Beadle's New York Dime Library (no. 992) (1897 10 27)

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OCGx Bee ‘s c _ — — —S Copyrighted, 1897, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, ENTERED AS SECOND CLASS MATTER AT THE NEW YORK, N. Y¥., Post Orrics, October 27, 1897. WEDNESDAY, 92 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. $5.00 A YEAR, PUBLIAHED EVERY i BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, sae aera a LXXVI THE WINGED WITCH OF THE SEA BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM.

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i Copyrighted, 1897, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, , ENTERED AS SkcoND CLass MATTER i THE NEW YORK, N. ¥., Post OFFion. a) Be Sex October 27, 1897. i] ; ‘i EX a Eaige ; 99 PURLISHED EVERY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, TEN CENTS A COPY. 0, 1 WEDNESDAY, 92 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, #5.00 A YEAR. | BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. aN \ q J m A “ef a Aes UWI WAN Py. WMA Tenn } : WITH THE SPRING OF A TIGER DUDLEY DASH Was UPON HIM, THE WINGED WITCH OF THE SES, VoL. LXXVEL |

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The Dare-Devil; The Winged Witch of the Sea. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, CHAPTER I. PROLOGUE. 4 “As TI live! it is a boat! yes, and I see a form moving about in it—all that is left, doubtless, of the crew of some gallant cruft that has gone down.” \ The speaker was a man of middle age, clad in | k duck pants, a heavy sailor’s jacket, and his face was half shaded by an ojishin hat, while he wore high boots, coming up to his knees, He had a bold, weather-beaten face, browned by long years of exposure to sea and storm, and appeared just what he was--a hardy fisherman on the iron-bouai coast of Maine. He was reared in front of an humble, yet | comfortable and substantial cottage, that snug- ly clung to the hillside, which rose bold and | bleak far above it. In front of him lay the vast ocean, spreading | and immediately | away until lost in the horizon under his eyes was an island-dotted bay, one of those numerous indentations that causes the coast of Maine to appear on the map like net- work. From the cottage to the snow-white beach wound a steep pathway, and upon the glisten- mg sands half a dozen boats of various size and model were drawn up, while upon rocks were drying nets, used to entrap the finny tribes of the deep. It was near the sunset hour, and Carter Hayes, the old fisherman, was enjoying his after-supper smoke, when he suddenly sprung to | his feet, and gave expression to the words that open this story. His eyes rested far off upon the sea, where a small, dark object was visible, drifting shore- ward on the incoming tide. I must hurry my old bones, or the boat will dash on the reef ere I can reach it,” he said quickly, and hastily descending the hill, he Hinved a small boat into the water, sprung in, and with vigorous pull sent the light craft flying over the tiny waves. A row of half a mile brought him to the lee of a large, crescent-shaped island, the two points toward the land, uad in the small cove thus formed lay one of those short-masted non- descripts, with black hull swallow-tailed stern and high bows, called a fishing-smack, or ‘* Che- bacea boat,” common on the New England coast half a century ago. Springing upon the deck of the craft, he quickly raised the sail, drew the anchor aboard, and a moment after the chebacca boat was gliding swiftly seaward through the circuitous channel! leading among the islands, A sail of half an hour, and Carter Hayes luffed up into the wind and drew the drifting boat alongside. - With horror he beheld a sad scene, one that touched his generous heart to the quick. Tt was a large yawl, and init were five hu- man forms—two men, two women, and a boy ‘of five years of azo. But alas! Death had already claimed four of the little crew, and the boy alone lived; sau: eyed, haggard-faced, ahaa but yt ilive. “My poor little man—thank God! I am ‘n time to save you,” and the kind-hearted fist .r.man drew the boy close to him, and held h.m firmly ere, Then he sprung to action once more, and tak- ing the yawl, with its ghxstly crew, in tow, stood swiftly landward. An hour more, and he entered his cottage, the boy still in his arms, and carrying in one hand @ portmanteau, that seemed ex ingly heavy. A warm fire and warm fvod soon caused the little waif to revive, and then sink off into a pleasant sleep. Laying him gently down upon his own bed, Carter 08 ted his pipe and began to muse, half aloud: ‘Poor child! His parents, all gone; but I will be a father to him, God has sent him to my home to cheer my old age. **1t may not be right to keep him: but I can- not give him up now. [am certain those two well-dressed people in the boat were his father and mother—and Lexi f were rich, for yonder boy is heavy with gold. Yes, I will bring him up as my son, and with the him, so, when I am gone, he will be able to move among his ng ene Carter Hayes, this has been a lucky day for you.” CHAPTER II, ; & BOY AT BAY. ; Ten years after the scenes related in our chapter, a small, though stanch, cat- boat was standing across the rough of an island encircled bay on the Maine A bard wind was bl from the northeast, end the waves r o high, which caused the little ‘old I will educate | The Dime Library. but, reefed close, and held firmly on her course, she headed for a distant island, the one furthest | off from the shore, and the largest of the chain | that encircled the bay. The boat contained but a single occupant—a boy of fifteen—a boy with a darkly bronzed, creft to bound wildly in the dashing caldron: | handsome, fearless face, and black, earnest eyes | that narrowly watched his staggering craft, and the wild course ahead. With a firm, daring hand he held the carved tiller, and crouched down in the cock-pit, al- | ready half filled with water, from the waves | that ever and anon dashed over him. | But, dressed in a stout pea-jacket, duck pants, stuck in top boots, and a sailor’s tarpaulin shad- ing his brown curls, he seemed little to care for the dashing spray meta) apron It was a long, hard struggle with wind and wave, but the boy helmsman proved himsulf a bold, skillful sailor, and just as the slia@tiows of night crept over sea and land, the keel of his boat grated on the sandy shore in front of the cottage home of Carter Hayes, the old fisher- man, CHAPTER III. A BOLD RESCUE. Wrrutn the shadows of a clump of trees, that fringed the summit of a cliff jutting out into the sea, lay a youth at full length upon the vel- vet grass. His form was graceful, slender, tall, yet de- noted both strength and activity far above the | average of one of his years, which could not After several hours’ hard struggle with the | | determined face caused him to appear older. rough waters his little boat glided quietly in under the lee of the island, and the sharp keel | | grated upon the sandy beach. | Avsigh of reliof broke from the boy’s lips. He | had safely crossed the bay; but, as though for- getting his danger just passed, he took from be- neath the forward dese a long shotgun, powder- | horn, shot-pouch, and game-bag anc ashore, had landed, but further on the island appeared more inviting, and with rapid steps the boy trudged up the rugged hillside. But a Riker way only had he gone, when he | came to a sudden halt, his face flushing, and his | manner that of an attentive listener. Distinctly voices came to his ears—a childish | -voice crying: not take me away with you.” “Shut up, gal—I’ll muffle that mug o’ yourn ef yer don’t keep quiet,” angrily replied a man’s | harsh tones. “Tu not beg any more, sir; but, please, do | not— “Shut up, I say! | myself on ther chief—he cussed me once too often, an’ when he comes back an’ finds you is | gone, I guess as how he'll git pesky mad. Come along, gal, ’eause I ain’t got no time ter—well, | youngster, who the devil are you?” and only a few feet distant, stood the young sailor, his gun thrown forward, his finger upon the trigger. “T am one who would know where you aro taking that young girl?” said the boy, firmly. ‘“Durnation an’ furies!—is I to be questioned by a boy?’ and releasing the girl’s hand the man quickly drew a knife from his belt and stepped forward. “ Back, sir, back! or I will shoot you down!” cried the boy in determined tones. huge, burly ruffian, clad in seaman’s attire, to attack the slender, graceful form before him. Instantly the long barrel rose, the butt pressed the shoulder, the fearless eye ran along the iron tube, and then followed the flash and report. A groan, a muttered curse, and the ruffian fell dead in his tracks, his sringione:3 knife bury- ing itself half its length in the earth. e instant the boy looked upon his fallen foe, and then turned toward the ate She stood in a half startled, half glad man- ner, her hands clasped together, her position tkat of one about to bound away in fright. “You have killed him,” she said, ina horrified eee ‘“Wes; who is he?” * A smuggier—-” “Then it is true that this island is the home of smugglers?” ‘Yes: they live in a cave on the other shore; but the chief is away, and that bad man was going to take me away with him. I am so glad you came; but you do not belong to the band?” she asked, timidly. “No; [sailed across for a hunt on this island. I expected to find lots of game here. Do you belong to the smugglers?” “The chief is my adopted father. He took me years ago from a vessel he robbed on. the high seas. was @ little girl, and don’t remem- ber much about it; but he is very good to me, and I live with Lucy.” “Who.is Lucy?” “‘She’s an old woman, and she’s cross to me. I don’t want to go back; please don’t make me.” The boy gazed an instant into the beautiful face beforé him, for she was really a beautiful sunny-haired maiden of twelve, and then sai firmly: uN: come with me; I will take you to Father Hayes, and he will treat you well. He is as kind to me as though I was his own son. Are you afraid to go in the boat and cross the bay? It is blowing great 4 , “No, sir; not afraid if you are with me,” confidingly replied the young girl; and with a shuddering glance at her late enemy, she fol- lowed her daring boy preserver down the hill- side, and in ten minutes more the little craft was standing away from the island, the youth- ful helmsman and his fair young eee Sd crouching in the cockpit, and the seas b | wildly over them. I’m detarmined to revenge | The man stopped suddenly, for before him, | But, unheeding, the man sprung forward, a> sprung | It was a wild, bleak-looking spot. where hoe | ‘Oh! sir, do not take me away with you—do | have been over seventeen, though his fearless, His features were regular, expressive in ag marked degree, and few would have pronounced him other than an exceedingly handsome youth. He was neatly dressed in a suit of dark cloth. ing, and a slouch hat, and an open book lay by his side upon the grass. But his dark eyes were not on his book; they rested upon the ocean where were visible twe vessels, standing slowly in toward the little bay, which was sheltered by the earthen arm that terminated abruptly in the cliff. One of the two vessels, and the one furthest seaward was a saucy looking schooner, with masts that raked far aft, and an armed deck. The other was a or of thirty tons under main-sail and jib, heading for an anchorage under the shadows of the cliff. Upon her decks were visible three men besidew the one at the helm. With interest in his gaze, the youth watched the two vessels, until the sloop psy te anchor, and then he turned his glance landward, for he heard the sound of hoofs approaching. Inland, his gaze fell upon a scene of hill and valley, serenely beautiful in the light of the slowly descending sun, whose rays burnished up the massive walls of a distant structure—the university where the youth was a student, Nearer and nearer came the hoof-¢trokes, un- yer oe persons suddenly drew rein upon the cliff, The one was a young man of perhaps twenty- two, with a striking face, which, however, bore traces of reckless Se pera and an elegant form, attired almost to dandyism. The other was a maiden of twenty—clad in a close fitting riding-habit of dark blue, and with a face of rare loveliness. ‘Ts not this a lovely scene?—and see, yonder is an armed vessel, a le away, and here in the cove is a little craft at anchor. It was the maiden who spoke, and while a strange light flashed in the eyes of her compan. ion, he said impatiently: : ‘*You will not listen to me then, fair Louise ; you will insist ee changing the subject.” ‘“How often’ have I be; that you woula not speak of love to me, Mr. Dunstan? Had I believed you would have broken your word, I certainly never should have accepted you ag my escort—home. But see; there are two men coming up the cliff path. Let us go.” ‘ Rotts young man’s brow darkened, but he said quietly: ‘“T will not offend again, Miss Raynor. Pra linger awhile here and enjoy the scene;—is it not lovely?” “ Beautiful indeed, and—” But, ere the maiden could say more one ot the two ay looking men who had ascended the cliff suddenly seized her bridle-rein with one hand, while with the other he rudely drag ged her from her saddle to the ground. With a face pallid with indignation and fear Louise Raynor turned toward Paul Dunstan for succor, but he had also been dragged from his saddle, and felled to the ground. : #Come, Dick, let’s get out o’ this,” cried the man who held Louise Raynor, at the same time Spy By maiden in his strong arms, and placing his hand rudely over her mouth to pre- vent an outery, ; But suddenly, a slender form bounded wu the scene, and the man who held thé m dropped to the earth like dead, struck down by a well-directed blow dealt by the youth, who, from his retreat in the shadow of the bushes had witnessed all. : But, instantly, the brave boy, for he was hardly more, was confronted by the other ruf- fian, who rushed upon him, a knife gleaming in _ his hand, a curse upon his lips. Fearlessly the boy met . ‘There was & short, terrible struggle, and the seaman was hurled bodily over the cliff, while the panting youth, staggering backward, beheld the ruffian whom he had first struck down, spring to his feet and dash down the steep pathway to the beach below. Curse you for a meddling fool, Dudley Dash,” said an angry voice, and turning quickly, the youth beheld the pale face of Paul nate “As you were too cowandly to defend the lady yourself Paul Dunstan, I felt it my duty to in- ietl ded the youth, : ggg he You forget that I ama ere,” “This , ater ii 9 ta: rae 1d an ‘ siitussas a Me i Oe OI ee * gentle said F The a6 Pau and ti “ D you b you! sinua ia) at al the v ing.’ So eurin elif Up men towa Be hum: he hi see 4 a Oe rns 2 awe eee Pees

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- gentleman and. you a fisherman’s son,” angrily nf said Paul Dunstan, with irate scorn. : ri The youth seemed as if about to reply in e anger; but he calmly said: , . 5 “You seem to forget, sir, that Miss Raynor is lying in a faint, and needs your care.” ; Paul Dunstan glanced toward the maiden, and then approaching the youth, said savagely: ‘* Dudley Dash, in what you have done to-day | you have made me your bitterest foe, and, curse | t | you! I will make you answer to me for the in- ‘ sinuation that I was a coward.” ‘*T am wholly at your service, Paul Dunstan, at any time or place. You know my room in the university, and I will be in all the even ing.” So saying, Dudley Dash turned away, and se- curing his hat and ‘book, rapidly descended the elif pathway. Upon arriving at the beach, he beheld two men crossing the white sands, and going rapidly toward a small boat that was awaiting them. Between them they carried a limp and lifeless human form; if was the body of the man whom he had hurled from the cliff. Watching the men attentively, he saw them enter the boat with their ghastly burden, and oe” SS. row rapidly out to the little sloop, which imme- | diately after spread all sail and stood seaward. Ascending the path to the summit of the cliff, he found it deserted—Paul Dunstan and Louise Raynor had departed. Turning his gaze again upon the sea, now darkening beneath the shadow of night, he be- aeld the sloop flying swiftly down the coast and hugging the shore, while the schooner was now zlose in under the cliff, and slowly moving | toward a convenient anchorage. Turning upon his heel, Dudley Dash walked rapidly away in the direction of the university, pe soon disappeared in the shadows of the val- ey. CHAPTER IV. THE DUEL, AGAIN the sunset shadows fell u wea, and again Dudley Dash was m land and one upon the But not, as on the day before, lying indolently upon the grass, or idly watching the scene be- fore him, True, his gaze fell upon the schooner, anchored far in under the cliff and looking grim and de- serted, for not a human being was visible upon her decks. If eyes kept watch and ward over the vessel, they were invisible to the observer upon the land. : With pale face, and brow and lip strangely stern, Dudley Dash paced to and fro, ever and anon glancing down the road leading to the cliff, as though expecting some one, and impa- tient for their arrival. , : Presently his bright eyes flashed; in the dis- tance he beheld two horsemen approaching, one wi Dunstan, the pistols, and step off the distance, agreed on in our rooms last night.” ” “Pardon me, Mr. Newton can step off the distance, and give us the word; but I prefer to ‘load my own weapon.” ; , Angrily Loyd Newton turned upon the fear- less youth— s bo you doubt my honor, sir?” Rance aoua not trust you,” coolly answer- ed Dudley Dash. 4 “You shall answer to me for this insult, boy.” “One thing at a time, Mr. Newton. I am here to meet Mr. Dunstan, who came to my room at the university last night and. demanded a meet- . Then, nothing was said of a rpg et ‘the affair; but, as he has seen fit to bring ere Laces use you to suit himself. I act for % ‘Paul Dunstan and his second then walked apart and conversed for some moments together man undertone, Then they Loyd Ne in approached Dudley Dash, began to step off ten paces, La TK nt footing,” ie aia of the h slowl TERS fect cool- both men. | though he was, he showed indomitable courage and a nerve that was remarkable. At length the preparations were made, and the two antagonists took their stands, just as the sun sunk below the horizon. ‘*Gentlemen, are you ready?” sung out the voice of Loyd Newton, and at his words the eyes of Dudley Dash fell upon the sea, and with surprise he beheld slowly coming along the coast the same sloop that had entered the bay the evening before, with the evident purpose of kidnaping Louise Raynor. | -Then, with increased surprise, he saw half a dozen forms coming along the beach in the di- rection of the cliff. i But it was too late to speak then, for he saw a look of devilish hatred in the face of Paul Dunstan, and to his surprise Loyd Newton again called out in slow tones, ‘‘Gentlemen, are you | ready?” | As the words left his lips, Dudley Dash cast | | his eye again upon Paul Dunstan, and his fears | | of foul play were realized. The evil eyes of his antagonist gleamed at him | along the glittering barrel, and, without wait- ing for the word to fire, his pistol flashed, and the report rung out sharp and clear. Dudley Dash staggered back and dropped on | his knees, and then recovering himself he quick- ly raised his own weapon and fired upon his treacherous foe. . Instantly, with a half ery of rage and pain, Paul Dunstan sunk down in his tracks, while Dudley Dash slowly arose to his feet, wiping | from his left temple a blood-stain, for the bul- | let had grazed the flesh, momentarily stunning him. With a cry of alarm Loyd Newton sprung forward and knelt beside his friend, who breathed, but seemed dying, for the” bullet had pierced his heart. | Curse you, boy, you have killed him. Here, | men, this is the murderer. String him up!’ And Loyd Newton sprung toward a half-dozen | men, who just then rushed up the cliff pathway, and one of whom Dudley Dash recognized as the man who had attempted to kidnap Louise Raynor. The others were a gang of dissolute fellows he had often seen hanging about the village inn. With one accord the men rushed upon Dudley Dash, who seemed as if about to spring upon the steed of Paul Dunstan and fly; but, sudden- denly changing his mind, he drew a pistol from his pocket and boldly faced them. omentarily they were checked by the fear- less attitude of the boy; but, urged on by Loyd Newton they again rushed forward in a mass. There was the ring of a pistol, a groan, a heavy fall, and then a desperate struggle of a few minu Then the men arose from a confused heap | upon the ground, and Dudley Dash found him- bound hand and foot. ‘*Men, he deliberately shot down Paul Dun- stan, and he should die!” cried Loyd Newton, excitedly. “Yes, Wiki Mey up,” said the man whom Badles, Dash put to flight the evening be- ore. ‘Ay, ay, fellers! let’s hang him—he’s got a bad eye,” cried another, and, as though they had come preperet for a work of the kind, a rope was at once produced, and a noose made in one end of it. The other end was then thrown over the pro- jecting branch of a tree, and the noose | aroont the neck of the brave youth. ‘Men, would you murder me? How have I injured you?” said Dudley Dash, his eyes flash- aac eniaee pale, and yet his manner utterly earless, “You've killed Mr. Dunstan, and—” “T shot one who sought my life, and by treachery neariy succeeded, See, he wounded me Borg him boys! Why pala with 3 u s ver him?” cried Loyd . x d, cognizing in him a leader, the men gave a dra upon the rope, and choked off the utterance o and he felt that he must die—bun Rag a dog, by those whom he had never injured in his life. en darkness came upon him, his eyes s bursting from their sockets, a roar like thunder resounded in his ears, and then all was silent; he knew no more, ~ CHAPTER V. TO THE RESCUE. “Gop above! they have hung him!” \ The Dare-Devil; or, The Winged Witch of the Sea. Newton, and, as though re- | to speak— | he intended The ringing cry startled the guilty wretches youth they had so cruelly ; ; 4 But, they were startled still more to see a tall form bound over the edge of the cliff, and by one sweep of his sword cut down the swinging youth, and gently receive him in his arms. __ In dismay they turned upon the bold intruder who had dared to i the youth, who in vain yeas an, behind him cam away, who stood in the twilight, ee upon the dying } upt their deadly sport; med to “panioarick bet py aa Seon jrow hinge upon his panions were most anxious to follow his ew ample. But the seamen hurled themselves upon them, at a word of command from their chief, and }; two minutes time, three of them lay dead, an. the remainder were prisoners, “Thank God! the boy is not dead. Here, men, carry him quickly aboard the schooner,” ’ cried the leader of the rescuing party, and in.- stantly several of his followers raised Dudlc, Dash in their arms, and bore him down the pathway to the beach. “ And now, you devils, ’ve a mind to carry you aboard and hang you—but this man seems to be alive and I'll release you to look after him. Here, Pedro,” and the leader addressed a few words in Spanish to one of his followers, who at once cut the bonds of the captives, ‘Now, bear this wounded man away. He is badly hurt, but may recover,” and the leader bent over the prostrate form of Paul Dunstan, “There; now be off, Never mind your dead« companions; they need no care. “Curses on these fellows—they have spoiled my little game,” he continued, as the men bore Paul Dunstan rapidly away. “Yes, it would be madness to make the at-, tempt now—I will put to sea, and another time will do—come, lads.” So saying, apparently addressing no one, he walked down toward the beach, followed by his men, Arriving at the water's edge, he found the boat just returning from bearing Dudley Dash aboard the schooner, and springing into it, he said sternly, “‘ Give way!” Five minutes more and he was on board his vessel, “Senor Valdos, at once put to sea. There has been the devil to pay ashore and we will have to defer our expedition,” he said in Span- ish to a young officer who approached him, “Si, Senor Capitan,” politely replied Valdos, and ten minutes after the schooner was gliding seaward. In the meantime the commander of the vessel entered his cabin, where he found Dudley Dash reclining upon a lounge, and an officer and at- tendant beside him. 1 ‘Well, doctor, is the youth alive?” he asked. “Yes, captain, and will to-morrow be all right, thoug five minutes later he would have been dead. “T know it. Well, young sir, you had a nar- row escape from dying the death of a dog?” Dudley Dash, still pale and weak, half raised himself and replied: “Yes, sir, and to youl owe my life, do I not?” ' “Yes, I arrived just in time to cut you down. i Isaw your affair of last evening on the cliff, for i I was watching yon shores with my glass, and i this evening felt that some foul play was going on, 80 kept on the alert. ; ey. | ‘When I saw you alone, with two against ‘ ‘ou, and a band of ruffians stealthily approach- g, 1 was convinced that they were about to mt play a game of deviltry, so called away a boat's i oe and went ashore. I am glad I arrived as + “Thank God for it. sir! and from my heart I ! thank you.” 11 ‘Do not mention it, my fine fellow.” ‘* But it deserves mention, sir, You saved me from a horrible death. This is a vessel of war, is it not?” ‘ ae captain hesitated an instant, and then UN said: “Yes, oh! yes—this is a vessel of war; but, tell me, my young friend, what was all this ye ronnie on. : on rape ult ‘6 can hardly sir. Paul Dunstan, tho : man whom I shot in the duel, was a student c° (ona the college I was pene pnt but he was expelle! eee > just after I entered, and his mother, who is ric’, : and belongs to a good family got him an ar- pointment in the navy, which he held but a uae short time ere he was Canine: H “Pwo months ago he returned home, aftcr - wandering a year, none knew where, and bega.- a very fast life, which caused a young lady ti whom he had been engaged, to sever her e: gagement with him; but, last evening he we viding with ker, when two men who had landec:| from a sloop, attacked them, and I went to tho. rescue and got cursed for my pains; nay, mor: ; yd: aiitan’ challenged me to meet him, and S80. ‘And bravely, too; but do you know I be- | nh, lieve Dunstan Wtcned that mthadic ort the lady? He was easily overcome; and, more—I believe do away with you. I believe him to be the leader of a damnable scheme—~ who was his friend?” : A “Loyd Newton, once a student at the uni- versity, but now a profligate, reckless spond- _and you are—?” thrift. ‘ ‘A precious “Dudle si T live on the M. was a student at the er wish mien

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put for ‘glancing over his shoulder, 4 a The Dime Library. ; on = ow sir; everything,” modestly replied the “ Better still. Lost one of my officers a few days since in a fight with a—a—vessel of war. You shall @l his place, for I like you.” “Tn what service are you, captain?” ‘Tam under a roving commission. “Who? ‘Hast ever heard of the ‘‘ Sea Lance?” ‘Yes; is is a pirate vessel.” “ Hast ever heard of Captain Winwood?” ** Vag; he is a cruel buccaneer, and—” “Well, my lad, this vessel is the Sea Lance, and Iam Captain Winwood.” Tam—” CHAPTER VI. THE CRUISE OF THE SEA LANOE, Over the springing waters of the Atlantic ocean, and in latitude a little south of New York, » vessel was dashing fleetly along, with every thing set that would draw, and seemingly anxinis to escape from a persistent little sea- hound that was crowding swiftly in her snowy wake, but fully a league astern. At a glance if was evident that the tall and stately ship was the pursued, the rakish-looking schooner the pursuer. On the deck of the latter were a motley crew, attired in dark-blue shirts, white duck pants, and red woolen caps. Upon the quarter-deck, besides the two men at the wheel, were half a dozen officers, judging from their dress, and in two of them the reader would have recognized Captain Winwood, the buecaneer, and Dudley Dash, with a troubled look upon his pale face. “Well, my young friend, you will not now throw your fortunes with mine; you will still refuse to be a gallant sea-rover?” said the pirate pata turning to Dudley Dash, who answered y: *T cannot link my life with crime, Captain Winwood. You saved me from death; you nursed me through a severe illness that fol- Jowed, and I owe much to you, for you have been ever most kind; but I cannot become an er sir, and I beg that you will not urge i The buceaneer chief turned away with a mut- tered oath; but after a moment said, quietly: “We will soon be in range, and then I'll bring oes vessel to, and I wish you to board her, r, Dash, find out where she’s from, where bound, and about her freight and passenger list. You will do this for me?” ‘Yes, I will do that much for you, captain,” quietly responded the youth ; and in half an hour more, Captain Winwood gave the order to fire a shot over the flying ship. Away hurtiled the iron ball and yet the ship stood on. ‘Keep up that music, until the lady shows some desire to take notice of our attention,” called out the buccaneer, and again and again the gun was fired after the flying vessel, until a shot cut away her mizzen topmast. Then her bow swept up into the wind, and she lay quiet upon the waters, for her commander seemed to feel his perfect inability to escape from his untiring pursuer. A short while after, the beautiful schooner swept gracefully into the wind, while a boat from her side full of armed men. In the stern sheets, and in command of the boat, sat Dudley Dash, pale and stern-looking. ger o= A the cutter neared the ship, and soon ran, ongside, and Dudley Dash sprung upon the deck, followed by half a score of buccaneers. But as his foot touched the deck a volley of musketry was poured upon them, and four of his men fell dead. : “Now we have them—at them lads, and drive them overboard,” cried a ringing voice, and the brave English earentn rush orward, cutlass in hand, and at his back came nearly two score of men, composed of his crew and passengers. Taken wholly by rise, and with no time to offer explanation, Dudley Dash was forced to rally his men around him, and call upon the six oarsmen, still in the boat, to come to his aid, Then be: a fierce and deadly encounter, and only the abe aa are ess of the buccaneers prevented their being at once overwhelmed and ed ed under foot. But they met the attack half-way, and the crew of the ship were checked in their advance, and then pened upon themselves. “Ho! the Sea Lance!” rung out in the clear voice of the youth, who felt that he had but a temporary advantage. “Ay! ay!—I am coming,” floated across the waters in the voice of Captain Winwood, and Dudley ‘Dash beheld © schooner raiipait Bain way, and rushing toward the ship, while above her decks were Captain | ments, and then sai nie In the advance still, Dudley Dash pushed for- ward, and the crew were driven backward to the quarter-deck, where many of the brave de- fenders of the ship were slain. ‘*Hold! Are you fiends incarnate, that you kill men who cry for quarter?’ cried Dudley Dash to his reckless followers. “Captain Winwood never shows quarter,” said an under officer, pushing forward. The youth glanced quickly around him, and with surprise discovered that neither captain Winwood nor his Jieutenants had come on board the ship—he had left the fight to him, determined to make him a pirate. } **T command on_ this deck, sir, and I show quarter, Down with your arms, and your lives will be spared,” he called out to the ship’s defenders, who instantly obeyed. “Ha! there is loveliness, and my prize,” ex- claimed the under officer, who had before ad- dressed Dudley Dash, and he sprung forward and threw his arm around the waist of a maiden who had just come from the cabin, with pallid, anxious face. In an instant Dudley Dash confronted the buccaneer, and his voice rung threateningly as he cried, ‘‘ Release that lady, ruffian.” The man’s only answer was to raise his blood- stained cutlass, and defy the youth. “Ha! this is your game, is it?’ and with the spring of a tiger Dudley Dash was upon him. Then followed a short, fierce, deadly struggle, hardly half a moment in duration, and ihe hee eaneer lay bleeding and dying open the deck, while his companions shrunk from before the blazing eyes of the youth. “Lady, have no fear ; I will protect you,” said Dudley Dash, and the maiden was about to reply, when a deep voice said. ‘Well done, my gallant amateur buccaneer; I have strong hopes of you now. ‘Take her; she is your prize.” Dudley Dash turned quickly; Captain Win- wood stood before him. ‘-T will take you at your word, captain, and claim her as my prize—have no fear, lady,” he added in a low tone, gazing upon her frightened but beautiful face. ** Now we'll see if the game is worth the cost —who commands this vessel?” The sturdy English captain advanced, bleed- ing from several slight wounds, and said: ‘T did command her. Youare a buccaneer?” “Softly, softly, captain; we are free rovers. Where are you from?” “New York.” ‘Where bound?” ‘¢ Havana.” “ What cargo?” ‘* Assorted, ‘*Of considerable value, I guess?” “ Yes.” a ‘¢You have passengers?” : “Yes, a number, and most of them ladies.” Captain Winwood was silent for a few mo- ments, and then said: “ Captain, if you can raise the sum of twenty thousand dollars on board, I will let you free—unless some of my men take a fancy rob you of some of your fair assengers. A seaman’s life is a lonely one, you know.” ‘Tt is impossible to raise that sum, Sir Pirate.” “Then I shall take what I can of your cargo, burn your ship, and set you a in your boats.” : The stern reply of the buccaneer chief start- led all, and none more so than Dudley Dash. who had not believed him a man of such cruel nature, though he had often heard terrible stories told of him. The captain was about to reply when the maiden, whom the youth had rescued from the hands of the under officer, called him aside, and after a conversation of a few moments he said: . “T will agree to your terms, sir. In afew moments you shall have the money; but you certainly will not “oe out Mea ada to w loatainie aia Ta, oe ‘ Captain Winwood, can Is) to you, sir?” and Dudle Dash pped for- ward. ‘Captain, have no right to ask a favor of you, sir; but humanity dictates it. You have gained twenty thousand dollars with the loss of only a few men; will you not now, sir, be good enough to let this vessel go on her way, unmolested? and ee Dash spoke earn- wane while the maiden and other passengers eagerly watched the chief and the youth, whom they believed his lieutenant, and who they felt was begging for their safety. ry “Will you promise to become my first officer, boy?” 3 ‘ ir, I will not promise that.” “Will you poe ide an @ robthe villa of that rich old fellow, Judge —which I intended to do the night I sav from hana ‘ “No, sir, I will not promise that.” et you ask me to release these passen- Cy payee of a small sum of money?” Lask it, I beg it.” tion to ynor you a porate By ‘inw was silent for a few mo- “Be it so. Get th money from the captain | and then come on board the schooner. The ship» can go on her way.” “i Captain Winwood, from my heart I thank: ou. The chief turned away, a peculiar smile upon his face, and called to his surprised men to re- turn to the schooner, while Dudley Dash step- ped forward to beg eat the captain of the ship. with the result of his conversation with Captain Winwood. “Here is the money, young sir—twent thousand dollars, and may every dollar of if- haunt your soul,” said the captain. Dudley Dash flushed crimson, and his ey rs} drooped before the earnest gaze of the maiden, who said softly: “To you, senor, I feel that we owe our re~ lease, our lives. I owe you far more, and from my heart I thank you, and, buccaneer though 4a be, I will ever pray to the Virgiy, other to watch over you. Here, wear this ag a token of my appreciation of what you have: done for me.” Ere Dudley Dash was aware, she took hi hand, and placed on the left little finger a band. of gold, in which was set a single diamond of | rare size and beauty. A moment more and she had descended inte the cabin. With a sigh and a flushed face Dudley Dasty took the bag of gold, and walked slowly to the “a as side and sprung on board the schooner. hour more and the two vessels were @ sp apart. he ship going to the southward, the Sea Lance sailing northward, on the search for fur- ther adventure and gold. CHAPTER VII. ENTRAPPED. “Captain Winwood, I am confident that yon der vessel is a man-of-war,” “Your eyes are the best aboard the schooner, Mr. Dash; but they deceive you this time. The vessel, in my opinion, is an English supply ship, sent to the fleet in these waters.” “Then she would make a good prize to some American cruiser—for there is no doubt now but that war has begun between England afi. the States.” “None; the brig we captured gave us that news. See, she is a large vessel, much larger than the ship we took two months since, and which your humanity caused me to let go for the paltry sum of twenty thousand. Yes, yon- pe craft is a supply ship and I intend to take er, . The speakers, as the reader is doubtless aware, were Captain Winwood and Dudley Dash, and. they stood on the quarter-deck of the Sea Lance, which, stripped of canvas, laying to, was riding out a gale that had been sweeping. the ocean for hours. ! _ The night was dark, and the spray was blown, in masses from wave to wave, which kept the low lying schooner from being seen in the dark~ ness from the decks of a large vessel that was’ driving along with only her storm sails set. “‘She is about to pass us. Get the schooner under her jib and. mainsail, reefed down, Senor Valdos,” : ‘* Ay, ay, senor,” replied the Spanish lieute: nant, and ten minutes after the schooner was — ying in the wake of the huge hip, appearing : a buffalo. fl like a hound upon the trail of till unperceived from on board the vessel the schooner drew nearer and nearer, until but. a quarter of a mile divided them. ‘Fire a over her, Valdos, to bring her to,” ordered Cit tain Winwood. A moment rand a bright flash illumined the sea, and the deep boom of the gun and roar of the iron messenger were heard. “See, Dash, she is coming to. Was I not. the bows of the huge ship swept round slowly, and a moment after lay heading the gale. ‘*T knew she was a supply ship. Now I have a chance to supply myself with arms, ammuni- sen an provisions, for she is doubtless well stored. again?” ae Upon one condition, captain?” ‘ And that is—?”’ ‘ ‘ “That if you. do not burn the ship you will hes iy gyeee ‘Tt seems so, captain,” replied the youth,as | “Are you ready to be my boarding-officer f

