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No. 310. 3%.?

Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, F‘Pl'écc,t V01 
VI: en I. I I

No. 98 WILLIAM 81.. NEW YORK.

 

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SHE POSSESSED CONSIDERABLE STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE, AND RAPIDLY DUG DOWN INTO

THE HARD EARTH.

 

Kit, the Girl Captain.

 

Kit, the Girl Captain;

THE MAD SAILOR’S LEGACY.

A Story of Long Island Sound and
Shore In the War of 1812.

 

BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM,
AUTHOR or- “run BEA TRAILER," “THE
BOY COMMANDER,” “ MERLE, THE
moor,” are, are, are.

 

CHAPTER I.
THE MAD SAILOR.

“ HA! ha! ha! girl, we are well met, for I
have a sweet story for th ear."

The wild laughter, an hoarse voice broke
startlingly upon the one who had heard
them. and sent a chill of horror to her heart,
,. as she gazed upon "the man who had sudden-
ly s rung from behind a rock, and barred
her urther progress.

At first she felt like turning to fly for her
life, as she knew that she stood in the pres-
ence of a madman—one of whose hermit life
in the hills, strange, wild stories were told.

But she knew, too, that his speed was mar-
velous, and his strength superhuman, and
that she was wholly in his power.

A man of splendid physique, and one
whose dignity and beauty at one time com-
manded respect and love: now he was but a
wreck of manhood, with long, unkempt hair
and beard, deep-sunken eyes, a mouth that
wou‘d have been stern, but for the nervous
quivering of the lips, and the quick, restless
movements of a wild beast rather than a hu-
man being.

He was dressed in bearskin shirt and leg-
gings, which added to his brutish appear-
ance, and wore on his head a kind of crown
made of birds’ feathers, while his feet were
incased in moccasins.

At his back hung a bow and a quiver of
arrows, and in his belt he carried a long
knife, which aggravated his savage looks.

And the one to whom he had spoken in
the public road was a young girl of seven-
teen, from whose beautiful ace had flown
every atom of color, and whose slight, grace-
ful form was trembling with dread, for the
Mad Sailor, as he was called, had been for
three years a terror in the neighborhood,
though never had he been known to injure
a human being.

Some time before a vessel had been wrecked
‘ on the coast, and the madman had been
hurled, half dead and bleeding, upon the

 

rocks; but he had refused all aid and disap-
peared, none knew whither, until travelers
alon the highways on moonlight nights were
start ed by demoniacal laughter ringing
through the forests, and were wont to see a
human form, clad in the skins of wild beasts,
flying along over hill and vale like a deer.

To those who sought to speak with him
his ansWer was a sad shake of the head, a
waving of his hands above his head, and a
bounding away into the forest.

In a cave in the hills he had his home,
or rather den, and lived almost wholly on
game.

Such was the Mad Sailor, the man whom
a young girl had met, half a mile from her
cottage home by the sea, and with no one in
sight to whom she could cry for soccer.

But the maiden possessed undaunted cour-
age, which had been tried and proven many
times, as the reader will know, and after a
momentary weakness of dread, she fastened
her splendid eyes upon him, and in answer
to his words to her, said, pleasantly:

“ Well, I am ready to listen to your story,
but, walk homeward with me, as' you tell
me, for I am in a hurry."

,‘iéWhatl do you ask me to go to thy home,
gir

“ Ha! ha! hat you little know me, for,
mad as my brain now is, it would drive
me beyond all control to cross the threshold
of thy father’s door. Thy father! how 1
hate him! ay, more than Satan hates holiness;
and thy mother. too, I hate—no, no, no; not
her do 1 hate: I will not say that for, though
she made me what I am, a madman, I can-
not hate where once I have loved."

“Come, tell me of yourself, that I mav
prove to you that you wrong my mother. t
is some one else to whom you refer, for she
is all gentleness and goodness,” said the
maiden, firmly.

“ Girl, do you mean to tell me that I, who
have worn your mother’s image, engraven in
iron in my heart, for twenty long years, do
not know of whom I speak? '

“ You are the child of her that was once
Grace Carroll, but who is now Mrs. Andrew
Moore—am I rightrgirl?"

“You are; my mother was a Miss Car-
roll,” admitted the maiden, with surprise.

“ Well do I remember it, girl, for she
broke my heart,” answered the man, sadly.

“It’lever did .my mother do so intention-
ally.’ and the girl‘s face flushed with anger.

“ Women are strange beings. Grace (lar-
roll was, beautiful; very much as you are
now she looked then, and I believed her
true; but she was heartless, and married one
whom I hated~your father, girl.

“ Well, he is comfortable in circumstances
now, and happy in the love of his wife and

    
  

  

     
 

 

 

 

   

Kit, the Girl Captain. 8

 

two lovely daughters, for both you and your
twin sister a're ovely girls: but look at mein
contrast to Andrew Moore, and on see a
man with a heart that is wrung wit sorr0w,
and a brain that madness rules—ay, I am
mad—a wanderer, an outcast, and a hunted
being.”

“Poor man! From my heart I pity you,”
and the maiden laid her hand softly upon his
arm; but the touch and Words seemed to
suddenly drive him into the frenzy of a Wild
beast, for he shouted in trum et tones:

“ What! do your lips, trace Carroll’s
child, tell me that you pity me? By the God
above! I’ll trample thee into the dust be-
neath my feet, and tear from thy soft throat
the tongue that has so debased me.”

She sprung back in wild terror now, for
she saw that he meant all he said; but, with
a shrieking cry, he rushed toward her, and,
unable to bear the fearful dread that clutched
at her heart, she reeled and fell upon the
mossy bank behind her just as his clutch was
upon her throat.

But the long, sinewy fingers never closed,
for there came a sharp report, and with a
cry of pain, the Mad Sailor turned to see
who had thus sent a bullet into his body.

A horseman was not ten paces from him,
and he rushed upon his foe, and ere the
frightened steed could wheel, one hand was
upon the bridle-rein and the other grasped
the rider; but there wasawhirring in the
air—«a cutting, grating sound following a
circle of light, and the hand was severed
with one sweeping stroke of a sword!

But the madman was not yet conquered,
and again sprung to the attack, and with a
power that was irresistible dragged the
horseman from his saddle, though he re-
ceived another shot in the breast, from a pis-
tol his enemy had hastily drawn from the
holster.

As the two fell to the earth a fearful strug-
gle began for the mastery, for the horseman
was a man of great strength and activity,
and his nerve did not desert him; yet, had
the Mad Sailor been unhurt, the encounter
would have lasted but an instant; but,
wounded as he was, he was on equal terms
with his enemy, who realized that the end
must soon come, and held out nohly, until,
with a groan, the poor crazed being fell back,
dead, from his grasp.

Panting, blood-stained yet triumphant, the
horseman arose to his feet, and beheld the
scared face and crouching form of Kittie
Moore, and her eyes were staring at him
with a look of horror, while her hands were
clasped as it in prayer, the whole scene form-
ing a thrilling tableau never to be efl’aced
from the memories of these two, the horse-
man and, the maiden.

 

CHAPTER II.
T n E P A n 'r I N G .

"OH. sir, I feared he would kill you,"
cried Kittie Moore, rising to her feet and
approaching the horseman, not without a
look of admiration mingling with gratitude,
in her glance, for she saw before her a man
possessing a slender, graceful form, and a
face, though still marked with a stern look
brought there by his desperate struggle, yet
was exceedingly handsome.

He was dressed in the uniform of a naval
ofilcer, was not over twenty-five, and was a
man that would be a dangerous foe, and a
dangerouslover for a young girl, for there
was that in his expression not wholly true.

Wiping his face, and shaking himself to-
gether once more, he met the maiden half-
way, and answered her question in a low,
calm tone, that was strangely fascinating,
yet had an air of reckless indifierence to the
danger he had just known:

“ And so did I, miss; but amiss is as good
as a mile, and I am glad I happened here in
time to keep his clutches off of you.”

“You saved me from a fearful death, for
it was his intention to kill me. Oh, sir, what
do I not owe you ?” and the tears came into
her sweet eyes.

“ Oh, don’t thank me, and you’ll more
than repay me for the little I did.”

“Little you did? Why, you have taken a
human life," she said impressively.

A shadow swept over the face of the young
man, as though some unpleasant memory
was called up by her words; but he an-
swered quietly: '

“And I saved one, and I am content; but
What held the man against you?”

“Poor fellow! He is a crazed being we
have only known as the Mad Sailor, he hav-
ing been wrecked upon our coast some years
ago; but I was returning home, and he
wished to visit upon me wrongs done him in
the past by my kinsfolk, he says. I pitied
him, and that drove him to frenzy.”

“ Well, with your permission, I will es-
cort you home as you are still nervous, I see.
for am going to the coast, and this road
leads thither I believe?" he said. politely.

" Yes, it leads along theshore to the vil-
lage, and direct] by my home, where my
parents will gladly welcome you. I am the
daughter of Andrew Moore, a sea-captain
running out of Salem, and of whom you
may have heard."

“ Indeed! I was fortunate to be on a ves-
sel that rendered him a service once, when
his brig was dismasted. 1 am a sailor, my-
self,” he said, with a smile. .

” So I see, sir; I remember my father’s

vessel was towed in once by an American .

cruiser, the Enterprise, I believe."

 

 

 

.4 5 2.5.54?  .

 

4 Kit, the Girl Captain.

 

“ Yes, I was a junior officer on her then;
but I must hasten, as I have an engagement
on Light-house Island for tomorrow, and
must reach there to-night, if possible."

" Oh es, 1 can lend you my boat to run
over to t e island in. Ah! it makes me shud‘
der to look at the dead,” and Kittie turned
her eyes away from the face of the Mad
Sailor.

” The living have more terror for me than
the dead, Miss Moore; but I will have a look
at this poor fellow, and hide him in the
bushes until your father sends some one to
bury him."

“My father is not at home. Mr.—-Mr.—."

“ Ringold—Ivan Ringold is my name."

“ Ah! I have heard of you, too, Lieuten-
ant Ringold,” cried Kittie, with glad sur«
prise, for his name called up some gallant
acts she had heard of from her father; but,
as though she had spoken too interestedly,
she added: ,

“My mother will send to the village to
have some one bury the poor madman.”

The young naval officer made no reply,
but bent over the dead sailor and unfastcned
his bearskin robe, for he felt a hard object
within.

In a bag, securely made of deerskin, he
found a tin box. which he thrust into his own
Ipocket, and turning, joined the maiden who

ad not seen his act, and the We walked on
down the road, the sailor’s horse followmg
slowly along behind.

At the distance of half a mile the road
reached the coast, and branched up and
down the shore.

Here they paused momentarily, the young
officer seeming lost in admiration at the beau-
tiful scene, for behind them were the green

'hills, and before them the broad, blue ocean,

with here and there in the distance an island,
upon one of which stood a tower.

It was a calm, sunny afternoon, and all
nature seemed asleep. for the day was sultry,
and only the fall of the lazy surf, and the
tinkling of a cowbell, broke the silence.

Up the coast a quarter of a mile was visi-
ble a comfortable farm-house, and beyond
were other houses, with a village by the sea-
side not very far away.

" This is truly a ,beautiful scene, and al-
most a dead calm rests upon the ocean,” said
the officer.

“ Yes, there is little breeze, but if you
must go to Light-house Island to-night, my
little cat rig will run you there if you just
blow on her sails almost."

" Why, you are quite a sailor. I judge—-
oh, I forget. you are the Surf Queen, as I
have heard you called,” said Ivan Ringold,
gallantly.

“Yes, the coast sailors give me that name,

 

for having gone off and aided them when
wrecked. See, there is my home!” and she
pointed up the coast to the farm-house.

" And an inviting retreat it seems. Ah,
me! if I could but find some such quiet nook
as that in. Which to pass my days with one I
loved, life would be one long dream of joyl”
He spoke fervently, bending his fascinating
eyes upon the beautiful girl walking by his
side, with a look that brought the color to
her face.

“There is my little Zephyr, lying at an-
chor near the shore,” announced Kittie,
seemingly anxious to change the subject, and
pointing to a small cat-rig boat of pretty
model.

“ As I know not how else to reach Light-
house Island, I will have to avail myself of
your kind offer, Miss Moore," answered the
young man, and as they soon reached the
beach in front of the pretty farmhouse, he
added:

“ May I ask that my horse be looked after
until my return to-morrow ?”

“ Certainly; I will have the farmer boy
take him to the stable. But you will cer-
tainly come into the house and allow my
mother and sister to thank you for what you
have done for me ?"

“No; 1 really cannot spare the time, as I
wish to reach the sea front of the island ere
sunset. and there is scarcely a breath of
wind.”

The maiden seemed disappointed, and cast-
ing her eyes around the horizon, replied:

“ You will have more wind than you want
before long, for we are going to have a
storm.”

“ Why, what a sailor’s eye you have! But
you are right, for, though all seems so calm
now, a gale is brewing, so good-by, Miss
Moore; I leave my horse as security for your
boat, and if I do not return, he is yours.”

“ If you do not return?" she asked with
surprise.

“ Yes. life is uncertain, you know.”

“ But you will, and then meet my mother
and sister.” , .

“Is your sister as beau—I mean is your
sister li e you?” he asked

“ She is my twin sister, and we are said to
be exactly alike.”

“Then I hope to see her; but again good-
by! and should we never meet again, don’t
forget me, please."

_ lle kissed his hand to her gallantly, sprun
into a light row~boat, and was soon on hour
the little craft. The sail was quickly spread,
the painter ‘unfastened from the anchored
buoy, and away went the tiny vessel over
the placid waters just as a deep and distant
rumble was heard, and above the hills to the
westward rolled a. mass of inky clouds.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 WW, ...

 

 

 

 

Kit. the Girl Captain. 5

 

“ Land on the land shore, sir, for there is
no anchorage on the sea side," she called out,
and he raised his cap in answer, and held 0n
toward the distant island, while along with
him he carried the little heart of pretty
Kitty Moore, the Surf Queen.

Alas! could she have but seen into the
misty future she would have prayed to die
rather than look again into the dark, fasci-
nating eyes of Ivan Ringold!

CHAPTER III.
THE suns QUEEN.

THAT Kittie Moore, or, as the wamen
along the coast called her, the Surf Queen,
was weather-wise, soon proved true, for by
the time she reached the front piazza the
storm-clouds had rolled half across the skies,
and the wind came ahead of the gale in
angry puffs.

At the door she was met by her mother, a
lady of forty, with a face yet lovely, and her
sister Meta, the counterpart of Kittie herself,
excepting a dreamy, almost sad look in her
eyes, that did not dwell in the other’s.

“Well. Kit, you have a horse, I see, but
Where’s the rider?” asked Meta, pleasantly.

“ There he goes, across the bay, and I was
wrong to let him go, for there is going to be
a severe gale. But where is David, mother?
for I want mm to put this horse up and then

0 up to the village after Sheriff Morgan,
gor, oh! mamma, mammal I have had such
a fearful adventure.” and Kittie broke down
at once, and throwingherself in her mother‘s
arms, told her the story of her meeting with
the madman, his attack upon her and death
at the hands of a young officer, to whom she
had loaned her boat to go to the Light-house
Island.

But lookin into her mother’s face and see-
ing there on y pity for the Mad Sailor, and
no knowledge of who he really was, she had
not the heart to tell her who he was, and
thereby bring sorrow to her heart.

In amazement Mrs. Moore and Meta lis-
tened to the strange story. David, the farm
hand, was summoned and sent at once to the
village after the sheriff and sexton, to look
after the remains of the Mad Sailor.

But Kittie was more interested in the
young ofllcer flying across the bay than in

er past adventure, fearful as was the mem-
ory to her, and she suddenly called out:

“Oh, Meta! he is heading for the Death
Rock! How negligent I was not to warn
him!”

Both Mrs. Moore and Meta turned quick-
ly and lanced over the bay, now surging
under t e wind‘squalls, the precursors of
the coming gale, and saw the little sail-boat
holding straight toward the point on which
stood the light-house.

 

 

 

‘ But they knew that beneath those waves
lay a. huge rock, visible at low tide, but,
hidden when the tide was in. it had proven
the ruin of many a craft. and caused many
a crave sailor to go down to a watery grave.

So choppy was the bay now, that even as
good a sailor as Ivan Ringold failed to ob—
serve the danger ahead, or perhaps he cast
too many glances back at the farm-house to
see that his course held death lurking in
it.

The mother and her two daughters con-
tinued gazing with anxiety on their faces,
for the fate of the young sailor, though hop-
ing that he might yet change his course so
as to avoid the Death Rock, which, if he
struck, going at the speed he was, would
shiver the little boat to fragments.

“Mother. he holds straight for the rock,
and he shall not die if Iean save him !“ sud-
denly cried Kittie, and she cast aside her
hat and the wrap she wore.

“Kittie, my child! what would you do?"
cried the anxious mother, seizing her arm.

“Save yonder noble man from death!”
was the firm repl .

“But, my chi! , see!
most upon us.” ..

“I see it, and know its dangers, mother;
but I have been out in gales before.”

“But darkness will be upon you, Kittie,
ere you reach the rock!”

“True, Meta, but what care 1, whenI
know my boat will live in any sea? Ah,
Father above! he will soon be upon the
 K .

" ou go, ittie, will accom an on,”
declaresd Meta. p yy

“No, no, no! you remain here, for if I
should be lost, you must be here to console
mother.”

“Kittie, I command you not to go! It is
madness,” cried Mrs. Moore, in a tone of
stern authority.

“ Mother, never have I disobeyed you be-
fore, but now I will, for he saved me from
an awful death, and I will not let him die
before my eyes. Good-by, mother! Good-
by, Metal" and gathering her skirts around
her, she ran like a deer toward the beach.

Her mother and sister rapidly followed;
but when they reached the shore, the brave
girl had already sprung into a light surf-
skifi moored alongside of a hu e rock, had
stepped a short, stump mast, an was raising
the diminutive leg of-mutton sail.

“ Kittie, my child! my child! come back,
I implore youl" came in tones of anguish
from the mother.

“ Kittie! Kittie! you will break mother’s
heartl'? called out Meta.

But the daring girl answered with a. kiss
from her finger-tips, and criedput cheerily;.

