5. z _. Hf“ ~:‘wl-;izulz ‘ , . IHIIMMHMIHHHHHH i‘fi" mm“ ‘ * \Amis;\\ \mw ~ : » .» ".50 Published Weekl b Beadle and Ad 5 VOL Q Year. No. ggwmzlmysgn NEW you "n ’ lesrgeel'nu. N0. “u! A man on u: on ram “wont AND you KNOW YOUR nu." cum um 2 I The Pirate's The Pirate’s Prize; on. The Mysterious Yankee Schooner. A Tale of the Malay Sens. BY C. D. CLARK, AUTHOR or “EAGLE EYE,” “MUTE camp," “GREYLOCK THE GUIDE,” are, are. ' CHAPTER I. A STRANGE YANKEE. A MAN in a dress half Euro ean and half Malay stood upon the European and in Shang- bae lounging in an indolent I'll'lllllel‘ against the wa of a’ building. In person he was tall, strongly built. and strikingly handsome. but witha lurking devil looking out of his bright . black eyes, which were fixed upon a party seated on a bench, their attention directed to the bar- bor. They were three in nu-iiber, one gentle- man somewhat past the middle age, a handsome yeah man with a seafaring air, and a beautiful girl, Just budding into wom-inhool. The man who stood alone never moved his eye from the group, and as he gazed, the demouiac look in them grew more and more marked. “ Have your own way for the present, Harry Castleton,’ he muttered; “my time is not so very far OE.” “Kinder interested in that party, ain’t ye?" remarked a quiet voice at his elbow. He turned quickly and saw a slightly-built man of uncertain age leaning against the wall not far awa . He had come up so quietly that his a proac had not been noticed. “ *ho are you?” demanded the first man harshly; “ and by what right do you mix your- self in my affairs?” “ Oh, now, stranger! Don’t you see I’m a Yankee, and a Yankee must b'ile in, even if he ain’tinvitedl I see you looking at them folks, and} thought mebbe you was acquainted with I ’em. _ “ And suppose I am—what is that to you?” i' “Now. don’t r’ile up, stranger. Take it easy. Be gentle with me; or, of ye can’t be gentle, be as genftl’e as you can. I’m a good-natured cuss, m . ‘ _ “ Look you, my man i" and the stranger ad- , vanced in a threatening manner; “I am not in (the habit of allo .ving any man to mix himself in ' my business. and I am not going to begin with you. Take yourself out of this.” i‘ #ain’t in no hurry,” was the cool reply; “ be ‘ you ~ The stranger leaped suddenly upon the Yankee and caught him by the shoulders, evidently with the intention of hurling him to the ground, seemingly an easy task, but to the assailaut‘s * surprise the slightly built man remained lean- ing agrinst the wall, the same provoking smile upon is face. ‘ “ Seem to be anchored, don’t I, pardner? Kinder hard to remove this rock from its flrm base, hey?” , . ' The provoked m tugged at the Yankee tormentor furiously, but the New-Englander re- mained immovable, a merry look on his hard, set face, and a peculiar twinkle in his deep gray eyes. “ I’m adamant," he said, “ and can’t be budged. ou know.” The ot er was still pulling at him when some- thin strange happened, no one could say how. The ankee had not seemed to move. but all at once the feet of the assailant were struck from noisier him and he measured his length upon the s . “ Take keer stranger!" bowled the New. Englander. “ u’st thing you know you‘ll get hurt—~break yer back, may be 1” ' The man icked himself up with an astonished look, gave is body a shake to satisfy himself that he was all right, and then. in a sudden fury, flashed out a long Malay kreesc. But he was confronted by the muzzle of a heavy navy revolver and a resolute eye gleamed along the bri ht barrel. ‘ ight go ofl’, stranger,”the_Yankee said. ‘.‘ It‘s an awful treacherous weapon.” The other gave a short laugh as he returned the kreese to its sheath. “You areacool hand,” he said. “I’d 've something handsome to have you under me.’ “I don’t go under no man,” was the reply, “bul when I play with a snrpint I always carry strong argyments under in clothes. What did ye pitch into me that way nri” “ Never mind. Perhaps you do not know me, and for that reason cannot be aware of the danger you are in. It don’t make much differ- 6:: now, but some day I’ll remind you of this 1: ' . v Heg touched the fez he wore, after the manner of the naval salute, and walked up to the party on the benches. leaving the Yankee standing with his back to the wall in the same careless attitude. “0h, mortal fathers, ain’t be tough!” mut- tered the queer fellow. “I guess he wouldn’t have put that kreese through my midrit! if I hadn’t produced the barker—oh no! Now let’s watch his little game.” The stranger saluted the fin lad first, by removing his cap, and then rn to he oldest of the two gentlemen. , “ You are leaving the country. Mr. Darrel? “ Yes. Captain Maiiton, I have spent the best years of in life here, and now, for my daugh- ter’s sake, must go home.” _ “ You'take passage with Captain Castleton, do you not?