speed of my brigantine, I have dared to do what few who sail under such a flag as mine would risk—land my erga “Still, [have managed to escape paying the penalty, and am less and less inclined to molest me vessels but those of the enemies of France, as [ grow more and more wealthy.” “Why not abandon the miserable—infernal business entirely?” asked Shubrick, as the Rover. paused, ** Because it is free, careless, happy in its fash- LE ion—and not miserable!” quickly retorted the other, adding: ‘And as for its being infernal—as I am ac- customed to deal with those who fall in my way —nine merchantmen out of ten would rather be a prize to the Sea Queen than any of the old, and most of the new privateersmen,” Rigaud paused again, and fora few minutes seemed buried in thought, which Shubrick did not disturb, thinking his words regarding the despicable calling of the Rover were taking root. That he was not mistaken in this, was evi- denced by the words uttered by Rigaud as he started toward theinner cabin: - ‘*T would I could learn that youth’s history without asking it! It might make a difference —there may yet basomething to live for!” He was entirely oblivious of Shubrick’s pres- ence, and was simply uttering the result of the thoughts suggested by the lieutenant’s words, *¢ Some,” said the latter, ‘tI will uudertake to get you his history.” The Rover looked startled or a moment, then bowed, and followed Shu- brick into the cabin. CHAPTER XIV. RIGAUD INTERESTED IN TOM—TOM IN ARMAND, As Rigaud and Shubrick approached the wounded youti.’s state-room (the door of which was partly opex), they saw it was now occu- pied by four—Tom, himself, Dick and Harry, and the boy, Armand, ‘‘ Another time,” whispered the Rover, but even as he spoke, Tom’s voice was heard. “Dick is pretty bad off,” he was saying, “but, at all events, he knows that he was born in France, while I baven’t the faintest suspicion of where I was born, for the box containing all the papers relating to my birth, parentage, and other family matters, was stolen by a scoundrelly Spaniard—Moredo was his name,” The Rover started on hearing the name of the robber, but quickly recovered his usual composure, and was all attention when Warren laughingly observed: ‘“Why, youre both mysterious beings, and as far as I can see there’s no difference in the depth of the mystery.” ‘*Not much,” returned Tom, in the same vein, ‘‘and if Dick was dark, and two or three years older, I'd claim him as a twin brother, for I have not told you that my father, also, ~ went on a treasure-hunting expeltiten and nev- er returned — though my mother managed to reach the United States.’ \ Tbe Rover seemed laboring under great ex- citemeat, which increased as the musical uoice of Armand was heard, wonderingly comment- ing: F And how much stranger it * How strange! would be if you and Mr, Cooper— ‘*What’s that? What did you call me?” in- terruped Mr. Cooper. ‘* Well, then, Dick!” corrected Armand, laugh- ing merrily. ‘ Wouldn’t it be a wonderfully queer thing now, if you should turn out to be bro*bers?’ ‘Very! Especially as my brother was youn- ger than me.” There was a general laugh at Dick’s dry re- sponse, and Shubrick heard Rigaud mutter: “True, true! And there was but one, though the stories are strangely alike—” Armand’s merry, musical laugh interrupted the Rover’s reflections — and not pleasantly it. would seem, for he frowned, and, motioning Sbubrick to follow him, returned to the ante- room—the heavy t on the floor rendering their exit as noiseless as their entrance, “‘Oblige me by going to your friend—the wounded youth—immediately, and ascertain his object in visiting these waters,” said Rigaud, and summoning an attendant at the same time, directed him to send the surgeon to Master Armand. ‘* He may not have cared to tell all his sto to the others,” suggested the Rover, again ad- dressing Shubrick, ‘und it might be well to send them away—you can easily find a pretext— and I have sent for the surgeon in order to get Armand out of the room,” “Stay! The surgeon shall say they are ex- , citing the patient, and order all of them on deck,” he added, as Shubrick was about to enter the cabin. ‘That will be better,” assented the latter, and taking possession of one of the two luxurious chairs in the anteroom awaited the arrival of the surgeon, who quickly appeared, and as seer ate out the instructions given him b ud. TNow is yur opportunity,” directed the lat- ter, as the boys passed out, and feeling not s
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= Fe leet ST Sth? ia mer te . ah 2 TS Ri OS TONNE a oe IE A ith et ito nami nie aE ae Aegan Re ae a igcee e g ee et ee ~~ tee —— = os . 74 “yt 7 . ees a fs 12 - little curious and quite interested, the lieutenant entered W hite’s state-room, A full hour elapsed before Shubrick returned to the impatiently-waiting Rover, who was pac- ing the floor of the little room with bent bead and knitted brows, ‘it isas you surmised,” began Shubrick im- mediately on entering. ‘‘ White did not tell all his story, though there is but little of importance to add to it, and that isconnected with the cause | of his visiting these waters,” ‘© Well? hy do you hesitate? That is what I wish to know.” ‘*] bardly know bow to express myself with- out offending you,” slowly replied the good- natured lieutenant. ‘‘ And, yet, it must be said, and you, of course, know how the world regards guch men as you.” ‘© Well, well?” ‘*It is not well, for before I can give the in- formation you desire, you must tell me why you wish for it.” ‘Is it so important—so valuable a secret—as that?” asked the Rover, with a curious smile, “That is the state of affairs, at all eveuts,” firmly replied Sbubrick, though not a little puzzled by the strange expression of the Rover's face, which now assumed a triumphant look. ‘T am satisfied, quite satisfied,” he laughingly declared ;** you could scarcely have told memore plainly that he is treasure-hunting, but”—and his voice grew mournful—'‘ my motives must re- main my own, at least for the present.” Fighting Jack was a fighter—not a diplomat, and his handsome, expressive countenance, was apt toreveal a great deal toa keen observer, Just now he looked a trifie upset, and the keen- eyed sea-rover remarking this, said: ‘There is nothing to worry about, and you can plume yourself on the fact that your recent talk with me has led to the ending of the career ot the Sea Queen—under the red flag of the sea- rover. ‘*Do you mean it, or are you merely jesting, or are trying to—” ‘“‘ Trying to deceive you, to learn what [ al- ready know? No. I am in deadly earnest, as you will probably see before you leave me.” } The Rover turned away and ascended to the ' deck with the last word, leaving Shubrick full ' of wonder—and just a little doubt—to follow more leisurely. As the lieutenant ascended the companion- ladder, Armand descended, and went straight to Tom’s state-room. The latter was up und dressed—had been all the morning—and greet- ed the boy (who looked rather excited) with a pleasant smile, as he asked: ‘* Well, Armand, what’s all the excitement about?” ‘* Just this, Thecaptain knows your mission in these water’, and means to assist you, More than that—he intends never again to hoist the only flag this vessel has ever sailed under.” ‘“ How cio you know be is aware of my busi- ness down here?” The color deepened in the cheeks of the hand- some boy, as he explained: “Well, I listened. I suspected there was something up when the surgeon said we were worrying you, after declaring only an hour be- fore tuat you were all right and only needed «cheery company, so I swung over the stern, and into my own state-room, where I heard you tell Mr. Sbubrick your story. ‘“‘He went to my uncle, and I followed, and, listening again, found that they had been listen- _ ing to us, but Mr. Shubrick would not tell my uncle what be wanted most to know—your ob- ject in visiting these waters—until he was first anformed why uncle was anxious to know that.” vy un be—your uncle—say what his object was?” ‘** No, and he guessed yours, but assured Mr, Shubrick that tne flag of the Rover would never »gain be ruised over this vessel. : ‘Then, he and Mr, Shubrick went on deck, and I went back the same way—just in time to hear my uncle order Francois (the first lieuten- ant, you know), to lay our course for the retreat, and to pack every sail on the brigantine, so be must think be be in time to catch the man who robbed you of the map,” ‘* In which event, [ presume, it will be simply a case of the survival of the stronger—not the Attest?” laughingly suggested Tom, adding: *€ Well, | only hope he will be in time, even if _ the treasure does stick to his fingers, for where the map is found, there also will bo the papers _ relating to my birthplace and parentage, and I am anxious to recover those—more so: than the treasure,” ‘ ; ‘** And, I believe my uncle is fully as anxious to see those papers as you are!” declared Armand, on reaching the ante-room. Fighting Jack’s Middies. ‘‘ He is deeply interested in you, and everything concerning you.” ‘* That’s queer,” commented Tom, gazing re- flectively at bis companion, and then, asif the idea had just struck him, exciaimed: ‘“*T say, Armand! an awfully handsome fellow” ‘* Don’t talk that way, please!” pleaded the boy, blushing like a girl, and causing Tom, heedless « f the appeal, to continue: ‘‘ Jupiter Ammou! Talk about your beauties! “Why, Armand, if you wereonlya girl you’d set every man in the Sea Queen fighting for ou—” me Stop, sir! You must not talk to mein that way!” interrupted Armand, springing up, and the tone and air—tbe very