Yonder storm is al-

(«Ii

 

 

8 Hit, the Girl Captain.

 

“ Don’t fear for me! Oh God! the boat
has struck, and the storm is upon usl”

It was too true z—straight upon Death Rock
the sail-boat had gone, and, as the mast went
down, the boat was shivered, and its occu—
pant was thrown out into the seething waters
'nst as the storm, following a vivid flash of
lightning and terrific crash of thunder, swept
down from the clouds and fell upon sea and
shore with a fury that was appalling.

But, out from the sheltered nook darted
the surf-skiff, and at its helm Kittie the
Surf Queen, guided it over the wild waters
with a skill and courage that was sublime,
while from her lips came the words:

“He saved me, and I will save his life,
or go down in these wild waters with him."

CHAPTER IV.
our or run DnPrHs.

IT was certainly a grand though appalling
sight, to see Kittie Moore in her little boat,
daringly going out over the wind-swept wa-
ters to the aid of a human being, whom she
alone could save.

Though seemingly reckless, she was per-
fectly cool, and held her little surf-skiff
on its course with a skill she had learned in
many a storm before, for, raised upon the
seaside and the daughter of asailor, Kittie
had taken to the water as though it were her
natural element. Her father, too, encour-
aged her, and had carried her with him in a
number of his voyages, teaching her naviga-
tion and all things pertaining to perfect sea.
manship.

Crouching down on the bottom of her skifi,
one hand firmly grasping the carved tiller
and the other the sheet halyard, she held on
her way, though her little craft was tossed
about like a chip in a mill-race.

 

“I never saw a worse storm,” she mut.‘

tcred, and glancing astern of her she saw
that the shore was shut out by the darkness
the storm-clouds had hurried on.

“ I will save him or go down myself:
Bear up, my little beauty, for you go to the
aid of one who saved your mistress a little
while ago! Halloo! hallool ,hallool” and
her clear musical voice. excited to its utmost,
rung out over the dark waters, and anxiously
' she awaited a reply from their depths.

But no answer came, and again and again
the ringing hail was sent forth to cheer the
wrecks sailor.

“I am certainly near the Death Rock——
yes. there I see it, where the waves are wild
est! Hallool hallool" , '

" She held her craft to the windward of the
rock. but, though she ran within a boat's

. length of the foaming caldron that mocked
'the sunken reef she saw no sign of the boat
or the young sailor.

 

l

“ He has been washed awn , and is drift-
ing seaward,” she said, and b0 dly she squared
away before the gale, and though her little
sail was hardly larger than a ockct ker-
chief, the skiff fairly flew like a blrd over the
mad waves. ‘

“ Hallool hallool hallool"

Again the cheery cry rung out over the
waters, and yet no reply.

“ Oh, God! has he already sunk? No, no,
he certainly should be a good swimmer, and
could hold up some time.
this wind would drive any object rapidly
along; he is further seaward, ’ and once
more she held on before the gale, ever and
anon calling out until her voice became
hoarse.

“ 13th okay I”

As a vivid flash of lightning caused Kittie
to bend her head to shield her eyes, the hail,
in a quick, ringing voice, came out of the
depths ahead, and a cry of by broke from
her lips, as she felt that her aring and noble
object was accomplished,

“Ahoy! nhoyl Hail again 1” she called
out, and once more, and from dead ahead,
came the cr :

“Ahoy! ereaway ’

She caught the position quickly by the
sound of his voice, and bore down to him,
passed him, and in an instant «the skiff was
laying to, while the gale was bearing the
drowning man directly down upon it.

“I will throw you a line, and you can
board over the stern so as not to capsize the
skiff,” called the maiden.

“Ay, ay," was the answer, and she saw,
now, through the darkness, that the swim-
mer was upon some object, doubtless a part
of the wrecked sail-boat.

As he passed b she skillfully threw a line,
which he graspe , then, leaving his support,
he drew himself toward the skill, and, aided
by her hand, was the next moment in the
boat.

“By Heavenl I am saved by a woman,”
he exclaimed, as he suddenly crouched down
in the boat.

“Yes, I am Kittie. Moore, and‘ we are
quits, for I have returned the service you
rendered me,” she said, and with a slight
tinge of triumph in her tone.

“ I might have known it when I heard
you hall. At first I believed you to be a
boy, from your voice, and then, from the
way you handled your boat in this blow I
felt that you were every inch a man; now. I
find that I owe my life to you, and rightly
are you called the Surf Queen ”

“I saw your danger. for I forgot to warn
yodu’of the Death Rock, so I came to your
at i

‘f Thank you I cannot; for what you have

Hal I forget that:

   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Kit. the Girl Captain. I 7

 

risked to save me, only a life-long gratitude
can repay; for, bad you not come to me ere
long 1 would have sunk, as I had only as a
support the stem of your pretty little Zephyr,
and my clothing and boots would have soon
tired me out. But do you know where you
are now, for I confess to being bewildered?”

“Oh, yes; home lies yonder, and Light-
house Island just there.”

“ And to Light-house Island I must go, if
you will .kindly take me there.”

“ To-morrow, yes; but now you return
home with me, for we can rig you out in a
suit of father’s clothing, and make you com-
fortable.”

“ No, I must go tonight to the island, for
I have an imperative duty calling me there,
though I thank you for your kind invita-
tion. '

” Why, what can you do on the island to-
night?" the maiden asked in surprise.

“ I have an engagement there; in fact, was
to have been there at sunset, and the storm
has delayed me."

“But there is no one there but the old
keeper, Deaf Davy, as he is called.”

“ So much better for the purpose that I
have in view. Will you not kindly land me
there? and you must seek shelter, too, in the
light-house, as this is a fearful night for on
to attempt to return home; in fact you s tall
not.” '

“Ha! ha! Why, this is a life-skim and
I am perfectly as e; but I will land .you at
the island,” and evidently piqued at the de-
termined resistance of the man she had saved
to return to her home with her, Kittie head-
ed for the island.

Once more under way the waves tossed
the little skiff about so, and the wind howled
so savagely, conversation was dropped; but,
after a run of half an hour, the island loom-
ed up ahead, and thoroughly acquainted
with its outline, the maiden knew her bear-
ings, and soon ran the boat into a little inlet,
and made a safe landing.

“ Shall I send a boat for you to-morrow ?”
she asked.

“ No, I thank you; I expect a vessel is al-
ready here, anchored in some of the bays on
the coa t. and I can leave on that.‘ If not, I
will get Deaf Davy to sail me over to your
home, where I can get my horse; but I owe
you a boat for the one I wrecked,-and will
send you one up from Salem.”

“No, no, the loss of the boat amounts to
nothing, and it was my fault, as I forgot'to
warn you of the Death Rock. Good‘by,
sir,” and, evidently hurt by his persistent re-
fusal to allow her to serve him further, she
shoved the skiff off from the shore.

“Are you angry that I do not place my-

 

self under deeper obligations to you, and ac—
cept our hospitality ?” he asked.

“ it, no; but you will find cold comfort
at Deaf Davy’s. Good-night, sir,” and the
little surf-skifl glided away, once more to
face the storm on the bay, while Ivan
Ringold stood gazing after the daring girl
who had saved his life, with strange emo-
tions filling his breast.

“If the morrow end not fatally for me,
that girl shall be mine,” he muttered, as he
iurned, and went over the hill to the light-

ouse.

 

CHAPTER V.
LIGHT-HOUSE ISLAND.

DEAF DAVY, the old keeper, was seated in
his light-house cabin, glancing out over the
placid sea in his front, and unmindful of the

storm brewing in his rear, for it was the ‘

afternoon that preceded the rescue of Ivan
Ringold b Kittie Moore.

Present y the deep roll of distant thunder
aroused him, and he arose and went out in
front of his cabin and glanced landward.

" Ther’ is goin' to be a blow, an’ a pretty
peart one, too. Waal, I loves ter hear ther
wind howl around, as it makes me feel as if
I were. a sailor ag’in.

“.Waal, waal, ef thar hain't thet gal
Kittie, a-comin’ out tcr see me; but she must
be blind not ter see ther gale a-sweepin’ up
from landward. Lordyl Lordyl she'll be
fish-food yet, she’s so reckless!” and Deaf
Davy turned his eyes upon the coming boat,
which held the young naval ofiicer Ringold,
and not Kitty Moore, as the reader knows.

Then the keeper looked down the coast,
and again his thoughts found vent in words:

“ Waal, weal, ther’ is a leetle craft headin’
in here as though to make a haven before
the gale breaks. I must take a closer look
at thet vessel, for these is troublous times,
and foes, rather than friends, is apt to visit
me now, when they come from seaward."

Getting his spy-glass. Deaf Davy turned it
upon the strange craft, and again mused
aloud:

“It are a stranger—Lone of them Boston
yachts the rich young swells ,have to cruise
round in in pleasant weather; and there’s
about a dozen men on board. Waal, the ’11
find a good anchorage in the Lone Tree In et,

for which they are headin’, as though some-

body on board knows ther coast.

“But I’ll lock up early an’ then go her
bed, fer I don’t want ter lose nothin’ or hev
my throat out

“Now, Kittie, I’ll see what in thunder
brings you out here in ther face 0’ a storm,

an’ a nasty one, too," and Deaf Davy turned v

his glass to the bay behind the island, across

 

 

 

a kit, the Girl Captain.

which the Zephyr was coming swiftly along
under the constantly increasing wind.

“ Waal, it hain’t Kittie, as I do live, but a
chap in gold lace and brass buttons; so, so,
what do he want now?

“ Waal, I’ll light my lamps an' git ter bed,
an’ then ther storm may blow, an’ ther stran-
gm prowl, an’ I will be salubrious, for I are
deaf an' can’t hear ’em ef they do knock at
ther door. ”

With another glance at the yacht, which
had run into Lone Tree Inlet for shelter, and
a look around the horizon, Deaf Davy went
into his cabin, barred the door, and shortly
after the bright beacon of safetyin the tower
shone out over the dark waters.

A frugal supper the old man then prepared
for himself; but ere it was partaken of, he
sprung half out of his chair, as a loud knoek

I was heard at the door, and forgetting his re-

solve to remain deaf to all sounds without,
called out angrily:

“ Who in thunder‘s that?”

" It's me, Davy—your old friend. Boat-
swain Bill Buntiine," answered 8 grqu voice
without.

"Fer ther Lordy’s sake, Bill, I are too
glad ter grasp yer hand,” and Deaf Davy
opened the door quickly, to find without a
tall man in sailor costume.

“Comelin, come in, Bill, an’ tell me what
you are doing~here," said Davy, drawing his
friend inside, and again barring the door.

"Well. shipmate, I am down here on a
little private business,” answered the boat-
swain, mysteriously.

“ Ah! you belong on the yacht I see run
in Lone Tree Inlet; I thought she had some
one at ther tiller who knowed these waters."

“ Yes, I came on her."

“ Hate you left the navy, shipmete?"

" No, I will die in the service, I can tell
you, Davy; but the truth'is, there has been
a squall aboard ship, all owing to Captain
Mainhall’s pretty daughter, Laura."

“1 see; wimmins is allus ettin’ men inter
trouble; but go on, Bill, fer is interested,”
and Davy looked it, as he was a gossip by
nature.

“ You see, Leftenant Ringold was to wind-
ward of the girl, and folks said would soon
have her in tow: but he is a little wild. and
has got nothing but his pay, and the captain
made Miss Laura break the cable of love
atween ’em, and finding this out there was
trouble, for Ringold is a hotvheaded fellow.
and told his superior what he thought of
him, and was promptly knocked on his
beam-ends.”

“ Oh, this is interestin’, Bill; go on,
quick!" cried Deaf Davy.

“ Well, Leftenant Ringold is not the man
totake a blow, so he sent a. challenge to the

' - r

r

 

captain, 2111’ this island was the place ap-
pointed for the meeting." '

“ And you all corned down in the yacht to
have a duel‘t—-—thet is prime, Bill," and Deaf
Davy rubbed his hands in gleeful anticipa-
tion of the hostile meeting.

“I don‘t think it's prime, for I likes the
captain, Davy, and that Ringold is a. dead
shot and swordsman, and I hope something
will happen to him, for he hasn’t been here
yet, or you would have seen him.”

“No, Bill; but there are a young gold-lace
and brass-button chap coming across the bay
now, in the sail—boat that belongs to Kittie
Moore; but if he don’t look out he’ll never
reach here, for this is a fearful blow."

“It is indeed; it makes the island fairly
rock, and I hope will drown the leftenant,

for if it don’t, the captain will go under, I‘

fear."
B And where is Captain Mainhall now,

i ?!1

“On board the yacht; you see he wanted
a good place for the meeting, and asked me
about it, and I told him of this island."

“~ It was good 0’ you, Boatswain Bill, to
remember the, home 0’ yer childhood, pleas-
gntllike; yes, this are a prime place fer a

ue .3,

“ They didn’t want to attract attention, so
thtéleftenant came by land with his second,
an _’I

“ There is only one man in the boat, Bill."

“That is strange; but we’ll soon know
what it means; my gracious! but how this
storm howls! it isn’t right to Wish ill of a
shipmate, Davy, but I hope he won’t reach
the island."

“When is the duel to come OE?” asked
Deaf Davy.

“ It was to be at sunset this evening; but
it will be now at sunrise.”

“ I will be there. Bill."

“I dont think the captain will allow it,
Davy ”

“Oh. I’ll be there; they’ll doubtless fight
down at the Ravine 8 ring; tell ‘em it’sa
prime place, Bill. an’ ’11 be hidin’ some-
where in the rocks an’ see it all. Iloves
dpe’ls, Bill, for it gives me suthin’ to think
0 .

“You are the same old man, Davy; al-
ways ready for a bit of gossip or excitement;
but I must go back to the yacht."

“No; wait until the storm is over, or stay
all night. ‘

“I cannot; for the captain sent me up to
see if the leftenant and his second had ar-
rived: let us look out and see about the boat
you saw.”

They went to the door, but all was dark-
ness and storm without, and the roar of the

    

 

 

 

 

 

fi‘WMi-‘(xqrwgtuwm ,«'~,,.mw

 

 

 

 

 

Kit, the. Girl Captain. .9

 

sea was fearful, while the force of the wind
made the stone cabin and tower tremble.

“ He hasn’t landed yet, Davy.”

“No; I guess he‘s gone under; it’s too
bad, fer it will spoil ther duel.”

“Well, I will return to the yacht and re-
port; good—night, Davy; guess I’ll see you
to-morrow, for I want to ask about the folks
on the coast,” and Boatswain Bill wended
his way back throng the storm, to the inlet
where the yacht was anchored in a snug
haven.

Haiiing, a boat was sent ashore for him,
and five minutes after he entered the com-
fortable cabin where, at a table, writing, sat
a person of fine appearance, clad in the uni-
form of a captain in the navy, while a gen-
tleman in citizen’s attire lay upon a lounge
smoking.

The one was Captain Edwin Mainhall,
and the other 'a wealthy merchant in Boston,
his particular friend, and the owner of the
yacht.
~ “ Well, boatswain, have Lieutenant
Ringold and his second arrived atthe island ‘2”

“No, sir; and it ’looxs as though they
would not.”

“ What mean you, Buntline?" asked the
captain with surprise, while his second arose
from the lounge.

" A boat was coming across the bay, sir,
containing but one person, but whether Lef-
tenant Ringold or Leftenant Darrell was in
it, I do not know, for I did not see him.”

“ And lie did not land, who ever he was?”

" No, sir. not when I left had he done so,
and Deaf Davy thinks his boat has gone
under.”

" I almost wish that it had, for I don't like
this meeting, Mainhall,” said Bartley Living-
stone, earnestly.

“No, no; I hope he will not die thus,
Livingstone; he is not \the man I wished
Laura to marry, for I kn0w him to he a
gambler and dissipated: but then, he was
very insulting when I severed his en ge-
ment with my daughter, and I struck im,
and 1 must meet him, for I am his superior
in rank, and did I not do so, it would be
said I shielded myself behind my position.”

“I cannot but hope that the storm has
prevented the duel,” answered the yachts
man.

“ Boatswain, at dawn go to the light-house,
and if nothing has been heard of the lien-
tenant, we will search the shores for his
body, as this is certainly a. fearful gale; but
I cannot understand, if Ringold is in the
boat, why Darrell did not come with him.”

“ Or, if it is Darrell, where is Ringold?”

“True; well; the morrow will decide,”
said Captain Mainhall sadly, and. saluting
politely, Boatswain Bill left the cabin.

 

 

CHAPTER VI.
AT THE navmn spams.

HARDLY had Deaf Dav settled himself to
the duty of finishing his interrupted supper,
when he was again startled by a loud rap at
the door.

“It’s Bill ag’in,” he said, opening the
door.

But it was not Bill the boatswain, as Deaf
Davy saw at a glance.

Before him stood a tall form, clad in uni.
form, and that he was saturated from head to
foot was evident.

“Well, old shipmatc,‘ may I crave shelter
for the night?" asked Ivan Ringold, in a
pleasant tone.

“ I guesses you be Left’nant Ringold?”
suggested Davy.

“ Yes, but I do not recall your face."

“ Guess not, left‘nant. as we haven‘t met
afore; but Boatswain Bill Buntline was up
here awhile since looking for you—"

“Ah! from the acht; when did she ar-
rive?” quickly aske the officer.

“ Before sunset; she's at anchor in the
Lone Tree Inlet."

“ All right; now give me some of your rig
to put on, while I dry out my suit, and if
you have a little spirits, and something to
eat, you will obli e me,” and the young offi-
cer slipped a go (1 piece into the hands of
Deaf Dav that made him spring to work
with a wil , while he muttered:

“ Goin’ to fight a duel at sun-up, an’ hes a
appetite for rum an' food; well, he’s a cool
one. ’

Getting out a dry suit for the officer to put
on, Davy quickly 3 read before him a really
good supper, and p need on the table a bottle
of French brandy, upon which no duty had
ever been paid. .

Ivan Ringold drank deeplv, ate heartily,
and then hanging his clothes before the fire,
rolled himsel in a blanket and sought rest,
dropping off to sleep as peacefully as an in-

ant.

“ Waal, he are a cool ’un an’ no mistake,”
muttered Davy, and he threw himself down
upon his own umble cot, which the lieuten-
ant had refused to accept.

And without the winds howled and the sea
roared; but until the first glimmer of dawn
illumincd the windows the two men slept.

Then, as a ray of light fell on his face
Ivan Ringold awoke with a start and sprung
to his feet.

