Pluck And Luck (no. 546) (1908 11 18)
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Issued Weekly—By Subscription $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-Class Matler at the New. York Post Office, November 7, 1898, by Frank Tousey. No. 546. NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18, 1908. - Price 5 Cents. x oN Sei ay Be, i ae ii ~ Se - ~~ us Sterne t so Leon suddenly dashed forward, one arm about the boy, carrying him on, and the giant’s sword was sent flying from his hand, and in another instant Leon’s sword passed through his hip. The Englishman fell to the deck heavily.
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; } PLUCK AND LUCK Stories of Adventure. assued Weekla-—by Se Subseri, November 7, 1898 gt Suri ton $2.50 per year. Entered as Second-Class Matter at the pete a ee Fi ered cebireiee to act of Congress, in the year 1908, in the office of t. . he Librarlom of Congress, Washington, Dz. C., by Frank Tousey, Publisher, 24 Union Square, Se 546. * / NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 18, 1908. ‘ Price 5 Cents. The Boy Privateer Captain Lost On a Nameless Sea = BY CAPTAIN THOS. Hl. WILSON. CHAPTER 1. AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE AND A DARING MOVE. The grand ball given by the governor of the island of Ja- maica, in his official residence at Kingston to, the citizens of the town, the captains and officers of the vessels then at an- chor in the harbor, and to the commandant and officers of the garrison, their wives and families, was in progress, and a scene of magnificence was presented which is seldom equaled. The spacious rooms of the old mansion were brilliantly light- ed, the stairway and passages were bowers of roses and palms, soft music floated upon the air from the garden where several military bands were stationed in concealed nooks, while at one end of the great ball-room a large orchestra played'for the especial accommodation of the dancers. In the gardens were hung scores of Chinese lanterns, large ' and:small, while the fountains played and a choir of choice song-birds, in gilded cages, added their music to the swelling harmony, the whole scene vying in splendor and in romance the far-famed entertainments of the nabob rulers of the Hast. The governor was celebrated for the elegance of his recep- ; tions, but on this occasion he appeared to have outdone all his he ‘There was 0 _ former efforts, and the senses were at once charmed and be- 'wildered by the many brilliant effects produced for their bene- ‘fit. Pest, Officers of the army and navy, in resplendent uniforms, mag- -nificently dressed women, in the most radiant of ‘toilets, decked he out With sparkling jewels and the rarest of gems, moved in ‘groups through the apartments, mingling with citizens in holi- bs day attire, more soberly dressed, but of no less importance, ; while bustling, black servants, in livery, flew here and there, - announcing new arrivals, attending to the wants of the throng, or. delivering orders to one another in whispers, the whole , Scene being one grand, pulsating mass of light, life and mo- tion. 5 igg ‘The festivities were at their height when a young man in the ess. usually wort at court in those days, the period being the ear 1812, ‘passed carelessly through an arched entrance hung | “Gone to the harbor. A vessel has been ee sd f ith roses into a small conservatory segs which one: nace ach the garden unnoticed. ofa light, reflected by a tiny fountain in the center, was all that it afforded. The young man, who seemed to be scarcely twenty, was at- tired in a full-buttoned black silk coat and knee breeches, a long waistcoat of white silk, black silk hose and low pumps with diamond buckles, and wore a heavy fall of lace at his throat and wristbands, his own hair being brushed off is fore-" head and tied behind by a great black bow. His appearance, while like that of many others present, was nevertheless distinguished, and one would have said at a glance that he was a person of unusual abilities, one to be cherished as a friend and dreaded as a foe. All that any ore knew of him was that he was the son of a rich American merchant and a young man of fashion seeing the world and its pleasures, his presence in Kingston at that time being accounted for in no other way than that his travels chanced to bring him there and nothing else. — At this time rumors were rife of a war with the United. States, but nothing definite had yet been heard, and upon the: occasion of the governor’s ball nothing seemed farther from the thoughts of men in military, naval and civic: circles. The young man passed through the little conservatory, paus- ing just before he reached the door leading to the garden, | pe ve look back for an instant and thén to listen. “I ought to hear to-night,” he said, softly. opportunity I may never’ have again if I do not. In case any- ri “It will be ae wee thing serious has happened by this time, Hal should have sailed ~ long ago. Perhaps he would not sail until he had positive information, and of course he could not know what plans. B had formed. I wonder if Derrick has yet returned?” — eet He opened the door and stepped out into the garden, and as he did so he heard a low whistle from behind a. marble statue of Flora, standing above a mass of palms. He returned the signal, and a man in‘’a cloak stenped out oud 4 said: — f ¢ “Did you want anything, sir?” “Where is Derrick?” _ ra ’ reyorted as in.
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2 . once?” “Yes, sir.” “And if his news is as a suspect it will be, are our men posted?” “Yes, sir.” “And the men on the Sprite?” “Half of ’em are impressed American seamen, and are with]: us. ” “There are others in port?” “Yes, enough to man a frigate.” “And ready to act?” “Yes, at a moment’s notice.” “Good. Remain here and give the signal as soon as Derrick returns.” “Ay, ay, sir!” and the man returned to his hiding place. As the young man re-entered the conservatory he saw the figure of a beautiful young girl standing in the further en- trance, her form thrown into full relief by the light behind. He advanced as far as the fountain and whispered: “Fist! Isabel!” ' “Leon! ” she answered, as she came swiftly forward. “What news?” asked the young man as he held the girl in his arms. _ “The governor wishes, to announce my engagement to Cap- tain Sir Alexander Havens immediately after supper.” “But you are an American, and Sir Alexander is in his ma- jesty’s service.” “T am the governor’s ward, and he has the right to dispose of my hand as he wishes.” ~ “But you do not wish to marry this coxcomb?” “Leon!” Hy knew it; but Stina must be done at once. Listen. I know that-we are on the eve of a war with England—it may have been already declared. [I expect a commission and letters of marque at any moment, but the least delay may thwart all "my plans.” “What can be done, Leon?” asked the girl. “You know that my heart is yours, that I am a true American, and that I am ready to follow you to the end of ithe world.” “Yes, yes, I know all that, dearest; and I may put your vows to the test this very night. I may have to fly or I may go in triumph, but if you promise tobe true, it can matter lit- tle what happens.” . At that moment a young girl came hastily into ar darkened conseryatory, looked hurriedly around, and said anxiously: “She is not here, and yet—oh, what is to be done? The BOv- ernor evidently suspects that——-” _ “What is it, May?” asked Isabel, coming forward. “Ah, you are here?” cried the other. . sent for you. He says that you have been altogether too free _ with this American, and that he means to have your engage- -ment announced at once. He suspects Leon to be a spy of the Peas States, and I heard him say as much to Sir Alexander.” _ “Then there is no time to be lost!” hissed Leon. “Ha! what is that? The signal, as I live!” _ A sound as of a pebble being thrown against the glass was heard, and Leon hurried to the little door and threw it open, a x young fellow of about his own age and size hurriedly entering. cape: “War has been. declared! "he said eagerly. “T a away from “the vessel in a sailboat brought out by Derrick.” ; “And then?” os _ “We took horses the instant we were on shore and rode’ like . the wind.” Me gues: and ie nen “Your guardian has. BO OS eS ON Bw FG SE — — -—- ————$—$$_—_—_—— peo & 3 F uk THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. “Good. He has his orders to bring Hal to this place at ment that war was declared I received the commission and the . letters of marque which authorize you to carry on war privately against Great Britain, either on the high seas or in any but a neutral port.” : ‘ ‘ “Just in time!” said Leon. “Isabel, my love, I ask you to follow me and share the fortunes of a privateer. Will you do bs ed “T will!” answered the brave girl. “But how shall you es- cape? You have no vessel, and the instant the news of war is known you will be detained.” “Not so,” cried the young man. plan, and now for its execution.” “What do you mean to do?” : “Seize one of the vessels now in the harbor, take command and wage war against the enemy.” “But that is piracy.” “No, for I am now a privateer captain, with full authority from the President and Congress of the United States.” At that moment the door was thrown open, and in rusheda grizzled seaman. “There’s not a moment to lose, capi if we intend to make the Sprite ours!” he said, hastily. “The news will be abroad in an hour.” “To the shore! * hissed’Leon. “Hal, my old friend, you shall be my lieutenant. One bold dash and the Sprite is ours.” ‘ “And hurrah for the boy privateer!” muttered Hal. as they all hurriedly left the palace. Ten minutes later the governor’s ward was missing, and the greatest consternation reigned. “I have conceived a bold CHAPTER II. THE BOY PRIVATEER BEGINS HIS CRUISE. The time for the young privateer’s bold stroke had been ae timed. Z The Sprite lay at a distance from the other vessels ‘Gi tie harbor, and her commander and vee were all es the Ov. ernor’s ball. Only a small force had been left on board, and two-thirds of ms these were men who had been impressed from American mer-— 3 chant ships and forced to serve on board a British war vessel. Leon, who was an able navigator and a born commander, al- — though scarcely more than a boy, had) long anticipated trouble — with England, and had prepared himself for an emergency, He had applied for letters of marque, and had then gone to Jamaica, on an apparently peaceful mission, but actually to examine the strength of the enemy, and to determine where best he might strike when once war had been declared. — 6 Isabel Vernon, Leon’s sweetheart, although born in “Americ: and entirely in sympathy with. the federal government, | ha been placed under the guardianship of Sir Neville Montjoy, afterward British representative at Kingston, to which place she had been sent after the death of her foe } ei declar ing that she would be faithful to him whatever hal j pper The Sprite, commanded by ‘Sir Alexander Havens, the 1 eS mah whom Isabel was to be forced to marry by her obstl tinal guardian, was a topsail schooner of about two. hundred ton: large enough to accommodate a crew of sixty men ee i fifteen guns, being well provided | besides with small arms for
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pall is broke up; must be the blue jackets. up and——” - THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. 3 he knew all about her and just what chances there were of seizing her in case he determined to take that step. Many of her men had been taken from American merchant- men, and with some of these, those whom he could trust, he soon became acquainted. He did not know how long it would be before war would be declared, but he had instructed his closest friend, Hal Hurry, to repair with all speed to Jamaica as soon as possible after the matter was determined upon, a certain English vessel then at Havana, being the one chosen for him to go “to Kingston upon in ease he could not find one nearer home. Hal easily passed for an Englishman, and was not suspected all the time he was on board, everyone supposing him to be a young colonist going to look over his plantations in Jamaica. In the meantime Leon had assured himself of a large fol- lowing, had kept his lieutenants well informed of what they “were to do, and had made every arrangement to seize the Sprite upon the evening of the grand ball given by the governor, the probable absence of nearly all the crew from the schooner upon that occasion being just such an opportunity as he most desired. : /The vessel lay idly at anchor in the harbor, the night was dark, there was little wind, and the waves lapped gently the ‘sides of the Sprite as she softly rocked to and fro. Her side lights were up; but no others could be seen, unless now and then when one of the watch struck a match and pull- ed at his pipe, the sailor’s solace in all climes. There was but a small guard left on board, for many of the men had been given liberty, and the captain and all his offi- cers were at the governor’s ball, the vessel being left to take care of herself. One big fellow with a gray beard and tangled hair, the oldest man on board, sat on an overturned deck bucket up forward, and, as he puffed slowly at his pipe, would now and then cast his eyes over the rail toward the town and emit a low grunt. “Vot for you grunt, bos’n, h’m?” asked a young sailor, paus- ing in his walk up and down the deck. “Cos my toes ache, that’s why, ye Dptehman,” angwered the other. “Ha! dat’s funny, Bill. Is he your left toe or your right toe vat ache?” “My right one, (oy course, you swab, and that’s why I grunt.” “Ha! your left toe didn’t ache, and yer ae toe vas vood. Ho, ho! dat’s yunny, too.” “Never mind if it is, you lubber, and don’t make so much noise,” said the other, rising and stumping up and down in the manner peculiar to a man with a wooden leg. “You hear anything, h’m?” whispered me younger man, com- ing close. “Yes, but don’t stop here, keep on walking, and give a look down the hatch and see if our men are awake,” “Yah, I do dat,” said the other, with a soft chuckle. - Ten minutes later a man came on deck, walked to the rail, looked out upon the darkness, and muttered: tes “Hallo! some 0’ the lads must be coming. Can’t be that the Hallo, mates, turn “Stow that, you lubber!” hissed the wooden-legged man, springing suddenly to the other’s side and felling him with a blow of his fist. The outcry had been heard, however, and five or six seamen ‘eame hurrying on deck. At that moment there came a low whistle from the water’s edge. Sabor! 4 answered ‘Bil, “Joe, my lad, stir up t the boys. “The ck. ried the otner, running U2 Wes Up came a score of men, and at the same moment two score more swarmed over the rail at several points. “What does this mean?” demanded one of the warrant offi- cers of the boatswain on watch as he hurriedly ran forward. — “Tt means that the Yankees have declared war against John Bull!” cried Bill Capstan, the one-legged boatswain, “and this is the first capture.” “Hurrah for Captain Leon, our boy commander!” shouted a score of voices. Of those on board the majority were Americans, and the in- truders were all such, and the consequence was that after a short struggle the Sprite was in the hands of Captain Leon. “Stand by to take on passengers,” cried the voice of Hal Hurry, after a short interval, “and then to hoist the anchor and get away.” The prisoners were sent below, the men were quickly divid- ed into two working crews by Bill Capstan and Joe Spiegel, the young Hollander, and the work of getting the vessel under way Was soon rapidly progressing. Presently two closely veiled ladies came up the swinging companion way let down over the side and made their way to the cabin, escorted by Hal, who saluted as they disappeared, and then returned to Leon’s side. “T could not leave you, Leon,” he said, “and May eould not leave Isabel. We'll have a double wedding on board as soon as we can ship a parson.” “Ay, ay, my lad,” answered Leon, with a light laugh. “But this is no time for jesting, Hal. We have not yet done all that I undertook t6 do this night. Give orders to get away from the harbor as soon as possible.” The work was done quietly and efficiently, and the Sprite had up her anchor, put on sail, and was on her way to sea before anyone on the other vessels in the harbor vupperied that any- thing was going wrong. . “We have other work yet to do,” said Leon. “I mean to cut out two or three of the enemy’ 8 vessels before I leave.” “But we can’t take ’em WARE us,” said Hal. “We haven’t men enough.” ‘ “No, but we can scuttle or burn them. I wish to be well remembered in Kingston. Now, then, first to attack that near- ~ est sloop.” On swept the little vessel, and presently the lookout on the sloop cried in a frightened voice: “Ahoy there! Do you want to run us own’ ahoy!” Schooner In another moment the two vessels collided, the Sprite run- — ‘ ning. alongside and throwing out grappling hooks. Out rushed an officer in uniform as Leon’s men began to swarm over the rail. “What does this mean?” he demanded, angrily. thority——” “By the authority of the United States government! * Site? Leon. The men of the vessel were swept aside, and the gallant. tars “By setae au- from the Sprite, led by Hal Hurry and Derrick, hastened be- — “Forward, lads, and scuttle her as quickly as you can.” . low, the plan of action Raving already been determined ‘upon. De The officer in command was very indignant, called ‘Leon a pirate and a robber, threatened all sorts of vengeance, and de-— manded that he fight a duel then and there upon the quarter: deck. ' “Time presses,” said the boy privateer, “or I might accom- modate you. What I have done is sanctioned by the laws of nations. War has been declared apes Great ‘Britain, Bee I
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4 : ported that the vessel had been scuttled in a dozen places and would sink in twenly minutes. “To your own vessel!” cried Leon. “Cast off, lively now, all hands to places. Stand by for stays. Let go!” The Sprite swung loose from the sloop, put about and dashed ' THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. They were displayed for a few minutes when the Stranger hoisted another signal. “They say that we are to send an officer aboard and report,” said Hal, “but they do not give their own name.” “Do you know her, Derrick?” asked Leon. “You are pretty away toward the open sea, while the men on the doomed vessel | well acquainted with the ships of the English navy, I think.” made hasty preparations to leave in the boats which had been spared. On swept the Sprite, and the next vessel she met was hastily | India squadron, twenty-eight guns, with a erew of a hundred.” | boarded and set on fire in a score of places, the crew being taken completely by surprise, as in the case of the sloop. © By this time an alarm was fired from the forts on shore, and “Ay,” answered the seaman, “and I incline to the belief, sir, that she is the Disturber, one of the smaller ships of the West “Nearly twice our own force,” said Leon, “Signal her again, Hal, and ask if she is the Disturber.” In a few moments the signal flags were duttetiae from the ; the news quickly spread that war had been declared, that an| peak, and in a short time an answering signal was hoisted from American privateer was abroad, and that every ship in port| the stranger’s peak. was to be destroyed. ‘ The daring boy captain had kept his word, and before he “They want to know if we are not the Sprite?” said Hal. “Tell them we are,” said Leon, the two vessels having rapidly finally took to flight he had scuttled one vessel, fired two, and | neared each other. sent broadsides into two others, leaving behind him a fiery The signals were displayed, but no answer was made from wake as he left the harbor, the stars and stripes floating from] the other vessel for several minutes, when che two ships were the peak, while from fifty lusty throats the ery went up: “Hurrah for Captain Leon, the boy privateer, and three cheers for the old flag!” CHAPTER Iil. A OHALLENGE, , The day was fair, the sun shone merrily upon the dancing : waves, the breeze was fresh, and the Sprite sped lightly over within hail. “Stand by to act upon a moran’ notice,” said Leon, quiet- ly, and the word was passed along in the same manner. “On board the Sprite!” came the hail from the other ship. “Ahoy!” cried Leon from the quarter-deck. He was enveloped in a long cloak, and wore a hat common to the captains of nearly all navies. “Where are you from?” ] “Kingston, in the island of Jamaica,” % “Is Captain Sir Alexander Havens on board?” “No. ” j “Who commands the Sprite?” the ocean, her white sails glistening in the sunlight, the spray | 20d revealed him in the full uniform of the United States navy. dashing in showers from her cutwater, and everything on _ board as trim and taut as the most exacting seaman could wish. She had left Kingston amid the booming of cannon, the hoarse cries of the enemy, thé glare of burning ships and the whistling of hurtling shot, but now a mere peaceful scene was presented. ; 4 Everything was in the best order, the men wore their smart- est clothes, the ports were closed, the guns under cover, all traces of the strife had been removed, and all on board seemed keeping holiday instead of being bound upon a mission of de- struction. In the forecastle were gathered a dozen men listening to old Bill Capstan, who sat on a sea chest smoking a pipe, his} ‘ wooden leg thrust out straight before him as he told a yarn of the sea. _ All at once a ery hom: aloft sounded: “Sail ho!” The men sprang up, and were on deck almost as soon as the | 3 man aloft had answered the hail from the deck with: “Dead ahead, sir, and coming this way. Looks like an Eng- lish frigate.” _ “Clear the decks!” shouted Reon, “put do not open the ports until T give the word.” Before long the approaching vessel was plainly to be seen _ from the deck, but it was not until half an hour later that she was seen to be making signals. “Get, the code, Hal,” said Leon, quietly,’ “and sée if you can ‘make out what they are saying. I think I know, but I am not certain.’ , Hal “went below and presently returned with the book and a8 small een _ - me ek, ie! powerful well-built man: of forty, ae came aft Q ny, h the signal “Come on board, I wish to ask you some questions.” ““I do!” and the cloak suddenly fell from Leon’s shoulders, . _ “Tf you have any business with me, come on board and state » — it!” answered Leon, and at that moment a ball of bunting shot up to the peak, hung for an instant, and then unrolled ome showed the stars and stripes. “Show your teeth, bullies! ” cried Leon, and ina gacdidk every, port was thrown open and the muzzles of the guns were thrust _ forth. At the same time a ringing cheer was given, and as the | Sprite swept past the English vessel 9. broadside was poured in upon her. | The British flag was gilktely aepldved. and ‘the enemy ah- fered with! a flying shot from her bow chasers, that showed — that she had not been entirely unprepared for such a move, “We must fight, my lads,” said Leon, “and fight well. It is not force of men, nor of guns, that makes a vessel’s strength; it is the brave hearts of the men who man Ber other!” The air was soon thick with smoke, and deiche® vessel could Hs ‘be distinguished in the confusion. . Suddenly there was a collision, ‘under which both vessels rocked violently. ' Leon had rightly judged the position of the enemy, aie had borne down upon her with such precision that the beams o the two vessels’ grazed one another, oS ae came togethe with a shock. In an instant the two ships were eames ‘together, and with a ringing ay Leon and a score of his SeHOMETS ae over the f 3 for the quarter-deck. ; Bi Leon was the first to reach it, and here he met ies ca the enemy’ 8 ship, ewers a hand. Hane mare of giant build and the manners os flag, yield this instan or nt y eg wa ; 4 sits Ja 0 iy Now, then, an- as
