hum “mom.

 

‘11 mini mimmmmun "

rk, N. Y., at Second Class Mall Rates. Copyrigth In 1892 by BRAD”; up ADAMS.

“wayea.

Sin le PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price.
VOL  Nam ef- No. 98 \WLLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents- NO' 

MEli—IQEV—"MONTE’SPATE;Vor, PEARL THE-WPIRATEV’S PRIDE.-

Companion Story to “ Merle. the Mutineer," “Merle, the Mid y,” " The Midshipman Mutineer.”
' “ The Floating Feud: r.” "The Gold Ship,” and “Merle Monte's C_nise.”

BY COL. PRENfi—és' AIVNGRAHAM.

“mm my mum ma, I WILL 1mm: 3. won) mmmn mm purnv mr tn'r mmnn mum vrm nun.
SHALL POLLL' vmv WITH A ‘rqu'HB"

 

2x ’ I

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:  Mews 

If m

 

 

Herle Monte’s Fate ;,
. o, .
mm, THE PIRATES rams.

l I Companion. “cry to “Merle,.the Mutinaer,”

“hm-lo, the Middy,” “The Midship-
m Matineer," “ The matting
1 leather,” “ The Gold Ship,
Md “ Merle Monto’s "
Cruise."

, av COLONEL PREN'I‘ISS moriannm.

CHAPTER 1.
Hanna mourn.

'l‘wo armed vessels were lying at anchor in a
rescinded inlet of what is now the Louisiana
coast, and at a time when piracy on the high
seas was “gill becoming a thing of the past,
though the II of Mexico still floated upon its
waters a few daring rovers, too do rate to
give up their lawless lives even wi.h a cer-
tainty of death upon the gallows staring them
in the thee.

The reaches of the twp vowels in that
secluded) retreat was evidence sufiicient to prove
that some mystery hung about them, for few
craft ever found their way into a place so deso-
late and wholly away from all highways of
trade as was the inlet.

It was a little harbors e, large enough to ride
“at anchor perha hal -8rd029)l vessels, with
heavily wooded s ores, and a narrow passage-
way connecting it with the waters of the Mexi-
can Gulf.

Along the low banks all was drear, and the
foliage formed a wall almost impenetrable to

l the eye, with its heavy draperies of moss and

nant under rowth. ’ -

Even in the arkness that rested upon the
scene, the two vessels displayed a trim and
somewhat rakish appearance, one being a brig
of some three hundred tons, and the other a
cutter whose tonnage was not over a hundred.

Both vessels were heavily armed, yet their
crews were few in number, it seemed from the
half scoremen visible upon the deck of each.

“Bail ho!" ’ .

The cry rung out in clear tones, and from the
deck of the brig, where were visible but two
persons standing aft. 1 .

One of these appeared to be a youth, and be it
wasfwho had given the warning.

‘ other was a woman, and stand leaning
listleealy over the bulwarks, until startled by
the cry of her companion.

“ I see it, and she is standing into the
inlet.” said the woman..-

“Then it is the cruiser, and the end must
soon come,” responded the youth, in a low,
earnest tone.

All eyes upon both vessels were now bent
upon the soil. which was visible in the oiling,

Whaling in toward the Inlet.

 floithe cutter!" ,

., ,halied'the little cutter, and back came the

in a deep tons: _

a?" “1"” I ‘ '

._ your men at the guns, and stand rm

to ' but craft with a broadside, as I '

do Ital» answers not my signal,” was the

4“ " «nun-"miners ,andthemen
of t vessels went quie y to their 
and in Inches waited the coming of the s d

 

     

er. j ' .
v 8 It was bright starlight and the sail in the ot-

could be fairly seen heading in toward the

‘ en ‘ce to the inlet.

It mlghtbe that she was on a tack that would
brln her close inshore,to then stand ofl again;
but {naked suspicious to those on the vessels

the her, for she was pointed straight for
t channel. 0

learer and nearer she drew, until the time
2:31. forboh‘elrdeithir to g abowmndofr on
star too or .m n.
" The next momentdecided it, fa} shamed on
into~ the channel and at once the youth 01! the
deck of._the brig soiled a battle lantern and
whirled it five times aroundhis heed.

Almost immediately, while all eyes were bent
uponthestr r,camearespanse,forared
light was turn once in a circle, and a blue one

' ‘0”le followed it: both evident] held in a
men’s and. “ It is the Sea We , and Merle
> Monte has been Buses-full” a-le’dthoyonth.

i

I And then on into the inlet came the stranger,
shortening- sail as she did so, until 3 up
sharp, she dropped anchor not a cable's length

from the two vessels that had been appaxienfly‘

awaiting her coming.

Hardly had the anchor of the newcomer
found a place upon the bottom, when a been put
oi! from her side and approached the~brig.

As it came alongside, two persons Came over

the gangway, one of them in appearance an or—’

diuary seamen, in pea-jacket and general sailor
garb, while the other was in, the full uniform of
a on tainin the United States Navy”

“' am glad to see you back in safety, Captain
Monte,” said the youth, meeting the two at the
gangway and addressing the seamen. .

“And i am glad to get back, and to bring
with me,Captain Mayo Meredith, of the Sea
Wolf, whom you have before 'met," responded
the.person addressed, while the uniformed oili-
cer asped the hand of the youth, and said:

“ es, I have known your lieutenant here,
Merle, under several aliases, first as my cabin
boy Little Belt then as my friend and ally, Mr.
Be den, whomI believed to be an old gentle
man, and now as—” .

"Lieutenant Belt, the men call me, Captain
Meredith, though they know that I am a we-
man.

“ But I am glad to meet you once more, and
it is a happy moment for me now, ‘when I-know
you have come to take Captain Monte’s prisoner,

randt, the Buccaneer,” said the supposed youth
in an earnest tone. .

“ It is a happy moment for me too, Little
Belt, I can assure you, and by the capture of
the noted pirate c ief you have all done won-
ders, and accomplished what scores of cruisers
have failed to do," answered Captain Meredith.

“I sup it was a surprise to you, sir, to
see Captain Monte?”

“Yes, Little Belt, a great surprise ands glad
one.

“My vessel was becalmed of! the Delta, on
her way up to New Orleans, and Merle boarded
in his little boat and came into my cabin.

“ In his disguise I failed to reco ize him and
was astounded to hear him, say at he had not
only killed the Mexican pirate Eduardo, and
captured his cutter, but also had taken that
seiifemon, Brandt the Buccaneer, and his ves-
se . ~
“ N 0, Captain Meredith, I but aided Little
Belt here. and Mrs. Branch, to whom, permit
me to, resent you,” and the speaker turned to
the y, who has already been referred to.

' ptain Meredith greeted her .courteously,
while she ragl‘ied: ' ‘

“Captain onto is too modest, for it was his
daring plan that captured Brandt the Buccaneer,
and I was but an incumbent toaid in the carry-
ing of it out.” 

\ Well, madam, Ighave you all to thank for

it' and the deed will'raise the shadow from ,

9 Monte that now sits u

him with his
Government, and he will yet restored to full
honor.” '

fflYes. Captain Meredith; I live with that hope
in (ply heart.
1“ acted in self-defense, and tosave m slave,

Merck, and myself, took life, and for t I was
to death, and am now known! as

sen
rMerle Monte the Condemned Midshipman: but

,I have work of me to accomplish, a
when that isidone
eminent remove the stain it has at upon in

game,” and Merle Monte spoke w th deep fee -

g. ,
"‘ I wish you- would 'aek it now, Merle, for I»
can assure you the on of these, two vessels,
to say nothing of he Brandt the Buccaneer
it: lionsrbgsath  demandnthat you.
one , _ ' . r ,

“ Not yet, Captain-Meredith, for I am still to
remain the cmmag’derpf a havenless andfiag-
less vessel, in Gel S , which must continue
to cruise un I have it my pledge to this
hilly, a’pd removed from t seas one other bold

rats.

p “ Ah! can you mean the See'Marauder'l"

“ I do, sir.

“ A strange fatality took this lady and her
daughter to sea, to join, as she sup ,her
husband. who had departed for catch to
better his fortunes. ' _ >

“ He had sailed in the Galveston packet-er

ontezuma, which Brandt the Buccaneer ha

ntly ship a crew upen, and captured
when out in t e Gulf. ’

“A foe of this lady’s led her to believe that .

her husband had sent for her and her daughter

tojoinhim andtheystarted uponthe  3'

 

schooner ,‘ynway which":

then I will ask that my Gov-~

;’ he pirate ch

 

I“ y vemel, the Gold on cked up 

, i. i
. persons of! 'the wreck-this 335}, the oapbin,

and the man ’who had invo' led Mrs. Brahch
and her dau hter from their ome under 83-
teegés: of join mg the husband and father in '-
v n.
“ One of the boats. was picked up by the brig
commanded by the buccaneer chief, and n
which we now stand, and the daughter of, 5.
Branch was unfortunately in that one and hme
fell into the hands of Brandt, who thereby
possession of both father and daughter, for, as I
said, Mr. Branch was a passen er on the veuel
when it was seized by the pira crew." ‘
“Anyl now that you have ca tured the brig
and chief, where are Mr. Bran and-his daugh-

ter,” asked Ca tain Meredith, who was deeply'

interested in erle Month’s story.

" They were not ogoard when we captured
the Huntress, and B dt, the Buccaneer, says
he released them and sent them by a smack to
New Orleans, and I have since learned may a
coaster, that the little craft was OVerhaul by
the Sea Marauder, and Mr. Branch and his
daughter were taken prisoners by met/Pirate,
and, the duty I have pledged myse f to, aptain
Meredith, is to restore to Mrs. Branch those
whom she so fondly loves, and in doing so, to
capture that third terror of the Gulf, and thus
almost end piracy in these waters.

“ Now come, and we’ll go and see the pirate
chief, but as there is no longer needbf my din-
guise I will cast it aside.” ’ ' H ‘ ‘ ,

Ala-Merle Monte spoke he went into a state-
room and almost instantly returned, but so
wholly metamorphosed that his voice alone
seemed the same. ‘

The unkempt beard and wig had been thrown
aside, rein-cling a darkly bronzed face of rare
power of expression in every feature, and band‘-
some and outhful, for he was'not past eighteen,
though be ad the appearance of being older
on account of the stern resolution that stem
his mouth and dwelt in his brilliant black

e es. ‘,
yThe pea- acket and but had also been cast
aside, and e appeared in an elegant black uni-
form, trimmed with gold lace, and in his hand
was a cap encircled b a old cord, and with a
miniature shi of goldyon he front of it.

Such was erle Monte, a fugitive from his
Government, which had condemned him upon
the testimony of his rivals, and the commander,
though a boy in years, of the Gold Shi , a craft
that was known to cruise here and t ere over
the seas, with no nation’s flag at the peak, and
no port into which she dare go to drop anchor,
yet whose young captain had captured two

noted pirates and delivered them up to there“?!

vessel upon which he had been sentenced to
at the yard-arm. A i
human 11.
run smut  I ‘
IN the guard-room of the_,hrig, which he had

darineg seized and turned into a pirate cruiser,‘

sat a man of fine, resence, dignit of manner,
and face so stern t at“ marred t perfection
of his features.

Eis‘ physique was most striking, for both
symmetry and strength, though now upon his
wrists and ankles were hen on manacles
that held him chained to rings in he deck.

There was no look of fear I: ,n bishop,”-
,thou h he knew he weautterly the power of
his oes, and that his crimes were legion, and
31mg!“ any one was enough to condemn him to

ca

rm and was not enough cast flown by

unifo .
fearful {position- to no t' his appearance,

which was tidy in the me. ‘ ‘

Withoutthe door of the gnardlroom paced a
ard heavil armed, and, as though to allow
flf, for he was Brandt, the Bucca-

near, no chances of escape, there were stationed

several seamen to watch the guard fig. ‘

near.
parent y, that bribery might not buy the p
oner out of imprisonment. ,

“ Ah! I know that voice. ' '

“ I am to have a visitor from my boy captor
it seems,” said Brandt, the Buccaneer, anc-
ing up uickly from his brooding atti M as

at

Merle onto and Captain Meredith stop
his door. / .

The erd saluted and s aside in red
spectfu silence, while Merle . , placed the

key in the lock and threw. the door.

Well, Captain Brandt. ‘ have come to tell u

,. ' ,to-ulhtl’saia
 ’ i ‘ you  m‘e. "
"bathe-chief. V \

,gswuh..mhse¢ins Us.»  wool,

He was attired in an elemntéthougb fan}?! I
s

WWW ’

 

l. "

 

._._...___....n.._._ fl... . . c.. _u ..

for I have surrendered you and your vessel to
this gentleman.” . l

“ Hal Captain Meredith i" cried the chief,
evidently momentarily nonplused, as that gen-
tleman stepped into the guard—room.

“Yes, Brandt, we meet again, and again do
I accept you as a prisoner from Midshipman
Monte,” said Captain Meredith, quietly.

" Midshipman Monte?” sneer. d the irate.
“Then I suppose his capture of Bran t, the
Buccaneer, has given him his old place and rank
.n the navy?"

*‘ It would do more than that for him, Cap-
tain Brandt, if he would accept it.”

“ Is be such a fool as to refuse!”

“ At present he prefers to cruise in his Gold
Bh'lip,” quietly said Captain Meredith.

he pirate chief looked earnestly at Merle for
on instant, and then said:

“Merle Monte, do not be a tool, but accept
all you can get for your capture of me, for, if
you continue to cruise about without a flag you
will one day end as I will, at the yard-arm of a.
man-of—war.” '

“ I thank you, Captain Brandt, for your ad-
vice, but I firefer to do as I please in the mat-
ter’ said erle, coldly.

he pirate smiled. and turning to Captain
Meredith, he said:

“ Strange as it may seem, sir, I like the boy,
and I like his father before him,-for he was a
good frien to me.”

“ On r moment, please, Captain Brandt.

“It was reported at the court-martial that
{gm ,were none other than Merle Monte’s fa-

er.

"’ True, Captain Meredith, and I set that
rumor afloat, for I sought to drive Merle from
the navy, to further my ends."

> “ find you did save his life by a most daring
not?

“I did, sir, for, I was determined not to see
him die on the gallows."

“ May I ask your motive for this clemency on
your part, when you will end your life on the
gallowsthrough him?”

“ Yes, it was to obtain his treasure. for if he
filed, it would be forever lost."

"‘ But you failed in that?”

“I did, through the boy’s nerve, for he re-
fused to divulge the secret of where lay his
treasure.”

“ The same which on now have on the Gold
Shi '. Merle!" asked uptain Meredith, turning
to erle, who answers : I

“Yes, Ca tain Meredith.” . I

“ It‘wat’ ft him by his father, sir. who was
known is Montezuma, the Merciless, and created
the wildest jurors in New Orleans a score of
years ago 'his_extrava ant living. r

“ He wen to Persia to 've, and leaving there,
carried his «immense riches with him, slang with
his wife, and this boy was born one. night of
storm in the. midst of battle, and his mother
died then, while his father was killed.

I “like faithful shve, Mezrak, whom you
hog, hang. the head servant, brought the

lyec  unexl‘can‘cout, I then being an
under officer on ‘ . . '
“But I to get the treasure,’ was

thwarted- ‘- undatedriftinnnon

boo and yacht went ashoreonan islan . '

am...“ “film” “can” “’a who“
‘u an r n

y ' iledto find thdm: but wheg

give up

bad .
“Now, Captain Meredith, you have the his-

tory‘of the boy and his treasure, excepting that

my noel was wrecked upon the island where
thorium! were buried, and I escaped death to
go and get evessel to seek the place once more.
“ I returned there, to find that the boy had
thwarted me n, for he had already secured
a vouch? ~h treasure on' board, and it is in
that era ,, the Gold Ship, that he cruised after
me and on red new is most daring deed.
“How am your prisoner, it seems, and it
looks as though my end had come; but,” I
have lived, I will die, without fear.” ‘
The pirate chic: had spoken rapidly, and in a
manner that rovod he seemed anxious to show
that Merle onto was more _sinned a ainst than
pinning and Ca. n Meredith had stoned at-
tentiVely to that he had said, deeply in-
terested in that!» heard of the youth who had
in the ipast bead his protege and (fiend, and
whose l to had been one of such strangeromance
and Twig gamma. .
“ ell; plain Bnmdhlam glad tollnow
who:ng told me regarding ‘Mithhipma‘n

"‘Midshi anMonte”memdthem
“ Why, 0 lens fltto Eon-mend amenity-four

 

l

Merle Monte’s Fate.

as you are, and a better ofllcer lo~day thanrhalf
the admiral! in the service.” . '

“ I agree with you, Captain Brandt, for Mid-
shipman Monte, for such is his rank only in the
navy. is a born sailor and commander and he
shall have all justice at my hands, and I thank
you for your honest acknowledgment that he
has been wronged.

“ But my duty compels me to keep you in
irons on board my Vessel, try you for your
crimes, and hang you if you are proven guilty."

“ Why not hang me now and he donewith it,
for II] trial can but be a farce," snid'thc chief
bitter y.

“ No; if there is one thing in your favor you
shall have justicel sir.

“Now I will send a guard for you, and
have you carried on hour of my Vessel.” .

“I care not where I am; but what is Merle
Monte to do?"

“ lir- prefers to still cruise in his Gold Ship.”

“ \l v do you not seize it, as in duty bound,
for 2' ’ reuse has no flag.”

“ Lemme, Sir First", I have honor, and Mid-
shipman Monte having trusted in my honor, is
free to go as he came, with no act of mine to de-
tain him."

“ Then I have a favor to 'ask."

“Name it.” .

, “ ’It is to request Monte to send a message for
me.

“If he so desires he is at liberty to do so,"
said Ca tuin Meredith.

“ Wi you do this for me, Monte l"

“ Yes, if I consistently can."

“Well, let me whisper to you." ‘ ‘

Merle stepped close to the chief, who raisrd
his manacled minds to his shoulders, and drew
his ear toward him.

Then, quick as a flash of lightning, he sud-
denly raised his right hand, and it descended
with terrific force straight for the heart of the
youth, and in it was a small dirk-knife, with
ong, narrow, needle-pointed blade.

 

CHAPTER III.
BACK TO THE GOLD SHIP.

WITH a cry of horror at the sudden and daring
not of Bram'll', the Buccaneer, Captain Meredith
had sprung forward to check the blow.

But he had been too late, for Merle Monte had
himself thwarted the deadly deed of the pirate.

He was over watcl. ful, and when he had
stupped up to Brandt to have him whisper to
him the message, he had 8361] a. motion of his
right arm that was suspicions, and as the hand
was raised to his shoulder his quick eye had
caught sight of something held tightly in it, and
which . ad evidently been dropped there from
up the sleeve. ' - ‘ ,

Thus he was on his guard, and when Brandt,
the Buccaneer, had quickly elevated his hand
and brought it down,- with‘a knife-blade aimed
at the heart, his arm had been caught in a grip
of iron, which checked. its downward ,flight
though the‘keenflpolnt hndcut throu htho c otli
and pierced the csh for half an inc just over
thevitsl spot. l . > ‘

Then, still grasping the arm with a ’strsngth
that was almost superhumnn, for Brandt was a

powerful man, he drew a. pistol from his belt .
with v

and struck the knuckles several hard rag
the iron barrel, which caused thevpirnte utter
'a’oryofpain and d the dirk to he floor
where its oint onto [the deck, an it stood.
quivering Ire an aspen. A ‘ v
- Kicking it away outoheach, Merle released
his hold of the bleeding, benumbed hand or the
bnccaneer, and aprun backward, out 0: reach“
JustasCa ain More ith  his drawn
sword at t heart of the ‘ tended assassin, for
all had Occurred in an instant. .

“Hold! do noltlpheat the gallows by killing
him; Captain eredith ” cried. Merle, seein

that that oflicer was whi with ra at the so

.0! the buccuneer, and meant to, 11 him then

and there. , -

As he spoke, Merle clutched the blade, and
Captain Meredith said quickly: ‘

“ You are ri ht, Monte, and I thank you. for

your intertemncbg’ h m tb
‘ ou ave ago ~ war-ted
me by you’rmsltrengizh,y that broke the force of

my arm, for I sought to avenge myself by kill—fl

ing you, and make that afloat. his :1 er,

shoot me or run me through the heart, nd" us

cheat he hon ’3  ‘ - .
(Mule  ywwhile Cflzhin Mero-

dith said qrcklyl “Merrie, di _ knife not

w , I u“ «g ,5
l

m: ,5

tori-insomnia» l. , vni'i
.“Now, fir, I will have the‘vmls sud

\ L
«Jr'-
\.

 
     

\

   

\. -
 ‘._ .l_ ’I.‘

. to have you yet die on

3 

,_ .
‘ \
V“ .L..._..*fll.'.. ...' L ‘ “ .““ ""' T-.. 17' 3:,w......':.3:_‘::. . ‘

risoners in your charge, and return to 1:1de
hip with my people.” . w    
“ If such is your decision I have DMMTO
say, Merle,’.' answered Captain Meredith
“ Farewell, Captain Brandt. May Who
merlcry upOn your crime-stained soul. - :’
“ ow I vull send one down to bid you good-
ou will care less to see than yondo
erle turned on his heel to follow
outside of
e Bucceuder,

by, whom
me,” and
Captain Meredith, who had step
the guard~room, when Brandt,

said eagerly: ‘ ‘ -

“ Will you still pledge yourself to dome-a In
vor, Merle Monte?” v

“ I will." ' . V, ,

“ Then send a messen r to New Orleans .to
seek out one Basil Bruno ,a pianist; and a un-
bler; his plantation is on the Missimippi B ver,
and known as The Retreat.

“ Let that messenger tellhim that Brandt the , H ,j ’
Burcancor, is a prisoner on board the Bu *0! ‘
bl‘ig of—n er." '

" Weill” . 