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shut out . :. ~ coming; he was doomed to die. “hey quietly submitted to their fate, and were ironed heavily. “Run a gun out and sink that boat!” called | out a stern voice, and a heavy gan poured its iron hail into the lifeboat, which was at once seen to go down. “Now stand away for yonder schooner. Lively men, lively!” ordered the same voice, and the huge ship began to slowly wear round. But the schooner had already taken the | alarm; the flash of the gun had shown her arm- ed decks, and easily handled she was scudding | away before the gale with the speed of a race- horse, and by the time the frigate was fairly on her course the fleet buecaneer was a mile away, disappearing rapidly in the darkness and gloom. | In vain was it that every eye was strained to kesp her in sight. She was soon lost to view, and with a disappointed manner, the English commander descended to his cabin, and order- ed Dudley Dash to be brought before him. ‘* Well, sir, who are you that boards the | King’s frigate in a gale? You doubtless mistook me for a merchantman?” and the Englishman azed with surprised admiration upon the youth- fad and handsome face before him. “T believed you to be just what and so told Captain Winwood :—but— “ Winwood? Was yonder schooner the buc- eancer Sea Lance?” “Yes, sir.” “ And you are a pirate officer—egad! you’ve ‘hegum a career of crime at an early age.” “Tam no buccaneer, captain. Circumstances over which I had no control carried me aboard the Sea Lance, and—” “You would prove a Peter—deny your crime- stained comrades, to have yourownneck. No. no, my young bantam, I have made a good capture he: sits ou ran into a trap, and one which you will Galy get out of by putting your ‘head in a noose. In two days, sir, you and your companions shall be hung to the frigate’s yard-arms. * Guard, remove the prisoner.” Tn vain was it that poor Dudley Dash tried to speak, to offer some explanation;—the English tommander would hear not a word, and the youth was led away to a vacant stateroom, where a strict guard was placed over him, for he was under sentence of death, and he felt you are— that fate had indeed dealt unkindly with him. | Was he, Dudley Dash, who had ever been | considered the soul of honor, to die thus—was he to be hung as a pirate—a man who had hunt- | ed his fellow-men to death for gold? crowded through his brain and almost drove him to madness, as he paced his little prison, dragging his chains after him with a clanking noun that smote him to the heart. CHAPTER VIII. A BOLD STROKE FOR LIFE, Tue night following the capture of Dudley ‘Dash and his three buccaneer companions, the English frigate was cruising slowly along the Massachussetts coast, in the neighborhood of Ca the day there had been a meeting of ithe officers on board, and the captive youth had ‘been brought before them, ant again told his story in a frank manner: but he could see that most all believed it to be concocted to save him from death. Zhe three buccaneers were then examined separately, and each one declared that the story’ of their youn officer was false, for if they were ‘to die, their hardened hearts would show no wmercy to him;—nay, more—they said he was fhe son of Captain Winwood, and had for years een an officer on board the Sea Lance. With this seemingly conclusive testimony, and ‘with appearances terribly against him, Dudley Dash was sent back to his stateroom with the sentence of death passed upon him. In an agony of spirit he paced his prison. Not ‘that he was afraid to die—but oh! die such nileath—hung as a pirate to the yard-arm of frigate! 4) throbbing heart he glanced throngh Tiga With a ; _ the open port upon the bright waters, no longer lashed by a storm, but rippled by a five-knot ‘breeze—and a choking sensation swelled up in his threat as he beheld, a league distant, the ‘green shores so near his own home, where dwelt Nis adopted father, Carter Hayes, and Gabrielle Gaston, the sweet little maiden whom he had ‘rescued from the smugglers’ island, and whom ‘he had learned to love most dearly. ; In vain would they wait and watch for his At i darkness rt over the waters, the land from sight, and in despair he _ buried his face in his hands, for with the rising sun he must die. 2 ___ Presently he was aroused by the door softly opening, and from without came a glimmer of light from a bottle lantern, revealing the tall form of his guard standing in the doorway. ___ * Well, what do you want now?” asked Dudley ‘Dash, sternly- _ * Hush! Twant to be of service to you. Look on my face. There, now that the ight shines “n it, did you ever see it before?” : - a —— = SoS athe re a ae fore him, and then+said quietly: “Yes, L have seen you; but when or where, I cannot now recall,” “Tl tell you. Iwas on board the ship you | captured two months ago; and whose passengers you saved, for I know Captain Winwood. All would have gone up if it had not been for you. I was steward on the ship, and when we got into | port [ left, and shipped aboard this frigate, for Now I am a marine, and | ’ ’m an Englishman. my duty to-night is to guard you well. ‘*T know your duty, sir, and [—” “Suppose I don’t do it—what then?” The youth started. friend? Was he not to die after all? The Dare-Devil; or, The Winged Witch of the Sea. Resistance would have been madness, and The youth gazed earnestly into the face be: | Could this man be his | ‘* What mean you?” he asked, as the man said | no more. “Tlitell you. I don’t want to see you die. ED ee *Nno 5 mmr Seer emen —e | | ‘‘Captain, I learn that you are going to risk | capture by the English cruisers, and are running | for the Kennebec? “T am that. I’m leavin’ Gloucester harbor for perhaps the last time, stranger; but, yer see, | I live in Kennebec, an’ [ hain’t goin’ to let my pretty craft rot here dorin’ ther war. I’m olf now.” “Tam glad to hear it, senger.” ‘* An’ (m ther man to take yer, for yer looks I wish to go as pas- | like a likely chap, as had seen salt water afore.” “T have. Let me dismiss my boat, and I'll pay you the passage money.” The boatman, who had rowed him aboard, then returned shoreward. and Dudley Dash handed Captain Dusenbury the amount of his | passage, and then sprung forward and aided in You are but a boy if you are a private officer, | and you served me a good turn once, Before took to the sea I was a locksmith.” “ae Well id “ Well, that is the way I got your door open; I picked the lock, for the key is in the captain’s cabin.” “Indeed! Do you mean to aid me then?’ asked the youth, hardly daring to hope. “Yes; Pll pick the locks of those hand-cuffs in a minute, and there are pieces of boards and other things in here that you can make a re- spectable raft out of—can you swim?” ‘* Like a fish,” replied the youth, gayly. “Well, I'll pick your irons off, for I always carries the fools, you know, in ease of accident myself, and then you can just let your raft out of that open port, and slide out after it—you understand.” “ Yes. » “Good! We are off Cape Ann, and it is a league to the shore, and the tide is running in like a mill-race.” “T understand; but if I escape, my good fel- low, I fear you will be the sufferer.” “No fear; but it’s good of you to think of me. You see your door is kept locked, you are in irons, and I’m only out here to prevent commu- nication with you. You were not searched, and no one knows but that you had the tools with you to set yourself free. “Tl get cursed for not knowing you intended escaping; but, that’s natural, and I’m willing to take it. ere—see; you are free from your irons now, and good-by.” Dudley Dash could not speak—his heart was too full; but he warmly wrung the hand of the ) | honest guard, and the door again closed upon Such were the harrowing thoughts that | him. a, or rather feeling around his state- room, he found it was used as a kind of lumber- } room, and he quickly gathered together a few boards, oars, and other odds and ends, and with some pieces of rope and his knife, he soon con- structed a long, narrow float, capable of sus- taining him greatly in the long swim for life. Attaching a rope to one end, and then passing it through an iron ring in the deck, he slowly lowered it into the water. The five-knot breeze was blowing off the sea, and the frigate careened over toward the shore, so that he had not very far to lower himself, and the wash of the waves prevented him from being heard, : Tt was a es daring undertaking, for his float was but slight at the best, and without his own aid would not support his weight, while there was a probaney that the motion of the frigate might suck him under. i en the land was a good league distant, so had said the guard; it was too dark to see the shore, and he must risk it on faith. At length the float reached the water and was dragged violently along; but the moment after Dudley Dash swung himself from the port and rapidly slipped down the double rope until he clasped his legs about his frail support. Then he let go one end of his rope and pulled the line through the iron ring. Rapidly he was whirled around, as he felt himself free from the sige, and he believed that he was being drawn beneath the waters. But manfully he struggled for his life, and after a moment of suspense, swept out under the stern of the frigate, and was thus far safe. Lying low in the waters, to prevent being discovered by. any keen a that might be on the quarter-deck, he saw the frigate glide swift- ly away from him, and then he ere vent to a sigh of relief; he was free—yet alone upon the wide waters, and no land in sight. CHAPTER IX. RUNNING THE HOME STRETCH. ‘* ANCHOR apeak, sir,” “Ay, ay—run uF the jib—aha! there she swings round. Hulloa! what does that feller say, anyhow, Mister Greenfiddle?” and Captain Dusenbury, of the packet sloop Pretty Girl turned from his work to answer the hail ot some one in a small boat that was coming aboard. ; . A moment after, the boat ran alongside the sloop, and a youth, attired in uniform, ek was / I loo! lute. Politely saluting, he sai » a eds setting sail. ‘‘Neow, that’s what I call a likely youngster. He hain’t afeerd o’ gettin’ his hands s’iled, an’ he’s a officer, too, as yer kin see by his clothes, | tho’ they does look a little hard, I admit.. Look lively thar, Mister Greenfiddle, or ll make the youngster as jist come aboard my mate, an’ | throw you inter ther sea,” he called out to a long, lean, lantern-jawed Yankee, who #erved in the honorable position of first officer of the Pretty Girl, for Captain Dusenbury had a see- ond officer too, one who was just the opposite to Mr. Greenfiddle, for he was a fat, moon-faced, tipsy-eyed little man, who always had an ex- pression of assumed bravery on his countenance, as if desirous of proving to the world at large that he was a bold sailor. For crew, the Pretty Girl had a negro, of almost giant stature, and an Indian of the Tar- | rantine tribe, a few of whom are still found in : er 0? war, al ba for wear, sprung on board. [I f 6 raised his voice dress the negro—‘ why, ey, Dash, haggard ing, pale, but reso- | you and the Ingine Will be tu inquiringly; =| T AA hy i eS pe ee Me “ PS the mountains of Maine. On the quarter-deck of the sloop, besides her captain, who stood at the helm, were two other persons—a regular cut-and-dried old-maid, with a visage as sour as a crab-apple, and a cadaver- ous-looking gentleman, whose sanctimonions face, huge spectacles, and white neck-cloth, indicated him as being a parson, if the painfully plain cut of his black clothing did not do so. “Wall, we've a good wind, Parson Squeez- breeze, an’ I’m thinkin’ we’ll make a good run «of it. Don’t you think so, Miss Nancy Primrose.” said Captain Dusenbury, addressing the parson and the old-maid. “We are all in the hands of Providence. The wind bloweth and it dieth away,” said Pay- son Squeezbreeze, in a sepulehral voice, wh!'s the old-maid replied in tones like a cracked clarionet: ‘“‘T'm not a lady as gives her opinion, captinr, regardin’ what is goin’ to happin to those as goes down inter the sea in ships; I’m a lady, who—” But the captain heard no more, for ho , was well acquainted with Miss Nancy, and hay- ing started her pangoe, left the parson to become her victim, while he went forward, muttering to himself; “That old hen is just like a clock. You wind her up, and durn me ef she stops until she runs down for want breath.” Swiftly down the harbor glided the Protty Girl, with all sail set to catch the six-knot breeze that was blowing, and as darkness came on, a new moon hung in the heavens to light her path- way over the waters. li on board felt that they were running o great risk to attempt to reach the mouth of the ennebec; but then, Captain Dusenbury had made up his mind to run his vessel home, and he was a fearless man, and a skillful seaman. ‘“‘T guesses as how you can take a turn at tho tiller, stranger, as yer seem ter want to be oc- cupied,” he said, ai the sloop had gained an offing and was rey swiftly slong: t “Tam willing, sir; but I would advise you to keep a bright lookout, as I’ve reason to know that there is an English frigate cruising in these bail and Dudley D quietly k the “You don’t say so! Wall, I'll skin every eye aboard to be ther lookout. Miss Nancy, you has be-utiful eyes, so please to keep ’em off the sel and skim ’em over ther summer sea. arson Squeezbreeze, jist quit raisin’ them orbs 0’ yourn ter ees and look ter wind- ward, kase Providence hain’t goin’ to help none as don’t help therself. ~ _ “Here, yer tar-black nigger—skin it up that ie worthy. capbelds having aa hie bemenenre e@ Wo! captain, having se neers and crew A work, called hie mates aft for a council of war, “See here Mister Greenfiddle, and you, Mister Toddy Tipplemuch, this here stranger says as how he knows 's danger hereabouts, an’ I don’t want the Pretty Girl to run smack under an Englisher’s guns, do ye hear?” _ “Yas,” and each valorous mate cast his eyes in one sweeping look around the horizon. ‘Ef we does, I loses the sloop, and mayhap my life. The parson will be tuk for chapl'in o’ some cruiser, sartin, an’ Miss Nancy ’ll stan’ a chance to marry a commydore in the king’s sar- vice, while this young feller ‘ll be hel i As fer you, Butte ”—and as cur'osities; but Greenfiddl ‘ er ° i a 2 ‘ - Cade We ene L tee allie cee DPT als na mae Ee

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r Ttpplemuch, the Lord ha’ mercy on yer—they’ll yer both sartin’, for hev’nt yer both told | me that yer granddads fout at Bunker Hill?” *T never had a grandfather,” said Toddy, ruefully, while Mr. Greenfiddle remarked, in an | awe-inspiring tone: “Yas, but my grandfather was killed thar, an’ thet makes us even.” “Toddy Tipplemuch, you hev’ lied to me, then, fur yer distinctly told me thet—” ‘* Sail ho!” rung out in the clear voice of Dud- sh Dash, and all started suddenly, while Toddy pple much as suddenly disappeared down the companion way into the cabin. “There it is, Captain—just off our starboard bow. It is a schooner, and looks like a priva- teer. Strange I did not see her before,” and Dudley Dash pointed to where, lying low upon the waters, was visible one of those rakish-look- ing vessels so commonly seen, half a century ago, cruising under the flag of the pirate. “Come down out o’ thet riggin’, yer blind ehunk oc’ charcoal! an’ you, Injin, whar was yer eyes?” cried Captain Dusenbury, severely, while he leveled his SH at the strange sail. “Me see him long time; he lay quiet on | ab once started for the cabin. water—just set he wings, and come this way; | but man talk much and I no tell him,” said the Indfan, complacently, while Buttermilk, the negro, came slowly down to the deck, having evidently been asleep on watch. “Yes, it is a cruiser or a privateer; anyhow, I think an American.” “Tet me get a shot at him with Bunkerhill— I'll settle him,” cried Toddy Tipplemuch. “You be durned! Is thet what yer went inter the cabing fur so suddint?”’ “Yas, Capting.” - “Wal, jist stay on deck arter this, Ef any body goes inter ther cabin it must be the Parson and Miss Nancy.” “Amen!” said Parson Squeezbreeze, fervent- | ly, while Miss Nancy looked pleased to get a chance at the parson alone (for he was a widow- er), even if there was danger surrounding them. “Wal, Vi jist stan’ on, and ef that feller seems detarmined to worry me, I’ll jist put inter some little inlet, fur I knows this coast pretty well—what do you make her out, stranger?” and po Saag Dusenbury placed his glass in the hand ef Dudley Dash, who, after a long survey of the strange craft, said, slowly: “T have seen her before, Captain; it is a mchooner that has been for several years a Seis on the Maine coast.” Jh Lordy!” groaned Mr, Greenfiddle, while | | sonand Miss Nancy were already flat on the Dudley Dash continued: “é of mander has become a pirate.” Down into the cabin went Todd Tipplemuch, while all on board, except the ndian, seemed late months I have heard that her com- | greatly impressed with the startling informa-_ tion that had just fallen from the lips of Dudley | Dash, CHAPTER X. THE EFFECT OF A BROADSIDE. AN hour’s sailing fully proved to all on board the sloop that but one means of escape lay be- fore them, and that was to run close in shore, abandon the Pretty Girl, set fire to the craft, and then escape in the yawl, which hung at the | stern dairts. “T would hold on, captain, if the passengers | are willing to run the gauntlet of the schooner’s fire, She might hit us, and then again we might escape serious injury. I think it is worth the risk,” and Dudley Dash glanced toward Parson Bqueebreeze and Miss Nancy Primrose, hoping they would agree to his motion. “Do you think the wicked men would fire at us with malicious intsnt to kill us,” asked the parson solemnly. “They wouldn’t fire to amuse us, parson, you may bet your barrel o’ soverns on that,” replied Captain Dusenbwy, while Miss Nancy said in a whisper: te pose they was ter hit yer, parson, an’ yer was ter be tuk off gedaingy. in Vp youth, who'd be a mother to yer two blessed children?” and she placed the corner of her handkerchief to one eye, while she nervously watched the ef- fect of her words on the parson with the other. * Captain, I-beseech you to give me warning, that I may dodge, if they go to shooting at us. Nancy, my child, we are in deadly danger now, #0 cling to me.” | Miss Nancy took the m at his word, and at once placed herself under the shelter of his long bony arm. | sloop to tremble from stem to stern,and broach to. ust as she did so there was a flash from the , bows of the schooner, and a roaring sound in the air, Instantly the parson dodged to the deck, car- xying with him the form of Miss Nancy, while | 'y Tipplemuch, with the flash, disappeared in the cabin, snd Mr. Greenfiddle cried in fright. “What in dumnation shall I do? Pll be killed sartin. I wish I was ter home.” “Do? Why, stand up like a man!. Stranger, you've got more co in your little finger than my mates has in their hull body—durn i I’m lookin’ to you to help me in this fiftikilty. What would you advise?” “Why, to ran the gantlet of their fire and |in the cabin?’ and the captain turned upon | mates, and yet wondering how men could be so : The Dime Library. try and reach the inlet—where the schooner will not follow us,” calmly said Dudley Dash, | who still held the helm. ‘Pll do it, ef I has to sacrifice the parson an’ Miss Nancy. Here, Injun, you and Butter- milk haul this sheet taut, and trim in on the jib. Whar in thunder’s that nigger’ Down in the hold TPH bet Greenfiddle agin Tipple- | much. Well, sir, what has yer bin doin’ Toddy Tipplemuch, who just then came out of | the cabin. ‘“‘Pve bin armin’«myself for the fray, cap- tain,” and Toddy pointed to a huge sword he | had hung to a belt at his waist, “Wall, now you is armed, stay on deck an’ | fight it out. I’m goin’ to board an’ take that | skunner..”’ This was too much for Mr. Greenfiddle, who | ‘“ Whar yer goin’, Greenfiddle?” “Inter ther cabing to git my weepins. blow ther durned pirat’s inter ther skies.” ‘* The schooner is preparing to fire again, sir,” said Dudley Dash, as he caught sight of a light moving on their enemy’s deck. ‘Lord save us! Nancy, child, this is no place | for us. Come,” and dodging about like a chicken with its head cut off, and with the old maid clinging to his coat-tails, the Parson | sought the cabin. ‘*Tt ain’t possible they could ’a’ heard me, is it?” whispered Mr. Greenfiddle, trembling with fear. ‘Doubtless they did, sir,” replied Dudley Dash, greatly enjoying the fright of the two TH craven, Capting, is yer really goin’ ter board that ar | vessel?” asked ‘Toddy Tipplemuch, with an air | as though he had further business in the cabin. “Yas, I think of it. Ef we don’t git away | I'm pretty sartin we will.” “What in thunder wouid yer do that fur?” inquired Toddy, “To have you biled inter soup for ’em, so as it would make ’em brave.” | Toddy was about to reply, when the schooner | luffed quickly up, and then one, two, three, four, bright flashes came from her side, and as many deep booms broke the stillness of the waters, “Down all! Here comes her broadside!” eried Dudley Dash, still standing erect himself, as though he disdained to shrink from death, But the order was unnecessary, for the Par- | cabin floor, and atthe first flash they were | joined by three others—Buttermilk and the two mates. Then came the roaring iron hail, cutting away | the topmast and the bowsprit, and rending a huge hole in the sail, which caused the little Even Captain Dusenbury, a thoroughly brave | man, stooped down as the broadside struck his | craft; but Dudley Dash and one other never flinched. ‘That other was the Indian sailor, who, with folded arms, stood erect and unmoved, “Wall, stranger, IT guesses as how we’s gone up,” said Captain Dusenbury, sorrowfully, and then he added, quickly, “We can take the yawl and row ashore,” ‘“No; I have a plan; let that yawl alone, or Tll blow your cowardly brains out,” stern! cried Dudley Dash, as Mr. Greenfiddle and Tod- dy Tipplemuch rushed to let fall the boat from the davits. The mates stopped as if petrified; they feared | the calm, slender boy. “Captain, the sloop has drawn such a swell | behind her that I am convinced we are in very shallow water.” : ‘Yas, not more than three fathoms here- about.” “Good! The schooner is deep and will not come in here, She is already laying to, to send a boat aboard—” “Yas, we are gone up, sartin.” “Not yet. She willsend a boat aboard—it is coming now, and if my plan works well, they will find they have caught a tartar.” “What is your plan, sir?’ asked the captain, more and more impressed with respect for his gallant and youthful passenger. ‘Let them come aboard, and then ask the officers into the cabin, and I will be there. As soon as they have entered let the Indian and negro, who are to lie hid on the Oppo- site side of the caboose, fire upon the men in the boat, or make them prisoners, which ever is easiest to do—” But the skunner will send her boats aboard and murder us all—” : “Trust me, captain, I beg you, inthis. If I do not catch the captain here, why then we can escape in the yawl. If the schooner’s captain comes aboard we will have no trouble.” “ Boy, you are a trump! I'll be durned ef—” “Never mind, captain; but, have you pistols and guns on board?’ ‘ “Yas, a dozen, thanks to that thar shakin’ coward, Toddy Tipplemuch, who insisted upon buying enough to pla man 0’ war.” ‘Yer see, stranger, Py afore, an’— e bin in tight Lenin “And you are in a tight place, now, Mr. Tipplemuch. 1 would not reg until after we count our dead and wounded— “Oh, Lordy! Pll go an’ look up ther guns. J wish we had a thousand cannons, a million mus- kets, and—” ““Yowll do no sich thing, Mr. Tipplemuch. The guns and pistils hain’t lost, an’ we want you an’ Mr, Greenfiddle at yer posts. Ef yer skulk now, durned ef I don’t shoot yer myself.” This was a quietus on the two valorous mates, and they subsided in fear and trembling. Going into the cabin with the captain, Dudley Dash found the parson and Miss Nancy on their knees saying their prayers, which the youth at once interrupted to drive the pious couple into. one of the small staterooms. ‘Now, "eka I will await here for you to bring the officers down, when I will either make them surrender or kill them—” “Thou shalt dono murder, young man,” came in sepulchral tones from the stateroom, and im the parson’s voice. ““Shet up, Parson Squeezbreeze? Ef I hear a word from that stateroom Ul fire a bullit inter i “Captain,” continued Dudley Dash, leoesig 3 at the quiet that followed the threat, “you had better now place the Indian and negro with their arms, and as the boat comes near, call down to me how many men are in it.” “Tl do it. Now I'll go on deck.” A few moments of suspense followed, and then. Dudley Dash distinctly heard the sound of oars;. then followed a stern hail: “Sloop ahoy! what sloop is that?” “The Pretty Girl, from annebed” ‘Why the devil didn’t you come-to when I first fired?” ‘T kind o’ thoughtit mout be more healthy to try and git away. What skunner’s that?” ** None of your business. I’m coming aboard.” “ Thar’s one officer and four men in ther durn— ed boat,” whispered Captain Dusenbury down the companion-way. “Good; send him down,” came back in the | cool tones of Dudley Dash. A moment after the boat ranged alongside the sloop, and a tall, elegantly-formed man sprung on deck, dressed in a dark uniform, pro- fusely trimmed with gold lace. He was armed with a pistol in his belt, and a sword carried in his hand; and his stern, dark, yet handsome face, proved that he was ready to | use his weapons, either for offense or defense. “Well, sir, what cargo have you?” he said, sternly, addressing Captain Dusenbury, “’m durned sorry to say, kase I b’lieves yer ter be a pirate, that I’ve got a very valuable cargo. Et youll come inter my cabing Pll show yer.” a Instantly the officer followed down the com’ panion-way, saying sharply: “ And be ina hurry, skipper, for this is a bad pkg eatantees for a man who serves under my ag.” and what mout that be, capting?” “The Death’s Head and Crossed Bones, ski per,” recklessly said the buccaneer; but, as the- words left his lips, there came the clearcut, order: * Move one inch and you are a dead man!” The buccaneer felt that he was entrapped, and he turned his eyes toward Captain Dusenbury; but he had glided like a shadow up the com- panion-way. Whoever gives that command is a fool. My schooner lies but half a mile distant,” said, they buecaneer. ceprue; be ag the: is belt. CHAPTER Xt. CATCHING A TARTAR. Wirn a curse upon his lips, the buccaneer- rushed up the companica-way, to start back with a ery of rage and terror, He was securely shut in the cabin. ; ; With a bitter curse he strained to force his. way out, when there was heard a volley of musketry on deck, and the cries of woun struggling men. ! ‘ ‘‘Captain, you are in my power. , Surrender” or you die.” ere was no use for the buccaneer to turn; a cold pistol-muzzle pressed hard in pon his: le ear, and the flashing eyes of Dudley Dash looked full into his own. “What would you, boy?” he demanded, un- flinching. . “Merely to pass on our way unmolested. Anson Squeezbreeze, bring that rope and bind. thi F “Tt is not meet and right that such as I should mingle with—” —

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rc ‘*Miss Nancy, you do as I ask, please, as the _ parson is afraid,” impatiently said the youth. Instantly, Miss Nancy came from the state- room, rope in hand, and with a vicious look at the buccaneer, proceeded to bind his hands be- hind his back, with a skill that was amusing to contemplate. ‘Curse you, fellow, you shall repent this—” ‘Repent, thyself, oh, wicked man, for thy crimes are many,” came from the stateroom. “T will answer for my act, Sir Pirate. Ho! the rena 3 ; “Ay, ay,’ youngster ‘ ? vee who’s been killed?” demanded Captain Dusenbury, appearing in the com- panion-way. ; “No one is hurt. The buccaneer got fright- | ened and fired at his own shadow. Did you : capture the crew?” | “We've got one o’ them slick as grease; other three is gone cruisin’ in a lake o’ brim- stone an’ fire.” All right, captain. Now, sir, come on deck : with me.” ; Slilently the buecaneer obeyed, and a glad 1 light came into his face, as he glanced out over ) the waters and beheld two dark objects moving tap\dly toward the sloop. ‘Now, young man, your time has come,” he ~or argdes “Not yet—are you the captain of yonder \choner?” “ I am.” “ And you are he that is called, or was, until the | Seog out of war, Rafael the smuggler?” *T am.” “Very well. Now, captain Rafael, the Pi- rate, we desire to go on our way unmolested, and Tlook to you to aid us. Give an order to _ the officers in yonder boats to put back at once to the schooner, or, so help me God! I will scat- ter your brains over this deck,” «nd Dudley Dash placed the pistol he held against the head of his prisoner. Captain Rafael cursed bitterly. He saw that he had caught a Tartar, and one glance into the face of his captor proved that he would do what he Pindatened, I “ Quick, sir! hail those boats and tell them to ut back. Your minutes of life are numbered you refuse.” ‘Ho! the boats! Weston, rest on your oars where you are, for aminute; Iam caught in my own trap,” rung out in the clear tones of the buccaneer chief. “Then we will dash forward and rescue you! Give way, men, with a will,” cried the officer in the nearest boat. “Order them back, I say!” and the youth's voice was hoarse with passion, “Back, Weston! for the love of God! back, or I shall be killed!” cried the chief in accents that he meant what he said. Again the boats hesitated, and not a cable’s length from the sloop. Now, captain, my plan is to at once get un- der way, and run close in shore, where your schooner cannot follow me. Captain Dusen- bury, rig a bowsprit just as quick as you can, and { hold you, sir buecaneer, as hostage; if «our boats follow, you die.” | “Do you intend keep me as a prisoner and band me over to the authorities ashore?” “T had not thought of that; it would be a yood idea,” t “Ther hear what Thave to say, TI am a reck- less man, and an outlaw: if taken ashore I would be hung, as you know: but I love life, rr as all men, not fools, do, and I will agree to i let you go, if you swear to release me as soon as Po be sloop 1s in a place of safety,” 4 dley Dash was silent a moment, and then $a n i id, * wee Sai te call e baal ' ‘TI will give the order for my boats to come on, and 1 will be killed. It ie Better to die at @ obeyed, Mr. Green- uch springing to work tondahing i Have yer caged the | | chap that ever wore breeches, When the schooner had rg eget from | | sight, Dudley Dash, who held t e helm, said quietly: ‘Haul that boat alongside. Now, captain, you and your man are free. An hour's hard row and you will meet your vessel. Here, sir, let me release you—there! [ will keep your sword and pistol as a souvenir, Farewell, sir.” With an oath the buccaneer sprung into his boat, followed by his companion, and Dudley Dash gave the order to cast loose. A moment after the boat was dancing in the wake of the sloop, and as all eyes watched the two thwarted buccaneers they saw them hurl the three dead bodies into the sea, and then spring to their oars with a will. ‘“ Wall, my young friend, you is the pluckiest Bless my soul, ef I don’t owe you more’n I kin ever pay,” and Captain Dusenbury Brased the hand of Dudley Dash, who quietly remarked: “You owe me nothing, captain; but, thank God! we are safe.” The captain was about to a 7, when he ob- served Noddy Tipplemuch an tir. Greenfiddle lying flat on the deck, and preparing to fire at the receding boat. ‘‘Blarst yer lubberly beasts, what’s yer doin’?” he yelled out. “Tm agoin’ to show them pirits thet thar’s brave men as defends this here vessil, an’ blow ther durned heads—” What more Mr. Tipplemuch would have said is unknown, as he was suddenly seized in the | strong arms of the captain and hurled into the cabim, knocking down Parson Squeezbreeze, who had just made up his mind to come on deck and search for Miss Nancy,.who had followed Dud- ley Dash and the prisoner. “You go arter him, durn ye,” yelled the irate captain, and Mr. Greenfiddie ‘followed the sur- prised Toddy, “Now fur the nigger—” But Buttermilk towered too high for the cap- tain to believe that he could so easily manage him; and besides, he had blazed away at the prone in the boat, when ordered to do so. If e hit any of the three who were killed, it was accidental, for Buttermilk had closed both eyes and fired at random. ‘* Now I’ve got ’em, and I mean ter keep ’em caged, They is enuff to worry one to death— hain’t they?” and Captain Dusenbury closed the companion-way and securely fastened it. Then, turning to the old maid, he said: **Miss Nancy, you’ve made a man o’ yerself this here night, an’ ef yer can’t git married, Pll marry yer myself, ef I'm ever a widdower.” Miss Nancy smiled sweetly, and was begin- pine to make a little speech, when Dudley Dash said; “ Now, captain, we will stand on up the coast with all speed—and keep close in shore, for there is danger further out.” ? “Thet’s sol!—You jist do as yer like, young- ster, kasesyou runs ahead o’ my time, ye do, an’ when we strike ole Kennebec, durned ef you won't be the boy as has done it. I’m yer pas- singer, I am; so go ahead, capting, an’ no ques- tions axed!” Dudley Dash smiled pleasantly, and headed the sloop uP the coast, while he mentally con- gratulated himself upon his narrow escape, and looked forward with glad hope of soon being at his cottagehome, CHAPTER XIi, THE RETURN, Tne scene of my story again pon eck to the iron-bound coast of Maine, and the humble home of the old fisherman, Carter Hayes, But over all rested an air of neatness and comfort that was not there when the reader last beheld it, for the dainty taste of Gabrielle Gas- ton, whom the old fisherman had found a ray of sunshine in his home, improyed the little cance and its immediate alge reatly. Beds of flowers blossomed in front o the door, a shell walk wound down to the beach, and pretty white curtains hung at the ‘windows, while all within was tidy an nviting. It was near the sunset hour, and upon the porch, in “tia hy the cotta; zo sat ede oy one was an old ne, ih a gayly colore bandanna around ie ead, and rticed ina plain homespun frock. worsted socks, and her hands kept time to a low, plaintive tind that s a was et aba 3 :. RS Ny Her face was still more than when rreine basa PPy nature, air, and t re. | tience? again at home, urs upon the quiet sclpa oa of the hills, and echoed along ‘the rocky | "NAO ip The Dare-Devil ; or, The Winged Witch of the Sea. ag Both Gabrielle and the old negress started, and turned their eyes seaward. eel. Sake ‘What can the frigate mean by firing, Pa- Is there any other vessel in sight?’ asked the maiden, glancing up and down the coast, and then letting her eyes fall upon a large ship of war that was lying a league away, | and just outside of a chain of rocky islan that formed a break-water for the little bay in front of the cabin, “I don’t see nothin’, missy; I guesses as how dey is jist shootin’ to scare fokes, an’ dey is doin’ it, too, kase I don’t like dem big guns, no- how; de Lord didn’t make dem big guns, missy, an’ I don’t like ’em,” replied the old negress, evi- dently displeased at having her tune broken in upon with such a rude bass as the roar of a heavy gun. “Hark! there it isagain, Can Father Hayes be running in, and are they firing at him, I wonder?” ‘No, missy; de boss hain’t bin gone but one day, an’ he didn’t spec’ to git back afore a week. Dey’s jist shootin’ kase dey knows it am wrong,’ But Gabrielle did not seem to accept the views of old Patience on the situation, and rising, began to narrowly search for the causo of the firing. bi and again pealed forth the deep boom of the gun, startling the birds from their coverts in the crevices of the rocks and pine thickets. “See, Patience, see! Now I know why sey are firing,” and Gabrielle. pointed seaward, where the skies were becoming rapidly overcast with inky storm-clouds, and a faint roar of a coming storm reached their ears. ‘“*Dat’s so, chile; dat big wessil am becalmed dar on de coast, and dat dar storm am goin’ to knock it apieces. Yes, chile, dey wants a pilot, dey does,’ “Oh! that Father Hayes was here!” cried Gabrielle, earnestly. “Tt won't do no good, missy. De boss am a reg’lar *Merican, an’ he hain’t gwine to help dat ship ef he war here, Don’t you see de flag, parte : “Yes; she is English, and therefore an ene- my; but humanity would cause Father Hayes to go to their aid and pilot them into the bay. T hope some good fisherman will do it,” * ‘‘No, dey won't, missy; dey wouldn't help dat wessil, kase she’s a enemy. No, chile, dem poor sailors is got to die afore our eyes.” “Oh! that I knew how to manage a large vessel! IJ would go.” Old Patience adjusted her spectacles, which she always looked over instead of through, and azed upon the young girl as though she be- ieved she had taken leave of her senses. After awhile she said, reproachfully: You is a gal, chile.” “And what of that? I have sailed the sloo many a time, and I know the channel well. See, Patience, is not that a boat? Yes, it is, | See, it comes around the point of land—just rounding the whale’s back.” “T see him, chile, Yas, dat am a boat, an’ it am headin’ here,” “Then it must be my father reti y. No, it is not his sloop, but a small boat, with a sin- gle sail. Who can it be? Hark! how piteougly those guns cry for help.” ‘It’s no use, missy; dey won't git nobody to help ’em here.’ “Yes, the boat is coming here, See, it has rounded the point, and ticre! he has hauled down his sail and taken to his oars, for there is not a breath of wind. How boldly he pulls! See, his boat just flies over the water. Oh! Patience, suppose that should be Dudley?” “Don’t talk of Massa Dudley, missy; de Lord am done hab him’safe in He bosom, ’ Poor boy, we nebber see him any mo’.” ; The tears sprung into the beautiful eyes of Gabrielle, but she said quickly; “No, Patience, I feo! that Dudley is not dead; he will yet return. Come, let us go to the beach and meet the boat, and I will urge whoover it Santali to go out to the aid of the English fri Be Swittl Gabrielle descended the shell pa ne os he beach, opomres poure he an the old negress, who, upon her arri foun se young girl dancing about and clapping her \ nas, — i" “Yes, Patience, it is, itis, Dudley! Don’t you Ber. oy him now? ' “ Fore God! de chile am right! It am masse: Dudley, or he ghost.” ‘ ; ‘The next moment the boat ran half its length out on the beach, and the well-known formof Dudley Dash sprung out upon the sand, and — clasped Gabrielle in his strong arms—he was ! d . 7 t ‘CHAPTER XI al, ly by n

