Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 475) (1893 02 15)
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4 The Mad Skipper. Well, Joc,” said Frank as the two seated themselves upon a trunk at one side of the apartment, ‘‘ here we are, both made prisoners by agirl. She is certainly a wonderful crea- ture—so modest and yet so resolute.” “Me think him glorious!” cried Joe, with enthusiasm. **{Jnless I am much mistaken, she is a native of tae United States, and I am therefore at a loss to account for her being here.” * Yees, yees, you right; him no Chiloe. Him speak too good English for that, and—” | He pause suddenly, as his glances fell upon | the head of a skeleton on a shelf opposite to him, while an expression of horror wrinkled his brow. Crossing himself, he shrunk into a corner. Frank laughed heartily. ‘* Nonsense, Joe!” he exclaimed. ‘ I see how iunis. Weare in the room of some medical man. | Every doctor has in his study, a skeleton ora skeleton’s head.’ “*Yees, yees, but how you know this doctor’s room?” “* By those rows of little vials, together with that mortar and pestle on the same shelf that contains the skeletons, and also by that pile of medical books on the little tabio in the center of the room.” Joe smiled and elapped his hands. ‘““Me very foolish to get frightened,” he sai, returning to the side of his friend. ‘“ Me might have known there be nothing to make fr ened, where there such pretty girl as him we have seeu.” The two were still cowering, when the key was heard turning in the lock of the door; and, the next moment a middle-age man, wearmes a a dark coat, a broad-brimmed hat and corduroy pants, entered the room. The face of this per- son was very square, his eyes of a pale-blue color, and his mouth drawn down at the cor- ners. He carefully closed and locked the door after him, then bowing, addressed the two sea- men in a voice something like the croaking of a frog. ““Good-morning, friends. My daughter told me everything, and I am glad she acted in the way she did. That calaboose is a miserable hole to be confined in, and we shall doall in our ower to keep you out of sight of the vigilantes. The old woman who owns this house, and with whom we board, is an avaricious old wretch who would betray her best friend for a few pal- try reals; but we shall baffle her—we shall get the better of her, I hope.” “Thank vou,” said Frank. Your kindness—” **Don’s mention it,” interrupted the other. “ We are always glad to help those who are in trouble, and so are all Christians. We must contrive to smuggle you on board the Mononga- hela—that yellow whale-ship lying in the har- bor. She is homeward bound, an will sail on the 234 of May—the day after to-morrow. I have just been to see the captain to engage a passage; for my daughter and I have become tired of this place, and are anxious to return to the United States. . Several Spinish doctors have lately come to San Carlos anl ruinet my business completely, Is your pulse resular?’ | “ Sir?” “Your pulse—is it regular, and do well—and is your appetite good?” **Oh, yes.” ““Are yousure? If not, I have a. pill here,” and he took a little box from his pocket— “which will reculate everything at once, It is my own invention. J have been four years compounding it to my own satisfaction, It will cure all diseases except consumption,” “A valuable medicine. I shall certainly let, you know if I should happen to get unwell,” “How is your pulse?’ inquired the doctor, turning to the dwarf. ‘My daughter said sho you sleep | thought you looked ill.” ‘* Him say 80?” ““Yes,, Ah!” he continued, as the warm blood rushed to the dark face, ‘‘ your pulse is not right. I perceive you are subject to hot flushes, You must take one of these pills immediately.” “No, thank you; mo feel ve y well.” “You are mistaken, my friend,” said the doc- tor, as he felt of the other’s wrist. ‘* Your pulse is not regular. You will havea fever u1- less you swallow a pill. Here it is—take it.” The dwarf reluctantly obeyed, declaring that the pill tasted exactly like a crumb of gingerbread, The night-shadows were creeping into the room when the good-natured doctor quitted it, carefully locking the door after him and putting the key in his pocket. In compliance with his wishes, the two seamen, sitting nearly motion- less upon the chest, spoke in whispers when they felt a desire to converse—a precaution necessary to prevent the old woman, who had now return- el, fromsuspecting their preserice in the hot They could hear her voice in the room below, and its sharp, impatient tones seemed to proclaim hat she had met with some h disappoint- ment. Such, indeed, was the fact; for, as the “vigilantes” had not succeeded in finding the deserters, she had not: gained the expected reward, At ten o’clock she retired, in no enviable frame of mind. Turning to his daughter, seated near him in a back room, the he 5. a then screwed bis mouth intOan expressicie comical significance. of that she-bear at last, Lilian, » to sleep.” “We've got r and I hope she’l! soon g¢ “T have no doubt she will,” answered the young girl, smiling, ‘* for she drank several cups of the motherwort tea you recommended to her.” “That's good; and now you may go to bed, As your chamber is next to hers, you can easily tell by the sound of her breathing when she is asleep, You must then give three distinet raps upon the ceiling. I shall station myself where I can hear them.” “ All right, papa!” and she left the room, Half an hour after, the doctor, hearing the raps, hastened to the apartment in which he had left the seamen. “I'he coast is clear,” said he. make our way to the beach,” **- You need not trouble yourself to accompany us.” said Peank: ‘‘ we can find our way.” “There is a short cut,” replied the other, ‘which you know nothing of; therefore I must insist upon being your guide,” 2 t “We will now
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The Mad Skipper. No further time was lost. They hastened to the room below, the outside door was cautiously opened, and soon after they were hurrying along a narrow path which, the doctor informed them, led to the béach. This they gained in a short time, and found themselves directly opposite the Monongahela, which loomed up like a great phantom about a! quarter of a mile, from the shore. A new moon, partially obscured by the clouds, which were not yet dissipated, relieved the gloom sufficiently to afford them a good view of the water. “Here is a skiff,” said the friendly guide, pointing to a small boat tied to a stake, ‘I will go with you to the ship, so as—” “No, no,” interrupted Frank. ‘‘We would be apt to be seen from the shore if we tonk to the “boat, My friend and I can easily swim to the vessel.” Very well. And now, good-by until we mect again, which will be in a few days.” They shook hands, and then, throwing off their shoes, and fastening their jackets to their necks by means of the sleeves, Frank and his faithful chum stepped into the water and struck out for the ship. Being excellent swimmers, they soon gained the “ows of the vessel; then, by means of the cable, they clambered to the deck. This had evidently been recently scrubbed; it was as clean as a ‘‘milkmaid’s apron,” and was not disfigured by s seling ends of running rigging, these being neatly coiled upon the belaying-pins. The turns of the cable were nicely arranged about the windlass; not even a kink was cut of place, and the two seamen also noticed that the dibs were as carefully and tastefully stowed as | those of a man-of-war. The rigging, too, was taut and trim,” the yards squarely balanced, and the sails furled wit true nautical precision. **Me think this very fine ship,” remarked Joe. “Captain very particular mé Make crew work plenty, though, me guess.” “ Ay, ay,” replied Frank, ‘‘ the captain of this eraft evidently likes to have every thing ship- shape.” “Yees. He must be very good skipper.” “P'r’aps you'll alter your mind when you come to know him, my lad,” was uttered in a deep voice, and turning, the two men saw an old, gray-headed tar, looking at them across the windlass. In a few words, Frank made the necessary ex- planations, to which the sailor listened im grim silence. “Tm afraid you’ve made a bad move in com- in’ aboard this craft.” * Why so?” ‘In the first place, because the officers won't suit you; in the next, because every man of the crew, with the exception of myself and two others, is composed of the most outlandish set of savages your eyes ever lighted on. My only reason for not desarting is because I don’t care about losin’ my share of the profits which will come from the cargo—this being a full ship. The three mates are New Zealanders, so that all the heathens*forward have everything pretty much their own way. The captain seems to have a most unnat’ral liking for these wild islanders, as you may know by his making mates of the three.” x “You don’t mean to say—” “Ay, ay,” interrupted the old sailor, ‘it’s just what J do mean to say. While inthe Arctic Ocean we lost over three Nantucket mates, one by falling overboard, another by sickness, and t’other by being struck on the head with a whale’s flukes. What does the captain do but put in the places of all of ’em the three boat- steerers of the larboard boats—three big-headed savages!” ‘“* He must have a strange taste,” said Frank. “Strange! That doesn’t express it, mate,” replied the other. ‘“ P’r’aps you'll think him more than strange when you get acquainted with him. Hows’ever,” be added, “if you are willing to take up your quarters in this craft, I ain’tthe man to go back on you. But you’d better keep your-elyes close until the craft sails, for if those heathens got sight of you they wouldn’t hesitate to betray you to the vigilantes, for they are a treacherous set.” “Do they try to quarrel all time with you white men?” inquired Joe. “Well, no, I can’t say that they quarrel with us, though there’s a good deal of figkting and scratching of faces a-going on among them- selves. What I complain of is the noise they make, keeping me from sleeping when it is my watch below, and shirking duty whenever the captain’s eye isn’t upon ’em; Lesides which, they ‘an’t talk like rational beings on any subject, which is very disagreeable when we have to huddle all together in a small forecastle.” “Tt can’t last fora long time, at any rate,” said Frank, ‘‘ the craft being homeward bound. I guess we’ll take up our quarters bere.” ** Just as you like, mate,” replied the old tar. “Tt sartainly pleases me to have another civil- ized being added to the few in the ship. The captain, I’m certain, will be glad to have two more in the craft, seeing as we are a little * short-handed.’ ”, He pulled away one of the fore-hatches, and pointing significantly into the hold, continued: “*Pl find you a good hiding-place, my lads, if you'll jump between decks. We must be quick about it, too, as I expect my relief to come up every minute.” The two men sprung into the hold, followed by the o71 sailor, who soon conducted them to a little cell or chamber formed by an open space beneath a great pile of whalebone slabs in one corner. As this could only he reached by climb- ing over the top of the pile and descending on the other side, and as their guide declared that it was only known to himself, he alone having heen employed in piling up the slabs, our two friends were much pleased with their temporary retreat. * And now,” said the old tar, “TI have to cau- tion you about speaking loud, seeing as the bulk- head is only a few feet from you, and ycur voice might reach them quick-eared heathens in the forecastle. The ship sails day after to-mor- row, and wntil then you must make yourselves as comforteble as you can in this narrow hole, and with the provision which I shall lower to ou.” “Many tharks, my fricnd,” said Frank. ‘We shell never forget your kindness.” “Tt isn’t worth mentioning,’ replied the other,
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The Mad Skipper. ‘*Ben Williams is always ready to help a ship mate, and the man who isn’t is worse than a shark.” S> saying, he crawled out of the opening and left the hold, to return a few minutes after with a small package of provisions and a keg of water, which he lowered from the top of the whalebone pile to the two men below. With a hearty good-night he then ascended to the deck and cautiously closed the hatch. CHAPTER II. A STRANGE CAPTAIN, On the morning of the 23d, a whaleboat was sent ashore from the Monongahela for the two passengers, the doctor and his daughter Lilian, who stood upon the landing, ready to embark. “Why, papa,” whispered the young girl, un- easily, as the boat glided alongside the little wharf, ‘* these men are all savages!” The doctor smiled. “All the crew, with the excevtion of the captain, two white men, and the cook, are New-Zealand- ers,” he replied. ‘It is not uncommon to find whaleships thus manned, owing to the desertion of so many of the original crews. A vessel of this kind seldom brings home the same men who went out in her.” ““T don’t like the appearance of these crea- tures,” continue. Lilian; ‘* they look su fierce. I am really afraid of them, although,” she quick- ly added, ‘‘I may be very foolish to feel so. They are not to blame for being so ugly.” The doctor ed her wrist. “Your pulse is not quite regular,” said he; ‘you are a little nervous. You had better take one of my pills.” **Oh, no, you are quite mistaken, papa, if you think I am unwell.” Before her father could reply, the officer of the boat, a tall, wild-eyed native, with wrinkled brows and long, crooked teeth, sprung ashore, and bowing, abruptly addressed the doctor: “Tf you Doctor Claret and dis your daughter, you best get into de boat fast as you can.” “These are to go with us,” said Claret, point- ing to a couple of trunks; ‘‘and—oh, no, my good man,” he interrupted, as the savage moved quickly toward the baggage, ‘“‘you can do nothing with them alone. You will have to get some of the men to assist you. I was obliged to hire seven Chilians to bring them here.” “Chilian lazy dog,” grunted the New-Zeal- ander, as he coolly shouldered one of the trunks and passed it to the men in the boat; “dis no much heavy.” ““There’s muscle for you!” cried the doctor, turning to Lilian; ‘‘ the result of constant exer cise in the open air. Neverthelees, I haye even known men of this stamp to be sorely afflicted with divers complaints of the bones, such as rheumatism, and such like. My friend,” he added, confronting the native, as he prepared to shoulder the other trunk, “how is your pulse?” “What say?” inquired the officer, looking much puzzled. “Ts your pulse regular?” *¢Me no understand!” cried the savage, impa- tieontly. ‘No care stop to talk for nothing. Getting up anchor: must hurry aboard. Think more of dat dan pulse, as you call him.” And picking up the trunk he deposited it in the boat. ‘““Not very polite, certainly,” remarked the doctor. ‘‘I know by the wild, restless gleam- ing of his eyes that he needssomething to soothe him. One of my pills would have that effect.” ‘Tey, dere!” shouted the islander, as he ‘took his place in the stern-sheets, ‘S you want to be leave ashore, eh? Come quickee, get into de boat.” The doctor sprung into the bow, and carefull, helped his daughter to the after-thwart, whic. was prepared for her accommodation. “Now then, you can start as soon as you like,” he exclaimed; and seizing his steering- oar, the dusky officer quickly whirled the boat’s head around. “Hi, hil now den! spring, my men!” he shouted; ‘‘ don’t let grass grow on boat!” ‘* Hi, hi, hi!” shrieked the dark crew in re- sponse, and the ashen blades whirled through the water. : The boat was soon alongside of the ship, and Lilian was assisted to the deck by the first offi- cer, a gigantic New-Zealander, wearing great brass rings in his ears “Where is the captain?” inquired Doctor Claret, as the trunks were being hoisted from the boat. “By windlass, watching men heaving at the brakes,” answered the mate. ‘‘ Me go and bring aff here in a minute.” Lilian glanced forward, and her cheek paled a little as she encountered the wild eyes of more than twenty fierce-looking islanders who were heaving in the slack of the cable. Some of them wore thick rolls of white cotton cloth — twisted about their brows in the form of a tur- ban, others were bareheaded, and all were stripped nearly to the waist, as if they took pride in displaying the hideous tattoo marks with which their skin wasdiscolored. Suddenly one of them started a shrill, barbarous chant, and the rest soon broke forth in chorus, their voices being so harsh and discordant that Lilian felt tempted to press her hands to her ears. ‘Papa, I’m afraid we’ve got into a curious ship,” she murmured, nestling close to the doc- tor’s side. I see no white men at all.” “ Beggin’ your pardon,” said a voice behind \, them, ‘* J’m white, and there’s two others of the same color below, a-looking for handspikes.” Claret and his daughter turned to behold a tall, thinseaman, with aremarkably small waist, a long fece, and red, fiery eyes. “Tim Collins, at your service,” he continued, with a low bow. “I’m the steward, and beg’ leave to inform this young lady that she needn’t eo to be frightencd, as them Kunakas is all par- fectly harmless, As to us whites, our color is a sufficient recommendation, with the exception of one, and that one is me, who is subject to cer- tain fits, at certain times, of breaking up things —a general ‘smashing-up fit,’ which makes it necessary to tie me up to prevent my doing mis- chief.” = “That is singular enough,” said Claret. “T don’t remember ever hearing of such a case be- i fore, “ Your nerves, probably, have been injured