“ That is all." . *

“ What is Basil Branch to you!”  - ‘. -.

“ It matters not what he is to me." ' -. > ' r

“ You set him and his daughter free whathy \. .
were yogi-,prisonors?” A K .. '

' l . ‘

l \

“ And on now wish only that message deliv- ‘ ,
ered to h m?” ’ ‘ .’
“That is Ill." \ ‘ ‘ "
“Well, he is not in New Orleans." ' ‘ 1* , ' /
“tht?” asked the chief, in surprise. ’ -_ ‘E
“I s k the truth.” v , , ‘3‘ . _
“ W ere is he?” ‘ . ‘ :g 7 'v 1'
“On board the pirate schooner knovm W » l
Sea Marauder.” ‘ ~' : , ‘ ‘. 
“ Hui And his daughter?” ' ' x-l‘
“ Is with him." ’ .
“ How came they there?" r ‘ . w
“They were captured by the Son Mr
from the smack which you laced them on bond ‘ ‘
of, arid the pirate captain olds them tor ran... ,  ,
so , .

m. l .
“Hal he! hsl Little ransom gold will beget»  r .:
out of Basil Branch.” ‘ . r , ' . A V
“ Well, as I cannot deliver'tho we,
fareWell,”and Merle lefttheguard—wm ‘ ’ e» ,
joined Ca tain Meredith. - ‘ .- :“c-srs’
Instan y orders were iven to hnwhumh
loads of men sent from t a Sea Wait 'to mum
the two dozen seamen Merhhadln‘o ' o .
brig und cutter and to take charge of?» “pop: '
turwedfl irate vessels hug their; m = .‘v: . ,
8 ese prepare onshore
Bell: slipped down to the "  ' ,
denly confronted the pirate (:th ” .  
The prisoner not in moody: allele? a
hand, which had received such in”
from the pistol of Meals Manta. :w ‘ ’
left, though of the pain hammered
he seemed nottobe thinki "L W A
“Well, Brenttord, we  V ‘2‘
Bolt, who had bode the sundown
‘bein one of Marie’s crew, hunt-snail
' “ Faggot? your voicefihhcoi" , V
mm, c v c pnscnerr' -l ,
feet underaclng hen, v   at“: s'
“.1 was Belle Denhnrn, mum ’

before. 'draggcd'mel‘m »

 
    
    
   
   
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
 
 

 
  
 

with yonéwhen you‘had- ‘ l “ - ,, ,
Monte’slsland‘nndIWyoh: a .  3
“ Oh, no, {or ‘I let yon’ggtho

“ I know on would.
back tothe slendforM
hue

       
  

down and captured on
,aidedhimtodoeo. .   v».— v

“ Now he  ’ madam, new 7
Orlando, and I not 
until I see you hanged at the uni-arm. for? »
. “New I will but you». 

near, but number 1.1mm .

.1 We. /,

‘43

  

    

 

-  “theater:

, _ ct »
   
0 her word,but with clam;
3' ., ix, I" L" r 1‘ 3%,. I '

        

4

Merle Monte’s Fate.

.

 

 

at his bitter curses, Little Belt turned and
the pirate.

Upon reaching the deck she found two boats
alongside, with the crews which had been on
In cutter and brig in them, while Merle Monte
m at the gangway talking to Captain Mere-

“ I have seen him, and when he is hanged I
will rejoin the Gold Shig, Captain Monte; but
for the at, good. y,” and Little Belt
stretched. out his hand, and Merle Monte

y.
Then, as his rd, which had been relievod
by men from t 8 Sea Wolf, came on deck and

snared the waiting boats, Merle Monte said
w :
"Now, ptain Meredith, I must leave ou,

and when next we meet I he s I will be ab e to
give into your keeping the Marauder, her
on n and crew.”

ptain Meredith grasped the youth’s hand,
and then Merle Monte rapidl descended to his
boat, in the stern-sheets 0 which sat Mrs.
Branch awaiting him: the cars Were let fall,
and the Condemned Midshipman and his crew
pulled away in the darkness on their wa to
their vessel, the Gold Ship, which was hi den
in an inlet a league away.

CHAPTER IV.
THE sea MARAUDER.

Tim Gulf shores of the United States have a
formation that constituted them the iirate’s
paradise, as there were innumerable iding-
$3093 in the lagoons, bayous, inlets and bays

at indent the shores.

Upon either side of the Mississippi river were
these hot-beds of piracy during the last and in
the early part of the present century, and even
after the free rovers had been swept generally
from the seas, there were a few bold freebooters
who had their haunts along these shores.

It was in one of these numerous inlets of the
Imisiana coast that Merle Monte had secreted
the two pirate vessels he had ca tured until 0

unity offered to surrender t em to Captain
yo Meredith, of the Sea Wolf, and, as I have
before stated, his own vessel, a schooner, yet
known as the Gold Ship. was then hidden, and
most securely, though numerous cruisers were
there on the search for the mysterious craft,
whiohucommon rumor said was none other than
a

 

intricate and secure were these basins as
hiding-places that, at the very time Merle
Home was pulling slowly along the shores in
his boats on route to his Gold Sh p, after leaving
the Sea Wolf and her priles, be within a
fowcabios’len hsofacraft 1y gooncealedin
the mouth of elagoon.

Even had it been da light the boats might
have gone within a h feet, or nearer, and
not 'dhco . the craft, for, by a natural
canal, hardl wider than the ve-el’s beam, it
had been drawn into spend, for it wasno more,
where it could rest in safety.

It k upon this vessel, so securely hidden
away, that I would have my reader accom
mo, damn the very night on which
lento the surrender of his prices.

1130. in which it rode so. uiotly without

a down wunotthe of an acre in
fiyetthe water wasblack snddee and the

could have been druwu throng the nar-
row canal into the lagoon, where the breeze
could catohih angiu a quarterotan hour's

m iittiepoud, or lukelet, was by no means
a desirable anchorage, for its muddy hanks
wmtheruoetofsllgators, frogs croukeddis'
molly by do and right, and the trees were
somber in the; draperies of Spanish mosawhich
tailed to the black waters.

But it was the very place for a vessel to hide,
whose captain cared not to have his where-
o‘houta oven suqrccted.

The vessel thathad sou ht this secluded and
my refuge was a. so ooner of a hundred

burden, and carried a broadside of three
light twelve-pounders, and a thirty-two pivot
ion and aft.

1119 hull of the schooner was graceful in
model, and evidently built with a view to get
attire speed possible, and still be a stench sea-

The masts were exceedingly tall for the ves-
sel’s “id, and had the peculiarity of having
the topmask almost the same length as the
b”: “dwi'whb‘éi’l’i‘éflfi “to” “
gee , on a ma
which showed she could crowd on 
harmuntot sail. if necessary, above a very small

all.
Asiberewasneimedforawatch on deckin

erle

 

shale: Isureiii‘eaizfithe men hgd  t:
excep ng one, w o e cc
with a fluick, firm tread.

He had a cloak thrown over his shoulders, to
protect him from the chilly night air, and his
ap co was that of an omcer.

sently he started in his walk, for, though
evidently dee ly meditating, his quick ear had
caught the s ash of water.

It might be an alligator floundering in the
pond, or a fish springing up into the air to fall

ack a sin.

Yet e was not one, apparently, to neglect
any sound that had a suspicious nag about it,
and, nstantly he became alert, and peered to
war , he canal leading into the nd.

But suddenly, over the side 0 the vessel, a
peared a human form, and turning quickly, t e
oilicer confronted it.

“ Ha! Peon, is that you?” he asked, as his
hand dropped u n his sword-hilt.

“Yes, senor, have returned," was the an—
swor of the man addressed as Peon.

“ You Indians move with such noiselessness,
that I heard not our coming, save what must
have been the sp ash of an oar.”

“It is better to move quietly, senor," was
the reply of the man, whose appearance, as seen
in the starlight, indicated that he was a. Mex-
ican Indian of the class known as peons.

“ Well, what have you discovered!" asked the
officer.

“Two boats have
the Gold Ship, senor.

“ Well?"

“ They came from the basin, where I told
you the pirate brig and cutter were anchored.”

“ And you said one was the Huntress, Brandt
the Buccaneer’s brig?"

“ Yes, senor."

“And you thought that the cutter was the
pirate craft of Captain Eduardo?”

“ It was, senor.’

“ Then the two must have formed a compact
to cruise together?"

“ No, senor, they were both prizes.”

“Prizes! how mean you, Peon i”

"I‘iiéay 'were both the prizes of the Gold Ship.”

‘ 0!

“True, senor, for the young captain of the
Gold Ship captured them, and this night sur-
rendered them to the Sea Wolf, the American
cruiser.”

“ By Heaven! is this true, Peon?”

“ It is, senor.”

“ How know you this?"

“I went in my canoe under the stern of the
bri , and drew myself up to the cabin stern
porgs, and while there the Sea Wolf came into
the basin, and Captain Meredith came on board
gi‘eddfluntmss with Merle Monte, the condemned

“Iydid not hear what was said, but he sur-
rendered the vessels to the cruiser’s captain,
and with them Brandt, the Buccaneer.”

“ Hal then at last he will meet his fate!”

“ Yes, senor.”

“ Well, tell me more that you saw. Peon."

“ I only saw the boots leave the brig, and the
crowoStheSea Wolf placed in charge of the

prizes.

“ And who were in the boats!"

“ Captain Monte and his men.”

“ By Jove! what a chance we have ruined to
take the Gold Ship in the absence of her crew.”

"Yes, senor, but we did not know that the
crew of the Gold Ship had charge of the pirate
vessels.” . .

“ True; butryou know where the Gold Ship
lies at anchor

” Yes, senor, I saw her last night.”

“ How far away?”

“ Half a league trom here, senor."

" Peon, we have sixty men on board; do you
think it possible to ca ture that craft?"

“ Her armament is eavier than ours, senor.”

“ Yes, but I mean in our boats?”

“ ghe has a crew of sixty men, senor.” .

“ ut we have the advantage of a surprise.”

“ If we can surprise them, senor.”

“How far does she lie from the shore!"

" in the center of the 1 con, senor, which b
about a hundred yards wi e.”

“ And the banks?”

“ Are overhung with trees, senor.”

“ Then we can muffle our oars,tpull oumlves
along under the ovarharlikgliag)e ranches, and

I line can

Just gone up the coast to

dash out upon the craft, a cup-
ture her.”

“ We can but , senor.”

“I wlloullup o crow, and if we are suc-

cessful fiio cruise of the Sea Marauder shall end
for we will get gold enough to suit the most
avaricious heart.

“ Go below, Peon, and order the men on
leek,” and the officer turned and descended into
the cabin of the Sea Marauder, in which burned
a bright light.

 

CHAPTER V.
rim PRISONERS or a mark.

THE omcer who entered the cabin of the Sea
Marauder paused as he reached the last ster-
of the companionway, and threw aside his hi. ,
and cloak.

His face and form were thereby fully revealed,
and while the latter was elegant and graceful.
the former was noble in expression, and no
such a countenance as one would look for in one
who held command on a pirate deck.

He was dressed in a uniform that was some--
what fanciful in appearance, and wore a belt
containing two pistols and a sword, the hilt o!
the latter being gem-studded.

His face was youthful, for he could scarcely
have passed his twent -iifth year; but it was
resolute, fearless, him some, and, as I have
said, was not marred by the impre of a life of
crime.

The cabin was one of luxurious surroundings,
and certainly most inviting as a retreat, for a
velvet carpet and rich rugs covered the floor,
paintin were hung here and there, wherever
space 0 cred, ottomans, sofas and easychairs
were scattered about, and a table under a.
swinging lamp had on it arich silver service for
wines and refreshments, and a few books.

Upon either side of the table was seated a per—
son, each of whom glanced up at the appear-
ance of the young oflicer.

The one was a man of striking appearance,
dressed in a kind of sea uniform, and with a
face that was very dark, and almost forbid-
dingly stern.

The other was a young girl of fifteen, per--
haps, thou h there was that about her in calm
dignity an roundness of form, which caused
her to appear older.

Her face was one of rare beauty, though now
within her lustrous 0 es dwelt a look of sad-
ness, commingled wit anxie .

“Pardon my intrusion, r. Branch, upon
yourself and daughter, but knowing that you

ad not yet retired, I sought you or a little
talk," said the pirate officer in a tone of marked
courtesy.

“Be seated, Lieutenant Murell, for, dnce We
have been your prisoners, your kindness to us
has been such t at we have no need to
your presenco,” returned the gentl

" Thank you, sir; but I haved which
I deemed to be my duty toward , though
cruel circumstances over which had little con-7

trol, drove me to a irate‘s deck, I Yet have not
forgotten what h as to my fallow-beings in
their distress.”

“ This sentiment does you honor, sir, and I
would that you felt it, in lyonr power to release
in daughter and myse upon the ransom I
0 or.” w
, “I am not, .rir, unfortunately. my own
master, 12);? and}  wh:
wentup ec yr,r eyory, mac‘
from which he took yourseli' miner,
demanded that l be: you. 1 his return,
“airshow...”- n‘mmm when
an . W _ _ mm

" I can otter no larger sum, sir,” coldly said
the gentleman. , _ 

“ So you have said. uni-ind I believe you.”

_" The truth. is, I an) norms“: ric ,man, and

having been ca . ured b 'Brandt‘t unconcer-
_ mi: suing the 13mm up’Qn- whichyf'ssiled, and.
, rw

picked up a bootinwhichwasmy
child here, had to buy our freedom from him,
and have now but the ems I oiIer you.”

"I cannot accept t em, sir, I am sorry to
say; but as I have a 'n of hope for you, I
have come to make it nown.”

“Oh, sir, what hope have youi” cried the

oung l, in a rich, pleading voice.

" I w i tell on:

“I have a eon Indian on board, who isa
perfectseaman, and in his light skifl goes almost
anywhere he desires to.

“While dshin , two days ago, in the mouth
of the lagoon, saw a Vessel run in toward a
secret bayou up the coast, and almost at the
same time a brig and acuttor seek abaven down
the coast.

“ I returned to the schooner, and sent Peon as
a spy to discover just what,the vessels were, for
two of them I felt sure I recognized.

“He returned from up the coast with the
gem that the vessel there was the Gold

hi
I ‘ Hal that craft?" and the gentleman h“

sprung from his seat.

 

-mmia

0 5-35 1'

v-iv—u

_.._._.... .. .-. . . -..

 

Big;ng 1you know the mysterious vessel, Mr
M ,y  ,

"‘ ' 318%! craft that is said to contain im-
menee‘ We, and which Brandt the Bucca-
neer was continually searching for, while I was
a ‘ r on board." '

"‘Well,'sir, the Gold Ship is now at anchor
in a lagoon not half a lea e from here.”

“  Heaven! what a c ancc tocapture her!"

‘ said asil Branch ex :itedly.

ZThe pirate lieutenant smiled, and contin.
ue :

“ But to the other vessels, sir.”

(i Ah, Yes.".

“The Peon went last night to discover the
cause of their presence on the coast, and re‘
turned only a few minutes ago and made his
re rt."

‘ And he found them?" '

“ He did, Mr. Branch, and one was a Mexican
cutter captured by a Captain Eduardo, and
which be turned into a pirate craft.”

“ I have heard of this craft.

“ She is known as the Gold Hunter, and uses.-
man who joined us, or rather Brandt’s vessel,
reported that she was cruising in search of the
Gold Ship, but at the same time boarded and
robbed any defenseless vessel found on the high
seas' but the other craft, Lieutenant Mar .11?”

“ Was the brig Huntress.”

“ Hal the vessel or Brandt the Buccaneer?"

“The same, sir.”

“ And Brandt?"

“ Is a prisoner, sir."

‘ “Great God: you astonish me!” and 1335‘]
Branch arose and paced the cabin in an excited
way, that surprised both his dau hter and the
pirate officer, and which clused e former to
say calmly:

“ Father, why do you allow this news of
Brandt the Buccaneer to so nnnerve you?"

The man flushed, then paled, and throwing
bimselt again in his chair, answered in a low
tone:

“ It is surprise and joy at feelin that Brandt
is at last in chains, and will meet is late; but,

. lieutenant,” he continued:

“ Who was the captor of the brig?”

“ Merle Monte, 311‘, the commander of the
Gold Ship.”

(I No!"

“ It is true, sir, for while Peon was there the
American cruiser Sea Wolf swept into the inlet,
and the Condemned Midshipman surrendered
the cutter of) Ca ain Eduardo. and the Hun-
tr with Bran t. to Captain Meredith.”

‘9 bin is astounding.” v

“It in indeed, sir; but, as Merle Monte has
but retired to his vessel in his boat, and cer-

inl will not put to sea tonight, I have de-
old to and attack her."

“A bo d plot, sir, but have you the men to
can it out ”

“ have sixty men.”

“And the Gold Shipl" :

“ Peon reports her with a crew of three score;
but I rely‘much on my surprising her.”

. " Does she lie in a position that will give you
th'atéa‘dvsntager’ ”

‘ e one, ‘ spy reports.

“Then by dlzmea'ns attack her, and 1 will
aid on," said BasillBranch with enthusiasm.

“ t was to ask you to do this, sir, that'I sought
yon' here, for I have no officer toaidflme,‘ as We
euflered severely awhile ago, in escaping ' (mm
the Sea Wolf.”

“ You may rely upon me, sir.”

"Thank you, sir, and it we capture the Gold
Ship I will release lyourself and dangliter upon
my own responsib ity, feeling'that t e treasure
thus gained will more than repay my captain
for your loss.” ,

“And should I fall, sir?" and Basil Branch
glanced \in a significant manner toward his
daii'htlil' d Mis B b i to

‘ w regal- s rann asmyownss r,
sirl‘until I can return her to her friends.”

“Andlhould-you fan, lieutenant, will your
men release not" ‘

“,I will e my orders to that eflect, MP-
Brznch, an Peon will see that they are carried
on

“ why! am ready.”

‘31 call you, sir, when the boats are
' “firewall, Miss Branch, and b tor'thc
but,” and Vance Murcil,'iihe irate tenten'ant,
left the father and daughter no in  cabin.

CHAHER, VI.
A nucx SPY.

 

‘ ment‘stood thus in silence.

 

j." ..

i

 

‘ Mesa. Monwa  ‘

' i
chor hin a lagoon, some half mile from its
mout . '

The lagoon was deep, the, banks were heavily
fringed with trees, and the spot' was a dismal
one, but a secure retreat, from prying eyes on
any vessel cruising along the coast, in search of
craft that might be of a suspicious character.

The watchful lookout on , the Gold Shi
sighted the boats, and promptly reported the r
coming to the officer in charge, who was the
former ca tain of the Galveston packet
schooner, w ich had been wrecked in a storm,
with Mus. Branch and her daughter on board,
but who, with those of his crew that had been
picked up by the treasure craft, had willingly
united their fortunes with those of Merle
Monte.

ognizing the boats as those from the
schooner, Lieutenant Treuor, the former mer-
chant ca tain, called down the companionway:

“ Ho, ezrakl”

“ Ay,_ ay, sir,” and there appeared in the
companionway where the cabin lights fell lull
upon him, the form of a negro.

Black as ebony, deformed in shn , for his
legs were short, his body stout an arms of
great length. and with a head of massive size,
the person who answered to the name of Mezrak
was one to be feared by those who would bring
his anger upon them.

An Ab sinian slave, he was the one who had
reared erle Monte from infancy. and he loved
his oung master far more than all else on’earth,
while he seemed to almost hate the rest of man-
kin .

He was clad in a rich Persian costume, gems
of rare beauty littered upon his huge fingers,
and in spite 0 his appearance he seemed a
dandy in dress and love of ornaments.

He wore a pair of pistols in his sash and a
superb cimeter hung from his belt, the hilt
glittering with precious stones.

“Your master is coming Mezra‘k, and will
doubtless need supper,"ca led out Lieutenant
Trenor, to the slave

“ Ay, ay sir, I will prepare it,“ answered
Mezrak, in his deep tones.

A few moments after the boats touched the
schooner’s side, and Merle Monte was met by
his lieutenant.

Aiding Mrs. Branch on deck, Merle said:

“ Have the boats hauled up, Mr. Trenor, and
get all in readiness to sail at daybreak.”

“ Ay, ay, Captain Monte,” responded the 0&-
cer, and he at once gave the necessary order!
and while they were being obeyed paced to and

0.

After awhile Merle came on deck, and li ht-_
ing a cigar handed one to his lieutenan , to
whom he then told the story of his successful
svi‘irriicénder of the two pirate vessels to the Sec

0 . .

“ And Little Belt did not return?”

“No, and I will relieve you in her place to-
night. so get what slee you can.” _ ,

‘I hope no harm fell Lieutenant Little
Belt, Captain Monte?"

“Oh, no, she but remained to go in the bri
to New Orleans and, witness the executiono
Brandt,"the Buccaneer, after whichslie will re-

nn u-r. , I
J "‘ Poor woman, he has made, her rufler fear-
lullv." sighed Lieutenant Trenor.

"Yes, and soon she will be avanged for all
her wrongs; but now seek rest, for we sail at
dawn, and we must hunt doWn that see
der, for that is my one aim now. as her captain
holds 9 prisoners the husband and daughter of
poor M‘srs. Branch."

The lieutenant made no reply but left the
deck. and Merle Monte told the which they
could turn in and that he would remain up for
the remainder of the night.

Pacing to and fro he became lost in deep
reverie, until presently he started, for his quic
ear had caught a strange sound.

It was dot the cry of the night—birds on shore,
nor the snort of the alliga r, or crock of a
{30% but a sound that had a strange meaning

in. “ ’

SWPPm to the companionway lie ave a low
call, ' andgiustantly, Mezrak, the gbyssinian
slave a red.

“ We master?” asked Mezrak politely.