words, were so much like those of an offended beauty, that Tom stared in astonishnient, which increased as he saw the color of the youth deepen under bis Ze, ‘Great Caesar, Armand!” he began, but with a passionate cry, that was haif-anger, balf- fear, Armand burst into tears, and rushed from the room, The next moment the door of the adjoining state-room was opened and shut, violently, and then locked. Tom sat staring at the chair lately occupied by Armand, like oue in a dream, For two or three minutes he sat motionless, and was only aware of Dick’s presence when that young gen- tleman (who bad come to the open door imme- diately after Armano’s hurried departure), bav- ing coughed twice without attracting atten- tion, tapped him on the shoulder, saying: ‘Wake up, Tom! There’s a vessel in sight which Mr, Shubrick thinks you are interested in, and you are wanted on deck.” CHAPTER XV. TOM TELLS THE WHOLE STORY, AROUSED by Dick’s startling aunouncement that the vessel he followed all the way from New York, was supposed to be in sight, Tom seemed to pull himself together, but there re- mained a rather bewildered expression on his usually bold, bright face when he reached the deck. “Tg that the vessel you were in search of— that schooner about two points off the weather bow?” asked Shnbrick, handing Tom the glass he had been using, ‘The weather bow! The weather bow, man! Woat’s wrong with you?” impatiently exclaimed the lieutenant, as the still bewildered youth pointed his glass in the other quarter. ‘©T feel all mixed up, sir,” truthfully replied Tom, bringing his glass to bear in the right direction, The vessel under examination was visible to the naked eye, and with the glass Tom had no trouble in deciding it was the one he was look- ing for. ; Yes, sir—that’s the schooner I'm after, or her double!” he declared, alter a short time. ‘That's all that’s wanted— you don’t look well, and had better go below,” advised the captain, wbo was standing within earshot, The advice was agreeable—Tom wanted a chance to do some thinking—and without a word retired to the cabin, but he was not des- tined to remain there longalone. Dick and Bar- ry were within earshot as we'l as tbe captain, and exchanged wondering glances on hearing Shubrick’s question, and the answer to it, ‘*Let’s follow him and find out what this means,” whispered Harry, and as all eyes were fixed on the schoouer, he and Dick slipped below unobserved. ‘+ He basn’t treated us fair,” declared Warren a. ‘* You told all you knew about yourself, but he’s been holding some- thing back from us, while even this captain knows all about it.” ¥ : ** Looks like it,” assented Dick. ‘‘Let’s go in and tackle him,” Entering the cabin, the two indignant middies found Tom sitting at the table, his head resting on his hand—tie picture of meditation. He sat facing the doorway, but did not appear to notice their entrance, nor did they notice that the door of Armand’s state-room was closed as they entered, ‘Well, sir, what have you got tosay for your- self? What excuse haye you to offer for con- cealing from your friends what you tell to strangers?” ; As Harry made this demand in a loud, severe tone, Tom started up, demanding in turn: ‘* What the deuce are you talking about?” ‘* What? Surely you are not going to try to deny ae you've been following a schooner from ew Yor : Do you know that you are ) eee a ysis t ‘*Oh, no! I'll have to admit the schooner,” replied Tom, smiling slizbtly at the young mid- shipman’s mock severity of tone and manner, ‘* And, I may a3 well tell you, now, he con- tinued, ‘‘ that in the box contaming my papers was a map of some sort, showing the location of the treasure which had drawn my father from home, and which cost him—and my mother, eventualiy—their lives. ‘* lt came near costing me, also, my life, for £ discovered the fellow in fue act of carrying off the box, the night my adcpted mother died, He struck at me with a dagger, but fortunetely the ae glanced off instead of going between my ribs, ‘* Several of our boarders—the good woman who adopted me kept an inu—pursued the thief, but escaped, and we lost all trace of him for several days, Finally, Maxwell, who boarded at the inn, noticed that a schoover about which he and [| }iad had some talk of buying, or biring, was missing, and on investigation found that Moredo had bought it, and sailed southward a day or two before, “*T had just converted the inn (which was left to mé), into cash, und hiring the schooner from whicu you saw us escape, started in pursuit, Both vessels were fast, butit would bave been a hopeless chase, hau. not Maxwell learned tbat Moredo had sailed so burriedly that he was without stores or water for anything hke a pro- longed cruise. So, keeping track of him through inquiring of every northern bound craft we . met, we managed to get pretty close on his heels —through bis haviny to stop here and there fer stores, though he never waited long enough at any port to lay in a large supply, until Porto Rico was reached. * He seems to have felt at home on reaching that point, and remained there so long that we almost had bim, but he gave us the slip, and as we unwisely fired on bim, just after leaving Porte Rico, he must have suspected something, for try #8 we migbt, we could never again get within range of him. “We kept pretty close together until the day before we met you, when both ran right into the jaws of the Java. ‘*As we were armed, and had the American colors flying, while Moredo sent up the English flag, the Java, of course, made all sail for us, We carried on a running fight until suddeniy the wind died away, and then, as we were lying within easy range of her guns—not to speak of her boats—there was nothing for it but to strike our colors, i ‘“‘ Moredo, meantime, had managed to slip out of sight, and that’s the last I suw of him until a few minutes ago.” Having finished this brief outline of the chase of Moredo, Tom relapsed into thoughtful silence, “‘ And to think you concealed such an inter- esting story from us!” Harry exclaimed in mock reproach. ‘‘ How could you do it? Why did you not tell us this morning” rae ““T would have told you if she hadn’t been resent!” was the absent-minded, but none the ess startling reply. ‘ *‘ She?” chorused the midshipmen. ‘ “Bb? What’s up now?’ asked Tom, starting out of the reverie into which he had fallen, ** Who is the ‘she’ you are talking or dream- ing about?” counter-questioned Dick. “She? echoed Tom, looking first bewildered and then confused, ‘Sbe”—catching at the loop-hole Dick had left him— I guess I must have been dreaming.” © Yes—I guess so,” drawled Harry, who was: not at alt satisfied with this explanation, but Dick accepted it without question. Better see the surgeon, Tom,” he suggested, and turning on Harry exclaimed: “Get out of here, you Jittle monkey! And, Geni fel to send the surgeon here at once, or rhi— ‘* Go for him yourself, eh?” peed Harry, The report of a gun from the deck above in- terrupted the boys at this Rae and all three hurried on deck, only to be immediately ordered below by the captain. ‘‘1t is more than likely that fellow would pitch the box, papers, and all overboard, it he saw any boys on board,” they heard him ex- plain to Sbubrick, which appeased their anger, Scarcely had the boysreached thecabin, when the roar of another gua above, excited their a gue EON and sent all thoughts of **sbe” to the winds. ; “That gun was shotted,” observed Harry. “Your Spanish friend must be trying his heels.” The midshipman was nearly right, but 8 cheer which followed close upon the report of the gt told of some advantage resulting from the § ot |
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‘dream of venturing tos Fighting Jack’s Middies, which, of course, added to their excitement, and } box, pernaps he has left that behind and taken caused much speculation as to what it was, A minute after they heard a boat being low- ered, and Dick stated the situation exactly when he exclaimed: “By George! She’s hove to, and they’re going to board her!” About the same time Captain Rigaud was saying to Shubrick: ** And, now, forthe precious box! Remember, sir, that we are dealing with a treacherous scoundrel, and at the first sign that he is giving way to his natural disposition, give him ever gun you can bring to bear on him! Do not hesi- tate on our account!” With the last words, the captain sat down in the stern-sheets of the cutter—where he had been standing while speaking—and the crew gave way. CHAPTER XVI. TOM RECOVERS HIS PAPERS, FIveE minutes after the departure of thecutter a quartermaster entered the cabin and inform- ed the excited boys that ‘‘ Mr, Shubrick wished to see them,” No second invitation or request was needed. With a whoop more creditable to a Comanche than a Christian, Harry darted out of the cabin, pee close at his heels and Tom just a trifle be- The lieutenant greeted the boys pleasantly, and pointing to the schooner—about two cables’- lengths distant—explained: **That was the cause of your confinement— as it was of most of the men, As it is taken, you are of course at liberty.” ** Ah, White!” he continued, as Tom approach- ed. ‘‘There is good news for you, I believe. Tkat white flag in the rigging means that everything is quiet and your box of papers secured,” ‘*Tom doesn’t look so immensely delighted as the lieutenant expected,” commented Harry, in a whisper, ; ‘* No; seems to me he’s looking rather queer,” returned Dick, Snubrick, too, seemed rather put out by the cool way in which Tom received the news of his good fortune, but in a little while the latter brightened up and thanked the lieutenant for