m   ~» .   
 ‘ ‘ \mmix   «

\\\\\\\\

 

2.ro Published Weekl b Beadle and Adams p . ,
VOL VI: n’YeLr. No. 93 \VILLAMySI-n NEW YORK ’ Fivergfxfls. NO. 77!

DICK DEADEYEJT < BOY SMUGGLER;

Or, The Cruise of the Vixen.

————+w———-

BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

' l/
\ WIN,”
/, ' h “1/!

fl] '4 I ‘
 ’

“mow SWING THAT PIRATE UPI BE AT LEAST SHALL NOT ESCAPE,” SAID CAPTAIN NORMAN.

 

 

2 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler.

 

Dick Dead-Eye,

THE BOY SMUGGLER;

. on,
THE CRUISE OF THE VIXEN.

BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM,

AUTHOR or “THE FLYING YANKEE,” “nALrH
nor,” “DIAMOND max,” ETC., arc.

 

CHAPTER I.
THE FATAL REEF.

“I TELL yer, messmates, the sloop sees ther
storm a-comin’ an’ is pushin’ her bows under
to git inter ther basin afore it breaks.”

‘ It may, an’ it may not, for the gale is lash-
in’ things white out yonder.”

“ It hain’t the storm the Flyaway is a—runnin’
from; look there!”

The speakers were two of a group of a. dozen
rough-lookin men, the fishermen of the coast,
and some sai wreckers and smugglers as well.

They stood upon a cedar-cl point of land
that ranout from the main shore and formed
an arm to shelter a little haven lying beyond.

Beneath the shadow of a range of hills, and
half-hidden among the pines and cedars, were a
score of rude huts, while in the harbor lay their
fishin smacks, and the white beach was dotted
with t eir skiifs.

Seaward, innumerable islands, some only half
an acre in size, others containing a hundred
acres, were visible, running out nearly two
leagues from the mainland, and up and down
the coast as far as the eye could reach, and it
was upon a trim-looking sloop of perhaps sixty
tons, crowded with canvas and driving swiftly
along through the isle channels, that the group
of men were looking when the remark of one of
them opens this story

The object pointe out by the second speaker
was a rakish-looking schooner that suddenly
glided out from behind a large island, and
stood on after the sloop with evidently hostile
intentions.

The sloop was heading down the coast, dodg—
ing in and out among the islands, as if to throw
her pursuer off the track; but persistently, and
gaining rapidly, the schooner came on, her deck
crowded with men, and her guns run out, for it
was an armed vessel, with the stars and stripes
flying at her peak.

“It is that cursed revenue-cutter, as I live!”
cried one of the men, as the schooner shot fully
into view.

“ Yes, and he is gaining on the sloop, foo, lads!
B y heaven! I wish the storm would break and
make the cruiser take in sail.”

The storm, which was sweeping landward,
black and threatening, was yet a. long way off;
but the sympathy'of the group on the clifl’ point
seemedto be wholly with the flying sloop, and
when at first they had observed the breaking of
the ale upon the little craft, they now were
nnx ous that it would do so, as it would at euro
end the chase.

 

“ If the cutter turns into the channel atween .

the Cow and the Calf islands, lads, he has got a.
pilot on board," said one of the men, referring
to a large and small isle more than a league
away from where they were.

“ He has got a pilot, then, for there she goes!
Who’s got a glass, for we must see that traitor’s
face,” angrily remarked one of the men.

“ There hain’t a glass in the crowd. See! he
runs that dangerous channel like a fish, and he’ll
soon get in rangeof the sloop.” '

It was true. The cutter, without slacking
s eed, rushed boldly into the narrow and winding
c annel through the two islands, and 'fol~
lowing the same course of the sloop ahead,
soon darted out into comparatively open water
beyond.

‘ There goes his guns, lads. I pray the Flyaway
may weather them safe.”

As the man spoke a puff of smoke burst from
the cutter’s bows, and soon after came the deep
boom of the and the shot struck the sea not
far astern o the little sleep.

“The chances are ’in Captain Jasper, lads,
an’ if he don’t dodge Bilge cutter amongl yonder
islands, the storm 15 all that can save im; but
who is the pilot on the schooner? I want; to
know?”

“Whoever he is, he must be tracked down
and killed; we must have no traitors among us,
boys,” said a. man who had not before spoken,
and who had been most attentively watching the
chase.

“ Hal the storm! the storm!” cried every
voice, as a sudden gust of wind swept over the
point, and large drops of rain began to fall
while the roar of the gale was now loud am
ominous, and the sea. was lashed into foam Just
be end the chain of islands.

ct, neither the sleep nor schooner slackened
sail, but rushed on as before.

“ Captain Jasper will lose his stick if he don’t
take in that sail. See, she bends over and burics
her scunpers dong.”

“ Anrl the sc ooncr is feeling it too. Hal
down go his sails, lads, but the Flyaway holds
on "

The cutter was suddenly seen to shorten sail
rapidly, and the men, thoroughly trained, soon
had the pretty vessel running under only suffi-
cient canvas to drive her along. .

“ Is Jasper a fool? See, the gale is upon hnn,
and he has not taken in his sail. Ha! is he gone,
lads ?”

“ I can’t see; the mist hides both the schooner

and the sleep. Here we have it, boys!" and the _

entire crowd of men shrunk back to the little
shelter of rocks, as the fierce gale swept over
the cliff. I

At that moment a slender form dashed into
their midst, and sunk down under the over-
han 'ng tree-clad cliff.

“ stelle?” cried every veice.

“Yes, 1 came to see what the firing was
about on the ba ,” shouted back the young girl,
for she was har ly fifteen years of agge ' _

“This is a bad blow for you to out in,
girl,” said one of the men, not unkindly.

“I have been out in worse, Freeman; but
what shot was that I heard?"

“The cutter chasing the Flyaway home.”

gt

 

um“.

 

_...I .._ ,

 

. Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler. 3
J .
1
Q!” “And my father, and Dick?” asked the girl the sloop will be captured, for the cutter is shak-
. anxiously. ing out the reefs!” cried Freeman.
“Both safe on the sloop—if the sloop’s safe, “ And so is the sloop—see!” cried Estelle.
y but we hav’n’t seen either craft since the storm “Bravo! Hurrah for the boy; but the little
struck them.’7 craft won’t stand the pressure in this gale—see
“The storm I do not dread: but the schooner there!”
-—ah, the gale is sweeping over,” and the maiden It seemed as if the speaker’s words were true,
arose to her feet and glanced anxiously out Over for the sloop swept over until all believed she
the island-dotted boy, still hidden by the dense would capsize under the fearful pressure; but
mist. righted quickly and again went driving on, her
Though a mere girl, she was yet of a beauti- decks drowned by the waters that swe t over
v, fully-rounded form, graceful, and slender, her, and her sharp bows hidden under t e wall

. We ‘4‘...

 

 

though clad in a rough homo-spun dress, worn
rather short, and displaying a pair of tiny feet,
incased in rough canvas shoes. '

Her hair was of a red-gold hue, navy, and
wound about her head in heavy masses, while
every feature of her face was faultless, and bore
the impress of a noble nature. '

Across her shoulders, and in strange contrast
with the rest of. her attire, hung a red silk scarf,
beautifully embroidered, and a sailor’s hat was
upon her head.

Standing gracefully, with a ship’s spy-glass
to her eye, she made a fanciful, striking picture,
with the rocky clifi‘ towering above her and
the group of rough—looking men in the back-
ground.

“ I see the sloop; she is lying to.”

“Hurrah!” broke from the men at the girl’s
words, while one asked:

“ And the schooner?”

“ She is lying to, also— No she is getting
under way again, and so is the s 00p.”

All new came out from their shelter and gaz-
cd down upon the wild waters. while the storm
went rushing on over the land.

There lay the two vessels, in nearly the same
positions as when last seen, and neither of them
apparently hurt by the gale that had passed
over them.

“Captain J aspcr is in as bad a fix as before,
lads, and now has to run for it again,” said one
of the group.

“Yes; and the cutter is after him again. I
say, Estelle, look at the schooner with your glass
and say who holds her wheel.”

The maiden at once turned her glass upon the
cutter, and a cry as of alarm at once broke from
her lips, and the men gathered around her.

“It is my father!”

“ N o, no, girl! you do not tell the truth. Cap—
tain Jnspcr is no traitor!” cried the man known
as Freeman, and he seized the glass from her
hands. “ By Heaven! she speaks the truth,
lads. Jas yr Lucas is the pilot 'on board the
schooner!’ he said, impressively, and something
like a groan broke from the mcn.

“ And the sloop? Who runs the sloop?” cried
several vorce‘».

The man turned the glass upon the sloop,
which under close—reefed canvas was bounding
like a race-horse over the rough waters.

“ It is Dick, the Boy Smuggler!”

“Give me the glass, Freeman,” said Estelle,
l? commanding tones, and she leveled it at the
s 001).

“ t is Dick; and father the pilot of the schoon-
er! What can it mean ?”

“ It means, girl, that Jasper Lucas is a trai-
tor, and his son Dick is not. By Neptune! lads,

 

of waters in front.

“ The schooner is as stiff as a church steeple,
and she is overhauling the sloop fast—run, Dick,
or the Flyaway is lost. ”

It now became evident that unless the sloop
could gain the shelter of some larger islands, 8.
mile ahead, and keep them between her and the
cutter until night came on, she would be captur-
cd, and all on the. cliff looked gloomy, while Es-
telle silently held her glass one instant on the
little Flyaway, and the next turned it upon the
cutter. '

“ I tell you the boy is getting all out of the
sloop she can do, and he handles her nobly. By
Heaven! he will round the Cedar Island!”

A cry broke from the group, as they saw that
the sloop was running for the larger island,
known as the Cedar, having just passed through
a danger channel between two reefs.

But the cry of joy turned into a yell of dis-

.may, as the tall, slender must of the sloop was

seen to suddenly snap in twain, and the mass of
canvas come to the deck like a falling cloud,
while the little craft lay a wreck upon the waters,
with the cutter coming in her wake, and not a.
mile distant from her.

As soon as the sloop’s headway was checked a
momentary scene of excitement was visible on
board, and then a large skiff was seen to leave
her side, filled with men, and pull rapidly for
the shore, while a volume of smoke suddenly
burst from the Flyaway’s cabin.

“ Brave Dick! He has set her afire and then
taken to his boat—so, Mister Jasper, you are
foiled by your son,” cried Freeman; but his Ii 5
had hardly uttered the words when a yell of e-
light broke from every lip except Estelle’s, as
the cutter, which had entered the narrow Reef-
channc], as it was called, was suddenly seen to
come to a sudden stop; a terrific crash followed,
and the tall masts of the cutter went down like
falling trccs.

Instantly the air was filled with the Wild cries
of the wrecked crew. while on the cliff the group
of men danced in frenzied joy, and Freeman
shouted in stentorian tones:

“'Wo misjudged him, lads, for Jasper Lucas
is no traitor. Three cheers for the old man,
lads!”

Tho cheers were given with a right good will,
and thou one of the men suddenly cried:

“ Look at the gal! Where in Satan’s name are
she gqin’?" v

Down the steep athway, her hair shaken
loose, and floating be find her in heavy waves,
the maiden was bounding like a deer.

“ She is goin’ to ther cabin with ther newsfor
ther old lady,” said another, and they

 

 

4 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler.

 

their gaze again upon the vessel that had dashed
upon the fatal reef, and over which the waves
were new breaking in fury.

CHAPTER II.
ESTELLE.

WITH sure step and with marvelous speed
Estelle bounded own the rock hillside until
she reached the white beach, an , after a short
run, came to 3. Ion ,canoe-shaped skiff, light
as a feather, and wit two oars lying in the bot—

 

in.

With a strength one would not have given her
credit for, she shoved it into the water, at a
point, where a huge rock, a short distance from

he shore, formed a breakwater. Springing in
she seated herself and seized the ears, then pull-
ed boldly out into the rough waters. ’

At a glance it was evident that she was a
thoroughly trained oarswoman, and her skill
and strength combined sent the light life-skiff,
for such it really was, swiftly over the wild
waves, and straight out toward the fatal reef
upon which the revenue-cutter lay wrecked, her
crew clinging to her, and the seas breaking over
her decks.

It was a terrible duty she had set for herself,
and one that would tax a man’s strength and
nerve, for the danger was great; but she felt no
fear, and her lips were set with a determination
to reach the wreck or perish in the effort.

Taking advantage of a small island that lay
in her course, she rowed close in under its shel-
ter to rest her straining arms, when she was
startled by a hoarse call: _

“ Pull ashore here, Estelle; I am here.”

Instantly she rested upon her cars, and turn-
ing, beheld crouched down beneath a moss-cov—
ered rock the form of a man.

He was but half dressed, and his long hair
and heard were wet through, while his dark
eyes flashed savagely.

“ Oh, father! how could you be so cruel as to
wreck that beautiful vessel?”

The girl spoke rcproachfnlly, and with a
skillful motion she turned the stern of her boat
toward the little island, so that she could face
the man whom she addressed as father.

“I could not help it, Estelle; I was in the
lion’s den. and I had either to wreck her or let
them catch the sleep. Pull closer in, and I will
sprino‘ into the skiff.”

“ o, father, for you will not allow me to
save these men if I do. You are in no danger
of your life—you have swum this far and can
casil y reach the shore; or, if you care to remain
here, I will come out for you to—night.”

“ What! would you betray us, girl?”

“ No, father; but I will not see those brave
men die while I can save them. Within an
hour the schooner will go to pieces.” .

“ Estelle, I warn you not to do as you intend.
By Heaven! you will bring down trouble, per-
haps death, upon many of us!” ‘

‘ I will not betray you, father, but I Will be
humane,” was the calm reply. I

With a muttered oath, the man sprung from
the rock toward the boat; but the maiden quick-
ly gave a all on the ears and sent it out o‘i his
reach, wh le she cried: ,

“ Forgive me, father, but my duty hes there,

 

to save those men,” and with a strong ull she
continued on her way, while the man, itterly
cursmg her, swuin with strong stroke toward
the mainland. .

Suddenly he turned, and as he rose on a
wave glanced back over the waters.

“ cavens! Is the boy mad. too? As I live,
he is pulling toward the wreck!”

The cause of the remark of the bold swimmer,
was in beholding a second heat bounding over
the rough waters—a large skiff, pulled by four
strong oarsmen, and with the form of a youth
in the stern, his hand upon the tiller.

It was the same youth that had been recog—
nized at the helm of the sloo , and whom the
men on the cliff had called the oy Smugglcr.

He was apparently about eighteen years of
age, well formed, and dressed only in duck

ants and blue‘ woolen shirt, while his head was

are and his hair, worn long, was hanging in
wet curls upon his broad shoulders.

His face was one to attract the attention of
both men and women, for it was fearless, too
reckless, handsome and strangely firm and stern
for one of his years. »

Suddenly, as he glanced over the water his
eyes fell upon the life—skiff rowed by Estelle.

“ Holy Neptune!”

“What is it, lad?” asked an old oarsman, at
the exclamation of the youth.

' “ There is Estelle, alone in the life-skiff, pull-
ing toward the wreck.”

‘You don’t say so, lad! We’ll have to run
across her how and tell her to put back or she’ll
give us all awa .”

“ She’ll not etray us, Jack; she is going to
the aid of the crew; but I’ll steer so as to get
near enough to warn her not to tell that we lire
other than we seem, honest fishermen.” '

“True, lad; but after we get the blue-coats
out of the scrape they might turn on us.”

The two boats were now rapidly nearing each
other, and the youth soon hailed:

“ Life-skiff ahoy!”

With a startled cry Estelle turned her head
for she had not observed the other boat, as her
glances over her shoulder, to direct her course
had been always in the direction of the wrecked
schooner.

“ Oh Dick!”

It was all that she could say.

“ thich way, Estelle?”

“To the wreck, Dick,” and she said it with
foreboding, as she feared the other boat had
come to prevent her humane intention, and her
heart bounded with joy as Dick re lied:

“Just like you to risk your 1i 0 for others.
We are also gomg there, for, of course, as hon-
est fishermen, we could not see a wrecked crow
drown before our eyes, and not make an effort
to sage thorn.” b1

‘ ou are a no 8 fellow,- Dick; but do i
not fear to trust yourself on the schooner?” you

“ Oh no, far of course we know nothing about
the sloop, you know; but becareful, or you’ll be
swagpgd yet.f

“ o ear 0 me, Die ” and the 01111 ‘
again pulled brayely mi, the two Ehoatg £1;
running Side b Side and their ceurso anxiously
watched by t a crew of the wreck, two-score
men in all.

Dick Dead-Bye, the Boy Smuggler. 6

 

Upon the forecastle of the schooner, the safest
place, the men were huddled, officers and all,
while every wave that struck the hull caused it
to tremble from stem to stern, and the crew to
dread that it would go to pieces before the boats
could reach them.

“This has been a bad business, Randolph,
and I am sorry that accursed pilot v. as washed
overboard and drowned, for I would like to
hang him for his treachery,” mid an cfliccr of
middle age and in captain’s uniform, mldrcssing
a young lieutenant near him.

“ You are convinced then. Captain Norman,
that the man was a traitor?” asked Lieutenant
Harvey Randolph.

“ Yes; _he saw that we were going to take the
sloop and he deliberately put the helm doan
and ashed up upon this reef. In the wreck I
did not see What became of him, but he was
doubtless borne overboard by the huge wave
that swept over us and carried half a dozen of
the crew todeath: but, Randolph, is not that a
woman in the leading boat?” and Ca itain Nor—
man azed searchingly upon the life- ‘ riff.

“ es, sir, it is a woman; 1 see her hair down
her back. It is strange that the men in the
other boat should allow her to thus risk her
life,” said the young lieutenant.

“Pardon, your honor, but the small skiff came
out from under the cliff yonder, and the big
one from the island,” said the boatswain, and the
eyes of all on the schooner attentively watched
the coming boats, until they ran close in under
the lee of the wreck.

“ Ah, my bravo fellows, you have come to
our rescue,” said Captain Ethan Norman,
kindly.

“Yes, sir, we saw your danger and came to
your air ,” and Dick Lucas ran his boat close in
to the reef.

“Well, we will come on board, but I have
forty men, and you cannot carry them all.” -

“ e must, sir; the tide is comingr in and the
schooner will soon go to pieces. My boat and
the life-skiff will carry all. sir.”

As Dick spoke Estelle skillfully brought her
boat under the schooner’s stern. and looking up

er eyes met those of Captain Norman.

“ lleaven have mercy! Girl, who are you?”
cried Ethan Norman, startng back and turning
deadly pale.

“That is my adopted sister, sir, who risked
her life to come to your aid, not knowing that
I had also started. on have no time to lose,
captain,” said Dick in a tone that made the
crow realize fully their danger, and hastily
smug themselves over into the boat, while their
commander stood gazing upon Estelle, a strange
look upon his face.

In a few moments all were in the boats,
which, loaded down to the gunwalos. started up-
on their perilous tri landward, Estelle still hold-
ing the oars of the s ifl”, and firmly refusing to
give them 11 , as she said she knew better how
to manage t e little craft.

As they rowed shoreward, threatened fre—
quently with being swamped, Captain Norman
sat in the stern of the skill‘, his eyes fixed upon
the maiden, who seemed too much taken up with
her duty to observe his constant gaze.

At length they reached the little bay, and

 

landed in safety—a few men meeting them upon
the beach. .

“Gentlemen, I am glad to ofl'er you hospital-
ity, but sorry that your misfortune has made it
necessary.”

Both Dick and Estelle started at the sound of
the deep voice, and turning quickly beheld none
other than Jasper Lucas near them—Jasper Lu-
cas indeed, but wholly changed from the long-
haired, long-bearded man who had wrecked the
schooner.

He was dressed in a suit of dark clothes, were
a white shirt, and a slouch hat shaded his face,
from which the long board had been clean shav—
en, while the hair was cut short, changing his
appearance completely.

“ I thank you, sir, andshall be forced to ac-
cept your hospitality,” said Captain Norman.

“Then I can entertain yourself and officers,
sir, while the neighbors will look after your
crew. Come with me, gentlemen.”

Captain Norman was sur irised. He expected
to meet rude and ignorant dishermen, and he was
welcomed with the courtly grace of a refined
gentleman, while the youth and maiden, who
had so fearlessly come to his rescue, were cer-
tainly not of a common order of people.

“My cabin is not extensive, sir, and we live
in a humble way; but such as we have is at
your disposal,” and Jasper Lucas ushered his
guests into his little home, while the seamen
went off with some of the fishermen.

It was a cabin containing but five rooms all
on the floor, and nestled away under the hill-
side presented the appearance of a c< mforta blo
home, while around it was a Enroll flown-gar-
den, and not far away a vegetable plot.