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8 atte a Maras a = - Lae earnest 2aze at the frigate, whose ing guns each moment seemed to call more oudly. Anxiously she watched his face, and then | said quickly: ‘Dudley, that vessel is in terrible danger.” “Yes, Gabrielle.” | | and I will doit. How dark it is getting; it will be a fearful night, I tell you.” S Gabrielle cast a glance over the motionless | sea, and then upon the rushing storm-clouds, | ever and anon split in twain by arrowy light- ning, and then shaken with rolling bursts of “She will be wrecked if some bold fisherman | thunder, which devoured the deep boom of the does mot go out and save her.” “Yes; she is on a lee shore, and a more dan- | | signal gun. “This is terrible, Dudley,” and the young ‘ gerous one she could not have found—there is | girl shuddered and momentarily hid her face in not a breath of air, and yonder storm will burst | her hands. upou the sea within half an hour. See, the swell, driven before it is already coming in.” “ Dudley, is there no one to save her?” “She is English, Gabrielle; I know her well; | three nights ago I was on her, and condemned to be hung at the yard arm.” “You, Duley?” and the young girl’s face paled, “Yes; ticy.bezeved me to be a pirate—” “A piraiet believed you a pirate?’ and Gabri- elle raised her hands in holy horror, | ‘Yes: bit it is a long story—I will tell it you | another tims>—now I must cet.” ‘What ars you going to do, Dudley!” “Save youder vessel,” Now was Uabrielle’s time to object, for Dud- iey’s words had greatly alarmed her. Should he voluntarily go on board a vessel where he bad been condemned to death? “Took a here, Massa Dudley—you is a pop’lar boy in dis neighborhood; but, chile, ef der fish- ermens knows you sabe yonder vessel from ab- straction, dey gwine to git hoppin’ mad wid yer, an’ n9 mistake.” “No doubt of it, Patience; but must I stand here and see five hundred men go down before my eyes, wien I can save them?’ | ‘Dat’s a fack; but you kin turn yer eyes | away.” ‘¢ But their cries would haunt my very dreams. Where is t'ather Hayes, Gabrielle?” “ Gone to Portiand in his sloop.” “Then I must act upon uty own responsibilit —Gabrielle, [ am going aboard yonder vessel.’ , “ And I will accompany you.” * You! Why, little girl, you are wild.” “No, I am not. If you meet danger I will share it with you. Why, I thought of going | myself and trying to save the frigate.” | udley burst out into a ringing boyish laugh; | but the roar of the storm rendered it unintelli- but, suddenly checking himself, he said, as | though thinking aloud: “Yes, we can reach the frigate before the storm bursts, and once there the ra will be over, Besides, we can prove that I told the truth, and am not a pirate. Siting “Come, Gabrielle, we will take the life-boat. Patience, I guess you want to come, too?” he said, with a merry twinkle of mischief in his eyes. of: Nebber! bress de Lord, chile, you dane gone Git me in dat ray fur ' 2, _ “Why, I got the captain of : tne take his yawl, when we reached the mow the sloop to let of the Kannebee, and here { am; but see, Gabie, how rapidly those clouds rise, and just hear to have a terrible time, The frigate is aught, for she can’t budge until the gale strikes eo then she will a & this storm.’ ST lenow ‘that, Dudley; “Yes, if I arrive in timo; but it is a hard save that vessel?” ‘ill there be mux so heartless?” | for his life, for the life of Gabrielle, and the | across the waters, and Gabrielle waved her | ness failing to recognize him, as one whom he how the storm roars! I tell you, we are going one a er ie in Be eee and dar! airly | exclaimed Commodore De but you can save | storm. pul yet. Gabi ite. do you know there are | though the very sea were falling Poeae who will look unon it as a crime for me | her, and above her hovered the huge, rushing Dudley Dash made no reply, but bent to his oars with increased energy, while his face each moment became more daring and resolute. “Look! Gabie, how far is she off now?’ he asked, quietly. ‘Not a half a mile, and they see us, Dudley; | they are waving to us, and the gun has ceased firing; pull, Dudley; pull for your life, for the storm is‘sweeping up as though it would wash the very land away.” Dudley Dash cast one quick glance behind | him. What he saw there caused his veins to | swell out, his teeth to set hard, and every nerve | and muscle to strain, for he knew that he pulled lives of five hundred human beings. “Ho! the boat! Pull hard! for the love of God! pull hard,” rung in hoarse, startling tones hand in reply, while she trembled like an aspen leaf with excitement. She would not, she dave not speak now to him who was straining for very life and death. He knew every danger—he felt all; he could do no more than he was doing. A wild cheer of encouragement broke from five hundred throats; but the boy’s face was like marble—he heard, and he kept on at his killing, terrible stroke. “On! on! for the love of God! on!” rung out in trumpet tones. The boy heard, but remained silent, and still kept up his fearful stroke. Once he glanced into the face of Gabrielle; her nerve was gone; her face pallid, and, with | clasped hands and staring eyes, she gazed upon him—him, who held so much of life and death in his hands. Again there came a cry from the frigate— gible, and then all on board stood in silence awaiting. Nearer and nearer came the surf-skiff flying over the yet calm, but darkening waters, anc a next instant, rushed alongside of the huge rigate. A wild yell of triumph mingled with the roar of the storm, and then Dudiey and Gabrieile were seized in strong arms and dragged upon the deck, amid a’wild, heaving mass of human beings—they had reached the frigate one min- ute before the storm! CHAPTER XIV. ~ RUNNING DEATH’S GANTLET. “THANK God! you have arrived in safety, ilot. What is to be done?’ and Commodore eLancy met Dudley Dash at the gangway, and in the driving spray and increasing dark- had sentenced to death, several days before. “To save the frigate—set a jib; her foretop- sail—close-reefed, and spanker reefed down, Our only course is to get into the bay and under the lee of yonder island.” “A fearful chance; but we will aid you all in our Fe “Y shall need it. Come, Gabrielle, stand by | appalling of motion, and trailed along the sea, dragging volumes of water after en, while lei loomy shadows, added to the approaching ukness of night, rendered the land invisible from the frigate’s decks. - ‘My God! pilot, I cannot see how you can ‘kness,” + ] cy. “T know my bearings, sir. Tia! here comes ill drive right on the reef, | the storm. Down all! and hold hard! for your for it will be impossible to stand out to sea | lives!” on . As the clear voice of Dudley cut through the : he threw one arm around Gabrielle, and with the other clung hard to the wheel. Then down, down, sunk the noble Shige sah as under wave. | apy With the force of an earthquake it struck, and like a mere plaything the mighty vessel was hurled landwa: her beam-ends, while the roar of , then driven over upon | a ne ningling with the el Se na teers ; % mi ald eat the their hold, and carried shrieking away into the caldron of waters to their death. It was an awful moment, and the phosphor escent glare upon the sea, lighting up vividly the scene, all eyes were turned upon the young pilot, who still clung to the wheel. “Here! Hold this girl, and, on your life! cling to her,” and Dudley gave to a seaman the unconscious Gabrielle. Then he cast his eyes at the rigging. The main-topmast was gone, and thé fore-topmast, jib, and spanker had been blown into rib : “Cut away the masts,” cried Commodore De Lancy, through his trumpet. “No, she will right herself; hold!” cried Dud- | ley, and as he spoke the vessel was again thrown upon a mighty wave, and with a terrific lurch, that hurled a dozen more men into the sea, she righted—going so far over to windward that it was feared she would never rise. But a moment after the gallant craft righted, and was on a level keel. Again all eyes turned upon the young pilot; but he was calm and attentive for his eyes were sweepingly cast through the rigging. Then his voice rung out with a peculiar clear- ness that was heard by all: “ All hands to make sail! Set the fore-top- mast staysail and the fore-course! let fall the an topsail and mizzen-course! Lively men! lively! There was no need of the latter order; th” | willing seamen were already moviag with the energy of life and death. “She feels her sail! thank God! the canvas holds! At the wheel! starboard! hard-a-star- board!” The three seamen, aided by Dudley, threw | their whole weight upon the huge wheel, and the frigate’s bows swung slowly round; she minded her helm even in that terrific storm and a sigh of relief broke from the lips of alt on board. But the danger was not yet over, by any means. All around was darkness, and maa waters leaped high heavenward, while the winds howled savagely througly the ri ging, and the red lightning that momentarily lit up the scene but seemed to show the awful dangers sur- rounding the struggling ship. ‘What does she draw, sir?’ yelled Dudley at the top of his voice, although Commodore De Laney stood by his side, ““T'wenty-seven feet.” “Good!” I can run in, to windward of tly Whale’s Back—a channel to the south of us,’ replied Dudley, and he bent his piercing gam around him, : “Young man, the frigate is in your hands Tf you can save her, God alone must aid you," said Commodore De Lancy, who could see noth. ing landward to serve as a guide by which the Boy Pilot could get his bearings. udley made no reply; every nerve, every energy was bent upon desperate work before him, and he stood calm and confident while the ship drove on with a speed that was frightful. ‘ound him stood a score of officers, the lightning blazing brightly upon their brilliant hee i a uniforms, and in the waist of the ship, and for- — ward were hundreds of brave seamen, awai in breathless suspense the end of the frigh' drama they were playing, with Death. ' Not a word, not a whisper did any one utter; their lips refused utterance—their eyes took in the awful scene in one glance, and then upon the Boy Pilot; in him was their hope. ‘“‘Port!* put your helm! hard-a-port!” yelled Dudley in a voice that was heard only by the helmsmen at his side. ye A vivid flash of lightning had shown him his ship—ready, about!” came in startling to Lad action, stood breathlessly watching the result. f Would the good aby come round? mr) Would not the mad waves dash her back? Would it be death to all if Such were the mental questions asked. ; But the noble vessel swept up into the wind upon her decks, and she trembled, as if in abject terror, the bows went round, and thesails, cate ing the gale upon the other quarter, fi with a report like the discharge of cannon, “Starboard! hard-a-starboard! and about she missed stays? — and water, and though torr were hurled — kin a tones, na and all whom duty did not call upon to spring forged the frigate ahead once more with inf ful velocity, and rushing toward a huge wall foam directly ahead. oS ae “Men—we have to weather yonder there! where the sea breaks with such fury, we fall to leeward of it there is no hope. Keep her close! you know your duty. falls off half a point we are gone.” _ This was said to the helmsmen in severe tones, and with iron energy they | the wheel, and every eye was turn ger ahead. ede eee ee eee Suddenly a vivid flash of ligh danger visible; the vessel TTOW ( 1—an islan 3 9 time o! =

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PA tnd oe! at anchor. Then from the throats of nearly half a thou- sand men burst one dong, loud huzza: the frig- ate nad been saved by t Dudley Dash. —_—_— CHAPTER XV. A LEAP FOR FREEDOM. 16 skill and courage of ‘ Pilot, come with me into my room—you | fasry saved the up, and I would speak with ‘ou,” and Commodore De Lancy led the way ms his comfortable new yeni With the delighted Gabrielle—who had re- gained her spirits, now that the fearful ordeal was over—clinging to his hand, Dudley entered the cabin, where Commodore De Lancy and half a dozen of his officers had preceded nim. As he came into the presence of the English officer, he threw aside the slouch hat he wore, and which he had purchased in Gloucester, after kis escape from the frigate. “Great God! who are you?’ cried Commo- dore De Lancy, springing to his feet, as the bright lamp of the cabin fell full upon the youth. ; ‘Tam the one who just acted as the frigate’s pilot!” quietly returned Dudley. “That I well know; but were you not a pris- oner on board this vessel three days since?” ‘*T was—I was under sentence of death for piracy on the high seas,” ‘*Boy, I believed you dead; it was thought that you preferred drowning to hanging, and ‘nm some way managed to unlock your manacles, and sprung overboard.” “T unlocked my irons, and swam ashore. Had I not escaped, this vessel would now be in | _ pieces on the rocks.” “T know that well; but how did you get here?” ; “T reached the shore, as I said, in safety, after a long and desperate swim, and finding a packet sloop coming up the Kennebec, took pass- age in her. My home is on this coast, not one mile from here, and this young girl will prove to you that I told you the truth when I said I was no pirate.” All past at the teautiful Gabrielle, who blushed with confusion, and hid her face upon | Dudley’s shoulder. “Thank God, you escaped the fate of the three buccaneers who boarded the frigate with you! Come here, my dear, and tell me how it is I found this handsome young man on a pirate vessel,” Thus addrassed, Gabrielle ste peo forward and in a frank, earnest voice, told Commodore De Lancy, and his officers, all that she had learned from the lips of Dudley. “And did you know this frigate when you started to her aid?” asked the commodore, gaz- ing with admiration upon the face of the brave boy. uy did, sir. Humanity alone prompted tae act. What my countrymen will say of what I have done I do not know; doubtless they will aegis mea hstey “You are an American, then?” " “ot pees. ® and soul, a ” all American youths are like you, Eng- Jend had best look to her laurels eo dns oa said the commodore, earnestly; then he added: : eset what can. I do for you, for saving the * Allow my sister and myself te r “ Our surf-skiff is on the deck.” pean home. “ But what reward can I—” “Commodore De Laney, I will take no re- ward for what [ have done; did I do so, I would look upon it as blood-money,” and Dudley's ayes flashed with pride, “ Your age Pages ir accept this,” “No, sir, J will accept nothing,” frankly re- Jied Gabrielle, and the English officer sscmet fo feel himself in a bad position, After a while he said: “My young friend, no thanks of mine, or those whom you have saved, can ever repa you, and you will have nothing else; did I thi i ‘you would accept it, believe me I would offer you a commission in his Majesty’s service; but as an American I fear you would refuse it.” ‘Most certainly, sir; but I thank you for your kind offer.” “For my having once sentenced you to death forgive me—I it from my heart; but you oo sponse ender most suspicious bra Stances, an very bad company, you mi “rang aes that i past Here, wees be es i is one I am en to give from the king o: Great Britain, to any officer whose Migthisaished aca have won it; you have more than won * ‘As Commodore De Lance ke he pinned seg the left breast of Dudley Date aiacnns medal sparkling with ious stones, The youth’s eyes | aahod with pester be, tiad vil Fe ; or, The Winged Witch of the Sea. | won acknowledgment from an enemy, but he — said quietly: ae thank you, Commodore De Lancy, I will wear this medal in memory of this eventful night; now will you permit my sister and my- self to depart?’ The Englishman looked perplexed—‘t My young friend, cannot you stay and pilot us out 0 sea?” “No, sir; I saved the frigate when in danger; in calm weather you can tow out with your | boats at slack tide, and after taking sound-~- | ings.” | some lea, “Ts this fair? You have us ina trap, should an enemy come along and catch us here, or a force from the land attack us.” Dudley was silent a moment and then said: #1 will send you one, when I return, sir, who will pilot you to sea; but for fear he may get into trouble, you must promise to land him es up or down the coast, and he must come on rd to-night.” ‘Ts he as experienced a pilot-as yourself?” “But one other pee knows this coast as I | | do, sir, and he would never serve you; but the man I will send you is an experienced \pilot—he is an Indian.” : Commodore De Lancy stepped aside and held converse with several of his officers in a low | tone for a few moments; then he returned and said: “Much as I regret it, my young friend, duty to my king, my ship, my officers and my crew, compel me to detain you to act as our pilot. wiil take several days to refit, and repair the damages we have sustained; but as soon as we | are at sea, you shall be sent ashore.” Dudley’s face flushed, and then paled, while an angry light came into his eyes; but control- ling himself, he said, calmly: ; “ My sister at least can return on shore?” “ Certainly—I will call away a boat and—” “She has her skiff, sir; she can return alone | held a | in that. Come, Gabrielle!” As the two left the cabin, Dudle short, whispered conversation with Gabrielle, and then the surf-skiff was lowered into the | water, and Commodore De Lancy himself aided the young girl into it, again urging upon her the acceptance of a purse of gold, which she in- dignantly refused, for her temper was up at the detention of Dudley. J Silently they watched her row swiftly away, until she eg psa behind an island, and then Commodore De Lancy said pleasantly: “Come, my young pilot, you are to be my guest for a few days. I will give you dry clothing to put on.” Dudley said nothing but walked along aft, until the Englishman started into the cabin companion-way; then, with a sudden bound, he rushed to the side of the frigate, and sprung overboard into the sea! CHAPTER XVI. OUT OF THE SEA AND INTO IRONS, Tue act of Dudley Dash was as unexpected as it was sudden, so that it was a minute before those who saw it realized what he had done. Then there arose the ery—‘‘ Man overboard!” “Lower away the boats!” added an officer, while Commodore De Lancy, returning quickly on deck, and learning the cause of the alarm, at once countertuanued the order, : “No, let him .o. A boy as brave as he is de- serves to go free.’ , But all eyes sought the water for some sign cf the bold swimmer, yet nowhere was he visible, “He may have drowned?” suggested an officer. “Not he! One who risked what he did three nights since to escape from the frigate, has per- fect confidence in himself. Let him go, and we will work out of here as best we can,” and Com- modore De Lancy re-entered his cabin. As for Dudley, he kept on under the water, sw_vaming in a certain direction, and when he rece ‘or breath, only held his face up to inhale air. Then he again swam under water, until he felt he was too far off to be seen, when he arose to the surface, and struck off with bold strokes for a small and distant island. * At length he reached the lee of it, and here, quietly seated in her surf-skiff, was Gabrielle, “Well, Gabie!” “Oh! Dudley, I am so glad you have come. I feared you might not get away, but I was going to wait all night for you.” “T made it easily. Now give me the oars, for I need pyre eel warm me up.” ; ing the oars, the youth sent the light skiff rapidly over the waters, and in an hour was in sightof the beach; but between the spot where they then were, and the beach, rushed a fearful sea, which had bouréed over the outer reef, and driven by the wind, made even that | land-locked and island-guarded bay, a turbulent mass of waters. ; “‘Gabie, I never saw it rough like this in here before, but we'll risk it, for as soon as we reach | the lee of Fisherman’s reef, we will have it plain rowing to the beach.” ye ‘Go ahead Dud; I am not afraid,” said girl in the stern of the surf-ski Tt’ it, for the waters were wilder than he imagined, But he could not retrace his way now; he must keep on, and ir emg Sp the tumul- tuous waters he pulled on with all his strength. But, in the darkness, and with his back to his course, he lost his bearings, and suddenly tho skiff was dashed with terrible force upon sunken rock, * Both Dudley and Gabrielle were hurled into ne young girl around the waist, crying: “Now, Gabie, we have to swim for it! Strike out with me—there!” Gabrielle was a good swimmer, and s brave girl; but in those mad waters she lost partly her presence of mind, and Dudley had nearly her whole weight upon him. went ‘‘ahead,” to the next moment regret water—the — to instantly clasp the But he bore up bravely, and after a long, hart struggle for life, reached the lee of Fisherman’s | reef, where Gabrielle was able to help herself. | . Ten minutes more and they landed n the | beach, both utterly exhausted by their efforts. | After a short breathing-spell they went up the sary Sg to the cottage, A bright light gleamed through the windows, and numerous voices were heard within. Opening the door, they entered together, The room was filled with tobacco smoke, Patience was cooking before the fire, and 9 dozen rough-looking men were seated around, smoking their pipes, and conversing in boisterouy tones, At the sight of the youth and the young girl the men sprang to their feet, and one of thens said harshly: | “Dudley Dash, who piloted that frigate inte | Crescent Bay?” “I did, Daniel Dawes,” z a you know that she was English?” es,” “Then I axrest you as a traitor to your cou try. mi Hold out your hands, boy, for the brace le ‘ Dudley Dash knew the man well; he was tin | county constable. \ Without a word he held forth his hands, while his wrists were immedi- ately ironed; he was looked upon as a traitor ta | his country, and had become the prisoner of a gang of heartless men. CHAPTER XV. PATIENCE AND GABRIELLE AS ALLIES, By midnight tne storm had so far abated that | all of the men, except two, left the cottage of Carter Hayes for their own homes. _ The two were the constable and his assistant —they were to remain all night at the co and go on with their prisaner to the town o: Bath the following morning. ; But there were two persons determined that Dudley should not go there, and those two were old Patience and Gabrielle. Unwittingly the old negress had told who was the frigate’s pilot, to a group of men who had come the coast, and instantly pronouncing Dudley a traitor, they had sent off for the con- stable to arrest him. Now that they had him, Patience was deter- mined that they should not hold him, and at once she and Gabrielle put their heads together to plot a plan of escape, udiey, who was calm and hopeful, felt, as ke watched the plotters, that something was’ g ing on, so to aid them all in his power, he asked Daniel Dawes to let him go into the next or 3 S = FS = & Z 2 28 bs £ z Once in the room Patience, under a pretense of getting his clothing went in after him, and whispered: _ “Chile, it’s gwine to be all right—Missy Gabie an’ me gwine to fix dem mens, an’ you kin git pa “That I am anxious to do, and for one reason in particular: but, work carefully, for Dawes ix a sly fellow.” ; “Hab no fear, massa; we're fixin’ t’ings al? ri where the two men sat. “Say, old auntie, can’t you give us a bite, and a pull at some.of Hayes’ good old rum?’ asked Daniel Dawes of Patience. “Yas, massa; I was tinkin’ you mout be hungry like; I gits you somefin to eat.” In half an hour Patience, with Gabrielle’s aid, set before the officers of the law a tempting supper, which they had sharpened their appetites for by several pulls at a black bottle. - 4 This is indeed good, auntie: but the bottle’s ‘You shall heb ‘nother, sah—Massa Hayes git wery mad ef I didn’t gin yer all ver wat in 1e's house,” and Patience placed another bottle before them—not rum as had been the other, but pure French brandy, which the eld pilot Bae SOA years before from a wreck on the coast, The men ate to brhek ny ha or rather stom: the were -skiff, and Dudley ! ted to rise from the achs’ content, and drank dee fact that they Gah rank ; tab! ‘ ht,” and the negress re-entered the room a cee

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Siesta inal i But the effort was too much for them; the | Dudley met the gaze unflinchingly, and re- | “Will you stand in and attack her at her | anchorage, sir?” calmly asked Dudley, politely hearty meal and mixed liquors had done their | work, and they leaned forward upon the table | and were soon snoring deeply. Patience, in clearing the things off, managed to abstract from the pocket of Dawes’ jacket his | bunch of keys, for she had seen him place them | there, and handing them to Gabrielte, she con- tinued bustling about the room. But instantly Gabrielle had slipped into the pthar room, where Dudley was lying asleep up- on his bed, for he was utterly worn out after all he had gone through. A light shake awakened him, and the chain attached to his feet rattled ominously. *'Sh—Dud! Don’t speak! Here, let me unlock your irons.” ‘© And Dawes?” ‘Ts fast asleep, as is Simmonds also. There, ou are free; now you must get out of the win- | ow. Be quick!” and Gabrielle gently raise the sash. Quickly Dudley sprung through, and the next | instant Gabrielle followed him, when the youth | ntly lowered the sash. “Now, Dud, which way?” “To Portland. I will take my cat-rigged boat and run down the coast. Gabie, it was | good and smart of you to release me,” “Patience did it, Dud; I only helped her; | but are you going to join Father Hayes?” “No; £ overheard Dawes say that the Senti- nel, an American frigate, was in Portland har- bor. [am going down to bring her up to fight the Englishman.” “Oh, Dudley !” ‘Tt is true. I can get back before the Eng- lishman sails, and then I will prove that fam no traitor, as they dared to call me.” “Oh, Dudley—this will be grand,” “Won't it, Gabie? but don’t mention it toa soul; and, Gabie, [ want you to do something ‘for me; it promised Commodore Delancy that I would send him a pilot, and I wish to keep my word, so I depend upon you.” ‘What shall I do, Dud?’ “Go over the hills to-morrow to the cabin of the Tarrantine—” ‘The Indian fisherman?” “Yes—old Tellico—and say to him that I wish him to go on board the English frigate to-morrow night, and be ready to pilot her to | ” “ Will Tellico go, Dud?” “Yes: he will if you tell him I asked him, You know I saved his life three years ago, and he has not forgotten it—” “Yes, and people said you were a fool to risk your life to save an Indian.” “T know it, Gabie; but he was drowning, and it would have been sinful not to have gone to his aid: but you tell him to let no one see him board the frigate, and in the day-time to Reema of sight, as there will be people watching the ship from the shore with glasses.” “Yes, Dudley.” “And tell him to only pilot the frigate be- ‘ond the reef, if she goes out at night; if in the y-time, to some place on the coast where he can leave her without being seen, for I do not wish to get him into trouble; and, him to delay her as long as ible, with some excuse about the tide and wind, for I wish to get back ou must be off, for I am awes will wake up.” At once Dudley set off for the beach, and was soon in his boat, the same in which he had erossed the bay to the northward, when he res- With’ coal to th irl, he raised a -by @ young girl, he raise his sail, reefed close, for the wind yet blew half a gale, and started down the coast, his craft g over the waters with wonderful “ars and, with a fair breeze over her quarter, head- ing for Portland! CHAPTER XVIIL AN AMERICAN COMMODORE RECEIVES IMPOR?- ANT NEWS. Commoporr Dunoan, the commander of the American frigate Sentinel, was ashore, enjoy- a) hoa hospitality of one of Portland’s w ‘thy ns. Around him were gathered a number of dis- bap gentlemen, and in the room were bevies of lovely women, flirting with the com- modore’s handsome young officers. *€ An officer woul with you, sir; he is in the reception room,” said a servant. The commodore excused himself, and entered, the designated apartment. An officer advanced to meet him, and by his side was a youth of eighteen, clad in fisher- man’s garb, and with a pale, haggard face. © Ah! Lieutenant Wheeler, it is you? Any- Nie: wrong aboard ship?” “Nothing, sir; bet I took the liberty of troubling you as this youth is the bearer of most important news.” | of your years. | and, as I had told her, waited under the lee of “Indeed! What is it, my man?” and the ecemmodore turned his keen eyes at once upon the youth, in whom the reader has doub recognized Dudley Dash, plied in his clear, self-possessed tones: ) “Commodore Duncan, last. night I piloted the English frigate Iron Duke, Commodore De Lancy, commander, into a small bay on the Maine coast, above the mouth of the Kennebec river.” “‘Tndeed! I knew that the Iron Duke was on | this coast somewhere; but why did you take her in where she could damage our citizens?” “She was becalmed off my home, and the storm coming up would have wrecked her. I acted for the sake of humanity, sir, and—” “You are a bold-spoken young man for one \ What is your name, sir?” ‘Dudley Dash, sir.” “Well, Mr. Dudley Dash, go on with your | story.” “JY had just returned home, sir, when the storm was coming up, and seeing the frigate’s d | danger, my little sister and myself went out to | her in a surf-skiff, and arrived just in time. | ‘After anchoring under the lee of Crescent | Island, I asked to go ashore, and the commo- | dore, because I refused gold, presented me this,” and Dudley handed the commodore the decoration his courage had won from an enemy. | ‘*By Heaven! your services must have been | great for him to have given you this, boy. | Many men have lost their lives in striving to | win a trinket like this; but go on with your | story.” “Commodore De Lancy refused to allow me to go ashore, as he said I must pilot him to sea again; but my sister departed in the surf-skiff, | an island for me, and I jumped overboard and | escaped.” * Brave boy! I wish we had more like you | in servico; but go on.” “Upon my return to my home, I was arrested by the county constable as a traitor to my country; but Gabrielle and—” “Who is Gabrielle?” “My adopted sister, sir.” “ I see, ” “Gabrielle and Patience—” “* And Patience is—?” * An old negress, a servant.” ‘Go on; Iam deeply interested; are not you, Wheeler?” “Indeed, I am, sir; it was on hearing his story that I determined to bring him to you.” “You did right. Proceed, my lad.” ‘Well, sir, Gabrielle and Patience got the officers of the law drunk, and released me, and | I took my boat and ran down here, because [ heard the constable say that there was an American frigate anchored here, and I thought I could pilot it up the coast and aid in the cap- | ture of the Iron Duke.” ‘“Nobly said, my gallant boy, and you shall; but, has not the Englishman put again to sea, you think?” ‘“No, sir; the frigate was somewhat damaged in the gale, and lost two score of men over- board. The commander said he would remain several days for repairs, and J sent an Indian to pilot him to sea again.” “Why did you do that?” ‘*T promised to send some one on board, if they would let me £93 but I told Gabrielle to ask the Indian to delay all in his power, as I would come as soon as I could with the frigate.” “Splendid! Now, my! boy, we'll go at ongs aboard ship and get under ig it we cap- ture the Englishman you shall have a midship- man’s berth on the Sentinel. Until after we meet in combat, you shall be my pilot.” A proud smile crossed the face of Dudley Dash, and his heart throbbed with joy and hope as, half an hour after, he stood at the wheel o the Sentinel, which, under a fair breeze, was swiftly gliding out of Portland harbor—bound yes a cruise in search of the haughty English 08. CHAPTER XTX. THE BOY PILOT. ‘WHEN we get abreast of yonder island, Commodore Duncan, we can see if the English frigate is in the bay,” said Dudley Dash, who stood at the wheel of the Sentinel, amid a group of uniformed officers, ‘ At once all was excitement on board the American vessel, It was feared that their enemy might have flown, but every heart beat high with hope that she was still in the bay, for, though the Englishman was slightly the superior of the Sentinel in-men and , yet all on board, from the commodore the powder- monkeys, longed to try their strength with the | Tron Duke. As for Dudley Dash, he was more than anxious, for he wished to redeem himself in the eyes of all who had called him a traitor. Every eye was at once turned upon the island, and, as the frigate slowly glided abreast of ita wild hurrah burst from’ officers and crew; the English frigate was still at anchor in the bay. £ the coming of the American was a sur- prise to the English vessel was evident, for t gp emma dog on once vieibie una ecks, e roll of her drums, beating to quarters, was inctly heard on the Sentinel, saluting the commodore. “I would rather fight her with plenty of sea- room: Beat to quarters, Mr. Whee er, and have a shotted gun fired to leeward to dare her out.” There was little need of the order to prepare for action, for the willing crew were already at their posts, and the officers hastily equipped themselves in fighting trim. Steadily the American then stood on, taking in all superfluous sail, and by the time she cama opposite to where the Englishman lay, she was ready for the work of death. In the meantime the English frigate still lay at anchor, though she was apparently prepared for conflict, but trusted to the American having no pilot to enter the bay. **They are working rapidly upon their re- pairs, sir. Shall I stand on in?” “No, pilot; we will give him a surprise first; he doubtless thinks we have no pilot. Mr. Wheeler, fire the gun to leeward and run up the | Stars and Stripes.” “Ay, ay, sir!” With the deep boom of the gun, and roar of the shot landward, the flag of the United States was run up to the peak, and the long pennant of the commodore fluttered from the main top- mast, Instantly the blood-red flag of England was spread to the breeze, and the pennant of the inglish commodore hung above his decks, But the gun was not answered and the work of repairing went steadily on. “ We'll stand off and on for awhile, Mr. Dash, and then suddenly surprise him by standin into the bay. There does not seem to be muc working room there, though?’ “There is plenty, sir. The islands cause the bay to look smaller than it is.” “ And there is plenty of depth, you say? You know these vessels of war nia deep in the water?” “Excepting on the shoals and sunken rocks, which I know well, there are seven to ten fathoms in every part of the bay, sir. The Englishman has the Indian for a pilot; I recog- nize him standing ss the wheel”—and Dudley Dash handed the glass he had been looking through for some moments, to the commodore, “And you recognize some one else on the rocks, yonder—eh?” said the commodore, smil- ing. % Yes, sir; my father and sister are there, and asnumber of country people.” “Well, they will have a chance to witness a grand fight. I pray God they may not see the stars and stripes go down in gloom,” ‘“T do not fear it, sir. The Sentinel, I think, will prove a match for the Iron Duke.” “God grant it! Now, pilot, you can stand in; but it looks to me as though there was as much danger in running through this rock-bound channel as in fighting the Englishman.” ‘*‘ Never fear, sir; I know every foot of water about here. The Englishman seems determined not to come out,” ‘ For that reason I intend to go in and attack him. Pilot, the sailing of the frigate is in your hands; for God’s sake have a care.” Dudley Dash made no reply. He at once took his stand at the wheel, and in a few moments the Sentinel was heading in toward the bay, through one of the narrow and circuitous chan- nels that led from the sea shoreward. It was now plainly evident that the English- man had not believed the American able te come into the bay, and was greatly surprised to see her ce aa standing gracefully through the channel, at the same time again taking in all but her working sails, for she had set extra canvas when standing off and on. “The Englishman is slipping his cable, sir. He is swinging round to the breeze. There! he is standing across the bay with royals aloft and topsails on the caps,” and Dudley Dash seemed to feel a tremor of delight at the prospect of the engagement that must follow. e Sentinel was now within a mile of the Tron Duke, and advancing at a slapping pace. As she drew nearer, another was to leeward, and instantly the Englishman squared round and answered it with a broadside that shook the very sea, and rumbled like a hundred bursts of thuader along the rocky coast. With fearful velocity the iron hail rushed on and tore over and through the brave American, sending down a topmast there, cutting away a heavy yard here, and crashing through the mas- sive hull, to leave the deck slippery with human gore. Instantly the American luffed, and again the thunders of artillery shook the hills, while her hull seemed on fire as the guns belched forth their iron loads, and the Iron Duke trembled from keel to truck as the fearful shock came, with far more disastrous effect than had been her own fire upon the Sentinel. Then the roar of the guns became incessant, as the two huge sea-warriors tacked about the little bay, each moment lessening the distance that divided them. Nearer and nearer they came to each other, and rattle -and fiercer and fiercer arew the roar Bae ES at Or ae me sae os “Ea aed