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ef THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN, — 6 on guard. “T am an*American privateer captain, and yonder |. “Run, Paul, and tell Hal and Derrick to fire this ship and vessel is my lawful prize. If you can conquer her from me, you| then retreat with all haste to our own.” ; , are welcome to her. Let this contest decide.” “T accept no terms from Yankees,” cried the Englishman. “You may be compelled to do so,” said Leon. In an instant the daring boy had attacked his giant foe with the utmost fierceness, and the latter was compelled to fight as he had never fought before. CHAPTER IV. A DASHING RETREAT. The fighting upon the main deck of the frigate ceased, all _ hands turning their attention to the poop where Leon and the the English captain were now about to measure swords. The Englishman was large of stature, and towered above the young American, but the latter was determined, and would not ' have faltered had his opponent been twice his size and weight. . The boy privateer was a splendid swordsman, and as he par- ried the blows aimed at him by his giant opponent all marveled at his strength of arm and the clearness of his eye, as well as _ the great coolness which he displayed, holding his ground as though rooted to the deck, and not giving way as much as an inch, The Englishman was evidently astonished, but, relying upon his superior strength, he now pressed forward as if to end the combat By a few swift blows. - Leon parried the first, and then, by a lightning stroke pierced his adversary’s sword arm, and by a quick thrust sent the - weapon flying into the air. “Fight on, my brave lads!” he cried. “Fight on and the ship is ours!” and then, stepping back a pace as if to allow his op- ponent to recover his weapon, is shot a quick glance half ; ‘around the horizon, ‘The English captain tore off his neckerchief, pound it BRent his arm, picked up his sword, and said: ; “Now, my young pirate, this fight is to the death. Yield and I will spare your life for the courage and ability you have shown ; refuse, and I will kill you like a dog.” “Come on,” said Leon. “We but waste words.” The fight was renewed, Leon pressing his man hard, and causing him to be constantly on the defensive. In a moment the boy was gone. ; Staggering to his feet, his eyes ingnabed with rage, the “On guard!” | British captain whipped out a brace of pistols and hissed: “Now, then, my. bold lad, we will see if you shall escape!” Flash! Crash! Two swift blows like strokes of lightning, and the Englishman was disarmed. Leon. : . “Yes, and it shall end in: your death,” muttered the other, with a fierce imprecation, “Look. Do you see those two sails? They belong to English vessels. You shall never escape! Hur- rah, my men! Fight on, aid is at hand, and soon———” His boy opponent pressed him so’ hard that the words died ‘in his throat and a terrible fear oppressed him, “ Foot by foot he was forced backwards towards the taffrail, foot by foot he was driven towards the sea, the blows com- ing in thick and fast, and impossible to avoid except by flight. Then, of a sudden, flames broke out in nearly a dozen places. They ran up the masts and rigging, they poured from the ports, they ascended at the bow and broke out astern. A booming sound came across the water, answered at once by. the cannon on board the privateer. In an instant the air was dense with smoke, and the two vessels were shut out from the sight of the approaching fri- gates. Then a sharp, clear whistle of a peculiar note rang out, and | in a twinkling the privateers hurried on board their own craft. , “Pick up your sword if you desire to finish the fight,” said In another instant the two vessels are cut apart, be a. broadside is poured in upon the English ship. Before the smoke clears away the privateer is a hundred fathoms distant and another cloud of fire and smoke belches_ from her ports. “Up with all sail and away!" ” eries Leon, ina ringing voice. “Tt is no sin to take to one’s heels when opposed by an over- whelming force, and all is fair in love and’ war.” } When the smoke lifted and the British ships reached the disabled Disturber, the privateer was half a mile away, and scudding towards the open sea, pursuit being out of the ques- tion until the crippled frigate was cared for. | The captain was badly wounded, many of his best men were killed, and his vessel was afire in a dozen places, the flames — gd threatening before long to reach the magazine, The united efforts of the newcomers were required to save Ha the Distur’ jer, and the saucy privateer escaped, her flag flying The Hnglishman fumed and frothed, and swore beneath his and a shout of defiance thundering out from her stern-chasers;_ ~ breath, for try as he would he could not break through his boyish opponent’s guard, and was ie Sb ed: continually to. defend - himself. A hot fight was now going on below between the Hebpdtdebs - and ‘the men of the frigate, Hal leading one body of iets and Derrick another, ; Suddenly, while the two leaders were e fighting furiously. on the quarter, a slight, boyish form was seen to hurry up the i. companion ladder and spring lightly to Leon’s side. Away and away she sped till she was a mere speck on the | horizon, and. the chagrined Englishmen were forced to Sypris | their defeat with a bad grace. Leon had gone to his cabin, thrown down his hat and re- moved his belt, when Hal hurriedly entered and said: 9) “There is a man on board who claims your protection. came over from the frigate when we retreated. The men were about to fall upon him when he cried out that he was no enemy and that you would spare his life when you saw him. He says Hs “Captain,” he whispered, clinging to him and yet not im-| is name is Darke——” % at eg a treating as the latter retreated, “two frigates are approaching. We must get away at once or we are lost!” oa ‘Englishman essayed to rush in ‘upon his opponent, seeing d, ee arm about the wenn tn him on, and giant’s sword t ther ins bs peding his ‘Movements, advancing as Leon advanced, and re- (0 bend over to speak to the boy, but Leon suddenly | “Darke Crenshawe on board this vessel! vt iappadan: Leon. “His life must be spared, but I fear hke is no friend of Pane Send him to me.” i “Then you do know the man?” asked d Hal, in surprise. e “Yes, he is my cousin,” returned Leon, duietly. ~ ti “But you never told me that you. had any relatives | on wir) is of no consequence, Mabe Janta Lan vith ie sha is no secret ont it. - | He! “6 ray eee ft
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26 s The young lieutenant hurried from the cabin, muttering to! himseif: “His cousin on his father’s side, and I thought he was the last of the name. There is some mystery here. I don’t like the looks of Mr. Darke Crenshawe, and I mean to watch him.” When he reached the deck he hurried to the waist, where a knot of men had gathered, and said: “Release that man. Captain Leon says that mo harm must come to him, and that he must be set free.” The sailors fell back and a man dressed in a half uniform stepped forward and took off his hat. His hair was long and gathered in a knot at the buck of his neck, his hands were white and tapering, his limhs were shape- ly, and he had the look of a person of good birth, but there _ was still something in the glance of his eye, certain hard lines about his mouth, and & searcely perceptible curve of the nose which Hal did not like, and which prejudiced ee against the man from the start. The latter advanced a pace, bowed and smiled, and then said: “And my gallant young cousin—where is he? May I not see him? It was with great joy that I recognized him during the fight, and I made all haste to leave the enemy’s vessel when an opportunity presented itself.” 4 “What were you doing there if you are a true American, as you claim?” asked Hal, pointedly. : , Darke Crenshawe smiled as sweetly as before, and answered: “Your question is well put, sir, and I take pleasure in an- swering it. I have been abroad and knéw nothing of war hav- ing been declared, but, wishing to get home as speedily as pos- sible, embarked on board the Disturber, the cap'tain of which is an old acquaintance and friend, though now, by the fortunes of war, an enemy.” : t “But your uniform is English.” SBE: “Ha, ha! Some concession must be made, my dear sir,” laughed Crenshawe. “I could hardly wear a Con.tinental ‘uni- form on board a British ship. I will be glad to change it at once, and if you will conduct me to my brave young cousin I shall be——” “Captain Leon does not wish to he disturbed at sides, ® interrupted Hal. “If you desire to make any change you will ' find a vacant berth in the midshipman’s quarters. Hawley! Show Mr. Crenshawe below.” . “As you please,” said the other, still smiling. “You are _ doubtless right. The cabin is crowded, of course. Please give my regards to my distinguished relative, and say that I am anxiously awaiting the moment when I edn. pregient them in person.” He then bowed and went forward, Hal returning aft, musing: : ‘T don’t like him, for all his smiles and fashiomable graces. I can see villain written on every line of his face.” As Hal was about to enter the cabin, the boy Paul suddenly intercepted him and said in a low tone: : . “I like not this black-browed stranger, with his white teeth r ra his evil smile, and it will not be amiss perhaps if I keep a watch upon him!” “Indeed it will not, my boy,” said Hal, “and therp’s no one to whom I would sooner entrust our captain’s safety than your- self. Your eye is keen and your hand swift. Keep watch, . Paul, and never relax your vigilance a moment.” “T will not,” said the boy, and in another. moment he was ened in the cabin singing a rollicking sea song, with an air sO careless that no one would have suspected hitn to be the _ keen-eyed lad who held his captain’s life and happiness more pared: than his own. BE se is” safe with such a sentinel on waich,” mutterea Hal, “but I shall ‘keep my eye’ on Mr. Darke Crenshawe, “neverthe- : e does ee take these strong dislikes without eeson, ieve t SHH BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. /and said: -enemy is in sight.” harm.” in time, dear Reon, and watch him closely, for 3 am sure that” he ” . place for you. an actual danger threatens, perhaps, and——” bel went into the cabin with Paul. I will keep watch if our captain does not. T itke not this dark stranger myself, but——” : hush!” paces behind. CHAPTER V. A SECRET SIGNAL. Two or three days after the fight with the English frigate, Leon was cruising about in search of anything belonging TORS. enemy that he might seize, when the man at the lookout re-" ported a strange vessel several miles to windward and evi- dently coniing toward them. : “Can you make out whether she is a merchantman or a war” ‘ vessel, Derrick?” asked Leon. y L “She looks too trim for a merchantman, sir,” said the ie “and she hasn’t the rig of a regular man-o’-war. I can’t quite ’ make her out, but maybe when she gets a bit nearer I can.” After a brief interval Derrick turned to the young wees ; “T now make ‘her out to be a fighting craft, sir; but she ain’t a regular man-o’-war.” “A privateer, perhaps,” mused Leon. “However, we must not ; take chances. Hal, see that all is made ready, as quietly as : possible, in case we should have to fight.” TRE}: *Ay, ay,” said Hal, hurrying away, while Leon i Paul, the cabin boy, for his telescope. ; As the boy was returning, Isabel hastened from the egieg ; and flew to Leon’s side, closely followed by the polite Darke | Crenshawe, who said in his smoothest tones: Buk: “J have been endeavoring to assure the lady, my dear cousin,» Ry ee there is really no danger that the stranger is a r privateer “You do Ses know if he is or not!” mad Leon, shortly. “There is no necessity for alarming the lady by saying any- me thing until I chose to acquaint her with the fact that an ¢ “Pardon me, if I have been rash,” said Darke Grsiainiee * bowing low. “I assure you, my dear cousin——” s “I have nothing more to say,” said Leon, taking the glass from Paul. “Isabel, you had best retire.” — The courteous Darke withdrew, still smiling, and Isabel a clinging to her loyer, whispered: “T do not like that man; he terrifies me. Why, I do not ictioue: Re: Just now he came to me and May and said there would be a battle and we had not even known that a vessel was in sight. =, “The man is too officious, but I do not think he means est “And I am sure he does,” interposed the girl. “Be ees “Yes, yes, but I must go on “the quarter-deck, and this i no 4 I will.watch him if you say SO, but “jus 3 The young commander hastened to the quarter-deck and Is .“I heard what you said, my lady,” whispered the doy, ‘ “You are a brave lad,” said the si, Ber, I uae you, but “Yes, my lady,” he ‘said, opening the ‘door ot aaa
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THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. v oe “but he does not want me to know that he knows it, in order |an instant later a heavy shot flew through the vidstag padi to put me off my guard.” At that moment there was a ery from the masthead. “Tf I ain’t out of my reckoning, sir, yon fellow is no honest privateer, but a dastardly pirate.” “A pirate!” gasped Paul. “Then the fight will indeed be desperate, for our captain has sworn to drive all such from the sea!” The boy hurried on deck in time to see the stranger, who had drawn much nearer during his absence, run a ball of bunting up to the main peak, which, when it unfurled, proved to be the ~ hated black flag of the buccaneer. “Ha! he shows his colors,” cried Leon, “and now show him ours. Pirates are our enemies as well as the British, and worse. I have respect for an honest foe, but none for these vampires. Clear the decks for action!” In a moment all was activity on deck, the men moving sys- tematically, however, so that there was not the least disorder Every man had his duties and knew them, they all had their places and went to them, so that with all the activity there was “no confusion. rr The guns were unlimbered, arms and ammunition were pass- ed out, and every Man was ready to act upon an instant’s warning. All the crew were in their places, and not a man among them would fail in his duty when the crisis came. The young ladies were taken to a place of safety, and Leon, with Hal by his side to take instructions, stood on the quar- ter-deck, watching the movements of the pirate. Paul, the cabin boy, stood on the deck below, now looking this way and now that, in apparent carelessness, but in reality taking note of everything. ‘He had a short sword buckled on at his left side, but no one ~ expected he would use it. Suddenly, in the bustle of preparation, Paul saw two or three - signal flags flying from the top of the foremast. “What does that mean?” he mused, and then glancing to- ward the pirate vessel, he saw her suddenly come swooping down toward them, when, until then, she seemed to be acting with great caution. : ~The boy looked up at the flags and made a mental note of -them, and then, with a sudden inspiration, sprang forward. When he reached the foremast, the flags were no longer vis- ible. Darke Grenshawe was standing there, smiling, as was his th wont, “Who put up the signals, and where are they now?” asked. Paul. “What are you talking about, boy?” returned ‘Crenshawe. ““ipnere have been no signals hoisted.” Paul said nothing, but hurried aft. _ Diving into the cabin he rushed into Leon’s room, and pres- - ently brought out a book of signals used by the different naval “Turning the pages hurriedly, td soon chanced upon a cer- ain combination of colors, one above the other. “Ha, here it is! The very colors that I saw—blue, red and ¢ low, green and white, dark blue—yes, and in the same posi- ion. ‘What do they mean?” ; His face suddenly flushed deeply, and he closed the book and urried from the room, muttering excitedly: Your strength is vastly superior to ours! That’s what the signal reads. “Who displayed it? Crenshawe? What has he to do. w. ith pirates? I must watch him closer than ever, for if it > re not he who: Las that — ‘then i was never more mis- above his head. In an instant the privateer answered with a broadside, and the battle began. CHAPTER) VI. THE FIGHT ON THE PIRATE SHIP. The pirates greatly: outnumbered the privateer’s crew, but the latter were a determined lot of hardy tars, accustomed to the strictest discipline, and fighting in a good cause, and there was not a man there who would not have given his life for it. The pirate captain, evidently knowing that the enemy num- bered less than his own crew, sisi cemreen to force the fight. He came bearing down upon the privateer: his men uttering shrill cries, while his,cannon belched fire and smoke. By a quick movement, the privateer swung around to méet the buccaneer head and head, and the greater part of the enem:y’s fire flew harmlessly by. As soon as he had drawn the fire of the pirate Leon changed his course and sent a broadside right across the pirate’s decks. Then, while his vessel still quivered from the rebound, he bore down upon the enemy under the cover of the smoke, and before the pirate realized what had happened, the two vessels came together with a shock. “Malce fast! Board! Over with you all! creants into the sea!” The very daring of the move seemed to assure its pone ‘suc- cessful. . In an instant two score of brave fellows, with Leon at their head, swarmed upon the pirates’ deck at the quarter. . A moment later another party, headed by Hal, poured over the rail forward. The boy commander met the pirate chief on his own ave and at once engaged him in combat. Hurl the mis- The freebooter was a fine swordsman, and outweighed Leon by forty pounds, but the boy was no novice, and had a wrist of steel, The combat was now general, and men fell on all sides; but neither Iueon nor the pirate seemed able to get the advantage, and they fought desperately for fully ten: minutes, neither gaining mor losing ground, The air was full of flame and smoke, the decks ran blood, and the din and confusion vied with the tumult of hug anes ‘nium itself. Paul, the cabin boy, had found his wisi over to the deck of the pirate vessel while pursuing his self-appointed duty of ‘watching the movements of Darke. Crenshawe. He carried a naked sword in his hand, but no one in aes him} and he, acted solely upon the defensive. Darke Crenshawe, sword in hand, was making his way die, ward the spot where Leon and the corsair were still cee ately fighting. Paul followed, his eyes fixed upon Crenshawe. Suddenly the latter appeared to slip and fall from step- ping in a pool of blood, his naked sword in his hand. Leon’s back was toward him, and there seemed to be noth- ing to prevent that keen blade from being driven a through the young comimander’s body. t i With a shrill cry Paul sprang forward. net & Sabi His, light sword ies in the air like @ ray of light. —
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having been killed and a dozen or so having received hurts = this: ‘prize should be a welcome addition to. our navy. Whom and so filled with contempt upon the man, that the latter turn- * 8 THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. S Z ; pe Sn ie) There was a flash, a whistling sound, and ‘ie a splash in the] board the Disturber, and is anxious to do something for: his: water. Crenshawe fell at Leon’s feet face downward, his arm out- stretched upon the deck, Thé boy privateer captain’s life had been saved as by a miracle. : Except for the devotion of one lai lad that instant would have been his last. Even now the danger was. not all averted. Crenshawe’s hand grasped one of his ankles and he way- ered. The pirate, quick to seize the advantage, leaped forward, leaving his own front exposed. The brave cabin boy gave one leap and threw himself be- tween Leon and the pirate. He received the buccaneer on the point of his light sword, and it was driven in clear to the hilt and wrenched from his hand. The pirate fell dead, and Leon caught the half-fainting boy in his arms. “Charge, my brave lads!” he shrieked, “The wolf is dead! Drive the whelps into the sea!” 3 With a shout that made the air resound, the gallant tars join- ed their forces and rushed with terrible and utterly irresistible force upon the buccaneers. The latter, losing heart at the sudden death of their chief, fled in dismay. Some plunged at once into the sea, many hurled themselves madly upon the blades of their foes, and some seemed to go mad and stared blankly at the carnage going on around them, without the power or will to stay it. { Derrick, who had recovered Paul's sword, handed it to the boy, who stood in a half-dazed state as Leon sprang forward. “No, no, I cannot take it,” he said. “Come, lad,” said the man, “that was a brave stroke you made. Nerye yourself, my hearty, and help drive these earrion crows into the sea.” “I knew not what I did. I never meant to kill him, I wish- ed only to save our captain,” murmured the boy. Darke Crenshawe now arose to his feet, his clothes and Bente wet with blood, an evil look upon his face. “That was an unlueky fail of mine, and might have caused my dear cousin his life,” he said, eQneyeety suddenly seeing the boy’s eyes fixed upon him. Paul said nothing, but he bent a gaze so searching, so stern, ed away in shame, and forgot to smile. “Yes, I will take the sword,” said the fearless youth. “No knowing when I may’need it, with so many enemies about.” There could be no doubt of the result of the contest, for the freebooters had utterly Jost heart, and numbers counted for nothing. sf Before many minutes ‘the pirate vessel was in the hands of the privateers, the greater part of her crew dead, and those who survived being too dishear tened to make even a show of resistance. The loss on the belvateer had ob slight, only three men which could. be easily attended to. The dead ‘were buried at sea, the wounded cared for, the prisoners secured below, the decks cleaned, damages tepalred to. some extent, and a small prize crew put in charge. » *We need all the good vessels we can have,” said Leon, “and shall oI put in charge? I have no one I ban to Lae sia I ek i rs ae J peally need.” Reumenis ott uk galt Se ee ee ee Peeters ee ee ee eae «ee o ; country, so he says.” Leon made no answer, and Hal continued: “That was ap. unfortunate fall of his, and might have proved doubly so. He has never ceased to blame himself for his care- lessness. ” Has “I owe my life to Paul’s watchfulness,” said Leon. “And more than that, it was he who gave us the victory. The boy is a hero and I shall never forget him. I hope to see him a captain yet. he “Do you think that Darke Crenshawe’s fall was pace entirely or even in the least degree to heedlessness?” asked Hal. “He is usually most careful and every movement seems studied.” Leon said nothing for a moment, and then asked: ; 4a “Do you think that if you ran into the nearest American port with the prize that you could rejoin me at some place along the coast?” Hal saw plainly that the boy commander did not wish. to. speak further of his mysterious'cousin, and he answered: “TI could take the prize into port, turn her over to the gov- vernment and perhaps be appointed to her with a larger crew, but I do not wish to leave you unless it is absolutely neces- ot sary.” “T think it 1B; and you can take Paul along. Give him a good berth if you are given command, for he is a worthy lad.” “And Crenshawe will remain with you?” : “No, of course not. He wishes to return home, you say.” ; “Then I wish he would go on some other vessel,” said Hal, i hotly. “I don’t like the man, and from things I have gathere! here and there, I know he bears no‘love toward you. 1 an even willing to affirm that he seeks your life.” i “My dear Hal, ae “T am sure of it. I did not see the accident, but those wh did say that but for the boy’s almost miraculous intervention Crenshawe’s sword would have been driven right through your body, and I believe that the fall was purnorels, ek: and that——” ‘ “We had best say nothing about that,” ‘interposed Leon quietly. Pees ; “Will not thig man benefit by your death?” continued ou “The family is nearly extinct, you and I are all that is left, ‘the estates, as I understand, are very large, and in the case A; your death without issue-——” We ee “JT prefer not to speak further on the matter, Hal,” cal. L n, as quietly as before. “Crenshawe will go with you.” _ “He'll have no chance to harm you, then,” muttered Hal, h: ; to himself, “and if he meddles with me I can soon quieb him,” ‘CHAPTER ‘Vit, HEAL IN’ DIFFICULTTES.. The sah and the prize were. about to ) part comp 1 Darke Crenshawe and Paul accompanying ‘him. Isabel Vernon and May vernained on the Spr Hal's sorrow, for he could not bear to have the Bi : sight a moment, i: “T don’t see. — we could not have captured ?D eon at t he id P a
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THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. 9 j “Did 1?” said May, saucily, although she blushed withal. “Certainly you did.” “But I may change my mind. That is a woman's privilege.” “Then I wish all the more that we had captured a parson when we left Kingston,” laughed Hal, “for in that event you couldn't.” “But you know that Sir Fenwick proposed for my hand be- fore you did.” “That booby!” exclaimed Hal. “Oh, I wish I might meet him! I'd frighten what little sense he has out of his stupid ‘head for daring to——” “But he is immensely rich-——” “He has to be to make up for his lack of brains. One must have something in this world.” “You are jealous,” laughed May. : Hal himself laughed at this, and what might have been a very pretty lovers’ quarrel was brought to a sudden end. The young sailor was now in command, and the two vessels were about to part. Darke Crenshawe had expressed a desire to remain -with Leon, but the latter, without deigning an explanation, had de- cided the matter at once. “ “J desire that you shall go with Lieut. Hurry,” he geld, and the matter was ended, ~ The two vessels were scarcely two miles apart, having at length separated, when signals were seen flying at the peak of ‘the prize. “What does that mean?” muttered Leon. sight? Derrick! ” “Ay, ay, sir,” answered the faithful seaman, *Send someone aloft. Lieut. Hurry signals that there is an enemy in sight.” “Ay, ay! Ahoy, there, Jack Nubbles, you have hawk’s eyes. Go aloft and see if there’s any snepicious craft in the neighbor~ hood of the prize.” “Ay, ay!” and in a moment Jack was running up the shrouds like a monkey. Leon hurried below for his telescope, and as he came out of his cabin he met May. “There is danger?” she asked. “JT fear so.” £ To Hal’s vessel? Oh, why didn’t I go with him to share it!” “Young women are usually reckoned of no account in a bat- - tle,” said Leon, dryly. *De you think so?” asked Isabel, who had Set joined her _ friend. “You can both cheer us and give us your best wishes if - you cannot wield a sword or a pistol,” said Leon, gallantly, “and it may be that we need your prayers now.” - So saying, be hurried on deck, just as Nubbles shouted down: | “T can make out another vessel, ‘sir, but Tm: not sure of her ~ colors.” - “Where away, Jack?” asked Derrick. - “Heading for Lieut. Hurry, sir, under all sail. i take it. Looks like a frigate.” Leon ascended the main rigging a few feet above the rail, - and pointed his glass in the direction of the prize. no “She keeps Hal between herself and us,” he muttered.’ rhether purposely or not T cannot tell. If she proves to be an e enemy | Hal can hardly hope to cope with her.” a 3 — ‘trying to better make out the strange vessel for a tew minutes. Leon called | to the man aloft: iC ‘Can, you make out what they are doing, Jack?” 0, sir, but ‘Mr. a Hurry seems trying to get out of tits: way.” cr ie “An enemy in. She’s armed, et Aas ie ‘ SME ae AR SE ge 8 BS no risks. The stranger may be an eflemy, and if so Hal can hardly hold his own against her.” The order was quickly executed, and the Sprite began to bear down upon the prize. Meanwhile, on board the latter hcatahe: matters had ap rn a serious aspect. Hal had noticed the approach of the stranger, and she had at once sent Paul for his telescope. When the boy brought it he looked ay 2 around aul then whispered: “May I tell you something, sir?” “Yes, my lad: What is it?” “There is one.on board who wishes that Ge stranger svg prove a foe.” ; “How do you know this?” “T have seen a look of glee on his evil face.” “Do you mean Mr. Crenshawe?” and Hal’s voice sank. “Yes. I do not-like him. You are not offended?” “No, my lad, Iam not. You are my friend, as well as the captain's.” “Our captain’s friends are my orange said Paul. keep watch?” “Yes.” The boy at once departed, as if to obey some order, and Hal turned his glass upon the stranger. “What has that boy been saying to tie lieutenant?” mused Crenshawe, as Paul hurried forward. “Can he suspect any- thing? I have noticed him watching me ever epuibe I haye been aboard.” © Hal scrutinized the stranger for several ccaaies sae then called up Hodge, who had been Derrick’s mate on the Sprite. “Take a look at yonder fellow, Hodge, and tell. me what you think of her,” he said. “You were impressed in the Bng- lish navy and saw a zeot many of their ships. You ide know this one.” The man touched his hat, ble the glass, held it to tila eye for a full minute, and then said: “Well, I can’t say as I know what her name is, sir, but she's surely English, and a frigate at that.” Hal at once signaled to Leon, and anxiously awaited a move- ment on the latter’s part. The stranger came steadily on, and at last Hodge declared it k to be his firm opinion that she was the Vindex—one of the — ships in port at Kingston at the time of their escape. f Hal at once began to sheer off and take a course which monks bring him nearer to the Sprite. Shortly afterward the latter was seen to have radtered her course, A moment later Pag sail was put on the stranger, and she was seen to be bearing directly down upon them. A few moments later the British gece was displayed and a shot fired. — . “They take us for the pit ate,” muttered Hal. do—show my own colors?” “You are not ashamed of them, sir?” eae Paul, who had come up unnoticed. “No, my lad, never, and I will show them!» old flag!” he added, in a ringing tone. ae “Shall I “What shall t Up with the ‘In a few moments the brave old flag fluttered in as e breere, ; p and Hal ordered the deck cleared for action. On came the Englishman, and soon opened fire, being. supe: a rior in every respect to the’ former pirate vessel. ny ‘Hal answered the fire and then the air being thick. with + smoke, quickly Shaneh el mR course eee to Sey dow Sprite. i: x “ os tie suspected as eB PS} 1 . abet for. whe a course W