“ _ . ‘ Yes; We have only been waiting until he sailed.” ‘ r _ The young man littan next to the lady said something to his companion in a low tone;.the 'rl smiled, and again that uglv look came into t e eyes of Captain Munton. He stood tapping his boot nervously with a light bamboo cane which he carried. and his eye measured his dis- tance from Castleton as if taking ground for' sword-play. “ 1 hope you may get home, safely,” be said, with his cynical laugh. “ but, really, there is’a t deal of danger upon these seasmow.” “ I suppose you mean from the Malays?” Ces- tleton remarked. Aummd 1:? up», “Lei. - .‘A u- 0-: a. Tug-L. I): nL awry-5., ;-z-Wl . / The Pirate's Prize. 8 “Not so much as others. Suppose you were to fall in with the Black Shereef.” Mr. Darrel cast an uneasy look at his daugh- ter, but made no reply. The name of the Black Sheree! was at that time a terror in these seas, and all merchantmen prayed that they mi ht not meet him on their way. But Captain as- tleton spoke up boldly: “I hope the piratical scoundrel will dareto cross the hawse of the Tokio," he said. “I would give him such a drubbing as he would long remember.” “Don‘t be too sure of that, captain. If I were sailing a merchantman, hearing such love- ly freight and so much wealth as you carry, I should do all I could to keep Out of the way of the Black Shereef. When do you sail?” “With the ebb to-night. I am anxious to be on my Way home, for teas have never been higher than just now, in the American market. ' “Aha py voyage to you. I have only one good wis now.” “ And that?” v “That you ma pass the Straits of Sunda without meeting t e Black Shereef.” He turned upon his heel and walked away, leaving Herr Castleton glaring after him, with clinched ban s and flashing eyes. CHAPTER II. A GLANCE ar OUR CHARACTERS. “ WHAT is the matter with you, Harry?” de- manded the young lady, with a laugh. Harr drew along, deep breath. “I on‘t know why it is, but whenever I meet that fellow I wish I had a sword in my hand, and could fight it out with him tothe death. But, psbaw; we shall never see him again, I hope. Let us think of getting aboard.” “ Why are you uneasy ?" asked Mr. Darrel. “I don’t like that fellow, Mouton.” replied Harry, quickly. “Strange as it may seem, I feel as if we should be more safe if he remained - in this port until the 'l‘okio had sailed.” At this moment the Yankee, who had been ’ watching the party with observant eyes, came in to them. p“ Going to sail soon i" he inquired, addressing “ do; to-night.” “I s‘pose I couldn‘t git you to listen tome, but if it was me I wouldn’t go through the Straits of Bunda on the home trip.” “ Do you think I am going to run a hundred leagues out of my way because there is talk of pirates in the Straits?” cried Harry. “ Didn’t you hear me say I didn’t s’pose you’d listen? There’s one thing I w11l say, though, don’t you hamper your guns, for like enough you'll need ’em before you see the Indian Ocean.” V “ And who might you he, friend 7“ said Harry, “I’ve had so much good advice to-day that I am not hungry for any more. Attend to your own business and I will attend to mine.” “ That all right.” returned the Yankee, with a grin. “I don’t blame you for getting ruled; ,you’ve had enou h to make you, when that when, long piratical shark of a Mouton has just crossed your hawse. Look out fur that villain, whatever you do!" “ The man means well, Harry,” said Mr. Dar- rel. “ I am sorr we cannot take his advice, but I thank him a l the same." “ You are a gentleman, sir. for on, or the handsome miss here, but exp ain. Perhaps the time will come when I can he] you, and when it does. sing out fcr Saul Be ton, and Saul Beltou will be on deck.” Without another word he hurried away and gasdlost among the narrow streets beyond the un . Mr. Darrel was an American who had spent nearly fifteen years in Shanghae and had grown rich in the ten. business. As it became plain that so much of his life must be spent there he had sent for his wife and little daughter and for twelve years Ellen had lived in the European quarter of the great Chinese port—Mrs. Darrel having died however two years before the open- inglof our story. arry Castlebon had started as cabin boy on board one of the company’s ships and now he was part owner and master of the Tokio. Who Captain Mouton was no one could say. He often ran into port in his beautiful schooner, to refit, but he never took out a cargo. Those who claimed to know him said he was a entlo: man of leisure, whose one delight was t elil‘e of a sailor. During the last year he had been a great deal in Shanglhao, and had haunted the Darrel house until arry, who was betrothed to Ellen, began to get uneas . He was satisfied, however, when Captain anton proposed for Ellen’s hand. and was quietly rejected. Yet he had reason to believo that Manton cherished in his heart the desire for revenge, and watched him closely. Nothing was done, however, to show that Ianton did not take his defeat calm- ly. From time to time he would disappear and be gone for months, when he would again sail into the harbor on his beautiful schooner to re- main perhaps two