“MN 

Copyrighted. 1859, by BIADLI Am: Anna. Ennrud u the Pan Omce I: New Yor , N. Y., u Second Clu- Mnll Kuhn July 10, um.

 

b ‘ .
No.  02.50 Pu lxshed Weekly by Beadle and Adm, I rlee. Vol. 

‘ ‘0'"- No. 98 WILLIAM 51.. NEW YORK. F1“, cell“-

 

 

 

- . /
a . " I z ,7:

‘3 m LIHLE YACHT WAS ABOUT TO BE DASHED UPON THE BEACH, NED AND NORA LILPID
INTO THE SURF.

 

 

Ned. the Boy Skipper.

 

lied. the Boy Skipper;

THE SEA sosornsss’s CRUISE.

BY JACK FARRAGUT,
screen or “man, THE CABIN nor," are.

CHAPTER I.
m HAUNTED roar.

" Ha! ha! ha! He has hired me to light the
beacons on this coast, that his son may arrive in
safety by night, or in storm, and he expects me
to serve him well.

“ But be little dreams who I am, and that I
have plotted to destroy that very son. .

“ And have I not cause to wish him dead, him
and his lily-faced wife, who holds the place that
my child should have had—my poor child, who
sprung from this very cliff into the sea far be-
low, and took her own his because that man
had deceived her?

“ Hal hai and I am expected to light boacons
to brin him home in safety!

“ We 1, we shall see, we shall see i”

The speaker stood upon the very edge of a
lofty clifl jutting out from a ridge of rocks,
whose summit was clad with mountain pines,
far out into the sea.

The scene was wild and picturesque in the ex-
treme, for the coast was one to be dreaded b
the careful mariner, even when no fierce win 5
swept the sea. ‘

It was upon the main shores, whose inlets,
rivers and islands have sent forth the best
sailors that ever trod a deck, trained as they
have been from infancy aid scenes of danger,
and where cool heads, rave hearts, and strong
arms can alone guide a prow in safety through
innumerable perils.

A chain of islands, a mile off-shore, served to
break somewhat the fury of the _ocean in its
wrath, but here and there, seemingly every-
whe were reefs that had proven t e destruc-
tion many a gallant craft. r
Through a narrow channelway, between the
reefs further out, then onward through two
island a vessel had to pass to reach the harbor-

laglds, when it was comparatively safe sail-
ing down to the river mouth, a league further
along the coast where the as tof the country-
put on a more hospitable an inviting look, for
here and there were visible substantial farm-
houses and barns, where abode men of means.
_With a beacon light on a certain point, a good
pilot could _get his bearings the darkest and
stormiest night and run through the reef with-
out, while a second beacon upon another situa-
tion would guide him through the channel pass-
infi between the islands, after which it was open
so ing to the river entrance.

All along the coast there was not a wilder
spot than where the speaker stood, whose words
open this story.

It was a natural fortification, and years he-
fo when. the “ oldest inhabitant” could not
real, it ha

 

d been a sea fortress, and the guns,

I

 

on their rotten carriages, still remained to add
to the picture of desolation about it.

A natural embankment in front, with em-
brasures and ports in the rock, were upon the
seaside, while back of them were towering rocks
that looked like turrets, caverns and innumer-
able nooks and corners such as an old castle
might have.

The entrance to this vast ruin, which nature
and man’s art .had done so much to make im-
pregnable seemingly, was through a tunnel-like
cave that was dark and forbidding.

Strange stories were told of this old ruin. and
the country folk and coast fishermen shunned
it as they would a graveyard by night, for
early in the present century, kind reader, super-
stition held sway in our land.

The garrison, it 'was said, had all been found
murdered one morning by ‘an officer bearing dis-
patches there.

Who were the Slayers none knew.

Some said Indians had done the deed.

Others asserted that a mutiny had occurred,
and the garrison had fought among themselves
to the death.

A ain it was rumored, and perhaps with more
trut , that a irate chief had hidden the treasure

there long be ore it was a fort, and had come to

claim his ill-gotten wealth, and had massacred
the entire garrison.

After this terrible fate, and with the slain
soldiers buried within the fort, it was no won-
dertthat the simple country folks shunned the
spo .

And more so was it dreaded of late, as it was
said to be the favorite resort of a witch, who
had her home back in the pines, a pleasant,
cozy little cottage, strangely unlike what the
abode of a sorceress was expected to be. and
where she had livml for years with her two
children, a girl and a boy, both of whom are
destined to figure in this romance.

Within this fort stood the old man, who had
been hired to attend the beacons, and which
lights were to be simple fires of fat-pine knots
built at certain Boints, when a vessel coming
along the coast y night gave the proper sig-
nals to show that she Wished to run in, and was
not a foe, for at the time of which I write the
“ war of 1812” had just begun between England
and the United States. '

The one who stood in the Haunted Fort, as .
the place was called, was an old man with a
darkly-bronzed face, a gray beard, and the few '
locks of hair visible beneath his broad-brimmed
tarpaulin were snow-white._

He was dressed in a pea-Jacket of blue cloth,
white duck pants, and wore them stuck in the
tops of boots, that looked as though they might
at some time in the past have belonged ma
buccaneer chief. I . .

He had a belt about his waist, in which was
stuck a clasp-knife and double-barreled revol-
ver.

His eyes were black and piercing, his face
stern, and he appeared like one who ad known
better da 5.

Whateger others might think of the Haunted
Fort, and shun it, he certainly felt no dread of
it, although night was coming on, and a, tem.
pest was raging out upon the sea, hurhng huge

Ned, the Boy Skipper. r 8

 

waves against the rocky base of the cliff, while
the pines sighed requiems, as the winds swept
through them, to the dead lying in the old ruin.

 

CHAPTER II.
'rna magma or mvnavmw.

RIVERVIEW MANSION was one of the grandest
houses in the State of Maine at the time of which
I write.

The house was large, rambling and comfort-
able from cellar to attic, while its grounds, slop—
ing to the river-bank, had been laid out with
walks and flower-beds that added to the beauty
of the scene.

A thousand acres of well-tilled land stretched
away inland about the mansion, and above on
the river was a little hamlet of cozy homes,
where dwelt the tillers of the soil.

The pastures were dotted with sheep and cat-
tle, the stables were well-filled, and upon all was
an air of thrift which told that it was the home
of a rich man.

Within all was comfort, yes, and luxury, and
the master of Riverview Mansion certainly
should have been a ho py man, if being sur-
rounded with this worl ’s goods in abundance
would make him so.

The mansion stood half a mile up the river
and a league from the Haunted Fort, and from
itsdbroad plums glimpses of the ocean could be

a .

J utting out from the river-bank in front of
the homestead was a stout wooden pier, and
anchored about it were several pleasure crafts,
with row- ts lying upon the shore.

Within the mansion, upon the ver afternoon
11 n which the beacon—tender at t e Haunted

ort is presean to the reader, sat the master
of Riverview.

He was a man of strikin appearance, had
lived half a century, and he the respect of the
neighborhood.

In his early years he had been poor, and a
lawyer, he had risen to a judgeship; but wealth
comingtohim, he had given up his rofession
and settled down to the enjoyment 0 his later

ears.

A son only had he to cling to in the world,
and he was a gallant oillcer in the navy of his
countr ;but having lost his vessel some time
before y capture, he was awaiting the building
of a new one, which his father, the judge, had
presented him with.

Alone in his elegant home, Judge Elmore was
awaitin the return of his son With his young
bride,,w 0 were to pass the bleak winter months
at Riverview.

Yet, as Judge Elmore sat alone in his library
that afternoon, with the shadows of coming
night creeping about him, he did not appear to
be happy.

With an impatient imprecation he arose from
his easy-chair and approached the window
tv;r)hich looked seaward, while he said in a low

ne:

“The storm is a wild one, and HeaVen grant
that no harm befalls my boy and his beautiful
bride in running in.

“ I did hope that the ship would arrive during
the days but darkness is coming on now, and, as

l

 

she certainly must come to-ni ht, she will have
to run in with the beacons as or guide.