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10 THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. 7 “She intends to.eut us out,” thought Hal, “but I mean to give her a good fight for all that. Stand by your guns, my bullies! Make every shot tell.” A ringing cheer arose from the handful 6f men on board, and a moment later a sheet of flame belched from her star- board ports, followed by a roar from a half dozen guns, the ves- sel rocking beneath the shock. On came the enemy, and a well-directed shot presently struck the foremast half way between the deck and the cross- trees, sending huge splinters flying in all directions. Right upon the heels of this missile came another which. struck in the same place, cut the mast in two, and brought all the top hamper down upon the deck, “Clear away!” shouted Hal. At that moment the boy Paul sprang to his side. “Not a moment is to be lost, sir!” he almost hissed. “There is a fire below decks, and it will soon reach the magazine! ” CHAPTER VIII. AN INSOLENT DEMAND AND ITS REFUSAL. ‘For a moment Hal was made speechless by the boy’s star- ting announcement. “When did you discover this?” he at length gasped. _*But this moment. It is not the result of aecident—it was design. It will be impossible to check it now.” “Give ’em atiother broadside!” roared Hal. “Haul all the “guns over to starboard!” — The order was quickly put in execution, the gunners ram- ' ming home their charges, “Go tell Hodge and Hawler as quickly as possible to be ready _to eave the ship on an instant’s notice,” said Hal, “and keep your eyes open.” — The boy was gone in a moment, and Hal, glancing first to- ward the frigate and then toward the Sprite, called out: “Wire! Wet them have all you can give them!” There was a roar that shook the heavens, and the smoke was so thick that one could scarcely see the length of the vessel. In another moment Paul was at Hal’s side. “They are ready, sir.” } ' “You have seen nothing else?” : “The fire below is gaining. If you attempt to reach the magazine now, you will only fan the flames. I have closed all the doors in the bulkheads, and. locked them as Well; OS) “And you suspect-——” -“T have no evidence against anyone, sir.” “Give ’em another, lively now!” shouted Hal, and then to Paul, “Stay here, my lad, we’shall soon leave.” A heavy, double shot from the frigate now carried away the “stump of the foremast, which, in its fall, tore a huge hole in the deck. S Fire! ” roared Hal. - i Hardly had the order been carried out when there came an- other. “Lower the boats on Paid port side and pull for the Sprite. ' Every man to his place. L will shoot the first who forgets Bi me eeN ges 4 ‘The boats were made ‘ready in the briefest time, without is slightest ‘confusion, every man taking his proper position, us down.” most alongside. by one of the men in Hal’s boat, and quickly made fast. ‘| boats!” roared the boy captain. lieutenant and his men clambered on board as the Sprite h to. eried Leon, grasping the other's hand ages then, arene his voice, “and we all owe oar sheer That boy is a hero, TI will tell you more’ anon.” ihe “Mr, Orenshave, you go with. Hodge,” said Hal, noticing ane | nc The man smiled, as was his wont, but Hal watched his face narrowly and thought he detected an evil look upon it. “Lower—down with the companions—all hands overboard!” Hal was the last to leave the ship, and Paul went Bayt just ahead of him. The Sprite had now opened fire upon the frigate, but the dis- tance was still too great to hope that her shots would prove 7 effective. § “The more smoke, the better for us,” thought Hal. “Should I have warned the enemy? If they attempt to board mets will be blown to atoms.” f a They had barely gone a dozen boat-lengths from the ship before there came a great puff of white smoke which seemed to shut out the sight of everything, and, immediately after- wards, there was a tremendous burst of sound as if all of Dees a en’s artillery had been discharged at ole moment. | “You were none too soon with your warning, my lad,” said } Hal, in a low tone, for as yet none of the men had suspected ~ the real reason for so soon abandoning the prize. ‘a. For several minutes the surface of the sea was obscured by | the dense smoke which hung over it, and it was impossible for 4 one on either of the vessels to see the other or the boats. — Leon had not seen Hal’s maneuyer, and when the pirate ship blew up he had no doubt that the gallant young fellow had per- ished with all hands. : “A shot has reached the magazine,” he inutlered, “and they have perished. Poor Hal! I did not think to lose him so soon.” ; aaa “The Englishman may have been hurt as well, sir,” said De: rick. “Perhaps it would be as well to go down and Bee: % “Yes, and avenge the poor fellow,” said Leon. The Sprite bore straight down towards where the frigate had last been seen, when suddenly, as the smoke began to clear away ties heard a voice right out of the water, calling 10 them: “On hoa the Sprite, ahoy! Port your helm or you'll run “My eyes! what’s that?” cried one of the ey urging to the rail. sf Hard up!” shigaied: another, who had run. out upon ‘the be sprit. : i “What is it, Nubbles?” asked Leon, running forward. “Lieut. Hurry and the boats, sir, right under our feet. Th Ww ?em a line there, Bill Capstan!” The Sprite had sheered off none too soon, and now, as. she dashed on, the smoke having lifted, ‘the boats were ‘seen al The wooden-legged boatswain threw a line ‘which. was caught “Throw her up in the wind; lie to! stand by to take up” ne Hal’s boat was quickly hauled alongside, and the young e “Thank Heaven that you are still alive, Hal, ola fri At that moment, the Sprite being hove to, as the |
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THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN, a ‘The commander of the frigate, throwing aside all the laws 2 humanity, now opened fire on the boats, A solid round shot struck the pow of one of them, and in an instant it was shattered and its oecupants thrown into the sea. Luckily one of the others was,close at hand, and the men were speedily rescued. a A second shot narrowly missed a second boat, falling into the Sea with a great splash just-astern, _ “The brutes!” cried Leon, indignantly, “to fire upon defence- es men! Give them a broadside, Derrick, and let it beghot and strong!” _ The men haying come aboard, the boats were abandoned, and _ the Sprite put once more upon her course. ~ As she dashed down upon the frigate, a broadside was pour- ed in upon the latter with terrible effect. The mainmast was badly splintered, two boats were destroy- ed, a gun had been dismounted, and a large section of the rail torn away. As the Sprite swept by, the gallant privateers gave a ring- - ing cheer, and Leon quickly put his yessel about so as to re- new the aitack. “On board the Sprite!” suddenly hailed an officer on the quarter-deck of the frigate as a white flag was displayed. “Ay, ay!” cried Leon, as he gaye orders to lie to. “Who commands the Sprite?” “Captain Leon Crenshawe, bearer of letters of marque from the Congress of the United States.” “Ts Miss Vernon a prisoner on board that vessel? If so, and you will give her up, we will allow you four-and-twenty hours’ start.” ; _“Who is it who makes these terms?” asked Leon, the two vessels being now not more than three fathoms distant one © 2 the other. “Captain Sir Alexander Havens, commander of His Majesty’s ship-of-war Vindex,” was the answer. “Then tell the most august Captain Sir Alexander Havens, of his most gracious Majesty’s royal navy, that I accept no terms - from him, and that if he wishes i speak with me, he must do so in person.” At that moment a man of commanding presence appeared on the quarter-deck of the Vindex. _ “Be careful what you do; you miserable young pirate,” storm- ed the newcomer. “Not satisfied with luring us almost to our deaths, you make prisoners of helpless women, insult His Ma- ~ jesty’s officers, and-——” | _ “Enough!” cried Leon. «“We are not pirates and you know _ it. We do not fire upon men escaping for their lives from a burning ship. Miss Vernon is on board this vessel, but is not aprisoner. She is here voluntarily and will remain here.” “You miserable young braggart, she is my affianced wife. _ Give her up or we will blow your vessel out of water, hang you all at the yardarm, and take the lady as well.” ~ “You have only to furl your flag of truce,”-said-Leon, “to have hostilities resumed. Miss Vernon would die sooner than give herself up. I have no ill-will against you, Sir Alexander, but if you persist in your demands I shall resist you to the * _ last, and, if necessary, destroy both you and your vessel.” - “Insolent young dog!” roared Sir Alexander, “your blood be ones your bei! for I won’t spare a man or boy of your crew “T might have known. All hands to stations. Give her a bis Re anss a | cousin. ty Leon would ‘hot endanger the lives of those he loved by en- gaging in a contest which promised to end in the destruction of one or both vessels, and he therefore determined to retreat. The Sprite Was soon put about, and a volley poured in upon the frigate as she sped away. Even with the preparations for as Wihek Sir Alexander had already made, while under a flag of truce, thus violating all nayal rules, the Sprite’s young commander was first to fire, and the Vindex’s broadside, which was to prove so disastrous, fell harmlessly into the sea. _ : The boarding party had no work to do, for the saucy Yankee slipped away from them and was soon a mere PEE on the horizon. _ ; CHAPTER IX. A DOGGED PURSUER. Leon had done well in beating a retreat, for he had left the Vindex not three miles behind when three other vessels were seen bearing down upon the scene, all of them flying the British flag. } The four gave chase, but by nightfall the Sprite had eluded them all, and was speeding down the: coast of South America under all sail. The next morning anoint large vessel was seen to the northward, having evidently come across the ocean from Gib- raltar, from the Course she was on, She hoisted her colors and gave chase, evidently taking the Sprite for a nserchant vessel, and probably wishing to increasa her crew by taking out of the smaller vessel all men supposed to be English, in the arbitrary fashion then in vogue. Leon flew the stars and stripes and kept, upon his course, having no desire to give batile toa vessel so much larger than his own. ‘He would have preferred to go into the North Atlantic, unas he would be more apt to find the enemy's ships, but there was no,gchoice left him at the moment, and so he took to his heels. As the day wore on and the enemy kept up the chase, it was evident that the commander had learned all about the Sprite, - - and had made up his mind to capture her. At noon she was still in pursuit, and when night came they- had not shaken her off. ’ There was a full moon; which rose as the sun went down, and the whole ocean -was soon bathed in a flood of silver, which revealed plainly all objects within the range of vision. “He is a determined fellow, that, is he. not, cousin?” said Darke Crenshawe, as Leon came out of the cabin, after an n ab- sence below of half an hour. “Yes,” said Leon, shortly, : “You will not alter your course, I presume, while the moon shines so brilliantly?” pursued the other, seemingly unabashed. at the boy commander’s curt answer. “You will probably be aware of any change, of course, when it takes place,” said Leon, ascending the companion ladder leading to the quarter-deck. “Ah—yes, very likely,” said Darke, smiling. He was about to follow Leon, when the latter said firmly: _ “Mr. Crenshawe, no one is allowed on the quarter-deck with the captain save his officers or servants. You oplone - nee class.” saxty “As you please,” said ee paket: and with his prea smile. “I afm not well versed in naval etiquette, and never dreamed of ene. ee seem Bh! edie my dear ot
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12 THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. eg “4 truce to your flatteries! ” said Leon, spiritedly. “I am in no mood for them. Pray do not insist so eonstantly upon our relationship. I am by no means proud of it.” The young captain strode to-the taffrail and gazed abstracted- ly across the moonlit ocean, while Darke Crenshawe walked carelessly forward, humming an air he had heard one of the sailors. singing that evening. “Still suspicious,”. he mused, when by himself. “What does he know? What can he.know? Does that brat of a boy know anything? It may be to my advantage to silence him. Why was the order to leave the ship given so suddenly? Did any- one know of the danger? If so, why was no alarm given?” The striking of the ship’s bell broke in upon the man’s musings, and with a start he turned upon his heel and went aft. “I must be careful,” he thought. “I would have betrayed myself in another minute.” “T don’t like that black-browed fellow, with his smile and his fine lady’s way,” grunted old Bill, with whom Darke had nearly collided, as he leaned against the rail. “What was he muttering about?” “That is what I would like to know myself, boatswain,” said Paul, coming out from the shadow of the house on deck. “Hello, Hop-o’-my-thumb, are you there?” asked the old seaman in surprise. j “Yes,” said Paul, lowering his voice, “and if you're wise, Bill, you ‘MW treasure up whatever you hear that polite gentle- man. saying, and say nothing about it.” “That’s a clever lad,” muttered old Bill, as Paul strolled aft, “and as brave as he is cleyer.’ He’ll be a eommander himself one of these days, if no stray shot carries him off.” ‘The pursuit lasted for five entire days, the Sprite being un- able to shake off the enemy, while the frigate could not dimin- ish the Sprite’s lead no matter though the wind blew a gale or simply in zephyrs. At last a storm came out of the northeast, the waves rose higher, and the wind blew with the force of a tornado; the sky was as black as ink, and the seething, foam-crested waves seemed to be pursuing the little vessel relentlessly. An intense blackness settled upon the sea, nothing could be | seen ahead or astern, and it was as if they were aeary upon f the ocean, alone in the very world itself. “So long as I have the sea before me,” mused Leon, “I fear 4 not, but if I were driven upon some unseen rock or dashed upon a lee shore, nothing could save us. I'must try and pees a port as soon as possible. Lifes | For days and days the little vessel drove before the wind, and “it was only by the constant care of the brave boy captain |" ; and his gallant crew that they were not swamped. : ‘Tt was more than a week before the gale spent itself, and in all that timé the Sprite drove before it, stanch and steady, riding the waves proudly, defying the winds, and proving that, like her young. commander, she had a heart of oak, and that nothing could daunt her pee ee i CHAPTER X. AN INTERRUPTION, In the beautiful harbor of Montevideo, shaped like a horse- - ‘shoe, “and affording a safe haven to storm-tossed vessels, with __ the grand old mountain crowned with its quaint Spanish cas-|_ an tle behind, and the town itself, with its neat houses and well-} and its siahe nae in the fore-| A Rept streets, its rows of trees, | by the ladies and some of the crew. . When the gale had blown itself out, and Leon had taken his: bearings, he found that he was so far down the coast that the 4 port of Montevideo was the nearest where he could put in to — make necessary repairs, provision his vessel, and get more men — ; in case he wished to increase his crew. : It was still a long way to the old Spanish port, since made — the capital of the republic of Uruguay, but there was much to be done to the vessel, and the distance was not so great as back ~ to Rio, and the young commander therefore decided to go on. He saw nothing of his: persistent enemy after the gale, age the principal reason for his going further south was that he might avoid her, as it was quite likely that she would still be on the watch for him, and he did not care to risk a comba with a combatant so greatly superior to him until better ae pared for the fight. : Montevideo: being a neutral port, the Sprite was as auted there as she would have been in any American harbor, but] nevertheless Leon said very little about his mission there, and — did what was necessary to be done as quietly as possible. ie They had been in Montevideo a week, and had succeeded in having all the necessary repairs done by the payment of con-— siderable money, no other inducement seeming to move the in- f } dolent, rest-loving Spaniards, and Leon began to make asst : tions for leaving. There was one ceremony that must be pesereiea before tie went away. s This was the double marriage between Leon and isabel, am Hal and May. ° Isabel was ready to become Leon’s wife at any time, for the the young commander would have a right to protect her th no one could gainsay. uy May was willing to be married when Isabel was, and s had told Hal go a dozen times, although at other times st fe pretended that she would not. When everything had been done upon the Sprite that ‘was needed, Leon and Hal set out for the cathedral, agugmpanis They were obliged to stop at the house:of a ceva to pro cure a license, and here some time was spent, as. Leon wa only one in the party who spoke Spanish, % j Paul, the cabin boy, had been in Spain when much. younger, and he spoke the language fluently, so he was sent ahead t apprise the priest of the intended eens and said: “Dear me, I never supposed it was such a job. ents fied. P wish we were in a civilized land, for then we have had it over long ago.” notary a good deal more than his fee, ‘the licenses were out and signed by all the contracting parties and, a these precious papers, the ches \umaer started for t dral. On the way thither they ‘met Paul, who auickly ar aside and whispered: BF ' ; frigate lies just ene the sail ietie too ne ; t) her 1 enter. I thought you, would os ees te T went dc wn to 1 we to look at her. Lees Nie ante eae gee : ee
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THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. 13 “We must get away before we are discovered,” said Leon, receive the benediction, the music fell almost to a hush, and calling Hal to his side. “What is the matter?” “The Vindex is in the harbor.” “But the port is a neutral one!” *fxactly, but the high sea is not. lost.” - There is no time to be ,only the voice of the priest could be heard. The ceremony proceeded to the point where the minister ask- _ ed if there were any valid reasons why these two should not be joined in the rear and three men rushed down the main aisle. “T forbid the marriage!” cried one. “The lady is my prom- ised bride, she is the ward of the English governor of Tanne, As they proceeded they encountered several English sea-| She is not of age, she has no right to marry!” men in the street, and near the cathedral they saw an officer, his uniform. telling them at onte what he was. “An English lieutenant!” exclaimed May; “the first one I’ve seen, What is he doing here?” “The port of Montevideo is open to all nations, I believe,” said Hal, lightly, and in another minute they entered the church. d There was some service being conducted as they entered, and they waited in the rear, Paul going forward a few paces and explaining matters to a priest. “Captain Havens!” muttered Hal. “What is he doing here? This is a pretty complication,” rh: There was instant confusion, and Leon, springing to his feet, faced the angry Englishman, and said: ; “Captain Havens, you have nothing to say in this matter. ‘This lady is to be my wife, and she is neither under your pro- tection nor subject: to your wishes.” “She is the ward of Sir Neville Mountjoy and my prone bride.” “She is the ward of the United Satie. ‘She is an American. The place was dark and damp and gloomy, and even the blaze; YOU have no voice in the affair whatever.” of light around the altar at the further end could not dispel a feeling of chilliness that suddenly possessed Isabel. “I wish it were over,” she whispered to Leon, to whose| the governor-general of Jamaica, nae: is a eee she is not a _ strong arm she clung. “Courage, dearest, all will yet be-well,” he said. “But the boy brought you some evil message. 5 Paes 4 “NOW, ag can separate us, Iy own—nothing that we need MOB Tin Ab. “JT cannot think so,” she murmured. danger threatens.” They were obliged to wait a considerable time before the oy SBY Ag was concluded, and then one of the priests came down "the aisle and beckoned to Paul. ; The boy hurried forward, exchanged 4 few words, and then returned to Leon and said: “There is some objection because you are not Romanists, but I said that the license had been granted, and that you would ' donate something to the church, and now it will be all right.” _ “That boy is a treasure,” said May. “I had really begun to think that we could not be married.” The party now walked slowly up the broad central aisle, pre- ceded by two chanting priests, and as they neared the altar the organ pealed forth joyously, and a burst of clear, boyish | ‘yoices came from the choir high above their heads. At the same moment two English naval officers, accompanied “by some Spanish official of high rank and a squad of soldiers, halted in front of the cathedral. ‘What was “T feel certain that some “They are about to begin!” cried the English officer of bikes i er rank in Spanish. “Arrest the miscreant at once. your men in and hurry. the villain off to prison.” x AS soldier cannot enter the house of the Lord except to wor-. ship or confess his sins,” said the officer. Take ¢ “But if we wait to arrest him here the mischief will have | _ been done. I tell you, ‘the lady is my affanced wife, and this ick young man is a pirate—a hunted felon. You must do some- bis thing at, once.” ; \“ Yes, but not to arrest. We can forbid ‘the inpredasds 4 “Good! That will be better. Then we can arrest him after- wards. It was very for tuante that Lieutenant the Honorable yi Valentine’ Clyde- Clifton recognized the fellow.” ‘* ; ‘The other officer bowed low and said; "A vs nike noe Majests ghip-ofw ardon, ‘gehttlemen,,” eee the Speniard *the musie ceases. “I forbid the marriage!” cried Sir Alexander, hotly, and then, speaking in Spanish, “the lady is a ward of his excellency Catholic and cannot——” “Your reverence,” said Leon, “all ’ this has been settled. This man has no claim, the lady does not wish to be his wife, he has no——” “The man is a pirate, a fugitive from justice, a man pith "| innocent blood on his hands,” said the Spanish officer, rapidly. “He has not confessed, he is a heretic, he cannot be married in a Christian church!” : “Sir,” said Leon, “you shall answer to me elsewhere for this insult. I remember where Iam, Which you. do not, or I would ‘kill you where you stand.” : “The marriage cannot take place,” said the minister. “Arrest the pirate—to prison with him!” hissed’ the — ‘ iard. “Do not let her go with him; take her from him! « "eried Sir> Alexander. “My sons, this is the house of the Lord. I entice forbid: any’ to come or to go. The young man must not be molested 8 ibaa ‘|under this roof.” CHAPTER XI. , THE FOX ESCAPES. : . | Leon and Hal, with Isabel and Mea? between them, and flanked by the gallant tars of the Sprite, passed own ‘the aisle towards the door, the Spanish and English officers falling back and scowling at them. Sir Alexander wou}? have ‘ea eh hig owérd, put the! Span- iard restrained him; ! Paul had suddenly disappeared, but in the contusion his ab- “4 sence was scarcely noticed. “It will be easy to raise a mob against them, once they reach fe the plaza,” whispered the Spaniard to Sir Alexander, as they ‘fell back. “I ean find a dozen cut-throats in as men y sec- onds who will be glad to make a an end of them.” 3 “You are right, Don vaste said: the Heutenant, 4g | Alexander forests: ieee Ste \ . ¢