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The Mad Skipper. insome way. Permit me to offer you one of my ills,” Pra They would do me no good,” answered Col- lins. ‘‘ The fit of which I speak is constitutional —inherited from my mother.” “Indeed? It must give you a great deal of trouble.” **So it does. 1 always tell my captain of my infirmity before I ship, hows’ever, and also in- form him that I’m parfectly willing to be tied up whenever it comes upon me. So you see it’s at his option whether to take me or not.” The skipper was now seen approaching, and Collins hastened into the cabin, **Good-morning, Captain Wythe,” said the doctor, extending his hand to the master of the vessel. ‘‘I perceive we are aboard in time.” “Ay, ay,” replied the skipper, bowing and lifting his cap to Lilian; ‘‘in good time. A few more heaves there at the brakes will raise the anchor. Precious freight,” he added, nodding his head toward the young girl. Claret introduced them, and Lilian thought the captain one of the most singular-looking be- ings she had ever seen. Rather above than below the middling hight, his form was wasted almost to the proportions of a skeleton, while his arms were so long that they extended- below his knees. His face was thin and haggard; the skin of the hue of parch- ment, and the forehead disfigured by two scars of a dark purple color, intersecting each other in such a way astoresembleacross, His brows, shaggy and crooked, projected far over his eyes, the pupils of which were surrounded by circles of a greenish hue; and there was a wild, wan- dering expression in these sunken orbs which seemed to betoken a mindill at ease. His dress, different from that-of most whaling captains, consisted of a round, curious-looking canvas cap, a short Spanish cloak, gray pants, and long, pointed shoes, : “You were never before on board a whale- ship: Miss Claret?” y No; and I am surprised at the—” “ Scarcity of white men here, you would say,” sharply ayd rudely ee the skipper; “but Tt can assure you that Kanakas make as good sailors as the whites do. My thirty years’ experience at sea has convinced me of that.” * Really,” cried the doctor, “ I am quite sur- prised tohvar yousay so, I perceive,” he added, glancing aloft, ‘‘ that some of your islanders are already loosening the topsails.” “Ay, ay; we'll soon get under way. We have a fine breeze for leaving the harbor. Ho there, steward! this way!” he shouted, as Col- lins suddenly thrust his head through the com- panionway. The steward advanced, and the captain or- dered him to get some of the men to help carry the passengers’ trunks below. “*T wonder if theyll ever come up. again !” he added, in a hollow voice. “T don’t understand you,” said Claret. “% Ay, ay, that’s the way of the world. No- body understands me!’’ muttered the strange captain, grinding his teeth, ‘‘ Round and round all the time; that’s the way it goes, roaring, surging, and crashing; taking in everything that comes near it!” A lurid light burned in his deep-set eyes; he rubbed his thin hands together, and paced the deck with quick, nervous strides, ““TIncomprehensible!” whispered Claret to his daughter, ‘‘ What can he mean?” “I'm sure J don’t know, papa,” replied the as- tonished girl; ‘‘ he talked rationally at first.” The doctor pulled his pill-box from his pocket, and advanced to the captain’s side, ‘Fixcuse me,” he said, putting his hand upon the other's shoulder, ‘* but I think you are labor- ing under some nervous derangement of the mental—” “What!” interrupted Wythe, with startling vehemence, turning his glaring eyes full upon the doctor’s face—‘‘ What! Do you mean to insult me?” “Tam a physician,” answered Claret, draw- ing. himself up with professional pride, ‘ and as such have a right to make suggestions tomy . patients. These pills,” he continued, taking a couple from the box, * you will find immensely beneficial in your case.” ‘*T am not one of your patients, sir, and want nothing to do with your pills, so you. may as well put them back in your pocket. But hark ye, doctor,” he quickly added, the lurid light again burning in his green eyes, ‘‘ what is your opinion of whirlpools?” sé Sir?” “Whirlpools! Whirlpools!” hissed the cap- tain, through his set teeth, “They are very dangerous, I believe,” replied the doctor, much surprised et the question, , ‘I never saw one, however, in my life.” ; “Ay,ay. Dangerous—what of that?’ mut- tered Wythe, turning abruptly upon his heel. “ T care nothing for the danger,” “Papa,” whispered Lilian, ‘Show strangely he acts? We have certainly got into a curious ship. Perhaps we had better go ashore again.” “Oh no, we must not think of doing that. This strange captain is a ‘ valuable case’ for me to study, by doing which, I may benefit the whole profession. I think, but am not as yet quite positive, that he is laboring under some mental derangement caused by a bad state of the nerves; the result of overeating and neglect of proper exercise. But hark,” he added, hear- ing the rippling of the water about the vessel’s bows, ‘‘ we are under way.” “Why, so we are,” cried Lilian, and she ran to the lee rail to watch the receding shore, Topsails and topgallants having been sheeted and hoisted, the vessel was now running along before a moderate breeze at the rate of four knots. An islander stood at the wheel; the rest of the mgn were occupied in catting and fishing the anchor, and in dragging the cable amidships with their chain-hooks. Thus em- ployed, they did not notice a sail-boat_contain- ing four men, two of whom were pulling with might and main toward the ship, and thé others shouting and gesticulating vehemently to at- tract the attention of those on board. Lilian, who had perceived the little vessel the moment she glanced over the rail, now pointed it out to her father, remarking that she believed two of its occupants were vigilantes, The doctor pulled a small spy-glass from his
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tev ‘The Mad Skipper. pocket, and after a hasty survey declared ‘she was right, ‘*T hope none of the officers will see them,” he whispered, ‘‘for it’s casy enough to guess who they ara after. Do you understand me?” “Oh yes,” answered Lilian, slightly blushing. *‘T remember you told me this morning that those two deserters had concealed themselves in the ship.” **T hope they are in a good hiding-place,” said the doctor, ‘*The mate will probably see the boat in a minute, and wait for it, and the poor fellows will certainly be ferreted out if they are not careful.” That would he too bad, said Lilian, earnest- ly. ‘I hope the officers won’t get sight of the boat,” _ She looked much disappointed, the next mo- ment, in seeing the dusky mate spring to the waist rail and gaze at the approaching boat. Nor could she suppress a cry of vexation when she heard him order his men to haul back the main-yard, “What's that for?” yelled the captain from the quarter-deck. Boat want to come aboard,” responded the islander—‘‘ boat with two vigilantes in him,” The captain. looked surprised and impatient, and watched the boat with a lowering counte- nance until it glided alongside. * “What do you want?” he roughly inquired, as the two vigilantes sprung to the deck with rat- tling scabbards, ‘'Come, I have no time to lose! Speak quickly, and tell me your errand.” 7 This the two men explained in broken Eng- i there are deserters stowed away in my ship, you are welcome tosearch for them provided you don’t take more than fifteen minutes to do so. “Si, si, senor,” answered one of the men; “me think we can find themvin that timo if they be here. We will search the forecastle first.” “Very well, bo as lively as you can,” said the eaptain; and turning upon his heel, he resumed his walk while the two vigilantes, moving for- ward, descended into the forecastle. Drawing their swords, so as to be prepared for resistance, they peered into the bunks, overturning the bed- clothes therein, and thrust the points of their weapons into obscure corners; when, finding their search unsuccessful, they proceeded to the fore-hold. Hera empty barrels and casks were overturned, coils of rigging thrust aside, and great bunches of oakum pulled asunder, after which the pile of whalebone slabs was serutin- ized with suspicidus glauces. Fae ty open space behind where man could hide!” said one of the vigilantes, addressing the second mate, who had accompanied then into the hold. “ Perhaps man get there by climbing over the mee “No tink so,” answered the dusky officer, “but look dere if you like. Got two minutes more to look.” Accordingly, one of the men clambered to the ee of the pile; but before he could lower him- self on the other side, the stern voice of the cap- tain was heard at the hatchway. “ Amoki,”—this was the name of the second sh, “Well,” replied the captain, ‘‘if you suspect- mate—' tell those two men to come up and leave the ship at once. D’ye hear there?” “ Ay, ay,” replied the other, and with an agile spring, he gained the top of the whalebone slabs, and caught the policeman by his cloak. “Come—no look any more; time up; must leave de ship!” “In few minutes; tell the captain to wait few minutes.” ‘“Not one second!” screamed the New Zeoa- lander, ‘‘ No want in ship any longer.” The man, however, quickly jerked his cloak from the other’s grasp, and dropping to the deck, immediately discovered, at the bottom of the pile, the opening from which protruded the heads of the two deserters, ‘Fo! ho! here—this way !—here they—” The hand of the New-Zealander, tightly press- ing his windpipe, prevented the conclusion of the sentence. ‘‘ When me tell you leave the ship,” cried the savage, fiercely, ‘‘me like you do so, If not me kill quick!” The viso-like grasp upon his throat deprived the Chilian of all power of resistance. His sword dropped from his hand; his eyes and tongue protruded; his face began to grow purple; it was evident that the enraged savage intended to choke him to death. _ In fact, he would have ac- complished his purpose, but for the interference of Frank Harland, who nowy sprung to his feet, and seizing the mate by the shouldeys, pulled him backward witha force that caused him to let go his hold. “You carry matters too far, my friend,” said the young man, “You must not commit mur- der, “Hil hi! who dis? What dis mean?” ex- claimed the astonished savage, staring upon the two.deserters. ‘‘Whereyoucome? No like you meddle with me,” “T couldn't stand by and see you kill the man,” answered Frank; ‘* but I can assure you that I had no objection to your other move- ments. I may and that I am glad to perceive that our Chilian friend is not disposed to stay any longer in our company.” “He! he! he!” laughed little Joe Plaush— ‘there he go, scrambling over top of bone-pile as if dogs after him.” In fact, the policeman did not stop until he had gained the deck, where he found his com~ rade, who had been considerably alarmed by his protracted absence, ‘‘Now, then!” cried the captain, who stood near the foremast, ‘‘ you wil) be good enough to leave my ship. The quicker the better!” ‘Si, senor,” replied the discomfited policeman, + if you please make deserters come up from be- low.” “Deserters!” “Yes, below there in hold.” And in a few words he related his adventure. ‘Captain,’ said old Ben Williams, who, being at work near the foremast, had overheard every word that was said—“ Captain, I think the man is mistaken, About half an hour ago I heard them two little savages, the cabin-boy and his chum, say they were a-going into the fore-hold to pick oakum, so IT haven’t any doubt it was them that was seen by this chap.”
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The Mad Skipper. 9 “ Ay, ay, that clears up the matter,” cried Wythe; ‘“‘so away you go,” he added, turning to the vigilante. ‘‘ You perceive there was a mis- take made.” ** No, no, it was not an islander—me quite sure of that, though the hold was a little dark, and—” “Nonsense!” shouted the skipper, impatient- . ‘ You are a stupid blunderer! Do you sup- pose I shall allow you to carry off two of my own men?” “ But, senor—” “‘ Not another word! Time enough has been lost already. Your deserters are not in the ship.” “You mistake, senor, the—” “Blast your eyes!” thundered the skipper, stamping pee. upon the deck, ‘‘T tell you I have no time to bandy useless words with you. There are no deserters inthe craft. Away with them into the boat!” he added, turning to his crew, This command was promptly obeyed. The vigilantes were seized and bundled unceremoni- ously into the boat, The warp was then cut, and the ship’s main-yard braced forward, much to the satisfaction of old Ben Williams, who grinned with delight as he saw the boat drop- ping astern. A few minutes after, however, Amoki emerg- ed from the fore-hold, and hastening to the quar- ter-deck, related to the captain his discovery of the two deserters. ‘**-You must be mistaken.” ‘No; tell you me speak to ’em; one American and one Portuguese.” The skipper hastened to the hatchway and sommes the two men on deck. ‘What ship did you belong to?” he inquired. ‘The whaler Marmion, of New Bedford,” an- swered Frank, ‘‘ which sailed a few days ago.” The captain glanced over the rail at the vigi- lantes’ boat, which was now fully fifty fathoms distant, careering swiftly toward the landing- place. “Shall we signal boat, and wait for him to come aboard?” inquired the mate. ‘*No; we have lost too much time already. Besides, being ‘short-handed,’ I have no objec- tion to the services of these two men. Ben Will- iams!” “ Ay, ay, sir,” cried the old tar, looking very guilty as he advanced. “You knew the two men in the hold were not the cabin-boy and his friend. You knew they were these two deserters, did you not?” “Seeing as no harm can come to ’em now, I may as well own up that I did,” answered Ben. “Well, see that you never deceive me in that way again,” cried the skipper. ‘‘As you have got me two extra hands, however, I'll forgive you this time. So that ends the matter.” “Shall we get up stw’n’-sails?” inquired the first officer. Wythe did not answer. His eyes, lighted by the lurid gleam, were fixed igen space, as if his mind had suddenly wandered from the subject of conversation. The New-Zealander repeated his question, and then, starting quickly, like one suddenly waking from a bad dream, the captain clutched the arm of the savage, and pointing aloft, replied, in a voice that rung like a thunderbolt through every part of the ship: ‘ Studding-sails and royals! Ay, ay! crack it on the old craft—everything she can carry! and when you hear it roar, let me know!” ‘“Me no understand. What roar?” timidly and respectfully inquired the dusky mate. “Roar—I said roar, fool!” shouted the cap- tain, while flakes of foam flew from his white lips. ‘*Yotshall know in time what I mean! Up with studding-sails and royals there! Let me hear the groaning of the timbers—the crack- ing of the masts—the booming of our broad bows! Hot ho! there, bestir yourselves, all hands! We have no time to lose! Round and round it goes, roaring, crashing, and thundering like an avalanche! Steady at the helm!” While some of the men were engaged in sheet- ing home royals and preparing studding-sails, Frank and the old tar, Bon Jilliams, darted aloft to rig out the main-topmast studding-sail boom. They were soon on the yard, and, while shoving out the boom, the young man touched his companion on the shoulder. ‘© What is it, lad?” ‘Your captain is a strange man.” ** So I told you from the first.” “ Ay, ay; but don’t you think his mind is a little deranged?” ‘* Well, sometimes I’ve thought so, and then again I’ve altered my detarmination. He talks sensibly enough as a general thing; but, may I be blasted if I can make out what he means when he gets on that topic about ‘the going round and round,’ and that infarnal ‘rearing.’ He always bad a wild way with him, but it’s only since he was taken with brain fever—which happened about two months before we made the port of San Carlos—that he got upon this ‘round, roaring’ way of speechifying, which is sartainly very peculiar and mystifying. It even puzzles Tom Collins, who is very sensible-like, excepting when he gets into one of his smashing- up fits.” "Into what?” “ A smashing-up fit. If you have a nice pipe, mate, or anything of value that can be broken, I'd advise you to keep it out of. Tom’s sight, for he’ll sartainly smash it if it happens to be near him when the fit comes on. He can’t help it, hows’ever, seeing as it’s ‘ constitutionality.’ “ He must be a singular chap.” “Not a bit of it, excepting when the fit comes; but, if we happen to see him in time, we can tell by sartain signs when that’s a-coming on, and prevent his doing execution by tyin’ him up, to which ho never objects.” Frank was about to reply, when he heard be- hind him the “‘ frog-like ” voice of Dr. Claret, “Young man, allow me to congratulate you upon your escape.” Much surprised, both seamen turned, to be- hold the doctor clinging to the yard with both hands, his brown coat-tails flapping about in the wind, “You perceive that I am quite a sailor, hav- ing ascended thus far without assistance,” cried the man of medicine, smiling. ‘The fact is, I have felt like exercising all the morning. There is nothing like exercise to strengthen and invig-
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10 orate the constitution. It was partly on that account, and partly for the purpose of congratu- lating you, that I came up here.” ‘* My dear sir,” said Frank, smiling, ‘‘ I thank you very much; but as youare not used to being aloft, you had better go below as quick as you ean. A roll of the ship might throw you off.” “I should certainly be glad to take your ad- vice if I could,” answered the doctor, now hug- ging the yard with both arms; ‘‘ but having got thus far, Ican neither go any further, nor can I return.” “Why, my eyes!” cried Ben Williams, “‘it’s as simple as the tying of a square knot. The slightest bit of a sheer to larboard will carry you into the rigging.” s Unfortunately,” replied Claret, ‘‘I now feel the inevitable consequences of exercising on an empty stomach. My legs and arms are shaking so that I am totally unable to perform the ‘sheer’ to which you so kindly allude.” The old tar turned aside his head to conceal a broad grin; while Frank, gently grasping the doctor’s arm, soon contrived to get him into the rig- ging. With great trepidation, Claret then descended to the deck, where he encountered his daughter, who threw her arms impulsively around his neck, “Oh, papa! I was so frightened. How could you venture so far aloft? [expected every mo- ment to see you fall tothe deck, you trembled so while clinging to that boom!” ““Oh, so you have been watching me,” said Claret, looking much confused, ‘‘T left you in the cabin, and had no idea you would come up before I returned to the deck. Is it possible you could see me tremble while so far from me?” ** Yes, you shook like an aspen, papa, and you would certainly have fallen had you been left to yourself,” ‘* Ahem—well—yes, I did tremble a little on account of exercising on an empty stomach; but as to falling, [ hardly think that could have happened, as I was perfectly self-possessed. I may add,” continued the doctor, drawing him- self up, “‘that ‘our profession’ are remarkable for having their wits about them under every circumstance.” “Breakfast!” shouted Tom Collins, at this juncture, thrusting his long face through the companionway. The captain, however, who stood leaning against the weather-rail with downcast eyes and knitted brow, paid no attention to the announce- ment; perceiving which, the steward repeated the word in a louder voice. Still the moody skipper said nothing. Doctor Claret fidgeted and looked impatient. ‘Really, Lilian,” said he, ‘I have quite an appetite, and Iam sorry that this strange cap- tain is so indifferent to the word ‘ breakfast.’ I must rouse him from his trance.” As he moved toward the skipper, however, Tom Collins interposed: “Hist! my dear sir! You mustn't intrude upon him when he’s ‘ wrapped up in his reverie.’ @ gave orders to me—to all of us, in fact— —never to do so.” “But, the breakfast—the breakfast, my friend! Tt will get cold,” The Mad Skipper. “Oh, no,” answered Collins, ‘‘ there’s not the slightest need of your waiting for the captain. You may go below at once, if you have no ob- jection to eating with a New-Zealander!” “* Not the least,” answered Claret, ‘‘ provided he’s civil.” “* Ay, ay, he’s civil enough, Onoolo is; always minds his own business. Ill summon him at once. The captain ordered me, t’other day, never to wait breakfast for him when he’s in his reverie. Breakfast ready, sir!” he added, turning to the mate, who at that moment came aft. ‘* Ay, ay,” answered the savage, showing his hooked teeth, and shaking the rings in his ears, “Ay, ay, very well, dat.” And he plunged through the companionway with a suddenness that made the doctor stare. “Now then, come on, please!” cried Collins, bowing three times to Claret and his daughter, as he backed on ‘‘ tiptoe” into the companion- way. ‘Come on.” Accordingly, the doctor took his daughter’s arm, and conducted her to the state-room, in which they found the New-Zealander already seated at the table, desperately attacking a pyramid of biscuits, fresh pork, fried potatoes, ete., etc., which he had piled upon his plate. The truth of the steward’s statement, that Onoolo minded his own business, was not to be disputed; for he paid not the slightest heed either to the doctor or Lilian, but, handling his knife and fork in a manner peculiar to the people of his race when provided with such in- struménts, he thrust his food into his mouth and chewed it with astonishing rapidity. Collins, however, still moving upon the tips of his toes, politely motioned the two passengers to their places, and put the edibles in the position most convenient for them to reach. “Sorry the captain’s in his reverie,” said he, ** for I know he'd be glad todo the honors of the table.” **Never mind,” replied the doctor, ‘‘ we shall get along very well.” They—that is to say, Claret and his daughter —had nearly finished their meal, when they saw the steward make a violent pass with his cldtot- ed fist, as if striking at some “invisible” an- tagonist, while his whole face wrinkled with the most singular contortions. One corner of his mouth was twisted toward his left ear; his nose and his brows were moved rapidly; he winked with both eyes! ‘Good heavens!” cried Claret, ‘‘ what is the matter, my friend?” “Nothing, only it’s a-coming on!” exclaimed Collins, with a strong nasal twang, at the same time jerking both elbows violently, “it’s a-com- ing on, my smashing-up fit—and I'd thank some- body to tie me up at once! Come, Onoolo— quick!” The New-Zealander, however, having just made an attack upon an enormous chunk of salt beef, continued to eat voraciously, paying no at- tention to the summons. ‘“* Tt’s a-coming on!” continued Collins, dancing around the state-room, ‘ there'll be ruin here directly if I ain’t tied up!” “Tie up, when get through eat—not before,” grunted the mate, with his mouth full,