“I heard a sound over in the foliage, down
the stream some few cables’ length; listen and
lee It you hear it.” .

Mezrak listened attentively, and for a mo-

Thenhesai  “niet : ' . , '
“mgsnrji‘ligrfih‘zspim of of’oara", .
In; , , U a soundMezrakmr‘th  Vanoar

 
  

I x'
u

‘ ,, H.deth he“ , he

/

._ sword

Marau- '

 

m8. .

 

“Yes, master, but i! so thempre mu“

“ Mezi'ak fillies,” - ' r

Instantly he’cast aside his turban ands
cor-mime, and , pingover the hide
noiselme into water Merle went , ,
side and watched him, (or he know the ,
he ran in that lagoon, where allig
their haunts.

But Mezrak seemed to dread no danger, ad
swam rapidly awn toward the shore.

Ru mantles, w oh seemed almost Mun.
Merle awaited, looking searchineg out over-til?
dark waters.

At last he beheld a ripple upon the surface of
the legion, then a dark object appeamdlm
next, (zrak came over the side _0 the
schooner. , K '

“ Well, Men‘akl” asked Merle quickly, for the
rapid pace at which the slave had returned
proved to him that he had made some discov-
ery. '

“ Master, boats, filled with men are comingnp
the lagoon, and one await. opposite the IOhOOIP
er, now, for the others to come."

“ Ah! you have done well, Mezrnk; but you
alwavs do that, my brave friend.

“Now call the men on deck and tell them to
make no sound andl will call up Mr. Tuner

and arm myself." \
Merle spoke with the utmost calmness, and
Memk quickly disap to obey his order»,

Entering the cabin the young captain was
absent but a couple of minutes: and return'
to the deck was accompanied uy Idealism
Trenor, both armed to the teeth. - ,

The crew were coming rapidly 91d eilcntly
to theiii-mdpostsfifli:rminkgfl fiegselvcs (mm fltho-Ia

no as o a poo-g.
five minutes after Men-ak's yregiru . the
schooner all was in medium togroct a (on,
Ehich the Blackfipy had reportedm N‘s
em. '

CHAPTER. VII.
rm: hour annex.

Fox asbort time onlyhad the we! is»
schooner to wait for their ton to
selves, and
they hided c moment breathlcnly that“
open a fierce conflict, and lay my cl
number upon the deck“ ‘ ' ‘

The schooner swung starboard broadside».
the dark 551% Irma :hlcubgzhckuwn* ese’
pivoted,“ 0 up on equal

er-dcck near the wheel, while his lieutenant
Tr§n¢tir* wept forfiarldu‘. 0° .3

0 ar rom ere on wash ,wtp
had resumed his Persian arbome mm
excbagfed his handsome
stndd hilt, fox-once! anion bani V , H
as far as its capability for killing wag;

cemed. .

He hadgsostuck twoextra latch .
belt, and usurped wuamctthflnlw
“fingmfififiltbynm n u: ‘

are 9.. on or, '
formed b ackwas luch’that‘he cummr~

53

to
d h ' dan if . 1
£23." 34$? -

he said to him: -

“Marat. had on  both].  \ fit his“ I,
Cabin.to mtfilfsmthswafi'  W

got sins usonde‘c l" ‘ F.
“ t master so wishes," calmly 

'Mezrak. - i R -
“ It is my wish, Menrak.”

the companionwa , a ‘ p
where he found rs. ranch‘quite
fax-ding the expected attack from'n H .,
oes. ' '

To keep her mind oocu led, Mural: " '
that she load a number? of pictols,‘ , ’ 
them convenient for use dunngothmm
migan woman at once set  , _ V, ,5»
“ There they come, lads." ‘ .. q:

“Await in order to are," said.
low tone, a his words were passed , I 5
just as four dark objects came on. iron
the shadow of the show/and moved; 
toward the schooner.

 
  

it.

 
  
 

It was evident thpt those injhe _
pgch to complfggly .

ey came can a a - 4 .. .,
werenwfflesi. mgbleéfiépwté. ., .  ‘

 . 1,,
hr“

3.,  

ct it tuned in mmM‘lw' _

The slave simply bowed and made an  £ $3

evenentercdthc: , J,   ‘

and“?! w , v 
nhncwn-

"o
- \w

t, @957  "Ii/:1: ,.
 .,..     as "

    
  
   
    
   
   
   
  
       
   
  
    
   
  
  
   
     
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
   
  
   
  
  
   
   
    
    
     
 
  
   
  
      
     
   
 
  
   
   
 
   
    
    
  
 

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6

 

 

 

moor-men paused upon their cars, but gave
way again with a will, as a stern voice an-

ewered:

“Pull, you devils, and board before the crew
can eome on deck! Then raisin his voice, the
lame speaker answered Merle’s oil with:

“Ahoy, the schooner!"

“ What boats are those?" cried Merle.

“ “cm the American cruiser Sea Wolf 1”

“Keep off, or I’ll flre into on,” ordered
Mfrlp, sternly, convinced that t e man spoke
fa se y.

“ Pull, devils, all together, and the schooner is
ours!" were the words then heard, and with a
wild yell from their crews, the four boats dashed
upon the schooner.

n  y!

In answer to Merle’s ringing command, the
whole starboard bulwark of the Gold Ship
seemed to be a line of fire, and sixty muskets
flashed forth a shower of leaden hail.

Then came the pattering of bullets a ainst
wood, the splashing of oars in the water, s rieks
of agony, groans, curses and shouts of the offl‘
cars to “seize the Gold Ship and show no
mercy!”

The next instant two of the boats struck the
side of'the schooner. and their crews threw
themsalvee upon the deck, and at once a fierce
and most sanguinary fight began, assailants
and defenders becoming locked together in a
hend-to—hand conflict.

The attacking party realized that where they
had expected to surprise their foe, they had
been surprised by finding that foe prepared for
them; but the goal for which they fought was
the fer—famed old Ship, the capture ofP which
would make all of them rich, and they deter-
mined to win or‘die.

Their young leader, Vance Murell was the
first man upon the schooner’s deck, and he
fought with a courage that set his men a good
mmpls, and they rallied around him with a

He had boarded aft, and consequently was
opposed to Merle Monte and his defenders, and
the fight became most desperate.

Forward, Basil Branch had boarded the

cuconer with thirty men at his back, and he
fiught with desperation, for he felt how much
was at stake for him. '

But fr'om stem to stern of the schooner her
crew were held in thorough discipline, and they
met their foes with a cool courage that could not
be broken.

1f outnumbered, they yet cared not for that,
and never swerved when the other two boats
came alo . ids and boarded.

As smal -arms only were used, it was a fear—
ful, striking spectacle, to see the beautiful
schooner illumined fore and aft with the flashes
of the pistols, which showed plainly the fight of
gospel-“ion that was being waged upon her

cc 8.

Then, too, was heard the clash of steel meeting
steel, and cans, curses, cheers, and stem or-
ders ming ed to ether.

At last the so ooner's crew be an to slightly
waver when out of the compan onwa darted
:blaok form, upglhigilaarlildeflseemed {lo raid fire

nthem,sorap y ereistoa r
tel,” he rushed upon the attacging arty. pig-

f Hold, Mezrakl ' cried Merle, as e saw his
faithful slave hurl himself into the midst of the

" me, men, follow me, or he’ll be slainl
Come, Isay, for if he is harmed not one
atom of mercy shall be shown those devils,”
lhouted Merle, and he sprung into the breach
made by k, and before whom the assail-
ants shrunk away as from a demon.

Backed by his men the onslaught of Merle, in
oing to the aid of Mezrak, was irresistible, in
act, overwhelmin , and the boats’ crews were

mule-stricken, an turning, sprung over the
side in wild flight.

In vain did ance Murell, the pirate lieuten-

ant, and his ally in the attack, Basil Branch,
strive to ate. the current, for their men would
not remain onger, and seeing that all was lost
they too sought to escape to the boats.
I was a mad stampede, and but three of the
boats own. from the schooner’s side, the
fourth vi n captured by Mezrak, who
eprm into! and threw overboard those who
hedt ere trefu e.

And those t ree, still under the fire of their
foee,- pulled swiftly for the shelter Of the dark
shores, when they turned thong-owe down the
Inga, and kept up their wild ght.

t, ere the reached the open water they
beheld the ea: 5 unfurledu n the Gold Shi ,
and spread above her dec s like huge white

fl

chip, while the beautiful craft sped seaward

 

 

Merlelloeis’fi Fats

 

at a swift pace, as though anxious to leave
quickly astern the scene of carnage, which had
dyed red the dark waters of the sluggish lagoon.

CHAPTER VIII.
AT A PIRATE’S may.

I!“ was with the most intense anxiety that
Pearl Branch awaited the return of her father
gho had gone with the boats to attack the Gold

hi .

SE far she had not suspected her father’s com~
licit with Brandt the Buccaneer, so carefully
ad 0th he and the pirate chief guarded the

secret that he was really an officer upon the

Hunti‘ess, and not a passenger as he had said,

mi route to Galveston on the packet brig when

she was seized and turned into an outlaw craft.

His gamlilin having brought him to the
verge of ruin, Basil Branch, in sheer despera-
tion had turned to piracy, hoping in a short
ti :-e to redeem his fallen fortunes, build up his
estates again, and spend his latter days in what
comfort he could with his wife and daughter,
for his conscience carried a painful load upon
it.

But a bitter foe was upon his path in the cap
tain of the Sea Marauder, who sought to revenge
slighted love and his hatred of a successful
rival, and had inveigled Mrs. Branch and Pearl
away from home, under pretense that Basil
Branch had sent for them.

The wreck of the Vessel. upon which they
took passage, followed the separation of
mother and daughter, the former being left
upon the sinking hulk, with her pretended
friend but real foe, and the icking up of the
boat, in which was Pearl, y the vessel of
Brandt, the Buccaneer, when the maiden and
her father came face to face.

In the mean time the wreck had been righted
by the Gold Ship, and Mrs. Branch, Pierre, her
pretended friend, and the captain taken from
it, and then the capture of Brandt, the Bucca-
neer, came about, and the poor mother learned
that her husband and child had been released
and sent to New Orleans, to immediately after
hear that they had been again on tured, and
this time by the Sea Maurauder, w ose captain
she little dreamed was none other than Pierre,
the pretended friend that had mysteriously
disappeared from the Gold Ship one night, when
it was anchored off an inlet. awaiting the dawn
to run in and attack the pirate vessel reported
to be hiding inshore.

While the suspense-haunted mother was cruis~
ing in the Go (1 Shi , in search of the Sea
Marauder, that trim gittle craft, as the reader
knows, was hidden within less than a lea no of
her, and sending her boats out to attac the
very vessel that was looking for her.

After the capture of the smack, upon which
was Basil Branch and Pearl, Captain Pierre,
the one who sought to even e fancied wrongs in
the ast, had reocgnized is enemy and his
dang ter, and not wishing to be seen by them,
had left them in charge of his lieutenant, with
ordersto hold them prisoners until his return
from the city, whither he went to secure heavier

us and more men, with which to hunt down

he treasure craft of Merle Monte. ~

The lieutenant had obeyed orders by running
for the Lost Pond, where the reader has seen the
Bee. Marauder hidden away; but though cir-
cumstances had made him an outlaw, his heart
was not wholly warped from cod, and he had
pitied both Basil Branch and earl.

Most kindl had he treated them, and he was
anxious to ve them their freedom; but he was
left in command b Captain Pierre, and would
not betray him, so e lotted some way in which
they could go free an not compromise him.

The maiden had interested him from the first,
and the more he saw of her the more his heart
warmed toward her, until he was determined to
take a bold step for her release from the wer
of his cruel chief, and that step he decid upon
when he learned through his spy, Peon, that the
Gold Shi was anchored near.

Could e capture that vessel, loaded with fab-
ulous wealth, he felt it would be full recom-
pense to Ca tain Pierre for allowing his pris-
oners to go ree, es ecially as he would tell him
Bus]: Branch had albly seconded him in the at
too

The reader has seen how his best laid lans
fell through by the determined defense 0 the
crew of the Gold Ship, whose creyv was not as
large as the Peon had reported, and was really
outnumbered by the men from the Sea. Marau—
der; but that the treasure craft would have been

 

taken is certain, but for the quick ear of her boy y

commaiyiader and the y‘aluable services rendered
asyvhfeara,woa nrov o wer
of rough et'the critical momgnt of the gin.

. ._.__/‘

 

._ g.
To cor Pearl, knowing, or be] u b
did, t e motive that prompted her tejfi
in the attack, the ours passed m

len th along.

S e believed that her father was M
wholly by a desire for her release and hum
and had thus volunteered, when really his 0y.
were fastened upon the Gold Ship with hope of
gain, for he had in his possession proof that he
was one of Brandt’s lieutenants, which, if oom—
pclled to Show what he really was, he felt as-
sured would gain his freedom and his dau hter’s
upon the return of the captain of the Sea u-
der, for be little knew that he was a foe of his
of long years’ standin .

The Gold Ship Peargl had looked upon, from
all that she had heard, as little better than a.
pirate, and her commander a Condemned Mid
shipman who had mutiuicd and then scoped
death at the yard-aim by flight.

Hence she did not deem the attack upon her
to be unlawful on the part of her father.

Unable to sleep, she paced the cabin nervous-
ly, counting the momentsas they dragged along,
and starting at every sound.

U on the vessel had been left but four men,
for once Murell knew there was no need of a
guard there, and those she did not see not hear,
and therefore her position was one of abject
loneliness and gloom.

At last she started, for she heard the quick
dip of cars then a low order, and next came
feet upon t e deck.

She tried to spring toward the companion—
way but was unable to move.

‘ Had her father returned l”

“ Had her father been killed?”

“ Had the Gold Ship been capturedl"

“ If so, would her father and herself be set
free?”

Such were the thoughts and questions chasing
themselves in rapid succession through her
brain, and like a statue, bent forward, hands
clasped, e es staring at the companionway, she
stood an waited in breathless suspense.

A quick step crossed the deck, another order
was given, and in the voice of Vance Murell, the
pirate lieutenant, and then she saw feet dr-
scending the compunionway steps.

Yet still she could not move or utter a or .

Then a form appeared. It was that o the
pirate lieutenant.

She seemed to read the and look upon his face
and gas ed forth:

“My atherl”

" Alas! Miss Branch, it pains my heart to tell
you that he did not return with us,” said the
pirate omcer sadly.

“ Is he a prisoner ?” she hoarsely whispered.

“I think not, for I saw him turn to take to
the boats with us, when we were beaten ofl.”

“ Then he is dead 1”

She said the words hoarsely, and in the form
of a question.

“ Alas! I feel that it is so.”

Believing that her mother had gone down
with the wreck, and that her father was dead,
poor Pearl cried bitterly:

“ Oh God! I am all alone in the world and
worse stiil, I am at the mere of a irate.”

She swa ed forward as e spo e, her eyes
closed, an she would have fallen, had not
Vance Murell sprung forward and. caught her
in his arms, while he cried in thrilling tones:

“No no in beautiful Peerl,dyouare not all
alone,”for I W) 1 live for you an be your very
slave.

But she heard not his words, for she had sunk
into a deep swoon that seemed akin to death.

 

CHAPTER IX.
A 0001) Damn nummmn.

WHEN aroused to resistance, Mezrak, the
slave of Merle Monte, was a very demon, and
as merciless as a tiger.

Hence, when the crew of the Sea Marauder-
turned to fly to their boats and escape, he had
pressed them hard, and had cut them down
with his huge cimeter without the slightest

merc .
Ong of the attacking he had dragged
backward upon the eck, st as~he sprung
upon the bulwark, and the next instant his
head would have been severed from the body
had not the prostrate and wounded man fired
a istol almost in his face. .
he bulle‘t missed its aim, as It struck the
blade of the cimeter and glanced ofl, doing no
hour but the flash of the discharge had illu—
min the face of the rostrate man and instant»
ly till: murderous b e was stayed inite deadly
wor . .
Men-akweeonewhoneverforgotefeee, met

 

pour-v EH ‘5-

_. 4—wa—

 

 

 

t;

Under circumstances where there was cause to
remember it. '

Theman whom he was about tokill he had
met before, and what is more, be recognised in
bimmne who had once befriended him. ‘

His mind flashed back to the scene some time
before, when a, vagabond crowd had pursued
him in New Orleans, jeering his deformities and
threatening him with violence.

Had he turned upon them he could have

killed man before he was subdued, but his
death woul have followed, and knowing it, he
kept down his temper and suffered the abuse,
though now and then a stone would strike him
and cause the blood to flow.
l Suddenly a carriage appeared upon the scene
h and drew u , while a handsome, dark, stern-
!aced man dismounted and instantly command-
ed the crowd to desist.

The had jeered the deformed black, but
they ell back before the bold man who con-
fronted them, and he bade Mezrak enter his
carriage and at once drove him to'the pier oi!
which lay the Sea Wolf, on board of which
Merle Monte was then a. midshipman.

The man now prostrate before him was his
bold rescuer that daylong before, and by the
flash of the pistol Mezrak had recognized him
and ared his life and seeing that he was
woun ed, he raised him in his strong arms and
bore him aft.

'.
I
I
7
I
b
I
f
a.

wig.

CHAPTER X.

rim woman PRISONER.

“ MASTER, spare this man for my sake, for
though our foe now he is the one who served me
well long ago, the lay the crowd booted me in
New Orleans,” said ezrak.

“ Certainly, Mezrak, if he served you once he
is m friend now, not my foe. ,

“ him into the cabin, as he seems
wounded, and look to him, ” answered Merle.

Mezrak bore the wounded man into the cabin
and placed him upon a lounge, and then hastily
returned to the deck, for he did not consider his
work there finished.

He found the Gold Ship’s crew clearing the
deck of the dead pirates, by robbing them and
then throwing the bodies overboard.

_ Driven to frenzy by the attack upon his mas-
ter and his vessel, Mezrak set the example at
once ,of hurling the wounded as well into the
n, and are Merle Monte, who was quickly
to d of the act of his maddeued slave, could get
‘ forward to prevent, the last one of the pirates

‘ he‘d sunk beneath the dark waters.
to were lowered and an effort made to
save them; but too late, as they were. unable to

keep up, wounded as the were.

“ Mezrak, you have gr eved and an ered, me,”
said Merle, sternly, laying his hand ard upon
the arm of the black.

“Master, the sought your life and your in-

' ‘ heritance, and hey did not deserve to live, and
3 « had they lived to recover, it would be but to
die the yard-arm,” was Mezrak’s reply.

“ gtill

u did wrong and 1 cannot easily
forget'it, Minsk.” '

“Alas! master, do not be angry with your
poor slave,” said the black, in a low tone that
, quivered with emotion.
“ I believed you in the cabin, caring for the
wounded man whom you saved. '
“gieeserved me, master, and I would not see

. \ 've Memk, master,” and the slave

, - stretch forth his huge hand.

, Merle grasped it warmly, and instantly the

negro dropped to the deck and pressed his lips

upon his master’s feet .

“ Rise, Mezrak, and see to the wounded man
in the cabin.”

“ And I am forgiven, master?”

“ Yes, Mezrak.’ '
. Instantly the .slave sprung to his feet, 93d
‘ 'alhd toward the cabin, while Merle, M1110!“

o and the vessel from which the boats had

omuto attack him, at once ‘ordered the

V r z“ or gotten under sail, and away sped the

g craft seaward, determined to stand off and

g on along the coast to await the coming of day»

a when a search would be made for their foe.

, ’ If a cruiser, Merle knew the Gold Ship 00111d

_ i /' run away from it.

a v if sigma, he would fight, it, and who really

, were assailants he had no means of know-
ing, for Mezrak had disposed of the wounded

, togglglcklyhto find out  them.

\ ’ e oouerwasg ng’outofthelagoo
and-Mfg the waves of the Gulf under
but: there came from the arbin a wild shriek,
cause.

u

quicklycaussd Merle huektoknewits‘
ten-monitgmr. 1m,anahepwoc

\
‘  t ’ . ' I l

n, ‘
her

L,

~ ' “ v 'flalsumder‘s New

  

 

and on,” he called out to his lieutenant, as he
hesitated an instant before dashing down the
com ionway. ,
' Upon entering the cabin a strange scene met
his one.

pen a lounge la the wounded man, whom

was Mrs. ranch, her form trem in'g con-
vulsively, and low moans coming from her

lips.

Above them stood Mezrak, calm and silent.

The wounded man seemed conscious, for his
eyes were open and be grasped his wife’s hand,
but his face ha on it the hue of death.

Seeing his master enter, Mezrak said calmlyi‘

“ Master, it is the husband of this lady that I
have saved.”

Merle was thunderstruck, and calmly walked
forward to where the wife bent over her hus-
band, whom she had so strangely found.

 

CHAPTER XI.
Hora AND nnsrsm.

SEEING Merle come forward, Basil Branch
for he was the Wounded man whom Menrak had
saved, turned his eyes upon him and the look
caused Mrs. Branch to start, an glance over
her shoulder. .

“Oh, Captain Monte I have found my hus-
band,” she cried, eagerly. .

Then she continued, speaking rapidly and
nervously: ‘ v

“ I saw Memk bring him into the cabin and
lay him here, and I feared at first that it was

on.
y “ But I knew that it could not be when I saw,
his dress, or Lieutenant Trenor either, and‘ yet
my Igyes seemed to be riveted upon his form.

“ or a long time he lay silent, and so motion-
less that I deemed him dead.

“Then Mezruk came down and bent over him
to dress his wound, and I heard him groan with
agorg, and then speak.

“ is voice told me who it was, and springing
forward, I found in ears had not deceived me,
for see, it is in bus and.”