“ But then my son knows these waters well
enou h to come in with the aid of the lights.

“ do hope that old sailor will make no mis-
take and do his work well. ,

“ I suppose Ishould have sent Caleb to aid
him; But then Caleb would never ' go near that
Haunted Fort by night, I am sure, and it is well
the old seaman did not know about the stories
told of the weird old ruin, or he would have
failed me, too.

“ Somehow I feel strangely blue to-night and
illcannot drive a presentiment of evil out of my

cart.

“I do hope that I am not to be punished at
this late day for my crimes toward my brother
and his family.

“ Bahi I am silly to think of the past, for if I
did hire an assassin to end his days and keep
from his wife and children the wealth he in-
trusted to me for them, and am I not repaid for
those sins by the riches I now possess and the
luxuries I have about me?

“ But one other knows of the crime and he is
my ally in guilt and has enriched himself as I
did, so that he will not betray me.

“ As for my boy, he never suspects that this
home and my wealth was stolen and that it cost
human lives.

“ Whatever became of the wife of my half-
brother I cannot tell.

“ They fled from my persecution, though the
did not sus t me, and it is better so, or
should have ad their lives upon my hand.

“ Somehow I have a dread of that old Elsiet \,

the Witch of the Haunted Fort, as though
expected to find in her and her brats the wife
and children of Norcross.

“ But I am foolish, for his wife would not
now be forty, and that old bag is over sixty, if
she is a day, for her hair is as white as snow.

“I should not fear for them either, for the
woman sold her home, and certainly had a sup-
port so that they were not left beggars.

“No, no; I must cast the haunting spirits
down, and enjo that which I possess— Oh!
Caleb, I am gla you have brou t the lam ,
for this is a dreary night out, and the ju go
turned away from the window with a shudder,
as his butler entered with lights.

“Yes, sir, it’s an awful night, and I do ho
the ship with the lieutenant and his young to
wopit 1some to-night,” answered Cale

0Pe
beacons lighted, I do not think they will find
any grea cu y in running en es
t difii It ' ' in, l the
night is intensely dark and the tempest in-
creases.” ‘ *

“ Well, sir, it is going to be terribly dark and
thenstorm has been getting worse since sun-
set.

“ Heaven protect my boy then in the dperils
he will have to face: but, Caleb, woul you
mind spending the night on the coast with the
fildbmgian, to see that the beacons are properly

gCaleb started and turned quickly toward the
judge, while he said in solemn tones:

“ Your '
one thing, sir. have Ii

 

 

so myself, Caleb; but then', with the ‘

ilonor, I hays never disobeyed you in ‘

 

 

  
  
 
 

 

 

 

 

4 Ned, the Boy Skipper.

 

“ You never have, Caleb, for you have ever
been most faithful.”

“Well, your Honor, you'll for ive me if I do
so now, for I would not be near t at old fort to-
night for a pirate’s gold.”

‘Very well, Caleb, I will not ask it, and I
guess the old beacon-tender Will do his duty.”

“ I guess so, sir, and I hope so,” and Caleb
was about to depart, when the deep boom of a
gun at sea rattle the Windows in the mansion.

“Ha! there is the signal-gun, and now the
beacons will be lit.

“May Heaven help that vessel now, and save
those on board,” cried the judge, and he began
to pace to and fro with nervous step: while the
storm increased in fury, as though it had taken
the signal-gun as a defiance from the vessel to
do its worst.

 

CHAPTER III.
THE FALSE BEACONS.

HAD Judge Elmore known who the old man
was that had come to him with the story that
he had sailed with his son, and whom he had
engaged as beacon-tender opposite the channel,
he would have been in utter dismay that night
of storm, instead of dread that all might not go
we

He had taken the old man to the cliff, near
the Haunted Fort, and to the entrance to a
invine, where the two beacon-fires were to be

't.

Hehad told him the signals that the vessel
must give before he should light them, and then
had taken him to a fisherman’s cot that over-
hung the waters, and which was to be his
home.

Stores in plenty had been sent to the cot from
the mansion, and pine-knots had been placed
upon the 5 ate selected for the beacons, with
nothing to 0 but to light them.

several days had the old man been on duty,
fishing and sleeping by day to pass away time,
and watchin a greaterportion of the night.

Still the ooked-for ship had not hove in

si ht. ,

sl‘hen the storms which sweep along that coast
in the autumn set in, and the lone watcher in
the cot kept constantly on the alert.

At last he spied a vessel late one afternoon,
and he knew she must be the long looked-for
craft, for she was certainl not a war-ship, as

‘ his racticed eye at once to d him.
carer and nearer the vessel came, and as she
was now headed for the point where the channel
was, there could be no doubt but that it was the
expected bearer of Lieutenant Elmore and his
m a.

With her coming the storm began to increase
in fury, as though to make her passage through
the dangerous channel more difficult, and the old
man smiled quietly as he noticed it.

“ Blow, you good winds, toss, you reckless sea
waves, for you have work to do this night.

“ It is too tiresome waiting for my revenge
through long cars, so you, strike together, and
the man who illed my child, and the woman
who lured him from her, will go down together
in your depths.

‘ Innocent ones must suffer for the guilty,
but that has been the way of the world from its

 

beginning, and I will bear their lives on my con—
science to punish Elmore and his bride." .

The shadows now began to deepen, while the
winds howled more furiously through the
pines, and the roar of the surf became almost
deafening.

Watching the ship attentively the beacon-
tender saw how that there was no doubt as to
her being the looked-for ship, as she was head-
in directly for the channel entrance. '

g‘urning upon her a glass which he carried
him over one shoulder, he muttered:

“ t cannot be other than the craft.

“ Hal hal now my work will soon be done,
and you, my poor Nora, will be avenged.”

Night had now fallen, but off upon the sea
the lights of the vessel could be seen.

Then a burst of flame came from her bows
and soon after there followed the deep boom of
a gun, the same that told Judge Elmore that
his son was off-shore and about to venture in
through the dangerous channel. _

Instantly the beacon-tender whirled a lantern
three times around his head, forming a Circle of
fire.

It was a signal, and on board the vessel came
an answer with a red lantern.

“Bravo! it is the signal. Now for the next
test,” and the lantern was whirled twice about
his head.

Again came an answer. this time with a
green lantern, and three times it made a circle
in the air from the ship’s deck.

“ Hal hal hal the signals are cor ect, and
now to light the beacons." cried the old man.

Instantly he darted along the ridge until he
came to a rocky point, and here he paused.

In a sheltered nook was a pile of fat-pine
knots, and to these he quickly touched the flame
of his lantern.

Instantly there flared up a bright blaze in the
intense blackness of night, and a lucid pathway
was cast off over the dark waters. to be greeted
by a cheer from the ship’s crew, and their
voices were borne upon the wind to the ears of
the old man as he hastened on to another point.

Here was another pile of pine fagots in a
sheltered corner of rocks, and these were kin-
dled, as had been the others.

With this second pathway of light flaming
acrOSs the waters another cheer was heard from
the crew of the ship. .

“Ay, cheer on, my gallant fellows, but you
go to your doom, little believing that these two
fires you deem beacons of safety are lurid lights
to destroy.

“ Come on, brave ship, to your fate, and 
have mercy upon all who perish, excepting
those two, for whom I make many mfler.

“ See! my fires burn up grandly, and Elmore
believes that they mark the course through. the
reefs and islands which be is to steer; but little
does he dream that they lead him directly upon
Graveyard Reef and Wreckers’ Island.

“ If chance should cause him to miss the one,
the other he can never avoid. ' I

“ Hal hal now I will stand here by this pile of
fagots, which Judge Elmore told me to light,
and await the end.”

So saying the old man took his stand by the
pile of tagots on the cliff near the Haunted

.ulx

.: w W'sva  “WWW—ma fin‘r'v w.

 

. «*1 "firm

    

 

 

 

.xz'

 

....;...,_.m, m w

 

 

 

.enmmaem . . :.