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The Mad Skipper. a 11 ‘“‘That will probably be too late,” said Claret, jumping from his chair. ‘‘ However, I have something here,”—pulling the pill-box from his yocket—*' which, I doubt not, will prove more feneficial even than tying bim up!” So saying, he advanced toward Collins with a pill held between his thumb and forefinger; but the steward gliding past him, declared it was no use; and snatching an empty platter from the table, he dashed it upon the floor, shivering it to atoms. Seizing a coffee-cup, he destroyed that in the same manner, and would probably have demolished every article of crockery upon the table, had not the Goctor seized him from bebind with both arms, He struggled violently to get away, but the other having the advantage of position, con- trived to maintain his hold, and soon, with a deep gasp, Collins declared that it was over. “Pray, my friend, how often do these fits come on?” inquired Claret, releasing him. ‘ * About once a fortnight,” replied Collins. ** Don’t be frightened, miss,” he added, glancing toward Lilian, who looked much alarmed, ‘it’s all over now, and mighty sorry am I that it took place in your presence. I hope you'll forgive me, and—” “Meat! meat! bring more meat!” interrupted Onoolo, rapping the table violently with the handle of his fork. ‘* Not half enough yet.” ‘Ay, ay!” cried the steward, and he darted into an adjoining apartment to procure more beef. “*My friend,” said Claret, directing an anxious glance toward the New-Zealander, ‘‘I beg leave to remark that you will ruin your digestive or- gans by eating so much.” ‘“Who you speak?” cried the mate, with an angry frown. ‘‘ Mind own business; dat way gentleman do. You no pay for meat; captain pay for him. No like you speak to me in dat way.” **T mean no offense,” replied the doctor. ‘“‘If you choose to make yourself sick [have no more tosay. Come, Lilian, let us go on deck.” They quitted the cabin, and moving to the weather-rail, stood watching the receding shores of Chiloe and the mainland, now dimly visible off the weather-quarter. The captain, with the moody, absent expression still upon his brow— his arms folded and his eyes fixed upon the deck, leaned against the mizzen-mast. as motionless as a statue, CHAPTER IIT. A. QUARREL, Wirh studding-sails rigged fore and aft, the Monongahela was nuw running along at the rate of eight knots, playfully tossing the water from her bows, and gently swaying from side to side, as if nodding to the shadows of her yards and sails upon the water. Forward, all hands, with the exception of Frank and Ben Williams, who were still at work aloft, had gathered about the windlass and fore-hatch, to await the coming of Moon- shine, the negro cook, with the breakfast-kid, which, on the present occasion, was to contain a certain savory mess, called ‘* scouse,” —a fa- vorite dish with seafaring men—consisting of salt meat and sea-biscuits, which are first chop- ed up, then soaked, and afterward carefully boiled. To see the eager, wistful expression of the dusky faces turned toward the galley, from which the fragrance of the scouse was gently wafted with every puff of steam gushing from the entrance, a novice would certainly have be- lieved that roasted turkey, plum pudding, or turtle soup was expected. The tall islanders, provided with cups and pans, which they kept striking together, creating a din like that of kettle-drums, became more im- patient every moment, and finally uttered sundry yells and screeches, which had the effect of draw- ing the cook from the galley. ** Almos’ done!” he shouted. ‘Bring de scouse along in one minute, supposin’ you hab proper patience. World wasn’t made in a sec- ond, no more dan white man, New-Zealander nor nigger was. Hab patience, gen’lemen!” And with a broad grin, revealing two rows of shining ivory, he dodged back into the galley. Meanwhile little Plaush moved briskly among the group of dusky giants, exerting himself to strike up a bargain with his jack-knife for a pap and two spoons, that he might procure a share of the scouse for himself and his absent chum. Each of the islanders, however, being provided with but one pan, the efforts of the dwarf were unsuccessful, and mournfully pocketing his knife, he fell to a deep reverie as to the means of securing a share of breakfast for his friend. Suddenly he bethought him of the steward, and he wason the point of moving aft, to re- uest that worthy to provide him with the ar- ticles needed, when he saw Moonshine, the cook, emerge from the galley, with the kid in his arms., Fearing that, during his absence, the hungry islander would devour every mouthful of the breakfast, he resolved to postpone his errand un- til assured that enough of the scoure was left for the two men aloft. Accordingly, when the cook placed the wooden vessel upon the hateb, he (the dwarf) bounded toward it like an india-rub- ber hall, determined to protect a small -portion of it from the ravages of his dusky shipmates. Yelling and screaming like tigers, the latter rushed upon the well-filled kid, dashing their great spoons into its contents, and filling their pans with wonderful rapidity. In fact, the whole of the savory mess would have disap- peared in less than a minute, had net the watch- ful Portuguese suddenly snatched the kid from the fore-hatch and ran with it toward the waist. At first, as if utterly dumfounded by the audacity of this pigmy among them, the tall islanders glared with protruding eyeballs at the neer little man, as he receded from them with the kid in his arms; but, soon recovering them- selves, they bounded after him, shouting and screeching like demons. The dwarf hurried on, however, and rushing into the galley, closed and fastened the door after him, much to the astonishment of the cook, who had just re- turned to his little palace. “Hallo! What brought you here, breakin’ into honest men’s lodges? What you want? Why have you fastened dis door? Go for’ard,
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where you belong. Foremast hand not fit to ’sociate wid higher class, like me! I’s de cook ; don't ye know dat?” Bang! bang! crash! at the galley door. “Bey! hey, dere! What all dis mean? I call upon capen to protec’ me from dis out- rage. I's a gen’leman ob leisure, I is! Get away from dat door! Can’t tink what it all mean!” In a few words Joe made the necessary ex- planatious, to which Moonshine listened with eyes expressive of the utmost astonishment. ‘Possible? Am it possible so much fuss made ’bout little grub? Hey, dere!” he added, addressing the islanders outside, who were still shouting, screeching, and “banging” at the door—“ stop dat racket! Ill make ebery t?ing right in one minute!” And drawing from his locker a large panful of scouse, which he had evidently saved for his own breakfast, he passed it through a little opening in one side of the galley, to those with- out. “Dare!” he exclaimed, as one of them snatebed it from his hand, “hope dat will satisfy you. True gen’lemen are liberal, which am not expected in dis case. Now go’way and leabe me alone!” The New-Zealanders withdrew, and Joe was on the point of opening the door to quit the gal- Jey, when Moonshine laid his hand upon his shoulder. “You mus’ not go yet,” said he. ‘* Wait until dem fellers hab filled deir stomachs, when dey will be in a more better humor, If you go now dey will tear you to pieces. J know ’em,” “Me ain’t afraid of that,” replied Joo. ‘If they come at me, me can run down into the cabin.” The Mad Skipper. -fend him. “ Bery well; if you choose to take de *sponsi- bility upon your own shoulders, why, do so— dat’s all; but remember, I’s warned you.” “Me think it’s most time for Frank and Ben tocome down from aloft,” replied Joe, ‘‘ and me like to be on hand to give ’em the scouse.” So saying he opened the door, and, leaving the galley, cautiously crawled to the carpenter’s bench, upon which he deposited bis kid, and then sat down, being screened from the observa- tion of the islanders by the works, Glancing aft, he perceived that the quarter-deck was de- serted, the captain, his second and third officers and two passengers having gone below, and the mate not having yet finished his breakfast. He was overjoyed, however on looking aloft,to see Frank and Ben Williams descending the main rigging. They sprung to the deck, soon after, and ina few words he related to them what had happened. “You are a good, faithful friend, Joe,” cried Frank, grasping his hand; ‘‘ but you must never again get yourself into trouble on my account.” ‘Nor on mine,” said Ben. ‘ ‘Them heathens won’t ever forget what happened, and will have a grudge against you from this day. However, there’s three of us now, without counting the stewardand captain. We can’t do much against so many, it’s true, but if each of us keeps his weather-eye open, we can be prepared at any rate. By the way,” he continued, “ you needn't haye borrowed trouble about such a small mat- ter asa pan and spoons, as I have several in my chest. Pll go and get ’em at once.” He did so, and the three, seated upon the carpenter’s bench, were soon enjoying their meal. When it was finished, they, walked forward, and taking seats upon the windlass, commenced to smoke, Ben having furnished pipes and to- bacco, The New-Zealanders, who were now re- clining about the deck, enjoying their wooden ‘““meerschaums,” did not seem to notice the dwarf, but old Ben, who watched them keenly thought he could detect an angry flash in their downcast eyes whenever the Portuguese spoke, “They ain’t forgotten what’s happened, de- pend upon it,” he said, in a whisper to Frank, ‘*‘and unless [am much mistaken, they'll show their spite against our little friend here before long.” ““Tbey shall not harm a hair of bis head,” re- turned Frank, ‘Sas long as T have pewer to de- If we only had arms—a pistol or two, for instance—” “T have anold shot-gun in my chest,” inter- rupted Ben, ‘‘ together with a little ammuni- tion. 1 will go below at once and get it ready; for itll come in use in a short time, unless ’'m much mistaker.” He had scarcely quitted the deck, when sey- eral of the islanders arose, and moving to the weather-rail, seemed to hold a whispered consul- tation, now and then directing a side glance to- ward the two men seated upon the windlass, They were soon joined by others, when their con- versation became more animated. Ominous sereeches and angry exclamations followed; the glances darted toward the deserters were now more fierce and frequent than before; it was quite evident that some scheme of revenge against the dwarf was being planned. “There is a handspike and a crowbar, Joe, on the deck behind us,” whispered Frank. ‘' The moment those fellows come toward us, we must pick them up, then jump behind the windlass and stand with our backs to the knightheads! Do you understand?” ~ ““Yees! yees! but you better go helow and leave poor Joe to take care of himself, Me can run up the rigging.” ‘Nonsense; they would follow you.” “Me look out they not catch me. No uso your getting youself into trouble on account of little chap like me.” ‘‘ Hist! Do you suppose I’d forsake you? you, who have done so much for me? If you hint at such a thing again I shall feel offended.” As he spoke, the sight of a large hand-saw which an islander had procured from the cap- tain’s chest, and was bringing forward, cleared up his doubts as to the nature of the punishment meditated against his friend. At the period of which we write, the practice of ‘‘cobbing,” as it is termed by seafearing men, was quite com- mon aboard merchant and whaling vessels; that is to say, the luckless wight who gave offense to his shipmates, was at once thrown across the windlass, face downward, and held in that un- comfortable position while some one of the crew iaflicted blow after blow upon his back with the flat part of a hand-saw. Frank determined that his chum should endure
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The Mad Skipper. no such insult at the hands of the savages; in fact, Joe himself declared he would sooner die than suffer the outrage. In order, however, not to get his friend into trouble on his account, he sprung toward the rigging, intending to run aloft, To his surprise and disappointment, he had no sooner grasped the shrouds than he be- held the tall form of a New-Zealander, who had stealthily mounted to the top on the windward side, d scending toward him! There being no other alternative now, he bounded over the windlass, and picking up the handspike, tcok his place by the side of Frank, who, crowbar in hand stood with his back to the knightheads. The islanders glared at the two mena few seconds; then approaching, one of their number ordered the dwarf to step back again to the other side of the windlass. ‘‘Yees! yees! you want to strike me with the saw! Me sooner die than be lick in that way!” “Own fault; take away scouse kid!” “Me have right to do so; you would eat up all the breakfast so me two friends have none.’ “¢ @r ends no here to breakfast, must have none. Dat’s right.” “No, it’s not right.” “Mink oderways you tink, Must ‘cob’ you,” “ Kill me first!” “Ai! hi! kill quick if no ‘ cob.’ And picking up crowbars and_handspikes, the savages were on the point of leaping over the windlass, when they were checked by the stern voice of Ben Williams. 2 tg Hold! the first one that jumps is a dead lub- er! Turning, they saw the old sailor armed with his shot-gun, the muzzle pointed toward them. They exchanged glances and looked irresolute; but soon a peculiar gleam flashed from their eyes. They had seen the islander aloft glide stealthily but quickly down one of the backstays and leap behind the try-works. Soon he re- appeared, creeping like a cat around the angle of the brick-work—no doubt intending to spring upon the old sailor from behind. The windlass, together with the group of savages standing in front of it, screened him from the gaze of the two men by the knightheads. “You'd better put down your handspikes and crowbars!” continued Ben. “Td rather not shoot you if it’can be helped.” “TP do so,” said one of the New-Zealanders, in order to gain time—“ if doso you must put away un. “Sartainly; that’s square enough.” “No t?ink you keep word,” ‘*Never broke it in my life. Down with them weapons, and down goes my gun; that is, pro- vided you promise also not to meddle with Frank and the Portuguese, hereafter.” ‘* No like make promise.” “ Ay, ay, but you must if you want to put an end to our present bearings ag’in’ each other.” “Well, put down gun first.” “Not a bit of it, seeing as you are the attack- “Then not put down handspikes and crow- bars.” “Tf you don’t I shall—” Before he could say another word, he was pull- ed to the deck by the strong arm of the savage behind; and the next moment the gun was jerk- ed from his grasp by one of the natives in front. With fierce yells, the whole band then crowded around him. His hands and feet were tied, and then the man who got possesion of the gun lifted the weapon to strike him upon the head. He was prevented from doing so, however, by Frank, who with his chum had quitte.! the knightheads the moment he saw the old tar thrown down. A blow from his handspike stunned the savage so that he staggered to one side; and the young man had seized the gun to snatch it from the other’s relaxing grasp, when he was violently hurled upon his back by two of the savages. They bound his feet with strong cords; then one of them pressed his hand upon his threat and his knee upon his breast, while the other tied his arms. By his side lay the dwarf, secured in a similar manner. “Mi! hi!” gritted one of the New-Zealanders, stooping and p< ering triumphantly into Frank’s face. ‘* Make you all same unless keep still and no struggle.” ‘You are a set of cowardly dogs,” gasped the prostrate man, ‘‘and—” The tightening of the hand upon his throat revented the conclusion of the sentence. His rain grew dizzy; he was unable to breathe; ’ sharp, agonizing pains shot through his head. He struggled violently to release himself, but in vain; and there is no doubt the savage would have accomplished bis intention of choking him to death, but for the interference of Onoolo, who having finished his breakfast, had just emerged from the companionway. “Hi! hi! dere!” exclaimed this worthy, rush- ing forward, ‘‘ what you’boutdere! Stop! stop dat work at once!” He pushed aside on islander who was beating Ben upon the head with his fists, and ordered the one who was was strangling Frank to let go his hold. “What all dis mean?” he angrily inquired, as the savages released the prostrate men. ‘‘ Speak quick—1 hke to know!” Before they could reply, the captain, who had come on deck soon after Onoolo, darted into the midst of the group, his eyes rolling in his head, his whole face convulsed with frantic rage. “Go below, you miserable dogs!” he shrieked, glancing round upon the islanders. “* Go below before I tear you limb from limb! Oh! you black-skinned villains! ye miserable curs; do you dare to make a disturbance aboard my ship? Go below, I tell ye—every man of you!” The men did not move; they glanced at the dusky mate as if waiting for him to sanction the captain’s order. “ Blast ye, why don’t you obey?’ roared the pee ea picking upahandspike. ‘‘ Jump! jump, I tell ye!” “Capen!” said Onoolo, ‘‘ dey no like to be call names; s’pose you speak to ’em like gentleman dey go.” “A gentleman! Who do you suppose could speak to rascals of their color like a gentleman or—” ‘Remember, I of de same color,” interrupted the mate, his eyes flashing angrily. ‘‘S’pose you call dem dogs you call me dog too!” “Ay, ay, you and eyery other native is but
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little better than a dog—I repeat it!” yelled the captain, stamping the deck in his rage. ‘‘ But!” he suddenly added, whilo a strange, restless, unmeaning glance shot from his eyes, ‘* what difference does 1b make, since we'll all go down together! Ho! ho! ho!—We'll soon hear the roaring and see the whirling of the mad waters as they go round aud round! Royals, studding- sails, every thing she can carry—crack ’em on the old ship! A merry, merry time of it we'll have going down among the sea-demons!” He pressed his hands to his brow, and glower- ing at the savages, broke into a fit of wild, unearthly laughter, that rung through every corner of the ship. bat S bY By 18 Oty ean Onoolo, the angry ex- pressimn in his eyes giving place to one of mingled veneration and awe. ‘Me half t?ink so, before, but certain now. ‘ Hooki-nu,’ (a spirit of the air) speak to this man. He sce what goin’ to happen before happen. Mus’ do eberything he tell us.” A low murmur circulated among the dusky group. They huddled ‘closely together with bowed heads, and eyes expressing admiration and wonder; for, like the American savages, many of the islanders of the Pacific respect the madman as a being endowed with supernatural wisdom, Meanwhile, peal after peal of maniac laughter continued to break from the captain’s lips, untal, as if suddenly waking froin some fearful dream, he started, glared around him in a bewildered manner, and then, turning upon his heel, darted aft, and rushed into the cabin. “Go below,” whispered Onoolo to his dusky shipmates. ‘‘ He tell go below. Mus’ do ebery- ting he say. Fas‘en scuttle after you get on steps.” Tne men obeyed, after which the mate severed the cords about the feet and wrists of the three men, “T have not yet squared accounts with the rascal who pounded me while I was down!” cried Ben, springing to his feet. “Nor I with the one who tried to choke me!” exclaimed Frank. ‘Nor yet with the villain who struck down my poor little chum.” “Some odder time,” said the mate; ‘when go ashore gness hab chance to fight out. Bes’ let alone, now. Men all below and scuttle fast- ened.” ‘““Ay, ay,” cried Ben. ‘‘ We'll wait until we can face ’em on equal tarms, and then, blast me, if we don’t make ’em dance.” “Might beso, and might not. Any rate, must not fight aboard ship. You three white men mus’ live in steerage rest of time; den no chance for quarrel.” CHAPTER IV. OFF THE CAPE, Warten by a fair wind, the Monongahela, in due course of time, passed the Isle of Desolation, ond drew near the stormy latitudes of the Cape. The weather seemed to grow colder every hour; the sun,obscured by leaden-colored clouds, seldom smiled upon the lone ship, and the spray of the upheaving seas were often frozen to ice upon the shrouds, Perched upon the curling crests of the waves, large flocks of albatrosses were now The Mad Skipper. frequently seen, watching with kingly majesty the great yellow hull of the vessel as it boomed along with creaking masts and yards, There is something singularly grand and imposing in the appearazce of these enormous white birds, with their proudly arched necks and calm, piercing eyes. When caught, as they often are, by means of a hook and line, and transferred to a ship's deck, from which they are unable to rise by their own efforts, they show no signs of fear or trepidation, but with an air of dignified contempt, unflinchingly return the gaze of their captors, Perhaps the crew of the Monongahela might have amused themselves, occasionally, by catch- ing one or two of the feathered monsters, had not the boisterous state of the weather, and the drenching seas breaking over the forward rails, prompted every man—when on deck and not occupied in working the ship—to seek the shelter of the round-bouse. Here, the islanders would form a group by themselves on one side of the wheel, while Ben Williams, Frank Harland and Joé Plaush took a position on the other. Notwithstanding the orders of the mate, they would doubtless have sought and found an opportunity to ‘‘thrash” a few of their late antagonists, had not the fair Lilian, who had heard an account of the affray, previously described, persuaded them to ‘ keep the peace,” while aboard the ship. “The New-Zealanders outnumber you two to one,” she had said, ‘and if you succeed in punishing those who were immediately con- cerned in assaulting you, you will certainly be murdered afterward, by the rest. They may, in fact, extend their revenge so far as to murder ores. white man in the ship—my father and all, Stationed under the round-house, as men- tioned, the three friends would often hear, on stormy nights, the sweet voice of the young girl rising from the cabin, while she sung and played on her guitar, the airs that her father loved. There was something singularly bewitching in this music heard in conjunction with the howl]- ing of the wind in the rigging and the crashing of the seas as they broke over the vessel. Frank would listen like one entranced, the eyes of the old tar would sparkle with delight, while Portu- guese Joe—poor little dwarf—crouched up in a little ball on the deck, would grasp the bars over the cabin windows and peer into the state- room at the fair singer, until his head swam and his strained eyes grew dim. He could never hope to win the love of this beautiful being; but he could watch her ever- changing countenance, and daguerreotype its varied expressions upon his heart, to be treas- ured long after she should have passed forever from his sight; he could listen to her voice, and long after it should have died upon his ear, could hear its melody in his own soul. It was a voice which, on some occasions, even had the power to smooth the wrinkles upon the moody brow of the captain, who seemed to grow more strange and absent-minded every day. In fact, the command of the ship now rested princi- ally with Onoolo, the chief mate, who, havin followed a seafaring life almost from his child- hood, was an excellent sailor; and yet, so great