the interest he had shown in bis (Tom's) affairs, $f Well, you'll soon be out of agony—here comes the boat,” remarked the lieutenant, as Tom fin- ished expressing his thanks, A few minutes after the cutter came along- poi ia as the captain stepped on deck he ed: “Alan! Pass the word for Alan!” The words were scarcely uttered when a tall, powerful man (who wore a uniform which was neither naval nor military, but. a combination of both), hurried forward and gruffly inquired: ** Did ye want me, or not?” «| do,” replied the erstwhile dreaded Rover smiling in 4 of the fact that be was well accustomed to this style of being addressed— one in which no other man on board would even k to him. “Vera well, then. hat is it ye’r’ wantin’? I ‘do d’test a lot 0’ loons ca’in Allan! Allan!” “Never mind, Alan; I’ve brought a prisorer from yonder vessel, and to your care only will I confide him. He is an old friend— ** Ab! Here he is,” The prisoner was Moredo, and though more than a dozen brows were knitted when he was ushed upon the deck, yet one man greeted m, cordially—and this seemed to have a more depressing effect than the scowls of the others. “ Ah, sir, it's good for sore eyes t’ see ye!” de- clared Alan. ‘‘Never did I hope to bave the pleasure o’ layin’ hand on ye—eye, I should say again, Dear, dear, but it’s a pity t’ see ye comin’ back after 80 long, trussed Tike a turkey. “‘Here, some 0’ ye, help the: gentleman t' the forehold—-where I'll call on ye, directly, Misther Moredo,” A dozen men came—rushed—to obey the order to help the prisoner, each of whom looked venge- fully enough to kill him, but Alan waved them back, and calling two who did not ap as eager as the others, bade them ‘‘ escort 5 tpt ones to he prima aedi wp 5 mmediately after seeing his ner in the hands of Alan, the captain desired Shubrick to accompany him to the cabin—shooting a curious ‘ye at pee he care gar r ueer sort of a way he looked at you, Tom,” remarked Dick, f ven ‘* Yes—and where's that box?” + in Harry ‘The outh Most interested tion, and quietly. * Never mind the looks, boys—and, as for the the papers,” mt) But the pavers belong to you!” protested arry. : “ Allin gooa time, my boy. Mr. Shubrick is NAGE ae will Jook after my interests,” assured om, ‘* Yes—that settles it!” asserted Dick, adding: ‘*Let’s go forward and find out what they’ve been doing on board the schooner,” The poe had asublime faith in the big lieu- tenant, hen he was at the helm, they cast care to the winds, and went straight ahead re- gardless of consequences, “Captain and Mr, Shubrick wish to see you below, sir,” announced Alan, touching Tom’s nore shortly after the boys had gone for- ward, 5 f **\o00d-by—Tom !” commented Harry. ‘I suppose it will be Lord This or Count That, when you come back,” Iom laughed—a little nervously, his friends thought—and followed Alan below. At the en- trance to the ante-room the latter stopped, and with a significant nod toward the interior, wh:s- pered rather than said: ** Good luck t’ ye, laddie!” Eotering, Tom found Shubrick and the captain seated at the table upon which lay a bundle of papers, aving the youth toa chair the captain laid his hand upon the papers, saying: “T have taken what may seem to you an un- warranted liberty in presuming to examine these papers before delivering them to you, their eet owner, but my reason for doing so will, I believe, prove ample apology. . “Your father, Raoul D’Artois, after whom you were named, was, like many other gentle- men of rank, constantly conspiring for the restoration of the Bourbon family, and as he was prominent in these movements, it was more than likely these papers would contain the names of men who would not now care to have it neta that they had been engaged in such wor ‘* T was a—an intimate friend of your father, and my own name—though I rats f not care— would be apt to appear in the lists I have men- tioned, so, in one sense, I think I hada right to examine these papers, eh?” “Prefaced by the explanation you have made, and done in my presence, the examina- tion would have received my sanction,” coolly replied Tom, as we will continue to call him, He was perfectly correct, and he knew it. So did the men, and they exchanged signifi- cant, and not by any means congratulatory lances, “T am, of course, indebted to you for having recovered the papers—that goes without saying, but there was just as much likelihood of those papers containing a family secret as a political secret. For that reason, if no other, 1 should have been present. “IT thank you for the papers—’tis all I can do —and you, Mr, Shubrick, for the real interest, and not curiosity, you have manifested in my behalf,” Bowing as ae expressed his thanks, and pick- ing up his papers, Tom was about to withisaye to the state-room be had occupied’ the previous night, when Rigaud stopped him with: ‘One minute, sir! Among your papers you will find the map which gives the location of the treasure, but I wish to warn you that that has been removed. If I had not been afraid that Moredo would destroy your other papers, I should have punished him by not interfering with his digging for the treasure. I wish to save you tbe disappointment— that is all,” he continued, in answer to Tom’s doubting expression of countenance. ‘How do you know it has been removed?” asked the latter, ‘** Because ‘twas I removed it—many years ago. ; CHAPTER XVII, RAOUL D’ARTOIS, THE feeling of disappointment which crept over Tom on bearing the Rover’s announce- | ment made him feel all the more certain that the latter spoke the truth, but he had come too far and gone through too much to accept any man’s statement regarding the whereabouts of the treasure. a “You are determined to test the truth of what I have told you, I see,” observed the cap- tain, reading the youth’s expressive countenance as easily as an open book. **T am.” “Very well, it is but natural, I suppose, and as we are bound for the former of de- 13 ! | posit, you shall have an opportunity of doing so, | though your friends are anxious to return to | their duty.” - ‘Thank you for offering to serve me first; but it would be unfair to detain them in order to satisfy what is now little more than a desire i to see for myself,” Unaconsciously the lieutenant nodded approval of this, and the Rover asked: ‘Then you will not be disappointed to find nothing where you expected riches?” ‘*Not at all, sir. To hope for anything else, in the face of what you have told me, would be foolish,” ‘* But you bave only my word for that,” sug- gested the Rover. **Ob, no! Mr. Shubrick’s silence confirms your statement,” was the calm reply, The captain bit his lip and glanced at the lieutenant with a half-yexed smile, while he urged; | * But this tale might have been got up to de- ceive you, and, lull any suspicion you might have when you come to dig for the treasure and find none, The temptation would be a great one, and we have had plenty of time to alter the map. ** I should be sorry to be the man to propose any such thing to Mr. Shubrick,” calmly re- ard Tom, and, after a moment’s hesitation, added: , ** And, really, sir, I feel perfectly sure that you are not the man to make such a proposition to any one.” Tue Rover flushed with pleasure, and shot an oddly triumphant glance at Shubrick, when Tom thus completed his expression of confidence in the honor of both men. **Thank you, Raoul (!),” he said, in a tone so (unconsciously) affectionate as to startle the youth and cause him to cast an inquiring —* first at the speaker and then at Shu- brick, He obtained no satisfaction or explanation from the expression of tbe countenance of either. The lieutenant was attentively examin- ing the silver lamp swinging overhead, while the Rover, evidently only, half conscious of his surroundings and of what he was saying, continued; “Thank you, Raoul! There are many, many matters that look very black against me, but do not forget that there are twosides to every story, and do not judge me too barshly(!).” ‘“What do you mean, sir?’ cried Tom, un- fortunately, or otherwise, too amazed to restrain himself from interrupting the Rover’s train of thought, ‘* Hh? What have I been saying?” demanded the latter, starting up in alarm, ‘* Nothing of any account,” assured the lieu- tenant. Rizaud looked relieved, and resuming the con- versation, said: ‘*T was about to say that I was—that your father and my humble self were, once, intimate friends, and that he saw fit to confide to mea large sum which was to be devoted to the care and protection of his family in case rhea, happened to him, Just what the amount was, cannot now remember, but it has increased wonderfully and is sufficient to prevent you from being affected by the loss of the treasure—in fact it formed the greater part of the treasure,” **Indeed?” “ Yes, the money which [ shall take an early opportunity of placing in your hands, formed the greater part of the treasure you came so far to bedisappointed in finding. _ “Those were perilous days for all who were suspected of favoring royalty, and tbe safest place for one’s money was out of the country,” added the Rover in an explanatory way, which, however, only increased some very strange sus- en that were growing upon the astonished outh, me For,” reasoned Tom, ‘‘ truth needs little ex- lanation, if any, and this man seems to deem it necessary to cushion all his bare facts—if they are facts, and all of the facts,” 4 “Sail, ho!” _ As this hail from aloft came echoing down to the cabin, the occupants sprung to their feet. Half a minute had hardly elapsed, when Alan stuck bis head into the cabin to an- nounce: ; ‘*An American man-o’-war just showed out o’ the bay, captain!” ; ‘‘How d’ye know she’s an American? How far off is she? Who reported her?” ; ica at a Hint psy please, sir,” calmiy re- ' the unmov ° pe First, I don’t know anythin’ at all about it | —how could I, an’me here all the time? But