 

Ned, the Boy Skipper. 5

 

Fort, and which if he had lighted instead of
the false beacon, would have guided the vessel
safely through her dangers, if under the guid-
ance of skillful hands.

Out over the black waters flamed the two
false fires, and trusting in them the noble craft
came flying on, while every heart on board
beat high with hope.

CHAPTER IV.
A STRANGE SCENE IR THE HAUNTED FORT.

“THERE she comes hastening to her doom.
God forgive me for making the innocent suffer;
but perish who may, I must destroy Elmore and
his bride.

“Ha! ha! see how bravely her pilot rushes
on. trusting in this bright firelight!

“No! by heavens! she changes her course!
gyl just as the breakers foamed beneath her

ow.

“ But she is too far in to extricate herself now;
but it was a quick eye that detected those reefs
ahead, and a bold, strong hand that put her
about.

“ Hal she luffs u from the Wreck Reef! ay,
and rounds Lizar Point—now if she changes
her course dead before the gale, I will know
that she has apilot on board whom my false
beacons cannot deceive even in the blackness

/ and storm of this night.

“ Heaven have mercy! she has a pilot at her
helm, for now sha heads for the clifl? through
the channel in the reefs.

“ Now she paSSes safely through, and heads
for the island channel, the man at her helm dis
regarding utterly my lights and' steering-as he
should for safety.

“ He the islands, a , and puts his helm
hard down to run for the :- ver haven.

“ He has saved the vessel, and cheated me of
my revenge.

“In God’s name who can he bel

“There is but one livin bein that I know of
upon this coast who coul do w at yonder pilot
has done, and he—nol no! no! it cannot be that
he is on board that vessel.

“Great God! should he be, and my act have
sent him to his death I”

As though appalled at the thought the old man
covered his face with his hands, and thus stood
for an instant.

Then he said uickly:

“ I must be 0 , for when they tell the story of
the false beacons I will be hunted down."

‘ Away he darted through the darkness, and. yet
made no false step as he hurried along the ridge
in the direction of the Haunted Fort. .

Reaching the cavern entrance to, the old ruin
he entered it without hesitation, and soon after
a light gleamed in one of the cave chambers in
the rear of the fortress. .

The roar of the waves and the bowling of the
winds still were heard, within, but unheeding
them, the old man seated himself at a rude table
and buried his head in his hands.

The cavern-chamber was large, and the walls
were evenly hewn.

In one corner stood a rustic cot with neat hed-
clothing upon it,‘ and an open chest near by

 

 

fonfiained wearing apparel that had a. feminine
oo .

A table, a chair, beach, a few cooking utensils
upon a hearth, for a chimney was built up there
to the roof, and a shelf u on which were dishes
and provisions complete the furnishing of the
dismal retreat, for dismal it was in spite of the
ruddy glow of the lamp.

For a long time the old seaman rested with his
face in his hands; so long in fact, that one would
have deemed him asleep.

But suddenly he started, for a slight sound
was heard in the court of the fortress, which the
wind and waves had not made.

Again it was heard, and the old seamen sprung
to his feet, his eyes bent in seeming horror upon
the exit from the cavern, which led out into an
arched tunnelway opening upon the interior
court of the fortress.

Before this tunnel were the raves of the
murdered garrison, and to gain t e inner cav-
ern, one had to pass in among the little mounds
that marked the last resting—place of those who
had so mysteriously lost their lives. '

“ It is a human step,” said the seamen, in a
hushed tone, and he gazed toward the cavern
exit.

Along the tunnelway came the sound, and

then into the rook chamber stepped a slender.

form.

It was a boy, or rather youth, of perha flf- -

teen, with a well-knit figure, broad shouders,
upright form, and a face that was frank,

fearless, and full of intelligence and conscious

power.

It was a handsome, striking face, seldom seen ‘ ’

in one of his years. _

He was dressed in duck pants, a jacket of blue
cloth, and a tarpaulin shaded his dark curls.

“Ah! who have we here?” cried the youth
placing his hand upon a knife in his be t, an
step lug toward the old seamen, who stretched
fort his arms and said in thrilling tones:

“Oh, Ned! my son! my son l"

“ Mother!
that dress—the dress of a man I” cried the youth,
in amazement. '

Instantly the tarpaulin was taken from. her

head, and a mass of white hair fell over the

shoulders, while a false heard was jerked off
the face, and a woman stood revealed.

A woman with a dark, stern face, piercing
black eyes, and the look of one who had become
old before her time. ~

Traces of beauty yet rested upon every featu
—but the beauty of the past had been marred by
the traces of sorrow and trouble which later
years had left there.

Her form was graceful and slender, and she
seemed to shrink from being seen by her son
in man’s garb.

“ Yes, Ned, my noble bo , I am our mother
though you see me in a is ise meant not
that you should know that had put on ” and
she stepped once more toward

to embrace him, but he said, with strangeltenr
uses for one so young:

“ Mother, I lands but a shortwhile a o from
a noble vessel, and learned that Judge: are
had engaged an old seamen to attend lighting '
the beacon fires upon the coast. 

Mother! can this he you—and in 2

him, as t oughr

» :4

 

   
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
   
 
 
 
 
      

i"/

s.

 

 

 

6 ‘ Ned, the Boy Skipper.

 

“ That man lighted false beacons, to lure her
toruin and death, and men came here to find
the one who had betrayed his trust.

“ The beacon-tender they could not find, for
he had suddenly and mysterious! disappeared.

“Now I came on here, where Iknew I would
find on, as you dared not live in your cottage,
and find you in the diguise of an old seaman,
with white hair, a gray beard and sailor suit,

not as the false beacon-lighter was described to

“ Oh, mother! what does this mean?”

He stood before her, drawn up to his full
hight, his face stern, yet sad, and gazing upon
her with a look from which she seemed to
shrink.

Twice she attempted to speak before she found
utterance for the words:

“ Ned, my son, I am the guilty one.

“ I lighted the false beacons.”

CHAPTER V.
SAILOR. BOY NED.

“ MOTHER! you lighted those false beacons!"
said the youth in a low, earnest tone.

“ I did, Ned," was the firm reply.

“ To lure that noble vessel to destruction 'i"

ll Yes.”

“ To cause her crew and passengers to perish,
mother?" ‘

5‘ Yes.”

“ Oh. mother! what can have tempted you to

 

. commit such a crime?”

“ Revenge !"
She fairly hissed the word.
“ Revenge? Ah! I remember.
Elmore was on board.”
“ Yes and his wife.”
“ And you sought their lives?”
“ I did, for he murdered your sister Nora."
“ But what had his young and innocent bride
done?”
“ She lured him from Nora.”
' “ No, mother, for the lieutenant was engaged
when he met Nora.
“ saved his vessel from destruction,
p 0 ng 1 in e r ver aven, an ieu n-
by ilti 't'tothi h dL' to

Lieutenant

a ant Elmore became her acknowledged lover.

“ He gave her up and married another, and
poor Nora took her own life by springing from
this old ruin into the sea.

“ For her life I hold him as guilt , and one
day I shall kee my oath, mother, an hold him
to account for is crime.

“But. oh, mother! to think that you plotted
to destroy him at the cost of so'many lives!
Yes, you would have even sacrificed the life of
your” son and one other who has returned with

m.

“ I did not know that you were on board the
vessel, my son,” and the woman seemed utterly
cr

“ Yes, mother, I took passe on her with one
other, my friend, to come wagon and tell you
‘glad tidings.”

“ And you ran that vessel in, Ned!” said the
woman quickly.

' ,“Yes, mother."

“You discovered that the beacons were not
wh‘erYe they should be?”

as.

 

“ I should have known that it was you at the
helm, and the thought did flash through my
brain. but then I believed dyou in Boston.

“ Oh, God! what if I ha Sent you to death by
my act, Ned?"

“Mother, it would have been no worse than
to have sent those other innocent ones to de-
struction, simply to punish one who was guilty.”

‘ Oh, Ned, my boy, do not upbraid me for now
I see the full enormity of my crime.