" Well, old shipmate, we nearly overslept
ourselves; come, arouse yourself, and we’ll
have breakfast, for there is work for us to

‘.‘ Work for us to do?" echoed Davy.
“ Yes, I came here to fight a duel, old
man; a charming spot for a hostile meeting,

 

10‘ mt, the Girl Captain.

 

I see, and Within the hour We must be on
the field.”

“ We ?” and Davy looked surprised.

“ Yes, we, for you are to be my second.”

“ Me!” cried Deaf‘Davy, now wholly hor-
rifled.

” Certainly; I haVe accepted your hospital-
ity, and you are my friend, for l have no one
with me to act as such."

“0h, Lordy!" and Davy knew not what
to say as he hustled about getting break-
fast.

He had hoped to witness the due] and
scent the powder from afar, but to be a par-
ticipator in the deadly affair was something
that wholly unnerved him.

But he got breakfast, and after a glass of
brandy to steady his nerves, Lieutenant Rin-
gold led the way from the cabin, just as the
cast was growing rosy under the coming of
the sun, for the winds had swept the clouds
away, and it was a bright, beautiful morn-

m .

fiVith firm tread Ivan Ringold started in
the direction of the Lone Tree Inlet, Davy
pacing along by his side, when they sudden<
y met Boatswain Bin.

“ Well, bo’sen, the captain is here, I
judge?”

“Yes, air, the yacht lies yonder; you can
just see her topmost.”

“Well. I am here, too; so where is the
meeting to be?”

“At the Ravine Spring, sir; but I will
run on and tell the captain, for he hardly ex-
pected you to be here, sir.”

“ Whatl dared he doubt my coming?”
cried the young oflicer angrily.

“ Oh, no, sir; but we feared you had been
lost in the storm last night."

“ And doubtless Captain Mainhall wishes I
had been; but no, I am here, as you see, and
shall await him at the spring, and I care not
to wait long.”

The boatswnin hastened back to the yacht,
while Deaf Dav and the lieutenant went on
toward the meet ng—place. ‘

“A pretty spot this [or a duel, old ship-
mate; and beneath that tree there is the very
place for a grave.” x

“ Oh Lordy!" groaned Davy, and the
meatless young sailor laughed heartily, and
sat :

“Oh, you won’t have to fill it, Davy; but
there comes the captain and his party. ’

A moment after, Captain Mainhall, look-
ing pale, but. calm. came forward, aceom~
panied by Hartley Livingstone, his second,
and Mort Mercer, the surgeon of the vessel
’ which the captain commanded.

He bowed politely to his enemy, who
raga; his cap in salute, while the yachtman

t

 

“ Why, Ringold, where is Darrell, your
second?”

“ His horse fell with him coming out of
Salem, and I was forced to take him back to
the tavern and leave him, for his arm was
broken: but never mind, old Deaf Davy here
will act for me.”

“ Oh Lordyl” groaned Dav , stepping
over to where Boatswain Bil stood, as
though for consolation

“Lieutenant Ringold. this is no time for
jokes," sternly said Bartle Livingstone.

“I am as well aware 0 that, as are you,
air; if my second is notsuiteble to you, Iwill
ask Doctor Mercer to act for me," was the
haughty reply.

“ If the captain and doctor consents, so be
it," answered Mr. Livingstone.

‘ I will of course serve Lieutenant Ringold,
under the circumstances; but cannot this sad
afiair be arranged withouta hostile meeting?"
asked the sur eon.

“ No, sir, came here to fight, not to
talk,” was the haughty response of the lieu-
tenant.

Captain Mainhall bow’ed assent, and Boat-
swain Bill came forward with the weapon, a
case of duelin pistols, while Davy quickly
retreated to a istant position from which to
witness the hostile meeting.

 

CHAPTER VII.
THE DUEL.

THOUGH Kittie Moore knew well the dan-
ger she hand to face, in recrossing the bay to
her home, she did not shrink from it, for she
had full confidence in her own courage and
skill.

Under ordinary circumstances she would
have sought shelter in the cabin of Deaf
Davy, until the storm blew itself out;but
well she knew that longing eyes were even
gazing out over the blank, windswept waters
for her, and that hearts were already despair-
ing of ever again seeing her alive.

With the same strength and skill that had
before served her so well, she held on her
way back to the farm-house shore, swept
like a racer by the Death Rock. and soon
was able to see the bright lights. that her
thoughtful sister Meta had placed in every
window, to guide her back to a haven of
safety.

As she drew nearer the shore, she saw
forms gliding rapidly to and fro before the
windows, and it recalled to her the dead
madman, Whose end had brought a crowd
together to hear the story from her lips.

At length the quick eyes of Meta spied the
returning skifi. and in wild joy she shouted:

“ She comesl she comes!"

All eyes were at once turned upon the

*1

 

 

.  _._, niches); 

 

 

 

 

 

; 4... . 

 

 

  

  

Kit, the Girl Captain. 11

 

wild waters, and then there arose, far above
the howling storm, a cheer from half a bun-
dred men and women who had gathered at
the farm-house.

“ But she is alive! he 2's lost,” cried Meta,
anxiously, and all gathered at the shore to
greet the daring Surf Queen, who, amoment
after ran her light skiff upon the sandy
beach.

“ God bless you, my brave child,” and the
anxious mother threw her arms around Kittie,
all dripping as she was, and Meta also em-
braced her with joy in her heart, while the
neighbors crowded around her with wel-
comes, for all the dwellers along the coast
loved the brave girl.

“ And be was lost?” asked Meta, in a low
whisper, as they went up to the house.

" No, I saved him. though the poor little
Zeph r was dashed to pieces.”

“ ut where is he, Kittie?"

“ On the Light-house Island; he preferred
to go there.”

“ Why should he, Kittie?” persisted Meta.

“Don’t ask me; at least, not now,” and
Kittie hurried to her room. followed by her
sister, to change her clothing, while the
crowd gathered in the large parlor, for the
sherifl and village ma nates were there, and
the were discussing t e killing of the Mad
Sai 01'.

Having changed her clothing, Kittie told
the story of the madman's attack, still hiding,
however, the fact that he knew her parents,
and the crowd departed, and the mother and
her daughter were alone.

But Kittie seemed nervous from some
cause, and Mrs. Moore suggested that she go
to bed, which was willing y assented to.

" Meta, I wish you to hel me out in
something I intend to do,” sai Kittie, earns
estly, as soon as the two sisters were alone in
ther own room.

“ Of course I will, Kit; what is it?”

“ Well, you know this young officer whom
I saved to-ni ht?” _

,“ No, but doubtless will know him some
time, judgin from the interest my sister
takes in him, ’ responded Meta, archly.

“Nonsensel he saved me from a fearful
death, and I feel assured that be has gone to
the island for some strange purpose, and I
am oing to find out for what. ”

“€3ut how can you, Kittie‘l’",

“ From certain remarks he made, I believe

that there is trouble to follow his going

there, and I intend to leave here before day,
and—-"

“No, no, Kit, you must not do that."

" But I must, and will; the storm is going
down, and I will run over in the surf-skid,
and I may be of use; at least, I am deter-
mined to go, only I wish you to keep mum

 

about it until breakfast-time, when I guess
I’ll be back.”

“ But what will mother say?”

“I’ll take the scolding when I get back;
but I am determined to go.”

With Kittie Moore to determine was to
act, and just as the eastern skies were grow-
ing gray, she kissed Meta good by, declining
to allow her to accompany her, and stealing
cautiously from the house, soon stood at the
beach.

A few moments of preparation and the
skid was sailing away from the land under
a six-knot breeze, and just as the sun arose
above the horizon, Kittie landed on the
Light-house Island, and within view of the
tall must of the little yacht.

“I knew there was to be trouble. Oh,
how glad I am that I came!" she cried, and
she commenced to ascend the hill, when sud—
denly she halted, for in a small vale not far
away, her eyes fell upon a group of men,

Two of that group she knew, for one was
Ivan Ringold, the other was Deaf Davy; but
the other three were unknown to her.

Like a statue she stood, her eyes gazing
upon one face, and her tongue powerless to
cr out, for now that she was face to face
Wllh the danger she dreaded, not a word
could she utter.

“Oli,.why did I come here? Idare not
interfere, for what right have I?" at last
broke from her dry lips, and she sunk down
upon the damp earth and still gazed upon
the dread scene.

And as she looked she saw one man pace
off a certain distance, and two others take
their positions at specified places.

Then, into the hands of each was placed a
istol, and into their faces Kittie Moore
ooked, while anguish rested upon her

own.

One was a man of dignity, and the stamp
of intellect and goodness was on his face.
which was pale, very pale, but calm and
stern.

The other was the one who had saved her
from the Mad Sailor, and whose life she had
saved not twelve hours before, and his dark,
fascinating face was indifierent to the death
he faced; in fact, he seemed to be reckless of
the consequences,

“ Gentlemen, are you ready?”

Like a death—knell the deep voice , of
Bartley Livingstone broke the _,quiet omin-
ously.

“ Ready!" came in almost cheery tones
from the lips of Ivan Ringold, while Captain
Mainhall merely bowed.

Then came the last fatal words:

“First one! two! three!” ,

At the word three, the two pistols flashed,
for, from some motive, known only to them-

 

 

 

 

 

' l, I navy?”

[2 Kit, the Girl Captain.

selves, each man had hesitated as long as pos-
sible to pull the trigger.

And with the sharp crack of the pistols,
which rung out like one report, both men
fell to the ground in their tracks, and then
a wild shriek caused the vale to echo and
re echo, and Kittie dropped forward on her
face.

Quick] Boatswain Bill and Deaf Davy ran
to her si e, while the surgeon and the second
sprung to the aid of the two men who had
fallen.

But recovering herself with an effort, the
maiden shook off the feeling of weakness
that had come upon her, and springing to
her feet bounded away from the boatswain
and Davy, and reached the spot where lay
the two motionless forms, in time to hear the
ominous words of the surgeon:

“ Captain Mainliall is dead, and Lieutenant
Ringolzl will die."

“No! no! no! he will not! he shall not
die, for I will nurse him back to life; quick,
air. if you are a surgeon, dress his wounds
and have him taken to my boat, and he shall
have every care,” she said, almost peremp-
toril .

“ €Vhat is Ivan Ringold to you, maiden?”
asked Bartley Livin stone.

“It matters not; 0 as I say, and I will
bless you, but let him lie here and bleed to

death, and I will curse ou.”‘

“ My poor child. Iwi 1 do all that I can for
him, but I do not think he can live,” and the
surgeon bent over the lieutenant and began
to probe for the bullet in his side, While

' Kittie stood by eagerly watching his every

act.

 

CHAPTER VIII.
A FATAL LETTER.

IN a cozy little room of the Moore cottage,
an invalid lay upon a settee, reading a letter
just brought to him by the village postman.

Though he had for three long months lain
there, wounded and suffering, the dark, fas-
cinating face of Ivan Ringold was readily
recognizable.

In her boat Kittie Moore had borne him
home, that morning after the fatal duel, and
under the tender nursing of herself and the
care of the village doctor, aided by a strong
constitution, the oung officer had rallied at
the very brink of, the grave, and was now
W lly out of don er.

‘ AWell, sir, goo news I hope?" said Kittie
pleasantly, entering the room as Ivan Rin-
gold finished reading the letter for the second

time. .
" You shall be the judge, Miss Kittie; you

remember several days ago I spoke of my

friend Ned Darrell, a brother oflicer in the

 

 

“ Yes, he was to—"

She paused, and her face colored up, While

he continued calmly:

“ Say what you intended: he was to have
seconded me in my duel with Mainhall?”

“ Yes,” she said faintly.

“But his horse fell and broke his arm, and
I am glad it happened, for had Ned come on
with me, we would have taken a different
course, for we would have gone by boat to
the island, from a point further down the
coast, and then I should never have met

on.”
y She made no reply, and he went on:

“ Well, Ned has gotten into trouble, the
same as I have, for he has been dismissed
from the navy upon the same charge.”

“ Dueling! oh, how fearful it is. ’

“ Yes, he writes me that he was grossly in-
sulted by his ranking officer, and challenging
him, they met at Portland some time since,
and Ned killed him, and was promptly dis»
missed from the service.

.“Now, he says, that he intends to come
by here for me. and together we will arm
and man a vessel in which to go privatesr-
ing in the war, which we will soon have
with England; but, do you knew, I am not
very anxious to have him come to your
house?”

“ Why?” innocently asked Kittie.

“Because he is awfully handsome, and a
perfect lady-killer, and you might fall in
love with him.”

“No danger; I know how to guard my
heart."

“I fear you do, for you have certainly
guarded it against my attacks; but you will
not longer do so, will you Kittie? you will
love the one whose life you have twice saved,
and not cause me to feel sorry that the bullet
of Captain Mainhnll did not end my days
forever?”

Kittie was now very pale, and her voice
trembled as she replied:

“ I would not share the heart of the man I
loved even/with Meta, Ivan Ringold.”

“ Nor do you. Kittie; I love only you.”

“ And yetI have been told, that on loved
Laura Mainhall, and yet took the if e of her
father.”

“I admired her, yes, and perhaps, with
her father's consent one day she might have
been my wife; ~but I did not know what love
was, my beautiful girl, until I met you, and
I beg you to be my wife."

He spoke earnestly, and turned his fas- _

cinating eyes full upon her, while she said:
“ That 1 have dearly loved you, Ivan Rin‘
gold, from the day you saved me from the
Mad Sailor, I frankly admit; but though my
parents are willin '
you in your 5, ering, they have warned

that I should care fern

 

 

 

 
 
 
   
  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
  
 

 

every sorrow.

y

Kit, the Girl Captain. l 13

 

me‘ against you. as they have been warned
by many never to allow you to darken their
door again when once you are able to leave
it.” ,

"Kittie, Well I know that I am slandered,
but people do not always tell the truth, as I
can prove; but do you intend to make us
both miserable through life because the
world talks against me?” .

“No, Ivan,"

“ And you will marry me, come what
may?” ,

“ Yes, Ivan; where I give my heart my
hand shall go with it, come what may, she
said, firmly.

“Bless you, my darling; I Will write at
once for Darrell to come by for me, and then
I will go with him to Boston or New York,
and with a fleet, armed schooner beneath my
feet, I will make the Government, yet receive

‘me back into its service.”

“I trust you may. Ivan,” said Kittie,
quietly, and brought him writing materials,
and the letter was written to Ned Darrell.

Alas! far better had it been for all had it
never have reached the one to whom it was
addressed, for untold misery it brought upon
those who should have been shielded from

 

CHAPTER 1X.
_ unmasnnn.

IN an eIe ant suite of rooms in the fashion-
able part 0 New York City, a woman was
seated before an easel. engaged in painting a
marine picture, a scene on the coast of New
England.

A year had passed since the reader last he-
held her in her home by the seaside. and the
beautiful face has growu sadder, yet a sad-
ness that but adds to its loveliness, and no
one would fail to recognize Kittie Moore;
but no longer Kittie, the Surf Queen, for one
night she fled from her parents’ protection, to
the arms of the man who had won her heart;
ay, fled from the scenes of her childhood. to
mingle in fashionable life in the metropolis,
whither Ivan Ringold had taken her.

But, amid the glitter of society. poor Kittie

, could see dark spots, and soon found that

her husband wuss man whom many feared,
and few liked.
Without outward means of support, he

~ yet lived most extravagantly, and loaded her

with jewels, and placed before her every
luxury, until at last she felt that he won at
the gaming-table the gold that bought for
them such splendor. _ ,.

Atlast the glamour Twore 012, and gradu-
ally he became colder and colder in his man-
ner toward, her, until she began to fear that
he had ceased to :love her, and the thought

was madness to her, for, with all his faults,

 

she loved him with an afiection that was
idolatrous.

find as she thus sat at her easel, trying to
drive away sad thoughts in work, the post-
man brought her a letter, and over her a
flood of bitter memories came, for it told her
of the parents at home whom she had desert-
ed, and the sister,she had so fondly loved.

Upon her father, in his declining ears,
misfortune had fallen, for his vessel ha been
wrecked, and troubles not coming singly, his
little boarded wealth in the bank had been
swept awa by failure, and the farm had
been loade with a heavy mortgage.

And Meta?

Poor girl, she, too, had loved not wisely
but too well, as her sister had done, and had
fled from home with Ned Darrell, , and
whither they had gone none knew.

In bitterness of spirit, poor Kittie mourn—
ed, and down her fair cheeks rolled tears of
anguish, until a knock at the door caused
her to start. .

In answer to her call to come in, it opened,
and a letter was handed to her by a boy.

It was in the hand of Ivan Ringold, and
she read it through with an amazed and in-
dignant face, which she turnedaway from
the messenger, that he might not see what
her feelings were. ,

Thus ran the letter:

“ On Bongo Wru-o‘-rmWrsr.

“ Dam Nam~ r r
“ I have at last secured the beautiful craft on
which I write to you, and though small, she will on» _

able me to gain a larger one and I write at once to

on to have you join me, asl heard of your arrival
n town yesterday, and that ou had left your wife
in the Eastern States somew ere. - .

“Astor me, I intend to give Kit the slip, for she is ,
not legally my wife. as I paid a gambler pal a. §ood
round sum to play Eamon, and he did it so well, am
inclined to believe e was educated for the ministry,
and it seems to me I have heard that he was, but
went to the bad.

‘“ I leave Kit in New York with money enou h to
return to her parents, and she has jewels sufficient
to support them for a. year or so; besides, I am tired

of her, for I never was a constant lover.

“ Now, my crew are at the underground Den on a
Pearl street, and I wish you to go there and get
them, and tell them to come to the sloop two by two ‘
to-night. for I dare not leave the vessel, owingto in
killing ,Conrad the Faro King last night, 0 which
you have doubtless heard.

The sloop lies at the foot of Catherine street. and * ~ - 7' J

to find the Den, go to the place 0 posits Ballet's
Saloon in Pearl street; there are t roe doors, and
knock on the middle one three times.

“A voice within will es]; you:

“ ‘ How do you come?’

“To’this, answer:

“ ‘ I come from the land of distress.‘

“ The voice will ask you:

“ ‘ Whither bound!”

“ You answer: ‘

“ ‘To the glad sea. wavm

“ Then you wiil enter and ask the one who opens "
the (it or to take you to the seal hall and once
there, tell the men who you are, and that I need-
them tin-night. , ‘ ,

“You are to be second in commandant! itwu

 

 

 

  

 

a:
a

14

Kit, the Girl Captain.