months most of his time being spent in the cottage of Mr. Darrel. Harry did not like him from the first, perhaps for the reason that he was well aware that an attempt had been made to rival him.. And so matters went on until the time had come for the Tokio to sail, and Ellen Darrel with her, never again to see the green shores of China or the motley assemblage on the European Bund. CHAPTER III. A VILLAIN BAFFLED. SAUL BELTON, when he left the American party on the Bund. walked rapidly away and turned into the Malay quarter. The door of a shop where arraek was sold stood invitineg open, and he entered. Two men were sitting at a table with glasses before them, but they were ' not drinking. One was a Malay; of gigantic proportions, with a wonderfully strong, resolute face, and the other an American. with a hand; some figure and a face which Would have been handsome but for its deathlike pnllnr. . “ He is here, Arthur.” said Bolton, with a grim smiln. “and the cuss is in mischief. too; he’s jest laying himself out todestroy another beautiful girl. ” . M an... .... I’d do anything ‘ n -..~.:.‘.,..,..-.-n._y......._.... V. v . 4 ‘ The Pirate’s Prize. The pale man halt-started from his seat, and clutched at the butt of a revolver in his belt. “ Keep your setting, Arthur—keep your set- ting,” said the Yankee, laying his hand u n the other's shoulder. “Jest look at the Ma ay. 119’: as hungry to climb thet skunk of misery as you ever was, and he knows the time ain’t come yet; so he keeps coo .” “I have waited long years for vengeance‘s sake,” hissed the other pale man. “ And the time ain’t fur off now; meantime, let’s hold a confab.” He took a seat at the table, and the three en- gaged in a whispered conversation—or, rather, the two Americans did so, while the Malay, although he seemed to listen intently, said not a wor . Then they paid for the arrack and went away together. In the mean time, night had come on, and preparations were being made in the Darrel cottage to go on board the Tokio. Everything had been sent on board through the day, and about eleven o’clock the three stepped out of the cottage and started toward t e harbor. They had not prooeeded a dozen yards when there came a shrill whistle, and half adozcn men sprung upon them. So sudden was the onslaught that Harry had no time to draw a weapon before he was in the grasp of two -- strong men, with whom he struggled desperate lg. Before he could cry for help, all three were exte cloaks, which roust gagged with Jon 3 and wrapped were thrown over their be about them in many fol ls. “ Bind them,” muttered a hoarse voice in the Malay tongue. “ I’ll take care of the girl.” He raised Ellen, still muffled in the cloak, when there came a ringing cheer and out of the darkness appeared a party of men who charged the assailants without a moment’s hesitation. The scound rel holding Ellen in his arms dropped his burden and drew a kreese, but before he could use it he received a blow which staggered him. As he reeled back he shouted something to his men in an unknown tongue, and they sprung away in the darkness and disappeared, followed as quickly by their leader. “Let the skunks run,” said a cheerful voice, which their recognized at once as that of the stran er Yankee Belton. “ We don’t want them now. etter see you safe to your boat, I reckon, Capt’n Castleton.” ‘ You will do me a great Iavor,” replied Har- ay. “By George, old fellow, you were just in me, and I beg your pardon for what I said not lon ago.” i “ n’t mention it. Me and my mates hap- pened along this way, and of course I couldn’t stand by and see a teller countryman abused by these yore heathen. That’s right; stand up. Ain’t hurt any, are ye?” “ Not a bit,” replied Harry. “Who are these men with you?” “ Friends of mine—don’t notice ’em. One’s a dummies, and couldn’t answer, an' the other 13:14:11,!) if he could. Are ye all right, Mr. ‘ r . “”Yes, yes; I do not know how to thank you, r ‘l‘ Then don’t fool away our time trying it on’mmoitain’t no use. lilac p your weapons handy, for them ugly heathen mi ht take it into the’r heads to try the game over, urn ’em.” They walked rapidly down the Bund, a giant Malay and a tall, silent white man following like shadows, and reached the water side. Bar- ry stopped and gave a signal whistle. “ Ay, ay, sir,” cried a hearty voice; “here is the boat.” The speaker appeared suddenly n on the wharf and came toward them. Sal Beltou started and looked closely at the new-comer in the moonlight. Then he touched Harry on the arm and drew him aside. “ Who is that cha l" he asked, in a low voice. “His name is ill Wescott, and he is my third mate," replied Harry. “_ Kuowed him long?” "No: I shipped him yesterday.” “ Where did you pick him up?” “ Our agents recommended him to me and he is every inch a sailor. What do you mean 1” “ Waal, I can't say. Thar’s something in the critter’s voice, I dunno what it is, that don’t suit me. Bounded like a chap I used to know but I ain’t seen him for some time. Reckon he’s gone under, probably. He was a tough cuss, that one, and his name was Tom Reid. But come to look clust he didn’t have no sech bnird as this one.” “ I consider myself lucky in getting him. ‘Vill you go on board with us?” “ I calculate not. Fu’st, ‘cuuse I ain’t got the time, and second, ’cause I’ve got to be out of this atore you sail." “ Have you got a boat here?” “ I’ve got a way of gittin’ out and probably you‘ll hear on me ag’iu. I couldn’t coax you to take the long trip home, could I, hey?” “I should not consider that I had done my duty to my partners if I did that. My ship is Well armed, I’ve got a splendid crew, and I am not ,afraid of all the pirates in the China m ‘ . 