“ But, boy,” and she spoke fiercely and
quickly:

“ I saw the beautiful face of poor Nora. upon
the crest of every wave that rolled ashore.

“ I heard her cries mingling with the bowling
winds.

“ In the sighiug of the pines I listened to her
sighs.

“ I saw her stand in spirit upon the clifl from
whence she sprung, every night, until I was mad.

“ And, as they had accused on of wron , of
desertion from the navy, and riven you rom
me, and had hunted me down as a witch until
I was forced to live in this den, I became mad
in my thirst for revenge, and forgetting all else,
sou ht to destroy that man.

11“” orgive me, Ned, my son, for now I realize
a .

He sprung toward her and clasped her in his
arms, and for a moment no word was uttered.
Then the boy said softly: “ Mother, i wish to

ask of you a question, and you must answer me '

frankly."

“ Yes, Ned."

“T’You have said that my father was lost at
sea

“ Did you ever suspect that he was mur-
dared?”

“ Murdered? In God’s name what do you
meaty;

i you never suspect that some enemy
might have wrecked his vessel?

‘ Ned, I have had strange thoughts like these,
for, when your father sailed on hi last voyage,
some unknown person began to persecute me
and mine.

“ First, your sister was stolen, and it was
weeks before I found her.

“ Then you were thrown into the sea, from a
Sier in the little seaport where we lived, and a

sherman in his boat saved you, and said that
he saw a man hurl you into the water.

“ After this, persecution after persecution was
visited upon me, and I wrote to your father's
half-brother, telling him all.

“ But he did not regly and selling my little
home, I bou ht the s aliop, and a sailor from
my girlhood, set sailed from the hated spot by
night, and went to seek another home.

“To escape a storm I ran in here, guided by
a fisherman, and finding the little _cotta e over
the hill was for sale, I purchased it, an there
we have lived in peace, until the serpent whom
I to-night tried to destroy, trailed across our
door.”

“ But, mother, did you never feel that my
father might not be dead?”

“ Yes, Ned, l have had that feeling too; but
alas! it is too much joy to hope, for joy has not
come to me since he set sail long years ago,

 

‘41.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nod. the Boy Skipper, '?

 

“See, my hair is white, for losing him, and
the dread that you and Nora were to be taken
from me made me almost mad, and at times I
believe I am mad.”

“ Mother, then the madness must go from you,
for my father was not lost as you believed."

“ Oh, God! is this 'Ihy punishment for the
crime I would have this night committed?

“ Is this Thy showering joy upon me, when
the thunderbolts of Thy anger should strike me i“
and the poor woman dropped upon her knees
and raised her hands toward heaven.

Then, outof the shadow of the tunnel-like way
came a tall form, and he clasped her hands and
raised her up, while he said softly:

“ Elsie, my dearly loved wife, am here."

She sprung into his arms with a cry of 0y,
for in the dark-faced, gray-haired man, wit a
look so brave and so strong, older by years than
when last she saw him, she recognized the bus--
hand she had so long mourned as dead.

For a. long time no word was spoken between
the three, and then the returned sailor said:

“ Elsie, after long years 1 have come back to
on, and I find changes have come to those 1
oved.

“ From our noble Sailor Boy Ned, I have
heard of all your sufferings." ,_

“Accidentall I met him, and from that day
we were frien 3, although neither of us then
knew who the other was.

“ That you have suffered deeply I know, and
I, too, forgive your mad attempt of to—ni ht, as
our son does, for I know what it is to 9 re-
ven eful.

“ , too, am on the track of revenge for my
half-brother, Judge Elmore, whom I trusted
with all my wealth, which had come into my
possession, and bade him give it over to you
should harm befall me, has betra ed the trust.

“ He was to be heir to all, shou d any strange
circumstance take you and our children oil! by
death.

“ The wealth I possessed, and which I got
through the finding of a mine in a foreign land,
I did not tell you of, for I waited to be able to
give you all at once a vast fortune upon my re-
turn ome. '

“ But, as I said, I trusted all to my half-
brother and one other, a Mr. Curtis—”

“ Of Boston?” asked the woman.

N Yes.”

“ A friend of Judge Elmore?”

it Yes.”

“ He had one daughter, an only child?”

“ He had.”

“It is she whom Lieutenant Elmore made his
bride?”

“ It is, for they leagued together to murder
me and share my fortune.

“ They sent a hireling upon my Vessel to kill
me, and he wrecked the vessel; but he was so-
verely hurt, and I aided him to the shore.

“There we two lived upon a desolate island
all these years and I learned from his lips the
story of what he had been bribed to do.

“ At last we were rescued by a passing veep
sel, and returning, I could not find you; but
I traced those two men in all their villainy, and
helieved that they had killed you and my
children, too. .

 

“ At last I met, on my way to face Judge El-
more, our noble sailor boy, and youjmow the
rest. 

“ He came to Boston to meet me, and we sail-
ed ror this place, for I have come to claim in
own from the hands of the man who stole t
from me.

“ Now come, this den of rocks is no place for
you.

“ Come to your pleasant little cottage and
to—morrow I will force that man from the omo
he has so long lived in, and which, bought with
111 money, is mine.”

ith joy in their hearts at boin again
united, the three left the Haunted on and
wended their way to the cottage which the
country folks had avoided as the home of Elsie
the Witch.

 

CHAPTER VI.
run FISHERMAN’I STORY.

IN his anxiety to discover the semen, as he
supposed it to he, who had lighted the false
beacons, Judge Elmore was disturbed by a vis-
itor on the day after the arrival of the ship in
the river haven, who at once made known who
he was and the nature of his business.

To his horror, Judge Elmore found not only
that his half-brother, Norcross Evans, whom he
believed dead, to be alive but that every dollar
of the vast fortune he had stolen was to be taken
from him.

“ The son, too, learned of his father's crime,
and was glad to give up the fortune rather than
have the disgrace become public by thatfather‘l
having to go to prison.

And more, Lieutenant Elmore having mar-
ried the daughter of the man who had been the
ally of the judge in his crime, saw the riches of
his young bride swept from him, too, and knew
that he had onl his pay with which to support
them, when be ore he had been envied by his
brother-officers for his wealth.

Out of Riverview Mansion then went the El-’
mores, and rumors were at once set afloat by

the cunning judge that the husband of Elsie the ~

Witch had returned from a foreign land, w I
he had accumulated vast riches and ads 3
him a fabulous sum for his estate,he had sold it.

Captain Norcross Evans smiled grimly when
he heard the rumor his step—brother had started
and let the story go for what it was worth and
with his wife and son settled himself comfort-
abl in his new home, with but one and memory
to arken the joy of the household.

That memory was that poor Nora had been
driven to suicide by the act of the man whom
she had so madly loved.

The second evening after the arrival of the
ca tain and his family in Riverview Mansion I
fls arman from down the coast came up 0
river and landed his li ht skid at the pier, upon
which stood Ned, the ilor 

“ Does the widow Norcross 1 ve here, lad?” he

asked.
“The one who was supposed to be the widow
Norcross lives here; but she isnow Mrs. Nor-

cross Evans, her husband having returned and . .v

not being dead, as was believed," answered Ned,
glad to tell the story of his father’s return.
“ I mean the one they 1 his, The

I t r '4 ., .
. a. ,.., - ‘ swans“..- 4i -41....g4l‘h'

\

 

suave-A ',.A.-._. “4;.

 ‘ "j..‘..g,4‘:{z~w;..:::<

y

 

was...

 

8 Ned. the Boy Skipper.

Witch of the Haunted Fort?” said the fisher-
man.
“ Yes, my mother; she lives here."

“ I went to her cottage and a man told me I
would find her here at this great house.”

“ She is there, and if you wish to see her I
will let her know you are here.”

“ Are you her son?"

to I am."

“ Then I guess I’d better tell you the news
first so you can break it gently to your mother.”

“ What news havo you to tell?”

“ News you’ll like to hear; but as they say
fly kills sometimes same as grief does, you’d

tier let it be known quietly so as not to shock
your mother.”

“ But what have you to tell?”