Within, all was neatncss and comfort, and a
matron of perhaps forty years of age, with a
sad face and dignified mien, came to meet
them.

“My wife, Mrs. Lucas, gentlemen. Now be
seated, and we will soon have a good supper
for you,” said Captain Jasper, as Jasper Lucas
was always called by the fishermen.

Ca tain Norman, Lieutenant Randolph. and
the t ree other officers took seats, and then the
former remarked abruptly: '

“Captain Lucas—for such I believe the men
called you—I am greatly surprised to find such
a man as you are living in this wild region,
for I was led to believe that a very different
class of people inhabited this part of the Maine
coast.”

“ We are slandcred, sir, for the acts of a few
smugglers and wreckers who have their haunts .
not far from here, it is said. I believe you were
chasing the smuggler sloop when you ran on the
reef 'é” quietly responded Captain Jasper.

“ Yes; I was led into a trap by a fellow who ‘
lost his life for his treachery. ”

“Ah! How, may I ask?’

“Why, as I sailed out of Portland harbor a
small sailing-skiff crossed my bows, and the fel-
low asked to come on board, and I found him to
be rather an intelligent man, who rofessed en—l
mity against the smugglers and o ered to pilot
me to their rendezvous. .

“ I was then on my way to an island, where
it was said the smuggler sloop was anchored, so
told him I would go to the haunt of the men it

 

    

6 Dick Dead-rye, the Boy Smuggler.

 

I did not find the Flyaway at the reported an—
chorage.

“But there I found the craft, which put off
at sight of the cruiser, and gave me a long and
lively chase until we reached this bay, when, as
you saw doubtless, the treacherous pilot ran me
on the sunken reef to save the sloop, and I lost
my schooner and half a dozen good men, washed
overboard when she struck; but, tell 1110, cap—
tain, who was the maiden that came to my
rescue.”

“My daughter, sir, and the youth was my
son, Dick.”

“ Your daughter? Then I am mistaken,” said
Captain Norman, thoughtfully.

‘ I should have said, sir, my adopted daugh—
ter, for I have but the one child, Dick, though
Estelle has ever been as an own daughter to
me.

“Estelle? and your adopted dau hter? Great
God! can I be right after all? or face, her
name, and—oh, Captain Lucas, for the love of

~Heaven, tell me who that girl is?" and Captain
Norman arose and stood before the fisherman.

“ All I.know I will tell you, sir. El ht years
ago I took her off a boat I found adri t at sea.
She was with two others in the boat, who never
recovered from their sufferings, and they are
buried upon the hill yonder. One of them was
Estelle’s mother.”

“ Her name?” gasped rather than asked, Cap
tain Norman.

“The same as her daughter’s—Estelle Nor-
man.”

“ Captain Lucas, that girl is my own daugh-
ter,". and the strong man sunk back upon the
chair he had risen from and buried his face in
his hands.

 

CHAPTER III.
THE PARTING. _

IT was the morning after the storm, and the
sun was just rising above the horizon of the now
placid sea, as two persons stood upon the cliff,
gazing out over the calm scene.

Their faces were pale and sad, and for some
moments they were silent, but then the silence
was broken with:

“Estelle, I asked you to meet me here this
morni , for, after what happened in the cabin
last nig t, I felt that I would not be able to see
you again alone.”

“Was it not all very strange, Dick, the way
I found my father?”

“Strange indeed, and I for one regret it, Stcl,
as it will take you from me."

“ I am sorr, to leave you, and also your
parents, Dick, or, be what they may, they have
ever been as a kind father and mother to me,
as you have been a brother.”

‘ Brother! Estelle, you know that we have
never looked upon each other as brother and
sister, and that we have loved each other for

ears; but now you go from me, and I w1ll be
orgotten.”

‘ No, no, Dick; never can I forget you, come,
whim nmay, and you can come to see me often,
an ——

“Your father will never allow me to come
near you, knowing what I am,” bitterly said the
youth.

. smugglinp you full
0

 

“ But he will never know; he believes you and
your father are only fishermen now, and little
dreams that it was Captain Jasper who wrecked
his vessel on the reef, and you that commanded
the Flyaway that led him on to ruin. Ah no, he
does not for a moment connect you with the
smugglers.”

“ But will you not tell him all?"

“Dick!”

There was a world of meaning in the one
word.

“Forgive me, Stel, for I knew not how you
could help it.” ,

“ Dick Lucas, it is hard to forgive you those
words. Eight years ago, after the foundering of
the vessel upon which my mother and father
were passengers, your father picked us up adrift
at sea, and since then I have loved him and you
all most dearly.

“ Now, after the happy past, and I have
been happy even in this wild scene, Dick, could
1I prove a traitor to those whom I so clearly

ove?

“ Never will I be so untrue to the promptings
of my own heart, and, go where I may, come
what will, I will never betray the secrets, that
I know of who and what are the coast smug-
glors."

“ Bless you, Estelle, and forgive me. For
m self I do not care, but for my poor father,
w ose life would be the forfeit, if it became
known that he was the captain of the Fly-
away.

“ ' Ve have not intended taking life, as you
know; but when hard run by the Government
officers, we have had to escape at all hazards.”

“ Dick, I wish you would lead a different life.
The wrong you and the others of the band do, I
do not fully understand; but it must be; great
when you are so hunted down.

“ Last night my father offered you a position
when he gets another vessel. Why will you not
accept it?”

“I will not leave my father, when he is daily
purl nightly hunted down by the hounds of the
aw.

“ What I am, I am, and such I must remain;
but you, Estelle, will soon turn your love for me
into contempt, when the world’s verdict against
understand. So be it; I
will ever ve you, stelle.”

She held out her hands to him, and then, moved
by a sudden impulse, she threw her arms around
his neck and kissed him passionately.

“ Come, Dick, we must return; ut let us go
by mother‘s grave,” she said, suddenly releasing
herself from his strong embrace.

Back from the clifi’ they wended their way,
down into a lonely vale, into which only the mid—
day sun would penetrate, so overhunglwas it by
rocky, cedar—clad hills.

Then before them were a number of humble
graves, only rude white boards at their heads
car‘gleld With the names of those who lay be-
nca .

01197 hOWBVel‘. Was more pretentious in its
marking, for a neatly carved cedar cross was
above the humble mound upon which grew wild
flowers carefully tended.

Upon the cross, cut with artistic style, were
the letters; ‘

    

 

Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smfiggler. '3’

 

MRS. ESTELLE NORMAN.
“ Wrecked at sea in the barque
“ Mnmoroms,

“ Bound from New York to Portland, May
“ 18th 18—. Picked up in an open boat
“ May 25th, and died same day.”

This was the work of Dick Lucas, and almost
daily had he accompanied Estelle to that lowly
grave in the valley where rested her mother.

As the two approached the spot, on that morn-
ing after the storm, they started suddenly as
they beheld the form of a man bending above
the grave.

“It is your father, Estelle; go to him,” said
Dick in a whisper, and he silently stole away,
while the young girl noiselessly approached.

“ Father 1”

The man started, turned quickly, and held
forth his arms.

“Come, Estelle, my dear little daughter. I
came here to see your mother’s grave, and it is
ri ht that we should to thcr mourn.”

or some moments t ey stood in silence, and
then Captain Norman asked:

“Whose hand so skillfully carved this cross
and letterin , my daughter?”

“ Dick di it, father.”

“ Ab, thathandsome adopted brother of yours.
He seems like a noble outh, Estelle.”

“ He is, father, and love him very dearly,”
innocently answered the girl.

But the words set Captain Norman to think-
in , and his brow contracttxl with a frown.-

Ifile had found his daughter whom he had
long believed dead, for the loss of the Metropo-
lis he had heard of and believed all on board
had gone down.

Now she was rapidly growing into a beautiful
woman and was an heiress to vast wealth which
she would inherit from her mother’s estate, and
it would not do for her to be heart-bound to an
humble fisher-lad.

No, she must go to some fashionable school, be
educated as she deserved to be, and fitted for
the sition in life which she must hold.

“ had determined to offer the boy a position
with me—procure for him a midshipman’s
berth; but no, I will not do so now, for it
might be dangerous; for, young as Estelle may
be, I believe she cares more for the youth than
all else in the world.”

Such were the thoughts that passed through
the mind of Captain Ethan Norman; but he
said, quietly:

“ Yes, he is a fine fellow, Estelle, and his
parents seem nice peo le—so different from
What I expected to find: as I was led to believe
that all men on this part of the coast were
smugglers, and in some way connected with
that Witch of the wave the Flyaway! You do
not know of smugglers hereabout, do you,
Estelle?”

“ Oh, we frequently hear of them, father,
and often see the Flyaway running up and down
the coast.” , .

Well, her fate is sealed at last, for her tim—
bers strew the beach this morning along with
those of my schooner; but I hope the smugglers

 

may yet be taken, for they are a desperate band
of fellows.”

Estelle made no reply, and the father and
daughter walked slowly back to the cabin,
where Mrs. Lucas had prepared for her guests
a most substantial breakfast.

After the meal was ended Captain Norman

‘ held a long conversation with his host, the rc-

sult of which was that Jasper Lucas litely
but firmly refused all remuneration for ‘3 care
of Estelle, and also declined to allow Dick to
enter the navy, for his better nature getting
the best of him, Captain Norman had offered the
youth a midshipman’s warrant.

Then the arty all went on board a large fish-
ing—smack t at belonged to Captain Jas er. and
Dick, with a crew of half a dozen fis ermen,
was to take them to Portland.

It was a sad parting between Estelle and her
adopted parents, for they dearly loved the girl,
and she was also devoted to_ them, and gazed
with tearful eyes back at the little cabin as the
smack 1glided seaward.

A t orough seaman, and acquainted with
every foot of cruising—ground along the coast,
Dick Lucas guided his vessel skillfully among
the islands, and in good time entered the harbor
of Portland and dropped anchor just ofl’ tl_e
ruins of what was an old fort in the war of 1812.

“ My gallant lad I insist u on your accepting
this from me,” and Captain orman extended a
purse, heavy with gold.

The face of Dick Lucas flushed, and he seemed
about to make an an reply; but catching the
eye of Estelle, he sai quiet y:

“Your gold you can give to my crew, if it
pleases you to do so, Captain Norman, for I will
never accept it.”

“ Nor the berth of a middy. either?” asked the
ca tain, as he threw the purse to the crew. .

ick’s eyes sparkled; but he sighed and an-
swered:

“ It is my parents’ wish that I remain with
them. Farewell, sir. Good—by, Estelle. Don’t
for et me.” ,

9 could say no more and held out his hand;
but Estelle was a, creature of impulse, and
sprun into his arms, while she burst into tears.

Wit an angry exclamation, 1101‘ father drew
her away, and springing inio his boat, with
pale face, Dick Lucas was rowed ra idly back
on board the sloop, which at once w out of
the harbor under full sail.

CHAPTER IV.
'1‘ H E 'r R A I T 0 R .

SIX months have passed awa since the sloop
Flyaway and the Revenue so ooner left their
wooden bones upon the beach that stormy day,
and Captain Norman was seated in the cabin of
his new vesSel, a larger, better craft even than
was the one he had last, for the smugglers had

been more active than ever of late, and the = '

Government was most anxious to bring them
to :justice.

‘ A seaman has come on board, sir, and asks
to see you,” said a sailor, entering the cabin and
addressing the commander. -

,“Send him down,” was the curt reply, and
immediately after a weather-beaten indivniual
entered, who saluted politely. ,

 

 

8 yDick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler.

 

“Well, sir, what is your business with me?”
and Captain Norman eyed his visitor search-

in 1y.

I‘ I’ve implortant information to impart, cap-
tain,” said 15 6 man, 3] 1y.

“ About what?”

“The smug lers.”

“ Ha! whatinow you of them '9” eagerly asked
the captain.

“ I am one myself, sir.”

In an instant Captain Norman was upon his
feet.

“Then I shall have you seized at once.”

“Hold a bit, captain. I didn’t run In neck
into the noose for nothing. Hear what have
to say, first!”

“I am listening,” and Captain Norman sunk
back in his easy-chair once more.

“ There’s another Flyaway afloat.”

“I know that Well; she has been at her devil—
ish work for nearly six months,” impatiently
said the captain, and then added:

“There is another Vixen afloat, too, and I’ll
hunt down the Flyaway very soon.”

“She’s fast captain.”

“ So is the Vixen.”

“She’s got a larger crew than the old Fly-
away, captain.”

“ So has this Vixen.”

" She’s armed, captain.”

f ‘; H’s! say you so? Then she is going to show
in it.
0“ She’s got a flag, captain."

“ A flag, and what, pray?”

“ A scarlet field, sir.”

“ And what does that mean?”

“ Fight unto the bitter end.”

“ Ah! she has turned pirate then?”

“Mighty near‘ in act, captain, but in name
sho’s.only a wrecker, or smu gler."

“ So much the better; I Wfll have the right to
hano' the whole gang when I catch them.”

’ “ on you catch them, yes, captain.”

“You doubt my ability so to do, my man?”

H I do.”

“ And why ?”

“ The Flcyaway sails like the wind—she has 9.
determine crew and a score of secret haunts
into which she can go to hide. If you would
follow her there you could only do so in your
boats, as she draws less water than does your
schooner, and you would be beaten off.”

“I will make the attempt, at any rate.”

“I can serve you, captain. ”

H You?”

“Yes, for asI said before, I am one of the
smu lers; but I want terms.”

“ ame them.”

“ Pardon for my past offenses, and twenty-
flve thousand dollars the day you capture the
band.”

“This is a large sum.”

“You will make a great name; besides, you
will capture fifty times that sum in smuggled
goods awaiting a market, and hang nearly four-
score desperate pirates, for they are nothing
more."

“ I accept your terms, but I also have condi-
tions.”

1“I am listening, sir.” coolly said the smug-
g er. ,

 

“ I was tricked once before and lost my
schooner b one of that same band, and I in~
tend to ma 9 sure this time.”

“I will tell you more, sir; the man who
tricked you was the smuggler chief, Captain
J aspze‘r. ”

“ hat, Ja 1' Lucas! No, it was not be, for
he had a long card and—-—”

“Nonsense, captain; you should not be so
easil deceived, and I Will prove my words.”

“ he man who was the adopted father of my
daughter, who cared for her so kindly, was no
villain, but an honest fisherman."

“Bah! I tell you he was the man who ran
your vessel on the reef; he was in Portland, and
learning that you had ascertained where the
Flyaway was at anchor, awaiting his return
he put off in a small boat to return to her, bu
you overtook him and he boldly boarded ou
with a story which you believed, and trie to
lead you astray' but you held on after the Fly-
awa ,discover her and gave chase, and his
son eing in command‘—”

“No, no, that is impossible. Remember, I
can prove the truth of your words within
the hour, and if you lie to me you shall be
huno‘.” -

“I’ll take the chances, captain. I tell you
the boy set the sloop on fire, landed his crew,
and then nobly went to our aid in another
boat with several men, w ' e his father, after
wreckin the schooner swam ashore, shaved ofl?
his lon fireard, cropped his hair close, changed
his clot es and received you as an homst fisher-
man.

“ This is a remarkable story you tell, sir, and
woe to you if I prove it untrue; but, who com—
mands the present Flyawa ?”

“ Captain Jasper, and Dick, his son, is his first
lufi.”

“And you know where they are new?”

“ I do; until three days ago I was boatswain
of the Flyaway.”

“ You are hold to make such a confession.”

“ No, for you have promised me pardon.”

“ Prove your words true and I will kee my
promise. Now tell me what motive you ave
in betraying [your wicked comrades.”

“ Revenge ’

The words came hoarsely forth, and the dark
eyes flashed fire.

‘t‘gievenge will drive a man to almost any
ac . »

“ Ay, and a woman too—I’ll tell you, captain,
how it is. ‘

“Jasper Lucas is my step-brother, and I am
several years his senior.

_ “ When I was three years old in father mar-
ried again, and J asper,vthe child y his second
wife, became the favorite, and I was cast aside,
and had to put up with many ills.

“ As we grew to manhood we both loved the
same girl, and he won her; but I was deter—
mined he should not marry her, and shot him
do“?! upon his bridal night, and fled to save my
nee .

“ But he did not die, and, after years of wan-
dering, I returned to find him living hap 11y
git}: his Wife, and they had one son, the y
. ic .

Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler. 9

 

“ Well, how it happened I need not say; but
one night a man was found dead near the Lucas
home, and J asper’s knife was in his breast, and
as they were enemies for some cause or other,
of course my step-brother was arrested, tried
and found guilty of murdering him.

“ He was sentenced to the gallows, but es-
caped, the night before the day a pointed for
his execution, his wife having ai ed him, and
together they fled.

‘ It was long years before I found them; but,
having drifte from bad to worse, I joined the
smuggler band four months ago to find him
their leader, for he had sou ht refuge u on the
coast, turned fisherman, an gradually ecome
an outlaw.”

“ And was he guilty of the murder for which
he was condemned?”

“ Of course not, captain; how dull you are—I
killed the man for cheating me at cards and ar-
ran ed it to have Jasper suspected.”

“ on are a doubly-dyed villain, and I regret
that I ofl‘ered you pardon.”

“ N o, no, captain, for it will be to your advan—
tage to pardon me.”

‘ Not if I revoke my promise and force you to
guide me to the haunts of the smugglers.”

“Captain Norman, just try that on. I sup-
pose you remember how Christians have died
and suffered torture for their creed, but you
will find in me one man who can suffer as much,
if not more, for deviltry.”

There was a wicked glitter in the man’s eye
and a look of determination that proved to Cap
tain Norman he could not be forced to betray his
comrades.

“ These are not the days of the Inquisition, or
I would try torture to make you speak and act;
, but as I ave m promise I will keep it.

“For .Iasper ucas I feel deep sympathy, for
the victim of unfortunate circumstances, he
drifted into crime' still he is none the less
guilty and must 5 er for his deeds, thou h I
regret exceedingly that you Will triump in
your revenge over him.

“ Now what do you propose to do?”

“ Guide you to the smugglers’ haunts, place

on in ossession of their booty, show you how

cap ur a Flyaway, and give the band into
your han

“ For which dastardly Service you expect me
to pardon you and give you twenty—five thou-
sands dollars.”

“ Correct, captain.”

“Very well; so be it' but I hope to catch and
hangou, too, one of these days.”

“ be it, captain, if you can 1”

“Now, sir, I will place you in irons, until I
ascertain it you have spoken the truth. Ho, the
deck!”

“AY’ 5}” Sir,” said Lieutenant Harvey Ran-
dolph appearing in the com anionway.

v‘ Place this man in don le irons and keep
him there until further orders; and, ,Randolph,
I am going ashore for a short while, so leave
you in command.”

Ten minutes after Ca taiu Ethan Norman
was wending his way 5 owl up State street,
Portland, his brow clouded, is lips firmly set;
eviggtly his thoughts were none of the pleas-
an v

 

CHAPTER V.
TRIED AND FOUND TRUE.

“ MISS NORMAN, your father is in the parlor
to see you.”

It was one of the lady teachers of Madam
Beaumont’s fashionable school for young ladies,
and the one addressed arose from her drawing,
and smoothing back her gold—brown hair do»
scended to the parlor.

In the six months that had passed since Es-
telle had left the humble cabin on the coast, she
had greatly changed, and was rapidly develop-
ing into a beautiful Woman. '

Her face had lost its dark bronze hue, from
exposure to the sun and wind, but it was even
more lovely than before, and her rich dress was,
exceedingly becoming to her.

“Dear papa! I am so glad you have come. A
party of us were going to surprise you b , a’ visit
to—morrow to see your new cruiser,” an Estelle
kissed her father at‘fectionatel , for she loved
him dearly—though stern to 0t ers he was ever
most kind and generous to her.

“ I am sorry my vessel will not be here to—
morrow, as I expect to sail this afternoon, Es—
telle}, but, whether I do so or not, depends upon
you. ‘

d “Upon me, papa?” asked the maiden in won-
er.

"Yes, for I will, b your answers to some
uestions I desire to as you, find out if all that
have heard is true or not.”

Estelle saw that he was in earnest and seemed
troubled, and her heart gave a throb of dread,
but she said quietly:

“How can aught 1 have tosay, papa, influence
the movements of a government vessel?”

“I will tell you. I have heard that Captain
J eager Lucas was a smuggler.”

stelle’s face changed color at once, but she
asked in well—feigned surprise:

“ A smuggler, sir?”

“Yes, that he is the leader of the desperate
band known as the Coast Smugglers, and IS now
the commander of their new vessel, the Flyaway;
is this true, my daughter?”