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i \. , attempted to raise 14 there’s a lacdie here—one o’ the young Ameri- cans—that sighted her, an’ he says she’s his own vessel—the Hornet! ‘* T Lope she'll fly by ’ithout stingin’ us!” CHAPTER XVIII, THAT BOY IS MY BROTHER, As Alan ceased, Dick entered, followed by the lieutenant of the Sea Queen. ‘* Hornet’s about two miles to leeward, sir! Just rounded the point and bearing down to us,” reported the midshipman—to Sbubrick. Francois nodded confirmation oi this fact to his captain, and the latter looked inquiringly at | the big lieutenant. ‘* No doubt about its being the Hornet?” asked Shubrick. ‘*No, sir. Harry and I were aloft together and knew her as soon as she came into view,” promptly assured Dick, ‘*Very good+keep your eye on her and re- port any dines in her course, instantly!” “Ay, ay, sir!” ‘* You will do the same, Francois!” ordered the Rover, and the lieutenant of the Sea (Queen bowed and withdrew—looking very much aston- ished. ‘And will you oblige me by leaving—” be- gan Saubrick, addressing Tom, but before he could finish, the latter was in the respectful at- titude of a subordinate, saying: ‘*T am under your orders, sir.” ‘*No, no! But I wish to be alone with Cap- tain Rigaud for a few minutes—” Tom bowed and withdrew. Five minutes later, the Rover and Shubrick came on deck, and the former ordered his gig to be lowered and manned. The order was quickly fulfilled, and as soon as the boat wasin readiness, Shubrick stepped into the stern-sbeets and directed its course to cut off the swiftly approacking Hornet, which” hove to as the gig neared it, and the lieutenant ascended to the deck, where his appearance was greeted with a storm of cheers. At the expiration of a half-hour, Shubrick descended to the waiting boat, and a few mia- utes after he stepped on the deck of the Sea neen. ve lt is all right!” he said significantly to the Rover, who bad been calmly pacing the deck, amid the wondering crew. ** A word with you in private, sir,” he continu- ed, and both retired to the cabin. While the captain and lieutenant were below, the Hornet filled her topsails and forged slowly alonggintil she lay between the brigantine and schooner—then the maintopsail was laid to the mast, and she hove to. Tom, Dick and Harry, hanging in the lee rig- ging of the Sea Queen, waved their caps to their comrades aboard the Hornet, and received three hearty cheers in return. The crew could not understand what was going on, but each was confident in the ability of their commander, and as neither had beat to quarters, a spirit of friendliness caused the crew of the Sea Queen to return the cheers from the Hornet, '‘* Bid the loons stop the’r noise, Mr. Francis, said Alan, adding: ‘* Mebbe it’s ropes that ‘ll be stoppin’ the’r throats before the’r’ aweer o’ it.” The first lieutenant of the Sea Queen was ac- customed to the grumbling of the Rover’s confi- dential—and deservedly so—‘‘man,” and paid no attention to the request. It was, in fact, un- necessary, for the captain and Shubrick now returned to the deck and silence reigned supreme until the latter called “‘ his boys” from the rig- ging. Tom obeyed the summons promptly enough— though in a manner which befitted his indepen- daence—but the others raced to see which should first touch the deck, and Dick fell, The dis- | tance was’ short—less tban a dozen feet—and ne had struck on a coil of rope, but when the surgeon, who (like every one else), was on deck, him, a faint cry of pain es- ‘Let me come up all rug, oe if possible. I think there are some ribs broken and there’s a queer pain all down my back.” “Spinal column,” muttered the surgeon, stooping and lifting Dick as tenderly as a mo- ther would her babe. : ‘*Take him to the cabin,” directed the captain, and the injured youth was placed in the state- room lately occupied by Tom, No one had any idea that Dick was seriously injured. His words had been heard ‘ain and Shubrick, and as broken ribs are not segarded as dangero . ly aboard ship— by the cap- | Fighting Jack’s Middies. Tom and Harry were the only ones who followed their comrade below. ‘* Here, you,” said the surgeon to Harry, ‘‘ help me strip him,” ‘‘Nothing but a couple of ribs, efter all,” de- clared the surgeon, in an almost regretfui tone, after examining the injured youth. * “Hello!” he continued, with a start, turning to Tom and pointing to Dick’s shoulder, on which was a plainly-marked horseshoe, “‘ You have the same birth-mark,” ‘* Keep him stripped while I go for the captain and Mr. Sbubrick,” requested Harry, darting out of the room. : ‘What do you want?” asked the captain a minute later, as, followed by the lieutenant and midshipman, he entered the state-room. ‘* 7 wanted to show you this,” said Harry, un- covering Di¢ck’s shoulder and pointing to the birth-mark, Rigau 1 started, passed his hand across his eyes as if to clear his vision, came closer and scru- tinized the birth-mark, and then looked belpless- ly from one to another of those about him. “T say, doctor!” called Dick, ‘‘ Cover me, will you—it’s cold here.” The words broke the spell, and the Rover ex- claimed: ‘*I¢ is wonderful! I cannot understand it!” ** What?” asked Tom in a strangely calm tone. ‘That mark—it is a fac-simile of that one on your shoulder!” was the excited response. “T can. Whoever you may be—that boy is my brother!” CHAPTER XIX. AND LAST, EXCEPT the Rover, no one seemed much sur- prised by Tom’s assertion, The boys ‘stories— as similar as the birth-marks—had prepared those present for something of the kind, ‘* But this boy’s brother was younger while you are older,” objected the excited Rover, ‘* That is the story told by a feeble old man on his death-bed, whose wits were wool-gathering— who could not remember even the name of th boy’s father,” interposed Shubrick. ‘ “Ah! That makes it easier—but there was a one child? Perhaps afterwards—” he Rover was again indulging in his danger- ous habit of thinking aloud, but paused as he met the calm, questioning eye of Tom fixed upon him, , ‘* ft must be so,” he continued, nodding at the latter, ‘‘ your feelings are the best indication of it. Come with me—you, too, Mr: Shubrick.” ‘* Well, Dick, you and Tom are all right now,” said Harry, as the others retired. new you were brothers from the moment I saw that mark on Tom’s shoulder, ‘* And do you know,” he added, ‘‘ I’ve an idea that Forreau knew it, too?” 7 ne what causes you to think that?” ‘* Well, the day you saved his life, some of us noticed the mark when changing your clothes and there was some talk about it which, of course, he heard. The same thin mal Ser when Tom stripped after the Java affair—for he fought all through it soaking wet. Nobody cared to speak of it to you, though several of us noticed it. + Shubrick and Tom now returned, and the former said: ‘Dick, my lad, we are all pretty well satisfied that, notwithstanding the age discrepancy, you and Tom are brothers.” ‘*So am I,” promptly returned Dick, smiling; “Tom, give us your hand—I’ll have to adopt you into the Cooper family.” . Instead of his hand, Tom gave him both arms until Dick shoutéd: “Look out. for my ribs!” “Do you think he would be injured by re- moval?” Shubrick asked of the surgeon, ‘* Not at all—if he is carefully handled,” **Good! Come, Dick, get ready as soon as you can to return to the Hornet. Our trip ashore resulted in something—but not as we ex- pected. That scoundrel, Forreau, betrayed us to the English captain—Maxwell learned of it through an English seaman—so, as there's no use walting any longer, the captain’s going to cruise for other game,” | Leaving the boys to help Dick in dressing, Shubrick went on deck, where ho met the Rover —his gaze fixed on the schooner. Pe about your prisoner?’ asked the liev- nant, * His peer ge will be. the last act in the career of Rigaud, the Rover, We are going to the Retreat, and there will decide how : 8 be Punish . Death in some form awaits him.” ‘* What will you do with the vessel?” **T have spoken to Francois, and we have de- | | cided to turn her intoa privateer. He will offer her to your Government first, however, on con- dition that he is appointed commander.” Sbubrick looked surprised, but made no com- ment, and Rigaud continued: “IT have a letter here, Mr. Sbubrick, which I wish delivered to my—to those young men in case I do not run across you again within a month, You will continue cruising in these waters, I suppose?” ** l'pat is our captain’s intention,” The three boys now came on deck—Dick a lit- | tlepule, but smiling bravely as he was helped into ! the boat, and after a cordial parting with Rigaud, the others followed. In a few minutes the boat was alongside the Hornet and Captain Lawrenca received the absentees warmly. \ All three vessels now got under way—the Hornet, with thaschooner in company, stand- ing northward, while the Sea Queen continued on her course southward, Within a week, Dick was feeling as well as ever, and just in time to distinguish himself ia the capture of the British sloop-of-war Peacock, a vessel of the same force as the Hornet.” Space forbids a description of the engagement, which, though it lasted but fifteen minutes was a very hot one—indeed its short duration proves how hot it must have been tocompel a well- handled, bravely-defended vessel to strike her colors in that time, = Shubrick acted as first