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14 5 THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. a ery, and a score of evil-looking fellows, armed with stilettos, “No, Mr. Fitzroy Booby, you are mistaken. “She is to be rushed forward. my wife.” : “Down with the pirates—down with them! Kill the here- “Boby, sir—damme, sir, the Hon. Mr. Fitz Roy——” ~ ties t? “Booby, however you spell it,” laughed Hal. “Put up your It was the religious zeal more than the hatred of robbers |sword, sir, and return to your vessel as speedily as possible that incensed the mob, and an angry roar arose as the cry | before the mob learns you are English.” ; was caught up and repeated. In an instant nearly a hundred Paul, Hal and a dozen sailors had thrown themselves be- | savage men and women surrounded the little party. tween Leon and the furious Englishman. Leon and Hal drew their swords, resolved -to sell their lives “I challenge you to mortal combat, you Yankee scorpion!” ~ dearly, and the foremost ruffians hesitated before attacking | hissed Captain. Havens. “You have insulted me,,and I de- such determined foemen. mand satisfaction! ” ; Suddenly a clear, shrill voice was heard and a boy broke} “The duel will be fought at sea, Captain Havens,” said Leon. through the mob with a dozen Yankee tars at his heels, cry- |“ You have allies lying outside the harbor waiting for us. Get ing: : all your friends together and attack us when we.go out. You “Hor shame! Would you attack Americanos, your friends, | dare not do so here.” your allies, at the bidding of the hated English, men of a na- “Dare not!” hissed the Englishman. tion who have always robbed and abused the Spaniard? Who “No, you dare not!” wrested the fortress of Gibraltar from you, who robbed you of “Another insult!” rich provinces in the new world, who have made slaves of your “This is a neutral port. If you attempt to fire on us, f will ’ governors and dethroned your kings? Is it the Americano?| appeal to the Spanish authorities, and your ships will be ‘No! It is the hated Englishman.” blown out of water.” : “Bravo! Live the American, perish the Briton!” cried the Sir Alexander fumed and threatened to cut Leon down where ~ mob. . he stood, but at that moment Don Jacinto, Lieut. Clyde-Clifton It was Paul who had suddenly turned the tide, and as he|and one or two strange officers came hurrying forward. stood there in the open space between the two opposing parties, “Lose not a moment, Sir Alexander,” said the Spaniard. speaking rapidly and with excited gestures, he looked like| “Your escape from the church has been discovered, the popu- some inspiring hero of old, and all were forced to listen. lace is furious against you and your men, and will tear you to “Here come Americans, men of the same country,” he cried. | Pieces. Hnter your boats at once, for the mob may be Sere at “They come to your cathedral to pray, and these tyrant Eng-| @2y moment.” “lish, these ancient enemies of all Spaniards, seek their lives| Indeed, even as he spoke, a sullen roar was heard at the head ~ . by lies and deceit. We are no pirates; we seek to overthrow of the street leading from the cathedral, and a crowd of men ~ tyranny! Down with Spain’s foes and long live all Ameri-| 42d women could be seen hurrying along it. wa: cans!” 3 : “I shall meet you again!” hissed Havens, as he. was’ ver The crowd took up the cry, and Leon found he had a hun-| Tied away by Don Jacinto, ; : dred to aid him where before all were his deadly enemies. “Very likely,” said Leon, and in another moment he had Sir Alexander turned pale as the mob began to surge toward | taken his place in the boat and was being rowed out to ee = him, and it might have gone hard with the Englishman had | SPrite. i not Don Jacinto suddenly ‘hurried them into the church, by| By the time the angry mob had reached the Bie esi the way of a small door at one side. 5 boats were well out upon the water, : “Curse the brat!” he hissed. “It needs but a word io turn| 4 Shower of stones and bullets flew after the boat conteiic pe a mob like this, at any time, and he spoke it. Who is he—|ing the English officers, and some of the more active ones whence came he? I never saw him.” — seized -boats lying at the piers and followed the fugitives, “I have seen him,” said the lieutenant, “but I do not know| When Leom reached the Sprite, which lay at some distance _ ‘him. We do not associate with persons of his class. He is a| from the Vindex, he gave orders that no one must leave to go shop-keeper’s son, no doubt, and perhaps a scullion on some | 02 shore, that no one was to be permitted to come on board, vessel.” and that no one must remain on deck unless concealed. : ' “Seullion. or not,” said Don Jacinto, “he would have caused For the rest of the day there was no life Hs grees on the ‘Sprite your deaths in another moment, but for my promptness. The from the vessels in the harbor. ; pe lad is a hero, whoever he is, and saved the age for the Ameri-| The Englishmen kept a close watch on her, but could Jearn i ean captain.” nothing. ' Meanwhile Leon and his friends had crossed the plaza, Outside the harbor the English frigate lay in wait ‘to follow tee and had turned down a street leading to the harbor. . the Sprite as soon as she came out, but she remained at Soe ve _- They had nearly reached the water when they met Darke| chor within the harbor. _Crenshawe, smiling and bowing, and more effusive than ever.| At night it was the same, and the: Sprite might have been. ’ Leon went at once to the landing-place, had assisted Isabel | manned by the dead for all the life she showed. : into the boat, and was about to follow, when two men ap-| There was no lights, not a sound could be heard, no one lett ron * proached rapidly along the wharf, having come out from be-| the ship, no one went on board. 1 ee ts hind a warehouse. Until a late hour the English captain waited anwioualy for One of these was Sir Aulguades Havens, and as he came/ any movement on the part of the silent privateer. te aa ea nearer he drew his sword and said: The night grew black, the tempest arose, and all were glad “Now, you young braggart, draw and defend yourself!” to seek shelter, but when morning came, the Sprite had unac- Yes, draw and defend yourself!” said the other, who was | countably disappeared. : 3 ‘¢ very foppishly dressed, although wearing the uniform of a lieutenant of the British navy. Gas: CHAPTER XI. airs . #18 the booby!” cried Hal. What does he want?” “INA NAMELESS sina “Sir, ” said the other, “that ny in the boat is my bride that. is to be.” ibs oe laughed, hut, Hal roared. outreh gna pone:
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ae had no present means of knowing. THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. 15 The events that had occurred were so strange that even so: good a romancer as old Bill was set at naught, and could invent nothing to equal them. The vessel lay at rest on the calm waters of a land-locked bay; toward the sea stretched a line of reefs, beyond which the waters were in a state of constant agitation, beyond which them lay the shores of what seemed an island, a stretch of white beach, a thick grove of trees and a line of white hills be- yond. ° Where they were, or how the? had come hither they knew not, for at one moment they had been battling with the winds and waves, and atthe next they were on an even keel, and when day suddenly dawned, an hour later, they found them- selves in the bay in front of the island. f That night, in the harbor of Montevideo, when they had stolen away under cover of the darkness and in the face of a terrible storm, the wind had borne them towards the south at frantic speed. There was nothing to do but run before the wind, but the waves seemed to follow faster than they could seud, and before long they were in danger of being swampéd. Three monstrous billows, one after the other, yaunad upon ' them from behind, carried away ‘the binnacle, broke in the skylight, flooded the cabin, and nearly swamped them. The rudder was well-nigh useless, the wheel’ refused to act, and they drove on and on, helpless to, resist wind and wave. A lightning bolt struck the iron bolt of one of the cabin win- dows, passed inside; and so deranged the only compass remain- ing, that it became utterly, useless. For days and days, without the light of the sun or stars to guide them, they were hurried on, now this way, now that, till all points of the compass were alike, day meant no more thar night, and they were’ hopelessly-——helplessly adrift in a name- less sea. How long a time they were thus beset no one knew, but at length one black, tempestuous night, wilder and blacker than any that the oldest of them had known, when they had been driving madly before the wind for hours, a ‘giant wave sud- denly lifted them high in air, and then they were in calm waters, and wheh morning came and the sun arose they beheld the most beautiful sight they had ever seen. TL was this and all that had gone before that puzzled the old boatswain, and forced him to admit that he had never had a like experience. They had no instruments of any sort, and where they were was something that they knew not, and had no means of knows ing. “Tet us go ashore and see what sort of land we have come to, * said Leon to Hal, an hour after sunrise. ‘They still possessed two boats, and in one of ‘these they embarked, accompanied by Derrick, and started off to make a slight exploration of the island. They called it an island, but they were not certain that it was not part of a continent, though what one it could he they “There are plenty of trees here,” said Leonica as aay tiiuwed through the grove, “and we can get all the timber we nae for repairs, ” e _ The trees were not very close together, and they: had no trouble in making their way along, Leon being anxious to see what was on the other side. _ In about ten minutes’ they came out upon an open space, and Leon uttered an exclamation of surprise. ‘ "The place ig inhabited! ” he eried. They were standing upon a sort of plateau, not more than twenty feet wide, but of considerable length, while below them, ina deep valley, 3 80 deep ‘that they could eee look | down Ie a Ra ie SR ad i i I ar eee Oa oe int pe Sear ele eee PRS Sasa a pn place, with all its magnificence. — upon the roofs and spires of the tallest buildings, lay a most strange and: beautiful city. ‘The houses, for the most part, seemed built of marble, and in the center was one larger and more imposing than ail. the rest, two tall square towers arising to a height of thirty or forty feet above the main building. There were broad avenues, well laid out and See by oth- ers at perfect right angles, while at intervals large, open squares could be seen, with marble columns in the center, It seemed to be a city capable of containing forty or fifty _ thousand people, but not a soul was visible. An utter silence brooded over the place, not a living thing, neither bird, brute nor man, could be seen, and as they gazed the little party seemed to feel that they were looking upon a city of the dead. Leon advanced to the edge of the plateau and found himself standing on the brink of a sheer precipice. There seemed to be no means of descent, but further to the right Hal declared that he saw a path leading down to the city below. *There must have béen some means of getting up and down,” he said. “These people would certainly leave their city now and then,” “Where are the people?” asked Paul. “There isn’t a soul in sight.” “Let us go down,” said Sasa walking along the brink and_ looking for a path. They presently found one, which, although seen ak steep, was broad cnough for safety, and down it they all went. At the distance of a hundred yards down it passed under an overhanging ‘shelf of rock and then turned and went in shes opposite direction, but still descending, There was a series of these inclined planes, and the lowest was right under the cliff, so that in looking up only the rock could; be seen. ¢ Reaching the level they found themselves in front of a wide avenue, fully a mile in tength, at the further end of which was the great white building with the two square towers which they - had seen from above. : Grass grew in the street, plants had come up between, the stonés that gave access to. the houses, vines had climbed about the door-posts, and flowers bloomed in marble basins where once there had been fountains. Great festoons of moss hung from the eaves, trees hed. sprung up in some doorways, and here and there the grass con- eealed the pavement of some inner court, seen through open windows, and where chariots had perhaps once rattled along the marble-paved street, rank vegetation had’'sprung up be- tween the stones and the feet gave forth no echoing sound. But still there was no other sign of life, not a bird or in- sect or reptile could be seen, and as for human beings, one might as well have looked for-them in a tomb. “This is the strangest place I ever saw,” muttered Derrick. “TE: is dead beyond a doubt,” said Leon, “and has been for ages. has set foot in these silent street.” “Shall we go on?” said Hal. “No, we had best return. I would not care to live in such a then, have you thought that we must be below the sea level? The rise from the beach to the edge of the precipice above was but slight, and at any moment, for aught we oe ‘the sea a may come pouring down upon ars. 228 “Tt certainly has not iagne so Sie many sont said He laughing. ve ; “That we do not lage? pliswered Leon, Seraaics his steps. : eS “There is nothing here to support life, neither food ‘nor ater ‘and that’ The very air seems dead, and ~ No one knows how many years have passed since man
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16 “surely toward the path leading to the heights above. “It must-have been a great task to have cut this path right through the rock,” observed Hal, as they were ascending. “Perhaps it was built, not cut,” said Leon. “There seems to be regular courses of stone overhead.” “They don’t have earthquakes in this queer land then,” said Derrick, “or the whole thing would come tumbling about one’s ears.” : They had turned three or four times, and were on almost the last incline, when, as they were passing under one of the stone arches, there came a sudden grating sound, and then a trem- bling was perceptible in the rocky ceiling. Paul, who was in advance, turned and threw himself vio- -' Iently against Leon, hurling him backwards, at the same time uttering a shrill ery of alarm. In a second, a huge block of stone, weighing many tons, fell from the roof upon the path just behind the daring boy, com- pletely blocking the road jo the top of the cliff. \ CHAPTER XIII. A WAY OUT. For an instant after the echo of the crash of the falling. rock had died away no one spoke a word. “Back! ” eried Paul; “the whole arch may fall in and crush us!” ¢ The party retreated to the end of the incline, but there were mo further signs of danger. — The stone that had fallen completely blocked their way, for _ they could not get over or around it. : Below, the inclines ran through tunnels, but here one side - was open to the air. The path was bounded on one side by a wall of rock, on the other by a sheeryprecipice, the stone that had fallen hanging over the edge so that-to get around it was an impossibility. . *Did any of you hear a. ‘Strange sound after the rock had fallen?” asked the boy. ; . The echo, that was all,” said Leon. “Yes, but there was more; there was a wild laugh, as if in glee over our fate.” ' “Imagination, Paul,” said Hal. “There was no one above. - How could anyone cast down a solid rock like that?” “I don’t know, sir, but I certainly heard the laugh.” They had now retraced their steps and soon reached. the second plane below, which ran through a: sort of tunnel. Paul was in the rear, and as he turned the angle his foot slipped under a loose stone and he staggered forward, striking his hand against the inner wall of rock. ( It gave forth a hollow sound, and the boy instantly called ’ the attention of the others to the fact, : Suddenly, to the intense astonishment of all, that part of the wall fell in, as though a slab of stone had turned on a pivot, Py and an opening large enough to admit a man was disclosed. them, for the sunlight penetrated to a distance of several yards, : and beyond was darkness, > “Where does it lead to?” mused Leon. geen” pit: from which there can be no escape, or perhaps to oe oH sour secant ee ti : : ” said Hal; They left the strange dead city behind them, and walked lei- ‘There. seemed to be a:passage of considerable length before |. “Perhaps to some}|~ me labyrinth where we. ape Sia soa ee death came bsg : THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. “We can moisten some powder with saliva and make it into — a paste, and then light it with a flint,” said Paul. “That will give us a good torch.” i With a handful of gunpowder from a flask at his belt he formed a cone, six inches in length and two or three wide at the base, tapering to a rather blunt point. With a flint from one of Leon’s pistols the cone was ignited,. and, began to burn slowly, sending out.a strong, white light. Derrick took the peculiar torch in his hand and entered the — passage, followed by the 6thers, the path stretching out — straight before them. i The party had proceeded for a considerable idea bases Derrick said: “Make another cone of powder, my lad. ‘This un ee gettin’ pretty well used up, and it’ll reach my hand before I know it.” , Paul took the man’s powder horn and was about to pour some into his hand when Derrick uttered a sudden éry and hurled the burning cone to the ground. “Look out!” cried Paul, suddenly. t é Derrick had run against him, and in another moment the horn was dashed from the boy’s hand. Some of the powder must have been spilled, for in an ine stant there was a puff of smoke and then a blaze of light, | followed. by an explosion, i be Those who had not thrown themselves upon their faces is were dashed to the ground by the force of the shock and the whole passage seemed full of smoke. i ei ' In a few moments Leon arose to his feet and said: . @ e “What has happened? There seems to be more light ‘s here - than before,” “So there is!” cried Hal, springing up and acai forwarder “There is more light. The explosion has torn a hole in the ze roof of the passage.” a “Why, here are some steps,” said Paul, “and we were very nearly to the end of the passage. Look! Can you not see a Wall just beyond?” fig There was, indeed, a flight of stone steps, some seven or eight in number, leading up at one side to the ground above, and Derrick had probably stumbled against the bottom step when he had struck Paul’s hand. Leon hurried up the steps, followed by Hal, Paul pee Der- rick, and found himself in a gr ove of trees, a shattered slab of stone lying on the ground near the opening. Meese dae “This must be the grove we passed perctiie on the way to the cliff,” said Hal. ee They were obliged to cut their way through a ‘thicket with i their swords and knives, but at last they came out into mo open ground, and a few minutes later were pe plain sight fo) the sea. feed as As they left the grove dey? saw Darke Crenshawe pelos wards them, accompanied by two or three of ae sailors. — Sr up said: “We have all been under considerable a: spn as your Yet my dear cousin. ‘Did you’ ‘su er greatly by ee and I ‘qaake confess that I was considerably alarmed. “We are all safe,” cried Leon, “* aoe did you happe come ashore?” “Merely out of curiosity, cousin,” said Crenshax am glad that I did, for at a? first — T set out t ;
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was the departure from the island. Here an unforeseen difficulty arose. The vessel hak undoubtedly been carried over the reefs by a tremendous tidal wave into the calm water beyond, for oth- erwise it must have been dashed to pieces. / it was utterly impossible to take the vessel out of the bay beyond the reefs into the opén ocean. ' “We are lost on a nameless sea—cast away on a dead island,” said Leon. “There is nothing living here except the grass and the trees,” ; A spring of water was found at a considerable distance from the beach, and care was taken to provide a liberal supply for the vessel without delay. ‘i “Sinee there seems to be no present means of escape from the island,” said Leon one day, “perhaps it will be as well to pay another visit to the city below in search of further information.” t Having decided to visit the city again, a party was made 3 up one morning, and under the guidance of Derrick, they set out on a tour of exploration. _ Dutch boy, and old Bill Capstan, and, at the last, Darke Cren- shawe determined to go with the rest. | Paul had decided to remain on the vessel or to go elsewhere on the island, but when he saw that Darke was going with the rest to the dead city, he changed his mind. Buckling on his sword and putting a pistol in his belt, he joined the others, and remained near enough to Leon not to attract attention, and yet so that he would be ready to spring to the boy captain’s assistance at the slightest warning. |» Providing themselves with torches, the party went by way of the underground passage and then’ down the several inclines to the level of the city. Taking the broad avenue directly in front of them, they went straight on without stopping for more than a cursory glance at the buildings they passed, until they reached the large rectangular structure with the two square towers at the _ further end. _ “This must have been the royal palace,” said Hal. — -.. They entered several chambers, there being no doors, but - found most of them empty, and wite no evidence as to their former use. In one they found some tables and benches but nothing else, and in the next a row of stone benches placed around the walls, but no tables. - “These are not benches,” said Hal, suddenly. “They are chests,” and he pointed to a slab which -projected over the edge of one of the supposed benches. : It required the combined strength of four men to raise this slab, and then it was seen that it had in reality covered a » “chest. Below it was a racemase fdr feet long and two feet wide, filled with square pieces: of a yellow metal, evidently gold. _ “These must have been coins,” said Leon. “They are un- doubtedly gold and are valuable for the metal in them alone, ' while as evidence of a prehistoric people they are estimable.” “Let us see what the other chests. contain,” said Hal. The slabs were lifted from several of the chests, “which con tained silver, gold, copper, and lead in bars. and many utensils, the purpose of which could not be determined. My: The. party visited a dozen rooms on this floor, and. then Leon and Hal ascended a broad, winding staircase to the top of one} of the great square towers. The view from the OB: of the tower, ae was surrounded THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. vy There were Leon, Hal, and the ladies, Derrick, Hodge, the ay, Repairs on the vessel progressed rapidly, and the next step | forming d wonderful panorama, the beauty of which could not be surpassed. “Tt is beautiful,” said Leon, “put it is a prison; there is no escape.” As he spoke a distant rumbling was ‘heard and a slight Vi- bration could be felt. . “Great heavens! Look at the mountain behind us!” “A wreath of smoke! Merciful powers, the volcano has awakened from centuries of sleep!” The two officers hurried below with all possible speed, find- ing that their friends had not yet been alarmed, having felt no shocks, nor seen any smoke, having taken the shadows for the pressure of passing roe coming between them and the sun. “The voleano has burst forth. We must return to the ves- sel instantly,” said Leon, as he and Hal rushed out upon the terrace, where they found the rest of ‘the party. “There is not a moment to lose if we wish to save our lives.” CHAPTER XV. BELWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. | Down the broad avenue they hurried, and as they ran they could see the shadows growing denser, hear the rumblings of the giant imprisoned under the mountain, feel the earth vie brate under their feet, “Hasten, hasten!” cried Leon, catching Isabel in his arms and dashing on. “If the sea rushes in we are lost.” When they were within a hundred feet of the base of the cliff, there came a most violent shock, which threw them to’ the ground. At the same time there was a terrible sound like a thunder clap, the air seemed filled with dust and flying stones, and in an instant a huge mass broke from the face of the cliff and fell into the valley. “The path is destroyed!” cried Hal. “There is no way out.” — Upon the slope of the mountain there could now be seena glowing stream making its way slowly but sur ely down, eating up everything. ; A great mass of stone and earth had been broken from the cliff, and the winding stairway to the top was exposed in many places. Whether retreat had Beet entirely cut off no one could yet. ; determine, but in any event the position of the explorers was a most precarious one. In a few minutes ‘the dust cleared away, and the little party who had taken refuge in-one of the deserted houses came out upon the avenue. They ae for several ee and felt no further shock, although the stream of wane from the mountain HO: was. still slowly descending. ; About half the face of the cliff at the point where the inetltiea’ ie planes led up had fallen away, but the path seemed unobstruct- ed, and Leon at last concluded to make an attempt at getting up. They entered the first tunnel and went up for two or. three stages, till they came to a kee where two paths were opened. v ; There they met with obstacles, the way jn some places being so narrow that only one ‘person could pass at a yime ar The path had fallen away or had been littered with rubbish, ‘so. as to render it well-nigh impassable, but by proceeding aM ‘at. 18 scattia: city lay at heir. ase de hills, the Oe the tine slowly and with caution, they gained step. by ste