“ Why pa a, how strangely you talk—asking
me the trut or untruth of the movements of
smu glersl”

“ ask you, Estelle—is Jasper Lucas at smug—
gler chief ?”

“ I sincerely hope not, dear father, for he was
ever most kind to me, and I- would dislike ex-
ceedingly to know he was such a wicked man as
you report him to he.”

“Estelle, you evade my questions as skillfully
as a lawyer. Answer me now; was it Jasper
Lucas who ran my vessel upon the sunken reef?”

“ As I was not on the schooner, papa, what
means had I of judgin . All I remember, he
met us when we landed—- ave you forgotten?”

“ No; but it is said that he sprung into the sea
and swam ashore.”

“ Why, papa, it is nearly a league from. the
cabin to the sunken reef l”

“ True, but a good swimmer could make it
especially as there are islands for him to rest
11 )on.’

I“ The one who ran the schooner on the reef you
said, I remember, had long hair andbea ,’,’ said
Estelle, thoughtfully, ’

 

 

 

10

Dick DeadFEye, the Boy Smuggler.

 

“ Yes, but he could cut that off ; did you ever
see Jasper Lucas wear long hair and heard?”

“Yes, sir, when I was a little girl, he wore
lon hair and beard.”

“ stelle you are incorrigible, but I will try
a ain. Was Dick Lucas in command of the
F yaway the day she was burnt?”

‘ When I saw Dick he was on his way, at the
risk of his life, to save on and your crew from
death. Is it likely the he would save the lives
of those who were hunting him down?”

“ That is what puzzles me; but one direct ques—
tion Estelle.”

“ What is it, papa?” .

“ Do you know of one lawless act that either
Lucas or his son ever committed?"

“ Papa, I never saw my ado ted father, or
Dick, ever commit a crime—can say more?”

“Estelle, I hoped that you would tell me
frankly all you know about those men: but you
will not. and in my heart I can not blame you
for not wishing to betray those who saved your
life and were kind to you.”

“ But, papa, as a girl. how would I be expect-
ed to know if Captain Jasper was as bad as you
say you believe him to be?"

‘True, it is not likely that you would know
their secrets. Still, living as you did at the very
head-quarters of the smugglers, there is much
, you could ansWer me if you would; but we will
not discuss the matter lon er, for I sail within
the hour ,to attack their aunts,” and Captain
Norman gazed fixedly into the face of his dough
for as he sent this shot home.

But not a muscle quivered as she said:

“ If you take Captain Jasper and Dick, papa,
I hope you will be certain of their guilt before
you punish them.”

“Never fear; I will. Now I must leave you,
and I can not say how long I will be away. ”

After an affectionate farewell, Captain Nor-
man left his daughter and returned on board his
schooner, fully convinced that the man he had
in irons had spoken the truth, and that Estelle
would not betray those who had befriended
her.

Half an hour after his arrival on board, the
Vixen stood out of the harbor, and, standing in
her room window, Estelle saw her flying sea-

ward.

“Well, I was certainly under a hot fire, but I
hope I said nothing to betray poor Captain J as-
per and Dick. Now I must run the battery of
madam’s questions,” and Estelle descended to
the room of Madam Beaumont, who received
her graciously, for she was not only a favorite
but an heiress.

‘9 You had a visit from your father. Estelle?”

“Yes, Madam Beaumont, and I find it will
be necessary for me to leave school for a few
days.” .

Ealpdeedl and where are you gomg, may I
as .’

“ To attend to a matter of business upon

-which my father and myself had a conversa-
tion, Madam Beaumont, and which will admit
of no delay, and I must leave on the Bath stage,
this evening.”

“And who is your escort, Estelle?” '

I“ I believe that will be arranged, madam.”
‘Ah, yes, your father will attend to that;

 

well, I hate to give you up, even for a few days,
but suppose I must. You have not long to get
ready to catch the stage.”

Glad to get away so easily, Estelle left the
room, muttering:

“ I would have gone had she refused me.”

Half an hour after, With a small carpet-bag
in her hand, she left the mansion and walked.
quickly toward the stage-office, where she bought
her ticket, and was deli hted to find that she
would have but one fe our-passenger to watch
her movements.

Arriving at Bath for an early breakfast, Es—
telle with unusual promptness in one so oung,
at once engaged a boat to run her up to iscas—
set, and throwing out a hint that it was a case
of life and death she was bound on, the humble
fisherman cracked on sail and the wind being
fair, the passage was soon made.

Here, with only rest sufficient to get a meal
Estelle obtained a man to drive her to Rocklan
where she arrived just thirty-six hours after
leaving Portland, and hastened at once to the
shop of a Jew with whom she knew Captain
Jasper had dealings.

“Vell, mish, how can I serve you?” asked
Abraham Levy, the disposer of smuggled

00c s.

“I see that you do not recognize me, Mr.
Levy. I am stelle, whom you met at the
cabin of Captain Jasper several times, and I
wish you to aid me to warn the captain of dan-
ger, as the Vixen has already sailed to attack
his retreat.”

“But how ish t’e Vixen to know.”

“We have no time to discuss that matter,
Mr. Levy, but get for me at once a vessel to
carry me to the home of Captain Jasper, or I
may be too late!” '

“ But you ish a girl—”

“ It matters not. Ah, I will go in the disguise
of a boy. Have you a suit to fit me?”

“ Yes, I ish got a suit, but it ish expensive.”

“ I care not for the cost. Give me the suit
and boots and a hat—then, while I am changing
my clothes, go and charter me a reliable man,
and his vessel must be fast.”

“I understand, I ish understand,” said the
Jew, and he ushered Estelle into air er room
and soon broutrht her a complete tfit that
would disguise her thoroughly.

Coiling her hair upon the top of her head, she
drew her hat on, and in a few moments was
com letely metamorphosed in pants, pea—jacket
and oots. -

“ You ish make a peautiful p0 , mish,” said
the Jew as she again entered the 8 Op.

“Never mind my looks. Is the boat ready?”

“Yes, mish; I ish vill go mit on to the
wharf. I have to pay him thirty do lars.”

“Here is your money, and for the clothes too.
I Wlll soon return, I hope,” and Estelle handed
the Jew a roll of bills. for her father kept her
most liberally supplied with money.

At the wharf she found a small, but trim-
looking fishing—smack; with sail up, and the
crew of two men on board.

f‘These gentlemen will take you all right,
mish, I means, sir; I tole’em where they vas to

0.
“Very good; cast off, lads!" said Estelle, as.

Dick Dead-Eye. the Boy Smuggler.

11

 

swing the style and tone she had used when
living with the smugglers.

The breeze was blowing fresh, the little craft
bent well to it and dashed away with the
s .ed'of a bird heading toward Mount Desert
sland, and, with anxious face Estelle watched
her course as she sped on, and then turned her
eyes searchingly seaward, fearing to see the
Vixen rushing along in pursuit of her game.

 

CHAPTER VI.
THE CHASE.

“ As you is headin’ for the retreat I s’pose
you is all ri ht, my lad,” said one of the crew
of the smac in which Estelle had taken pas-
sage. '

“ Certainly; why do you ask?” replied Estelle
quickly.

“Because I see the Flyaway lying in the lee
of Fox’s Island.”

“The Flyaway! Then head at once for it,"
cried Estelle joyfully and the little craft went
‘dancing along with the wind at her quarter.

“ Yonder comes a schooner, my lad, as looks
suspicious,” said one of the men glancing astern,
shortly after the course of the smack had been

0 anged.

Instantly Estelle lanced back, took her glass
from the carpet—sac she had brought with her,
and her face became deadly pale, as she cried:

“ It is the Vixen! Oh, can we not go faster?”

. ‘1‘{I’l,l’ shake the other reef out, my lad, but it’s
ris .

“ t is more risky to let that vessel overhaul

' us,” cried Estelle, and the reef was at once
shaken loose, and the little craft drove on with
an increased velocity that threatened to run her
under.

Then for a long time Estelle kept her eyes
alternately fixed upon the Flyaway, lying so
quietly in the island cove, and the Vixen, rush-
ing on with a huge white bone in her teeth.

‘ The must be asleep on the Flyaway,” said
one of t e men.

“ Well, they is wakin’ up now, you bet, ship-
mate, for see! they is dragging up her anchor,”
answered the other.

It was now evident that the schooner had
been discovered from the Flyaway, f;r the sails
were quickl spread, and the rakish little craft
glided out o the cove.

.Instantly Estelle sprung up in the bow and
Signaled the F‘lyaway, which bore down toward
her, though it was bringing her closer to the
oncoming schooner, now bowling along with
every stitch of canvas drawing, for those on
board saw their prey.

few moments more, and the smack ran
alongSIde of the Flyaway, and Estelle sprung on
board, and was met by Dick Lucas, who started
back With acry of surprise and pleasure, for at
a lance he recognized her,

‘ Hush, Dick, and do not betray me; but

uickly come into the cabin with me,” and she

rted down the Companionway.

Instantly he followed her, but waving him
back as he would have embraced her, she said,
hurriedly:

“Dick, one of your men has provcn traitor,
and I am confident is on board the schooner,

 

which is a new Vixen and commanded by my
father. ”
“And you, Estelle?” asked the youth sadly. .
“Never mind me, but listen to what I have to

v. .

“ Father endeavored to find out from me the
truth, but I evaded all of his questions, and he
left, saying he intended sailing at once to your
secret haunts, for he knows all that you and
your father are—smugglers. Oh, Dick, if you
would only change your life of wickedness!” and
Estelle seemed deeply moved.

“ When I was with you I knew not how vile
was the life you led, and you I do not blame so
much, for your father made you what you are,
Dick; but for Heaven’s sake, cut adrift from this
band who now have the name 0f—-—”

“ Of what. Estelle?”

“ Pirates.”

“I know it, and for your sake I will load a
diflercnt life; now I must hasten away, for the
schooner is creeping up dangerously near, and
the men are getting impatient, I hear.”

“ But tell me first, how are your parents,
Dick E”

“Both well, and father is at home with moth-
er, while I came out to await the coming in of a
vessel with smuggled goods; but, Estelle, I bless
you for all that you have done to warn us. Now
will on remain on board or—”

“ o, I will leave at once in the smack and run
inshore, thus making my way back to Portland.
Farewell.”

She ofi'ered her hand and he attempted to draw
her to him. ‘

“ No, Dick, not as long as your name is linked
with that of smuggler and—shall I say it—«pi-
rutlcl,”will I allow you to he aught to me. Fare-
we . ‘

She bounded from the cabin, and without aid
sprung into the smack, saying curtly:

“ Cast off, and run for the land.”

“About time if we expect to make it; and, as '
it is, we’ll catch a shot or two,” said one of the
memgruflly.

The next instant the two vessels swung apart,
and the Flyaway headed up the coast, while the
smack shaped her course in toward Penobscot

Ba .

gut, hardly had they separated when there
came a white puff of smoke from the bows of the
Vixen, now not more than half a league away,
and a shot went flying over the heads of those in
the smack.

“ I told you so, youngster. Our necks will
get stretched yet, or we’ll get knocked into
pieces.”

“ Stop prognosticating evil and attend to the
sailing of the smack,” shortly said the supposed
youth, and not a muscle of his face changed as
the schooner’s shots now fell thick and fast around
them.

“My heavens! is the schooner going to pursue
us?” cried Estelle, as she saw the Vixen’s bows
suddenly changing their course. '

But no; the schooner had larger game in view,
and only swept around to give the smack a part—
ing salute in the she e of a. broadside. ,

One, two, three, our, five! the iron mouths

sent forth their iron hail, and the shrieking mis— ' r

silos came hurtling on, some plowing up the

 

 

12

Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler.

 

waves near, others flying above the topmast,
one piercing the sail, and another hurling in a
mangled heap the man who held the tiller, and
dashing on throu h the stout hull.

Instantly Estel e sprung to the tiller, quickly
brought the little craft back on her course and
cried out sternly to the frightened comrade of
the slain man:

“Quick! stuff your coat into that hole or we
will go down.”

The man saw their danger and sprung to
obey, while he glanced nervously toward the
Vixen as though expecting another broadside.

But the cutter, after seeing that her shots had
not materially damaged the smack, stood on in
pursuit of the Flyaway.

“ What the deuce is the matter with the Fly-
away?” suddenly asked the seamen of Estelle,
a; he saw that craft suddenly heading toward
t em.

“ He is mad,” cried Estelle; but, as she spoke,
the Flyaway again went about and stood on
her former course, for, when Dick Lucas had
seen the Vixen pour a broadside upon the smack,
he had formed a desperate determination to
run down and grapple with the schooner, fear—

in] as were the odds against him, that Estelle

might escape.

But, when he discovered that the smack was
not damaged and, with his glass recognizing
Estelle, as unburt she sprung to the helm, he
again put away in flight, hoping to draw the
schooner on after him. .

In this he was successful, for the Vixen spread
on all sail again in chase of the Flyaway, while
the smack, though leaking badly, headed back
to Rockland; and two days after Estelle was

' welcomed back by Madam Beaumont, who

asked, with considerable curiosity:

“ Did you enjoy your visit, Miss Norman?”

“ I cannot say that I did, Madam Beaumont,
but I accnmplished my object,” answered Es-
telle significantly, as she glided by the madam
and sought her room to sink, worn out, upon

her bed, and with the cry upon her lips:

“I hope to Heaven he escaped!”

CHAPTER VII.
EVIL ’I‘IDINGS.
THREE days after her return from her roman-

" tie and daring errand, to warn Dick Lucas of

dan er, Estelle was awakened one morning by
the cop booming of artillery.
Quickly she arose and sprung to the window

' of her room which overlooked the harbor, and

the sight she saw caused her head to droop into
her hands, and the cry to spring to her lips:

“Oh, God! have mercy upon themlwhave
mercy upon them!”

Again, after a moment, as the roar of the
guns continued, she raised her head and glanced

ort .

There, sailing bravely up the harbor, was the
Vixen. and her guns were answering the salute
offered by the fort, for in her wake came the
famous smuggling craft, the Flyaway.

“ Is he dead, or a prisoner, I wonder? If dead,
it were better,” murmured Estelle, “ for he will
be condemned to die an ignominions death—and

 

poor Captain Jasper, and that dear, sad—e ed
woman who ever was as a mother to me—w at
is their fate?

“ Ah me! ah me! my poor heart will break 1”
and throwing herself upon her bed the poor girl
burst into a torrent of weeping.

At length she arose and dressed herself, and
leading illness, asked the servant to show her
other up to her room should he call, and she

felt that he would.

“I am glad that madam left yesterday for
Boston, for she might speak of my tri away,
were she here—still, if accused of. it, ' would
Lot deny it,” she murmured, and seating her-
self by the open window, she gazed sadly down
upon the rakish little Flyaway, lying so calmly
at anchor, with the stars and stripes at the
mast-head.

Presently a heavy step was heard in the hall
and a knock upon t e door followed.

“ Come in,” she said shortly, and her father,
in full uniform, but looking pale and fatigued,
entered.

“ Estelle, my daughter, I fear I have sad tid-
ings for you," he said sadly, drawing her down
beside him on the sofa.

“ I am ready to hear all, sir,” she said, coldly.

“ You know that I went to attack the retreats
of the Coast Smugglers?”

“You told me such was your intention, sir,
when you departed.”

“ Well. I was successful, for I captured the
Flyaway.”

“ And her crew, sir?”

“ Some of them escaped by boldly springing
overboard, and others were killed and a num-
ber wounded, who fell into our hands with the
vesse .”

“Will you not give me an account of your
victory, sir?” asked Estelle while her heart
bounded with he 0 that Dick had been among
those who escape .

“ Certainly. I sighted the Flyaway near
Fox Island, and alongside of her was a fishing-
smack.

“ I gave chase, but the smack was a nimble
sailer, and escaped my shots, so I stood on after
the Flyaway, which was maneuvering in a most
peculiar manner, for I behaved twice that he in-
tended fighting me.

“It was a hot chase, for the smuggler sailed
like a witch, and I lost him as night came on;
butI sailed at once for the rendezvous, the same
place where you once lived; and under the guid«
ance of one of the smugglers, who had proved a
traitor, I headed in toward the cliff just before
davli'rht, four days ago.

“T en, to my surprise, I saw the Flyaway,
standing rapidly out of the harbor, her decks
crowded with men.

“Instantly I poured a broadside upon her,
which cut away her bowsprit, and brought her
to, and the next moment I laid her aboard.

“But her crew fought like devils, and only
after a most desperate resistance did they cry for
quarter.”

“Then you captured them all, sir?”

“ No. for half a dozen of them jumped into the
sea and disappeared, and among them the com-
mander of the Flyaway, who was none other
than Dick Lucas”

Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smugglef.

13

 

Estelle groaned and dropped her head in her
hands

“ I recognized him by the flash of the firearms,
and he fought like a tiger, though I am confi-
dent he was wounded more than twice.

“ Once we crossed swords, and the young devil
disarmed me and spared my life.”

“ That was noble in him as you were seeking
his. I am glad he is not lost to all true inan—
hood,” said Estelle, without raising her head
from her hand.

“ For that I thank him; but his resistance will
costhim his life at the yard-arm for nearly a
dozen of my men were slain; yet, for his own
sake Ihope, and I believe, that he is dead, as it
was taking desperate chances to reach the shore,
especially as ho was wounded.”

‘ And Ca tain Jasper and his wife?” asked
Estelle, hcr cad still bowed.

“ He is a prisoner on board the schooner, and
plan meet but one fate, though I feel deeply for
, 1m.

“After capturing the Flyaway I landed with
a party under the cliff, and there we again met
With resistance from a. score of men, headed by
Captain Jasper.

‘ But we drove them back to the cabin of their
leader, and after a short strug le they surren-
dered, and, to my great distress, learned that a
most unfortunate accident had occurred, for
poor Mrs. Lucas had fallen—”

“ Dead! that dear old woman dead, father?”
and Estelle sprung to her feet.

“ A stray shot pierced her heart.”

“ 0h, father! what have you done?”

“ Estelle, for God’s sake be calm. It was one
of the accidents of battle, and I could not know
that she would be slain.”

“ Poor old woman; but I believe it is better
so, for, had she lived, she would have had to
mourn her husband, slain by an ignominious
death, and rhap‘s her son as dead. It is better
so, father ut oh, it is so cruel, to listen to sor-
row and death having come upon those I loved
so dearly, and by the hand of my own father,
who owes to them the life of his daughter, and
the burial of his wife, my mother,” and again
Estelle sunk down in aperfect abandon of grief,
which her father made no effort to interrupt.

At length she asked, as clearly as she could:

“Youburied her, father?”

“ Yes, near where your mother lies, and her
husband seems utterly crushed with grief, and,
from my heart I ity him, for I do not believe
hlm at heart a b man.

“ After capturing all the booty, which the
smu glers had stored away in caves, we set sail
fof‘ ortlm‘ld, bringing the Flyaway along.”

And Captain Jasper is now on board the
schooner in irons?”

t‘ Yes.”

“ Can  see him, father?”

“It Will do no good; but, on the contrary
only be a greater net” to you.”

‘ He is wretch and in trouble, and I would
see him, sir."

“ Then you may, as you so wish it. You can
get ready and return with me on board the
schooner; but, Estelle, I beg of you to control
yourself, for none here know of your having
once been among smugglers, and I hope that you

 

will not for at yourself so far as to betray that
which I wis to remain a secret.”

“I have no desire, father, to have my name
connected with outlaws, still I can but feel
deeply for those who cared for me for eight
long years, and whom I learned to love deal 1y,
smugglers, ay, pirates though you have proven
them, ’ said Estelle, proudly, and she threw on
her hat and cloak, and in company with her
father wended her way down to the landing, off
which the Vixen lay at anchor.

 

CHAPTER VIII.
ESTELLE RECEIVES A VISITOR.

“I HAVE orders to carry you tothe cabin,”
said the guard, bending over the form of a man
crouching down upon the lower deck. and with
his face covered by his manaclcd hands.

But the prisoner never moved, nor did he seem
to hear the guard.

“I say, Sir Pirate, I have orders to take you
into the cabin, where I guess you’ll find that
you’ve gotto swing for your crimes,” said the
guard a ain, and he shook the prisoner rudely
by the s oulder.

The man looked up at this, and revealed the
white, haggard face of Jasper Lucas.

With an effort he arose to his feet. and, gath-
ering up his chains, walked along painfully and
slowly with tho uard, while his fellow prison-
ers looked after iim pityingly, for they forgot
their sorrows in his greater anguish.

Estelle paced to and fro the elegant cabin of
the Vixen, her lips set, her eyes restless, and she
started visibly as the clanking of chains came to
her ears.

Presently the companionway was darkened
and the guard and his prisoner entered.