5. “Oh, all right, all right; waal, I must be trottin’. Shake hands with the old manafore ye go. Good-by, Mr. Darrel; hope I’ll seeye 1n Butavin. I do, ef I git thar afore ye. Good- by Miss Ellen; don‘t forgit the old Yankee. Sn es alive; I used to hev a lettle sister to hum thet was jest about our flgger, and of it wa’n‘t 2111' ’thet I dunno ez ’d hev taken so much trou- a. They stepped into the boat, which shot away at once under the stron strokes of the oarsmeu, and the Yankee whis ed a tune softly as he watched them. “Tell you what, Arthur,” he said “that Harry Castleton is a mig‘ht good boy,_hut he’s awful headstrong. Mob e e’ll l‘arn Wisdom as the years go rollin’ by. Hush up—and git.” The three men slipped away just in time, for half a dozen men came hurriedly down the Bund and looked after the receding boat. " She has escaped me for the time being,” said one, who appeared t«. be the leader. ma. low voice. “ Curse that Yankee; but for him all would have been well.” “All shall be well yet, Mighty Prince,” re- plied a voice, in the Malay tongue. “Hush,” replied the. other, fiercely. “Not my name or title here. for you know what i l .l r‘. i. l’ 3 i .' r i l i E. i [r l g “"“‘~t' . . l . —-—-«—-— -7‘-...L_———.._. _.-. ' . . U ,7 I... r . é . ' vs. . 4 .4't I :7 Harry Castleton was proud of her. [The Pirate’s Prize. \"nuld happen if we were betrayed. Make the signal." One of the men bent over the wall of the Band. and a green light flashed for a moment across the water and disappeared. A fi-w nio- ments later the dip of ours was heard, amlu large boat shot u to the place, the whole party embarked ant were pulled out into the stream. Not a word was spoken as they glided on under the bows of the Tokio, the decks of which were lighted and every preparation lie- ing made for sailing. A moment later a savage lau h broke from the shut teeth of the tall man in t estern sheets of the boat. “ They think they have escaped me,” he mut- tered. ‘Well—we shall see.” - After a half hour’s pull they rounded to under the side of a beautiful feluccn which lay at an- chor in the stream. The men sprung aboard, and, after giving an order to the oliicer in charge of the deck, the leader wont below. Half an hour later the beautiful craft was slip- ing out of the rivrr heading for the open sea. he passed the forts without the usual signal. and, once clear of them, spread her wings and went fl ing on over the waves with- marvelous :pegd, saying the shores of China rapidly be- in CHAPTER IV. rm: BLACK snnannr IN SIGHT. As morning broke the Tokio was well out to sea, walking the water with a race only seen in shipping which slides on You was kecls. She was a beautiful ship, and it is no wonder that Ellen was on deck, enjo ing the balmy air, and looking back toward t e shores which she was leaving behind her forever. Harry, leaving the charge of the ship to the first mate, was by her side. A man stood in the waist not far from them, issuing orders to some of the bands who were working in the maintop. He was a good-looking fellow, perhaps thirty-five years of age. with a full beard covering t 9 lower part of his face. Ellen looked at him closely. , “ That is the man Wescott, whom Mr. Belton warned you against,“ she said to Harry. “ I am sorry he is on board the Tokio.” “Ob, he is all right,” said Hurry. “ It isn’t often you can pick up such a man as that when you are short of oflicers. I wish I had forty such men in my crew.” » The man was now shoutin to the hands in the lee shrouds, and his voice ad the true sailor ring. Ellen watched him intently. “I don’t know how it is, but when I look at that man I think of a treacherous tiger. I hope nothing evil may come from his being on board. Harry laughed lightly, and the conversation turned to something else, and the shores of China faded from view as the good ship stood out to make an oflng. Mr. Darrel came up and joined them on the quarter-deck. “What do you say to the advice of that strange fellow who wanted us totake the longest route, Harry?” t “ I amlnot esty rep . and even I! I log to do it," was the somewhat ‘ I’ve three passengers at Batavia, had not, the Tokio is not going to . l w”, y, flat-1.1., a» u»... I v run for all the pirates iii the (‘liinn Hal. You wouldn’t have me do that, Mr. Darrell” “I don’t know. The man seemed to lie in earnest, and vsciit out of his way to do us ser- ' vice. ‘ The longest way round’ is often ‘the shortest wuy lniinc.’ ” "It cannot be donc,”replicd Harry. “I’ve got forty good men on my decks, and carry guns enough to clcnn out all the irates who dare attack us, and could show t em a clean pair of heels in any cw'nt.” ‘ Hush!” said Ellen quickly. As she spoke, Wcscott walked slowly by them on his way aft. There Was a peculiar glitter in his dark eyes which the girl did not like. “I am satisfied that the third mate was lis— toning to what you were saying, Harry,” she said, when the man had passed. “ Suppose he was, Nellie. You are unreason- able in your aversion to poor Wescott.” “Per aps I am, but if I have any secretsI don’t want him to hear them,” she answered, panting. The Tokio kept steadily on her course, and on the morning of the third day they were nearing the coast of Borneo, that strange island, as yet so little known to civilized mun. Ned Staoc , the first mate, cast a. sweeping glance along 1; e horizon and sprung down into the cabin. “ I would like to see you on deck, captain,” he said. quick] . Harry f0 lowed the mate on deck and Ned pointed out three different sail upon the hori- zon. Even at that distance the you]: man could make out the peculiar rig of the $181357 )roa. “ Don’t like their looks, on )tain,” said Stacey. “ Nonsense,” interposed illiani Wescott, “ I haven’t a. doubt that they are as honest craft as we are.” Stacey turned a quick look upon the man’s face. “ You are third mate of the Tokio, ain’t you, Mr. Wescott?” “ Yes,” he answered, angrily. “Then attend to your duty and let me do mine. Inever want a man to stick his spoon into my dish unless I ask him.” Wescott answered by a single ominous flash of his dark eyes as he walked away. and Harry sprung into the cabin for a glass. For ten min- utes he watched the three sails intently, and tlgen turned to Stacey, who was doing the ms t in . “ a’hat do you say, Ned l” “ Bad; looks fishy; them’s Malay press.” “I am of our 0 JllllOIl. The ma be all flight, "but I on’t Ii 6 their looks. Hips all an t The shrill call of the bos’n’s pipe rung through the ship, and the watch below came tumbling on deck, ready for business. passed through the ship, but not a man bleached. Mr. Darrel came hastily on deck and ap- proached Harry. “ What. is it, my boy?” he said, in a hurried tone. “ Keep Ellen below,” was the reply. “ I fear that we are going to have a fight.” The roas rose Ii'eiiipidly, and at the same mo- ment t ere flutto out from the gafl of each "'wf ' “Z I" A whisper of danger I ' sailors. “ Thstis The Pirate’s Prize. a black flag, with a red serpent coiled in the middle. “ The Black Shereef,” whispered the old “ We are doomed men 1’ CHAPTER V. THE MYSTERIOUS FRIEND. No one save those who had long sailed these seas could know the fear inspired by the name of this well-known sea rover. For ten years he had infested the narrow seas, and his flag had become a terror to peaceful merchantmen. Even the few who had ever escaped from his merciless band had never seen his face, or could say what manner of man he was. He did not know the name of pity, and the men that yield— ed to him weredoomed. There was no thought of yielding on the art of Harry Castleton, and his voice rung out c eerily: “Clear away the guns,” he cried, heartily. “ Weill tench these luhbers that they havo no easy rey in the Tokio. and tow the black wretc into the first port.” “ Away you go,” shouted Ned Stacey, in— fected b the gallantry of his loved commander. “ We’ll ght while a plank swims.” But there was no escape, if they thought of slipping through. A large proa lay off the star— board quarter, a second off the beam, and one on the port bow. and all were closing in rapidly; and. even as they gazed, there shot out from a pro’ ting headland another villainous-looking golf]? with the flag of the sea rover fluttering on %Oh see 'em come,” growled Ned Stacey. what they call fair fighting, I suppose; four to one.” . “Get out the ammunition,” replied Harry. “ I'll see to the small-arms. Mr. Easonl” The second-mate came forward quickly and 'saluted. “I believe you are a gunner, Mr. Eason?