:: IYclili‘fiiavarisaesistNer Nora, who-—”

a r are but she is dead ”
 , , sadly
ereyou arm' st out can man."
“ What do you mean?” ' y g
“ I mean just what I say, and I say that your

,, sister Nora is not dead."

Ned turned deadly pale and tired at the man
with a look that seemed to mag his heart.

Elfin he said hoarsed ly:

man, you 0 not mean to trifle with me
in tel ng me this?"

“ I am not one to trifle about a matter
serious, and I’ll tell you the story. '

" I was fishing some time ago close in under
the cliff on which stands the old ruin.

“ Ihad a shipmate over on the island off which
our little smack was anchored, and I had ven-
tured near the Haunted Fort to throw in my
line, while he wouldn't come so near.

“ While watching a fine vessel stand out to sea
from the river haven, I suddenly heard a flut-
tering sound over my head same as angels might
make 11 ng through the air, and I can/tell you
Lass hteInfidg-tlhat dfrightened I dared not

u - or a ear so man stories of the
old W tell and the Haunted ll'oi-t.y

“ But just as I was seizing my oars to row
away, there came down into the water, with a
tremendous splash a human form.

‘ “'It sunk down deep into the waters and then
rose to the surface, and I dragged it into the
boatht’gr I 93v;  wash: yolung girl, and a pretty

, an ou s e was dead she was
that pale and still. 8 '

“ I rowed auickly over to the island. ?ld my
ahipmate, an we put her on the shallop 0 bring
her u the river to the village, where we thought
a doc r might bring her to.

“ But the wind was light, and the tide carried
us down the coast against all we could do to
Event, and so we continued on to our own

nd, where we lived.

“I nggetgel; lin Ifinal-gs of had wife, and the
wane e s an con rega together and
fetched her to, while I 811g my shipmates set out
for Portland with a smack-load of fish, intend-
ing to take the poor girl home when we returned,
for, thofih she had come out of her swoon, she
seemed

“ But we were captured by a Britisher, and
it was some time before we man toget
away from 'em, and could get has to our

 

“ There we found the young girl just recover-
ing from a long attack of brain fever, but she
was all right once more, though terrible white
and thin.

“ My wife had nursed her through all, and the
poor girl seemed almost sorry to be alive.

“ But we cheered her up, and she told me
where she lived, and I came off in my skifl to
tell you. for the Britishers have not left us a
shallop or a smack on the island, out of twenty
we had before the war began, and some sixty
good lads are left with nothing to do and mouths
to feed, so they wanted me to look for a berth
on a rivateer for them while I was up here.”

“ 1 man, the news you bring us is jgyous
indee , for we all believed my poor sister ead

“ I will at once go and break the news to my
mother and father, and then you must come up
to the mansion and tell them your story as you
told it to me, while as to your getting berths on
a privateer you need not look further, for I
know of one that will sail in a couple of months
or so, and will need a lot of good men for a
crew.”

With this Ned hastened off to the mansion to
tell the good tidings which he had heard from
the lips of the fisherman.

CHAPTER VII.
LOST NORA.

THE story of the fisherman was told by Ned
to his parent, and their hearts were filled with
joy while the boy sailor was made doubly glad

being allowed to go after his sister in the
Eretty ittle pleasure sloop which Lieutenant
linore had had built for himself.

The fisherman was to go along as crew, and he
promised to return with the yacht, along with a
shipmate or two, and they could have a talk
with Captain Evans and then go back to their
island-home to await orders from him as to
when he would need them for the new vessel.

So anxious was Ned to get of! on his cruise to
bring back Nora, that he could not be persuaded
to wait until morning, but started with Leander,
the Fisherman, as soon as the little sloop was
stored with the necessary provisions.

The night was clear, and a good breeze was
blowiu , and Ned ran out to sea by the upper
channe through the islands, which was equally
as dangerous as the one in front of the Haunted
Fort; but the boy knew every fathom of water
near his home, as in his sail-boat he and his
sister had passed hours cruising about, fishing
and enjoying themselves, and thus learned while
more children, lessons that served them well in
after years. . , .

“ You are a cool hand at the. tiller, Sir]? said
the fisherman to Ned, addressmg him With a
respect which the boy commanded in spite of
his oath.

“ xperience has taught me to be cool," was
the modest answer; and-to the admiration of
Lender the youth ran his vessel througth the

' dangerous gantlet of reefs and islands.

“This craft is a goer, Leander,” said Ned,
greatly pleased with the behavior of his little
vessel.

“Yes,sir;she sails like a witch,” and then,
asthough feeling t at he had made an unfor-
tunate comparison, 0 hastened to add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ned, the Boy Skipper. 9

 

“ What is her name, sir?”

“The Sea Sorceress is the name that Lieu-
tenant Elmore gave her, and I do not care to
change it.”

“ It is a good name, sir—but there is a breaker
just ahead, ’ and Leander pointed to where the
water was foaming violently, as though washing
upon a sunken ree .

“ Let me show you something about what you
call a breaker,” said Ned, and he held on, as
before. straight for the foaming waters, which
covered a space of fifty feet wide, 'while upon
either side the sea was comparatively calm.

“Dont you See the breaker, sir? It dashes
upon a sunken reef,” said Leander, as the bow-
sprit of the sloop was almost over the caldron
of the waters.

“ Yes, I see it,” and the next instant the
yacht was rocking in the rough waves, while, to
the astonishment and joy of the fishermen, she
did not strike, as he expected, hard upon a
sunken rock.

“See, Leander, this rough water happens to
be the channel, for on each side, not the length
of this craft away, are sunken reefs.

“ This is what I wish to show you, for there
is no bottom here, that I ever could find with a
fifty-fathom line, while there is not five feet of
water yonder over the reefs.

“ My sister Nora and myself found this out
three years ago; but what makes the water so
wild here roannot understand.”

Once out at sea, the sloop went boundin
along on her way; but as the wind was ah
and she had to tack, it was dawn before they
came in sight of the fisherman’s island.

At last, shortly after sunset, the sloop ran
into a little cove, Leander now being at the
helm, and as Ned sprun on shore he was met
by Nora, who, with a g ad cry, rushed into his
arms.

E‘ Nora, my sister!"

“ Ned, my noble brother 1”

It was all that they said for some moments,
for their hearts were full. .

She had seen the sloop coming, and recog-
nized it, while bitter memories swept over her,
as the some little vessel had been the one in
which Lieutenant Elmore had made many a
visit to the cove near the Haunted Fort, where
she was wont to meet him.

With a glass handed her by the good wife of
the fisherman, she had recognized her brother,
and she wondered how it was that he came in
the Elmore yacht.

“ Oh Ned, I am so glad to meet you again,”
said Nora, after a few moments of silence.
Ned gazed upon her with joy, and answered:

“ And we are so happy to know that you are
:fitrd’ead, Nora, after your fearful fall from the

7

She colored quickly, but remained silent, for
his words led her to believe, as he had intended
they should, that it was believed that she had
fallen from the cliff, instead of having deliber-
ately attempted to take her own life.

“ Oh! it was terrible, Ned, and I have suffered
so all this long time since, though all here have
been most kind to me.”

“Well, Nora, your sufferings are ended now
for you return home with me,” and Ned gazed

 

2‘  ,. x .l  ,,_.
a -0... s ..V...\...¢...,.«a. “NW
‘2 ,_,. _. ., 4:, My!  «v

into the lovely though pale face of his sister,
and thought how soon the roses would come
back to her cheeks.

“ Oh, I almost dread to go back to that cit-
tage,” said Nora, remembering how hapipy s a
had been there, and how the one who bl made
her life joyous had cruelly deserted her.

“ We won’t go back to the cottage, Nora, but
to a grand house, for we are rich now,” and Ned
spoke with an air of excusable pride.

“ Rich, Ned!" asked Nora, opening wide her
beautiful eyes.

“ Yes, and I’ll tell you all about it as we sail
homeward; but now let us go and see the kind
people who have taken such good care of you,
and I have a urse of old here for them, and a
bundle of clot ing mot er sent you.”