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B | ure as Dudley greeted With their rigging shattered, their hulls pierced in a hundred places, their decks strewn with dead and dying, and their crews stripped te the waist, still fighting their guns, the ‘a vessels approached within almost pistol-shot distance. Then the Englishman was compelled to go about to avoid a sunken rock ahead, and as she did so, the boy pilot saw his advantage and quickly altered the course of the American so that a raking fire was poured from stem to stern upon the Tron Duke. The effect was appalling, and ere the English erew could recover from its effect, the voice of Dudley Dash was heard above the roar of bat- tle, giving orders to the sailing crew, and the if next instant, by a masterly and daring move, | he laid the American alongside of the English- man, * Boarders, ahoy! Follow me!” rung out in the cheery tones of Lieutenant Wheeler, who led the boarding party. As he sprung upon the Englishman’s deck, wslender form was by his side. It was Dudley Dash, with pistol in one hand and cutlass in the other. Then began a desperate hand-to-hand fight on deck, while below decks, on each vessel, the heated guns were pouring their fire into the trembling hulls. But human nature could not long withstand the ape os rush of the Americans, and in an hour from the time the first shot was fired, the flag of the Iron Duke was hauled down. Instantly there fluttered up to the peak in its place the Stars and Stripes, run up by the hands cd Dudley Dash, the boy pilot of the victorious rigate, e had nobly won his berth, as a midshipman, * in the navy of his country. | CHAPTER XX. THE DARE-DEVIL MIDDY. TH Sentinel had won a great victory; the Tron Duke had struck her colors to her bold ad- versary; but each vessel quickly stood away for the lee of Creseent Island and dropped an- chor, for both were badly battered in hull, shat- tered in rigging, and groans of anguish went up from a hundred throats on deck and in cock- pit and ward-room. _Commodore Duncan was as gallant an enemy as brave, and Commodore De Lancy’s sword was returned to him. By the side of the American officer, when he had his interview with the English commodore, stood Dudley Dash, a proud smile upon his face; he had erased the ban of traitor from his name. ** And you, sir, were the pilot of my conqueror! By Heaven! I half believed it when I saw the rly manner in which the frigate was han- dled,” and Commodore DeLancy turned his gaze upon the youth, who replied quietly: ; “Yos, sir; I sought to redeem myself in the pee) of my countrymen, for saving your ves- sel. ‘*And nobly have you done it, boy; you will yet win a great name for yourself, and you de- serve a commission,” said the kind-hearted Eng- n, “He has already been appointed a midship- man in the American navy, commodore. . Dash, you can now g0 ashore to visit your ; Pein Ping tire vediy:: coma regarding you. your duties” z rning and commence upon ou, sir,” and politely saluting both officers, Du ey left the cabth and went sy deck, aes diate is Sets ee crew Senti and ade, boatsw rainy springing be era wav is pai aroun i in stentor tones : head and cri rousing cheers, lads Dudley Dash, the Dare-Devit Mita eo" The roar of voices that responded was almost deafening, and the youth’s face flushed with joy and confusion; but, politely raising his hat © bowed low to the enthusiastic crew, an walked across the blood-stained deck to the ee. a he Mondego sight of a coming alongside, and containin op f Telli ’ 6 gangway s e orm of Tellico, the Indian pilot, whose eyes flashed with pleas- Sou did vol Tellico; but, what detain You did we ico; but, what detained eee so long, while we were delayed by “Much heap work to do. Tellico had heap much gold—see!” and he displayed a bag of the bah pu metal, given him for his services. whole Castles, then, then I | new that you ordered her | TA a RS RST Ke 11 ‘“Ay, ay! Watch her closely! Mr. Wheeler, wheel, for, excepting myself, no man on this | I think that must be the schooner,” coast could have brought the frigate in by the | Boy, my brave boy, I am | channel you came. proud of you,” and Carter Hayes wrung the midshipman’s hand until he winced. Springing into the boat, and followed by Tel- lico, the party at once set off for the shore, | | where upon their arrival at the beach they were met by hundreds of fishermen and coun- | try people of both sexes, drawn to the coast to see the sea duel between the frigates. “Wall, I do declar’—-ef yer hain’t ther gamest All was excitement now on board the friente, which was brought a point in nearer shore, aud Lieutenant Wheeler went forward to give his orders to call the boats away. “Ho the deck!” suddenly came from the {ore- top. ‘Ay ay!” ‘It is the English privateer we have tcep chasing, sir. I can see her now, with my nck ‘ | ed eye.” boy in these yer diggin’s, then jist call ther ole | woman a liar,” and old Patience almost hugged Dudley in her joy at seeing him. _ As she dropped his hand Daniel Dawes, the | constable, stepped forward— | | | i : y | IT tes the “Forgive me, Dud;-I was rather hard on you, I admit; but you must mind that-the wind | was against you; it did look bad; but then, the old nigger and Gabie got revenge for you, for I’m cursed if I hasn’t a headache yet from that liquor, and my partner is drunk yet! I fear they’ve made a hopeless drunkard out of him.” Dudley laughed heartily, and replied: pearances were against me; but, it is all over now, and for my services I have been made a | midshipman on board the frigate.” ‘* Hooray! hooray for Dudley! hooray for the young middy!” was heard on all sides; and cheer after cheer was given, until Dudley was glad to escape to the cottage, where he made known all that had happened to him, since he left home, a year and a half before, to attend college, “And now you are to leave ps again, boy? Well, it is doubtless best; but, Gabie and myself will often think of you, cruising about the seas, and pray for your safe return,” “And Pll ask Patience to pray for you too, She knows all sorts of prayers—won’t you, Patience?” “Yas, chile; I'll pray to de goo’ Lor’ ebery oe an’ mornin’, and He will hear my prayer, ef I be on’y a poor ole cullud pusson.” Swiftly the afternoon passed, and toward sunset Dudley and Carter Hayes rowed out to the frigate to ask Commodore Duncan to the comnre te ser ap : Wi aply © commodore accepted the invita- tion, and late at night, when he went down to the beach to take yi’ boat back to the frigate, he told Gabrielle he had never enjoyed a more gee evening. Dudley went aboard e following morni the Sentinel and, re ted for duty, and shortly after the two trigasen stood out to sea, the Dare- Devil Middy, as the sailors had dubbed him, when they learned of his most adventurous career, at the helm of the American, and Carter Hayes at the wheel of the Iron Duke, for Com- modore Duncan had engaged the old fisherman to pilot his prize out to sea, ne | an offing Carter Hayes left the Iron Duke, and returned in his own boat homeward while the two frigates stood down the coas' toward Portland, where they were going for re- pairs, which they sorely needed. Standing at the wheel, Dudley gazed astern until the snow-white cottage faded from his sight in the distance, and then with a deep sigh Ba Samed away: his career as a midshipman gun. CHAPTER XXI. THE DARE-DEVIL MIDDY AT WORK. “SEVERAL months after the scenes related in the last chapter, a large vessel of war was cruis- ing slowly along the southern coast, in the waters of the great inland sea, known as the Gulf of Mexico, In her fore, main, and mizzen top were sta- tioned look-outs with glasses, who were earnest- ly searching the many indentures and inlets along the shores. ; Upon the vessel’s deck both officers and men were all glancing landward, as if searching for some object. J Upon the PO ei eat of the sea-warrior, which the reader will recognize at a glance as the American frigate Sentinel, stood the well known form of Commodore Duncan, surrounded by his officers, among whom the slender, ful figure, clad in full uniform, and the hand- some, daring face of Dudley Dash was visible. “Mr, Wheeler,” and the commodore turned to his lieutenant, ‘‘should we discover theschoon- er, I wish to take her with the boats, for we dare not venture within two leagues of the shore in the frigate.” ; : “Ay, ay, sir! What officers shall I take, and how many men?” promptly answered the officer. “She cannot possibly have more than sixty men, I think, Take four boat’s crews with you and I'll give the midshipmen a chance, "Let Mr. Dash go assecond in command, to you, and other boats.” i “Yes, “Ho! the mizzen-top! What is it you top masts Vw Ney “Ay, ay! Quartermaster, bring her a pont further in shore. There, steady as you oie!" Now, Mr. Harlow, we will come to anchor hive, for from this spot we can blockade the little Englishman,” and Commodore Duncan turi:ed to his second lieutenant. A few moments more and the frigate came to anchor, just as the sun went down, and about two leagues off the inlet in which lay the scheon- er, the raking masts of which could now be seen from the deck, over a low point of land. A mile upon either side of the frigate two elbows of land jutted far out into the gulf, so : | that the privateer could not are to sea with- “T hold no ill-will, Daniel, and I admit \ap- | out coming under the fire of t guns. Just as darkness rested upon the waters, the 10 American's | four boats selected for the expedition were iCO- | Midshipmen Trevor and Roy go in charge of the | of a schooner over the avenge his ‘called away, and the picked crews soon filled them. “Let fall! give way!” came the stern order from Lieutenant Wheeler, and the boats moved slowly off in a line heading shoreward. Aftet\a row of a mile they pulled more swift- ly, and iy an hour’s time approached the nar- row inlet,\in which the ficet little privateer had taken ?efuge, for the frigate had been in heey of hehseveral days, eer to be dis- need by the Syperior speed of the schooner, which had been fates considerable damage to American shipping sa southern waters. Presently the leac Ne boat stopped, and the others came alongside. **Mr, Dash, you will take the schooner over her bows; Mr. Trevor, You will attack upon the starboard quarter, and.Mr, Roy on the port, Iwill board over the stern and go first. “When I have struck the craft, you will at- tack, Mr. Dash, and then the other two boats must follow. Do you understand, gentlemen?” asked Lieutenant Wheeler. “Ay, ay! sir!” answered the three midship- men, ‘Good! ‘Now row to your respective positions, and success attend you. The four boats then separated, each taking a - different course, and moving slowly over the dark waters. A half mile away the schooner lay dark and threatening. No light was visible on board; no sound came from her decks across the waters, It was evident that those on board expected an attack, and were lying in ambush, as it were, to meet it with ioscainad and deadly resist- ance. Proud of an opportunity to again display his courage, Dudley Dash steered boat to the spot best suited for his attack, and then the men rested on their oars, quietly awaiting (he canal for the daring charge over the waters. Talf an hour dragged its weary length along, and there was heard the sound of rapid rowing; the ringing voice of Lieutenant Wheeler broko over the waters; a cheer from his boat’s crew sewed, and the charge upon the schooner had R Give way, men! with a will!” and the voice of Dudley Dash rung out, clear and strong But, as the oars broke the waters there came suddenly a Lies red light, flashed up from the schooner’s decks; a roar of cannon and mus- ketry followed; and then was heard a crashing: of timbers, shrieks of pain, and yells of triumph; the combat was begun in deadly earnest. CHAPTER XXII. ' THE ATTACK AND ITS RESULT, “On, men! Pull for your lives, or we'll feel the weight of their heavy metal,” cried Dudley Dash, as he heard the iron crashing through the — boat of Lieutenant Wheeler. ’ j With a yell the oarsmen bent to their oars, and the boat fairly flew t! the water. F But, keen eyes watched its progress, and again a red glare lit up the scene, and with a_ deafening roar, a torrent of grape swept above the heads of the crew. : ‘By Jove! that would have ended us, Cease rowing,” rung out in the voice of Dudley Dash, Tnstantly the boat glided noiselessly on, and sila IN a was strained to catch the sound of combat. wi “My God! can they have sunk Lieutenant Wheeler?” cried Dudley, and as he spoke a dis- tant hail was heard co from the water. — “Put back for the love of God! they have sunk us.” eA SN hi “Give way, men, with a will, and lay aboard yonder schooner!” sternly ordered the D Devil fate! ; He woul comrades! are» {not go back now! ‘He would on and < byes:

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“ Way cr Ward her off there!” and | ec ‘with the order utter was under the bows of the schooner. There was a bright flash above their heads, a deafening roar, a rattle of small arms, and sev- eral men fell back dead in the boat. But the Dare-Devil Middy sprung upon the schooner’s deck, his pistol flashing before him, an his cutlass sweeping around him, and at his * back cain a dozen bold seamen. “At them, lads, at them!” and the handful of gallant tars pressed forward with a cheer, > and their inevitable onslaught drove the Eng- : lish crew backward into the waist of the ' Americans into the sea, had not Norvel schooner. But here they rallied, and, trebling their ad- versaries in number, would have swept the evor ’ and his crew just then clambered over the high _ bulwarks and gallantly ics oki: Dudley. Still the schooner’s crew far outnumbered the attacking party, and would have again driven them back, had not a yell resounded behind: them, ani Audley Roy and his men boarded | - over the stern. This reinforcement, which was considerable, for Midshipman Roy had picked up the crew _ from the sunken boat, completely turned the tide ra affairs, for the Englis were betwecn two es. Still they were in larger force, and fought - with stubborn desperation, as became British * seamen, and it was for a long time a desperate . hand-to-hand conflict, with English and cans mixed together in a confused melee, meri- At length, Audley Roy, with one arm hang- . ing limp at his side, from a pistol-shot wound, reached the side of Dudley, and said, hastily: Mr. Dash, you are in command; Lieutenant " Wheeler was mortally wounded, and his boat wrecked; he is now in my boat astern, and ayo : ‘God knows I am sorry to hear this; but, Roy, we must beat them. Ho, Trevor! Ho men! Lieutenant Wheeler is dying! On! an - avenge him!” With renewed cries, and desperate courage, the seamen pressed forward; and, led Dudley and his fellow-midshipmen, their charge was irresistible, Slowly the English crew were driven back, and at length they could go no es they were fighting on their quarter- eck. Here they made a dogged stand for a few moments, and hot and cruel was the combat; ‘but at length they dwindled down to a gallant few, whose commander at length felt that it was his a not to sacrifice more lives. “ Hold! surrender my vessel,” he cried, in choking tones, and he lowered the point of his sword; and then, turning it around, held the hat toward Dudley Dash. q The light of the battle lantern fell full upon _ the youth, and the Englishman gazed upon his se WHEN und eae handsome, boyish face with rise. “Tf would surrender my sword, sir, to the offi- cer in command.” **T am that officer, sir!” “ You! a midshipman by your uniform?” “ Yes, sir! but keep your sword. I am sorry ou not surrender sooner—it wo ave you did it would h seved many valuable lives.” *“*To whom do I surrender, sir?” **To Midshipman Dudley Dash, of the Ameri- can frigate Sentinel. What schooner is this?” “The English privateer Dreadnaught—seven gune and ninety men,” professionally replied English commander. “Captain, if yourself and officers give me their word not to attempt to escape, I will not confine you. Now we will look after the wounded,” and Dudley Dash step to the stern and sprung over into the boat tied there. In the stern-sheets lay the form of Lieutenant Wheeler. Placing his hand upon his pulse the youth started; it was forever stilled; the gallant offi- eer, his first acquaintance on board the frigate, and his warm friend, was dead; his spirit had ssiled away to cruise through an unknown m. Returning on board the schooner, Dudley set to work with a will to look after the wounded, who were rous, and it was some time ere they were all attended to. ~ en he called his own men to their posts, the anchor was hauled up, the sails set, and the schooner moved swiftly out of the inlet. Heading for the spot where they had left the frigate, the schooner dashed on for half an hour; but to the surprise of all, the Sentinel was not discovered. ; “ Keen eyes and night-glasses swept the sea for miles around, and searched closely along the shores for a nee of the frigate, but no sail greeted them—the schooner was alone upon the waters, and the frigate nowhere in sight! ‘Whither she had gone, or what had become of her was a mystery to all. ; CHAPTER XXIII. AUDLEY DASH PLAYS A BOLD GAME. ogee at length broke over the sea, with all on poor (peanetie (te waue waste of water fora slimnee of the friga’ The Dime Library. | But the sun illumined the sea, and nowhere was there a sail in sight. ‘The frigate cannot be seen, Mr. Dash,” said | ley sat in conversation with the English officer. **T am sorry, for it places me in an awkward situation. Keep the lookouts aloft, Mr. Trevor, and I will stand off and on here until I am cer- | tain the frigate will not return. How is Mr. Roy?” “Much better, sir; it was but a flesh wound he received, and now that the surgeon has dressed it, he has reported for duty.” “He isa brave fellow. Mr. Trevor, you will act as my first officer, and Mr. Roy as my second, until we find the frigate.” “* Ay, ay, sir,” and with that etiquette which is demanded ona well disciplined vessel, Norvel Trevor politely saluted his boy commander and left the cabin to attend to his duties. But a long and weary week of anxious watch- | ing sed away and no frigate came in sight. en Dudley Dash called his brother mid- shipmen to a council, and it was decided to-run | to Haven in search of the missing Sentinel, for it was known that she intended going there. “She doubtless gave chase to some strange sail and ran so far away that she concluded put into Havana and await us, taking it for granted that we would capture the schooner and follow her there,” said Mr. wae “Tt may be that Lieutenant Wheeler had some orders that we did not know,” returned Dudley. ‘That must have been the case, sir. I would advise starting for Havana,” remarked Norvel Trevor, “ And I,” joined in Midshipman Roy. “Then to Havana we go. We can at least get rid of our prisoners there, and procure a supply of stores, of which we are in need, and then_we can go on a cruise after the frigate.” ‘Or turn the schooner over to some American vessel-of-war that may be in port.” *““No, Mr. Roy; I do not intend to do that. We captured this schooner after a hard fight, and I will report only to Commodore Duncan. If I cannot find him, why we will serve our country on our own account as a privateer.” Both midshipmen looked at their young com- mander with surprise. He wasa daring officer, they both knew, for they had seen him tried; but would he dare do what he threatened? Fearless as he was, they almost feared he would not—I say they feared he would not, for such a reckless adventure just chimed in with their own spirits; but Audley Roy said, quietly: you have no commission as a privateer, sir. “T seized this schooner, and I need no com- mission. With the stars and stripes at the peak, I care for none. ‘“ What will the men say, sir?” asked Norvel Trevor. ‘T shall not ask them. If they mutiny, they do so at their peril. Mr, Trevor, put the schoon- er away for Havana,” and the Dare-Devil mid- shipman spoke in a tone that proved he was in deadly earnest. After a rapid run the Dreadnaught anchored under the frowning guns of the Moro Castle, and Dudley Dash swept the harbor with his glass in search of the missing frigate. She was nowhere in sight, and inquiry proved that she had not put into Havana at all, Here was a quandary; but Dudley Dash proved himself equal to it, and at once acted with promptness and decision. His first move was to parole the English com- mander and his crew, and send them on board a British sloop of war anchored near him. This done, he sent Audley Roy ashoré to pur- chase all supplies needed, for with the schooner he had captured a large quantity of gold. Soon stores were on board, and the schooner’s bow boldly turned seaward, “Ts not that craft a beauty?” asked Audley Roy, as the schooner was gliding out of the harbor, and he pointed to a rakish-looking craft that was lying under the guns of the English sloop of war, “T never saw a more beautiful vessel. She’s as saucy as a pirate, and can sail like the wind,” replied Dudley, with enthusiasm. ‘She’s a prize to the English sloop, sir,” said the man at the wheel, politely touching his cap. “*An American, then?” “ Yes, sir, she was built by a rich gentleman ne go 1 serbia Mra on his gil i ge Et ot sloop captured her by runni ‘oul of her ina ¥ This I leased “whan 1 fog. went aboard with the gg esterday, sir.” “Td like fo recapture her,” said Dudley, quietly; but he turned his eyes away from the beautiful vessel and ordered; Mr, Trevor, call the men aft, I would speak with them.” “ Ay, ay, sir.” As the schooner gained the open sea three- score of hardy tars stood in line before their young commander, who, after eying them for a moment, said, in his frank, cheery tones: “Lads, unfortunate death of Lieutenant ¢ captured schooner still cruising off ‘Wheeler placed me in command of this schooner. ‘* What his orders were, I do not know; but, certain it is, that after accomplishing the duty | Audley Roy, coming into the cabin, where Dud- | we were sent upon, we found our frigate me. “You well know that I waited more than a week for her off the inlet where we left her, and have now just left Havana, where we came in search of her, but without success. “Tt is still my intention to search for the | frigate; but also to cruise as a privateer until we find her. In this determination my officers | have supported me, and I have called you aft | to know if there is one man in this schooner who fears to sail under the command of the Dare-Devil Middy?’ 5 The wild cheer that greeted his words was certainly most gratifying to Dudley Dash, wha | doffed his cap, end replied: | ‘Lads, I thank you; from my heart I thank | you. Iam but a boy in years, but you have all seen me tried, and I see in your midst the gal- lant tar, Dirk Harding, who gave the name by which you ars pleased to call me. Mr. Harding. until we find the frigate, or it finds us, I ap- point you my acting third lieutenant.” | Again a rousing cheer greeted the boy com- mander, and he felt, come what might, he could wholly rely upon his officers and men. “What course shall we steer, sir?’ and Dirk | Harding, an honest, brave old sailor, whe had once been captain of a merchantman, and afterward boatswain on the Sentinel, came aft, and politely saluted. _ “‘Head for Absco, in the Bahamas, Mr. Hard- ing. My first duty will be to pay an old pirati- | cal friend a visit—one he will little like,” and the young adventurer descended into his cabin, while the fleet schooner bounded swiftly aleng on her course. CHAPTER XXIV. CAPTAIN WINWOOD AT HOME, My readers certainly have not forgotten Cap- tain Winwood, the buccaneer chief, whose pre meditated attack on the villa of Judge Raynor, had proven ae to Dudley Dash. _ Now, Captain Winwood had a double motive | in this raid upon the villa; he not only desired ’ | to possess himself of the judge’s gold, but also to run off with the fair Louise, whom he had met several years before, when he was an oflicer of the navy of the United States, and dearly loved her: But the captain was a very fast man, and his wild life led him into difficulties which caused him to take life to extricate himself, and then he was compelied to fly the country to save his neck from the han ’s noose. ; { After his flight, he wrote to the fair Louise, and begged her to become his bride, and re- ceived from her an indignant reply, while the judge intimated in a letter to him, that it would ae serious thing for him to again cross his Pee ? Having ‘cruised the buccaneers in : southern waters, Captain Winwood knew where to find a place of refuge, and accordingly Ay cast his lot with a horde of pirates, who soon ' after made him their chief, for, to say the least of him, he was a brave and skillful officer. After his narrow escape from capture by the Tron Duke, Captain Winwood left Dudley and his boat’s crew to their fate, and stood awa‘ . for that part of the coast upon which dwelt 4 Judge Raynor and his lovely daughter. Entering the little bay, not far from the uni- versity, he selected a score of his best men and moved slowly toward the villa. But his coming had already been discovered, and instead of gold he got lead and steel, froma party of worthy citizens, who drove him rapid- y to his boats with a loss of half his men, Putting to sea again with all dispatch, Cap- 4 tain Winwood, the following morning, sighted be small sloop that was standing rapidly toward m. At first he believed it to be a party coming ,) from the shore to attack him: but a closer ob- A servation through his glass proved that the sloop ss was manned, and carried only half a dozen mem ¥ upon her decks. \ Shortly after a signal was displays, and, ¥ coming to, the schooner awaited the approach y of ae sloop. 2 “, ae | was soon alongside and two men sprung on Ye i ip of the Sane ab bite : e one was Paul Dunstan, and excited —the other Loyd Newton, scat ra and indiffer. m ent. : “ Paul Dunstan—do I see aright?” exclaimee the buccaneer captain with surprise. : “Yes, Winwood; I am, like you, a fugitive-—. F we little thought when we were rivals for the “A oi love of the fair Louise, that we would one day pee be outlaws; but so it is.” Rl py on Races are an ijk eed es; things went wrong with me asho I got into some trouble. A fellow I had in she st Mma and I had to olear out, for looking after his own, I saw and recog» ‘. rae your schooner, and put out to her but, - * oe et me introduce my particular friend, ; ; Newton. We are both open tor a baru abo os our vessel, and I have four men here who will ‘ tr Cyt 3 in aba (ot kein a5 ; T have had bad luck of late. Isthis your sloop#® = %