lieutenant during the fight—filling the place of Stewart, who was ill, in a style that won the hearts of officers and crew alike, As usual, he escaped unhurt, and his luck in getting into battle was now generally believed to carry with it immunity from injury. Tom, Dick and Harry each did their utmost to surpass the other, and Dick carried off the rize for daring. Time and again his escape from death seemed miraculous, and when the Peacock struck, he was placed on board of her under Lieutenant Conner, Captain Lawrence was only too delighted to have an opportunity of distinguishing his pet, and publicly complimented him. ‘““You have certainly won the right to be placed on the prize,” he said, a little proud him- self of the fact. ; ‘*T understand they christened you Dandy Dick, on the Constitution, but I think the ladsof the Hornet will agree that Daring Dick would be more suitable.” A cheer from the men testified their approval of the captain’s speech, and the boat being in readiness, Dick took his place in the launch with the prize crew. Dick’s adventures for that day, however, were not over, for the prizecrew was not fairly aboard when the Peacock sunk. Many of the English, and several of the Americans, went down with the brig, but the two officers, and most of their men, were saved in the Peacock’s launch, ‘* Well, Dick, I’m sorry—sincerely sorry for those who were lost, but I’m glad to get you ui declared Lawrence, when the middy re- turned. — A week after the capture of the Peacock, the Hornet ran into San Salvador, The time fixed for the delivery of Rigaud’s letter was close at hand, and Shubrick was thinking of it when he saw the Sea Queen ly- ing at anchor just out of the harbor. carcely had the Hornet dropped anchor when a boat from the brigantine came along- side. In it was a beautiful girl of sixteen or thereabouts, sitting beside Captain Rigaud. The latter came on deck, whispered a word to Shubrick; and the latter immediately ordered a whip rigged. Tom, Dick and Harry were on deck when the fist was hoisted aboard, and to the two former igaud introduced her, saying: : “This is your cousin, Marie, She will ac- company you to New York, where I will join or precede you unless the Sea Qaeen has lost her speed,” Tom stared very hard for a minute; Marie , blushed furiously, and Dick looked astonished— though he did not (as his brother dic) recognize in the new-found, beautiful cousin, Master Ar-. mand of the Sea Queen! f - The latter did manage to reach New York with the Hornet, and here Tom and Dick re- ceived from the erstwhile Rover a certificate of. deposit which made both wealthy among the wealthiest, but both stuck to their profession. What! leave the sea, with its opportunities for a career of flor, for a dull life ashore? No such fate for them! _ THE END.
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$ 328 Po ss BREADLE’S* H ALF-DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers. RY OLL COOMES. | 146 Kit Randy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 1638 Kit Bandy in Texas; or, The Young Mustanger. 208 Kit Bandy’s Catch; or, The Boy Hercules. 422 Kit Bandy’sa Right Bower; or, Baby Sam,the Boy Giant 444 Kit Bandy’s Swoop; or, Little Buckskin, tne Centaur. 4°38 Kit Bandy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler. 661 Kit Bandy's Peifverance; or, Banner Bsn. 680 Kit Bandy’s Pred; or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance. 791 kt Bandy Rattledy; or, The Iniant Giant. 795 Kice Bandy in Ked Rainy or, ‘he Young Whirlwind. 799 Kit Bandy’s, Big Rustle; or, Saddle King Sam. S04 Kit. Bandy’s Brigade; or, Dan, the Mountain Guide. $2?% Kid Bandy’s Brigade tn Arizona. 989 hit Bandy’s Star Engagement. 158 Jack Prew, the Nemesis. or, Eagle Kit the Boy Demon. 482 Jack Drew’s Drop; or, Littie Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Prospect Pete. 27 Keen Knife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide 81 Keen-Kaife, the Prince of the Prairies, 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Juw. 18 Che Dumb Spy. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. $1 Delaware Dick, the Young Rancer Spy. 4 Hawk-eve Harry the Young Trapper Rangers 88 Rollo, the Boy Rangers or, The Heiress. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the “4 Rifleman, 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter, 178% Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 218 Tyrer Som, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 8 Little Wildiire, the Young Pratrie Nomad. BS The Parson De tective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disulsed Guide}; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dun, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. , 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy; or, Old Culeb Arbuckle. 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. BS4 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 hereules; vr, Dick, thé Boy Ranger. Al? Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. A457 Wingedfoot Fred ; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarae Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan, 562 Blundering Bastl, the Hermit Boy Trappat. 652. Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, 670 Norway Nels, tle Big Boy Mountatneer. 78 Highland Harry, the Wizard Rifleman. Ler Jack, the Detective Sport. . BY T. J. FLANAGAN. 909 Midshipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher. 925 The ¥ oung Cowboy Captain. _ i 988 The Two Midshipmen; or, The, Corsalr-Chaser’s First Cruise. BY DAN DUNNING. 746 Quiet Jack, the Secret Service Spy. 767 Mae and Jack, the Invincibles; or, The Diabolical Three, 875 Detective Dave's Close Call. 884 Farrel Fox and His Girl Ferret. 898 Farrel Fox’s Sweep-Stakes. BY GEORGE ©. JENKS. 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owney’s« Pledge, 518 The Demon Doctor; or, Deadhold, the Kid Detective. 5S1 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. HPs Flute, the Singer Detective; or, Owney in a New Role, G08 The Pitcher Detective’s Foil; or, Dan’s Double Play, 616 The Ocean Detectives or, The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussle. 786 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side. 79 Lron Hand, the Charmed Detective 854 64 Uncle Sam’s Detective in Chicago. BY WM. G PATTEN, 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport; or, The Jubilee of Jacktown 6&3 Violet Vane’a Victory; or, The Jasper City Clean Out. Violet and Daisy, the Posy Pards. > Violet Vane'’s Vow; or, The Cratty Detective’s Craft. Violet Vane’s Vengennee; or, The Wipe-Out. Y Violet Vane’s Verdict; or, The Game at Coffin City. TAL Violet Vane, the Ventriloguist Vidoeq; or, Sport vs. Sport. THO Violet Vane, the Vanquished, or, The Lite Struggte. 268 Vivlet Vane’s Visions or, The Fiery Hand of Fate. 489 ‘Che Hinmond Sport; or, The Double Face ot bed Rock, 519 Captamu Myster y ; or, Five in One. 581 Daley Ware the Sport trom Denver. SST Vid Hombshell, the Ranger Detective. #604 Tron Fern, the Man of Fire; or, Among the Vultures. AAAS x»eocs Sane 641 Dismal Pave’s Dandy Pardy or, The Clue to Capt. Claw 651 Bound Boy F rank, the Young Amateur Detective 682 Wild Vulean, the Lone-Range Rider, @14 Old Misery the Man from Missouri. W774 Clear-Grit Cal, the Never-Say-Die Detective. 759 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special. 806 Cowboy Steve the Ranch Mascot. 820 Nobby Nat, the Tenderfoot Detective. 886 Sharper Stoke’s Double Deal. 857 Spotter Robin New York. 366 Spotter Bob’s Bowery Racket, . BY COLONEL DELLE SARA. 108 The Lion of the Sea; or, The Valled Lady. 186 Cool Desmond; or, The Gambler's Big Games BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Oats or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Devghter. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 100 Lance and Laseo} or, The Children of the Chaco. 4 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders 1 159 The Lost Captain ; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise, 200 The Boy Bedoulnas; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer the Animal King: er, Round the World, he Tiger Tamer; or, The League of the Jungle. ; ack Nick, the Demon Rider. California Joe’s War Trail. «BY OAPT. J. F. ©, ADAMS. - eater Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. ret br < ant of the West. 1, the Boy Tra) s od Nick Whi os ets ory ft The aan eit pent eo te uz or, The Scovt o' eilowstone, $0 old Zigre g Anton: The Greeuhorn in the Woods. ge Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. & Buck Bueckram j or; Bess, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly avd Wis Pets; or, The Wild Huntress, 251 Light-houae Liges or, Osceola, the Firebrand. 257 ‘The Lost Hunters; or, The Underground Camp, 288 The Sealp King ; or, Th 4 54 56 ¢ Human Thunderpolt, 5 ee © ia 15, ee, 619 The Boy Tramp Detective: or, The Double Grip Witness BY T. Cc. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o the Night; or, The Boy Spy of 76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littl: Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Ine Forest Captains, 64 Day iy Jack 3 or, The Ontiaws of the Oregon Trait. S2 Kit 4nrefoot, the Wood-Hawk; cr, Old Powder-face 94 Midnight Jack; or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Froaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Oharley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch Jr.3 or, The Bey Vigilante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Spert; or, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tom; or, fain Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy; or, The Mad Hunter. 