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\ wa; his respect for the madman, that he would have obeyed, without hesitation, any order from the same, how fatal soever might have been its consequences. Luckily, for all concerned, he had not thus far been called upon to do so; but trimming the sails with true nautical readiness to meet every variation of the weather, he kept the vessel well up to her course. Thus it hap- ened that the ship, one afternoon, nodded with her tall masts a salute to the dreary hights of Staten Land off Cape Horn. Partially vailed by a shroud of dun-colored clouds, the snow- covered peaks of the island were visible about a league to the windward; also the rocks below, covered with i hie of seals, the continual howling of which, mingling dismally with the roaring of the surf, was borne to the ears of the crew. A moderate gale was blowing; but as it threatened to increase before night, Onoolo had put the ship under close-reefed topsails and a fore-topmast staysail, keeping her full and by, on an easterly course—the wind being about three points abreast the starboard bow. Portuguese Joe was at the helm, oftener, it must be acknowledged, glancing at Lilian—who with her father stood near the weather-rail— than at the compass or the poe ed head. The eyes of the little man sparkled like diamonds; his cheeks were flushed; his whole frame trem- bled. The presence of the young girl always affected him in this way; but now, in the midst of his joy, feelings of poignant anguish stabbed his heart like a knife whenever Lilian, turning, glanced over his head at the restless wake of the ship behind him, Ay, ay, he was so short that she could look straight over his head; and it was this that galled him, that made him almost rail at for- tune for bringing him into the world. Had it blessed him with the average hight of man, she would not thus have overlooked him; his eye would occasionally have met hers, and he might have hoped ! . “Steady, dere—where going to?” yelled the mate, as, while indulging these reflections, Joe allowed the vessel to fall off her course two- thirds of a point. ‘‘ Mind what you about!” ‘Ay, ay,” answered the dwarf, and at the same moment everything seemed to grow dark around him, for Lilian had just descended into the cabin, Soon, however, he heard the music of her voices and guitar, and glancing through the cabin windows, he saw the fair girl seated upon a sofa in the state-room, by her father’s side, Not long was he thus entertained; for the violence of the gale suddenly increasing, the din of wind and ocean drowned the music of the instrument and the tones of the singer. The clouds, lowering in dark volumes above tbe tall masts, added to the gathering shadows of night, which were only partially relieved by the phos- phor-gleam of the waves. Tearing through the wild waters as if maddened by the lash of the tempest, the vessel was deluged fore and aft by the heavy seas now almost continually breaking over her, Occasionally, uplifted by some tre- mendous wave, she would rise with every tim- ber groaning and straining, and then plunging downward with a side lurch, would bury bows and windlass in the roaring, seething waters. “Clew up fore and mizzen topsuils! Lively The Mad Skipper. 15 dere, lively!” yelled the mate, as the shar “snapping ” of the jib-boom was suddenly heard, “Get in dem sails quick as can!” This was soon done, after which the watch, with the exception of Ben Williams and Frank Harland, who stationed themselves in the fore- top to keep a lookout, were allowed to return to the shelter of the round-house, The two seamen aloft were obliged to cling firmly to the shrouds to prevent themselves from being thrown from the top, owing to the violent rolling and plunging of the vessel. “Tt’s a-blowing pretty hard,” remarked Ben, as the foremast, suddenly jerking, sent forth a dismal, warning creak; ‘‘ but I think the craft will stand it, seeing as she’s gone through every- thing thus far,” “ Ay, ay, I hope so,” answered Frank. “Tt wouldn’t matter much,” continued Ben, “the perishin’ of such an old hulk as I am, but that gal in the cabia is too lovely to go to Davy Jones.” ‘You are right. She is a noble creature.” “So she is. It was only t/other night that she came up from the cabin and slipped a big chunk of gingerbread into my hand, While Iwas at the wheel. ‘ Here, Ben,’ says she, ‘is some- thing to help you pen away the time, I saved it for you instead of eating it myself, as lam not very fond of this kind of cake. ““¢ Why, bless your eyes, miss,’ says I, ‘you'd better keep it for yourself, seeing as the cabin larder isn’t overstocked, and, not wishin’ to con- tradict you, I never knowed a lass yet that wasn’t fond of gingerbread.’ “She put the cake into my hand, hows’ever, and tripped away laughing, and— Halloa! who’s this?’ he interrupted, as the head of a man suddenly rose to view above the edge of” the top. “ Ay, ay!” cried a shrill voice—‘‘ who’s this? Ho! ho! ho! Two lookouts im the top! _Good- night to you, my brave Norwegians—good- night!” ‘It is the captain,” whispered Ben; ‘‘ his mad fit is upon him,” As he spoke, Wythe swung himself into the top, and holding to the shrouds with one hand, peered into the faces of the two men—his green eyes blazing with a strange light. “ How far off is the coast?” he suddenly in- quired—‘' the coast of Norway?” “ Sir?” “The coast of Norway I said!” yelled the captain, shaking his clinched fist in Ben’s face, “Why don’t you answer?” “Tt’s a long distance from here,” answered Ben, much surprised by the question, “Ho! ho! but we'll soon be there with this wind, won’t we?” ‘Perhaps so,” replied the old sailor, thinking it best to humor him. “T know it!” shrieked the captain, tossin his arms wildly about his‘head; ‘‘ and then we'll hear it roar!” ‘* Hear what roar?” ‘‘Hal hal my man, you shall know in time! Round and round it goes, roaring, tumbling and gurgling, just like the water ahead of us; and itll take us down, down, down—further down than we eyer were before!” ak pa =
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16 The Mad Skipper. At this moment the ship, lurching sideways as it was tossed upward by a tremendous sea, caused the three masts to quiver ‘and snap as if they were about to go by the board, and the captain would certainly have been hurled from his position by the fearful “plunge” that fol- lowed, had not Frank thrown an arm about his waist. Writhing in his grasp, however, even while the ship writhed in the grasp of the gurg- ling, bursting avalanche of waters now pouring over her decks, the mad skipper shrieked and gibbered like a drowning hyena, “You had better go into the cabin!” shouted Frank. ‘ You will find it more comfortable there than here.” “ Furies, man—a thousand furies! Who talks to me of the cabin now? Down! down! in the fathomless depths, there’s a cabin big enough for us all! Ho! ho! how fast thé whirlpool draws us down!” “Hor God’s saké,” cried Ben, as peal after 1 of strange laughter now burst from the Fommntiy lips of the skipper, ‘‘ for God’s sake, try tocalm yourself. It’s awful to hear you a-going on in this way.” “Ay, ay!” shouted the captain, his whole de- meanor suddenly changing. ‘‘How is this? What have I been saying?” And clapping a hand’ to his brow, he glanced around him in a bewildered manner. “You have been ravin’, sir, I fear—talkin’ about whirlpools, and all that sort of a thing.” “ Ay, whirlpools! My brain is a whirlpool, old Ben. How are we heading?” ‘To the east’ard, as well as we can,” “Tt will be a long time before we get there!” ‘Where? You mean New London, I suppose.” * Blast ye, who said New London?” “ Begein’? your pardon, sir, I thought that was what you meant, His mind is sartainly crazed now,” he added in a whisper to Frank; “it’s a gone case—poor captain!” “ Hark ye, old man!” cried the skipper, laying his hand upon Ben's shoulder, ‘‘ I think I once heard ye say something about having cruised off the coast of Norway.” “You are right, sir.” ‘Ho! ho! then you must have seen it!” * What?” “The maelstrom, fool!—the great maelstrom!” ‘“‘We wasn’t near enough to the coast for that.” “But ye heard it roar!—tell me that ye heard it roar!” thundered the captain, his eyes flash- ing wildly. ‘No, sir; we—” “You lie! you lie! You must have heard it! You did hear it! Round and round it goes, crashing, bursting, and bubbling, with the noise of a hundred thunderbolts! Ho! ho! a grand ruin it makes of all who come near it, carrying them down, down, down, forevermore!” And with a wild laugh, he suddenly broke from Frank’s grasp, and rapidly descending the rigging, made his way to his berth. ‘How wild, how strange he looked,” re- marked Lilian, who, still seated in the state- room with her father, had noticed the captain’s haggard face as ho rushed past them; ‘he is certainly mad!” ‘His mind is deranged,” replied the doctor, “but you need not feel at all frightened on that account, for I understand that Onoolo is an ex- cellent seaman, and perfectly capable of taking care of the ship.” “Our poor captain should be watched nar- rowly,” said Lilian, ‘‘or he may take a notion, some fime, to jump overboard.” “True enough. And I now remember to have noticed a life-buoy lashed to the after part of the round-house, As soon as the gale abates. I shall go on deck and make an examination o the article, to make sure that it is perfectly safo and sound, [If it is not, I shall suggest to Onoolo the propriety of having a better one made.” “Why, papa, I was not aware that you knew enough about life-preservers to—” “You are mistaken,” he interrupted. ‘ Al- most from my boyhood I have turned my atten- tion to the study of preserving human life; not only with medieine in cases of sickness, but with other agents where medicine would prove of no avail. Having studied the art of swimming in books which in connection with this subject, also treat of life-preservers, etc., I deem myself a tolerably good judge of the articles in question.” ‘And yet, papa, I believe you do not know how to swim,” “Well, yes—ahem; it is true I never practiced swimming, but I understand the theory so well that if I should ever get beyond my depth, I should be able to keep myself afloat by a ver simple process; that is, by turning myself with ready self-possession upon my back, carefull keeping my hands down with the palms pees b ed toward the bottom of the water, and expand- ing my lungs with deep inspirations of air.” “But perhaps you would not have sufficient presence of mind to—’ ‘* Nonsense, my child,” interrupted Clare, “it is in just such emergencies that the medical man shows the most coolness and self-possession.” And in order to prove this he proceeded to re- late a number of little anecdotes of his own ex- perience, to which the young girl, with martyr- like patience, listened without once interrupting him, When he concluded she retired to her berth; and the gale having by this time consid- erably abated, the doctor rose, refreshed himself with an unusually long and deep draught froma po aoe black bottle taken from his trunk, and then made his way to the deck for the pur- pose of examining the life-buoy. Clambering rather awkwardly upon the round-house, he loosened the long rope to which the buoy was attached, and was on the point of dragging the instrument to the deck, so as to scrutinize it by the light of the lantern hung up in tho mizzen rigging, when a sudden heavy roll of the ship caused him to lose his balance and fall with the buoy into a large mincing-tub lashed to the uarter-deck and filled with salt water. Con- siderably affected by the liquor which he had taken, and his eyes being partially covered by a sort of nightcap worn upon his head to oe him from the cold, the doctor believed fallen overboard; and so, clutching the friend] life-preserver, he shouted and yelled like a mad- man, in the hope of making himself heard. But no answer was returned, and he suddenly re- membered that the after part of the ship, when he came on deck to make his investigation, was e had | A ES tee WF Na) ee
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6 ite tee Rb ETM, AR! DA Sl RNs mS. atti Sg Uf deserted by all hands of the watch, with the ex- ception of the man at the wheel, who had gone forward to shake a reef out of the fore- topsail. : his thought made the blood run cold in his veins. He reflected that, even should he succeed in clinging to the buoy for a few hours, his legs must freeze in the mean time, In fact, he be- lieved his doom was sealed, “Help! help! Oh, dear me, és there no hope?” he gasped, kicking his legs violently, to prevent them from getting cramped. ‘‘Ahoo! Ahoo, there!” But the roaring of the winds and waves was the only response, “T will not despair,” gasped the doctor; ‘no, no—our profession should never despair! If Providence, however, in whom T place my trust, cannot help me out of this terrible situation, I— I—ahem—I will give up my chances like a man; I will go from this world like a true martyr, al- though,” and here he kicked his legs frantically, “it is hard to die in the prime of life!” His foot struck the side of the tub, but believ- ing this to be the submerged portion of the buoy, ~ the doctor was still far from guessing his real situation. ; “This is terrible—terrible!” he gasped. ‘T see not a vestige of hope! Adrift upon the wide ocean, with the ship receding further and fur- ther from me every moment, I am doomed to a fearful death |” “ Halloo, there! Why, my eyes! What's this?” shouted the deep voice of Ben Williams, within a.foot of his nose. “What are you doing here, doctor?” Much astonished and overjoyed, the doctor no longer hesitated to lft one hand from the buoy to push aside the nightcap that obscured his eves, expecting to behold one of the skip’s boats alongside of him. At this moment, hosearer Ben pulled bim from the tub and set him upon his feet on the deck. Completely sobered, Claret now glanced around him in a bewildered manner, until the whole truth suddenly flashed upon his mind; while the watch, who had by this time come aft, crowding around him, stared alternately at his saturated garments and at the life-buoy floating in the tub. _ “ Ahem—gentlemen,” stammered the doctor, mn answer to his questioners, directing at the same time a severe glance at the helmsman, who was laughing heartily; ‘‘ gentlemen, [ have been experimenting with your life-buoy, which I am happy to inform you is a good one.” | , beggin? your pardon, sir,” cried Ben, “that buoy is a condemned one, which we wouldn’t use under any consideration. It’s been condemned a long time—has only been left where you found it because it’s more out of the way there than if would be anywhere else. Tim Collins broke it with an ax, months ago, durin’ one of his smashin’-up fits.” “Oh, well—ahem!—I could not see where it was broken, on account of the darkness. In fact, I believe it would have been better to have waited until daylight before making my experi- ment.” So saying, the doctor hurried into the cabin to change his saturated garments for dry ones. The Mad Skipper. i? while old Ben turned to Frank with a puzzled grin rippling his tough features. ‘‘Pve heard of them that Yarns navigation with a tub, but I never heard of ’em carryin” the matter so far as to experimentalize in it with life-buoys.” ‘Take buoy and put back where come from,” ordered the mate. ‘‘ Strange man, dis doctor: make pill and swim in a tub.” By the time the buoy was lashed, Claret, in his little room below, had made the necessary change in his dress, “Tt is lucky Lilian knows nothing of what has happened,” he muttered. ‘‘ Otherwise she would worry herself to death in the fear of my taking cold. Fortunately,” he continued, draw- ing the brandy-flask from his chest, “*I have something here which I think will prevent my suifering the evil consequences usually resulting from a too sudden immersion in cold water. I shall indulge in a few drinks, and also warm myself thoroughly by the cabin stove before go- ing to bed.” So saying, he rolled up the legs of his trow- sers, revealing tightly-fitting drawers of red flannel; then, putting on a common-looking nightcap of blue cloth, he seated himself by the warm stove in the state-room. “This is comfort—ahem!—comfort indeed, after floundering about in that disagreeable tub. Strange that I should havo imagined I had fallen overboard,” he continued, holding up the flask and eying it affectionately; ‘‘it makes me shudder to think of it.” And he swallowed several mouthfuls of the brandy.” ‘*This is prime!” he continued, smacking his lips. ** Ah—ahoo! good liquor as a medicine is—’ He paused on hearing footsteps behind him, and turning, saw Tom Collins. “ Halloa! So you are up yet?’ cried the steward. “Ves, warming myself just previous to going to bed.” “*T thought ’d come hero to see how the fire is,” said Collins, ‘It’s mighty hard, it is, my having to get up out of my warm bed in the steerage in the middle of the night to see about the fire. But Lhave to doit; it’s the captain’s orders.” “ Here is something to warm ‘you up inside,” said the doctor, kindly presenting the flask. “Tm temperance,” said Collins. ‘* Hows’ever, I won’t refuse to oblige you, seeing it’s in the way of medicine.” And he took a long pull at the flask. “The liquor in there is the best as was ever drunk,” he said, as he returned the bottle; ‘* just mind how it sparkles, will you?” The doctor held up the flask, and examined it narrowly. * Ahem! now, as it is all gone. “Ts it possible?” : ‘Yes; but never mind. I have plenty more of the same sort in my chest.” “Which, beggin’ your pardon, if I may make a suggestion, had better be procured at once while I brighten up the fire.” “ Ahem—very good.” And going to the chest, the doctor took out a second bottle, My friend, there is no sparkle to it Tho bottle is empty.”