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18 THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. This was so choked up that there was no entering, but. the arch from which the stone had fallen in their first passage had now been entirely destroyed, and the path to the top was clear, although very narrow. ; It was so narrow, in fact, that one was obliged to cling Closely to the wall, and make his way along with the utmost caution, as a single false step would have ended in death. Leon went first, facing the wall, and giving one hand to Isa- bel, who was followed by Hal, then May, then Paul, and lastly by the others. One by one'they reached’ the top, till Leon, Hal, the ladies and Paul had gained safety on top of the cliff. Darke Crenshawe, Derrick and Hodge could easily make their way up, but with old Bill, with his wooden leg, and the Dutch boy, with his superfluous flesh, further ascent was out of the question. Paul ran off to the shore, hailed those on board the Sprite, and a strong rope was sent on shore. - By means of this the five men still on the path were drawn to the top, and none too soon. They had barely been rescued when a huge mass of smoke, and flame was seen to shoot up from the crater, and a violent. trembling was felt. “To the shore!” cried Leon. “To the shore for your lives! ”. . The entire party fled in utter terror to the grove, and hardly had they left the cliff before there was another awful shock, which seemed to shake the island to its very foundations. ; The cliff fell away to a distance of thirty feet, and huge " Masses of stone and earth, trees .grass and shrubbery went wp" : pling into the valley. Upon reaching the shore the sea was seen to be- violently agitated, great waves were rushing in over the line of reefs, and the vessel was tossing about like a feather. She ‘had parted her cable, and seemed in danger of being dashed upon shore, but the sailors on board presently put her head to the wind and got up sufficient sail to steady her. In a few moments the commotion was over, the waves sub- sided, and all was calm within the little bay, although the breakers still beat against the reefs, and all the sea was white with foam. _ There were uo more shocks, but all that day the volcano smoked and threw out fire, and at night it was like a blazing | torch, lighting up the city; the island, and the sea for miles: In the morning, although the voleano was still smoking, it did not appear to be throwing up any great masses of lava, z and the city still lay in the valley, as white and as silent as it had lain for ages. The flood of lava on the mountain side seamed to have heen checked for the time, as it had advanced scarcely any during the night. i _ For a month the voleano smoked on, throwing up ashes and small quantities of lava, the stream on the mountain having *. evidently flown into some deep gully and filling it, for as yet _ the city Was not disturbed. “That makes a pretty good. iditeh,? ” said old Bill Capstan, one night, as he sat on deck smoking his pipe, “but——” ~ _. What Bill was about to say was never known, for at that mo- ment there came a sound like a thunderclap, and a tongue of fire a hundred feet high was thrown up from the punimalt of _ the Paar mountain. ‘ { , GHAPTER XVI. _ HOMEWARD BOUND. © ‘the voleano was at rest. | wall of water rushing to Masses of seething lava fell in all boo capi and a broad, red : river of fire rushed down the slope. Bet From the edge of the cliff Leon and his friends watched the ' river of lava flow down the mountain side till it reached the i city, where it spread from street to street, flowing on uncheck- } ed. : Fe The great square building, with its two towers, stood as if in a sea of fire; and then, as the red light was reflected on its ? white walls, seemed to be bathed in blood. a Suddenly there came an awful explosion, and the two ag bs ers were rent asunder and fell with a crash into the fiery rt nee Great blocks of stone were hurled into the air and fell uy, the roofs of the houses, buildings fell in all directions, marble ; columns toppled over into the red river, and terrible explo- i sions were heard on all sides. eed The white city was now as red as blood, and the work | iy destruction progressed on every hand. is All that night they watched the awful scene, and in. tl morning the dreadful work was still going on. ; All that day the lava continued to pour from the summit, ‘ but at night it suddenly ceased, after one tremendous burst, i which sent a mass of fire fully two hundred feet into the air, ics and only a thin wreath of smoke curled up from the crater. Days passed and only a cloud rested upon the mountain. The city was not\yet totally destroyed, for here and there could be seen a niassive building still standing, as if mocking the ruin and desolation all around it. Weeks passed, and there were no more fiery rains: from: ale mountain, the summit became bleak and cold, and. only tha thin wreath of smoke remained as evidence of the pss fires not having yet subsided. 4 Months rolled on and at last even the eritiee disappeared and A year had passed since Leon had come to this strange tan in a nameless sea, for the cruel reefs still betta their way, and there was : passage cebaos them to the sea beyond. ot of the vessel. \ One night, in the darkest hours, when the OHO ‘had ch now aticla was infinitely worse, “3 aoe earth eee with. ‘frightful Sab ie whil it, and a “perfect wall of water was seen advancing them.’ Hailey and aici the great chain pee the adele Tn an instant the little vessel was lifted high in the seemed about. to be dashed upon the shore. Then there came another shock: and all the water seemed to rush out of the bay. * lia Over the line of reefs it carried the vessel and dashed off before. the ; “Look!” eried Paul, and
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eee ; Finally there came a more deafening sound than any they - had heard, and with a mighty burst of sound the mountain - seemed to dissolve itself in fire, - For an hour or more they sped On, but at last the wind mod- erated, the sky lightened, the sun arose, and where the island ‘had been nothing was to be seen but the ever-restless ocean. | They had escaped from the island, but they were still in the } dark as to their position on the ocean. “Leon determined to put the vessel on a general northerly - course, hoping to eventually run up on the South American 1 coast and thus get his bearings anew. At length one morning, just at sunrise, they beheld a small 3 “rocky island in the distance,.and as they approached nearer | saw huts and plantations and people walking about on the ee ‘peach. | Two of the natives presently launched a boat, guided it with | great skill through the surf and rapidly approached the ves- | a sel, when, to the great surprise of all, one of the men said, ‘Z in excellent English: _ “Ahoy there! Throw us a line. We want-to go aboard.” A line was thrown, and the two men, who appeared to be 5 sturdy Hnglish sailors, came on board, being regarded with | vonder by the men on the Sprite, who had only expected to see i savages, _ “What island is that?” asked Leon. fs “That is Pitcairn Island,” said one of the men. “Pitcairn Island?” repeated Leon, for the’ famous islet ie was then little known. “I do not remember to have heard of it. Did you discover it? Where is it? How long have you lived | here?" | ?%t is in the Pacific Ocean, a thousand sites from Tahiti. I was born here twenty-four years ago.” Bastasa years ago? Were your parents wrecked here : ‘He was the son of a man named Fletcher Christian, one of a number of sailors who had mutinied, seized the ship, put the even rem Officers in an open boat, and then had sailed for ‘sy A “y have heard something of this ‘story haters: ” said Leon. “The ship was the Bounty, was it not, commanded by Captain Bligh, who was once with Captain Cook?” F “Yes, ” said the young man, “that was the vesgel,” “And are any of the mutineers still alive?” _ The young man remained silent, and Leon added: - “You need net be afraid. I am an American and the Bnelish re my enemies, It is not likely that I shall betray any of ? ~ Leon then Sait « on shore and Perey the strange history of Pitcairn islanders. _ “Then we were in the Pacific. Ocean all the time,” muttered , “and we thought we were. in the Atlantic. How we must ve drifted and been buffeted about!” From the islanders Leon ope a ‘chronometer and com- the aid of the Giadpaboainel given him by the islanders rounded Cape Horn and made his way north | toward nd although thousands of miles. we @ THE BOY PRIVATEBR CAPTAIN. and he umderstood perfectly “what was said. 19 CHAPTER XVIL LEON AND HAL IN PRISON. "After a long, weary journey over ie ee) of miles of ocean, Leon at last sighted land. He ran into Rio Janeiro to refit and get more men, for now that he was nearing his own country he desired to be as strong as possible in the event of an engagement. The vessel was anchored in the harbor, and as soon as pos- sible Leon and Hal went ashore, accompanied by Paul, Derrick. and Hodge, in order to make all necessary arrangements. Leon and Hal wore undress uniforms, with short swords at their sides, and might have been taken for officers of almost any Buropean navy, while Paul was Be aig simply, so as to attract little attention. They were crossing the principal public square in the ‘tity, when Leon suddenly saw among the crowd a young Frenchman whom he had known abroad a few years before and to whom he Was: greatly aitached. “Ah, my dear Etienne,” he cried, pressing forward. “What lucky chance is it that brings you here? I am delighted to see you.” “Ah! it is the young American, my brave Leon,” answered the other, pressing the young captain’s hand warmly. “This is indeed a surprise. Your father is with you?” “No, my father is dead. I am in the service of the American navy; and sae are my friends—Lieut. dealt 6 and young Mon- “Be careful,” whispered the young Frenchman, suddenly lowering his voice. “We must not speak French so near the palace of the king.” “And why?” asked Leon, speaking in English. “The Emperor Napoleon made war on Portugal, their king came here for safety; all Frenchmen are hated here. They think I'am a eis in I am so ara You speak that lan. guage?” 4 “Ves, ” i “Tt is well. I had not thought to warn you; our mecting x was so sudden, but perhaps there is no harm done.” a‘ Darke Crenshawe was nearer than Hal supposed, was not more than four or five paces behind, in fact, and had seen the meeting between Leon and the young Frenchman. Leon and Etienne, Hal and Paul, crossed the bah Ns and as they reached the other side Leon asked: : “By the way, Btienne, what is your business in Rio? Have you founded a college or——” oo “Oh, no, but I am secretary to the bishop, and am still -pur- | suing——” “Secretary to the bishop!” cried Hal. ‘erphen in merey’s_ name, procure us a license that we may get married. We were” ac on the point of it a year ago, when our friends, the English, : interfered.” a Etienne looked puzzled, and abit was about to explain, when Paul suddenly said in French: nie “There goes the man who i think brought the English aoya upon us that day, your smiling cousin, captain.” Be Darke Crenshawe had passed within a tow paces’ ot on ‘and at a sudden opening of the crowd Paul had seen ‘him ana had spoken in French that Crenshawe might not. understand. The latter spoke French, although “Paul thought otherwise, “Sh! be careful!” said the Frenchman, eat. tongue ites red here.” — : } - “So, the brat cea euctiet Goal hore “I must take advantage
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20 the bishop’s secretary out of the way, and my plan cannot fail of success.” “That is the one I spoke of as wishing to get a good share of Leon’s property,” said Hal. “He acts most suspiciously at times, and then so openly that no one' can doubt his sincerity.” “But this postponed wedding—what about that?” “J will tell you,” said Leon, “and no doubt you can assist us.” They went to a little inn on a quiet, narrow street, and here, as they sat at table and enjoyed a frugal meal, Leon explained the circumstances to which Hal had alluded. \ “I can help you,” said the young Frenchman. “It is too late now, being after the noon hour, but to-morrow you shall be married. You must dine with me to-night at my quarters in the palace of the bishop, and I will see about the license. You will not fail, all three of you?” “No,” said Leon and Hal together. “And my brave young friend, Monsieur Paul Dubois, you must come also. You are French, are you not?” “[T am an American, born in the United States, "said Paul, proudly, “But you are right, monsieur—I am French. My mother was of Paris, but she is so long dead that——” “And you will come?” asked Etienne, seeing the tears stand- ing in the boy’s dark eyes. “Yes, monsieur, I shall do myself the honor,” answered Paul lightly. Soon after this they parted in the plaza, and Btienne, for- getting his own caution, bade them a good-by in French, and hurried away. \ Hardly had they gone ten paces, when Darke Crenshawe, stepping out from the shadow of a doorway, spoke a few words to an Officer standing near, “Those are the spies of Napoleon; they are the men who would betray your ruler!” . “Never!” said the man, hurrying away. - Leon and his companions had barely reached the narrow street. on the other side of the square before they were sud- denly confronted by a sergeant and a file of soldiers. “Senors, you are under arrest! ” “But what means——” “Not a word, or my men will fire! To the prison!” The soldiers closed in and surrounded the two officers, but in the confusion the boy slipped away. ; In half an hour Leon and Hal found themselves in a elonata barred cell, before the door of which paced an armed guard, | and the one window of which looked out upon a deep gully, at the bottom of which flowed a foaming mountain torrent.; Just before dark the guard swung open the door and put a jug of sour wine, some bread, and a dish containing some kind of meat stewed with herbs upon the stone bench at one side ‘of the cell, and told them in Portuguese that there was their 4 supper and they might eat it. ' An hour passed, and the light of the rising moon was just “beginning to penetrate their dungeon, when there was a noise of clanking chains and erating keys, and the great door was ' swung open, and there entered a man arrayed in pr jestly gar- "ments, accompanied by a boy wearing a long cloak. ae He had a small oil Jamp with him, and this he placed on ane stone ‘bench as the door was closed. The instant ‘the key was turned the man caught up the lamp, thiew back his cowl, and said: “Hush! I have come to save you from a terrible aple 7 Biss _ ‘The man was Darke Crenshawe. ae CHAPTER XVIII. ae ya) TRATIOR AD WORK, ine 1 » said Leon, i ; great surprise, springing to his feet, rhs THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. ee BPs and then mumbled in Spanish: lish: penta to you, both. Do not forget my fustructions. xe 7 # clash. did either of the friends speak. shawe?” vt foot. Before that, when you did not see | | beware. ‘|he.” - r Es a know that you suspect me of another purpose, cousin, but you wrong me.” He “I have procured the means of escape, but you maieak use. the. utmost caution. This boy, whom the prison officials sent with me, will try to spy upon us, but fortunately he speaks no Ene- lish, They would not let me come without him.” x hi “Well, well; what is your plan?” asked Leon, nervously, "You will ask to have a bed sent in, as the stones are too hard to lie upon. Two or three bundles of straw will be sent in, and, Roecealee in one, will be a long and strong rope and ay file.” st “Yes, and then?” “You can cut through one of the bars and- ‘let veaseelt down by the rope to the bottom of the gully.” 2 “And after that?” ; Pe “There is a swift-flowing stream below which runs to the sea. Throw yourself in and let it carry you down. Before long you will meet a boat with some of your men in it.” i i} . Hal, who paid little attention to what Darke said, but a watching the boy attentively, now saw the latter slowly remove the cloak from about o face and raise one hand in ear es Ce warning. ‘ He was behind Darke and in the shadow, but as he advances 2 a pace the moonlight fell upon him: Then his face was revealed, and he formed one ond: wil his lips, making no sound. The word was full of meaning, and from those lips could: n fail to be impressive. “Beware!” The boy was Paul Dubois, the young cabin boy of the sprit . Hal was astonished and would have betrayed himself, but Paul instantly fell back and began to mumble esi 8 Fes Spanish. Darke turned quickly and looked at him, but his face. was now in shadow and partly concealed by his cloak, , “Time presses,” said Darke. “I must get away. “One other ‘thing. In case of some of the guards being at. the windows, ¢ upon the battlements below, it will be wise to send dowt a dummy figure of straw first, in case they fire upon you. “The ‘ you can follow in greater safety, as they will think you dead. Paul stepped forward, formed the same, word of OBE ic “The time is up; we were to stay but five minutes. nO fe “Yes, yes,” said Darke,-in the same tongue, but with a de-'. : cided accent and hesitatingly, “I am coming.” Then in Eng “Good-night, cousin; good-night, lieutenant; a, pleasa: Not until the echo of the fotstens outa had a di “Did you see who was with your cousin?” ask “Yes: it was Paul.” 2 iia % “Did you catch what he meant fe say?” “Yes. ‘Tt was, * ‘Do not trust him.’ “How came “hi wit y “1 do not Imow. ‘He evidently has some pla: 0) I do not think that ‘Crenshawe iniew 1 ‘tha tt “Then Paul must hav
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fortune.” “But how did he get into the prison, and how did Paul man- age to be with him?” “Tam as much in the dark as you are; but this I know, that we can trust Paul and there is a doubt about Darke Crenshawe. The’ boy is our friend, but I am not at all sure about the oth- ere { “You are right; and yet we may have done ae man an: on justice.” “T do not believe it. However, we can only wait.” An hour later, as they were sitting in the shadow, meditat- ing upon their position, the door was opened. One of the guards entered, threw down two or three bundles of straw, and said: “That is for the senors’ bed. The stones are hard and cold. Good-night.” When the man was gone and the door was again closed, Hal went io the bundles of straw and opened them. “Ha! it is just as he said. Here is a long, stout rope,” he muttered, “nicely concealed in one of the bundles.” “Nothing else?” asked Leon, who had not moved from the ‘wall. “Yes,” said Hal, after a pause, “here is a file ba duchies there are two, and one has a bit of paper wrapped about it. It must be a message.” “Read it,” said Leon, briefly. i Hal took the serap of paper to the ae where the light of the moon could fall upon it, unfolded it and read: “Do not make the attempt to-night. Darke meditates some treachery, What it is I have not learned. Remain a till I ean communicate with you.—Paul.” “That is certainly to the point,” said’ Leon, “and I think it will be well to follow the boy’s advice.” ’ “By all means,” said Hal, as he proceeded to tear the paper ’ into the smallest possible pieces. These he presently threw out of the grated ee watch- ing them fall or float about in the breeze untét they had all . disappeared. f He then' returned to his seat°on the bench, and for some time not a word was spoken. : “Tt is growing very dark,” said Hal, at length. “I suppose _ the moon must have risen too ee to shine in here. It seems colder, too.” ' “We shall not need the moon to sleep by,” returned Leon, *but an extra cloak would have been acceptable. Was there nothing of the sort concealed in the straw?” - “] think not,” said Hal, arising; “but-I will look.” As he passed in-front of the grated window Pee suddenly ex~ claimed: . j “Ha! no wonder it has grown dark and- HL “The iy is overcast with clouds and the wind has risen. We are going to have a storm, and a severe one if I mistake not.” a Bven as he spoke there was a flash of lightning, followed a few moments later by a low, rumbling sound. Ai is still some distance off,” muttered Leon. “Yes, but it seems to——” ‘i ‘He was interrupted by a vivid flash, followed almost in-| stantly by a tremendous peal. or thought it was: traveling very rapidly,” he muttered. comes from th sea, T take it, and seems to be heavy.” j “ Tt of the ‘cell, accompanied by a deafening crash of thunder. y is as black as ink, Mae wind blows keen and Seale THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. I think that he wishes to remove you that he may inherit your | At that moment there was a flash that lighted up the whole | him. oT “Perhaps it will be better to make the attempt, after all,” said Leon. “The darkness will aid us.” “But the lightning will betray us.” “Yes, but if it rains the lightning may cease.” Just then a great gust of wind came in at the window, and the patter of rain was heard. At the same moment the lightning flashed and the thunder rolled again, the storm having evidently increased in violence. It had come up very suddenly, but i¢ showed no signs of abating, seeming rather to grow worse with each succeed- ing minute. The lightning became almost incessant, ead the noise ofthe _ thunder was fairly deafening, one terrific neat succeeding an- other in swift succession. The rain beat in at the window in a perfect flood, and ina a few minutes streams of water were running across the floor of the cell toward the door. : “It’s a-perfect tropical storm,” muttered Hal, “but it may not last long. If we only knew we might make the attempt, but I think that perhaps we had better take Paul’s advice and wait,” and he laid the file which he had taken up in his hand seine the window ledge. “It is certainly a splendid opportunity,” said ann moe boy could not have foreseen the storm, nor ‘could Darke. What. treachery can he have meditated?” “Posting men on the battlements and at the boitom of the cliff to fire upen us,” said Hal, picking up the file again. “But the:storm will have driven them to shelter by this time, even if they had been posted so early.” Hal’s reply was lost in the terrible report which followed. A blinding flash filled the cell, the air seemed aia” with electric fluid, and even the solid stone walls seemed to shake with the awful crash that followed. Hal was thrown to the further side of the room, right against the door, while the tower itself seemed about to fall in pieces. “Look, look! The bars have been: wrenched from their places!” cried Hal. “The stones have fallen away. The tower: has been struck by lightning.” ‘In an instant a second bolt entered the place, attracted no doubt. by the file which Hal had dropped, or by’ sah jagged remnant of the broken bars, - It was like a ball of living: fire, and it sorarig straight to- wards the door where, Hal lay upon the stones. The room was full of smoke and flame in a, moment, the very walls seemed about to fall in upon them, and for an instant they were dumb with terror. mit Then there was a crash, the stout door was torn fon its hinges, and fell shivered and twisted upon the floor of. the cor= ridor without, opening a way of escape that they had POR, dreamed ae st cope \ pass CHAPTER XIX. ON TH! TRACK, The sa had an evil: smile on ‘his 1003 as sit an