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Ee * near the island. rigging, <a iipaewaiel “Yes; I bought her months ago, to kidnap . the judge’s daughter; but my plans miscarried, | -asdid yours last night: but what in the name of Satan did you do with that boy you cut down | after Newton had hung him up?” “Took him to sea with me and tried to make | a pirate of hina: but it did no good; yet he was doubtless hung for a buccaneer, as [ sent him aboard a cael one night that I thought was a | mupply ship, and which proved to be an English frigate, that very nearly caught my schooner. The boy wounded you in a duel, I believe?” “Yes, and I came near dying, curse him. I hope he is hung; but, come, captain, set the | sloop on fire and let us get away from this aeighborhood, for I don’t. like to be so near | shore.” ‘ Captain Winwood gave an order to one of his | mnder officers, and the sloop was set on fire and | * turned adrift, while the Sea Lance at once set sail, heading on a southerly course, With the cruise of the Sea Lance I have little to do; but will state that it turned out a most | ansuccessful one, and with a mutinous crew | Captain Winwood was at length compelled to jtand away for his island rendezyous in the | Rahamas. | | He had been there but a few days, and was thinking of putting to sea again, when one day a vessel was reported approaching the island. Taking his glass he left his cabin on shore, and walked to a high hill, commanding the entrance to the little bay in which his schooner was an- | thored, | Landward, the view was certainly uninviting, | for a succession of sand-hills and rocky gorges met the eye, dotted here and there, close to the beach of the little bay, with rude cabins, the komes of the buccaneers when. on shore. In the little land-sheltered bay lay the Sea | ance at anchor, and with her topmasts down, to prevent being seen by any vessels passing On the high point of land jutting into the sea, was a masked battery of three cighteen-pound- ers, that commanded fully the approach to the bay. totus at this point that a lookout was con- | stantly kept, and upon his report that a vessel was in sight, Captain Winwood had ascended the hill, and turned his glass upon the strange “She is a large schooner, and armed, and shoe heads direct conn the entrance to the bay. She means mischief, ‘and I must see to it; but what . traitor can be at her helm to bring her here? Ha! she flies the American flag! 'y heaven! there is to be warm work here, for yonder craft romes on noerrand of peace.” ; So saying, Captain Winwood hastily descend- ed the hill, and his stern voice soon called his men to busy action. , “Tnto the fort there, a score of you, and man those guns! ‘ Mr. Dunstan, you and Newton take charge of the fort, and Valdos and myself will go aboard the schooner and prepare for ac- tion. If the stranger comes directly on, pein a hot fire upon him, and if he runs the gant. et of the fort, I will lay him aboard with the Sea Lance.” j The officers and men at once set out for their respective posts, and when Paul Dunstan reach- ed the fort he found the strange schooner within 2 mile of the shore, and standing rapidly in to- ward the entrance under fighting canvas, and with her men at the guns, CHAPTER XXV. THE BUCCANEER AND THE MIDDY. _ Hlavina reached the masked battery, or fort: as Captain Winwood was pleased to call it, Paul Du and Loyd Newtown set about ae tions for firing upon the schooner, which was standing swiftly in, berger under the guid- ance of an experienced pilot, for no vessel would otherwise dare run in so boldly upon an own shore. Bho is near enough to fire upon; blaze away!” Dunstan. See Oe oly did not tike to see the flag of his country coming so near, with ile intent. The canvas screen, made to resemble a bank of sand, was instantly removed from before the inning muzzles of the long eighteens; then fhe burst of artillery fairly shook the hill, as tlie three poured forth their fire. - Two of the iron messengers sped wide of the mark; the third struck the schooner somewhere in the waist, and it was evident hit her hard. But the fleet vessel still stood on, disdaining to re IY, and in spite of the rapid and well- efi 8 re from the hill, soon ran in under the land where she would be out of the range of the at ee | through a severe pee for the point of her long bowsprit was sho ‘away, the main-topmast was hanging by the and severel ugly looking holes were in her decks, which were ‘blood-stained, and here and there dotted with the dead. Once into the channel, and the schooner | stood on, as fast as her shattered condition would ad- git, and soon glided into the little bay, where ‘ho sea Lance came in sight. ~ Tou'antly the buccaneer craft stood across the harbor to meet her, and luffing quickly, gave | craft unhurt. A wild cheer broke from the men, and with | ee _ The Dare-Devil; or, The Winged Witch of the Sea. . her a terrible broadside, which again did con- siderable damage, Upon the schooner’s quarter-deck stood Mid- shipman Dash, his eagle eyes taking in tho whole scene—his face pale, but calm. When the broadside of the Sea Lance struck | his vessel, the order to fire trembled upon his lips; but suddenly checking himself, he cried: ue ‘Men, we are hurt too bad for the schooner to be of much further use; let us take yonder Boarders, ahoy!” an order to the helmsman, Dudley Dash sprung forward to lead the boarders, But again came a broadside from the Sea Lance; fortunately it cut away the rigging, and | human life was spared. As the mainmast tumbled to the deck, drag- ging the foremast with it, the Sea Lance was skillfully laid alongside, and with maddening yells the buccaneers sprung on board the almost | wrecked schooner. Dudley Dash had formed his men in a solid line, just under the shelter of the quarter-deck, and as the mass of buccaneers hurled them- selves upon the American vessel, there came the stern order: ** Together, men—fire!” It was a telling volley, for one half the buc- | caneers went down, and ere they could recover from their surprise, for they had deemed vic- tory in their grasp, the cheering voice of the Dare-Devil Middy rung out: “Up and at them, lads!” With ringing cries the irresistible mass moved | forward, and the remaining buccaneers were wis into the sea. ‘*Boarders, ahoy! on their own decks we'll fight them now,” and Dudley Dash sprung upon the Sea Lance, followed by his three officers and two score of men. There he was met by Captain Winwood him- self, and his remaining buccaneers. But the onslaught of the Americans drove them back, and Dudley Dash and the buccaneer chief were face to face. “You here? You were not hung then?” “No, Captain Winwood. Lay down your arms and your life shall be spared, for what you once did for me,” “Never! Isaved you, to make a tool of you —through you to rob J udge Raynor, Curse you, boy, you owe me nothing,” savagely said the buccaneer chief, and drawing a pistol quick- ly, he leveled it at Dudley Dash and pulled the rigger, But the powder flashed in the pan,* and Cap- tain Winwood, with a bitter curse, sprung for- ward, with drawn cutlass, “So be it, then! Now, I will take your life,” and the two blades crossed. Though a mere youth, Dudley Dash was a fine swordsman, for an old coast-fisherman, who had once been a British sailor, had taught him the use of all kinds of swords, and constant practice had made him proficient in the art of self-de- fense, and offense. Therefore Captain Winwood found that he had met his match, for he did not cut down, as he had expected, his brave youn adversary. Then followed a hard-fought combat—the buccaneer chief fighting for the death of his enemy, and for his own life. Dudley Dash de- termined to slay the man before him, and there- by rid the seas of a fearful scourge, With flashing eyes, hard-drawn breath, and muscles severely strained, they fought on, until at length Captain Winwood seemed to feel that his hour had come, for his men had surrendered, and the Sea Lance was won by the Americans. Once his eyes glanced upward—but whether in prayer or not, none knew; then his face be- came ore and his lips white, while his nerve seemed leaving him. : ‘“‘ Will you surrender now?” sternly said Dud- y Dash, . 3 “Tf I slay you shall my life be spared?” hissed the chief. w Yes, you shall go free. Mr. Roy, you see to it. “This is madness, Mr. Dash,” said that officer impatiently. . : “TY promise him his life if he kill me; see to it, Mr, ee repeated Dudley Dash. ‘If I surrender—what then?” “You shall be hung.” e ic To the death then be it; your life or mine, OY. ‘ With fierce determination Captain Winwood again pressed forward, to be met with calmness and skill which his fury could-not destroy. A few moments rant bs the combat went on, and then Dudley Dash seemed to suddenly nerve himself to greater exertion; the result followed almost immediately, for Captain Winwood, the eur 3 chief, received his death-blow at the ds of the Dare-Devil Middy. CHAPTER XXVI. AN EXECUTION. As Dudley Dash struck Captain Winwood to the deck, there came a sudden shout from the men; but it was not altogether a cheer—for a * At that time—1$12—flint lock pistols and guns were in use, ~ AUTHOR, le ‘ ‘| us have their execution over, anxious to gain | One Xna Tit tell ery of alarm mingled with tt—as a terrifle yell answered the cry of the Americans, and twa boats dashed alongside the Sea Lance, filled with men, Interested as they were with the duel between their boy commander and the pirate chief, the seamen had not noticed the coming boate until they were Sad aboard; but they met the attack with a volley that momentarily checked them, and the buccaneers seemed as if about to re- | treat. But, suddenly, Paul Dunstan and Loyd New- ton rae upon the deck, and their comrades quickly follewed. There was a rattle of fire-arms, a clash of blades, and Paul Dunstan fell to the deck, mor- Ly wounded, by a pistol shot from Audley Roy. At the same moment Dudley Dash rushed for- ward and struck the sword from the grasp of Loyd Newton; but, instantly, he started back, erying: ‘* Am I right—you are Loyd Newton?” “Yes,” sullenly replied the young man, as ha held forth his hands to be ironed, while the buc- caneers, secing their leaders beyond all resist- ance, lustily cried for quarter. “And Paul Dunstan, too, leagued with pi- rates,” and Dudley Dash turned his gaze upon the dying man. Slowly the eyes of Paul Dunstan opened, and then met the gaze of the young midshipman. ‘“Ha! you are victor in the end. Thank God{ Til not be hung,” and then as his eyes feli upon his friend in irons, he said, recklessly: ‘‘ New- ton, yowll be hung. Our life of piracy was a short life, and—a—merry—merry—cruise—Goa, —have merey—upon—my poor—mother—too late !—too—late!” Again the eyes closed; but he still breathed, ver Dudley Dash knelt beside him and said, softly: “Your mother shall never know how died her son, I will send her word that he fell in action with an enemy.” The eyes again opened, and the right hand felt for the grasp of Dudley, who quickly took it. Then their gaze met, and a smile came upon the face of the dying pirate, while his lips parted with the simple words: “Thank you.” They were the last words ever spoken by Paul Dunstan; a moment after he was dead. ““You'll hang me, I suppose?” Dudley started. It was Loyd Newton whe spoke, and whose eyes ge upon him, “Piracy upon the high seas is punishable with death, ou were taken on a pirate deck, in the uniform of an officer, and reniating ‘ American seamen; yes, Loyd Newton, you sh die,” and Dudley Dash turned away. “Have you no mercy?’ groaned the con demned man, “Such merey as you once showed te me, Loyd Newton, just such mercy will I show to you. Mr. Roy, get together these buccaneers, and let We have much to do, for our schooner is in a sinking condi- tion,” “Ay, ay, sir.” An hour afterward the stores and best arms of the sinking schooner were transferred to the Sea Lance, which ran in alongside of a small pier, built out from the shore. Then on the beach the prisoners were drawn up in line—thirty-five in number, and five of whom were wounded, Glancing keenly down the line, Dudley Dash said, sternly: , “Men, my experience on board your vessel some time since, convinced me that many of you were buccaneers against your will, various circumstances, which, perhaps, you could not control, nave caused you, as Tcan well under- stand, to enlist under the flag of the pirate. “ By the laws of nations you have forfeited aga lives, and though I do not promise you reedom from all punishment, I pledge myself to intercede for you, and beg that you may be pardoned, excepting your three officers now remaining—Mr. Newton, and the Spanish Lieu- tenants, Valdos and Pedro, For those three there is no excuse; they must die! | “But my: clemency toward you is on one con- dition—that you enlist as seamen under m command-—that you do all the work assign you, and upon your good conduct depends my report to my commodore. Should one act of yours cause me to feel that I am disappointed in you, the man who commits that act shall be hung five minutes after. Do you agree to my terms?” PP. \ Ifa hearty cheer was an indication, Dudley should certainly have been satisfied, for the re~ deemed buccaneers fairly’ made their throats sore with yelling, while one hardened old sinner, favor, cried out: ; er, capting, whar yer kin gita dozen more likely lads—they was tuck from a wreck some weeks ago, an’ is prisoners in yon- der cabin for ther same that they would not jine our bloody band o’ cut-throats. ; “Go and bring those men here, sir,” The ex-buccaneer Seen wine a and in ten minutes returned a haggard

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14 Their story was soon told—they were all that remained of an American privateer, which had been wrecked in a storm, and washed ashore on tue pirate island. With this addition to his crew, for the priva- teersmen willingly enlisted under the gallant midshipman, and hjs buccaneer recruits, Dudley Dash found himself in command of a hundred seamen, * All hands ahoy! to witness execution!” then loudly called out old Dirk Harding, the acting third lieutenant of the amateur privateer, and The Dime Library. tracted by some articles for sale in a shop win- | dow, As he turned to walk on he beheld a pair of | gleaming black eyes gazing at him from within the shop. Somewhere before he had sven that face—but where? That was what puzzled him, and in vain he strove to forget the unpleasant impression they > left si him as he walked along. the seamen, ex-buccaneers and all ranged them- | selves in line amidships, on the Lea Lance. A platform was then erected over the star- meet bulwark, and a dozen weather-beaten tars detailed to act as the executioners, and armed with muskets. Then the three Von tr were brought up, | and mounted ate 16 platform—Loyd Newton, allid and shaking as if with ague; the two | paniards, with livid faces, but a stubborn, in- different manner. ‘Dash, for God’s sake, show me mercy. Re- member, we were students together. Do not have me killed,” cried Loyd Newton, wringing his manacled hands in agony. Dudley Dash was very pale; but his face was very firm, and his eye unflinching, as he re- plied: ‘*No, Loyd Newton; there isno hope for you; you must die. Mr. Harding, is all in readi- ‘aess?” “ Yes, sir.” “Then do your duty, sir.” J Immediately the squad of executioners were walled to attention, and at that. instant Loyd Newton dropped upon his knees, and his hands were stretched out in supplication—perhaps in i prayer to his offended SAS pay tp in en- treaty to the stern youth whom he had once so deeply wronged, and who stood with folded arms, and stern face, gazing far out over the waters. “oe Fire y” With the ominous word, twelve guns flashed forth their death-knells and the three buccaneer officers fell dead upon the platform. Their evil Yves had ended in gloom and despair, CHAPTER XXVII. UNDER ARREST. THE et any eed the capture of the pirate stronghold by Dudley Dash, that gallant young officer called a council of his officers in the luxu- nriously-furnished cabin of the Sea Lance, for his own schooner had been completely used up im the fight. “Tsend for you, gentlemen, to make known my plans,” he said, as the three officers seated themselves, ‘‘ You are aware,” he continued, ‘that my two visits to this ‘island, when on board this vessel, under Captain Winwood, en- abled me to come here and attack the buccaneer stronghold! Unexpectedly I found Winwood and his vessel here, which gaye us harder work than we had anticipated, for I expected to cap- ture the island, and await his return, and sur- ee him; but, as it is, we are successful, and ough we lost our own vessel, have captured one nearly as good; but I am determined to have a better craft, and I learn from several of the buccaneers that the schooner captured by the lish sloop, and which we saw in Havana was chased by Winwood on three occasions, an ran away from him with ease—as the schooner is larger than the Sea Lance, and was thorough- ly armed, it was doubtless the desire of the owner and captain not to fight unless compelled to, and to grow rich off of merchant prizes. Now, I am determined to have that schooner, and shall sail to-day for Havana. Ifthe schooner is there I shall watch my chance, and cut it out, ving it understood arle.' reports spread ashore that Captain Winw did it, and thus avoid trouble between our government and Spain. If the schooner has gone on a cruise, so much the better, for we can take her on the high seas. If we find our frigate, in the meantime, why our cruise will be at an end. Am I second- ed by you in my plans?” An affirmative answer was at once given, for all now felt the most perfect confidence in their young commander, and his wish was then law— where he dared lead, they dared to follow. One week after leaving the island rendezvous, the Sea Lance dropped anchor in the harbor of Havana, the stars and stripes flying from her peak. With joy Dudley Dash beheld the coveted schooner still at anchor; but the bee i poeciod her captor, was nowhere visible; she had gone off in search of other prizes, Selecting several of his most trustworthy sea- men to aid him ashore, and giving strict orders that no one else should leave the vessel, Dudley Dash landed, at an isolated pier, and went to an inn, to which he had been directed by an old seaman, who had been often in Havana, Here he obtained temporary quarters for his men, and the several sailors who were to aid him by shipping on board the captured schooner, and then he sallied forth to glean what news he could. He had discarded his uniform for a citizen’s suit, and was strolling slowly along, when he was at- He had gone on slowly for half a dozen blocks, when he heard quick steps behind him, and turning quickly he beheld the shopman and two | soldiers approaching him. “That is he; I know him well,” said the shop- man, in Spanish, and the two guards stepped forward, one of them saying sternly: ‘*T arrest you, senor; resistance is useless.” ‘““And why am I arrested?’ asked Dudley Dash in the best Spanish he could command. “That you will soon know. Come, I must iron you.” At first Dudley Dash seemed as if about to re- sist; but then, thinking there must be some mis- take, he held forth his hands, and iron manacles at once clasped his wrists. He was then marched off to the guard-house, where the shopman, and several other citizens, whom he had collected on the way, heldan earn- est conversation with the officer of the guard. What that conversation was Dudley did not know; but at its termination the officer said: “Well, young sir, I shall have to carry you to the moro for safe keeping.” “And why? I am an American officer,” in- dignantly said the youth, while his brain was whirling with conflicting thoughts, Had his men already betrayed his intended cutting out of the schooner? Was the Sea Lance known as a pirate vessel, and he arrested as a buccaneer? But these questions were net answered, and he was placed in between a file of soldiers and marched off to the gloomy Moro Castle. Soon the frowning, misery-holding Moro was reached, and the guard and their prisoner drew up at the massive gateway, as several gentle- men, in brilliant uniforms, and accompanied by elegantly dressed, and parly vailed ladies, pass- ed out. In front walked a man of noble form and dis- tingue air, while his face was darkly bronzed, fine looking and stern. Upon his breast glittered a dozen brilliant dec- orations, and he was clad in the uniform of a Spanish general. Hanging upon his arm was a form of rare grace and beauty, while the half-hidden face was sufficient to show that, seen entire, it was wondrously lovely. As they passed out, the eyes of the maiden fell upon the face of Dudley Dash. At once she started, stopped and gazed more intently upon the prisoner, and then turned and said something in a low tone to the gentleman, who at once turned toward the “Whom have you there, senor?” he asked of the officer in charge. “A young pirate officer, Senor Eccellenza. He was arrested upon the charge of several citizens who knew him as one of the buccaneer Winwood’s crew.” A “Ts he the same, Carmalita?’ asked ,the gen- eral, turning to the maiden, who answered quickly: “He is the same, father.” Then throwing back her vail, she stepped for- ward and said, addressing Dudley: ‘*Senor, where have we met before?" ‘Upon the high seas, when I boarded the ves- sel on which you were a passenger; you then eid taxes this ring,” and Dudley Dash held forth Ss “T have been told of ee kindness, senor, to my daughter—nay, to all who were with her on that eventful occasion; but you stand but now confessed of a crime for which there is no par- don—piracy, “Tt had been better had you never dared to enter Havana. Then I would not have had to pass the death sentence upon one to whom I am under great obligations; but you have seen fit to venture here and you must look for no mercy from me.” “Father! Eccellenza! would you thus con- demn him to death? Remember, he saved en life, my honor!” and the maiden spoke wit rising indignation. “Tt must be so. Iregret it; but he must die. Senor officer, place the prisoner in the Moro, and tell the commandant to see to his safe keep- ing.” & Si, Senor Eccellenza,” and the officer moved into the prison yard with Dudley, who felt that all hope was not yet gone; he had caught sight of a ear from the beautiful Ca ita that bade him hope, for she was his friend. Ten minutes after Dudley Dash found himself alone in a dark, damp, and gloomy cell, against the outer wall of which he could hear the surf beating with ominous roar. CHAPTER XXVIIL A WOMAN’S PLOT. As night fell upon the town and harbor of Havana, following the day on which Dudley dl up to the closed gate of the Moro, and was challenged by the sentinel. the commandant’s door. “T would see the senor commandant, Ask him to come hither,” said a sweet voice, cmd a moment after a gray-haired, dark-faced officex approached the carriage, his hat in hand. “Good-evening, senor commandant. ‘Yor have a prisoner here that I would see.” “The Senorita Carmalita! How can I serve you, sweet lady?” and the officer bowed low. “T have just said, senor, that you have a prisoner here that I would’ see. Need I show you the order from my father?’ and the maiden half held forth her hand, containing a small paper. ‘By no means, lady. Your sweet face would pass you anywhere—whom would you see? I will have him ordered to your fair presence.” “No; I would see him in his cell. It is the young American who is held asa pirate. He once saved more than my life; now he is con- demned to die and I would speak with him.” ‘“*T remember, lady—a mere boy, and a splen-+ did looking fellow, too, It is a great pity that he should have become a Baie Heke mero, escort the senorita to the cell of the young pirate—his cell is the first in the water row.” A young page came forward, and under his escort the beautiful girl wended her way down into the gloom of the fortress. ‘Here, jailer, the senorita would see the pi- rate,” and the page addressed the man in charge who recognizing the fair visitor, bowed low an hastily threw open the door of a cell. “You can retire along the corridor. I will call you when I need you,” said Carmalita, shuddering at the chill that pervaded the place. The jailer and page withdrew, and Carmalita stood face to face with Dudley Dash. “* Lady, this was noble of you to come hither,” said the youth, arising. ““T have sought you for one purpose—to save your life. You will certainly die if you remain here. Why did you come hither?’ For an instant Dudley Dash determined t¢ tell the lovely girl all—that he was no pirate; then, he changed his mind and said, quietly: “An important duty called me here, siays but, I swear to you that I am no pirate. Ap- pearances are against me; but yet [ could clear myself, were I given a trial, which under Span- ish laws I will not be granted. Spain shows no mercy to an enemy.” ee maiden’s face flushed, but she replied, quietly: “This is no time to talk of what you are, or are not. You are doomed to die. Tonight T will send a priest to you. Dress yourself im his clothing and escape; he will take your placu here, and—” “Be punished on my account. No, senorita, I will not gain my freedom through the suffer- ing of another,” pes. replied the youth, ** Nobly said; ut he whom I send will meet with no punishment, I pledge you.” ‘*Then I will do as you wish,” ' ‘In two hours’ time he will be here, and he will tell you how to get out of this prison, Then, for the love of God! leave Havana.” “T will, lady.” “Tt is well. Adios—” and the lovely girl turned away, and a moment after the iron door closed upon Dudley Dash once more. ~ But with hope in his’ heart he paced his nar row cell—to and fro, to and fro, until again he heard steps a) eens = Nearer-and nearer they came; then a light’ flashed through the grating, and once more door was thrown hee Before him stood the jailer, and a person in priestly robes. “Senor, the good father would hold converse with thee for the welfare of thy soul,” said the jailer, and closing the door he withdrew. “Senor American, [ have come to save you. Here, take this priestly garment, and throw it around you.” * Dudley Dash started. It was the voice of Carmalita that addressed him. Her tall, elegant form was concealed beneath the dress of a priest, and the cowl hid complete- ly the beautiful face and raven curls, As she spoke she took from beneath her robe a dress similar to her own. ‘No, senorita; I will not leave you here,” © said Dudley Dash, firmly. ‘Nonsense, boy. The jailer knows me well, and I have bribed him.” AS soon as ‘OU pass out and are free, he will return and take me to,; his rooms, where I will remain until you baye time to get out of Havana, or con in some way; then he will bring me this cell, and go and report to the commandant, that in going his nightly rounds he found a woman in the cell of the Aner pirate. “The senor commandant will then come hither, and escort me in all honor to my home.” ‘Ah! my lady, I fear you will have to suffer on iy account. : “Foolish boy! Here, let me whisper one little secret in your ear: I am the daughtor of the Governor-General. cre Ter gor S22 5 # ye f¢

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/ ; Bue Dod 2 Ca Dudley Dash was almost overcome with sur- i He had believed her to be the daughter of some one in power; but the secret he then learned sirprised him. ** Now, do you not see, senor, that the jailer will keep the secret on account of his own head? The commandant will never tell, and my august father will scold a little and there the matter will end. Come, I will call the jailer and prove that he knows my plot.” “T believe you, lady, and I thank you more than I can expressin words; yet I hate to leave you here, in this fearful cell.” “Then I will go with you to the jailer’s quar- | ters. Come.” Dudley arrayed himself quickly in his bor- rowed plumage and left, the cell. At ihe end ef the corridor the jailer met them. “Aguero, I will await your return here. Come as soon as you have seen the youth safely out.” “Si, senorita.” f “Lady, farewell! May God forever bless you, and may I ask that you may do me one favor?” ‘Name it.” : Dudley hastily wrote something on a slip of paper, banded it to her, and said: “Write to this address and tell me the result | ef your brave sacrifice to-night for me.” “T will do it, senor.” ‘‘Bre [ leave Havana, lady, I will address to you a letter, telling you whom you have this night saved. Farewell.” udley Dash bent low over the tiny hand and then followed the jailer along the gloomy pas- sageway which led to life and freedom. CHAPTER XXIX. A PRIZE! ¥ | Avupiry Roy and Norvel Trevor sat in the | cabin of the Sea Lance, engaged in earnest con- versation, for the men who had gone ashore in the morning with Dudley Dash, had returned and reported that he had been arrested and thrown into the Moro. All day long they had hoped for some word from him in explanation, and none came, At sunset Dirk Harding had gone ashore alone to see if he could learn anything regard- ing the absent midshipman, and while awaiting his return the two young officers engaged in a conversation, the a a of which was to de- vise some means of escape for their commander, At length there was a challenge on deck, and a boat came alongside; a moment after two men entered the cabin. One was Dirk Harding, the other was clad in friendly garb. ‘ “Mr. Roy, this gentleman came to the pier as ‘I was leaving and begged to come’ on board. He says he has news of Mr. Dash.” Both midshipmen were on their feet in an in- | stant, to suddenly utter a ery of delight, as the | cowl was thrown back and the daring, hand- some face of Dudley Dash was revealed. But ere a word could be said Dudley re- marked, quickly: : f “T have no time toexplain now. TI have just escaped from the Moro, and in this disguise, Tell me, where are the men who went ashore with me this morning?” ‘* All aboard, sir. The schooner needed no men now; she is awaiting the return of the nglish sloop-of-war, and will then be manned,” said Norvel Trevor. “Good! How many men are on board?” = Lieutenant, a midshipman, and twelve en. “Better still. Mr. Harding, call away the long boat, and put in it twenty men as LS airy soldiers, all well armed. I will pay a it to the English officer.” ‘ As Dudley spoke he took from a locker a false ead and fitted it upon his face, and then dorihed the uniform of a Spanish captain, for in Winwood was a man that always kept of disguises about his vessel. ‘a few moments he walked on deck, and and all attired in ut in the iy to leave te é h schooner, soldiers.” near begged | pirate” | the time that midshipman Roy came alongside | in his boat the six English sailors were crouch- | them were the twenty bold seamen, clad as | Spanisn soldiers, The Dare-Devil; or, The Winged Witch of the Sea. A moment. after Dudley Dash stood before the English officer—a man of middle age, with a brave, kindly face. ‘*Senor, I am sorry to disturb you; but there is a rumor that the buccaneer Winwood intends to make an attack on your vessel to-night, cut | it out, and escape to sea, and I came from the ; Moro, only a short while since, to ask you to aid me in capturing this noted pirate?’ ‘““Wilbngly, senor; but I have only half a dozen men, for half of my men are ashore to- night. You say that such a bold act as you de- scribe is contemplated in the harbor of Havana, under the very guns of the Moro?” ‘Yes, senor; but 1 do not care for your men toaid me. In fact, 1 would rather have them keep out of sight, I have with me a score of men of my Own command, and a midshipman and a dozen seamen will soon be on board; so | hear my plan.” “ Willingly, captain.” “Tt is that you remain in your state-room, . with your young officer, and give me permis- sion to send your men into the hold. ‘Then I will conceal ei men, and those that are coming, about the schooner, and when the boats of Winwood come aboard I will meet this | noted pirate at the gangway, ask him into the cabin, and in that way we can capture him and his crew.” All this was spoken in a very earnest tone | and in admirably affected broken English. ‘The very thing, captain, and I will be happy | when we have that sea monster safe.” The arrangements were soon made, and by ing down in the hold of the schooner, and around ‘* All works well, Roy. Now come with me into the cabin and bring two men,” and Dudley Dash met his young comrade at the gangway. “ Lieutenant, wi you and your young officer come here a minute?’ At the request of Dudley Dash the two offi- cers came from the state-room, to suddenly find nF oe igh under the muzzles of muskets and istols. : “Gentlemen, you are my prisoners, One moye and you die. Surrender quietly, and within the hour you shall be free.” Dudley Dash spoke in a low, stern tone that told the two Englishmen that he was in terrible earnest. " To move was death, and though brave men, they had but one alternative—to submit. ‘“We submit; but, what means this outrage?” “Tt means that heed vessel is in the hands of a crew from the celebrated buccaneer schooner, ce. “Ha! you are then—” “The commander of the Sea Lance, Mr. Roy, see that these gentlemen are securely con- fined in yonder state-room. I have work on deck.” So saying Dudley Dash went forward, and, descending into the hold, said simply: “Coxswain, do your duty; but on your life, harm none of them.” Ere the six unsuspecting seamen were aware, they were seized, gagged and bound, for resist- ance was useless. Seeing that all were secured Dudley Dash called midshipman Roy, “Return at once on board the Sea Lance, amet two of the schooner’s boats, and bring off the men and baggage. Leave the Lance at anchor just as she is.” “Ay, ay ir,” and delighted at their success so far Au ley Ro. hag Sie upon his mission. Half an hour after the entire crew of the Sea Lance were safely on board the ae vessel, which at once presented a scene of busy life. ‘*Get sail on the schooner at once, Mr, Hard- ing; we have yet work ahead of us,” calmly said Dudle Dash, and then he added, “‘ Let that boat of the Sea Lance tow astern; we shall need her when we get an offing.” Ten minutes more and the achooner was swift- ly gliding out of be harbor of Havana, and in half an hour more luffed up, out of range of the guns of the Moro, the officers of which little sus- 15 Dudley Dash cs cae a light, boyish laugh, and ype pleasantly: ** Adios, senor.” The Englishman sprung into the boat, whither his men had preceded iene and said almost savagely; “Give way, men!” And as the boat darted away, the schooner fell off before the wind, and under all the can- vas she could carry, sped over the dark waters, ‘Head for the island rendezvous, Mr. Hard. ing. Once there, we will paint this beautifial vessel snow-white, and then cruise against the enemies of our country. From this night, she shall spread the stars and stripes upon the waters, and win a name far and wide as the Winged Witch of the Sea. CHAPTER XXX, FOUND! More than two years have passed away since the Winged Witch fled from the gun-guarded harbor of Havana, leaving behind the wildest excitement at the news that Winwood, the bue- caneer, had boldly cut a vessel out under half a thousand Spanish guns. Then it became known why the young pirate officer, then supposed to be in the Moro, had | visited Havana, and many excitement-loving denizens of the town anticipated a rare pleasure in seeing him hung. But for reasons best known to himself, and which the reader may easily guess at, the gov- ernor-general held his own counsel. <A pirate captured some weeks before was masked and secretly executed, and then the rumor circulated that the youthful buccaneer lieutenant had been garoted; the populace were glad of this, but dreadfully sorry that they had missed the dramatic scene of death. As for this supposed pirate, he was cruising the seas, and his Winged Witch soon became the terror of English merchant vessels, and British privateers that infested the American coast from Maine to Texas, for the Dare-Devil Middy was ever ready to try his strength with any small cruiser afloat. s the time passed on, prize after prize was taken and sent into the nearest port until the Winged Witch was considered almost a phantom | vessel, so numerous were her captures, so re- markable her speed, so wonderful her success in escaping capture, and so deep the mystery that hung over her officers and crew. Sometimes it was whispered that she’ was commanded by a notorious pirate, who, an American by birth, had espoused the cause of his country, and that her decks were manned by a hundred heavily-bearded buccaneers—men_ of all nations, trained to deeds of daring upon, an outlaw craft. Again, twas said that her commander was a slaver, with a crew of African negroes discip- lined to obey his orders, while stili more asserted that her commander was a mere youth and his crew a band of heroic boys. And there were a few, of the superstitious kind, who boldly said, and believed, that the Winged Witch had the devil for a captain and lost-spirits for a crew. But the reader knows that the Winged Witch was controlled by Dudley Dash, the Dare-Devil Middy, who, for more than two years, escapéd the English cruisers sent after him, and served his country most nobly, Toward the close of the war with Great Britain, the Winged Witch was cruisin meta along under a four-knot breeze, in Sati twenty-five degrees north latitude, and h northward, when the lookout hailed the ‘ from the mast-head, ; Upon the deck stood two persons well known to the reader—Dudley Dash and Audley Roy, ty bircen'd maturing into splendid specimens mai } : As for Dudley, he looked older, sterner, and his face had lost its boyish expression and sunny’ smile, for the cares upon his young shoulders — had been enough to mold his nature into one of iron, HS “Ho! the mast-head! What do you see?” he called out in a voice that rung with metallig © ected the dari » that a fearless boy had | clearness, —- slaved beneath Wuatapary area’ f “A drifting boat; Tmake her out now, sir “Bring up the prisoners, Mr, Trevor.” five points off the weather bow. In obedience to the order the English officers and their men were brought on deck. ‘Lieutenant, though I have taken from you owr new and beautiful schooner, I leave one for you in fair exchange, which is a fleet schooner, and one that has spread terror upon the sea. * “Trefer to the Sea Lance, You will find her anchored just off the harbor stairs of the Moro. No one is on board of her, and the vessel and all she contains is at your service. There, sir, is the long bogy of the Lance. In it you can return to Havana, and should you wish to find | this schooner, you will have to hunt her up on | the high seas, Pio Ituptishrdan enveumaltbk ibe Wi heard e Englishman gave one look in e B lous fae, and eald sberniy:| weet ‘ “You shall = pleasant trip back to Havana, re ‘ ; Ye es te repent this night's work, sir | * 54 Par) eee 4 Stet ; ais ‘‘ Head for that boat, quartermaster,” simply said Dudley, and he began again to pace deck with monotonous tread. In an hour’s time the Winged Witch luffed in- 1B glee and a boat was sent after the one was drifting. ‘* An oarless barque upon the sea.” “ Are they alive?” ed Dudley, as the swain called out that it contained two persons, Tt was some time before the reply cama. “One of them, sir; but he’s mighty weak.” cox- . * Bring them aboard at once.” ‘ A’ moment after Dudley Dash sta | back. The limp, haggard, wasted form that was handed = od gangway by tender hands, was — mown to him: it was Hated the Smuggler he, ti whom, nearly three years before, a bay 4 ‘made a prisoner in the sloop Pretty Girl. Net _Theot er manin the boat was a common pe’ ee Ren, A yy, Wa OL Oe i,