“ Yes, my ear modem, and I rejoice that
you have found him; but come, I know some-
thing of surgery, and Mezrak is well skilled in
the cure of wounds, so we will take him in
1ciléaigge now, and you can nurse him back to,

e. . ‘

“ But he will live, will‘ he not, Captain
Monte?” eagerly asked the poor woman. /

“ Ihave eve hope that he will, Mrs. Branch;
but he must rge kept perfectly quiet, as the
wound is in a dangerous position— Beg! he has

me unconscious. ”

Merle then drew aside the clothin , and the
not revealed a. bullet wound in the le t side.

That it had not touched the heart was evident
by the wounded man being Vet alive; but that
it was most dangerous was also true.

A word to Mezrak caused him to brin to his
master a case of sur cal instrumen , and
breathlesst Mrs. Branc watched the amateur
sur eon as be probed for the bullet.

ow and then the wounded man winced and
groaned under the pain: but Merle Monte was
as gentle as a woman in his touch, and soon
drew out the bullet.

“Thank God!” fervently said the sorrowing
wife, while Memk gave a grunt of satisfaction
at this result. I .

Then the wound was skillfully dressed, the in-
valid made as comfortable as was ihle, and
the wife left to nurse her husban , whileMez-
rak remained near to be of any service should
he be needed. .

Returning to the deck Merle Monte found all
ship-shape once more, for the dead “had. been
buried in the sea, the wounded put in the sick-
bav, and the schooner’s decks washed clean.“

Lieutenant Trenor held the deck, and the
beautiful vessel, under the pressure of a five-
knot breeze off—shore, was standing off and on,
running about half a league each side of the la-
goon on each took, as the vessel from which the
boats had come must certainly be not far away,
the oflcer had thought. .

. With the first appearance of dawn tht
schooner was cleared for action, the men went
to quarters, and every eye on the Gold Ship
was searching for a foe. I .

Knowing that the water was of sufllcient
depth to permit it. Merle ran closer inshore,
and then would luff up and send a boat in to
search the inlets, and the lagoons:- fast as they
dared venture. ‘ r i ' -
t-Inrthiswey he be thighmghgt for his

oe,whonwerthatoem ,,] ins
Branchyet remainedunqonseioumfind his a
, hung by a thread. Harlem not foundbnt that

,\ , , a a. \

 

   
 

v

Menrak had laced t ere, and bendinlgflover him'

 

     
  
 
  
   
  
  
    
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
     
  
   
  
   
  
   
 
  
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
    
 
  
  
     
 
    
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
    
  
    
    
    
    
   
   
 
  
  
    
   
     
 

his assailants were from
which he was so anxi

True, knowing that
daughterhad been captured ..
dsr a certain su icion woul cross his mind ‘ .
that the boats he come from that vessel; but ‘
then he booted the idea, when he thought that
it would be next to im ble for the wounded
man to be fighting w th the very ates who.
were the captors of himself and c ild, and he

referred to think that the Sea Marauderhad
een captured b an English cruiser, the twqil
captives release ,and that'the planter bad
glued their crew in the assault on the Gold
hi? believing it to be another buccaneer.
at, if such was the case, where was the
cruiser from whence the boats had come!

He had noticed in the fight, that the ans-3r '
ants seemed to wear the English sailors’ sari; . ’
and he had particular}; observed the very gal- ‘

Lant manner in which asil Branch had fun ht;2 ' ,
but he knew that there was no En lish , sear l .
on the coast then that should he a raid to meet
the Gold Ship in combat, and he was inn deep
quandary as to why the‘mysterious and 'un— ‘ .
known vessel did not boldly run out andlfit ‘

m. . . r

If he knew it to be a man-of—war, he would
not fl ht, but run, for he was, determined “do
no ac of outlawry although a fugitive, oeu-
demned to death by his Government.‘ '

But, should the stranger prove the Marauder
or any other outlaw craft, most gladly won
he give it combat.

Knowing well, that as he sailed, without
flag of any nation above his decks, and that M a.
havenless craft all vessels of war consider-
ed him fair game, yet be trusted to the speed of
his schooner to escape from‘them and onlyin
the last moment would haven is guns to
protect himself, his treasure and his crew. , -

As the boats had been the assailants, he was
determined to find out to what they belonged,
and, if it proved to be an outlaw craft, then he
would do all in his power to haul down its black 3
flag, and thereby gain another point in his favor .
with his Government, to which he had not cast
off his allegiance, though it had cast him ofl’,
and, more still, branded him as'a ni..iineér, a
condemned officer and a deserter. ' ,'

But though seemingly every inlet along the .
coast for miles was searched and days were  m
passed in the work, no trace of’ the h orithe _ V , ' ‘
craft from which they had come could found , .
and Merle determined to continue his cruise in

the Gulf, in his search for the Sea Marauder. - ‘1'
In those days of search, Mrs. Branch had but , ~
over her husband, hoping for his life to be ‘ f '
fined ethfeariag ltlhguigoxoii‘ld ldie, d inan >
in y t o a er 9 an Merck
aided her iiiligiursing him. - ‘
At lost, just as hope of finding the mysterious r .
enemy was given up, and hope of the rooms ‘* V
of Basil Branch became, certain, despair seem , , '
to seine upon the porn- wife. who had asked,u‘ v »
soon as her hush-ind dared speak a word:;‘ ‘,
“Where’did you leave our child?" ' ' . r w W, _
Hardlly Twig eggs gas nigger, audltho' old!“  ,. *
camesowy; u e espair woman, , ,
and Mearakheard them: 8 ~, ~. ‘ fl ,‘ -
“Onboedthepiratecraftknownattlfeflea ,,
Marauders", ’ ‘ ‘ i

———.—

CHAPTER XII.
mix. seamen nuns ms flour. ‘,

Wrrn these words, which brought despairing,
the fond mother’s heart, for it told her  her ‘
beloved child was in the power .of a paste, v ‘
Basil Branch could say no'more. ‘ " ' a " , "h‘ ,-

He seemed too deeply moved to utter another
word, and those who watched over him dared . ‘l ’
not ask him more for fear the thread'of life 
would break, and the good wife recognised this ' -
and forbore from asking, though her  
was intense. . , '  .

And on sped the Gold Sh... 'on its cruise,'
anxious eyes searching, the horizon  ;
night for some trace of the Sea Marauder, Won ' ' ' '
which the hopes of all were nowwutored. , ' 5

At last Basil Branch was pronounced out of , ,
danger by Merle Monte, for'the crisis had paged’:
and he called to his Wife that he wished}. tell
her all. " . ’ ‘ ' 5

‘ Marie and Memk would have unending, ‘
but the wounded man and his wife urged. that
ghonldremain. . _ ' 

' « Ilian went-d to speak More,” 59% in.
ulmv‘toae. “ , '1 

‘f‘Bnt I darodnottmt. repel! 

 

 

 

:I’wnnubnahdowmsndldenotwiehto

“lhave-idthsteurpoerPeai-lwssin the
powere‘apfrate, andshe is; for,sraftBrandt
theBneesneer released us, and we were on the
way in s. small coaster, up to the city, we were

. nus-s by the Sea Marauder.

", You have told me, Annabel, when I dared
not-peak, how you and Pearl were inveigled
from home by a foe of mine, and of your being
wrecked, and knowing that Brandt had seized
the packet-brig Montezuma, upon which I was
a prisoner, and then picked up the boat in
which was Pearl.

“All thisis true; but Brandt let us go free,
bed as men say he is, and we fell into the
clutches of this pirate, Captain Pierre.

“Upon the very smack, from which he took

' us, he went on to the city, pretending to the

skippa' that he was a rich gentleman who had
been captured and released upon payment of
ransom. .

“Neither myself or Pearl saw him; but he
left-us, and his venel, in charge of his first
floor, a dashing, handsome young man, and a
gentleman in manner, whatever his crimes may

“He ordered the lieutenant to a secret re-
treat he called the Lost Pond, on the coast
acne, leaguesefrom the Mississippi Delta, and
thither we went, while he visited New Orleans
to getmom‘men and several heavier guns for
his truly splendid little vessel. that he might
cruise in search of the Gold Ship, and finding

her, be able to capture her.

“ The lieutenant refused the bribes I oflered
him, to free us, for he would not betray his
commander: but he learned, through an Indian
spy that his vessel was near, and be determined
to capture her.

“He believed, if he could take the Gold
Ship, he would be freely forgiven for setting
Pearl and myself free, which was his inten-
tion, for he seemed to be a noble fellow and
pitied us, well knowing the cruel nature of his

commander.
“Being short of emcers, he asked my aid.
and I, looking upon this vessel as the world

. , believes it, to belittle less than a pirate, will-
' ineg consented, especially as upon our success

depended our freedom.

“ I‘ therefore took command of two of the
pirate boats, under Lieutenant Mnrell, and the
result you know.

“He, and those of his crew not killed and

'woimded retreated to the boats and escaped

when beaten back by you, Captain Monte, and

f finished behind, and our daughter is in the

ds of the pirates, who must have reported
me no dead."

I “But, from what you say, sir, of this young
first. llwtenant, there is every reason to be-
Ieufihat he will act with honor, now that
she‘is so wholly in his power," said Merle.

‘4 Of that, sir, I have no doubt, pirate though
he is; but his captain may, have returned, and
I know, what he is.”

Therewsse certain significance inhis tone
and words, in referring to the Sea Marauder,
that those who heard him with the
idea that he knew more of the outlaw chief
than hehad admitted, and Mrs. Branch asked
in a low tone: ‘

' "go you know this Captain Pierre, Basil?"

“ do,’ Annabel.” ,

“ Has he come to hate youi”

‘9 He has.”

“ How know you this?”

“From certain things I saw, that belonged
to him on the schooner, I discovered just who
this cape-m Pierre Dupont of the Sea Marau-

’.derls.”

.4.

“WWW?” cried Mrs. Branch, start-
ing up.

“Ya”

“ Why, Basil, that was the name of the man
who professed to have been sent by you, for
MIMI myself." V

“I know it." r

“Retolduste callhim Pierre, andwedid

' "I; huthisnnrne was Plane Dupont."

«Mini-t,»

 

'  Merits MuntelsFate, ' 
r m1 ‘

" And that explain- the mystery of his do
serthgnbarfloil Ilia the .night we lay 01:.
to m withdrawn and
attack the pirate vemei ,rted at annbw
there,” said Merle. '

“ Yes, it was his vessel, and he escaped by
swimming to it, and. in the darkness got his
boats out with muffled cars, and, towed to
sea,” replied Basil Branch, and he added:

“ This his lieutenant told me, and more, for
he said that his captain had gone to New
Orleans and sent down word to him to lie in
wait for the Galveston packet schooner Fly-
away and capture her, and that he would find
him, and more valuable prisoners passengers
on board.

“The schooner, so says the Lieutenant Mu<
rell, had given chose to the Flyaway, which
was a very nimble-footed craft, and had es.
coped him in a storm that had come on.”

“ That is true, every word of it, and this
Pierre, or Dupont, tried all he could to make
Captain Trenor believe that the schooner in
obese was an American cruiser. .

“That night the Flyaway was wrecked, and
you know the rest,” said Mrs. Branch.

" Well, I know just who this Captain Pierre
Dupont is, Annabel,” responded Basil Branch.

“And who is be, Basil?"

“ Do you remember that I once detected a
man, I believed to be a gentleman, and who
was so looked upon, in cheating his opponent
in a game of cards, on which hung a heavy
stake?” ,

“ I do remember him," said Mrs. Branch in
a low tone.

“That man was the one your father had se-
lected for your husband, though I believe you
did not love him; but my expose of his ras-
cality bent him in dishonor from his circle of
friends, and he went from bad to worse, until
he become the head of a band of river pirates,
known as the Missimippi Marauders.

“One night, Captain Monte, I rescued my
wife here, and her father, from that band.

“ Mr. Tracey, Annabel’s father, was severe.
ly wounded, and I had him taken to my plan-
tation home, The Retreat, and there he died."

“ it was the very night, too, that your
father died, Basil, and you were standing on
the river-bank, sorrowing for his loss, when
you b the fighting upon the river, and
came to our rescue; but are you ill?" and Mrs.
Branch sprung toward her husband, who had
suddenly become livid. '

“ No, no, it is a passing weakness,” he said,
quickly. I

“Perhaps‘we are taxing your strength too
much," euggmted Merle.

“No; let us have it over with now," he
murmured, and then he continued, and in a
stronger voice: ,

“Well, your old lover, Annabel, led those
Marauders that night, and escaped by swim-
ming ashore, though he was wounded by me.

“It was reported that he was killed that
night, and so we all believed, as you know, but
what I discovered upon the Sea Marauder
proved to me that her captain is none other
than—”

“Dupont Her-son!" almost shrieked Mrs.
Branch. I

“Yes, and he has changed his name of Du-
pont Pierson to Pierre Dupont, and that of
Marauder of the Mississippi, to The Sea. Ma-
rauder." ’

“ Now I recall him, though his long beard,
and the changes in his face that seventeen or
eighteen years have made, made him unknown
to me then as Pierre," said Mrs. Branch.

“Yes, he is an old foe, and, when in his
power to accomplish it well, he sought revenge
against us, and thon‘gh you‘ and have escaped
him, Annabel, our child is in his power.”

CHAPTER XIII.
a arenas sonvnn.

Tm we crushing thoughts for the poor
mother and the father, to feel that Pearl, their
beautiful daughter, was at the mercy of their
old foe, who snught'revmge WM' .

1».

 

 

 

Basil Branch took some hope in the“.

thought of whethe- knew of mem “Q,

pirate lieutenant, and felt that herald,er
teot Pearl-all in his power.

Yet still he feared for the worst, and earn~'
estly urged Merle Monte to do all in ,his power
to capture the Sea Marauder,

As he had been allowed the .frecdomwf the
deck on the schooner, and even to fish in the
lagoon, when Pearl was on the vessel, he felt
he could again find the Lost Pond, and he
begged Merle to head at once for that part of
the coast, and, by the time they reached there,
he would be well enoujsto be lowered into a
small boat and make the search at least. '

This Merle decided to do, as something might
have detained Captain Pierre in the city and
the schooner yet be awaiting his coming in the
Lost Pond.

Merle could also understand, from the de-
scription givenvof the place by Basil Branch,
why he had been unable to find the littlevsssel.

At once, then, the Gold Ship was put about
and headed for the neighborhood of the Delta
of the Mississippi once more.

While en route, one pleasant day, Merle ens
tered the cabin, and, telling Mrs. Branch to go
on deck and get some fresh airysaid that he
would remain by the side of her husband.

She was utterly worn out with worry and
nursing, and readin consented, and Merle
threw himself into an easy-chair besidele
guest.

“Mr. Branch," he said, after a few words on
ordinary topics, “may I ask you whatoelaim
Brandt, the Buccaneer, had upon you!"

The wounded man turned very white, and
for a moment did not reply.

Then he said:

“ I do not understand you.”

“ I asked what claim Brandt, the Buccaneer,
holds upon you?”

“None, sir,” the wounded man said, with
some indignation of tone. . I .

“ Ibelieve you, sir; but when I last saw

Brandt, the Buccaneeawhen I parted .with him .'

on his way to the city to be triedand hanged,
he asked me to do him a favor."

“Well, Captain Monte?"

“That favor was to send a message, in
New Orleans, to seek out one Basil Branch, a
planter and a gambler, he said—” .

u  ll)

“ Those were his words, Mr. Branch?

“Pray continue, sir," said the planter, with

something very like a sneer in his tone.

“‘ You shall bear all, sir.

“He asked that my messenger should,“
you and make known to you .thatshewun
prisoner on board the Sea Wolf.

“In Heaven‘s name, what good would that
do him?” »

“ You are the best judge of that, Mr.‘
Branch.”

“ Captain Monte, you deal in innuendoessf

” I will be more explicit, sir.

“ When I captured Brandt and his menofl
Galveston, through the aid of your noble Hill“,

who led him into a trap "et for him, I brought ‘

him on board of this vessel in irons for safer
keeping. ,

“ In the state-room in which he was confined,
Mezrak, my slave, found a roll of papers which
he had evidently dropped there unintention-
ally.

“ I have them here, and one is a letter from
you to him, telling him that you will get him
a crew to seize the brig, and see that her own
men desert her from some cause.

“And also, that, as you are driven to ,de-

spair by your losses at the gaming-table,.and .

have beggared your wife and daughter, yon
will go with him as a lieutenant, to get money
enough to raise your family above want once
more, and that the world will know notth or
your sin, mi those you love will be nonethe
wiser.

“This letter, Mr. Branch, lets tout the
secret, wins the mystery, and more, snoihr
paper is a copy of iron pump,

unknowns
to New Orleans and Whine more an. 

.i(> , ,‘ ’ e '

I

a...”

 

 

 

. ‘ . ‘
V W».-_.--w- .

Merle Monte’s Fate. ..

 

‘ T

 

v

havier guns for his vessel, and meet him at a

val

“ Theugppn themes. of this beware these
words in a note, written by Brandt:

u £13.00th, he turned to piracy to save
hiaqtamilyufrompmant, though his own hand
had beggmilthemt ,

“‘Now, though he now keeps this secret
trom his daughter, leaving her to believe he
was .my prisoner, and not my lieutenant, all
willone day some ouh for the man who has
once stepped across the threshold of crime, try
as he may, cannot bile forever from the
world’s eye the kn0wledge of that crime.’ ”

“ Oh, God! Have mercy upon me!"

The groan came from the man, wrung by
mental agony, and seeing his suffering Merle

“Mr. Branch, your secret is known to
Brandt the Buccaneer and myself only.

“.He will soon end his life at the yard-arm,
andhis pirate crew will quickly follow him.

“I pity you in your misfortunes, and your
sins, and, for the sake of your noble wife, and
the daughter you so dearly love, as also for the
good service you once rendered my slave Mez-
rak, ‘I spare you.

“ Yourwife shall know nothing of the past,
and to-day letter you a position with me as
an ofllcer, and I pledge you that in me you
shaanot want for a friend.

“New bury the past behind you, and we
will do all that we can to find your daughter,
and wrest her from .the power of this Sea
Marauder.”

Basil Branch tried to speak, but his emo-
tions Overpowered him, and he could only
stretch forth his hand and grasp that of Merle
in silence.

CHAPTER XIV.
m sna wow anacnns roar.

I MUST now return to the buccaneer chief,
whom Merle Monte surrendered to Captain
Mayo Meredith of the Sea Wolf.

When taken on board that vessel and chained
to the deck in the guardrroom, he certainly
couldmot see the slightest chance of escape
fromfihe doomwith which he was threatened.

The Sea Menswear-1y dawn got under way,
andvlouowedpby: the brig, and next by the
cutter, headed out of the inlet.

The,two captured vessels had prize crews on
board. and, the Sea Wolf setting the example,
all spread their sails to make all of the six-
kngtbreeze that was blowing,

Had the wind been heavier the majestic
crulnrAmight have held the lead, but, as it
was the brig worked ahead, nhich showed that
Brandt.- theBucoaneer, had decided upon a
good weasel.an he selected the Montezuma
for hisunewrcraft over which to flaunt the
pirate flag“

Thalittle ‘cutten-tco, forged to the front,
and .held,har._ Own. with the brig, and Captain
Meredith and his oficers greatly enjoyed the
Wallace, which showed the respective merits
of the three vessels.

At last the Delta was reached, and the two
lenders shortened sail to allow the cruiser to
lead ,up the river.

The wind being fair, the three held on up
the mighty Mississippi, and when at last their
Enchant/Here dropped in the murky waters,
and it became known that the Sea Wolf had
returnedewiths twapiratevessels as prizes, and
that onmwas thanrait of Brandt, the Bucca-
neer, who was himself in irons on the cruiser,
the city wont almost wild with joy

But Captain Meredith was. no man to wear
honors not justly his own, and be soon made
known that the Sea'Wolf was not the cap-
turer of the two pirate venom, only their
Maud that they had been
by the mysterious Gold Ship, and Burnsidered

‘ to hmud tm reportheaemi on to his Gov-

"an" at thesame timesivins an W of
Merle tots, career, since his escape, m
(19W.M:ma_yafiarfl= and  
other has ga_waghat the m do: w
between-am. as a mum magm'

taken in battle ,

\
and codde as each, was the working of
rival smears. .

As soon. as he could., Captain MW
arranged for the trial of Brandt, the Buccaneer,
and his pirate crews, and all knew how it
must end. -

Little Belt, the poor wronged woman, who
could have slain Brandt many times, yet
spared him, that she might one day be instru-
mental in bringing him to the gallows. and
thirsting to see him thus die, had kept watch
upon the chief all the way to the city.

Captain Meredith had told her that he could
thoroughly trust his men; but she had shaken
her head doubtingly, and begged to be allowed
to also keep an eye upon him, if it was not
against the discipline of the ship.

“Do so, if you wish, Little Belt; but I re-
member once you freed this very man, after
he reached lVashington, where he was to be
executed, so perhaps I ought to keep a watch
upon you," said Captain Meredith, with a
smile. ‘

“No, for now I am content to see him die,
as it is with my aid he will be brought to the
yard-arm.

“ Then, I had no hand in his capture, and
had he been executed without, I would have
been cheated out of the joy of revenge.

“ No, no, Captain Meredith, I have lived but
to see him end his days thus, and when all is
over I will be content, and my wrecked life
will be avenged," she answered, with deep
earnestness.

Not wishing to subject herself to to the gaze
of those about her, and to save the captain of
the Sea Wolf from questions he cared not to
answer regarding her, Little Belt went ashore
and took up her quarters as soon as the cruiser
arrived in port.

But ere Little Belt left the Sea Wolf, she
sought out each one of the men selected as the
guard of the buccaneer chief, and gave them
a generous sum of gold, with a promise to
quadruple it if the pirate did not escape.