‘ asked the captain. " y, ay, sir." I “ on will act in that capacxty, then. See that the guns are ready for use quickly, and station the crew. You have no time to lose.” There were six serviceable guns on deck, but 86 rapidly did Gilbert Eason work, that in twenty minutes the crew were at theirstations, stripped to the waist, and grimly waiting for orders. The ammunition was passed up, and the Tokio ready for action. “Head her for those fellows on the starboard bow,” cried Harry. “ If we can break through we will show them the neatest running fight you ever heard of.” The Tokio was very swift and rapidly neared the proas, and they could see the decks black with men—Malays,.Papuans and 8001003, wild for blood. and shakinfi their weapons in the air. “Are you ready, r. Essen?” cried Harry. “ If you are, give them a shot.” Easton sighted the gun with his own hand, rose with a smile upon his face and applied the match. Scarcer had he dom so, when, with a cryof rage, he sprung forward and looked at the guns. “ Spiked. by blazes?” , The im recation might be forgiven an old V sailor at t t moment. The gun had been cun— ningly s iked by forcing a “rat-tail” file into the tone -hole, and breaking it off. A rapid glance showed that every gun on board had been served in the same way. “ By heaven I” cried Harry, “ we have a traitor here. Cutlasses and pistols, lads, and if we must die, let us die like Yankee sailors, with our teeth set.” “ Run down the roe,” shouted Ned Stacey. “ Every man to the ow.” The men grasped the weapons passed to them, and the great ship, fl ing before the fresh sail— ing breeze, and gat ering way as she came, appeared to be steering for open water be- tween the two proas bearing down upon the bows, the pirates shouting like demons as they came. Suddenly, without the slightest warn- ing, the course of the ship changed and she met the swift proa, bows on. There was a shock and the pirates swal‘metf into the chains only to be hewed down by the sailors, and the proa sunk like a stone, just as the second fastened on her chains and her crew prepared to board. Then ensued one of those fierce battles of which we have no conception. The Malay fights because he loves it; death has no terrors for him, as according to his creed it only 0 ns the way into aradise, which his priests tell im awaits the va iant warrior. With wild, resounding cheers, they clambered up the sides of the Tokio, but they were met by men as valiant and determined as they; for, say what you will, only the enduring Anglo- Suxon knows how to fight with stubborn valor, not knowing when he is beaten. In the front of his men, wielding his cutlnss gallantly, and cutting down every yellow Malay or brown Sooloo who showed his face above the rail, fought Harry Castleton, doing the work of three men. By his side, with a revolver in each hand, stood Mr. Darrel, and three times his unerring hand had laid low a man whose weapon was turned against Harry Castleton when the brave young captain was engaged with another enemy in his front. ” Give it to them, boys i” cried the young cap- tain. “ Remember that you fight for your lives; the Black Sheree! spares none.” The men answered by resoundingrcheers, and their blows fell fast and furious. he Male 5, not accustomed to such stubborn resistance, gan to falter, and the men of the Tokio cast 01! the appling irons which clung to the chains. “ ow where is that Will Wescott?” cried Ned Stacey. “ He’s a skulker, that clip.” As he spoke the third mates. a , leaped upon the rail and buried himse eadlong upon the deck of the pros, shouting some words in an unknown tongue. He had scarcely reached the deck when the proa drifted astern. and then, too late, Harry Castleton saw that the wretchr bore in his arms the senseless form of Ellen Darrel. “ You false—hearted hound,” cried Harry, raising his revolver, “ you came here to betray us With a mocking laugh Wescott raised the form of the senseless girl and held it before him as a shield. “ Why don’t you fire?" he shouted in a 'jeer- ing tone. " You seem to hesitate, my dear cep- ... ‘AA- noun—s. , 9—H. “A- wLM M . ‘2; him—4M... WA(¢_~ , that he had managed to clear one 'of the guns, he} . astern, and we can laugh at them.” The Pirate’s Prize. 7 tnin. Yes, I spiked the guns of the Tokio, and I I have won the prize which alone is worth more to us than the ship. I am Tom Reid, lieutenant of the Black Shereef. Ha! ha! ha! You were nicely fooled.” He turned to the crew of the pros and shouted an order. As he did so the sails Went up, the head of the pros fell off, and she began to run on a course parallel with that of tiie Tokio, while the long gun nmidsbips was brought to bear upon the great shi . “Give me a rifle, Ne ,” said Harry. “They must not fire that 11 yet.” Ned ran up wit a rifle in his hand, just as a tall Malay sprung forward to fire the gun. Harry pulled the trigger and the villain sprung into the air and fell dead. “Give me 8. Winchester.” said Harry. “ I will make them pass a bitter time before they fire that gun. Give the men muskets, Ned, and send them into the tops. \Ve sail three fathoms to their two, and will soon be enter their clutches.” A terrible fusilade was opened upon the pron. Never, in all their fighting, had they been ex— posed to the aim of American repeating rifles, and they dropped, man by man, on the deck of the pros under the deadly shower. Reid saw that he was losing men to no purpose, and changed his course running in toward the land, knowing well that any would not dare to 1'1 ~1- low him there. A lance at the other press re vealed the fact tha they were closing in fast, and ashot which splashed in the waves close under the stern of the Tokio admonished