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Ce . & Piet oS; - roe “ 16 The Dime Library. ‘Bury him in the sea. Take this man into | not seem to hear m. m to him,” ordered | frigate, evidently o tmy cabin, and send the sur; the young commodore, and again he paced the deck, - a An hour passed, and the surgeon came on | deck. d , her up, helmsman, and we'll have a closer loo “The gentleman would see you, sir; I fear there is no hope for him.” Dudley * descended into the cabin, and there beheld Rafael, the pirate, as he had after- ward become, reclining upon a silken divan— his face as white as marble, his eyes beaming brightly. ‘Am I mistaken—are you not—?” ‘‘Dudley Dash—yes; we have met before, but - and not talk: you shall he must keep quiet ; kindly. ve every atten ion,” said paeiey Dlg ist late—I am dying. would be but to end my life on the gallows: it is better as it is, far better. ‘* What vessel is this?” “The American privateer, Winged Witch.” The man started, and again looked earnestly at the youth, while he said: “ And you are—” “Her commander—a midshipman in the wvnited States navy.” “Boy, you have won a great name—one of honor, while I—I have won a name of dishonor. But, let me not Le apa now; I have a confes- gion to make ere I dits, and to you I would make it. Will you listen to me?” “ Yes. ” “My name is Rafael Gaston—” The man paused for he noticed Dudley start, | but then he went on: “I was born a gentleman, but my devilish love of mischief would not leb me remain one, and I was dismissed from the Hnglish navy for a wild escapade, and at once camé to America. “In the United States I met a lovely girl, whom I learned to love most dearly, and for a ' while I changed my evil life, and returning my _ After ‘awhile love she became my wife. “Yet, strange to say, her pure love did not keep me from returning to my old life of dissi- pation, and one night, in a drunken frolic, I shot one of my comrades and fled for my life— fled from my wife and little baby, then but ten months old. “Of my after career it is needless to speak, except to say that I drifted from bad to worse, until I became the leader of a band of smugglers, who had their retreat on one of the islands off the Maine coast. ; ‘One day I went further than smuggiing, and attacked a large vessel that I had reason to be- lieve would be a rich prize. After a desperate resistance I captured the vessel, boarded her, and in the cabin found— my me and child! ‘Oh God! the horror of that moment. Did Tlive a hundred years, 1 could never forget— for my wife was dead, killed by a shot from m; own vessel, and upon her lay my poor little girl, weeping bitterly for her mother. My wife was re er way to the Mediterranean, where her ther, a naval officer was then stationed, and thus sadly did her voyage terminate. _ “ Well, I took my child with me to my island petreat, and my poor wife I buried where the roar of the would be her only requiem. “ Had my poor little daughter ever been near me, my life would have been far different: but, one day, I returned from a cruise, to find her Bone, none knew whither. _“T searched the island. and found the dead body of a ruffian, whom I had several times | ed for misdemeanor, and by his side were tracks of oe little Gabrielle—but nothing else could I ever learn of —”. ‘Let me tell you all that yee would know,” said Dudley, softly; and in a low, earnest voice, cue of Gabrielle, and that she was then living on the coast of Maine. — For some moments the man could not speak, but covered his thin face with his thinner bands. “Thank God! I thank God! een Ta I can die content. How glad I am that I did not die in that open boat!” Dade” was it you were in that boat?” asked ey. a “We had a severe combat with an English cruiser. My schooner was terribly cut up, but I managed to escape in the darkness, and then a storm came on, my vessel sprung a leak, and we took to our boats, There were nine men in my boat, and I was the only one who lived through the horrors we had to undergo, and I am dying; but, let me tell you that in this ‘you will find—will find papers proving of what I tell you about ag Ne my wife’s likeness and mine; take them, and KoeRail ho!” \ The cry startled Dudley Dash, who at once Dry and £20) the fe sleep, for you see aes see you and | yon ‘may recover and yet see little Gabrielle, or I am bound home now.” _ Asmile covered the thin face, but the lips did ‘not move; and Dudley Dash went on deck. _ *T ealled down i i into the eabin, sir, as you did f I lived, it | | the skies, while in the center was a white, gaun’ | ening. | aboard the frigate,” and Dudley await your return; if you came back unsuccess- first hail. She is a large the largest class,” said ey Roy, handing the glass to Dudley, who said: “ And she looks American in build. Brin at her. If English, we must keep the Witch out of range of her terrible broadside.” Nearer and nearer the two vessels came to | each other, until onlyea league divided them, and then the Winged Witch ran up the stars and stripes, and fired a gun to leeward, as if in defiance of her huge enemy. “Ha! there goes up the American flag; and see! they are signaling us.” ‘““She asks what schooner is that?’ said Audley Roy, referring to his book of signals. “Run up our flag to the fore, and signal our name.” “Ay, ay sir!” : Instantly there was run up to the fore-top- mast, a roll of bunting, which, when shaken | out to the wind, proved to be a mass of green | and blue, representing the waves of the sea, and t. terrible-looking form, impersonating an old witch. ‘““What does she signal now, Roy?” “The American frigate Ticonderoga—Admi- ral Duncan’s Flag Ship.” The yell that answered this repl The Dare-Devil Middy ted long-lost commodore. ‘What does he signal now?” ““Come on board; the admiral would speak with you.” : ‘‘Helmsmen, stand away for yonder frigate. Mr. Roy, have a full crew_ready to row me Dash de- eneet into the cabin to dress himself in his ‘At first he stepped lightly, for he believed that Rafael Gaston was asleep; but a second glance told him that it was the sleep of death. CHAPTER XXXI. THE MEETING. As Dudley Dash went over the gangway of the frigate, darkness had settled upon the waters, and he failed to recognize any familiar faces among those that peered into his own, to catch sight of the famous commander of the Winged Witch. “T will conduct you to the cabin, sir. Was not the commander able to come on board?” asked an officer, meeting him. : “ae am the commander of the Winged Witch, git,” / The officer gazed upon the youthful face with meaeet surprise, and led the way into the cabin, ; Ata table, covered with papers, sat Admiral Dunean, for he had won that rank by gallant service. He was looking older, and grayer; but still possessed the same noble, kindly face as of yore, “The commander of the Winged Witch, ad- miral,” said the officer, and he immediately withdrew. ‘ Admiral Duncan arose and stepped forward, his hand extended, and a genial smile upon his face; but suddenly he started back, for before him stood a slender form, clad in a midship- man’s uniform, and with a boyish face. ‘Great Heavens! has the sea given up its was deaf- found his | dead, or do I see aright?” “T am Midshipman Dudley Dash, Admiral Duncan, commander of the Winged Witch.” | so that we came to look upon you y, my brave, noble boy, let me embrace ere I ask you any eens, You, you my | midshipman, the famous rover!” and the jor | old admiral greeted Dudley with a warmth that he went on to tell of his visit to the island, res- | was certainly most flattering. : Then the two sat down, and Dudley told his chief all that had occurred, even to his cutting out the schooner, and leaving the Havanese to believe that it was done by Winwood, the buc- caneer. “Tt was a bold act, and if known, would cause us trouble with Spain; but, let it rest as it is,” and the admira! ‘admiringly upon his young midshipman, and said:’ “ And you still call yourself Midshipman Dud- ley Dash?” ‘Yes, sir; except by strangers, I have never allowed myself to be called captain.” Pe ‘But, captain it shall be, sir, and the Presi- dent will approve m Le when he knows all. Now, Cuptain Dash, I would like to explain my running off from you on that me- morable oceasion which lost us poor Wheeler. “ An En: ran ae 3 of war came near us and we gave cies. unable to overhaul her, L put back, when another sail was sighted. : “This proved to be a dispatch vessel sent in search of me, with orders to proceed at once to the Mediterranean. ‘“‘ My orders admitted of no delay, so I direct- ed the dispatch vessel to go to my station and ful, to take you on board and carny you to from whence you could join the frigate at some future time; if you were you to follow me in the schooner tothe Tanean. “Until a few months ago, I heard nothing cif the result, until I learned that the dispatch ves sel had been captured shortly after parting with the frigate, and of your fate cg known, as dead, or in an English prison—thank God, neither war correct, ‘As for myself, I was made admiral of the fleet, and transferred to this elegant frigate, the Ticonderoga; but you will find a number of fa- miliar faces among her officers and crew. But of Roy, and Trevor, what of them?” ‘* Midshipman Roy is my acting first Heuten- ant; poor Norvel vor, and Dirk Harding, who was my acting third officer, we lost in ap some time since,” said Dudley Dash, sadly. “And where bound now, Captain Dash?’ ‘To the Maine coast, sir. I have not seen my friends there since I left inthe frigate. I wished to win a name before I returned; but, admiral, let me make known to you a strarige circum- stance,” and Dudley Dash went on to tell of his picking up the drifting boat. “Good God! you say that his name was# Rafael Gaston?” and Admiral Duncan seeme* deeply moved. Doe, or.” “Dudley Dash, Rafael Gaston was my son-it- law! He married my only child, Gabrielle Duncan,” and the admiral, deeply moved, passed to and fro the cabin for some moments, commv- ning with a bitter past. At length he sala? p ‘* And he lies deadin your cabin. Well, my chaplain shall give him honored burial. None need know who he was; and poor little Gabrielle, my darling grand-daughter, must never know that her father was a pirate. * And now,” continued the admiral, after a pause of some moments, ‘‘now you_must con- tinue on your course, and as soon as I have an- chored in the Potomac, and reported all that has occurred, I will post across country to Maine and join you there. I wish to claim my little Gabrielle, and have her mother’s body moved to my own family burying-ground, near my home on the Cheeapeni but, first, let me go aboard with you and see your wonderful vessel; I wish to make the acquaintance of the Winged Witch of the Sea.” Midshipman Roy beheld the boats leave the frigate’s side, and expecting a visit from the ad- miral, he called the men to quarters, and as he as 2 on board gave him a most royal salut wi Half an hour after, with the hondérs of war, the form of Rafael Gaston was consigned to @ grave in the sea. Then Admiral Duncan wrung the hand of the frigate, where the drums rolled, calling the men to quarters, and from huge oaken sidor burst forth a salute to the Winged Witch thet would have done honor to a king. The two vessels then slowly drifted apart, and when the morning sun illumined the sea, the frigate was nowhere visible to those on the decks of the Winged Witch, which, under a ten-knct breeze drove onward in swift haste to drop arr chor under the lee of Crescent Island, and in fu view ef the cottage home of Carter Hayes. CHAPTER XXXII. CONCLUSION, Carrer Hayes, whose once erect and power ful form had begun to droop with age, was seat- ed upon his cottage porch, quietiy smoking hiy pipe. ; tear him sat two other Faplr, one a middle- lady, with a pleasant, intelligent face, and who was the sister of the old fisherman, whe vad pact her life in teaching, until sent for by her brother, three years before, caine ag ew the training and education of Gabrielle Gaston. The other person was that young lady temas —a child no longer, but a beau , seventeen—whose character was as lovely a# her face and form. a Sitting in the shade of a pine tree, an. piously ig away at a long-stemmed pipe, was old atience, over whose honest face and form not a shadow of change had fallen. “T tell you, Gabie, yonder schooner stands off — and on, asthough she wanted a pilot. If she was an American I would go out and hades | ; in,” and Carter Hayes pointed out on reefs where was visible a long, low, kk ing craft, painted white, and carrying a cloud’ of canvas. : ‘* By Jupiter! she is putting in without a sunken reef, and now stan I tell you, knows this coast, See, he comes in through the — north cut. Only two persons that I know of, ever knew that channel, and—” : s across the channel. ‘Those are?” said Gabrielle, rising quickly. “ Myself, and—” ié J 4 3. “Dudley?” ‘a “ Yes.” Dadien eee in parting, and returned on board .- maiden cf — be ; reich lashes ilot! No, see how she luffed up there to avoid the © folks, there is a man on board who) g i =i fa

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“Wather Hayes,” she said, impressively, while ther face flushed and paled with excitement— ‘Pather Hayes, Dudley stands at the wheel of v ynder vessel.” “Praise God!’ ejaculated Carter Hayes, atringing up as nimbly as a b ry of twelve. : ‘* Praise de Lor’! ef de buy liain’t comed back arter all—de goo’ Lor’ God ha’ answer de | prayers o’ de ole nigger—sartin”—and old Pa- | tence waltzed about with amazing celerity. Lid THION SK SMS OCk “EOE * DS — 5 aye ae == “iGReid VY ONLM VAC GNV “SUTHO BEAK VOORe Bee CIvS 2 “ J— waoolai Get GETIGS CE ar In the meantime Gabrielle had rushed swiftly | down toward the beach and thither the other three followed her as rapidly as they could. Then a few moments of impatient waiting, and a boat put off from the schooner, which had come to anchor under the lee of Crescent Island. In that boat were eight oarsmen, a coxstwain, and two officers seated in the stern-sheets. ‘The Dare-Devil; or, The Winged Witch of the Sea. Those oflicers were Dudley Dash and Audley Roy. A few moments more and Dudley Dash sprung ashore, and received a welcome that made his heart , after which, dismissiny his boat, and prese Audley Roy, the party set off for the cottage, Patience skipping on ahead like a young girl, as she said: “To gita bunkum supper for de young ossifers.” * * i * * * = ~~ - ¢ Ss Sole SSA SSA S SSS So pee IN SMS RES nS) ¥ : . RSS BS i os i- ete Pad, That night, when all had retired but the old fisherman and Dudley, the youth told of his dis- covery of Gabrielle’s father, and low the miral was to come soon, and make jmown ‘to her ‘that her parent had died on board ship at sea, and that he had come to claim her. | _ ‘And now, Father Hayes,” continued Dudley, | **T would learn something of myself—for I know | that you picked me up in an open boat at sea?” 17 Without a word, Carter Hayes arose, and un locking a large chest, took from it an old port manteau, that seemed exceedingly heavy. *‘ Here, Dudley, this I took from the boat in which I! found you. It contains considerable money—a bag of trinkets, and rings, and a watch I took from the dead bodies I found in the boat —and important papers. By those papers you will find that your parents took passage many years ago in a packet-ship from Liver- | pool, to Halifax, but the vessel was lost in storm, and all on board took tg the boats. Ot that entire number, you, I believe, alone sur- vive, “Wait, hear me: these papers furthermore tell you that your father was an English gener- al, and was coming out as governor to Canada when wrecked; his name was Dudley, Earl of | Dashwood.”

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be Ot The youth stood like oneinadream. When bw recovered himself Carter Hayes had gone. Then he looked over the papers with respect- fel touch, and gazed upon the miniatures of those whom he now knew to be his parents. Among the papers he found one addressed to him. It was in the hand-writing of Carter Hayes and read: “Duptey: If I amdead, when your eyes meet these lines, forgive me for keeping this secret from you. “But I was an old, lonely man, and I could not give you up. st Mey. your life ever be happy, is the wish of your ADOPTED FATHER.” For an hour, or more, Dudley mused on all he had heard, and then, with a sigh, turned and took from the mantel a letter which Gabrielle kad told him, came for ltim, two years before. 7A was addressed in a lady’s hand: “To DupLEy DasH, Bath, Maine, United States of America.” Hreaking the seal the youth read the contents, vbich were as follows: my “Havana. Dec, 10th, 18—. ' Smyor: That your mind may be at rest I keep wy promise and address you this letter, and es- povially glad am I to be able to write that you tmuy know how rejoiged I was to find by your acte, that you weré not, after all, a terrible pirate, and that circumstances you could not tmtrol only made you appear so. “May your future be a bright one, and one of these days may we meet again. Should you vrish to find me, ask for the Countess Castello, for, after Christmas coming, I will no longer be Senorita, but ever your friend, CARMALITA. “*P. §.—Oh! senor, I like to have forgotten that I promised to tell you if I suffered by re- leasing you. BA surprised commandant’s frown, a scold- ing from my august father, were all the incon- veniences that followed. Again, CARMALITA. “N. B.—Do you know that,I in some way tonnect you with the daring capture of the English schooner in i woman’s wit will insist that you have converted her into an American privateer. Anyhow, suc- cess to you, and believe me, I will not betray your secret. ““For the last time I sign myself, senor, **CARMALITA.” True to his word Admiral Duncan arrived at the cottage, and brought joy to the heart of Gabrielle. She had found one of her own flesh and blood, and she was ha we Nay, more; the admiral brought news that the war was over, yet handed Dudley his com- | mission as captain in the navy of his country. After a month’s rest the whole party sailed in the Winged Witch for England, when Dudley at once proved his right and title to the name of Dashwood, and was installed in the princely an of his fathers, so long deserted and jonely. One year after the declaration of peace be- bween the United States and England, Lord Dudley, Earl of Dashwood, was married to Gabrielle Gaston, grand-daughter of Admiral Barvey Duncan. Though a youthful couple, none handsomer aver stood before an altar; so said all who wit- hessed the impressive ceremony of tying two iby hearts together until ‘“‘Death should em the bridesmaid of Gabrielle. While on their bridal tour, Lord Dudley met, Mt a grand ball given him in London, two faces that were familiar, and he sought an opportu- tity to speak with them. ey greeted him most warmly, for one was 7 Countess Cavallo, once the lovely Carma- ita, who had rescued him from the Moro’s a on; and the other was Mrs. Fred Granger, nee Louise Raynor, the aiding of whom re) rey led to the adventurous career of The Devil Middy. THE END. Among the Mangroves. A WILD ADVENTURE IN CUBA. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. “On the south side of the island, beyond Batabano. Mia casa a disposicion de V.”. Thus ke to me a fellow-passenger on the R. M. teamer Osprey, as we were running into the harbor of Havana, From Southarapton to St. Thomas we had voyaged together—thence te the chief seaport and capital of Cuba. Crossing the Atlantic in a West India steam- packet, it is not possible to escape making new acquaintances, man must be of morose tem- etapa who does not meet some one of dispo- congenial, Belong to what nation h3 our harbor?—and my | | The Dime I ibrary. may, or speaking whatever language, there will be those who can converse with him in his own language, and sympathize on the score of a common nationality. John Bull, bound to Bar- badoes or Jamaica, can drink Bass’s beer with gentlemen in tweed coats and wide-awake hats; Johnny Crapaud, seeking Guadalupe or Mar- | tinique, may sip absinthe, and smoke paper cig- arettes, with half a score compatriots; while Don Diego, over his ‘ copita,” of Xeres, may hob-nob with numbers of sallow-faced individu- als, who can talk to him in the soft language of | Andalusia. There will be a Dane or two destined for St. Thomas; a Dutchman to Guazana or the diminu- | tive island of Curacoa; a Mexican making for the port of Vera Cruz—in all likelihood a politi- cal refugee returning to lead a new revolution; a Caraquin going to La Guayra; with other odd waifs from Costa Rica, Nicaragua, New Grana- da, Ecuador and Peru, returning from cold Eu- ropean climes to their sunny homes on the | shores of Equatorial America. -+| liking him. » Saher Roy was Dudley’s groomsman, and | shortly after married the young girl who was | He, who had so generously placed his home at my disposal, belonged to none of the above- named nationalities, though speaking the lan- guage of the last. He was a native of the “ ever-faithful island ”—a Creole of Cuba, But one who looked with no favoring eye on its fidelity being continued. On the contrary, as I had already become aware, he had a strong bearing toward ‘‘ Cuba Libre.” It was, indeed, this had brought about the rapprochement between, that led to his proffers of hospitality. Just then was coming up and beginning to agitate his native land that ques- tion, which has since devastated some of its fairest provinces, bathing them in blood. The steamer was packed with Spanish officers, en route to join their regiments at Havana; with scores of Canarios and Catalans, base curs loyal to the backbone, like all such, bloodthirsty. They have since given proof of their sanguinary spirit, in deeds to make humanity mourn. And such a man showing sympathy with the cause of Cuban independence, stood little ehance of other than scurvy treatment; and having taken sides with the Creole, at times se- verely put upon, a pleasant acquaintanceship had been established between us; which, before the end of the voyage, became ripened to cordial friendship. fine young fellow my new friend, handsome in person as mcs in spirit, high-hearted and open-handed, I could not help So much that I felt pain at the prospect of our approaching separation. We were steaming into the harbor of Havana, past Moro Castle, its guns inning down upon us, a standing threat to ‘‘Cuba Libre.” Passengers were hurrying to and fro, sorting their baggage for the dread ordeal of the duana, ne another hour he and I would be mutually bidding ‘‘ adios!” perhaps never more to meet, save by such chances as are cast in the kaleidoscope of Fate. Alas! true hearts are scarce, and loyal ones too rarely encountered in the conflict of life. All the more did I dislike losing the one I had found. It was some compensation to discoyer that my regret was reciprocated by Don Mariano Aguera; for such was the name of my respected fellow-passenger. I had proof of it, as coming up to me he said: “ Caballero! I hope we are not going to sepa- rate as soon as we set foot ashore. I can’t think of its being so, and if possible won’t permit it, You've been kind to me—something more in- deed—and must give me an opportunity of showing my gratitude. I know of only one way, which is, indeed, exacting a further favor. I hope, however, you will Grant it by accepting such hospitality as I can offer.” I bowed thanks, but before I could give a sponse the Creole continued: ‘Unfortunately I have no establishment in Havana, my poor patrimony lying at some dis- tance from the city.” speech already reported, re- Then followed the ending with the phrase, ‘‘ Mia casa a disposi- cion de V.” Among Spaniards a mere formulary, meanin nothing, as I knew; but from the Cuban, as also knew, an invitation extended was in all sin- cerity, and meant for acceptance. “ig ing it upon me, Don Mariano said, in continuance: ‘We have now a railroad to Batabano, and the journey is short. There’s nothing to hinder you making my house your headquarters durin, your stag in the island. Only that I fear i may be tos dull, and I can offer no inducement to tempt you away from the city, You will find Havana rather a gay place. However, if you're fond of ‘field-sports, as I fancy you are, perhaps I can treat you to some that may be new.’ Field-sports promised to a man in a shooting- coat with ta oe appertaining! And with the additio: lure of their being of a novel kind! Need L say what were my feelings? I only hesitated to declare them, reflectin, how far it would interfere with my plans, an the business that had brought me to the isl>nd. ‘Beyond that,” persevered the Cuban, ‘‘and showing you some of our scenery, I can promise but little in the way of entertainment. [ama | bachelor, living in a lonety bahio, with a sister | who keeps house for me. An untutored Creole | girl whose manners won’t inuch remind you of the fashionable ladies of London and Paris, But I can answer for her having a warm heart, | and making welcome the friend of her brother. Now, caballero! say you will come?” The field-sports had already half-determined me to accept the invitation. At mention of the ““wntutored Creole girl,” so unlike the ladies of London and Paris, my mind was made up. “Con mucho gusto,” was the answer I gave Don Mariano, ‘* Mil gracios,”’ rejoined the polite Cuban. ‘““ And now, senor, consider yourself in my keep- ing as long as you stay in Cuba, “My sister,” he said, in continuance, ‘is at present staying with our aunt, who lives a little way outside the city. She has been there dur- ing my absence in Europe. Soon as we have cleared our things through the custom-house, we shall run out there, pick her up—then on to Batabano.” ‘ The formidable duana done and our impedi- menta placed in charge of a comisario, to be forwarded to the railway station, we leaped in- to a ‘‘volante,” and between its two huge wheels were soon rolling through the suburbs of Havana. Once out into the open country the subject.of field-sports again came up, the rural scenery suggesting it. | ‘T can promise no big game,” said the Creole. | ‘““As youare doub@less aware we have neither bear or deer upon the island, Indeed, our only indigenous quadrupeds are the harmless little | agonti, and asmall animal of the carnivorous kind, But the Spanish pig has gone wild in our | woods, and you may meet boars as fierce as | those of your European forests, or the Indian jungles. In the absence of nobler quarry we | can attack the scaly alligator, or the crocodile, We have both species in the swamps of the southern shore. And in Batabano bay there | are manatees, the mermaids of the old naviga- tors, to whom you can make love. with your breech-loader. If that be too tame I could treat you to a chase more exciting. Whatsay youte | a man-hunt? ‘**A man-hunt; Your meaning, Don Mari- | ano?” ; “Exactly as I say, without changing ru 4 . words, or In any way altering their sense. } veritable bona fide man-hunt.’ Had the revolutitn already broken out, awd was my host ea gg me to take part in it? ; Before I could further interrogate him, he | continued; ; “Yes; a chase with blood-hounds, the game © human beings if ne; 2s be so considered.” : Now I understood, and I may say felt some what shocked atthe proposal. Ishould not hav¢ expected it from the republican patriot—thq advocate of ‘* Cuba Libre.” I was relieved, as he laughingly continued: “T see you don’t feel inclined for such sport — as that; nor would I wish to indulge you in it. Lonly said I could; and am sorry itisso. My agent in town has just told me that several of — my slaves have absconded during my absence. ge it isthe custom among some of the — neighbors to employ dogs in recapturing these | runaways, I never did, and never intend doing it. I prefer letting the r fellows, who are not contented with my rule have their freedom | in that way if they wish it. But here we are at — my aunt’s, and there is my sister.” A handsome countr: ome, with flowered parterres in front, and a grand portaled en- | trance, the gateopen. Inside this a young lady, standing as if on the look-out for some one ex~ ted. Then as the volante turned in, running” toward it with arms outstretched, these soon after enfolded around Don Mariano’s neck, his cheeks saluted with a shower of kisses that would have given pleasure to Sardanapalus. This, then, was the untutored Creole girl so_ Ui ome — the vee of pacers are a, #0 up to their standard. For my i er le of training, and envied Don Maries first exhibition I had of it. When he said, introducing us, “‘My sister; Juanita, this is a friend who is going to be our guest ive him welcome,” and she artlessly k hold of my hand, I trembled at the touch. For my heart told me, ‘‘This is the ideal for whom I have been searching—the woman whose wishes must rule mine for happiness or misery, for good or for evil. I felt I was in the presence of my Fate. Before me stood what seemed a very Venus, not like her of Cyprus poised upon the shell, with tresses of that hue which the auriecomous dye of modern days can easily counterfeit. But erea as she should be in a southern chime, with the complexion becoming; skin with a | tinge of golden brown, cheeks as red as grena- | dines, teeth like strings of pearls picked up from wi c her native seas, and hair as the plumage of the tropic bird that soars proudly over them. Idle’ to attempt describing the charms of Juanita Aguera. Jealous of them, I -would not if 1 could. Gazing upon them, [ no longer thought of the chase, or the sort of game frequenting Cuban covers. I would not now have given up that shooting excursion to Batabano for ma ed, doy

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vew 9 b > @ nus nell, 10us But ime, ih a ena rom the t ting ed; often hanging iven the grand quadrupeds that roamed around our American prairies, or African karoo—not to bag all the buffaloes, elands, and elephants in the world. We spent the remainder of that day, with the night following, under the roof of the tia, a hospitable old lady of the broeaded type, who earried a bunch of keyes a la chatelaine. Next morning we were driven to the railway terminus at Havana, and there booking for Bat- abano, were soon gliding along the camino de hierro, amid scenes which made it worth while keeping the curtains drawn aside. To a native of Northern lands Wain running through tropical suggestive, giving rise to sins thought, indeed almost ludicrot Steam, the tymbol of modern civilization, appears altogeth- sr out of place among palm trees. And as its smoke curls up through these feathery fronds, one cannot help an idea of something like dese- tration. It isasif Nature’s fairest forms, and thoicest handiwork, were being sacrificed to the rit of utilitarianism—put to a baser purpose tian was or ally intended. Some incongruity, also, in seeing railway Mficials, with purely Spanish features, and hear- ng a guard interrogate as he draws open the tarriage door. railway scenery Is ar trains of NS | eler Among the Mangroves. gays that in Covent Garden would command a fabulous price. For a time the novelty held me entranced. Anywhere an ardent admirer of silvan scenes, in the tropics my admiration amounts almost | to worship, and had I been alone with Don Mariano he would have found me a fellow-trav of few words. I should have continued silently gazing out till my senses were surfeited with the beautiful in Nature, But inside was the beautiful in flesh and blood, and for once Nature was robbed of my adoration, or received only the lesser share. Batabano was at length reached, the terminus station of the railway. To carry it further in that direction were to run it into the Caribbean | Sea. No grand city Batabano, only a small seaport with open rights appertaining, supported by a coasting commerce, now and then a stray schooner from some other of the Antilles or South American main. Once a dangerous port for such craft, either to enter or stand out of- when Lafitte cruised out from Barataria, and Kidd, with his cruel pirates, had their head quarters in the Isle of Pines, The duana, with other publie buildings, some houses of a better kind belonging to oificials, with a scattered surrounding of palm-thatched huts, constitute tae port and pucbla of Bata- bano. |; trees, 19 There were corals, red, like Juanita’s lips, bi- valves of pearly hue, bleached to the whiteness of her teeth, Then the path would suddenly plunge into shadow, dark as her hair, with fire tlies—great cocuyos—flitting about to symbolize the flames of her eyes. Our road lay along the shore of Batabano Bay, south-eastward from the town. Some ten miles to travel before we could arrive at our destination—the house of Don Mariano, Long before reaching it, we were riding through land that was his; dense forests, here and there al- ternating with savannas, At length an opening appeared before us, showing cultivation. Vast fields covered with bushes, set in quincunx and shaded by tall The bushes bore berries, which gave out / an aromatic odor; they were those that, when burnt and ground, furnish the beverage of our | breakfast-table, We had entered a cafetal, and were riding among its rows, Soon a house came in sight; the dwelling- place of its proprietor. Not an humble hut—a bahio—as Don Mariano had modestly char terized it—but a mansion of imposing appear- |} ance, with grand gate entrance, and avenue leading up, the latter arcaded by double rows of the palma real. Clearly an establishment of the first class of cafetales, with hundreds of slaves at work im THUS INSPIRED, I RUSHED IN AMONG THE MANGROVES, AND COMMENCED CLIMBING OVER THEIR AERIAL ROOTS.—Page 23. “Por Guinez, senores?” Then as he clangs it #0, adding, “Todos por Batabano—nos vamos!” After clearing the barrios of Havana, we passed many pretty villas—the rural retreats of he city aristocracy. Then succeeded coffee Janxtations, and tobacco farms, with here and here an ingenio, its tall steam chimney telling Where sucar-cano is crushed and its sweet sap boiled to crystallization. Beside each the casa (frande of tho planter, its avenue of approach *haded by rows of loyal palms—the oreodoxva regia, -assing Guinez station we crossed the divid- ing vides or backbone of the island; the terrain thence gradually descending to the shore of the Caribbean\sea. Here the evidences of agricul- tural industry are rarer, plantations further Apart; till at length the iron horse gallops on thro igh thick primeval forest, the smoke from nostrils ascending among the branches of bald fig trees, cedrelas and caobas nown asniahogany. Inside, the carriage is ob- Secured, as though the train were passing through atunnel. Looking out you behold huge trunks, each with its array of parasitical plants roped together like the rieving of aship. Many are magnificent orc! with flowers fully expand- so close to the carriage win- dows you may hook them with tho handle of r al} YOur umbrella, or reaching forth gather nose- better | We made a short stay in the place; only long | the fields, and at least a score of household sem enough to see our trunks out of the railway- station and into a carreta, having a couple of mules attached. precaution to send on instructions the day be- fore; hence the wheeled vehicle for our luggage, with three saddle-horses for ourselves, found awaiting us. Mounting, we rode away, and were soon again amidst the wildest wood scenery, A vir- Don Mariano had taken the | gin forest, scarce defiled by the stroke of the | woodman’s ax. For the path we were pursuing did not deserve the name of a road—only an open track between the trees, arcaded over with palms, whose smooth trunks looked like the sup- porting columns of some grand temple, their curving fronds forming the concavity of its dome. As we cantered along through the sweet sil- van scene, I could not help thinking how the Creole girl became it; or; rather, how it became her, for she seemed the primary object, its di- vinity, the scene designed for her decoration. Such was my thought—the reflection formed inmy heart. Yes, it had come to this. At intervals the forest flashed open and we caught glimpses of the sea and its shore. Bits of beach with sand that loolrod like silver filings, mixed with the dust of gold, strown with shells that showed all the iridescence of the opal. | vants inside and around the casa grande; at the head of these a major-domo; waiting to receive us, with a staff of stable-grooms standing ready to relieve us of the horses. Inside a large dining-room, with table set, the dinner served as soon as we could change tcil- ettes to sit down to it, A repast followed, proving Don Mariano's words, when he spoke of a poor hospitality, wide away from the truth. Instead of the starved and stinted bachelor he had proclaimed himself, the viands on his dinner-table, with the various vintages interspersed, showed him, to be a sort of Cuban Lucullus, Six days spent as in Paradise, shooting exeur: sions through the tropical forest, and along the shell-strewn shores of a southern sea—the bean tiful Caribbean; these varied by rides around the cafetal, accompanied by its owner, eloquent on the qualities of his crops; more pleasantly varied by strolls afoot with a fair companion, under the shade of orange trees and corozo palr listening to the cooing of doves, the scng of the Cuban thrush, and the cries of the red cardinal, listening to that sweeter than all, the voice of Juanita Aguera, Never sweeter than on that day, when au eve we two were straying through a copse of caimé-