The men gladly pledged themselves that the
pirate I uld never get away from them, and
then Lfie Belt went ashore with a for lighter
heart, for at last the end she had longed for
was hear at hand, and the revenge she had
devoted her life to would be consummated.

CHAPTER XV.
'rnn raurrarxou.

A'r last the day for trial came near, and
Brandt the Buccaneer felt that the sands of
his life were rapidly ebbing away. .

He however kept up a bold front before his
guards, and though often lost in deep reverie,
no trace of what his thoughts were was to be
read in his stern face. .

Now and then he jested with the guard con-
stantly kept on duty over him, then he would
smoke a cigar with apparently the greatest
relish, ate his meals with real enjoyment, and
when he laid down to sleep, all ironed as he
was, seemed to have no fltful‘dreams and fear-
ful nightmares.

All of his acts and sayings were reported
about the ship, and he came to be looked upon
as a wonderful and most fearless man.

Each day, since the anchor v'vas let fall in
port, Little Belt had visited the ship, and,
with a permit from Captain Meredith, had
gone to have a look at the prisoner.

“You seem to revel in gazing at me in my
chains?! said Brandt to her one morning, the
day prior to that set for his trial. V

“ I d0." was the calm reply.

“You hope to see me condemned to die?” he
said with a sneer. '

“ Ishall have that pleasure, for your con-
demnation is .a foregone conclusion."

“ Then why try me?”

“ It is a mere form."

“ About how long will my trial last?"

“Oneday. will end it withthe evidence
a gal-"st you.” , .

“ So aoonl"

 

 

 

. “Ah: 1‘.de Him a  tor
ml: -, ‘

 

“Oh no, I care not, for I do not shrink from
death,” he laid with an air of . ‘
while thegnardpnt in with: ~

“I do say thatof him. he is the gamma-.5 '
I ever saw to face death, excepting one other."

“ Who was that, my man?” asked Brandt;

“ The midshipman who was once on board
this very craft, and the idol of the men, and
whom Government sentenced wrongfully to
die, if I do say it as shouldn‘t, he a seamen on
board a Government vessel.”

“ You refer to Merle Monte?" said Brandt. ,

“ Yes, sir."

“You are right, he is certainly the. most
fearless being I ever had to deal with, and his
slave is equally so, I must admit.”

“ He had no cause to fear death, as you hang
Brandt, the Buccaneer, with all your red
crimes to weigh you down to perdition,” al.
most viciously, said Little Belt! The human:
chief paused, for an instant, but then laughed
lightly, and said: ‘

“Well, Belle, all I ask of‘you is to cornea!!!
see me take my last spring, and fetch an d
the end of a rope." - .

“I will do so, and shall be happy in 
thought that I was in part instrumental. in
bringing you to such a death of ignominy."‘

“ Well, I shall be content to see you  ,

so now leave me.” ‘
“For the present, I will: but Brandt Br“ f
ford, the pirate, beware of to-morrOW, .Mv ‘
then of what shall follow it." ‘ '
She spoke in a deep, thrilling voice, and r
wheeling suddenly, walked away. ' ' ‘

“The little one seems not to  '

cap‘n," said the guard.
“ No, she hates me."
N she?"
f‘So I said."
“ Is he a she?”
“it is a woman." ,
“The one who Justh ‘
I‘ Yes."
“A woman!” ‘
ll  - x g -
“My gracious goodness! do you”
“ I do.” - ’ ‘
“ I declare! then I am upset." I v
“ Did you not know it?" ‘
“ Never had a suspicion."

admit!"
“She does for a fact, sir. *
“But I did think she was awful handsome '
and trim-figured for a man, yet I hadn't“
idee she was a woman.” '  '
“ Does no one else on the ship suspect-bar?”

“None, less ’tis the cap’n, sir.” ,
“ I think he knows her ' " (61' ’“3 M
permission from him to, on in thug;

and see me hanged.”

“Well, she does disguise   

_, g)

I

l

“I’ll declare to gracious. I am all atm: " l 3‘
“You see, sir, we looked upon him, 

rather her, as a mysterious youngster, and

i

./'

\

couldn't make cut her colors: but we didn’t-a '

suspect her of belonging in petticoats,  ~ -

kinder thought he was, or she was, you see-IF?
do mistake her yet. a young fellow that hit-‘3
been a prisoner on the pirate vessels. 9 ' ‘
“Yet there was that about her that
any of us from asking her about herself." « _
“Well, she is a woman, and oneI ’, j “'3
long ago dead, and wish to Heaven's”? '
been,‘for shohas dogged me asuntlringly ',  .‘
bloodhound, and has been with me in lid! av

no ,3.

dozen disguises, working to get me to the I - ' '
lawn when Inever nupected her. - g ” A ""
“Now she has succeeded, and soon I owl

die.”
“Well, you are cool about
“No need to be othemlsé.’
“ You don’t seem to care whether you live ,
or die.” , ‘ ‘
“0h.,yes, I wish to live, and I would
much t4) do so." _ .
“But there is no hope for you new, cap’n,
foc  you guilty and sentence you to ,

y, “p'n. '1‘ .

. , x

the maroon same breath,» you'- uwn ';

bum makeyoar peace‘withyonrm'ii "
~Thecldtfsmiltd,andsaldantlyi v * 

‘n‘

 

 

 

' for instance, it I should say to you, my man,

' said in a low tone:

_ a tiny star.

‘ to him by the pirate chief.

 a

Q “And you are not afraid to trust me with
hi" i

, ' “ It’s as green as grass.”

 

. month even while he was being searched.

v .“ well, you will ask the value of it, too!”

, value this

I

b . .

10 ' ' .
“ Ey'man, I never give up the ship'nn’tll

she sinks with colors flying, and it I can coupe

Illll and sentence to—morrow I will do it.” ‘
“But you cannot.”

. “ I am noteo sure of that, my man, for gold

Win do wonders.”

"i You can’t buy ofl' those that will try you,
if you had all of your pirate earnings on board
here with you,”

“ I do not expect to buy them oil; but now

that I could make you rich to aid my escape,
what would you answer?”
“I would say, sir, that it would be a sad
ten: tatiou to any poor sailor, and I would
to have you ofler it to me, and I am glad.
for my honor’s sake, that they took your gold
from you when they brought you on boar ,”
said the man frankly.
Brandt the Buccaneer smiled lightly, and

“My man, the gold they took from me did
M ruin me financially, for I assure you that I
have now with me a fortune worthy of a

G. ,
“Gems are or small size, even the most
valuable, and one can hold vast wealth in his

"For instance, see this diamond, and tell me
whatitis worth?" and Brandt handed to the
guard a gem of great beauty and value.

“Lordyl it looks beautiful, and I never saw
one I0 large before; but I don’t know any
mere about diamonds then the chaplain does
that, novigating the ship,” and the man eyed
the diamond with unfeigned delight, as it
rested in the hollow of his hand, sparkling like

i

 

CHAPTER XVI.
Pnncrons s To use.

“Wm you go 03 watch at eight bells, my
men, could you get leave to go ashorel’ asked
kandt the Buccaneer, in his low, and most in;
shunting tones.

u {A ‘mpln'n

“Would you like to take a walk up into
div then?” '

" I wouldn’t mind.”

“Will you do me afavor thenl”

~“ It it isn’t ag’in’ orders.”

“Oh no, there are no orders against what I
would ask you to do.”

“Well, sir, I’ll do it.”

"You mustn’t let any one know about it."

“Not if you wish me not to, oap’n.” ‘

“Well, my man, just take that stone you
have in your hand up to Griswold & Company,
relay, and ask them to give you“ he exact

/

the

“You. want to leave it to somebody in your
will. sinned would like to know just how
much its value is?"

“I would like to lmow its value, my man,
and also the value of this stone. ”

-“ Good gracious, it’s redas a drop of blood,”
said the taking the second stone handed

“ Yes, it is a ruby."

“ Wk mighty pretty.”

“ Yes, and is of nearly equal value with the
Osmond.”

“ Indeed, sir?"

“Yea air, it you wish me to.”
U I do.”

“No, my man, for
“Thank you, air.”
"And also see how Griswold & Company
gem also,” and a third stone was
dropped into the hand of the guard.

He seemed dumb with amazement and
delight, and cried:

' /
you are honest.”

f,‘ Yes, it is an emerald, and may boot like
value with the ruby and diamond.” ‘

“ What down say they are worth, sir!"

“Well, myeetiinete, from what I knaon

 

stones, is’the't the diamond will bring
I

. A ,

Merle Monica’s 

you nearly ten thousand dollars in gold, the
ruby perhaps a few hundred less, and the
emerald something over seven thousand; but
Griswold & company will soon give you the
value of them in round figures.”

“Yes, sir, and arrest me for stealing them,
or being a pirate, who cut somebody’s throat
for them!” bluntly said the man.

“ AM I never thought of that; for they
might do so.”

“ Yes, it won’t do for a poor sailor like me
to go to fooling round with such gems as they
be about me." .

“True, so do not go to them, but to a Jew,
Isaac J acobs, who lives upon Rue Elm/ale.

“ He will give you their value, it you otter
to pay him for the valuation, and I know he
will make the three worth more than twenty-
flve thousand dollars.”

“That‘s a big fortune, sir, for a man to
have."

“ See here, my man.

“ Here are three more precious stones of
equal size and value, a ruby, an emerald, and
a diamond, and when you find out the value
of those you have, come back to the ship
decided in your mind that when you go on
duty to-night you will get all six of them for
your own.”

“ How can I, sir?” asked the guard, in a
hoarse whisper, and he turned deadly pale.

“ Why, in the simplest way in the world.”

“ How is that, sir!”

“ Just let the drop out of that port-hole.”

“ But you are heavily ironed, sir.”

“ You can get keys and tiles ashore to free
me of them."

“ Oh, sir, this is terrible!”

“ It will be more terrible for me to die, my
man.”

“But, sir—” ' '

“ Now don’t say any more, but when you go
ashore, go to Jacobs’s, and ask the value of
those gems. ,

" When he tells you, then purchase what you
need to ‘set me free of my irons, and then you
get these other three stones, and will be worth
a fortune.”

“But, cap’n, what good will it do me, when
they will hang me up with the rope they had
for you?” ,

“ Don’t be a tool, my man, for I would not
leave you here to suffer, but take you with
me.” ' '

“You mean for me to desert, sir?”

“Of course." I

“ What would the oficers and my shipmates
say?” '

“ Are you married?"

“ No, sir.” -

“ Are you alone in the world?” '

“Yes, sir, excepting a girl I intend to make
my wife.”

“ Where is she?”

“In Maine, sir."

“ When did you shipl"

“Two years ago, sir.”

“ 'Wherel”

“ Here in Orleans.”

“ How did you come here?”

“ In a packet from Kennebec to York, air,
before the mast, and then in a‘schooner from
York here.” ‘

“ Did you ship under your own name!”

“Not adzactly, r, for the boys call me
Jack, though I hail to the name of John, and
the shim roll has me dowu as Jack Johnson,
when my real handle is John Johnstm.”

“Then the former name will he put abroad ‘

as the deserter, and you can returnwith your
fortune and marry the girl of your love.

“Come, don’t be a fool, but think of what
you can do with your money and how happy
you can be.” , *

“The precious stones tempt me, sir.”
fl “They would tempt any one, even if he was
ch.” , ’ '

“ But I may be caught, end—” v '

“I will tghfyeu mum tea flung! safe-
ty, and you can remain there
the uflairgis begotten. .

‘ \

. .1»; V, -»

 

term  7 .
‘ 'm‘ [woodman-him.”

 

it.

“Come, I’ll give you a lilo tee
mine, and he will be on therlver below
with a carriage. I ' ,

“The night is close, this port can be
open, and we can lower ourselves into the river
with ropes and then swim shorewnrd, III go
at once to a place of safety“

“ What say you, my man!”

“The precious stones tempt me, ‘sir, and
I’ll do it if‘Jacobs says they are worth the
money you tell me.”

“ Then go and see.

“Now be on your guard, for it is nearly

5!

eight bells,” and even as the buccaneer ohiet'

spoke the ship’s bell struck the hour, and an-
other guard took the place oi’ the one who had
been dauzled by the display of gems, and the
prisoner saw in the face of the man who then
came on duty that, did he ofier him a hundred
gems, he could never bribe him to forget his
honor and his duty, for he was of dimers“
material wholly.

CHAPTER XVII. ,
THE JEW AND THE sauna.

IT was with a beating heart that John John-
stone asked leave to go ashore, and he felt
guilty when it was granted. -

With the diamond, ruby and emerald clutch-
ed tightly in his hand he sauntered up town,
and first sought the elegant establishment of
Griswold and Company, to gaze in the wind0w
at the gems there displayed.

“ They are elegant, but mine beats ’em," he
muttered. and then he wended his way down
the Rue Royals to the shop of the Jew.

The three gilt balls hanging over the door
told the story of Isaac Jacobs’s businem, and
within it looked dingy enough.

But the sailor had made up his mind to act,
and in he went. v

A young Jew greeted him with asly look, to
take his measure, and then asked:

“Vell, sailor mansh, vet ish you vent!" ,

“I don’t wantyou, youngster, but some-
body old enough to attend to business.” ‘

“ Oh,’ I ish/olt 'enough to attend to all 99

pizziness you ish got mit us,” was the preco- ,

cious response, with an emphasis upon the you.
which sounded as though the young Israelite
had a contempt for the sailor.

“Well, I want to do business with I man,
and it you keep the shop I’m 08 to trade else-
where.” ' -

“ Hold on, mine tr'endt, and I vill all In]

”

“Well, call, your pawpaw, and cell hill '

quick, for I am in a hurry.”

The youngster was cunning enough to see
that he had a customer before him and hit at
once pulled a rope, which caused a bell to
jingle harshly in another part of  house.

In answer to this summons A Jew!
who, at a glance, the sailor saw was the busi-
ness man of the establishment. ‘

He was a shrewd-looking man, with I long
beard, and a thorough type of the Israelite.

“ Is this Mr. Jacobs?” asked the sailor;

“ Dot ish my name,” was the calm reply.

f‘ Mr. Isaac Jacobs!” asked the nations see.
man.

" Yesb, mine fri’nt.” , r

.“ Well, send that boy 03, for I have got
some important business with you.”

The Jew spoke to the youth in Hebrew, and I

that individual at once decamped, but with an
angry look at the seamen.

“ Veil, my tri’nt vat can I do for you!" I

“ Tell me the value of this diemOnd."

“Aha! it ish quite nice. »

“ Does you vents to sell himl”

“ I want to know what it is worth.” /

“ Ahl” and the cautions Jew lohked the line

, over thoroughly, and then said:

“,I give you six thousant tellers {or him.”
“No you won’t, for it is'worth len-

~swered Jack Johnstone, who had had

dealing with Jews tehow that theymvers‘
Wmmnvalneteranertiele. v: u... '
.“Veilggit his '3 nice Meltdown

 

 

 

l

, r
I

.V 5’ I"

Merle,“ Moms-mu- '

1.. ,
. \

‘11

 

 

“Say' eight.”

"Veil, I makes him eight, just to please you,
my fr’ent, though I don’t make a cent on him,
if I has to sell him.’ °

“No, I goose not.

" Well, tell me what this is worth?” and the
ruby was handed over.

“ Aha! dat ish a. pretty one, too."

“What will you giyo for it?”

“I vill give you four t’ousant dollars,” said
the Jew, fearing he had hit too low belore.

“ Make it just eight.”

“Ahal veil, it is more prettier than I first
see him.

.“i makes it eight.”

“ And this onci”

The emerald was then handed over.

“ Aha! dat ish a very pretty stone, too.

“ You is have flue taste, my fri’nt,” said the
delighted Jew, holding his head down to pre-
vent his eyes from betraying his‘joy at expect-
ing to make a rich bargain.

"' Well, what is it worth to you?"

“V311, ash I ish to puy t’e otters, my fr’ent,
I make it four t’ousant.” v

“Call it six.”

“Veil, min‘o fr'ent, I take it at six t’ousant."

“No, you won’t, for I want more.”

“ Worth more, mine lr’entl“

" Yes; the three are worth twenty-eight or
twenty-nine thousand dollars, and you know it.”

" Dat ish a pig sum 0’ monish.”

“ 1 know it, and they are fine gems, and you
know it.” '

“Vere did you git ’em, mine fri’nti"

“That is none 0’ your business, Jew; but
they cost me enough to make me got their
value out of them instead of you, and 1 want
just twenty-five thousand dollars for the three,
in good crisp notes.”

" I make him twenty-four."

“ Not a dollar lose.”

“ Twenty—tour t’ousant live hundret."

“ Not a dollar less, Jew.”

“Vell, mine fr’ent, I takes ’em at dot price,
but I makes me very little on fern.”

" You know better, for you can get several
hundred on each before night.

“ Now outwith the money, and I want good
crisp‘bank notes, do you hear?" '

The Jew kuew‘he had made a good bargain,
and he hastily opened his safe and counted out
the money, at the same time doings stroke of
business by selling the sailor a belt to carry
his riches in for a dozen times its real value,
and chuckling over it in high glee to himself.

Thus armed with his belt of money, the
sailor wended his way toa hardware shop, and
having an idea of the kind of keys in fit the
chains that held, the pirate, he purchased a
number of those he thought most likely to suit,
and than several good files.

Back then to the Sea Wolf he took his way,
stopping on route to deliver the note to the
man to whom Brandt the Buccaneer had writ-
ten to meet him on the river bank with acaré

Golngon board the vessel he felt guilty, and
Ihnnned his shipmates, while he lived in dread
0 until the time for him to go on watch.

last eight o’clock rolled around and he
took his post at the door of the guard-room,
nervous and trembling, though, when he
"lanced at the pirate chief he saw that he
m“ W190”? cool, and smoking a cigar after
“3 "P9" With an ah- of utter unconcern as to
what would be his taco,

CHAPTER XVIII,
 gggd its
In first 1' s we an
weary length along so sIOWlflo Jack John-
mambo Seemedtolivealifetlme in
waiting for it to pas! by- .
At last nine o’clock m and the new went

'Wtheirbammockfi- .v
Thenten mmefindmwuflkntonboud
ship, and no sound MI More save the

 

the
rumble o: the wheels over the stone
_. may Md; the Buccaneer. had am no

A .
I _ I .4»,

f V  " \.. .- ,..,

 



But, as the ship's he‘ll struck “four bells,"'
the pirate chief said quietly:

“ Well, my man, time flies.”

The some made no reply, but quietly
handed to him the package thatheld the keys.

His hand trembled as he did so, and the per—
lectly cool pirate said sternly:

“Keep cool, my man."

Then Brandt the Buccaneer took key'after
key and fitted them in the key-holes to see if
they would unlock his chains.

It seemed that none would, at first; but a
second trial succeeded in opening the padlock
that held the chains about his ankles.

Next the handcuffs yielded to a key that lit-
texl, and Brandt the.Buccuneer was free of his
chains. _

The port had'been he'll raised, at his request,
by the former guard, and Brandt held forth
his hand and said, with the utmost calm-
ness! .

" The rope.”

Frum where it was coiled about his waist,
Jack Johnsmne took it, and pasaing it through
one of the iron rings that held the chains, he
had freed himself from, Brandt the Buccaneer
said:

“Now I will go, and you follow.”

Noise-leme be lowered himself out of the
port into the muddy waters of the river, and
clinging to the side of the vessel, waited the
coming of his guard. ‘

As he thus waited, he could hear the low
voice of the cfllcer of the deck humming a
love song, as he paced to and fro not twenty
feet from him, and the snoring of some robust
seamen forward.

At last the deserting sailor appeared in the
port, and lowered himself down nearly to the
water, when his nerveless hands failed him, and
he fell into the stream with a splash.

Instantly he was seized in a vise-like grip,
and dragged beneath the waters.

The splash was heard by the emcer of the
deck, who walked quickly to the side and

‘ looked over. - ‘

But all was dark and still, and he muttered:
“It was some large catfish doubtless, spring-
ing up to see the lights of the city.”

Then he resumed his walk and his song, and
‘an instant after Brandt the Buccaneer and the

frightened seaman arose for air.

“ Fooll you nearly lost all.

“Be calm, and swim low in the water, and
without noise!” hissed the buccnneer, and the
two went down with the stream, until the Sea
Wolf grew dim ill the distance. ‘

Tbenthe two turned shoreward, and at last
reached the bank, where a vehicle was visible,
evidently waiting for some one, and a man
paced near.

H Giro!” ' . ‘

The chief spoke the name in a low tone. .

“ Senor,” was the prompt response, “ I am
here." i ‘ -

, “The Virgin be praisedl”.said the man, a.
the chief and the seamen staggered from the
river.

“ Spring upon your box now, and drive with
all speed to your den.”

“ Yes, senor,” and the two fugitives having
entered the vehicle. the man whom Brandt had
called by the name of Giro sprung upon‘his
box, and whipped his horse away at a rapid
pace. ‘

\ After a. ride of ten minutes, the vehicle drew
up before a. low, dingy-looking house, and Giro
threw open the door.

“ There are cloaks in there for you to throw
around you, senors,” he said.

“ I have mine, but my friend will not need
his,” was the reply. _

“ It is better, center, as you will have to pass
through the cafe, and some may remark your
wet clothing." .

“ I will use mine, Giro, but the one who no-
companied me will not need. bk, (a he is
dead.” ‘ ~

 

' nity, and am thought to be poor,” mildly”

.mMflI
isno

 

toopoor a man now to throw away
five thousand dollars. ‘ '
“ Drive back to the river, Giro, and M
the body in. and then come up to my mom!»
“All right, senor; you have your old quar-
ters, and 1 will be there as soon as I have gotten
rid of your friend and put my horse up,” and
the vehicle rolled away, while Brandt, the-Bum
cancer, entered the door of the house, and
found himself in a dimly lighted cafe, where
werehalf a dozen men smoking and drinking. ,
Drawing his cloak around him, he passed'on
through to an opposite door, and ascending.
pair ,of stairs turned into a pleasant chamber
at the top. . ,
“ Well, I am free once more and back inlay ‘
old quarters. \ ~ ‘ . 
“Ha! ha! hal' I begin to believe the hemp
is not grown yet to make a rope to hang no,”
and dosing the door he bolted it, and threw
himself down in an easy-chair to think over hie
escape, and with no compunction for the man
he had slain, and whose reward for serving him
had been death at the hands of the one he 
so well served. 