“ Leave the prisoner with me, sir,” said Estelle
im eriously.

‘ I have orders, miss—”

“ I am Miss Norman, sir; did you hear my
command?” and the flashing eyes caused the
guard to shrink away.

Like one in a dream stood Jasper Lucas, ur—
til the small hand of Estelle took his arm and.
led him to a seat.

“My poor, poor friend; I asked to see you
that I might tell you how I feel for you in your
sorrow.”

“Estelle, my little Estelle, it has come at last
upon me, and the blow is a bitter one indeed,”
the strong man sunk down u on a seat.

“It is a bitter blow indee , for poor mamma
Lucas has gone.”

“Yes, child, they killed her. I meant not to
be a bad man, but I became acquainted with
lawless arts upon the coast, and adually ,
drifted into the leadership of the ban , thoug
she urged me against it time and again.

“Now she is gone, and poor Dick, my noble
boy, is dead—”

‘ No, no; he is not dead—he escaped,” said
Estelle, eagerly.

“ Do you know that he did, my child?”

“ Alas, no, it is only hope; but he wasa splen-
did swimmer and—”

“ The men tell me, Estelle, that he was several
times Wounded and he could not reach the shore
weakened with the loss of blood.”

 

 

 

14

Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smugglero

 

“ Perhaps his men, those who sprung over—
board with him, aided him?” sugvested Estelle.

“ No; I feel that he is dead, an I do not care
how seen my death follows, only I would not
die as a pirate.”

' “ Nor shall you; I will aid you to escape,”
said Estelle, in a whis er.

, “ And what have to live for after I escape?
No, my child; life has not a single charm for
me now, and I wish to die—only not at the
yard-arm. ”

“ Live to find your boy—live to change your
life, and with him be happy before you die.”

“ No, I care not to nurse such a hope for I
know it is useless; do not tempt inc, Estelle.”

“But I will; money will buy your liberty. I
will bribe your guard and—”

“ I will not go, I tell you, child; but beg them
to shoot and not to hang me—do that much for
your old adopted father and I will bless you.”

“ I will do all that I can for you. Now I hear
my father coming.”

he next instant Captain Norman entered the
c

abm.

' “ Estelle, Midshipman W'ainright will see you
back to your school, as now I have a meeting
of the officers regarding the fate of the prison-
crs.

“ 1 am ready, sir. My dear old friend fare-
well,” and clasping the hand of Jasper Lucas,
Estelle left the cabin; and under the escort of
the handsome young middy wended her way
back to the home of Madam Beaumont.

Several days after Captain Norman again
called upon is daughter, and Estelle learned
that the prisoner had been tried and sentenced.

“ And what is their fate to be?” quickly asked
Estelle.

“Their leader, Jasper Lucas, is to be hung as
a pirate, at the yardsarm of the Vixen, and his
foflloyv'ers are all to be sent to prison for
li o.

“ I do not know which is the most to be
drcadgefl, sir; but when does the execution take
place’

“ In ten days from to—day. Until then the
pirgtes will be kept in irons aboard the schoon-
er.

“ Father, can nothing he done to save that old
man?” earnestly asked Estelle. -

“ Nothin ; he has been for years the leader of
a. band of esperate men who have often taken
life in that wicked calling, and did he not run
my vessel upon a reef and thereby destroy the
lives of half a dozen men, besidss risking mine,
and the remainder of my crew?

“Of late, emboldened by the loss of the
schooner, he has become almost a pirate, and,
in resisting me at his cabin, took the lives of sev-
eral of my men, so he deserves death. though,
after all he has been to you, Estelle, I can but
feel for him, yet I cannot save him.”

“ So be it, sir; I will not ask it again at your
hands; but I hate to see him hung like a dog,
nlnd hope he can at least meet his death by being
s 02:.

“ No; he is sentenced to be hung at the yard-
arm, and I cannot alter the decree of the court,”
and Captain Norman left his daughter’s pres—
ence, with real sympathy for her in the ‘sorrow
she must feel at the fearful fate to be visited

 

upon the man who had been to her all that a
fond father could be.

Though feeling the utmost sorrow for the
death of Mrs. Lucas, the deepest commiseration
for the fate of Jasper Lucas, and a painful sus-
iense as to whether Dick was dead or alive,
“stelle, with a strength that was wonderful, con-
cealed her feelings from not only her schoolmates,
but even the watchful eyes of Madam Beaumont,
who attributed her paleness to the anxiety she
had upon her father’s account.

One day, the second before the one appointed
for the sentence to be carried out rewarding the
prisoners, the servant of Madam xI3eau1nont’s
establishment informed Estelle that there was a.
visitor to see her in the parlor.

“ Who is it, Nancy?"

“I don’t know, miss, only that she’s an old
woman.”

Wondering who it could he, Estelle descended
to the parlor, and an old. lady with bowed form
and White hair advanced to meet her. ,

“You don’t know me, my dear,” she said in a
squeaking voice, “but I’ve known you ever since
you was a little girl, and I’ve come to see on
upon a matter of private business. Could see
you alone?” and the old Woman nodded her head
toward the other visitors in the parlor.

“Yes, madam, come with, me to my room
and allow me to assist you,” said the maiden,
kindl .

“ o, I thank ye, I guess I can get along better
alone, as my gait is a peculiar one,” and the old
woman hobbled on after Estelle, and with great
effort got lip—stairs.

“ Now be seated, madam, and tell me how I
can serve you?” and Estelle drew an easy—chair
up to the window.

“ We are all alone?”

“ Yes—the door leads into a schoolmate’s room,
but is locked."

“Please lock that door also,” and the old we—
man nodded toward the one by which they had
entered the chamber.

Quietly Estelle stepgissd forward and turned
the key in the lock. she turned once more to
her visitor she saw that the bent form had risen
to its full hight, the large spectacles had been
removed, the sunbonnet thrown back, and then
in spite of the gray hair and wrinkles painted
upon the face she recognized Dick Lucas.

“Dick, oh Dick!”

And she sprun toward him, but, checking
herself suddenly, s 0 continued:

“ I am so glad that you escaped death 1”

“ Yes, I escaped death to know that my poor
mother was dead and my father doomed to be
burn, as a. irate,” bitterly said the youth.

“ las, know all, and I feel more dee 1y for
you, Dick, than any one else can; but telIme of
yourself—you were wounded?” .

“Yes, but not seriously, and I am recovering,
and forget my sufferings in the fate that hangs
over my poor father.” ,

“ I are plotting to save him, Dick."

“ You! brave, noble Estelle,” and he made a
step toward her, but she shrunk back.

“ Yes, I went on board the schooner to see
him, and he felt that he would have to die; but,
believing that you were dead, he refused every
offer I made him to escape.”

 

aDick Dead-Eye. the Boy Smuggler.

16

 

“ But he must escape, and I have sought you
to aid me. ”

“ I have already enlisted a friend in my cause
—a young middy, who will bribe the guard to
allow ’your father to escape, and desert with
him, the night before the day appointed for his
execution.”

“ Bless you, Estellel”

“Do not thank me, Dick, for I owe to your
father all that I can do for him; but alas! that
I; fihoiyild have to mourn for both you and him as

o.

“Estelle, I could not help doing as I did. I
ran to the rendezvous, warned my father, and
tried to get out to sea before the Vixen arrived;
but I could not, and we were compelled tode-
fend ourselves, and thrice I struck up weapons
aimed at your father’s life.

“ When my crew at last cried for quarter I
sprung into the sea, as did a number of my men,
and swam ashore, where I arrived to find my
home in ashes, my mother dead and my father
a prisoner.

“Fainting from loss of blood, my men took
me in a small boat down the coast, and in a fish-
erman’s but I lay until able to come here to en-
deavor to save m father and his men.”

“ Your father, believe, we can save; but to
attempt to assist the men to escape would be
madness,” said Estelle.

“ Perhaps; but Estelle, it is rumored that the
schooner has to go to sea, and the prisoners are
to be sent ashore to-night, and the execution is
to take place at the city jail.”

“ Oh, Dick! then what can we do to save your
poor father?” cried Estelle, in alarm.

“ You have the right to go on the schooner,”
so do so, please, and see if you can find out just
when the prisoners are to be taken on shore, and
send me word by a messenger to the Suilor’s
Inn. Simpl tell the messenger to ask for the
landlord an make known to him the hour, and
leave the rest to me.”

“Oh, Dick, I hear my father’s voice down-
stairs- we are lost.”

“ Oh, no; unlock the door and keep calm,"
coolly said Dick, and hastily resuming his dis-
Euise, he took his seat by the Window, Just as a

nook came upon the door. _

“ Come in, papa, I - heard your vows,” and
Estelle kissed her father afiectionatelg, and,
having regained her presence of mm , said,
calrri’lty: ‘
“ rs. Richards, this is my father, Captain
Ethan Norman.”

“Lor’! you don’t say so, my dear. Glad to
meet you, sir, I am, indeed, for you’ve lately
done your country great service,’ and the sup-
posed old lady attempted to rise. .

“Keep your seat, 'my dear lady,” and Ca tam
Norman shook hands warmly with Mrs. 20)}-
ards whose compliment quite won his
heart.

“ You see, I‘m the grandma 0’ one o’ yer
daughter’s friends, sir, who’s been suffering of
late, and I just dropped in to see Miss Estelle,
to have a little talk. and congratulate her upon
the t victory her father had won over the

b1 y girates; but you looks mighty young
 lien some, sir, to be the father of such a big
81" o

 

Captain Norman again bowed to the compli-
mentary old lady, who continued:

“ And when are the pirates to be hung, cap-
tain?”

“Their leader, Captain Lucas, is to be hung
day after to—morrow, madam, and the remain
der '0 to prison for life.”

“ hi and he’s to be hung on board your ves-
sel, I hear tell.”

“He was to have been; but I have orders to
go to sea to—morrow, and the prisoners will be
removed to-night to the town jail, where the
execution, will take place at the a pointed time.”

“ You must be glad you won’t have to witness
the hanging, sir?”

“ No, the man deserved his fate.”

" Yes, yes- but you men in the navy and
army get so hard-hearted; but it’s human na-
ture, 1 sup ose; and so the prisoners are to come
ashore in e morning, you sa 2”

“No, madam, at midnig t, to avoid the
crowd; but I suppose I should not have men-
tioned the hour, and beg you not to speak of it. "

“ Oh, no, sir; but I thank you, sir, and I’m

lad to have met the ‘ hero of the sea,’ as folks
is calling on now. (Z—ood-by, sir—good-by, Miss
Estelle— ’1] tell my girl you sent your love,” and
the supposed old woman arose with the greatest
seeming difficulty from her chair, and refusing
the aid of Captain Norman hobbltd to the door.

“ Excuse me a moment, father; I will seeMrs.
Richards down-stairs,” said Estelle, and once in
the hall, she continued:

“ 0h, Dick, the‘fearful risk you run! For my
sake 0 far from here.”

“ or your sake I will not'
E0 on the schooner now, as I knou the hour,

‘ sfelle. Leave all to me. Farewell.”

Pressing her hand, Dick motioned for her to
return to her room, while he slowly u ended his
way down-stairs and out of the house.

but you need not

 

CHAPTER IX.
TAKING DESPERATE CHANCES.

As he expectedto sail the following: day, Cap-
tain Norman passed the entire aftcinoon with
his daughter, who, when alone with her father,
made little effort to conceal her grief at the
coming fate of Jasper Lucas. ,

At length Captain Norman bade Estelle fare-
well, telling her he knew not exactly how long
he would be absent, as he had ordeis to cruise
along the coast as far north as PKSSallJA‘uOddy

Ba . .

erhen he reached the schooner darkness had
settled upon the sea, and the lights of the town
sparkled like myriads of glow-worms. '

“Any thing new, Randolph?” he aslcd his
lieutenant who met him at the gangvmy.

“Nothing, sir; I have ordered the boats in'
readiness to convey the prisoners ashore at mid-
night."

‘ You did right; we will sail after the morn-
ing stage arrives from Boston, which will be
just after breakfast; I expect more onlcrs by
that mail,” and Captain Norman descended into
his cabin, and after a hearty supper threw him-
self down to rest upon the sofa.

After a fragrant cigar he dozed ( if to sleep
from which he was awakened by the arrival of

an“,

 

 

 

16,

    

Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler.

 

a messenger from shore with instructions from
Boston.

They were from the commodore in char 6
there, and hastily glancing at the contents, e
gave an order to Lieutenant Randolph, and
settled back in the cushions to continue his in-
terrupted nap. .

But again he was suddenly awakened by aloud
commanding voice on deck; a wild yell follow-
ed, and as aptain Norman rushed on deck, he
met his lieutenant coming toward him.

“ What has happened, Randolph?”

“ Yonder little yacht, sir, ran aboard the
boat carrying the prisoners ashore and has res—
cued them.”

“ The deucel Up with the anchor and spread
sail in chase! Thank Heaven! the order came
to keep the leader aboard and hang him from
the yard as an example. Lively, lads, lively!”
yelled Captain Norman, and the crew of the
schooner sprung; to their work with a will.

But the anchors lay deep in the mud, the sails
were close furlcd, and it was some moments
before the schooner could get under way, while
the swift yacht that had so darineg rescued the
prisoners, was flying away with every stitch of
canvas set.

As the schooner swung clear, the boat re-
turned, and the officer in charge hastily made
his re ort.

He ad seen the yacht anchored up the har-
bor, with sails spread, and remarked upon the
recklessness of her commander, with the stiff

~ wind blowing; then, as his boat got half-way to
the shore he discovered the yacht bearing swift-
ly down upon him, and ere he was aware, it
was almost upon them, and luiling quickly up,
several men jumped into his boat, and it was
drawn alongside. and in an instant the prison-
ers were dragged on board the vessel.

A moment after his boat was cast loose, and
the yacht was flying on down the harbor; but
so sudden had been t 8 attack that the oarsmen
had not time to get their muskets ready for use,
and could only send a few shots after the dar—
ing craft that had robbed him of his prisoners.

“ Curse himl That boy was not drowned. It
was his work; but by the Lord above, he shall
see his father hung. Mr. Randolph, have Jas-
per Lucas brought on deck,” cried Captain Nor-
man, now white with rage.

The schooner’s head had now swung round,
her sails were bellying out with the stiff breeze,
and she began to move on in pursuit of the
yacht, now a mile away.

“ Signal the for , Mr. Randolph, to fire on
that craft!” '

“ Ay, ay, sir.”

“Hol those forward gunsl” shouted the in-
f uriated captain.

“ Aly, ay, sir,” answered the officer in charge.

“ B aze away at yonder yacht.”

Boom! booml went the guns, awakening the
whole town from slumber, and a moment after
the fort opened and the roar of artiller became
incessant, as the shots were sent after t e daring
little craft. ”

“Now swing that pirate up! He, at least.

V shall not escapel“ said Captain Norman, and up
into the air, with no cry for mercy upon his lips,
' went J asper‘ Lucas, while the glare of the flaring

  

 

guns showed his swaying form distinctlyto hun-
dreds of eyes {gazing upon the weird scene from
the shore, an the glaring orbs of Dick Lucas
and those on the yacht.

But though the youth turned livid ‘at the
sight, he suppressed a groan, and registered in
his heart a vow of venaeance for his father’s
death while he firmly c' ched the tiller and
held the flectlittl'e craft upon her course, avoid-
ing the fort by not running out the main en-
trance to the harbor, but standing away among
the islands. Where he knew the depth of the
cruiser would not allow her to follow his light-
draught vessel.

And Estelle, from her window she, too, saw
the flight and chase—the ghastl form in the
rig ing, and she watched the litt e vessel until
it isappeared in the distance, and then sunk
down upon her knees, crying:

“ It was r old Jasper. My Godl what has
my father one?"

And there she remained until the sun arose,
and once more she gazed from her window.

The scene was now one of calm. The Vixen

lay quietly at her anchor; but far 011’ down the
island-dotted bay she saw a sail which she re-
co ized as tho Flyaway, which, being of
ii ter draught, had been sent in pursuit,
w ile as soon as he received his instructions by
the oston stage, Captain Norman intended
standing out to sea, and joining again in the
0 se.
From the rigging the ghastly form had been
removed. Harvey Randol h paced to and fro
upon the quarter-deck, an the scene of terrible
excitement had passed away.

But the city was early astir and the morning
paper was full of the daring esca of the
pirates, whose confederates in crime ad boldly
seized a yacht belonging to one of Portland’s
wealthiest citizens, to carry out their desperate
rescue. ,.

Then the conduct of Captain Norman was
commented u on and he was praised for hav-
ing so prompt y swung up the ringleader of the
freebooters.

All this was read and reread to poor Estelle,
by both the madam and the pupils and her
father highly praised, for little they knew the
deep interest the maiden felt in all that had pass-
ed under cover of the darkness.

With the arrival of the mail the white sails
of the Vixen were again spread to the breeze
and the beautiful vessel dashed swiftly out of
the harbor toward the o n sea, followed by
the 00d wishes of the citizens, who congratu-
la themselves upon having so distinguished
an ofiicer as Captain Norman towatch over the
interests of the 1e, and hoping that he would
soon return, wi h t e pirates again risoners.

And Estelle watched her fathers vessel as
long asshe could see it, and then said fervently:

“Pray Heaven those two never meet a in,
for my father’s act I fear has aroused poor ick
beyond endurance."

‘ Poor child,” said madam, entering her room,
“you are worried about your father, and I do
not wonder at it; but come, you need not study
for a few days, and you will feel better.”

But madam knew not how deep-seated was the
sorrow of her beautiful pupil.

  .1

Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler.

 

1’?

 

' (“WA PTER X.

' THE scnxs on THE BLUFF.

TWO years have passed away, since the exe-
cution of Jasper Lucas, and the daring rescuer
of the score of smugglers who had been sen-
tenced to a. life-long imprisonment; but, instead
of having broken up the band of outlaws, by the
hanging of their chief, they had become worse
than ever before, and under a new chief had won
the unenvious title of the Curse of the Coast.

Who that leader really was few seemed to
know, for some said he was an old man with“
long, white beard, and others reported him to
be a more boy; but, both Ca tain Norman and
one other felt certain that t ey knew who he
was.

And that other was Estelle Norman, who, at
seventeen was the belle of Portland, having
turned the heads and broken the hearts of all
the young gallants in town, without, soeminglg,
having been injured herself by the arrows of t 9
little mischievous god Cupid.

That the daring leader of the smugglers was
none other than Dick Lucas, Estelle felt as-
sured, though not a word had reached her of the

youth since his flight in the yacht that night of -

is father’s death.

Nor had the little yacht been heard from,
and many of the good people were wont to say
that Providence had sent her to the bottom with
all on board.

After returning from his cruise after the fugi-
tive craft Captain Norman had organized a.
party, an , accompanied by a fleet of small ves-
sels, had gone along the coast from the Isle of
Shoals to the St. Croix river, and visited every
known haunt of smugglers, under the guidance
of the traitor, Jerome Lucas, the half brother of
Ca tain Jasper.

a number of haunts had been destroyed in

,this expedition, several scores of suspected men

on tured, and a dozen or more small vessels

‘ ta on it was believed that smuggling had re-

ceive its death—blow along the coast of Maine,
and honest traders held a jubilee.

But, it was not a month after, that a suspi-
cious craft was reported off the coast, and ere
long it became well known that the smug lers
were at their same old tricks, and Captain or-
nian kept the Vixen constantly on the go from
point to point.

Occasionally he would make a slight capture
of smuggled goods, but the outlaw vessel and
her daring commander kept out of his clutches,
though pergetrating acts of outlawry at times
Within reac of the Vixen’s guns, until the crew
began to believe that they were constantly
crulsmg after a s ter craft.

One day the ixen took a run up the coast,
and not expecting to find the enemy, though in
search of him, Captain Norman invited Estelle
and several of her young friends to go along; as
guests on board the schooner,- an invitation they
most gladly accepted.

When half a day out from Portland the
sighted a brig running in with the flag at hal -
mast and the Union down.

“ It is the packet brig from Portland to Hali—
fax, and commanded byxthat imp of sin, Jerome
Lucas,” said Captain orman, looking at the
coming vessel through the glass.

 

“Yes, sir, I remember he purchased a vessel,
shortly after leading us on the expedition against
the smugglers. I wonder what can be the mat-
ter with his vessel, now?” answered Harvey Ran—
dolph, who had of late been an ardent suitor for
the hand of Estelle Norman.

“We shall soon know. Lufl’, helmsman, rnd
we‘ll hail him. Ahoy the brig!” shouttd Ca] ‘zuin
Norman as the two vessels approached within
hailing istance.

“ Ho, the Vixen,” came the answer.