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20 : The Dime Library. 3, tos. I was now in love with her to the deepest ‘lepths of my soul—a ee that unreciprocat- wd would consume. That day | intended to de- elare it despite all fear for the issue. Soon I must return to Havana. Was I to go back hap- y, or bearing a broken heart? Ow. The hour appeared propitious, and just then there cman a circumstance that looked like the foreshadowing of afavorable fate. From our path sprung two palomitas, the beautiful little doves of the Antilles—very mannikins among the Columbide. They flew only a short dis- tance, then setitied down on the branch, where they sat, side by side, close together, cooing and kissing. They did not seem at all scared at our intrusion nor attempt to flit further away, but still continued their caresses till we came almost near enough to touch them. ‘They appeared to know that we too were wooing! We stopped and stood gazing at the pretty love-birds—types of the fondest, purest affection for their behavior was emblematical of what watelt. Iwas sure of it on my own side, though it was not till after some words had been ex- thanged between us, I could answer for both. "vey were: ‘* You see those doves, senorita?” “a I do. ” ‘* Have you any thought concerning them?” “ Have you?” “Yes.” “What is your thought, senor ‘That I should like to be one of them.” “What a singular fancy! To wish yourself t palomita! What a singular fancy!” *Oaly on condition of somebody else being Ye same.” . * Who else?” “Pho Dona Juanita Aguera.” Not receiving any response from her, whose vhee': flushed red at the speech, I was compelled fo coatinus, which I did in ‘bold interrogative. {t was not the time to talk longer in enigmas, § simoly said: “ Juanita, tu me anas?” “Yo te amo,” came the answer, without fal- fering or reserve. Thos were our hands joined, the flushed ebee» back for an early dinner. In the even- ing I should make amends for absenting myself from her whose company was now far more pleas vat than any field-sports Bid ling the mistress tke mansion ‘ adios,” with the more cheerful tag, “hasta la tarde,” we wore about setting forth, when a horseman rode up to the house, and drawing Don Mariano aside, en d him in conversation. Though in sotto voce, it was of an earnest and serious na- jure, as [ coyld tell by the excited looks and xesturing af both. Their dialogue ended, the horseman rode rapidly away as he had come, when Don Mari- ano, rejoining me, said: “Senor, I am very sorry I shall not be able fa yo with you. A summgns unexpected calls me elsewhere. But do nof let it interfere with ig) day’s sport. Gaspardo will a tag you to wr] flamingoes, and you can sla ter them to our heart’s content without any help from me. shall be back before evening, in good time to join you at the dinner-table. So now, adios, rea we've both just said to sister, hasta la ard!” : Co irtesy forbade me asking any explanation of m+ host. Indeed, he seemed as if he had no time to give it. Soon as saying good-day, he rm run into his saddle, and rodo hastily off, as | if intending to overtake the strange horseman, already oui of sight. Phechangeof programme, with Don Mariano’s abrupt departure, did not seem to me at all ex- traordinary. I could even cone the cause. It was not the first time I had seen strange horsem3n at the house coming and going hur- riel!y, as couriers. In my own mind I had set them down as messengers who brought commu- nicacions important as they were mysterious. The former they must have been, judging by must now | their effect upon my host. I noticed several . met with around Batabano. Don Rafael he times they disturbed his equanimity of temper, | and knew that nothing could do this save some grave cause. What should it be but Cuba Libre? Indeed, he had as good as confessed to me it was this. In return | gave him my heartfelt | sympathy. Nothing more could I at the time. It was no affair of mine, and even had I wished to embroil myself in the political troubles of the island, the business that had taken me hither | would have been a bar to my wishes, Of my host’s seemingly eccentric behavior, I thought no more on that morning than on any other, only as he rode away, something whis- pered me that there was danger drawing nigh —an electricity in the moral atmosphere of the “ever faithful island” that ponle soon burst over it in a terrible storm, its lightning the flame of burning houses and plantations, its thunder the roaring, of cannon, its rain red blood. I had mounted my horse, as my host took to his. But chilled with a presentiment of peril I could not account for, I lost all ardor for sport, | and hesitated about proceeding further with the flamingo-shooting. Tostay at home promised | pastime more attractive. I sat refiecting, irresolute as to which course ba iy 2 I should pursue. ‘Then it occurred to me that | Don Mariano might think it strange, my re- | was to supply the table with game, combining maining at the house in his absence, more espe- | cially after having seen me in the saddle, ready to ride off. He was not yet aware of the ten- der relations established between his sister and myself. The sentiment of delicacy decided me; and giving heel to my horse, I set forward, Gas- pardo first following, then spurring ahead to guide me to the shooting-ground. An original was this Gaspardo, worthy a word or two of description. No common slave he; either field hand or house-domestic; but the cazador of the establishment, whose metra it the hunter calling with that of the pescudor, when fish were to form part of the menu. In his own physical and moral man, even more of a complex character. <A big, broad-shouldered | mulatto, having in his veins at least three sepa- | rate streams of blood—Huropean, African and Indian—with a dash of the devil to give spice to | the compound. For all, a good fellow at bot- tom, fearing’ God after a fashion, but without the slightest fear of man. Of his courage and prowess I already had proof. By this time he the first occasion of our having gone hunting without my host, suddenly summoned away, as on that morning. The cazador well knew the ground we de- signed quartering; and familiar with the nest- ing-place of the flamingoes, conducted me straight toward it. As it was past the season of incubation, we ope or might not find the birds at home. At night they returned to their roost, but our in- tended visit being by day, there was a chance | | be up to. of our getting disappointed. So Gaspardo said. This was a damper. Still, I should have an opportunity of examining the nests of these curious, long-legged waders, adding a chapter to my knowledge of their natural history and habits. While getting some new hints from the hunter, who, like most gamekeepers, was a very Audu- bon in ornithology, the lesson was cut short at sight of a horseman riding in the same direction as ourselves. We did not overtake him, Before we could come up, he sheered off into a side-path, and was almost instantly out of sight, disappearing ircome ves judging by the glance I sin, r personage, judging by the glance had got of him. Stylis y dressed in an em- broidered jacket of velveteen, with trowsers of the same, slashed along the seams; & scarf of scarlet-colored silk wound around his waist, its ends hanging down over his hip. Alongside | them, a sword that dangled, its scabbard-tip | clanking against spurs that sparkled on his heels; and s0_ on his back a short gun, carried a la bandolier, | and in one hand what appeared to be a guitar, in its case. All this I saw at a glance; the same taking in his features, as turning out of the road, he look- ed back over his shoulder. They were not such as to give a favorable im- pression of him, but the contrary. Swarth and | sinister, their expression was not improved by | the shadow of a broad-brimmed hat pulled | slouchingly over them. “Who is he, Gaspardo?” “Only a goajiro, senor.” “A goajivo! What is that?’ | more from ‘4 fellow who drinks all day, and dances all | animals have their haunts. By t styles himself, with the conceit of Don the De- vil. He used to come swaggering about our cafetal, till the master forbade him.” ““ Why did he forbid him?’ ‘“Oaballero! if you promise not to betray con fidence, I'll tel) you.” : se I promire it. You may speak without ear. ‘“ Well, then, it was because Carrasco had the impudence—only think of it—to make preten- sions to the Na Juanita.” “* Indeed!” I was deeply interested now. “In what way?’ I asked. ‘‘ Tell me the par- ticulars, good Gaspardo.” “Well, senor, once at a fiesta we had, he wes called on for i song. I will say that, scoundrel though he be, he can sing well, and play the bandolin to perfection. Most goajiros can do that, and make their own songs, too, if they don’t the tunes. So what does my gentleman try but some verses he had composed himself, or said he had, in praise of the senorita, describ- ing her charms, as people said, too freely; then winding up with words to tell~her how much he admired her, It was all up with him after that. Don Mariano was very angry about it, and told him never to come near the house again.” ‘*Was the senorita herself angry?’ I askea, making an effort to conceal my emotion, as listened for the answer. “Ah, caballero! that I can’t say, Women are such queer creatures. There are not many of them who don’t like being praised, especially in poetry. Be sure the best of them can stomach a goodish deal of that. There was the Dona Eusebia Gomez, the*daughter of one of our grandees, who went away with a goajiro, and actually got married to hitn—all because he sung canciones praising her beauty and bright eyes, and that sort of thing. Oh, yes; in their vanity, the muchachos are pretty much tho same, whether they be poor girls or rich ladies.” Iconfess that Gaspardo’s ungallant sentiments gave me pain, suggesting thoughts I should not have entertained. Something more than mere curiosity counseled me to question him further: ‘* When did all this occur?” ** As P’ve said, senor, at the fiesta. We have one every year after the gathering in of the cosecha, When the coffee-crop is all stored, the custom is to sy a feast in honor of the event, with grand doings and dances, to which every- body is asked. The one I’ve spoken of was the last we had, just before Pon Mariano went away to travel in your country. All the time _ he was gone, the nina, as you may know, has been staying with her aunt at Havana, and of © course, nothing has ha “pene since.” ‘“Then, I presume, Master Carrasco has by this time relinquished his aspirations?’ “ Quen sabe? For that matter, he might as well. Such as he to think of matching with a grand lady like the Dona Juanita Aguera! It would be as modest in me aspiring to be the alcalde mayor of Batabano. Burt fer all that, one can’t tell what Rafael Carrasco may He’s got brass for any thing, and be- sides, the deceit of Satan himself. ¢ ‘don't be- lieve there’s a greater picaro along all this coast; and if oie Faced speaks true, he’s in secret league with contrabandistos, slave-ccalers, and all such sorts. “T'was only last week one of our people saw him in the company of El Cocodrilo.’ ** Bt Cocodrilo! Who may he be?” ‘* What, senor! you don’t know El Cocodrilo?” ‘Indeed I don’t.” ** And have you never heard of him?’ ie BP strange. T tah ios! that’s strange. ought every- bod, faa.” ss ’ id “You see, I’m an exception.” “Well, I'll tell you. He’s arunaway slaye— a black man, who once belonged to master. But as he was a bad sort, Don Mariano sold him to another planter, a neighbor, from whom he soon after absconded. That ‘was several years ago, and ever since he’s a cimmarin, not one of them able to catch him, Yet he gives them ere chance, as you might think. ere isn't a week ee without his being heard of on some of the plantations making Jove to the negro wenches and robbing their masters right and left. Several times they’ve got up hunting- parties, and set their hounds upon his track— their very best bloodhounds. Siill he continues | to baffle them all.” “He must be a clever scamp, this Cocodrilo. But why is he so-called?” “Ah! that’s partly on account of his being k-pitted; which, as you may suppose, makes is skin look a little like that of a cayman, or crocodile. Besides, he’s a big, ungainly fel- low, as they are. But I think he’s got the name vis hiding in the crenigas, where the he way, senor, night; yet don’t own any ty Meal the clothes this is the very swamp where they say he se- on his back, and the andante tween his legs. | cretes himself. It is called La Zapata, and ex- Sometimes both horse and saddle are stolen, the | tends for ever so far along the shore. We are which is likely enough in his case. IT’d lay a | just now passin: Rafael Carrasco never came by his in an _ seen by one of the field-hands of our plantation. wager honest way.” * Rafael Carrasco, you call him?” “Si, senor; and a bigger rascal isn’t to be was last Sunday the place where he was last It was where the goajiro was seen along with him, the two talking earnestly together. That ‘—less than a week age.”

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oe et <i ia sig” toe eet and I should come across him now. Would you be afraid, G rdo?” “Not I, senor. I yet you don’t rate my courage so cheaply. raid of El Cocodrilo! On the contrary, I'd just like to set my eyes upon his ugly image, and if I do, I'll soon after have my hands on him. J’ve myself some old scores to settle with that sua*y gestleman; and if ever ho comes into my ciuvches, they’ll have no need afterward to put bioodhounds upon his trail. He'll make no more tracks except those between where I get hold of him and the jail of Batabano—carajo, no!” “Well, if we should fall in with the formida- ble fellow, you may depend on me, Gaspardo. Pll do what I can to assist you in carrying out your intentions. Not because of his being a runaway slave, but the wicked character you deseribe him. Besides, as you say, he is your personal enemy.” “* Mil gracios, senor.” We reached the roosting-place of the flamin- goes, and, as halt-agorehand about. They were absent, no doubt, on some other — of the shore, where shell-fish and the sual ry on which they feed were more plenti- I saw scores of their curious nests, truncated cones, on which Shey sit, or rather stand, with smeir long legs straddled, during the period of incubation, They were empty now, but around lay the shells of the hatched eggs, and many feathers cast at molting; I observed much, be- sides, that should have interested me, and doubt- less would, had I been in the humor for ornitho- logical inquiry. But I was not. The fear felt in the morning was still upon me—a shadow over my spirits I could not shake off. it forced me away from the memory of the longre roed waders, without staying their re- urn. While riding along the swamp edge, on our Among the Mangroves. A singular forest form these trees of the genus rhizapora. In their growth bearing some resemblance to the banyan, except that you see no large trunks—only stems of several inches thickness, not springing directly from the ground, but supported on a tangled trestle of roots, gnarled and pointed like the legs of rustic chairs or the limbs of gigantic spiders. These penetrating the mud leave open spaces under the overshadowing trunks; a labyrinth | of aisles and avenues, through which crawl | countless crabs and hideous creatures of satrian ed, found no birds | | branches like the way back to the cafetal, Gaspardo parted com- | pany with me. He begged permission on the plea of visiting a friend, who had his dwelling near by, and expected him on some business be- tween themselves. As I now knew the way, there was no longer need for his guiding me, and he said he would be at the cafetal almost as soon as myself—cer- tainly before his master, Don Mariano. I had become attached to the yellow-skinned cazador, and was only too glad at being able to oblige him, by granting the leave solicited. So we separated with a mutual ‘‘ hasted luego,” as ; ae on, Gaspardo shouted after, *‘ Va con ios I had barely lost sight of him, his voice still ringing in my ears, when another sound saluted them. At first I fancied it to be the sough of the sea, caused by the breaking of the surf along the shore. I had heard this at intervals while riding along. But it was now at too great a ce, and could not be that. It was not, ough in some respects similar, The noise I heard was softer, and more smoothly resonant. Besides, it came from above. ing my + on Upward, I saw what was causing it. The blue sky was enameled by scarlet spots—great birds, with their wings extended in flight—the flamingoes! No doubt the flock we had failed to find at their roost, to which they were now on eon. one ey were ri; over my _ head, d at least a hund yards vertically’ distant, nt my breech-loader was charged with swan- shot, ‘and mente? | checkin my Sire I raised the gun my shoulder and let basa both barrels into the thick of the flock, A shrill scream was the response, continued as the f ‘oes flew on faster than before, Consid- ering the t distance, I took it for ited [ had mi them, and a, ing iiss reins, m I saw that one was about to ride on. Just had separated from the rest, and was gradually going Rowe With some experience as a sports- man, I knew from this that some of my No. 1 shot must have penetrated the body of the bird, touching it in a vital par The ice where I pulled up was a stri of open ground, on one side a forest of wil mangoes, on the other the mangrove swamp. Two very different kinds of trees, especially de- tested by the Cuban planter, as he thinks of his chimarin slaves. For in the fruit of the former the runaway finds sufficient sustenance, while the latter gives him a refuge beyond the reach cotieeroiis of the bl The ingo fell among the mangroves; and having carefully marked it down, slip out of the saddle, tied my horse to a tree, an] start- ad to retrieve it. : The disappointment of the day made me all the more anxious to get the game I had shot— . not liking to return with an empty bag. P sides, the flamingo that had fallen was evident- ly an old gander, of a deep scarlet to the tips of his tail-feathers, not a white one visible in all his fiery plumage. What a grand trophy his skin wi be mounted in a museum with my name underneath: Presented by Captain —— —; shot on the shore of Batabano Thus inspired, I _ groves, and co awrial roots. ay, Cuba. rushed in among the man- climbing over their ea ab -j 4s +4 re, aes ‘without the silken clue. shape; among others, the cayman and croco- dile—for both species of these gigantic reptiles are indigenous to the island of Cuba. The trees of the order rhizapora are not all of one kind. There are many species of mangrove along the coast of tropical countries, all per- forming the same office in the economy of na- ture, reclaiming the land from the grasp of the surging sea, and staying the latter in its contin- ual attempts at encroachment. Along their outer selvedge, where the mud becomes exposed at ebb tide, they fling out roots from seeds still within the pericarp, and adherent to the ‘exci of an octopod, grasping a victim at each influx of the tide. The mangroves, thus constantly adding to the ground they have already gained, in time form a forest belt often miles in breadth, stand- ing in the soft mud over which man can not make way except as a ‘monkey, by swinging himself from tree to tree. , Into such a jungle had 1 entered to retrieve the shot flamingo. Clutching the stems, and springing from root to root, I ras on, in hopes soon to rest eyes on the beautiful bird. I had not gone far when I heard a rustling noise, as of some one moving off before me. Guided by the sound, and drawing toward it, I caught sight of a man, like myself making way among the mangroves. A huge negro, naked from head to foot, not so much as a rag | covering his jet-black skin. I did not at first think it so strange; sup- | him to be some slave from the cafetal, | Sin, who ad been taking a dip in the sea—the water of which I could ay perceive shining through the bushes beyond. But, on advancing toward and hailing him, I was surprised at his havior. He neither answered the hail nor showed any disposition to await my coming up. On the contrary, he went off like a wild animal startled from ‘its lair; and liding over the roots, far faster than i, soon disappeared from my sight. From the glimpse I had of his face as once or twice he looked back, I could see it was hideously scarred, as by some cutancous disease—the worst kind of varioloid. Remem- bering Gaspardo’s description of El Cocodrilo, I could not doubt but that chance had given me a peep at the formidable cimmarin. Havin no desire to come up with him, I turned bac and took the direction I had hitherto been fol- lowing in search of the flamingo. By fortune, I found the bird, though it was the merest accident. For, after losing sight of the water, and again getting into the thick of the trees, I lost all bearing of the place where I had seen it settle down. Screams which I presumed to proceed from its throat ided me to the spot. Instead, they preved to the cries of the caracara eagle, two of which were in the act of q ing over a quarry they had not killed, ios anaes ith its e flamingo was qui , lying with i wings extended, like “3 scarlet shawl spread over the branches, while its ae neck, ie jer with ee iy ee mandibles, dangled down be- neath the body. ‘ Resennataly. it pee es tag ate: Larder so as to il ij umage for the er- mist. Carefully racking? it for transport, I commenced returning on my _ Tracks! There were none, What mattered it? I could make my way to the shors in the shortest direction. So thought I at starting to go back. But my confidence quickly changed to uxcertainty, and soon after to apprehension. In less than five minutes after bagging my bird, I was wander- ing amid the maze of mangroves, helpless as would have been the finding of Fair Rosamond ' sh in five ne I with a dead heaviness at my as one feels on becoming sensible that he has strayed from the path got lost. Not as one on a common highway, or amid fields of corn, but in the shadow of a trackless forest or the open expanse of a pathless ogee _ Lost not for an hour, or a day, or a nig’ esc in all probability for days, nights, and hours that may end in death. % I did not at first fully realize the seriousness of the situation, so little did it affect me. I made no attempt to call out or in any way sum- mon assistance, f Indeed, to have done this would have been idle, as I afterward learned when the full fear came to a stop .came over me. Then I called loud enough to frighten the caracaras, with no their screams. resounding throug’ ; These, 1angroves, resembled the laughter of ‘or ig Was mow on mae, save ‘the 3 me se - % Pet Weg, ba Sees tess eet | own tracks, swinging round the circle. NTT VARA ILS SE ere eee | effort to reach terra firma, first tacking one way, then another, as appearances promised better, like a sloth, swinging myself from branch to branch and root to root, allin vain. I came upon places where the bark showed abrasions, which on scrutiny proved to have been made by my shooting boots. I was but returning on my clouded sky, there was no sun to give the direc- tion. Icould not have taken it if there had been. For, before entering the jungle, I had not taken note how the shore trended. _For several hours I kept clambering about, till the increasing gloom amid the umbrageous branches of the mangroves warned me that night was near. Just then adark object attracted my atten- tion, and I turned toward it. Drawing near, I saw what looked like a haystack set upon piles. Advancing toward it, I discovered it to bea shed or arbor; no freak of vegetable nature, but. the work of human hands. There was a floor of wicker Jlianos, warped and twined among the tree roots; above, a canopy of leaves, the broad blades of the wild banana, Three sides were in- closed with the hattle of sipos; the fourth oven, giving admission to the interior. Springing up to the wicker stage, I found myself amid objects that told of human occupa- tion, though the occupant was not at liome. There was a hammock swung between the stems, supporters of the roof; and from the las} de~ pended strips of Chili peppers, onions, and clusters of ripe plantains; while in one coruer stood a basket of sweet potatoes, and a second containing oranges, mangoes, cherimoyas, alli- gator pears, and a variety of other fruit—a cor- nucopia of tropical productions. Suspended from a limb outside was a huge guane-lizard, skinned, disemboweled, ready for the spit. That it could be broiled there was evident, from the embers of a fire smoldering on a mud hearth, in the center of the staging. T had no need to conjecture as to what all this meant, Soon as rit} the hut so strangely situated I could tell it to be the refuge of some runaway slave—the home of some hunted ma- roon. And who else could its owner be than him I had seen scampering off—the dreaded Cocodrilo! I was as sure of this as if I had met the pock- marked man upon his own hearth, and been in- vited to partake of his hospitality, Vividly recalling his character, as Gasparde had given it, I had no desire to. Under the cir- cumstances, an interview with him might not end amicably, Perhaps he would resent intru- sion on his solitary domain: and be disposed to punish the intruder. * Reflecting thus, with my eyes on the seurian suspended outside, its form fearfully suggestive of a human being hanged and flayed, I remained not an instant longer under the r of the run- away. I bea now better hopes of being able to re- gain the shore; for, although the hight had nearly gone, still in the dim twilight I could distinguish something like a path along the tangle of roots. Whitish spots showed where their bark had been trodden off by the hard, horny soles of a negro’s feet. _ Along this I started, continuing on for severat enced yards, Then the ao came down, dark as a pot of pitch; and [ could no more make out the blazes, To proceed further would only be to get strayed again—perhaps with less chance of ultimate success. At thought of this, I desisted from van further’ attempts, and resolved to stay among the man- engves till morning. 'o make myself as comfortable as the circum- stances would permit, I selected a spot where the roots were thickly matted, and there laid myself along like a steak upon a gridiron. But before soning sleep I took the precaution to buckle my hun’ g-belt around a branch at the same time attaching it to my body. Otherwise I might roll over into the mud, and furnish the cay- mans with a midnight meal. The position was: irksome enough, to say nothing of being stung by the musketoes that swarmed in myriads around me. A mangrove swamp is the place to find: these noxious insects in their most venomous. vigor. { of constant bebeictings ante fan Me ‘- cen Cy yield to. 'y her were two devils, one SS gered appar e other bigger blacker, a sort of Vulcan, with skin ae eee as by peta wipe pe Tartarian orge. course my © first m have come from what I tod seen ae jiro—the second suggested by With a ~ Gene he. I had made every | Seecription of the runaway slawa. a

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snons-inschief were lesser 2 ides, my betrothed rcatened and in danger, I out; by name calling mo appeared to be could hear her cx to come to hér resi But I felt that I could not. : and or foot. and this, with her continued . Certainly I was bound, as I found on awaking—buckled to the branch of a tree. Jn that there was no imagination nor in | the cries either. Only that they came, not from y but from the great gruya, a 8] of gis rane which frequents the s of ¢ d from the spell of my dream, yet sovered from its unpleasantness, I lay listening. For the cry of the crane had some- thing in it different from its ordinary call, During the week I had several times encoun- tered the bird, stalked and shot it, so becoming tolerably well acquainted with its habits. In a second or two, it gave note again, clearly a signal of alarm. But now I no longer listened to it, for other sounds, far more significant, had fallen upon my ears; beyond doubt human voices! At the same time I heard a scraping and scratching among the trees—the swish of bent branches in re- bound. Was it Cocodrilo returning to his lair accompanied by a confederate? The moon had meanwhile arisen, lighting up open spaces among the mangroves. One of these was close to where I sat; for I ‘Had now unbuckled and raised myself to a sitting posture; and when | the silvery beams slanted down, I saw two dark forms. Human shapes both, however devilish | i | neck, vaulted into the saddle. their doings. For it was evident to me they were engaged in something a Scotchman would call “uncanny.” Clambering over the tangle of roots, they | bore a burden between them. It was a thing of oblong shape that might be a coffin or a corpse, looking more like the latter. Some piece of plunder abstracted from a neighboring plantation, which the Crocodile is dragging to his lair, so heavy as to need help. On seeing the two men I did not think of what they were carrying, or care. ay thought was whether they might seo me, If they did, I should certainly be in some danger. An encounter with the runaway were enough ofitself. Too much to meet him in the com- y of another—perhaps also a cimmarin like lf. These fugitives from justice, or it may be injustice, are often desperate men, very Ishmaelites, whose hands are against every man who chances to haye a white skin; and as mine was of this color, caught just where I was, they might take me for a hunter of them and treat me accordingly. A quick survey of the surroundings satisfied me that I was safe, at least for the time, The spot I had chosen for my uncomfortable couch was canopied by ase ing branches thickly beset with leaves, This placed me in shadow, #0 obscure that a man might be within six feet without seeing me. Assured of this, I sat still and watched them as they made way. Their Nigger was slow and apparently toilsome. The | “ire-glow I recogni | | | I was fast bound, | | | | | hing they were transporting must have been | heavy indeed, and requiring delicate handling; some article of value easily da’ i or broken. While I was thus reflecting, hey had ad- vanced to within ten paces of me. ‘Then I saw their arms more distinctly, while for a moment the moonlight shining through a break in the foliage, fell upon their faces. Of these I caught only a glimpse; but enough to make me imagine I was still asleep and dreaming, for their faces were exactly those that had figured in the phan- Seenagorin just disturbed—the two chief de- mons ered in the endeavor 0 identify them, I took no note of aught else till they were nearly out of sight. Then 1 saw what startled me, causing my heart to beat doubly quick, while the blood ran cold in my veins. Something whitish draped down below their burden. It looked like a shawl or the skirt of a woman's dress. Was if a woman they were carrying? And if so, was she Hyiogt or a corpse, and the white drapery its shroud—its winding-sheet? I had an impulse to stalk after them and see; tt was more than mere curiosity. Indeed avery different sentiment; with something of fear or rehension as I recalled the scenes that ha’. icted me in my drearf. Could it be ible that any of the other personages who ap- peared—that one—Juanita Aguera— No—no! The supposition was absurd—too impossible. But for the excited state I was in I should not have entertained it for an instant. And scarce a second did I, returning to my former belief, that the Crocodile and his con- federate were engaged in the last act.of a bur- glary, about to secre the stolen g , or it might be a bit of contraband. Recalling Gas- os account of the goajiro, the last seemed @ more probable. . On reflection, I concluded to leave the robbers to themselves,.at least for that night. Chance had cond me to their pene eee and if pr had been abstracted ould know waere it was stowed and could take steps for wecovering it in the morning. n With the moon now shining clear, I fancied I | might find my way out of the mangrove swamp, all the easier from having noticed the direction | from which tho two men had approached me coming from the land side. Any thing was better than staying there to be eaten by the zancudos, I started, and for a time succeeded in keeping the track. Slowly, as I had to examine the roots With great care in order to discover the spots where the bark had been abraded. Withal, I again got off it, becoming wildered and finally lost as before. I was looking for another place fit to repose upon, when, glancing a little upward I beheld an illuminated. spot in the sky. It was not the moon nor any of her satellite stars. The light was of that reddish yellow easily distinguisha- ble as the glare of a conflagration. Since it was not probable this would be in the midst of the mangroves, nor possi»le on the sea, on shore. Making it my beacon, I started off afresh, and keeping on toward it, soon sprung down from the network of aerial roots and stood on terra firma. Scanning around me, I saw I had come out on | outside them, the fire, whatever it was, must be | known ground—almost the very spot I had fired | at the flamingo. Near by was the tree to which I had tied my horse; and entering under its shadow I found the animal still there just as I had left him; only, like myself, terribly impatient, and bad- ly bitten by the musketoes. A soft, satisfied neigh expressed his delight as I drew the bridle | from the branch, and flinging the reins over his way well, and in the clear moonlight could not again get strayed. Putting the horse to his best speed, in less than twenty minutes after, I had entered the gate of the cafetal, and was riding up to the house. No, not to the house. There was none there I now knew the | now—only the walls of one, with the roof in | red blaze ascending to the skies. As I entered the outer gate and looked up the avenue be- tween the rows of royal y , the space at their further end was lit 3 Be in daylight, only with the red rays of a co ation. I did not need telling that the torch of the in- cendiary had been at work. Instinctively I knew it, with a boding of misfortune far worse than fire. My own heart felt aflame, as I struck my heels against my horse’s flanks, and galloped on for the burning house. As I drew near, I could see fi flitting about—men and women, their dark forms seen in silhouette against the blazing background. I could hear their shouts and ejaculations, all in tones of terror and dis- tress. Ina moment more I was in their midst, scanning their faces, in search of two that were white—the master of the burning mansion and ls young mistress, o white faces there—only black and yellow —the slaves and retainers of the plantation. A man rushing up, stood before me. In the the cazador. ithout waiting to hear what he had to say, I cried out: atten are they, your master, your mis- tress “Gone! both gone! Oh, senor, isn’t it sad!” “Gone! Whither? The fire! What does it all mean? Tell me, Gaspardo—quick!” “ Por Dios, caballero; I cannot. I don’t my- self know. ‘ot home only half an hour ago, Then I found things just as you see them, only that the fire wasn’t so far on, We tried to stop it, but couldn’t. The old house must go now.” ‘“Who has done it?’ I asked mechanically, Something whispered me I knew the man. ‘Well, the people say that soldiers came from Batabano to arrest the master. It’s because his being one of the patriotas, By good luck he’s fot away, and they had to go back without him. hen later, after it had got to be night, some others came who wasn’t soldiers at all, but men in masks. It was them that carried off the sen- orita, and set fire to the casa grande. It’s been burning ever since; and the pobrecita! Nobody knows where they’ve taken or what's being done to her.” I knew the first, of the last ignorant though tortured with terrible apprehension. no doubt now that what I had seen between the Crocodile and Carrasco was the body of my betrothed. Was shestill living, or had they killed her, and what they carried was her corpse? “Oh, God! oh, God!” I ed in agony as the fell fear swept through my soul. “Gaspardo, you are brave. You would risk your life to save that of the nina—would you | not?” “Ten times over. Only tell me how. Try me, senor, you shall see.” “ Get your and horse!” i ‘They are there.” ; He pointed to the horse, that with saddle still on, stood tied to a rail. ‘Your machete?” “Here on mv hip.” “Mount, then, and follow me!” The cazador leaped into his saddle—I had not left mine—and we rode cff, leaving the red flames behind us. 3ack for the swamp, La Zapata, In less than twenty minutes after we wes upon its edge, at the place where I had lately left it, Dismounting, we made our horses secure tyiny them to the same tree where mine bad passed most of th i We muffled them to p ‘The afternoon and night, avent them neighing. work we had to do called for caution, silexw:e, , the stealthy tread of tigers. On the way I had told my companion all, nn# communicated my plan of action; which ho ap proved. We were going to engage in a conflict wit. two men strong as ourselves, to attempt tha rescue of a captive, and capture them as well, They were not likely to surrender witkrul showing fight. On both sides the struggle world be for life, hand-to-hand, and therefore des'yir+ ate. My brown-skinned comrade knew thi - quailed not. I saw he was game to the ul. bone, almost as eager as-myself to enter t po" action. Besides the desire to rescue his ycung mistress he had an additional sentiment tm in | spire him--the old standing spite against ths runaway; as also a fresh feud with Carrasco who had in some way insulted him. The donble vendetta would have securec) me his co-opera tion, with nothing besides. But I believe he would have gone into the fight through shee love of it. He was addicted to deeds of daring —seemed to court them for sake of the danger. I had, therefore, no uneasiness about hie flinching, or failing me. My only fear was our not being able to get face to face with the enemy. Would it be possible to retrace my steps « the hiding-place of the runaway? This was the question that gav° the most con cern. Less now that the cazauor was by my side, After I had told him all, ne uiade light ot finding the way. He spoke as si he was ac quainted with it. In my zig-zag through the tangle I had observed a tree taller than thosa around it; not_a mangrove though growing among them, It was close to the refuge of the runaway. I had made special note of th, with some vague anticipation it might afterward stand me in stead, if I needed it for a landmark. The need had come sooner than I expected. T was now. I spoke of it to Gaspardo. “YT know that tree well,” said the hunter, “Tt’s a mahagna that’s grown from a seed some bird has dropped among the mangroves. I re member from having shot a bird from it—a big harpy eagle that had perched on one of its branches, If that’s the place, I can go straight to it, though it’s now many years since | shot the aa Not so much matter about the tiee either, if you can only put me on the re you § of. When a man has scrambled over ese roots, trust me for finding his footmas |, even if it’s only moonlight. Have no fear, cat» allero! Lead on; and show me where you cara out of the swamp.” Looking to our guns to see that they were ix shooting condition, then slinging them over cw shoulders, we entered among the mangroves. Soon as I set the cazador on the track, b took the lead, leaving me to come after, He did not go fast. It was more important t; make sure of not getting strayed. Beside there was the necessity of not making noise— even the slightest. To guard against this we had kicked off our boots, before taking to thy trees; and trod the roots in our stockings. We went well for some three hundre: Rin when, in spite of the cazador’s wonderful akil, we were compelled to pause. The moon had suddenly dropped under & cloud, leaving us in darkness so dense \r@ could no more make out the scratches ima the roots. They were too slight to be distia- guished in the o It was maddening to be thus baffled. Tone every second seemed a minute, every minute aa hour. For at such a time and on such a matter every moment was fraught with fearful conse- quences. med, fancy mippares J hen af she ap peared in my dreams, struggling e fron, the embrace of the hendiah: brutes. Ot! thas she could have called out; for now I might have heard, and her cries guided me to the spot where she was captive. We listened, but could hear no sounds of ha man voice; only the noises of the night, such ay meet the ear in the midst of amangrove swamp, the groans of the great southern owl, the mel- ancholy cry of the quabird, the ‘ gluck-gluck ” of gigantic bull-frogs, and the bellowing of alli- gators. All sounds consonant to our situation, seeming to mock me in my misery. For I was now wretched, despairing, in the belief that urity. | after all we should be beaten, and have to back leaving the captive unreleased. And thought of such real It was too fearful to bear reflection. I tuimed to my companion in hopes of some word to me, But no, he only whi 2 “'There’s no help for it, caballero, but to wait till that cloud drives If we attempt to go on without— Wal Wyhats that, Sintec! 4 ee re ee es ee a ae a ~& ee ed