the young captain that it would be utter madness to pursue. “ God help her,” he groaned. “I can do no more. We must save the ship and trust to other means to rescue Ellen.” . Right astern, as the ship flew on over the risc mg sea, thundered a fast-sailing pron, more than the equal of the Tokio in speed. The second shot from her long gun came whistling over the rail, killedaman on the to’gallant forecastle, and grazed the foremost in its course. At the same time a shout from Mr. Eason announced and it was trained goon the pros astern. The first shot, well-aim . swept her decks from stem to stern, knocked the wheel into fragments, and the craft began to aw and steer wild] , while the Tokio gained and over hand. '1‘ e second shot struck the foremost, and it came crashing down. leaving the pros wallowing, a pless wreck, u n t e heaving sea. Well done, ason! well done, old boy,” cried Harry, running aft. “ Don't waste an more shots upon him, but attend in those fe - l§vsspon the starboard quarter. What’s that, e " By George, the boys have got the spike out of another gun.” “Good for them. Read up a little and meet these fellows half-way. Let us once get them The proas came booming on, their crews wild with r e, and were closing in fast upon the To- kio, their guns making sad havoc with her rig- ging as they came. Eason answered as well as 6 could, and succeeded in crippling the leading pron, but the larger of the two w: s now so first) that another bottle seemed inevitable, when there came darting out of the sea, close under the b0“ s of the ship, a strange cigar-shaped ob- ject, which darted with inconceivable rapidity at the pros, and disappeared in the waters. There was wild confusion on board the pirate, and all their efforts seemed bent upon escaping, if they could. The pros fell oi! suddenly and headed seaward, when she was seen to heave up out of the water until her keel was visible, and revealed a gaping rent, into which the water rushed with a gurgling sound. A moment more, and she was gore.’ “ A torpedo, liy heavens,” cried Harry. “What can it mean?” As he spoke the strange craft a sin appeared ‘ _ for a moment upon the surface an plunged into the waves close to the crippled pron. A moment later and her crew were seen to hurl themselves desperately into the sea, the same dull explosion followed, and the me. was gone. “ Hurrah!” crie Ned Stacey, drawing 'a lon breath. “ That fellow came just in time and don’t think they will trouble us any more.” - Just then the strange torpedo sprung into view again and came racing by under the stern ot the 'l'okio. The had time to see that she was about lift feet in ength, shaped like a gigantic cigar, an they could hear the clicking of machinery as she sped by, and there came fluttering on board an arrow, which lodged in the nminmast. The boat disappeared. » ’ “ There’s a letter on the arrow, captain,” said Ned Stacey. “ Give it to me," cried Harry. He tore open the paper and read: “Ellen Darrel is the prey of the Black She-reef, but he will not harm her now. Head to the south and before you have sailed it dozen leagues you shall hear from-— Fauna.“ “ Our only hope is in him,” said Harry, sadly. “ We must take his advice.” And with sad hearts they headed the Tokio on her course, leaving Ellen Darrel a coveted prize in the hands of the pirate chief. CHAPTER VI. SAUL BELTON ON DECK. THE Tokio sailed on to the south. Harry Castleton could scarcely have said. why he did this, for it was far from his inten- . , ’ tion to desert his betrothed. But he wanted time to think, and consult with Mr. Darrel as tothe best course to pursue. The officers of the ship gathered in a sad grou on the quarter- deck, while the men busied themselves in clear— ing away the wreck, taking care of the bodies _ of their fallen comrades, and attending to the wants of the wounded. ‘ “ Sail ho!” cried the lookout. - v Harry sprung on the rail and leveled his glass , on the sail indicated by the man in the foretop. He made her out a handsome schooner, running down to speak them. She rose rapidly, and as she showed more plainly, they saw that it was an American-built Schooner, with the clean run and tapering spars only seen in Yankee shipping and that the American flag was flying atthe gulf. Harry still kept his glass 11 on her, and suddegly fixed it upon the figure 0 a man who ) 'T""w' _. ,_’__.__.A . _ m 9...... \ x a The ma’. PM“. stood on the rail also with a lass in his hand. For a moment he was un ecided, but as the schooner came booming on he recognized that remarkable Yankee who had aided them in Shap‘ghae. Half an hour later he was close to the okio, and lowering a boat he came aboard with the coolest air imaginable, and shook hands .with the Americans as if they had been old friends, and nothing particular had happened. "Morning. ca t’in,” he said. “ Been in a scrimmage, I ju ge. Ma be you don‘t remem- ber I told you to take t e longest way home, Capt’in Castleton.” ‘ If we only had,” groaned Harry. “Sart’in, sart’in; most any one will holler after he gets hurt. Found the Black Shereef ’bout what I ud ed you would, and had a livel, glnfie’.’ Now rec on you know how it is your- “Were you in that strange craft that sunk the roasl” "R’Vhat craft?” "Nonsense; you know all about it. We it no; you whc sent ms word that you would aid us “ Nary. Jest look at this dockyment.” He thrust his hand into his pocket and drew out a paper, upon which was written: “ 7b the Ymkee Rajah:- “ The shi Tokio has been attacked by the Black Shereef, o Borneo. and a young girl named Darrel made prisoner. Aid them as you would aid me. - “ Till Mrs'rnar." “ That’s the ticket. Now I know where that 7 comes from and the writer thereof is jest p’izen on Mala 3. He eat: ’em for breakfast- on the halfvshe ; stewed, fried and steamed. in fact, Malay is his chief diet.” “ And who are you? You gave your name 'as Saul Belton. But that doe; not explain your presence here.” 18:?" bbe you’ve heern tell of the Yankee Ra- “ I have,” said Harry. island in the Spice group.” “ That’s me; I’m the chap that is monarch of that there island. and there ain’t many sov’rins that has as complete control of their dominions. I s’pos.» you want to get the gall” ' ‘ We will have her or die. “ That’s hearty. I’m with on until the uni- versal heavens turn reen. 'nat ar’ leetle gal suited me, and I ain t a-going to leave her in the hands of that eternal skunk. But we can’t do anything with the Tokio; she’s too ’tarnal big fur our work.” ‘ But we may need her.” “ Narv time. Sarcumvention is the word and we’ll beat the cusses yet. How many of your men will it take to sail her to Batavia?" “ Can we spare any of them?” “ I dunno as we kin. Say; I’ll take the ship to my island and lay her up thar. That’s the r racket.” “ ould it not be better to go to Batavia and get a man-of-wari” . ‘ “ See here; do dyou want to run this thing ' yourself? If you 0 I’ll clear the way.” ‘ “ I do not know what to do,” replied Harry. “Then trust me. Thar ain't a man in these “He owns a little it, that knows better how to hereef than me." We place ourselves en~ grits, of I do so ckle the Black “ I trust you, then. tirel in your hands.” “ ll right, then! Hero Marco.” At his call a man came clambering out of the boat and reached the deck. Harry was forced to sa that, though of the yellow race, he was one o the most perfect specimens of manhood he had ever seen. He was about six feet and four inches in hight, formed upon the model of a Hercules, straight as an arrow, with magnifi— cent muscles and well—turned limbs. “ Marco is a Malay and one who ain’t ot no love for the Black Shereef,” said the ankee Ra 'ah. “ Hey. Marco?" , t the mention of that name the eyes of the Malay began to roll wildly and his great bands opened and shut convulsively. “You would like to at a whack at the Black Shereef, wouldn’t you, arco, old boy?” A harsh guttural sound broke from the lips of the savage man and his face worked strange- y. “ You see, Marco was his prisoner once,” said the Rajah, in a matter-of—fact tone, “ and the p’ison skunk had his tongue out out, just by way of amusement. Marco ain’t for at it, and only for me the Black Shereef would ave been dead ears ago.” “ hy did on save such a wretch?” “ Waal, I’ got a use fur him, no matter what. I’ve got through with him now, though, and he may as well begin to dig his grave, when I let Marco loose on him. We are going to run the Black Shereef to earth, Marco." The Malay fe’l upon his knees and pressed his forehead upon the and of the Rajah. “ All right, my boy,” he said. “ I know you are hungry, and when he dies, I promise you he shall die b your hen " The Ma ay mute uttered the same guttnral cry and embraced the knees of his master. ‘ That’s all right, old fellow,” said Bolton. “ Jumpwinto the boat and get back to the Wave itch. Tell Jim Slocum to head for the glandfind show us the way. Then come back me. Marco sprun back into the boat and it shot awa toward t e schooner. “ ill your ofl‘icers understand him?” asked Harfl. “ ey’ve got so used to hissigns that they can read ’em like a book,” was the answer. “ You’ll see.” As the boat neared the schooner Marco rose in the stern sheets and made some rapid signs. The men on d seemed to understand him, for the schooner at once filled awa and the boat turned again toward the ship. arco sprung on board and the boat pulled away to intercept the, course of the schooner. They saw the crew get aboard, the boat was hoisted in and the schooner slipped away to the southwest. the great ship following. Two days and nights passed, and on the mornin of the third day they were threading the pics islands, the schooner leading the way still. Now and then a proa shot out from the island but a look at the schooner seemed to satisfy them, for they at once ran back into harbor. .-_. mus...~.-.....-.a-m-....A" .m“ v... . ... .4..4...-.~.........__ .-.. .._..,_.-.......n....; a. _ A . . .._.___. .-, c .n. 4.;.‘-l..