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“5 7 The Mad Skipper. ae “You seem pretty well provided, sir,” ro- marked the steward. ‘Well, yes. It is the duty of our profession to carry plenty of medicine with them when it is convenient,” “* As in the present case,” said Collins, bowing. **T honor the profession.” “Thank you—ahem! more?” “Repeating, as I said before, that I’m tem- erance, but bringin’ in medicine as a qualifier, will |” He took a deep draught, and returned the flask to the doctor, with a curious, one-sided bow. Claret put the bottle by the side of the stove, re- solving to warm his ankles thoroughly before drinking again. ‘ Ah—ahoo! it is a cold night,” he remarked. ‘*Very,” answered Collins. ‘‘In fact, par- ticularly so.” As he spoke, he struck fiercely at the empty air with his clinched fist. ‘* Ah!” ejaculated Claret. “ Ah! returned the steward; and suddenly picking up the bottle, he poured every drop of its contents down his throat. ** Rascal!” cried the doctor in a rage, ‘‘ who gave you permission to do that?” “Tt’s a-cuming on, sir; ‘‘ my smashing-up fit; and I thought! best to empty the bottle before breaking it! Tie me wp—hold me—or something. There'll be ruin if you don’t!” He danced about the cabin like a madman, dashed the empty bottle into fragments, and pulling the doctor's night-cap from his head, trampled it under foot. Then he rushed on deck, and picking up a handspike, proceeded to smash the belaying-pins in the weather-quarter rail, “ Hey, dere!” shouted Onoolo, turning to the wateh under the round-house, ‘‘ tiedat feller up! quick—he got he fit again!” . Several of the men rushed toward the stew- arid, who had now got astraddle of the rail; but before they could reach him, the ship lurching violently, as a swell struck her under the lee coiater, threw him overboard. The main-yard was instantly hauled aback, and a boat lowered, and manned by a good crew, among whom were arene Harland, Ben Williams and Portuguese 0e. The moon, which was now gleaming coldly down from an opening ina mass of dark, ragged looking clouds, lighted the careening waves with a strange, spectral gleam, revealing, for an in- stant, the ghastly face of the steward, as, with wild shrieks, he tossed his arms upward from the crest of atowering sea; The creaking yards of the ship, as her great yellow hull rolled to and fro, seemed to moek the cries of the unfortunate man, “Spring! spring!” shouted the second mate, who commanded the boat. ‘‘ Spring quick; strong as never spring before, and we get dat man safe and sound.” As he spoke the boat was tossed high up on the summit of a huge billow, and the dusky officer, bending forward, peered eagerly abead and listened. e could now see nothing of Col- Will you take some lins, but an ominous gurgling shriek, faintly audible above the roar and clash of the career: ing waves, broke upon his ear, With loud cries and frantic gesticulations, he encouraged the men at the oars, until the boat was many fath- oms from the ship, when he ordered them to stop pulling. ‘ Peaking” their oars, the men then rose to their feet and glanced round them in all directions; but no sign of their shipmate could be seen, nor were his cries any longer to be heard. “He is a gone case,” said Ben Williams, “Poor Tom! he had some good qualities; in fact, he’d have been a good shipmate in every respect, hadn’t it been for his smashin’-up fits, which, however, warn’t his fault. Well, well, he’s now where he'll never break any more be- layin’-pins.” “Dat so,” answered the second mate, ‘“‘and me tink it now time to get back.” Since they stopped pulling, the men had not once looked toward their ship; and in doing so now, they were surprised to see the vessel rolling along upon her course, receding further and fur- ther from them every moment. At first, the could scarcely believe their own senses, and eac! looked at the other as if hoping to read some evidence of his being deceived: Every face, however, expressed consternation and un- bounded astonishment; every lip was dumb. There was no mistake as to the course of the ship; she was steering due east, and must soon vanish from the sight of the boat’s crew. Frank was the first to break the silence: ‘This is very strange!” he exclaimed, ‘“ but we must not lose time. We must take to our oars, and keep the craft in sight as long as we can. Perhaps she will be hove to for us shortly, and we will get an explanation. of this strange proceeding when we get on board.” “Tf don’t see what ‘explanatory’ can be made!” cried Ben; ‘if we were on a lee shore. now, I could understand the matter, but blast me if I can, under present sarcumstances, P’r’aps, hows’ever, as you say, our best plan is to pull ahead, which we can do easy enough, seeing as we have the wind in our favor.” “Ay, ay, pull ahead,” ordered the second mate; and seizing their oars, the crew were soon urging the light vessel through the water, with long, powerful strokes, Now and then, as they tugged and strained, they threw nes over their shoulders, in the hope of catching a view of the ship; but they were disappointed every time; and as the move- ment of turning the head very far around while pulling at a heavy oar, is somewhat painful, they soon stopped it, studying the countenance of the second mate, which was a faithful barom- eter of the state of affairs. Its gloomy, down- cast expression, not once relieved by a hopeful gleam, plainly told them that the ship had not yet hove to; and as their situation, with the water up to their ankles—for it was breaking over both gunwales—and with their arms aching from their long-continued exertions, was very uncomfortable, old Ben proposed that they should eiee pulling, for the double purpose of © resting and bailing the boat. The dusky officer consented, and, springing to their feet, the men glanced toward the recedin ship, which was now almost out of sight, an could only be seen at intervals, when it was
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The Mad Skipper. 19 lifted upon the crest of a sea. All around, the great seas, rising, falling and clashing, were illumined. by a ee yellowish light, ‘hat gave to them an aspect peculiarly weird and dismal. The edges of the waves, when they caught the beams of the moon, seemed girt with numbers of long, sharp-pointed spears, linked together by electric wires; while the incessant hum of the vast ocean sounded like the voices of millions of ‘evil spirits at war with each other, far down in its watery depths. “Tm afraid there isn’t much hope, lads, of our getting aboard that craft again,” said old Ben. ‘‘ We may as well look the fact in the face first as last.” AY, as eried Frank, ‘‘ but we must not despair, e may fall in with some other vessel by daylight. In the mean time we will seerch the boat to see what we can find in the way of provisions.” This was done, and a small bag of sea-biscuits and a breaker containing fresh water, were dis- covered stowed away in the box at the bow. These, if the crew studied the economy neces- sary in their situation, would last them for a one of days, . ‘Me no see why we no keep up good spirits!” cried little Joo; ‘ there’s been sailors much more worse off than we be; adrift in boat with nothing to eat at all.” “Spoken like a man!” cried Ben, patting the dwart upon his big head; ‘although I'll war- rant you miss the ship worse than any of us, with Miss Lilian a-playin’ her guitar. You were fond 0’ music, little Joe; I used to see it in your eye.” ““Yees, yees,” muttered Joe sadly, and a sharp pain shot through his heart, at the thought that she—his idol worshiped at a dis- tancé—had probably passed from his sight for- ever. He stifled his feelings, however, with a great sigh, and manfully continued his task of bailing out the boat. CHAPTER V. AN ATTACK. Soon after, the crew held a consultation as to whether they should continye on their present course, or steer for the bleak shores of Staten Land, now dimly visible astern. Shivering in their drenched garments, and there being no prospect of their reaching the ship; considering, also, the danger of their being swamped in case they should be overtaken by a heavy gale, while in their leaky boat, they final- ly concluded to make for the land. The wind having now hauled round to the north and west, was in their favor; and so, after manfully tugging at the oars until break of day, they found themselves close upon the shores of the little island, Thehowling seals poe into the water or crept into littie hol- lows and caverns, as the boat approached; and when its crew landed, not one of the timid crea- tures was to be seen. Fastening their vessel, they proceeded to build little huts of snow, and, ina short time, a sufficient number were pro- vided to afford each man a tolerably warm and comfortable shelter, Before entering their snow-houses, however, the mariners indulged for some time in the ex- ercises of leaping, running, and -swinging their arms, exposing themselves to the wind as much as possible, in order to dry their saturated gar- ments, f At sunrise they partook of their scanty break- fast, consisting of one sea-biscuit apiece, and a draught of water to each man. The wind had by this time died away; not a ripple disturbed the water as it rose and fell in those long, undulating swells often observed after the subsiding of a heavy gale. “T shouldn’t wonder i! we could see our craft now,” observed Ben, his whole countenance lighting up. ‘‘She can’t make any more head- way just at present. If she’s in sight now, there’s no doubt of our reaching her, if we try.” ‘* Yees, yees!” exclaimed little Joe Plaush, and he clapped his hands and whirled himself round and round upon his heel, after the manner of his countrymen, when joyfully excited. “Oh, yees! and we hear guitar once more, and see Lilian!” At the mention of this name Frank’s eye brightened, and a glow of pleasure reddened his sunburnt cheek. Instinctively, his hand was thrust into the side-pocket of his jacket, and the quick eye of his friend detected the glitter of a little chain, “Hal what you got there? Me like to see!” he exclaimed. “ A miniature,” answered Frank. “Who give him to you?” “ Lilian,” whispered the young man pressed one of the dwarf’s red hands both his own, The two men, being now somewhat removed from the rest, who bad mounted the top of a high rock to look for the ship, could sneak of the young girl without reserve. “She gave me this miniature,” continued Frank, ‘‘in return for one of my own.” ‘* Ah! me knew it—me knew it would come to this!” murmured the dwarf, with downcast eyes. ‘Me have seen you many times talking together on the quarter-deck.” His cheek grew pale, while he mechanically shoveled up the snow with one of his great shoes, “T think you once told me that you would never love this girl,” pursued Frank; “ that you felt friendly toward her, but that—’ “*'Yees! yees!” interrupted the dwarf, cover- ing his eyes with his hands, ‘‘me say so.” “ But you did not mean it?” “You speak to.mo one night and say this Lilian just such girl as you fancy, an me an- swer and say me would never love him. Me said so because me know him could never like poor Joe Plaush as she could like you. It is all right; me like to see you both happy, that is all me care about.” ‘But, in reality, you do love her, Joe; an- swer me frankly.” * Bverybody va her,” he answered; ‘' me the same as everyhody else.” He looked his chum fvll in the face as he spoke, and was glad to read satisfaction in bis eyes, of You have removed a heavy load from my mind, Joe,” cried the young man, ‘It would and he between have made me yery unhappy to think you loved bo! @ ay
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# The Mad Skipper. eae Seal ncccmine a girl whocould not return your affection. I am glad it is not so; that you like Lilian simply as a friend.” ‘“A friend—yees, yees—a friend, that is all,” murmured the dwarf, outwardly calm, while his heart beat loud and fast, “Sail ’O!” from the top of the rock, ‘Ts it our ship?’ inquired Frank. ‘‘Ttis a mere speck,” answered Ben Williams, ‘and half bidden by a fog that’s beginning to spread over the sea, but it can’t be any other craft than the Monongahela. We can get to it in a few hours, if we take to the boat at once.” “Ay,ay! Man de boat!” yelled the second mate, as he rapidly descended the rugged sides of the rock, ‘Man boat and quick pull.” The command was promptly obeyed; the men sung and shouted hilariously as they plied their oars, and the light craft flew upon her course. They had not proceeded far, however, when the dusky oflicer, bending eagerly forward in the stern-sheets, stated that he could no longer see the sail, as it was now hidden by the fog. “Tf we head exactly as we are going,” said Ben Williams, ‘‘ we cannot fail of reachin’ the old craft. it is unfortunate, our not having any compass in the boat to take the bearin’s of the vessel.” “Ay, ay!” exclaimed Frank, ‘‘for the cur- rent may driftus a long distance out of the right track,” ‘Dat so,” remarked the mate, ‘but I tink by cruising about a little, we find de ship, for all dat. ny rate, fog never last very long time off Cape Horn.” “You are mistaken there, mate,” said Ben, ‘for in my time I’ve seen calm weather and a fog in these latitudes for a whole week.” As itis not easy to converse while pulling at aheavy oar, no further remark was made until the boat bad been kept upon its course for sev- eral hours, when the second mats ordered his ‘erew to stop pulling. “Mink we must have got somewhere near where de ship lie, if-we not pass her, by dis time,” he continued. The men rose to their feet, and glanced round them, but they were unable to pierce the thick curtain of fog which now covered the sea. Neither could they hear any of the noises usual- ly made on shipboard, and which might have enabled them to guess the locality of the vessel. A silence, interrupted only by the occasional swashing of the tossed boat’s gunwale, or the screaming of a solitary sea-bird, governed the vast realm of waters. “Tis sartiinly very strange,” remarked old Ben, as the men exchanged anxious glances; “y'raps, however, the craft isw’t very far off, andif we sing out we may make ourselves heard.” Accordingly all hands gave several prolonged and simultaneous shouts; but they listened in vain for a response, “Tt’s no use,” said the mate; ‘take de oars again, and perhaps we find de ship, by pulling about.” “And we're just as likely to get further from her than we are now,” said Ben; ‘‘ hows’ever, I s’pose it’s the best that we can do.” The men took their places, and went to work, The boat was steered in many different direc- ! tions, but no sign of the ship was seen, and the weary seamen were allowed to rest. Another sea-biscuit and a draught of water were given to each; a scanty dinner after so much hard work, ea “No use pulling any more,” said the officer, of the boat; “‘ only tireoutfor nothing, Bes, it here until de fog clear. T’ink dat happen’ be- fore de las’ cracker eat up. How many more in de bag?” “Twelve,” answered Ben—‘‘just enough for two meals more. There is water enough for three drinks apiece.” He noticed that the eyes of the New-Zealand- ers were now turned upon the bag with a fierce, hungry gleam, like that seen in the blazing orbs of half-starved tigers, They smacked their lips and showed their white teeth, in an angry, im- patient manner, on seeing him return the pro- visions to the box under the bow. Soon after, one of them having whispered to the second mate, the latter ordered Ben to give him the bag. ‘* Take care of biscuit; myself,” he continued; ‘fraid you take some out of bag at night, when Karaka no see.” “*No!” exclaimed the old tar, his cheeks flush- ing angrily; ‘‘ you don’t think any thing of the sort; you know very well that I wouldn’t be guilty of such a rascally trick as that.” “ Bes’ give me de bag.” “Tt is better where it is. It will get wet on your side of the boat.” “No tink so; mus’ haye it.” “Hil hil” gritted one of the other islanders, “mus? have it; mus’ have some more eat,” “ Dat so!” cried the second mate, ‘* we want more eat.” “You can have your share, if you like,” an- swered Ben, ‘‘ and can either eat it now, or save it for the next two meals.” ‘* Mus’ have all!” yelled the three islanders, simultaneously. ‘*T won’t consent to that; it would be unfair,” retorted Ben, “Who officer of dis boat?—you or me?” ex- claimed Amoki, : “That makes no sort of difference. Your be- ing the officer doesn’t make things right where they are wrong,” ‘*Lis’en!” cried the second mate, throwin: himself into an attitude something like that o a public speaker. ‘‘ Dere twelve biscuit in de bag, and three Kanaka and three white men in de boat. Kanaka hab more big appetite, more big stomachs dan white man; so white man no need so much eat as Kanaka. Berr well; dat’s why Kanaka mus’ hab all biscuit in de bag, and white man get along berry well widout.” “Why, blast me, do you call that argument?” exclaimed Ben, springing to his feet. ‘t Ain’t you got sense enough to know that though the bigness of our stomachs can’t come a touch to yourn, our appetites—” “No care hear talk,” interrupted Amoki, with a savage frown. ‘* Me show you just how tings be—dat’s enough. Now me order you give me bag.” * Ben took out six biscuits, and tossed them in- to the speaker’s lap, BO 4 be oe es ok
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*There’s what belongs to you three; the rest belongs to Frank, Joe, and myself.” * The two islanders at the oars uttered fierce | cries and exchanged glances; but a few whisper- pevords from Amoki, as he distributed the bis- ae puta ae to their an demonstrations, a curning their backs to the three white men, they greedily devoured their allowance. “They is a-plottin’ somethin’ in them ugly heads of theirn,” whispered Ben to Frank. “We must keep a sharp lookout, for we know | by experience that they ain’t to be trusted.” } “Ay, ay,” whispered the other, ‘‘ but luckily we are not outnnmbered now as we were aboard the ship.” “Tf these three in the boat were only the same with which we had the scrimmage,” said the old tar, ‘‘ what a glorious chance this would be to settle our accounts with ’em!” ‘““Yees, yees,” chimed in the dwarf, ‘Sand though me not big enough to do much good, me would helj; as much as me could.” ; ‘The three friends were still conversing when the shadows of night stole around them. Seizing an oar, and fastening the boat’s lantern to the blade, Ben lighted the wick with a match, ever ready in his capacious pocket. ‘“Now, then, we'll have some light upon the subject,” he said, as he lashed the oar in an up- right position. he lurid. gleam streamed down upon the faces of the men, as, glancing upward, about five fathoms ahead of them, they saw the reflec- tion of the boat, and of their own forms, in the fog, magnified to gigantic proportions, Soon the three New-Zealanders, closely wrapped in their great pea-jackets, leaned back against their oars and closed their eyes as if for the purpose of induJging in a nap. “T feel sleepy myself,” said Ben; ‘‘ but one of us had better remain awake, to keep a kind of a watch of these Kanakas. Ill take the first watch, if you two would lIlke to catch a little nap. © Me not Coed Ee at all,” said Joe. “‘ If you and Frank like you better go to sleep and let me take the first lookout.” } “Very well,” replied Ben, “I’ve no objec- / tion.” ‘And I will take the second watch,” said Frank. This being agreed to, the two seamen leaned back against the bow, and wrapping themselves in their pea-jackets, and some spare pieces of canvas, were soon fast asleep. Portuguese Joe—restless little dwarf, ever thinking of Lilian and ber guitar—seated him- self upon the ’midship thwart, with his eyes fixed upon the reclining forms of the Kanakas, who were now snoring in a way which struck him as being a little unnatural. This suspicion added to his vigilance, and now he noticed that the eyelids of the second mate would occasional- ly lift, revealing the malicious gleam of the orbs beneath, “Ah!” thought Joe, ‘‘me no like to see dis. If this man not asleep, why should he snore?” } As this reflection passed through his mind, he | ‘was somewhat startled to observe the hand of | one of the Kanakas extended toward the boat’s The Mad Skipper. 21 haps, however, this movement was merely caused by restlessness on the part of the sleeper —the consequence of a dream. ‘““Me make sure, at any rate,” muttered Joe, and while pretending to lean over the boat’s gun- wale to look at something in the water, he watched the stealthy hand with a oe gleam from the corners of his eyes. earer and nearer, every moment, it crept to the handle of the hatchet, upon which it was finally laid. A minute after, the Kanaka rose to his knees with the pe ae uplifted, and direct- ed toward the head of the Portuguese. Before it could be thrown, however, the dwarf snatched up the boat’s drag, and whirling it round, hurled it at the dusky traitor, knocking the instrument from his hand. At the same time he shouted to his friends, who, thoroughly aroused, sprung to their feet simultaneously with the three island- ers. The one who had held the hatchet now seized if again, and hurled it at the head of the dwarf, who dodged it, however, by a quick movement, causing the sharp edge of the instru- ment to bury itself in the bow. In an instant it was in Ben’s grasp; and just as the second mate, who bad snatched up the boat-hook, was on the point of bringing the ugly weapon down upon his head, be sent the instrument crashing through the brain of the islander. With a wild scream, the savage fell over the side of the boat into the water, and the next mo- ment Frank Harland seized the throat of one of the others, while Ben grasped that of the third. A struggle of brief duration now ensned. Frank and Ben were powerful men and good wrestlers, so that they soon had their antagonists down, upon their backs, pressed firmly between the thwarts in such a way that they could scarcely move. ‘You miserable blueskins!” exclaimed the old sailor, ‘‘ what could have set = La to tryin’ your infarnal games upon us? Those few bis- cuits in the bag, I suppose.” ‘* Not dem only,” gasped one of the savages; ‘* jus’ as well tell you now as oder time, and you may kill, s’pose you like to. Ain’t afraid todie! We goin’ to kill you three men because we mad. tl.at you no give us bag of biscuit, and because, if kill you, we have plenty eat ; for no t’ink we find ship for long time.” “ Ay, ay.” cried Ben, much disgusted. ‘‘ Tt’s just as I always thought, whicb is that canni- bals will always be cannibals when sarcum- stances is favorable. What shall we do with ’em, Frank?” “We will not hurt the poor wretches, if they will promise to behave themselves in future.” “ Berry well, dat!” exclaimed Mokio, the one who was writhing in the young saiJor’s grasp, “me no trouble again.” The other made a similar promise, and so both were released. In order- to guard against treachery, however, the three friends removed the boat-hook and hatchet beyond their reach. CHAPTER VI. ONOOLO DISAPPOINTED. Stow ty the night wore on. The occupants of the boat saw the shadows fade around them; and finally the rising syn tinted the fog. Soon