 

cannot make a fortune together on the ocean wave
we had better turn virtuous, and Settle down in old
Massachusetts as farmers.

“ But this night I intend to make my first blow for
fortune, and gain a ladylove too.

“ Be sure and come, for I will expect you.

“Yours ever. 1sz."

For a few moments Kittie thought her
reason was leaving her; but, by a mighty
efiort she rallied, and though as pale as the
dead. asked calmly:

“Did not Mr. Ringold give you another
letter?”

“Yes, miss."

“ Have you it?”

" Yes, miss."

“ Give it me.”

“No, miss, I cannot; he told me to give it
only into the hands of the one to whom it is
addressed.” I

“True, it is addressed to Lieutenant Ned
Darrell."

it Yes.”

“Well there has been a mistake, for in
his haste Mr. Ringold has folded the letters
and addressed them wrong; see, this one to
me, as he supposed, commences 'Dcar Ned.’ ”

“ I see, miss; it’s quite a mistake.”

“Then you will give me my letter, of
course?"

“I'd like to, but he paid me well to de-
liver them."

“ Are you in his service?”

“ Oh, no, miss, only today.”

“ Here, I will give gou these four pieces of
gold, and I will atten to the delivery of the
other letter myself.”

The man’s eyes sparkled and he answered:

“ I’ll give it to you, miss, for I’m a poor
man; but I’ll keep clear of Mr. Ringnld;
here is the letter.” ,

Kittie paid him the money and grasped
the letter eagerly, and as the messenger
turiied to depart, sat down and broke the
sea .

It was written to her and ran as followe:

“ Mr Dun. Km—

" To night I leave you forever. for I have to go to
sea and carve out for myself a fortune, it not under
the American flag, beneath one of sable folds where
a commission is not needed.

“The furniture in the rooms and all else I give to
you, excepting my desk, which kindly send me by
the bearer of this.

“ In the desk you will find a purse of gold. which
you can keep for your wants, and it with what you
can realize from your jewels and furniture, will
keep you and your parents, who I learn have been
unfortunate, at least for a time.

“ Of late you have accused me of losing my love
for you; you are right, for try I never IO hard. my
heart is not one to remain true toa woman; besides
our marriage was but a fraud. and you have no legal
hold upon me.

“ Now don’t go ofl into hysterics, for it is not your
nature so to d0' but take my desertlon of you with
nerve and you‘ll not be unhap y.

“ Farewell, and do as I do, digger the pan.

Yours, Ivan."

 

Poor Kittie did not faint nor did she go
into hysterics; but in her eyes there was a
look that boded no good to Ivan Ringold,
whose life was now unmasked, and who had
so cruelly deserted her when he knew that
he was the idol of her worship. 1

CHAPTER X.
METAMORPIIOSED.

FOR some moments after reading the cruel
letter sent to her by the man for whom she
had given up all else in the world, Kittie
stood like a statue, her brow clouded in
thought.

But suddenly a flash of triumph lighted
up her face, and five minutes after she
was out on Broadway making certain pur-
chases.

Returning to see her rooms she was accom-
panied by a Jew, who glanced with a know-
ing look around him, and said:

“Dish ish all very purty, mish, now let
me see ter dimints.

“First, what will you give me for the
furniture in .the rooms?" she asked ab-
ruptly.

“ Ish t'e rent paid?” he cautiously asked.

“ Yes, here are my receipts. and you have
two months yet of time, which I will give
you.”

“Dot is very goot; I will gives you t'ree
hundred tollars.”

“ It is not enough; I must have five, for I
know their value ”

“I gives on four."

“ If you 0 not mean to give me five, I can
see some one else."

“ I gives you four flfty—"

“ Enough, I will seek another purchaser,”
and Kittie started for the door, but the Jew
called out:

" Vera well, 1 gives you five hundred; but
it ish too mooch.”

“Then why do you give it?"

I’I‘lhis was a puzzler, and the Jew hastily
sai ; '

“ Now t‘e jewels.”

“ llerc they are: diamonds. rubies, eme-
ralds and some little trinkets; then this silver
service and that trunk of silks, laces and
velvets; what are they worth to on?"

“Dey is vera fine, and I wil given you
two t’ousaudt tollars for the lot."

" And they cost twelve, and areas good as
new; no, sir, I want five thousand dollars.”
“ They ish not wort, it. " .

. “’Then don’t buy them; good-morning,
sir.’

“ l ish gives you four t'ousandt.”

“ Five!"

“ Yes. for all, mit to furniture too.”

“The other sale has nothing to do with
"is; five thousand dollars, I say."

 

 

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Kit, the em Captain. 15

 

“ Vera veil, but it ish ruin me."
“ You will double it when you sell them
as you know; here, I will draw up this deed
of transfer, and you pay me the money.”
The papers were quickly drawn up and
signed, and the money paid over, and Kittle
told the Jew to await her in the sittingroom
for awhile.
Half an hour he waited, and then he
started to his feet as a young man entered,
clad in the uniform of a rnidshipman.
“ Vell, who ish you?” asked the Jew, who
had not expected any one being in the next
room but Kittie.
“I am a friend of the lad from whom
ou made the purchase awhi 8 since, and I
eave you now in charge of everything."
J "Buttheladish, vere ish she?” asked the

ow.
“ She has gone. Good-by, old Shylock,”
and the middy hurried toward the door, car-
rying a traveling bag in his hand.

" Hold on, mine friend, dat pag pclongs
to me.

“ I guess not; it contains my slight ward-,

robe and fortune.”

“ But I ish puy all dat vash here.”

“Not all, for I am here and so is my
travelin ‘bag; good-day, sir." .

The ew gazed at the slender form, but
there was somethin in the firm mouth, seen
beneath the dark si ken mustache, and the
flash of the black eyes, that prevented him
trying conclusions with the youth; but he
said boldly:

" Let me see v’at you ish have in t‘e pag.”

“ You have your jewels before you on the
table; there stands 'our silver service, and
in that trunk and c oset are the dresses you
bought and the furniture I cannot certainly
carry off; are you satisfied, for I want no
scene here?"

“I ish not satisfy.”

"Now are you ‘?’

Dropping the traveling-bag the youth
raised his hands, and first the mustache and
then a dark wig were removed, and the bean-
tiful face and golden hair ot Kittie were re-
vealed, thou h now her curls had been cut
of! and her air skin had been bronzed to the
hue of a sailor.

"Mine Abraham, Isaac ant J ucob!" ex-
claimed the Jew.

“Well, Shylock, if I have deceived your
avaricious eyes. I can deceive any one; now
are you satisfied?”

“ I ish pe satisfy. Mine raciousl mine
gracious! v’at for you ish do at?”

“ That is a secret that money cannot buy,
though you’d make an ofier if you thought
you could realize a large profit on it; I leave

you, Jew, to your own reflections, and, with,
a quivering lip, Kittie replaced her Wig and

 

mustache carefully, cast one lingering glance
around the room, and departed forever from
the home where she had known so much of
pleasure and of pain.

CHAPTER XI.
THE sMUGGLEns’ RETREAT.

“ THIS is the door; now to follow the in-
structions in his letter, for should I make a
mistake, all would be lost.”

The speaker was a young man, ossessing
a slender form, and clad in anava- uniform,
and wearing a heavy cloak.

In one hand he carried a heav carpet sack,
and with the other he knocke loudly three
times.

A moment passed, and then a slide in the
door was drawn back, and a hoarse voice
asked:

“How do you come?”

In a firm tone the youth replied:

” I come from the land of distress."

“ Whither bound?" was the next query
from within.

“ To the glad sea waves,” was the answer
of the young man.

The bolts were now drawn back, the door
opened, and the young man stepped within
the dimly lighted hall.

Before him stood a huge rough-looking in-
dividual who eyed him closely, and seemed
rather surprised at his uniform, but asked
politely:

“ You wish to go to the Sociai Hall, sir?"

“ Yes, I come with news for the men from
the captain.” I

“ They'll be glad to get it. for the captain
told us to expect glad tidings soon; this way,
sir, please." ' '

Along a narrow hallway, with a lantern in
his hand, the man led the visitor, until
they stopped at a seeming wall, but which
turned by a touch. on a spring, disclosing
a pair of stairs leading to the depths below.

Down these the went and then along an-
other iong. arche tunnel, rather than hall-
way, and the young man knew that it was
under the ground.

From the further end voices were heard,
and soon a door was thrown open by the
guide who called out in a loud tone.

“ Boys, here is a gentleman with news

 

'from the captain.”

It was a trying ordeal for the dis ised
Kittie, as the reader has doubtlessly iscov-_
ered the supposed youth to be; but with
choking back of her emotions, she went for-
ward into the subterranean chamber, which
was beneath the street, for the rumble of
wheels on the stone pave Were heard directly
overhead. .

Around a large table sat a number of men,

engaged in drinking, card-playing and talk-

 

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16 - I Kit, the Girl Captain.

 

ing. and one and all looked up as the stran-
ger approached, while one arose and said:

“Lieutenant Darrell, I suppose, sir?”

“ No, sir, but I come in the place of Lien-
tenant Darrell, who is not able to join you,
and from Captain Ringold, who desires that
you all come to his vessel, in twos and
threes, for he wishes to sail shortly after
midnightl She lies 01f Catherine Slip "

“Hal he has a vessel then?" asked the
man. .

“Yes, a beautiful craft—the Will-o’-the-
Wisp,” was the quiet answer, and a cheer
greeted the words.

"Cpme, sir, have a drink with us; you
will soon find us out, so let us know the
name of our new lieutenant, for such you
are doubtless," said the man who had first
spoken.

“My name is Hunter.”

“ A good name; a toast, lads, to Leftenant
Hunter.” ‘

The toast was drank with cheers, and the
supposed youth waved adieu and turned
away, some of the remarks regarding him he
overbearing, as he retraced his way back
through the tunnel.

“ A likely chap," said one.

5‘ There‘s fire in his eye, and he’s a cool
’un, I'll wager.” cried another. “A leetle
dandifled, and rather slight in build. but he’s
got nerve or ther capt’in wouldn‘t freeze to

1m.” ,

These remarks were enough to show the
disguised girl that she had not made an un-
favorable impression upon the smugglers,
which they were.

“ Now to face the lion in his den; if I
ass the ordeal of his eyes I am safe; if not
is life will be the forfeit,"|muttered Hunter,

turning from the door, and wending his way
in the direction of Catherine Slip.

With little difficulty the dock was found,
01! which lay the really beautiful vessel Will-
o’-the-Wisp. and being a good sailor, his eye
recognized the craft he had seen once before
—the yacht o'f Bartley Livingstone, that had
carried Captain Maiuhall to his death in his
duel with Ivan Ringold.

A sailor was pacing the deck, and hailing
him, a boat was sent ashore, and the sup-
posed youth was ushered into the cabin.

Upon a lounge, smoking, and evidently
plotting some deviltry, lay vanRingold, at-
tired in an undress uniform.

“ Well, Darrell, is it you?” he asked lazily,
half rising.

“ No, sir, it is not Lieutenant Darrell; but
are you Captain Ringold?" was the calm re-
sponse. .

Seeing the uniform, and a strange face,
Ivan Ringgid at first believed he_had been
batrayed d sprung quickly to hisfeet, at

 

the same time drawing a pistol from his
breast pocket, while he cried sternly:

“ And who the devil are you?”

“ I am a friend of Lieutenant Darrell, Cap—
tain Ringold; he sends you this letter, which
will explain,” and gaining courage. at

seeing his first glance had not penetrated her

dis ruisc, she held out the letter, which she
ha herself written in a clever imitation of
Darrell’s handwriting, and which the Smug-
gler Chief took and read.

“Mr. Hunter, lam glad to see you, Sir,
and as Darrell recommends you so highly,
you shall step into his shoes as my luff; I
am sorry that he could not come, but hope
he can join us at some future time.”

“Yes, sir, Itrust that he may; but you
are very kind, sir, to give me a position."

“ No thanks are necessary: Darrell says
that, like us, you have met with misfortune
in the regular navy, and was dismissed; may
I ask your offense?"

“Striking my superior olflcer, sir, for in-
sulting me.”

“ Ah, I killed 111% superior officer for 'ust
such an ofiense; I card of your affair, un~
ter; but did you go by the Den, as Darrell
said you would do?”

*‘ I did. air, and the men will soon begin
to drop aboard.”

“ Good! I don’t, want this acht to be
here at daybreak, for I got it by strateg ,
from one whom I have a grudge against. e
wanted a crew for a short cruise, and myself
and men applied, and when at sea some
thirty miles we set Mr. Livingstone and his
party adrift in an open boat, and I ran back
here for my men.” ,,

" Are you going privateering?” innocently
questioned Kittie. .

“I am going on a cruise that must end
well for us all; you see I have been smug-
gling in a quiet way of late, but I think I
can make a fortune under a black flag—~"

“ A pirate l" k

“ Oh. you must not look surprised, Hun-
ter; there are troublous times, a war is com«
mencing between Great Britain and the
States, and little acts such as I commit will
not be noticed by either Government. You
see, smuggling pays well, and I shall keep it
up; but whenever the chance occurs to cap-
ture a rise, either from under the cross of
Great ritain or the Stars and Stri es of the
United States, why well and goo ; do you
fear to sail without a commission?”

“ I fear nothing, Captain Ringold.”

” That speech rings well; but who do you
so remind me of?”

V “ I am sure I cannot tell, air,” and Kittie
laughed. I

“ It is a fancied resemblance, or real, I

know not which; but to whom?”

 

 

 

  
 
 

‘ and we will see if the crew are coming on
it

IA. 5‘5r- 

Kit, the Girl Captain. . i I IV

 

“ I am ready for duty, sir.”

“ Good! but I am anxious about a letter I
dispatched up-town, asking to have my desk
seht to me," ,

“Ahl I had forgotten; I met aman on
the dock who gave me this desk and package
for you, as he said he feared to trust himself
on board again."

“ The deuce he did; yes, this is my desk,
and here is something else Kittie has sent
me; was there no note?"

“ Yes; it is pinned there to the bundle."

“ Ah!” and Ivan Ringold opened the note,
and as he read be little dreamed whose eyes
were looking upon him, devouring his every
expression; but who indeed ,could have
traced any resemblance in the black-haired,
brown faced, mustachioed young man in all
appearances. to the blonde, curlyvhcaded,
lily-complexioned Kittie Moore?"

As he read she knew what his eyes were
falligg on, and she marked the eflect of each
wor .

She had simply written the story of their
meeting, their love. and his desertion, and
not a word of uphraiding was there in all,
only one little sentence that she saw he could
not pass li htly over, and that was:

“One 0? these da s,- Ivan, we will meet

, again, and then it wi 1 be your turn to plead

for mercy from me, and it will be my time to
refuse." I

"A letter from an old flame; women are
great devils, Hunter, when you arouse their
jealousy; but this love I will drop now, as it
is an old one, and I am on with the new, for
tomorrow night I land on the Sound at
Bartley Livingstone’s elegant home, and
carry off Laura Mainhall, for he is her guar-
dian now, and hopes to marry her.”

" Will you kidnap her?" calmly asked
Kittie. '

“ Yes; she has never gotten over her love
for me, and I can capture her for myself,
and give the men the silver plate, of which
there is a. vast quantity; but come on deck,

board,” and Ivan Ringold led the way, tle
dreaming that he ha made a confidante of
onethwho now lived only to run him to
ear .

 

CHAPTER XII.
A TRAITOR.

Tim new moon had gone down he ond the
Westchester hills, and darkness sett ed upon
the land and water, while a silence that could
be felt reigned supreme.

Over the waters of Long Island Sound,
barely rippled by the light breeze from sea-
ward, a beautiful vessel was gliding along
under clouds of canvas, and heading in to-

ward the dark shores at a point some miles

 

above the City‘of New York, Where, even at
that early day, men of fortune had built
themselves grand houses in which to spend
the warm months of the year, to rest in
luxury, away from the turmoil and business
cares of the metropolis.

“Head into that inlet, helmsman; yonder
is the mansion,” said an ofiicer, who had
been quietly pacing to and fro, alternately
glancing at his vessel, then up and down the
Sound, and at his crew, who numbered some
forty men, all silently awaiting for the
events to turn up, be they what they might.

“ I see the white walls of the mansion
through the trees yonder, Captain Ringold,"
said a young officer, approaching.

“ Yes, the house stands back a few hun—
dred yards from the water, and is a superb
place; head for that large tree, helmsman,
for there is good water clear in, and Mr.
Hunter, shorten sail, so that we will drift
in."

The orders were obeyed promptly, and ten
minutes after the vessel was made fast to a
green bank, and the crew stood in readines
to land. -'

“Clyde, you remain on board with half
the men, but be ready to come if I call for
aid, though I do not anticipate much trouble;
also keep a sharp lookout for that accursed'
cruiser that chased us before dark."

,“Yes. sir,” answered the young sailor,
iovlhoim Captain Ringold had addressed as

y e.

“ You, Hunter, I wish to go with me; I’ll
look after the girl with my party, and you
take care of the silver plate for the b0 8;
you know where it is, as I gave you a ia-
gram of the house; now let us be 0 ."

Silently the band moved away through the
beautiful grounds, and as they drew nearer the
mansion, separated into two parties, Ringold
and his men going ,toward the rear of the
dwelling, and the balance to the front door.

it was certainly a grand mansion, large
and comfortable, and around it were orna-
mental grounds that had cost a small fortune
to decorate. 4

One light glimmered from the east wing,
and no other sign of life was visible. ~

‘f My man has done his work well, for had
he not oisoned the dogs, they would have
attacke us ere this,” said Ringold.

‘ There stands some one now, captain,”
whispered a sailor. I

All, at once, halted, and the captain gave a
low whistle, and the form approached.

“ Is it you, Rickettsl”

" Ay, captain, and I am glad you have
come, for I am not a success as a head
waiter; I spilt the soup all over a lady dining
with Miss Mainhall to-day, have lost? some
dozen silver spoons and forks, and a; purse

,1’,

 

 

 

- n- ,2; : 5;: ‘.»-;A»:A.~s--e-.. , :x. :crwna—x, ufi’: _&;,

.. .,. 

18 Kit, the Girl Captain.

 

being missed to-night; I am certain of my
discharge tomorrow,” and the man dressed
as a butler came forward and joined the party.

