Beadle's New York Dime Library (no. 1075) (1903 08)
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eS —— ‘\ \\ N —~ a Se AY . Aveust, 1903. } » OopyYRIGHT, 1884, py BeapLe & ADAMS. eG 04 OWE GE oe ob Fao en Wuic tes c uubaetaONd > Kewl WEE nate 6 ta nteeIs M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers, Published Every ale 10 Cents a Copy. Vol 1 XXXY No. 1075. Month. hag tir} sigh ngs v4 b $1.00 a Year. 7 ® . THE SEA OWL; or, The Lady Captain of the Gulf. A Romance of Piracy on the American Coast, and a Companion Story to “The Pirate Priest,” and “Cutlass and Cross.” BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, @UTHOR OF “MERLE, THE MUTINEER,” “ MONTEZUMA, THE MERCILESS,” ‘FREELANCE, THE BUCCANEER,” “ WILD BILL, THE PISTOL DEAD sHO?,* ‘“WILD BILL’S GOLD TRAIL,” ETC., ETC. THEN IN THE LADY CAPTAIN'S RINGING VOICE CAME THE WORDS: “DROP THAT HATCH, MUTINEFRS, AND BACK TO THE FORECASTLE, * FOR I HAVE OPENED THE TRAP IN THE CABIN AND WILL HURL THIS LAMP INTO THE POWDEF-MAGAZINE!”
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ia as The Sea Owl; The Lady Captain of the Gulf, A Romance of Piracy on the American Coast, and a Companion Story to “ The Pirate Priest,’ and ‘‘ Cutlass and Cross.” BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ MERLE, THE MUTINEER,” ‘‘ MONTE- ZUMA, THE MERCILESS,” ETC., ETC, CHAPTER I. BRANDED BY HIS OWN HAND. A MAN sat alone in the cabin of a small lug- er, . It was night, and the cabin lamplight fell full upon him, revealing a form of superb physical beauty and grace, combined with strength and a face that was full of expression and wer. Each feature seemed perfect, and no one would have said that he was otherwise than a very handsome man, and only the closest reader of human nature would have detected evil and treachery beneath the mask of noble manhood which he wore. He was dressed in the garb of a common sea- man, yet looked the officer beneath a dis- ise. The vessel’s cabin was handsomely fitted up, with many articles of luxury, comfort and beauty upon every hand, and, but for the war- like weapons here and there visible, might have been mistaken for a lady’s boudoir aboard ship. -, Persian rugs, easy divans and other furniture, no two pieces alike, were visible here and there, while crossed cutlasses, pistols, dag- gers and a stack of arms occupied positions where they could be readily grasped in time of eed, “Well, I am tired of being cooped up here in this smuggler craft when, now that the die is cast and am branded by my own Hand an out- law, I can daringly raise the black flag and skim the seas as a pirate. “The beautiful Rita is a charming compan- ion, and does all she can to make my time pass leasantly until her father’s return; but I feel, or all that, that Iam little more than a pris- oner, and I long for the coming of the smuggler captley when this hiding away in a_lagoon will end, ‘Once I tread the deck of a gallant craft, I will begin my revenge against Bradford Carr— the man who, as my rival, pa brought me to what I now am—and I shall Jower the rag head of the bere: & beauty, Maud Brandt, by making her a pirate’s bride. ‘Ha! hal what a sweet revenge will be mine once I raise the black ot Synch my decks, and I will be even happy in the carrying out of my lans to strike at my rival and my love— Ah! ita, you are welcome, for my thoughts are mood to-night.” And the man tnrned bis "gaze upon one who just then descended the companionway and en- tered the cabin, The one who entered was a maiden, whose yore had perhaps reached twenty, and whose ace was more attractive by its brilliant eyes ' and fearlessness, than through its beauty. Stil) it ..as,a countenance to command re- 2) spect, to win idolatrous love from men, and yet ‘e ane fear of giving her reason for anger or atred, | ‘ - Her voice was low and winning, yet full of strength did she care to raise it to a higher key, her form was rounded and graceful and_ her manner fascinating, while she seemed to a refinement that looked out of place on a lug- ger, which the man’s remarks had given the idea was an outlaw craft. : “* My spy reports a vessel in the offing, head- ig in-shore, Mr. Keys, and it must my be father with your craft,” said the maitien, and her tone and look was one of regret. “Ha! I grant that it be, for 1 long to be away,” he cried, and then seeing a look of pain flash over her fece at his words, he added, ten- rly: “Not that Iam anxious to leave your sweet companionship, Rita, but Llong to bury thought in busy action, and to get a chance to strike at my foes,” * You are revengeful,” she said, calmly. ‘Yes, I am toward those who have brought ruin upon me,” he answered fiercely. ° ““Was the brand of outlawry upon yop not placed there by your own hand, Mr, Keys?’ came the q' on, He started at her words and gazed fixedly into vm be gi eyes, while an angry flush passed over 8s face. - But checking any anger he might have felt, j desaid, in a cool way: , ré “You shall know just why I was forced to ‘a brand myself aCain and an outlaw, aud also why I now thirst to hoist the ee a son a omy “You are aware that I am ; ‘she hard padre, The Sea Owl. wealthy planter upon the Mississippi river, but you are not aware that my love of cards caused me to draw so heavily upon my father, to pay my debts, that I was foiced to seek some heiress to form an alliance with to cancel the indebted- ness, “That heiress I found in Miss Maud Brandt, whose plantation home is some leagues from here on these shores. “IT met her at the Blue Anchor Inn, the old Spanish mansion, which, once the haunt of pirates, was turned into a summer resort by an enterprising Yankee, whose guests are the aris- tocratic people of this coast country.” ‘*f know the place well and the people’ who frequent it, for many of the ladies wear jewels and laces which my father bas smuggled,” was the cool reply. : “Doubtless, sweet Rita; but to my story: “At the Blue Anchor Inn I met the lovely heiress, Maud Brandt, and she is the richest lady in the South, and the most beautiful I ever looked upon, ‘“She was engaged, however, to Soule Ra- velle, a young planter of great wealth whom ce knew, for the two had been pledged in childhood; but for this I did not care. ** At the home of her father, Colonel Brandt, wasa young .Marylander, the. tutor of Maud’s boy-brother, Irving, and I could see that she loved the tutor, as he did her, ‘But neither did I care for that, and began my plot, with the aid of a friend, Chester Granger, who was my slave because he owed me money. J laid a plot into which I led both Ravelle and the tutor, whose name was Bradford Carr. ‘““T wished to get rid of Ravelie, for he was engaged to Maud, had made his will in her favor, as I knew, and I owed him largely. ‘I wished to get rid of the tutor because the heiress loved him, and he was a dangerous man, as I had reason to know. ‘* Well, my plot. was successful, for Ravelle was killed, and Bradford Carr was accused of his murder, tried and sentenced.” ‘* Yes, I heard of the whole affair,” said Rita, in the same soft tone in which she bad before spoken, “But Bradford Carr escapad, through the aid | of Palafox the Pirate I believe; and the vessel which he took passage on was captured by Bern- ardo the Buccaneer, and all on board put to death except several priests, one of whom had been killed, and the tutor, assuming his robes, was spared, but taken on the outlaw craft as chap- lain—some old witch having told Bernardo that he must, have a padre on his ship to meet with success, ‘*T have heard this, and that the pupcouse Mr, Carr, won the crew over, seized the vessel, and thus became known as the Pirate Priest, thongh he in reality used his vessel to hunt down nee of remarked the maiden, who listened with the deepest attention, ‘*Oh, yes: the man kad been educated for the riesthood, and was a student, I believe, in altimore, when he saved the life of Colonel Brandt, who brought him South with him. ‘* He scoured the seas oa Pirate Priest, how- ever, and, to do him justice, is a thorough sea- man and a brave man; bat my old friend, Chester Granger, who had also turned pirate attempted to capture the padre buccaneer, bu got caught, turned State’s evidence against me, and I was thrown into jail, tried for the mur- der of Ravelle, found guilty, and sentenced to die on the gallows, **As I told you and your father, Rita, the night that you dragged me from the waves into your skiff when I was drowning, I esca: by killing the negro keeper and wounding the jail- er; and here I am, awaiting the return of your father, who will bring mea vessel in which I can make a fortune on the high seas, and at owe same time reap revenge upon Bradford Ly ame ‘* And Miss Brandt?” asked Rita, in a voice hardly audible, “ Oh! I shall lower ber proud head; by mak- ing her my bride, after all.”. “That will be my sweetest revenge,” and the man’s face became almost devilish in its look of malignant joy at the thought. Rita sighed, bit her full red lips almost viciously, and rising, said quickly: “*T will see if there is any other news about the sail in the offing, for I sent the man back to the mouth of the lagoon.” +» “Ah, yes! and I pray thatit be your father with my vessel,” answered Barton Keys, the fugitive from justice, and self-conf tmur- derer, rising and following her to the deck. Upon reaching the deck all was dark and dis- mal about them, excepting the stars above, re- flecting their sparkle in the waters below. The lugger, a trim-looking craft, lay’at an- chor in the middle of a small basin, walled around with cypress trees, whose branches were festooned with the gray moss common to the Gulf shores. . Out of the basin led innumerable bayous, or lagoons, which formed a network for leagues, and through some of them» vessels could be towed, by a roundabout course back to the ses All was stillness there on the lugger, but the splash of the alligator and the sbriek of a night- bird were heard shoreward. The basin was as smooth as a mill-pond, not aripple disturbing its surface, thougi®a good breeze fanned the tree-tops. ; As the man and maiden stood looking out over the dark scene, toward the bayou that led to the Gulf, a boat suddenly came in sight. Tt wasa small skiff and held a single occu- pant. : ** Ho the skiff!” cried the maiden, raising her soft voice to a bigh and stern pitch one would not have believed it capable of. **The Sea Owl’s Spy,” came the answer from the occupant of the skiff, and a moment after the man clambered over the high sides of the lugger and stood before Rita, the smuggler’s daughter, CHAPTER IL. THE PIRATE'S PL@T. ‘ THE man who confronted Rita on the lugger’s deck was a tall, lithe fellow, attired in sailor costume, ‘ ‘Well, Leon, what of the vessel in the off- ing?” asked the maiden. “ft was the schooner of Palafox the Pirate, senorita,” answered the man, speaking with @ Spanisb accent. The light from the cabin falling upon the faces of Rita and Barton Keys, showed a look of ju come upon that of the maiden, while the fugi- tive from justice frowned and bit his lips. “Then it was not my father returning, as Mrz Keys had hoped!” ; “ ‘* No, senorita, and it may be weeks yet, be- fore the Sea Owl returns,” answered the sea- man. “True, and I will improve the time, lady, if you will be good enough toaid me,” said Barton eys. *T will do all in my power, senor, to aid my father’s guest,” was the rr: “Thank you, and I will need the lugger and the assistance of a few good men, while, know- ing. good Leon here, as I do, I will ask him to serve me well and his reward shall be ample.” “I am at the service of the senor, if such is the will of my captain’s daughter,” responded on. “Tt is my will that os do as the Senor Keys desires, and as he wishes the services of more men, Leon, you had better start at once for the rendezvous of the other lugger.”” “There is no hurry, senorita, for the men; but I bein 2 Leon to ~ ‘a small sail-skiff ready with provisions for a day or so, and be ready to accompany me*along the coast to-morrow at awn. - Rita started at his words and asked quickly: ‘* Where would you go, senor?” ; ‘To the Brandt Plantation.” _ 2 7 would you dare go there?” es “You will go to your death,” ee: “T think or, after you have given me your x “nid in disguising me. ‘But, while Leon prepares for our little voy- age, come with me to the cabin and you sh know my plot.” j Without reply Rita followed her outlaw guest. ofce more into the lugger’s cabin, and seating himself at the little table, under the full glare of the lamp, while the maiden threw herself upon divan back in the shadows, he said: “You are aware’ of hg for revenge upon Bradford Carr and Maud Brandt, Rita? ‘Yes, Senor Keys. “Call me by the name your father gave me— that_of Barto, for it maddens me to hear the one I have cingreced, he said bitterly. _ ** As Senor Barto pleases,” was the reply. “ Well, a brilliant idea has crossed my mind, by which I can get ample revenge upon the man who is now dwelling in honor at Brandt Plantation, again the tutor of that reckless ce Brandt, and the pledged busband of the utiful Maud, while I, bis rival, am a fugitive from the gallows.” **T am listening, Senor Barto.” said Rita, as the man paused, , “My plot is to destroy the reputation of Bradford Carr forever, and make bim suffer while living, the agony of the damned who are dead.” “You are almost savage in your hatred, senor,” and Rita spoke with a shudder. ‘*T am toward those who have wronged me.” **But you did not explain to me how it was that the Senor Carr wronged you?’ “He has stolen from me oo Ae ““ Ah! did you love her so dearly then?” ‘Yes, and no, forI bave never loved any woman, I believe, though she is all that cam make a man idolize ber, But I bad formed my plans to get her, and I was path pene by Br fant Carr, b= ex- g me, m me what I am now forced to , and for this I hate him. ‘‘Now Ishall go with Leon to the Brandt Plantation, after you have thoroughly disguised me, and deliver to Bradford Carr a letter. « Purporiing tebe foes soar father, tbe Som ‘ z “from your father, ti " Owi, offering, if he wilb leave Brand? Planter — > awe a I hb a c : t t c 7 # FF Las we rw ie De Le ee
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re ee ee SS ‘ber face tion, and give up its heiress forever, to let him go free; but if not, threatening to kidnap her, pillage and burn the house, and hang him to the ard-arm.” his is a fearful threat, senor.” "Yes, but it may force him to depart, and I will bave a spy on his track to see that he never returns, while the field will be left open to me to secure Maud Brandt. ‘ Now you know my plot, Rita, and with the dawn I will leave in the skiff with Leon, and deliver the letter in person to Bradford Carr and et his answer, ‘If he refuses, then will he have cause to curse the day that he was born, “But how will you disguise me, fair Rita, for that man’s ‘ee are piercing, and I will meet him face to face, while if I should happen to see that wild youngster, his pupil, will have to undergo a scrutiny that will be terrible, for I never saw a boy of his years know so _ Much,” “I will disguise you, senor, so that Love’s eyes cannot recognize you even.” “But, it will be Hate’s eyes that I will have to face,” ‘Nor will the eyes of your worst foe kuow you,” ‘Good! now let us see what it will be?” Rita arose and went into a state-room, soon returning with an armful of clothing. These shelaid out before the man, and placing upon the table a heavy false beard and wig, Suid simply: “ Now, senor, robe yourself in these clothes, and then I will hide your face from view.” Leaving the cabin she went on deck, and upon her return found the man arrayed in a sailor garb and awaiting her with some impatience of manner, CHAPTER IIT. THE THREAT. BRANDT PLANTATION was one of those grand old homes, built by the early Spanish settlers upon the Gulf shores, and a few of which still mand to-day. Before the mansion was a small deep harbor, in which lay at anchor a beautiful sloop yacht and several smaller sail-boats, while skiffs and rhe -boats were tied to the end of a wooden pier, The grounds sloped gently down to the snowy ch, and were carpeted with velvety grass, while the lawn was shaded here and there with & massive live-oak or magnolia tree. ornamental mound, upon the summit of which was a miniature fort, an arbor of rustic uty near the water, and flowerbeds scattered about, in the shape of stars and crescents, made the picture one of great beauty, with the white stucco walls of the mansion in the back-ground. a off, stretched the restless waters of Mis- ssippi Sound, with the Gulf’s blue waters be- mA , and in the réar of the mansion were gar- dens and outbuildings, and then the dense mag- nolia forest, along the front of which was a line of white cabins, e quarters of the slaves, he mansion was large and roomy, two stories high, and with several wings tha added to its grandeur. In the arbor overlooking the waters of the Sound, two persons were seated, the afternoon of the day following the scene on the smuggler logger at anchor in the lagoon. he one was a maiden that no one would have looked upon and not called most lovely, while eres a noble beart end soul worthy of her exquisite beauty. Her companion was a man, tall of stature broad-shouldered, fase nating in manner, and with a face that was full of conscious power. e face was clean shaven, showing the per- fection of every feature, and the eyes were dark, piercing, and portrayed in their glances the intellect and refinemeyt of the man. The maiden was Maud Brandt, the heiress, and the man was Bradford Carr, the young Divinity student, who, in accepting the tutor- sbip of Irving Brandt, had bad forced upon bim aseries of adventures, sorrows and joys that seldom fall to man’s lot. Driven to fly from the seigetry for a crime of which he had not been guil ye he bad made him- self master of a pirate vessel, and, though hunt- bg down sea-outiaws, had become known as the Pirate Priest, ough all, Maud Brandt and her noble young brother had believed him guiltless, and when at last Bradford Carr had proven hitnself K: by pointing out the guilty one, in Barton eys, back to the grand old homestead he had one in honor, and the heiress and beauty bad come his promised wife, Sed at ibe a they eee eosen they 0 the arbor happy in their love and man for the future, re = that Irving in yonder skiff, Bradford?” ott Mand, as with her face turned down the coast er eyes had fallen upon a small sail- op ay ter 3 suddenly shot into ae » for irving went gunning, and there are two paob nig Ass the boat,” S asmeered i Bradford Carr, 7 wr he eyes upon it, ) ape they | be?” asked Maud, a feeling ty coming over her, for she had been so ne ee ee ee = The Sea Owl. 3 accustomed to look for trouble of late, she ex- pected it at all times. ** We shall soon know, Maud, for their desti- nation is the Brandt haven,” was the reply, and in silence the two watched the little boat come on its way, until it rounded the arm of land that formed the harbor, and ran alongside of the little pier, Out of the boat then sprung a man, who came toward where Bradford Carr and the maiden sat, haying evidently seen them there before he landed, His companion remained in the boat and kept the boat to the pier with his hand, not seeming- ly caring to tie it there. The man who advanced was bent in form, and upon his back was a bump, while his drooping shoulders caused his face to bend con- stantly toward the ground, He was dressed in a sailor garb and wore a belts in which was stuck a pistol and a clasp- nife, “Senor, I seek the Brandt Plantation!” he said in broken English, “You have found the place you seek, my man,” answered Bradford Carr, addressing the man in Spanishas his black beard, bair and ac- cent suggested that he was of that nationality. ‘It is here that the Senor Carr dwells, senor?” ** Yes, would you like to see him?” “T would, if he is the one whom men called the Pirate Padre, senor |”’.” ** Yes, he is one and the same, and I am Brad- ford Carr.” ‘* You, senor?” “Sol said, my man.” “Then it is you that I seek. ‘* And what business have you with me?’ “To give you this letter, senor,” and the man took out a sealed letter and handed it to the handsome young tutor, while Maud looked on in silence ‘and in some alarm, wondering what = spate could’ be about and who the writer Bradford Carr took the letter and with a firm hand broke the seal. As he glanced over the contents bis face paled, but otherwise no expression came to show his emotion. What he read was as follows: **On board the Sea Owl, off Gulf Coast. “ To the Senor Braprorp Carr, the Pirate Priest; “Senor:—The writer is your bitter foe, and the enemy of all FS love, ge this letter. “As your Toe he will not allow you to dwell in happiness, and to hurt your heart to its inmost re- cess he commands you to give up the lady who is now your affianced wife. ou are to forever leave Brandt Manor and Maud Brandt, going your way through life alone. “If you obey, then all will be well, and your love for her wil be proven by your giving her v “Tf you refuse I threaten, and you will nd it no idle threat, for I am anxious and willing to carry out my determination. “My threat is that I will visit Brandt Manor by night. kidnap your ene bride, and pillage and burn her home, killing you, her father and her brother before her eyes, and afterward force her to become niy bride. “Answer by bearer ys, if you will go and thus save Maud Brandt, and no, if you refuse. “ But if no is the response I receive, beware of the threat of THE Sea Ow.” Twice did Bradford Carr read this letter through, and then he folded it we slowly, placed it in bis pocket and said epee Tell your master that I will make no terms with him.’ “n - ieee is some other answer, senor,” said the ma ein bear it back, for emphatically I say ‘* But, senor, you surely—” « Silence, sir, and begone, or poor deformed creature that you are, I will burl you beneath my feet and stamp out your accursed lifv. The voice of Bradford Carr rung out like a trumpet, and his eyes fairly blazed as he gazed upon the man before h him, Apparently alarmed for his safety the do formed seaman shrunk back, and walked rapi.- ly to his boat. “Shove off, Leon, for that man is as danger- ous as an enraged tiger and may detain us,” said the messenger, spthi ing into his boat. ‘“*He refused to comply with your terms, senor, as I heard from his ringing words,” “Yes, Leon; but I have threatened, so let bim beware, » and ‘Barton Keys, for he it was, took the tiller and headed ont ‘of the harbor, while Bradford Carr and Maud watched the skiff’s departure, the maiden with a most anxious Jook upon her beautiful face, for ber lover bad firmly refused to show her the letter he had re- ceived, or to tell her of its contents, and it came to her heart that some dread evil was upon them, the nature of which it was beyond her power to fathom. CHAPTER IV, THE COMPACT WITH THE HUNCHBACK SAILOR. A GLoom had fallen upon the inmates of Brandt Manor, for Bradford Carr would not divulge the secret he held, of the mysterious letter, not even to Colonel Brandt or bis hand- some young pupil, but kept it locked in his own ee eee heart, while his manner had become morose, and at times stern. Some days after the visit of his disguised ene my, Bradford Carr had been seen from a win- dow by Ellizette, the quadroon maid; of Maud Brandt, in conversation with a seaman, a mile down the coast. Ellizette had ealled to her mistress and point- ed out ths young tutor, as he stood in a cove, a to the man who had just landed in a at, Turning a spy-glass, which she always kept in her room, to amuse herself with by gazing at vessels far out on the waters, Maud started aa she recognized in the person with Bradford Carr the tall hunchback that had brought him the letter that had so affected him. “Oh! that I could hear as well as I can see through this glass, and thus learn the secret that Bradford Carr keeps from me, and which has changed his whole nature,” she said, ‘while tears dimmed her eyes, As she spoke her lover sprung into the boat and the stranger following, seized tho oars and pulled out of sight of the maiden behind a wood- ed point of land. alking along the shore, as was often his wont, Bradford Carr bad descried tle skiff out upon ‘the waters, and heading in, as though to land near him. His keen eyes at once recognized the hunch- back bearer of the letter, and he came toa halt to await the man’s landing, for out over the waters came the hail; ‘Ho, senor! lay to, for I would speak with mY fe In ashort while the man took in his little a and seizing bis oars, beached the skiff. Springing out be saluted politely and said: visit you again, senor.” ‘And what message bripg you this time, fellow?’ sternly asked the tutor, “TIT come on my own account this time, senor.” “Hal what mean you?” * Just what I say, senor.” “Who are you?’ ‘‘One who does not wish to see the threat in the See. Ow!l’s letter carried out. ** Ah! you knew the contents of the letter then?” “Yes, senor.” Perha} you can tell me why I have the enmity of your master, the Sea Ow] a My captain, senor, not my master.” “Well, either you please; but tel] me, if you know, why he is my bitter foe?” “As the Pirate Priest, senor, you may have done him much harm.” “Troe, I struck at pirates and smugglers alike: but now why are you here?” ‘* To serve you, senor. ** Indeed! how can that be?” ‘*My heart is not so deformed as my body, senor, and I have mercy for the innocent.” The man spoke with feeling, and Bradford Carr was touched by the pathos in his voice and the sad look that came into bis eyes, and said quickly: * Ab! me you so, my man? Then you are not as bad as your calling would make you as No, senor, though I am an outlaw, I am not one to make war n the innocent. “You have suffe much in the past, for I know of your’ sorrows, and I wish to serve you from two motives.” “Name them?” “First, senor, answer me if you intend to give up the Lady Maud as the Sea Owl demands?’ “ Assuredly not.” = has made a fearful threat, senor, if you do So be it, he will find one ready to meet him when he attempts to carry it out.” * But ho will come with a score of men at his back, senor.’ “ So let fim.” ‘*-You are a brave man, senor; but you would fall, and the Lady Maud ‘would become the Sea Owl's captive, and this is why I would serve you and her, for I would hate to see you slain, and the more to behold herin the power, of my captain.” “You are kind at heart; but what is your other motive in serving me?” “To serve myself, senor.” » “Ab! I balf-guessed it: you want gold?” “Yes, senor, a little.” “JT am poor, and can give you but little, served you me str so well,” a ** Poor, and ou were the Pirate Priest?* “* Yes, so cal od, ut no pirate, and the money ——. by sa rizes I turned over to my crew, for none thus earned.” “Well, mle I needed only a few hundreds, not for myself, but to buy over several of my i po who ie ~ —_ for gold. ; s for myse will get my pay in seeing the Sea Owl bung up to the yard-arm.” ‘* Why, he is your captain.” s Tram, and a my foe, senor. bd «Veg, and that is why I'can betray him? a Ww can betra “You are a strange man. 4 -
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pe hinds The Sea Owl: “TI am revengeful, senor, and when you re- fused so bravely to accept the Sea Owl’s terms, vou won my respect, and I determined to save ou and the beautiful lady, while at the same Une I avenge myself.” ‘* You hate your captain then, for some wrong he has done you?” **T do, senor.” ** And would betray him?” *T will.” “Can you?” ** Yes, senor, if you are willing to take the risks.” “Tam willing to risk my life, my man, to free the ssas of a manso vile as your captain has the name of being.” ‘Then, senor, I will betray him into your hands.” ‘‘But how can this be done, for I have no force near that I can control?” “None is needed, senor, for you can do all with the aid of myself and others.” ‘*W hat others?” “Those of the Sea Owl’s crew who are his foes, like me, and who will aid in his eapture for a consideration.” “But I bave no. money with which to bribe them, or at furthest, only a few hundreds of dollars.” : » “Senor, a fuw hundred will be sufficient ; but {it is more than gold the men ask that aid me.” .“* What then?” ‘* A pardon for their crimes,” ‘*T have no power to pardon them.” ** Ah, senor, if you will pledge yourself that all who aid you in getting the S:a Owl and his swift sailing lugger into your hands, shall have a pardon for their crimes, they will gladly give up their evil lives, as I will.” “I think [can promise this, for the Govern- ment will grant my request.” “A thousand thanks, senor; I will accept your pledge and make known my plan.” “Well, mh 9 ge let us go beyond that point of land, for I do not wish to beseen with sow and here we are in full view of any one in he upper rooms of the mansion.” “ You know best, senor,” auswered the man and getting into the skiff the bunchback rowed to the spot beyond the view of Maud, who had been so anxiously watching from her window. my lauding the hunchback sai’: ‘*Now, senor, my plan is to tell the Sea Owl that you have agreed to buy him off fyom car- rying out his threat, for frankly, be sent me here to see if I could not entrap you.” “You are certainly honest.” “T am toward you, senor, but not toward the aa Owl. “TJ will tell him that you will come on board to make terms with him, if he will run the lugser into the harbor, say ten nights from this. ‘*Do you expect me to go alone on board the vessel?” : “Yes, senor, for you will find three-fourths of the crew ready to obey your call. “ You will enter the cabin and at once cover She Sea Owl with your pistol, for he will ex- pect no-.danger among his crew, and I will rally my comrades about me and seiz2 or cut down those who are true to the captain.” Bradford Carr was silent for a moment, and then he said; : “So be it, my man, I will take any risk to capture the Sea’O wl and his craft.” ‘IT am glad to hear you say so, senor, for now I will get my revenge; but, as our craft will fly light, as far as gold in her lockers is con- cerned, I will have to ask you to bring along what, you can for the lads, senor.” ‘‘T will do so, my man,” and the two parted “he hunchback to return to bis boat and set sail, while Bradford Carr walked slowly back to Brandt Manor, bis heart hopeful that be could ward off the evil which he had kept secret from all, i CHAPTER V. THE THKAP. . BRADFORD CaRR bad borne bis dread in silence and in secret, after the visit of the hunchback bearer of the letter to him. He did not wish to alarm Maud, or cause anxiety to her father and brother, and alone had intended to discover some place to thwart the Sea Owl, if in the end, he had she ad to de- por! and give up the one he so dearly loved to : ve her and those dear to her. ; His heart was too anxious to permit bim to rest, and each night he had stood on watch, to — against, and it was no wonder, that with is peers j and loss of rest he became moody and fretful. After his compact with the bunchback sailor, he held hope, yet was still anxious, and nightly he walked the bach unable to rest, and the eyes of love watching bim so closely felt that something had gone wrong with him, which they could not fatbom. Atlength the appointed night rolled round, and retiring early to his room, Bradford Carr _ waited until the rest of the family bad followed ~ moonlit ‘*Two thirds of them are of my way of think- ing, senor.” ‘Well, my man, I go with you, hoping that all is right; but you are to accompany me, remaining by my side in my interview with your chief, and I pledge you my word, that if treachery is intended toward me, be my fate what it may, I sball kill you on the instant I suspect you.” The man started slightly, but answered: ‘This is hard, senor, that * ee suspect me; but you are at liberty to kill me if I prove treacherous.” “And I will, if in my power, mark my words, my man, . o “Now row me on hoard the logger, and Bradford Cirr stepped into the little boat and was followed by the bunchback, Out to the lugger the latter rowed, and the two went over the side, and advanced toward the cabin, Bradford Carr cast his eyes over the craft and saw that she was of trim build, carried con- siderable canvas, and was evidently a fleet sailer, About a dozen men were visible, rage ge along the bigh bulwark and gazing over at the pretty scene landward, ‘“ Wait one minute, senor, and I will tell the captain you are here,” said the hunchback, pausing at the cabin con panareys “No, we will go down together, sir, so lead on,” was the response, ** As you please, senor,” and the hunchback motioned to Bradford Carr to go first. ‘* After you, sir,” sternly said the tutor, and the hunchback ‘saw that one hand grasped a weapon, so at once preceded him. Into the cabin the two passed, Bradford Carr close on the heels of the seaman. The one there to receive them was Rita Res- tel, the smuggler’s daughter. ‘ She looked strangely beautiful in her Mexican attire, and arose with a smile of greeting, as the two entered, “The Senorita Restel, the Sea Owl’s daugh- ter, Senor Carr,” said the hunchback, by way of introduction. ; ! Bradford Carr was fairly dazz)ed, - He bad eapeckes to meeta grizzly old pirate, and this brilliant woman confronted bim, Thrown off his guard by the presence of a woman, he bowed low, with the courtly grace natural to him, though it was to the daughter of an outlaw, and the hunchback said quickly: ‘Be seated, senor, and I will call Captain Restel from bis state-room.” As he spoke he passed through the narrow gang way leading Pens the cabin, while Brad- ford Carr took the seat motioned to by Rita Restel. As he did so the Girl Smuggler suddenly turned upon him, and leveling a pistol straight at his head, cried sternly: ** Senor Curr, you are my prisoner ! ny ; paid quietly, and do not force me to kill you CHAPTER VI. THE MIDNIGHT FLIGHT TO SEA. THat Bradford Carr was wholly taken aback by the action and words of Rita Restel, his man- ner showed, for he made no movement, simply sitting in silent amazement, gazing upon the ! in the shade of a grand old oak he | | | ; eee el cep tp gs gS SS maiden, whose hand was as firm as a rock, as it held the pistol leveled at him. Had the hunchback been the one who hed thus faced him, the young tutor would have risked the shot and sprung upon bim. But the hunchback had been foiled by the de- termination of Carr, to hold him responsible for treachery. ‘ He knew that the tutor would kill him at the | slightest suspicion that he had been led intoa trap. To get him on board the hugger was his deter- mination, and this done, the tutor again ohehs de him by forcing bim to remain with im. Rita Restel had heard what bad passed upon the deck, and instantly discovered tbat the hunchback was caugbt in his own trap, so at once decided to aid him, and glided into the oe a pistol concealed in thé folds of her ress. It was a great relief to the hunchback to find — her there, and he took advantage of it, to quick- ly depart, under pretense of calling Captain Restel, but really to summon aid, To his amazement be saw that Rita had back, that the eyes of Maud Brandt were then | grasped the situation boldly, and had the vic- tim at her mercy. Instantly be seized a musket from a bracket over the state-room door, and pointing it at | Bradford Carr, called out to the crew: ‘* Ho, men! to tbe rescue!” Down the companionway sprung the lugger’s — men, and they were ready for ac: ion. But Bradford Carr did not move, but sat in silence, gazing upon the maiden, whose face was flushed as sbe turned it toward the bhunch- back, and said, proudly: “Captain Barto, there is your prisoner.” _ ‘Well, Sir Traitor, you have me in your wer, ‘But are you the Sea Owl?” quietly said Bradford Carr, showing no excitement, “Tam not, sir; but ‘you shall know just whe I am before very long,” was the answer, no longer spoken witb an accent. ben i the maiden, he said: ‘* Senorita prompt service in my behalf, ‘Now, men, secure this prisoner, and hold him bere until my returp.” With this the buncbback went into one of the state-rooms, while Bradford Carr was placed in irons and a guard placed over him, Rita Restel the while quietly seating herself at the table and picking up a book, as though wholly ob- livious to the presence of the prisoner, who sat on a divau near a seaman standing by his side with drawn cutlass. . After a few moments a tall form glided out of the state-roon) which the bunchback had en- tered, and going on deck through the forward companionway, so as to avoid passing through the cabin, be revealed himself in the moonlight as Barton Keys, the fugitive. , tel, I thank you for your © ‘Leon, go ou board yonder yacht and get her — ready for sea, taking with you all that we wish to carry from the lugger. ‘“*T will return soon, but if you hear my sig- nal come to my aid promptly.” So ordered the fugitive murderer, and spring- + the skiff alongside | e rowed sboreward. alking rapidly across the lawn, unmindful that an eye was upon him that mistcok his. superb form and carriage for that of Bradford Carr, he sougbt the wing of the mansion where © were the study and bed-chamber of the tutor. The door opening upon the piazza was un- locked and boldly he entered, for he knew the spot well. Once within he turned Ms the lamp dimly burning upon the center-fable, and at once be- gan a thorough search of the ‘rooms, Selecting articles here and there, he made a bundle of them and started upon bis return to the shore, Again the one at the window saw him, and wondered what all this meant, =, But, with perfect trust in her lover Maud — Brandt could not believe that any harm was meant by the lugger’s strange visit, and still oe in silence, wondering how it all would end. Reaching the shore the man who had allied © homers with pirates, rowed out to the Lady aud, . He found ber deck strewn with luggage brougbt from the lugger, and Leon met him at the gangway with the remark: : ‘* All ready, senor, except to bring the Senor- ita Rita and the prisoner on board,’ * Do that at once, Leon, while I have the men get the anchor up and set gail on this retty craft, which we bave exchanged the ugger for,” was the answer. -Leon departed for the lugger, and by the time he had returned with Rita and the prison- er, the Lady Maud’s anchor was up and sails set, : The prisoner was taken by his guard into the cabin, and it could be seen that be had been se-) curel paged, for Rita, ever cautious, had or- deta this one, feari and alarm tbe househo Seizing the helm, as the yacht swung roun¢ and felt the pressure of the wind, Barton Keys F a Le cea Ney oat > bf ac ee ie = ose! ~ Fae ng that he ht’ ery out 4h ‘