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Car, e2 THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. As Darke suddenly discovered him, he sprang forward and | Said excitedly: “Oh, Mr. Crenshawe, do you know what has happened? Cap- tain Leon has been arrested as a spy. If we had only had _ Some of our brave fellows here this would never had happen- ed. ” “Arrested, say you?” cried Darke, in ice at astonish- ment. “Yes, and but now.: The soldiers are only now leaving the plaza. If I could meet Monsieur Etienne something might yet be done. ‘Will you tell the men what has happened? I must locate the prison so as to be prepared in case we attempt a rescue. ” “Yes, that will be a good plan,” said Darke; but Paul had gone before he finished. “T should have included the boy in the capture,” he muttered. “The brat may make us trouble. I shall have to prétend to act in concert with him. Perhaps then I can get rid of them all at the same time.” Paul followed the guards until they reached the prison, after which he made himself as well acquainied as was possible in a short time with the surroundings of the place, and then re- turned to the vessel. Near the harbor he met Darke, and told him what he had learned. “We were to meet M. Btienne at six o’clock to dine with him,” be said. “He must have influence at court, being the bishop’s secretary. 1 think we ought to see him as soon as possible.” ; “By all means,” said Darke. “Do you know where he lives?” “At the palace, but I doubt if I can see him there now. I must wait till six o’clock, but in the meantime would you not _ . advise forming a plan to rescue the captain and Lieut. Hurry, in case M. Etienne can do nothing?” “Yes, by all means. What would you suggest?” asked Darke, eagerly, and with more’interest than he had yet shown, ““T can think of nothing as yet,” said Paul, guardedly, “but if I can secure an entrance into the prison I may be able to . determine upon something.” — _ “How will you do this?” “By seeing the secretary; but there is yet time for this.” The boy then hurried to the water’s edge, procured a boat, and was rowed out to the vessel. _ Here he told Isabel and May what had happened, and what - plans he had formed, disclosing to them what he had not told to Darke. “Do not trust that man Crenshawe,” he said in conclusion. “Do not believe anything he tells you, unless you get it from me first. I suspect him, but. I must keep in with him until I know more.” fis An hour later he went ashore and went to the little inn where " they had all lunched that day. “The senor secretary: has not arrived?” he asked the land-} ‘lord. “I do not know. There is someone in the next room. ‘The lad hurried away to the room mentioned, and was about to put his hand on the latch, when he heard someone within “say: “Tt will be attended to, senor. The spies will not escape.” ; “and you can procure my entrance?” asked a voice which ' Paul at once recognized. : “Beyond a doubt.” nee Then all will be well, if you will earry out your part of the ‘ “We will be there, senor.” “That is artiste muttered Darke. ‘You, snow the rest.” ‘they will make the attempt.” forget your part?” {some natural and SET DE eee remark, Paul crept noiselessly away, as he heard the footsteps of those within, and in a few moments from a dark corner of the passage he saw Darke and a soldier of the guard come out of the room and leave the house: “That man is in league with one of the ieee he muttered. “This is indeed suspicious,” Shortly before six he hurried to Etienne’s quarters, and was admitted by the gentleman himself. In a few minutes he had related all that had happened, aa what he suspected. “T cannot get into the prison at this hour,” said ‘the secre- tary, “but I can send a messenger, and you shall be the one. Contrive, if you can, to be there at the same time as this man Darke. .Remain all night, if necessary. You have only to show this ring to be allowed to do as you please. You will be taken for one of the younger brothers, some of whom are nearly always in attendance at the prison to perform various offices, if necessary. I will give you a disguise.” It was not yet dark when Paul arrived at the prison, and was admitted without question. 5) A few minutes later he saw two men pass through the main. : corridor, one a jailer, the other.a priest, apparently. 7 . There was something in the man’s walk that made Paul sus- — i pect him, and he followed. ; ; As the two passed under a suspended lamp, the boy saw the ~ face of the supposed priest, and recognized Darke Crenshawe. He followed, and presently the jailer turned and said: | “What does my young.brother wish?” “T am sent to visit the spies and confess them,” answered Paul, in a low, altered voice. “You go thither?” : “Yes,” and no opposition was made, the guard telling ERS eS that the boy would have to go with them. ae In the «ell Paul managed to show his face to Hal for « an. instant, and to make him a sign of caution. After leaving the cell, Darke and the guard went to a large cireular room on the ground floor, used by visitors to the jail, the guards when not on duty, and by others. Here Paul sat alone on a bench placed against the wall, and. pretended to read from a breviary taken from his pocket. ' Grenshawe and the guard presently sai down near the wall some distance off, and began to talk in low tones. Suddenly a most remarkable natural vhenomenes was re- vealed to the lad. The walls of the room carried all sounds that were made close to them, right around to the starting point, and by plac- ing an ear to the wall anyone could hear distinctly what was said at the farthest point even if uttered in whispers. “The rope will be placed in one of the anaes as T promised them,” Paul suddenly heard Darke say, ‘ “Which we will frustrate,” said the other. eee “No, the money shall be paid.” “The villain!” thought Paul, for he did ake dare to even whisper. “How shall I get word to them?” — Tearing off the margin from one of the leaves. of Ae s eayiane he wrote a few lines in pencil and folded the scrap. pence small thin file which he took from his pocket. ; eae “It is just as well I did not give the lieutenant this. whet was there just now,” he mused; “and now to Ree to this into the bundle.” rt could give him a clew to. Darke’s heen and at. last sis mi himself and the guard left wee bod : walked up and down ear the econ now Pend th
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THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. The man was glad of company, and would have kept Paul With him as long as the boy would have liked to stay. At last someone approached, bearing a great bundle of straw, As the man paused before the door of Leon’s cell, Paul in- serted his file and the note while the guard was unlocking the door. “T have warned them,” now to learn more of this villain’s plans so as to defeat them.” CHAPTER XX. THE SCOUNDREL UNMASKED, A storm had suddenly burst with great violence over the prison. Paul sat in the round chamber downstairs, and was as much surprised as anyone at the sudden coming of the tempest. | Darke and another of the guards whom Paul had not yet seen suddenly entered the room. In an instant the first man joined them, and they all sat on the bench running around the wall. “This storm may defeat our plans,” said one. make the attempt while it rages.” “On the contrary,” said Darke, “they will think that none will be about, and may attempt it at once. Post your men on the battlements and at the bottom of the ravine and wait. They will send down a dummy of straw. Fire in the air. Then pretend to go‘away. They will next descend themselves. Then fire, not in the air, but at the spies.” “Tho villain!” hissed Paul. “At last [ea A peal of thunder heard even in fhe most remote dungeon of the prison reverberated through the place at that moment. “What did you say?” gasped Darke, who had heard that sud- den exclamation of Paul's. “Nothing,” said the guard. must have. struck -The windows were illuminated as if by the sun, and another terrific peal sounded. ‘ -“That one must, have struck somewhere hereabouts,” cried one of the guards, hurrying out of the room, Two or three more followed, and then there was heard the - most fearful crash of all, and there was a general fear that the . old prison would come tumbling about their ears. “What a crash!” muttered Paul. “It must have struck one of—my God! they are in a plate Perhaps that has been shat- tered! a “They will not “Dios! what a peal that was. It The faithful fellow hurried up the winding tenis siaivways; - two steps at a bound. On the upper floor he suddenly met his friend, the sentry. , “Bly, my lad!” he cried. will bring it down.” “T cannot go. I must see those poor men confined in the be angle; perhaps they are injured—they may wish_to confess,” , and: Paul ran down the corridor like a deer. s ae ‘He suddenly paused as two fleur es came out of a cell a few. yards. ahead. — “Captain!” he cried, la forward, “You sei not hurt? ‘feared that—" sites Soap f ‘ “No, we are uninjured, eu a -ereat breach has ‘been, made = he mused, as he hurried away, “and | _| Then I will go and draw their fire, and——” “The tower is old and crumbling. ‘ “It has already been struck ae lightalng, and another shock } now, and they have ‘been instructed to fire upon you when you appear. Remain here. The guards are aroused. Some of them will be here—yes, they are coming.” The boy hid himself under the straw, close to the wall, and Leon and Hal sat down elose to the breach in the wall as four or five guards suddenly entered. “Ha! what is this? An escape? Give the alarm!” “Your prisons are not proof against the elements, gentle- men,” said Leon, quietly, “or else Heaven desires our escape. You see the exit the lightning has made?” “Even that was not enough,” said Hal, “for it tore the eae down for us.. Heaven has not willed that we remain here.” The superstitious fears of the men were aroused, and they began to think that these prisoners were indeed under the espe- cial protection of Heaven, and that it was wrong to detain them here. One of the head jailers now eppenied and ordered that the prisoners be transferred to another cell. “We shall do very well where we are,” said Leon, “if you will give us another door to keep out intruders.” “What sort of a man is this?” muitered the jailer, “who pre- — fers a cell open to the air to one warm and dry? There must be some other reason. Search the place, men, and see if——” The storm had been raging without all this time, seeming to. gain rather than to lose in violence. ; At this moment there came.a blinding flash, and the tower seemed about to fall. S The men fell back in great alarm as Paul sprang to his feet. “Away, the place is doomed!” cried a voice, and jailer and guards fled precipitately as a heavy stone flew out into the — corridor. Paul had thrown this himself, and as he now picked up the rope which Hal had left in one corner, he said: “There is only one chance of escape, and it is this. Do you. go first, captain. They will not fire, even if they are there. "No, we shall go together,” said Leon. “You must 1 not risk your life further! ” “Time presses,” said Paul, making one end of the rope fast about a stone, which he first tested to see if it were firm. #3 He then threw the other out at the breach, and said: ““Quick! make the ge I am safe here. I have that which protects me, and “Ha! a spy-—seize him!” ‘onied a well-known voice, and at — that instant Darke Crenshawe and a dozen guards, all bearing torches, appeared at the door of the cell. R “Seize that boy, he is a spy, he has come to deliver the pris- — oners, he is no novice, he is a spy. Seize him, and put all ae ra in dungeons.” . “Not yet, Darke Crenshawe,” said Paul. and shall outwit you for all your pains.” Darke and the guards sprang into the room, but in an in- stant Paul had leaped through the breach in the wall, and was revealed for an instant by a lightning flash. & pce’ - In another moment he was gone. aS “Away with them!” hissed Darke. “To the dungeons. with them, and as for this Boy, he will not escape.” : The guards seized Leon and Hal, and the traitorous Darke % sprang to the breach and gazed down into the darkness. 4 Suddenly a sharp report was heard below. ; zi “Hal. as Bid er ” the Baird — “T know voasuihin st “That is. the a 2 of him! “No, for ENA ‘men have ES Jour: snatenettons ane 5 fia in the air!” cried Leon. Bi sp see — we know your, rth 3 | Villain.” a fie Away with thom thundered Darke; w Py oe ei
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rh “24 THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. Te Gia rectekal It was useless to attempt to return, for it would be impossible CHAPTER XXI. to breast the powerful tide.that was sweeping him on. The current still bore him forward, hut his strength Was giv- A PERILOUS JOURNEY. ing out, his head seemed ready to burst, and unless the open a3 air were soon reached he would be drowned. fat Down, down, down amid the storm, clinging to his frail} Summoning all his remaining strength, he struck out vigor-_ support went the gallant boy, the thunder sounding in his] ously and shot forward, suddenly finding himself in the open air ears, the lightning blinding him, the rain wetting him to the] with his head above water at the very moment that he was. skin. forced to open his mouth and release the breath in his lungs. Down the rope he slid, now keeping himself from swinging| It had been a narrow escape. } , against the rock by a motion of his foot, and again whirling) A few moments only and he would have been stirancleds 5 around and around till he managed to stay himself with one| ty. now found himself in a broad stream with low hills on ~ Hand, either side, revealed occasionally by the lightning which still ie Suddenly, as he was nearly to the bottom, the lightning flash-| qacheq, but not with the intensity that had formerly char- ed and revealed a party of men on a-battlement below. deterivzed: it. Then there was another flash, and a deafening report, the| ‘The rain descended in blinding sheets, but this mattered lit bullets whistling past his head and some striking against the) tle, as he could scarcely see whither he was drifting in any rock, s event, and he had already passed through his cs obi dan ae Pa cS wa “Thank Heaven I have escaped that,” he murmured, “but aj} ger. greater danger is to come.’ He now allowed himself to float with the current, age Then he glided rapidly down to the end of the rope and| no motion, but merely striving to reserve his strength, and dropped into the water. paying no heed to where he was going. He was swept on by the current, the waters str iking a chill| Before long, however, he found that he was in the harbor, to his very heart, and for an instant he thought that perhaps] the lights on the ships being plainly visible. after all he would fail, and that his beloved captain would Then he looked about him, and at last, despite ive darknes perish... and the rain, made out the Sprite lying at anchor ‘not mor Then he nerved himself, and as he was carried rapidly for-| than three cables’ lengths distant. f ward, thought only of the bright side, and assured himself He swam alongside and hailed the vessel in a low t tone. ; that BUCKSse aren, Certala, F ; “What’s that?” cried someone on deck. SS ia On he swept past the frowning heights where stood the “Tt is I, Paul. Throw mea line. I, am nearly worn ont. yn prison, past the wooded hills on the opposite bank, on and A line was thrown, and the boy was speedily drawn a abe still on till the stream emtered @ narrow defile. where he hurriedly told his story and then hastened, boar: ti He was floating now, for he wished to reserve his strength, | put on some dry clothes. and.as he lay on his back:he could see the dark sky above him, pierced at intervals by the lightning. ' thunder ae could not see: the lighining. Turning over, he tried to pierce the darkness about him, ashore, headed by Derrick, ode, and Paul rete but.could see Rothing, “That villain may yet suceeed in’ carrying out his: infam Then he shouted, and echoes sounded on every side. plot,” said the boy, “and we must do all we -can to" pre : = He was in an underground stream, surrounded by rocky Let*us go at once to the prison and demand thar the walls, which had echoed the sound of his voice. be released.” The eurrent ata to be stronger than before, and he guid- Benthet some s Saieei tei at a sudden turn of the stream. “But the: Brazilians are our friends: : oer 0 On and on he was carried, and suddenly, as he threw up one| gaia Paul. “The king knows nothing of this ‘villainy or “fie. be hand, it came in contact with. something just above his head. would not allow it. It ig this Crenshawe ‘who bad i ribed iia The roof of the passage was aaa: 5 lower, tes water. Riis oA he thought of this. a. chill came over hint ‘and he struck _ great ‘solitude. Bene depdbasene mis
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THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. a ae —— Darke Crenshawe entered, followed by an evil-looking fellow bearing a torch. “Lieut. Hurry,” said the villain, “I do not desire your life, and I will see that you go free upon one condition. You will either remain in this country or go to some other, as you . please, but you are never to return to the United States, never to communicate with anyone there—in fact, you are to be as one dead. What is your choice, exile or death?” “Mr. Darke Crenshawe,” said Hal, quietly, “you have shown ' your hand too late, for I know your plans, and I know that they will fail. You seek the fortune of your cousin, and will do any- thing to obtain it, but your schemes are known and will be thwarted at every turn. It. is you who would do well to fly | from this place, and not counsel me as to what I should hed.” “Bah! You.are powerless,” laughed Darke, “You see this fellow? At a word he would fall upon and strangle you. It would be called an accident, and Nichia: be forgotten in a few hours.” “Beware,” said Hal. “I care not if you kill me, but I will ‘never forswear my country and friends at your biding. I tell ‘you that your race is nearly run, and that you had best. look to your own safety. By this time the boy has reached the ‘ship, and——” “The boy is dead,” laughed Darke. “His dead body was found on the rocks below the tower. The soldiers shot him at - my command.” _. “It’s a lie!” said Hal. and then at us. Those were your commands. caped and will bring help to us here.” ~ j “He can do nothing now,” said Crenshawe, with an evil cal gt “Leon is dead, and——-” - With a cry like that of an enraged wild beast Hal suddenly { sprang to his feet, rushed to the end of his chain and struck at the villain with the shackles about’ his wrists. “You have killed him? Then die yourself, hound!” he hiss- eed «1 By Crenshawe fell to the floor oe from a cut in his fore- head. He snarled out an order to the dations and the man rushed at Hal with a knife in his hand «2: The brave young fellow dashed the ‘weapon from the man’s _ grasp - ‘and struck him on the head, the fellow dropping his - torch and rushing from the dungeon with a curse on his lips. . “Oh, you villain!” cried Hal, as he saw Darke crawl towards bie “the door, the torch still giving light enough to enable him to ie ‘see this much. “You dare not remove these fetters and meet { me in fair combat. I would like nothing better than to run you "through the body. i - “Bnough! ” hissed Crenshawe, rising to his feet. “There is no alternative now. You shall die as your captain has died, and my triumply will be complete.” : “Tt is a lie! Leon is not dead!” cried Hal. “You thougnt to - pind’ me to your will by your falsehoods, but you are as false as Satan, and I would not Bre nig you, though you swore it on Sond most sacred tiled Begone, or I will yet burst these “The men were to fire in the air first Paul has es- es the door shat, a a eet the bolts shot into lace, oe nd Hal | was left alone. ud ‘peans: to get. my promise ee then vg E ever. Jet me leave this. place live. ‘dare not risk ihe anger of a great nation like | the Ameri- | ; _ | throw——” % seal of the—” 2 ‘ might betray the approach of an enemy, tortured with doubt, hoping the best and yet fearing the worst. At last he noatd footsteps outside, and presently the door was opened. Four guards appeared, and one of them said in Spanish: “The time has now come. You are to die with your spy friend.” '-Hal said nothing, and a man entered the dungeon and re- moved his shackles. - Then he was led out to a small outer court, oibios the prison walls towered high above his head, and where the sun never penetrated unless at noonday. It was in the gray of the morning, the giornt had passed; waite ‘ a few stars could be seen overhead. Hal was placed against the wall in an angle, and presently Leon was brought out and placed beside him. . «I knew you were still alive!” cried Hal. “That villain could not deceive me! What new plot is this? Surely, we are not to die without a trial—without having one chance for our lives?” “Wait, my dear Hal,” said Leon. “I have not yet given up hope.” Presently a file of men came out through a little door in the solid wall and faced them on the opposite side of the court. } The men were armed with clumsy muskets of an antique | pattern. In a moment’ two men advanced to anton and blindfold Ahhe prisoners, “Do you know what you are about to do?” cried acer in his own language.. “We are Americans!” “No, you are French,” said the man, “the enemies of Por- tugal. You have conspired to overthrow our Goren neDe, and . seize the country.” “It is false!” said Leon, in Spanish. “We are Americans, and if you commit this crime the whole world will cry out against you. Would you let us die without religious consola~ tion? Where is the priest? We are not criminals, that you refuse us the last offices of the church. T demand that a priest ‘| be summoned.” The man shook his head, and was eared to bind Leon’s arms, when the young captain threw him off. Suddenly darting his hand into the inside pocket of his coat, | he drew forth a paper and cried: “Do you see this? Here is ‘the great seal of the United States. I am an officer in its navy. Dare you commit this crime against an American? I know that you dare not!” ” ; The man seemed to hesitate, and then he hurried away to consult with another standing in the doorway, Meanwhile the men with the muskets stood like so Rage statues, seeming utterly indifferent to everything. | They were there simply to obey orders, and questions of nationality or the rights of citizens mean nothing to bees a ‘Suddenly the sound of a cannon was heard. eet Gey 3 i 3 a A moment later Darke. Crenshawe came into the court, his face inflamed with passion. e pheosaP ed A A “Not yet?” he cried. “Why this aolay? Did you : 1 not agree to——” % “The senors are Americans; they aan our protection; we. cans———” if “Tt is a lie! They: are bigs they are conspiring salem “But the young senor has his commission, stamped with the 1} Cr 4
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THE BOY PRIVATEER CAPTAIN. 26 i ‘adn is ET ENE CET RESET SES SSS SET TR IAT BACT NS ss MOE NEARS IS aT aN PI ease ne _~ they are engaged in a war with England; the claims of private citizens will receive but little attention. Remember, I promise you enormous wealth if you-—” “Attention!.” cried the other, who seemed to be an officer of . the prison. ‘learn——” peared in the court. ; by Leon when they went to search for him, still: warm, although death had followed swift and sure upon the stroke of the fatal steel. daim to it, The men immediately ane, upon guard. “Take aim!” A dozen muskets were raised to a level, all pointing at the doomed men opposite. Darke hurried from the plate, but as he entered the pas- sage he was suddenly thrown. down and trampled over by a dozen men headed by a boy. “Stop!” eried the boy, springing into the court, the name of the king!” It was Paul Dubois, the brave young cabin boy of the Sprite. ‘ Behind him were Hiienne, two priests, the governor of the prison, Derrick and half a dozen of the men of the gallant Sprite. “Release these men!” cried the governor. “How dare you order an execution without a trial, without a priest? What right have you to act without orders in my absence, unless in dire emergency?” “Your excellency, the prisoners are spies of the French; they were in a plot to murder the king and. “Tt is false. They are Americans. You have been deceived, unless, as I suspect, you have lent yourself to the plots of as thorough a villain as ever walked in the hope of gain.” The officer turned pale, and quickly interposed. . “Surely, your excellency would’not believe that anything but zeal for our king and country would prompt anything TI did?” “I do not know,” returned tts: governor, “but I intend to discover. You might have precipitated a war with one of the greatest nations in the world, Where is the villain who sought the lives of these young men? I will not let him depart till I “Stop, in “He is dead, your excellency,” said a guard who ROW ap- “Dead?” “ Yes. ” The face of the under officer of the pyon easumed a reliov- ed expression. “But who has dared to take the matter into-——” “Pardon, your excellency, the man has taken his own life.” CHAPTER. XXII. CONCLUSION, # life when his schemes had failed of accomplishment. Fearing death at the hands of some of the crew of the Sprite, whom he had quickly recognized, or perhaps fearing that the very men he had sought to corrupt would betray him, he had plunged a dagger into his heart, and had ended his wicked life. _ They found him in the dungeon that had just been vacated ‘His hand still grasped the deadly weapon, and his body was The body was buried in the prison ard, for Leon laid 0 Although the man had deeply eacased: him in life, and had s m, his heay, 78 received & decent burial, and hi ig fe It was indeed true that Darke Crenshawe. had taken his own} i Se private papers were taken care of in case anyone wished to preserve them. To Paul all praise was given for his prompt action, for on that alone had depended the safety of Captain Leon and Hal. He had aroused Htienhe, the governor had been sent for from a province many miles off, and the royal edict had been secur- ed, granting a trial to the prisoners, and all within a few hours. “That boy will be a captain, perhaps a commodore one day,” said Derrick. “The best of us could not have done so well.” “TI did only my duty,” said Paul, “and if necessary, would have given my life to save the captain.” a “T know it,” said Leon, “and I am indeed glad that the neces- sity did not arise. We had need for lives such as yours, my boy. I hope to see you an admiral one day, for you are rortay of the highest honors that can be given you.” The prisoners were liberated and proceeded at once to the vessel, escorted by a guard of honor. ; Isabel embraced Paul and kissed him, even before welcoming ae Leon on his return, and whispered to him alone: 4 “Brave young heart, it is not your captain’s life alone that t you have saved, but mine as well, for I should have died had he perished, I shall bear you in grateful remembrance all my — life.” = “My dear lady,” said Paul, “it was for you I risked all—you as well as our captain, Had I failed I would have killed aay self.” 3 The reunion was a joyful one, anid the boy captain was not ef only made happy by being restored to the lady of his choice, but was treated with the greatest honor by the king and court. That very day the double wedding, so long deferred, was t solemnized with the utmost pomp in the great cathedral, the a happy brides receiving the regal blessing, In a few days the Sprite sailed away from Rio, and was ga y a royal salute by the guns from tHe harbor and from the Bra~ Nes zilian war vessels lying at anchor. z After a quick voyage the’ gallant little vessel arrived in- : American waters, and, finding that the war was not yet over, } Leon put himself under orders once more,.and did valiant ser- ioe vice for his country till peace was declared. ‘ee When the war was over and the country was once more a wh rest, he retired from active life for a time, and lived on a fina estate purchased with the fortune which now descended to. ie him. . pete He and his wife and children, brave Hal, and devoted Paul, MS haye long since passed away, but their descendants still live. and those of Paul, who died a general in the army, never tire of telling of the stirring deeds enacted during the War of 1812 in which so gallant a part was played by the “Boy Privateer Captain.” THE BND. Pe ee Read “THE BOYS IN BLUE; or, FOOTBA’ CHAMPIONS OF CHERRYVILLE,” by Allan Arno: which will be the sae number 08), ee eae Truck.” - bia Se as ey the following are oh pace 1to5, % 8, 10 to 13, sone 2 26, 29 to 31, 34 to 36, 39, a 43, an to a, 5, 55, 57, stamps by mail to PRANK. TO SEY, pu — sad Si te and you will