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after, this began to roll away in little clouds, and broad patches of water and blue sky were disclosed. Suddenly one of the Kanakas uttered a glad shout, aud pointed across the larboard bow; and on looking in that direction, the rest were also overjoyed to see the topmasts of a ship looming up through an open space in the misty curtain! ‘ “ Ay, ay, it’s our own craft, sure enough!” exclaimed Ben. “I can’t mistake the cut of that main-topgallant sail.” He was right; for the fog about the vessel rapidly clearing, soon revealed the yellow hull of the Monongahela at the distance of less than a league from the boat. Old Ben sprung to the steering-oar; the rest took their places upon the thwarts, and the light craft was urged through the water with arrowy speed. As it glided alongside the ship, the sweet face of Lilian appeared at the quarter- rail, and a moment later her hands were clasped in those of Frank Harland. * Thank God! youare safe!” “Yes,” he replied, ‘‘and—” “Allow me,” interrupted the doctor, spring- ing toward him with a pill held between his thumb and forefinger, ‘allow me to give you this! It will prove a sure preventive of the evus which must result from the hardsdips you have suffered.” “No, thank you,” answered Frank, laughing, bee have found a better preventive than your ill.’ i And he looked straight into Lilian’s eyes. ** Indeed!” cried the doctor. ‘‘ Lhardly think so. There never yet was anything invented to excel my pills. Had that unfortunate young man, Thomas Collins, the steward, accepted them, as he should have done, I have no doubt they would have cured his fits. But to change the subject, you must have had a rough time in the boat.” “Our situation was not as bad as it might have been; but I am at a loss to account for our being deserted by the ship. Perhaps you can explain the matter.” “Tt was the captain’s order. , He is not re- sponsible for his own actions: he is crazy; there can no longer be any doubts upon that point. But, Onoolo was to blame for obeying him. My niece and I begged him to return for the boat after we discovered that he had left it; but he firmly refused to do so, saying that the captain was a wonderful man, a prophet or something to that effect, and that he must do everything he ordered. Then we applied to the skipper, but he refused to countermand his order, going on ina wild sort of a way about whirlpools, mael- stroms, and God only knows what, and declaring that he couldn’t spare time either to return to or wait for the boat. Here comes Onoolo, now,” aclded the doctor, as the mate emerged from the eabin. ‘“ He will be glad enongh to see the boat and the crew, for, notwithstanding that he did not hesitate to obey the captain’s command— owing to his strango superstition with regard to msadmen—I have no doubt that the desertion of the boat grieved and worried him very much.” Tn fact, the countenance of the dusky mate, as his glances fell upon the faces of the boat’s crew, was lighted up by a gleam of wild joy. This, however, was soon clouded by a shadow of anx- The Mad Skipper. iety, as he looked in vain for the familiar face of his second officer. ‘* Hey, dere!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ Where Amoki?” “Dead!” promptly replied old Ben, and in a few words be made the necessary explanations. “No like dis; no like you kill second o: cried the mate, with blazing eyes. / “T was obliged to do it. in my own defenst,t I have already said.” “Hi! hil but dis no happen, if you give him de bag of sea-biscuit. hen Giftear order you mus’ obey; no matter what de order is!” “*T differ from you there,” answered Ben. “If an officer should tell me to cut off my own head or even his own, do you think V’d do it?” ** Yes. Do whatever officer tell you. He samo as king.” ““That’s the way heathens look at the matter, I know, but I’m not a heathen, I hope, having always tried to act like a Christian.” “You noright to kill officer. Mus’ punish you for dat. Put you in riggin’ and whip you until you almos’ dead!” “No, no!” exclaimed Lilian. do that, Onoolo, I am sure you will not be so eruel,” ‘White girl stan’ up for white man; islander for islander!” moodily rephed the mate. love the second oificer all same as brother. been to sea toge:lder long time.” “T know that; but you must remember that—” “No care speak white girl any more!” inter- rupted the savage. ‘‘ Bes’ go down in cabin wid fadder.” “ Not until you promise that you will not flog this old man.” ‘Really, my friend,” said Claret, putting a hand upon the islander’s arm, ‘‘ you will believe We You will not — “Mom é ‘ qi S i i { én me when I state that flogging is a barbarous © ractice and very deleterious to the general — ealth of the victim. True, one of my pills might restore his strength in the course of a day or two, but it could have no effect upon his de- pressed spirits, upon his outraged feelings, the ndulgence of which might eventuaily lead to consumption.” “%-7-sh!” gritted the mate through his teeth. “you talk about pill all time; pill dis, and pill se No care to hear any more. en!” “You shall kill me first!” exclaimed the lat- ter. never will be.” ‘“ We quick see *bout dat. Hey, dere, aft, here —de watch!” And a dozen islanders came to the quarter- — deck. The old tar snatched a handspike; Frank and Portuguese Joe did the same, and stationed themselves by his side. “We are outnumbered!” screamed Dr. Claret, — drawing his daughter through the companion- way, and closing and fastening the slide. ‘‘ We ave outnumbered!” h, papa, why have you done this?” cried Lilian. ‘‘ Perhaps we might persuade them not to flog the old sailor; and besides, Frank—” ‘““ We are outnumbered!” interrupted the doc- tor: ‘but, I shall maintain my post by your side, and with ready self-possession protect you to the last!” 7 Mus’ flog old | “TJ was never flogged in my life,and [ —
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The Mad Skipper, 238 “They have no intention of harming us!” cried the young girl. “Let ’em try! hissed the doctor through his Clinched teeth, glaring savagely at the compan- ion-slide, “let em try!” ** Do let us go out on tbe deck!” cried Lilian, her cheek paling as the yells of the islanders broke upon her ears. ‘‘ Oh, my God, they will kill poor Frank!” But the doctor, who now trembled like an aspen prevented her from opening the slide. ‘You could do no good,” he stammered. “I trust, however, that our friends will escape— injury—if—they are careful! Ahoo! there! keep up a bold front!” he added, in aloud but tremulous voice. “We must not allow those men to be killed!” pleaded Lilian.. “No, no, we must not allow it!” cried Claret, in a troubled voice, which proclaimed the strug- gle going on between -his_ benevolence and cowardice, ‘‘we must not allow it, and yet— yet—do you see—we are outnumbered !” “The captain! the captain!” cried Lilian, no longer doubting the true state of her father’s feelings. ‘“‘ Strange that I did not think of him before. He will save our friends.” And she darted into the state-room, where she found the skipper seated upon the sofa, in- dulging one of his usual reveries. Haga and quickly she informed him of the dreadful encounter which was transpiring, or about to transpire, on deck. “for heaven’s sake, try and stop them!” she areted: “there will be bloodshed—murder and— “Where? What? Have we got there yet?” _ “No, no; you do not understand me! There 1s a disturbance on deck—the white men will be murdered!” “On deck?” “ Ay, ay!” cried Claret, from the top of the staircase, ‘‘to the rescue! We are outnum- bered!” The captain clapped his hand to his brow; glared at the young girl an instant, as if striv- ing to recollect what she had said, and then rush- ed on deck. Previous to this the Kanakas had thrown themselves upon the three friends and hurled them upon their backs. The wrists and ankles of Frank and the Portuguese were then fastened with pieces of ratline stuff, while Ben, stripped to the waist, was dragged aft and tied to the mnizzen rigging. At the moment the captain emerge1 from the companionway, Onoolo, provided with a heavy knotted piece of rope, stood behind the old tar, his arm uplifted to deal the first blow; but be- fore this could be done, the shrill voice of his Superior pierced his ear. ‘Hist, there. What are you about? Who ee you permission to flog one of my men? hrow away that rope before I tear you limb from limb!” The rope dropped from the mate’s hand; he ed toward the captain with a disappointed but submissive expression of countenance. ‘Please, cap’n, dis man kill second mate— friend of mine, and make food for fish.” * Poor fool!” replied Wythe, violently stamp- ing the deck with his iron-heeled shoe. ‘‘ What matters it? We are all marked men—all doom- ed to be food for the fishes. Release the man at once, and the others also,” he added, pointing to Frank and Joe, ‘‘and mind you bear a hand about it.” : “Tf cap’n would only please let me flog dis man. Won’t feel right unless have revenge.” “Dog of a Kanaka!” yelled the skipper, the lurid light burning in his deep-set eyes, ‘dare you disobey my orders? Ho! ho! I will make mince-meat out of you; I will cheat the whirl- pool of its due!” “Berry well; let man go if you say so,” mur- mured Onoolo, his head drooping beneath the mad light flashing from those wild orbs; ‘* berry well; let go.” And with a few blows of his sheath-knife he severed the cords that held the old sailor’s arms to the shrouds. “Tf you had flogged me,” exclaimed Ben, his whole frame quivering with rage, ‘my knife, sooner or later, should have made a hole in your infernal black heart!” ‘None of that!” screamed Wythe, shaking his clinched fist in the speaker’s face; ‘“‘none of that, or ll have you strung up to the yard-arm! Ho! ho! there skall be no quarreling aboard my ship, for she’s a doomed craft, and we are all doomed together! <A fine time we'll have of it going round and round, and down—down— down!” “Poor captain!” muttered Ben, to himself, as he turned away. ‘‘ Heismad, and hardly knows what he says. I won’t quarrel with a madman at any rate!” By this time Frank and Joe also had been re- leased, and Onoolo now motioned to his dusky shipmates to go forward. They obeyed; and then, glancing aloft at the sails, which were beginning to expand in a light breeze, the captain suddenly grasped his mate by the shoulder, ‘ ‘*Halloa, there! how is this?” he screamed; “why have you taken in so much sail? Tt won’t do; we will never get there at this rate! Crack everything on the old craft that she'll bear. D’ye hear?” * Ay, ay, sir!” replied the mate, and the Mo- nongahela was soon darting upon her course un- der a cloud of canvas. “Ho! ho!” shrieked the captain, as he rushed into the companionway, ‘‘ this is what I like! Away we go, bound for the wild North, with everything out! Away, away, the king of race- horses! Crack it on—crack it on the old ship, and we'll soon hear it. roar |” “Mad! mad! there’s no hope for him!” mut- tered Ben, shaking his head. ‘‘Come, Frank and little Joe, let us go into the steerage and get something to eat.” They were on the point of doing so when Frank’s shoulder was touched, and turning, they beheld Doctor Claret, looking very fierce and formidable, with his woolen night-cap cocked on one side of his head, and the leg of a stool grasped in his left hand, “Where are they?” he exclaimed, in a loud and threatening voice, ‘Where are the rage Ss “ Who?”
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The Mad Skipper. thirsty cannibals! We will show them a bold front!” ‘““Why, my eyes!” cried Ben, ‘ you aresar’tin- ly a ferocious customer, doctor; but we haven't any need of your help now seeing as everything is over.” “Ts it possible? This is really too bad! Conld- n’t we—ahem—couldn’t we make a dash upon them now, and carry everything by storm?” **There’s nothin’ to carry,” answered the old sailor. ‘ But with all respect to you, doctor, I think you'll find tho makin’ of pills more to eee than anything of the fillibustering ind. “You are mistaken. My blood fairly boils when I see my friends in difliculty; and—and—I feel at such times as if I could accomplish won- ders. I am familiar with death; and I may add that I have, on many different occasions, driven the grim fiend away from the threshold of my patients.” He went on to cite a few cases, and whils ho was thus, occupied Frank glided to the side of Lilian, who now appeared upon tho quarter- deck, “Tam so glad,” said sho, that the mate was not allowed to flog your old shipmate, and that the Kanakas did not hurt you,” “They area rascally set,” muttered Frank. ae wish there were a few more white men in the ship. “It is better to forget what is past, I don't think you will be molested again, Onooloalways seems ready to obay the captain, and he must perceive by this time that the madman objects to his meddling with the whites.” “Ay, ay; and he isa strange fellow, this cap- tain of ours.” “*T sometimes hear him raving in his room at midnight, in a way that fairly frightens me.” **You should not feel alarmed; he is harm- less.” * And yet to hear him go on, you would think he meditate 1 sinking the ship.” Frank smiled. “There is no danger of his doing that.” ** But suppose he should take a notion to do so. What could we do to prevent him, Onoolo, backed by his dusky shipmates, would destroy the vessel in a moment if the captain should or- der him to do it.” ‘*T hardly think be would go so far as that.” Lilian shook her head, “T know hoe would,” sho said, in a low voice. “You know it? How?” ~ ‘ “Yast night the captain and Onoolo wero shut up in the second mate’s room, and I could hear what they said whenever they spoke in a loud voice, The captain was going on in his usual wild way about whirlpools, etc., when he suddenly paused, and the next moment.I heard him ask Onoolo what be would do in case he (the skipper) should orler him to steer the ship avainst a pilo of rocks. Ths Kanaka answered that he would obey him. Then they said a great deal more that I could not hear, after which I heard Onoolo go on deck. I feel afraid that something dreadful is going to happen —that the captain really intends to destroy the vessel.” ‘Oh, no,” cried Frank, “he will do nothing { Tho Kanakas—the—the—ahem—the Dblood- The ravings of a madman amount 4 of the sort, to nothing.” f “But I have a presentiment.” § “So do all of your sex,” laughed Frank, \ “when they feel alarmed.” \ “ What's that about presentiments?” inquired | Claret, now advancing. ‘I hope you do not 4 mean it, Lilian, as these feelings are usually the result of a disordered state of the nerves, Sup-j pose you try one of my pills.” “Tt would do me no good.” ‘* Very well, then; we'll godown to breakfast, which the cook has just informed me is ready.” So saying, he took her arm and conducted her } into the cabin, leaving Frank to follow Ben and | Joe who had now passed into the steerage. CHAPTER VIL. | OFF THE BRAZILIAN COAST, a ROUNDING the dangerous cape, a week after the incidents last described, the Monongahela, ¥ under a cloud of canvas, stood to the north’ard. J Favored by a fair wind, crew and passengers, { a month later, inhaled the fragrance wafted from the Brazilian Coast, and saw the delicate — flying-fish as it flitted hither and thither with gauzy wing over the crests of the dark-blue waves, Schools of porpoises rolling and tum- 4 bling about, or running across the bows ‘of tho } eareering ship, were frequently seen; and occa- 9 sionally one or two were made to suffer for their temerity; that is to say they were har-# pooned and dragged on board to be cooked into | “‘ balls”—a delicacy much prized by whalemen—¥ for breakfast or dinner. ] “‘T am opposed to dis ungen’lemanly way ob serving desea poor creatures,” the cook would} say, as be stood looking down upon the fish gasp- 4 ing and struggling upon the deck in a pool of its” blood—‘‘ Mos’ decidedly. It am one ob de mos cruelest and barbarousest fashions in de world” to kill dese citizens ob de water!” Ay, ay, cook ”—from either Ben or Frank— ‘“but T think I’ve heard yousay that you’re very |] fond of killing pigs. It’s as cruel to kill them as ff to kill fishes.” i “Dat am a lop-sided view of the question. If you kill a pig, why den every part ob him come in use, sodat you hab some reward for your trouble, but dese porpoises—what’s de use ob killing dem jus’ for de sake ob cooking dem balls 4 which it am a mighty sight ob trouble for 4 gen’lemen to fix up and cook in de right shape.” ‘‘ Hil hi! hil” from one of the Kanakas, “dis } man no got pity for fish; quick see dat. No 4 like to cook—dat’s all!” { | q And Moonshine would then scratch his head, and with a guilty grin return to his galley to vainly puzzle his brains for some plan that, should prevent the catching of porpoises in fu- | ture. He had taken something of a dislike to Doctor Claret, because that worthy had recom- | mended the balls to ths crew as a healthy and palatable dish; and because he had refused to — cratify him (the cook) afterward, by contradict- ing the statement. The present mild weather often enticed the man of medicine on deck. He would pace the quarter-deck, swinging his arms to and fro, walk wp and down the shrouds, or assist the men pulling at the ropes, in order, as he often re-
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te The Mad Skipper. _ marked, ‘to strengthen and invigorate his con- stitution.” As to Lilian, she never quitted the-deck, on these clear sunny days, except to seek her couch or partake of her meals. The breeze, the light, the dark-blue waves, the glancing foam, and the bright-winged fish, inspired her with those pleasant feelings and_ fancies so agreeable to oung womanhood. She read, sewed and em- sroidered in the open air, gladdening the sight of all hands with her sweet presence; and on moonlight nights she would even sing and play her guitar on deck. Frank was often by her side. THe was an in- telligent, manly fellow, and she was nothing of a coquette; so they were not long in coming to an understanding. One night he asked her if She would be his wife, and she answered “‘ yes” without much hesitation; for she had loved him for many weeks. While they were conversing, however, a dark shadow suddenly fell between them, and turn- ing, they beheld the captain; the mad gleam burning in his eyes and his dark face looking haggard in the light of the moon. “ Fist! hol ho—this is the hour for lovers, isn’t it? Tho midnight watch and the man at the wheel almost.dozing, ‘‘ Are you sure you love each other? I have been listening to you; |- Thave heard every word youhave said, But are you sure?” “Yes,” answered Frank, thinking it best to humor him. It is a great pity then, a great pity—isn’t it?” f “c Why ” [ “Ho! ho! Can youask? Ain’t we all bound for the North? A fine wedding you'll have, go- ing round and round in the roaring, spinning waters—going down—down—down !” “Dear Frank, what can he mean?” And shudddering, she shrunk closer to her lover’s side, He raves—that’s all; he means nothing!” ‘Raves! ho! ho!” sbrieked the captain, toss- ing his arms wildly. ‘So do the waters rave— the great whirlpool raves! I tell you you'll have a fine wedding; and I shall be there, and wé shall all be there to see the demons, with their phosphor-lamps lighting you down to their rock-chambers below!” ¥ And with a wild peal of Jaughter, he disappear- ed through the companionway. “Wis words have impressed me strangely,” muttered Lilian. ‘I feel as if—” es interrupted her with a laugh and a iss, ‘“You must not mind what he said.” “T cannot help it.” ‘“¢ You know hevis mad.” “ce Yes.” ‘© Why then should his words affect you?” “T cannot tell,” she replied, turning pale, ‘‘ However,” she added, with pretended cheer- fulness, ‘‘perhaps everything will come out right, after all.” “Of course. Here we are witha fair wind, which if it holds, will carry us to New London in less than two months. Then we shall bid adieu to our poor crazy captain, whose ravings alarm you so much.” \ a “Yes; and all this shows that I am very fool- ish to indulge in my presentiment.” “What? have you a presentiment?” And he kissed her again. ““T had,” she stammered, ‘‘ but—but it is gone now.” “T think kissing is good for'your presenti- monts.” : “Oh, I did not mean that!” said Lilian, much confused. ‘* Good-by,” and she vanished through the companionway. Turning: and starting forward suddenly, Frank stumbled over a crouching form near the mizzen-mast. “ Another eavesdropper!” he exclaimed. ‘“Yees!” cried little Joe Plaush, springing to his feet, ‘‘ but you not mad at me?” ‘“‘ Why no—my dear chum—no indeed. I did not know it was you, or I would not have spoken SO. “Me stop behind mizzen-mast so as to watch Lilian—beautiful Lihan!” He clasped both hands and turned his great biack eyes full upon the face of his friend. “ Allright, Joe, you were not to blame for that.” ‘You going to marry?” ac Yes. ” . “‘Oh, you be so happy!” exclaimed the dwarf, in a wild, eager, but half-plaintive voice. ‘“‘ Me glad you going to be happy. Friend always feel de same for other friend—no?” Frank pressed the little fellow’s hand between his own “Certainly; and you shall live with us, when wo get settled, as long as you like.” “You much like Joe—no?” “You know I do,” “You grieve much if me die?” “Good God! what do you mean?” exclaimed Frank, noticing the strange, wild gleam now flashing out of the great eyes, The dwarf pressed his head against his friend’s side, but did not reply. “ Foe! answer me!” “Think me die soon; heart very full; *fraid it burst.” “What makes it.so?” tL Think all de time of Lilian—beautiful Lil- jan! “That cannot kill you, my poor chum. How you talk!” “ Joy kill sometime—no?” “J have heard ‘so; but—pshaw! you are no going to die, little Joe. What put such a strang thought into your head?” “Heart very full. Joy what ene it so full, me think. Me try hard to be § ad when me hear you ask Lilian to marry, and me think me got glad at last.” “Did you say you tried to be glad, Joe?” “Yoees! yeas! but no mean it; no, no, me no mean it!” he exclaimed, noticing a troubled ex- pression in Frank’s eyes. ‘‘Me glad without trying! And now me will go down into steer- age and sleep well, because you going to be happy!” . cB, it was alla joke about ae dying?” — “Yees! yees!” clapping his hands and forcing a laugh—“all joke, nothing more, He! he! he!” : »