198 Arkansaw 3 or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullets or, Little Topknot’s Crasade. 281 Plucky Phils or, Rot, the Re Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tie Koughs of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apoli: » we King-Pin of Bowle. 267 The Buckskin Detective: or, The King of Road-agents. 279 Old Winch 3 or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite Dany or, The Bowie Blade of Cochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 Glad Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Parda; or, The Terror of Take-Notice, 886 Ble Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Ked Thunderholt’s Secret. BSE Cool Sam nnd Par’: or The Terrible Six, 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. B86 Captain Cutlases: or, i he Brccaneer’s Girl Foe, 896 Rough Rob; or, The (win Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Stiken Lasso: or, The Rose c Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox. the Boy Spotter; or, The Gold Gang of New York. 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. é 486 Phil Flaeh, the New York Fox; or, The Mystery of Room 21, 445 The City Vamptresy; or, Ked Rolfe’s Piyewn. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, . 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ren, the Night ferret. 512 Dodger Pick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. 521 Dodger nicks B est Dodge; or, The Gotham Gold Gang, 528 Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows. 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocg; or, The Gang of Three, 678 The Twe Shadows: or, Dodger Dick’s Stop Game, 582 Dodger Dick’s Prop: or, The Man from Jersey, 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Shorp on Guard. 626 The Champton Parda: or, The Luciler of Silver Bar, 687 Bick Donn, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. O71 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower, 685 Happy Hugi, the Boy Musician Detective. ZOL Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 215 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret, ' FBX Dalay Dell, the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Game, Z42 Billy Winka, the Rell Boy Detective. W54 Pony, Winks, the Poss Bov Shadow. Z68 Engle Ned, the Boy on Guaril; or, Tue Camp Spiders, 780 Tonkaway Tom, the Red Wizard S27 The Bantam Sport. S48 Clip, the Rattery Ferret 3 01, oack weutrs Foul Play S97 Davy Doon'’s Big Bounce. 905 Dandy Nugyet, the Bo~ Shadow. 921 The Boy trom Denver. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 WI! Somers, the Boy Detective, 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. : 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detectives 180 Betective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Mandsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 WIll Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. 152 Black Bess, Will Wildfire’s Kucer. 157 Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. 162 Will Wildfire tn the Woods. 185 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 170 A Tromp Card ¢ or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses 1 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. iz Rob Rockett, the Bank Runner. 188 The Hidden Hand ¢ or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; ors The Smugglers, 189 Rob Rockett: or. Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Pan, the Tiger King, 213 Pashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanusr3; or. The Rinck Sheep of the Flock. 25 Sam Oharcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two “Bloods”: or, Shenandoah Rill and His Gang, 252 Dick Dashawnay ¢ or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago, 262 The Young Sharpa?: o:. Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jims the Detective Apprentice. 2R9 Jolly Jims Jobs or, The Young Detective.’ 298 The Water-tlound: or, The Young Thorougtored, 805 Dashaway, of Daketas or, A Western Lad in Quaker City. 824 Ralph Keady, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Roy of the Times. 408 Firetly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger} or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invinetble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. iy Brick, the Jolly Vazabond, 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Padge : or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty, 488 Wild Dick Racket; or, How He Fought for Honor, 501 Roots, the Roy Fireman: or, Teo Sharp for the Sharper, 66 The Secret = eryice Boy Detective. £98 Jimmy the Kid: or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkanass: or, The Wolf in the Fold, 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 6 Rob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. The Curbstone Detective: or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat, Th? Neteetive Frank’s Sweep-stakes, 869 Ned Norman, the Gamin Broker. 881 Turkey Billy, the Shine-’em-up Detective, 917 Flash Lightning, the Mountain Mascot. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. ‘ 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper oe Ruck of Angels and His Boy Pard, ew York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. ° 458 New England Nick: or, The Fortunes of a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 98 Taos Ted, tae Arizonn Sport. S10 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective. 618 Cool Colorado in New York: or, The Cowboy*s Figh.t BY OAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR ©. 8, A, 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo BLUl's Bets or, The Gambler Guide. ~ 879 Larry, the Levellers or, The Bloods of the Boulevard,, | BY J. W. OSBON,. 469 The Iival Glants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck. 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner, or, The Man Without a Past, 609 Bolly Dorrit, the \eteran Detective. 620 Little Lightning’s League; or, The Mystery of tne Island 688 Plaecky Paul, =o Boy Prospector, 751 Gold-Bust Dan, the Trail Patrol. C55 Gold Dust Dan’s Cath: or, Reckless Roy, the Regulator 928 Gold-Dust Dan’s Snap-Shot. BY JOSEPH E£. BADGER, JR, 2 Yellowstone Juck; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Murriecane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam ¢ or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-luwk Kit; or, The Dangbter of the Ranch, 144 Patinty Lence the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue, 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Koy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist 3; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Wooda: or. Daniel Boone’s Last Trail. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer. 677 Chineapin Dan’s Second Trail. 688 Chinecapin Dan’a Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, tie Man Without a Head. 70S Light-Ueart Lute’« Legacy. 718 Light-Meart Lute’s Last Trall. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone. 72 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay, 789 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beagle’s Trail. 748 Silverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard BY C., DUNNING CLARE. 185 Captain Panl; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. 280 Tho Yankee Rajah} or, The Fate of the Black Shereef, BY LIEUT. i. D. PERRY, U. 8, N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay. 180 The Sea Trailer: or, A Yow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point. BY JACK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy; or, The Witch of the Fort, 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The. Boy Shipper. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 7& Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chiefs Vengeance. {87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil’s Island. 187 The Helpless Hand; or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-seeker Guide? or, The Lost Mountain. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG. SP Island Jim; or. The Pet of the Family. 91 The Captain of the Club; or. The Rival Athletes, 101 Jack Harkaway in New York. : MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS. 4 The Wild-lorse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid and Frederick Whittaker. { 9 Adventures of Baron Munchansen. * 12 QGulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 46 Aladding or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe. (27 Tlustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyager. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe, By Juan Lewis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees, By 8, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clowns or, The Arena Queen. By Ff 8, Finn. BS Ned Wyle, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Roy Itifes: or. The Underground Camp. By A. C.Trona. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippt * By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or,The Merry Men of Green* wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve, 106 Old Rube: the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Uunter: or, 'beCave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy. the Texans or, The Young Champion. By, George erson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Strongheld. By Harry Cavendieh. 148 Sharp Sam: or, The Adventures ora Friendless Boy. By J.