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Al 7} » a 4 ’ any way. The Sea Owl. headed her out of the harbor, while to his ears came a long, —- cry, that burst from the lips of Maud Brandt, as, from her window, she b held the pretty cra't flying out to sea and bearing with her the man she had so loved and trusted. CHAPTER VIL FACE TO FACE, _ THe Lady Maud bad not gained a good off- ing, before all was ship-shape on of her, for her well-trained crew, accustomed to stor- ing away smuggled goods; soon found places for the luggage and traps brought from on board thé lugger. As she went bowling along before a fair breeze, Rita Restel came on deck and took her stand by the side of Barton Keys, “Well, Rita, how is the prisoner?” he asked. “Stern and silent, senor, for he bears his misfortune nobly.” _ “Ah, yes, he has nerve and pluck; but I will both ere I have done with him.” “He is a superb specimen of manhood, Senor Barto, fully your equal [ think.” ‘‘Thank you, sweet Rita, for the compliment, for Carr was always considered a kind of supe- rior to all other men in everything.” “ He is strangely handsome, and has an eye to read one’s soul, it seems,” ** Ab! Rita, don’t fall in love with him, or I will fear to trust bim with you.” “No! no! mine is a nature to love but once, Sencr Barto,” she said quickly, and, as though wishing to change the subject the man said: “Well, Rita, thanks to your aid, we have been most successful.” “*Yes, you have secured your prisoner, and exchanged the lugger for a very beautiful craft, but, fast as this yacht is, I doubt if she can run away from the Sea Owl.” “The lugger was fleet, I'll admit; but she bad Some bad wounds from shot and shell, and needed overhauling greatly, while this craft: is worth three of her. _“ Ah, yes, and father will be delighted at the ‘exchange, I know; but will you see the prisoner to-night?” . **'No, I will have him taken into a state-room, and to-morrow, when we are anchored in the lagoon, will be time enough. “Here, Leon, take the helm, for I do not know how to pilot this craft into the Owl’s ‘Nest Lagoon.” “Yes, sir, but the old lugger knew the way there, L really believe; but thiscraft is a beauty, and will soon Jearn the smuggler tricks hér- I ‘‘Her name od. ok Lady pe Em patie _ . Suppose you will change it?” sai as he took the helm. : Si _“* Yes, we will call her after the lugger, the ‘Sea Owl, for it would not be right'to force the Lady Maud to figure as a smuggler,” answered the maiden. “Tben permit me to suggest.a name,” saitl Barton Keys. “Certainly, senor,” answered the maiden, “Let ber be known as the Lady Rita.” The moonlight showed plainly the smile of delight that crossed Rita’s face, at the compli- ment Barton Keys sought to pay her, and she answered; hc “Tf you so wish it, Senor Barto, I am will- ing.” ey do wish it, and say all success to the Lady Rita,” and Barton Keys walked forward as though to glance over the stolen yacht, though, in the past, having been an honored guest on ‘d on several pleasure cruises, he knew her well from keel to truck. Along over the moonlit waters sped tke yacht with ber outlaw crew, and, throwing six knots an hour in’ber wake, it was just sunrise when = one into _ bayou that mer vege 6 sm e wl’s N est.” ugglers had nam ta had sought her state-room, the one which ad been Maud’s, to rest, and Barton Keys, happy in his triumph, had retired to the one cecupied by Colonel Brandt, the prisoner bav- dng Deen ease in anothér one forward, th —— etn by le of the bayous, nia a hig ch she was towed by the boats, be- Be Ri © moss-hung trees, the newly-baptized peed te made fast to the buoy of the gger, and the ye sought the rest they need- : a, pore oy fear o being disturbed in that dis- Bradford Carr had not been thus far treated with ‘greater —_— A wasn to be put in irons -room, What might follo v he could : determined to take bis misfortune cele If not the smuggler known as Sea Owl, who me 3 was the hunchback, he wondered.’ _ He did not remember to have harmed him in on A ' * | 4 el Ms ve: r ; BS ; > = yp ht a Aa Tees: I PORES He was distressed at the sorrow that must come to poor Maud when his absence was known, and he regretted that he had not told Colonel Brandt of the letter, and bis intention to attempt the — of the Sea Owl. But it was too late for regrets, and he must bide the result, ; What would follow he of course could not tell, and even to a man of his strong nerve the suspense was terrible; for he thought more of Maud’s anxiety than of bis own danger. It was, therefore, a relief when Leon came to the little state-room and led him into the cabin, — sat the hunchback seaman, grim and silent, Leading the prisoner to a seat, at the Gom- mand of the hunchback, Leon departed and Bradford Carr was alone with his captor. ‘ Well, senor, you have been entrapped,” said the pretended hunchback, after a moment of silence, “So it seems, by your treachery.” - ‘IT was faithful to myself, but treacherous to you whom I hate from my inmost beart,” ‘‘In what way have 1 ever harmed you, fel- low?” “‘In many ways.” ‘*'You say that you are not the Sea Owl?” ““ No.” “ Who, then, are you?” ‘* Barto, the Buccaneer.” ‘*T never heard of such a pirate,” ‘You will ere Jong, for I hoist the black flag at an early day.” ‘Heaven protect the defenseless then, for your heart is as»black as — ry ae your soul as deformed as your body,” boldly said Bradford Carr. — this the pretended hunchback laughed, and asked: ‘*Do you remember, senor, of ever meeting | me before?’ ** Never, before the day you brought me that threatening letter, though you do remind me of one whom J have met.” “Whom?” ‘* A villain, of course, when you remind me of him!” ‘ ** His nama, please?” * Barton Keys.” ‘Bradford Carr, you have devilish fine eyes —see!” As the man spoke he threw off his wig and false beard, and then the pea-jacket he wore, and along with it the hideous bump tbat bad been so skillfully attached to it. ‘Great Heaven! this day, Barton Keys, you | were to be yom ig and I find you here,” and in spite of himself, Bradford Curr showed some emotion. “Ob! y* I was sentenced to die to day, but T escaped, as you doubtless heard, and am at resent allied with smugglers, with the hope of Bein even more,” " v ile wretch, you confess yourself what you e? “Ob! yes, and why ndigerfor: you will never appear agsinst me,” “You mean then to kill me?” coolly asked Bradford Carr, ** Worse !” And the words were fairly hissed from be- tween the teeth of Barton Keysgas he turned = oe gp full upon the face of the man he so ated. os CHAPTER VIIL. WHAT WAS WORSE THAN DEATH, BRADFORD CARR did not flinch at the fearful threat of bis enemy, that his fate would be worse than death. _ He kept bis eyes upon Keys’s face and said, in his calm way: ; ‘* There are many fates that can be worse than death, for though love life, the grave holds no terrors for me.’ ‘*T will visit upon you a fate that will make you long for death, Bradford Carr.” ‘“What, for instance?’ was the almost indif- ferent query. ‘Oh, I know your nerve, and that if I struck you alone I could not — a groan from your lips; but I shall hurt you through others,” ‘* Villain! would you dare barm one who is as pure as an angel?” bissed Bradford Carr. “You refer to Maud Brandt?” **T refer to Miss Brandt.” ‘‘Well, I will tell you just what I have decid- ed to do with you.” “Do what you please with me, but spare » r. “‘T shall do just as I es sir. You are in my power, and sbe shall be whenever I see fit tc make her my Fe prove but for the present, I shall let her suffer through you.” “ Dastard!” “Ob, I do not mind your calling me hard names, Carr, if it is any b gonegy toyou. You came bere among us an heart, and I swore she should never be yours. I w to make her my wife, and I will kee our fate is to be.” as bad sworn y . 8, ‘ Ps * Devil nip a? almost sbrieked the tor- ‘Oh that I was free of these chains!” groaned | tured man, and, forgetting his = . | made a spring toward the in my oath.” Carr, : Pee Bat, you are not, so will bave to listen to i | Colonel Pp $$ $$ — what I have to say; and can do me no harm, for, strong as I am, I know you are my master. ‘*To win the lovely Maud I took Ravelle’s life, as you know, intending thereby to cancel a pecuniary debt 1 owed bim, thus break the en- | gagement between Maud and. bimself; and: get you banged as his murderer, and let the gallows remove in you the only rival I feared, “My pict worked so well that I forced old randt, who was in my power through bis gambling debts due me, to urge Maud to marry me; and tosave her father she consent- ed, you being then scouring the seas as the Pirate Priest, “‘But you captured Chester Granger—curse bim!—and he confessed all, so that 1 took the cell you occupied. in jail, and was to die on the gallows built for you, ‘** But I escaped, like you, and like you cheat- ed the gallows; and, unlike you, bave turned to beareal pirate, and have you now in my, power. ‘* My life was saved by that beautiful girl, who so cleverly captured you in the cabin, for the animal I was riding drowned under me in the lagoon, and she dragged me. into her skiff and brought me on board her father’s lugger. . “Her father is the old smuggler and half- irate known as the Sea Owl, and he would ave driven a knife into my heart but for the beautiful Rita. “* But he did not kill me, and, recognizing me as one who bad done hima favor once in a gam- bling hell in New Orleans, was glad to have me as a guest; and bas now gone off to purchase for me, with money I gure bim, an armed schooner, in which 1 shall scour the seas as a irate. ‘*TIn the mean time I have plotted to destroy you, and, with the aid of the fair Rita, have you in my power, and you need expect no mercy at my bands,” ““T certainly would not expect mercy froma tiger, so why from a brute such as you?’ was the response of Bradford Carr; and the face of bis ‘foe flushed with anger, while he half drop- ped his hand upon a knife in bis belt, “You cannot anger me, Carr, any more, for I hold so thoroughly the upper band,” he said, quietly. But bis prisoner made no reply, and the out- law continued: ‘* Now let me tell you that my plan is not to kill you, but to treat you well. ‘*That.is, you shall bave a state-room below decks on my schooner, and there be chained, so that escape will be utterly im ible, “As wy neck is in a gallows’ noose now, you may be certain that I shall protect myself with as fleet a vessel, strong an armament, and as good a crew as I can pet so that I ean run if need be, and fight if I am in a tight place. _“* You are to be wy guest, and nominally the captain of my vessel.” “In the name of Heaven, what do you mean?” ‘Just what I say; for the craft shall be called the Sea Ghoul, and I will be worthy of the name I give her; and her flag shall be one made up of a cross and cutlass.” ‘Good God!” =; “Don’t get excited, Carr, but hear me. through. ‘* This flag, with myself dressed in the robe and hat of a Mexican padre, such as you wore, will cause me to be mistaken for you, for we are about the same size, and something alike, though I do not claim to be as bandsome a man, and we have another difference in that you are honest and I am not; but these little differ- ences will not be marked, you know, while I will get the credit of being Bradford Carr—or, in other words, you will be considered the Pirate Priest !” Bradford Carr fairly shuddered under the the words of his enemy, as they revealed the full enormity of his hatred toward him, and he said earnestly: ' “Keys, I beg of you as man to man, as I stand in your way, to kill me, and so let it be known, rather than dishonor me as you threat- en, for such indeed is worse than death.” ‘So I believed, to a bigh-minded man like you, and such is to be your fate. ‘“You see I will be a perfect fiend, omce I hoist the cross and cutlass flag, and appear as ourself, and I will take your name, and lead the world to believe that you have turned pirate in earnest, ““T will write Colonel Brandt a letter, for I can forge your handwriting, and in it, tell him that you bave taken up the cutlass withthe , cross as @ Sea-rover. | “Tt will crush the proud heart of Maud } Brandt, to know that ber lover bas become a pirate, and after she has been humbled and suffered, I shall kidnap ber and make pet a. bride of the Ghoul of the Sea, for such will win. a ord Carr, you know just what won Maud Brandt’s | the name that I will w “ Now, es
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length upon the floor, while Barton Keys, with a om laugh at his anguish turned and left the ca } : CHAPTER IX. * THE SEA OWL. ¥ ' §EvERAL days passed, after the scene in the F Ac cabin between Barton Keys and bis vic- im, and one night a large, armed schooner was towed into the Sea Owl’s Nest and eH 7 ae an- chor not far from the Lady Rita and the lug- ger, that was the home of the smuggler captain, st: and receptacle for his smuggled boot It was the new vessel, bought smuggler for Barton Keys, and that be had an eye for the beautiful, as faras a craft went, was very evident from his seleetion of the schooner, which was certainly a sea-rover that any man might be proud to command. The strange craft was greeted. with a cheer, by the men on the yacht and lugger, and then : the smuggler captain went on board the Lady Rita, and met his pirate protege, who thanked him warmly for haviog secured for him so beautiful a vessel. ‘* She is all ready for sca, Captain Barto, and only needs your services as commander, and to- morrow you can go on board,” said Captain Restel, who was a dark-faced, steru old sea-do who looked more like the captain of a line-of- battle ship than a smuggler, _“ Why not go on board at once, Captain Res- tel?” asked the impatient young man. ‘* Because we have to settle up some little af- ‘fairs between us first, sir, which we will talk over in the morning. “‘ Now I will go on board of my Home Lugger to see my daughter, who I hope is well? “She 16 pe ectly well, sir, and has done all in her power to “4 me from dying with the blues, in this very dismal retreat of yours, Cap- tain Restel.” “Yes, it is more of a paradise for alligators and owls than for human beings: but I observe that you have a very pretty craft here in place of my little lugger, the Sea Owl?’ and the cap- tain glanced about the cabin of the yacht. “Yes, and I will tell you of her capture, Cap- tain Restel.” “There is no need of that, my dear Captain Barto, for I already know all about it,” “Tn Satan’s name how?” “You know that I am no fool, and having been absent some little time, I did not dare rua : in until I knew there was no trap set for ma, so Ps Ilay to, and sent Chincopin, my Indian spy, in his canoe to reconnoiter. “‘ He boarded the Home Lugger and heard all that had happened, aud reporting to me, I came up.- a I congratulate you upon your success, Cap- tain Barto, for this yacht is a beauty, and [ redict for you a great successin your new call- ine of cutting throats and robbing.” “Thank you, Restel, I intend to be success- ful; but why can we not now arrange the Dusi- ness between us you speak of?” “Because I wish to see my daughter, and efer to sett'e it on the morrow,” and bidding arton Keys good-night, without asking him to accompany him on. board the lugger where Rita dwelt, the smuggler chief went over the 4 side into his boat, Pf In the basin Captain Restel always had his “ Home Lugger,” as he called the craft that never set sail from her anchorage, and*then bis eruising lugger, which had been leftin exchange for the yacht. ie There were several other small cruising craft wy belonging to the fl-et, which he sent after smuggled goods, or kept as carriers of his ill- Be gotten gains to the nearest markets, where he + ee could dispose of them to the best advantage. With this little fleet be had won a name as the most dariog smuggler of the Gulf shores, and his lawless acts being committed wholly ander the cover of night, he had been called the Sea Owl, What he had been in the past few knew, but it was said by those who professed to know, that he had once been a planter ef wealth, but losing his riches he bad taken to gambiing, and forced to fly for some act of outlawry, be bad ’ taken bis little daughter with bim and turned ommeeler. ‘ That little daughter had grown up to woman- hood upon the decks of her father’s outlawed vessels, and he bad taught her most carefully, and carried ber with him, when in disguise he visited the tne of New Orleans, Mobile, Pen- ic . gsacola and Havana, until she had gained some a knowledge of the world beyond the moss-hung walls of the Owl’s Nest. As he stepped on board the Home Lugger . Rita greeted her father most affectionately, an then an old negro and negress, dwellers on the _ craft, and slaves on the old plantation in bis * -honest days, came forward and welcomed him with a freedom none of his seamen would have dared to show. x n with his daughter, Descending into the Captain Restel threw himself into a comfortable seat, and said: riage Pigs it is pleasant to get home once more. and see *F our sweet face again, my child; but it ‘ _—— bolt Yn the floor, and he fell heavily his full | a the old | & a eet a eee The Sea Owl. usual.” ‘Father, lam not happy,” and Rita burst into tears, Tbere was one virtue which Captain Restel possessed among all bis faults, and that was love for his daughter. He had seen, from her first meeting with Bar- ton Keys, that her heart bad gone forth to bim with all the fervor of an idolatrous love, and he had determined that she should not love in vain, and had aeted accordingly. He knew all about the crime-stained young done and yet, a criminal himself, ho ha oped that Rita would love an honest man; but ~ she loved otherwise, he would not thwart er. So now he felt that he knew the cause of her unbappiness, and said in a kindly way: “You need not be unhappy, Rita, my cbild, for all will come well.” “No, no, father, all will not come well, for I love one who does not love me in return,” **You mean Captain Barto” “Yes, father.” ** But he will love you.” **No, for be loves that beautiful lady, Miss Brandt, and swears to force her into a marriage with bim, though she does not love bim.” ‘*That he will not do, so be cheered, Rita, for Captain Barto will make you his bride.” * Oh, father!” ‘*T mean it, my child, you shall be the wife of the man you love,” responded the smuggler captain, and the look on his» face showed that he meant all that he said. CHAPTER X. A STRANGE MARRIAGE. THE morning after the arrival of the schooner in the basin, Captain Restel called on board the yacht for Barton’ Keys and the two went to the new vessel together. A cheer from the reckless crew greeted their new captain as he came on board, for they were pleased with his appearance; but, without giv- ing him time to acdress a word to them, Cap- tain Restel ushered Barton Keys into the cabin, For an hour or more they remained there, and then Barton Keys came out alone and spring- ing into a skiff alongside, rowed over to the lugger where Rita dwelt. The maiden was pacing the deck and saw him coming, and hastily entered the cabin, where, upon boarding the lugger he followed her. Rita turned both pale and red as he entered and seemed unable to speak a word, as she held out her band in greeting. ‘* Rita,” said the man in a tone and manner that would have been frank, had it not been spoken with a certain indifference that amount- ed to almost rudeness; “Rita, your father bas just told me that you love me.” ‘* He has told low response, “You are aware of the crimes that I am uilty of, givi?” “ I am.” ** And yet you love me?” “Yet T leye you.” ‘You are aware that I intend to hoist the black flag and become a sea rover?” “*T know all that, senor.” ** And you can lovea pirate?” **T do love you.” “ This is very dey for I should appear to you as a very snake, Rita.” % ‘* And yet a snake bas a mate to love it.” ** You reason like a woman,” he said almost petulantly. ; ‘* 4 woman reasons with her heart, senor, and therefore often goes wrong.” “Your father says that you wish to marry me? ‘*1 naturally wish to be bound to the one be- ing I love in this world, besides my father, sepor.” “ And you will marry me?” “ Gladly, senor,” **'To become a pirate’s bride?” ‘*T am a pirate’s daughter, senor.” ‘What if I do not love you?” “T will teach you to love me, senor.”’ “T may be killed within the month?” “Tt is certainly not worse to. be a pirate’s widow, than a pirate’s wife, Senor Barto.” ‘*You may see me die at the yard-arm, Rita?” “Then I will live and avenge you,” she said with a savage earnestness that amounted to vin- dictiveness, “Hal thatis a good sentiment, and proves your love, Rita,” he said quickly, as though more struck with her desire for revenge than her love. ‘ “T hope I will not have to prove my affection by avenging you, Barton Keys; but the one who slays you, if I live, I will hunt to death in its worst form.” She looked grandly beautiful as she spoke, and he answered: “Well, Rita, I proniised your father that I would make you wife.” * * And you do so merely because he asks it?” youythe truth, senor,” was the “No, for [admire you yreatly; but there is brother Irving, still held ee ee nee ee eee ieee ee eee ee ee ee re ee ee ee ee ee ne ee eee eee ee ee eee ee ee ee a ae eee eee ! strikes me you are not looking as bappy as , one other [ sought to make my wife, and now cannot.” “ You refer tc Miss Brandt?” * Yes,” ** You have a revengeful feeling in wishing to marry her?” 3 “IT think so, more than love it is revenge.” “Then you will have to get your revenge upon her by destroying her happines, as you have, in making- Mr. Carr your prisoner.” “Yes, [ will have to be content with that; but now let us signal for your father and the priest to come on board.” ‘*The priest!” : ‘*'Yes, for your father landed on the coastand — kidnapped a padre for this very ceremony, as he knew that you loved me, and was deter- mined that I should never have my vessel until you were my wife,” “Ab! I see that you bought me.” ‘* It amounts to about that.” She looked deeply pained for an instant, and then said earnestly: “It shall not amount to a trade long, for Barton Keys, I will make you love me.” He smiled, but made no reply and. going 7on deck signaled the schooner. In response a boat soon after put off, contain- ing two oarsmen, Captain Restel and a man in riestly garb, the latter wearing a bandage over is eyes to blindfold him. 7 Reaching the lugger the captain led the priest into the cabin, where Barton Keys and Rita awaited them, the former having assumed a disguise, for he was well known to the holy father whose parish was not very far from the Blue Anchor Inn, ‘Padre, there are two here to be married, and it is for this purpose I have brought you to unite them, ‘Please perform the ceremony as quickly as possible and accept this as a token for your church, for Lowen 2 it was dishonorably gained it will be spent in an honest cause,” and the Sea Owl thrust into the bands of the padre a bag of gold, a very considerable amount, while at the same time he took the blindfold from his eyes, The padre glanced around him with some considerable curiosity at first, He had been inveigled from his home by the smuggler, and carried on board the schooner; but Father Homer was a brave man, and what- ever bis part he meant to face it fearlessly. He was treated well on board the schooner, but kept confined to his state-room, Now he found himself on board a smaller craft, in the presence of three persons two of whom he was to bind together in the bonds of wedlock, and his reward, a rich one, had already been given him, That they were outlaws he knew, and there his knowledge ended. Making the best of the situation he said: - “YT thank you, my son, and the poor among my people shall share your bounty, for won by outlawry, itshould do some good, “Your names, please, my children?” ‘Barto the Buccaneer,” said Barton Keys in a firm voiee, while the maiden answered sim- ply: “Rita.” - After me a few questions of each, the priest united the two, the man stern and calm, © the girl flushed and trembling. ‘“* Accept this, padre, as my offering for your church,” said Barton Keys, thrusting into bis” bands a roll of bank notes. ‘‘ And this as a souvenir of me, holy father,’ added Rita, unclasping a chain about her neck and giving to the priest a crucifix of solid gold, studded with precious stones. : “Oh, my son, and you my eee you overwhelm me with your charity, and may the good Mother guide you aright will be my pray- er, and lead you out of the sinful paths P can- not ig know you tread,” said the padre ear- nestly. ! “| am ready, Senor Padre, to return with you on board the vessel, and before many hours you shall be safely landed_upon the coast near your home,” said Captain Restel, and once more blindfolding the priest, they returved on board the schooner, accompanied by Barton Keys and his wife. Then, with the first shadows of nightfall, Rite bade her father a tearful farewell, and the Ghoul of the Sea glided out of the lagoon and rode the waters of the Gulf, the cross and cut- lass flag, embroidered by the fair fingers of. the smuggler’s daughter and pirate’s bride, floating at her peak, and commanded by the man whose own acts bad branded bim with infamy, ; CHAPTER XI. Somer time has wm mM bee wh (42! & ol bed wAeS& A» & wR aa wewk& oS Re Aw ras bis roo of ge, she, noble young trust in bim, eye
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‘The Sea Owl. xould not believe against all seeming proof, that ‘he had become a pirate. One proof was a letter received by Colonel | Brandt which was as follows: “Av Sea, oFF Baize, “CoLtoneL Rupert BRANDT:— “*Str:—These, the last lines that you will receive from me, will doubtless surprise you greatly and give je pain, for it is hard to feel that one whom ; ve ~ ispescone and aided has been unworthy of your r “Vw you from on board my vessel, a schooner AInow command in a career which I well know is an unholy one, yet which I am compelled to assume «charge of, as I am held by bonds which I cannot break to those who have served me well in the past. “T had hoped, when I gave up my title of Pirate ,.won upon the high seas, it would be to lay it ‘down forever; but Iam forced now, from circum- Stances which I cannot explain, to resume the cut- , and with it I shall take up the robes of the cross, and become a free rover in reality thisgtime, | where I was one only in name before. “Bitterly do I regret this step; but, a mere crea- ture of circumstances, I must drift with the tide a. me where it will, and to whatsoever end i y. ! “In my heart I feel for the one who has trusted Me with her love. “Trefer to your beautiful, noble daughter, and I beg that she may forget me, and that my generous- ‘ pupil, Irving, will cast from his bosom the | fegard he felt for ape who was pete nk ; More I cannot say, nor do I care to, for my heart , | ds too full, my brain on fire in —~e this farewell to them I have so dearly loved, and shall ever love, A pt hag must Bom cass = ne 4g one ag gives up nor, hope and al ecome known no longer as Bradford Carr, but to sink himself forever . “Tue Pirate Priest.” Another proof, as the colonel believed, was , | thata man answering the description of Brad- ford Carr was certainly the commander of the , | Schooner Ghoul of the Sea, which was winning - | SUch a reputation upon the waters of the Gulf. © captain of this outlaw craft was tall, ressed as a padre, had a smooth face, and , | carried a flag of a cutlass and cross, such as the , | @bsent tutor bad done when he was known as , | the Pirate Priest, only the skull, crossbones and ry prohor were alsoembroidered upon the black eid, The lugger left by the smugglers, Irving Brandt had run up fo Mobile, | had wholly _ Yefiited, and with increased sail put on her, had turned her into a yacht, giving her the name of Lady Maud, | The yacht Lady Maud, changed into the Lady * | Rita, had been seen several times by night, and , & ng evident that she was no longer an honest r £ One day Colonel Brandt returned from the y 8 seocw Village, some leagues from the Plantation, and brought with him Father Homer, a priest who had as a charge ‘the coast. The worthy priest had before visited at Brandt epee pe was warmly welcomed by y several small chapels along ‘both Maud and Irving. After dinner was over Colonel Brandt said: ‘“* Maud, as you and Irving have seemed so blind in your trust of Bradford Carr, | wish ‘ather Homer to make known to you an ac- | venture that occurred to him some time since, and which may cause you to see that the man you defend is guilty.” ‘I have great confidence in Father Homer, ‘+ father, as you know, but I will bave to see.with rv) Y Own eyes Bradford Carr as the Pirate Priest, before I believe him to be guilty,” Bitte answered Maud, while Irving broke out “Those are my sentiments, sis.” . “Well, my children, I will, as your father ») Tequests it, tell you the circumstance to which u he alludes, and you can judge for yourselves, 1 was sent for one night, to visit a man on “ a coasting craft, who was said to be dying. % ‘Of course I went, and I was entra on & board a lurge armed schooner, and confined to my erbih ase prisoner. h + remained until the craft dropped = pe, *) d then one morning was blindfolded, r bs Sich on bo rd another craft, the cabin i which was as comfortable as a lady’s cham- or d} “Then I was alle - slowed to see, and I beheld id | three per Sons present, one a short man, with a parades sailor-like look and a great deal of dig- q ty Y) Rrvetig = 1,2 another, a tall ibroad-sbout- py fellow, whose face and head were shielded under a wig and false beard, while he was dressed in the costume of an 0 inary seaman, Siete ut ‘fet vena upon was a bril- sem ed te thevinate you, oman, with eyes that ‘She was exquisitely attir, -wels, and this cruc ase Ge Sed, woe: P el ve i aes old chain as you see i,” | the ‘priest banded to M crucifi: which Rita bad given him,” ‘2° crucifix ~ ‘Then he continued: “TI saw that the man was disguised not pierce it, thovgh. his eves and ce were a) familiar, and ‘efter ward I recalled to mind Mr b) Carr, whom I had several times met, as the one , but cou'd peeunted me of, discovered why I had been so clev- , for I was comma lo marry or aiden.” 2) @ Geos © & sOosanebo Eheee 92 = 2 © eee ae ‘* Which man?’ asked Maud, and her voice uivered, ‘* The one in disguise.” ‘* What name did he give, Father Homer?” ‘“My daughter, he gave the the nameof Barto the Buccaneer.” ‘That is not Bradford Carr.” ‘*No, Maud, but mark that the name Barto | seems a blending of the two names, Bradford | Carr,” said the colonel. “‘T do not observe it, father; but what then occurred, Father Homer?” ‘*T was liberally rewarded for my services, with donations for my church, and this crucifix was given me by the maiden, after which I was again blindfolded and carried back to my state- room upon the other vessel. > “That night the craft set sail, the man whom I had married to the maiden taking command of her for the first time, as I learned from sev- eral things I overheard, and his wife accom- panying him, “*T was landed at a point on the coast and al- lowed to go myy way, and as the schooner set sail I saw on her decks the same tall form, but yd in priestly garb, and if was Bradford arr. ‘You are sure of this, Father?’ cried Maud, her face very pale. ‘‘Tam certain that it was Bradford Carr, my daughter, for he smiled and waved his haud to e ‘* Another man might have done the same,” muttered Irving, and then he added: “Still I believe that Mr. Carr is not that Ghoul of the Seca now figuring as’ the Pirate Priest.” ‘* Brother, bless you for your faith, for it strengthens mine,” earnestly said Maud, and she arose end left the room, followed by Irving, leaving the colonel to entertain the worthy priest, who had added still stronger proof to the guilt of Bradford Carr. CHAPTER XI. THE DRIFTING BOAT. THE better to acquaint my readers with the characters of my story, as they make their en- trances and exits before them, I must go back to one night of storm on the Gulf coast, some time previous to the scenes related in the fore- going pages, A small sail-boat had ventured out rather far from land in the afternoon, considering the un- settled state of the weather, and in,it was a single human being, a bandsome, fearless-faced boy, dressed in sailor attire. But few though his years had been, he was every inch the sailor, and seemed to have per- fect confidence in his. sail-boat which was cer- tainly a stanch and sea-wortby craft, He had been up to the town and was n his. return when the storm overtook him, and dark- ness came on rapidly in its wake. Luffing up, he had close-reefed bis mainsail and jib, and stood at bis helm with the air of one conscious of his power to ride safely through the dangers before bim, Suddenly his eyes fell upon a dark object abead upon the waters, and at the same time he heard a hail in a voice that certainly did not belong to any hardy mariver cf the deep. “‘ Ho, the rity the sloop, ahoy!” came the hail, in a musical, rivging, girlish voice. “ Ay, ay, [ am coming,” stouted the youth, and running past the boat, he luff d up and threw a line. It f.ll short, and the drifting boat passed on. _ Again he got under way, and once more pass- ing. the boat, he threw a line, his time it was caught and made fast, and the boat was drawn alongside and two persons were dragged on board the little craft, “You have saved our lives, sir, for our boat would not bave held up much longer— What! a boy alone in a boat, and on, such a night,” said the man who crouched in the cockpit, as a flish of lightning revealed to him who had been his preserver, ‘Yes, I’m only a boy, sir, but I have been out in as bad storms in this very little craft and we can ride it ea all right, so don’t you be alarmed,” and he addressed bis last re- mark to the one who bad first hailed bim,and who was a young girl of fourteen, beautiful in spite of her paleness and the masses of wet hair that hung about her, balf-hidiag ber face. ‘*T am not afraid for myself, sir, but for my father,” she said, softly. ‘“Yes, andI can lend you no aid, young sir, as you see that I am ironed band and foot.” As he spoke he beld up bis hands to view, and the boy for the first time saw that he wore manacles, for when aiding him into the boat he bad believed him to be suffering from some in- ury. At this discovery the youth fairly started, but said, kindly: ** You bave been unfortunate, sir.” “Thave brought my misfortunes my- relf, young sir, so that I have no one else to me. “ But do you dwell upon this coast?” * Yes, sir, my bome is Brandt Plantation, and my name is Irving Brandt,” “ “Indeed! I have heard of your father as a banging over ber lover, the gallant soldier, and have seen you in your little sail-bout often before,” ‘*Have seen me, sir?’ “ Yes.” “Where?” “‘Oh, cruising around, and in the inland waters; but have you any idea that you have made a great capture to-night?” ** No, sir.” ‘Do you know that you have captured a man with a large price upon his head?’ **T do not, sir.” ‘* Well, it is so, for my little daughter Myrtle here, and myself were captured, and I managed to make my escape, as'1 am, preferring death by drowning, rather than at the yard-arm.” a. Are you so guilty as to deserve such a death, sir? “You can be the judge, when you know who Iam; but, be I what 1 am, you have saved our lives even though you afterward lead me to the gallows.” . ‘* That I will not do, sir, for I did not capture you, whoever you are, by aay act of courage upon my part, but picked you up in distress, in a drifting, eI boat, and I will land you where you wish, if in my power.” ‘*By Heaven, boy! but you bave the true ring of manbood about you, that is certain; but let me tell you, Master Brandt, that Iam Palafox the Pirate, and my baunt is upon this coast, not many leagues from where we now are, “T have often beard of you, Captain Palafox, and men say that you are too for a pirate, and I know of many good s you bave done to offset your evil ones. ‘* But you are no prisoner of mine, and I will run you to your rendezvous, if you will pilot me there.” ** And you will pilot back an armed craft upon me, eh?” , *‘ Ob, no, what confidence I am intrusted with through your misfortune, I will hold sacred.” ~ ‘Well said, sir, and from, this night count Palafox the Pirate your friend to command.” ‘‘And Myrtle too,” softly said the girl, and she held forth her hand, which Irving Brandt warroly grasped. ‘Now, my young captain, my rendezvous lies about due nortb, and when you get close in- shore Myrtle will be ro pilot, for she can run « craft in as well asi cap.” — Irving at once ran the little craft for the shore, and Myrtle piloted it into the lagoon and up to the retreat of the Fox, as the pirate was also called, and from that night the youth ossessed a secret that nothing could have orced him to betray, discovering it as he did through the misfortune of those he so well bad served. CHAPTER XIII. “4 WHEEL WITHIN A WHEEL.” Hap it not been for the rescue of Palafox the Pirate, by Irving Brandt, Bradford Carr would have died on the gallows as the murderer of Soule Ravelle, when Barton Keys was the guilty one, for, when all the «ff rts of the youth and his sister failed to save the tutor, the plédge of the outlaw to bis boy rescuer was remembered, and the result was that a solitary pilgrimage was made to the buccaneer rendez- vous, Glad to return the faver done him, Palafox had gone to the jail and rescued Bradford Carr, and more, taking a greater interest in Irvin and those he loved, he had determined to the Brandt Manor that no barm should befall i from other sea rovers. - When the Ghoul of the Sea commenced her depredations along the coast and out in the Gulf, Captain Palafox bad it in bis power to warn Maud of an intended raid upon the planta- tion, and not only that but to be on band with be erew and beat back the pretended Pirate riest. Realizing the danger of their dwelling u the coast unprotected, Colonel Brandt pe | his family to New Orleans in Irving's lugger vacht, the Lady Maud, and on the run over the eet craft had sighted, and after a brisk chase, had captured the Lady Rita, as it will be re- sehen the pretty sloop hud been rechris- ten Ba the yorve. ne ee —_ a crew of smug- glers, a costly freight, and one passenger in person of Rita the Sea Ghoul’s bride. % She had professed to be a dweller upon the coast, who bad taken passage on the yac’ believing it to be a packet coaster; but one the crew turning traitor had Invi the colonel just who she was, and that her Shang baggage was in reality sm The women was set free upon the arrival of the two vessels in port, but ber was held, as was also the yacht, while the crew, ex: the traitor, who had bought bis li by h posreres. : *; in New 0 a mt e ew Orleans, Colonel. Bra ad settled down to @ and uiet life, for with her beart aching at i fisidiea ire Toei ie and confession, were sent on board a man-of-war as the cloud — Rae ee th,