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The Mad Skipper. And he rubbed Frank’s arm with his shaggy head. ‘* Miniature—let me see the miniature Lilian gave you,” he suddenly exclaimed, looking up. * Me have never seen.” “ Certainly, here it-is,” replied Frank, pro- ducing the locket. ‘I don’t know as there is light enough to—” “* Yees, yees!” interrupted Joe, seizing the miniature and pressing it to his lips. ‘* Me run to the leeward, where moon shine bright; then me can see it plain.” Accordingly the two men moved to the lar- board bulwarks, and the Portuguese, clambering to the top of the rail, held up the likeness, and scanned it closely. Awkward little dwarf! His short, thick fin- gers trembled, the locket fell into the sea, and before his chum could prevent him, he plunged after it. The ship was running along at the rate of ten knots; there was no time to lose. Shouting ‘‘man overboard,” Frank sprung to the wheel and put it down, while the main-yard was being hauled aback. The larboard boat was soon lowered and manned by six oarsmen, among whom were Frank aud Ben Williams, They pulled about in different directions for half an hour, but looked in vain for the dwarf. As they were returning to the ship, however, the black, shaggy head of the Portuguese suddenly rose within a fathom of the boat’s bow. * Dere he is!” shrieked the officer at the steer- ing-oar, and a moment later the dead body of little Joe was pulled into the boat. His arms, rolled up in his tattered guernsey frock, showed the cause of his death. It was evident that while under water, his wrists had caught in the tangled yarns of the tattered gar- ment, so that he could not extricate them; an accident which must have happened after he had got hold of the miniature, as this was now found between the stiffened fingers of his left hand, ‘* Waithful to the last—poor little Joe!” cried Ben. ‘‘ He was a good chum, I'rank.” The young man did not answer. Speechless with grief, he sat with the upturned face on his knee, heedless of the officer’s command to pull ahead. The body was carried to the ship and laid upon the carpenter’s bench. In the morning it was sewed up in the usual manner, and launched overboard. “Poor Joe! He will never bring home the piece of pink ribbon craved by his little dark- eyed sister!” ee EA CHAPTER VIII. CONFINED, * How long did you say, Frank?” ‘Tn about a week. A. month ago we passed the coast of Brazil; so we must now be within six or seven days’ sail of New London. We are heading northwest.” Lilian smiled and nestled closer to the side of her lover. At that moment they heard footsteps behind them, and turning, saw the captain, gliding like an. ominous phantom toward the binnacle. Over his face his long black hair fell in tangled touched by a razor for weeks, hung low and grizzly upon his chest. ‘* How do you head, there?” heinquired of the Kanaka helmsman. ‘Northwest, sir.” “Who told you to head that way?” “De mate.” “Ho! ho! and the wind from the south and east. Onoolo!” ‘Ay, ay, sir.” ““Orack everything on the old craft that she can carry; and brace the yards a little to star- board, and let her head northeast.” “Ay, ay, sir;’ and he gave the required or- der, ‘Now, then, away we go!” shrieked the skip- per, as the vessel gathered headway upon her new course. ‘‘ Away we go! not a rag to be taken in unless I give the order! Steady there ati the helm! We are bound for the wild whirl- poot of the North!” Z “Prank, you hear him! you hear what he says?” whispered Lilian, turning pale. “Yes,” and he looked much puzzled. ‘It is certainly very strange that he should change the ship’s course. We will never get to New London, the way we'are going now.” It must be that he ** He spoke of a whirlpool. intends to sink the ship.” “What is that you say about sinking the ship?” inquired Doctor Claret, suddenly emerg- ing from the companionway. ‘‘T am sure there is no danger of that. The weather is not stormy at all.” “The captain, uncle—the captain has changed the ship’s course, so that we are now going away from New London instead of going toward it,” “Why, really, you don’tsay! And you think he will eventually sink the vessel?” **T should judge so from what he says.” “Well, then, this must certainly be attended to. Captain,” he added, springing to the side of that worthy, and touching him upon the arm, **T would inquire why you have changed our course?” ** So that we can hear it roar and see it whirl- ing round and round. So that we can go down into its yawning mouth; down—down—down!”" “Yawning mouth? Why, captain, you don’t intend to carry us into the jaws of any sea-mon- ster, do you?—any sperm whale or creature of that kind!” “Ho! ho! the mouth I speak of is many fathoms deep; and it yawns so wide—so mon- strously wide, that it can carry this ship and all her crew into its whirling, roaring depths! It will be a glorious ruin, I can tell you; and there will be phosphor-lamps for the bride, and a wedding-dress of foam as white as a winding- sheet!” “The bride? wedding-dress? I don’t under- stand you.” “Ah, nol you cannot understand me! Lilian is to be the bride and Frank the bridegroom; and when we get there the sea-demons shall all come to us, and, shrieking with joy, pull us down into their whirling caldron!” ‘ Pray, to what do you allude?” ““Tothe maelstrom, the maelstrom !” shrieked the skipper, thrusting out his arms with a sud- masses, while his beard, which had not beer | denness that made Claret jump back—‘“ it is to
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the maelstrom we are bound; the great whirl- + pool of the North! And the masts shall crack, and the timbers bend and snap in twain, and the z ship with all her cargo and crew and passengers Kk, shall go down—down—down to her ruin!” ~* j * an gasped Claret, turning very pale— a | 1 ot. ““ Who shall dare to oppose me?” continued the : captain, glaring fiercely around him. ‘‘ Who shall dare to cheat the whirlpool of its prey? Wretch! shall you attempt it?’ he added, ere ing his clix.ched fist in the doctor’s face, *Oh, certaiuly not—not by any means!” an- a swered Claret, hopping still further back. * Ay, ay, and so we'll all splice hands and pledge ourselves to the maelstrom—the kingly, _ hoary maelstrom of the North! Ho, there! steady | at the helm! If you go a hair’s breadth off your course, ['!] brain you!” He ran to the binnacle and examined the com- t er | pass; then gibbering and laughing strangely, he la, rushed to his ‘t den” in the cabin. ‘d. { Glancing toward the steerage hatch, a moment rs, | after, Frank saw his old chum beckoning to him. ed { “This is mighty strange, lad,” said Ben, as the ite young man came to his side, ‘* the way the cap- ith tain is managing matters. I don’t half like it, luc | We couldn’t have a better breeze’than we've got ™m- for the home’ard course, and here we are a-sid- the ling off to the northeast.” ca- “Ay, ay; but do you suppose the captain for really intends to continue on his present course?” ar- + +**o tell the truth, lad, I’m afraid he does. He’s crazy with a monomania in his head, be- sides. That monomania, as you've seen, is the ‘Milstrom,’ which, if we once get into, God help us all.” ~ * We will go to Onoolo and try to persuade him to disobey the captain’s order, which he has a perfect right to do, under the present cireum- stances. Ben shook his head. “That wouldn’t do any good. The Kanaka looks up to the captain as a sort of God, d’ye see, and wouldn’t consent to what you ae - He’d obey the skipper, if he knew it would result in our goin’ to Davy Jones’s the next minute, There’s only one thing we can do, seeing as we are outnumbered by the Kanakas, and so could- n’t make ’em obey us, and that is, to take to one of the boats on the sly, and desart the ship.” a That certainly, is the only alternative left ui , “ Once in the boat, there'd be no fear of the cap- dis tain changin’ his course to get hold of us again. No He’s in too much of a hurry, d’ye see, to get to that ‘ Milstrom’ he raves about so much. He ad, | Wwouldn’t spare the tims to give chase to us.” yto | ‘€] think you are right, and that it is our duty hat 4 to execute our plan as soon as possible. If we do fu- so, we may reach the American coast and start e to Some vessel in pursuit of this craft, in time to in- om- sure her capture.” and | _—_ “Ay, ay, that’s a duty which I think I owe to | to | the owners of the vessel. We'll try to get off lict- ‘this very night; as soon as that lynx-eyed Onoolo goes below.” . the _ “That generally haa about this time.” hed “ Ay, ay, and -you’d better go to Lilian now, Tro, d tell her what we are going to do, and also to e can, ke what preparations s| The Mad Skipper. | the secret,” “All right; I will also let Doctor Claret into ~ “Sartainly; but I hope he won’t insist to car- ry them big trunks of his with him; for before lay ew get them into the boat, we'd be discov- ered. : : ‘*T think I can persuade him to leave them.” ‘All right, lad. While you are a-preparin’ the passengers, Ill contrive to slip enough crack- ers and meat into the boat, with other things we'll need. The bow boat, remember,” ‘Ay, ay;” and rising, Frank sauntered with feigned carelessness to the quarter-deck, and communicated the plan to Claret and his daugh- oT. The latter approved of it, and immediately descended into the cabin to make her Prereee: tions; but Claret did not like the idea of leaving his trunks behind. ? “They are filled with valuable books and medicines,” said he, ‘‘ and it would grieve me to death to part with them. However, as there is no other alternative, I will leave the trunks, after taking out my skeleton’s head and a few books. I prize that head very mucb.” “ Allright. Get your things ready as soon—” ‘““What were you going to say?” queried the doctor. “Fist!” whispered the young man. has just passed behind us,” ** Ah?” and Claret winked with both eyes. “Steady dere!” shouted the mate to the man at the wheel; ‘no let swing quarter of a point off her course,” “ Ay, ay, sir!” ' “T going into steerage to get someting eat, and smoke pipe,” continued the mate; ‘‘ min you keep ship straight while I gone!” And turning upon his heel, he walked to the after hatchway, through which he disappeared a moment later, “ Now is our time,” whispered Ben, suddenly gliding between Frank and the doctor. ‘ve got the provisions in the boat, and have been waiting for just such an opportunity as this, The men forward are all lying asleep around the fore hatch. “ But the man at the wheel,” said Frank, ‘‘ he will see us.” “Not in time to prevent our getting clear of the ag In fact, he may not see us at all, as the galley will partly hide us from his view.” “All right, then. Hurry up, if you please, doctor.” “* Ahem—you will not have to wait long for me,” answered Claret, as he dove into the cabin. e soon returned with the valuable head, to- gether with a few books and some articles he- longing to Lilian, among which was the guitar. ‘Hey, dere! Whatdis mean?” cried the dusky helmsman.. “ What you goin’ to do wid all dem tings? ‘‘He’s going to_put ’em in the bow boat,” promptly answered Ben, ‘‘so as to dry them, for **Onoolo yi -they’ve been wetted by the spillin’ of some water in the cabin.” This explanation satisfied the Kanaka at once; and, fixing his glance upon the compass, he took no more notice of the movements of the little party until the sudden creaking of the boat-— falls broke upon his ear, Then, peering forward,
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The Mad Skipper. he caught a glimpse of Lillian in the boat, as the latter was being lowered. “ Hey, dere!” he screamed, in a voice that was heard in every part of the ship. ‘‘De boat! de boat! Keehowrie (white people) going to leave de ship!” . With a loud splash the boat struck the water, and Frank and je active as squirrels, jumped into it a second afterward. Doctor Claret, how- ever, was not quite so nimble. Having got astraddle of the rail, it struck him that the toss- ed boat was too far beneath him to be reached with safety. “For God’s sake, make haste!” shouted the two seamen, who stood at each end of the little vessel, ready to unhook the falls the moment the doctor should enter it. ‘‘Make haste! jump! jump!” “ Ahem—really—I am afraid, my friends, that I could not do that without breaking my legs.” ‘* No, no! there is no fear of that!” * Come, papa, do come!” pleaded Lilian. “J will try!” answered Claret, in a deep, sepulchral voice; ‘I will try.” And catching a’firm grasp of the rail, he Teaned over sideways, and for 2 moment peered into the boat. Then he drew himself back, then peered into the boat again, then drew back a second time, and finally, with a determined shout, tucked up his brown coat-tails, as if re- solved to make the attempt at all hazards, ““Hey, dere! Come back hére!” shrieked Onoolo behind him; and he was unceremonious- iy pulled to the deck, while a dozen Kanakas proceeded to hoist up the boat. “‘ Balked!” cried Ben, impatiently dashing his eap to the bottom of the little craft; ‘balked! and all on account of the doctor!” The boat being by this time on a level with the rail, the two seamen sprung out and assisted Lilian to the deck, “Belay, dere,” ordered the mate, ‘‘and keep watch of dese four people while I go in cabin and ask captain what we do with ’em.” Accordingly, the Kanakas, forming a circle around the whites, stood ready to resist any at- tempt on their part to escape. “T am really sorry that { am the cause of our being captured,” said Claret, ‘‘and sincerely wish vou had gone off without me.” **We must make the best of it,” sighed Ben; “but you’d never make a sailor, doctor.” **T think I should, in time. I certainly should have jumped; in fact, I had resolved to jump when the islander seized me. Ahem!—that was really too bad.” While the four were still conversing, the mate reappeared, provided with handcuffs, “Capen say han’cuff all,” he exclaimed, ‘*and put in de run!” “Not Lilian!” cried Frank, his eyes flashing. “You are not to—” “Hil hil” interrupted the mate. ‘‘ Capen say white girl and all. Make fast, and put in run. ‘*My eyes!” cried Ben, fiercely; ‘‘ that’s what T call barbarousness. Neither Frank nor I will stand by and see the poor gal served in that way!” “Can't help; dem orders.” And, obeying a significant motion on the part of their dusky officer, the Kanakas seized the three white men and held them, while the for- mer put the handeuffs on their wrists. Lilian’s- were confined in the same manner, after which the four were conducted aft and thrust into the run. The hatch was then fastened abové them, and they found themselves in total dark- ness, CHAPTER IX, THE SQUALL, “ine times—fine times in dis ship!” solilo- quized Moonshine, the next morning, as he hung over his steaming coppers in the galley. ‘ S’pose dey all thought I was asleep las’ night, while dat rumpus was a-goin’ on; but dey made a gran’ mistake. How am it possible for gen’leman born and brought up like dis cuile to sleep wid such a rumpus going on? Miss Lily, Ben, Frank and dat old frog ob a doctor, all in de run, and de ship going ahead like mad, bound for dat place dey call de Milstrom. Phew! all dis nuff to set a gen’leman crazy! Mus’ contrive some- how to set dem Pe mers free and get us all in de boat. Poor ss Lily! come hard on dat gal to live in dat run on three biscuit and on one cup of water each day. Mus’ watch for chance to get her out ob dere, though I’s puzzled to know when dat will come. Know where de keys ob de han’cuffs is kept, at any rate; dey hang up in de mate’s room. Wish it come on to blow, so as dey all go alof’; deu I have chance to get keys and set dem pris’ners free. Blow! blow] hallelujah! blow gale of wind, for dat wille be our salvation!” And at frequent intervals during the day, Moonshine would go to the weather-rail, and peer eagerly to windward, watching in vain for the signs of the coveted gale, On the next day, and the next, and so on for a week, his watch was continued with the same result; but on the eighth day, just after six bells m the afternoon, a sudden squall pounced upon the ship, throwing her upon her beam-ends, tearing her lighter canvas into shreds, and driv- ing her through the roaring, seething waters with the speed of a thunderbolt. The three top- sails, breaking loose from their sheets, “slatted ” wildly about, with a noise like the discharge of a platoon of musketry, while the tall masts, snapping and quivering. seemed on the point of going by the board. Mingling with the roar of the gale in therigging, and the hissing and boom- ing of the vast ocean, a strange humming noise was heard, as if invisible swarms of locusts were passing overhead. There was not a cloud in the sky, but a dim revolving pillar of haze hung over the sun, like a vail, and gave to it the aspecthof a great ball of red-hot iron suspended aloft. Upon this lurid ball, the wild eyes of the Kanaka mate ‘were turned with foreboding gleam as he shrieked forth his orders to all hands who had been summoned to take in sail. Suddenly a crash was heard, as the three stripped studdingsail booms, simultaneously snapping in twain, fell from aloft, striking the deck before they went down ivoto the roaring vortex beyond the submerged bulwarks, ** Lively, lively dere!” yelled the mate, as his dusky crew clung to the almost perpendicular
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The Mad Skipper. yards, unable to grasp the slatting canvas, * Quick, pick up sail!” And he darted up the main rigging to assist and encourage the men. ‘Now, den, is de time to free dem pris’ners,” muttered Moonsiine, as he steaithily emerged from his galley. ‘‘ Dat nigger is gone alof’, and de capeu is in his room wid de door locked. I know dat because I heard him a-talkin’ to hisself when I went in de cabin, half hour ago, to carry de biscuit. I’se de steward and cook too, since Tom Collins been los’, and dat is berry good for de subjec’? in hand—de freein’ ob dem pris’ners.” Descending into the state-room, and applying his ear to the door of the captain’s apartment, he heard the madman talking and laughing, as he was in the habit of doing when alone in his | room. “ Hope helt keep dat up until I get through wid my bizness,” muttered the cook, as he glided toward the room in which the keys of the hand- cuffs were kept. He found them, as he had expected, hanging from a nail in the wainscot, and taking them down, he made his way to the hatch, and pulling aside the crowbar with which it was fastened, pulled it open. “ Who's that?” inquired Frank. Without answering, however, the cook leaped among the little party. sy ** Moonshine!” exclaimed Ben Williams,‘ what has brought you here?” “ Ts come as de savior ob dis obnoxious party!” cried Moonshine, throwing himself into’a the- atrical posture, ‘* De promptin’s of benev’lence has brought me to dis den ob infamy.” ‘* Be careful, cook, how you talk,” eried Ben. “ What kind of a way is that to—” “Oh, never mind,” interrupted Claret. “He means well ehough. Ahem—his knowledge of the dictionary is limited, that is all.” “Ts got de keys ob de han’euffs,” continued Moonshine, “‘and dere mus’ be no delay. De ship’s in a squal] jis now, but it won’t last more dan ten minutes—I’s certain on dat point. * Dere,” he continued, as a sudden jerking of the vessel was felt, ‘‘she righted now. Wecan lower de boat easy enuff now, and as dem whaleboats can live in amos’ any kind of a blow—” “ That)ll do,” interrupted Ben. ‘‘Go to work at once if you're going to, and unlock our hand- cuffs—Miss Lilian’s first.” “Sart’n; all gen’lemen wait on de ladies first,” and quickly stooping, he freed the young girl’s wrists. The others being liberated in like manner, the party cautiously emerged into the state-room. *‘And now dis being obliterated,” said the cook, ‘I will go on deck to make a ‘ reconsis- tence’ (reconnoissance) ob matters.” He did so, and was gratified to discover that the violence of the squall had abated, and that the mate, with his crew, were still aloft, occu- pied in repairing damages. : . All right,” he whispered, thrusting his head through the companionway; ‘‘de coast is clear.” “* Av, ay; now then for a rush,” said Ben. And followed by his companions, he made his 29 Into this Lilian and the doctor were assisted with all possible dispatch, after which the little vessel was lowered. The creaking of the falls washeard by theman at the wheel, and by the dusky crew aloft. The former sbrieked out an alarm, while the latter commenced to descend the shrouds, The next moment, however, the boat being manned by the whole party, was rapidly dropping astern. “We are safe now,” cried Lilian, clapping her hands, as the seamen grasped their oars. ‘Ay, ay,” cried Frank, ‘‘ that isif they don’t give chase to us.” ‘*They won’t do that,” cried Ben; ‘the crazy captain won’t allow ’em to do that. He’s de- termined not to lose any time.” How far are we'from the coast?” Lilian in- quired, turning to Frank. ** About a thousand miles, I should judge.” ** Less than that,” said Ben; ‘‘ and it’s more’n likely that we'll be picked up before we reach it by some coaster, cr other craft. I don’t look upon us as bein’ hard up at all, seein’ as the got plenty of bis- weather is warm, and we've cuits in the boat.” “Ob, yes; I dare say we shali get along very well,” said Lilian. ‘* But don’t you feel tired and weak-like after bein’ so long in the run?” “ A little, but I shall soon get over it,” she added, meeting the anxious glance of her lover. “ As soon as we get out of sight of the ship I shall go to sleep.” Frank stopped pulling, and taking cff his jacket, made a tolerably comfortable bed for her in the stern-sheets with the garment and some spare rolls of canvas. She seemed much pleased with her couch, and looked very grateful. ‘““You-had better take one of my pills, Lilian,” said Claret, producing his box, ‘it will soothe your nerves.” She smiled. and ‘in order to gratify him, ac- cepted the pill. [be next moment be sprung to his feet, ““ Ahem, friends, they are lowering a boat to give chase to us, and we shall certainly be over- taken.” The three seamen looked toward the ship, and saw the starboard boat alongside manned by his crew, who were shrieking and yelling like wild animals. A minute afterward, how ever, they were seen to return to the deck, after which the boat was hoisted up. “Ay, ay,” cried Ben, exultantly, ‘that’s the captain’s work, ‘‘Onoolo lowered to give chase to us, and the skipper found it out, and mace him h’ist the boat again. 1 knew he wouldn't waste any time even to give chase to us. You can feel perfectly easy now, Miss Lilian, and go to sleep if you like.” ‘You are sure we are not to be chased?” “Yes; there can be no mistake upon that pint now.” And so, reclining upon the couch Frank had prepared for her, Lilian dropped into a sweet anu refreshing slumber. The cay had passed, and the midnight moon hunz low in the heavens, when she awoke, The boat-sail had been rigged, and the light craft, way to the deck, and thence to to the bow boat, | heading about north by west, was bounding