“ What is the matter on board Ce”

“We were boarded by a pirate who took our
captain from us and we put back.”

‘ Hal describe the pirate.”

“It was the schooner known as the Flyawuy.”

“ Dick Lucas as I live,“muttcrcd Captain Nor-
man, and aloud he called out:

“ Which course did he steer 2”

“ He stood in toward the land, as though run-
ning for the mouth of the Kennehcc.”

“How armed?”

“ A pivot-gun fore and aft—they looked like
thirty-twos, and two small guns to a broadside,
with a crew of fifty men.”

“ The devill the fellow is strong enough to give
us a fight, and a good one; but he‘ll run as
soon as he hears the bark of our iron dogs,”
and thanking the mate of the brig for his infor-
mation, Captain Norman ordered the quarter-
rhpaster to put the schooner away for the Kenne—

ec.

Upon the deck were Estelle and her young
friends. All had been attentive listeners to the

conversation that had occurred, and the faces of

some of the fair girls blanched at the name of
pirate; but Estelle quietly crossed over to her
father and asked in a low tone:

“ Papa, was not Jerome Lucas the half-broiher
of Captain Jasper, and the half-uncle of Dick
Lucas?”

“ Yes.”

“ Then Dick Lucas has captured him, know—
ing his treachery to his father and the smuggler
band.”

“ You speak as though you knew the motives
of the young pirate well, Estelle?” said the cap-
tain suspiciously.

“ I know his nature, and though he has many
noble traits, Dick Lucas is not one to forth or
forgive a deadly injury, father. "

In s ite of his nerve Captain Norman turned
a shade paler, for the capture of J erome Lucas
made him feel as though the young smuggler
milght one day seek vengeance against himself.

1: was toward evening that the Vixen stood
in toward the coast, and, with just sail enou h
to keep her under control, and by casting 6
lead ahead, began to feel her way in toward the
land, at the point where a high bluff prOJected
out into the sea. _

“ I don’t exactly like this place in here, Ran-
dolph, without . a ilot; but if 1t comes on to
blow from seawar we can seek an anchorage
under the lee of some of these islands,” said
Captain Norman, as the schooner creptiunearer
and nearer to the shore. '

Standing upon the bluff, and in the shadow of
a. rugged pine, was a man, gazmg attentively
down upon the deck of the incoming craft. I

His face had grown darker, sterner, and more

user'sggxaz." a” V1.1:

n.

“Tmsww‘

 

 

18 I thick Dead-Eye, the Boy gmuggler.

 

manly in the two years that had passed since
the reader last beheld Dick Lucas; but there
was yet the same fearless flash to his bright
eyes, and firm resolve upon his handsome mouth.

His form had become more compact, and he
stood six feet now, with massive shoulders, and
every indication of great strength and activity,
Evhile his every motion was graceful and full of

i nity.

ressed in a pair of white duck pants, low
shoes, a sailor cap and blue jacket, trimmed
with gold lace, and wearing a red sash in which
were stuck a pair of pistols and a knife with
jeweled hilt, he was indeeda handsome, dashing-
looking man—the very one to dare any deed,
and to make captive the heart of any romantic
woman, for away back in his eyes dwelt a
dreamy sadness that was intensely fascinating.

In a cove near by, and wholly concealed from
a seaward View, lay a saucy little schooner that
looked as though bent on mischief, and a num-
ber of men were busy, hauling up from the
deck to a shelf of rook, back of which was a
cavern, a quantity of bales and boxes.

Silently did Dick Lucas stand on the bluff,
and watch the coming in of the cruiser, and his
lips curled as he muttered:

“ Fool! He is running his head into the lion’s
mouth."

Still watching the schooner he saw it come to
anchor, furl its sails, and make all ship-shape
for the night.

“ Now is my time. Ethan Norman your days
are numbered, by Heaven! but I’ll foreshadow
your fate by han<rinrr the wretch whom I took
from the brig, and" who betrayed my poor father
to his death.

Placing a whistle to his lips, he gave a shrill
call, and it was heard on board the Vixen, and
every eye turned toward the distant blufl", and
beheld the tall, solitary form standing there.

The next instant they saw a man up )roach,
salute and depart, and soon after a crow came,
and in their midst was a prisoner, bound hand
and foot. V

“ Who are they, and what are they doing?”
asked Captain Norman, somewhat anxiously.

As he spoke, a wild shriek came across the
waters, and 11 over the head of the group of
men, arose a ‘orm in the air, struggling vio-
lently.

Higher, higher he went, until he was drawn
half-way up to the limb, over which hung the
rope that supported him, and the other end of
which was he] by his executioners.

~With folded arms, and eyes glancing at the
hanging man an instant, and the next upon the
schooner’s deck, stood Dick Lucas, and Captain
Norman lowered his glass and looked toward
Estelle.

She was very pale, and said softly:

:: lg‘ratlier, do you recognize the executioner?”

es

:‘ find’the man he has had hung?”
‘ es.

“ Is it not fearful?” and the maiden turned
away, while the crew, in superstitious dread at
theC1 scene on the bluif, knew not what to say or
,to o.

“ We can give him no aid, Randolph,” said
Captain Norman, hopelessly,

 

“None, sir; we can only retaliate when we
capture him, and I believe his vessel is in you-
der basin,” answered the lieutenant.

“ So I believe, too. Well, she cannot run b
us and get to sea, and to-morrow we will search
for her and take her in the boats.”

“It would be better, sir, I think, to attack
her with the boats, for then we would avoid an
action on our own decks, which would be unfor—
tunate with our fair guests on board.”

“ True; how stran o it is that we should have,
by accident, droppe anchor so near the irate,
and been witnesses of the execution of Jerome
Lucas, which was done in bravado, I am cer-
tain, to frighten us off ; but here we will remain,
Randolph. ’7

Yet, in spite of his brave words, Ethan Nor-
man felt a dread of coming evil at his heart
and descending into the brightly illuminated
cabin, endeavored to drive unpleasant thoughts
away by mingling in pleasant conversation
with his guests; but, all had witnessed the
execution on the bluff, and a shadow seemed to
have fallen upon the entire party, usually so
say and Inappr-

 

CHAPTER XI.

D'ICK DEAD-EYE.

IN a comparatively safe harborage, under the
lee of a crescent-shaped island, and with a bold
cliff astern of her, lay the Vixen, and, upon the
bluff of the mainland stood a solitary form,
gazing down upon her.

“ No, it must not be, it must not be,” he mut-
tered; and with clouded brow and set lips he
stood looking down upon the beautiful vessel,
while around him crept the shadows of night,
and soon shut out the vessel and sea from View,
only a twinkling light, looking like a star, show-
ing:r where the vessel lay upon the waters.

ntil a late hour, and after all others had
sought rest except the watch on duty, Estelle
paced the deck with her father, who was urg-
ing upon her to accept the heart and hand of
his favorite officer, Lieutenant Randolph, who
dearl loved the fair girl.

Sn denly, as they turned in their walk at the
stern of the vessel, a head and shoulders appear-
ed above the bulwarks, and then the form of a
man stood before them.

Instantly they started back, but the man said
quickly, in a deep, stern voice:
“ Hold! be still as death!

harm.”

“ Who are you, and why are you here?” asked
the naval officer, quickly, while Estelle shrunk
away, as if in fear of the strange visitor.

“ I am here to serve you. Who I am it met-
ters not, so that I serve the purpose for which I
came,” was the calm reply in the same deep
tones.

“ How did you-come on board?”
1“”My canoe lies under the stern of your ves-
se .

“ Hal are you alone?” asked the captain
quickly.

“ Yes, I have taken no one into confidence, for
if my coming here was known it would cost me
my life.” ‘

“Again I ask you—who are you?”

I mean you no

men '

 

hick Dead-Eye, the Boy gmugglei‘. , 19

 

“ A smuggler !”

“ By Heaven! I thought as much. You have
come to betray your comrades and need gold.”

“ In part you are right; I have come to betray
my comrades, but in so doing I serve you, and
gold I do not care for.”

“ A marvel indeed you are—an avowed smug-
gler, a man who would betray your comrades
and yet not for gold. You wish revenge, doubt-
less,” sneered the officer.

“No, I have come to serve you, but not by
leading you to the haunts of my comrades, for I
am not so base as that, but to prevent their seiz-
ing your ship.”

‘ By the Lord Harry, but now you are show-
ing your hand~come, I would see that face,”
and Captain Norman moved toward the man,
who said bitterly:

“ My face, like my form, you will find deform—
ed,” and he stepped where the light of the com—
panionway fell full upon him.

He was a. tall man, yet stooped badly, and up-
on his shoulders was a bump that disfigured
him; his hair was long and black, and his com-
plexion was of a livid hue,*while a dark growth
of beard concealed the lower part of his face and
month.

But the strangest of all was that one of his eyes
was peculiarly deformed; it had a dead, straight
stare, and never moved in its socket, while it. was
overhung by. heavy brows. .

Altogether he was a remarkable looking man,
and certainly was repulsive to gaze upon.

“ You are not a beauty, that is certain, and
if your tongue is as crooked as your eye and
form, I will find it hard to believe you,” said
Captain Norman unfeelingl .

‘ Though a poor deforme wretch, I have not
a bad heart, and I repeat it--l have come here
to serve you,” said the man in a low tone, while
Estelle remarked quickly:

. “Father, you have hurt him by your words;
it was unkind of you.” _

“ Why do you wish to serve me?” asked the
captain, after an instant of thought.

“ Not on your account, I assure you,” was
the nick retort. ,

“ by then, fellow?” asked the officer, anger-
ed at the reply.

“ On’ account of your beautiful and noble
daughter. I would not have harm fell upon
her, or have her grieve for her father slain.”

“You are a strange man; tell me what dan-

er threatens me ” said Captain Norman, evi-
ently influenced y the words and manner of
his remarkable visitor.

“ Do you see yonder high bluff i” and the man
turned and pointed landward.

“Yes, it is darkly outlined against the sky.”

“Well, under its shadow are a number of
desperate men (preparing to attack your vessel.”

_‘ A few W11. smugglers, who by to-morrow
mght W111 be in my power,” said Captain Nor-
man, haughtily.

“ You are mistaken; there are four—score
brave men yonder; they will come and attack
you in six boats, from as man different points,
and 'ust before the break of ay; if driven off,
you er bluff has four cannon mounted upon it,
and this island ahead of you has four, all of
:which will be manned and command your ves-

 

sel, making a fearful gantlet to run through.
No, Captain Norman, you are in great danger;
you have your daughter and your friends on
board, and it has been determined by the Coast
Smugglers either to capture your vessel or sink
her at her anchorage.”

There was something in the deep voice and the
manner of the speaker that impressed his listen-
ers deepl ; but, casting 01f a1 sign of dread,
Captain orman responded, calmly:

“This is a nice story you tell, sir. I suppose
you wish to frighten me off from attempting to
capture your smuggler craft, the Flyaway, to—
morrow?”

“ No, such is not my intention. captain: I
wish to warn you that your days are numbered
if you do not stand at once out to sea, and I urge
it for the sake of your daughter.”

“ Your advice I will not take, for I believe
you are sent to get me out of the way, so that
the Flyaway can escape.”

“Captain Norman, it will be three hours be-- .

fore the attack will be made. Do you hear that
moaning sound? Well, it is the sea, and there
will be a storm, and although you apparently
are in a safe anchorage, there is not a more clan-
gerous one on this coast.”

“Can I believe you?” asked the officer, anx~
iously.

“Yes. Why, look for yourself—see yonder
bluff, like a wall of rock, and yonder island-
points, you doubtless noticed in the light of day,
were ragged reefs; well, the sea, when a storm
breaks on this coast, rushes around those points
like a mill-race, strikes the solid cliff and re-
bounds with a force that will wreck any craft
that has sought shelter here.”

“By Jupiter! I believe you are right, and a
storm is certainly coming up, though yet along
way 011'; but, how am I to leave here, as I can-
not 0 out at night without a pilot?” '

“ came on board this vessel, sir to pilot her
out to sea, well knowing that if she heat off the
smug lers or run the gantlet of the guns, she
won] go down in the storm.”

“And yet you say you~ask me no price for
this service?”

“ Oh, yes! I have a price,” replied the stran-

r. ,
ge“Name it, that I might see how high your
ambition runs.”

- “It is that you give me a berth aboard this
vessel as quartermastcr.” .

“That is a small price; but, how can I know

if you have spoken the truth?” - v

“ If on remain here you will soon find out—
But ho d! if you care not to go yourself, send
one of your officers, and I will row him to the
island batteries, and then carry him to the bluff
and show him that the guns mounted there
could sink this vessel in ten minutes—naymore,
I will show him the smugglers now lying in
waiting for the signal to attack."

“ You certainly speak most fair, butii I doubt

on, ou have only yourself to blame as an out—

aw; ut I will accept your offer. Estelle, ask
Midshi man Wainright to come here.”

Estelle walked forward, and the young offi-
cer, whose watch it was on deck, soon approach~
ed his captain. _ .

“Mr. Wainright, go With this man, and re-

c
a

 

 

,

_,

1i
.i

 

 

20 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler.

 

port to me upon your return all that he has
showu you.”

“-Ay, ay, sir," said the midshipman, looking
at the stranger with surprise.

“ Come,” simply said the man, and he stopped
over the bulwark and dropped nimny down
into a. small boat lying under the stern of the
schooner.

The midshipman silently followed, and the
little boat was paddled noiselessly away and
was soon lost to View in the darkness.

“ Father, What do you think of that strange
man?” asked Estelle, after he had gone.

“I know not what to think, my (laughter; ho
is a horrid object to look upon and why he
should wish to serve me I do not know; doubt—
lessly his deformities make him an object of
ridicule among his lawless comrades, and he
seeks to get service Where discipline will mako
him res ected.”

“So think. father, and comes to win your
favor by a service. ”

“ So it would seem; when he returns, if W'ain—
right reports that he told the truth, I will ques—
tion him more and see if he will not help me
turn the tables upon the smugglers by attack-
ing them.”

‘ There seems that about him, that causes me
to think he will refuse to do as you Wish,” said
Estelle, quietly, and father and daughter stood
in silence awaiting the return of the boat.

At length Captain Norman broke the silence
with:

“I believe I was a veritable fool to allow
Wainright to go with him. I fear he may lead
the boy into a snare.”

“ I do not think so, father. Ah, there comes
aboat now!" and Estelle pointed out over the
dark waters, where was indistinctly seen a boat
approaching, and without the sound of an oar.

‘It is he! Well, VVainrighf,what have ou
discovered?” asked the captain as the mids ip-
$8!) and his guide suddenly appeared before

im.

“ My discoveries, sir, were not of a pleasant
nature, I fear, as, under the guidance of this

rsonage here I was taken to a position where

beheld a lar a number of men preparing for
an attack evi ently, and upon the schooner, as
the conversation I overheard plainly told me.”

“There were enough of them to be dreaded,
eh?” carelessly asked the captain.

“There were, sir; and more, I was taken to
three positions where guns are mounted and
commandin the schooner where she lies.”

“Then wi h a storm coming upon us, a threat-
ened attack by boats, and 1 mg under three
batteries we certainly are in anger,” said Cap-
tain Norman, with considerable anxiety in his
tones, in spite of an effort to avoid showing un-
easiness.

“ You have found, sir, that I have told you
the truth; now you will believe that it was to
serve you that I came and placed myself in your
power.”

“Your words so far have proved true, and I
am inclined to trust you; what is your name?”

“ My comrades have a name for me that is as
ghastly as my a pearance; you may call me by

hat name—Die Dead-Eye.”

“You are appropriately named, and if they

i

 

had added to it by calling you Dick Dead—Eye
the Hunchback, they would have left nothing
unsaid,”unfeelingly remarked Captain Norman,
but his words seemed to have no effect upon the
hideously-deformed being before him, who quiet-
ly remarked:

“Captain, yonder coming storm will break
upon us within half an hour, and during its
greatest fury we must stand out to sea, for, with
the first lull the smugglers will attack you. Is
all in readiness, sir?”

“ I can have the schooner in readiness to meet
the storm in five minutes; but, let me tell you
one thing2—I still doubt you, and years ago I
was wrecked on this coast by a smuggler who
professed friendship; so I will have two men
stand by you at the wheel, and the moment you
run the schooner into danger, I will order them
to cut you down, or send a bullet through your
heart."

“So be it, Captain Norman.
terms,” remarked Dick Dead-Eye.

“Very well. Now take your place at the
wheel. and, Mr. Wainright, call the crew all on
deck,” and Captain Norman motioning to two
seamen to guard the strange man who had so
mysteriously boarded the schooner, descended
into the cabin, accompanied by Estelle, who,
from some unaccountable reason had taken a
strange interest in the mysterious being who
had called himself Dick Dead-Eye.

I accept the

 

CHAPTER XII.
THE MYSTERIOUS PLOT.

WHEN Captain Norman again came on deck
he was dressed in his storm suit, and by his side
was Estelle, enveloped in a heavy cloak, for she
had declined to remain below, when she knew

the danger threatening the lives of all on board

the schooner.

At the wheel stood Dick. Dead-Eye, the two
seamen standing near with drawn cutlasses, and
the crew had gone uictly to their posts, whilo
Lleutenant Randolp was getting the Vixen
ready for the storm, the roar of which grow
louder each moment, and the vessel already bc-
gan to rise and fall upon the surging waters,
which proved to all that the schooner was indeed
in an unsafe anchorage, in spite of appearances
to the contrary.

Nearer and nearer came the storm, until the
bowling of the winds and roar of the waves be-
came awful to listen to.

“ New stand ready forward to raise that
anchor!”

It was the voice of Dick Dead-Eye, and it
proved to all that, Whatever his form and face
might be in deformity, his tones were as clear as
a trumpet and had a ring in them that inspired
confidence.

“Captain. in five minutes more the hurricane
will strike the island and that will break its shock
against the schooner; but, after the first blow
we must send away before it.”

“ But that will not carry us to sea,” anxiously
said the captain.

“ Very true, sir, the storm is far more severe
than I had believed, and it would be impossible
for us to beat out to sea.”

“ Then in Heaven’s name what is to be

 

 

 

 

 

Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler.

21'

 

done?” cried Captain Norman, now thoroughly
alarmed.

“ Scud away among the islands down the
coast.”

“ A desperate chance; it is as dark as darkness
can1 make it; the waters will be cut up savagely,
an —
“ 11d yet I can pilot youto safety; I told you
I came on board your vessel to save it. ”

“True, from an attack.”

“ I have the ability to save you from wreck;
but the hurricane is upon us—down all!”

With a savageness that was appalling, and
bearin on its wings of wind stone, shells, gravel
and stlcks, torn from the island in its oaurse,
the storm struck the waters, hurled them into a
mass of foam, and then burst upon the devoted
vessel with a foroe that sent it over upon its
beam-ends.

Instantly the hold of Estelle gave way from
the tai’frail, where she was clinging, and she
would have been home into the sea by the huge
wave that swe t the deck had not Dick Dead—
Eye seen her anger, and springing forward
seized her in his strong arms.

Then, still holding her firmly, he issued his
orders in trumpet tones, while the alarmed
guests came rushing to the deck, believing that
the schooner was lost.

“ Now let that anchor swing clear! That’s it,
my lads! set the foreniast staysail and mizzen—
sail!” cried Dick Dead-Eye, and the sails, hav-
ing been already reede down close, were at
once set by the crew, and like a mad racer the
Vixen dashed away over the wild waters, rush-
ing blindly into the storm and darkness.

Releasing his hold upon Estelle, Dick Dead—
Eye sprung nimbly to the wheel, and threw
aside the two quartermasters who held it, at the
same time shouting:

“Let no one speak to me now! Stand ready,
crew, to obey orders!" ,

In spite of the roar all heard his voice, and
clinging to tafl’rail, ratlines, and the mast, all

, turned their eyes alternately into the dense

 

darkness ahead and then upon the tall, solitary
form at the wheel.

Not a word was spoken, not a cry was given,
but in dead silence they awaited the result,
while, apparently piercing the gloom ahead,
Dick Dead-Eye put his wheel to starboard of
Berti, and kept busy with the desperate work in

an .

In this way moments passed away, the schoo-
ner one moment rushing through smooth water
comparatively, as though under the lee of some
island, and then again appearing to be in the
midst of breakers, the noise of which arose
above the howling of the Winds.

Still in the darkness and blinding spray not a
single eye could detect the land or ragged reefs
they knew that they were everywhere surround-
(-d with, and in expectant horror could only hold
their breath and wait.

Not an instant did that deformed but wer-
ful form at the wheel hesitate, for his c anges
of course were made with the rapidity of light
ning, and the few stern orders he gave to the men
about the sails, showed that his voice was as firm
as though no danger was near.