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desire to go into society, though well she knew that she could reign as queen, As for Irving be remained on board his yacht, which with its negro crew was anchored out at the lake, which is only a few miles from New Orleans, and having laid certain plans to discover if the Pirate Priest was indeed his loved tutor, he held himself in readiness to carry out those plans, In this endeavor he had as an ally the traitor smuggler, whom he had set free and retuined in his employ, and who had pledged himself to certain work for the youth. There certainly hai been two more cases of seemingly strong proof brought before Irving and Maud, that Bradford Carr could be none other than the Pirate Priest, for the the smug- gier had said that such was the name that the adre bore, and more, when he made known hat Rita was the bride of the Ocean Ghoul, the two, when confronted by Colonel Brandt his son had distinctly said that the name of ber husband was Bradford Carr. — « Anotber proof stili seemed to be in that the Pirate Priest wore on his little fiuger a blood- red stone in which was set a diamond, and _ such a ring had Maud presented to the tor, _ Yet, with all this staring them in the face both Maud and Irvivg remained firm in their belief that Bradford Carr bad not turned pirate, sey they could not solve the mystery of these seeming proofs that he was, Another ally of toe youth and maiden in endeavoring to solve the secret, was Palafox the Pirate. He had of late secretly and so well served both the brother and sister, that Irving, deeply interested in the beautiful liltle daughter of the outlaw, had urged that she be sent away from that lonely baunt on the coast, and be allowed to attend school in New Orleans, Gladly bad the Sea Fox granted this, and Myrtle, the pirate’s daughter, had been entered as a pupil at Madam Chotard’s fashionable boarding school for young ladies, and under the tronage of Maud Brandt, though only the ‘our interested suspected the secret. But Maud bad become deeply interested in the young girl, and felt it ber duty, if in her power to ‘‘snatch a brand from the burning,” and save Myrtle from the fate that threatened Sf. Having turned to piracy from a force of circumstances, rather than from the commission of crime, Captain Palafox had never been a cruel monster Jike other sea-rovers, nor had be warred against American vessels, while he had protected the dwellings along the coast between New Orleans and Mobile from other rovers. With hope that his loved child would not be forced to grow up in a pirate haunt, be had de- termined to cast off the shackles that bound bim to outlawry, and gain a pardon for the past for himself and crew by turning buccaneer-bunter for the Government, Thus matters stood some months after Colo- nel Brandt and his family removed from their gt ee home to New Orleans, and both the Fox and Irving Brand: were devoting all their energies to discover the true identity of the Pirate Priest. CHAPTER XIV. THE PIRATE'S WIFE, Tuat Rita was in a fair way to keep ber word and make Barton Keys love her, even against his will, seemed certain, ere the schooner had been a month at sea under her new commander’, for the pirate found his every wish anticipated, his wild, reckless life made comfortable, and it was not very long before he found himself b> Are! to the sharer of his dangers for ad- vice, Having been almost reared on the deck of a vessel, when cruising with her father and in following him in bis lawless career, inured to perils that tried the stoutest hearts. Rita bad come to possess perfect control over herself; ope her nerve was wont to win the admiration the crew on many a fearful night of storm and trying occasion, when capture seemed im- minen Tous it was that she had become a good sailor, and she amazed her busband one day, when he gave her permission to take command, by sending forth her ringing orders and setting sail on the sc er, in a manner that showed a perfect knowledge of a craft from keel to top- mast, “Lam afraid I om going to Jove you in spite of myself, Rita,” be bad said to her one day, and the words gave her moro than joy. Thus the days passed into fe and months were formed—months that made the schooner of the pretended Pirato Priest known in the Gulf of Mexico as a craft that defied capture, and her in as a earhiny, | wretch who deserved bh a bundred-fold, if such were possible to et upon him, Often had Barton Keys determined to run into the Brandt Manor harbor, devastate the ome and carry off Maud; but be was persuaded ar ta not to do so, and in the persuasion there something so closely allied to a threat, if be Be) iit Nag tt me mn ata or et The Sea Owl. | — did so, that he kept clear of tbat part of che coast, Twice be had come upon the lugger-yacht, with Irving Brandt on board, once to give ber chase, and have ber outsail bim, and again to catch ber among the Chandeleur Islands, and after bringing her to witb a damaging broad- side, to instantly carry owt his character of Bradford Carr by sending an officer and men on board to repair damages, and with the apology that had be known that it was his old he would not have fired upon him, and elling bim to go on bis way unmolested. One day the schooner sighted a small craft which Rita pronounced to be one of her father’s smuggling flest, and she was instantly signaled. The old smuggler captain was not on board, but as she was bound to New Orleans to dispose of her booty, Barton Keys determined to take advantage of her going there to send the costly treasure which he had on board and dispose of it, and he seid; “Now, Rita, I am afraid to trust all this treasure to any man, and especially the money which will be paid for it, and I beg that you will go in the little craft to New Orleans, dis- pose of the booty, and return to the basin and remain with your oe until Irun in for you.” Rita suspected nothing, and so took passage on the little vessel for the city, and, as the reader already knows, was captured by Irving Brandt in the Lady Maud, while Barton Keys, thus freed of his wife’s presence sailed for Brardt Pliotation determined to carry off Maud, but was thwarted in his evil design by Palafox the Pirate, who beat him back to bis vessel from the very lawn in front of the man- sion, Huving explained how it was that Rita came to be captured on the smuggler craft, T will roceed with what followed, after ber releass y Irving Brandt. Many a woman, thus thrown alone upon her own resources, would have been utterly wretch- ed; but not so with the Sea Owl’s daughter, for, hardly bad she gained her pardon, when she eoolly took from about her person various little ackages of jewels which she had concealed Stieres while she said grimly: ‘They robbed us of our booty, but here is po in value than all it would have brought in gold,’ After selecting some of the more ees of the veh, she replaced the others, and left the hotel. Having been in the city before with her father, Rita found her way without inquiring toa street ina far from fashionable quarter of the town, Turning down it she walked on her way slow- ly, reading the signs as she went along, as though watching for some name, At length she paused before a sign on which she read; “ RUDOLPHO, ** Dealer in Gold, Silver, Jewels, and General Merchandise, “ Money LOANED, AND Opps AND Enps Pur- CHASED,” “This is the place,” she said, and she at once entered, A man with a_dark, sinister face saw her as she came in, and struck with her elegant ap: peararce came forward and asked: “ How can I serve you, lady?” “You purcbase jewels, do you not?” “Yes, lady.” ** Are you the Senor Rudolpho?” “| am, lady.” . ,, ‘““What are these worth?’ and she placed a score of sparkling gems before bis eyes. He fairly started at the sight, and said: “They are all handsome jewels, lady, and their value is considerable.” ‘What are they worth to you?” ** All, or in part, lady?’ «+ All.” “There are just twenty of them, lady, and they are worth seven thousand dollars,” “Which means that you will give twelve Pongeand for them if you have to,” saw that she knew their value, so said: “We try to get goods at a value to make a 00d profit on, lady; but I will give you ten thousand for them.” “T will take just twelve thousand.” “T cannot give that sum, lady.” “Then I will seek one who can elsewhere,” and she turned to depart, whew be cried: “Stay, lady! the jewels are really so very fine that I will risk that sum on them.” “There is no risk. senor, as you know; but give me the money.” He counted it out to her, and said: “Pardon me, lady, but I hope that these jew- els came rigbtly into your hands,” » She did not flinch, as she replied: “As honestly as the smuggled and pirated goods with which your shop is stored came into your possession.” > It was his time to start now, and he turned pale, but said; ~ a A a mm ee ee ee ee | ee | smuggled goods?” “Dear lady, do you think that I would keep “1 know it, Sevor Rudolpbo, and as you have a big bargain in the jewels I have just sold you, I wish you todo me a favor.” ‘* You bave but to name it, Jady.” ‘* Where can I purchase a fast sailing craft of | from tbirty to forty tons burden?” ‘“ You, lady?” be asked with surprise, * So lL said, senor.” ‘A swift sailing craft?” “ Yes.” ‘There is not one for sale here now, lady, but just such a one sailed yesterday for Pensa- cola, and—” “Is she very fast?” ‘“ Wonderfully so. Jadv, and a beauty, for she was built for a Gulf cruiser, but being too smal] a Spanish Don at Pensacola purchased her and sailed for_home in ber only yesterday.” ‘* And she can be found there now?” ‘* Wes, ai chored off the don’s villa,” For a few moments Rita was silent, and then She sid at “me le ‘Senor Rudolpbo, J must have a erew of fit teen good men,” * A crew, lady?” “ Yes,” ** Wi'bout a vesse)?” ' “T will fiud a vessel—but no, I wish you to purchase mea small and fast-sailing lugger, and throw on board of her a cargo of some kind. “ Then get the crew on board I need. and one of them must be a man fit to be an officer, and all of them men who are willing to take their lives in one hand for a good sum of gold in the orber.” ‘You surprise me, lady.” “See bere, Senor Rudolpbo, I know you as the receiver and seller of smuggled and piratical goods, and that is why I scughé ou, ‘*T know that you can secure for me a lawless set of men, just what I need fora crew, and E will pay them liberally for the work in hand. “Now, there are two thousand dollars with which to purchase for me a lugger and store it witb thirty days’ provisions, and what is over keep for your services, PS **T wih to sail to-morrow night, and at dark I will call here and expect you to take me on board of my vessel, so do not disappoint me, senor, for who knows but that you may makes fortune out of me yet? “*Good-day, Senor Rudolpho, and remembe at dark to-morrow, | will be here,” and with this Rita swept out of the shop, lenving the ma utterly amazed at the strange command that he bad just received froma beautiful woman whom he bad believed at first the petted darling o some family of wealth, who had come in to dis pose of her jewels to belp some erring brother — or lover out of a gambling scrape, CHAPTER XV. A WOMAN AT THE HELM. TRUE to ber word, Ria put in an appearance at the shop of the Senor Rudolpbo at the.ap pointed time, ; The shopman met her at the door, evidently ¢ having been on the watch for her, and greetec her with a polite bow and an invitationto enter ¢ what he was pleased to call bis *‘ sanctum,” bu about which there was no appearance of sacred- % ness other than a rare painting of the Last me per, which some poor unfortunate bad had to ¢ sell for bread, or which had been stolen, ; Rich India shawls, elegant paintings, massive silver service, bijouterie of all descriptions of more or less value, and weapons of a ozen di ferent vations were visible vpon all sides, prov ing that the Senor Rudolpbo wag driving a very mnlape and profitable business. “Be seated, lady,” he said politely. “Is there any delay, senor, that I should tare ry here?” asked Rita coldly. “No, lady, I have secured you a thirty-ton lvgger that sails well, and fifteen men, one of whem is an intelligent young man, a perfec sailor, so that you need feel no dread of int st- ing bim as captain.” ‘TI shall be captain of my own vessel, Seno Rudolpho, but I need a man who can be relied on to aid me,” The senor was amazed, for he had discove ed that the lady meant to be her own mistress “As you please, lady, I did not know tha you understood the management of a vessel,” “I do, perfectly, was the quiet reply. Senor Rudolpho was soon interested in this strange and beautiful creature. *“Who can she be?” he wonderingly asked himself, ; a he was unable to answer the query, sé said: ‘*May Task the service you wish the crew for, lady, so t at there can be no mistake abou® | them?” “TL told you, yesterday, that I wished them men who were willing to carry their lives it their hande for generous pay.” j “They will do it, ladv, “Then that is all sufficient, so kindly esco: me to the vessel, senor, for I see that ay cal riage has arrived with my baggage. — ‘ty FF * With pleasure, lady.” _ ty ae The veblcle bad i ted at the door and Sen¢ * a : ' oe a ft ae h n 2 d a d %
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P iy | 12.92 The Sea 9 Caen ae Nee ee eo enone Bed Owl. Rudolpho and Rita entered, after the former ‘Pardon me, but call me Lady Rita, please,” | Don’s bome, and there were other vessels not hiad told the driver where to put them down, above the city, and opposite which a small lug- ger lay at anchor. Bidding the driver await bis coming the senor bailed, and a boat came ashore. The luggage belonging to Rita was than put in the boat by the two men who came asbore, anda minute after the woman stood upon the deck of her purchase. ‘This is your Lady Captain, Senor Argylle.” ) Rita bent her haughty head in acknowledg- wment,and answered: “Please come with me into the cabin, Senor Argylie.” he two men followed her into the cabin, and Rita glanced around her with an air of agree- able surprise, as she saw that even in the sbort time that he bad had, the Senor Rudolpho bad done all he could for her comfort. “You are very kind, senor, to fit the cabin up So nicely for me, and I thank you,” she said in her sweet way that was natural to her when she unbent from her hauteur. The senor was delighted and made some com- plimentary remark in return. But, unheeding this, Rita turned to the young sailorand addressed bim. He was a man of twenty-five, perhaps, with a clean cut beardless’ face, stamped with refine- ment, yet reckless in the extreme. That 55 bad been reared the gentleman was evident, and it seemed sad to think tlat he had descended to the reckless adventurer, He was dressed in sailor attire and looked very handsome, with bis golden curly bair and blue ee as he stood before Rita, his tarpaulin in his “Senor Argylle, are you afraid to die?’ came the first question from Rita. ‘No, senorita, I am not if need be for the fice,” was the frank rejoinder. “You will suit me, senor, and I wish to make ou my first officer, for I will command the ugger; but are you particular as regards the Service you enter upon!” “No, lady, for though I would prefer a life of bonor, if in my power to grasp it, misfortune bas dragged me down and I must needs accept @ living from the world, come as it may.” “Very well, Senor Argylie, I feel that we will Ret along well together; but now about the men?” * The crew will follow my lead, lady, wher- ver it be, for they have served with me be- fore.” “Then no more need be said: now, Senor Rudolpho, are you sufficiently paid for your Services?” ‘More than paid, lady—but I really have not the honor of knowing your name?” “Nor is it necessary that — should, senor; ‘but I thank you for your kindness, and we will doubtless meet again. ** Adios, senor.” The Senor Rudolpho knew that this meant a issal, and he said. “ Farewell, lady, and success and happiness ou. Row Argylle, if you will set me ashore I ’ will feel obliged.” > “ And I will put on a more suitable attire for sea and soon join you, Senor Argylie, so that ou may get uhe lugger under way,” called out ita as the two men left the cabin. Now, Argylle, you know my instructions, to find out all about this mysterious and beauti- | woman, and report to me, for I am deter- mined that she shall not slip through my hands,” said Rudolpho. I understand, senor, the terms you engaged me on,” was the somewhat significant response. Now don’t fall in love with her, make a fool of yourself, and give me the slip.” I do not desert my trusts, Senor Rudolpho.” i. Lkuow that, and therefore trust you. ~by and bon voyage.” she two ped hands and the Senor Ru- do'pho was rowed ashore, while Argylle got the anchor up and gail set, just as Rita came on oo and took the tiller, saying quietly: take the helm of this craft, Senor Argylle, to guide its destinies where I will.” CHAPTER XVI. PILOT. et pene doubt the young mate, and the crew Ae the lugger, might have had of the sea- mans | ia ita, it was quickly dispelled, when the craft was skillfully guided through the vari- ous vessels at anchor HA | with a fres wind, went bowling down the river at a speed that left eight knots in her wake to the hour. She isa good sailer, but carries a lee helm that makes her steer hard,” said Rita, in a way that showed she-knew what she was about “Permit me to lend you my aid senorita,” and preville ne - re tors ; ou ma e m, si forward and have a look moon scribed I must admit I am pleased with: but did the Senor Rudolpho speak with iy of a pleasure 4 belonging to @ Spanish Don at Pensa- ‘* Yes, senorita—” Se ee ee eee eee See she had been kvown upon her pirate husband’s vessel. ** Certainly, Lady Rita; but you asked me if the Senor Rudolpho spoke to me about the Span- | ish Don’s yacht?” so-Yes,” “He said that you were anxious to purchase | the craft if you could.” ““T am, and, if | cannot purchase her, I in- tend to. have her,” was the calm response. ‘**It would be better to cut her out and thus save the purchase money,” suggested Argylle. ‘Perhaps if would,” said Rita, thoughtfully, and then she added: “We will see when we get there what is best, and do it.” Whatever Argylle might bave thought, from Senor Rudolpho’s description of Rita, he now discovered that he had one to deal with that he was forced to respect, and myst obey as though she were a man, and his advice to the crew was from that stand-point, for some of them were — at first to murmur against a lady cap- tain. By dawn the lugger had passed the Balize and was on the waters of the Gulf; driving swiftly along under plenty,of canvas, In due time she ran into Pensacola and drop- ped anchor in a convenient position for flight, sbould it be necessary. It was night when the lugger arrived, but early in the evening, so that the tap-rooms and inns were still open, and Argylle at once went on shore to see what discoveries he could make regarding the pleasure craft that had caused Rita to visit the port. About midvight he returned, and found the Lady Captain awaiting him in the cabin. * Well, Argylle, your face shows that you have made some discovery,” she said, “Yes, Lady Captain, I met in a tap-room a sailor -from on board the very craft, and one whom I have met before, and he was not only glad to see me, but wished me to join bim ina plan for the cutting out of the very luggen” ‘*Tndeed!” * Yes, "Lady Rita, I got the story from him as we once served together on a ,craft that did not fly an honest flag, and it seems he belongs to one of St. Augustine’s band of smugglers, and they want the craft for themselves.” “ I know who they are, and have no love for them; but what said this shipmate of yours?” ‘* He said that he had been sent over to New Orleans by bis captain to look up a vessel for the crew, as theirs was getting old, and he had hit upon the lugger, and learning that she was to sail for Pensacola, he had shipped in her and been appointed second mat. * Arriving here in port ‘se had sent a runner at once to his captain with the news, and re- ceived an answer that afternoon that he would come up with his crew and cut the lugger out, ‘““Of course I promised to join him, and, as he could not leave the lugger, he asked me to awaié the arrival of his = - the inn, —_ ing me how to recognize him, and agreeing wit me upon signals when we ap roached the vessel in our boats, or as the chief deemed best. ‘He did not think the crew would arrive until to-morrow night, and I promised to re- main at the inn, but as soon as he departed, I hastened back to tell you all.” ‘““You have done well, Senor Argylle; but what force is there on the lugger?” ‘Nive men, with my comrade, Lady Rita.” “ And we are sixteen, so we will at once act.” “ And attack in the lugger?” “Yes, for the vessel we seek is anchored above, and we have not been seen to anchor here, so can run on to the upper anchorage; but, instead of dropping the iron, we cau lay alongside of her, seize her, and be on our way out to sea in ten minutes.” ‘*It isa bold and good plan, Lady Rita; but I wish we bad more time.’ “We must not delay, or the St. Augustines may run in and cut out the craft before our very eyes,” ‘True, Lady Rita, so I will at once get the men up and ready for the work,” and a quarter of an hour after the lugger bad left her anchor- age and was gliding up the harbor in the direc- tion where lay the prize the Lady Captain was determined to possess. CHAPTER XVIL THE ATTACK ON THE PRIZE. THE craft that Rudolpho had recommended was a lugger, as trimly built as a yacht, and in fact a good deal on the model of the goletas used as pleasure vessels by the wealthy Cubans, and as a means of conveyance to and from their plantations. She was armed with two broadside brass guns and a twelve-pound pivot, carried: a great read of sail, and was as sharp as a razor and eeper than vessels aang of her tonnage. e Don had fitted her out in fine style fora cruise to Havana before leaving New Orleans in her, and expected to set sail within a few days with bis family. The pretty craft was anchored just off the | interrupted Rita, giving the neume by which | far away trom her, They landed at a point on the levee, a trifle | | Winding ber way among these came the lug- | ger of the Lady Captain, and Argylie’s keen | eyes soon picked out the prize. “There she is, Lady Riva.” “Yes, it can be no other, so I’ll run close by ber, | and as the wind is favorable, lay this craft along- side, while you spring on board with ten of the men,” and Rita gave her orders ima tone that was perfectly calm. ae a few minutes Argylle returned and said: ‘We are all ready, Lady Captain.” “Do not shed blood, remember, unless com- op to do so, but go prepared to kill if need e,” sternly said the woman, and then she de- pose ber whole attention to the work before er. The men who were not to board with the young officer, stood ready at the halyards, awaiting the command from their Lady Cap- tain to act, while Argylle and his boarders crouched down under tbe bulwarks ready for the spring at the prope moment, The anchored lugger was now not more than a cable’s length away, and, under a five knot — the hostile craft was rushing toward er. ‘Ho, that lugger! don’t scrape our paint off,” hailed a husky voice from on board the anobored vessel, as the course of the coming vessel showed how near shé was coming. “Ay, ay, sir, T only seek an anehorage astern,” answered Rita, in. a voice that surprised ber crew by its deep tone. As she spoke she edged a little nearer her it tended prize, and then, as she swept by, sadden- ly put her helm hard down and cried in a vous tha‘ thrilled her men: ‘*Ready about! Boarders,do your duty?” The lugger swept around swiftly, and was laid alongside of the anchored craft, with a thump that forced the other to swing out of her way; but not until Argylle and his men had gained a footing upon her decks, But the lugger forged ahead of the prize, and shot on her way, the wind catching her sails and driving her along on the other tack, ‘* Ho, lady, there comes a blow,” shouted one of the men, and a glance to seaward showed Rita that a sudden storm was sweeping down upon them, which before they had not noticed, and which, in fact, as is common with gales in tha latitude, came up with almost ligh velocity. Rita took in the situation at a glance. She knew her lugger woul! never stand up under the sail thenon her, and that ber first duty would be to get her as near under bare poles as oe as possible, It bad been her intention to put about and again run alongside of the prize. _— instead she shou out in seaman-like mes: ‘Strip the lugger of her sail, lads, and then clew up and set what she will bear.” The men sprung nimbly to their work, and ae ie lugger once more neared the prize, Rita cried: ‘‘ Ho, Argylle!” “ Ay, ay, y Captain,” came the response, and it was evident that though the young officer replied aha NE be had bot work on board, for the crew of the prize were making a stout resistance. ‘*Get up your anchor and follow me out to sea with all haste,” ordered Rita, as the lugger swept by within easy es range. ** Ay, ay, lady,” and following the words of the officer came a cheer, and the firing and clashing of steel ceased. How the fight had ended, Rita was momen- tarily at a loss to know, until again she heard the mate’s voice, shouting: ‘‘Up with that mud-hook, lads, and clew up those sails, for we must get out of this,” The men on the a ugger gave a cheer as these words reached them, for it told them that their comrades had been victorious, and then they turned their attention to the safety of their own vessel, for the blow was now upon them in full force. But, calling a man to the helm to aid her Rita met the shock with perfect nerve, a though the little vessel staggered under the shock, she soon recovered and went bounding away on her course directly out of the harbor toward the open sea. CHAPTER XVIII, THE LADY CAPTAIN AT BAY. THE logger of the Lady Captain was well stripped of sail to meet the storm, whieh was very violent in its fury, and beld well in hand went fiying down toward the open Gulf at a rate of speed that greatly pleased Rita, and caused her to say: ‘“‘Tf the prize can sail faster than this craft, then we we wil have a vessel to be proud of.” “She can do it, lady, for there she comes,” cried the man who stood at the helm with hb and who, in casting his eyes astern, had d cerned a vessel coming in their wake at a tre- mendous pace. ‘It ts the prize, and she is gaining,” cried Bip enlyte e Perm anene~ Pa! - ; __
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10 ~ Rita with joy, and calling a seaman to take her place at the helm, she turned her attention ~ wholly to the coming vessel. It was without doubt the prize, for a flash of _ lightning revealed that, and she was certainly gaining rapidly, and with no more sail set than ~ -was upon he craft she was following. Watching her attentively, Rita discerned that . atthe pace at which the prize was going, she ’ would run by her within half an hour’s time, add then drop them out of sight, for Argylle - conld not reduce sail, and she dared not increase, it on her lugger. Standing to leeward, as Argylle showed an in- ; ¢lination to pass to the lee, she waited for the - prize to come within hail. = It did not take long for the prize to draw up, and when her bow came even with the stern of Rita’s craft, the Lady Captain saw that the mate had come forward the better to havea talk with her, which he did as his own vessel forged ahead. ‘*Well, lady, I have your prizo,” he said cheerily. “ Yes, and you cut her out grandly, senor.” fn —— you, Lady Captain, but I lost several of my mbn, ‘But I put the prisoners in a small boat and set them free.” “You did right, Argylle; but how fast you are leaving us. “Yes, lady, she sails like a witch of the wind; but where will I find you if I lose you in the storm, for it is black as night outside, and this blow is not over?” ** Meet me off the Chandeleurs.” “ Ay, ay, Lady Captain, I will be there,” and the prize swept on out of hailing distance to the great delight of Rita, who muttered: ‘*T will now have a vessel for my dear father that is the superior of the Brandt yacht and Sea Owl.” In a short while the prize had disappeared from sight, and Rita once more took her place at the helm, using a tiller-rope to aid her, while she sent the men forward to see that all was ship-shape before running outside. ey went silently to obey the order, but after quite a long while Rita saw them by the lightning’s flash grouped together, evidently en- gaged in talking over some important scheme. ver suspicious, having been raised in an at- mosphere of suspicion, she at once suspected foul play, and instantly determined to act. Almost within reach of her hand, down the . companionway, hung her belt of arms, and lashing the tiller + pres she sprung down the fran gan ef and seized them, at once return- ing. her post. hen she stood in silence watching and wait- ’ ing, and unable to put up with the suspense, was about to call out to the men to come aft, when another flash of the vivid lightning re- vealed the crew coming aft in a body. f ‘* Now what will happen?” she muttered; but she was perfectly calm, and determined to meet thetrouble boldly, if trouble there was. The crew now approached, five in number, and confronted her. " They would have come nearer, but for her ee w ; ‘* Halt there, men, and let me know what you have to say?” Involuntarily they stopped and stood in a line before her, just as the lugger begun to feel the heavier waves rolling in from the Gulf, “Pll tell yer, lady, just what it is,” said one of the men, acting as spokesman, and then he hesitated. ust what I asked you to do, and I am waiting,” was Rita’s response, coolly ut- a while she put her helm a little tostar- ard. “Well, lady, it don’t seem exactly squar’ ter ‘© back on a woman, an’ a pretty one at that; ut then we is poor sailors, and has our living to’arn, and we don’t want to let no chance go Ps to get a good sum when it passes right rough our hands.” “TI told you that you had enlisted for free work that would pay you well, though the dan- ger was great! “If you are cowards, when I reach the prize, I shall gladly let you all go.” “Tt is not that, lady; but you see we has it in our power to get big money.” “As how, for instance?’ asked Rita, with the same calmness of manner with which she had before spoken, and which seemed to discon- « cert the men, ‘‘This lugger, lady, has done a pirate act to- night, in cutting out a vessel at anchor in a Government port.” **T am aware of that,” ** And, lady, the prize has run on to the Chan- deleur Islands to wait for you, so we sees our chance to make our fortunes, for we can carry this lugger back to port, tell the Don just where to get his yacht back again, and the mate, see- ~ 7 ing this craft coming with us five on board, won’t suspect that we have some score or more with the easy. “s Then the Don will pay us well, besides our getting this lugger as our prize, while we knows t you bas about ten thousand dollars on ’ below decks, and we can capture The Sea Owl. board, besides some jewels we has seen you wear, aud all this will round as you can see.” ‘* Ah! you intend to rob me, seizs the lugger, and get paid for the recapture of my prize? and Rita’s cool manner made the men a trifle uneasy; but the spokesman said; “* Yes, lady, that is it.” ‘* And what do you intend to do with me?” ‘‘ We bas thought of that, lady, and we won’t harm you, but will land you all right before we go to the Don, and give you some money, too.” ‘*- You are very kind, lads, and my advice to you is to begin your infamous work at once.” The men looked at Rita, then at each other, and then all eyes fell upon the spokesman. ‘*T hates it for you, lady, but we has to look out for ourselves; and so just give me the tiller, and don’t make us be rude to you.” As the man spoke he stepped forward, but with the lightning’s flash came a red glare and the report of a pistol, and the mutineer fell heavily to the deck and rolled to leeward, while in a voice that arose above the howling winds, the Lady Captain cried: “* Back, you cowardly mutineers, and do not dare me further |” It was a grand picture, there on that storm- swept craft, to see the Lady Captain standing at bay, one hand grasping the tiller, against which she also threw her weight, the craft careening far over to leeward as she bounded along under close-reefed sails, the dead mutineer dashed against the lee bulwark, and the other four shrinking back before the muzzle of the istol that.covered them, threutening them with instant death—yes, a nd picture, with a wo- man the controlling spirit of the wild scene, —_—-— CHAPTER XIX. THE MUTINEERS’ PLOT. “ Laps, we have caught a gal Tartar!” With this cry from one of the four seamen, all of them fell back hastily from before the muzzle of that cree ha n, held in the un- flinching hand of the Lady Captain. Nor did her temporary success cause her to lose her nerve, for she at once took advantage of her triumph to call out: “To your ts, men, and do your duty, or this craft and all on board of it will go down beneath yonder mountain waves!” She pointed with her pistol, as she spoke, out over the sea, which the lightning revealed as wild and wind-swept in the extreme; and just then the lugger shot out from beneath the lee of the coast shelter, and at once plunged her sharp bows into the huge waves that rolled landward. The men saw their danger and they quickly sprung to their posts, while one called out: “Ther lugger lbswamp, lady, so yer better put back!” ‘‘ The lugger ahead has gone out,.and where it can live I will follow,” was the plucky re- sponse of Rita. But, finding the helm more than she could manage, even with the tiller lashings, she called out: * Two of you come here!” Instantly the four of them started. ** Back! two of you!” . The command was obeyed and two of the four drew near, ‘ “Take that helm, and remember, I shall kill you if you disobey my slightes& order, or leave it without my permission, * Forward there!” “ Ay, ay, lady!” “ Tf either of you even come aft I shall shoot you down witbout mercy.” With this she relinquished the helm to the two men, and not a moment too soon, for it took their united strength to hold the lugger on her course. Taking her position in the companionway entrance, where she would be partially pro- tected from the wind and spray, and holding a pistol ready in hand, she directed the helmsmen which course to steer, while she also kept her eyes roving forward to see that she was not sur- prised by those who were amidships. Fortunately for Rita the men on board with her had not been armed, Argylle arming onl those who had boarded the Don’s yacht wit im, In this the woman held a great advantage, for reckless men that they were, and with the amount of gold before their eyes, which they knew they could gain by ber death, some one of — would have been willing to have shot her own. But, awed by her fatal aim at their ring- leader, and his death, and the bold air she maintained afterward, they were very willing to let the matter drop, at least for the present. Also, they were well aware that a mistake then would be fatal to the vessel, which had to be well managed "to live in that wild sea, and, possessing more confidence in her than in them- selves they were willing to let her retain the upper hand, hoping that, when the storm swept over, some accident, or mis on her part would put them in control. Thus the time went by, the lugger bounding ring us a snug lump all | “upon her course and proving a splendid sea t. | Rita watched the lugger, the sails, the waves, | the men, and with eyes that allowed nothing to escape them. When she saw thatthe two men at the helm were fagged out, she took a pistol in each hand and called to the otbers to come forward and relieve them. They obeyed in silence, and the two thug freed were ordered forward. lf the men expected to tire her out, they soon found they were mistaken, for she kept her stand witbout once seeming to feel fatigue. By degrees the storm blew itself out; but stilk the situation on board the lugger did not change, for Rita held the crew cowed, and seemed determined to so keep them. At length the dawn broke, and the lugger A i a ee ee ed still held in her way, driving straight for the — | Chandeleur Island rendezvous, and at a pace that would bring herthere before very long. Thus the hours passed, no sail in sight, no land visible, only that lugger. bounding along. At length the wind had decreased to only a brisk breeze, and Rita ordered the men from the helm and more sail set. She took the tiller herself now, and sent thenn © forward to the forecastle to give her strained nerves a rest, though the tax on her physical ——— was great, And so the day passed, until.when the sun set clear, one of the men came aft, and saluting politely said: “You has weakened us, lady, and: we asks 2 at rr and wants to act right.” “You get forward, sir, with your coirades, or there will be one less in this lugger’s crew. ‘‘Quick! for lam not to be deceived and put off my guard. “Tell your comrades that I intend to run this craft to the Chandeleurs and find the prize; but. if she is not there, I shall then sail for a port. where you will meet just punishment, ‘“Now sir, obey me, and the man who comes: aft of amidships, without my order, will die 7 age : 7s tracks,” = “* But, aptain, we— * Go, ir!” hee. The pistol was again leveled and the mutineer- seaman went forward with an alacrity that raised a laugh at his expense among bis com- rades, ** What did she say, Jack?” asked one, “ Well, she, intends to find the prize or rum us all into some port where we'll stretch hemp.” ‘* But she can’t last much longer without eat- ing and sleeping.” “Can't she? Now that girl is a forty day faster on the sea, you can bet, and as for sleep, her eyes are as bright as the diamonds she wears, **I tell you, messmates, we madea bad break with ber.” ‘* Yes, but if we had a weapon besides our knives, we’d have it our way.” ‘* Maybe,” said one, while another remarked: ‘Sup we rush on her ina body,” “Well, two of us will die certain, and as FE don’t know just which those two will be, I’lP say no.” z. She would get flurried and miss us.” “Now you try itonif you think so; but jast © look over in the lee scuppers at that heap of ; bumanity that was our messmate last night.” The man glanced at the dead body, shuddered, and no longer urged his plan to capture the daring woman. But another said excitedly: ** Messmates, I bave it!” All turned quickly toward him, .“* There is the hateb, and we can carry it be- fore us, as soon as it is dark, and thus get ri to her side, for bullets won’t penetrate that. The idea was greeted with a suppressed cheer, and the four men congratulated Semadited upon having at last found a way to ove brave woman at bay at the lugger helm. CHAPTER XX. THWARTED, Tue low cheer of the mutineers put Rita at once on her guard. It told her that some plan had been decided upon to get the best of ber. Night was 7 on, but it would be clear and starlight, and the wind was blowing only a brisk breeze, while the sea was no longer wild, She was hungry, tired, drowsy and wretched but ber courage nerve remained firm, an she would die at her post before she was con- quered. By the among the Chandeleurs, and meet the prize. If not, she would run straight-for the Owl’s’ Nest to her father, who, she did not doubt, would make short work of the mutineérs, But alarmed by the cheer of the men, she a OoBke an twee those apd tol tl | e saw twoo m © heavy for: ward batch and raise it. * 4 Instantly she divined their pur , and lash- ings tiller, she darted down into the cabin, bere was a trap-hatch right at the foot of the companionway, and this she threw open, _ morning she knew she would bel | g } 4 ; wer the
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»*) Fo ‘tineers here for you to : will sail v oa Rg See a eree ORE ee sa ae a ear Then seizing the lamp she darted back to the , the men just then looking up, as the lug- ger began to change her course. They saw her there, however, and watched ‘her closely in the uncertain light, while one re- marked: ** Messmates, the gal left the helm I am sure, ‘and she’s up to some mischief,” “She can’t do nothing, so let us move now ‘with the hatch,” said another. The hatch was about five feet square, built of stout planks, and large enough to conceal the four men in a stooping position, when it was #tood on end. Nailing clamps on, the four men grasped ‘them, and began to move slowly aft, pushing ‘the hatch before them as a shield. They took the port side, which was to lee- ward and advanced slowly, ta saw them start, and stood firm. She watched their every movement, and she ‘knew that her bullets would never penetrate ‘the thick wood of the batch. Still she did not flinch, and held the lugger on her course, the tiller against her hip, and hold-’ ing something in her hands. At last the men got amidships, and halted. - They were anxious about the silence of the ‘woman, and wanted her to fire upon them. They knew tbat she had but two pistols, one double-barrel weapon, and the other a single ahot weapon; but they also knew her aim, and felt that three of the four must fall, if she got a chance to fire upon them, Ww Toei bers they saw her keep her placo at the tiller; but as they could learn nothing by standing still, they once more moved on. It was their intention to push the hatch close up against the girl, and then force her from the helm, and seize her. It seemed to the four mutineers that their plan must work well, for what could she do inst them? t suddenly, as they got aft of amidships ‘they came to a sudden halt, as a light flash over the deck, and then, as they ped over the hatch, they beheld the Lady Captain still! #tanding at her post. ~ One hand held the tiller, the other held the ¢abin lamp, and it was raised above her head, while its flickering light cast weird shadows over the deck. : Then .in the Lady Captain’s ringing voice came the words: “Drop that hatch, mutineers, and back to the forecastle, for I have opened the trap in the eabin, and will burl this lamp into the powder Magazine!” ith a yell of fright the the three men dropped the batch and bounded forward, hiding ‘themselves in the forecastie. : A burst of laughter came from the Lady Cap- tain at their frightened stampede, and setting” the lamp down in the companionway, for fur- ‘ther use if ngeded, she again devoted herself to the work of steering. Again, standing her lonely, terrible watch, ‘the Lady Captain the minutes as they Bids by and formed hours, longing for the day come, At last the eastern horizon grew gray, then Trosy-tinted, and day broke, with the sun soon -vising above the waters. One sweeping, anxious glance the Lady Cap- tain cast about her, and a cry broke from her lips as the Chandeleurs were visible, and shoot- ing out from bebind ove of them a trim lugger ‘that could be no other than the prize. : The men she saw forward, and they were un- @asy, but stood in dogged silence gazing out over the water's, while Rita altered ber course, and headed for the stranger. A closer look told her that the strange sail ‘was none other than the prize. 4 In balf an hour the two vessels were near to- gether, and both luffing up, Argylie came on rd, for Rita had hailed: “Come on board, senor, for I have some mu- ut in irons.” ‘Great God, lady, what has happened?” cried be wig as he beheld the white, baggard face ‘The crew mutinied, senor, I killed the one ing yonder, and have kept the others at bay ver since I followed you to sea.” ‘, Mutinied, and against you. a woman?” vi war, they were tempted by the gold they ita on bo: and intended to put back, tell the Don where to find bis yacht, xnd thus at acy Cuptal this lugger too.” ; ptain, you are a woman among a es for few men could have done what fou “ “; what is your will regarding these muti- “T will leave mate fate to my father, for we retreat.” % now to h oe eer ~ “Yes, Lam Rita, the Sea Owl's daughter.” ~ “Hal ei is inde mows Telly Rite: but do trust the men with the se- ea some of them bave shown the yes, for they do no b al that my father ‘needs both vesecls and rou think it + t Thet, now tb biped © + % oe dy» fe Pe et AE eee ee i ee ‘ ee Pee The Sea Owl. * * As for you, senor, you shall command the rize you have sec gallantly taken!” “It will be time enough to talk of that after- ward, Lady Captain; but now let me urge that you go on board the yacht, which is perfect in every appointment, and I will take the lugger with these mutineers in irons, and two meu to aid me. ‘* You need rest and must have it.” *T feel that Ido, and I will take Your advice, Senor Argylle,” and Rita went toward the lug- ger-yacht, and was soon fast asleep, while the Se Atmergrg set sail for the retreat of the Sea w CHAPTER XXI. THE SEA OWL AT HOME. CAPTAIN RESTEL deeply felt the absence of his daughter, from his lonely retreat. He was a silent, stern man, unbending only to his child,and the old négro and negress, the links that bound him to the past, and when he found that they alone were Jeft to welcome him on his return from a voyage, he was wont to have them both in his cabin of evenings to talk to. Loving Rita as he had, he had hoped that she wear not marry; but, when he saw that she loved Barton Keys with ber whole soul, and knowing the intensity of her nature, he was de- termined that she should then wed the man of her own choice. - In their interview in the cabin Barton Keys had tried to get out of marrying Rita, urging various reasons; but the Sea Owl was implaca- a, He said that his daughter loved the man, in spite of his sins, that she was beautiful, accom- plished in @ measure, and that Barton Keys could take his choice and ma her, or he could go back to the jail he had left. ~ Tf the latter he would quickly die on the gal- lows. If the former, he would gain a beautiful, rich and lovirg wife, be made captain of a fine armed schooner to carry on bis piracy in, and be enakled to carry out his revengeful ideas against those he so bitterly hated. Of course the desperate man chose life and the smuggler’s daughter, as the reader has seen, and found himself becoroing more and more interested in his lovely bride the more he knew her, As for the Sea Owl, he returned to his lonely haunt, as I bave said, and began to brood over the loss he had met with. Then misfortune came upon him, for the Lady Rita, Irving Brandt’s captured yacht, was cap- tured with her booty, and a second of his vesse!s sunk in a storm with all on board, and his fleet, with the loss of the lugger Sea Owl, left in ex- change for the Lady Maud, bad been reduced to two earrier vessels, and they were not the fleetest ones among the little outlaw craft by any means. ; d t was while brooding over the loss of his sunken vessel one night, and the absence of Rita, that bis faithful Indian spy suddenly ap- peared in the cabin of his Home Lugger. “Well, Chincopin, you are back again!” he cried, delighted at the return of the Indian, oe he had sefit to Mobile on business to his agent. ; “Chineopin back, but don’t bring good talk,” replied the Indian. “Hal what has gone wrong now?” cried the Sea Owl sternly. “ White cap’n stop at big plantation, get whip der Sea Fox!” ‘“ What are you saying?” *‘Chincopin talk beap straigbt.” ‘* Well, you talk heap crooked to my hearing, for who bas been whipped?” “White boat chief.” ** Barto?” ‘That bim.” ** Where?” ** At big plantation.” *‘ All these plantations are big, so which one was it?” ‘* White chief plantation.” ** Ah! Colonel Brandt's?” “That him,” ‘Curse Barto! what was he doing there?” “ Chincopin think héwant steal. : ‘* Doubtless; but what had the Sea Fox to do with it?’ . **Him there.” ‘* Tbe Sea Fox was there?” ‘* Yes, him whip other boat chief.” “ Now, this is news; but Barto deserves it for landing at Brandt’s plantation and attempting to carry off that girl, for that is just what be -was after; but be had better not make Rita cae for if her love turns to hate, there will ave to be a new commander appointed over the Sea Ghoul schooner. ; “ Well, Chincopin, this is not pleasant news; but “hat became of Captain Barto?” — “ Him run quick, go out on big water.” — “* And the Sea Fox?” : , “ Him go back to boat, then take big sbip fol- low otber white boat chief.” “Yes; that romantic pirate is comi timental nonsense again in protecting ers along the coast. Cc. | ne a er ee ee ee ee bis sen- | Ii “Well, I hope Barto did not fight him, for Palafox is hard to whip, and if he liked the Sea a better than his own schooner, why he’d take it. This the Sea Ow] said more to bimself than to — the Indian, whom he now asked: ae you see my agent in Mobile, Chinco- pin ** Chincopin see him; here letter,” and the In- 4 we dian handed the Sea Owl a letter, which he bastily broke the seal of and read. **Curse the Jew! he hassold my goods at a lower price than I thought; well, Bm getting blows on all sides now; but who is that, Chin- bey he Indian sprung up the companionway, to see who had arrived on board the lugger, for a boat had been heard to come alongside, and a moment after a seaman entered and saluted the Sea Owl. It was the man who had been captured on ‘the smuggler —— and proven traitor, atid had be- trayed to Irving Brandt who. Rita Restel really was. Not = bad he gained his freedom by bis treachery, but afterward had made a secret compact with Irving, the result of which will develop in good'time. , ““Well, Leon, it is you?’ cried the Sea Owl, recognizing one of bis favorite men. “Yes, Senor Captain, what there is left of me,” answered the man. “Ha! has harm befallen the yacht that I sen’ you to New Orleans in with a cargo?” ‘* Yes, senor.” ‘* Furies! what is it, man?’ and Captain Res- tel sprung to bis feet, and grasped the seaman by each shoulder. “Tl tell you, captain, and in a burry, for your grip is a savage one,” said Leon, wincing under the grasp of the Sea Owl. . “ Well, out with it, man!” and Captain Res- tel — so gegen into bis per 5 + “Well, sir, the yacht was car er cargo to O.leans, as you ordered, wile Gn sighted the Pirate Priest, and -she ran down, bailed us, and Ren the Lady Rifa and lots of booty on board, witb orders to go on to the city.” “Hal this is strange; but, Leon, did my daughter go willingly?” ; “Oh, yes, sir; for she had charge of the booty, which was worth a fortune.” : ‘* And then?” * And then, captain, we went on our way, but we sighted c ger, the Sea Owl, and she gave chase. “Tt was no use, sir, for with the larger spars and more canvas that boy planter puton the . the Chandeleurs our old Iug- _ Sea Owl, she just walked right-after us at a pace that brought us to in a sbort time.” ‘“* Why did you not use eer guns?” “We did, sir, and that boy captain used his, and we got our bowsprit shot away and were taken, for our force was very small as you know, captain.” “Well, what then?” ‘“We were carried round to the city, sir, as a prize, and—” ‘*My, poor child!” groaned the smuggler. **Oh, sir, she was a)! right, for Master Brandt let her go free, and I made my escape, while the rest of the lads went in irons on board of a war vessel,” “ And where is my child?” “T do not know, sir, but I suppose she is in the city, waiting for a chance to join ber hus- band, or to come home to you.” ‘Well, if they did not search ber she will have ample means, at any rate, and if not, she —— that I deal with Rudo}pho and she can go to him. : “But I am anxious about ‘her, and I shall start for the city in the morning, and you, n, I wish to accompany me.” “Certainly, captain,” was the answer, and Leon left the lugger for the craft where the men bad quarters while he muttered: “Yes, [ll accompany you, captain Restel] and take good care not to desert you until I sell you to that boy captain.” oo CHAPTER XXIL A SURPRISE. TRUE to his determination of the night before, the Sea Ow] started for = Madmen the fol- lowing morning, accompanied by n, Chinco- pin the Indian, ‘and a le of seamen, They went in a small drogber, a fishing- smack, and all were attired as the ordinary © lake fisbermen, carrying nets, hooks and ‘only the paraphernalia of such an occupation, Beneath the cabin flooring, however, Cap- tain Restel carried hidden away, a few bales of costly ise for he never let an op tunity slip to turn into rea gled booty that he had on band, and the bidi place of | treasure thus gained ‘Rita the Indian knew of besides himself, for Chinco- hese most thoroughly trusted by the Sea The smack was poled out of the yee n- | an early bour, and had just begun wied. the ays e dwell- | billows of tte deep waters under her bow, er Leonsung outs npr - U B- 8B ale gold any smug- —
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for “ Sail, hol” “Yes, I see it, and it is—” ** Sail, bo!” Again Leon called out the stirring words to a sailor’s ears, “‘ Hal two of thera, as I live, and both luggers, with the one leading as trim acraft as I ever saw. ‘Who are they, and what are i Leon?” “Well, sir, the one leading looks like the eraft the Mississippi river planters keep for pleasure cruising, and the second one is certainly a og craft for a freighter; but is it a chase, sir ‘*I thiok not, Leon, for the one in advance has less sail set than the one astern Ha! is that not a signal to us?” ** Yes, sir, ib seems 80.” At this momenta string of flags went up on the re 5 lugger, and Captain Restel read them alou “Sea Owl ahoy !” Instantly he picked up his glass and leveled it mee the signaling craft, and then cried: “Put away for that lugger, Leon, for yonder stands my daughter on her deck—I would know her among a thousand.” The little smack’s course was then chang from running along the coast, to seaward, an in a short while the lugger luffed up, and waited her coming. Running alongside the Sea Owl sprung on board and the next moment clasped his daugh- ter in his arms, while he cried: ‘‘ My child, my child, again I have you near me, F ‘But yonder lugger in chase, this craft, your being here, what does it all mean?” “T will tell you, father, in a very few words; but is not that Leon in the smack?” and her eyes feil npon the traitor seaman, “Yes, Rita.” “Has he not told you what happened, for he was on the Lady Rita?” ‘* Yes, he told me of ber capture, and yours, and we were but now on our way to the city to find ees. “Well, father, while we run in to the basin I will : eg you all that I can of what has hap- ned. “But yonder vessel coming down astern?” “Ts my craft, sir, or rather yours, for I will present her to you, along with this one, while a shall know how I ame possessed of “T fear you have had a hard time of it, Rita, ou look pale and haggard.” “‘T have bad a hard time, father, but I forget all now, when I am once more at home; but what of the schooner?” “Barto, you mean?” “ Yes.” : “1 have not seen him.’ ‘‘Nor heard of him?” “Yes, and be made a fool of himself,” “In what way, father, for surely be has not—” “No, no, now don’t get: frightened, for there is no reason for it, as Barto is safe, only he made a silly attack on the Brandt Planta- on.” ‘‘Father! did my husband carry off Miss Brandt?” and the eyes of Rita flashed with a dangerous fire. “No, he did not, for that Knight of the Ocean, the Sea Fox, whipped him off, and he did no da MMs ‘‘ Barto did wrong to go against my wishes,” calmly said Rita, and then, as the lugger held onits way, she told her father of her adven- tures, and that, having lost bis best smuggling vessel, she determined to an him another, an so cut the prizoa out, which, with the craft astern, she made him a present of. ‘Well, my child, I owe it to you that I have a fleet again, and I verily believe that this craft can show a clean pair of heels to any vessel I ever had, while the one inher wake is certainly a rapid sailer, too.” **And, father, the young man of whom I spoke, Argylle, I wish "you would make your lieutenant, for he is well cer ting. of it, and I am sure you can trust him thoroug 5 ae ‘tT will do as you wish, Rita, and have a talk with him as soon as we drop anchor. “If he has pluck, I will soon test, for I intend that those mutineers shall suffer punishment, for they richly deserve it.” 4 do, indeed, father; but, as there is no . —_ Inager to _ her in, su pose we signa we will send a man poe pret, pore ee aad A signaled, but instantl 7 I do not need a p for I will follow you ‘That sounds well, for the fellow has nerve, and I will let bim run in alone,” said the Sea Oriel sming tn cae he fone parang . cha amo e 8, ower the course of the leader without a mistake; pa ding lagoon only a few cables’ her, ; pen | boats | go tten abead. and the two Inggers now dropped phan Zo in Owl's The Sea Owl. CHAPTER XXII. MERCILESS, In the cabin of the Home Lugger sat the Sea Owl, Rita and Argylle, thesyoung officer who had so ably served the smuggler’s daugbter. The Sea Owl was pleased with his appearance, had thanked him for his services, and invited him to supper with them. The meal had been concluded, the dishes cleaned away by the old negress, and then Cap- tain Restel said: ‘*Senor Argylle, my daughter is desirous that 1 should take you into my service as an officer. ‘* What do you think about it?” ‘‘T will endeavor to prove my appreciation of your confidence, Captain Restel, by doing my whole duty,” was the proud response. ‘It is a life of danger, senor.” “T do not fear to face danger,” “We smugglers are being treated now as pirates when we are taken,” ‘* Yes, sir,so I observed in the affair of the captain of the crew of the vessel your daughter was taken on; they were at once put in irons to be tried for their lives,” ‘“*And are doubtless by this time strung up; but I need more men, and I will be glad to have you and your crew, if you think you can depend upon them.” “There is :ittle confidence to be placed in an man in our lawless lives, Senor Sea Owl; but believe that [ can trust them as you might the general run of mankind, who were for their own interests,” ‘‘And yet those fellows of your crew mutinied against my daughter.” ‘*True, but outlaws are seldom so tempted as they were, for each one would have made a handsome sum by the recapture of the prize, the seizing of the lugger, and robbery of your daughter.” ‘* You do not excuse them?” “Certainly not, only I say that there was reason for their treachery, which a few thou- sand dollars never would have caused them to be guilty of.” ‘And what ’ mame g do you think they deserve, senor! y ** Death,” was the calm reply, ‘Then you bave pronounced their doom, for they shall die,” sternly said the Ssa Owl. Argylle made no reply to this, and callin the Indian, who was on deck, the Sea Ow said: ‘** Have those mutineers brought here to my cabin, Chincopin!” The Indian departed and soon returned with a guard, and the trailors heavily ironed. They were very pale, and evidently expected bitter punishmeut, for. they were now well aware into whose hands they had fallen, ‘* Traitors, | wished to look at your faces, to see how men look, who would betray the trust you had placed in you” sternly said the Sea Owl, and he turned bis angry eves upon each face before him, But not a man of the party spoke, and they pat their heads in silence, and Restel again said; ‘You proved yourselves cowards, traitors and assassins, for you would have slain that girl, aad she not cowed you by fear of your own lives, and I leave it for her to pronounce your doom.” ‘* That is our cap‘ain, and neither you or the gal bas a right to say what bas to be done with us,” cried one of the men boldly, and he pointed to Argylle. ‘‘T am an officer under the Sea Ow], men, and be has the authority over you,” responded the young seaman. “‘T will lave it then to your own officer, who trusted you, and which trust you betrayed, to say what shall be your fate.” “You will not kill us, sir?” cried one of the men imploringly, and the others all turned their eyes beseechingly upon him. ““T have said that you should die as a punish- ment for your crime, for if men in our lawless lives will not serve us from a common interest and the good of all, they must be made to do. so from the fear of deatb,” said Argylle, calmly. “ Well said, young senor,” cried the Sea Owl, while Argylle continued: “Your act was not ogainst me, but worse thau if it had been, for you were cowardly enough to attack this lady, and in her hands I leave your fate, and what she decides you will have to abide by.” As be spoke he glanced toward Rita, who bad ‘been sitting silently, regarding the faces of the mutineers, and recalling how they had made ber suffer all those long and dreary hours and days. Thus addressed, she looked toward Argy but still making no reply, the Sea Ow! said: on “My daughter. you hear what the senor has said, $0 it rests with you what to do with these men. “T am revengeful, father,” she answered in a Or And ffered much at their bands, nd you su much a Ritar” 3 ‘Yes, father.” _ “Ther what shall be their punishment, Rita, for rae lives are in your hands?” asked the Sea. wi, ‘* They must die at the yard-arm,” was the stern answer that broke from the lips of the Lady Captain. ‘* Mercy, Lady Captain, mercy!” came in @® chorus from the lips of the doomed men. But white-faced, stern, and with eyes that seemed to burn them, Rita sat gazing upow them, not one particle of mercy in her counte- nance, “Mercy, lady, mercy!” begged the men; but in reply came the words: ‘* Leon, lead those men ¢ ff, and let them be shot at sunrise, on the deck of the prize vessel, which I will name the Sea Owl, and jhus bape | tize her decks in the blood of traitors.’’ The doomed men then were led away, sbriek- ing for merey which would not be vouchsefed Fr them, and at sunrise the following morning. Rita sprung from her berth as a volley of mus- ketry peated in her ears, awakening her with @ start, But the old negress saw her and called out from her point of observation in the cabin come panionway: ‘“‘ Don’t git skeert, Missy Rita, for it am on’y dem bad mens what wanted ter kill you, bein? — exekooted as dey ’sarves ter be.” fi CHAPTER XXIV. THE RACE AT SEA, Tue first duty of the young smuggler liew tenant, Argylle, after the execution of the mutineers, was by no means an unpleasant one to bim, for it was to carry Rita back to her pirate husband. The fact was, Rita was anxious about her husband, for his attack upon the Brandt Planta- tion bad been, she felt coufident, for the pury pose of carrying off Maud. ; Though she knew that Maud had gone to New Orleans to live, still she felt that, in disguise, Barton Keys could visit ber there, and,if he w could get her in his power, might do so. si Thus feeling, Rita told her father of ber in- — tention to join the Sea Ghoul, which she knew was due within the week off the Balize, The Sea Owl bade her take the prize lugger, and Argylle to command ber, and within a few hours after the craft set sail, a dozen men om board as crew, The new Sea Owl certainly proved itself a stanch and very fast vessel, and made the run. to the Balize in exceptionally quick time. y Hardly had they reached the vicinity where they expected to find the schooner, when the lookout shouted: re **Sail bo!” ‘Tt is the schooner,” cried Rita, as she beheld a vessel running out of a small inlet, ‘* Shall I signal her, lady?” ‘No, Senor Argylle, I see that she has al- ready discovered us, and is coming in chase, so we will find out just what the Sea Owl can do to escape ber.” Argylle was pleased at the prospect of a race that was on one sice a chase in earnest, and at ke once put about, calling the crew to crowd sail § upon the Jugger. f : The wind was blowing fresh, an eight-knot: breeze for an ordinary sailer, but the lugger » went bowling along at a pace that showed she was logging twelve knots out of it, : Asterp, a trifle under a league, the schooner 4 came rushing along with every sail set that © would draw. She bad no flag set, but now, as she saw that R the lugger was not so easily picked up, she fired. (>t a gun and hoisted the stars and stripes. “Ob, no, Captain Barto, you can’t fool us,” said Rita, with a laugh, and soon after a second shot came whizzing after them, but the schooner was too far away to do any harm. : ‘““We are gaining, Lady Captain,” cried Ar- gylle in glee. “We certainly are, and they discover the: fact on the schooner, for see, they sre setting © extra sails, and wetting the canva~ to make the (tt ressure greater; but all to no use, Captain arto,” and Rita became really gay under the @ excitement of the moment, Ww After arun of half an hour Jonger, when the Jy lugger bad proved without cavil what sbe could do with the schooner in that breeze, Rita said: “Now, Senor Argylle, let us give Captain Barto a surprise, by putting back tow the schooner.” This was done, and it was evident that those on the schooner were indeed , for the _ crew were seen ra ge toyen to cuerters, and taking in extra sail, while the guns wererunout > for action. a What it could mean -vhen a little lugger that had run from them, and just one-fourth the __ size of the schooner, and which had readily out- footed them, should now be putting back, those on se schooner could not understand, ; Hak cae oonks of hank’ woes hh siete she a couple o vy guns not vis from the schooner omer delaras 8 Had she a hundred good tars hidden beneat! BR 2 nigh : Mid her commander intend to rece’ schoover’s fire and carry her by ; )