 

run TWO car-rants. , .,'

hour, and his first remark, upon entering the
room. where. Brandt, the Buccaneer eat, no: ~' ‘

“ Well, senor, the news is abroad.” '

“Or my escapei",ooolly asked the chief.  , ,

“Yes, senor.” ‘ l ‘ _

"Doubtless, for at eight bells, when the ,
,othergnard went on watch, my escape was ‘ ,-
discovered.” . ‘ ' ' ‘

“ The city guard has been alarmed and are
patrolling the streets, and men from the vessels
have been landed and sent out..”

The buccaneer laughed at this, and returned 
to his repafst of cold fowl and wine, which he ,
had ordered, after changing his wet clothes for I v '
a suit Giro hadthoughtfully laid out for him.

“Take aglass of wine, Giro, for you judo
been, out in the night air,” said . and, " .
when his host had drank to his succeu fl...  3.
chief continued: , . ~  -

“ Now, Giro, what am I to do?"

“ How, senor!"

“I am ashore.”

“True.” r ‘ .

“Stranded high and dry.” ' 5.  ,

“Well, senor, that has happened to.”
beforei" « ~. 1

“ But I have no vessel."

“ I know that, senor.” , . , .

“Norcrew.” . \ , .'

“Both anhmm.’_  .x' 

“Noteesil this time, for cream-Wm . .,
theriver wi bewatohed now.” i , ’ :

“You, and the city will bombed meet _

that; but  

thoroughly, senor." .

“I do not doubt
would empeetMChfllthn Giro, arm; 1
ing a pirate." ' I C,

“No, senor, I stand well with the 

the man. .

pirate goods audare worth a fortune!
“Yes, senor, thanks toyon.” . . 1-
“Then, if you thankvme, Giro, aid at!
“How, senorl” ‘ .
“Imustgoatonoetolea.
“ At once!” ,
. “Yes, forI dare n‘otdelay." _ ,= 2, ~
“Haveyouthooghtntenyphnf' .-: ,g
«None, Gm» I ~ I, r
“ How do you wish to go!” ‘
“Any way in which! can,
.I can goon and a way to tread Adenine
“Yourhrigmlgbt—” ' W 
, “No, it would be lame-ibis 1:0~ m 3 fl 1"
narraml'mrm” 3. ., . a, 1
tlmmmdmmw _, ,  N
“.Thstioould,_nnt be dam  x \,
my! ,,  9*

    

It

“

S

.c

 

 

mu.  use mu“
 >1

1e...

 

'I‘un man Giro was not gone more than u 2 i .

 

     
 
   
   
  

“When the truthis, youare a  \ v ‘

t”

CHAPTER XIX. . . _ 

 

rammed," 5 '

;

Merle Monte’s 

 

:

“The Sea Wolf?

“You, senor." .
“histoolarge fora pirate, andhesides, I

‘could not attempt to take her with a raw

/ crew, for I know Meredith would let every

flash on Ids deck die before he would give up.”
“Then, senor, how would you like to play

second fiddle x"

" “ I do not understand you."

s»

“ I have as my guest at present a gentleman
‘Ior whom I am shippin a crew."

; «was,

“ In the Gulf!”

‘Ifbeis a newhand he’llbehanged
within the month, for piracy has but a short

' ~ raoetornnnow,Giro." .

“Yul, senor, the good old days are going

fist, before the march of civilization; but this
is not a new band.”

“ Ah!”

“No, he has fought many a battle for
plan“, and commands a good craft."

_" Then what is be shipping a crew for?"

‘.‘ He wishes to enlarge his crew, and I am
getting the men, but have failed to find him a

. second luff he needs."

I “W lufli"

“Yes, senor, for he has a well trusted first
lieuth in command of his vessel, while he
is here in the city.”

f‘Isee; then Iwould have to be third in
rank?"

"Yes, senor; but you know I merely sug-
guepst "this as a chance for escape and promo-
n. . .
“Ah yes, I can soon promote myself, you

“link.”

“From what I know of you, senor, I think
you can.”

“Well, I think favorably of your plan, so

' who “this pirate?"

1‘ Captain Pierre."
“Hal ’I‘he commander of the Sea Ma-

. L  sander, and who is himself also called by that

“ I have heard of him often, but never met

“He is a good commander and has a fleet
and stand: craft.” ‘

“He is a good man, captain, and his vessel
is a good one." '

“ Wheat is he newt"

“ In his room.”

“ When does he sail!"

“ Tomorrow night.”

“ In whati” ,

7'“Aluggerhe hasloaded with heavy guns,

'and with a“cmw that go blacked up as planta-
flounegroes.”

. “A - good. scheme; but is not his craft
armed!"

’“ll'ot'lflthas heavy gain as those he car-
riestohernow,andheisproparing for apar-
dculareruise.”

“thW

“he Gdd‘Sfiin’ .

“Ea! Giro, just seek Captain Pierre, and
“khan-tomyroom to have a glam of wine
with me, and bring us up a few bottles of your

ibest,” was the prompt order of Brandt, when
he learned “the Seamrauderwaatoorulse
after the Gold Ship. '

Giro was absent from the room but a few
minutes, when he returned accompanied by
none other than , Captain Pierre, whom the
reader 'is already acquainted with as Pierre

1' anont, and whose real \name was Dupont

I . asses of'his new
, Mainstst to drink‘fa bottle of winewith
Izas,  over it, the twogesptsniaasemed

Home. ,

“uphill Pierre, permit me to introduce to
manor Brentano, whom I have engaged to
me as your second lufi," said Giro, who

’deemeditbestnottolet Brundtbeknown

 in his true character.
Captain Pierre was leased with the appear-
oloes, and at once accepted

hast-ammonia} . y a ..
,f'mamwwmm

,‘(r l \ .t ,V ‘ ‘

 

“ Giro promises me I oan‘get ofl tomorrow
night, Lieutenant Brentsno, and I hope that is
not too soon for you."

“ Oh no, I am ready to-night for that mat-
ter,” was the indifferent reply, and Giro said:

“ It will be impossible to get all the men be-
fore tomorrow night, as, in these daysr'of sus—
picion and treachery, senors, I engage them at
the last moment.

“ Your guns are on board, captain, and I
have but half a dozen more good follows to get
for you to-morrow, and then you can sail,”
and with this the two pirates seemed content.

 

CHAPTER XX.
PEARL, THE P‘Ina'ras PRIDE.

‘WHEN Pearl swooned away, at the sad tid-
ings brought her by the young pirate lieuten~
ant, it wasa long, long time before he could
restore her to consciousness again.

When at last she opened her beautiful eyes
and gazed into his anxious face, her first ques-
tion was for her father.

Again he told her the sad story of the attack
and the defeat, and of her falht r’s having
been left behind, while he held forth the hope
that he might be alive, and a prisoner.

“ No, that would be even worse, for he
would be taken while fighting with pirates,”
she murmured, and, seeing the pained look
that flashed ovor the face of the young ofllcer
at her words, she said quickly:

“Forgive me, if I wounded you; but I do
not look upon you as a pirate at heart."

“Thank you for those words, sweet Pearl,
and 1 frankly tell you I am not.

“ To confess to you, I will tell you that I am
a native of Carolina, and was brought up in
the navy. '

“ My father was a planter, and he died leav-
ing my mother, myself and my sister well off.

“ I entered the navy, and, after a cruise of
five years returned to find that my mother had
married a man whom all knew to be an ad-
venturer and gambler, and that he had forced
my sister into‘ a marriage with one of his
friends, a man as bad as himself.

“Between them they had squandered our
wealth, and well-nigh broken my mother’s und
my sister’s hearts.

“Instantly 1 determined upon revenge, and
I called them out.

“ They refused to meet me in a duel, they
said on account of the relationship they, bare
to me.

“But I was rendered desperate by their be-
havior toward those I loved, and I would not
hear to a refusal, and forced them to fight me,
and both fell.

“One was instantly killed, my step-fa-
ther, and the other mortally wounded, but be-
fore he died he said that they were unarmed,

,and that I had murdered them.

“Some friend of his carried OR the pistols
they had, and, as I had no witnesses I was
proclaimed a murderer and forced to fly for
my life. ‘

“I had little money, and I shipped before
the mast in a small vessel which was wrecked,
and I alone was saved of the crew by clinging
to a boat. '

“ l drifted about for several days, and nearer
dead than alive was picked up by this schooner,
and Captain Pierre nursed me moat faithfully.
and upon my recovery oflered me the place of
first lieutenant, telling me his vessel was a
Mexican cruiser.

“I gladly accepted the cfler, joined him in
a fight with a vessel, and then saw that he was
a pirate. ‘

“But the step was taken, and in sheer de-
spair I remained with him. ‘

“This was nearly a year; ago, and yet I lin~ '

ger upon a pirate vessel when my manhood
and my honor tell me I should give up the life ‘
I lead." V ‘

' “ And why will you not!” asked Pearl, who
had listened to his story with such deep inter-
estshe had WW herown sorrows.

, “I :Mnbdxay the mm. hallowed
we‘ll; his ,I, will, soon 19an  yes:

i

 

and I pledge you my honor, Pearl, that for
your sweet sake I will give up this .tearftd life
at the very earliest moment that I can.

“And more, I promise that no harm shall
befall you from C' rtain Pierre, if I have to
take his life to prevent it, for since I have
known you I have loved you, and girl though
you may be, you- have wrapped about me the
tendrils of your heart, until you have become
tome my life, my love, my pride." ,-

He spoke with deep earnestness, dropping
upon one knee before her.

It was the first confession of love she had
ever heard, and it frightened her, and 'with
pale face and startled eyes she sprung away
from him, crying:

“01:, do not talk thus to me, for I an a
mere child.

“I pity you—yes, respect you—but know
nothing of what love is.”

At ( nee he arose to his feet and said softly:

“ I was wrong, Pearl, to alarm you.

“Do not fear me, for I will be as a brother
to you.”

“Thank you; now I will trust you,” she
said, oflering her hand, which he grasped
warmly and then went on deck.

From his peon seaman he heard that the
Gold Ship was standing OE and on along the
coast, and he knew well that his vessel must
keep close in her retreat. ,

And there she remained, until finding that
the Gold Ship did not depart, and fearing a

more thorough search would be made, he,

watched his chance one dark night, and, with
his boats and under bare poles, towed out to sea.

.and sailed away, leaving a word to (hptain

Pierre, should he return during his absence, as
to the cause of his departure.

 

CHAPTER. XXI.
ran sonar or rank.

WHEN the Gold Ship arrived on the coast,
where it was hoped that the Sea‘ Marauder
would be found, a boat was lowered, and into
it Basil Branch was-placed in as comfortable, a
position as was pOSsible.

Then, as soon as he got his bearings, he pilot-

‘ed the boat, in which were Merle Monte and
half a dozen oarsmen, to the inlet into which!

flo‘wed a lagoon. ,

Once on the right track, it did not take him
long to find the narrow can’l-way, which led
into the Lost Pond.

As soon as the locality was placed, as they ,

dared not venture by day, the boat returned
to the schooner, as though it had made no dis.
covery, should the Sea Marauder be in the
Lost Pond, and prying eyes be watching.

But at nightfall Merle and Mesrak started

,together in the gig, and rowed'with mufled,

ears to the canal.
Then Mezrek landed and made his way clout
the low shores, to return to the boat arterial!

an hour and report to his master that no vessel ,

was visible in the Lost Pond;

Then the black rowed the boat into the
canal that Merle might see, and returning to"
the schooner, the men were called up,  the
vessel was turned shoreward. ’  I V

Without accident or trouble the schooner
got into the Lost Pond, end was safely mooted
there. ‘ ‘

With the first break of day Merle was up to
view his surroundings, and Mesrak, who had
not retired at all, handed him a scrap of pa-
per, which he had found pinned to a trespa-
shore. '

“ Well, mezrak, as usual you hays mob
some important discovery,” said Merle ,asha
glanced over the paper, and then‘ read aloud}

 ‘ttacked the co a a: l 1930..
nenrAhere. with my 1.0333. ’w‘gibestlg 0%. - ~

“ ‘ Your mafinsoner aidedfisefiby  atom-
mr, and was ed, :

“ Gold Ship searching the coast so ughly I
tow out to-night, and will return about the teen“,
of the month.- ‘ ‘ '

10,69 other

“The Sea Marauderwill be back. smut.
constitute. strainers.» we willy“? rich. ,,

f .

‘. l, w

' t red est.
senerwembusfle In my,

 

 

 

 

 

Merle Monica’s  ‘

 

 

in this Lost Pond, Mezrak, to give him a wol-
come.

“Poor girl, she grievegdeeply for her fa-
ther, he writes, believing him dead, and I feel
for her in her great woe.

“ But I have hopes that all will come well,
for Captain Pierre has not returned to his ves-
sel, that is certain, and this pirate lieutenant
seems to be a good fellow.

“ Mezrak!"

“Yes, master.”

“You must keep a bright watch for the
coming of Captain Pierre, for this is the ren-
delvous where he was to meet his vowel, and,
as I have time before the fifteenth, to go up to
the city. I will row up the bayous to some of
the Indian camps which are there, and get
them to take me to New Orleans."

“IV n will master return i”

“As soon as I can see Little Belt, who I
hope will be willing to return with me. as,

' by this time doubtless, Brandt the Buccaneer

has been hanged.

“Now to tell Mr. Branch and his wife what
this scrap of paper makes known, and give
them what hope I can," and Merle entered the
cabin.

But, half an hour after he was on his way
up the lagoon in an open boat; which was to
leave him at the camp of some Indians, known
to live inland afew leagues, and from thence he
could readily make his way to New Orleans
with a good guide, by way of the network of
heyous. ,

CHAPTER XXII.
m Losers.

Wm the morning dawned upon New Or-
leans. after the escape of Brandt the Bucca-
hair, it found the citizens in a state of great
excitement.

The news of the daring escape of the pirate
that had become known, and while patrols
marched the streets and made search of every
suspicious locality, guard boats rowed about
the river, and every vessel, from a. fishing
smack to a clipper packet ship, was most thor.
onghlyloverhauled, and their crews looked
squarly in the face.

To add to the excitement the body of the
dead seamen had been found, with a knife
thrust in his heart, and from cenan the feeling
turned to pity for him, for few could but
believe ‘that'the bold outlaw had killed him
at his post.

Oneof the first orders of Captain Meredith
was to hang the must guilty of the pirates,
while the”'oth'ers were" sent ashore to .e city
m  until their fate was

'Ami‘fi M' ’  (new
.- . -,"y'vv.s-'s" edto n
Wth"W§"llls‘  be my.
wk ast'asaiotaualiemu in the m.

we hi‘s’tuE-‘priaevm‘finelt had not visited

 

But nowhere did he get any comfort, and be
returned on board his vessel,to see that a.
large crew was put at once on the brig and the
cutter, as be well knew the daring of the
escaped chief, and did not doubt but that he
was concealed somewhere in the city, awaiting
an opportunity to seize some vessel, and put to
sea in it, and perhaps his own craft.

And at last night settled down upon the
town and river, and Mayo Meredith paced his
deck in no enviable frame of mind, after the
day having passed, and no tidings of the re-
capture of the bold fugitive been brought to
him, as he had hoped would be the case.

Presently he heard the sound of voices in
song, and beheld a large lugger coming down
the stream under light sail. ’

He listened, and heard a plantation song,
sung in chorus by half a score of voicbs, and
knew it was one of the coast' luggers that
traded between the city and the estates below,
or perhaps a vessel belonging tcsome wealthy
planter.

But he had given orders that no vessel
should leave the port that night, and sternly
hailed:

“ Ho the luggerl”

The singing of the negroes prevented his
hail from being heard, and waiting until‘ there
was a pause in the song he hailed loudly
again:

“ Ho the lugger; ahoy l” .

“Ay, ay, massa,” came back the answer in
the dialect of the plantation slave

“What logger is that!”

“ Massa Vincent's lugger, sah, ~ from de
Soldier Rest Plantation, massa,” came the re-
ply.

“ Do you not know orders have been given
that' no vessel is to leave port to-nightf"

“ N o, sah, nobody done tole us so,” was the
innocent reply.

“Well, I tell you so new.” 7

“ Lordy, massa cap’n, r males tan our
hide well if we don’t git plantation ’fore
day, 'cause he sent de lugger after s’plies.”

Captain Meredith was in a quandary what
to do.

He could easily make the lesser come to
anchor; but than the negroes seemed so anxious
to go on, and on their vessel there could cer-
tainly be no piratecoooealed, that beooncluded
to allow the lugger to continue on he way, but
called out:

‘~ Who have you on board!”

“Only us, ssh.”

“ Who are in?”

“Jim, and Dan, and ms M"Bob'ud-

8am,and—"
“For Halvenh sake holdl , r
“Have ounopsfillseflm‘m. V. .
an“ .ym', mugs, 'oausa-ourmamadon‘t
'lowit" _
“Andaostrsngsnl”

» my

preferred ugh: to venture" iuy‘and”im““u
until dark. '

Then he sent Peon ashore, to‘ Wuhan; -

and see if the captain had “returned.
Peon launched his light' 'cauo‘é and paddled

swiftly sboreward. entered the inlet, then‘tha '
lagoon, and ran ashore to have a leek into the ,

Lost Pond.

As he stepped from the canoe heifonnd him-‘ ‘

self in a grasp he could not shaké‘ at.

It was a double grasp, for“one"ha‘nd was"

upon his throat. and then an arm was‘thrown

around him and he could neither'cry‘Out or

break away.
The Indian was as wiry as a mam-ans
very powerful; but he had met his master.
Without seeming trouble his Captor bore
him to a small hut, made of the brancheso!
trees covered with moss. '

Within was burning a ghastly fire, yetthe ,

moss kept its light hidden from without. /
Then there were skulls, bones, and many
other things hideous to look at. x ' I
t But most hideous of all to Peon, washls cap»
or. ’
d He looked part human, part brute, ands}!

eviL '

his body was black, and nude to the waist,
while his face was blue, with red'streakl
across it. y ’ ~ .

He was deformed in body and' head: “and
Peon, with the superstition of his'race, “I
assured that the Devil had him, and he lay on
the ground passive, looking up in horror at his
captor and making no efl’ort to escape.

His captor gazed down upon him an instant -

in silence, and then said in sepakhrallfihég’
and in the Spanish tongue. , \ .

“ You are a Peon Indian of’Mexioof"

“Yes, senor," groaned Peon.

“ Your name is Itzi?”

“ Yea, senor Diablo.”

“ You sail the ash in an  1‘ f»

‘f l' do, 'ae'uor.” ‘

“ They call you “Each there!”

3mm” “it?” ' 
vesae , nowil as the ‘

“ It is, Senor Diablo."

“ Her captain is away!" '

“ Yea, good Diablo.”

u. danger in the? Lost Pena techs
“Yes, beautiful Diahlo.”

“IamSatan.” . ,

“I know it well, 'flenor blahlo.
“ You are my slave!" , 1 v
r “va '"~ ' i
“You‘wll me?” ' '

" «

werwm‘t

outlet his forehead prdtmded huge horns, ‘

“ Her lieutenant sent you   

mung-,3, w v 
‘  I ' m. on.

.,I
_,r

’r

 
 

 

an you-gm  

 

 

theshi ii  “N one nae-slash”
a» Boos-Er“ , . ruin. my mam «n‘i’rizhs’. mean scavwww“  - -  i r ' = "
that  bitumen-isms» the keep quiet’whilo you an rec-Ins ‘1 “I-  ,{VMM 89°31,” have! 

 

woman. , , .
He  how she had, when my,“ ,
cabin-boy, once before set the chief rm; ‘1,“

lhi ' n I” . . , ~ .
‘gfwill, moses, t’ankee ssb,”and the hit-.4 
80? went on its way. darted a

. ., g. ..,,m., r“ . ., , . 
waylikethewind.   .

thesch'oouor that had carried the philava Ana ‘Csptain Mayo WW “UN ‘9- ..VSW' »"‘°° hi“ “my. N I" i! like" i 
rinsin “‘9 P°°°““” "d. “M pacem- dee litil dream that than“ swath . . 3, .  ‘ .‘- , _ ‘ ‘r
in mm. w“ y not I'negrok'on the 'luggerh,‘ but only '3‘” “went. ‘3.“  v 5°!”  an” '

he , in spite‘ ofher‘protestations of seeking re.‘
vans. and wishing to' see the bum

told you. you“ a‘ V ‘ ‘r m", t \f;
med. héooud not but doubt her, under ex- Pl :06 m m . , ,

faces at» ' c-me one who am .
'“d “9' "'" ‘h‘ sad. new: ,ihsipeorlndian. _ 'wmlsm 

wand his 'hail aadfiquesticns was. none other .
than Brand the W: himself. sum wit-rend 1?... r , , no- ‘
‘thaiu'l’ier‘reptoodby his use, and two score but. and slap“ wt“ st. t.“ "W 0‘ ~~
E: gnomsnlisted 'for‘“.deapemte' work on the the block’s make up, and his fearful-w , . ~.r
{Wand an of old inreturn.”W°l'° ins- ~ .. . - ' - , "i;
_m"°hkiz‘helo§ th?deckgs, breathlme await- “He will b faithful. air,” Isiah-nil. , 3»?
. r in“ m'mfltherbold venture; cabal?- . , , , , ' ' ‘1
lettthe “wail-fang ,, “I donot  sonowtoprepq'eler 
» "igonwhomhem , CHAPTERXXHL theoominso wmimtwm -_ :
Wfimwho in return was Widen“? It, nunn’s nus-m . ’ returned, on M, “‘9 "hm. wsavwmj" ~‘ 
' . Tokw!) his appointment with, his captain, mmw the tho“: and. in I shqrttimhsl" 1‘ ‘;
me! A crux-amine, m dumanoemmu lian massed wand: ddeoftto'ms-a r 
FEM, “fimhemqemumwrm. ‘ “

instances. -
As he had'feared, he found that Little Ban.
was not t her rters.
The la;dlm%:id that be (for he honeyed the
woman to be ayouth) had paid in: bill at day-
tht and gone "away, leaving no word; but

 

"Riyhidden. m v
‘ hs  little villa-than  M ’
. 3° 

 

 

   

 

/

 
   
  
 
 

1.4

l

‘ MMQI‘le Monte’s 

 

Ship could not be discovered in there even by
any one forty paces distant. ‘ '

A wait of an hour, and then the steady dip
of can was heard, and .Mezrak, who had‘ been
reoonnoiterlng in the gig. reported the boats
towing the schooner in, and that they were
already in the lagoon. ‘

, With bated breath all waited, and especially

5  lhe mother and father of Pearl, whom they

’ 'mged to see, and yet dreaded to hear what
alight have been the fate of the beautiful girl.