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oe ee ne Among the Mangroves light! Carramba! I hope it isn’t the Farrol de Diablo” ; { tooked in the direction pointed out, Sure enough, there was a light, gleaming through the leaves. And asl could tell by the red glare, coming from a reed-fire, and not an ignis futuus as the mulatto meant, calling it the ‘* Devil’s Lamp.” 4 ; Gazing atit, we became satisfied of its true character; and as soon as resolved, we stole to- pward It. Gliding silently (n we got with n less than ten paces ot the spot, then stopped to take breath ‘or the final spring, now peur. For by this we understood all, and knew, toa certainty, what | | was before us. Jt was the shed of the fugitive slave, We had approached it by its open side, and could see everything within, A fire, freshly kindled, was burning on the hearth, beside which crouched the Crocodile, himself, He had the iguan in his grasp, and was almost impaling it on the spit. Evidently the lizard was to be the piece de resistance of their supper. On the bamboo bench were two forms seated aide by side; one erect, the other drooping. The npright figure was that of the gay goajiro, the bent one Juanita Aguera, hair hung disheveled, and that her dress was torn to shreds, Also that ber countenance was sad, the cheeks wan, the lips pallid, the eyes streaming with tears. Seeing all this, I hada difficulty to restrain myself from springing forward, and at once effecting the rescue. Prudence kept me Lack, an intuitive percep- tion that her peril was, for the time, past, and that it might return if I acted rashly. * We were stillsome distance ‘from the stage where the last act of this drama would have to be enacted, beyond the bounds of a single spring. We must get nearer before attempting to bring about its denouement. While stealing closer, stepping from root to root, Gaspardo by my side, both silent as ocelots approacbing their prey, I heard the speech: - “So, senorita! What think you of things now? Aha, Dona Juanita Aguera! I have you in my power and mean to keep you so—as the cayman keeps the prey he has clutched; this night you and I shall sleep on the same couch,” “ No!" I cried, Saree Bx a the platform, unable any longer to bold back, Then, grasping tae throat of the ruffian, Gaspardo simulta- neously tackling the runaway, I continued: ** Surrender, Rafael Carrasco! If you resist, your couch will be a bed of death!” i Never in all my life was I so surprised at the effect of a speech. It was more ludicrous than tragical—like a farce following bad melodrama, Anticipating a desperate fight with the ferocious maroon and the gay goajiro, it almost made me Jaugh to see the latter upon bis knees, and hear his piteous appeal tome for mercy; while the former was praying in the same strain to Gas- pardo, s ; Llefa both to the tender mercies of the caza- dor, who proceeded to bind them hand and foot, neither offering the slightest resistance, _ Then turning, I took the rescued captive in my arms, } ‘As she lay upon my breast, her heart beating time to time, I knew she was safe, pure as when, the day before, our lips meeting, she re- ceived her first love-kiss, L ory racme 3 We left the two criminals in the shed securely tied, to be sent back for and brought to. justice, by the alguazils of Batabano, ‘Toen, returning over the trestle of roots—my affianced more tenderly conducted than when she went the opposite way—we regained the shore, remounted our horses, she sharing my saddle, Back to the cafetal, but not there to stay. The casa grande was still ablaze, but the flames: wero less bright, subdued for lack of fuel to feed them, The roof was fast fallmg in, the red rafters crashing down one after the other. To remain would have been to behold a smok- ing, smoldering ruin. q "fre did Ne or but fora moment—only to - take a last look at the scene of desolation, ' hen turning our horses’ heads, we rode on for Batabano, ; _ Next morning, the first train of de hierro carried us across the island e camino Havana; | and before the hour of almerzo, Juanita Aguera | was safe sharing ii odged in the house of her Hocpitality. Before letting fall the curtain on this little drama of Cuban life, it must needs be told what tia, I, too, rst, left tied as told, they sed, and found as we ha‘l t thatebed I could see that her | abeyance; though it may be said the untutored | Creole gir! is still a girl, under the protection of | ber tia, in that pretty suburban villa, outside | the city of Havana, and her brother isa gen- | eralin the Republican army, fighting the bat- | tles of ‘‘Cuba ‘Libre,” the brave Gaspardo by | his side. | For myself—well, perhaps the less said the | better; though I hope, at some day not distant, | to revisit Havana, and possibly Batabano, | though I may not so much care again to go | ’ of} flamingo-shooting among the mangroves. | Beatles Dime Library. | | BY SiM S, HALL—** Buckskin Sam.” 8 Kit Carson, Jr., the Crack Shot, 90 Wild Will, the Mad Ranchero. 178 Dark Dashwood, the Desperate. 185 The Black Bravo; or, The Tonkaw»y’s Triumph, | 191 The Terrible Tonkaway; or, Old R icky and his Pards. 195 The Lone Star Gambler; or, The Magnolias | Maid. ° 199 Diamond Dick, the Dandy from Denver, | 204 Big Foot Wallace, the King of the Lariat. 212 The Brazos Tigers; or, The Minute Men, 217 The Serpent of Hl Paso; or, Frontier Frank. 221 Desperate Duke, the Guadaloupe *‘ Galoot.’ 225 Rocky Mountain Al; or, The Waif of the Range. 239 The Terribl+ Trio; or, The Anget of the Army. 244 Merciless Mart, the Man Tiger of Missouri. 250 The Rough Riders: or, Sharp Eye the Scourge. 256 Double Dan the Dastard; or, The Pirates, 264 The Crooked Three, 269 The Bayou Bravo; or, The Terrible Trail. 273 Mountain Mose. the Gorge Outlaw. 232 The Merciless Marauders; or, Carl’s Revenge. 287 Dandy Dave and his Horse, White Stocking. 293 Papers Steve; or, The Doom of the Double ac, 301 Bowlder Bill; or, The Man from Taos. 809 Raybold, the Rattling Ranger. 822 The Crimson Coyotes; or Nita the Nemesis. 828 King Kent; or, The Bandits of the Bason. 842 Blanco Bill, the Mustang Monarch. 858 The Prince of Pan Out. : ; 871 Gold Buttons; or, The Up Range Pards. } BY COLONEL DELLE SARA, 58 Silver Sam; or, The Mystery of De>dwood City. 87 The Scarlet Captain; or, Prisoner of the Tower 106 Shamus O’Brien, the Bould Boy of Glingal. BY DR. J. H. ROBINSON. 13 Pathaway; or, Nick Whiffles. the old Nor’west Trapper. 17 Nightshade; or, The Robber Prince. R "Vhitelaw; or, Nattie of the Lake Shore, 87 Hirl, the Hunchback; or, The Santee Sword- maker, , 58 Silver Knife; or, The Rocky Mountain Ranger. 70 Hydrabad, the Strangler. 73 The ben ai of the Red Cross; er, The Granada Magician. 163 Ben Brion; or, Redpath, the Avenger, BY CAPT, FRED, WHITTAKER, | 215 The 23 BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, 8 The Headless Horseman; A Strange Story of | Texas, 12 The Death-Shot;: or, Tracked to Death, 55 The Scalp Hunters, A Romance of the Plains, 66 The Specter Barque. A Tale of the Pacific. 74 The Captain of the Rifles; or, The Queen of the sakes, 200 The Rifle Rangers; or. Adventures in Mexico 208 mae White Chief. A Romance of Northern Mex- co, 213 The War Trail; or, The Hunt of the Wild Horse, Wild Huntress; or, The Squatter’s Ven- geance, 228 The Maroon, A Tale of Voodoo and Obeah, 234 The Hunter's Feast. 267 The White Squaw. BY GEORGE C, JENKS, 898 Sleepless Eye, the Pacific Detective. 432 The Giant Horseman. BY GEOKGE ST. GEORGE, 296 Duncan, the Sea Diver. 417 Tucson Tom; or, The Fire Trailers. BY MAJOR DANIEL BOONE DUMONT, 883 Silver Sam, the Detective, 389 Colonel Double-Edge, the Cattle Baron's Pard, 411 The White Crook; or, Old Hark’s Fortress, 420 The Old River Sport; or, A Man of Honor, 439 Salamander Sam. 454 The Night Raider. 464 Sandyeraw, the Man of Grit. BY J. ©. COWDRICK, 490 The Giant Cupid; or Cibuta John’s Jubilee. 422 Blue Grass Burt, the Gold Star Detective, 436 Kentucky Jean, the Sport from Yellow Pi-e. 452 Rainbow Rob, the Tulip from Texas, 473 Gilbert of Gotham, the Steel-arm Detective, 499 Twilight Charlie, the Road Sport, BY C. DUNNING CLARK, 164 The King’s Pool. 183 Gilbert the Guide, BY MAJOR DANGERFIELD BURR, 92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. 117 Dashing Dandy; or, The Hotspur of the Hills. 142 Captain Crimson, the Man of the Iron Face. 156 Velvet Face, the Border Bravo, 175 Wild Bill’s Trump Card; or, The Indian Heiress, 188 The Phantom Mazeppa; or, The Hyena, 448 Hark Kenton, the Traitor, y MISCELLANEOUS, 6 Wildcat Bob, the Boss Bruiser. By Edward J. Wheeler of % f. 9 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. — 10 Vidoeq, the French Police Spy. Written by himself, { 11 Midshipman Easy. By Captain Maryatt, 82 B’hoys of Yale; or, The Scrapes of Collegians, 60 Wide Awake, the Robber King. By Frank Du- mont, 68 The Fighting Trapper. By Capt. 7. F.C, Adams. 76 The Queen’s Musketeers. By George Albany, 78 The Mysterious Spy. By Arthur M. Grainger. 89 The Russian Spy; or, The Starry Cross Brothers. | 102 The Masked Rand: or, The Man without a Name. 65 The Red Rajah; or, Tne Scourge of the Indies, 69 The Irish Captain. A Tale of Fontenoy. 96 Double Death; or, The Spy of Wyoming. 95 The Rock Rider; or, The Spirit of the Sierra. 108 The Duke of Diamonas. By George L. Aiken. 110 The Silent Rifleman. By H. W. Herbert. 125 The Blacksmith Outlaw; or, Merrie nd, By Harrison Ainsworth, . it 133 Rody the Rover. By William Carleton, 415 The Severed Head; or, The Secret of Castle | 10 Tae Three Spaniards. By Geo, Walker, Coucy, 132 Nemo, King of the Tramps. 159 Red Rudiger, the Archer, 174 The Phantom Knights. 187 The Death’s Head Cuirassiers. 193 The Man in Red. , 206 One Eye. the Cannoneer, 211 Colonel Plunger; or, The Unknown Sport. 215 Parson Jim, King of the Cowboys. 226 The Mad Hussars; or, The O's and the Mac's, 230 The Fiving Dutchman of 1880, ‘ 242 The Fog Devil; or, The Skipper of the Flash, 247 Alligator Ike: or, The Secret of the Everglade, 253 A Yankee Cossack; or,The Queen of the Nibi'ists, 265 Old Double-Sword; or, Pilots and Pirates, 272 Seth Slocum, Railroad Surveyor. 277 The Saucy Jane, Privateer. 281 The Three Frigates; or, Old ironsides’ Revenge, | 353 Bart Brennan; or, The King of Straight Flush, , \t ‘200 The Lost Corvette; or, Blakeley’s Last Oruise. 295 Old Cross-Eye, the Maverick-Hunter. 803 Top-Notch Tom, the Cowboy Outlaw. 810 The Marshal of Satanstown; Lifters’ Teague, ‘ or, The Cattle. | * 144 The 1 pneaamae of Notre Dame. ugo. ‘ 146 The Doctor Detective. By George Lemuel, 152 Captain Ironnerve, the Counterfeiter Ch@f, 158 The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. Frank Pow 166 Owlet, the Robber Prince. Urban. 179 Conrad, the Convict. By Prof, Gildersleeve, 190 The Three Guardsmen, By Alexander Dumas, 261 Black Sam, the Prairie Thunderbolt. By Col. o Yards. — ion ss 275 The Smuggler Cutter; or, wern in ¢ Cliff. By J. Caen si r ye hi yt sate 312 Kinkfoot Karl, the Mountain Scourge. By Mor. ris Redwing, By Septimus R 5 By Victor | 830 Cap ‘Colt, the Quaker City Detective. By Charles . ris, oO 850 bag ral tae the Boclety. Detective, By Weldon By John * 366 The Telegraph Detective. By George Henry ~. Morse, — ; 2 he ax

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Published Every Wednesday. BEADLE'’S*] )IME*]IBRARY. BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham #79 Buffalo Bill's Relentless Trail. Buffa'o Bid's Invineibles Buffalo Bill’s Blue Belt Brigade. Baffalo Bill’s Volunteer Vigilantes. Buffalo Biil at Bay. Buffalo Bill’s Block Game. Buffalo Bill's Black Para, Buffalo Bill’s Bluff; or, Dusky Dick the Snort. Buffalo Bill’s Quandary: or, Velvet Bill’s Vow. Buffalo Billand the Surgeon-Scout. Buffalo Bill’s League; or, Red Butterfly. Buffalo Bill’s Tangled Trail. Buffalo Bill’s Rough Riders, Buffalo Bill’s Secret Ally. Buffalo Bill’s Life-Stake, The Three Bills: Buffalo Bill Wild Billand Band- box Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth. Buffalo isill’s Buckskin Braves, Buffalo Bill’s Road-Agent Round-up, Butfalo Bill’s Death Charm. 57 Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flush. Buffalo Bill's Double Dilemma, Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Ruse, Buffalo Bill's Bovs in Blue. Buffalo Bill’s Sharp Shooters. Buffalo Bill’s Best Bower. Buffalo Bil’s Red Trail. Buffalo Bill’s Death-Knell. Buffalo Bil’s Winnmg Hand. 7 Buffalo Bill’s Dead Shot. Buffalo Bill's Brand, Buffalo Bill’s Spy Shadower, Buffalo Bill’s Sweepstake. Baffalo Bills Dozen; or, Silk Ribbon Sam. Buffalo Bill’s Mascot, 7 Buffalo Bill’s Double. 750 Buffalo Bill’s Big Four; or, Custer’s Shadow. Buffalo Bill’s Flush Hand, Buffalo Bill's Blind: or, The Masked Driver. Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men, Buffalo Bill’s Beagles: or, Silk Lasso Sam, 7 Buffalo Bill’s Body Guard, Buffalo Bill on the Wur-path. Buffalo Bill’s Scout Shadowers. Buffalo Bill Baffled: or. The Deserter Desperado, Buffalo Lill’s Buckskin Brotherhood. Buffalo Bill’s Blind Trail; or, Mustang Madge. Buffalo Bill’s Swoop; or, The King of the Mines, The Cowbov Clan; or, The Tigress of Texas, Lasso King’s League; or, Buck Taylor in Texas. Buffalo Bill’s Chief of Cowboys; or, Buck Taylor 4 Buffalo Sill’s Bonanza; or, Si ver Circle Knights, Buffalo Bill’s Grip; or. Gatn Bound to Custer. 829 Buffalo Bill’s Piedge: or, The League of Three. 9 Wild Bill's Gold Trail; or, The Desperate Dozen. Wild Bill’s Trump Card; or, The Indian Heiress. 168 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot, By Buifalo Bill, 973 The Dread Shot Four 969 Texas Jack, the Lasso King 839 The Ranch King Dead-Shot, 820 White Beaver’s Still Hunt. 807 Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist. Wild Bili, the Dead-Center Shot. €39 Buffalo Bill’s Gold King, 699 The Dead Shot Nine; or, My Pards of the Plains. 414 Red Renard, the indian Detective, 401 One-Armed Parad; or, Borderland Retribution. 897 The Wizara Brothers: or, White Beaver's Trail. 894 White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte. 819 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. 304 Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler, 243 The Pilgrim Sharp: or, The Soldier's Sweetheart, 88 Gold Bullet Svorr; or, Knights of the Overland, 52 Death-Traiier, the Chief of Scouts. By Leon Lewis, Ned Buntline, ete. 773 Buffalo Bill’s Ban; or, Cody to the Rescue. 682 Buffalo Bill’s Secr+t Service Trail. 629 Buffalo Bill’s Daring Role; or, Daredeath Dick. 617 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail; or, The Express Rider. 158 Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts. 117 Buffalo Bill s Strange Pard; or, Dashing Dandy. 92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King. BY HAROLD PAYNE. 883 The Man from Mexico in New York. 872 The King-Pin Shark; or, Thad Burr's Ten Strike, 861 The Tenderloin Big Four 853 The Quaker City Crook. $44 Tracked to Chicago, 886 The Policy Broker's Blind. 829 The Frisco Sharper’s Cool Hand, 821 The Tramp Shadower’s Backer. 813 The Sham Spotter’s Shrewd Scheme. 806 The Grand Street Gold-Dust Sharpers, 798 Detective Burr’s Luna ic Witness 792 The Wall Street Sharper’s Snap, 784 Thad Burr’s Death Drop. ~ 742 Detective Burr Among the New York Thugs. 734 Detective Burr's Foil; or, A \oman’s Strategy. 728 Detective Burr, the Headquarters Special. 718 Detective Burr's Spirit Chase. 706 Detective Burr’s Seven Clues, 698 Thad Burr, the Invincible; or, The “L” Clue. 690 The Matchless Detective. 689 XX, the Fatal Clew; or, Burr's Master Case. BY LIEUT. A, K. SIMS. 914 Snowflake Sam’s Double. 897 The Six-Shot Spotter. 887 The Stranger Sport from Spokane. 873 The Sport Detective’s Colorado Clew. 860 The Spangled Sport Shadower. 843 The Crescent City Sport. 832 Gid Gale’s Block Game. 804 Tne King Pin of the Leadville Lions. 786 Chicago Charlie’s Diamond Haul. 776 Chicago Charlie, the Columbian Detective. 758 The Wizar! King Detective, 723 Teamster Tom, the Boomer Detective. 708 Lodestone Lem, the Champion of Chestnut Burr, 695 Singer Sam, the Pilgrim Detective. 688 River Rustlers; or, the Detective from ’Way Back 673 Stuttering Sam, the Whitest Sport of Santa Fe, 666 Old Adamant, the Man of Rock, 618 Kansas Karl, the Detective King. 552 Prince Primrose, the Flower of the Flock, 528 Huckleberry, the Foot-Hills Detective, — | 929 Gentleman George, the Showman Sport. 912 Genteel Joe’s Lone Hand, 903 The Train Detective. 896 Kent Keen, the Crook-Crusher. 888 Nightshade in New York. 879 Falcon Flynn, the Flash Detective. 871 The Crook Cashier. 859 Clew-Hawk Keene’s Right Bower. 847 Hiram Hawk, the Harlem Detective. 840 Major Bullion Boss of the Tigers. 831 Shadowing the London Detective. 817 Plush Velvet, the Prince of Spotters, 803 The Bogus Broker’s Right Bower. 788 The Night-Hawk Detective. 9 Silk Ribbon’s Cr, sh-out. Detective Zach, the Broadway Spotter, The Dark Lantern Detective. 736 The Never-Fail Detective. 4 Captain Hercules, the Strong Arm Detective Dan Damon, the Gilt-Edge Detective. Silver Steve, the Branded Sport. 4 Gideon Grip, the Secret Shadower. Velvet Van, the Mystery Shadower. 3 The Dude Desperado Jason Clew, the Silk-Panded Ferret, 664 Monit Morel, the Man-Hun er. 654 Sol Sphinx, the Ferret Detective. 642 Red Pard and Yellow. 608 Silent Sam, the Shadow Sphinx. 592 pl re Sid, the Shasta Ferret. 579 Old Cormorant, the Bowery Shadow. 569 Captain Cobra, the Hooded Mystery 559 Danton, the Shadow Sharp, 550 Silk Hand, the Mohave Ferret. 543 The Magnate Detective. 5a2 Jack Javert, the Independent Detective. 528 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective 512 Captain Velvet’s Big Stake. 505 Phil Fox, the Genteel Spotter. 496 Richard Redfire, the Two Worlds’ Detective. 487 Sunshine Sam, a Chip of the Old Block, 480 Hawkspear, the Man with a Secret, 48 Coldgrip in Deadwood, 460 Captain Coldgrip, the Detective 453 Captain Coldgrip’s Long Trail. 447 Voicano, the Frisco Spy. 441 The California Sharp. 454 Lucifer Lynx, the \ onder Detective, 421 Wather Ferret, the Frisco Shadow. 413 Captain Coldgrip in New York. 407 Captain Coldgrip’s Nerve; or, Injun Nick. 400 Captain Coldgrip; or. The New York Spotter. 392 The Lost Bonanza; or, The Boot of Silent Hound. 382 The Bonanza Band: or, Dread Don of Cool Clan, 374 Major Blister, the Sport of Two Cities, 365 Keen Kennard, the Shasta Shadow, 352 The Desperate Dozen. 347 Denver Duke, the Man with “ Sand.”’ 340. Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective, 335 Flash Dan, the Nabob; or, Blades of Bowie Bar, 821 California Claude, the Lone Bandit. 294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy. 941 The Shadow Sport from Frisco. BY WILLIAM H. MANNING, 948 The Red-Gloved Detective. 931 Frisco Frank at Glory Gulch. 920 The Montana Miner in New York, 908 The Doomsday-Den Detective, 899 The Double-Quick Detective. 893 Yellow Gid, of Dark Divide. 885 ‘he Expert Detectiye’s Shake-up. 875 Trapping the Race-Track Judge, 864 The Police Special’s Dilemma. 849 The Genteel Sharper’s Combine $41 Graydon’s Double Deal. 833 The Sport Detective’s Grip, 823 The Athlete Sport About Town, 808 TheCrook-Detective’s Pull, 790 Plunger Pete, the Race Track Detective, 782 Royal Rock, the Round-up Detective. 774 Steve Starr, the Dock Detective. 764 The New York Sharp’s Shadower, 738 Detective Claxton, the Record Breaker, 714 Gabe Gall, the Gambolier from Great Hump, 703 Spokane Saul. the Samaritan Suspect 692 Dead-Shot Paul, the Deep-Range Explorer. 655 Strawberry Sam, the Man with the Birthmark, 646 Dark John, the Grim Guard. 638 Murdock, the Dread Detective. 623 Dangerous Dave, the Never-Beaten Detective. 611 Alkali Abe, the Game Chicken from Texas. 596 Rustler Rube; the Round-Up Detective, 585 Dan Dixon’s Double. 570 Steady Hand. the Napoleon of Detectives 563 Wyoming Zeke, the Hotspur of Honeysuckle. 551 Garry Kean the Man with Backbone, 539 Old Doubledark, the Wily Detective. 531 Saddle-Chief Kit, the Prairie Centaur, 521 Paradise Sam, the Nor’-West Pilot. 513 Texas Tartar, the Man With Nine Lives. 506 Uncle Honest, the heacemaker of Hornets’ Nest, 498 Central Pacific Paul. the Mail Train Spy. 492 Border Bullet, the Prairie Sharpshooter, 486 Kansas Kitten, the Northwest Detective. 479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson of Sassajack, 470 The Duke of Dakota. 463 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gladiator, 455 Yank Yellowbird, the Tall Hustler of the Hills, 449 Bluff Rurke, King of the Rockies. 442 Wild West Walt, the Mountain Veteran. 437 Deep Duke; or, The Man of Two Lives, 427 The Rivals of Montana Mill 415 Hot Heart, the Detective Spy. 405 Old Baldy the Brigadier of Buck Basin. 297 Colorado Rube, the Strong Arm of Hotspur. 279 The Gold Dragoon, vr, California Bloodhound. BY LEON LEWIS. 967 Wind River Clark, the Gold Hermit, 797 Pistol Tommy. the Miner Sharp. 785 Che Down East Detective in Nevada. 773 Buffalo Bill's Ban: or, Cody to the Rescue, 699 The Cowboy Couriers. 686 The On-the-Wing Detectives. _ ¢ 624 The Submarine Detective: or, The Water Ghouls. 484 Captain Ready. the Red Ransomer. 481 The Silent Detective; or, The Bogus Nephew, 456 The Demon Steer, 428 The Flying Glim; or, The Island Mure. | ALBERT W. AIKEN’S NOVELS, 1 Dick Talbot Series, 976 Overland Kit; or, The Idyl of White Pine. 741 Dick ‘valbot’s Close Call. 7 Diek Talbot in Apache Lend. Dick Talbot, the Ranch King. Dick Talbot’s Clean-Out. 3 Dick Talbot in No Man’s Camp. Dick Talbot; 01, The Brand of Crimson Cross Dick Talbot; or, The Death-Shot of Shasta, Aiken’s Fresh of Frisco Series, es co S120 me 5 Fresh, the Race-Track Sport. The Fresh in Montana; or, Blake's Full Hand, Tne Fresh’s Rustie at Painted City. 647 The Fresh at Santa Fe; or, Vhe Stranger Sharp, 556 Fresh, the Sport: or, The Big Racket at Slide Out, 587 Fresh Against the Field: or, Blake, the Lion, 497 The Fresh in Texas; or. The Escobedo Millions, 461 The Fresh of Frisco on the Rio Grande. 97 The Fresh in Big Walnut Camp; or, Bronze Jack Aiken’s Joc Phenix Series, Joe Phenix's Mascot. Joe Phenix’s Double Deal. Joe Phenix in Chicago, p aS plats es poe or, Joe Phenix’s Clue, oe Phenix’s Right Bower. ane Female Barber Detective; or, Joe Phenix in Silver City. . 9 Joe Phenix’s Great Blue Diamend Case; or, The New York Sport at Long Branch. Joe Phenix’s Decoy; or, The Man of Three. jon A at she oll oe Phenix’s Big Bulge, Joe Phenix’s Mad Case. Joe Phenix's Siren; or, The Woman Hawkshaw. Joe Phenix’s Unknown; or, Crushing the Crooks Joe Phénix’s Specials; or, The Actress Detective 637 Joe Phenix in Crazy Camp. 632 Joe Phenix's Master Search. br son Saget a ;cr,the Dandy Consp‘rator 63 oe Phenix’s Silent Six. 601 Joe Phenix’s Shadow; or,the Detective’s Monitor 419 Joe Phenix,, the King of Detectives. 161 Joe Phenix’s Great Man Hunt, 112 Joe Phenix, Private Detective; or, The League, 79 Joe Phenix, the Police Spy. Aiken’s Miscecllancous Novels, 980 The All-Around Athlete, 940 Captain Jack, the Scalper 935 The hawks and Wolves of New York 932 Detective Gordon’s Grip. 926 Old Sunflower, the Silent Smiter, 923 Old Sunflower. the Hayseed Detective, | 901 The Hotel Swell-Sharp; cr, The Siren Shadower, 2 The Countryman Detective. 876 Gold Button Sport; or, The Miner Sharps, 842 Teton Tom the Half-Elcod. 835 The King-Pin Detective. | 814 The New Yorker Among Texas Sports. 5 King Dandy, the Silver Sport. 753 Gideon’s Se Babylon Var. 717 Captain Pat McGowen, the Greencoat Detective, 674 Uncle Sun Up, the Born Detective. 670 The Lightw eight Detective, 665 The Frisco Detective; or, The Golden Gate Find, 613 Keen Billy, the Sport. 607 Old Benzine, the “ Hard Case” Detective. 594 Wire Face, the Silver King’s Foe. 585 The Silver Sharp Detective. 577 Tom, of Calif crma; or, Detective’s Shadow Act. S TS | 965 959 954 949 | 944 865 562 Lone Hand, the Shadow. 520 The Lone Hand on the Caddo, 490 The Lone Hand in Texas. 475 Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective. 465 The Actor Detective. 440 The High Hor. e of the Pacific. 423 The Lone Hand; or, The Red River Recreants, 408 Doe Grip, the Vendetta of Death. 881 The Gypsy Gentleman: cr. Nick Fox, Detective 876 Black Beards: o1, The Rio Grande High Horse 870 The Dusky Detective: or, Pursued to the Ena. 363 Crowningshield, the Detective . 820 The Genteel Spotter: or The N. Y. Night Hawk. 252 The Wali Street ilood; or, The Telegraph Girl. 203 The Double Detective: or,The Midnight Mystery. 196 La Marmoset, the Letective Queen. 101 The Man from New York. 91 The Winning Oar: or. The Innkeeper’s Daughter. 84 Hunted Down: or, The League of Three. 81 The Human Tiger: or, A-Heart of Fire. 7 Gentleman George: or, Parlor. Prison and Street. 72 The Phantom Hand; or, The 5th Avenue Heiress, 56 The Indian Mazeppa; or, Madman of the Plains. 49 The Wolf Demon; or. The Kanawha Queen. 42 The California Detective; or, The Witches of N.Y, 81 The New York Sharp; or, The Flash of Ligh ung: 27 The Spotter Detective: or, Girls of New York, NEW ISSUES. 991 Dick Talbot at the Mines: or, Kentuck, the Sport, i By Albert W. Aiken, 992 The Winged Witch of the Sea. By Col. Ingrabam 998 The Telesraph Detective. By Jos, E. Badger. | 994 Buffalo Bill’s Lone Hand, By Col. Ingraham. | 995 The Czar’s Spy.. By Col, Thos. H, Monstery, | JUST ISSUED. | 984 Buffalo Bill’s Life Raffle. By Col. P, Ingraham, 985 The Long-Haired Pards, By Jos. E, Badger. 570 The Actress Detective; or, The Invisible Hand — een { 986 Iron Wrist. the Swordmaster, By Col. Monstery — | 987 Shadrach, the Sport Detective. By J. W. Os 988 Rocky Mountain Rob. By Albert W. Aiken, 990 Bowi '-Knife Ben. the Little Hunter of the Nor” West. By Oll Coomes. A new issue everu Wednesday, THE DIME LIBRARY is for sale b Newsdealers. ten cents per copy, or sent by mall on receipt of price. BEADLE 92 “illiam street, New York, 989 Buffalo Bill’s Marked Bullet. By Col. Ingraham — bon — ADAMS, Publishers,

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SS 979 ) 964 973 £84 Buffalo Bill's Each Number Complete. BILL Ten Cents a | on Copy. The Me Novels | / / Va Slayer of the Colorado. By Col. : Life Raffle; or, Three. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Relentless Trail. Prentiss Ingraham. The Dread Shot Four; or, My Pards of the Plains. By Col. W. F. Cody. Buffalo Bill's Invincibles; or, The Sable Shad- hey = Sublime Saerifice. By Col. P. Ingra- 1am. Buffalo Bill’s Blue Belt Brigade; or, Sun- flower Sam of Shasta. By Col. P. Ingraham, Buffalo Bill's Volunteer Vigilantes; or, The Mysterious Man in Blue. By Col. P. Ingra- ham. Buffalo Bill at Bay; or, The Gold Seeker’s Docm. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Block Game; or, Miners of the Overland. By Col. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Black Pard; or, The Gold Boomers of the Big Hern. By Col. P. Ingra- ham, Buffalo Bill’s Bluff; or, Dusky Sport. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Quandary; or, Velvet Vow. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill and the Surgeon Scout: or, wan-go, the Redskin Rider. By Col. P. graham. Buffalo Bill's League; or, Red Butterfly. Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Tangled Trail; or, Jack, the Man of Many Masks. Ingraham, Buffalo Bill's Rough Riders; or, Texas Jack's Sharp-Shooters. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Secret Ally; or, The Texan's Double. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Buffalo ill’s Life-Stake; or, The Three. By Col, P. Ingraham. The Three Bills; Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill and Band-Box Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Braves; or, The Card Queen's Last Game. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Road Agent Round-Up; or, The Mysterious Masked Man in Black. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Death-Charm; or, The Man With the Sear. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Ingraham. By Colonel The Mounted Dick, the Bill’s Go- In- By Gentleman By Col. P. Pledged 7 Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flush; or, The Pony Ri- ——— Oo GCGOO0O000 0080 eS ee der’s Death-Run. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Double Dilemma; or, The Great Scout's Big 'Phree, By Col. P. Ingraham, Buffalo Bill's Redskin Ruse; or, Texas Jack's Death Shot; By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, The Ranch King Dead-Shot; or, Texas Jack's Proxy. By Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill's Boys in Blue; or, The Brimstone Band's Blot-out. By Col. P. Ingraham. - Buffalo Bill’s Sharp-Shooters; or, The Surgeon Scout to the Rescue. By Col. P. Ingraham. 989 Buffalo Bill's Marked Bullet; or, The Specter’ 822 The Doomed | 820 | $16 812 807 800 7 Buffalo Bill's Double; or, The Desperado De- Buffalo Bill’s Best Bower; or, Montebello the} Gold King. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. White Beaver’s Still Hunt; or, The Miner Marauder’s Death-Track. By Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill’s Red Trall; or, The Road-Rider Renegade’s Run Down. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Death-Knell; or, The Red Hand Riders of the Rockies, By Col. P. Ingraham. Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist; or, The Girl | Mascot of Moonlight Mine. By Buffalg Bill. Wild Bill, the Dead Center Shot; or, Rio Grande Ralph, the Cowboy Chief. By Buf- falo Bill. Buffalo Bill’s Winning Hand; or, The Masked Woman of the Colorado Canyon. By Col. P. Ingrahem. Buffalo Bill’s Dead Shot; or, The Skeleton Scout of the Colorado. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Brand; or, The Brimstone Brotherhood. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Spy-Shadower; or, The Masked Men at Grand Canyon. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Ban; or, Cody to the Rescue. By Leon Lewis. Buffalo’ Bill’s Sweepstake; or, The Wipe-out at Last Chance. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Dozen; or, Silk Ribbon Sam. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Mascot; or, The Death Valley Victim No. 18. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. tective. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Big Four; or, Custer’s Shadow. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Flush Hand; or, Texas Jack's Bravos. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Blind; or, The Masked Driver of Death’s Canyon. By Col. Prentiss Ingra- ham. Buffalo Bill Robin Hood Rivals. ham. Buffalo Bill’s Beagles; or, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Body Guard; or, The Still Hunt of the Hills. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill on the War Path; or, Silk Lasso Sam, the Will-o’-the-Wisp. By Col. P. In-|} graham. | Buffalo Bill's Scout Shadowers; or, Emer- ald Ed of Devil’s Acre. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill Baffled; or, The Deserter Des- perado’s Defiance. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Brotherhood; or, Opening Up a Lost Trail. By Col. P. In- graham, Buffalo Bill’s Blind Trail; or, The Daughter of the Regiment. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, Ruffalo Bill’s Seeret Service Trail. By Major Dangerfield Burr. Buffalo Bill's Swoop; or, the King Mines. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. The Cowboy Clan; or, The Tigress of Texas, By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. | and His Merry Men; or, The} By Col. Prentiss Ingra-)| Silk Lasso Sam. of the 653 649 O44 639 629 599 362 329 319 804 243 189 175 $ Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts; or, The Doomed | Libraty. The Lasso King’s League; or, The Tigers of Texas. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. Buck Taylor, the Saddle King, Buffalo Bill's Chief of Scouts. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza; or, The Knights of the Silver Cirele. By Col. P. Ingraham. The Gold King; or, Montebel‘o, the Magnifi- cent. By Buffalo Bill, Buffalo Bill's Daring Role, or, Daredeath Dick, King of the Cowboys. By Leon Lewis. The Dead Shot Nine; or, My Pards of the Plains. By Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill’s First Trail; or, Will Cody, the Pony Express Rider. By Ned Buntline. Red Renard, the Indian Detective; or, The Gold Buzzards of Colorado. By Buffalo Bll. The One-Armed Pard; or, Red Retribution in Borderland. By Buffalo Bill. The Wizard Brothers; or, Trail. By Buffalo Bill. White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte; or, 5, Sys oe Man’s Red Trail. By Buffalo sill. Buffalo Bill’s Grip; or, Oath-bound to Custer. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s Pledge; or, The League of Three. By Col, P. Ingraham. Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. Buffalo Bill. Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler; or, The Queen of the Wild Riders. By Buffalo Bill. The Pilerim Sharp; or, The Soldier's Sweet- heart. By Buffalo Bill. Wild Bill’s Gold Trail; or, Dozen. By Col. P. Ingraham. Wild Bill’s Trump Card; or, The Ind‘an Heiress. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot; or, Dagger Don’s Double. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. White Beaver's By The Desperate Dozen. By Dr, Frank Powell. Buffalo Bill’s Strange Pard; or, anaes the Hotspur of the Hills. % surr. Buffalo FP’'ll. Dashing By Major the Buckskin King:, or, The Amazon of the West. By Major D. Burr. Gold Bullet Sport; or, The Knights of the Overland. By Buffalo Bill. Death Trailer, the Chief of Scouts; cr, Life on Love in a Frontier Fort. by Buffalo ll, NEW ISSUES TO COME. Dick Talbot at the Mines; or, Kentuck, Sport. By Albert W. Aiken. The Winged Witch of the Sea. Prentiss Ingranam, The Telegraph Detective. By Joseph rn. ( the By Colonel Buffalo Bill's Lone Hand; or, The Unknown Dead Shot. By Col. P. Ingraham. By Col. The Czar's Spy. Thomas Hoyer Monstery. a“ a 0000000080 000000008 —— — HE DIME LIBRARY is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail, pre-paid, on re- ceipt of price. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 92 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. COO0OD0O00080 eouvae” eoOUVdVO0000 29OA99000000 0000 Badger, Jr. ; ‘ vy» Fh