“ Had I not come to-night, Ricketts, you
would have stolen the house, I fear; now can
you let us into the mansion?”

"Oh, yes, captain, I keep the keys, you
know."

“ How many servants are there?"

“The coachman, groom, stable-b0 , gar-
dener and my aidedeswlon in the ining-
room; then half a dozen girls and the cook.
I am really glad you have come, captain, for
Iwas falling in love with Miss Mainhall’s
maid.”

“ Quit your nonsense, Ricketts, and show
us into the rear hall; then go through and
open the door for Lieutenant Hunter and his
men, and the house is ours," said Captain
Ringold.” ‘ r

“ Come l” simpl said the pretended butler,
who had ohtainedy a situation in the house-
hold of Bartley Livingstone, just to betray
it, and he led the way to the rear entrance
and in ten minutes after twenty daring men
stood beneath the roof, and little dreamed

' the inmates of danger.

“Miss Mainhall has not retired, captain;
that wing is devoted to her, and half an
hour ago she was writing," rwhispered
Ricketts.

"I will seek here there; you, Hunter,
look after the plate and valuables, but do
not use force with the servants unless neces-

sang."

9 he spoke Ivan Ringold movsd away
and entering a hall leading to the east wing,
tapped lightly at a door at the further end.

“Is that you, Ricketts?” asked a sweet
Voice within.

“ch, Miss Mainhall," replied Ringold,
imitating to perfection the voice of the trai—
tor butler. '

. ‘;"What do you wish at this titre at night,
Sir

“I have found the purse; it must have
been dropped in getting out of the carriage,"
said Ringold, remembering the lost purse
which Ricketts had spoken of.

A rustlin of silk was heard Within, the
door opene and Ivan Ringold sprung into
. the room. and Laura Mainhall was face to
face with the man who had slain her father.

CHAPTER XIII.
THE MIDNIGHT MABAUDERS.

‘WnnN Laura Mainhall saw who it was
that confronted her, she sprung back in
‘ alarm, and with a cry upon her.» lips; but
quickly recovering herself she said, with in—
tense anger in her tones :-

“Ivan Ringold, how dwro yen come
here?!

 

‘ y

 

" Laura, listen to me.”

“Not one word, sir, go!” and she pointed
to the door.

“I will not go; I came here to see you,
Laura, to have a talk with you, to beg that
you forgive—”

“Neverl no. never can I forgive you for
what you did.”

“ Oh, Laurel I implore you to listen to me;
I am a wretched being; a man haunted by
the cruclest memories by day and night,
and whose love for you has never known
chan e.”

“ ilence, sir! and leave me, ere I call
my servants to throw you from the
house.” ,

“ Your servants! doubtless they will soon
be, as rumor has it that you intend to marry
your guardian.”

“Will you leave this house, sir?” she
haughtin demanded.

“ ot until you have heard me.”

“ I care not for what you would say.”

“ You must, you shall I”

“ This to me? Lita! Lita l”

The cry brought a half-dressed, sleepy-
looking maid in from the next room, who
gave one glance at the stranger and woke
gpd suddenly, for she gave one shriek and

e .

“ Are your other servants as brave as Lita?”
sneered van Ringold. '

“ Mr. Ringold, my being unprotected
should make you show mercy to me, and
depart.”

“ Will you listen to me, first?”

“ What have you to say, sir?” and she
dropped back into the chair by the table.

“ Ifirst, I would tell you that I love

ou.’

“ And your love is an insult to me.”

“ Hal what mean you, Laura Mainhall?”
he cried in anger.

“I mean, 811', that when you look at me,
you should see between us the form of my
dead father, whom yOur hand placed in his
grave.” _

" He insulted me. and—”

“ And you killed him. 011, God! what a
bitter memory for me. Ivan Ringold.

“ Once. in the long ago, I loved you; nay,
you fascinated me. that was all, for it was
not love; but I would have fled with you had
I not found out your true character, as did
my poor father.

“ He severed our engagement, and told you
of your evtl deeds, and what he said cost
him his life.

“ Now, as that bitter memory is gradually '

fading in the distance, you appear before me
and tell me that you love me.’

“ And I do, Laura; for you I will give up
my wild career ,- I have a fine vessel, and, in

r

 

 

  
 

 

 

w»

   
 
 

Kit, the Girl Captain. { I 19

 

this war now breaking out, I will win a
name that will restore me in honor to the
service; but I need your help, I need your
love, and l have come to ask you to go on
my vessel with me—”

“Never! neverl never! leave me, sir, for
I detest, 1 hate you; ay, I could kill you to
avenge my poor father."

The man fairly started at the hatred that
blazed in her eyes; but finding that en-
treaty served him not, he said in“ his quiet
way:

“Very well, Miss Mainhnll, if you. will
not go willin ly, you shall unwillingly."

The beauti ul girl uttered a cry and drop-
ped back in her chair, 'ust as a loud shout
was heard without, fol owed by several pis-
tol-shots.

“Ha! you come then in the guise of a
pirate. as well as my father’s murderer?”
cried Laura Mainhall, with intense scorn and

' indignation.

“ Come, captain; one of the servants es-
caped and met a company of soldiers on the
march to the city, and they are coming,"
cried Ricketts, dashing into the room.

“ To the boats then; I will follow," order-
ed Ringold, and, as the man departed, he
sprung forward and seized the maiden in his
stron arms.

“ . on are mine, Laura Mainhall, if I have
to light a regiment of soldiers.”

She was powerless to resist his great
strength, but uttered a piercing cry for help,
just as he was hearing her to the door.

“ Hold on, Ca taiu Riuioldl”

The chief ha ted quic ly, and a curse
sprung to his lips. for in his path he saw one
'who evidently had some determined purpose
in view in ordering him to halt.

“ What mean you?" ,

. “ I mean that you shall release that lady,
sxr."

It was the supposed lieutenant who spoke,
and a pistol covered the heart of Ivan Rin-
gold, and the hand that held it was as firm
as iron

.—.—.

CHAPTER XIV.
m m sums’s LEGACY.

" WHAT! are you a traitor, sir?" cried Ivan
Ringold, raising the drawn sword he held in
his right hand, while he clutched Laura
Mainhall in his left. 3, 7, '

"No,I am one, Ivan Bi gold. who has
tracked you to your death; release that
maiden, or I will kill you,” was the stern re-
Spouse.

“I never will, sir, and as for you, I will
strike you down,” and Ringold moved for-
ward with; stem determination to keep his
wow.

v honor, sir, though

 

“Hold! I cominand you to release that
maiden.”

“ Neverl”

“Then, Ivan Ringold, die at the hands of
her who has twice saved your life.”

The pistol flashed, the report echoed
through the room, and with a cry of pain,
Ivan Ringold released Laura Mainhall, who
quickly sprung aside, just as her captor
staggv red forward to meet his foe, while
from his lips came the cry, as he fell to the
floor:

“ Oh Godl

“ I am.”

But Kittie could say no more, for, with-
out was heard tramping feet, and she bound-
ed from the room, and leaving the mansion
by the front entrance, fled across the lawn
toward the retreating crew, who had nearly
gained the yacht with their booty.

Springing on board she cried in ringing
tones: ,, '

“Cast off, men, for your captain is dead;
I saw him fall. Lively, li cly, if you would
keep your necks out of a ha ter."

The crew needed no second command, but
went to work with a will; the sharp bows
swung round, the soils were spread, and the
yacht moved away from the shore, just as the
company of soldiers came at a double-quick
across the lawn, in the chase of the pirates
who had fled before their approach.

“ Which way shall we head, captain?”
asked the helmsrnau, when the yacht had
gained the open Sound.

“ Head for Montauk Point, my man, and
send Mr Clyde into the cabin to me,” was
the order of the voung girl, who had suds
denly found herself in command of an out-
law craft.

Pacing to and fro, her eyes downcast, her
lips firm set, for Kittie was suffering the
deepest anguish of heart, for her hand had,
she believed, avenged the wron done her by
the man whom she had so early loved,
and by whom she had been so cruelly de-
ceived.

But, at the entrance of Clyde, a handsome '
youlng sailor, she concealed her emotiOn and
sat :

“Mr. Clyde, you are now second in com-
mand of this vessel, for Ivan Ringold was
killed, and 1 amyour captain.” '

“Thank you, Ca tam Hunter, for the
am sorry for Captain
Ilitingold's fate. I wish we could have saved

im " ’

You are Kittie Moore.”

“ It was impossible; he attempted to kid-
nap. Miss Mainhall, and was shotkwhile I
escaped just in the nick of time. ‘

" You attend to the working of the vessel,
for I have certain plans on hand which 1
wish to work on .i’ * a

 

20

“ Yes, sir; have you any other orders?"

“Head for Montauk Point."

“Ay, ay, sir,” and with a salute, Calvin
Clyde left the cabin, and the woman was
left alone with her bitter thoughts. .

For some moments she seemed almost
overcome with her emotions; but at last
assuming control over herself, she turned to
the table, on which was the desk she had
brought to Ivan Ringold.

It was locked, and the key was in its
owner's pocket; but her sword-blade broke
it open, and a number of papers, some
mone , a few jewels, and a tin box were re-
vealed.

This latter she took up, and said in a low
tone:

“ How strange that this should have come
into my possession as it has, and how well I
remember the day he took it from that poor
Mad Sailor. y .

“Ah me! I must forget that part, or my
heart will break. ”

“How strange, too. that Ivan Ringold,
never sought to discover the secret this
little box holds; but perhaps he did, and
failed.

“ But I shall not fail, for yesterday, when
I saw the contents of the box, I vowad to
discover this Montauk mystery, and I will."

Touching a spring the tin box flew open,
and a paper was revealed, time-worn, soiled,
and traced with various lines, and marked
with dots, while beneath was a written key.

It seemed to be a rudely-drawn map of
some locality of the seaside, and that many a
long (year had passed since the lines Were
trace there could be no doubt.

At the head was written in a bold hand:

“ THE Momma TREASURE.”

Then followed in smaller writing:~
“ Buried by Captain Kyd, November 10th,

1698.”

The map was beneath, with Long Island
Sound on the left, Montauk Point at the top,
and hills to the right, with a certain grave-
shaped mark to indicate the exact locality of
the buried treasure.

With this map came a legacy the paper
and writing proving it to be of far more
recent date, and it read as follows:

“I. Augustin Danton, though discarded by the
one woman of my low. Grace Carroll. now Mrs.
Andrew Moore, do hereby bequeath to her children
the inclosed map, which will direct them to a for-
tune, as it is the treasure of the Pirate Kyd, and
consists of untold riches in gold, silver and precious
stones. and the right to w ion was giVen to me by
one whom I befriended, and who died in my arms,
when on his way to seek the buried wealth.

“ As I feel my brain growing wild, and I have no
desire for riches, I bequeath the legacy. beggin
that it anght should happen to me, before I stan
race to Moe with the woman I still love, that the

 

Kit, the Girl Captain.

tinder will give into her hands the map accompany-

“12.
“ Amboy, Sept 15th, 1811. AGUSTIN Damon."

“Why, this date was but a week before
the vessel on which he was a passenger was
wrecked on our coast; yes, she was bound
from Amboy to Salem, and the Wreck un-
seated his brain forever; poor man, he too
had a life of sorrow, though I cannot believe
that my good mother intentionally wrecked
his happiness— Ahl here is some more writ-
ing nearly faded out, and she read aloud:

" ‘ If other bands than Kyd’s dig for this
treasure may they palsy, and Satan's curse
rest upon them forever.’

“Now I understand why Ivan Ringold
did not dig for the treasure; he was super—
stitious, and feared the pirate’s curse; but I
do not, and, as it is my inheritance from
poor Augustin Denton I will have it—ahi
here is another line of writing," and this she
read aloud:

“ ‘ This map was dug from a grave in Am-
boy, in which was buried Kyd’s treasure.’

“This is evidently in the hand of the
finder, who, when he died, gave it to Den-

on.

“In faith, the Pirate’s curse does seem
fatal, for first the finder of this map died, '
then Denton, and tonight Ivan Ringold; so
be it, in the grave there is rest for me. only
let me leave my parents rich in their declin-
ing,years, for they deserve that much of
me. ’

“ She put the map and the Mad Sailor‘s
legacy carefully back in the desk, and then
ascended to the deck.

The dawn was just breaking, and the
crew were leanin over the hulwarks, lazily
looking at the ong Island shores, as the
Will-o’the-Wisp swept along under an eight-
knot breeze.

As she trod the quarter-deck every eye fell
upon her, and raisrn her cap. she faced the
crew, and in clear, distinct totes, said:

“Men, I do not care to sail under false
colors, nor under the flag that captain Rln~
gold intended to fly at the peak of this vessel;
but I intend to cruise in the Will-o’-the-
Wisp until I accomplish a certain end,,nnd
you_shall all be generously paid ,for your
servrces. -

" I am not what I seem, for I am a wo-
man.”

She paused, and for a moment watched the
nervous movement. of the crew, but. other
than a slight exclamation, no word was
spoken, and she went on:

“ Yes, a poor, deceived, unhappy Woman,
but one who has been a sailor from her
earliest girlhood, and who wil prove that
she is fully capable of commanding the craft
and her crew. ' i '

Us

 

tr.ng

t, ,_4V‘.__~__... 4,,

 

 

 

 

n

 
 
   
 
 

Kit, the Girl Captain.

21

 

“ Allow me to introduce myself as your
commander, Captain Kit, of the Will-o’-the
Wisp.”

She took off her false mustache as she
spoke, threw her black wig upon the deck at
her feet, and the beautiful face was revealed.
and like a flash won its way to the hearts of
the rough men who stood before her.

“Three cheers for the Girl Smuggler,
Captain Kit, the_ Will-o’-the-Wisp,” cried
Calvin Clyde, and be setting the examp‘e
the cheers were given with a will, and the
crew acknowledged a. mere girl in years as
their leader.

 

CHAPTER XV.
THE TREASURE HUNTRESS.

UPON the bold headland of what is known
as Montauk Point, the eastern end of Long
Island, there was still visible a few years ago,
the ruins of what had once been a stout log
cabin.

There it stood in the midst of a dense grove
of trees, and in the vale, at the base of the
hill, were rude huts, the homes of half a
hundred bold spirits who dwelt there when
not at sea, for the were seamen.

The cabin on t e hill was the land home
of Captain Kit, when she was not on board
her fleet vessel, that lay so snugly at anchor
in a secret inlet not far away, and so over—
hung by trees, that its tapering mast could
not be seen or its graceful hull— be discerned
by an ordinary observer at half its length.

, Landing on Montauk Point, the day after
the attack on the home of Bartley Living-
stone, Captain Kit, as I will now call her,
had gone alone to search the locality of the
buried treasure.

But an hour’s hunt had proven to her most
decidedly that the face of the land had great-
ly changed, during the years that lay be-
tween 1698 and 1812: in fact, in the hundred
and more years that had gone by, forests had
sprung u where once were open lands, and
woodlan s had become meadows.

Selecting a spot as near as possible to
where she thou ht the buried treasure lay,
Captain Kit set er men to work to build her
cabin home, and, becoming each day more
attached to her, they workeCLwith such right

ood will that they made it a most com-
fortable abode.

To their surprise, as soon as the “captain’s
quarters ” and the “camp cabins ” were
built, the men received a, goodly present all
round of gold, and this raised their girl com-
mander still more in their estimation. V

Thus several months passed away, and in
cruising about the Sound. sometimes running
up or down the coast outside, or at anchor in

 

the inlet, the time was passed, the crew, to
their surprise, regularly receiving their pay,
yet wondering deeply among themselves
from whence the the money came, for not a
yard of silk had been smuggled through, not
a thing had been sold to the English blockad-
ing squadron, either ofi Sandy Hook or
Montauk Point, and they could not compre-
hend what was the object of their girl comv
mander’s cruise.

True. several times she had run almost to
Hell Gate, and anchoring in a secluded inlet,
had gone from the Will—o’-the-Wisp for a
day or two, and the crew surmised that she
had gone to N cw York. '

Some said she was in the service of the
American Government watching the British
fleet, and others of her men would swear
that she was in the English service, watching
the Americans, and yet the Will-o’-the-Wisp ~
always sped away like the wind at the sight
of a vessel-of—war under either flag, and had
several times never taken a Yankee merchant-
man when in her power. ‘

That there was some deep mystery regard-
ing her hanging about Montauk Point was
certain, yet what was it?

That riddle no one could answer, not even
Calvin Clyde, the young lieutenant, who had
fallen over head and cars in love with his
fair commander.

That the strange movements of the Will-o’-
the-Wisp should attract attention at New
York, was not to be wondered at, for fisher—
men, merchant vessels running the blockade,
and armed cruisers, reported seeing her hover-
ing in the Sound at night, yet seldom visible
by day, and reported her as a craft that could
almost fly over the waters, carrying sail
enough for a brig, and armed with two pivot
guns, one on the forecastle, one on the stern,
and with a crew of half a hundred men.

Not knowing what her real character was,
the Will-o’-the-Wisp was soon reported as a
smuggler, and it leaking out that Captain
Kit was a woman, she soon became known
as the Girl Smugglcr of the Sound. .

Time and again cruisers that could be
spared from more important duties, were sent
in pursuit of the Will.o’-the-Wisp, but it
seemed impossible to catch her, and her fame
spread the more, and some looked upon the
fleet craft as a phantom.

But the men of the Will-o'-the-Wisp knew
well that there was no» phantom business
about it, and that the skill and pluck of
their girl commander alone had saved them
from capture on scores of occasions. and they
fairly worshiped her, and obeyed her slight-
est wish as though it were a'stern order; but
still they regarded her a“ a mystery past find-
ing out.

 

28 , Kit, the Girl Captain.

 

CHAPTER XVI.
CAPTAIN KIT CAPTUBES A PRIZE.

ONE day, when standing on the cliff near
her cabin, watching the sun rise, Captain
Kit noticed a small lugger standing .close
inshore, and being without a bowsprit, it
was evident that her crew were coming in to
get a spar. ”

“But such a lubberly thing as that cannot
run by the British fleet, so where can she be
going?" muttered Captain Kit.

Noticing about where the luggcr would
land. Captain Kit hastily ran down the hill-
side to the camp of her crew, and sending
some of thorn on board the WillvO‘-the-Wisp,
'to give chase to the lugger, should she try to
escape, with the others she secreted herself
in the woods just as the dull bows of the
strange craft touched the bank.