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PLUCK AND I AND LUCK. Pluck and Luck. EW YORK, NOVEMBER 18, 19087 Terms to Subscribers. One Cony oe Months. . One bid ONG VOR i dance nn eeteise up trbe veuvuages Postage Free. How To Sunpd Monry, At our risk send P, O. Money Order, Check, or Registeran Lee Letter; re- mittances in any other way are at your risk. © accept Postage Stamps the same as cash, When gending silver wrap the coin in a separate see of paper to avoid cutting the envelope. Waite your name and address plainly. Address letters to Frank Tousey, Publisher, 24 Union Sq., New York. THINGS OF INTEREST. A South Sea Islander, whom an English travelér had brought home with him as a servant, in a local tavern was praising up _ the British constitution, when one of his hearers said to him: “What do you know about it? You’re not an Englishman. You ~haven’t a drop of English blood in your veins.” “Don’t you be so sure aout that,” replied the black; “my grandfather helped to eat Captain Cook.” . The Declaration of Independence is to be seen no more by the public, according to a writer in “Argonaut,” an order having been issued that henceforth the historic manuscript a? ing into the dry ground of the Black Hills region of South Dakota alongside the track of the Burlington Railroad at Edgemont. Down went the drill, until the native onlookers wondered whether the railroad company had fixed no limit to the bore, and was simply “going it blind,” indefinitely. The. company’s intention was very definite indeed, Its officials had - been ihformed by a geologist of the United States Geological Survey that a good supply of water would be found in a certain stratum of rock that lay at a depth of about 3,000 feet. This geologist had made a study of the surface outcrops of the rocks -of the region, and had based his prediction on that study. And, having faith in the prophecy, the company determined to drill to that depth. It was not necessary, however, to bore quite to the depth of 3,000 feet, for when. the drill had gone down 2,980 feet water gushed out at the rate of 350 gallons a minute, and the faith reposed in the judgment of the geologist was justified. This water supply fills a need which is so urg- ent that if anything should happen to destroy this well the railroad company would not hesitate to bore its counterpart. OUR COMIC COLUMN. “Have you a college diploma?” “No; but I have several mining-stock certificates that I might frame and hang up as evidence that I have been through the school of experience.” New Curate—How’s your wife, Jabez? EE 2: very doubtful, measter. “Er doubts as ’er won’t*get better, and Oi doubts as ’er wull, “J wonder why Janie Green decided to marry young An- struthers?”. “Well, nobody else had asked her, and it was ‘shall be kept under lock and key in a great fire and light proof almost June.” ‘safe, This decision hag been reached as the result of an exam- ination of the document by a committee of the American Academy of Sciences, recently in session in New York, who --acted at the instance of Secretary Hay, whose attention had been called to the sad state of the famous document. Most of the text of the Declaration is still legible, but only one or two signatures can be made out. There is only a trace of the auto- graph of John Hancock, the first to sign. The document from ‘time to time will be photographed in order to measure as near- ly as possible the result of the protective steps. | The anniversary of the time-honored Gooseberry Fair at ‘Tollesbury, England, took ‘place the other day, and a feature of the survival has always been the baking of huge gooseberry pies, The object was to give a welcome home to fathers and brothers who have been away on racing or pleasure yachts or fishing, and each family used to prepare a huge pie for its home- coming seafarers in specially large dishes, There have peen Tollesbury pies that held as much as a peck or half a. peck of fruit, and tradition even relates that one pie was so. ie that the local baker had to remove one or two bricks to Bet it into his oven. i tae ~ A writer in a local paper has this to say of a hail storm: “With the breaking of the day I went outside. The country ‘was unrecognizable. The land and the scenery which I had ‘known for years was entirely altered, The very hills, piled “high with white hailstones, were a different shape and torrents of muddy water poured down from all sides. And when the ‘ad sun rose into a clear, bright sky the scene of ruin and esolation was awful to look at. Buildings had been hurled to the ground and were nothing more than hills of hailstones. A irge dam I had spent two years in making had been com- tely swept away. In another dam, which had remained un- ‘oken, | the hailstones had accumulated and piled themselyes 1p over twenty feet in height! There was not a sign of water. oie sae ee ‘Ss a hase pile of frozen Eaulbtonpet! a Tom-——When are you going to wed your pretty flancee? Dick (gloomily )—Indeed, I do not know. Tom—But the report is gaining currency. Dick—Yes, but I am not gaining currency. That is just the trouble. Cautious Customer—But if he is a young horse, why do his knees bend so? Dealer—Well, sir, to tell the ’onest truth, the poor animal ’as bin living in a stable as was too low for im, and ’e’s ’ad to stoop, Sachs (to friend in restaurant)—Well, and how’s business? Friend—Splendid, splendid! Why, I can’t even get my meals at the right time. Just see what I’m eating now. It’s my- breakfast of yesterday. Magistrate—It’s very disgraceful that you should beat your wife. Prisoner—Well, your honor, she aggravated me by keep- in’ on sayin’ she’d ’ave me hup afore that bald-eaded hold humbug, meanin’ yer honor. Magistrate—You’re discharged. “Johnny, here is another note from your teacher, He says I might as well take you out of school. You are quite hope- less.” “It ain’t so, mamma. I hope to be big enough some day to lam the everlastin’ daylights out of him!” “Charles,” said young Mrs. Torkins, “a man Rarer this” blank from the assessor’s office. He wants us to state just how much we are worth.” “What did you tell him?” him to wait till after the races were over, Then we wouldn’t have to pay taxes on so much.” as in There was an old man “who was charged with illicit distillin, and was brought up before the court. The judge, i a witty fellow, asked the prisoner what was hic s : name. The prisoner replied, Posie and th or ee STtS1d. en
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28 LOGE» AND LUCK. The Mystery of the Deep By ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG. ‘The incident I am about to relate remained unchronicled at the time. And, by the way, let me add that many of the more startling phenomena witnessed by mariners never find record, save in the log books’ of the vessels to which the spectators are at- tached. It was in 1841. I was sixteen: years old, and belonged to the ship Luminary, cruising for right whales in the South Pacific. : We were away down in latitude gixty-three, having followed the whales southward with extremely good luck, although with constant danger from bodies of ice, which were drifting up from the Antarctic circle, when we fell in with the North America. And her captain, Grinnell, bringing with him his mate and two boats’ crews, came on board of us to see oe Brice, our commander. Of course a good chat was had among officers ane hands. _ They informed us of a singular circumstance, which only a few days before had occurred in connection with themselves. Right in the midst of a school of whales, they had en- countered an enormous serpent. Tt had piaticn te close to them, lifting its scaly head high . above the waves And while rushing through the water had the appearance of an immense chain of casks, drawn along with great velocity by some submerged steam tug. It was bigger than the mdinmast, they said, and twice the length of the ship, It was embarrassing to deny, to a person’s face, the exist- - ence of a thing he assures us that he hag seen. But sailors are not over nice in this particular. I have heard one tell a shipmate that he would try to believe enough of his story to oblige him. _ Thus it may well be imagined that no attempt was made to disguise the incredulity with which the account. of the North America’s crew was received in our forecastle. Our chaps evidently thought that there might be some foundation of fact for the story, but they were not prepared to accept all its embellishments. Ape i They admitted that the snake might have been as large as the mnizzen topmast, but further than this their marine court-, esy would not go. It was desirable to know what the North America’s captain would have to’say on the subject. We soon found out that Captain Grinnell ectrsberated the story of his men, and had related the extraordinary yarn to Captain Brice. gs | While his mate was no geet positive in the same direction. - ‘Our hands therefore concluded that the North America’s erew had seen something remarkable. For some days the great sea serpent formed the chief |: theme of conversation on board the Luminary, and all that any of the crew had ever heard or read concerning the species of ocean’ monster to which the individual in question must ; belong, was brought up afresh and related with new interest. ‘The most obstinate doubter in this case was old Bill Stey- ens, who headed the third mate’s boat. d flukes,” ” he ‘said, er a piring, of porpoises peng, elon on i sts: was’ only two or three whales close together, turning But as the sun rose, after a short night of only four hours, — it showed the Luminary’s crew that it was not beauty alone, but peril also, which surrounded them. To the northward of us, stretching along our course as far as we could see, rose a great turreted wall, that gleamed Aas innumerable hues. While to the south the sea had the appearance of bearing an immense and shining flotilla, compared with which the vast Spanish Armada would sink into contempt. Astern, or nearly so, ag if soon to close up the gap through which we had passed, was a tall berg, that looked as if broken from the main body, and swinging ‘around like a ship from a pier head. Right ahead, however, between the two main ee. witch were some six miles apart, the sea was open. And Captain Brice ordered all sail to be made on the Lumi- nary, in order to get through this ice- -formed Home as soon as possible. And thus the two ships stood on. a We soon pereeived that the line of ice on ‘each Rana ius broken and further away, no longer stretching directly to the west, but falling off to northwest and southwest; while a dis- — tant turret here and there showed itself ahead. vibe It seemed as if we had run into a little bgt Nel sea, sure rounded with moving shores. Pew Captain Brice felt great anxiety as to whiethor our way upon ‘ the opposite side of the gigantic trap into which we had entered might not be completely barred. Over three lookouts were aloft, but they were ‘more intent upon ice than whales. G: Indeed I do not think that any person on board remem-— i bered that the Luminary was a whaler at all, until suddenly there came from the main topgallant sadebetiee the old Ws Sk far ery: “ Sti she blows!” Howing breaching, or ee Nes flukes. Three big fellows came up within half a mile of the Nor I America and we saw her boats go Bplash ie into the, wate before our Own Were down. ; ‘ Soon, Soba we were off front our ship's Ss defor oa the vessel—nearly, or quite enough, to complete ou plement of oil. But, in the meantime, one of the boat's. crews had startled by seeing something in = water gee to the only ihe upper derdon visible. - i e Bo Bill Stevens growled as the circumstance was ¢ the ice. ; fe Oat snake,” said he, “is a. warm weather bird. very likely to lay and hatch here.” | Still, the hands didn’ { like ihe idea of that su —even abies of them. who had not seen it.
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PLUCK AND LUCK. The position was one of great danger. ‘ment close upon us, crushing the ship to atoms. « But at length, while boiling out at night about two miles - Our four boats were instantly in the water and pulling for And even should thig not happen, there could still be no | her. chance for release until the breaking of the great ice ring. But flanies on. 1 board: a whaleman, when once started, spread Nevertheless it was determined to proceed with cutting in | with fearful rapidity, and before we reached her the entire our catch of the previous day, just as if we were not prisoners. crew of our unfortunate consort had been driven into their And as two large whales were in the meantime raised, a | boats. , : We were imprisoned within walls which might at any mo- |from us, she caught on. fire. | : } mile from us, the captain, in order to be sure of having enough {0 fill, ordered the third and fourth mates to lower for One of them, while he himself, and the greater part of the -@rew, should remain on board. The two whales were turning flukes and breaching among some detached masses of ice. _ I was with the fourth officer. The third mate wag close abreast of us, and both boats were pulling for the same animal, when up went its tail, and it disappeared, just where the shadow of a tall berg, near which it was, fell deep and still in the water. We pulled along to the spot where it seemed likely that he would breach, and then all hands lay on their oars, waiting for the huge black shape to shoot above the surface. In such high latitudes the ocean depths have a clearness of which those who have never sailed beyond the temperate zone have no conception, And now, while looking down from the gunwhales of the two boats, with no wind to break the mirror that rolled in awful home of stillness fathoms and fathoms below. ) Bill Stevens was at -his place in the bow of the third mate’s boat. ‘ } ne ERst! ? she wala at length; “he’s coming! a slant, and he’ll breach right ahead of us. he shoots out of water!” ‘The old sailor gatherea his iron and braced his right foot. _ Tien peered downward. But this time he started back with a wild, frightened coun- tenance. “Powers of pigiron! ” he cried, “what’s that with him? Stern all! stern all!” ‘With a springing sweep of the oars, the third mate’s ; boat Was sent stern foremost for a number of fathoms, i While looking: down from the side of our own boat we saw some immense shape, like that of a monstrous snake, gliding along, shadowy and indistinct, with the tail directly beneath us, and the head lost to. view somewhere near oP coming whale,’ , The latter’ now mbkeachiod high out “ot water, then struck vaptted right and left, and up and down, with its saci and finally started off at tremendous speed. 5 As. iat did so there came to the surface what seemed the top. of an ‘enormous wheel, without Epp Ke or belt, which Med heavily over and was gone. ut the reader may judge something of the awe with which Ye) eheld the sea monster, in returning io its ried oe ae ihe Bsc our pmo He's rising with Til take him as Dee eee ge tae ee ——— se =. Bi als asd Rpane esse oa hee never-resting swells, the eyes of the sailors penetrated the The fire had seized upon the oil in the two greatekeitles and upon a pile of blubber near them. Thence it ran fore and aft the deck, and leaped into the frigging. There was at the time a sharp breeze, and the swell heaving . under the ice had begun to separate the poe le. masses from each other. The ship was not far from some of these, and in the glare of the flames they looked like pyramidg of red glass, dazzling one’s eyes with their glow. For miles away the ocean grew ecenbon: in the light of the bhurring ship. There were now eight boats near her, containing her own men and ours, and we were gazing hopelessly at the blaze, that seemed to scorch the clouds, when all hands were horror. struck by a gigantic apparition that’ shot out “ees the water, close to the vessel’s side. + The ghastly head, some twelve feet in length, supported by ‘a scaly and shining neck, twenty-five feet long, kept shifting quickly from side to side, and glaring about as if in aston- ishment and alarm. ; Not a soul of us stirred. We all sat speechless and rigid, like frozen men. ‘Soon a tail, full two’hundred feet from the head, delivered a sharp whipping angry blow upon the water. The whole length of the body between the two extremities rose up to view—a most hideous long black mass, and next, the whole horrible monster was in rapid motion, making the waves foam, with its terrible speed. A dozen times it circled around the ship, as if Pavetriated by the prodigious pillar of flame, then darted beneath the surface like an arrow. i “Spring to your oars, men!” cried both commanders in a breath. 29° And we were off for the Luminary, every one of the eight. . boats carrying a White bone in its mouth, as the marine ex- — pression is, and old Bill Stevens breaking his oar short off, with the frantic strength given him by his unspeakable fright. At intervals, after reaching our ship, we could perceive some living creature in the water near the consuming vessel, and. doubted not that her destruction had still one horrible spec- | tator.. To the great serpent there was evidently a witchery i the 5 sight of fire, which caused him again and again to revisit the scene, after having dived below. We were glad when the conflagration was over, and only oil casks and half burned pieces of wood lay drifting about on rn the waves. Next morning the ice had.so broken up that the iuininar ‘made her way out of it, and before night was far to the northward, standing with a fresh southerly wind for Akarao Bay, in New Zealand, where, in about one week, we safely arrived, and encrsly afterwards took | our departure thence for | home. » Bill Stevens had no fault ‘to find with snake. stories, wid , 1g Fu a finally the Luminary ‘had all gs So Said that an account of what we had seen ought to be mt ch someth g to spare, and it remained only. for us to ‘the | ‘papers; but somehow it was allowed t i ; her ice- eked ber owes we Reel Weert bulk lead of ee es PRR aati Lia fi Hat ©
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These Books Tell You Everything! A COMPLETE SET IS A REGULAR ENCYCLOPEDIA! Bach book consists of sixty-four pages, printéd on good paper, in clear type and neatly bound in an attractive, illustrated cover. Most of the books are also profusely illustrated, and all of the subjects treated upon are explained in such a simple manner that child fn ae a understand them. look over the list as classified and see if you want to know anything about the subjects mentione THESH BOOKS ARH FOR SALE BY ALL NEWSDEALERS OR WILL BH SENT BY MAIL TO ANY ADDRESS FROM THIS OFFICE ON RECHIPT OF PRICH, TEN CENTS HACH, OR ANY THREH BOOKS FOR TWENTY-FIVH CEN'BS. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAM AS MONBY. Address FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, N.Y. MESMERISM. No. 72. HOW TO DO SIXTY TRICKS WITH OARDS.—Bme No. 81. HOW TO MESMERIZE.—Containing the most ap-| racing all of the latest and most deceptive card tricks, with - proved methods of mesmerism; also how to cure all = of.| lustrations. By A. Anderson. ‘diseases by animal megnetism, or, magnetic healing. By Prof. Leo cache Hugo Koch, A. C. &,, author of “How to Hypnotize,” ete. PALMISTRY. No. 82, HOW TO DO PALMISTRY.—Containing the most ap- proved methods of reading the lines on the hand, together with a full explanation of their meaning. Also explaining phrenology, and the key for telling character by the bumps on the head. By Leo Hugo Koch, A, C. S. Fully illustrated. HYPNOTISM. No, 88. HOW TO HYPNOTIZH.—Containing valuable and in- structive information regarding the science of hypnotism. Also explaining the most approved methods which are employed by the leading hypnotists of the world. By Leo Hugo Koch, A.0.8. SPORTING. No. 21. HOW TO HUNT AND FISH.—The most complete hunting and fishing guide ever published. It contains full in- ‘ ‘structions about sg hunting dogs, vba trapping and fishing, No, 68. HOW TO DO CHEMICAL TRICKS. Containing over d highly amusing and instructive tricks with. chem. together with Lp of game and By hundre - ; = & A. Anderson. Handsomely illustrated. No. 26. HOW TO ROW, SAIL AND BUILD A BOAT.—Fully No. 69. HOW TO DO SLEIGHT OF HAND.—C ‘fe illustrated. Every boy should know how to row and sail a boat. fifty of the latest and best oe sed by magicians. mia’ ‘conta Full instructions are given in, this little book, together with in- B ing the secret of sero sight. Sa Reg A. Anderson. structions on swimming and riding, companion sports to boating. No. 70. HOW MAKR a ae Jontaining full No. 47. HOW TO BREAK, RIDE AND DRIVE A HORSE.— ‘A complete treatise on the horse. Describing the most useful horses pare ated miking Magic, Toys and Getic af many kinds, | for business, the best horses for the road; also valuable recipes for No. 73. HOW TO DO TRICKS WITH NUMBERS. _—Sh ow! diseases peculiar to the horse. ae many curious tricks with figures and the magic of numbers, | No. 48. HOW TO BUILD AND SAIL CANODS.—-A handy Audevsum-cHiGily ian tat: 6 book for boys, containing full: directions for constructing canoes No. 75. HOW TO BECOME A CONJURO re : . and the most popular manner of sailing them. HWully ilustrated. ikea with Dontnoa. Wise, Oune aidvitalia diate Shes ontatng By ©. Stansfield Hicks. ihivey.cie fligateattonae, kip Peay ya fer a Ch is Em ee FORTUNE TELLING. No. 78. HOW.TO DO THE BLACK ART.—Containing a ci No. 1. NAPOLEON’S ORACULUM AND DREAM BOCK.— | plete description of the mysteries of Magic and. Fe Gar of | Containing the great oracle of human destiny; also the true mean-| together with many wonderfal es ci inh ing of almost any kind of gery together he charms, ceremonies, eA TEDW BREE Ain DREANS vende 4 MECHANICAL, | 0. Everybody dreams,} no 99, HOW TO. BECOME AN Aa y from the “little Mild to the aged man and woman. ‘This little book should know how inventions originated, ‘This book a “gives the explanation to all kinds of dreams, together with lucky and unlucky days, and “Napoleon’s Oraculum,” the book of fate. all, giving examples in electricity, hydraulics, fore ne 5 The most etree oe No. 28. HOW TO TELL FORTUNHS.—liveryone is desirous of | etmatics, mechanics, ete, * knowing what his future life will bring forth, whether happiness or fieeh Gti nae tog evaeer a on ee Hees se ie ee wealth or poverty. You can tell by a glance at this little | ™St™U eo aineett D ae > Hi don er a ‘er cage Buy one and be convinced, Tell your own fortune. Tell] Sineer: also, directions for building a model locomotive; the fortune ¢ of your friends. with a full description of everything an en oe should kn: No. 76. HOW TO TELL FORTUNES BY THD HAND.—] ,. No. 57 HOW TO MAKE MUSICAL INSTRUM Containing rules for telling fortunes by the aid of lines of the hand, ps apap eles Pe 5 Beaor ee eee Rape nD, Xy or the secret of palmistry. Also the secret of telling future events sonia ei ie Seales sage musical phe att cae by aid of moles, marks, scars, etc. Illustrated. By A, Anderson. modern times. Profusely illustrated. By Algerno : ATHLETIC. for twenty years bandmaster of the Royal Bengals ar ines. No. 6. HOW TO BECOME AN ATHLETH.—Giving full in-{° No. 59. HOW TO MAKE A MAGIC LANTH — struction for the use of dumb bells, Indian clubs, parallel bars, | a description of the lantern, together with its history and it horizontal bars and yarious other methods of developing a good, | Also full directions fer its an and for painting’ ‘slides, ti D) b illustrated. By John Alle healthy muscle; containing over sixty illustrations. Hyery boy can How TO no. 1 ROHANICAL TRICK 11 the instructions con da} No. 71. Re becom Tittle. ee atop oh ager gaat : ratte complete instructions for performing oyer sixty Mecha '_ No. 10. H aes OW TO BOX.—The art of self-defense made easy. | By A. Anderson. Fully illustrated. ‘ ‘ Containing over thirty illustrations of guards, blows, and the ditfer- ig Be ed ent paitlone of a good boxer. Hyery boy should obtain one of LETTER WRITING. these useful and instructive books, as it will teach you how to box No. 11. HOW TO: WRITE LOVE-LETTERS.—a& n without an instructor. plete little book, containing full directions for writing lo No; 25. HOW TO BECOME A GYMNAST.—Containing full ang BOS is ee them, giving. ing epeciaien Lert for ADtH instructions for all kinds of gymnastic sports and athletic exercises. : 2. TO 2S glee eon a U Embracing thirty-five illustrations, By: Professor W. Macdonald. | Co™P ete instructions for writing d rs to ladies a] . ee handy ¢ and useful book, also i iy hoe introduction, ant an mae ey y pth e se No. 34 HOW TO FENCE.—Containing full instruction for ones . HOW Ree ft ie Jee to gentl G i fencing Maa the use of the broadsword; also instruction in archery. | © ntaining full oe te foe asin on. gentlemen on a Described with twenty-one practical illustrations, giving the “he ene ae How ° TO WR es : gab seine. palais: eka book, telling you how to- ae ies to vane 8 ree . TRICKS WITH CARBS. | | mother, sister, brother, employer; ana, in No, 51. €OW TO DO eee ae Born be ont ing body you wish t ane this books ‘man an e pare: genera pri ciples of sleight-of-hand applicable “In | I : gust ein tr’ ith ordi cards, Sh ASING HO RITH L Containing deceptive Card Tricks as performed by leading conjuro: and magicians. Arranged for home eos oi. Fully illustrated. 4 MAGIC. No. 2, HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The great book of magic. eard tricks, containing full instruction on all the leading card t of the day, also the most popular magical illusions as perform: by — our leading magicians; eyery boy should obtain a copy of this book as it will both amuse and instruct, No, 22. HOW TO DO SECOND SIGHT.—Heller’s second ‘i ; explained by his former assistant, Fred Hunt, Jr. Explaining. how — the secret dialogues were cargied, on between the magician and boy on the stage; also giving all the codes and signals, ie onl me et explanation of second sight, : 4 43, HOW TO BECOME i$ MAGICIAN. he intlntng ‘ grandest assortment of magical illusions ever placed before the ae Also tricks with cards, incantations, ete. Illustrated.