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* - oo vy 6 “> nobly; but who —~— 00 ea een memes CaO LS DN Ee ee peeetinn jai tha superior numbers beneath his pecks? _ Had her commander come te the conclusion iat the schooner was, after all, an American scuiser and bad put back to her? Such were the questions the buccaneers asked ch other, without any one being able to give correct answer. miele ensign went up and the schooner suit, “Now we'll fool him, for please hoist the 3 private flag, senor, which we found on ourd, This was done, and as the schooner could not Zollow suit, sud the lugger was now within easy e, the cross aud cutlass flag, with its other pnb ems, went up to the peak. But, to the surprise of the pirates, the lugger d not seem in the least alarmed, but came wling along without the slightest change of urse, when it had been expected that she oe put about and once more trust to her eels, | The pirate captain, seeing the daring of the little lagger, and expecting an attack by board- rs, sent his men to their guns to commence fir- ng, Kis Rita, who was closely watching through her glass, at once saw, and she called out: | “Quick! down with that Don’s flag, and up ith the Sea Owl colors,” Almost instantly the blue field, with a huge lack owl in the center, went up over the lug- er, And not an instant too soon, for the schooner : Fras just luffing for a broadside. ut the Sea Owl colors, well known to Barton eys, told that the lugger belonged to the augeler King, as Captain Restel was also , and a cheer broke from the pirate crew, vhile u imilar flag. “Forgive me, Barto, for the joke I played on ren, but I wanted to try the speed of my little Seer. “You are forgiven, Rita, for I find 1 have ptured a prize after all, in my wife coming ack to me,” was the gallant reply; but the hich Rita did not see, gave the lie to his ords, CHAPTER XXV. A FOE THAT WAS REMEMBERED, Barton Krys had use he expected news from Rita of the booty he had taken to New Orleans, though be hoped hat his wife would not meet him there. heard of his attack on the Brandt Plantation, rown upon the face of the buccaneer chief, and | one to the vicinity of | he rendezvous, appointed near the Balize, be- | _ He ow ge this, as he feared she might have | b ‘immediately after her departure from his ves- | F visit the city to discover if there was not some thance of getting Maud Brandt in his clutches. Could he do this, it was bis intention to desert ita, force Maud to marry him, and then seek “ther seas in which to flaunt his pirate flag, on- Y changing it from the cross and cutlass co- ‘ors, so that his fate might remain a mystery, nd it be supposed that uhe Pirate Priest had one down some night of storm with all bis trew to the depths of the Gulf, pead more, he had determined to bimself | It was therefore with regret that he beheld | Rita on the lugger, and beard her say that she ad come back to join him. 7 He had found her most companioviable while | he oe been with him, and she had shared his . es, his triumphs, and been a great comfort as, phe wo oon ; but, woman though she et afraid of tes, airly fascinated him, he was ere was that j tand trifling, and (44 oy wat mae ee ee hs gs that about her that showed she Fins toy fo Stow of ee aE . e . . vould take possession of con ng as he might, it Not seeing what was passing in his mind, Rita had given-her husband nd then, in a few words, told wn oe er pos ure, release, cu ting out of the lugger from its nchorage, and the mutiny on the home run. Barton Keys listened in silence to all, and then ‘ ‘ Well, Rita, Te, heh} Ebitcine and have done . a e-looking young man Yonder?” and he pointed to the vend pamesler spenans, who was engaged in some duty amid- Ps, and seeraingly in no degree anxious to meet the famous pirate chief. Ob! that is the young man whom Radolpho sie me in New Orleans, and he it was who this lugeer out so bravely. Bits ES Tc!) en | ‘*T care not, for I—” Neen eee | Rita started, while Chester Granger, as The Sea Owl. 13 “His name is Argylle—here, Senor Argylle, I wish to have you nieet my husband.” The young cfficer fairly started at her words, but came aft with a bol — though his face had suddenly become very pale. “ Argylle, you say the senor’s name is, Rita? sig think I know him better than you do, and I greet him with a warm welcome. “ How do you do, Chester Granger?” “To wear a mask longer, Barton Keys, is useless, for either you or 1, for I see in you not the ove 1 deemed the Pirate Priest, but one who, as my pretended friend, made me what I now am,” and the smuggler spoke in a bold tone, while he fearlessly faced the pirate chief who he said had been his ruin. Barton Keys smiled; but it was not a pleasant smile, and turning to his wife he seid: ** Rita, this gentleman and myself were once bosom friends. ‘We lived fast, gambled, and entered upon a little plot together that ended in the death of one we owed large gambling debts to, and put another, the prisoner now below ,decks, in Fail as bis murderer. ‘“You are aware that Bradford Carr, that prisoner, escaped, and also that he tracked the murder of Soule Ravelle to me; but you are not aware that this man, Chester Argylle Granger, as he was baptized in the old Point Coupee Chapel, betrayed to the tutor that I was the rourderer, ‘*My friend here, Argylle, had become so overwhelmed with debt and sin, that he had taken to the sea as a free rover, and, run down by the Pirate Priest, he, to save his own neck, betrayed me. + He went free, I went to prison and would have hanged, had I not made my escape. “‘ He has not been able to keep honest, and [ find him here, and to-day his career will end, for I sball string bim up to yonder rigging.” Rita and Chester Granger had both listened ‘in silence to the words of Barton Keys, the to the fore of the schooner went a | former seeming little interested, the latter pale and stern. But at the last words of the pirate captain, must now call the smuggler lieutenant, said earn- estly; “y admit the truth of what you have said, Barton Keys; but you first inveigled me into playing cards, and I went from gambling to worse sins, until I was forced to fly from jus- tice. ‘*Once I could hold my head up as an bonor- able man; but now I am an outlaw, and you made me such. “When captured by Bradford Carr, the Pirate Priest, Paid tell bim who had slain Soule Rayelle, and I confessed all to save my neck from the gallows. , “Thad no claim on you that I sbould spare you, and be I what I am, I love life too dearly to wish to die at the yard-arm. ‘‘Cireumstances have brought me again face to face with you, and I am in your power. I deemed that Bradford Carr had again raised the cross and cutlass flag, and I find that you are impersonating him for some vile purpose of your own, ‘** Now I have said all that I card to, and you will never hear me beg you for my life.” “T shall hang you within the hour, Chester Granger, and thus pay the debt of revenge I owe you,” was the savage reply. ‘**No, Barto, you will do nothing of the kind,” calmly said Rita, “What do you mean, Rita?” and the face of the pirate flushed with anger. “ Just what I say, that man.” “Shall not?” * That is what I said.” ‘“By Heaven, Rita, you must learn that I am master on my own ship!” ‘**Sh! You are not on your own ship, so don’t get excited, for you will only attract the atten- tion of the men.” ‘* Be calm, Barto, and hear me, for I tell you frankly this man is not under your command, but my father’s lieutenant. . “He commands this lugger, which brought | me to you, and be is to be treated wi'h the re- spect the Sea Ow] himself would demand. “If you have a grudge against Senor Gran- “ger, for so you call him, wait until you meet on equal terms, some time, and then let the best man win; but now because you have the fora with your large schooner, heavy guns, and four- score men, you shai! not crush the weak, and ially one whe has been. my protector and is the Sea Owl’s Keutenant.” Barton Keys heard Rita through with no pa- tient humor: but he feared Rita, as I have said, and he simply dared not put her at defi- ance, But be wished to get out of bis position as gracefully as possible, so said: ‘* Well; Rita, it is as say cowardly to take advantage of one in my power; and if Chester Granger wil] swear to me that be will | keep the secret about my not being Bradford Carr, the Pirate Priest, I will allow him to go free, - Barto—you shall not hang, ** You will do this, Senor Granger, will you not?’ asked Rita, in her sweet way. **T will do as you request, lady, but from no fear of that man—your husband,” was the re- sponse, ‘*Thank you; and now farewell, and tell my father that you delivered your charge in safety on board the Sea Ghoul,” Chester Granger raised bis hat. politely, bowed, and made no reply, while. Rita drew Barton Keys toward the gangway. ‘“‘We sball meet again, Chester Granger,” called out the pirate. “T hope so, and that it will be upon equal terms, Barton Keys. ‘Farewell, Lady Rita, and accept my thanks for saving my worthless life.” Rita waved her hand, and a moment after the boat was pulling back toward the schooner, while the lugger quickly got under way again and went flying away on her course back to the Sea Owl’s Nest. ote CHAPTER XXVI. MERCY THROUGH JEALOUSY. Upon returning on board the schooner, Rites expected a stormy scene with her. husband, while he in turn anticipated upbraiding and ane ger on her from his ha the at. k se randt Plantation. But both were agreeably disappointed, for age long as Rita did not upbraid him, when he knew he had deceived her, she was content not to do so, while he kept silent regarding the daring ah that she bad played, in saving Chester ranger and thus cheating Barton Keys of his revenge. On the contrary, therefore, both avoided any allusion to the past, and Rita sweetly asked: ‘“* Which way now, Barto?” ‘*T have suffered in men, need.some repairs te my vessel, and stores, so have decided to run up to the city,” be answered. ” ‘* It will be a most daring undertaking.” “True, but I will manage well, for I shall put the guns in the bold, cover the decks with lum- ber, as though she was a lumber craft, keep three-fourths of the men below at a time, and in a disguise, such as you cau get me up in, 1 cam defy all discovery.” ‘“T hope so: but will you go at once?” “Yes, for I have a lumber schooner from Maine lying over in the bayou which I came out of when I chased you, and whicb 1 captured last night. “We can disguise the schooner thoroughly.” Sailing for the bayou, Barton Keys set his. men to work, and, by the following day the most practiced seaman’s eye would never re- eognize her trim model and warlike look, under the complete metamorphc sis which she bad un- dergone, for even her snowy sails had been re- — by old and patched ones, and ber needle- ike bow-sprit given place to a clumsy jibboom. The seams of the port-holes bad been closed up and painted over, and it looked as thoug’s she bad been loaded deep witb a deck-load of lumber, whereas there was buta shell of timber, with space for the men beneath, and in half an bour ber crew could bave thrown if overboard into the sea. The men too dressed as honest Kennebec sailors, while Barton Keys was so thoroughly disguised, under the hands of Rita, as to be no more recognizable, than was his wife in her bomespun suit, spectacles, and whitened hair, plastered down over her temples, and ber knit- ting, for she kept her hands busy as the dis- guised schooner lazily went up the river, rot one on board the numerous vessels she passed suspecting what lay beneath the homely mask she wore, Arriving at an anchorage above the city, = at sunset, Burton Keys went ashore, telling ita he would be gone until after midnight, perhaps. Hardly had he disappeared, when Rita quick- ly went into the forward state room and, after an absence of some minutes returned, but not alone. In one band she carried the end of a chain, which she made fast to a ring bolt in the cabin, And that chain held in durance vilea buman being, a man of noble presence in spite of bis white, ha face and sunken eyes, with un- kempt bair and a beard of many months’ growth. balf-hiding bis manly countenance. That man was Bradford Carr, who had se long suffered in chains in the power of his bit- terest foe, “Be seated, senor, for you seem weak and I would talk with you,” said Rita in a tone of kindness, Silently the prisoner sunk into an easy-chair,, and then Rita said: ** Senor Carr, yon have suffered ri ig St * Yes, I have suffered much in mind, but not in body.” “You are in constant dread that harm wil! befall the lady you love?” “Tf you have loved, and fear danger for that loved one, you can well understand what & feel,” earnestly answered Bradford Carr. “ And more, you know that my busband—” “Your husband?’ cried the man springing
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14 — to his feet in amezement, and making his chains rattle. ‘*- Yes, my husband, Barton Keys.” “Are you married to that man, woman?” hoarsely asked the prisoner. “ WV ” **Tn all honesty?” “T thought that you knew that I was,” “When?” “ Before I sailed with him.” “ Where?” “Tn the cabin of my father’s lugger.” “By whom?” | power to force himself into an engagement with Maud, she promising to marry him to save ber father. , The return of Bradford Carr had ended this, and Maud had then pledged berself to him, the poor tutor of her brother, the student for the st and the only man sbe had ever oved, But the disappearance of Bradford Carr, to become, as all rumor had it, in reality a pirate | priest, had again brought sorrow upon her ‘* You are daring, senor.” ““T take my chances, Rudolpho, but guard against discovery. ‘Now I want money on these gems?” ’ “How much, senor?” ‘** Fifteen thousand.” ** As a loan or sale?” “Buy them from me, for Ido not care to re- deem them,” ** Pll give you that sum for them.” ‘Do so, and now, for I wish to look in at the young heart, and it was no wonder that she | Palace of Chance and try my luck.” dreaded the temptations of the city upon ber / “Father Homer, the village padre near the | father, for by the terms of her mother’s and | Blue Anchor Ina.” ‘*Heaven be praised!” earnestly ejaculated Bradford Carr. ““Why are you so thankful, senor, for my marriage?” “* Because I now know that Barton Keys can- mot force Maud to marry him.” “He might do worse, senor, and that is why I have brought you here to talk with you,” “ What have you to say, lady?” “T would ask you, if you were free, if you ‘would marry the Senorita Brandt?” “Gladly, if she does not believe me all that that vile man has made me out before the wD ill of my busband, ee not s of my husband, senor, before his wife.” “Pardon me.” ** Will you marry her and fly toa scene far Som, here, where my husbarid can never track ou? hc Williagly, if she will go with me.” ‘Then, senor, have hope, for as soon as I have laid my plans, I will free you, and instantly must be ready to depart with the one you ve. love. **She shall know all, upon condition that she tells not the setret, and be ready to go with ou. “But why should I fly, lady, from the—from Barton Keys?” ‘* Because on those conditions alone will I set you es as I do not intend that you shall ever meet. “Tf you remain, my husband will be a blood- hound upon your track, and guard your bride ever so faithfully, you will find her torn from or arms, for Barton Keys is not a man to thwarted with impunity. “You pledge me your honor that you will fly with your bride, leaving no trace by which you can be found, and I will arrange for your flight and set you free. ‘*It may be days, weeks, months before I can . keep my promise, but I will keep it in the end.” “*T thank you, 1aay, and I will have hope.” **Now I must le bb back to your prison, but remember, what Ido for you is not from disloyalty to my busband, but to save him from a great crime, and to win his love wholly for amyself.” 0 saytog Rita led the prisoner back to his atate-room, and returning to the cabin, she threw on a shawl and boonet and ordered a sea- man to row her ashore and await there her return. For more than two hours she was absent, but then returned, and soon after Barton Keys eame back to find her sitting by the cabin table reading, and awaiting his coming. CHAPTER XXVII. A PLOT TO RUIN. WuHeEn Colonel Brandt went to New Orleans to live, at least until the dangers of his dwelling in the Plantation Home were over, he rented a furnished house with large and handsome, grounds overlooking the river, and in the upper part of the city. ‘There, in spite of Maud trying to live the life of a recluse, her many friends and admirers found her out, and, after Irving’s gallant cap- ture of the smuggler yacht, the family at once became conspicuous marks of attention, Although mourning for ber lover, Maud was compelled to take her Lea as a belle, which ey her beauty and accomplishments won or her, while as an heiress, it was believed, to almost fabulous wealth, sbe became tbe star that must guide the destiny of many a fortuve- ‘hunter to set in gloom. There was one great dread Maud bad in com- ‘ing to the city, and that was that her father, a man of the highest sense of honor in ali else, ‘was a perfect slave to gambling. He bad, ia early life, swamped his own inberi- tance, and at the death of his wife and father, be had been left be his, and little dreamed that he had only a few thousand a year, which was ample, with grandfather’s will she was not to marry without | Colonel Brandt’s convent, and this gave a | chance for some other gambling adventurer to | get a claim upon ber hand, through the beset- | ting sin of the gambler planter. Irving also realized.the sin of his father in all its enormity, and watched him closely, well knowing his broken pledges not to gamble, and both be and his sister hoped for the best, yet feared for the worst. There was one other also who knew the | colonel’s weakness, and who had made up his mind to protect him for his children’s sake, That, other one was Palafex the Pirate that had been, but changed to the Buccaneer Hunter, for though still believed a sea rover, he was devoting all his energies, laying his snares, and dedicating bis life to drive outlaws from the | blue waters of the Gulf, and the preteuded | Pirate Priest was his first game. Myrtle, the daughter of the Sea Fox, was then a pupil at Madam Chotard’s fashionable boarding school, ne one dreaming, other than Maud and Irving, that she was the child of a pirate. An exquisitely beautiful girl, just across the threshold of her teens, she was beloved by ber teachers and schoolmates for her many virtues, and withal a woman in mind and heart, she kept the secret of what ber father had been well locked up in her own breast, Often Maud called to take her home with her, and such visits always brought lightness to Irving’s heart, for Myrtle seemed the one girl in the world in bis eyes, Thus matters stood about the time that Bar- ton Keys went to New Orleans in disguise, neminally to fit his schooner out, but really to plot against Maud Brandt, whom he had deter- mined to kidnap at the moment it was in his | power to do so, The going thither with him of Rita bis wife, was a sad stumbling-block in his way; but he determined to get rid of ber in some way, and to better settle upon a plot, he went up to visit aman with whom he had had some financial dealings in other days, and to whom the Sea Owl had recommended bim as a safe person to dispose of his piratical booty, and to aid bim when he should need it. That man was Rudolpbo, whom the reader bas before met. He found the money-lender in, but was un- known to him in bis disguise, so said: ‘* A few moments with you, senor, with your permission.” : “You are a sailor?’ assented rather than asked Rudolpbho. = ‘** Yes, senor.” “Have we met before?’ and Rudolpho eyed his visitor closely, for he was no man to trust himself alone with one he did not know. ‘Senor, [ come from the Sea Owl,” said Bar- ton Keys, wishing no longer delay. ‘*Ab! enter my private room,” and he ushered the visitor into the ‘curiosity shop,” where Rita had her interview with bim. ** Now, senor, how is your captain and my old friend?” ‘Senor Rudolpho, I am my own master, for though I come to you from the recommendation of the Sea Owl, I come on, my own affairs, and = may know me when I tel] you that I am the irate Priest,” ‘Ha! by Heaven, but I am glad to meet a man of your caliber; but you are in disguise, doubtiess?” “ Naturally, when to be recognized would be to lose my lita” “ Weill, senor, in what can I serve a man so distinguished?” and Rudolpho gazed upon his visitor with increased interest, for though his d-alings were with the lawless, it had not been often that he met a man of the fame of the Pirate Padre, “In the first place letme tell you that I sent you a cargo of booty some time since.” “Never received it, senor.” “I know that, for it was captured coming OF that young sea imp, Irving Brandt.” $ yeas tl was the Sea Owl’s yacht, or rather the Brandt boy’s, which be recaptured, ‘So be bad some of your booty oa board, *P es, and 1 lost it; but Lave. some tr e3, an t; but ve easure left, of which this is a sample,” cae te a small leather case and tossed some jewels on the table before the money-lender. are rich, senor. _ Yes, and I bave more, with booty in the hold my river, he took out | schooner, which now lies in the | ‘‘ Ah, yes,” and the money-lender* counted out the sum agreed un for the gems and banded it.to Barton Keys, who then asked: ‘*Do you know Colonel Brandt, senor?” “Yes, if you refer to Rupert Brandt, the'rich planter over on Mississippi Sound.” ‘*T do, and I would like to knowif he is in the city?” “Yes, he has rented the old Suzette mansicc on the river, just above the city, and lives there with his daughier.” es * And his son?’ oat “Spends most of his time on his lugger yacht, I think.” " ‘* Where is the craft?” * Anchored out in the lake.” ““Ah, yes; but can yeu tell me if the colonel gambles now?” **T believe not.” * And has Miss Brandt many suitors?” ** Scores.” 2 EY con you; the Suzette mansion you said?” * Yes “T know it,” and with this Barton Keys de- parted and walked rapidly down the street to a more fashionable part of the city, where he halted in front of a brilliantly-lighted entrance to a grand stairway. As he stopped he saw a person about to move away, and he fairly started as bis eyes fell upon him, while he muttered between his set teeth; ** Colonel Brandt by all that’s holy.” Then aloud he called out: “Pardon me, sir, but I’m a stranger in town asea captain from up the Atlantic shore, an being in funds, and often lucky, 1 was looking for the Palace of Chance to try my fortune, - ‘ne you be good enough to direct me, sir The one he addressed was a handsome man across the line of fifty, with gray hair and mustache, and a military carriage. ; Seeing a respectable old gentleman, as he be- lieved the man to be, he turned politely, and answered: “‘T was just hesitating, sir, whether to go up or not, for it is one of my sins to gamble; but, as you are a stranger I will gain you admission, for one must be known to enter the Chance Pal- ace, ‘*My nameis Brandt, sir, Rupert Brandt, and yours—” ** Captain Argylle, sir, and I am glad to know you, and thank you for your kindness,” With this the two ‘ascended the brightly- lighted stairs, and a man, who stood in the shadow of a tree across the street, and seemed to be watching crossed over and also entered the Palace of Chance. CHAPTER XXVIIL IN THE PALACE OF CHANCE. AT the time of which | write the “ Palace of Chance ” was the aristocratic and most fastiion- able “gambling hell” of the Crescent City, which was then largely made es of & pte and French families, with a sprinkling of plan- tersaciety. and a large number of shipping mercbants and sea-faring men, the latter giv- ing to the town a rather wild and lawless cbhar- acter among those in the lower walks of life. French cafes; ye sag cnt drinking-saloons, and sailors’ inns made the river quarter a place tobe dreaded, for there was a lurge commerce be- tween the ci‘y and foreign and home ports, and many vessels were coming and going daily. Then there were fleets of flatboats coming down tbe grand Mississippi from tke upper country and streams, and their crews were a wild, reckless set, while no one denied that there was known to be a lawless element, com- pone ot pigebes and smugglers, also to be found in the city. : Thus with the extravagant and fast young planters among the ‘upper crust,” ’and the make up of the lower strata, it must be seen that New Orleans was a very gay city to dwell ’; in, and a miniature world in itse _Pulace of Chance, as I have said was the gambling resort of the wealthy, those men, planters and merchants, who could risk thou- ) sands upon the turn of a card. The rooms were fitted , and consisted of one great salon aud several smaller |
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oF | Pope Se ‘ts ’ LAI als GREE PGES OR a Panion, to see if he was one he would dare be seen with under the full glare of the lamps, and seemed satisfied, for Barton Keys had made himself up, or ratber Rita had asa most re- 00 ctable looking old man, and one who was able to lose a few dollars too and not whine about it, The colonel was well known, and the door- keeper passed him with anod of recognition, pe simply as he glanced at Barton Keys: ‘Your friend, colonel?” : “‘ Yes, Duluth,” and the two passed into the and salon, where already there was quite a large crowd, all more or less gambling. “ What game will you play, Captain Ly lige asked the colonel, as they from table to table, many of the players greeting the planter cordially, and then glancing at bis companion to see who it was ke had in ow ‘“Ob, any game, sir; but I rather prefer a little hand at cards, if you feel so inclined?” Colonel Brandt hesitated, his face flushed and paled, and then he said: “T had about given up gambling, sir; but I will not ro you, aS you are a stranger here, so we will secure a table and enjoy a little game to ourselves.” The table was found, off in one corner, for the planter seemed to wish to avoid notice as much as possible, and an attendant brought cards, brandy and wine, when the two sat down te) play. . “What now, colonel? I have beard you called here by that title, though you were too modest to name yourrank to me?” asked the disguised pirate. “My title, sir, is one of the past; but name your own sum.” “Call it five bundred as a starter.” “You begin large, sir, but 1 am willing,” and the game began, and the colonel was the winner, Then another followed, and again the colonel won, The third the stakes were increased, at Colonel Brandt’s suggestion to one thousand dollars, and Barton Keys won. “We are where we started from,” said the planter, “Yes,” and the next game the colonel raked over the winnings. And thus it. went on until the colonel had a large sum to his credit; and then Jost it all upon one game, Then the luck of Barton Keys seemed in the ascendant, and he was a steady winner until the planter said he was forced to borrow from the keeper of the salon. “No, my dear sir, for I will cash U’s.,” said Barton Keys, thus luring our I..0. is victim on. The colonel bowed his thanks, and said, plea- ware ‘ “My credit is good here, sir, for any sum, as you can find out by inquiry, my being a stran- ger to you.” _**Oh, no, my dear colonel, your face is suffi- cient guarantee.” The planter then called for pen, ink and paper, and wrote an I. O. U. for five thousand dollars, This the pirate won. Then another was written, and again won by the pirate. A third the planter won, and believing that his luck had changed, he accepted the offer of the pirate to place a large sum on the next game, “‘ How large shall it be, sir?’ asked the colonel, & trifle anxiously. “ Say fifty thousand, sir?” The planter started, and answered: “T already am indebted to you quite a large sum, so we'll make it twenty-five thousand, if it please you.” ‘As you please, colonel, and J am afraid the chances are in your favor.” “‘T believe so, as my luck changed with the last game.” % nm suppose we call all due, and the bet on our next game an even fifty, making an L O. U. for that amount?” . The planter nodded, made out the paper, tore the others up, and then said: “ Now let us go on with the game, captain.” ‘“‘ All right, colonel,” and the game progress- ed; one of the persons present in the room stroll- ing into the out-of-the-way corner and looking on. But neither noticed his me was ended, when the pirate said: a You have lost, colonel; but, better luck next me. Colonel Brandt sat like one in a trance. He knew that he did not bave two thou- sand dollars to call his own, and yet he had nce, until the given a note at three days for fifty thou- dollars, He had given his pl to his children not to em but they could not help bim even if bey wished to, so had be drawn in the past upon their resources. “No, no, I dare not play agaiv. Iam in bad luck to-night,” murmvred the unhappy map, and his lips quivered. « hy path Asm ur seems to wish to play more, 7 The Sea Owl. 15 and bis opponent is in bad luck, permit me to take bis hand?’ Both men looked up, and beheld the one who had drawn near to watch their game, Colonel Brandt instantly said: ‘With pleasure, sir,” for he caught at a chance to collect his nerve, hoping for a change of luck in his favor, should he try again, which he felt that be must do, for owing fifty thou- sand with no money to pay it, he felt that he might win it back, even if he involved himself deeper, which would make little difference to him then. The pirate paused, and asked abruptly: “Do you wish to relinquish your hand to this man?” “ Pardon, monsieur, Iam a gentleman,” said the stranger, and both the pirate and the planter seemed to realize that fact, as they re- garded him more attentively. He was aman of medium size, well formed, dressed ina clerical kind of were and looked little like one to frequent a gambling hell. His face was clean shaven, and every feature wore the stamp of one above his fellow-men in intellect and character, He might have d for a clergyman, and he might fill the place of a statesman; but what his calling was there was nothing in his black suit and general appearance to indieate. ‘‘ Well, sir, I am satisfied to accept you as a partner, if Colonel Brandt is willing to relin- quish his band for a short rest,” said the pirate with some show of politeness. “T am more than willing, sir,” said the colonel, rising. ; The stranger bowed, drew up a chair for the colonel, and took the chair just vacated. ‘* What sum, sir?’ coolly asked the pirate. “ Fifty thousand, if it please you, monsieur,” was the unmoved response of the stranger. CHAPTER XXIX. THE STRANGER WHO PLAYED A BOLD GAME. To do him full credit, Barton Keys was no coward, either physically or mentally. He was willing to meet a foea little over half-way at all times, and, a man of great strength, he feared not to face any one. In gambling he was a bold, reckless player, but not an honest one. He bad made certain little devices, for get- ting the best of a partner, a study, and had so reduced his tricks to a science, that he could cheat even a card-sha In ry games he bg Poms onsen od hea pouent getting up the winner, by allowin m to beat a paper of times, when it was i his power to prevent it. Thus, in all of his gambling career no one had ever suspected him of playing an unfair game, He saw what was the mind of Colonel Brandt, and he knew, if he could detain him in the salon he would play again, and he was anxious to involve him as og Ag possible. To do this be was willing play with the stranger, when at another time he would have taken the intrusion as an impertinence, When the stranger so calmly mentioned the enormous sum for which be was willing to play, Barton Keys started, and was momentarily thrown off bis guard. “Who is this fellow, I wonder?” he asked himself, through his sbut teeth. ‘“ Well, I'll gratify him, and play my little trick to win,” he added, and then said aloud: “Very well, monsieur, let fifty thousand be the stake, then!” The stranger bowed, and the cards were shuffled, while Colonel Brandt stood by, breath- ing bard, and showing more excitement than he had in bis own game. Taking up bis cards the stranger glanced at them, and then turned his piercing eyes full upon tbe bands of bis opponent, Barton Keys observed this, and for the first time in his life he grew nervous, for there seem- ed to be ibe cy fascinating in those dark eyes, not observing bis own cards, not looking him in the face, but bending their gaze directly upon his hands. Nettled, he said: ‘I suppose you have the fifty thousand with you, monsieur The stranger did not remove bis eyes from the hands before them, but taking from his breast pocket a wallet be placed it upon the table, roe quickly: t ill you kindly count the contents, mon- sieur?” Barton Keys turned down his cards, and was about to stretch forth his hand to grasp the wallet, when the stranger said: ‘*T asked this gentleman, sir, not you!” The planter then toek up the wallet and glanced into it, while he said: ‘You need have no fear, Captain Argylle, for there is over that sum here, as I can see at a glance, large as is the amount.” m Keys bowed and again took up his cards, expecting the stranger to ask him to put up bis money. : But the colonel’s note = 4 on the table, with the pile of money put up by him and the pirate, and the stranger said nothing, other than: Oe ee Eee ee ec ee eee se a “T am ready, monsieur,” and he led with & card, Barton Keys saw his chance right there to play bis little trick, and put down a card that did not belong to the pack, for marked as the were, he already knew just what a hand h adversary bad. But those burning eyes were upon his hands and he could not crook a finger, so had to play an indifferent following, and the stranger too them up. Again he played, and again Barton Keys dared not move a finger. A third play was made, the stranger not seeming to see his cards, only those nimble fingers before bim. hus it went on until the game was ended Barton Keys getting white the face and black-browed. ‘The game is mine, sir,” said the stranger. ‘* Yes; will you play again?” hissed the pirate, hoping now to command his nerve and get a chance gen! bis sharp game, * First et monsietr pay his indebtedness to me,” ** Ab, yes! but let me see, I believe I have only about fifteen thousand with me, excepting ~ couple more in cash, won from the colonel ere. “T will have to give you my I. O. U. until to-morrow.” ‘*T will not take it, sir,” was the cool re sponse, “Do you mean to say that it is worthless, sir?’ angrily retorted the pirate, : ‘* You are an utter stranger to me, sir, and I wish my money, or security.” “*T cannot give you but seventeen thousand, sir, but if you will accompany me to Pr vessel, at anchor in the river, I will pay you all.” ‘No, sir; I place myself in no trap, for many a man has lost his life for a far less sum,” and the words were uttered with the utmost calm- ness. Barton Keys was now white with passion, and seemed about to spring upon his insulter, while Colonel Brandt looked on with amare- ment. DY though he expected an attack, the stranger said; “« As monsieur has offered me his note, I will just take this one instead, and that cancels the debt this gentleman owes you.” He quickly took up the note of Colonel Brandt. as he spoke, and placing it in his wallet, thrust the we into bis pocket, while Barton Keys cried: “By Heaven, sir stranger, but this is a high- handed act that I will not allow.” “ Monsieur, are you not willing that I sheuld hold your note?’ and the stranger bent his gaze upon the colonel. What the planter saw in bis face he could not tell, but it seemed to him that there was hope there for him, and he-answered promptly = “* Assuredly, sir, and it cancels my indebted- ness to Captain Argylle and places mein obliga- tion for the amount to you.” “Never! 1 will expose you both as having connived to—” ‘Sit down, sir!” thundered the eres: and oo Pee in a hoarse voice, and speak- ng rapidly: & I know you, sir, and T am a Government officer, so accept the situation and go before it is too late.” Barton Keys fairly reeled under the shock, but springing to his feet, he was turning away without bis money, when the stranger said: ‘*Hold, sir, for here is your money; but monsieur, how much of this cash did you lose,® and he turned to the Senter, who answered: ** Just two thousand, sir.” ** Here it is, and this is yours,” and he thrust the bilis into the hand of the pirate, while he continued, addressing the planter: “Do not besitate to take your own, sir, for this man cheated you, as I saw, and I give bim eg two minutes to leave this salon, or go to he carcel with me, ‘Which shall it be, monsieur?”’ Barton Keys showed very gia. which was his choice, for he walked off with an alacri that showed he was fully acquainted with his peril. + As he disappeared from the salon, Colonel Brandt said warmly: ‘«My dear sir, you are a stranger to me; but you certainly have greatly befriended me.” ‘i x rane a. to te still wate Colonek randt, by tearing up note,” and the was instantly destroyed. — The planter was deeply moved at this, and essayed to speak, but the choking in his throat. prevented utterance for a minute or more. Then he said in a voice that quivered: ‘Who are you, sir, for lam sure we never met before?” “T am one, Colonel Brandt, who has the in- terest of yourself and family at heart, and I sball be constantly on the watch that you do not gamble away your honor. ‘Nay, sir, you need say nothing in response, for you have no defense, only keep away from this gambling-hell, for the sake of those you love, and let me tell you confidentially, there