Three men at once sprung ashore and
made fast, while two more remained on the
logger, one of whom called out:

“ Find a spar quick, boys, and let us pull
out, for they do say that Captain Kit, the
Smuggler, has his haunts hereabout.”

“You are right, sir; I am Ca tain Kit,”
and followed b half a score of ashing fel-
lows, Captain ’ it sprung on board the lug-

or.
g Resistance was useless, and the surprised
crew knew it, and in a minute almost the
lug er was a prize, while, turning to the
{rig tened skipper, Captain Kit said:
‘Well, captain, which way bound 7"
" To Boston, with produce, ” was the surly

repl .

"in! do the New York markets supply
the Bostonians now with game meats, tow ,
and vegetables?”

“ If they can get a good price for them.”

1 “True, my gallant skipper, but they can-
not do so, and besides. you would be cap-
tured by the British fleet before you had
gone five leagues from here."

“ We have to take our chances, sir."

" I see; well, you take a certainty in this
old tub; I’ll trouble you for the papers you

may have about you,” and Captain Kit

100 ed sternly into the man’s face, who an-

swered doggedly:

“ I haven’t got any papers.”

“ Ah! then you are a pirate.”

The skipper and his crew turned pale at
this, and Captain Kit called to one of his
under officers: '

“ Dolon, goin and search this man’s cabin,
. and then find out just what cargo he has on
, board." r

“A , ay, Captain Kit!” and the ofl‘ieer
obeye , and returnin in a quarter of an
hour, reported that t are were bundles of
~ New York papers, 3 bag of letters addressed
r to the admiral of the British blockading

 

squadron, and stores enough, in the shape of
produce, meats and fowls, to last the fleet
for weeks.

“Well, skipper, you see what a trap you
have run yourself into. Here, Dolon, take
him and his men on board the Will~o’-the-
Wisp and put them in irons.”

” Oh. Lord! You are then Captain Kit?”
cried the captain.

“I am.f’ /

“Then I can serve you well; here is a let-
ter for you, given me some time ago, but I
Knew not how to reach you, except by
coming hereabout, and I wasn’t anxious to
do that, as they said you was something of a
phantom," and the skipper placed a sealed
letter in the hands of the girl commander,
who at once broke the seal and read it.

“ Do you know the contents of this letter,
skipper?" she asked, angrily.

" I do know about what it is.”

“ Well, it condemns you still more, for I
am not what you and the English admiral
seem to believe, for he wishes me to turn
traitor to my country and become a spy, for
which I am offered a lieutenancy in the
British Navy and a large sum of money—a
tempting offer for a woman, but one which
she seems.

“Now, captain. I want some information
from you, and a letter to the admiral; if you
refuse, I’ll have you hanged; so take your
choice."

“ I am ruined, ruined!
die!” roaned the man.

“ lright. Kendrick. get a halyard and
string this traitor up to—”

“ No, no, nol Spare my life and I will do
all that you wish.”

“You are wise. Now, come into your
cabin with me."

The skipper obeyed, and ten minutes after
Captain Kit called Dolon and ordered him
to take him and his men to the Will-o’-the-
Wisp.

“ Kendrick!"

“ Ay, ay, Captain Kit,” and in answer to
his commander's call the boatswain ap-
peered.

“ Take out of this lugger about two-thirds
of its cargo, and send it to the cabins, for the
boys shall have a. treat.”

“ Ay. ay. Captain Kit."

“Then put some of the men to cuttin
and rigging a bowsprit on the lugger, an
then you and four others report to me. for
I shall run out to-night to the British fleet."

The man looked surprised, but made no
dissenting reply, and late in the afternoon.
no vessel being in sight in the direction of
New York. the lugger got under way and
headed toward the blockading uadron an-

I might as well

chored a couple of leagues o Montsuk

 

 

 

 

 

Kit, the Girl Captain.

23

 

Point, and which consisted of a frigate, the
flag-ship. two sloops-of-war, and a brig, all
of them keeping close watch upon the Sound
route to New York.

CHAPTER XVII.
BEARDING THE BRITISH LION.

“ ADMIRAL, there is a lugger standing di-
rectlv for us, sir."

“It is doubtless the Spy, returning with
provisions and news for us, Lennox, ’ and
the British naval commander went on sip-
ping his sherry, and smoking a Spanish
cigarette, while Captain Lennox returned to
the deck.

Half an hour after a midshipman entered
the cabin of the English frigate, and said, as
he saluted: '

“ A Yankee to see you, sir.”

“ Send him down, Reefer,” and he added:
“by Neptune! now I will have something
to eat, for I have been ’most starved on sea
fare.”

A moment after the middy entered, fol.
lowed by a youth of perhaps eighteen, with
long, blonde soap-locks, parted by his ears,
and hanging dowu to his neck, a standing
collar and stock that looked as though it
choked him, and a suit of clothes half-sailor
and half-landsman.

“ Well, sir, are you the figure-head 01! of
some Yankee frigate?" asked the admiral,
greatly amused at the appearance and make-
up of his visitor.

“I be Josiah Ledbetter, stranger, an’ m
dad sent me. seein’ as heow he c’u’dn’t come, ’
answered the stran e youth, not deigning to
take the tall white gfiat from ofi his head.

"Ah! you are Skipper Ledbetter’s son;
“good! and you have brought up provi-
sions?" ,

“Yas, stranger; a heap lot 0’ ’em, only
not as much as dad laid out for tew fetch, as
ther’ was sneakers ontew us, an’ we hed tew
sail.”

“Very well, you shall be well paid for
what you did bring; did Skipper Ledbetter
not send me any letters and papers?”

“ I has afew papers with readin’ stuff in
’em, stranger. but ther letters was not writ,
dad said; but when I goes back he’ll fetch
you some, an’ only sent me ’cause he feared
you'd be anxious.”

“ Well, get your provisions on board the

 

fri ate, and let me know what it is all worth,

an I will pay you,”

" I thank 'ee, stranger; and dad said as
heow of you wanted fer ter writ him a letter,
ter g’in it ter me, with full instrucshins."

“ I do wish to send a letter of importance
back; but suppose you are captured 7"

“Oh, I be up tew snuff; I’d chaw it up
afore they'd get it,"

 

 

“ Then I will write it; so go on deck and
unload your lugger.”

The strange youth obeyed, and in half an
hour was back again in the admiral‘s cabin.

“Well, my young Yankee, here is your
pay for your produce," and the admiral
shoved over to the youth a liberal sum in
gold;1 which was pocketed with the utmost
gree .

“Oh, here be a letter for you from dad,”
suddenly exclaimed the young skipper, pro-
ducing a greasy and crumpled piece of paper
which the admiral took with evident disgust,

“ Ah yes, it is but a request from your
paternal relative for me to send an letter by
you I may wish, and telling me e will be
out again within the month; here is my let-
ter, and deliver it to your father, who knows
just where to take it.

“ And this is for ourself,” and the ad-
miral gave the yout a handful of gold,
which be deposited in an inner receptacle of
some kind, called a pocket, while the letter
he placed in his tall hat.

" Sup ose that elongated beaver falls over-
board, osiah; what then?”

“Oh, it’s swim.”

“ But in letter will be lost.”

“Then ’11 put it here,” and he placed it
in one leg of his rawhide boots, and soon
after was heading back in his lugger for
Montauk Point. ‘

“Well, Dolon," suddenly called out the
su posed Yankee youth. who was at the
til er, “ did you get any news?”

“Much, Captain Kit, for I learned of the
whereabouts of most of the English fleet on
this northern coast; you see, they can’t keep
secrets from sailors, for if they sail with
sealed orders it will leak out someway."

“And I did well with the admiral, for he
paid me twenty times what the lugger’s cargo
would bring in New York, and gave me a
letter which I know is im extent, for it is to
some British spy in New or .”

“?And are you going to run down to the
city "

“Yes, as soon as we run into the Secret
Inlet I will board the Will-o'-the-Wisp, and
sail for New York, for I may have import-
ant news that time ma spoil.’

“ Well,” thought olon, " this is a dis-
covery, for never before did aman in the
captain’s crew know whether she was British
or American.

“ So be it, she is on the right side, that is
certain, and I’ll have a sweet morsel for the
lad's ears."

“ Dolon I”

" Well, Captain Kit?”

“You need not speak of what was done
on board the English frigate to-night, to any

' one.”

 

 

 

 

24 Kit. the Girl Captain.

 

 

“ All right, captain.”

“ And, as you and your comrades took the
risk with me, this gold is yours; divide it
among you,” and Captain Kit emptied her
pockets.

“Whew! that morsel of news is not to be
served up, sure; well, here is something just
as good,” was Dolon’s thoughts, and he
called his four comrades on the logger,
to share the admiral‘s gold with him. and
they could hardly be restrained from break—
ing out in a cheer for their generous young
commander.

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
CAPTAIN KIT MAKES A vrsrr.

“ WELL, young man, you desire to see 'me
on an important matter, I hear? '

, The speaker was the American Command-
ant at New York. and the one he addressed
was a handsome young man, with dark hair
and mustache. and dressed in a. dark-blue
uniform, partially concealed by a heavy
cloak. . '

It was none other than Captain Kit, who
had run the Will-0‘-the-Wisp into a secure
I hidin -place on the Sound coast of Lon
Island, and come on to the city in a smal
boat, with Dolon and Kendrick as cars-
men

“Yes, general, I sought you to give you
important information," Was the quiet
reply. .

"You are a naval oflflccr I see, and—by
Jupiter! a captain though a boy in years,”
said the commandant, as Captain Kit threw
aSIde her cloak, displaying the rank on her
epnulettes.

At the remark of the ofilcer she smiled and
answered: ‘

“Yes, air, if cqmmandinga vessel and a

gallant crew makes me a captain, I am one,

_ thou h I hold no commission.” '

“ al sailing under false colors, young
man?"

" Isuppose so. sir; but I came not here to
be catechlzed regarding myself, but to give
information.” '

“You certainly are bold, sir; but first tell
me who it is I address."

" First promise me, sir, not to detain me,
but to allow me to go, if the news I bring
causes you to feel that I will do no harm to

r the American cause,” was the bold request,
and it had an effect upon the general, who
said an rily: . .

“In aith‘, but you are free—spoken, to tell
me what to do.” ' ,

r ‘_‘I mean no disrespect, sir; I came here at
a risk, after running a, greater one to go on

board the English fleet."

Iffy Heaven! you are a sp .” ,

suit please you, 511‘ have informa-

 

on, while in disguise on

tion I gained for
ritish admiral, lying off

the frigate of the
Montauk Point. "

“ Hal and again I ask, who are you?”

“ And, sir, I again ask that you promise
not to detain me if I tell you, provided you
are convinced I am a true American.”

The general paced up and down the room
several times, and then halting in front of
the supposed youth, said sternly:

“ Youn man, if your information is valu—
able, and am convinced that you are not

playing a double part, I will permit you to.

go free; if to the contrary, I will have you
hanged as :1 sp .”

“ ’11 risk t e hanging, general. 1 am
Captain Kit, the Will o’-the-Wiap!" was the
smiling response.

And the words fell like a bombshell upon
the general, for he dropped his hand 11 on
his sword and gazed into her face with b az—
ing eyes.

At last he said, sternly:

“ Impossible! CaptainKit I know to be a
woman."

“And I am a woman. general,” and Cap-
tain Kit removed quickly her black wig and
mustache.

Before him the general saw a beautiful
face, sad and rather stern, yet still lovely in
every feature and womanly, while he now
noticed the elegance of her slender, graceful
form. and the tiny hands and feet.

"By my faithl you are a woman; but it is
impossible that you can be the famous Cap-
tain Kit, the smuggler, half-pirate, and the
devil only knows w at.”

“You see before you, sir, Captain Kit,
called the Will«o'—the-Wiso. but not one act
of outlawry, other than cruising without a.
commission, have Iever committed, and my
words can be proven.

“ Accident placed me in command of a ves-
sel, commanded by a man who wronged me,
and whom I hated so deeply that I,’as I
then believed, took his life; but he recov-
ered from the wound I gave him, escaped
from the grison he was sent to for his
crimes, an has yet to meet me face to face

and answer for the wrongs done me.

"Cruising in the Sound. I have been
called a smuggler, pirate, and all else had;
but I have done no act of wrong against
my country. and have been seekingonly‘to
serve certain ends that can harm no one.

“When Iaccomplish that
Captain Kit will disappear,ran the Will-o’-
the-Wisp never more be seen at night fly-
ing over the waters, and along the shores
of the Sound.

“New, sir, you know who, and what I,
am, for I have told you the truth.” ’

“You are a strange creature/’said the

urpose, sir, -

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Kit. the Girl Captain. 25

 

general, gazing earnestly at her, and that
he was impressed by her appearance and
words it was evident.

At last he said, kindly:

“Be seated, my Lady Captain, and tell
me what brought you here?”

In a few words Captain Kit told the
story of her capture of the logger, loaded
with supplies for the British fleet, and
handed over the bundle of papers and bag
of letters, which were taken and rapidly
read by the officer.

“ My girl, you have indeed rendered valua-
ble service, for you have discovered several
spies I have long wished to lay my hands

u on.

p“And I find that this is not the first, but
the third trip of this logger, under Skipper
Ledbetter to the British fleet; you have taken
a prize, sir, I "wan madam,” and the general
bowed politely.

“ I am glad I made the capture, sir, but I
took two-thirds of the lugger’s cargo for m
own use, and, disguise as Skipper Leg:
better’s son, ran out to the fleet and had an
interview with the admiral.”

“Hal you did this?"

“ Yes, sir, and was well paid for the cargo
I took, and was given this letter to bring
back and hand to my supposed father,
Nowell Ledbetter, who would give it into
the keeping of the proper person."

“ Aha! this confirms all my suspicious,
my boy—I mean my dear—no, no, madam—
I have it now, but your clothing deceives me
as to your sex: yes, yes, you have done well
indeed; but where is the skipper, Newell
Ledbettcr, and his crew 7"

“In irons on my vessel, and subject to
your orders, sir.”

“ I’ll string them up, the traitors; and
their lugger?’

“Lies in an inlet on the Sound; but she is
hard] seaworthy, as they doubtless feared
to ris a better craft.”

“ Keep her, as she may be useful to you,
for I wish you to serve me still further, as a
kind of sea vedelte, for I learn that your
craft sails like a witch."

“ She is very fast and seaworthy, sir, and
I am at your service, if I can be of any
use." '

“ You can be. if I onl knew where to
find you; but you have edged all of our
nava officers most cleverly,”

“Iwill tell you, sir, how Ican be com-
municated with; but now, if you Wlll send a
boat with me to my vessel, I will return you
the risoners."

“ will send my aide in my barge; do you
return at once?”

“ Yes, sir, for I have nothing more to keep,
me here,” was the rather sad reply.

‘93.,

“ Ah! but you will pardon me, I know,
when I ask if cannot remunerate you—"

“No, no, general, I act from love of my
country, not for gold; farewell, sir,” and re-
suming her wig and mustache, and throwing
her cloak around her, Captain Kit turned to
go, when the general stepped forward and
grasBIed her hand, while he said kindly:

“ ydcar girl, for you seem nothing more,
after meeting you, and hearing all you have
said, I no longer believe you to be the crea-
ture rumor has painted you. 4

“ What has driven you to this disguise and
the strange life you lead I know not, nor will
I ask; but you have tonight rendered our
country noble service, and all shall be placed
before the proper authorities, that you may
not longer be hunted down by the flag you
are serving so well.

“Good-by, and remember that I am still
your friend.”

“From my heart I thank you, sir,” was
all that Captain Kit could say, for the emo-
tions that almost choked her.

“ I will call my aide to accompany you.”

“ And I will explain to him how you can
communicate with me, sir.”

The general touched a bell, and a young
and dashing-looking officer entered.

“Captain Ivey, see this 1— no, see this
gentleman back to his vessel, and he will
give you some prisoners to bring back, and,
under no circumstances allow them to es-
cape, for they are to ornament a gallows,”
and again bowing to Captain Kit, she turned
away, accompanied by the young aide-de-
camp. '
CHAPTER XIX.

THE PRIZE.

ONCE more back to Montauk Point, the
scene of my romance goes and to the cabin
of Captain Kit, one night a week after her
interview with the American commander in
New York.

Seated at a table, the strange woman is
bending over the map of the Mad Sailor, her
head resting in her hands.

“ Well,” she says half aloud, as she draws
the lamp nearer to her: “ Well, all my study-
ing of this map at last brings the buned
treasure to this very spot where my cabin
stands. _ ,

“This marked ‘barren hillmde,’ then is
now a forest, and I am sure that the prize
lies here beneath my very feet: but 1 Will
soon know," and rising she took a pick-ax
and spade from an adjoining room, and
spreading a large sail to put the dirt on,
raised the flooring, and struck the first blow
for fortune.

 

Though slight in her build, Captain Kit’s
active life had trained her muscles well, and

,-....,.,.

 

26 Kit, the Girl Captain.

 

she possessed considerable strength and en-
durance, and rapidly dug down into the
hard earth.

Down, down, down she went, until a
grave large enough to bury her in yawned
before her, and still the iron touched only
the earth.

But she did not despair, and worked on
diligently until her small hands were blistered
with her toil, and fatigue almost overcame
her.

“No, no, Iwill not give it up yet, for here
it must be, if anywhere,” she said, and still
she dug on and on, until she could stand up-
right in the hole, and the surface of the earth
was level with her head.

“Oh, it is a cruel hoax, or I have not
found the right spot," she cried, at last, and
impatiently threw her shovel down.

But she started suddenly, for the iron gave
back an answering ring, as though it had
struck other metal.

Quickly she seized the implement again,
and went to work, and a shout of joy broke
from her lips, for she then knew that beneath
lliierdfeet lay the buried treasure of the Pirate
away from the hard substance beneath

her feet she scratched the earth, and an iron
box was revealed.

With her shovel she pried up the lid, and
again from her lips burst a shout of raptur-

- ous 'oy, for she had found the rize, riches
untold, and her eyes were dazz ed with the
sparkle of precious gems, and the glitter of
gold and silver.

Out of their long hiding—place she took
them, until the box was emptied, and then it
was drawn up and placed in a. secure
forner under her cot, and the riches replaced

n it.