Standing upon the deck of the Gold Ship by
the side other husband, who rested in a chair,
for he was not yet recovered from his wound,
Mrs. Branch listened toevery stroke of the oars
that brought her daughter nearer to her, and
with an anguish which only a mother’s heart
can feel.

, Nearer and nearer drew the Sea Marauder,
the boats headed for the canal. the helm was
put} down to point into it, and not one on
board dreamed of danger.

Then the two boats in advance entered the
can], the next two followed, and then the sharp
bows of the beautiful schooner passed into it.

‘f On board, lads, and remember not a sh t
into befi'redl ' Take her with the cations!"

, The cry of Lieutenant Trenor fell like a
thunder—clap from a oloudless sky upon the ears
0! the Sea Marauder's crew, and in obedience to
his command half a hundred men sprung with

hty leaps upon the deck of the schooner,
their leader, and instantly, almost,

the Vessel was in their possession, while the
flaw in the boats, unarmed, surprised and
alight, cried lustily for quarter. At that in-
stant a bright light illumined the scene, for a
blue light had been lit upon the deck of the
Gold Ship, and upon the quarter-deck, his hand

‘upon the wheel, plainly revealed, stood Vance
‘Murell, the pirate lieutenant, and by his side
:Pearl, watching the strange wild scene with ter-

, ror.

. [With amazement they had both heard the
ringing cry of Merle Monte, and, with two-
thirds of his men in the boats ahead, and those
on deck at once cut down by the boarders, the

young officer knew that resistance was useless.

' ‘ "Phat pirates were his foes he felt assured,
and well knowing in such case what a fate
would be Pearl’s, he determined to defend her
gist; islife, or even, take her life, rather than
that _ " should fall into their power.

'Bencehe drew a sword in one hand 'and
a pistol in the other, and, as Lieutenant Trenor,
who in Merle Monte’s absence held command,
advanced '.vith,several men at his back, he cried:

“ Back, or you diel’.’ »

“ Surrender, sir, I demand you!” ordered
Lieutenant Trtnor, sternly.

I 9‘ To whom?” ;
' “Tithe Gold Ship.”

l} 1'  “NcfierW‘was the defiant reply. ‘

" "“Then your fate be upon your own head.
“Adv M , men, and cut him down, but fire no
" shdt'to' the maiden.”

, ,3 “Hal that is your game!" cried the young
(fleet-{hearing the words and misunderstand-
ing them; and he turned toward Pearl, at the

‘ ‘same time placing  sword’s point over her

She’never flinched, but stood like a statue,

I ‘_ ' gamineg preferring to die thus than become

folio prisoner of piratés—‘which she supposed the
at. V 7 party to be '

V “God forgive me, but Pearl, my beautiful
 ,»I will drive my sword through your
pure heart before their vile hands shall pollute
you“ with a' touch!” * '

yance Murell said the words in calm defiance

\of his foes, and he would have kept his word
, and then fought until he tell; but suddenly a
black form sprung over the stern of the schoon-
‘maxery demon it looked in the wild glare,
sword’s point was knocked upward, the
pistol wrenched from the young officer’s hand,,

 was at once in the fearful clutch of
. Bold; Isaak! do not'harm him,”,crlod

'  honor, springing forward just in
V    whom the sight of

'Gold Ship; and with a glad cry the mother

v for I do not airs-to get into a trap.

 

the painted and disguised black had caused to
faint away. , '

“ Senor, we are no pirates, and mean you no
harm. '

“ Come with me, for I bear this lady to her
father and mother who await her on yonder
vessel,” said Lieutenant Trenor; and in a half-
deZed way Vance Murell, whom he had ad-
dressed, and whom Mezrok had released, fol-
lowed his captor in silence, gazing the while
anxiously upon the face of Pearl as she was
held unconscious in the strong arms of the omcer
of the Gold Ship.

Springing ashore, Lieutenant Trenor crossed
the narrow strip of land, and thus reached the

sprung toward her daughter, crying:

“My God! is she dead?"

“.No, madam; she has only fainted and will
soon recover," assured Lieutenant Trenor, as
he placed Pearl in her mother‘s arms.

And, kind reader, over the scene that .fol-
lowed, when Pearl revived, to find her mother
and father not dead, but living, I will draw the
veil, for the reunion of those three, so strange-
ly parted, and more strangely met, was too
sacred to dwell upon.

CHAPTER XXIV.
m mp.

Tan night passed away in the Lost Pond,
and, reunited once more, the father, mother
and daughter were happy, and sat in the cabin
until a late hour.

Nor were they selfish in their joy, for they
invited Lieutenant Trenor and the pirate lieu-
tenant, Vance Murell, who had proven such a
true friend to Pearl, to be with them to talk
over the past and plan for the future.

Pearl told her story, and Vance Murell had
his to tell, and thus the hours passed, while the
crew put the pirate prisoners in'irons, and got
both vessels ready to greet Captain Pierre,
come in what shape he might. .

As for Peo‘n, he was kept near Mezrak,
whom he now knew was not really Satan him-
self, and consequently feared him less.

Merle Monte’s absence was regretted by all,
and the hope that he would return in safety
was often expressed.

In the mean time, while all was satisfactory
in the Lost Pond, with the exception of the
pirate prisoners, slugger was standing in to-
ward the lagoon which the canal opened into.

Her decks were crowded with men forward,
but aft only three ,were visible, and one of
these held the wheel. . . ,

A close scrutiny of the craft would show
that it was the same lugger which Captain
Mayo Meredith had hailed from the deck of
the Sea Wolf, on her way down the river, 'and,
with the black‘wsshcd 03 of their. faces, the,
two men standing near the helmsman were re-
cognizable ss Brandt, the Buccaneerpaud Cap-
tain Pierre, of the Sea Marauder.

Captain Pierre was a man of caution in all
things, and therefore,~though be [chaired the
Lost Pond to be known to only himself and
crew, he yet would not run in without recon-
noitering, and' when’half- a league from shore
he luil'ed up, and said: , . ' , .

“I’ll take a boat and two memend run in,

 

“'If I signal with my lantern, stand down
for me in haste, Mr. Brentano, and keep the
lugger of! and on under full sail ready to fly,
ahouldthere he danger." ' x . ~

“ Ay,-ay, sir; lower away a boat there, and
two men get into it,” ordered Brandt, in his
character. of Lieutenant Brentano. . _

The .boat was at once lowered, and two of
the crew promptly sprung to the oars, as Cap-
tain Pierre came over the side of, the logger.

Away it went, under the strong pull of the
oarsmen, and soon disappeared from the view
of those on the logger. .

Straight for the inlet it was headed, byCap—
tain Pierre, who had the tiller, and crossing
thiait moved slowly ‘for the mouth of the la-

,.:‘...,...w. .......,......,. ... . ,

 

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oarloskstomufiletheeamh . _r ‘.

\

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‘1- |

“My our will creek, sir, so please let me
have your cloak," said one of the rowers, and
the one nearest the stern. .

Captain Pierre arose to hand it to him, when
suddenly his hand was seized with a grip he
could not shake off, a pistol muzzle was thrust
into his face, and a stern voice cried: '

“Surrender, Captain Pierre Dupont, a you
are a. dead man.” .

The pirate saw that he was caught in a trap,
and Ihat death was certain if be resisted, and
he cried nervously:

“Who are you?”

“ I am Merle Monte of the Gold Ship, 04p.
tain Pierre of the Sea Marauder,” Was the
startling announcement.

“And you, my man, will you let your cap-
tain be seized without resistance?" cried Cap-
taid Piel‘ré, as soon as his amazement would
allow him to speak.

. “ Oh, I am Little Belt, the first lufl of the
Gold Ship,” was the careless reply of the sup-
posed seaman, whose disguise, like Marie’s, no
one could have penetrated.

“Then I surrender/f was the cool reply of
the man, who had regained his nerve.

“ You are wise.

“Hold forth your hands, please," and Merle
clasped ironsl upon the wrists, and th. dis.
armed his prisoner, tied his feet together and
gagged him.

“Now, Belt, I will land yonder and go by
shore to the schooner and get ready to greet
the lugger, which you return to and tell Brandt
the Buccaneer to run in,” said Merle.

The prisoner made a sign that he wished to
speak, and Merle removed the gag, after threat-
ening him with death if he cried out.

_“ Did. you say Brandt the Buccaneer?" he
asked.

“I did, and I referred to your lieutenant,
Brentsno, who is the pirate chief in disguise. ’,’

“ Great Heaven! can this be true?”

' “ it certainly is, for he bribed a guard to set
him free from the Sea Wolf, and my lieu-
tenant here, Little Belt, tracked the man'. saw
what his‘ game was, watched his chance,
shipped on your lugger, through your agent
Giro, and meeting me, I joined him, and here
we are.” .

The man groaned, and the gag was replaced
in his mouth, and he was taken from the boat
and lied to a, tree for safe keeping until Merle
could return for him, . . , "

,Then Little Belt sprung .into the boat .and
started back to tell'Brandt that Captain Pierre
saidto [run boldly in, as all was 'safe,» while
Merle went alongshore toward the Lost Pond.
, His sudden appearance upon the deck of ,the
Gold, Shipwas a startling surprise, But he
had no time to explain matters, so gave his
orders quickly, got his boats and their crews
into themes-med with cutlasses only, Midwith
orders not to kill Brandt the  .

Lieutenant Trmor took charge of one heat,
and Vance Muesli volunteered, to command
another, and, as Merle heard  ,his, conduct
toward Pearl, be readily. consented. ’

Then the boat moved out of the and
laid in wait under the branches of ‘the trees
along the banks. v ‘

'lhey had not long to wait, for the lugga-
oame slowly up the lagoon using her sweeps.

When opposite the boats, out they darted;
their crews threw themselves ‘upsn thedeck.
and, after a short fight, the craft wascsp-
tured. ‘ v »

Brandt the Buccaneer had drawn his cuticle
the moment the boats appeared; but LittleBelt
was standing by his side, the chief little dream.
ing who she was, and instantly striking the
blade from his hand, she thrust a pistol to his
temple, and cried: - . , ,

“ Brandt the Buccaneer, you sremy prisoner
at lastl” , ‘ , i [3,: 7

“God above! you, Bolle unknown
the pirate chief. «. ; d "

. “ Ay, ay,  and Marie Monte tag”, and
new” '12.” “lifts?” “a. W...“
e ‘ mauac upon  w  

W was Wad“!!- tb  ?

‘.

I!" i "'   ‘71.:2‘3M'snr'

 

 

CHAPTER XXV.
MERLE uonra’s FATE.

Tm was one drawback to the gallant
Capture of the lugger, and that was, when
Merle Monte sought the place where he had
left Captain Pierre bound to :1 tree, that un-
worthy wretvh wm missing.

Search was made for him, but without
sirliil, and Vince Murell reported that Peon
hurl been out in his cance, and had doubtless
«w. him free and escaped with him, for the In-
iiun was devoted to the pirate captain.

With the dawn the Gold Ship, the Sea
Marauder and the lugger got under sail, and
headed for New Orleans, and the following day
the three Vessels glided into port, and startled
the good citizens, for, swung up in the rigging
was Brandt the Buccaneer, who had at lust
imlated his crimes at the end of a IOI)‘, and
Little Belt, had given the order to hang him,
ior she requested Merle to all'iw her to do Ru.

The Gold Ship dropped anchor near the Sea
Wolf, and the first one to board the beautiful
vessel was Captain Mayo Meredith, and he held
ln‘dhis hands an official document, while he
sol :

“Merle Monte, the Government has sent
you Pardon, for your gallant services, and. in—
stead 0! being hanged your fate is to in: a
lieutenant in the navy, and my word for it,
that when this last ventureis heard of you
will be made a captain.”

Merle thanked the captain most heartily,
and returned:

“Now that I am restored to honor, and
given rank, Captain Meredith, I shall at once
resign and settle down to private life, to enjoy
my fortune, which has been, so far, such a
curse to me."

And in spite of all entreaties Merle kept his
word, and his pleasure was in restoring to
Basil Branch his former home in all its beauty,
“I‘ll enricmng all Who had served him faith-
tu y.

The Gold Ship he kept for his private yacht,
saying that some day he might need it again.

Taking ‘1 fant'y to Vance Murell, he made
him his lieutenant, and Captain Trenor Was
given a large vessel in his own right, and was
thereby made truly happy.

mor had it that Merle Monte loved Pearl
Branch; but as Vance Murell also loved her,
4, ‘8 two. were friends, both seemed to yield
i __ VOI‘ Of the other, and neither asked for her

A3 forums Belt. she threw off the garb of
manhmd» resumed her own attire, and, after
long urging, became the wife of Captain Mayo
Meredith.

And Mezrak the Faithful still remained the
Jetotodslave 01! his dearly loved master to the
and: b“ he seemed grieved that Merle did not
make Pearl the Pirate/’3 Pride his wife.

Dmimilniiurs AND SPEAKERS

FOR .8030 0L EXHIBITIONS
AND HOME ENTER TA INHNTS.

 

. Blalogues, Nos. 1 to 29 inclusive, 15 to S p“-
in' "Josues and drama in each book. Eoc vol-
ume pages 121110;

Speakers, Nos. 1 to 24 inclusive. Each speaker
mosses 12mo. containingtromfiow'fls pieces-

 

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Merle Monte’s Fate.

    

15

 

 

*Waverlg_Library.

1 THE MAsRED BRIDE. B Mrs. MaryR. Crowell.
2 Wm IT LOVE? By Wm. uson Turner.
3 THE GIRL Wm. B Bartley ’1‘. Campbell.
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44 THE ONLY DAUGHTER. By Alice Fleming.
45 HER HIDDEN FOE. By Arabella Southworth.
46 THE LITTLE HEIRMSH. By M. A. venison.
47 BECAUSE SIIE Lori-m HIM. B Alice- Fleming.
48 IN SrITR or HERSELF‘. By S. . Sherwood.
49 HIS HEART‘N MISTRESS. By Arabella Southworth.
50 Tm; (SUDAN HEIREss. R Mm. Mary A. Denison.
51 Two YOUNG GIRLl-l. By lice Fleming.
112 THE WINGED MNssRNGER. By Mary Reed Crowell
53 AGNEN Horn. By W. M. Turner, . .
54 ONE WOMAN'H HEART. By George S. Ka“he.
55 SHE DID NOT LOVE HIM. By Arabella Southworth.
56 LOVE-MAD. By Wm. M. Turner 1!. D.
57 A BRAVE GIRL. By Alice Fleming.
58 Tim ERON MASK. BysMury Reed meell.
59 A Winow‘s WILEa. yRachel Bernhardt.
60 CECIL’s DECEIT. By Jennie Davis Burton.
61 A WICKED HEART. BKSaraClnxmn.
62 Tm: MANIAC BRIDE. v Margaret Blonnt.
63 THE CREOLE SISTERl-l. By Anna E. Porter.
61 WHAT JEALOUsY DID. By Alice Fleming.
65 Tim \Vlrn‘s SECRET. BY (‘OL Juan Lewis.
66 A BROTHER’R SIN. By Becllel Bernhardt.
67 FORBIDDEN BANs. By Arabella Southworth.
68 WEAVEns AND WEFT.‘ By Mrs. M. E. Brnddon.
69 CAMILLE. By Alexander Dumas.
70 THE Two OnrnANs. B D‘Enne .
71 MY YOUNG WIFE. 81y; Yonlfii ifa‘s Husband
72 THE TWO WIDows. nnie omas.
73 ROSE MICHEL. By aude Hilton.
74 CECIL CASTLEKAINE'S GAGE. By Onida.
75 THE BLACK LADY or DUNA. By J. 8. Le Faun.
78 CHARLOTTE TEMPLE. By Mrs. Rowson.
77 CnnIsTIAN OARLEY‘s MISTAKE. By Miss Mulock.
78 MY YOUNG HnsnAND. By Myseli.
79 A QUEEN ANONGsT WOMEN. By the author of
“ Dora Thorn.”
80 Hun LIORD AND MASTER.
81 LUCY alarm.
82 A LONG TIN]: AGO. By Meta Orred.
83 PLAYING For. HIGH STAKES. By Annie Thomas
84 THE LAUREL ann. By Miss Mulock.
85 LED AmAY. By Octave Feuillet.
86 JANET‘s RnrnNTANcn. By George Eliot.
87 ROMANCE or A POOR YOUNG MAN. By 0. Feuillot.
88 A TERRIBLE DEED. BY Emma 0- Jones.
89 A GILDED SIN.
90 THE AUTaon‘s DAUGm By Mary Hewitt.
91 THE JILT. By Charles Reade.
92 EILEEN ALANNA. By Dennis O‘Sullivan.
98 Lovn‘s VICTORY. By B. L. Forjeon.
94 THE HEART. B Mrs. Oli hant.
95 Lemon ARNOLD. By rs. Mars .
96 HAUNTED HEARTS. Rachel Bombardt.
97 HUGH MNLTON. By atliarlne Kin,
98 ALICE LEABMONT. By Miss Muloc .
99 MARJORIE Bacon‘s LOVER. Bv Marv Patrick.
100 THROUGH FIRE AND WATER By Fred. Talbot.
101 HANNAH. By Miss Mulock.
102 PEG WOFF'INGTON. By Charles Reade.
103 A DRsPERATE DEED. ByErsklne Boyd.
104 BnAnows ON THE SNOW. By B. L. Fa 'eon.
105 THE GREAT HOGGARTY DIAMOND. y W. M.
Thackeray.
106 FROII DRnAns To WAUNG. By E. LynnLinton.
107 POOR ZErn. By F. W. Robinson.
108 Tue SAD Fonrmms or THE REV. Auos BARTON.
we BnBy Georg-g Eliot. B E L
RAD-AND amen ANDKIssu. y F‘arjeon
110 Tin WANDERING Hum. BvO Read

By Florence Marryat.

. e.
‘ 111 THE Boo-Inn's BET. By B. F. Cor-tea.

 

112 A Hm ByMlssMulock.

 

118 PAUL AND VIRGINIA. From the French 0! Bor-
nardin de St. Pierre. '
114 "bus IN TRAEAIOAR's BAY. By Walter Dunno

and James Rice.
115 Tim. MAID or KILLERNA. By William“
116 HETTY. By Henry 
THE WAYSle CRoss. y apt. E. A. Hum.
118 Tim Vlt‘AR. or WAKEFIELD. By Oliveraom

i.‘
._.
‘3

119 ‘MAIID MORAN. By Annie Thomas.

120 ’l'ilADDRIIs or WARsAw. By Miss Jone POM.

121 THE KING OF NO-LAND. B B. L. F n.

122 imvnl. TilE WIDownll. By '. M. '1‘th orgy.

12:} AN ISLAND PEARL By B. L. Farjson.

121 Coner PHILIJH.

125 LRIIA; or Tun Sir-Gr. or GRmIADA. By Edward
Bulwer, ( .Ord Lytwn.)

126 WHEN TIIE Sm» Coulis HOME. By Walter

Besant and James Rice.
ONE OR THE FAMILY. B James Payn.
THE BIRTIIRIGI-IT. By rs. Gore.
Mornnnwss; or, The Farmer‘s Sweetheork By
Colonel Prentiss lugmhaln.
180 HOMELENN: or. The Two Orphan Girls in New
York. By Albert W. Aiken.
1 1 SISTER ArlAINNT BINTER: or The Rivalry of
Hearts. By Mrs. Mary Reed Crowoll.
132 SOLD roll GOLD; or. Almost Lost. Mr Mrs. M.
V. Victor.
183 LORD ROTn‘s SIN; or Betrothed at the Cradle.
By Mrs. Georgiana chkons.
131 DID HR LOVE HER? By Bartley ’l‘. Oompbol
135 SINNED AGAINs-r; or, Almost in His Power. By
Lillian Love oy.
136 WASBIIEHIs Inn? By)! BeedOrowoll.
137 THE VII.an 0N Tan Cur-r. y Miss '1' .
138 POOR VALIRIA; or. The Broken Troth.
Margaret Blount.
139 MARGARET GRARAN. Bv G. P. R. James.
140 WITROUT MERCY. By Bartley T.
141 HONOR BOUND. By Lillian Lovejoy.
142 F‘LnErNG men Lovn. Mrs. Harriet Irving.
14H ADDUCTED. By Bett Winwood.
144 A STRANGE MARRIAGI. By Lillion Love y.
145 Two GIRLs‘ Lwrs. By Mrs. Mary Reed
146 A DEsrmATEYnNTURE. By Arabella Southworth
147 Tm; WAR or HEARTs. By Corinne thmlo.
148 WHICH WAs Tm: WOMAN.“ By Sara (Horton.
149 AN AMBITIOUS GIRL. By Frances H. Davenpofi.
150 Low: LORD or ALL. B Alice May flaming.
151 A WILD GIRL. By (‘0 one Cushman.
152 A MAN‘s SACRITICE. Balflarriet Irving.
153 DID SHE SIN? By Mrs. arvReod Cro
151 HE Lows ME NOT. Lillian Lovejoy.
1155 WINNING WAYs. By argarot Blount.
156 WRAT San Col-1T Hm. By Arabella. Scum
157 A Gum’s HEART. By Rett Winwood.
158 A BITTER MIsTAIIE. By Agnes Mary Shelton.
159 LADY HELEN‘s Vow. B the late Mrs. E. 1". Mot.
1110 A FAIR MARTYR. lion Love oy.
161 PEARL or PEARIs. y A. 1’. Mo Jr.
A new {mm every week.
For sale by all NewsdealeI-s price five cents each.
or sent, postalggfiiaid, on recel of six cents.
B LE AND AI AMS Publishe
98 William street, . Y.