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me are those watching you that will report to | your children when you break your pledge after this night.” The stranger’s manner was kindness, and Colonel Brandt could not resent it, so ‘cried od’s name, sir, who are you?” ‘*One who has just saved the honor of Colonel Rupert Brandt, who had nothing to pay his note with, which was held by a designing vil- lain and black leg gambler.” ‘“‘ And you know that man as such, while I deemed him an honest sea-captain ‘Who he is I do not know, only I felt that he was crooked, and perbaps a criminal, and so I tried him with the accusation, and the alacrity he displayed in clearing out leads me to believe that he is even worse than I believed him to be, Now, sir, let us leave this place. together, and we will see if our Jate acquaintance is waeiog for us.” But Barton Keys was seerquanly alarmed, and hastened off to his vessel, before his late an- tagonist could follow on his ‘track and discover where he went, and the planter parted from his new-found friend at his own gate, for he insisted bry escorting him thus far, but without being le to discover who he was, more than that he ‘was one who had served him most nobly. CHAPTER XXX. IRVING BRANDT RECEIVES VISITORS. Ovr in Lake Borgne, four miles from the ity of New Orleans, lay a beautiful craft at anchor, the day following the night scene in the Palace of Chance. Here and there were larger vessels anchored near, and then a few smaller ones, such as coasters and fishing smacks; but the center of attraction in the little fleet was the one above referred to and which, though a lugger in build, Was 5 es rach in reality. ull.was made for Speed and stanchness on a heavy seaway combined, and her spars seemed long enough for a vessel of twice her tonnage eer thie about her was as ship-shape as. though she were a vessel-of-war, and that she was able to protect herself against an ordinary foe was shown bv the fact that she carried three guns, * vot twelve-pounder forward, and two 08 B But her crew told that she was not an Ameri- can cruiser, for they were negroes, half a score in number, and dressed in the white jeans, jacket and pants, worn by slaves in the olden siche, and which made no mean uniform, Suddenly a vebicle drove up to the beach, and two persons alighted therefrom. The was a gentleman, the same whom the reader met the night before in the Palace of ‘Chance as = friend of Colonel Brandt. ° The second was a young girl, with large liquid ‘blue eyes, a wealth of r d-gold hair, and a form whose. arene tion was herman, the him arp ane gold and ook on the lngger The man was delighted, polished - his boat as well as he could, and quickl yed, the venice wail on the beach for t ar return, the destination of S @ boat, a negro mote the deck, and who evidently acted in the city of mate, at once descended into the tn excetelnait tossed him to set them cabi There, at a table writing, sat a youth, tall, superbly-formed sag his age, which was scareely over seventeen, and with a fuce that was fear- proud and handsome. C) wore a ag 0 aneeen eh Ayes Laoir tons, an n the 6 lay a broa mme son og hy encircled by asilver cord, “Tne cabin was very roomy for a vessel of the yacht’s sine, furnished e legantly, and x ga up with every | uxury a alone heart could wish, while forward were several state-rooms Pe a either mre bhi a gangway leading to a dining- Massa amidsh &; dere is a boat comin’ off ter ao crag sah, an’ dere am a gemman an’ lady t, sah, ” said the negro, as he descended the comppentonway a it not paeks father and sister, Wood?” asked uth away his writin materials, oa ‘fo oy Tawa know demkt all.” ee g og I will come on deck at penn Brandt, the handsome boy planter and mtn Bening at once ascended to the As his e ores fell upon his visitors, now on board, and advancing toward the cabin, his flushed with perigg while he cried, as he rtended a hand to bo «Caplan, this # kind in you to come and see to bring M aha e too,” maT visited “yt at her school this morning Master Irving, told her I was coming, and | a at once ur, "ber to come, and you know my weakness to let Myrtle govern me.” ankly adm ue come and Fe : n an lugger si il fra ‘ou Save inate into man'S } ‘ul yacht, etd you have,” an- “have 6 Took a the new Lady se eter you 895 but now come The i ee en ee Owl. into the cabin, and Leovard will give us sorhe lunch, for this lake air will make you hungry, and it keeps me in, that state all the time,” and Irving Brandt ushered his guests into the cabin. “Well, Captain Palafox, Iam really glad to see you, and I hope you have more news for me,” said the youth, as soon as his guests were seated, ‘*T am on the track of news, Master Irving, and hope that it will come out as I think; but I wished to tell you something in confidence.” ‘Well, captain?” **You must keep a close watch upon your father, for he is led into temptation to gamble, and cannot resist it, any more than the drank: ard can refrain from liquor.” ‘‘Bat he pledged his word to both Sis Maud and myself that be would never again touch a card,” said Irving in alarm, “And he meant to keep his pledge, but was unable to do so,” “Ah captain! has he agaiu involved himself in gam! ling?” He is now all right, Irving; but only last nee he met a man who made a victim of ‘“‘Who that man was I do not know, an more than does your father; but he was a vil- lain and inveigled the colonel into a game. ‘*T was passing the Palace of Chance, when I saw your ather hesitate before the door. e wanted to go up, and tried bard to re- alst: at last turning away. «As he did soa stranger advanced, addressed him, and asking him about the place, the two went up together. “T followed, and then I saw that the man meant your father as a victim. “Watching them from my oipercner near discerned tbe fellow deliberately cheating the colonel, and, by his trickery win from him fifty thousand in money, and for which your father gave his I. O. U. fort three days.” **Captain Palafox, my father has ruined him- self, for, rich as he seems to be, be has nothing and Maud’s inheritance and mine are so locke up, that we cannot get the money to save him,” and Irving spoke with a soberness that showed how fully he realized the enormity of his fa- ther’s act, “* As for that, Irving, don’t worry, for I ar- ranged that all’ right, ‘You?’ ** Yes, I played one game with the man, made it for the fifty thousand, and, up to the | fellow’s tricks, I won, and he not having the money, I took your father’s due-bill to him, and—” “ Ab, captain! you shall be paid back, if you will only ve me time.” “* My dear boy, there is nothing to pay, for I told your father he bad been cheated, tore up the note, and walked up to his home with bim, telling him that he was closely watched, so that it would have some influence with bim’ to pre- bad bis playing: ; but I tell you this in confi- dence, and h you to keep your eye on him, and ina quiet way let him know that both you our sister are watching him.” t will pain sis as much to hear this of fa- cher, as it will gladden her heart to know what you ‘have done. * But you must not tell her, for it waidd do no good, only give her’ another sorrow to bear; but let your father, in some way, believe that ou are both watching him.” “That I will do; but, Captain Palafox, how am [ to repay the debts of qretivede that we all ou?” for that, Irving, you paid in vance b diving the lives of My Tele and coak. q “ But have you seen anything, or heard any- thi ing spaeony of late?” just returned from the plantation, and I recaptured while there the smuggler who proved traitor to the Sea Owl’s daughter. ‘*He was making his way back to the rendez- vous and formed a compact with me to betray the ae Owl and his band, and I shall await bis comin “You think he will not fail you?” “No, for it is to his interest to do so,” “You know any number of my crew are at your service,” “Thank you, sir, and if your vessel is near, I | will call +s agrak ou to aid me,” “Oh! no, take the whole honor yourself, and what men you need; but if I am not here, go to the naval quarters and get a crew,” *“*T will; but where is your vessel?” « “Tn the river in front of the city, and even The og here would not know her in her present uise,” fter a pleasant chat ~ an bour longer, and lunch at so the Sea Fox and — daughter took their leave, Irving t ret turning to the ce with them to have a talk with bis father, also to acquaint the eoninidadant of the navel quarters that he might have to ask a complement of men from him at an early day. CHAPTER-XXXI. ANOTHER ACT IN THE DRAMA OF REVENGE. WHEN Rita left the vessel, it was with the in- tention of following ber busband, and she went the house of Rudolpho, the money- and directly to lender. tril zoe | a hci, at or wil ve cre | heared ah ye end co As she nearea it she saw her husband come out, and following bim, bebeld bim go to the Palace of Chance. : Confident that he would remain there to gam- ble, for he bad told ber of his besetting sin, she returned to Rudolpho’s, In her disguise as an elderly lady, Rudolpho did not recognizs in her tne brilliant woman hahaa had engaged him to purchase the lugger for er ‘*How can [I serve you, senora?” he asked, as she entered, “Do you do detective work for good pay?” she asked bluntly. ‘*- Yes, senora; Ihave men who do, and they are faithful spies. ” “Suppose the one I set you to'track is your friend?” “Tf Lam well paid, my spy work is outside of my friendship, — but who sent you to me, may I ask, for I always need a guarantee?” “The Sea Owl.” **T could ask for no better recommendation ; so tell me the work you wish done.” “Are you acquai;ted with a man who left here balf an hour ago?” “A number come and go all the time, senora.” ‘“This one was a tall, well-formed man, dress- ed as a seaman, and ‘with grayish bair and beard.” ‘“* Yes, there was such a man.” ‘*Do you know him?” “7 do.” a sen you give me his name?” “Wil you prove that you know him~as I te) ‘* First tell me What you know of bim?” ““T know this much; that be is one whosa every action in this city I wish made known to me, “I mean him no harm, I pledge you, but J wish to know just where be goes and what he does while bere.” **That can be discovered, senera, for gold.” “ Will this repay you?” and Rita tossed a bag of fold upon the table before the man. ply, senora, and you shall have the ser- elesaell'e best spy for it. ¢ ‘* But where shall he report to you?” “Here, for I shall come here,” was the an- © swer, and Rita departed and again returned to the schooner, where some time after, the reader will remember, Barton Keys joined her, little a that she had been absent from the vine following morning Barton Keys sa * Rita, I wish you would alter m some, for I do not care to be seen as captain J impersonated last night.” “Did you get into any trouble?” asked Rita anxiously. ‘No, but I met one who seemed to know me, and I wish to sail under other colors to-day.” —- “Very well, I will make you up as a black- whiskered | Spanish merchant, with spectacles and cane,” “The very thing,” and while Barton Keys be- gan to prepare for his change of toilet, Rita said she would go to the booty-room and ’select just what be needed, ene forward she called to a negro steward, and “Monk, you know the city well?” | “ Yas, missus,” "Do you know the shop of Rudolpho the money-lender?” “Yas, missus, I knows him, for I hes took tin dar fer yer fader.” es, I remember; now I'll give on i . go ashore this mornin , and this to spend; but first take a note to 5 Redolon and “res it to him in person. he asks you any questions, refuse to an- swer, n * Yas, missus, I do as yer tells me.” Then Rita stepped into the “ booty-room,” as the state-room was called where the treasure was kept, and hastily wrote a few lines, which she sea ca up and handed to the negro, who seemed glad of the chance to get ashore, A few moments she reap in the cabin with ber arms full of clothing and otber things that went to make up ber husband’s disguise, In av hour’s time, completely metam osed, Barton Keys left the schooner and wen hi way up-town. After looking i in at various places he rae Rudolpho’s. ‘* Well, senor, bow are you this mornin r baw said with a smile, anxious to test his d before the sharp eyes of the money-lender. “Quite well, thank you, Senor Padre,” 7 a the cool reply. w aed Kove started at this prompt recogni ? tion of him. E If the money-lender so readily knew bim, others might penetrate his d ina —_ _where he knew so many bo geaee 4 “In God’s name how you recognize me, wie 5 —— alarm, a * Dor eet poate Bnei & your dis- - guise, for perfect; me know St any ove who son your neck” nt pita? “No, and yes, for a man who wop 8 cot
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zat eat Eto aegis oan mean Ae “oe FR pe ear OEE ER sree yr j fifty thousand from me last night, said that he knew me.” “Why did you not silence him?” “It was not convenient then.” “Then youshould have dogged his steps and driven a knife bis back.” , “I shoald have done so, but I did not, and who he is I do not know.” “You can think of no one else?” “No.” ‘¢ What woman has come to hunt you down?” ‘Ah! if that is it, I might say a score,” was the answer, with a heartless Jaugh, ‘Well, one is on your track,” “How does she know me?” “She knew you as you were disguised last . night.” : ** Ha! can that bef” *¢Tt is true, senor.” “Then this disguise will throw her off the scent.” “ Hardly,” and Rudolpho smiled, “ But how do you know this?” ‘She came to me last night, and paid me handsomely to. put a spy upon your track,” ** A woman did this?’ “Yes, senor.” ** And you refused?” * Oh, no, L accepted.” ‘What do you mean, Senor Rudolpbot’ “Of course I took_her money, and told her I would do so, and so I tell you of it to-day.” “*T thank you, and I will pay you handsomely to discover who she is.” “How much is it worth to you, senor, to know!” _ “Well, there is a starter, for a spy to find her out,” and Barton Keys threw a roll of bills down before the man, “You are very kind, senor, and I will give you the information,” said Rudoipho, as he ‘pocketed the bills. “You will find out soon?” “ And did not tell me?” ‘Well, senor, I must earn some money, you know.” “But who is she?” ‘Do you recognize this writing?’ “Great God! where did you get this, Ru ; dolpbo?” —f . A negro brought the note to me an hour or 80 ago. ; “fe is my—yes, I know the writing, Rudol- pho, and I will pay you wellif you at once make known to me when the writer calls again, ‘I will 3ee that she is watched, Senor Padre; but have you any more jewels to sell like those last night?’ ‘*T will have before I leave the city,” and then Barton Keys left the shop, muttering: “] must be careful, for Rita is no woman to defy, as her putting a spy on my track proves, ‘But she isin the way, and I must send her back to her father, if she will go; if not, I must get rid of her in some way, for I will net be thwarted in my plot to get possession of Maud Brandt, and make her my wife in the very presence of Bradford Carr, “That will be my sweetest revenge. * But, first to get rid of Rita, who must go to her father, for I do not wish to kill her; but if she will not, why then she shall die/” and the irate’s face grew black with passion as he ut- red the terrible threat against the one being in the whole world tbat loved him. CHAPTER XXXII. RITA'S SCHEME. f It was several days after the interview be- tween Rudolpho and the pirate captain, that Rita called again at the shop of the former. She bad twice written a note, sending it by the negro steward, Mon':, to ask if any discov- ery bad been made regarding the movements of her husband, and in response, Rudolpho bad » communicated the fact that he bad gone to this : ca age that he bad been seen oe geen, Sweater in the Palace of Chance, and bad also been ob- Seryed to go out to the lake-shore twice, as hold communication with some fishermen ere, . : But upon this latter point, Rudolpho asserted, his spy was not thoroughly posted, but would inform him as scon as he discovered the slight- est trace of anything really suspicious, and that notice should be ready for her when she called, or sent a messenger for it, | As for Barton Keys himself, Rita knew that he ed very little time on board the vessel Ft was left alone all day and the greater part of the vight. ; _ When asked by her where he had been, and what doing, bis invariable answer was, that he was looking up additional men and attending to Pe £-‘G < aA ot DP. 4. * » getting stores, ammunition, and the necessary ramen spars for the schooner, He also paar be was op sa» he the sailing lists, and lists of vessels due, to discover what ones were most valuable to him to look after as (Pit all this, Rita pretended to be satisfied, _ but she was no » * psy bate 4 The Sea Owl. She loved the man, bad as he was, with an idolatrous passion; and she dreaded that Maud Brandt would win him from her. Well she knew that Maud was innocent in the matter, in fact, a victim; but still if he man- ged to kidnap her, as she feared he did, then she felt that she would be cast aside. If cast aside, she knew ber nature well enough to know that she would be revengeful against the man she loved, and to prevent this, to keep him all for herself, she determined to place Maud out of his reach, To do this she must free Bradford Carr, and oe two must go together to seek safety far rom the power of Barton Keys, With Rudolpbo to serve her for gold, she be- lieved that she could accomplish her ends, for she had it in her power to free the prisoner any nigbt, and, as soon as she was convinced that her husband meant to kidnap Maud, she would act. She had laid her plan to have a barge ready, with oarsmen engaged"to bear the prisoner and Maud up the Mississippi river, from whence they could make their way from town to town and thus reach a far northern city. She bad only to discover that her busband hn false, when she would at once work out her plans, . Having decided, she started for the money- lender’s, determined to get him to select the barge, have it thoroughly fitted up, and engage a half-score of oarsmen and mate, in fact a crew that could protect themselves against In- dians or white robbers in ascending the river, for those were days of dangerous navigation upon the Mississippi. Arriving at Rudolpho’s and at once recog- nized, she was at once ushered into that wily rascal’s curiosity-shop, or private office, ‘** Any news, senor?’ she asked. “Well, senora, my spy is on the track of news that points to suspicious developments,” “Indeed, and: what are they?” ‘““You shall know by to-morrow, senora, if you will call in the afternoon.” “T will be here, senor; but I have a commis- sion for you to perform.” “Tam at your service, senora.” ‘*T believe there are river barges that can be purchased ?” ‘Yes, senora.” “T want one,” “Por freight?” ‘No, for passengers,” “ Ah “Yes, 1 want one bought and fitted up in the best manner; with a comfortable cabin with room for two or more, quarters for a couple of servants and a crew of twelve, ‘*1t must be thorougily stored with the best of aperrnonty and also carry a supply of tents and equipments for comping on the river bank, ee Th fact, I wish a thoroughly-equipped barge, senor. ** For a long distance, senora?” se Yes, to go as far as the upper towns on the river. ‘It will be a long and hard journey for the boatmen, senora?” ‘*T am aware of that, but the sails will help them a great deal, when the wind is fair, and they shall be paid well for their work.” . ; ** Will you go, senorat” “No, but two friends of mine, and I wish you to get the barge in readiness at once, and if it is ie needed, you will yet have your pay. ‘** And more, senor, I selon the services oF a holy father.” “A priest, senor?” “Yes, I wish him to hold himself in readiness for his services may be needed at any moment after you have the barge in readiness.” “To bury the dead, senora?’ ‘No, to perform the marriage rite, and I will give you ample compensation, to hand him for the worry he is put to.” “T know a most deserving priest, senora. and will see bim; but have you further orders?” ‘None, otber than to have you tell me how much sonny: you need to carry out my plans thoroughly?” PS ¥ Sprmdershis, senora,” “How much? “The barge will cost a thousand, and perhaps more, ~* “Then the fitting of it up, and the stores will be as much more, while the tents and wages of the men will be something in the .neighbor- hood of two thousand additional. , “Then there is the priest, and my fees, and the latter I promise you shall be small,” ** Doubtless,” said Rita dryly, and then she said: £ ‘‘Here are five thousand dollars, and the men may have the barge to sell besides for themselves.” “You are generous, senora, and I will serve you,well,” i “Do so, and if all goes off as I wish [ will give you your fee separate.” ~ ‘Remember to come to-morrow afternoon, ee — got Rudolpbo as nine Sige) rill not forget, senor,” was answer and cong woman walked away, muttering to 17 **Now to see this beautiful lady who has- Bawa the heart and brain of the one man f ove. ‘+ But I will not tell the secret fo her until the last moment, though I must see her and taik- with her,” and the jealous woman took the avenue leading to the home of Colonel Brandt. CHAPTER XXXITI, MAUD'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR. OnE who saw Maud Brandt, and knew her 1@ all ber loneliness of character, would no®& wonder that she held the place as the Queen of ber set in New Orleans a city then, as now famous for beautiful, accomplished and bril- liant women. Her sorrows had first added a tinge of sadness to her face that wis by many considered. to brighten her beauty, and, if at times she was: alittle bitter, it was only momentarily, and she was quick to beal a wound sbe thus bad made, The grounds about the mansion were her favorite resort, rather than the house, and she was wont tosit for hours m a beautiful summer arbor that overlooked the river. Then she would be often seen in the saddle, or rowing on the river, or walking, and many & poor person knew that when they saw her they would receive a kindly word from her, if not @. silver souvenir to aid them in their poverty. After dinner one afternoon she strolled out to her arbor, a book in hand, and took a seat uporm the rustic bench. The view before ber was grand, taking in the majestic river rolling along above aud below the city, which lay balf a mile from the mar sion. Many vessels dotted the waters, from small? fishing-boats to stately ships, and some of theme were very beautiful in build and rig. The basy scene on the levee met her eyes, where men were bard at work loading and un- loading vessels, and the hum of the stirring town reached her ears. ’ Spires here and there arose above the bouse- tops, a handsome house was visible along the banks on either shore, and altogether the scene was one to rivet the eyes of one who loved na- ture and man’s work so delightfully, blended to- ether. - But Maud Brandt did not read the book she had brought with her. She had opened it to a certaiu page, and her . eyeshad wandered upon the scene spread out before her, yet seeing, she hardly seemed to see, for ber thoughts were far iste Suddenly she looked-up and beheld a person coming toward her. It was one she had 1.0t seen before, a woa an, plain in dress, with white bair, spectacles, and a dark face. 4 foes woman are you looking fer me?” asked Maud kindly, asshe saw that she came from the mansion, and had doubtless been sent by some of the servants, for she never allowed. them to refuse her toa person, ‘If you are the Lady Maud, I am looking for you, senorita,” was the answer. “lam Maud Brandt, whom some call Lady Vent through kindness,” answered the maiden: Dn y. “ Yes, de ean be no other, for no one else can beso beautiful,” returned the woman, speak- ing, 9. though to herself, rather than to the en. “Thank you for your pretty liment, madam, and if ou wih to see me, sit there, for you are tired, I fear.” ‘**My heart is tired, Lady Maud, not my body, for | have a sorrow there that is hard to carry; but I came tw seek you, lady, that I might have a talk with you. : “No, [do not need alms, I have money, and plenty, but Ido wish to have you answer me a few questions.” ; . “ Anything thatI can answer you I will, my ood woman.” ‘*T thank you, Lady Maud, and I will not de- tain vou long.” : ‘Well, what is it that you would know?” ‘““You must forgive me, lady, if [cause you pais, and intrude upon that which you wish to ock up in your own loving heart; but my motive is ts serve you well, and, in serving you, to serve myself, so.you see that I am not wholly unselfish.” ss Maud was struck with the words and manner of the woman. . They were unlike what she bad expected from one of ber appearance. : She was interested in the woman in spite of herself, and replied: ; $6 Well, I aw ready to hear all that you have say.” ' ~ ‘ a act not be angry ?” ‘ * Then, lady, let me ask you if ever you loved more than one man?” Rents face flushed, almost angrily, and the — woman seeing it said quickly: Ay camer your promise not to be angry, oC Puis is.a strange question, good woman.” x FS BOOM LOE TE x m a
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BR ioe hehe 18 ‘Tt will lead to others of importance, so ‘please answer me.” “TI will answer you frankly, that I never Joved but one person, in the way that you’ doubtless mean, that is, one whom I would be willing to live with through life as a loving wife. “ Thank you, lady; but you have been three times fee ae ‘*T have been three times pledged.” ** Once to Mr. Soule Ravelle?” “: Again to Mr, Barton K 2 onan to Mr. Barton Keys?” “* And last to Mr. Bradford Carr?” “Yes,” and Maud’s lips quivered. “‘ Which was the one you loved, lady?” There was that in the woman’s tone that meat could not refuse to answer her, and she * The last.” “ And the others?” ‘*L respected Mr. Ravelle, and I—hated Mr. Keys.” **Hated him? Thank God!” Maud fairly started at the woman’s earnest- ness, and then said: ‘Now I have answered your questions, tell me why have you asked them?” ‘* You hate Barton Keys?” “Yes, hate, detest, loathe, and have an utter contempt for him.” “Yet you were engaged to him?” “True, as I was engaged to Mr. Rayelle, for neither engagement was of my making, as I entered into the compact simply to please my father.” *“AndIam glad, oh so glad to hear this, Lady Maud, from your lies but now tell me, do you believe that Mr. Bradford Carr is the guilty one that heaps say?” Maud’s eyes flashed as she replied: “T do not.” **You have been told so, appearances are against him, you have almost seen that he is the Pirate Priest, and yet do not believe it?” “T do not, nor will I, until he tells me so with his own Jips.” : : : * You are true to your love, Lady Mand.” ** Yes, and to 5 he “And, Lady Maud, if it were proven that Bradford Carr is not the Pirate Priest, would you marry bim?”’ “ Gladly, if he so wished it, and try'to make him forget the sorrows he bas known.” “And, lady, if it is proven—if you meet him face to face, and he tells you that he is true to ‘you, to bis honor, and not guilty, and begs you to become bis wife then and there, and fly with him beyond the persecutions of your foes, to fly with bim for your lives, would you go?” * Yes; but who are you, my woman, and what do all these questions mean?” “ Wait.” “Do you know that Bradford Carr is true, and is he alive?” “ He is.” ** And sent you to me?” ‘““No. But you must wait, and hold yourself {n readiness for a strange sequel to all that has passed. . **T have told you all that I can, Lady Maud, only watch, hope, and be ready to go with bim avhom you so dearly love, to a spot where your foes can never find you. “Your hand, please, cong 4 Maud,” and the woman grasped the little hand, and, before Maud was aware of what she was doing, slip- upon her finger a ring. Then she quickly turned and walked away, while Maud, half dazed at the act, stood gazing after her. Then her eyes fell upon the ring, and she arperes upon her kne*s, and cried: “Holy Mother! it is the ring that I gave to Bradford Carr !” Springing to her feet, she started in search of the woman, but she had not been seen to pass tbe mansfon again, and the servants could no- where find her. CHAPTER XXXIV. THE PLEDGED JEWELS, ‘. - Covonen Branpr did not keep his pledge to gamble no more, notwitbstand ing the very many bitter lessons he had received. He had intended to do so, as gd as the drunkard intends to give up liquor when he “swears off” from the intoxicating cup; but, almost as surely he fell. ‘The lessons he had recetved bad been bitter indeed, but each time he bad n out of the scrape; and though he dreaded the peril, he yet hoped to escape the alternative of a bitter end- ing. and at the same time trusted to yet come out a heavy winner, which would repay bim r his many losses, He unfortunately for himself met some boon companions, and they led bim‘to play, and he Saaeee tee honor with them, he collected the u » Soh g, for the sale of the booty the smugg ft, and it was sunk The Sea Owl. The captured yacht had been purchased by the Navy Department from Irving and this sum | was paid to the colonel, and went the same | Then he crime. White-faced,; trembling, anxious, sin haunted, he found his way into Rudolpho’s one morning, bearing with him a morocco ‘case, done up in paper. Seeking an interview privately with the money-lender, be was ushered into an inner office, and began his business talk, without ob- serving a man lying at full length upon a lounge, and in a corner. That ‘business ” was to borrow upon certain jewels a vast sum on one year’s time, for which grew desperate and descended to e was to pay a usurer’s interest. The money-lender’s eyes fairly sparkled as he opened the case and beheld the array of wealth before him. There were jeweled necklaces, bracelets, brooches, rings, ear-rings and other trinkets of value, Colonel Brandt was stern, answering only such questions as he was forced to, and de- manding that the case should be locked and he keep the key, while the money-lendér stowed the treasure-box away in his safety-vault. This was agreed to, the money was paid, and Colonel Brandt departed, once more saved from the immediate ruin that stared him in the face, Butoh! how saved? By “temporarily bor- rowing,” as he expressed it to himself, bis daughter’s jewel case, which she had left ex- posed in her room, As he departed from the shop, the man on the sofa arose lazily and asked: “Senor, do you know that man?” ‘Ah, captain, I had forgotten you were there. . ‘*Yes, I know him.” * Who is he?” **T cannot divulge my customers’ secrets, cap- tain, even to you.’ “« Well, this isa case where I am deeply iater- ested, andI wish youto serve me. “As how?” ‘*T want that case of jewels.” ‘That cannot be.” “How much do you consider the case and its contents worth?” ‘*A very large sum, captain, “Well, whatever sum you name as its value, I will place double the amount in your hands as security, and I wish the case. **T will not take one thing from it, but Tonly wish it for a purpose, to gain a certain end.” “That end you will not tell me?” ‘‘Not jast now; but if I do not bring it back, you will get double its value.” **But sup ihe owner calls for it, as he may ina few days, for he is a very rich man, and this is only some sudden financial embar- rassment, upon his part, that will soon blow over.” “Then I will protect you.” ** But how?” “Simply set a time to call for them and I will meet him he...” “All right, captain, I'll trust confident that you bave some ou, for I am eep game to play.” or Well, bere are jewels to secure you,” and Barton Keys, for he it was in bis Spanish mer- chant disguise, threw down a bag of precious a different disguise, and one that it will be im- possible for me to be known.” * All right, senor, what shall it be?’ “Well, “You speak French * Perfectly.” : ‘Well, a waxed mustache, a change of color in hair, a face darkened by dyes, and a wholly different dress from what you were wont to wear, with an accent’in your conversation, and » Slasses, will completely metamorphose ou.” + “T believe you, so get up my disguise, rig me up a wardrobe, and have it sent to the Maison St. Louis, where rooms shall be engaged for me, and I will come out asa distinguished Frenchman—say Monsieur Enrique Erricson, and my money will soon get me the entree to society here,” “Captain, you are a bold man and I admire you, and will help you play your daring game, whatever it is,” was the remark of Senor Ru- do! pho, who of all things, admired pluck. “Do so, and I will not forget you, Rudolpho; but now I must be off, for it is nearly time for that sweet little plotter to come.” ‘* Yes, I expect ber soon. ** And you have all ready to thwart her?’ ‘* All, captain.” : Good ! now [ must be off, and don’t forget. to fix up the Monsieur Etirique Erricson, as soon as you have disposed of that little arch- lotter Madam Rita,” and with a ligt rton Keys took his money -lender’s, + lau dag en Meas he entrance gems.! “Now, Rudolpho, I wish you to get me up in leaving by . upon another street, over the door of which was the sign of a iste, wish to play the gentleman, and—” SP POM Sey CHAPTER XXXV. HOP". THE scene again changes to the eabin of the —— schooner, which still lies at anchor in her isguise, none of the honest about her be- lieving that they are so near the famous Ghoul of the Sea. It is night, and in bis lonely state-room Brad- ford Carr sits in moody silence, Manacles are about bis wrists and ankles, and his every movement causes his chains to rattle dismally. : He bas held some hope since the strange in- terview he held with Rita in the cabin, and he holds trust that the woman will not break faith with him. ‘ But he bas not seen her since to speak with her, though be has seen her pass his state-room door many times. Suddenly be starts, for a key turns in the lock of bis door. Allis dark within, but a Jantern burns in tne gangway and by its light he sees who his visitor is, It was Rita, and she entered and closed the door behind her softly. ‘*T have come to see you, senor,” she said. ‘* And I am glad, for I was thinking of you,” he answered. ; oe wondering if I bad forgotten my prom- se? “Yes, senora.” **T have not, as you see; but I have had to work bard to carry out my ends. ‘*T feel that, if you intend to do all that you would,” he said sadly. “ I do intend to do all, and I have made my arrangements, and you shall know just what they are,” ‘You are very kind to me, ‘senora.” “No, [am kind to myself; but let me ask you if you kave any money?” ‘* Very little, lady.” * Will you accept from me a sum in gold?” * No, oe “You will need it after you are free, and though you marry an heiress, you will not wish to depend upon her. ‘* Let this be a secret between us, and accept what I wish to lend you, for you can take it as a loan if you wish, and repay me when in your power to do so,” : “ But we may never meet again, though you are very kind,’ “Yes, when it is safe for you and for her, then will I let you know where to find me. ‘** You must take the money, for you cannot do without it.” : ‘“As frankly as you offer it, 1 will take it, lady, and promise to repay you when in my power so to do; buf tell me, please, have you really determiried to set me free?” ““T have not only determined to do so, but I have made all arrangements, and I will tell you of them.” “T will ged listen, senora,” * Well, first, I decided that your best course was to escape by way of the river, going to the cities in the up-river country. **To bave you do this I secured a large barge, had it fitted up with every comfort and stores, and a full crew engaged for it. “By sail and oar you can thus reach the towns above; and the barge is paid for, and also the men’s wages.” : ‘*Ob, lady, bow kind you have been to me!” “To myself, you mean; but let me tell you that I went to see the lady you love.” * Miss Brandt?” “ Yes,” **' You saw her?” “T did.” ‘*She is well, I hope?” ‘ Perfectly, but sad at heart.” , ‘* Alas! she believes me all that Barton Keys has made mea r before the world.” “You are mistaken.” ‘What! she does not believe that I am the Pirate Priest?” * Sbe does not, senor.” “God, I thank Thee!” moaned the prisoner in fervent tones, “The world may believe it, but Miss Brandt does not, and neithér does_one other.” * And that other, lady?’ “Is your pupil that was.” “Brave Irving?” * Yes,” ‘ Heaven bless the boy!” ’ “Yes; he goes about proclaiming your inno- pesos and few dare speak of your guilt before m. ; Se am bappy to feel there are two that trust nme, “Yes; it is a pleasant thought to know that some one feels for us and loves us.” “A pleasant thought indeed, lady; but tell me what said Miss Brandt, when you saw her?” “T went to the mansion in my present dis- guise, and found ber alone in the garden, I asked her, if it was proven that you were ipno- cent, if she would marry you, and go far awa with you until the hatred that now follow you both bad burned itself out?” “ie ok “And ber answer?” ery 2a “She said ‘Gladly.’. Then I told her I would ve \