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™“ 3 THE STAGE. No. 41. THY BOYS OF NEW YORK BND MEN’S JOKE BOOK.—Containing a great variety of the latest jokes used by.the most famous end men. No amateur minstrels is complete without this wonderful little book. No. 42, THE BOYS OF NHW YORK STUMP SPEKAKDR.— Containing a varied assortment of stump speeches, Negro, Dutch and Irish. Also end men’s jokes. Just the thing for home amuse- ment and amateur shows. No. 45. THE BOYS OF NEW YORK MINSTREL GUIDE AND JOKH BOOK.—Something new and very instructive. Hyery boy should obtain this book, as it contains full instructions for or- ganizing an amateur minstre! troupe. Bee No. 65. MULDOON’S JOKES.—This is one of the most original joke books ever published, and it is brimful of wit and humor. It contains a large collection of songs, jokes, conundrums, etc., of Terrence Muldoon, the great wit, humorist, and practical joker of the day. Every boy who can enjoy a good substantial joke should obte'n a copy immediately. > No, 79. HOW TO BECOMH AN ACTOR.—Containing com- plete instructions how to make up for yarious characters on the . @tage; together with the duties of the Stage Manager, Prompter, - Scenic Artist and Property Man. By a prominent tage Manager. ; No, 80, GUS WILLIAMS’ JOKE BOOK.—Containing the lat- est jokes, anecdotes and funny stories of this world-renowned and ever popular German comedian. Sixty-four pages; handsome - colored cover containing a half-tone photo of the author, ¥ ‘ . Yi : : HOUSEKEEPING. , No, 16. HOW TO KHEP A WINDOW GARDEN.—Containing full instructions for constructing a window garden either in town ; or country, and the most approved methods for raising beautiful ; five at home. The most complete book of the kind ever pub- lished. . 3 ° 4 _ No. 30. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive books on cooking ever published. It contains recipes for cooking meats fish, game, and oysters; also pies, puddings, cakes and all kinds of » pastry, and a grand collection of recipes by one of our most popular _ cooks. No, 87. HOW TO KEEP HOUSH.—It contains information for everybody, boys, girls, men and women; it will teach you how to _ make almost anything around the house, such as parlor ornaments, _ brackets, cements, Aeolian harps, and bird lime for catching birds. repairs ti- abt vik “ETIQUETTE. No. 13. HOW TO DO IT; OR, BOOK OF ETIQUETTH.—1t great life secret, and one that every young man desires to know bout. There’s happiness in it, nae : 3. HOW TO BEHAVH.—Containing the rules and etiquette d society and the easiest and most approved methods of ap- to good advantage at parties, balls, the theatre, church, and e drawing-room. ; dheeacos .. .. DECLAMATION. OW TU RECITE ig the t pop tance, Post D BOOK OF RECITATIONS. ons in use, comprising Dutch | sh ish dialect pieces, together ey ae States
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me Latest Issues we “WIDE AWAKE WEEKLY” CoNTAINING Stories of Boy Firemen, CoLorED Covers, 32 Pacus. Price 5 Cents.” 127 Young Wide Awake’s Latest Recruit; or, Snatching His |182 Young Wide Awake’s Best Deed: or, Saving the Life of Captain from Death. His Sweetheart. 128 Young Wide Awake and the “Sylvia”; or, ‘Basing Life on | 1388 Young Wide Awake’s Deadly Peril; or, Good Work a = the River. Insane Asylum. i 129 Young Wide Awake’s Leap in the Dark; or, Capturing the | 134 Young Wide Awake’s Struggle in the Dark; or, Trapped in “League of. 3.” a Flooded Cellar. | 2 130 Young Wide Awake’s Eiaeamd; or, Stopping a Theatre|135 young Wide Awake’s Swift Run; or, Saving the Mia- Fire. night Express. < 131 Young Wide Awake Off His Guard; or, sas N in a Ware-|136 Young Wide Awake’s Last Chance: or, Rescued from House Blaze. Certain Death. % “WORK AND WIN” — ConTAInina THE Great Frep Fearnor STORIES 2 ans CotoreD Covers. 32 PAGEs Prick 5 OCmnts. ~ 510 Fred Fearnot’s “Hit-and-Run” Boys; or, A Hot Game All| 515 Fred Fearnot and the Headstrong Half-Back; or, Subd the Way. ing an- Ugly Player. 511 Fred Fearnot Shadowed; or, Hunted for His Life. 516 Fred Fearnot’s Best Trick; or, ngliiae Them All. 512 Fred Fearnot and the Man of Muscle; eo Meeting His| 517 Fred Fearnot’s Blocked Kick; or, The Play Weg Won vs Match, Championship. : 513 Fred Fearnot’s Touch- Down ; or, Pulling the Game Out| 518 Fred Fearnot’s Night of Terror; or, In Deadly Danger. MN, by Grit. % 519 Fred Fearnot’s Desperate Stand; or, Winnigg in the Last s 514 Fred Fearnot’s Double Duel; or, Settling a Question of Half, Honor, 1520 Fred Fearnot’s Secret Foes; bein cllege on His gua ~ “FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY” Containing Svorrus oF Boys Wuo Max WU es Cotorep Covers, ~ 32. Pacns: Paice D Cry Bs 156 A Game Boy; or, From the Slums to Wall Street. 161 Dick Darretits Nerve; or, From Engine-House toe 157 A Waif’s Legacy; or, How It Made a Poor Boy Rich. ager’s Office. sia 158 Fighting the Money Kings; ot, The Little Speculator of | 469 Under a Lucky Star; or, The Boy Sse san Wall Street. Wall Street. “159 A Boy With Grit; or, The Young Salesman Wko Made His Mark. 163 Jack’s Fortune; or, The Strangest Legacy in the World b 160 Ted, the Broker’s Son; or, Starting Out for Himself (a 164 Taking Chances; or, Playing for Big Stakes. Wall Street. Story). Street Story). 7 x ee For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 5 cents per copy, in money ot postage star | PRANK TO TOUSEY, Publisher, ; 24 Union ‘Square, New *° . ‘IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of our. Weeklies.and cannot procure them from newsdealers, ‘they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut ickts I » 4n the following Order Blaak and send it to us with the price of the weeklies you Ww ant and we ys send them Y return mail. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. FRANE TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union ete New York, cs ate thn sreteee iy Dear Srr—Enclosed find..... -.cents for which nee send me: Pe are ale +++ -copies of WORK AND WIN, Nos.......csceceeseeheeeeneeeeeeeceweaenensteesenenen ei _“ WIDE AWAKE WEEKLY, Non. Les dudeqeneadecesaaeaconssdteuaoyorates yess “© “% WILD WEST WEEKLY, Nos.. i ... * © THE LIBERTY BOYS OF 76, None ecesseners : / bas ot ee CR ANDY DOO, NGS. ale nis capt vids de Suptelee ss suaneces Pome eNnn \ feo © SEORET SERVICE, Ne A olin hae aes . bs ie hceneai ‘ ) oo FAME mod FORTUNE WEEKLY, Na ae ‘an. k3 f 5
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Sorts of 32 PAC Stories "s back F 474 A Sawdusi By Berton Bertrew. +Trv . 475 Ived TFarre Temperance Story.) By Jno. 476 ‘The Marké’ By An Old Scout. 477 Liberty Ho. By Ex-Fire-Chie? Warden. 478 Among the Sun, Two New York Boys in Peru. By Richard R, Me Ly. 479 Engineer Steve, The Price of the Rail. By Jas. C. Merritt. 480 A Wall Street ‘“‘Lamb’’; or, The Boy Who Broke the Brokers. By H. K. Shackleford. 481 Chums; or, The Leaders of Glendale Academy. By Aliyn Draper. 432 The Little Swamp I’ox, A Tale of General Marion and His Men. By Gen’l. Jas. A. Gordon. 483 Nepebey. Nick; or, The Boy with a Hidden Million. By Howard ustin. 484 North Pole Nat: or, The Secret of the Frozen Deep. By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson. 485 Thirteen White Ravens; or, The Ghostly Riders of the Forest. By Allyn Draper. 486 Little Dead Shot; or, The Pride of the Trappers. By An Old cout. 487 Shiner, The New York Bootblack; or, The Secret of a Boy's Life. By Allan Arnold. 488 Whistling Walt, The Champion Spy. (A Story of the American Revolution.) By Gen. Jas. A. Gordon, 489 The Boy Maroons; or, Cast Away for Two Years. By Richard R. Montgomery. 490 Fred Flame, The Hero of Greystone No. 1. By Ex-Fire-Chief Varden. 491 The White Wizard of the Bowery; or. The Boy Slaves of New York. By Allyn Draper. 492 Harry Dare; or, A New York Boy in the Navy. By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson. 493 The Little Unknown; or, The oung Hero of the Reign of Terror. By Allan Arnold. 494 Jack Quick: or, The Boy Engineer. By Jas. C. Merritt. 495 Lost in the Great Basin; or, The Wonderful Underground City. By An Old Scout. 496 From RBootblack to Senator; or, Bound to Make His Way. By Howard Austin. 497 The Seven Tigers of the Mountain; or, All for Love and Glory. By Richard R. Montgomery. 498 Slippery Steve: or, The Cunning Spy of the Revolution. (A tory of the American Revolution), By General Jas. A. Gordon. 499 Blown Out to Sea; ‘or, Lost Among a Strange Race. By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson. - 500 The Boy Volunteers: or, The Boss Fire Company of the Town. By _Ex-Fire-Chief Warden. 501 The Swamp Doctor; or, The Man Witch. By Allyn Draper. 502 te ae Roads; or, rom Engineer to President. By Jas. C. err 503 The Boy Editor; or, The Struggles of a Braye Orphan. By Howard Austin. 504 Kit Carson, the King of the Scouts. By An Old Scout. 505 Lost Among the Slave Hunters: or An American Boy’s Adven- tures in Africa. By _ Richard R. Montgomery: 506 Rattling Rube: or, The Jolly Young Scout and Spy. (A Story of the American Revolution.) _By Gen'l Jas. A. Gordon. 507 The Doomed City; or, The Hidden Foe of Plummerdale. By Howard Austin. 508 The Pride of the Volunteers; or, Burke Halliday, the Boy Fire- man. a Bx-Fire-Chief Warden. 509 ee ge utineers; or, Slavery or Death. By Capt. Thos. H. son. For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent to any address on receipt of price, 5 cents per copy, in money or postage stamps, : FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, Beautifully Colored Covers 510 5 Dunning & Co.: | Happy Jack, the Daring Spy. } LUCK. PRICE 5 CENTS or, The Best Engineer on the Road. Always Ready ; C. Merritt Branded a Desh or, Boy Rivals in Love and War. Jas. A. Gordon. 7 A Scout at‘ 16; or, A Boy’s Wild Life on the Frontier. By An — or, The Search for the Great Blue By Jas. ‘By Gen'l Old Scout. Diamond Dave, the Waif: Stone. ty Richard R. ‘Montgomery. 4 Re nee Corsican ; or, The Boy of the Barricades. By Allan Arno Headlight Tom, the Boy Engineer. By Jas. C. Merritt. ar St Despatch; or, The Blind Boy of Moscow. By Allan Arnold. The Swamp Rats: or, The Boys Who Fought for Washington. By Gen’! Jas. A. Gordon. Nino, the Wonder of the Air. A Story of Cireus Life: Berton Bertrew. A Fireman at Sixteen; or, Through Fiame and Smoke. By Ex- Fire-Chief Warden. 100 Feet Above the Housetops: or, of the onal By Cap Church Steeple. By Allyn Draper. The Boy Explorers: or, Abandoned in the Land of Ice, The Mystery Thos. HW. Wilson. The Mystery of the Volcano. A True Story of Mexico. B. Howard Austin. Fighting with Washington; or, The Boy Regiment of the Revolu tion. By Gen’l. Jas. A, Gordon. The Smartest Boy in Philadelphia; or, Dick Rollins’ Vight fer ‘a a Living. By Allyn Draper. The White Boy Chief; or, The Terror of the North Platte. By An Old Scout. : The Boy Senator: or, How He wer His Toga By Allan Arnold. Napoleon's Boy Guardsman; or, A Hero at Highteen, By Rich- j* ard R. Montgomery a bi 4 Bes ‘Adrift; or, The Trip of the Daisy. By Capt. Yhos. H. ilson. Bob the Waif. A Story of Life in New York. By Howard Austin The Wildest Boy in New York: or, Saved at the Brink. (A True Temperance Story.) By H. K. Shackleford. ay Bushwhacker Ben; or. The Union isoys of Tennessee. By Co Ralph Fenton. The Night Riders of Ravenswood. y Allan Arnold. Phil, the Boy Fireman: (A Strange Story of Arizona.) or, Through Flames to Victory. By Ex . or, Fire-Chief Warden. The Boy Slave: or, A Young New Yorker in Central America. By Howard Austin. v the Boy Brokers. (A Story of Wall Street.) B A Retired Broker. , fe Daniel PBoone’s ee Shot: The Perils of the Kentuck Pioneers. By An Old Scout. ea tes se Office Boy: or, The Struggles of a Poor Waif. B Allyn Draper The Two Boy Stowaways: or. A Strange Voyage ona Doome Shi By Capt. Thos. H. Wilson. \: . Columbia; or, The Young Firemen of Glendale. By Ex-I a Chief Warden. & Paddling on the Amazon; or, Three Boy Canoeists in South ee America. By Richard R. he A Story of the Great Rebellion By Gen'l Jas. A. Gordon. ra Nameless Nat; or, A Millionaire in Rags. By Allyn Draper, The Boy Mail- ‘Carrier; or, Government Service in Minnesota. An Old Scout. Pe, The Boy Messenger of Russia; or, The Czar’s Secret Despatch — Bearer. By Allan Arnold. tt Monte Cristo, Jr.; or, The Diamonds of the Borgias. By Howar Austin. ‘ The Boy Privateer Captain; or, Lost on a Nameless Sea. Capt. Thos. H. Wilson. 24 Union Square, New Yor return mail. Ce FRANK TOUSEY, Publisher, 24 Union Square, New York. Dear Str—Enclosed find......cents for which please send me: . WIDE AWAKE WEEKLY. Nos... . copies of WORK ANT WIN. Nos... “ “ “ “ ics Big Soop) is WALEED AVVO i UIE BEY gt NOR 2 We ok aaine 2 fie ee DEB LI BEREY BOYS O} 276. Woe. at og oe ea Pes AND BUCK: PUOE ands Hs eas O55 Ee SCRE SHR Vases. NOS. .5...2 techs sister “ “ Ten-Cent Hand Bocks, Nos........... INSEE 1 Bly dio giee die thats Soieiee Sa ee ts BERCRD ANG oO wa". MM IF YOU WANT ANY BACK NUMBERS of our Weeklies ‘and cannot procure them from newsdealers. they can be obtained from this office direct. Cut out and fl in the following Order Blank and send it to us with the price of the weeklies you Want and we will send them to you by POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN THE SAME AS MONEY. ‘ 7 ; ace e ee eee Oe eer er eres eeseseserseseeseseseeeeeeeSeresesesesed eee eee reese reseresesesesececsecsseseeee ee FBOSseesees SCO988 FAME AND FORTUNE: WEEKLY, N08... 025... ccccccsecee sieeeieeie sis eait, sie sisie ac\ele oes mem Ae ar Re oh cr) RE Le Akin wie's vie « 8(0:g00/eai@ahecocele nya piaiareeaes o dja © 0 0 6 oct 0 © sie 6 61s 6 6 6 016 915 0 01 SGNCNS. 8 SU e, ope wie 6 870 a emma coe errr rerscercseeeseesere ey Ce td ee see eee Pe es ed ee seem ereeseeeeeosee State... tes ee oe