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The Mad Skipper. along through the blue waves, with the silvery spray flying about her bows. Claret and old Ben were extended across the thwarts fast asleep, Frank was steering, and Moonshine in the bow was keeping a lookout. “Tam glad you slept so well,” said the young man. ‘Ves, I must have slept a long time,” she replied. ‘‘ Is the ship out of sight yet?” “She was huli-down at sunset; she must be out of sight by this time,” _ “Tam glad of that. There is no other sail in sight, L suppose?” ‘“* Not yet; but I have no doubt we will see one in a day or two, as we are on the right track. Wouldn’t you like something to eat?” ‘*T feel too happy to eat. I am so glad we have got away from that ugly ship.” ‘«-Vou have reason to be. She must now be a iong distance from us, as the last we saw of her, she was bowling along upon her northeast course, under a perfect cloud of canvas. A new set of studding-sails and topsails had been rigged.” “Do you think we will get to the coast in time tc insere her capture?” “T doubt it; she is a fast sailer, and her crazy captain won't turn aside from his course for a moment, uuless compelled to do so by a change of wind.” Tue lovers continued to converse an hour longer, when Frank, being relieved by Ben, stretched himself acress the thwarts, to get a nap. A few hours afterward he was waked by the ery of ‘*Sail, ?O!” and starting up and rubbing his eyes, he saw a small brig faintly visible in the light of dawn, about three points off the weather bow, and about a league distant, head- ing on the same course as that pursued by the hoat. . Being signaled she hove to, and our party were soon on board. They were treated with great kindness by the captain, who gave up his own apartment to Claret and his daughter. His vessel, he informed them, was a West India trader, now on her homeward passage to New York, which he thought she would reach in about six days. He was right, The brig dropped her anchor in New York Harbor on the sixth day after the party were picked up. Dr. Claret then repaired with Lilian to the house of his sister in Forty-fifth street, with whom he remained until an estate, owned by him, and located in the upper part of the city, was made ready for his reception. He did not object to the frequent visits of Frank Harland to his daughter, and when, at length, the two were made man and wife, there was not a happier member of the bridal party than Dr. Claret. The young man having, shortly after his return from sea, entered into partnership with an elder brother doing a thriv- ing business in Front street, was now in good circumstances. He purchased a comfortable estate near the Bloomingdale Road, whers he a resides with his beautiful and accomplished wite. About a year after their marriage, they were Qleased by a visit from Ben Williams. The old sailor, shortly after his arrival in New York, in the brig which had picked up the party, had set out fur New London, which he reached in time to ship in a steamer chartered by the owners of the ‘*Monongahela,” to go in search of their vessel. The steamer set sail on a clear morning, and with a fair wind soon cleared the harbor. Two days out, however, a heavy gale from the southwest came howling and whistling over the ocean, causing the crew to close reef the topsails and furl the jibs. The great seas, tumbling and roaring over the bulwarks, swept the decks fore and aft with such violence that the men were finally obliged to batten down the hatches to prevent the water from getting into the hold. The feremast hands were soon forced to seek the quarter-deck in order to escape the drench- ing seas which, rising higher and higher every moment, would have swept them overboard had they remained in the forward part cf the vessel. ‘** Bad weather, lads,” remarked ole Ben, turn- ing to his sbipmates. ‘‘ I hope it’ll clear off di- rectly, for we're a-losing time by it.” “ Ay, ay,” replied Tom White, a young sailor with remarkably broad sboulders and coal-black hair. “It’s bad weather, and is going to last for several days, in my opinion.” He had scarcely spoken when a tremendous sea came crashing and booming over the weather quarter-rail, fairly burying the vessel in its watery folds. Every man of the watch was lifted from his feet and carried to leeward, and all would have been swept overboard had they not grasped the mizzen ratlines. Some of the latter, however, gave way at once, and twoof them were hurled, shrieking and screaming, into eternity. The rest swung themselves to the deck, shaking the water from their pea-jackets like Newfoundland degs. “This is too bad!” exclaimed Tom White, mournfully. ‘ Oh God! yes, itis tod bad! My chum, Jack Warren, is one of those who is lost, Poor Jack!” And the tears rose to his eyes. ‘* Never mind, lad; cheer up!” erjed old Ben. “We must all die sooner or later: and while I pity them that’s gone, I can’t help thinkin’ that theyll all go aloft, as they’ve always done their duty like men.” ‘Ay, ay, and God bless em!” muttered Tom, as he wiped his eyes, “‘ but thisis the third chum I’ve lost since I began to go to sea.” The storm raged for three days, at the end of which the gale subsided to a moderate but fair wind; and in the course of a month the topsails were reefed for the intended cruise. The vessel cruised a long time off the coast of Norway in the neighborhood of the Loffoden Islands, but no signs of the whaleship could be found until one day, when an old Norwegian fisherman came aboard, bringing with him an old yellowish piece of timber which he had drawn up while pulling in his lines. On one side of this stained and broken piece of wood, four letters yet remained, so dimmed and discolored by long submersion, however, as scarcely to be distingnished by the naked eye. The four let- ters—HELA—with the timber on which they were traced, were all that could ever be discoy- ered of the ill-fated MONONGAHELA! THE END, cok
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BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY. - 252 Denver Doll’s Device; or, The Detective-Queen, By Edward L. W heeler. 253 The Boy Tenderfoot. By Capt. Mark Wilton. 254 Black Hills Ben; or, Dutch Jan on the War- Path. By Maj. Lewis W. Carson. 255 Jolly Jim, Detective. By Charles Morris, 256 Merlo oa 's Last Cruise; or, The Sea Robber at Bay. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 257 The Boy Chief of Rocky Pass; or, The Young Galifornia Pards. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain, 258 Denver Doll as Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. 259 Little Foxeye, the Colorado Spy. By Oll Coomes. 260 Skit, the Cabin Boy. Ry Edward Willett. 261 Blade, ane Sport; or, the Giant of Clear Grit Camp. ae CO. Harbaugh. 262 Billy. the 30y Rover. By Col. P. Ingraham. 263 Buster Bob’s Buoy; or, Lige, the Light-House Keeper. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams, 264 Denver Doll’s Partner. By Edward L. Wheeler. 265 Billy, the Baggage Boy: or, The Young Railroad Detective. By Charles Morris. 266 Guy’s Boy Chum; or, The Forest Waif’s Mask. By Capt. Comstock. 267 Giant George’s Revenge. By Buckskin Sam. 268 The Deadshot Dandy. By Col. P. Ingraham. 269 The Quartzville Boss; or, Daring David Darke. By Edward Willett. 270 Denver Doll’s Mine. By Edward L. Wheeler. 271 Ebony Jim’s Terror; or, Ranger Rainbolt’s Ruse, By Oll Coomes. 272 Kit, the Girl Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh. 273 The Girl Rider; or, Nimble Ned’s Surprise. Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 274 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double; or, Benito, the Boy Pard. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 275 Fred, the Ocean Waif; or, The Old Sailor’s Protege. By Charles Morris. 276 Deadwood Dick Trapped. By Ed L. Wheeler. 277 The Idiot Boy Avenger; or, Captain Wild-Cat’s Big Game. By Albert W. Aiken. 278 Arizona Alf, the Miner; or, Little Snap Shot's Luck, By TC. Harbaugh. 279 Colorado Jack, the Tiger. 280 Dead Shot Dandy’s Last Deal, or, Keno Kit’s New Role, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 281 Ned, the Boy Pilot. By Jack Farragut. 282 Buck Hawk, Detective; or, the Messenger Boy’s tune. By Edward L. Wheeler. ving Sport Kir. By Edward Willett. Pay » Showman's Best Card; or, The Mad Animal Tamer. By Capt. Fred. W. hittaker. 285 Old Rocky’s Pard. By Buckskin Sam. 286 Dick, the Dakota Sport. By Charles Morris. 287 Ned, the Boy Skipper. By Jack Farragut. 288 Deadwood Dick's Disguise, By 8. L. Wheeler. 289 Colorado Nick, the Lassoist; or, Old Si's Protege. By Major H. B. Stoddard. 290 Rube, the Tenderfoot: or, the Boys of Torpedo Guich. By Major ©. L. St. Vrain. 291 Peacock Pete, the Leadville Sport; or, Hawk, the Boss Miner. By Albert W. Aiken. 292 Joe Morey, the Night-Hawk; or, the Black Rider, By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 293 Dwarf Jake. the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon’s Man-Hunt. By Edward Willett. 294 Dumb Dick’s Pard. By Edward L. Wheeler. 295 White Wing, the Ferret Flyer. ay Chas. Morris. 296 Govinda, the Tiger-Tamer; or, The American Horseman “Abroad. By Captain F. Whittaker. 2907 Arizona Giant George; or, The Boyees of Sardine- Box City. By Buckskin Sam. 298 Daisy Doll’s Dash, By T. C. Harbaugh. 299 The Balloon Detectives. By Harry Enton. 800 Deadwood Dick’s Mission. By HE. L. Wheeler, 801 Dandy Duke, the Cowboy. By Major HE. L. St. Vrain. 02 Big Benson’s Bet. By T. C. Harbaugh. 803 The Hotel Boy Detective. By Charles Morris. 804 Bald Head’s Pard. By Buckskin Sam, 805 Dusky Dick’s Duel. By Harry Hazard. 806 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy. By E. L. Wheeler, By By Fred, Dewey. 307 Nick, the Boy Sport. By Major E. L. St. Vrain. 808 Double-Fisted Mat; or, The Mystic California, By ° Giant. By Jos. KE. Badger, Jr. 809 Old Graybeard’s Boy; orePhe Girl’s Ruse. C. Dunning Clark. 310 Kit, the Girl Captain. By Col. P. Ingraham. 811 Frio Fred in Texas. By Buckskin Sam. 312 The Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassafras City. By Edward L. W heeler. 818 Honest Jack’s Protege. By Philip S. Warne. 814 Clip, the Boy Sheriff. By Edward Willett 315 Tom, the Arizona Sport. By Maj. KE. L. St. Vrain. 316 The Strees Arab Detective. By Charles Morris. 317 Buckskin Ben of ey exas. By Buckskin Sam. 318 Colorado Charie’s Detective Dasn; or, The Cattle Kings. By Edward L. Wheeler. 9 Frisky Frank in Idaho. By Roger Starbuck. Cool Sam’s Girl Pard. By T. C. Harbaugh. Billy, the Kid from Frisco. By J. C. Cowdrick. 2 Fred Flyer, Detective, By Charles Morris. 3 Dead Shot Ike in Montana. By R. Starbucks Kit, the Denver Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler. SRE Dusky Darrell the Camp Detective; or, The Dandy’s Daring Dash. By edwin Emerson. 26 Roy, the Boy Cruiser. By Colonel P. Ingraham. Ned, the Roving Miner. By Harry Hazard. 28 Rocky Ben’s Band; or, Big Pete’s Big Haul. W. J. Hamilton. 829 Dave, the Colorado Wrestler, Vrain. The Denver Sport’s Racket; or, Kit’s Big Boom. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Coast Detective. By Roger Starbuck. 2 Dakota Dan in Canyon City. By Philip S. Warne. Bootblack Ben, the Detective; or, Pooler Jim and His Pard. By Anthony P, Morris. Frisco Tomon Deck. By George Henry Morse. Ben Bandy, the Boss Pard; or, The Plucky Parson. By J. Stanley Henderson. Fred, the Sport, in Brimstone Bar Camp. , By Edward L. Wheeler, 7 Daisy Dave the Colorado Galnot; or, The Boss of Dead Line City. By T. C. Harbaugh. 888 The Gold Bar Detective. By Maj. B. L. St. Vrain 339 Rardo, the Boy Gypsy. By Wm. G, Patten, By Charles Morris, 3v Philip S. Warne. 340 Billy Bubble’s Big Score. 341 Colorado Steve’s Dash. 342 Snap-Shot Sam. By Bucksin an 848 Mike, the Bowery Detective, By E. L. Wheeler. 344°T he Drummer Sport. By Edward Willett. 345 . the Hardpan Detective; or, Captain »Road-Agent. By J.C. Cowdrick. i reat ie Chicago Arab. By Charles Morris. / Middy Herbert’s Prize. By Col. P. Ingraham. 348 Sharp-Shooter Frank. By Buckskin Sam. Buck, the Miner. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain. Ned, the Slab City SPR. By Kad. L. Wheeler. Rocky Mountain Joe. By Col, T. H. Monstery. New York Tim. By Charles Morris. The Girl Pilot. By Roger Starbuck. Joe, the Boy Stage-Driver. By Maj. St. Vrain. Texas Frank’s Crony. By Buckskin Sam. } Idaho Ned, Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 57 Guy, the Boy Miner. By Col. P. Ingraham. Jersey Joe, the Old Tar. By Mrs. Orin James. Dandy Dick’s Dash. By Oll Coomes. Jim’s Big Bonanza. by W. J. Hamilton. Oregon Phil, the Sport. By Philip S. Warne. Kits tne Bootblack Detective. By E. L. Wheeler, The Ocean ae By T. C. Harbaugh. Fritz’s Old Seare. By Ned Buntline Orack Shot a ry. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 368 Gold Dust Rock, “By G. Waldo Browne. 367 Fred’s Bold Game. By Paul Bibbs. 868 Jim, the Sport in Wake- “up By Ed. L. Wheeler. 369 € Japtain Blake’s Jonah. By Roger Starbuck. 370 Denver Kit’s Double. Ry Major H. B. Stoddard. 871 Blue Blazes Dick. By T. C. Harbaugh. 372 The Sea Cat’s Prize. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. $73 Larry O’Lynn’s Dash. By Joseph F. Henderson. _ 874 Jim, the Sport’s Big Boom; or, The Bonanza, ~ wu King’s Rival, By Edward L, ‘Wheeler. a By By Maj. E. L. St.
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o~ { Detective Stories. 470 The Ranger Detective. 454 The Darky Detective. 437 Detective Jake’s Clew. By H. B, Stoddard, 3:6 Detective Paul's Right Bower, By C.D. Clark, 887 The Boy Detectives, By T, 0. Harbaugh, 875 Bowery Bob, Detective. By Jo Pierce. 862 Kit, the Bootblack Detective. By E. L. Wheeler. 856 Idaho Ned, Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. 345 Jaques, the Hardpan Detective; or, Captain Frisco the Road Avent. By J. 0. Cowdrick. 848 Mikes, the Bowery Detective, By E, L, Wheeler, 838 The Gold Bar Detective; or, Iron Ike, the Solid Man, By Major E..L. St. Vrain. 883 Bootblack Ben, the Detective; or, Pooler Jim and His Pard. By Anthony P, Morris. 831 The Coast Detective; or, The Smuggler Shad- ower. By Roger Starbuck. : 825 Dusky Darrell, the Camp Detective; or, The Dandy’s Daring Dash. By Hdwin Emerson, 822 Fred Flyer, Detective; or, Abe Blizzard on Deck. By Charles Morris. 7 819 Frisky Fran’ in Idaho; or, Old Skinflint the Shadower. By Roger Starbuck, ' 818 Colorado Charlie’s Detective Dash; The Cattle Kings. By Edward L. Wheeler. 816 The Street |Arab Detective; or, Dick Dorgan’s Double Dealing. By Charles Morris. 812 The Detective Road-Agent; or, The Miners of Sassafras City. By Edward L. Wheeler, 806 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective’s Decoy. By E. L. Wheeler. 803 The Hotel Boy Detective; or, The Grand Central Robbery. “By Charles Morris. 299 The Balloon Detectives; ur, Jack Slasher’s Young Patd. By Harry Enton, 295 White Wing, the Ferret Flyer. By Chas, Morris, 2938 Dwarf Jake, the. Detective; or, Kit Kenyon’s Man-Hunt, By Edwatd Willett. 282. Buck Hawk, Detective; or, the Messenger Boy’s Fortune. By Edward lL. Wheeler. 272 Kit, the Girl Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh. 265 iny 4 the Baggage Boy Detective, By Charles orris. 258 Denver Doll as Detective. By EH. L. Wheeler, 255 Jolly Jim, Detective. By Charles Morris. 252 Denver Doll’s Davice; or, the Detective Queen, By Edward L. Wheeler, 251 The Deaf Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, By Edward Willett. 246 Detective Keen’s Apprentice; or. James'Jumper, the New York Gamin. By Charles Morris. 242 The Denver Detective; or, Dainty Dot at Gold Gulch. By T. C, Harbaugh, ; : 237 Newsboy Ned. Detective; or, Two Philadelphia Gamins. By Charles Morris. $ 236 Sierra Sam’s Double; or, The 'Three Memale De- tectives, By E. L. Wheeler. 228 The Preacher Detective. By OllCoomes. | 219 Buck, the Detective. By Albert W. Aiken. 215 The Denver Detective. By Oil Coomes. ; 209 The Messenger Boy Detective. By C. Morris, 205 The Frontier Deteciive. By _E.L Wheeler, 199 Dictionary Nat, Detective. By.'T. C. Harbaugh. 196 The Dandy Detective. By Charles Morris, 193 Detective Josh Grim. By E, L. Wheeler. 188 The Ventriloquist Detective. By EH. L. Wheeler, 188 Jabez Dart, Detective. By Oll Coomes. 175 The Arab Detective By EL. Wheeler. 127 Tony Fox, the Detective. By E. L, Wheeler. 105 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, By Charles Morris. 69 Detective Dick. By Charles Morris. 5 62 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. By OC, Morris, 18 Death-Face, the Detective, By E, L. Wheeler, By Harry Hazard. By Mrs. Orin James, or, : gs BRADLE'S POCKET BRAK, Wild West Sports. 465 The Texan Sport; or, The Mustang Hunter, Frederick Whittaker, 442 Dirk, the Sea Sport. By Roger Starbuck, 435 An Irish Sport Abroad; or, Pat Malloney’s Ad- ventures, By C, L, Edwards. 434 Joe, the Rover Sport, By A. H. Post. 891 Charley Skylark, the Sport. By Major Henry B.Stoddard, . 880 Dick Talbot, the Sport. By Albert W. Aiken. 877 The Deadwood Sports; or, Diamond Dick’s De- liverance, By Lieut. S. G. Lansing, 874 Short Jim’s Big Boom; or, The Bonanza King’s Rival. By Edward L, Wheeler. 868 Short Jim in Make-Up; or, Foghorn Fan to the Front. By Edward L. eeler, 261 Oregon Phil, the Sport; or, The Marshal of Two Bits. By Philip S, Warne. 350 Ned, the Slab City Sport; or, The Detective’s Big Scoop. By E. L. Wheeler. 844 The Drummer Sport; or, Dasher Dick’s Dilemma., By Edward Willett. 836 Fred, the Sport; or, In Brimstone Bar Camp, By EH. L. Wheeler. 830 The Denver Sport’s Racket; or, Kit’s Big Boom, By Edward L. Wheeler. 324 Kit, the Denver Sport. By E. L. Wheeler. By Major E, L. St. 815 Tom, the Arizona Sport, Vrain. 807 Nick, the Boy Sport; or, Three Plucky Pards. By Major E, L. St. Vrain, 291 Peacock Pete, the Leadville Sport. By Albert W. Aiken, 288 Wild Walt. the Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler. 286 Dick, the Dakota Sport. By Charles Morris. 288 Roving Sport Kit, By Edward Willett. 261 Blade, the Sport, By IT. C, Harbaugh, 247 The Girl Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler. 230 Three Sports. By Capt. Frederick Whitt 218 The Miner Sport. By E. L. Wheeler, 212 The Jimtown Sport By Edward L, Wheeler, 197 The Texan Sport Unmasked, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 180 Go'd Trigger, the Sport. By T. C. Harbaugh. 103 Chip, the Girl Sport, By Edward L, Wheeler. By os LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 465 The Texan Sport. 466 The Twin Buckskins. 467 Marsh Mose and His Dog. 46+ Jack Scott in Texas. B 469 Donald’s Death Shot. By Lieut Coal. Hazeltine. 470 The Ranger Detective. By Harry Hazard. 471 Roving Rifle. the Crackshot, By 'T. Q, Harbaugh. 472 Joo aid Jap’s Big Find. By Edwafd Willett. 4%3 Left-Handed Pete, the Double-knife. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 474 Gypsy Mag, the Mountain Witch. By ©. D. Clark, 475 The Mad Skipper. By Roger Starbuck, 476 Sandy Bill of Texas. By Edward Willett. 47¢ Squiré Boker on Deck. By Mrs. H, J. Thomas, 473 The Yankee Peddler. By ©. D. Clark. Ready March 8th. A New Issue Hvery Wednesday. Brapin’s Pockur Linrary is for sale by all News- dealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on re- ceipt of six cents each, BwADtu AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, By Capt. Fre. Whittaker, By W., J. Hamilton, By Walter N. McNeil. Edward Willett,