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fet her know soon just what was to be done, and “to hold herself in readiness, for a priest shall be on hand to make you man and wife, and you can at onee depart beyond. expectation of pur- suit ** But I do not wish to force Miss Brandt into becoming my wife under such circumstances.” “Sh- is willing; and only on such terms, that I see you married, shall you get free.” “T must have the written consent of Miss Brandt to this arrangement to feel that she will submit to such a marriage.” “She submits to save you and tosave herself, for I happen to know that a sad fate awaits her —ay, and you, if you refuse,” “Tad } accept, and am in your hands.” se rat i rejoice,” and Rita extended her hand, while she continued: ‘* Now live in full hope, for to-morrow night, “or the next, you shall be free.” “God bless you, lady!” was the fervent re- apne of the poor prisoner, while Rita said, as She opened the door: “Do rot thank me, or ask God’s blessing upon me, for I act for my own selfish motives alone.” With this she departed, leaving Bradford Carr full of hope that the future was not all shadow- ed for him. CHAPTER XXXVI. KIDNAPPED. RvUpDOLPHO awaited patiently in his ‘ sanc- tum ” for a visitor. He had given orders to bis clerk to show that visitor ia whenever she should call, for it was a woman that be was expeatinti After glancing at the old clock in one corner a score of times, the door opened and the visitor €ntered, It was Rita, in her disguise of an old woman, and it was the day following her interview with Bradford Carr. An hour before, her husband, in, his disguise, had left the money-lender’s, not intending to meet her there. “‘T have been waiting for you, madam,” said Rudolpho, banding Riva a chair. - Sone took it and said: ‘I hope you have news for me.” “Yes, senora.” * Well, senor?” ‘*My spy has reported that the gentleman you bade me have watcbed has brought a small sloop out in the lake, getting a crew of several men for it, and intends to send it away to-night with a lady on board.” “A lady?” gasped Rita, ‘* Yes, senora!’ ‘Who is she?” ** An heiress, for whose return a large ransom ‘wil! be paid.” _ “ You know her name, senor?” “The Senorita Brandt.” “Ab! it is as I expected; but does she go alone?” — “With the lugger men oa I believe, and they are to carry her to some sland, and there keep her until the ransom is paid.” _ “ Alas! it is no ransom that he is after; but Senor Rudolpho, you must aid me to thwart this scheme,” * Willingly, senora; but how?” . “Let me think; and you, too, try and aid me toa lan.” ta, for a moment, was buried in deep rn and then Rudolpbo said: ps ‘Senora, my spy discovered this by enlisting ‘as one of the crew of the smack, and they are Hot paid such an extravagant sum, so that something might be done in that way.” ‘‘ How mean you, senor?” “A larger bribe might get them to serve you, instead of the one who employs them.” ‘Ab! I see; you mean that I shall bribe them not to carry the lady off?” ‘Not exactly that, but to carry her off in the smack, run it around through the Rigoletts to the nearest point where the river can be veached, and cross the neck of land to where the barge can be waiting to go on up the river.” “Senor Rudolpho, your plan is a splendid one, for I will have the barge start to-night, and await for the coming of the smack by way of the lake; but the priest must be willing to go up on the barge.” - “ will, eer “ Then you will ask your to Ge RR ED t would hardly come well from him. bei one of them; but I have the direction hae where you can find the little vessel, and if you were to go and see the men, I feel that you _ could accomplish all you desired: but pardon me Sed that you should change your present “How know you that Iam disguised, senor?’ __“ Ah, senora, I see much of men and women kind, and I penetrated the mask. “You are young and beautiful, and not the _ old woman you pretend to be. “But that is not my affair, so here is the _ place where you will find the smack at anchor, , you cai there and make your own ms with the crew,” and he handed Rita a ece of paper with certain directions written Sliced seth Sd ‘*But, when will the lady be kidnapped, senor?” ““To-night, and the plan is all arranged, and she will go innocently into the trap.” “‘] thank -you, senor, and let me pay you for your services.” Rita then made a generous payment to the wily rascal, and took her departure, returning at once on board the schooner. Here she took off her disguise, robed herself in a handsome dress, and looking grandly beau- tiful left the vessel. Monk had already, at ber command, ordered a carriage for her, and just at twilight she went ashore. Reaching the vehicle she gave the driver di- rections where to drive and sprung in, throw- ing herself back upon the cushions in deep thought. } She was both bappy and sad, for she was happy that her plan to get Maud away from Barton Keys was going to be successful, and sad that her busband bad so deceived her. But, with Maud out of the way, and the wife of Bradford Carr, the strange woman would be more than willing to forgive the inbuman wretch whom he bad married. Thus she thought, as the vehicle rolled rapid- ly out of the city along the Lake road, now the magnificent ‘‘ Shell road,” the pride of the New Orleans people. At length thecarriage drew up not far from an humble cabin, in which burned a dim light. ‘There is the place, lady,” said the driver, ‘* Ask if one Norcross is here,” replied Rita. Tbe driver knocked and the door was opened by a woman, who, in answer to the question, said that Norcross was on board the smack, lying at anehor a cable’s length off-shore. - Frail, and he will send a boat ashore,” added the woman. The driver drove down to hailed, A boat at once put» off from the smack and soon landed. But one man wasin it, and in answer to Rita’s question about Norcross, said that he was on board the smack. ; ‘* Row me out to the craft, then, my man,” was the response, and in a short while after she stepped on board. ‘* Enter the cabin, | ,»” said the man. This Rita did, to fin# herself in the clutches of two men, one of whom pressed bis hard hand over her mouth to prevent an outcry, while the other said: ** Well, lads, this is luck, fer -ther leddy hes come out to us, without our hunting her up.” Resistance was vain, and Rita was soon not only securely bound hands and feet, but her mouth was bandaged to prevent her crying for help. Send the carriage off, Dick, and hand the fellow a couple of double eagles to believe what you tell him.” Tbe man addressed rowed ashore, ‘and ap- proaching the driver, said: “* The lady says she’s found her beau, so will not go back with you to the city, and sends you these as a souvenir. “You see, it’s a runaway match.” * Ah! that is it,” said the driver, and wax — eagles where he had expected silver dol- ars, he said: ; “Luck to her, for she’s as generous as a gambler, and that’s saying heaps, for card men pays well for what’s done for ’em.” ‘So I bas heerd; but good-night, lad, and a safe voyage back to town,” answered the sailor, as he sprung into his boat and sculled rapidly back to the smack, As the boat was swung up to the stern davits, the smack began to move through the water, and a few moments after was dashing swiftly along over the waters of Lake Borgne, with poor Rita caught in ber own trap, a prisoner in the cabin, and being borne she knew not where. CHAPTER XXXVI. A VILLAIN’S WORK. . : ‘“ WELL, captain, all went off grant gf Ps said Rudulpho, as Barton Keys entered is shop the day after the kidnapping, going in by the private entrance on the other street, ‘Yes, your plan worked well, Rudolpho, and by this time the smack has landed Rita on the island, and has gone to negotiate with her old father for ransom.” “You think he will pay well?” “Indeed, he will, for she is the idol of his heart, and that is the reason I do not get rid of her ina way that would forever end her spy- ing upon me; but, were she dead, the old Owl would cling to his riches, and I know he has Mg wealth, while as it is, my wife will get it a “Itisa lan to keep her on then, ca tain; but a en not be illy dealt with, and fh a week or so will be with her father, to await your coming, while you can have things your own way here.” “Yes, and I assume my disguise as Monsieur —- today, a set your hg work to get me up in the best manner possible. be a there any packet-ships coming in now ’ the beach and 19 | ‘** Several, senor, from Havana, Vera Crua, Jamaica, New York and Portland.” ae ete Erricson must arrive by one of these and drive at once, and ba 8 to the Maison St. Denis.” ri ate ‘Yes, captain, your luggage is all ready for | you, and shall be sent at once to the hotel, with instructions that you will soon follow, having estopped on the way to seé your banker.” * This is good; but now send off the baggage, then order a vebicle for me at the time you think you can metamorphose me, and leave.the ' rest in my hands.” The money-lender dispatched his clerk to at- tend to certain duties, and then adjourning to an / upper room with Barton Keys, he set to work to change him into another person in appear- ance, if not in character. Rudolpho was. certainly a cunning villain, and master of his art, for, after several hours, Barton Keys, under his skillful hands, was so res Ya as to be wholly unrecognizable to bim- se His hair had been dyed from its golden hue to an intense black, his Mustache had been ad- ded to and also changed color, while the ends were waxed like a French drum-major’s! Then the skin had been darkened to the tint almost of a Mexican’s. His dress was not the neglige style for which he had been noted as a planter, but fashionable and gorgeous in the extreme, with gold eye- glasses to hide bis eyes, while his broad shoul- ers had been, by the cut of his coat, padded up into a shape that altered bis form tly. When thus attired, and with eye-glasses and cane, a smirk on his face, and an affected man- ner, the mother of Barton Keys would never have known him. : \ Glancing for the first time at himself ina mirror, after this remarkable change, the pirate was fairly startled by the metamorphosis, and cried earnestly: * Rudolpho, you are the most accomplished villain I ever kpew!” “It takes a villain to know a villain, cap- tain,” was the cool response. ‘* T guess you are right, Rudolpho,” answered ie fa with no show of anger; and then be ad- “Why, it will takeme some time to get ac- customed to my own appearance,” ‘Well, captain, “see matters, for as long as you remain here there is danger; and you are eeping your crew cramped uP, and some one might prove traitor, you know.” ‘True; and I shall Jose no time, I assure you, and have already started to work in a quiet way—for, Senor Rudolpbo, I have a grand scheme on band,” and Barton Keys smiled sig- nificantly. The carriage was now at the door, and after a few more words FS Paaey cc the pretended Monsieur Enrijue Erricson took his departure and was driven to the Maison St, Louis, where it soon became noised abroad that a distinguish- ed and immensely wealthy foreigner had taken up his quarters. : In a few days, as had been his intention, Bar- ton Keys, the Spider, caught r Colonel Brandt, jthe Fly, in bis web, and then cooll told him that he had in bis possession the pws!- case of Maud and its contents, Having lost a a sum to the suj Frenchman, and with him holding suspended above his head the secret of the jewels, Colonel Brandt was wholly in bis power, aad when the master commanded that he should present bim at his house to meet his beautiful daughter, the slave was compelled to obey—and thus far the ‘grand scheme ” of the pirate worked well, and it was bi ate bg in the end make Maud Brandt the victim of his batred and revenge, as poor Bradford Carr then was languishing in chains on the schooner, watching, waiting and hoping for the coming of Rita, and the keeping of the pledge she had made bim. But the days passed on and she came not, and to the prisoner’s inquiries regarding her, Monk, the one he asked, gave only the answer: **Missus Rita, sah, hab Eres disappear- ed, an’ we fears she am dead.” CHAPTER XXXVIIL GOLD VERSUS PROMISES. THE reader has doubtless solved the mystery of Rita’s being kidnapped as she was, and that her husband was at the bottom,of it, having employed the ever-willing Rudolpho to do the work, The story told Rita, that Maud Brandt was to be kidnapped, was not true, for Barton Keys had already decided upon another course of action to g@t her into his clutches, and the crew of the smack were men in the employ of Rudolpho, who bad played their part so well that the poor captive really thought that she ‘had been mistaken for the beiress she supposed they were waiting for. ' As soon as the smack got under way, Rita x
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_ gour chief in this ery hg ad ed a OE 4p Ue he alt, Pe ——T “se ~~. © ,- 20 tons, had been fitted up evidentl pose of carrying off Rita, an sailor. The five men on deck were a rough-looking set, one of them sitting at the tiller, and the other four improving their time forward by gama with the aid of a lantern set on the deck. for the pur- was a good The latter paid no attention to Rita, but the |. helmsman offered her a seat, which she ac ce Kk “Why am I taken off this way, my man?” she asked “Dunno, lady.” “ Who is your leader in this affair?’ “Dunno, “Do. you know that you have made a mis- take?” “ How, lady?” “You have not run off with the right one!” “You is the one we was to go with, I guesses.” “No, it was Miss Brandt.” * And who is oe! lady?” “Tr am the wife of. the man who employed you. “T guesses not, a “Tao, and, knowing yourmistake, as I do, I will pay you a handsome sum to put back and land me.” § ‘*Can’t do it, = Rita felt worried and anxious, for, contrary to ber usual custom, she had come away with- out either a large sum of money, or the jewels she generally carried with her, having expected to place in Bradford Carr’s hand the gold she wis him to have. A couple of bundred dollars was all she had with ber, and she felt that she could only give | promises to pry, if the men would obey her. ‘Tf Lonly bad my gold, or my jewels, then I could put this craft about very quickly,” she said t6 herself. . ‘ But she determined to do all iv her power to oa 7 what she could accomplish without, and Baid: . **My man, you work for money, do you not?’ “ You cde hest t?” ou take the es ou can ge * Sarv’in.” : es . * How much do you get for this night’s work?” “Tt hain’t only a night’s work, for it may last a couple o’ weeks, and maybe longer.” * But where are you taking me?” “To a little island, one of the Chandeleurs, y. “For what purpose?” , “To keep you there until you are paid for.” ‘* Who is to pay for me?” “ Donno.” ' “Do you get the pay?” om Totes my share,” “*How much is your share?” ‘Tae job pays me about, five hundred clean.” “* And your messmates * pie git the same.” — “ Well, I will double the amount if you will put back and land me.” “You don’t mean it, lady?’ “ ] do.” “You'll give mea thousand?” ae es. ” « And the lads?” ** Bach one shall have the same amount.” rn Just show me the gilt, lady, and we are the 8. ity man, I am sorry to say that I have ay a few hundred dollars with me; but if you will yourself return with me, I will give you the sum I said,” f - ~ “ Lady, gold is gold, and promises is promises, “We have got a good bonus down for our work, and more is waiting for us when it isdone, 80 we can’t give up the gilt for promises, lady.” Rita sighed, and bit ber lips with vexation, when she thought that at almost any other time she had had with her a small fortune, if ‘not in gold, in precious stoves.” “And you intend to carry me to an island, . ou say?” ‘* Yes, lady.” “And leave me there until a ransom is paid for my return?” mick Seg’ fade ‘Here is fifty d ware dt tell me the name of atter he man pocketed the bank-n and an- swered, coolly: en “His name is captain, lady, and that is all we knows him by.” “This is paying dear for very little informa- tion, my man: but I'll trouble you no more with questions,” and Rita turned away and anced out over the waters, her heart achin at the failure of all ber plans, and wild wit lousy at the thought that she had left ber usband behind her, with both Maud Brandt and Bradford Carr wholly at his mercy, and that he would be merciless she well knew. - CHAPTER XXXIX. E MASKED LOVER. to which the little smack was bound, or there was a good har- and a cabin on shore, = The Sea Owl. ot \ which the crew made habitable in a very short while, and comfortable with the things taken from the craft. The cabin was given to Rita as her home, during her stay on the island, while the men stayed on board the smack at night. Rita had expected to see the little vessel sail away, after leaving her, but on the contrary it dropped its heaviest anchor and furled sails as though for some little stay there. She was given ample to eat, and one of the men proved to be a good cook and served her meals for er in good style, so that sie was at least in no dan- ger of starvation. But her heart ached, and she was utterly wretched, and daily promised the men almost fabulous sums to take her away, until they began to fear her mind | was wandering at her captivity. Thus several days passed away, and one morning earl _. was aroused from sleep by the ery of— o! . Quickly she arose and dressed herself, and going out of the cabin sighted a small coasting schooner heading in for the island and about tsvo leagues dis- nt. oes was a fast sailer and came on under all sail. j — brought it to her, hope or despair, she won- ered. As for the men they stood on the shore watching itscoming and apparently feeling no anxiety re- garding her. At the peak floated a yellow flag of huge propor- tions, in the center of which was embroidered a scar- l-t eye, and this strange emblem the crew of the smack had doubtless recognized as a signal, or col- ors they knew. Straight for the island the schooner came, round- ing a sunken reef here, and a ragged point there, in a way that showed the man at the helm knew the channel into the harbor. . : An hour passed and then the schooner ran into = little haven, luffed up sharp and let fall an an- chor. . : Soon a boat was lowered from the davits, and two oarsmen and a coxswain came asbore. The latter his tarpaulin ané said politely: om y, my captain bids you come out to the schooner, if it is your pleasure ” “His command will hare& be my pleasure,” an- swered Rita, with sarcasm, and then she asked: “Who is your captain, sir?” “ That he will tell you, me Rita made no reply and followed him to the boat, He gave her a cushioned seat iv the stern, and soon after aided her over the schooner's side. The vessel was unarmed and had a small crew, spoke to the crew of the smack, and | then approaching the spot where Rita stood, raised “No, sir, no! I will not listen tosuch a thought, or further speak to one who attempts to win a wo- man’s love with a face he dare not show. fee man stood in silence a moment, and ther said: “ Well, lady, asI bave your answer and esnnot t your love, after all the expense and troubie 1 ave been to to win it, I must bave your gold.” ‘*Ah! you drop quickly from sentiment to sordid- ness; but I have no gold with me.” * There is one that will ransom you.” “s My husband, whom you say doen not love me?’ sd no. . ‘* Ah! my father?” Ps Captain, your father.” ‘He will indee pay a large sum to ransom m@¢ from this cruel captivity.” ; “T will then get from him the very 2 $6 BF o So ® 5 lest sum that he will pay for the a ey eg ot the Smur- | glers of the Rigoletts, and when the ransom is paid. ' you will be free, | “Now, as I have business that calls me away, t will have to ask you to return to the island.” | “ With pleasure, sir!” and bowing with mock liteness, and with a contemptuous smile upon her face, Rita left the vessel, which, after the master of the smack had gone on and had a talk with the masked captain, raised anchor and set sail from: the island, and some hours after dlaappens ng from | the sight of the lonely woman, who watched it with a heart that was full to bursting. CHAPTER XL, THE LADY CAPTAIN’S RANSOM. *Lapy, we bas orders to leave yer fer a day or so,” said the schooner with its masked captain disappeared from sight. ig! You have orders to leave me here?” “ Yes, lady.” 6 eerely ao alone?” oy Yes, ly.” x ** And-where do you go?" “To hunt your ransom.” ““You know where to go?”’ “Yee, | ye Where?’ “To the Sea Owl.” | scarcely half a dozen men only being upon her | decks. ““Your captain is not here to receive me,” said Rita. with surprise. **You will find him in the cabin, lady.” This meant evidently that her esco further, and she advanced alone toward the com- panionway entrance. There she hesitated. ° Was it her husband that she was to meet, who, believing that the crew of the smack had kidnapped Maud Brandt, had come there in a strange vessel after her? Nervin, the few steps into the cabin, and s¢ man with a masked face confronted er. “ Be seated, fair Queen of the Smugglers,"’ and the man spoke ina rich voice and motioned Rita toa chair. Without response she took the seat and turned her brilliant eyes full upon the man before her, to pierce the mask he wore. ut so completely was his face hidden by the mask that not a feature was visible, while his hair was also concealed from view by a fancy cap, and loves covered his hands, leaving nothing by which identify him, had Rita met him before. He was certainly not her husband, as his form plainly showed. But who then could he be? That question she could not answer, so she sat in silence, awaiting for bim to ad her. “ Lady, I hope you have suffered only kindness at the hands of my crew?” he said. “You are then their captain?” “Yes, lady.” “They treated me with respect, but not kindness, when they tore me from those I love,” “Lady, they but obeyed my commands, and I have er you here to offer you pardon,” “ Which I shall gladly ee “ But it is conditional, fair lady,” “Of vourse you wish ransom, sir?” ‘I wish more, I long for your love.” ** My love, sir?” she sai ; mag oe gi “Yes, sweet Rita, I love you, and I have come to beg _ to be mine,” he said, earnestly. * Senor, Iam a wife.” “The wife of a pirate.” “ Pirate, yes; but I love him with all my heart.” ‘He does not love you.” “That may be, still I love bim.” herself, to meet the man, she descended , as a tall ** There is another upon whom his affection is ‘Alas! T know that but too well.” “Then why not fly with one who idolizes you, sweet Rita, one who will devote his life to i you happy?’ “Senor, you insult me, because I am powerless te protect myself. ‘ “Though I am a Smuggler pe though men eae me ti Lady Captain, and though my husband 8 an outlaw, a pirate, whose hands are stained with many a crime, | am yet a woman of honor, and a true wife!” Rita had risen to her feet, and spoke with emotion and dignity, that made her only more beautiful; and the man asked her earnestly: : * aod % this your decision against me?” “Tt is, sir.” “ T can never expest mercy from you?” “No more than I need rt mercy at your bands,” she said. with a look of contempt. Rita, suppose your husband were to die, would you then— ; for these logs is fixed so they b! “You know where to find him?” ‘In the Owl's Nest Basin.” * Yes, but do fe know the channel, sir?” “T has been there.” f “and what ransom does the man ask forme?’” “You means the captain?” ‘* Yes, the man who fears to show his face.” The skipper looked a little puzzled, hesitated about replying, and then said: ‘He wants a cool twenty thousand.” ** He will get it.” “TItis big money.’’. * Not for a Smuggler Queen,” said Rita with @ | sneer. would go no |_ Then she asked: **Do you expect my father to pay you the money before he gets possession of me? “ Oh, no, lady, the captain is no fool.” “How will you manage it then?’ “Tl get it all right, lady, and the Sea Ow! will fet his daughter; but I hain’t at liberty to say just. ow: “Well, if I must be left alone, the sooner the better,” and Rita turned away. while the skip- per descended to the beach where his companions }. awaited him. ** Well, she’s a cool one, lads, and no mistake; but we must be getting off, for darkness will be on us, before long, and the wind is fair for us to reach the. Owl’s ie by dawn.” 5 Tn a little while the smack stood out of the har- bor, just as the sun was 6etting, and standing alone upon the island Rita watched her until she disap- peared in the gloom of pig After a night run of it the little craft ran into the lagoon leading to the Owl’s Nest Basin just as the — sun was rising. But hardly had she gone a dozen cable-lengths up the bayou, when impassable barriers a) — be- fore her, in the shape of heavy logs a oking the | way. ve We anchors here, lads,’’ said Norcross, “Smack ahoy!”’ at the same time came in trum- pet tones from an unseen lookout: ** Ahoy itis! we want to see the Sea Owl,” shouted Norcross. ‘““Who is it that wishes to see the Owl Chief?’ asked the voice. “] bring a message from the Lady Captain,”’ called out Norcross. f *“T will speak with the Sea Owl," answered the lookout, and some distance up the — a small boat was seen to pull up the stream and disappear. ** Lads, the old Owl is careful, you may be sure, locks up the lagoon in no time, and opens for a vessel to go through,’” said the =“ 3 Lee After waiting half an hour, the skiff was seen re- turning, and in it was the lookout, while behind it ‘came a large boat with a dozen men. Approaching the yapper end of the log raft, the o the smack!” he shouted, in a voice t a rung ; sa ran alongside, and the Sea Owl sprung out. i ugh the forest that lined the lagoon “ Ay, ay, captain,” answ the ski f a Do you wind to speak with me?” cit a Yes, sir.” , “Then leave your craft and meet me half-way upon the raft,” “Tlldo it,” answered Norcross, and leaving the craft he prececded to pick his way over the logs, meeting the Sea Owl about half-way. ; = ell, sir?” sternly said the Sea Owl. “ Captain, your daughter is in trouble.” q “ What trouble?" and Captain Restcl turned pale sir.” “Thain’t posted about that, captain; but she got Petey up.”’ ‘ ; \ ~ om?” : ~ Qhe as wants gold to Jet her go.” — “* Where is she?”’ i - “Safe.” > . , / * s no ty smack’s skipper, Norcross, as the |.
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~ a PRERPRAT w FTE a ee ef nee — ees ORS ry Se ACESS Os Be a ow 5 Fae, Ge The Sea Owl: 21 “That means you must have money to tell?” “ Yes, captain.” “‘She will be given up on ransom?” EN a, ‘eiy.”? Fre oe ” \« at sum? “Twenty thousand.” “Tf it was ten times that sum I would give it,” ‘Better give me a little gilt extra, for not saying it was more, captain.” “Tll give you lead or steel, fellow, if harm of any Kind has befallen my child,” and the look and tone of the Sea Owl checked the aspirations of the skip- per for any little fee’on his own part. “ What are your conditions?” asked the Sea Owl. “You are to give me an order on your agent in ‘the city, to pey the sum demanded.” * Well, sir?” “Tam to start at once in the smack with two of my men, to collect the order, and as soon as we ve been gone ten hours, then two more of my men will go with you oT own vessel to pilot you to the spot where you will find your daughter.” “T wi to these terms upon two conditions.” “‘ Well, captain?” “First, that you send a man with my order, and ge remain as my pilot; and second, that you shall put to death if my daughter is not found where yo , mu say.’’. Me! don't know that I could trust one of my crew with so big an order, captain.” ‘You will have to.” ‘‘ And it’s hard to have to die, if accident should ba your daughter away; but I am so certain she is ere, I’, ? I 4 r all right, I'll go to my lugger and write the order €-| and return here.” n With this the Sea Owl left the raft, _ Apagues, and not wishin going in the a boat, and leaving his crew to guard the 8 ; Reaching his lugger he called out to the Indian, Who was lying upon the deck: ‘*Chincopin, go on board the Sea Owl lugger and ask Lieutenant Argylle to come here at once.” The Indian sprung into his canoe and paddled up the Basin to where the lugger lay at anchor, having only returned the day ore from her voyage to take Rita to her husband. Entering his cabin the Sea Owl wrote an order upon his agent, the Senor Rudolpho, to pay to the bearer the sum of twenty thousand dollars. Eman Argylle, whom the reader now knows os ester Granger, came on board the Home Lug- r : “Well, Argylle, [am anxious to have you take the Indian with you, and he will pilot you by the lagoon chain to the open water some leagues from here. “Once there, watch for a small smack with patch- ed sail, keep her in sight and.at night overhau! and capture her, bringing her back here to await my Oo! 4 ! The young.officer at once departed, and the Sea On returned tote rat ade “Thave here the o , and see that it is a ht,” and he handed it to Norcross. ° ‘Jt’s got the owl on it, captain, and your name, with the amount, while it is on your agent, and so I ‘Say it’s all right.” ; ‘Then select the man you wish to give it to, and Jet your vessel start.” This was done, and when the smack had departed Norcross and his companion were blindfolded and taken in the barge up to the lugger. After the time asked by Norcross had ela , the ‘Sea Owl went on board of the lugger which had taken Rita to Pensacola after the Don’s yacht, and once out of the lagoon the skipper actedas pilot -and headed for the inland where the Smuggler Queen -had been left in her lovely solitude. CHAPTER XLI. THE DESERTED ISLE, Wuen the lugger of the sea Owl reached open Dann k and Norcross took the helm, Captain Restel oe the watery horizon with his glass. . ar down the coast he caught sight of a tiny sail which he knew to be his own lugger, the Sea Owl, ‘and he smiled grimly as he nmuttered: __ “ Argylle is in the smack's wake, so I need have no fear for my money. ; * Now to see what this fellow will do, and woe be unto him if me gives me not my child.” So on swept the lugger, sailing with the wind free a good time, while Norcross stood at the anxious] +i he stern face of the smuggler chet” glancivg at the s c By the side of the helmsman stood the messmate low tones pene him, and Norcross said in a a egal has gotten heart-lonesome, like wim- mins sometimes gits, and goue and drowned herself, -then it are all wp with us. % ake arehtinents seemed to be fully concurred in Mi ht came oe face also wore an anxious look. . ~_ the lugger had gone many & to arrive at the island until ink ecietion peace and the watch placed. nel leading into the hare neRer ran into the chan- -an anchor, and lowered a yp soon after let fall If the face of the Sea Owl jo. onked pale now, those Be Ree Ree messmate were livid, for no- and though the Sea Owl The cabin-door was ope 7 nor n, had loudly hailed as the jugger ran m, nO response ptain visible. had come, nor was the Lady CG “Is this ¥ Ca, ape this where you left my child?” asked the Sea ‘It is, captain,” ‘Then where is. wer oreross nery. -— wg nervously, _ But one by one a ‘poiu 3 Un ed to starting- 7 cos pe ried wk I py og miss gone could be foun island, no trace of | ‘\ d to give me my child,” roared th ‘ Ai - 4 adn But she had a head-wind, and toward morning a storm swept over that part af the sea, and she stood boldly out into the Gulf to weather it. When day broke it was blo« ing fresh, and she was yet Fae away from the island, but heading to- ward it. But suddenly the lookout sung out: * bo!’ y, ay, I see it; and it looks like a ship's yawl under a spritsail!”’ cried Chester Granger, as he tanned his glass ; wt: a7 ‘ht in the and they had to take to their boatee
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22 “ Bear away for the boat, helmsman,” In half an hour more it could be seen by those on the lugger that there was but one occupant in the bo at. Turning his glass again upon it, Chester Granger thrilled his crew with the cry * Lively, lads, lively! for that boat contains our Lady Captain!’ It was true, and a wild gier crew as they beheld and wave to them. A few moments more and she was on the deck of the Sea Owl, which at once changed her course and headed for the Smugglers’ Retreat Without adventure the fleet craft ran into the la- oon, the log raft was opened, and it passed through fato the basin, where the smack had already ar- rived, and Chincopin made his report to the Sea Owl upon his return, ‘*] will wait three days, and then if Argylle does not return with my child, or news of her, Z wild jind her, and those who have harmed her,’ he had said. But the next day the lugger arrived with the Lady Captain on board, and the old Sea Owl, in his joy at ~ a return and gratitude to his young lieutenant, ell broke from the smug- ita stand up in the boat “ Argylle, you have proven yourself so true, I wish you to take the fleet out to meet the incoming ships, now due, and get their booty. “You may have to wait weeks, but they will come, and I will remain here and rest, while the Lady Rita will keep me mes ay as in the olden time.” After putting the little smuggler fleet in perfect reptir, ter Granger set sail in the Sea Owl, and, followed b dezvous where the vessels that smu were to be met, and the packages of costly mer- chandise transferred to the holds of the little white- winged law-breakers. As for Rita, not believing that she could find her husband in New Orleans, and utterly broken down, she determined to remain. at the retreat and bide her time, to see what the future would bring forth. CHAPTER XLIV. THE W. G. Arter along absence ffom New Orleans, I must ask my kind reader to again accompany me thither, that we may pick up the thread of our narrative, and see what is transpiring with the other charac- ters of this romance. In spite of the watchfulness of Irving Brandt, upon his father's action, the unfortunate arg nter had ages and again been lured to play, until once more he had gone so far beyond his depth that de- spair and death rose up before him in all their hide- ous forms, But he hid, as well as he could the canker gnawing at his heart, and deceived both his son and ghter for a long time as to the true state of affairs. The theft of the jewels ag ay to Maud had not been publicly known, and to the — joy_of the maiden, for the sake of the heirlooms and loved the others, started for the various ren- | led in goods | memories among them, they had been found and | brought to her by no less a personage than Monsieur ae Erricson, who stated that the colonel having told him of their loss, he had constituted himself a detective, and traced the thief to his den, As for thig same pretended Frenchman, he had be- come a toast about town, and his vast wealth, which | he squandered with lavish hand, made him a lion among men, and an object of adoration with design- | ing parents with marriageable daughters, “ated one day in his elegant rooms at the Maison St. Leuis, the pretended rique Erricson was sur- prised by a messenger who bore a sealed letter, It H “ SANOTUCM,. ae R Rad The pirate understood it but too well, and an- swered: ‘Danger ahead. Come at once to ‘Say to the writer I will come at once.” Half an hour after he entered the sanctum ef Ru- ace. : ) t worthy was impatiently awaiting him, and said quickly: **T am glad you have come, for you are needed.” “What is it, Rudolpho?”’ coolly asked the pirate, “ Allis up with you.” bes | pirate turned white, but in a firm voice, asked: “Have I been betrayed?” “No, forI alone know Enrique Erricson and the Pirate Priest as the same.” . Any news of Rita?” “Then what is the matter!” ge vessel is known to be in port!” ioe ¢ as I feared, by your keeping the men ctethped up beneath hicdns mate Ko escape and reported all.” “ ve os - inact is not well: for she is to be seized at mid- night.” ** Indeed?” _ Oye so you will have to get away as soon as it is ar ” “T shall not go.” “ What?” *T do not intend to leave the city.” “Do you mean it?” “Every word of it.” “You will be captured,” “What devilt to tain?” ‘ at deviltry are you u now, n asked the surprised matinee lealer. os ‘ * Just chis; —— not leave the city, now that I ave success within my grasp. * odie be banked: 7 ot I.” “You have worked out some daring plot?” “ Yes, and intend to carry it out.” - Can I — your “Iam whol at your service.” “Weil, tell Dupont, my lieutenant, to sail in the schooner, as soon as it is dark, and run her to the retreat of the Sea Owl, where I will join her when I and I shall have toask youto get me a to hold readiness to take me ” “T will do it, senor. 80 long, some one has’ | fruit- re cg The Sea Owl. “ By the way, there is none better than that boy’s yacht, the Lady Maud, so simply have me a crew | ready to take her when I need her.” “ Why not bring some of your own crew ashore and keep them at a sailors’ inn in readiness, for you know you can rely upon them?” “The very idea, and you can tell Dupont to pick me twenty good men, and you look after thera when ashore,” : “T will; but about yourself, captain?” “T will tell you all about myself, and to begin with, Monsieur Enrique Erricson is to marry the belle, beauty and heiress, Maud Brandt,” and the pirate laughed triumphantly. * No! is it fixed?” “ Yes.” “But how?” . ‘Oh! I had the hold on the old colonel about the jewels, you know, and then he owes me largely in gambling debts, so I had him for my interceder, and as she cannot marry without ber father’s con- sent, and she knows that he is in my power, she quietly submits to her fate.” * But about your wife?” “ As to Rica, she must grin and bear it, and if she | is troublesome, she must go the way of all flesh.” “To the grave?” “ Yes, or to a resting-place under the blue waters.” * Give her to me.” ‘Win her then, if you can,” “Bead! I tried that; but she loyes you so thor- oughly she scorned me, after I had taken great pains and gone to much expense to win her. “ You see, | thought I would be doing you a favor, captain, to get her off of your hands.’ “You were; but you surely did not allow her to suspect the part I played in her abduction?” “Oh, no; trust me for that, for though I made love to her, it was under @ mask, and she did not know who I was.” * All right; take her if you can get her. “It will save my taking her life, which, as she — Ido not care to, unless she forces me to it,’ ““You seem to hate the beautiful woman.” ““Oh. no; I simply do not. love her; but I must be off ior I have an engagement to dine at old Brandt's; but let me know if my schooner gets off all right.’ “T will, captain,”’ answered the money-lender, and Barton Keys took his departure. CHAPTER XLV. THE SEA FOX SETS SAIL. THERE was no man in the city of New Orleans who ‘was more busy than Captain lafox, the Sea Fox, during the scenes narrated of the deviltries of Bar- yh eys and his ally in sin, Rudolpho, the money- nder, Having discarded the Black Flag, Captain Palafox was determined that he would do all in bis power to drive the sable ensign from the high seas, and he devoted his whole energies first to hunting down Barton Keys. He had followed his disguised vessel to the city, and had his spies at work in an endeavor to find her; but the pirate was too well dis as a& lumber craft to be detected very easily, and days and weeks passed without discovery, and she still lay at her moorings. : wrey | that his spies had done nothing, Captain Palafox determined to act for himself, and in various disguises visited the sailor inus, the levee, and as a dler went on board every craft in the river. At last his search was rewarded by the discovery of the pirate, and he determined to take his crew and seize her that night, believing that her pirate captain would then be on board, and he would then capture all. ut one of his crew let the secret out nninten- tionally, and in this way it reached the ears of Ru- dolpho, thro his spies, and, as the reader is aware, Barton Keys lea the fact. Upon the same afternoon Captain Palafox re- ceived word from Irving Brandt of an important nature, and at once he went out to the lake-shore, and boarded the youth’s yacht. He found Irving in conversation with a seaman, who had just brought him tidings from the Smug- gler King, Sea Owl. ; It was Leon, the smuggler traitor, who had onl that morning arrived in a sea canoe from the Owl's Nest Basin to make his report, according to his promise to Irvidg Brandt. **Well, Master Irving, I have news for you,” said Captain Palafox, as he entered the cabin of the Lady Maud. “And I have news for you, captain,” was the boy planter’s response. “Good! so we'll hear yours first, as this man seems anxious to tell what he knows.” ‘Tell the captain, my man, just what you have made known to me,” said Irving. “Well, sir, as I have been one of ’em, I know the workings of the Sea Owl's pan , and they have cer- tain times for sending out the little fleet after smug- gled Far “The fleet meet the different vessels coming in, get their bales of booty from on board of them at night, and then return to the Basin, where the Sea Owl and the Lady Captain go over the goods, divide the cargoes as they want them, and send them off again in the maggers, one to New Orleans, another to Mobile, a third to Pensacola, and so on, as the Smugeler King sees fit. * Now the fleet has been gone some time, under a new lieutenant the Lady Captain picked up, and word came that they would be in soon, so 1 was sent down to be on the lookout for them; but having enlisted with the young captain here, I came to make my report.” wi What force has the Sea Owl?” asked the Sea ‘Ox. “ At the Basin, on his own lugger, himself. daugh- ter, a negro and a ne; and one Indian; but they would all fight like rs." “Call them five.” “Yes, sir; but there is a guard at the mouth of the ‘oon of two more.” *Seven.” “Then on the Sea Owl lugger, under the lieuten- ant, there are four men, the other lugger has five, and the smack has four.” “Thirteen and seven; twenty in all,” coolly said “Yes, sir; but then there is a sentinel cruiser, }- as we call her, that earries. half a dozen or more men. ‘*Her duty is to keep watch, to warn the Sea Ow? of danger, ard nepore incoming vessels, and she | might run in with the others.” “Ali rigbt, I hope she will, so you can make a clean sweep of it, Master Irvi. g.” “You will go with me, captain?” ‘** You have to sail to-night?” “Yes; sir.” “T cannot, forI have other game to run down, and it must be done to-night, so I cannot spare you any of my crew, and you will have to go to the nav commandant and get a detail of men; so return ith me,” **And can I go, too, sir?” asked Leon. Irving was about to answer in the affirmative, but. Captain Palafox said 2 org A “ No, sir; for you are too slippery a fellow to trust,, and are now betraying your comrades simply for gold, and would sell Master Irving if you got a higher offer. “No; you go into irons, and if you do your dut as you seem inclined to do—you will be well paid and get a pardon, when you should be kanged.’ With this Leon was forced to be satisfied, and he was at once sent down intothe hold in irons, and left under guard of the negro crew: while Irving accompanied Captain Palafox back to the city. But shortly after dark, the Boy Planter returned gallant tars, unde and with him were a number of command of a couple of dashing middies, thirsting: for fame, and anxious to serve with so gallant a young captain as Irving Brant bad proven himself to Releasing Leon from his irons, Irving ordered the: retty Lady Maud anchor up and sail set, and the glided away upon her mission of danger. CHAPTER XLVI. THE DEVIL FISH AND THE SEA GHOUL. “UF of this, as our lumber hide “has been discovered to carry bull-dogs below.” The order came from Dupont, the reckless pirate 0 lieutenant of the Sea Ghonl. The crew knew that discovery meant death to them, and the anchor was now up and sail set. It was a dark, rainy night, and the vessels in the river were t ng the anne eables breaking the stillness that rested upon all, Past craft after craft, with the wind fresh, the d ised schooner glided on her way. “They are alive on board of that craft,” said the pirate officer to his helmsman, as the near a schooner on which forms were visible moving about, while a boat was seen coming off from the shore loaded with men. “ Yes, leftenant, they are upto some mischief. and maybe we are their game, for I have no that craft before, when I was on shore, and if she isn’t under false rig and colors, as we are, | am very much mistaken,’ said a quartermaster. “* Well, if we are her game, she will have to follow us to sea, and if she knows what is good for her, she had better not do that, for we are larger and heavier handed and gunned than she is,” replied Dupont, and then he turned to an under officer, and ordered: “Have all ready, Hobart, to throw this Jumber into the sea in a hurry, and to get ~y ns on deck, for as we have got claws I wish to be able to scratch with them.” Swiftly down the river the pirate vessel held its course, and having run out into the Gulf, Duront cast aside all disguise and dressed the craft up in her true colors. Awd there was need of it, for in her wake, shortly after she struck blue water, came bowling along the very craft which had been noticed at ancher the night before, when they passed her and beheld men boy on her decks. She too was casting aside an honest disguise, and ones out in her true colors with armed decks and a crew. “ By Heaven! but we did not get off a minute too soon, for we are that fellow’s game,” cried Dupont, with his glass leveled at the stranger. * He means business, sir,’ said Hobart. “He does, and sails like the wind, and I verily believe it is the Sea Fox.” “Theo we should have no dread of him, sir.” “ Not if he was a square out-and-out pirate, which he is not, for he is more than friendly with our foes; ek at any rate, if be drives us, we will teach him a eSso e n. “But he is gaining, that is certain, and we must crowd the canvas on the Ghoul,” This was done, but the stranger did likewise and still gained «There go his colors, sir!” cried Hobart. “Yes, he sets the American flag, but the dress don’t make the man, Hobart.” “Shall T run up our ap een sir?’ " — don’t notice his flirting. Wait until he is in: earnest,” After a little while, as the Sea Ghoul paid no at- tention to the United States flag, the stranger hauled it down and up went the Spanish soa in its stead. * [told you he was flirting with us, Hobart.” “Shall I answer, sir?” * No, he has not shown his true colors yet; but 1. wish the Pirate Priest was on board, for he knows the Devil Fish well, and could readily tell if yonder craft was the Schooner of the Sea Fox." fic i did the Padre Captain not come with us, sir?” “For the same reason that you and I, and ev other man has made mistakes, sir, being fools to in ar “Yes, the Padre loves, and loving a woman is: therefore a fool, and he will get a rope about his’ neck instead of her arms, if he is not careful. “T was a fool once myself, Hobart, and that is a fr am here.” nd so was I, sir; but down comes the Spanish flag, sir, as you see.”’ “Yes. and what next?” in answer came the cry from half a dozen voices: ‘*Tt is the Devil Fish!” “Yes, it is Palafox’s schooner, the Devil Fish, for see all know his flag,’ and all eyes were now turned with that anchor, lads, for we must get out® at their anchors, the scund of ee a ee ss or hed oe om ww aes Sa A oo ou roe se Hes fs we Bw toad