° Alexander Patten. j 227 Dueky Parrel, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By pth og +k ml . e. ita 261 Fergus Fenrvaught the New Y srk Boy. s on. 266 Killb’ar. the Guide: »r, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail By Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Red Olaw. the One-Eved Trapper; or, The Maid ot the Cliff. By Captain Comstock. B17 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad feom Leadville. By Lieu- tenant Alfred Thorne. 828 The Sky Detective 3} or, A Boy’s Fight for Lifeand Honor, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother’s Re- venge. By Ned Buntline. . 865 Raltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective. By A. P. Morris. B74 Gold-Duat Tom: or, Ben’s Double Match, 876 Oailfernia Joe’s First Trafl. By Colonel Thomas over Monastery. ‘ 418 Billy Rombahcll, the CH# Climber. By F. S. Winthrop. 475 The Black Ship. By John S Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles. By Henrv J. Thomas. ‘ 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. G52 Ariel the Athlete. By David Droid. BRS Wl Waters, the Bov Ferret. By 4. Erton. 682 The Dead chen hip Trouble. By Gerald Carlton. 721 Mavertek Mose, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pass, By Will Lisenbee, 809 Don Danton, the Gent from Denver. By King Keene, of thee _. U.S. Secret Service Corns. 814 Ace Nigh, the Frisco Detective. By C. E.. Tripp. 880 The Grim Lodrers in Rag Alley$ Citizen Rube of Number Seven. By Ben D, Halliday. 881 The Chichro Prummer’s Peal. By J.G. Bethure. 841 eines Charlie, the Cat’s- Paw Sport. Fy Marm nke vy 861 Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. By Chas. F. Welles 879 Blue-Heht BIL}, the Sapphire Sport; or, The Denver Deteoe tive’s Lone Hand. By King Keene. A New Iasue Every Tuesdey. ‘ * y ry is for sal 1] Newsd: eestite oor meet ee malt ch rospe ote canisaacns OT BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, ” ' 98 William Street, New York, G H, Morses' fon eee
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BY EPWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novela. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. m 20 Deadwood Dick’s Detiance; or, Double Daggers. | 2 penaweee. _ = Riearet ses, or, Buffad » Ben. ead woo e a « Castle, 42 Deadwood Dick's Be Ae o«, The Phantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll, 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Veck; or, Calamity é me, the Heroine mn. ae aber ee meu Per or, Corduroy Charlie. alwoo ek in Leady{lle, 508 poaeweos hed eh ee) - The Double Cross Sign. ead wo ck aa Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick's Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Ease; or, Blonde Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick's Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, 195 Deadwood Dick's Dreamy or, The Rivals of the Road. 201 Deadwood Diek’s Ward; or, The Black Hill's Jezebel. ae poaaweed tere ee t Ra rane Jane’s Adventure, ead woo ck’a Dea cal, 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Ronghs and Toughs, oon Bene weed ent abo ari oe Spirit of Swamp Lake. eadwoo ek’a Death Tra B09 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. B2L Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats 847 Deadwood Dick’a Ducate; or, Days in the Diggings. 4 penaweed i Peg pm sone ly or, Tne Terrible Vendetta, > ead woo ek’s Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds. 421 Deadwood Dick tn New Yorks or, A “ Cute Case,” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. Gea Penaveek Wick, Ave Meapnen. et ead woo © Fe eflance, 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr2« Full Hand, | 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Bir Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick Jr.’* Racket at Claim 10, 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’« Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. Gui pecan ted Bit! tra tn Beadeeed 4 CK. rey I” e wo . 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick Jr.'s, Inheritance, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jroa I nga. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Deliverance, 515 Deadwood Dick Jr.'s Protegee. oe coe Feber oe 17s ance Dneke. , end wood ck, dr.’s, Danger Due eee pene weed eee gre't Higath Hunt. ead woo ek, Jr, in Texas, 5 £4 Deadwood Dilek, Jee, the Wild Went Vidoog eandwooa Dick, dr., on Mis Nettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, dr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston, 567 Deadwood Dick, dr., In Philadelphia. 572 Deadwood Dick, Jdr., in Chicago, 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. 584 Deadwooe Dick. vr.. In Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick. dr.’s, Deerce. aha Bons eae? iM My dr. ase phere ie mee end w ovr ¢ r., at Cone sland, 606 Deadwood Dick. 5 Leadville Lay. €12 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Ctncinuntl, 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada, 630 Deadwood Dick, dr., tf 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer. G42 Dead wood 645 Deadwood Dick, Ira, Chase Across the Continent $68 feed sect Bist: ra tear see guna pad iv ‘., dr. ” mee C . 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Tack In the Mines, 672 Deadwood Dick, dr., ta Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” Shi calvces Wickiawaceenne A 7 ok, Sri’. c. 690 Deadwood Bick, Jr.’s. Dollars. } 695 Deadwood Vick. Jr., at Danger Divide, T00 Deadwood Hick, Ir.%, Drop. TOA Deadwood Pick, Jr., nt Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick Jr., tn San Francisco 716 Deadwood Pick, Jra_ Still Wunt. 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Dominoes. 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Disguiac. 734 Deadwood Bick. Jr,’4, Double Beal, . %T40 Deadwood Hick Jr.’s, Deathwatch. 747 Deadwood Pick, dr.’s, loublet. eat @52 Deadwood Vick, Jr.’*, Deathblow. ZH5S Deadwood Pick, 1 r.’s, Reaperate Strait, . 764 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Lone Hand, Z70 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Detenat. Dendwood Dick, drs, Resurrection, TS2 Deadwood Dick. Jr’s Dark Days. TST Deadwood Dick Jr., Defied, Z92 Deadwood Dick, Jr.%*, Double Device. 797 Deudwood Dick, Jr’.«, Desperate Venture.) 802 Deadwood Pick, drvs, Diamond Dice, 07 Deadwood Dick grit Royal Flush, 12 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ Mead-off. 816 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. 822 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Boom. S28 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s. Scoop, $84 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Proxy, $40 Deadwood Vick, Jr’s, Clutch. 845 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’m, High Horse. 852 Deadwood Dick Jr. Devils Gulch, 858 Deadwood Dick, Jr.s, Peath-Hole Hustle. "868 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’« Bombshell S70 Deadwood Dick, dr., In Mexico, 876 Deadwood Dick, Jr’a Decoy Duck. 882 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Silver Pocket. S91L Deadwood Dick. dr.’s, Dead-Sure Gume, S98 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Double Drive. 904 Dendwood Mck, Jr’«, Trade-Mark, 910 Deadwood Dick, Iris at Bebe hh 916 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Double-Decker. | 928 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Dollarville. 4 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. at Flush Flata, 940 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Bhake-wp. 946 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Double Drop, 951 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Right Bower, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Ten-Rtrike. 965 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Gold-Dust. } BY WILLIA'’ R. EYSTER, 818 The Hustler Rogue-Catcher. 888 Poker Pete’s Double re, 51 The Tle-To Sport; or, High Hustling at Sinners’ Flat, 88 Monte Saul, the 8 rt. 901 Diamond Da ve, the Gllt-Edge Shooter, Crack-Shot Datay’s Drop, Bd 981 The Pears in Velvet; or, Big Burk’s Bluff. 945 Billy sird’s Bonanza: or, The Rook-Ravona’ Root-Out. 962 Flip Flap Fred at Hard Pan ‘ Pe ——= : ee BEADLE'S: H ALF- DIME* | IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Rosebud Kob on Mand; or, Idy), the Girl Miner. 88 Rosebud Keb’s rie or ogra or, Photograph Phil. 121 Rosebud Reb’s Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip. 277 Denver Doll, the Detwwctive Queen; or, The Yankee’s Surround 281 Denver Doll's Victory; or, Skull and Crossbones. 255 Denver Doll's Decoy 3 or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or. The Road Queen. 865 J reka din, the Goid-Gatherers or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jdim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up. ; 885 Yreka Jim's doker3 or, The Rivals of Red Nese, 889 Yreka dim’s New Fele; or, Bicycle Ben. 694 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dom, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Front or, The Ventriloquist Hunter 244 Sicrra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion. 248 Sierra Sams Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints. 258 Sterra Sum’s Pard; or, The Ange! ot Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. 684 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’ Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out, SY Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 69 The Boy Detecttve}; or, Guild Kifle, the Sharpehooter. 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Aribe and Angels, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 226 The Arab Detective ¢ or, Shoozer, the Boy Sharp. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 825 Kelley, Mickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 Wigh Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Sam Slabsides, the F r-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 2> Bonanza Bill, Miner: or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 88 Bossa Bob the King of Bootblacks, 41 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows, 77 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scampa. 181 Wild Frank the Bockskin Bravo; or. Lady Lily’s Love. 286 Apollo BI, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley, 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. B80 Little Qu'ck-Shot 3 or, Vhe Dead Face of Daggersville, 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. 878 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. B82 Cool Kit, the Kirg of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance. 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance? 426 Senlakin Sam, the Sparkier: or The Tribunal of Ten, 918 Kit Ketth, t e Reve ueSpotter, 922 Sol Sharpe, the New_York Night-Hawk, 9438 Old Dayseed Among Punco Men. BY J ©. COWDRIOK, 490 Rrondway Blily,. the Bootblack Brave. 614 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Clearing a Strange Case 5386 Kreadway Billy's _‘ Diitkilty.” 65ST Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 579 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. 605 Broadway Biilys or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning, 628 Broadway Billy’s ead Act; or, The League of Seven. 669 Brondway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco, 675 Broadway Billy’s Vest; or, Beating Sau Francisco's Finest. 687 Brondway Billy th Clover. 4 696 Brondway Billy tn Texas; or, The River Rustlers, 708 Broadway Bully’s Brand. : Til Broadway Billy at Sautn Fes or, The Clever Deal, 720 Broadway BUuly’s ull Hand: or, The Gamin Detective, 785 Broadway Billy’s Business. : 758 Broadway Billy’s Curlous Case. 758 Broadway Billy in Denver. 762 Broadway Billy's Vargain;s or, The Three Detective. 769 Brondway Billy, the Retriever Detective. %75 Broadway Billy’« Shadow Chase. 788 Broadway Billy’s Beagles: or, The Trio’s Quest. 786 Broadway Billy's Team: or, The Combine’s Big Pull. a4 4 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Dead Alive, 796 Broadway, Billy’« Queer Bequest. 800 Broadway Billy Uafled. : 805 Brondway Rilly’s Signal Seoop. S810 Broadway Elily’s Wipe Ont. 815 Broadway Billy’ Bank Racket. 821 Broadway Billy’s Blof. $26 Brondway Billy Avene Jersey Thuga: 888 Broadway Billy’s Raid. 889 Broadway Billy's Big Room. 844 Broadway Billy’s Big Bulge. 849 Broadway Billy’« #100,000 Snap. — 856 Broadway Pilly’s BMnd; or, The Bootblack Stowaway. 862 Broadway Billy tn London. 868 Broadway Billy Shadows London Slums. 874 Broadway Billy's French Game. 880 broadway Billy_and the Bomb-Throwera. 860 silver-Mask, ry Man ot Mystery; or, The Golden Keys, 869 Shasta, the Gold King; or, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424A Oibuta Jonns or, Red-Hot Tumes at Ante Bar. 439 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the et Dude. 506 Redlight Ralph. the Prince of the Road. 524 The Engineer Petective: or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. é 571 Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Double Case 592 Phe Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. 615 Fighting Marry the Chief of Chained Cyclone, 640 Bareback Heth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Tynewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan the * Pizenest’’ Man of Ante Baz, 887 Battery Bob. the Dock Detective. S94 Arizona Dick's VW ipe-Out. ra 900 Jumping Jack’s Jubilee. ’ 906 Satety Sam, the Se etn ae 912 Train Boy Trist’s Wot Mustle, 918 The Trump ase, 924 Big Boots Bob, the Fire-Laddte. 980 Kuatler Ralph, the Roy Spotter. 985 The Ex-Newshoy Petective’s Chum, 941 The Bowling Green Petective’s Drop. 944 Cowboy Charlite’s Double. 947 The Bowery W restler; or, The Butcher-Boy’s Backer. 958 Paddy’s Trump Card; Or, Silver Sallie, the Girl Sport. 960 The Broadway Sports or, Flyer Fred’s Clear Case. _ BY WAROLD PAYNE. 848 Dan, the River Sport: or. Foiling the Friseo Sharp, Te ETS cate Bowery Bo ¢ Enat-s co 952 The Circus Detective. as BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. 964 Ruffalo Bill's Decoy 5 or, The Arizona Crack Shot. ! 95s BuffalojBill’s Mazeppa-Chase, ¥48 Buffalo BILi's Snap-Shot; or, Wild Kid's Texan Tally 942 Bulfalo Bill's Tough Tuasle. 936 Buffalo Bills Boy Maseot; or, Joe Jarvis’ Hold-up. 929 Buffalo Bill's Crack-shot Pard. 650 Buffalo Bill's Boy Pard; or, Butterfly Billy. 216 Kison BIL), the Prince of the Reins. 222 Bison BIill’s Clue: or. Grit, the Bravo Sport. a BY BUFFALO BILL. 8 Kanaas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy. or, The Pilet of the Prairie’ 3 55 jeadly-Kye. the Unknown Scout; or, The Banded Brotherhood ‘ 68 Border Robin Mood; or, The Prairie Rover, J 158 Faney Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, ; BY CAPT, ALFRED B, TAYLOR, U. 5. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo BIl’s Bet: or. The Gambler Guide, ; BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 982 New York Nat’s Drop: or, Ex-Ferret Sykes’ Bold Game, 926 New Work Nat and the ‘lraitor Ferret. 920 New York Nat Trapped. — 914 New York Nat’s Three of a Kind. 908 New York Nat’s Double. 902 New York Nat’s in Colorado. 896 New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp. S89 New York Nat’s Deadly Heal, 888 New York Nat’s Crook-Chase. * S77 New York Nat’s Trump Card, m 87t New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls. 865 New York Navas Masked Mascot. 859 New York Nat, the Gamin Detective. 858 Dick Doow’a Kidnapper Knock-Out. 847 Dick Doom’s Ten trike. 842 Dick Doom’s Flush Hand. 772 Vick Doom'’s Benth-@rip; or, The Detective by Destiny, T77 Dick Doom’s kegpwogs or, The River Blackleg’s Terror. 784 Dick Doom: or, ! be Sharpe and Sharks of New York, 788 Dick Doom In. Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks. 798 Dick Doom tn Chicago. 798 Dick Doom tn the Wild West. 808 Dick Doom’s Clenn Sweep; or, Five Links ina Clue, I 808 Dick Doom’s Veath Clue. ; 818 Dick Doom’s Piamond Deal, 819 Dick Doom’s Girl Maacot. 829 Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. 885 Dick Doom’s Big Heul. 749 Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trai}. 756 Dashing Charlie’« Destiny: or, The Renegade’s Captive, 760 Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard. T66 Dashing Charlie, the Reecuer. 497 Buck Taylors King of the Cowboys. ] 7Bz Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. i 748 Buck Taylor's Boyn; «r, The Red Ridersot the Rio Grande, 560 Pawnee Bul, the Prairie Shadower. 718 Pawnee Bill; or, Carl, the Mad Cowboy. 719 Pawnee Bill's Pledge; or, The Cowboy's Doom. 25 Pawnee Rill; or, Daring Dick. 692 Redfern’s Curtoua Case: o1, The Rival Sharps, 697 kedtern at We vil’s Raneh or, The Sharp from Texas, 702 Redfern’s High Hand; er, Blue Jacket. 707 Redfern’s Last Trail: or, The Red Sombrero Rangers. And Fifty Others. ae BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMB. 589 Tom-Cat and Pardy or, The Dead Set at Sliver City. 622 Tom-Cat’a Triad; or, The Affuir at Tombstone, 681 Tom Cat’a Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective, 688 Tom-Cat’s Triu suph or, Black Dan’s Great Combine. q 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike , 568 The Dandy of Dodge: or, Rustling fer Millions. 576 The Silver Sport; or, Josh Peppermints Jubilee. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man Wit) a Shadow 601 Happy Hana, the Datch Videcq: or, Hot Timesat Round-Up 611 Bil sf Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 4 646 Cowhoy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jereminhs the Plains Detective. 676 Sienal Sam, the Lockout Scout, 689 Billy, the Gypsy Spyt_or, The Mystery of Two Lives. 699 Rimple Stim, the Rronchio Buster: or, For Big Stakes. 712 The Meamertat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mvstanger Detective. 778 The Rustler of Rolling Stone, 785 Lone Wand Joe, the Committee of One. 801 Kent Kirby, the Migh-Kicker from Killbuck. 88% The Doctor Detective in Texan, ; “To 872 Two Showmen J etectives in Colorado, Ja 987 The Texan Firebrand: or, Brazos Billy’s Snap.Shot. ; j 961 The Tramp’s Trump-Trick. qin BY T. J. FLANAGAN. poe Midthipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher. oung Cowboy Captain, 9838 The Two Midshipmen gon The Corsair-Chaser’s First Critise. j 949 The Three Lieutenants! 959 The Mascot Middy : or. The Four Commanders, 966 Fighting Jack Shubrick. LATEST ISSUES. Al 972 Fighting Jack's Midéiess or, Dandy Dick’s Dash, By z T. J. Flanagan. 4 978 Bantam Billy, the Corker-Ferret; or. Dunk Duncan’s ~ y a Double Drop. By J. C. Cowdrick. ; : NEW ISSUES. 967 #1000 Reward; or, The Rival Reporters’ Sleek Scoop. By J. C, Cowdaick. yy 968 Buffalo Bill's Rush Rides or, Sure-Shot, the High-Flyer, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ' .y 969 The Girl Sport-Shadower3 ot, Clark's Close Shave, By Wm. RK. Eyster. : ie - 970 Ahoy Abe, the Dock Sharp: or, The Parson Sport's, Mys hy ' . Bae terious Mission... By Jo Pierce. i ‘% : 9TL Deadwood Dick, Sr.’s, Oath; or, The Clown of P ine lad Cump. Py Edward L. Wheeler. ve | Py A New lesue Every Tuesday. ve : ia The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealets,five =| eonts per copy, or sent by mail on receipt ot six cents each. ey ' ‘BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, ; 98 William Street, New York, ‘ ke ey ie A ti - .