The fisherman had hastened up to his cot and
quickly told the news of his visit, and the hope
that himself and shipmates would get a berth on
a privatoer.

Then his wife set about preparing as good a ‘

breakfast as her larder could altord and a
Eleasant party sat down to the meal, while Ned

anded over the purse of glold to the good
woman, and some stores whio
sentb him.

Ear y in the forenoon the yacht started on
her return, four of the fishermen besides Lean-
der accomganying her.

Nora be dressed herself in some of the cloth-
ing brought by her brother, and already looked
better, the pros ct of soon being with those
who loved her c eating her atly.

0n the way back ed to d the story of his
father's return, and Nora wept with gag, for
most devoted had she been to him, and i tlrly
had she mourned his loss.

“on, Ned! we will be so happy, now,” she
said in a low, earnest tone.

But, as she uttered the words, out frombe- ‘

bind a pine-clad island glided a vessel-ohm,
and a shot was sent 1! ing over the deck I the
little yacht as a sign for her to lay to.

CHAPTER VIII.
ran max.
“I'r'sa Britisher, as I live!" cried Leander,

 

as his face paled, when he beheld the strange '1

vessel. -

“ Yes, her rig is English thou h she flies the
American flag,” answered N calm] , u be
headed his sloop in toward a grou of nds.

Just then came another shot ram the war-
vessel, which passed uncomfortably near over
the heads of those on the yacht.

“ She's in earnest for us to is to,” said Ned;

“ Yes. sir, and you don’t loo as though you
intended to take her hints,” responded a trunk-
faced fisherman who was one of the crew. ,

“Not unless I am compelled to will I.”and ,
Ned lanced at his sister with a loolr that plain-
ly sa d to the fishermen that his sister was the

one that kept him from runninghthe hottest fire ,

thlatt the velssel Mlild pour upon imy.i h . _
wasa ar e soo -war carr n a any
armament an?! a NIP-grew. and in late of her
flying the American flag, Ned was sure that she
was a British vessel.

Nora had also understood the look at hot,

i

/
a .x
x. 17..-

L. *

his mother had ,

 

 

 

 

‘/

 

  

 

 

,land

 

10_ Ned. the Boy Skipper.

brother, that it referred to her, and she said
pluckily:

“ Now, Ned, you know well what captivity to
a British vessel means, from all we have heard
from those who have been prisoners, so I would
say hold on under all circumstances.”

“You are a brave girl, Nora; but he may
knock us out of the water. "

“ Then we can swim ashore to the island,” an-
swered the girl. ,

“ Yes, and then we would have a mile and a
half to swim to the mainland."

“ I can make it, with a little help if I get tir-
ed, for I am not so weakas I look, having bathed
in the surf daily of late.

“ Don’t mind me, Ned, but run for it.”

“ Ah, I have an ideal Here, Leander, take
the tiller while I get an English flag that is in
the cabin.”

Ned ran down into the cabin, and soon re-

' turned with a British flag, which he ran up to

the peak, just as a third shot came from the ves-
sel which was now in full chase.

, scenes the colors fluttered out, the Eng-
lishman hauled down the Stars and Stripes and
ran up the British flag, at the same time dring

' a n that was not shotted.

‘ Ahal Mr. Britisher, that made you show
yourself as you are,” cried Leander, and turning
to Ned. he continued:

“Now, sir, we’ve got to run for it, or our
friends won’t see us until the end of the war.”

“ I shall run for it, Leander, so haul down
those colors and run up the Stars and Stripes,”
was the bold reply.

“ Ah, but it will make him hot to see how we
found him out,” cried Leander, and, as though
to prove his words, a moment after the sleeper-
war lufled sharp, and sent a broadside flying
after the little vessel.

Over them, about them, dashing the spray
over them came the iron balls, but not a shot
touched the Sea Sorceress.

“ Bravol we were not hit that time. and may
we have the some luck at the next broadside l"
cried Ned, cheerily. ‘

" Brother we cannot escape them if we hold
on,for in t ' rough sea the yacht staggers,
while the la evessel does not mind it, and is
gaining fast, ’ said Nora.

“ Yes, sis that is true; but I intend to hold
on to see if I can reach yonder stretch of beach
on the island, and then, if they have not given
isn‘tgsstéhlge, I shall min her Ifishore.“

e you, my rave ed,” said Nora.

“ It will be better than becoming prisoners,
Norai and we can escape with you to the main-
f they pursue us on the island.” '

The fishermen crew of the yacht seemed to
think that this was the best plan, and they
gleried in the boy‘s pluck, which made him
wreck his vessel and take such a hazardous way
of escaping his f .

But the sloop-of-war was determined that the
little vessel should not escape, and crowded on
every stitch of canvas in pursuit.

Her commander evidently suspected that the

r of the yacht was running for some
channel in the island chain, and he called away
seven] boat crews to be ready to continue the

 

chase. should they seek refuge in a retreat where
the sloopoof—war could not follow them.

Again and again the guns sent their shots
flying after the little Sea Sorceress, now and
then coming dangerously near, but yet missing,
to the great joy of those on board.

At last Ned found himself just off the small
stretch of beach, his helm was put hard up, and
the Sorceress darted away like an arrow before
the wind, while the sea was whitened by the
iron hail of a broadside sent from the British
vessel, and right in the spot which thelittle
craft had just left.

Acheer broke from the fishermen at their
escape, while Ned turned his gaze upon his
enemy.

“She is sending boats, for she divines our
purpose,” he said. _

It was true. for the Englishman had (gulckly
lufl’ed up and lowered away a couple 0 beats
filled with men, and they came dashing on in
chase, while the sloop continued firing at the
yatch in an endeavor to cripple her.

“ Stand ready, all! Into the sea, menl Now,
Nora, spring With reel"

The command came from the Boy Skipper, in
his clear voice, and, as the little yacht was about
to dash upon the beach, under full sail, those on
board sprung overboard into the surf.

A mighty breaker carried the doomed craft

high up on its bosom upon the beach, and it'

came to a sudden halt with a crash that shiv-
ered her timbers to atoms, sent her mast over
her bews upon the sand, and she became a wreck.

With strong strokes her crew reached the
shore, Nora striking out boldly with the rest
and landing by the Side of her brother.

“Come, we must lose no time, for the boats
are upon us almost,” cried Ned, and the party
started at a quick pace across the island.

CHAPTER IX.
a FOE’S FRIENDSHIP.

WHEN the party from the wrecked yacht
reached the other shore they found it recky and
precipitous, and were forced to go alon the
coast in search of a place where they cou d in
safety reach the water.

This took time and upon coming again from a
point where they had hoped to find a spot where
they could gain the water, they saw their pur-
suers coming across the island.

There were over a score of them. and upon their
shoulders they carried a boat, while an officer
led them at a quick pace.

“That young officer is determined not to let
us escape, lads, and we can only surrender,”
said Ned, as he saw the boat and the ardent
pursuit of their foes. ,

“Halt or we flrel” cried the English oflflcer,
as he caught sight of the fugitives. I

But they had already come. to a stand-still,
realizing the hopelessness of their effort to es-
cape, and stood awaiting the wrench of their
pursuers, Nora leaning upon t 9 arm of her
brother.

Approaching, and his eyes telling upon Nora
thedyoung oflicer raised his cap politely, an
an] :

“ Ahl I have a fair 'prisoner it seems; but who
commands this party '

 

 

........h:. (5" .- a w. a.

l~

T3“

in ‘l‘Q-k'l... “Ah-i“

. ;

,5,
g.
,.
l
,,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

o

Ned, the Boy Skipper.

 

“ I do, sir,” said Ned quietly.

“ Indeedl you are young for a commander, and
one who has led us such a daring chase.

“ But are these all that were upon the yacht?”

“They are, sir.”

“ I hope our fire did you no harm, and, had
we known there was a lady on board, we would
never have fired.”

“ My sister took the chances with the rest of
us, sir, and fortunately none of us were hurt;
but may 1 ask what is your intention regarding
us?”

“ You are Americans, of course?"