Then back into the hole she threw the
earth, trampling it hard down with her tiny
feet, and just as the East grew rosy, finished
her night of terrible toil, and sunk down
upon her bed utterly prostrated in body and
mind. yet happy at heart, that at last she had
found the treasure that would bring luxury
and joy to those she loved, enable her to
track Ivan Ringold to the uttermost ends of

the earth, for, having found out that her shot‘

had not killed him, as she had believed. she
was determined to yet avenge herself by
bringing to an end his long career of crime.

CHAPTER XX.
can‘er KIT AND THE JEW.

IN her treasure-hunting around the Mou‘
tank Point, Captain Kit had come upon a
wild gorge, where she intended making her
.future home, as long as she remained at the
headland.

The entrance to this spot was through a

f

 

 

cliff that had been rent in twain by some '

convulsion of nature centuries before, and at
its further end was a cavern of vast size and
numerous chambers.

A corridor extended through this cave, and
coming out upon the other side of the hill,
was most convenient for Captain Kit, as her
vessel lay not far away.

Expecting now to be of service to the
Government, Captain Kit decided to move
to this new abode, and a cabin was at once
erected for her against the hillside, and the
men found quarters in the spacious cavern,
which they could defend against ten times
their number, and then have a safe road for
retreat.

Though the woman had confidence in her
hand, she cared not to have them know of
the treasure, and so concealed it again, un-
til after her removal to her new quarters,
and then each night made a transfer of the
riches, until all was securely hidden in the
shaft of the cave at the back of her cabin.

To the still greater mystification of the ,

crew they were one night called to the guar-
tcrs of their girl commander, and paid in

gold, and most liberally paid too, and some

of the more superstitious among them be.
gan really to believe that she had dealings
with the Evil One, to conjure up riches at
her will.

But from the day of her removal to her
new home, Captain Kit seemed a changed
woman, for much of the sadness faded
from her face, and her crew now felt that
she was certainly an American Patriot, and
not an English spy.

A few weeks after her visTt to the Ameri:
can commander at New York. the guard on
duty came and re ported a small vessel creep-
ing along close inshore, and soon‘ after it
was announced that Captain Hugl. Lennox
desired to see her on business.

“Show him to my quarters," was the
order, and soon after the young and hand—
some (1th was ushered into her cabin, an
was graciously welcomed bfy her -

Her beauty and grace, or she was now
dressed in womanly attire. seemed to win his
heart at a glance, and he seemed in no haste
to get through the business that had brought
him there, which was information from the
the general that the traitor skipper had been
secretly hanged, the spies arrested and other
letters written and sent her to deliver to the
British admiral. to throw him off his guard,
regarding certain movements intended by the
Americans.

“ And the general, wishes me to carry these

on board the frigate?” she asked of Captain

Lennnx.
“ He does, madam, and my‘ little vessel is
filled with stores for the fleet, to avoid suspi-

(

 

 

 

  
  
 

 

 

'2.
E

 

“‘3’. . :‘p;

.,_....N_ A...‘ “...'.. nun“,

.: was". go

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..4 12‘ A
1, V-‘n—v .

 

 

 

 

 

Kit, the Girl Captain. ‘ 2'1

 

cion, and you can sail in her, and I will here
await your return.”

“ 1 will start at sunset, and you can await
me here, as it would be best,” and Captain
Kit gently pulled a rope near her hand and
ten minutes after Calvin Clyde appeared.

“Mr. Clyde. I leave this gentleman as
your guest until my return; please tell Ken-
drick to select four men to go with me on
the strange sloop now lying in the inlet.”

“Yes, Captain Kit, but may I suggest, if
you intend again tisiting the English fleet,
that the same men accompany you? as it may
avoid suspicion, you know, for traitors are
not so easily found among Americana”

“ You are right, Clyde; I will do as you
request, so tell olon and those who went
with me before.

“Captain, I hope to see you tomorrow
again,” and she bowed politely.

“ May I request the honor of accompany-
ing you as one of your crew ‘2" quietly asked
the aide.

“It is a fearful risk.”

“As much for you. also; I will disguise
myself as a common sailor. "’

“As you please; Mr. Clyde will furnish
you with a rig of some kind,” answered Cup-
tain Kit, and her visitor and lieutenant de-
parted, to meet her at sunset on board the
American ofllcer's little sloop.

Disguised as Josiah Ledbetter, Captain Kit
was not at first reco ized by Captain Len-
nox though her quic eyes had detected him
at once under the guise of a weather-beaten
old sailor.

As darkness crept over the waters the sloop
got under way, and as the sun arose above
the eastern horizon, the little craft again
dropped anchor in the inlet, Captain Kit
having again safel run the dangerous
gantlet as a spy, an brought back letters of
import from the British admiral, and re-
geived a handsome sum in gold for her pro-

uce. .

With the papers and information thus ob-
tained, Captain Lennox took his departure
for New York, but he left his heart behind
him in the kee ing of the strange and
daring woman w ose life was such a deep

mfiteriy

ar ly had the little sloop set sail. than
Captain Kit gave orders for the Will-o’-the-
Wisp to be ready to sail at sunset, and be
gone for a week or more.

Then she went to her cabin, and selecting
all the precious stones from the treasure, she
concealed them about her clothing, and went
on board her vessel.

“Which way shall I head, Captain Kit?"
asked Dolon, who was at the helm.

“ 'l‘o Boston,” was the quiet reply; and
the following night, under cover of the dark-

\

 

ness, the Will-o'-the-Wisp ran into a seclud
ed harborage, and her fair commander, land-
ing, set out alone for the city.

Seekin an inn she secured a room and
sunk to s eep; but at an early hour she arose,
and drawing her cloak around her, for she
was attired in her naval uniform, she saun-
tered forth into the street, evidently bent on
some. important errand.

At last she paused before astore, above the
door of which was a sign that read:

“JACOB LINDO,
DEALER m macrous s'ronns."

“ I would see Mr. Lindo," she said, enter-
ing and addressing a clerk.

“Can I not attend to the business?” was
the answer.

" If I had thought so, I would not have
asked to see your employer," was the stern
response. ,

Theg'oung man took the hint, and she was
ushere into the presence of a wary-faced old
Jew, who regarded her from head to foot
with a how-much-am-I-to‘makeout—of—you
100k on his countenance.

“ Vell, vat ish I to do for you?” asked Mr.
Lindo politely, recognizing the uniform.

“ I have some precious stones that I wish
you to value for me, and to purchase if you
care for them.”

“They fish alvays goot properties; let me
see dem.” .

She threw on the table, in a careless way,
a piece of buckskin, in which, carefully
rolled up. was a fortune in diamonds.

At once the Jew became deeply interested,
and instinctively he cried:

“ Holy lsaacs! dcre ish a fortune mit
dese."

“SoI know, so be sure not to tell me
they are paste.”

“You ish a naval officer; vere you gets
dose?” he asked.

“ Captured a pirate treasure; what are
thely worth to you?"

his was a poser, and the Jew began busi-
ness, and one by one critically examined the
stones, trying to find flaws where none ex-
isted, and to discover ‘ off colors," where
the gems were the,purest white.

“Vell, I gives you twenty t’ousandt tol-
lars for t’e lot.”

"Just one fifth their value; I will take
them elsewhere.”

“ No, no, 1 vii] look at t’em again.”

“There is no use, for you have already
figured in your mind what they are worth,
and what on will give; 1 want seventy-five
thousand ollars.”

The Jew looked astonished, but he was
not, for he knew at that price there was a
large profit for him.

l

28 _ Kit. the Girl Captain.

 

But Captain Kit was firm, and he yielded,
deciding to pay her in some depreciated cur-
rency.

Then another roll of buckskin displayed
scores of magnificent rubies, and then fol-
lowed emeralds, sapphires, and gems of all
kinds, until Jacob Lindo believed himself in
a dream and acting in a scene in the Arabian
Nights.

A long time was the Jew pondering, ex-
amining, worrying, weighing, and trying to
defraud Captain Kit in the bargain; but it
ended in a price being set on all, which he
accepted.

Then came a equabble over the depreciated
currency, which was promptly refused, and
a compromise was made on Bank of England
notes and American bonds in equal parts,
and Captain Kit returned to her vessel, which
that night crept out of the harbor, and head-
ed [for Light-house Island.

CHAPTER XXI.
THE LIGHT-HOUSE KEEPER.

“ I’LL take the helm now, Clyde, for I
know this coast as I do the deck of the Will-
o’-the-Wisp.”

It was Captain Kit that spoke, and taking
the tiller she held the vessel on through the
darkness, straight into the inlet, where two
years before the yacht of Bartley Livingstone
had dropped anchor at the time of that fatal
duel on the isle. .

It was but an hour after sunset, and the
moon was 'ust rising out of the sea, as the
craft glide to an anchorage, and Captain
Kit sprung into the gig and pulled ashore.

Straight to the light-house she wended her
wag, and soon knocked at the door.

, he heard some one moving within, .and
then came a voice:

“ Who is there?” -

" That is not Deaf Davy’s voice, said
Captain Kit to herself, and she drew a pistol
from her belt, and then said aloud:

“ One who would see the Deaf Davy; an
old friend of his.”

The door was opened and a tall. muscular
man confronted her; but seeing her uniform
he touched his hat politely, and said:

“ Deaf Davy is dead, sirl” _

“ Dead!" '

“ Yes, sir. he died some months ago and I
have his berth now."

There was something in the voice that
struck her forcibly, and she said:

” Will you let me enter your cabin for a
minute, and also hire me your sail-boat. that
lies on the land side of the island, for I wish
to go across to the mainland?”

“ It lies at the same old place, for it was
Davy’s boat, and you are welcome to it, if
you return to-morrow." v

n

 

“I shall not want it long; but tell me,”
and she gazed straight into his face, “is not
your name Oscar Dalton?"

“It is, sir; have we met before?” asked the
man in surprise.

“Yes, you once were paid by Lieutenant
Ivan Ringold, to perform a mock marriage,”
she said fiercely, and the man’s face changed
color; but he said firmly, and in a sad tone:

“ Years ago I fell from grace, and became
an evil man, ay, 8. vagabond, and Ivan Ring-
old paid me well to perform for him the mar-
riage ceremony; but, thank God I had not
fallen as low as he had and I did that which
I had a right to do, being a regularly ordain-
ed minister of of the church.”

Captain Kit reeled as if about to fall; bu
recovering herself said. fervently '

“Thank God! thank God! now am I

be p .”

g gerhaps the maiden was a sister of
yours?" suggested Oscar Dalton

“ She was one whom I love as such; I
thank you, sir, and I hope you are doing
well here.”

“Yes, sir, I am making aliving, but it is
uphill work, as I have a mother in old Con-
necticut to support.”

“ Give her this as a souvenir from one you
have served," and thrusting a roll of bills
into the man‘s hand, Captain Kit turned
away, calling back:

“I will return your boat before long;
good-nightl”

The man stood like one dazed for awhile,
and then looked at the money and muttered:

“ It is more than ten years’ pay for me as
light-house keeper; now I can make my old
mother happy, and may God forever bless
that young man."

Going out of his cabin he saw Captain Kit
enter the sail-boat, raise the sail and speed
away toward the mainland, and then the idea
came to him:

“ How did he get on the island?”

A short search soon discovered the Will-o’-

tlle-Wisp at anchor, and the moonlight fall- ,

ing upon her decks showed that she was
an armed vessel.

“Some young ofl‘lcer on a lark, I guess;
well, I have nothing to do with his business,
but again I say God bless him.” and Oscar
Dalton the light-house keeper returned to his
lonely abode and once more sought rest.

But he arose at dawn to find his sailboat
back in its place, and the yacht hull down
beyond the blue waves of the ocean.

 

CHAPTER XXII
CONCLUSION.

FINDING it impossible to trace Ivan Ring.
old, the two sisters returned to their home

 

 


i
l
i
E

 

 

 

i‘
1

 

 

 

Kit, the Girl Captain. ' 29’

 

on the New England Coast, where their
parents gave them a joyous welcome, for the
old sea-captain was new at home, and no
longer in want, as a letter had been one
night mysteriously slipped under their door,
telling him that a large fortune had been left
him by an unknown friend, and that it was
in the hands of an attorney in Boston, to
Whom he must apply.

Of course he applied to the address, but

could not find out from whence it came, and
so at last was content to settle down and en-
joy it.
So back to their home went the two sisters,
and to their parents they made full confes-
sion of all that had happened, even to the
legacy of the Mad Sailor, and declared never
again to leave the family roof-tree.

One day, for Kittie still loved the water
too much to give it up. she urged Meta to
sail with her across to Lighthouse Island.

But hardly had they landed when two pis-
tol shots, fired in close succession, startled
them.

“ Come. Meta, let us see what that means
here in this spot,” cried Kittie, and they
bounded to the top of the hill.

There, before them in the vale they behold
a scene, such'a one as Kittie had seen before,
for a group of men were before them, one
prostrate upon the earth, one bending above
him. and two others standing apart.

One of thoee two who stood apart Kittie
recognized as Bartley Livingstone, and a
smoking pistol was in his hand; the other
Kittie did not know.

But the one lying prcne upon the ground
she did know. and with a cry she started at a
full run down the hill.

 

“ Great God! Kittie, have you come to see
me die?" gasped the dying man, turning his
eyes upon her.

“Yes, Ivan Ringold; though you escaped
death at my hand. you have fallen before one
you also tried to wrong, and his wife is
avenged for the death of her father and the
insult you heaped upon her.”

Ivan Ringold tried to speak, but the
red current of life checked his utterance,
and he fell back dead in the arms of his
second.

 Come, Meta. let us go from here,”
and with a. bow to the group of gentle-
men she turned away, followed by her
sister. ‘

But upon returnin home they found that ,
a visitor had arrive , and he was no less a
personage than Major Hugh Lennox, and he
crane to seek the heart and hand of the one,
time Captain Kit, whose life story he was
now told in full.

But it did not change his love, and the two
became lovers, and were wont to take man
a pleasant sail over to Light-house Islan ,
where, strange to say, Meta loved to accom-
pany them, yet why they could not discover,
as she always went off alone.

But one day the secret came out. for Oscar
Dalton was the magnet that drew Meta to the
Island, and the affair became so serious, that
when at last a day was appointed for Kittie’s
marriage with Major Lennox, Meta proposed
that; it should be a double wedding—(1nd it
was, and though clouds of sorrow darkened
their younger years, only sunshine fell upon
them at last, for they lived in luxury and
happiness until called to their last sleep, where
joy and sorrow are unknown.

THE END.

 

 

nnnnnn's pocan LIBRARY.

82 Seth Jones: or, The Captives of the Frontier.
15y E. S. Ellis.
83 afilaxiia Chet, the Counterfeiter Chief. By E. L.
ee er.

84 The Dumb Page: or, The Doge’s Daughter. By
Captaid Frede rick \‘i'hittakor.
85 The Bo Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. By
Edwar S. Ellis.
86 Jack Harkaway in New York. By Bracebridge
Hemfiig.
87 The ussar Captain; or, The Hermit of Hell
Gate. By Col. Prentiss In raham.
88 Deadwood Dick in Lea ville: or, A Strange
Stroke for Liberty. By Edward L. Wheeler.
89 Bill Biddon, Trapper, or, Life in the Northwest.
3%? Edward S. E hs.
90 pgy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion.
By eorge Gleason.
91 Mustang Sam, the King of the Plains. By Joe.
E. Badger, Jr. .
92 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, the Red Pirates of
the Caribbees. B Samuel W. Pearce.
93 Phil Hardy, the ss Boy; or, The Mystery of
the Stron hold. B Char es Morris.
04 Deadwoo Dick as )etective. ByE. L. Wheeler.
95 Buck Buckram; or, Bess the Female Trapper.
By Captain J. F. 0. Adams.
96 G Iii-Edged Dick. B ' Edward L. “’heeler.
97 The Black Steed 0
Bowen.
98 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe.
By Juan Lewis.
99 Bonanza Bill, the Man Tracker; or. the Secret
Twelve. By E. L. Wheeler. .
100 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive.
By E. .3. Ellis.
101 Daring Dav , the Young Bear Killer; or, The
Trail of the order Wolf. By Harry St. George.
102 The Yellow Chief; or, The Halt-Bloods Ven-
geance. B Ca t. Mayne Reid.
108 Chip, the 1r] {sport By Edward L. Wheeler.
104 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old
Tar. By R0 or Starbuck.
105 Handsome i arry, the Bootblack Detective. By
. aries Morris.
106 Night—Hawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch.
By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.
107 Jack Hoyle’s Lead; or, The Road to Fortune.
By Edward L. Whee er.

the Prairies. By James L.

» l
108 Rocky Mountain.Kit, the White Mustang-er. By

T. C. Harbaugh.

109 The Branded Hand; or, The Man of Mystery.
By Frank Dumont.

110 T e Dread Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. By
George W. Browne.

111 Boss Bob, the King of Bootblacks. By Edward
L. Wheeler.

112 The Helpless Hand. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

113 Scar-Faced Saul, the Silent Hunter. By Oil

Coomes.
114 Hueyl Paul, the Mountain Boy. By T. C. Har-

baug .

115 Deadwood Dick‘s Double; or. The Ghost of Gor-
on’s Gulch. By Edward L. Wh elnr.

116 abez Coffin, Skip er; or, Lost Ill the Polar
Regions. By Ca t .Whiltaker.

11‘? Fancy Frank 0 C‘vloraelo; or, The Trappers

rust. By “Buffalo Bill.”
118 Will Wildfire. the Thorounhored; or, The Winv

ning Hand. By Chas. Morris.

119 Blonds Bill' or. Dealwood Dick‘s Home Base.
By Edwari L Wheeler.

mo Gopher (lid, the Boy Trapper. iin C, Har-

haugh.

121 Harry Armstrong, the Captain of the Club. By
Bracebrldge Hemyng, (Jack Harkawav),

122 The Hunted Hunter: or, The Strange H My man
01’ the Prairie. By Edward S. Ellis.

1333 S‘olllld Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. By Edward L.

’ ee 91' ‘

:94 Judge Lynch, Jm. or, The Boy Vigilante. By '1'.