That he could see ahead they knew was

 

impossible, unless, whispered a few of the more
su rstitious, he was the devil himself, or some
Wizard of the waves that was playing with the
schooner for his own amusement.

Thus half an hour passed, and still the Vixen
drove on, for the storm showed no signs of abat-
ing, and then the time went by, until all felt that
their mad ace had continued for an hour.

At lengt the roaring of the waters grew more
fearful, and the wind seemed to sweep the sea
with more force than ever before, while from
forward came the thrilling cry:

“ Breakers dead ahead I”

“ Did you hear, sir?” yelled Captain Norman,
sEringing to the side of the mysterious pilot and
s outing in his ear, while he clung firmly to his
daughter.

“I heard, sir,” was the calm answer, and
not a oint was the course of the schooner
chang .

But louder and louder grew the roar of the
breakers and Wilder came the cries from for-
ward of breakers dead ahead. sun the mysteri—
ous ilot held on as before. .

“ al you then intend to wreck usl Here,
men, shoot this hound if the vessel touches a
rock. He at least shall die, be our fate what it

malty.”

be two men sprung nimbly to the side of the
pilot, and at that instant there came a vivid
flash of lightning, and the eyes of all seemed to
rest in that instant upon two things—the wild
mass of foam not a cable’s length ahead, and the
hideous face of the pilot, whose dead eye seemed
to glitter like a diamond in the glare, as it look-
ed straight into the danger toward which they
were rushing.

“Beware, pilot! your life if she strikes,” cried
Captain Norman.

‘ So be it,” was the imperturbable reply, and
the next moment the schooner was in the churn-
ing waters, and all held their breath for the
shock they felt must come. 1

But no shock came, and, after being tossed
about for a moment, and almost drowned with
spray, the schooner flew out of the white foam,
and drove on into deep water, while a heartfelt
sigh of relief broke from the li s of every one
on board, even from Dick Dead- ye.

“ Ca tain Norman, you have just passed
throng the channel where our sc ooner was
wrecked some years ago,” said the ilot.

“ Hal by that wretch Lucas, w 0 was hung
for it.”

“Yes, he was hung for his act,” calmly said
the pilot.

.“”Be careful that you do not meet his fate,
Sir.

“I have been careful, Captain Norman; all
danger is psed now, and in a few moments we
will e in what is known as Lucas’s Ba .”

“How on have brought this vesse through
the storm and darkness, surrounded as we have
been by islands, reefs and rocks, I cannot tell;
but you have certainly won our admiration, and
you shall not 0 unrewarded,” said Captain Nor-
man, as the sc ooner entered the comparatively
quiet waters of the little haven, on the shore of
which had stood the Lucas cabins, but where
now were only charred ruins.

“I know this coast as I do my alphabet, sir,

 

 

22 Dick Dead-Bye, the Boy Smuggler.‘

 

and have run by reckoning; but it was no
child’s work, I assure you, and I expect as my
reward that you make me one of your crew.”

“You shall be quartermaster, and if you do
me further service I expect of you. deformed
though you are, you shall hold a commission.”

“I wish none; I would only be an object of
scorn and ridicule with the aristocratic officers,
as I am with my humble smuggler comrades,”
said Dick Dead-Eye, with bitterness of tone,

“ As you wish, but you have it in your power
to wear an epaulettc,” and Captain Norman
called to Lieutenant Randolph to let the anchor
fall and put the schooner in ship—shape after the
dangerous gantlet it had run, after which he
turned to descend into the cabin, his daughter
following him.

As she approached Dick Dead—Eye, she held
forth her hand, and said in her earnest way:

“ Allow me to thank you, sir, for the service
on have rendered us all. Your past life may
ave been one of crime, but your own heart

must feel that you have more than redeemed
yourself in saving the lives of us all.”

“ Lady,” and Dead-Eye spoke in a low tone,
“ what I did, I did for you, alone, for my bitter-
ost hatred rests upon your father and his crew.”

With an exclamation of surprise, Estelle drew
away her hand and passed on into the cabin,
while Dick Dead-Eye walked forward among
the crew, who greeted him with a. deafenin
cheer, to which sign of admiration he 
not the slightest notice.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
THE SMUGGLERS CAPTURE A PRISONER.

THE morning after the storm the sun arose
in a cloudless sky, though the waves yet ran
rough at sea and fell with a. heavy thud upon
the shore; but within the cliff-sheltered haven
the Vixen rode quietly at a single anchor.

At an early hour Captain Norman in his gig
rowed ashore, where, bidding the crew await his
coming, he had strolled back up the glen ‘to the
little graveyard whore rested the wife he had so
dearly loved.

Half an hour he passer], gazing sadly down
upon the mound, and then turned to go, when
there came the stern command:

“Not a word, not a step, or you are a dead
man 2”

Captain Norman glanced quickly around him
while his hand dropped upon his sword-hilt, bu
he saw no one near him, yet he knew that the
speaker was concealed in a dense mass of cedar
bushes near by.

A brave man at heart, he was not willing to
submit tamer without knowing the strength of
his foe, and he said, calmly:

“ Who is it that thus addresses me?”

“ It is one that speaks to you, but many sur~
round yougand ascore of rifles cover your heart
~riiles held by the willing hands of the Coast
Smugglers,” was the stern response.

“ Seeing is believing; it you are many I sub-
mit, but if only one or two, why let the best man
win,” and he walked boldly toward the cedar
bushes. ‘

But he was met half-way, for there issued

 

forth a score of rough-looking, heavily-bearded
men, all of them carrying arms in their hands.

“ You are the winners in this game. What
do you wish with me?” said Captain Norman,
knowing that if he called for aid it would cost
him his life.

“You shall be free to return to your vessel
if you accept our conditions,” said the spokes-
man.

“ Name them i”

“”Grive up our leader and we will give you

“ But 1 have not ssession of your leader.”

“ You have; we now it.”

Captain Norman started; had he then the
smuggler chief in his power in the person of
Dick Dead-Eye?

No, such could not be the ease, as he had al—
ways believed that Dick Lucas was the leader
of the Smugglers of the Coast, so he asked:

“ Who is your chief, may I ask?” '

“One you have often heard of—one who has
eluded you for years, and now that you have
him in your power you would make suffer the
same doom you dealt out to his father.”

“Hal it is then as I believed; you refer to
Dick Lucas 3”

“ Ay, ay, captain—we mean Dick Lucas, the
Boy Smuggler, as he is called.”

“ I have not such a‘person in my ower.”

“You have, I again repeat, for e went out
to reconnoiter last night and has not returned;
you run the gantlet of the islands and came
here and anchored through the worst storm we
ever had on this coast, and there is but one man
that could have brought you through. and that
is, the Boy Smuggler, so we know he is on board
the schooner; we knew it as soon as our lookout
reported that you were anchored here, instead
of having gone to the bottom as we hoped and
believed you had.”

“ I repeat, your leader is not on board my
vessel; I only wish he was.”

“ Captain,-a man who wears the epaulettes of
a United States naval officer should not lie,”
was the cool response.

With an angry brow Captain Norman stepped
toward the speaker, but a dozen hands dropped
on the hilts of as many cutlasses, and, realizing
how thoroughly he was in the power of his cap-
tors, he said, angrily:

“ Nor do I lie, as I can prove. ”

“ Then what has become of Dick Lucas?”

“ That I cannot tell.”

“ Then we hold you responsible; his boat
came ashore this morning at daylight, several
miles up the coast, and he is missing.”

“ Perhaps he was drowned?” , r

“ Not he; he was not born to be drowned, nor
hung either, my good captain. We hate to
doubt your word, but we do, and your life is in
danger as long as we believe you have done
away with our chief.” '

“ How can I prove to you that I know noth-
in g of- him?”

The man was silent a moment and one of his
comrades whispered something to him, and he
said, quickly:

“ Ah, yes, your daughter is on board the
schooner, captain, for we saw her as you came
in yesterday.” \

 

 

Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler. 23

 

“Yes, what then?"

“ We will take her word; send for her.” '

“ Never! Do you think I would place her in
your vile power?’7

“ Be careful, Captain Norman, for you are in
our power; but, bad as we may be, we would
never harm beautiful Estelle, the little waif
that lived among us years ago, and her word
we will believe, so, if you wish to save your life,
send for her.”

“ I will not.”

“Yes you will, Captain Norman, for you do
not Wish to share the fate you visited upon our
old chief, Ca tain Lucas.”

Captain orman started visibl , for he felt
that he was indeed in danger, an the thought
of being hung was madness; but he remained
silent for an instant, and then said:

“ You would not dare do such a thing.”

“ Try us!” was the laconic reply.

“What! you would hang me?”

“As certainly as you hung the captain: so
you see your danger. We will pledge our
words that harm shall not befall your beautiful
daughter, and she may at once return to the
schooner with you, after she has pled ed us her
honor that Dic Lucas is not on boar .”

“What trust can I put in the word of smug-
glers?” sneered the captain.

“We will keep our word though, so, if you
care to live send for your daughter.”

“How can I?”

“ Write her a note; one of our men will take
it to your boat, and tell the coxswain to‘ go
aboard after her.” '

“Very Well,” and Captain Norman hastily
wrete a few lines in pencil to Estelle, telling
her to come on shore where he awaited her at
her mother’s grave.

This the spokesman of the smugglers took
and boldly carried down to the boat and gave
to the coxswain. '

Fifteen minutes after the gifi again grated
upon the beach and in it sat stelle, who was

. assisted out by the coxswain.

The supposed fisherman, for such he had call-
ed himself, was awaiting her, and led her back
up the glen, where with surprise she came upon
the band who held her father prisoner.

“My father! has harm befallcn you?” and
Estelle sprung to his side.

“I am in the hands of the Philistinos, my
daughter. I came to this sacred 5 0t, and these
men made me a prisoner and old my life
against that of their boy leader, whom they
say I have on board.”

“ Hold on, captain, and let me do the talking,”
and the smuggler spokesman turned to Estelle
and continued, after a polite how:

“I hope you have not forgotten those who
were once your friends, Miss Estelle?”

“ No; I recognize a number of’faces that were
once most kind to me,” said Estelle kindly, and
at the same time nodding pleasantly.

“We will be kind to you yet and we have
such trust in you, miss, that we have sent for
you to save your father's life.”

.1“ My father’s life in danger?" cried Estelle in

aarm.
“It certainly is, miss, You see he is the

 

worst foe we have and he has done us much
harm the past few years, and now we have him
in our grip and wish to exchange him for your
ado ted brother that was—Dick Lucas.”

“ confess I do not understand you.”

“Well, to make it plain, if the captain gives
us up Dick Lucas we will release him; but it
will be only because we love the boy and wish
to save him, and will spare your father on your
acoount, miss.” -

“But my father has not got Dick as apris—
oncr.”

“ Is that true, Miss Estelle?”

“As far as my knowledge goes.”

“ And he was not captured last night?”

I t N'oI H

“ But you were in the cabin, miss.”

“On the contrary, I was on deck all the time,
even through the storm.”

“ And Dle Lucas is not on board the Vixen?”

“ He is not.”

“Miss Estelle, yonder is the grave of your mo-
ther; you would not stand by it and tell us a
falsehood?”

The maiden’s face flushed, and she seemed
about to make an angry retort; but she said
cahnly, checking herself:

‘ “ By my mother’s memory I swear to you that
I speak the truth.”

“ So be it; I believe you, and fear the poor
be?7 is dead. Captain Norman, you and Miss Es-
tel e can return on board the schooner, and if you .
will take my warning you had better not bring
ladies with you on this part of the coast. It would ’
give us pleasure to hang you, sir; but, as we
gave our word, you can 0. ’

“ Hold on a bit! Capta1n,we certain] believed
you had Dick on board, and that he ad been
forced to run you to a safe anchorage to save his
life, and was Willin the more to do it seeing as
you had ladies on oard the Vixenybut, as he
did not do it, just tell me who was your pilot
through the islands last night?”

“That matter does not concern you, so that it
was not your leader.”

“Well, whoever it was knew his duty, and if
it was not Dick, then it was——”

“ Who?” asked the captain, as the speaker

aused. _

“ The ghost of Captain Lucas, for the old man
and his son were the‘ only tviIo that could have
saved the schooner last night.”

Captain Norman gave a light laugh, and con—
tinued on his way, Estelle hanging upon his arm,
while the smugglers stood silently gazing after
them.

Reaching the gig, Captain Norman aided Es-
telle into the stern—sheets, and springing in him—
self gave the order to pull rapidly back  the
schooner, for he still felt uncomfortable in the
vicinity of the outlaw band.

Once on deck he sternly ordered:

“Randolph, train a gun onshore and fire at
the base of yonder tall pine tree.”

“A , a , sir! Clear that stern gun there!”

“ Hold! Father, that tree shelters my moth-
er’s grave.” cried Estelle.

“ True, I had forgotten. Hold on, Randolph;
but order three boats’ crews in readiness to go on
shore, and send that fellow Dead—Eye to me,”
and Captain Norman entered the cabin,

 

Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler.

 

CHAPTER XIV.
SENTENCED TO DEATH.

OBEDIENT to the command Dead-Eye appear—
ed before his captain, who said quietly:

“ I would like to ask you, my man, if you
care to make a good round sum, and also win
a commission for yourself?”

“In what way, captain?” was the almost in-
difl’erent response.

“ I will tell you. This morning, you may
know I went on shore?”

“ Y’es, sir; I saw you row away in the gi .”

“Well, upon the land yonder lies buried my
wife, who was wrecked many years ago, and at
her - rave this morning I was confronted by a
num or of smug lers who made me a prisoner,
and intended to iold me as a hostage for their
leader, Dick Lucas, who it seems left them last
nirrht to reconnoiter my vessel.

‘Not returning as the expected, the Vixen
leaving her anchorage in he storm and running
to'this haven in safety, they believed that I h
captured their young chief, and only upon the
word of my daughter did they allow me to de-

art.

P “ New, I desire to utterly wipe out this smug—

gler band, and, a few years ago, under the

guidance of a. man who turned traitor to them,

I did find their haunts and do them much dam-

age, besides capturing their vessel and crew, as
. you may remember.”

“ I remember the circumstances perfectly
sir, as also that the traitor was hung on the c ‘
in full view of your vessel.”

“True, but he was afool to remain on this
coast after his treachery; he should have one
elsewhere, and he would have been in no n-

er.

g “But now to business. You have said you
were a member of the smuggler band—you have
shown your ability as a seamen and pilot, and I
feel that I can trust you, and if you will head
an expedition to the secret caves of these smug-
glers, and so arrange that the Flyaway will fall
into my hands, I W111 give you every cent of my
prize money in the affair, and get you a. com-
mission as a junior officer in the navy.”

“ It is a base thing to be a traitor, captain,”
said Dead-Eye, in a tone that Captain Norman
could not understand.

“ To become a traitor to a good cause and to
honest comrades, yes; but to a bad cause and
outlaw companions, no.”

“ It is all the same; the brand of traitor is one
of infamy.”

“But remember the inducements I offer—
nay, I will see that you receive a. larger sum
than the 1prize money will amount to, and if
you do no care to accept the commission, I will
petition Congress to give you a handsome in—
come to live upon.”

' “ And if I refuse, sir?”

“ But you will not think of refusing?” said the
captain, anxiously.

“ But if I refuse, Captain Norman?” again
quietly. asked Dick Dead-Eye.

“Then, sir,” and Captain Norman sprung to
his feet in angry vehemence. “then, sir, I will
have you hung like a dog, so help me Heaven!”

“ I have saved your vessel, sir, and the lives
01 your crew,” was the unmoved rejoinder.

 

“ Had you ten times saved my life, it would
make no difl’erence, for, by your own confession
I would hang you.”

“ Perhaps Congress, which would grant me a
living, would pardon me for the service I have
rendered?”

“No! for Congress shall never know of you
until you are dead, as I shall hang you by
to-morrow’s sunrise, if you refuse. Come, don’t
be a fool, man, but accept my oifer, and aid me,
as I know you can, to capture this entire smug-
gler band.’

“I will not Nprove a traitor to my compan-
ions, Captain orman, outlaws though theyare.
I came to your aid, not because I cared for you,
or your crew for you have been our persistent
enemies, andI hate you all; but to save from
harm your beautiful daughter.

“I asked for my reward to remain on your
vessel as one of its crew, and you granted my
request, and there my service ends, except in
the discharge of my duty on board ship.”

tone, and Captain Norman felt that he was in
earnest, and cried savagely:

“ Then, sir, with the rising of to-morrow’s sun
you die; you shall be hung!”

“ So be it; better death at the yard-arm, than
bel % traitor to my comrades, be they ,ever so
v1 e.

“ Ho the deck 1”

“A , ay, sir,” answered an officer, entering
the ca in. -

“ Place this man in double irons, and confine
him in the hold.”

With some surprise in his face, the ofiieer
obeyed, for he could not understand why a man
who had saved the schooner and all on board,
should now be so severely treated by his com-
mander.

Dick Dead Eye even held out his hands for
the heavy irons to be placed around his wrists,
and then, without a word, was led from the
cabin, just as Estelle entered it from an adjoin-
ing state—room, an angry flash in her eyes.

you done?” she cried

“Done my duty in sentencing to death that
vile smuggler.”

“ A man to whom we all owe our livesI”

“ It matters not; he shall die !”

“ And to-morrow?”

“ No: I will give him several days to live—at
least until I capture his comrades without his
aid, to kee him company in hanging. Lieuten-
ant Rando ph!”

“ Yes, Captain Norman,” said that young
officer, presenting himself.

“ Are the boats ready?"

“ Yes, sir, and the crews in them. "

“ Very well; land and make a thorough search
of the shores in this neighborhood, visiting the
old haunts of the smugglers, which you remem-
ber, and returning only with the set of the sun,
unless you make some important discoveries;
but mind you, keep your men as close together
as is possible, for you may be attacked.”

“ Av, ay, sir!” and the lieutenant retired,
and shortly after the boats revved slim-award

 

on their hunt for smugglers,

Dick Dead-Eye had spoken in a low, calm.

“ Father! father! I have heard all; what have

       

  
 
 
  
   
  

 

 

   

   
    

     

 

 

‘2

 

 

Dick Dead-Eye. the Boy Smuggler.

 

CHAPTER XV.
IN AN ENEMY’S POWER.

WITH the approach of evenin the boats came
rowing slowly back from. the s ore, and Lieu—
tenant Randolph made his report.

He had carefully searched the coast for a
league up and down, had even gone inland, and
not a sign of a smuggler had been seen.

The old haunts and caves had been visited,
but bore the ungress of desertion long before,
and the few ru 9 fishermen dwelling on the
shores, could, or would not, tell anything re-
garding the outlaws.

“ They shall not esca. e me, for I shall search
two leagues of the cons each day, and to~mor-
row shall tow out of this basin and anchor a
league above here,” said Captain Norman.

‘ This is a dangerous coast in storms, sir, as
we have experienced,” suggested Lieutenant
Randolph.

“ Yes, but after the severe blow of last night
it will doubtless be some time before we have
another one, and I shall risk it,” was the re-
sponse of Captain Norman, and at da light the
following morning the Vixen, with er boats
ahead, moved out of the basin and headed up
the coast where she'drolpped anchor just oil? a
point of land that gave er gunsa good range
up and down the shore.

After the anchor was let fall, Captain Nor-
man himself led the men in their search ashore;
but at nightfall the party returned utterly
worn out by their long tramp and scramble
over the rocks.

Yet, with the dawn of another day the Vixen
again moved up the coast, and dropping anchor
in a comparatively open bay, the regular smug—
gler hunt began again, but as before, without
the slightest sign of the outlaws or their retreats
having been discovered, although Captain Nor-
man had offered lar e inducements to the few
humble fishermen w o dwelt on the coast to
guide them to the rendezvous of the band.

On the evening of the third day the crew
were almost worn out, and, excepting the
watch on duty, all retired at an ear y hour to
rest, and were soon fast aslee ; but, when the
middle watch came on deck, t ey noticed that
the sk was becoming rapidly overcast with
dark 0 ends, and Lieutenant Randolph deemed
itr‘his duty to acquaint Ca tain Norman with
the circumstance, for the ixen 1a in an ex-
tremely e anchorage, shoul the storm
break rom seaward, as it threatened.

“ I don’t hke it at all, Randolph, for it looks
as though another hurricane was brewing,” said
Captain Norman, anxiously casting his eyes
around him as he came on deck.

“ It Will be impossible’ to beat out to sea, sir,
as open as it looks, for I observed at low tide to—
day that there were hundreds of sunken rocks
in t t direction,” said Lieutenant Randolph.