“ Yes, sir."

“ In the service of your country?”

“I am, sir, or was, on a vessel-ohm“ that
was captured, but my comrades are simply
fishermen."

“ I am sorry, but I must carry you on board
the vessel and let my commander say what is to
be done with you.”

b“ Ya’ou are stronger, sir, and we can but
0 e .

“yFrom your determined flight, and the char-
acter of your craft, which we saw was a yacht,
we supposed you carried some important per-
sonage or Government dispatches on board,
so were determined to capture you at all haz-
ards.

“ I am sorry, miss, for the inconveniencs and
alarm we have put you to,” and the officer
turned to Nora, while a. young middy muttered
to another regarding the maiden:

“ Lovely as a picture, though a trifle pale and
sad-looking.”

“She is a beauty, and looks as though she
had been ill,” returned the other, in the same
lot}:I tone, while in response to the officer, Nora
sai :

“ You caused me no alarm, sir, and the in-
convenience I fear my brother and his crew
must sufler even more than I.”

“You look pale and tired; may I offer my
arm to the boat?” said the oflicer.

“No, thank you; my brother will aid me,”
and the party started upon the return for
the beach, the British seamen carrying their

a . .

Arriving there, the launched it, and, with
their prisoners. sta upon their return to the
vemel, which was lying-to ofl-shore awaiting the
coming back of the boats sent after the fugi-
tives.

As the ascended to the deck of the British
vessel, a1 eyes were turned 11 on them .with
evident curiosity, and seeing a. ady among the
captives, the captain of the sloop-of—war ad-
vanced politely to meet them.

But as he did so his eyes fell upon Ned, who
caught his lance, and the _recognition was
mutual, for t e En lishman said quickly:

“ What! my gal ant boy pilot, is it you that
I have captured

“ From my heart I re et that I have given
you all this trouble,” an be held out his hand
to Ned. who presented Nora, and then the two
were invited into. the elegant cabin of the ves-

sel, and the captain called for wine and refresh— .

ments.
Turning to Nora. he said earnestly:
“I assurel you I little dreamed that I was

 

turning my guns upon a lady, and also one who
once groved himself a true friend to me, for

our rother swam of! one night, when I was
ying efi his home becalmed and a storm threat-
ening, and piloted me to safety.

“I did not command this vessel then, and
never would have done so but for him, for we
would all have been lost that night' and you
may feel assured I owe him a service can never'
repay."

Ned did not think it necessary to explain to
the Englishman that when he so boldly swam
out to save his vessel he thought she was an
American cruiser, but he said: 7,

“ 1 must thank you, sir, for a purse of gold
which I found in my pocket, and it served me
well, I assure you. But as I then refused to
accept money for my services I must do so now,
and beg that you allow me to return the indebt-
edness as soon as I can do so.”

“Certainly, if you wish it so; but let me re-
lieve your minds at once and say that Iwill
cruise down off your home and land you, while
I am sorry that I caused vou to wreck your
pretty pleasure craft; but was certain it car-
ried some high dignitary of the American Gov-
ernment, or dispatches of importance, as you
paid no attention to my shots.

“ I can account for it now, when I am aware

that you were her commander, my gallant ' '

young friend.”

As the British commander intended to set his
prisoners free, returning them to their home
the sloop of—war was put for the Haunted Fort
channel under easy sail, for Ned did not care to
land until after nightfall, as he feared busyr
tongues would at once make harm of it.

CHAPTER X.
THE ARREST.

As Nora was still weak from her lon illness,
the British commander, upon hearing a story
of how she came to be on board the yacht, at
once said: ‘

“Now, Miss Evans, I will send for our acting
surgeon, who is also the young lieutenant who
captured you, as our man of medicine‘was lost-
overboard in a storm some nights since, and
fortunately Sir Lucien Lonsdale having studied
inedilcine for his own pleasure, is able to take

is ace. ,

“ on doubtless found Sir Lucien a gentle- ,
man, and ever will do so,” and, although Nora I
protested the captain insisted and the same
handsome youn lieutenant, who had so per-
sistently pursue them, came in to see the young
girl, and soon gave her the medicines which sh
really needed to build her up. ’ ‘

At sunset the vessel-of—war came in sight of
Fort Cliff, and an hour after dark lay to 01!-
shore, while a boat was ordered alongside to

send the party, who had become guests, rather ‘ ‘

than prisoners on shore. ,.
Lieutenant éir Lucien went in chafige of the
boat. and seemed most attentive to or who
could not but appreciate his unpresuming ind-
ness, shown her in many little ways. V
Ned took the helm to run through the chan- ‘
nel, and the ni ht bemg dark and blusterin ,
the seas were fa ing with terrific roar upon 9
reefs and rugged edges of the ,‘

 

 

 

 

  
   
    

.1:

;
I
/

  

 

12 ' Ned, the Boy Skipper.

 

the Englishman to admire the cool courage of
the boy as he guided the launch through the
numerous dangers that beset its way.

Arriving in the harborage between the isl-
ands, Ned wants to land on the nearest shore;
but Lieutenant Lonsdale insisted that the
fatigue of the walk home would be too great for
Nora, and said that he would go right on to the
river dock.

, For Nora’s sake then Ned said no more, and
the launch soon after arrived at the pier in the
ver.

Riverview Mansion loomed up grandly back on
the hillside, and lights were visible in many of
its windows, as though the captain and his wife
were waiting to welcome home their long-lost
daughter.

Fancying the young Englishman, and not for-
getful of courtesy, Ned invited him up to the
mansion; but Sir Lucien would not intrude
upon the happy reunion, and, after giving Nora

' " some more advice as to her health, and the

medicines to take, which he had carefully pre-
pared for her, he raised his cap in farewell.

Instantly she held out her hand and he warm-
ly grasped it with the low words:

“ We shall meet again.”

“ Leander, - on go up with my sister to the
mansion, whi e I run the boat back through the
channel.

“ Sis, I’ll soon be back, and tell father not to
forget to look after Leander and his shipmates,”
called out Ned, as he returned with the English
officer to his boat. .

“ It is a shame to take you away from your
home at such a time.” said Sir Lucien.

“Oh, no, for I will soon be back,” and taking
a small surt~skiif in tow to return in, Ned once
more took his place at the tiller of the launch,
and ave the order in seamanlike tones:

I“ ive way, lads 1”

Out of the river glided the launch, urged by
its twelve oars, which Ned had asked to have
muffled, so as not to attract attention, and pass-
ing through the island and reef channels, was

_ soon after alongside of the sloop-of-war.

The night he now come on to be stormy, the
waves were running wild, and the English com-

'mander and lieutenant urged Ned to remain on

board all night, and not attempt to run back in

_ his little skifl’.

But he made light of the danger, and, having

' borrowed the money from Loander, who had his

purse of gold along which had been given his
wife,“ he intended to buy stores at the village,
Ned gave it to Sir Lucien to hand to his captain,
saying simply :

" T is w ll square a little debt I owe your
commander.”

Then with a wave of his tarpaulin, Ned raised
his tiny and, and went flying away on his run
homeward.

Safely he went through the channels, and ar-
rived at the river dock. .

With alight heart he sprung on shore, and
started toJom those at the mansion, whom he
knew to be anxiously awaiting his return.

But hardly had be taken a dozen steps, when
out from behind a row of cedars sprung two
men, and he was seized in a grip which he could
not shake ofl'. ‘

l
v

 

 

n mam-mun,   -F , . ., 

“ What does this mean, Constable Drake!”
cried Ned, angrily, as he recognized in the dark-
ness the village officer and his deputy.

“ It means, my youn gamecock, that you will
get your neck stretche for being a spy to the

ritishers.

“ Oh! we have watched you, and we can prove
what we say.

“ Come along quiet now, or we‘ll drag you.”

Ned said nothing in reply. His heart was full,
and it almost crushed him to feel the irons upon
his wrists.

To resist he knew would be useless, and though
he was well aware that a loud call for help
would bring his father and Leander and his fish-
ermen to his aid, he refrained from doing so, as
he felt that the result would be that they would
get into trouble.