0. Earhaugh.

i

 

 

125 The Land Pimtes‘ or. The League of Devil's
Island. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

126 Blue Blazes; or The Break 0' Day Boys of
Rocky Bar. B Frank Dumont.

127 Tony Fox, the erret; or, Boss Bob‘s Boss Job.
By Edward L. Wheeler.

128 Will Wildflre's Racer; or, Winning Against Odds.
By Charles Morris.

129 Eaale Kit, the Boy Demon. B Oil Coomes.

130 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, T e Girl Avengers.
By . C. Hal-ban h.
131 A Game of Go (1‘ or Deadwood Dick‘s Big
Strike. By Edward L. Wheeler.
132 Dainty Lance, the Boy Sport. By Joseph E.
Badger, Jr.
133 \Vii t-flro, the Boss of the Road. By Frank Du-
mon .
134 giikeMen'y, the Harbor Police Boy. By Chas.
orris.
135 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or. The Picked
Party. By Edward L. Wheeler.-
136 Old Rube, the Hunter. By Capt. Hamilton
Holmes.
137 Dandy Rock, the Man from Texas. By G.
Waldo Browne. '
138 Bob Beckett, the Boy Dodger. By Chas. Morris.
139 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy.
By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
140 Captain Arizona, the King Pin of Road-Agents.
B Philip S. Wame.
141 ew York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. By
E. L. Wheeler.
142 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. By Oil
143 gogges'n h r' lt' in 1th Flr B
e y-a.s;or,lgimg row 9. y
Joe. E. Badger, Jr. .
144 Little Grit, he Wild Rider. By 001. Prentiss In-
re am. y
145 "The Tiger of Tans; or. Wild Kate, Dandy Rock’s
Angel. By Geo, Waldo Browne. '
146 The Cattle King; or, Cortina’s Right Bower. By
Frank Dumont.
147 Nobhy Nick 0! Nevada; or, the Scamps of the
Sierras. )3 Edward L. Wheeler.
148 Thunderbo t Tam; or, the Wolf—Herder of the
Rockies. By Harry‘St. George.
149 iviloi‘awgockett, the Bank Runner. By Charles
1 o .
150 The Mad Miner: or, Dandy Rock's Doom. By
G. Waldo Browne.
151 The Sea Trailer; or. A Vow Well Kept. By 001.
Prentiss Ingraham.
152 Dandy Darkc; or, The Tigers of High Pine. By
W. H. Eyster.
153 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. By E. L.
Wheeler.
154 The Boy Trailers; or, Daint Lance on the War-
Path. By Joe. E. Badger, r.
155 Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. By Col. Prentiss
1n raham.
156 W l Wildfire in the Woods. By 0. Morris.
157 god lTemple, the L‘ouler Boy. By T. 0. Bar-
a 1. '
158 Delggiwood Dick‘s Doom: or. Calamity Jane‘s
Last Adventure. By E. L. Wheeler.
159 PatentvLeather Joe’s Def- at; or, The Lady
Road-Agent. By Philip S. Warne.
160 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker; or, The
Doomed Thirteen. By Col. P. Ingreham.
161 Bob Beckett, the Cracksman. By C. Morris. ‘
162 (Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. By 011
ioomos. .
163 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; orI the Rivalsof the
Road. By E. L..Wheeler.
164 Tom do ,‘om; or. Injun Jack from Red Core.

By . C. Har-haugh.
165 Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide. By

Col. P. In sham. '

166 Will Wil fire Wins and Loses; or, “A Tramp
Card.” By Charles Morris.

16’? Dandy Rock's Pledge; or, Hunted to Death, By
George W. Browne.

 

  

 

.... “p __. _-...,

 

168 Deadwood DiSk's Ward' or. The Black Hills
Jezebel. By Edward L. celer.

169 The Boy Champion. By Edward Willett.

170 Bob Beckett‘s Fight for Life; or, Shadowed in
New York. By Charles Morris.

171 Frank Morton, the Boy Hercules. By Oil

Coomes.
172 The Yankee Ranger; or, Dusky Darrell. By
Edwin Emerson

" 173 Dick Dinghiélfscout; or, The Frontier Angel. By
. -s

Edward .

174 Dandy Rock’s Scheme; or, The Golden Band.
B G. W. Browne.

175 T e Arab Detective; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp
By Edward L. Wheeler.

176 Will Wildflre’s Pluck; or, The Hidden Band. By
Charles Morris.

177 The Boy Commander; or. The Maid of Perth.
B 001. Prentiss Ingraham.

178 The Maniac Hunter; 91', The Mysteries of Night
Island. By Burton Snxe.

179 Daint Lance' or, The Mystic Marksman. By
J E. ad er. r. ‘

180 The Bo old-Hunter; or. Navajo Nick‘s Scout.
B T.  Harbaugh.

181 The Scapegrace Son. By Charles Morris.

182 The Dark-Skinned See it; or. The Freebooters
of rhe Mississippi. By Lieut. Col. Hazeltine.

183 J abez Dart. Detective; or, The Hermit Trapper.
By 0.1 Coomes.

181 Featherweight. the Boy Spy. By Edward Wil-

lett.

185 Bison Bill, the Overland Prince. By Col. Pren-
tiss lngraham. .

186 Dainty Lance and His Pard. By Joseph E.
Badger, Jr.

187 The Tra. ped Tiger King; or. Dark Paul’s Plot.
Bv Char es Morris.

188 The Ventrll ulst Detective. A Romance of
R0 ues. By ward L. Wheeler.

189 01 Rocky‘s BO 5; or. Bonito, the Young Mus’
tang-Breaker. y Maj. Sam. S. 9.11.

190 Sim Simpkins Scout' or. The Faithful Mountain
Mastiff. B James . Bowen,

191 Dandy R00 ‘5 Rival; or, The Mysterious Wolf
Rider. Bv Geo. Waldo Browne.

192 Hickory Harry; or. Boating Ralph, the Ventrilo-

uist. By Ha St. George. _

193 etective Josh rim: or. The Young Gladiator’s
Game. By Edward L. Wheeler.

194 Présnect Pete. the Boy Miner. By 011 00011193.

105 The TangiertBootpTaaiErEor. Igucky Phil, of the
Mounts. y. . are .

196 The Dandy Detective; onug'he Abducted Boy
Mystery. By Charles Morris.

19v Roy, the Youn Cattle King; or. The Texan
S ort Unmask . By Col. Prentim Ingraham.

198 E on Dan’s Mask; or. The Rival Leagues of
the ii ines. By Frank Dumont. I

199 Dictionary Nat. Detective; or, Bill Bravo, the
Bear Tamer. By T. C. Harbaugh '

200 The Twin Horsemen: or. The Brothers of the
Plumed Lance. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.

201 Dandy Darke’s Pards; or, The Hawks of High

us. By Wm. B. Eyster.

21:? Tom. the Texan Tiger; or, Old Luke‘s Luck. By

W; ollo‘igmgm ' B ‘

3.: Sam. 0 08 ;or. The TablesTurned. B
Charles Morris. W . y

204 The Young Cowboy; or. The Girl Trailer‘s Tri-
umph. By 001. Prentiss lnzraham. ‘

205 The Front er Detective; or, Sierra Sam's Scheme.
B E. L. Wheeler.

206 White Lightning; or, the Boy Ally. By T. C.‘

' Harbeugh.
207 Kentuck Talbot’s Band; or, The Red Lasso. By
Captain Mark Wilton.
208 Trapper Tom’s Castle Mystery; or, Dashing
Dick’s Disguise. By 011 Coomes.
209 The Messenger-Boy Detective; or, Tire Tables
» Turned. ByC'harles Morris.

 

BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY.

210 The Hunchback of the Mines: or, Reckless
Rel h. the Road-Agent. B Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

211 Litt e Giant and His Ban ; or Despard, the
Duelist. By P. S. Warns.

212 TheJimtown S rt; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado.
BK E L. Whee er.

213 T e Pirate’s Prize; or, The. Mysterious Yankee
Schooner. By C. Dunning Clark.

214 Dandy Dave. of Shasta; or, The ’Frisco Flash 0’
Lightning. B T. C.Harbaugh.

215 Daring Dan. is e Ranger; or, The Denver Detec-
tive. By Oil Coomes.

216 The Cowbo Captain; or. Ranger Ralph’s Ruin.
BV Colonel rentiss In ham.

217 Bald Head of the Roe ies: or, The Ang‘l of the
Range. By Major Sam S. Hall.

218 The Minor S ort; or. Sugar-Coated Sam‘s Claim.
By Edward . Wheeler.

219 Buck. the Detective; or, Paul, the Boy Pard. By
Albert W. Aiken.

220 Crack-Shot Frank; or, Bill Bounce, the Moun-
min Bravo. B Charles Morris.

221 Merle the Mid y: or, A Wait of the Waves. By
Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

222 Rosebud Ben’s Boys; or, The Young Prairie
Rangers. BV Oil Conmes.

223 Gold Conrad’s WatchrDogs; or, The Two Bards
of Vulture Bar. By T. C. Harbouzh.

224 Frisky Fe gus, the New York Boy. 13: G. L.

Aiken.

225 Dick Drew. the Miner’s Son; or, A ollo Bill, the
Road—Agent. By Edward L. Whee er.

226 Dakota Dick in Chicago; or, Jack. the Old Tar.
By Charles Morris.

22? Merle, the Boy Cruiser; or. Brandt, the Bus“
caneer. B Colonel Prentiss In raham.

228 The Preac er Detective; or, T e‘Boy Ventrilo-

uist. By OllCoomes.

229 1d Hickory‘s Grit. By John J. Marshall.

230 The Three Boy Sports; or. The Sword Hunters.
By Captain Frederick Whittaker. ‘

231 Sierra Sam, the Detective. By Edward L.
Wheeler.

282 Merle Monte‘s Treasure; or. Buccaneer Brandt’s
Threat. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

233 Rooky Rover Kit; or. Davy Crockett’s Crooked

Trail. B 31: C. D. Warren.
284 Baldy, t e Miner Chief. By Capt. J. F. C.
ems.

285 Jack Stump’s Cruise; 01'. The Montpelier’s Muti-
ueers. By Roger Starbu .

286 Sierra Sam‘s Double; or, The Three Female De-
tectives. By E1. L. Wheeler. _

287 Newsboy Ned. Detective; or, Two Philadelphia
Gaming. By Charles Morris.

238 Merle Monte‘u Seachra or; or. Little Belt’s
Droll Disguise By Col. remiss Ingraham.

239 Ben’s Bii.r Boom‘ or. The Boss Miner‘s League.
B Capt. Mark Wilton.

210 S iarp Shot Mike: or. Columbia Jim on the War-
Path. By 011 Conmes.

%1 Sierra Sam’s Sentence: or. Little Luck at Rough
Ranch. By Edward L. Wheeler.

242 The Denver Detective: or. Dainty Dot at Gold;
Gulch. By T. C. Harbaugh. _ _

243 Dutch San’s Dilemma‘ or. The Mysterious
Mountain Monster. B Maj. L. W. Carson.

244 Merle Monte’s Disgu se; or. The Capture of
Brandt, the Buccaneer. By 1. P. Ingrahain.

245 B ldy’s Boy Partner; or. Young Bramem‘s
Steam Man. By Edward 9. Ellis.

246 Detective Keen‘s A prentice: or. James Jumper
the New York Gain n, By Charles Morris.

247 The Girl Sport; or. Jumbo Joe’s Disguise. By
Edward L. Wheeler. ,

248 Giant George's Pard; or. Arizona Jack, the
Tenderfoot. By Buckskin Sam.

249 Ranch Rob‘s Wild Ride; or. Old Winch The
Rifle King. By T. C. Harbaugh.

250 Merle Monte’s Pardon; or, The Pirate Chief’s
Doom. 81001. Prentiu Ingmham.

BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY.

 

251 The Deaf Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp.
By Edward Wiliett.

252 Denver Doll’s Device: or, The Detective Queen.
By Edward L. Wheeler.

253 The Boy Tentlcrfoot: or, Roaring Ben Buudy of
Colorado. By Capt. Mark Wilton.

251 Black Hills Ben; or. Dutch Jan on the War-
Path. By Maj. Lewis W. Carson.

255 Jolly Jim. Detective; or, The Young I’rotege’s
Victory. By Charles Morris. _

256 Mrrle Monte‘s Last Cruise; or. The Sea Robber
at Bay. By Col. Preiniss Ingraham.

257 The Boy Chief of Rocky Pass; or. The Young
California Pards. By Maj. E. L. St. Vrain.

258 Denver Doll as Detective. By E. L. Wheeler.

2.59 Little Foxeye, the Colorado Spy. By 011 Coomes.

200 Skit. the Cabin Boy. By Edward Willett.

261 Blade. the Sport. or. the Giant of Clear Grit
Camp. By T. C. Harbaugh.

262 Bing, the Izoy Rover; or. Terror Tom of Texas.
By oi. P. lngraham.

263 Buster Bob's Buoy; or. Lige. the Light‘Houso
Keeper. By Capt. J. F. C.-Adams.

261 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the
Sport By E. L. Wheeler.

265 Billy. the Baggnue Boy; or, The Young Railroad
Detective. By Charles Morris.

2136 Guy’s Bo Chum; or, The Forest Wall‘s Mask.
By Capt. omstock.

267 Giant George‘s Raven e; or, The Boys of “ Slip-
up Mine." By Bucksk 11 Sam.

208 The Dead Shot Dandy; or, The Rio Grande
Marauders. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

269 The uurtzvilie Boss; or, Daring David Darke.

~ By EL ward Willett.

2’70 Denver Doll’s Mine; or, Little Bill‘s Big Loss.
By E. L. Wheeler.

271 Ebony Jim '3 Terror; or, Ranger Rainbolt’s Ruse.
By Oll Cooxnes.

272 Kit, the Girl Detective; or. Dandy Dash in Cali-
fornia. By T. C. Harbaugh. ‘

273 The Girl Rider; or, Nimble Ned’s Surprise. By
J 05. E. Badger, Jr.

274 Dead Shot Dandy's Double; or, Benito. the Boy
Pard. By Col. Prentiss lngrahmn.

275 Fred. the Ocean Waif: or, The Old Sailor's
Protege. By Charles Morris .

276 Deadwood Dick Trapped; or, Roxey Ralph‘s
Ruse. By Edward L. Wheeler. I

277 The Idiot Bo Avenger; or. Captain Wild~Cat‘s
Big Game. I y Albert W. Aiken.

278 Arizona Alt. the Miner; or, Little Snap Shot‘s
Luck. By T. C. Harbangh.

27'9 Colorado Jack, the Tiger; or. The Ghost of the
Trailer. By Frederick DeWey.

280 Dead Shot Dandy’s L'lst Deal; or. Keno Kit‘s
New Role. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ,

all Ned. the B0 Pilot; or, The Pirate Lieutenant’s
Doom. By uck Farragut.

282 Buck Hawk, Detective; or. The Messenger Boy's
Fortune. By Edward L. Wheeler. ‘

283 Roving Sport Kit; or The Ghost of Chuckaluck
Carlin. By Edward Wiliett.

2‘11 'l‘he Showman's Best Card; or, The Mad Animal
Turner. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

285 Old Rocky’s Pard; or, Little Ben‘s Chase. By
Buckskin Sam.

I 5286 Dick, the Dakota Sport. By Charles Morris.

287 Ned. the B0 Ski per; or, The Sea Sorceress’

Cruise. By ack errant.

l

5 288 Deadwood Dick's Disguise- or, Wild Walt, the
Sport. By Edward L. Whee er.

289 Colorado Nick. the Lassoist; or, Old Si‘s Protege.
By Major H. B. Stoddard.

290 Rube, the Tendertoot' 0—. The Boy’s of Torpedo
Gulch. By Major E. L. St. Vrnin.

291 Peacock Pete. the Leadvilli- Snort: or, Hawk, the
Boss Miner. By Albert W. Aiken.

292 Joe Morey, the Night-Hawk; or, The Black
Rider. By Joe. E. Badger, Jr.

293 Dwnrf Jake. the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon‘s
Man Hunt. By Edward Willett.

294 Dumh Dick‘s Yard; or Eliza Jane, the Gold
Miner. By Ed. L. Wheeler.

295 White Wing. the Ferret Fiyer; or, Old Dirk, the
Oyster Pirate. By Charles Morris.

296 Govlnda. the Tiger-Tamer; or, The American
Horseman Abroad. By Captain F. Whittaker.

297 Arizona Giant Gvor e; or. The Boyecs of Sardine-
Box City. By Buc kin Sam.

298 Daisly Doll’s Dash; or, The Ten Colorado Pards.
By . C. Harbaugh.

299 The Balloon Detectives: or, Jack Slasher’s
Young Pard. By Harry Enton.

300 Deadwood Dick‘s Mission
Wheeler.

301 Dan'ly Duke; the Cowboy. By Major E.  St.
Vrain.

302 Big Benson‘s Bet. By T. C. Harbaugh.

303 The Hotel Boy Detective; or. The Grand Central
Robbery. By Charles Morris.

304 Bald Head’s Pard' or, Cree in Cat’s Cunnin .
By Buckskin Sam. ’ p g g

305 Dusky Dick's Duel; or, The Demon‘s Trail.
Harry Hazard.

306 Spittel‘ Fritz; or, The Store-Deiec'lve‘s Decoy.
By E. L. Wheeler.

307 Nick. the Boy S ort; or, Three Plucky Pards. By
Maj. E. L. St. ruin.

308 Double-Fisted Mat: or, The Mystic California
Giant. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

309 Old Grnybeard's Boy; or. The Girl's Ruse. By
C. Dunning Clark.

310 Kit. the Girl Ca tnin; or. The Mad Sailor‘s
Legacy. By Col. rcntiss Ingrahnm

311 Frio Fred in Texas. By line 5' in Sam.

312 The D ~tective Road-Agen'; or. The Miners of
Sassafras City. By Edward L Wh'elcr.

813 Honest Jack’s Protege' or. The Dwarf’s Sch m
. By Philip S. Warne. R’eady January 8. e e,

314 Clip. the Boy Sheriff: or. The Two Cro k f
Montana. By Edwartlll'illet. ReallyJanugr: 1?).

315 Tom. the Arizona Spori: or. Hm l' , k
Hard Luck. By Major E. L. Stillvlfiigm from
Ready January 22.

316 The StreetAmb Detective; or. Dick Dorgan‘s
Do ibie Dealing. nv Charles Morris.
Ready January 29.

By Edward L.

By

Burma‘s Pocxm- LIBRARY is for sale by all News-
dealers. five cents per copy, or sent by mail on re.
oeipt of six cents each.

Bun“: AND Anus. Publishers.
98 William Street, New York. ,‘