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visible upon the schooner, and jo fteld with avred fox in the center, ‘pon the stran which was as f *} and one paw resting upor a grinning white skull. « “Now, Hobart, let him see just who we are, now * ordered Dupont, and up ) that he shows his han houl floated the cross and > | Over the deck of the Sea cutlass flag. : ’ Hardly had the strange ensign caught the wind, when, to the surprise of all on there came a puff of smoke from the bows of the seek Fish, and a solid shot went flying over their eads, “Ha! he believes in dog eat dog, does he? “Well, we will have to accommodate the Fox. “To your guns, men! and if he crowds us the re- Bult be on his head,” cried Dupont, “The men ran quickly to quarters; but again came ashot from the Devil Fish, and better aimed than the last it went tearing along the deck, cutting a man down here and there and doing other damage. \ “At those stern-guns there! return that fire and make it tell?” shouted Dupont. } ) in hardly had the two stern. sent forth their n missiles, when the Devil ish luffed up sharp . poured a broadside upon the Sea Ghoul. } | The damage that followed was great, for a top- mast came down on deck, the bowsprit was shot » Paway, a gun was dismounted, and a number of men | } dropped at their posts, : Before the wreck could be cleared away, andthe Sea Ghoul got round to meet her foe, a second roadside came an rip ig Reedy upon her, and un- rcover of the smoke of her guns, the Devil Fish "| Mshed to close quarters. . | ‘Boarders to repel boarders!’ shouted Dupont, ’ tree ng how desperate was his situation, and his ew rallied about him. But over upon his decks swarmed an irresistible | }mass of humanity, led by the Sea Fox himself, and driving the pirates before them, they cut them twn mercilessly, until Dupont falling mortally nded, and their other officers having been slain, fey cried for quarters. As soon as he could check his maddened men aptain Palafox did so, and then, to his deep cha- zrin, he discovered that the man he sought above all others was not with his vessel, but back in the city. Instantly he gave orders for the prisoners to be , Secured and vessels put back for the . \the night before, the Sea victory, and vowing to yet capture the CHAPTER XLVII. AFTER LONG WAITING. tain Palafox set sail for New Orleans, rt they had sailed from ‘ox rejoicing at his al irate Priest. Wuen Cap vith his prize, he went on board the Sea Ghoul him- = self, to. discover just what he had captured. He had placed gone over all below decks, so » [that nothing woul be disturbed, and descendin; nto the sumptuous cabin, when the two vessels h fairly started on their way back to the city, le b Soe iggl around him at the magnificence upon all BI es, There was booty scattered about all deserip- ions, and vast quantities of wealth, gained from the capture of many a richly-laden vessel. - rtain it was that the Sea Ghoul had never ex- ip 3 ad pe ed to fall aD aged ry pF iP pat ; e treasure-c! e aid of an Oe aot Palafox sat down to count overits seubente, vhen to his surprise there came in manly tones the » Hol without there!” Re “Ay, ay, sir; who calls?” cried the Sea Fox, pring ng to his fet. ** A prisoner of the Sea Ghoul?’ came the answer, “Ha! that is it, is it? Well, you shall no longer be ch, for I am now master here,’ and Captain Pala- ‘ox went toward the state-room door from whence ad come the hail. It was locked, but was soon dashed in. There Tseng the prisoner, ironed hands and feet, nd aw; release. ® . | Pale, haggard and worn he looked; but the fire of | #2 Untamed soul shone in his handsome eyes. | Bradford Carr, by all that's holy |” fairly shouted he Sea Fox, as he sprung forward and grasped the hand of the prisoner. _ Yes, lam ord Carr, or what that accursed fend has left of me,” was the sad response. knows I have wronged you, as have all others but two persons, for you have been believed 0 be the Pirate Priest, commander of this schooner. 5 Gene oes neart I humbly crave your pardon, YL) e Ox. “Tt ted, Captain Palafox, for it is no won- " fder that I have been so considered, when Barton cere devoted his life to the task of proving me «Barton Keys” ~“-Thefnan who so wronged marina you before, and then escaped from Jail and was considered drowned?” = on is captain of this vessel?” “ By Heaven, but this _ Idok up the keys to unloe ee eas: but let_m . nivartip Ubeeuteot a towed to the “cabin, amd the keys. utes came back with Bub ieerwoar prissoeneed poor prisoner could not - J and was half-borne walk without aid | when he said: js 0 an easy seat in the cabin, 88 you are the gallant Captor of this craft, Cap- be css “ “Yet she was stro > ny ECS Pa ete ug, due her crew was much smaller than I ex- = > 4) a Actin: * * Goverument vesset that had at- ard the Sea Ghoul, | es repaired, after which the two. The Sea Owl. his den, and my word for it that he will render a | good aceount of himself,” E | ‘* There is no doubt of that, sir; but what of Miss Brandt?" “She is well, sir; but her father is the slave of cards, and has so inshared himself that he is in the | hands of aman whom I deem a designing villain; | but who is lionized by the aristocrats as a distin- guished foreigner.” . ** And has he forced Colonel Brandt to again sacri- ag his poor daughter?” cried Bradford Carr, eager- | y. ‘Tt is about that, sir, or would be if she married the Frenchman-—”’ * 4 Frenchman, you say?” eagerly asked Carr. “ Yes, sir, by name Enrique Erricson.” “Great God! Captain Palafox, describe him!” cried Bradford Carr. | “A tall man with waxed mustache, sloping shoul- ders, and—” “Captain Palafox, that man is Rarton Keys in disguise, for he has twice visited me here in this schooner of late, and I felt that he was up to some deep game.”’ The Sea Fox sprung to his feet as though an adder had stung him, and cried: ‘* Bravo, Carr! the secret is discovered, and now I solve the mysterious resemblance in the man which I could not trace. ‘‘ He is none other than Barton Keys. ‘* Ho, on deck there!” ry zak’ ‘ “* Crow wer gras on this schooner she will bear, and signal the Devil Fish to do the same,”’ The order was obeyed, and the two fleet schooners went flying toward the Balize, while in the cabin of the Sea Ghoul, Captain Palafox learned all that had poses on. the pirate vessel since the tutor had been idnapped that night at the Brandt Plantation, while in turn Bradford Carr heard what had trans- pired on shore and among those he cared for. By dawn the two schooners dropped anchor in front of the city, and while the news of the capture of the Sea Ghoul was spreading like wildfire through the town, Colonel Brandt was eee break- fast no less personages than Captain Palafox and Bradford Carr, and with the happy Maud, was lis- tening to the strange story they hea to tell, CHAPTER XLVIII. THE BATTLE IN THE OWL’S NEST. RirA, the Lady Captain, and her father, the Sea Owl, sat together in the cabin of the Home ngeer. They were expecting the little smuggler fleet to run in at ony moment, and were discussing what booty it would bring. Rita was also most anxious for its return, as she had heard no tidings from New Orleans, and conse- quently nothing from her pirate husband, about whom she was ming most anxious, Could he have been so foolhardy as to keep his vessel all that time anchored off the city? Had he set sail, and if so, had he catried with him Maud Brandt? ; This uncertainty almost drove her wild, and she had made up her mind to go in the Sea Owl lugger to New Orleans and see for herself just what napa. , hester Granger could land her on the lake-shore at night, and from there she could readily reach the city, and the suspense would be over. ad Barton Keys taken Maud with him, Rita dreaded to think what she would do, for loving her husband as she did, she yet knew that she would becorse revengeful toward him, had he cast her aside. It was her nature and she could not help it. . Suddenly the Indian entered the cabin and report- ed that the fleet was coming up the lagoon. Inhalf an hour more the lugger, the watch-boat and the little smack—captured from the crew of Rudolpho, and all of whom the Sea Owl had hanged for runn off with his daughter—came into the Basin and drop anchor, i aes is the lugger-yacht?” asked the Sea lugger, sir, and sailed in chase of a trimlittle craft out of Mobile,” was the answer. The rich cargoes were then transferred to the Home Lugger, in boats, for the smuggled freight was not of a bulky nature, and the tired sailors turned in for the night, while the Sea Owl and his daughter still chatted together in the cabin, Rita having determined not to await the coming of the yacht, but to start in the morning in the watch- lugger. mi dread to have you go, my child, for somehow I have a foreboding of evil,” said the Sea Owl. *‘T hope your fears will not be realized, father.” “Thope so, Rita; but Iam strangely nervous to- night, and somehow wish you would not leave me— hark!” Both listened attentively an instant, and then sprung to their feet in alarm, for there came a sudden shock, and then a ringing voice shouting: “Follow me, lads! for this is the -Old Owl’s nest!" In dismay the Smuggler King sprung forward and ing a cutlass rushed on deck to defend his life Sorbent , while Rita armed herself and fol- lowed as quickly as she could, But, in the few minutes she had delayed disaster and death had come, for the lugger was in the hands of a victorious crew, and her father was engaged in a cutlass encounter with one she knew but too well h then and there, Rita would have ae tans ad her pistol leveled; but o'mate of the y Maud, struck up the weapon and seized her in his strong arms just as the Sea Owl gave the youth a slight wound, his attention having been momentarily attracted by the ery of the Lady Captain. | Owl. t “Captain Granger put his booty on the watch- ears, eprene at the Sea Ow * Ay, ay, sir,” answered an officer down the com- | guard, laid him dead upon the deck with one vicious: sweep of his blade. A wild ery broke from the a of the Lady Cap- tain at seeing her father fall, and again she madean effort to kill the Boy Planter; but once more Woods interfered, and received a slight wound in protecting his young master. Foiled by the act of the negro, Rita threw herself upon the body of her father and in a voice that was hoarse with passion, cried: “Father! my poor dead murdered father! before high heaven, and above thy dead boay, I vow to avenge you!’ Swooning away from her emotion she was borne into the cabin, and when she once more gainee ~ | sciousness, the little fleet was atsea, sailing swiftly along on its way to New Orleans, by way of the Mis- sissippi river, Irving Brandt having made a most | successful fight, and capturing all but the swift sail- ing Sea Owl, then absent under Chester Granger. n good time the fleet ran up the river to an an- chorage off the navy quarters, and Irving turned his prisoners and prizes over to the naval commandant, who'was enthusiastic in his admiration of the young sailor commander, and said ser: ‘*My boy, the capture of the Sea Ghoul by Captain Palafox, has gained for him apardon, and my word _ for it that your gallant work gains you a*middy's | berth in Uncle Sam's Navy.” * How glad would I be, sir, to be thus honored,’” | proudly answered the youth, and the commandant | the Navy | rejoined: } ** Well, you shall be, for this very night I write to epartment and claimitfor you." With a happy heart Irving then went to his home, and the greeting he received there from his father | and sister, and his meeting with his old tutor, now ovgefowing, and he said to himself: / and release that Maddened by the wound, Irving, who was & super pages not to be the Pirate Priest. and to whom he ad been true through all, filled his cup of joy to po will be as happy as I am, when she knows what I have done, and that I am to be a midshipman in the navy.” Then he added: “‘T must now go on board the Lady Maud again, poor woman, as I promised I would, and whom I had not the heart to give up as a ia cae so said nothing to the naval commandant about er,” The Lady Maud had been run up -the river and © anchored opposite to the mansion where Colonel Brandt dwelt, and it being dark, Irving sprung into a skiff alone and rowed out to her. Locked in a state-room, where he had left her, he found a stern, white-faced and vicious, “ Lad i you, so have come to set you free. “IT will put you on shore, where my carriage awaits to drive you into the city, and, as only my negro crew know that you were captured on your lugger, they will not on me, and you can go your way in ys ‘““ Boy, there is no peace between you ard I," she said, savagely. ** As you please, lady; but I do not fear you, so set, ‘ou free. : ‘ Have you an egg my I ask?’ ; A and all I have I will devote to avenging my ather. _ “T hope you will not_attempt to do anything so foolish; but come, for IT am ready to escort you to the carriage.” She followed him in silence, and refusing his prof- fere , Sprung into the boat, and was soon after being driven rapidly into the city. As she dismoun from the vehicle, at the inn where she had bidden the negro coachman to set her down, a man, panting breathlessly, ran up to her side. “*Chincopin!” she cried, with joy. 5 “Yes, me Indian Chincopin—me jump over when fight done, save old niggers, get away in skiff. “Then come here by lake, wait for boats, and see cs | Captain land. 7 “Then Soc any follow quick, tell Lady Captain os Owl lugger in lagoon out at lake and wait for er.” “Thank Heaven! and is Lieutenant Argylle there?” **Him there.” “Then I shall get my revenge. **Come, Chincopin, let us Ret a byes and drive at once to the lake,” and an hour after the revenge- ful woman was in the cabin of the Sea Owl which had picked up the Indian and negroes in their skiff, and she was pouring into the ears of Chester Gran- ger the story of her sorrows, ‘“Now, senor, 1 devote my life to a sacred duty, that of revenge; but let me first find my husband who is in the city without a vessel, and he will aid mein the on work, I know,” and, while the Sea Owl lay in hiding in the lagoon, the Lady Captain returned to the city to discover some ,trace her pirate husband. CHAPTER XLIX, THE DARING OF DESPERATION. “Wei, captain, what do you think now?” asked Rudolpho, as Barton Keys, still in his disguise as Monsieur Enrique Erricson, came into the money- lender’s sanctum the morning after the coming of Irving Brandt into port with the smuggler fleet. “How page Paso Senor Rudolpho?” asked Bar- ten Ke most ordinary manner, 5 5 cll, ou are a cool oné, and no mistake, cap- tain, for expected to see you flying like a hunted deer after all that 4 as happened. SSS *Oh, Lam ocateur Burique Erricson, and have nothing to do with pirates and smugglers,” laughed the reckless man. “And you still hang to the hope of winning the Lady Maud?’ . tr Of waneiek her, no; but of getting her into my poset ee And why not?” ; «Her lover has been found on board of ‘our ship, you know, and every man in the city Is on the search for you.” . “] tend 16 Midnep the fair Maud, and there ts no vi in the world that I like better than the told you that I did not wage war against .
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24 *‘She is unhurt, in perfect condition, and lies at anchor in the river. “Fortunately I left twenty men of my crew ashore, and they will do as a nest-egg to get more in, and you must get me eighty more as good tars as ever cut a throat or scuttled a ship.” “T can do it; but you are getting a heavy crew.” “*T do not intend to fly light any more, and I shall arm the schooner with heavier guns. “*T tell you, Rudolpho, there is no need of a man giving up simply because he is down in the world and the odds against him.” “But you lost your treasure on the schooner, and ‘A ) “There you are mistaken. “TI Jost a great deal, but I have right here more than they got, “See! I make it a rule not to go broke,” and the irate, with a laugh, threw down a small bag of ewels before the astonished money-lender. This brightened his face, for he felt that he was salar 4 a man who still had money to pay with, and he said: “With that large fortune, why do you seek that of the Lady Maud?” ‘*Bah! what care I for her fortune? It is revenge I want.” “Il see; and you intend to kidnap her?” “Yes, and more, for I shall kidnap her lover too, and thus get my revenge after all.”’ ‘You are a remarkable man, captain.” “T hope to prove myself such, before I am done with life, and I shall dare all that a desperate man dare do. “ But I must be off, for Monsieur Enrique Erric- son has an engagement with Colonel Brandt to dine, and he never misses a chance to make a good im- pression. **Good-by, Rudolpho, and go to work to get mefthe crew at once.” “*T will, captain.” ‘And here, Rudolpho, if you want security, take these on deposit, for Ihave another bag of them,” and he handed Rudolpho the little bag of jewels. “You know just what is here, captain?” “To a stone; yes, and their exact value.” “ All right; I will keep them for you, as itisa large “sum for & man to gay, with him, “That often helps him to get out of a scrape. “But give me a receipt for them please.” Rudolpho looked over the gems, and made out the required receipt. en the pirate at once went to his hotel, made his toilet as perfect as possible, and drove to the residence of Colonel Brandt, who told him he was anxious to have him meet some friends who were then in the library. “‘Willingly, Colonel Brandt, for your friends are my friends,’’ was the smiling response, and the ub- suspecting man walked into the trap laid for him, and a moment after found himself in irons, and the win epsead of the Sea Fox, who had at last insnared iim. CHAPTER L. CONCLUSION, Tue captain of the famous rab Sea Ghoul, and who was proven to be the Pirate Priest, Barton Keys, and also Enrique Erricson, shook the city to its very center, and the greatest excitemeut pre- vailed. Taken at once fo the city prison for safe-keeping, it was decided some weeks after to remove him on board of an American cruiser for trial and execu- tion, and he was driven from the jail in the charge of two officers, who rode in the vehicle with him, while he was also securely ironed. But half an houra‘ter the vehicle was found upon the levee, the driver dead upon his box and no one inside. In soms mysterious way Barton Keys had been befriended at the last moment, and thus made his escape. In yain was the city searched for him, for nowhere could he be found; but some time after it was re- ported that he was the commander of an outlaw craft that was doing much damage in the Gulf to shipping, and which carried a flag with a black field and in the center a huge red owl. Some said also thata woman was the comman- der of the Sea Owl rover, but what was the truth rearing, the strange vessel no one seemed really to now. As for Rita, the Lady Captain, she too disappeared from view, and her fate, like Barton Keys’s remained a mystery. Wi-zh the Sea Ghoul schooner captured and Barton Keys bereft of his power, Colonel Brandt removed once more to hrandt Plantation, acecompaniéd by his daughter and her husband, Bradford two lovers were made ons before leaving the city, and thither Myrtle also went with them, while her father Captain Palafox got a position as a Coast Patrol to prevert smuggling. Irving Brandt, the boy planter,entered the navy and became known as the Planter Midshipman, and his adventures made him famous along the en- Jarr, for the | The Sea Owl. By Frederick Whittaker, 10c 40 Tae Lona Harrep ‘ Parps.’ J. E. Badger, Jr.; 10¢ 41 Gotp Dan. By Albert W. Aiken. ssalle 00 OTRO 42 THe CaLirorni4 Detective. . A. W. Aiken.... 10c 39 Tur Russran Spy. 43 Dakota Dan. By Oi) Coomes +: Sw . 100 44 Otp Dan Racxpack. By Oll Coomes ...... » 10¢ 45 Oty Butt’s Eye. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr...... 10c 46 Bowre-Knire Ben, By Ol] Coomes.....\..... 10¢ 47 Paciric Perr. By Jos E. Badger, Jr.......... 10¢ | 48 IpAno Tom. By Oll Coomes. tig ae OR | 49 Toe Wour Demon. By Albert W. Aiken,..... 10¢ 50 Jack Ragppir. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr ...... 10¢ tire Gulf coast and enrolled bis name upon the pages | of history. THE END. Beadle’s Dime Library. 21 Tue TRAPPER’s DaventTger. Gustave Aimard., 10¢ 22 Wmtre.aw. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. ...,... , 10¢ 2% Tur Rep Warrior. Ky Ned Buntline ......., 10¢ 24 Tue Pratram FLowger. By Gustave Aimard., 10c 25 Tae Gop Uvipg. By Francis Johnson,....,.,. 10e 26 Tue Deara Track, By Francis Johnson . 10¢ 27 Ture Sporrer Derective. By Albert W,Aiken.. 10¢ 283 Toren-Fineerepd Jack. Joseph EF. Badger, Jr, 10e 29 Tiger Dick, Tue Faro Kine. P.S. Warne . 10c 40 Gospe. Georcr. By Joseph E, Badger, Jr . 10c 31 THz New York Suarp. Hy Albert W. Aiken.. 10c 82 B’noys or YALE. By John D. Vose ° LA) Seicae 33 OverLAND Kir, By Albert W. Aiken... ... , 10¢e 84 Rocky Mounrats Ros. By Albert W, Aiken.. 10c 85 Kenruck, THe Sport. By Aljbert W. Aiken., 10c ery eee oy 10c i Oe 38 VeLvsr HAnp. By Albert W. Aiken, .... .. 10¢ 51 Rev Ros, tHe Boy Roap-AGEntT, Oll Coomes., 10¢ 52 Deatn TraILeR. By Wm. F. Cody........... « 10¢e 53 Srtver Sam. By Col. Delle Sara, ‘ 54 Atways on Hanp. Bv Philip 8. Warne...... 10c 55 Tue Scaue Hunters, By Caps: Mayne Reid .. 10¢ | by 56 Tur INDIAN MAZEPPA, Albert W. Aiken, .., 10c 59 Tue MAN yrom Texas. By Albert W. Aiken, 10c 60 Wipe Awake. By Frank Dumont........... . 10c 61 Caprain Seawalr. By Ned Buntline.......... le | 62 LoyaL Heart. By Gustave Aimard,... .... 10¢ | 63 THe Wincep WHALE, BY Albert W. Aiken.,.. 10¢ 64 Dovsie Sicut: By Jos. E. p tot 65 THe Rep Ragan. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 10c 66 Tue SpecrerR BARQuE. By ier ig Mayne Reid.., 10¢ 57 Tue Boy Jockey, By Joseph E. Badger, Jr... 10c 68 THe Ficutine Trapper. By J. F. C. Adams., 10c 69 Tae besa Caprarm. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 10c 70 Hyprapap. By Dr. J. H. Robinson........... 10¢ 71 Caprarn Coo BLapE. 72 Tae PHantom Hann, By Albert W. Aiken... 10c 73 Tue Kyieut or tHe Rep Cross. By Dr. J. + RORRMMOD > CE aa eat 10¢ 76 Tae QueEn’s MusKETEER. By Geo, Albony... 10c 77 Tue Frese or Frisco. By Albert W. Aiken., 10c 78 THe Mysterious Spy. By A. M. Grainger.... 10c 79 Joe Paenrx. By Albert W. Aiken 10c 80 A Man or Nerve. B 81 Tae Human TIGER. 82 Iron Wrist. By Col. omas H. Monstery.. 10¢ 83 Go_p Butter Sport. By Buffalo Bill Ret te 84 Huntep Down, By Albert W. Aiken .\.. ... 10¢ 85 Tae Creran Rover. By Col. P. Ingraham ... 10¢ 86 Tue Bre Hunter. Autbor of “Silent Hunter.” 10c 87 Tue Scaruet Capratn. By Col. Delle Sara.... 10c 88 Bia Grorer. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr....... 10¢ 89 Tue Prrate Prixer. By Col. P. Ingrabam..., 10c 90 Wip Wri, By Buckskin Sam-.... sae AO | 91 THe Wryntne Oar, By Albert W. Aiken. |.. 10¢ 92 BurraLo Britt. By Major Dangerfield Burr .. 10c 93 CapraIn Dick Tatsor. By Albert W. Aiken.. 10c | 94 FREELANCE, THE BuccaNgeeER. By Ingraham . 10c 95 AzHORT, THE AXMAN. By Anthony P. Morris. 10c 96 DousLe Deatu. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. 10c 97 Bronze Jack. By Albert W. Aiken «tubs 200 98 THe Rock Riper. By Capt, F. Whittaker... . 10c 99 THe Grant RirLemMan. By Oll Coomes .. .. 10¢ | 100 Tue FReNcH Spy. BY A. PMO. ic ve. 10 | 101 THe Man From New Yorn. By A. W. Aiken. 10¢ 102 Tue Maskep Banp. By George L. Aiken .. 10¢ 103 Merur, tHe Mutineer, Col. P. Ingraham.. 10c 104 Montezuma, Tuk Mercitess. By Ingraham. 10c 105 Dan Brown or Denver. By Jos. E Badger... 10c 106 SHamus O’Brien. By Col, Delle Sara. .... 10¢ 107 Ricuarp TALBoT OF CINNABAR. By Alken... 10c 108 Tae DuKe or Dramonps. By Fred, Whittaker. 10¢ 109 Caprain Kyp, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham -. 10¢ 110 Tae Srtentr RorveMay. 111 THe Smvuacier CapTarin. By Ned Buntline.. 10¢ 112 Jon Prenrx, Prarvate Detective, By Aiken. 10¢ 118 THe Sea Supper. By Prof. J. H. Ingraham. 10¢ 114 THe GENTLEMAN FROM Pike, By P. 8. Warne 10c 115 Tae Severep Heap. 116 BLuack PLume, THe Devin or THESEA. By Col. By H. W. Herbert . 10c | By Capt, F.Whittaker. 10c | ; Bron ; | 237 Lone-Hatrep MAX. By Capt: Mank Wilt@ag: Badger, Jr. .....; 10c | | 199 Toe TurEeE GUARDSMEN. By Jos. E. Badgér, Jr., 10c | P. Ingraham x 10¢ | 117 Dasuina Danpy. By Major Dangerfield Burr. 10c 118 THe BurGiar Captars. By J.H. Ingraham. 16¢ 119 AtabaAmMA Jor. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.... 10¢ 120 Tue Texan Spy. By Newton M. Curtis. . 10¢ 121 THe Sea Caper. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 10¢ 122 Saunt Sapperpay. By Ned Buntline ...- . 10e 123 ALAPAMA, THE Squaw. By Francis Johnson. 10c 124 AssowauM, THE AVENGER. Francis Johnson. 10c 125 Tne BuacksmitH Ovurtaw. By H, Ainsworth. 10c 126,Tue Demon Durtist. By Col. T. H. Monstery. 10¢ 127 Sou ScorT, THE Masked Miner, 128 Toe CHEVALIER Corsatr, By the author of “Merle, the Mutineer,” Lite 3007} 129 Mrssissrprt Mose. By Edward Willett..... 10e 130 Capratn VoLcaNno, By Albert W. Aiken.,.... 10¢ 131 Buckskin Sam. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham... 10¢ 132 Nemo, Kine or tuk Tramps. By Capt. Fred, By Francis Jolinson, 10¢ By Ingraham 10e 140 Tue THRes Spaniarps. By George Walker., 10e¢ 141 Equinox Tom. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.... 10¢ By Badger. 10c | 142 Captain Crimson. By Major Dangerfield Burr 10c | 143 Tue Czar’s Spy. 144 Huncuspack or Norre-DAMe. Victor Hugo., 10c 145 Pisrot Parps. By Wm. R. Eyster 1i4- ee 146 THe Docror Dereetrve. By George Lemuel 10¢ 147 GoLp Spur. 148 Onre-ARMED ALF. 149 Tur Borpver RIFves. 150 Ex. Rvusio Bravo, THE KING or tHe SWORD- MeN. By Col. Thomas Hoyer Monstery. . 10¢ 151 Tux Frersoorers. By Gustave Aimard.... 10c 152 Caprain IronNeRVE. By Marmaduke Dey 10c 153 THe Waite SCALPDR, By Gustave Aimard. 10c 154 JOAQUIN, THB SADDLE Kina, By J. E. Badger. 10c 155 Te Corsair Queen, By Col. P. Ingraham. 10¢ 156 Veuver Face, 157 Mourap, THe MamMetuxr, By Col. Thomas Hoyer Monstery ..... rr aot .. 10¢ 158 Tae Doomep Dozen, By Dr, Frank Powell... tc 159 Rep Repraen. By Capt. Fred’k Whittaker.. 10¢ 160 Sorr Hanp, Suarp. By William R. Fyster.. 10¢c 161 THe Wo ives oy New Yor. By A.W. Aiken. 16¢ 162 THe Map Mariner. By Col. p Ingraham .. 10¢ 163 Ben Brion, THe TRAPPER CAPYATN; OF, ReD- PATH, THE AVENGER. By Dr. J, H. Robinson. 10¢ 164 Tux Krxe’s Foon. By 0. D. Clark wenas We 165 Joaquin, THe Terrisie. By Jos. E. Badger. 10c By Ol Coomes 10¢ By Thos. H,. Monstery.... 1¢ | = ’ : y 268 Magic MrKe. By Gustave Aimard.. 10¢ | By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, .. 10¢ | | 274 Fuusa Frep By Majcr Dangerfield Burr. 10¢ | | 956 DoUBLE Dan, THe DasraRD. | 258 BuLLeT Heap. By Francis Johnson..., 10c | “By Francis Johnson. 10c | By Oli Coomes, 10c | 277 Tur Savoy JANE, Privateer. By Capt. Fredy A. P. Morris, EAD Soot, By 167 The Man of Steet. B 168 Wiip Brit, THE PISTOL Prentiss Ingraham 4 ee. 169 CorporaL Cannon. By Col. Monstery 170 Sweet Wiu11aAmM, By Jor. E. Badger, Jr 171 Tiger Dick, THE MAN oF THE IRON Hm By Philip 8S. Warne, 172 THe Buack Prrate, By Col. Ingraham 173 CALIroRNIA JOHN. By Albert W. Aiken 174 Puanrom Knicuts. By Capt. F. Whittal 175 Witp Briu’s Trump Carp. By Major 2 176 Lapy Jaguar. By Capt. Mark Wiltox 177 Don Dtasio. By Col. Prentiss Ingrata 78 DARK DasHwoop, By Major 8. 8. Hall 179 ConRAD, THE Convict. Prof, 8. Gildersl 180 Op 49. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 181 THe SCARLET ScHOONER. By Col. Ingra\ ... yi 182 Hanns Up. By Wm. R. Eyster 183 GruBERT, THE GuipE. By C. Dunning Clark. ~ 184 THe OcrAN VAMPIRE. Col. P. Ingrakam. it 185 Man Sprper. By A. P. Morris .... °>."... & 186 THe BLacK Bravo. By Buckskin Sam»..... BGs 187 Tue Deatu’s-Heap Currassizrs. Whittaker. Te 188 PHantroM Mazeppra, Major Dangerfield Burr. a o: 189 Wiup Brnw’s Gorm Tram. By P. Ingraham. * By Alex. Dumas... We 191 Tue TERRIBLE TonKAWAY. By Buckskin Sam .i06 192 THe LientNine Sport. By Wm. R. Eyster. 193 THe Manin Rep. By Capt. F. Whittaker 7% 194 Don Somprero. By Captain Mark Wilton Pe 195 Tue LoneSrar GamBLer. By Buckskin Sam ie 196 LA Marmoser. By Albert W. Aiken.-.. .... f 187 REVOLVER Ros. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr... 20.9 198 THe SKELETON SCHOONER. By P. Ingfaham. ee 199 Dramonn Dick. By Buckskin Sam. . . ee 200 Tue Revie RanGers. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 16 201: THE Prrate oF THE PLACERS. = Badger. 202 Cacrus Jack. By Captain Mark Willoa..... ao 208 Tae Dovate Detective. By A. W. Aiken.. Tay~ 204 Bic Foor WauLace, By EuckskinSam .... 3 2. THe GAMBLER IRATE. By Col. P. Ingraham. WOW, 26 One Eyre, THE CANNONEER. By Wiimake:. 206 2.7 Oty Harp Heap. 5g Khem S. Warne . ..\ 10e. x03 THe Waite Cuter, By Capt. Mayne Reid 4 209 Buck Fartey. By Edward Willett.... .. 3% 210 BrecaNFeR Bess. By Prentiss Ingraham... 2 211 The Unknown Sport. By Capt. Whittaker, 212 Tax Brzos Ticers. By Buckskin Sam... 13 Tar Wen Trait. Br Cantain Mayne Reid 214 Tue Two Coot Sports. By Wm. R. Eyster, 215 Parson Jim. By Captain Fred. Whittaker, 216 Tae Corsair PLANTER. By Col, Ingrahatat 217 Tae Serpent orEr Paso By Buck Samm 106 \ 218 Tar Wiip Huntress. By be! Mayne Heid, 100550 219 ‘Cue Scorpion BROTHERS, Capt.“ Tilton, ai 220 THe Specter YACHT. By Col. P. Ingraham, 221 Desperate Duke. By Buckskin Sam. | Jit 222 Bint, rar Biizzarv. By Edward Willeté.y ae 223 Canyon Dave. By Captain Mark Wilton +57 aa 224 BLack BearD. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.,10e 7 225 Rocky Mountarn At. By Buckskin Sam iar. 226 Map HussArs. By Captain Fred. Whittaker™ 3 227 BucksHoT BEN. mo! ‘aptain Mark. Wilton 106° 228 Tue Maroon, By Capt. Mayne Reid..... Peete); See a 229 Caprain CrTsLeeve. By William RB, Eysteb ie » 230 Tue Fryixa DurcHMAN OF 1880, “By Gapiro™ = = Frederick Whittaker Wes ty 231 Tur Kip Guove MINER. By Col, Inetabane i Figs 232 Orson Oxx, THE MAN oF Iron; “By Isage py’ ey | Hawks, Ex-Detective See Tee at 233 THe OLD Boy or ToMBstTone.. By Joseph Badger, Jr : oe fee ee 7 234 Ton Hunters’ Feast. By Capt. Mayne R@G WG. 5 235 Trp LignTninG, THE Man oF CHANCE. BY ee 57 9 Colonel Prentiss Ingraham .. .... ic By Col; Thos, H. Monste"y., a fee IO ag By- Buckskin £ani4e We e 5! inna Hants bs ie | y Jos. KE. Fadger, J¥.- 25 By Capt. Fred. Whittaker: ” hy Buffolo Bill... a4 By Euckskinfam. 29555 245 BarraNca FILL. Fy Capt. Mark Wilton 9) 246 QuEEN HELEN. By Col. Prentiss Ingrabar 247 AvniGATOR Ike. By Capt. Fred. Whithaiges of7 DEATH-TRap Dicctnes, }yJ0s. E. \g@meiiin: By Captet: Mark \\ iltome ae 206 959 CUTLASS AND (ross. By Col.’ P. Vers 260 THE Maskep Mystery. By_A- P. Moray 261 Bison Sam. By Colonel Jo¥ ards, F eee 262 Fientmxe Tom. By Ccl. T. H. Merstery Ae 268 TrRon/ARmED Apr. By Capt. Mark Wil ‘Ogee 10e° 264 THE CrooKkED THREE. BY Buckskin S¥ai Gb 265 O_p Dovsite-Sworp. By Copt. ¥, Whittaker re 266 Lropapp Luke. By Captain Mark Wiltoie 207 Tom Wrirr Squaw. _ By Capt. Mayne RG By William R Eystera. Soar 269 Tum Bayou Bravo. By Buckskin Sine 270 AnpROs, THE FREE Rover, By Ned Bun 5 271 Sronrrist, or BIG Nuacer Benn. By Cape Mark Wilton ----- Se he. aie 272 Sern Stocem. Py Captain Tred. Whittaker 273 Mountars Most. By Edward Willeth .. de By Buckskin Sam.,.°,. pe 275 Tae SmueeLeR CvTTER. Ry J.D. Conroe 6 Texas Cutck. By Captain Mark Wilton. => PIRATE PRIKST. ae Whittaker. a oc ty oo Sam 278 HercviEs GOLDsPur, By Capt, H. Holme 279 Tue Gouv-DRAGON. By Wm. H. Manning’, 280 Buack-Hoss BEN. By Philip S. Werm?. 281 THe SeaAWWL. By Col. Prentiss Mgraham. | 282 Tae MERCILESS Maraupers, By Beckskin Sam. ie ; omen 283 Sueex SAM. By Jos, EB. Badgers Jr. A Néoodssue every Wednesday. ; Beadie’s Dime Library is forsale a - Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or Seut by mai receipt of twelve cents each, BEADLE & AD Publishers, 9% William street, New York.