“Curse these smugglers, they will yet cost me
my ship and my life,” muttered Captain Nor—
man, as he continued to gaze around him at the
gatherin storm; then he added aloud:

‘f I see ut one thing todo—get out both an-
chors, with plenty of cable, house the topmasts,
and attempt to ride the’gale out.”

“ It is our only course, sir, that I can see,” and
Lieutenant Randolph called to the boatsan to

 

pipe all hands on deck, and the tired crew were
soon at work, though they grumbled to them-
selves at their commander for keeping them con-
tinually in such danger just to capture a band
of smugglers who only deprived the government
of a few thousands yearly in duties.

Knowing how hazardous was their anchorage,

and observing that the storm seemed to increase
in fury as it neared them, the seamen stood
watching its approach with most anxious regard,
while awakened by the noise on deck, and the
low, ominous roar of a gale, Estelle and her
youn friends also arose and dressed themselves,
and ormed a cowering group near the wheel,
for the storm of a few nights before had fully
taught them how terrible was the ocean in its
in .
EyIt is as bad as the other night, sir,” Whis-
pered Lieutenant Randolph to his commander,
as the now terrific roar of the sea and winds
sounded like the constant roar of battle.

“ It is worse, I fear—at least the thunder and
lightnin , and our anchors are our only hope,"
re lied a tain Norman, in the same low tones.

‘Yes, i the cables break we are lost. Hold
hard! down all!” cried Lieutenant Randolph,
and as he spoke, the Vixen shrunk back as
though in terror, until her anchors brought her
up with a jerk.

The next instant the huge white wave, driven
by the savage Wind, was upon the devoted craft
which was flooded by the rush of waters, an
several of the crew forward, were torn from their
hold and hurled into the wild waters, their cries
for help risin pitifully above the storm.

But no he p could come to them, and they
were borne awa to death.

“ She’s draggm’ her anchors, sir,” cried the
boatswain from forward, and all started at the
cry, as they knew how great was their danger
now.

“ She drives stern foremost fearfully—the an-
chors only steady her, sir,” said Lieutenant Ran-
dolph coming aft and joining his captain.

‘ 6 can do nothing, for if she would hear
sail, we know not which wa to head ” was the
almost despondent reply of aptain orman.

“Father, there is one below who can save
your vesse ."

Captain Norman started at the voice in his
ears, and turnin , beheld Estelle, who had crept
to his side from er place in the companionway.

“What do on mean, Estelle?”

“ Dick Dea -Eye knows these waters.”

“God be praised! Ho! Randolph! Bring that
smuggler Dead-Eye on deck, and lively, for the
land is not far awa .”

Lieutenant Ran olph never waited for the
completion of the sentence, but darted below
with a ra of hope at his heart, for like his com-
mander, 9 had entirely forgotten the presence
on board of the smuggler.

In a few moments he returned and a preached
the t where Captain Norman sto near the

whee .

“ Ho! Dead—E e, we need your aid, for another
storm has caug t us upon your accursed coast,”
said the officer quickly. .

Dick Dead- ye cast a searching look around
him, then up into the rigging, and asked calmly:

“ Where are you?”

  
   
     
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
 
   
    
    
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
    
  
 
 
 
 
   
  
   
  
  
   
    
  
    

 

 

26 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Snug-glen

 

“ A league above the bluff where you first
'oined the schooner,” hastily answered Captain

ormau.

“ Off a rocky point of land, with a high hill in
the back-ground?”

“You have described it exactly.”

“How far from the land?"

“ We anchored nearly a mile away; but we
have been dragging our anchors for ten min-
utes— Ha! did you see by that lightning-flash?”

“I saw,” was the cool response.

” What?”

“ That your vessel will go to pieces in ten min—

77

“ Great God! but you can save her,” cried the
now thoroughly alarmed captain.

“ I can, yes.”
“And you will?”
H No!”

The answer came firmly and distinctly.

“ Heavens! you cannot mean it.”

H I do.”

“ But you will be lost with us.”

“ What fear of drowning can a. man have
who is doomed to be hanged?”

“ No, I will spare your life, so take the wheel,
in good fellow."

‘ I will not.”

“And you will allow us all to die, when you
can save us?”

U Yes.”

The man stood unmoved, his arms folded up-
on his breast, and around him were the officers

of the Vixen, one and all of them White with.

dread.

“ Man, you seek a fearful revenge. I tell you
I will spare your life—nay, I will grant any re-
quest you make to me,” pleaded Captain Norman.

“Mere words, and they have no effect upon
me. You and your crew are doomed to die.”

As Dead-Eye spoke a slender form glided for«
ward and confronted him.

It was Estelle, and she laid her had upon his
arm and said softly:

“ on may be an outlaw, sir, you may have

cause for reven e, but you have a heart and
will not let us ie, when you can save us—I
know that you will not.”

The man cast one glance into the pleading
face looking up1 into his own, then turning quick—
ly his strong ands grasped the Wheel, and his
loud clear voice shouted:

“ To your posts alll In with those anchors,
lads, and get the schooner under what sail she
will carry."

A yell of joy broke from the lips of both offi-
cers and men, and nimbly they sprung to work
and not a moment too soon, for a flash of livid
lightning, that lit up both land and sea, showed
to all the Wild, ragged shores, not three cable’s
lengths away.

But at the helm stood the tall form of the
man who once before had saved the Vixen, and
in spite of his deformities, one and all had per-
fect confidence in him, and obeyed promptly
his every order, while he guided them through
the storm and darkness once more to safety.

CHAPTER XVL
THE ESCAPE.
WHEN in danger of losing his vessel, and with

 

 

 

the lives of all on board in the hands of one
man, Captain Norman was willing to make any
promise required of him; but when the morning
sun arose in a cloudless sk , and the storm had
passed away like one w o dreads ghosts by
night, but is brave by day, the commander of
the Vixen forgot his good resolves and ordered
Dick Dead-Eye into his presence.

“ Well, my man, as you have a second time
proven your ability to aid me in destroying the
smugglers upon this coast, I suppose you will now
acce t my former generous offers to you?”

“ hat is, to win riches and rank by betraying
my former comrades, sir?”

‘Yes, and I will be even more generous.”

“ Your offer will be refused as before, sir.”

“ What?”

“ I swear it.” v ,

“By Heaven! you care little for life.”

“I love life, sir.”

“ Then you will consent to my demand and
save it?”

“ Never, sir.”

“ Then you shall go again into irons, and, I
mean it, to-morrow you shall be hanged.”

” Captain Norman, you could not be so base,”
cried Dick Dead—Eye, in surprise.

“ I will do as I say; to save my vessel and
those on board, I promised you your life, and I
hoped you would come to your senses and think
better of m offer to you; but as you again rc-
fuse, I will eep my word and you shall die.”

“ Captain Norman, you are a villain—even
worse than I believed you to be,” was the deep
response of Dead—Eye.

‘ I will not quarrel with a man condemned to
die, on account of epithets he bestows on me.
offer you your life, money, and rank, if you will
serve the Government in ridding this coast of a
desperate band of outlaws; you refuse, and I say
you shall die. ”

Dick Dead-Eye made no reply and was again
placed in irons and taken to the schooner’s hold,
to the great surprise of the crew, who now felt
more kindly toward him, in spite of his being a
smuggler.

But, believing that their commander was only
trying to frighten him into betraying his com-
rades, and really meant him no harm, they pass-
ed the aflair over without much comment. ~

But though the crew of the Vixen had a better
opinion of their commander than to believe he
would carry out his threat and hang Dick Dead‘
Eye, Captain Norman was in deadly earnest, and
gave orders to Lieutenant Randolph when he
entered his cabin that night, to have all arrange-
ments made for the smuggler at sunrise, the fol—
lowing morning.

“My dear sir, pardon me if I say that you
can not mean it,” said the astonished lieuten-
ant.

“I was never more in earnest, Randolph; but
one thing will save his life.”

“ And that is—”

“That he consents to betray his comrades.”

“I am sorry, sir: and the crew also will regret
to see him die," said the lieutenant, sadly.

“It matters not: he shall be hanged at the
appointed hour,” steme said the commander of
the Vixen.

“ As we have lady guests on board, would it

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

   
 
   
  
   

 

 

 
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
 

 

 

Dick Dead-Eye. the Boy Smuggler. 9‘9

 

not be as well, Captain Norman, to put off the
execution until we return to port?” asked Lieu—
tenant Randolph, hoping that by delaying the
carrying out of the sentence, something might
arise to save the smuggler’s liie.

“ No! At sunrise none but the crew will be on
deck. You have my orders, Mr. Randolph; see
that they are obeyed.”

The young officer made no reply, but bowed
and retired, and Captain Norman turned to en-
ter his state—room, when he was confronted by
Estelle.

“ My daughter, I thought you had retired,”
said the father hlS face flushing with shame.

“ N o, I could not rest when my father was on
the eve of committing a. great crime,” was the
low, but firm reply; '

“Estelle, how re you speak to me in that
we 3”

‘ I dare do anything to prevent my father
from doing a deed of dishonor, that is worse
than murder.”

“What? Go to your state-room this instant
and never address me again until you ask par—
don for your words,” angrily said Captain Nor—
man.

“No, no, father! Hear me, and do not let
that or man die! He came on board your
vesse and saved you from being surprised and
defeated by the smuggiers; he saved you again
in the storm, and a ird time, last night, he
guided you to a safe harbor when we were all on
the eve of death; for my sake spare him.”

“ He knows how his life can be saved; let him
consent, and honor awaits him. Now return to
your state—room, Estelle, and remember, I am
very angry with you.”

So saying, Captain Norman entered his own
mate-room, and Estelle slowly returned to her
own; the lights in the cabin were lowered, and
all was soon after quiet on board the Vixen.

But, out of the‘cabin came a. form envelop—
ed in a heavy cloak, and, going upon deck, ap-
proached Midshipman Wainright, who was the
officer on watch.

“Mr. Wainright, I suppose you know of the
intention of my father to have the man known
as Dick Dead-Eye hanged at sunrise?”

The young oflicer started with surprise and
delight, for e was always glad to have Estelle
near him.

“Yes, Miss Estelle, and I am sorry that such
is the case,” he answered.

“So am I, and, in hopes that the man may
save his life by consenting to my father‘s de-
mands, I have a desire to see him to urge him to
do so; please permit me to see him.”
~ “It may be doin wrong on my part, Miss
Estelle, but I will are him brought on deck,
as it was you who urged him to become our
pilot last night.”

“Islease let him be brought here quietly,
without attracting attention, for I would see
him alone.”

“ If you will kindly act as officer of the deck,
I will go and fetch him myself," said the young
officer, and saluting playfully, he disappeared,
and in ten minutes more Dick Dead-Eye ap—

roached Estelle, holding in his hands the chains
t were fastened to his feet.
“Be seated, sir; I would speak with you,”

 

said Estelle, quietly, and placing a stool for him,
and another for the maiden. Midshipman “’aiu-
right walked forward out of car-shot.

The smuggler bowed and sunk down upon the
seat, for his chains were heavy, and drawing
near him, Estelle said in a low tone:

“ Do you know that you are doomed to die at
sunrise?”

“ Yes, lady.”

“ Do you know that you can save your life's”

“Yes; by betraying my comrades.”

“ And that you refuse to do?”

“ Assuredly.”

“ You will be hanged."

“I know it, lady.”

“ Life is not then dear to you?”

“Life is very dear to me, but my honor is
dearer.”

“ A smuggler talk thus! I am surprised."

“ Doubtless, and for one as deformed as I, to
speak sentiments of honor sounds strange indeed;
but I will die, as you shall see, before I betray
my‘comrades to death.”

or a moment Estelle was silent; then she
asked:
‘:’Tell me why you came on board this schoon-
er? '

“ I will frankly tell you, lady; circumstances
over which I had no control made me what I
am, a smuggler, an outlaw, and one whom some
even call a pirate. _

“ I tried to lead a better life, butwas revent-
ed, and I now am a hunted man; but deter—
mined to save you, and your father and his men,
and came on board your vessel, hoping to remain
as an honest seamen and to bury the past; but,
an outlaw, your father sought to make me be-
tray my comrades, and my refusal to do so will
cost me my life.”

“You shall not die! Here, hold out your
hands.”

The man started. and cried in an eager tone:

“ What would you do, lady?”

“ I would prevent my father from committing
a great crime, by hanging one who has nobly
served him. Here] I have the keys of your
irons; I took them from my father’s desk; let
me release you, for the officer of the deck is not
looking, and no one can see you leave the
schooner.” ‘ ’

“You are a noble woman, and never will I
forget you for this. I accept my liberty, lady,
at your hands.”

The man spoke earnestly, and with the deep-
est feeling, while Estelle quietl unlocked the
iron bands upon his wrists an ankles, and let
the chains down easily upon the deck.

“ You can swim?”

“Like a fish, lady.” _

“Then watch your chance, slip over the bul-
wark, and lower yourself into the sea. Yonder
is the shore, not three cable—lengths away,” and
Estelle pointed through the darkness to where a
wooded point of land was dimly Visible.

“ Heaven bless you, lady; farewell!”

The deformed being bent before her, graspcd
her hand, imprinted thereon a burning kiss, and.
the next instant noiselessly slipped over the
bulwarks.

Estelle heard no splash in the water, and for

 

28 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy 'Smuggler.

 

a long time sat in silence, wondering if the man
had escaped.

Then to her ears from the wooded shore came
the distinct hoot of an owl, followed immediate-
ly by the long—drawn howl of a wolf, and after-
ward b the shrill whistle of a bird.

“He as escaped, t , nk Heaven! those are his

signals to let me kno . Mr. Wainright!”
‘ Ay, ay, Miss Estelle,” said the young officer
approaching.

You can have those chains/removed, please.”

“ Heaven above! and the prisoner?” cried the
midshipman, in alarm.

“ Has escaped at my req7uest', I will bear all
the blame; cod-night, sir,’ and Estelle re-en-
tered the ea in leaving the young officer stand-
in on the doc a icture of amazement, yet
rejoicing that Dick sad-Eye was not to be exe—
outed at sunrise, but dreading to meet his com—
mander. '

“By Neptune! but there will be the devil to

y,” he muttered, as he began to pace to and
Fro, I110st in admiration at the cool daring of

31:6 9.

CHAPTER XVII.
THE ATTACK.

FOR a long time after Estelle left the deck,
Midshipman Wainright tpaced to and fro, his
thoughts upon the beauti ul girl he really loved
with all the devotion of his youthful heart.

In fact he was so taken up with his own
thoughts of love that he really forgot his duties
9,; an ofiicer of the deck, and, upon the principle
0

“ Like master like man,”

the crew on watch were taking “cat naps”

. against the masts or bulwarks, and not gazing
out upon the waters as they should have done,
when they knew that danger surrounded them.

At length the dawn was not very far off, and
the hour a preached which has been said to be
the darkes , just before day, but which I have
never been able to verify and in his hopeful
dream of blissful love in the future, the hand»
some young officer failed to observe some dark
objects out upon the Waters slowly drawing
nearer to the schooner. _

Had he been watchiu , he would have ob-
servedkthat they were oats, six in number,
crowded with men, and coming noiselessly on
under the impulse of muffled oars. '

Arriving Within a cable’s length of the schoon-
er, they divided, two remaining stationary and
two going off at right and left angles.

Those that thus diverged, after gaining a
given point also separated, and' in twenty min—
utes more the six boats were at the four main

_ points of the compass. that is, one was not far
away from the stern of the Vixen, one an equal
distance 03 the bow, and two upon each broad-
91 e.

Then as the dismal hoot of an owl was heard,
the six boats moved noiselessly forward toward
a common center, and had approached within
a few lengths of the schooner ere Midshipman

 

Wainright awakened from his dream to stem,

reality.

Then only the presence, rather than the sight
of danger aroused him, and in trumpet tones, he
crie :

“ Boat ahoyl Steady, or I fire on you!”

But wild yells answered him, and his loud cry

of:

“ Ho! 0n deck, lads!” was drowned by the
rattle of firearms.

Up from below deck came the Vixen’s gallant
crew to meet a deadly foe upon their vessel, and
at once the combat became fierce and hot, for
Captain Norman and his officers cheered on
their men, and well all knew that they fought
for life or death.

But those who assailed them felt that the
had wrongs to revenge and they had come we 1
prepared to punish the foe who had dogged
them so ruthlessly for years, and hoped to wipe
out their persistent pursuer, forgettin that as
law—breakers the crew of the Vixen ha a right
to unish them and hunt them to death.

ilder fiercer, the struggle went on the
crew of the schooner, thou h surprised, fighting
with indomitable pluck t ough outnumbered,
and the smugglers anxious to crush their adver—
saries.

At length the dawn broke in the east; still the
combat waged for neither side seemed willing
to yield an inch; but as if fightingKunder a pre-
concerted Ian, the smugglers ept well to-
gether, an at 1611 th the Vixen’s crew were
forced to yield, inc by inch, step by step, un-
gil 1they were driven back upon the quarter-

ec .

Then Captain Norman saw that resistance
was only useless, and to save his crew he called
out: ,

“Cease firing! I surrender my vessel!"

Instantly a momentary silence followed, and
then the leader of the smugglers stepped forward
and confronted his foes.

He was the same man who had been spokes—
man when he captured Captain Norman at the
grave of his wife, and his Words were deep and
threatening, as he said: <

“ Ay, you would surrender now, roud cap-
tain when your despised foes hold t e winnintr
han ; but no; as you would treat us, so we wi
treat you; nay, we will be more merciful, for
we will let you die with arms in your hands, in-
stead of hanging you, as would be our fate,were
we in our power.”

“ hat mean you, sirra ,” cried Captain Nor-

man.

“I mean that you lied to us. You certainly
captured our captain for, had he been wrecked
in the storm, ere this his body would have been
washed ashore, and nowhere can we find it. I
mean that you have dogged us for years, that
you once destroyed our haunts captured many
of us whom you had sentenced to life-long im-
présonment, and hung our captain as you would
a 02.

“Now you ask in vain for mercy: we will not
show it to you or yours. At them, lads, and cut
them down!”

With wild yells the smuggler crew dashed
again upon their fees, and once more the com-
bat raged as fiercely as before, in fact with

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_ weak

Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler.

 

greater ferocity, for the one party fought for
life alone, and the other for revenge, the worst
of all motives of the human heart.

What the end would be was evident to all, for
the smugglers were the victors, and they would
soon end the matter to their i‘evengeful liking;
but suddenly, over the tafirail of the schooner
bounded a. tall form, and from his lips broke the
stern command in tones that were not to be dis-

uted:

“ Hold! I command you!”

Instantly the combat ceased, and every eye was
turned upon the stranger, the smugglers gazed
in seeming wonder and surprise, the crew of the
Vixen with hope, while in the companionway
crouched Estelle and her friends, in terror and
despair commingled.

“ And who are you, sir, may I ask, that single-
handed commands obedience here?”

It was the smugtgler leader that spoke, and,
having recovered rom his surprise, he sprung
forward and confronted the new-comer, his
blood~stained cutlass in hand and on guard.

“ I am 1 our chief,” was the quiet reply.

“ Our c 'ef ! Are you mad?’ shouted a dozen

veices.

“No! behold!”

As he spoke, the rough wig and the straggling
beard were torn from his face and from over
one eye was taken a mass of dosh-colored plas-
ter in which was a painted e e and then the
handsome, daring face of Dic ucas was re—
vealed; and well known in spite of the livid hue
of aint that yet covered it while the hump on
his ack was now known to be assumed. .

“Dick Dead-Eye your chief!” cried Captain
Norman, aghast. a

“Av ay, sir! I am Dick Lucas, alias Dick
Dead— ye, who, to save your daughter assumed
this disguise.

“ Last night I esca ed, thank Heaven, and I
am now here to save er from harm, for, reach-
ing in cavern, and finding where my men had
gone, came on after them, and arrived just in
time.

“ Now, men, back to your boats; and Captain
Norman, your services as smuggler-hunter will
have to end, for no longer need you look for
Dick Lucas and his brave lads on this coast. To
your boats, men 1”

In sur use yet in perfect obedience the smug—
glers fel back, while Captain Norman said
threatenin , 1y:

‘f Did I are, I Would end your days here."

“ Ay, Captain Norman, you would again raise
gour- hand against the one who has served you;

ut, for Iyour daughter’s sake I spare you, even
though swore to revenge myself upon you for
cruelly hanging my poet old father. Farewell,
and know that she only has saved you from
sharing the fate of that old man.”

Without another word‘Dick Lucas. now known
to have been serving-as Dick Dead—Eye, sprung
over the schooner’s side into the boat alongside,
and with rapid stroke the smugglers pulled for
the' shore, while Captain Norman, knowing how
he was to cope with those whom he had
come to annihilate, ordered his boats ahead, and
slowly towed the Vixen out to sea, when she
set sail for Portland, with half of her crew 
and wounded on board.