Half-Dime Singers Library

1 WIIOA. EMMA! and 59 other Songs.

‘1 CAPTAIN Curr and 57 other Songs.

8 THE GAINIIIIORO‘ HAT and 58 other Songs.

4 JOHNNY MOROAN and 60 other Songs.

5 I'LL STRIKE You WITII A FEATnm and 5! othou.

6 GEORGE THE 0mm and 56 other-SO

7 Tan BELLE or ROCKAWAY and 52 other

8 YOUNG FELLAn, YOU'RE TooFR'nsa and No I.

9 SKY YOUNG GIRL and 65 other Bong. .

10 I‘m THE GOVERNOR's ONLY SON and other Songs.

11 MY FAN and 65 other Songs.

12 COMIN' TRRo‘ Tun RYE an 55 other Songs.

13 THE RDUJCKING IRIsnlAN and Mothers“

14 OLD DOG TRAY and Nether Songs.

15 WROA. CHARLIE and 59 other Soup.

18 IN Two WIIEAT BY AND BY andfifiothor Songs.

17 NANCY LEE and 58 other Bough _

18 I‘ll m BOY mA-r‘s BOUND To z: and Mothers.

19 Ta: Two Owens and 59 other Songs. ,

so WHAT ARE m WILD WAvu Sumo, Burn?
and 59 other Songs. ' \

21 INDIGNANT POLLY Woo and 59 other Soup.

22 Tax: OLD ABM-CHAIR and 58 other Songs.

in N CONEY ISLAND BEACH and 58 otherflonga.

S4 SIMON. Tan HOT-CORN MAN and 50 other;

25 I‘M IN LOVE and 56 other Son .

23 PARADE or THE GUARDS and g other Songs.

27 Yo. HEAVE, H01 and mother Son

29 ‘TwnL Nm'ERno'mGInrrUPSoan Mother;

29 BLUE BONNETS OVER THE BORDER and 54 other.

80 THE MERRY LAUGHING MAN and 55 other Songs.

81 SWEET FORO lc'r-IIE-NOT and 55 other Songs.

82 LEETLE BAnY Man and 53 other Songs. , ,

83 DE BAN-Io AM DE leTRoNENT FOR. ME and 580mm

% TAm and 50 other Songs.

- J DST To PLEANE Tar: Bows and 52 other Songs.

86 SKATING ON ONE IN THE CUTTER and 52 others.

87 KOLORED KRANKs and 59 other Tongs.

89 NIL DESPERANDUM and 58 other Songs.

39 THE GIRL I LEFT BEHIND Mr. and 51) other Songs.

40 "1‘13 BU‘!‘ A LITTLE FADED FLOWER and 5D

41 PRETTY WHILEEDIIINA and 150 other Songs.

42 DANCING m TEE BARN and 63 other 80 n.

43 H. M. S. PINAFOBE. COMPLETE. and 1? arm

Sold everywhere by Newsdealem, at five mu
per 00 y or sent mww. to any address. on n-
ceipt o 51:: W per number.

BEADLE AND ADAMS. P173118”.
98 WILLIAM Sum, N“ You.

127
128
129

D;

 

 

 

 

-BEA.DLB’S [HALF-DIME LIBRARY.

Jack‘fl‘o le. By Edward L. Wheeler. 223 Ozark Alf Kmo or m Mow-r .
gm 1'31qu wfilchoonfilrb Rvgger Starbuck. “ Edward wmeit. m By
u,- ; u . ner. y '. aide Browne. . 000
The‘Hul-miu- Captain. 001. P. ingraham. 224 asking nkk' By 0“ 
Guhndzod nick. By E. L. Wheelen 225 am Charcoal. By Charles Morris.

1\vrlrl'illt Sonnets.  Dnmh E18211: M31118. 226 Snoozer, THE Boy SHARP. By E. LWheeler.
_ us ang ..‘am. y as. ‘. er. r. TR, "50,,
The Branded “and. By Frank Dumont. 2‘27 Dusky Darrel“ PP“ By E' Eme '
Cinnamon (Thip. By Fdward L. Wheeler. 228 l‘lnle Wildfire" By 0“ (homes.

Phil Hardy. 'rur: Boss BOY. By 0. Morris. 229 Crimson Kate. By 001. P. Ingrahain.

Kiowa Charley. ByT. C. Ha h. c '
,nmmm: Tum. By George  ‘ 2530 the Yankee Rajah. By c. D. Clark.
Bonanza Bill, MINER. By Ed. L. Wheeler. ' 1‘31 Plucky Phn' By T- C Hmugh-
_Elll(‘“'l‘w,0 litatectivorsl.3  flit-en.  'lll’lilt‘ PIE-(to. By ChRirles Morris. ! 232 Gold-Butt Dick. By E. L. Wheeler.
‘11 ver n rave n. V an .‘wi . V - re. worrm: )AD. B Dumont. l
The. Duinh S iy. By Oil Gnomes. ‘ ' The Young Privateer. By H. avendish. 233 Joe Bud“ or? “gels' By‘ A W' Aiken"
Aladdin; or. ‘E Worm-ng LAMP. Dcndtvood Dick’s Double. By Wheeler. 234 Old Rocky,“ 30790", BUCkSklnsam-
.gllgiMil-(¥:l. By (‘apt’gillnur‘rediwmnaker I  griet‘fllll/S Dick. 3y Charles Morris. I 235 Shadow Sam. ByC’harles Morris.
" o noon ‘runoe. L. us in ions.) ' u- do on Han . B Geo. W. Browne. -
Rag! Roy. By Col. Prentiss lngmliam. 3 The Hunted Hunter.y By Ed. 8.1mm. . 236 Apouo Bu" By Edwardhwneder‘
ad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. ‘ 3‘ Boss Bob. By m. L. Wheeler. 23" Lone Star, the Cowboy Curtain; or.
- ‘ Sure Shot Soul. By 011 Gnomes. THE MYETERIOUB RANCHERO. By P. Ingraham.
. Si:pllniilll'fllll‘l.xiiy CBDanniné glark. J 238 The Parson Detective. By 011 Coomeq.
. 2 it- aw t.  . adger, r. - ~ . THE 108.,
The Helpless Hand. yCapt. Mayne Reid. 239 ggfiifigldg¥gfgfflfiifiéh
Blonde Bill. Biy EdwardLWheeJer. ' p ‘ '
Judge Lynch, r_ By T_ C- Harth 240 Cyclone Kit. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Blue Blazes. BV Frank Dumont. 241 Bill Bravo and His Bear Paras.
Solid Sam. By Edward L Wheeler. . By T. C. Harbaugh.
Hundmmo Hurry- By Charles Mom 242 The Two ‘ Bloods’. By Charles Morris.

S . - ‘ . h . ll ' .
lfg‘fur“fi§.lffii'mf 0?. Smg‘gy Badger. 243 The Disguised Guide. By 01] Coomes.

fupla n Ferret. ByrEdwai-d L. Wheeler. 2-14 Sierra Sam. By Edward L. Wheeler.
silver Star, TEIC L’ov MIGHT. By Coomes. 245 filerle’ the Middy, By 001. p1,,ng

\Vill ‘Vi Idtire. B Charles Morris. . , .
sharp Sam. By J.’I&1exander Patten. 246 (" Ia.“ G-eol 38‘ By Buoksu‘“ bam‘

A Game of Gold. By Ed. L. 'hoeler, 247 011! Grizzly and [lie Pets. By Captain
Lance and Lasuo. Bly Ca 6. EWhittaker. “ Brum” Adams-
Panu‘er P““'- B 08‘ Badger. Jr. 248 Sierra Sani’s Seer-9t. By E. L. Wheeler.

v
Black Hem- WILL Wiwrirun‘s RACER; r. ‘
WINNWG AGAIN?“ ODDS. By Charles Mom: 249 Milo Rmner. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

 

 

 

 

 

"Pheu'dwood Dick. rim PRIme Row 3

gyfidward L. Wheeler.

2‘ d ‘ owgtone Jack. 8 J08. E Badger, Jr.
3 annulus, King. Bu 9.10 Bill. ‘
4" ‘e‘Wild-Horse lunters. By (Emmi-i '
'* yiie Reid and Captain il‘rederick Whittaker. ‘
5 Vagabond Joe, THE Yorim \VANllERING Jirw. ‘
"' g? 011 Ooomes. [low/ll.» Number. mots.

6 ill Blddon, Trapper. ByE. S. Ellis.
7"l‘he Flyingr Yankee. B (‘01.

8 Seth Jones. By Edward ‘. Ellis. 3
9 Adventurers of Baron Muiiehausen.
0' Nat. Todd. By’E. S. Ellis. ‘

“weapon-lama»

——-~h-III
“OWN-hawk:

in
w
5
5

19 The Phantom Spy.
20 The Double Dau'gers. , .
21 The Frontier .\ iigel. By Edward S. Ellis. 1 '
22 The Ken Serpent. Bi; Jliilll Lewis.

23 Nick 0’ the Night. y T. (t. Harbauzh.

24 Diamond Dirk. By Ooloneli’. lngmlmm. ‘

25 The Boy Captain. By Roger Starbuck.

20 Cioven llooi‘. By Edward L. Wheeler,

' ‘27 Antelope Abe, THE BOY GUIDE. 011(‘oomes.

28 Ill] il‘ulo "on. By Edward L Wheeler.

29 The Dumb Page. B Capt. F. Whittaker. A
v 30 Roaring Ralph Roe \vood,m BECK-
‘ was RANGER. By Hurry St. George

3] Keen-Knife. By ()ll Gnomes.

32 oh Wo’oli’. By Edward L. Wheeler.

33- he Ocean Bloodhound. FLW. Pierce
-i Oregon 801. By Capt. J. F. 0. Adams
5 Wild Ivan. By Edward L. Wheeler.

The Bo (‘lotvn . By Frank S. Finn.
The Hi den Lodge. By T. C. Harbaugh.
Ned ‘V ldo, THE BOY SCOUT. By Tean Jack. Engl.‘ Kn, my; Boy Damon. Bvon Commie, 250 Midshipman Mutineer. By lngraham.
Death- nee, THE Dmmvm By Wheeler. 5 1"“) Sward Hunters. B F. Whittaker. 251 Ljrrh‘.llo“ge L130. ByJ F 0 Am
Roving Ben. ByJ- J. Marshall. 55 Gold Trigger, mm spon-r. .C.Harbaugh. 3, , ‘ ‘ ‘

I Lasso Jack. By 011 (homes. 56 Deadwood Dick or Deadwood; or, 252 md‘ Dal‘ha‘ml- By 011% Monk
Elekf§anl§mn 1'{iiné‘ar-h  L. Bigger. THE Pulel) Parr. B Edward L. Wheeler. 253 Sierra Sam’s Pard. By E. LWheeler.
o ar n2. y l , .wm er. 57 Mike Merry. By C ariesMorris. 254 The uajfnlood By Edwards Ellis.

4 Battling Rube. By arry St. Geo r r ‘ ‘, . ' . '
01d Avalanche. By Edward L,Wll§:le: 8 l m" ,.l,.';"{§.'.‘,,';f.::.I°§;%n£‘fi§f°B‘u‘ 255 Captain Almllo- By T. C. Harbaugh.
igefiiafsuliygien agaptBJ-TF-g. fidaglafl. h Blur-k Giant. By J. E. Badger, Jr. 256 Young: Kentuek. By Capt. Mark Wilton.
A B“ n" - y -- 31' U - lNethlrkNell. B E. y-v_
48 Black J7lhn, m ROADAGENT- By L 02 Will \W‘ildflre in tile \Voods. ' 257 The L0“ 15""."0'" By cap" Adm“
49 Omaha 0]], By Inward L, Wheeler. . Lune .rexnl. By on Commas. 268 Sierra Sam n Seven. By E. L. Wheeler.
2;) gang: ggnkfill'h'gn TBWY AffiierFfrOLa-Sfllm 16- Dandy Rock’s Pledge. B ow. Browne. 259 The Golden Harpoon. ByRStarbuck.
. . -- l - V . Bill Baggage. By ChuresMorris. ,
52 The Wh te Buil‘alo. By C. E Lasalle. “lcflory Harry. By Bury St. Geomg ‘260 nare'negn nan By Olsooomes‘
53 Jim Bludnoe, Jr. B Edward LWheeier. A“! Soon, m We” BOY. By Willem 1101 Fergus 681113081“. y Geo. L. Aiken.
54 Ned Hazel. B§Ca t. .F. C. Adams. Deadly "man By Jog E‘ Badger, Jr. 262 The Young Sleuths. By Charles Morris.
55 1”“th c' , Y “3“” Bl“ Tornado 'l‘om- T. C. Harbaugh. 203 Deadwood Dick’s' Divide. By Wheeler.
66 Nick \I h flies Pet. Ca t. J. F. C. Adams. A Trum card. y Charles Mon-h 264 Th Fl “ F m X
57 Deadwood Dick’s Bag es. By Wheeler. Ebon am By Frank Dumom. e on m: on er. By ngraham.
S. The Border King. ByOIl Coomes. nun "hon-rm... Bymm-y Steam“, 265 The Tiger Tamer. By Capt. Whittaker.
0"; HERO"? By Hm St  Dand Rock’s Rival. By G.W. Browne. 233 mums.“ the Guide. By Ensign warren
The White ndian. Capt. J. F. . Adam; . Bob coke“, Tn BOY Down Bv Mon“ k k
I Blmklior Bill. By Edward 1.. Wheeler. Captain Annula. By phi“ s‘wama 267 gilt! Billie S in Detective. By '1‘, C.
k a". “up! BVC‘ol-P- “graham The Boy Runaway. By ut. Perry. , 
Brotherhood. W. J. Hamilton Nob!) Nick 01' Nevada. ill. L. Wheeler. 268 Defidwood Dick’s Death Trail. By
B! T C‘ Harbaugh- om . olitary. By on momee Edward L Wheeler.
‘3 guififig  gmlfftgger‘ Jr Bob Ror'lltet: m winnerng Mom's. ' 269 'l'lre'Gold Ship. ByOoL Ringworm.
A t e'r Joe.‘ 13y ‘hiii e'Wai-ne mfdkgugwg; “,3? whale?"- 270V Blizzard Ben. By CaptainMarkWiiwn.
. “Mun 'H'wd- BY 8403111 Little Hurricane. By OllOomnes. ‘271' The Huge Hunter. '8: more em
The Hiddeh’fland- BY Chas Monk an Minkskin mike.” By’OII'Oobines.
3;; 3°: $;“m' By‘mnt "'5" 213 .1an Joe." laymen-d L‘Wbeeler.
7 (ml n-‘rmr- were“... “it  film... W
. ‘ ayur. y . ’27' ‘ ‘na c. BueksldirBom.
73..““Wk‘oge marry. By 0“ Wmes- Ned'Tem le, mBoumBov. 11mm. '273 no,“ “oh-u,“ on“  B .I- .
3 n“ 3" Dual!" By 001- P' ~ Bob Roe. on Tim  Byiion‘is. .. . . . '9' [Y W

6 Mean, m‘Cin» B A. W. Aiken. 'mnd parka. Byw mvm. 271‘Deyiver Doll. Hymn-Wheeler.
77.: flag! Ch“? 10- .9ng  Builli 0 Billy. Dragon. lor. U. an. 273 nenm*mppeflg WWW
7‘ ,. “3‘- 37: V“ W - ' captain H t. ByLieut.H.D.' ,U.S.N. 279 on W. humim m B T

9 Sol Giufiea, Gun‘ m By A.W. Aiken. cipm‘n “Mk. mug? Wane~ Wile , . y . c.

. h" 0‘” . bed"- ‘ unamo Bill’s Be . By mainnylor.
thing Jo. T . . h Deulwond may. Dre"... ByWheeler. 280 Merle Mouton Fate. 3736?. lug-shun.
- . shadowed. By Charles Mom 281 Denver Dolls. Victory.  
anger. B 0 Uboma. .. .. , _.
‘e‘lfiirl Miner. By lit 1.. Wheeler. s [Ailgl‘f'fig‘fg "gywfllfiggwey I‘ng'm' 282 The Typo Detective. By Edward Wale“.
uekram. B - J. F. (llama. 199 Fen‘hemeight.  283 Indian Joe. By MajorLWch-son.
fictitth hvddocmBMmekydé.Md 200 The Boy uedoulns. By WW, er. 284'1'110 sear Marauder. ‘By.'(}ollngrn.lmm.
ss $1“?th ii. ‘ F. L'er'eeler. ' 201' The Black‘nlns Jezebel. By Wheeler. 235 Denver Doll’n Decoy. ‘ By E. L. Wheeler.
89.‘ min 1 - 13me rid Hemmer. . 202 Prospect Pete. By on Oo‘omes. 23g %osh the: noy'renderrooi; or Tm;
9° The I’m” “"9"- 3 G~ “‘10 “"2 aos'rne uoy Pards. BvJos. E. Badger Jr. ‘ 11-3553“ OTBWM Bymwllwn-
9‘ ““Q‘mm‘n °‘ "m" "b3 0"MY°“° B ‘3“... ‘1 h' 287 Billy Blue-Eyes. By 001. P. Ingraham.
Brut Am BymBmcebi-idge Hemyng, 204 Gold Plume. m or, rr. V ngra am. y I _ V KI B.
92 Canada Chet. By ward LWbeeier. 205 Deadwood niekig Doom, By Wheeler 288 The Scalp ng. yCapLJ. F. C. Adams;
3 The Boy Miners. B Edward 8. Ellis 206 Dark Paul, when KING; By 0' Home 289 Jolly Jim’s Job. By Charles Morris.

9
' 9A! Midnith Jack. By . C. Barbe h. .

95 The lilvulRovern. men CoL azaltine. 207 Navajo Nick. Barr a limb. 290 mu“ F°‘“'°- BY 0“ 0cm“

3!; Ranch-glue. gm finmh W- gy g- ?MWbeelmffi- 208 The Boy Hercules. By Oll (looms. :3; 2‘1"“: “1;;"MI- 3Y3};- LBWhee” ler. B
euiuvroern.y.. . _ .‘neo .romvm. y

98 Robin Hood. By Prof. Glider-sleeve. ’09 Fm”, m B°m 3"" DE‘EC’I‘E' meek" Maj?» E. L. St Vrainf "

99 The Tiger or Taon. By G. Waldo Browne. ._ 210 Faro Frank of High Pine. ByEyster- 293 Red Claw m mm mm By

100 Deadwood Dir-k in Leadville; or. A 1 211 Crooked Cale. By JOS. E. Baldwin Jr- Captain Goms’tock.

. B Wheel . , .

101 Jaekmifmxifxanylfiimlaw {'ork. ehy 1 2” “mung "8"" BY Charles 1‘0"“ 294 Dynamite nun. By TC Waugh

Bmebrldge Hem mg. 213 Fritz to the Front. ByE. L. Wheeler. ‘295 Faun.“ Phu. or m Kma 0F Qum,
102 Did: Danae ye. By (>01. (Engraham. 214 Wolfgang THE: Ronnicii or THE Rama. W. By EdwardW ett.

103 The Lion oi the Sea. By . Della Sara. By Captain F’redenck Whittaker. 296 Denver no“... Bria. By E L'Wheeler.

s . B we 1 .
18% gff‘kvfifi?%°gu:§"g . £36,“; I 215 Captain Bullet. By '1‘. C. Harbeugh. 29-, The Tarantula. orTaos. By Buckskin

l
106 Old Frosty. mGimm. By .C. Harbaugh. l 216 Bison Bill. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
  s‘m- BB? Jmslim f 21 7 Captain Crack-Shot. By E. L. Wheeler. 298 The Beach Pirates. By Charles Moms.
n . . -
109 Deadvgoodvgieky Iinfill-riletoetive. By 218 Tiger Tomi m m“ mn°n~ 000m“- A net.“ ism every weal;
Edward L. Wheeler. 1 219 Despard, the Duelist. By P. $Warne. ‘
l 10 The Black Steed oi' the Prairies. A 220 Tom Tannen By Charles Moms. Y'l‘lggeailelaiiggglms Lihgaryoi‘saggié gale all
Thrilling 8w 0‘ Tm Adventure“ By "L 221 Sugar Coated Sam. By E. L. Wheeler. receipt 05mm ce‘ms  ABLE &yA“13’AM°§

ll 'l‘l Se - vii. Col. P. Ingrabam. (
l 1‘;  Nlaad BunterlfyBy Damon Sale. 222 Grit, the Bravo Snort. By lngrallam. Publishers, 98 William Street. New York.

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