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE BEGINNING on THE END.

WHEN the Vixen arrived at Portland Captain
Norman found his own desperate afl’air with the
smugglers only a seccmd—rate excitement, as
war ad been declared between England and
the United States, and he was ordered to re-
port with his vessel at Boston, from whence he
would have to 0 upon a more desperate duty
than that of fig ting coast outlaws.

As he expected that Boston, rather than Port-
land, would be his rendezvous in the war, he
carried Estelle with him to that city, and there
left her with a distant relative, while he put to
sea in the swift—sailing Vixen to hunt down the
enemies of his country, and not at all unwilling
to escape from the disagreeable service of smug—
gler—hunting on a clan erous coast, where he had
so nearly lost his vesse and his life onmore than
one occasion.

Thus was ushered in the War of 1812, and dur-
ing the three {ears that it lasted, Captain Nor-
man won for imself and his vessel an enviable
reputation; and for the service he had rendered
was placed in command of a large sloopof-war,
and ordered to cruise in southern waters, where
at that time, as the British were threatening
New Orleans and Mobile, their vessels—of—war
were more frequently found than elsewhere up-
on the American coast.

Obedient to orders, Captain Norman set sail

for southern seas, and upon his vessel with him ,

went his beautiful daughter, who was anxious
to seek a temporary home at some southern
por .
One day, as Captain Norman was on deck,
promenading with Estelle on his arm, and who

ad grown more beautiful with each season that
had passed over her head, a. sail was discovered
in the distance.

Instantly the sloop-of—war gave chase and rap-
idly overhauled the stranger, until the decks of
each vessel became visible, when the other squar-
ed away in flight, and in spite of the speed of
the Reindeer, as the sloop was called, began to
drop her astern.

“ That is remarkable, for I believed this the
fastest vessel afloat,” said Captain Norman,
with surprise.

“Barring one, sir,” said an old lieutenant,
who had been a sailor for forty years.

“ And that one, Mercer?”

“The Privateer Scorpion, sir. ”

“ Ah yes; I will yield to that craft, frcm all
I have heard of its speed ” said Captain Norman.

“It’s the most won erful craft afloat, sir,”
continued the old lieutenant.

“I have been in seven different vessels since
the war broke out, and I tell you she’s been the .

talk in all of them, for the Scorpions com-
mander is a man who will fight four tfines his
weight in metal and numbers in men.” '

“And is always victorious, too, it’s said.’.’

“ Always, sir. Who he is nobody knows, and
he never goes into port, only captures a prize,
puts a crew on board, says where he Will meet
them again, and thus goes on. I tell you, cap-
tain, he has hadinore tough fights and captured
more rizes than any cruiser afloat.

“that is his name, Mercer?” I

“ He’s called Captain Seabolt, Sir.”

\,

 

 

   

    
   
   
   
   
    
  

30 Dick Dead-Eye. the Boy Smuggler.

 

“ A strange name; but do you think yonder
craf t can be the Scorpion?”

" It’s got the same low hull, lean as a hound
and sharp as a razor sir; then the long, raking
masts are like 'Seaholt’s craft, too. Suppose we
show our colors, sir?”

“ No! just run up the English fla .”

“Ay, ay, sir,” and the flag of reat Britain
floated out from the peak. '

Instantly the schooncr was seen to round to,
and from her bows came a puff of white smoke,
while a shot went flying over the deck of the
sloop-of—war, and the stars and stripes went up
to the peak.

“ That’s him, sir] that’s the Scorpion, for the
little devil has fired at us, believing us to be
English, and though knowing he dare not fi ht
us, he’s not goingr to show that he’s afraid. ee,
there’s our flag.’

“ You are right, Mercer' now run up the
stars and stripes, for that .ellow fires too well
for us to play as a target! Hal what is he do-
ing now?” and Captain Norman leveled his glass
at the schooner.

“There is a sail off on the horizon, father,
and he is heading toward it,” said Estelle, who
held a sea-glass in her hand.

“You are right; he knows if We are an enemy
we are far too large for him, and if an American

- we can take care of ourselves, so rushes off you-
(ler in hopes of a prize. Keep on your course as
before, uartermastcr,” and Captain Norman
offered his arm to Estelle to continue their inter—
rupted promenade.

, ut ere long there came a cry from the fore-
to .

D.

“ Sail hol”

All eyes at once turned in the direction indi-
cated by the lookout and behold two vessels just
visible above the eastern horizon, toward which
the sun was rapidly declining.

“One is a sloop-of-war—the other a brig, but
whether English or American, remains to be
seen,” said Captain Norman, and  orders
to the helmsman to head toward t em e went

“ down into the cabin to tea.

When he again came on deck, accompanied
by Estelle, the two vessels were not a league
away, and that they were enemies, was now
evident.

“The sloo is my own size, and the bri car-
ries fully a ( ozen guns; but we have a sp endid
vessel and fine crew, so I’ll fight and not run,
for it will be asplcndid thing if I can capture
them. Beat to quarters, Mr. Randolph,” said
Captain Norman to the oificer who then held
the deck, and whom the reader already knows,
as he does the young lieutenant leaningr over
the taffrail and gazing sadly at Estelle with one
eye amithe strange vessel with the other;
in fact, 0th Lieutenant Randolph and‘ Lieu»
tenant Wainright had never given up their
hope of winning their commander’s beautiful
dau hter.

“ t is taking great odds, sir," said Lieutenant
Randolph, glancing meanineg toward Estelle,
who, understanding his look, said quickly:

“ I trust my presence on boardwill not cause
my father to run from the enemies of his coun-
try, although they may be greatly his superior
in strength.” - '  ’ ‘ ’

 

“ Nobly said, my daughter! No. 1 had deter-

mined to fight them and I will if the sink or .

capture me. Beat to quarters, Mr. andolph,
and get the ship in fighting trim.”

Asthe drum of the sloop called the crew to
flieir guns, an answering sound from the strange
vessel proved that they, too, were preparing for
action, and all at once the three vessels were
stripping for a combat they felt must be fierce
and ea 1v.

“ Now, Estelle, you must go below, Kiss me,
my daughter, and take care to go down into
the trap in the cabin," said Captain Norman,
and he led his daughter to the companionway
and there parted with her just as the sea was
liglhted up by the guns of the English vessel,
w ich was now not very far distant, and com—
ing bravely on to the conflict.

“ Answer them, Randolphl Mercer, make
your iron dogs bite as well as bark. Wainriglzt,

lave your boarders ready,” cried Captain Nor-
man, and instantly the sloop’s guns belchcd
forth angry replies, and the battle was begun in
deadly earnest on both sides.

CHAPTER XIX.
IN TIME.

IN a number of cases the American sloop-of-
war, armed, equipped, and manned as she was
with a full crew, might have been successful
against two such vessels as were the English
sloop and brig; but they happened on this occa-
sion to be in every particular as well frepared
for combat as their plucky foe, and mm the
first poured in a most galling fire.

Bu having taken the chances, Captain Nor-
man was determined to fight it out to the bitter
end and die game if he had to die.

Seeing that they had a splendid vessel to con-
tend against, the English commanders were
anxious to capture her without material dam—
age, and at afreconcerted signal ranged down
upon her broa side with intention to board.

Seein their intention, and knowin the sail—
ing ua ities of his vessel. and also t e heavy
meta of his stern guns, Ca tain Norman deter-
mined to attempt to fly, oping to escape in
that way; but, as he gave the order to tho
helmsman to put away, an unlucky shot from the
brig carried away his bowsprit; the American
lost steering—way, and a moment after the Brit
ish were boarding over both broadsides, while
their spars mingled with those of the unfortu-
nate craft.

Then began at once a'most terrible combat
with cutless and pistol, and outnumbering the
Americans and attacking them upon both sides,
the English seamen drove them slowly aft, and
Captain Norman knowing that further struggle

was useless was about to haul down his colors,‘

which floated weirdly in the darkness above the
decks, when a clear voice shouted:

“ Boarders, follow me 1”

All eyes turned in the direction from whence
came the voice, and there they beheld the snowy
canvas of a large schooner range along the stern
of the American sloop; a shock followed, the
grapnels were thrown, and over the tafirail
bounded a tall, slender form, with cutlass in one
hand and pistol in the other, while at his back
came four-score brave seamen.

  
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
   
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
   
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
 

 

 

»:

gt

 

 

35L

1;
. ah“

 

Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggler.

31

 

 

“Down with the British! Rally around me,
ye bold tars of the sleep!” cried the youn lead-
er, as he sprung into the midst of the nglish
seamen, and, followed by his men, began to
force them back in spite of their resistance.

At first Captain Norman did not know
whether friend or foe had come upon him, but
now as the young leader cried again to his crew
he rallied his own sailors and pressed on to the
attack. '

“Scorpions, show your sting I”

It was the voice of the leader of the rescue
party, and it told both Americans and English
that the crew of the famous privateer, Scorpion,
with their renowned chief, Seabolt, were on the
Sloop‘s deck, and while it gave hope to the one it
raised dread in the heart of the other.

But the English were not yet beaten; they
fought with the fury of despair, until they were
forced upon their own decks; yet there the
crews of the American vessels followed thcm,
and after a long and bitter struggle the cry for

uarter arose, and the British flags were hauled
own!

“ You are the victor, sir, the prizes are yours,”
said Captain Norman, generously, ap reaching
Captain Seabolt where he stood upon tlljne sloop’s
quarter-deck.

“ No, I Will share with you the honor, we will
take the brig and leave you the sloop.”

“ Great God!" and Captain Norman started
back while he added:

“ Am I deceived in believing you to be Dick
Lucas?”

“ No, sir; I was Dick Lucas, but not liking
either that name or the one of Dick Dead-Eye,
I gave it up for that of Richard Seabolt, com-
mander of the American Privateer Scorpion,
who is wholly at the service of Captain Norman
of the sloop—of—war Reindeer.”

“ My youn friend, I “was wrong, very wrong
in the past, believed you dead, and now rejoice
to see you alive and bearing an honorable name.
Forgive me and forget the past."

“ xladlyl And your daughter?” I

“ Is with-me, and will be delighted to know
that you have again saved her father. Come
with me !” and he led the way into the sloo ’s
cabin, leaving Lieutenants Randolph and Wain—
right to see to the wounded and prisoners, and
neither of them in a pleasant mood at seeing
Dick LlV‘flS, Dick Dead-Eye, and the B0 Smug—
gler all turn up in the daringr Seabo t, com-
mander of the famous privateer Scorpion.

CHAPTER XX.
CONCLUSION.

AT the close of the war between the United
States and Great Britain, a trim—looking; schoon-
er glided up the beautiful Potomac river and
dropped anchor in front or: Washington city,
when a boat put off for the shore, containing
four oarsmen, and a young and handsome offi-
cer in the stern-sheets.

Arriving:r at the landing the officer was greeted
by cheer after cheer from a large crowd which
had gathered there, as several old sailors had
recognized in the schooner the noted American
Privateer, Scorpion.

Raising his hat politely, Ca tain Seabolt
sprung into a. carriage and was ‘ven rapidly

 

 

away to the home of the President of the United
States, to whom he sent up his name, and gain‘
ed an immediate audience.

In a frank manner the young officer made
known to the President his early life, and how he
had drifted into the life of a smuggler, and ex-
hibited letters from both Commodores Bein-
bridge and Decatur to show the numerous ser-
vices he had rendered the service in the past and
during the war.

“And the splendid career of your vessel I
well know Captain Seabolt, and con ratulate
you upon ving turned your smugg er crew
into privateersmen and to yourself and men I
extend afull and free pardon,” said the Pres—
ident.

With a happy heart Richard Seabolt, for he
had forever dropped his old name, returned to
his vessel, delivered it to the navy department,
and then set sail for the shores of South Caro-
lina, where, with his prize money, he purchased
an elegant estate and fitted it up with every
comfort, after which he departed for the North.

Three months passed away before his return,
and then he came not alone, for with him was
his beautiful bl ide, once known as Estelle Nor-
man, who had never ceased to love the splendid
youth who had been her adopted brother in her
girlhood years among the smugglers of the
coast of Maine.

THE END.

DIME DIALOGUES AND SPEAKERS

FOR SOHO 0L EXHIBITIONS
AND 11 01!! E ENTER THINMEWTS.

 

Dialogues, Nos. 1 to 32 inclusive, 15 to 25 popu
lar dialogues and dramas in each book. Each vol-
ume 100 pages 12mo.

Speakers, Nos. 1 to 21 inclusive. Each speaker
100 pages 12mo. containing from 50 to 75 pieces.

 

YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERIES.

Din‘o Bowl“ of Winter Sports.
Diml- Brink of Summer Athletic Sports.
Dime Gonts‘ Letter Writer.
Dime Book of Etiquette.
Dime Book of Verses.
Dime Book of Dreams.
Dime Fortune Teller.
Dime Ladies“ Letter Writer. '
Dime Lovers’ Casket.
Dime Ball-Room Companion.
Dime Book'of 100 Games.
Dime Chess Instructor.

Dime Book 01‘. Beauty.

mThe above books are sold; by newsdealers
everywhere, or will be sent, post-paid, to any ad.
dress, on receipt of price, ten cents each. Bum:
AND Anus, Publishers, 98 William st. N. Y.

 

 

 

{i2 OCTAVO PAGES.  \ PRICE, FIVE C-NTS.
POCKET LIBRARY.

d'o’E‘é‘o-oooor

opooo_oooo5_ \_/ _o_og_o_gooo ooooooooco'ooao‘é

\ ISSUED EVERY “’ WEDNESDAY.

 

‘I Dgtgsii‘ntulhgzhfi "‘0 mm” "f “‘6 R “d- “3' Ed“ The Red Brotherhood. By W. J. Iinmilton.
Dnnily Jnck. By T. C. iiiirimugix.

2 Knnfl A Klnr or The Red Right Hn d. B‘ B r.
1-,. U 15m. l"; ’ n '5 “ Hurricane Bill. By 501‘]! ii. Badger, Jr.

3 Tile Flying Yankee; or, The 0cm. cram“, 13y Single “and. By W. J. iimniiinn.
Cu]. i’renuss ingriiimiu. Putent-leuther Joe. By Piiiiip S. Wnrne.
The Double Daggers. By Edward L. Wheeler. The Border Robin Hood. 12y Bull'qu Bill.
The Two Detectives. Dy Aibixri W. Aiken. Gold Rifle, the sharpshooter. By Edward L.
The Prairie 1' lot. isy Buffalo Bill. V mm-
Tlic Buffalo Den n; or, The Border Vultures. 01“ Zip" C”"'“- By 0‘9" J' F' C- Adam‘-
By Eilwnrd L. Wheel . Delnwnre chk, iho Young Hunger Spy. 13y Oll
Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. m on Coomea. OWN“
Ned wymo‘ “w Boy Scout. By a Tun. Jnck 1! Mad Tom Weltern. By W. J. Hmnilton.
(J. B. Omuiiundrn). Deadwood Dick on Deck. By E. L. Wheeler.
10 utfnin lien, the Prince oi‘iiie Pistol. By Edward lluwkeye Hurry. By Oii Conmes.
L “ MGM‘- Tllc Boy Duelist. By Col. Prciiiiu Ingriiimm.
11 Ralph Roy. the my “"anr- BY 01‘ “Emhm- Abe Colt, the Crow-K ller. Br Albert w. Aiken.
12 Nick 0‘ the ngllt' or, The Bay Spy of’TS. By T. r . . y ,
K . “Amman. v Cgfiitnflay Charlie, the Boy Bravo. By Eduurd L.
18 Yellowstone Jack. FY Jnfii’i’l‘ E‘ 5min“: 3‘“ “'lli Some”. the Boy Detective. By Clms. Morris.
14 “Vf‘iyllll ]Iran, the Buy Claude Diivnl. By Edward L. 50] Ginger, iiie Giiuii 'l‘rnpner. Bv A. \V. Aiken.
N53 er. v .
15 Dlnl nl Dirk. By Cninnel Prentiss Ingrnlinm. illogtrfid n3)": 33y :dwma  “I???”

16 RomhKnlfe, Prince vi the Prairies. By Oil Comma. 33'}: “flung? m error 0 ‘8 mme' By cap"
1’? (in-iron sol; or. Nick Whimcs’fl Boy Spy- By Curt Kit Iinrefoor, the Wuml-Hiiwk. By T. c in...
J. i‘. c Adm... “ugh, . '

18 DoiithrFuL-c, ihe Deiecfi‘m By E- L- Wheel“ Rollo, the Boy Ranger. By Oil Cnomen.
19 Luann Jack. M Oil Coi‘mefl.
. . ~ 1 - I . .1 v
20 Rom-lug liillpll Roekwooil, this Reckieuiinnger. Idfl’ um 0“ mum 8’ rdwm‘ I" Wheel“
Br ilvirry M. George. Dcthtlve Dick; or, The Hero in Rugs. ByClinrlel
21 The. Boy Clown. By Frank S. Finn. Mflm'
2‘2 The Phantom Mlllcr- By Edwnnl In Wheel“ Sure Shot Salli, iiia Boy Rina-mu. Byou Comm.
2:; The Sun.C“t. liy Ciipialn Frederick Whittaker. s] . .
nu- ani or Tim A i e i, i F .1 i ..
The Dumb Spy. By 011 Canines. 15y fAluXiu‘idmr’PilMeli.‘ v n m“ 0 u “an “a B0)

lhitlllng Rube. liy Hurry St. George. .. T] i . I ‘ ‘ B . U ‘
Old Avnlum-lie, the Grant Annihilator. By Edward W L o" f“ c "U 5L“. y “be” “ ' Amen"
L. Wlll' e‘ l'k'ntnurnph Phll, the Boy Sleuth. Dy Edwnrd L.

i.
Gin «Jaye. the are... sworn”. We... By cm. J. We“
li. L. Ailniiis. Pleuyunc Pete: or, Niwdenius, 1113 Dog Detective.
The Boy Cuptnln. Ti}- Rnxzm' Sinrbuck. B3 Charm Mon 3.
29 Dick hurling. live Puny Exprosn Rider. By Capt. Ifllnml ."m, 0LT“ P“ nuke Fun” ' B B n _
'”d""°k “ "”"”“"‘ bridge iicmy'ng (Jiu'k Hnrkuwny). 3 y "Le
30 “0b “'00”: the Borilor Riifl'lnn. By E. l.. VVlicclrr. ' ‘ V
Nightlngnle NM" By T. c. unrbmfllv “ atoll-Lye, the Slindow. By Edward 1.. Vi lieeier.
82 Black John, Mu: Rmul Azrlii. By J. E. Badger, Jr. Dirk Dent! Eye, the Boy Sliiuggier. By Col. 1". in-
88 0mm... on, n... "Musk d'l‘error. By E. L. wnm... WM“
34 Burt Bunker. the Triimier. By George E. Luswlle. 73 Donllwond Dlt'k’l Device. By Ed. L. \Nlleolcr.
85 The “03, Rule“- By A‘ C. Imus. Kuuily July bill.
86 The Willie 13 fl'uio. By Geurgc E. meiie. T9 '1‘qu “"lhl llornchunu-rl. Ry Captain Mayne
81 Jim “Induce Ir B“ Fdw‘ml L “.hfl‘ler Rind iiliil l‘i'cilurick \Vliiiinkar. Randy July l5lli.
, . . 4 . . . .
88 led Hamel, the Boy 'i'ruinper. By Ciipi. J. F. c, 80 Ol‘illlrmifty, the Guide. By T. C. Hurbmigh. Randy
(lzilllfl. .. ‘
89 Deadly Eye. tlm Unknown Scout. By Buffalo Bill. 8'1 The gemvmcn 0,, The Midshipmnnvl Legucy‘ B),
40 Nick “'hiilleu’n PM. By Cupi..i. F. C. Adams. Col. 1’. ingrxnmiii. erly July 29in.
‘ I ’ ‘. . - .
41 nfindwood Duh " Elm‘efl' By E L When" Beadle’~ Pocket Librury in for sale by all News.
42 The Border King. By Oll Coomca. .
drillers, five ceuil 1in an iv, 0r Ieni b mail on race] inf Ii:
43 01.1 Hickory Br Harry s. a...” I V p
' ‘ ' ' can in each.

» 44 The White Indian. By Can J. F. C. Adnml.
45') Bnckhorn Bill. By Edward L. W'liealer. BEADLE ‘5 ADAMS! Pilbufih‘fl'l,

46 The Shadow Shh). By C01. Preniiu Ingralmm. 9S \Viilinm Street, New York.