So he remained silent and passive, and was
taken off by the oflicers who told him that they
would give him quarters in the village jail.

CHAPTER XI.
ACCUSED or TREACKERY.

NED was not one to bewail his fate, though
he was a boy in years, and his captors had not
the satisfaction of seeing him made wretched
whlen they placed him in a. cell at the village
Jal .
Disappointed at not hearing the boy beg to he
let go, or ask regarding his fate, Constable
Drake said rudely:

“ Now, boy, this is the cell where your mother
passed some time when she was up for a witch
and the devil came here and released her; but i
guess you won’t be that lucky.

“ They say as how your a has come home
awful rich and bought out udge Elmore; but
his money won’t save you, for you have been
spying for the Britishers, and that’s hanging,
that is.”

“ You lie, Constable Drake and you know it,
when you call me a sp ,” sai .

“Ohl you may tal , for that is cheap, but
you won t talk enough to get ofl.’ this time, for
you are a deserter and a spa.” . l _

Ned laughed lightlytos ow his indifference
and responded: .

“ Do you know why I think you arrested me
{lo-night?”

is NO.”

“ To make money.”

“ Well, boy?" /

“ You thought, as my father had returned
home richi you would make me beg 03 by pay-

 

ing you a or e sum; but you don’t know me,
old man, for am innocent of wrong and shall
take the con uences.”

The constabe muttered an oath at havin
been so clearly read by the boy and left the cel ,
which was nothing more than a strougl -bllllb
room upon the upper floor of the hits Jail,
which during the troublous war—times had been
garriSOned by a company of home troops.

A guard was placed at the door of Ned’s
room, to whom he handed a note. accompanied
bya gold-piece, with arequest that he would
send it to his father at Riverview Mansion, so
that they would not believe that he had been
lost in returning from the English vessel.

The guard called up a comrade, gave him a

, “.1--.,.-;,,. , 

 

 -

 

.qu,

 

 

 

3““ .A':

_ ,3}_-; , _

afi—r‘a A A m‘“ A—-—~'—"""

Ned. the Boy Skipper. 18

 

piece of silver, while he pocketed the gold-piece,
and told him to mount a horse and ride over to
Riverview Mansion with the note, and the re-
sult was that Captain Evans and Leander put
in an appearance at the jail shortly after dawn.

Going to the superior officer, Captain Evans
asked what was the meaning of his son’s ar-
rest.

Knowing the wealth of the new master of
Riverview, the officer treated him with respect,
and explained that there was a very serious
cha e against his son.

“ nd what is that charge, sir?”

“It is the charge of being a British spy, sir.”

Captain Evans turned pale, and said in angry
tones:

“ You are a lot of fools. who do not know an
honest boy when you see one.

“ Who are m son’s accusers'l”

“Constable rake and his deputy had war-
rants to arrest him as a descrter from Lieutenant
Elmore‘s schooner—of-war, on board of which
he was a cabin-boy.

“ In their searc for him they discovered that
he was in communication with a British vessel
01! the coast. and they arrested him both as a
deserter and a spy."

“ They have their charges to prove, Sir Of-
flcer.”

“ They say that they have the proof and will
produce it at the trial."

“ When is he to be tried 7”

“ As soon as Lieutenant Elmore can be
brought here from Boston, for he is a witness
against him. ”

“Then within a week the trial will take
place?”

I: in“ “from I i"

su can see my son

" No, l:l)x-Q;myou cannot, I am so to say.”

With an imprecation upon foos in general,
Capfiain Evans turned away to seek Constable

r 9.

But that worthy could not be found, and the
captain was forced to return to his home and
report to his wife and dau hter what he had
discovered and also to let hem know that he
feared Ned was in a very bad scrape, for no
one in the village seemed at all friendly to him.

 

CHAPTER XII.
ran ram.

Tim village where Ned the Boy Skipper was
to be tried for his life was a place half seaport,
half-country, and its denizens were not remark-
able for any very great degree of intelligence,
though they were a good, honest people in their

wa .

1% those days superstition held considerable
away and Ned. as the son of a woman who had
been lsnown as Elsie the Witch. need expect little
favor from the half-soldier, half-sailor militia
company that were to be his jud es. '

It ls true all knew that Elsie, t a Witch of the
Haunted Fort, had lateli become a changed
woman. throwing aside or weird attire and
ways for a dress more becoming to her position
as the wife of Captain Norcross Evans and the
mistress of Rivet view Mansion.

But there were many who believed that Elsie

 

had conjured up the luck for herself, and still
looked upon her with awe and superstitious
dread.

From the time of Ned’s capture by the con-
stable, the officers of the militia com
swelled u with importance, and the cup
became a are in the eyes of the community.

It was certain that he did have papers of ar-
rest for Ned as a deserter from the navy, and
his zeal had enabled him to fasten upon the
fiouth a more serious charge, as a spy for the

ritish, and, young as was the accused, there
were those who were willing to take oath that
he would hang, it found guilty, and that he
would be proven innocent no one behaved, after
Constable Drake had said that he would prove -
his accusation against him.

As it was feared that an attempt would be
made to rescue Ned, from the fact that a num-
ber of stran e fishermen had come to the
gillage, a doub e guard had been placed over the
Al .

But no such an attempt was made, and the
day of trial came round and the boy risoner-l
was still safe in the clutches of ms enemljes.

The trial was to be held in the Town Hall, and
the village was crowded to overflowing with
people from the adjacent countrv.

 

As it was war time, the local authorities yielded - , g- '-

to the military, and a court-martial of officers
was already called upon the case, and the wit-
nesses were ready to give their testimony.

Captain Evans, his wife and Nora were out?!
on hand, and although Mrs. Evans looked 11 0
like the woman they had known as Elsie the
Witch, the crowd stood in awe of her, and free-
ly allowed the little party to pass on to good
seats in the front.

Then the major, who was to be the jud
took his seat, the ofiicers of the court-
oame in, the prisoner was led to his seat before ~
his accusers. and the trial was begun.

Ned was calm as a man, bowed leasantly to
his parents and sister, glanced ind erently over

the crowded room, and then turned his gnu 

upon the witnesses. ,
“ Your name is Ned Norcross, boy?" began
the major, in a pompous manner, meant to awe

the youth.
But the reply was prompt: 
"You are mistaken; my name is Not! 
Evans.” '

“Ah! yet you were once known as Ned Norr- 

cross.” '._

“Yes, it was my father’s Christian name, 2'
and my mother assumed it to escape from her ; 1,

foes, who sought to destroy her that they initial:
gnjgivl'ghe fortune they would inherit by
E‘fl .

called, hereabout, Elsie the Witch?"

“ Yes, because my mother’s sorrows and sut-
ferings had infected her mind and she
somewhat stran el , a lot of superstitioust
called her a witc ,’ was the sharp reply, and it
struck home to many.

“Aha! your mother is the one whom they . I

 

“ Well, authors is no doubt as to your iden- .- ~ 

tity, boy, I will go on to ask youotber ques- -‘

tions.”
wish to ask.

“ I am ready, air, to answer any questionyou' 4 

 

 

  

 

 

14 Ned, the Boy Skipper.

 

“ Then tell me if you were ever in the United
States Navy 1"

“ I was, and suppose I am yet."

“ You shipped in the service?”

“I did.”

“ Where?”

“ In Baltimore.”

“ In what ca acity i"

" That of ca in-boy."

“ On what vessel?”

“ The brig-of-war, Boxer. ”

“ Why did you desert from her?”

“ I did not desert her.”

“You left her?” _

“ I was ordered from the Boxer, with a num—
ber of others. to go as a crew upon a schooner-
of-wer just fitted out at Portland.”

“ You made your mark as a seamen upon that
vessel's papers then?”

‘ “ Oh no, for I am not so ignorant as that,
thanks to my good mother, so I wrote my
name.”

“ You can write then!”

“Certainly, sir.”

“ Who commanded that schooner-of—war?”

“ Lieutenant Elmore."

- “ Do you see him in this room?”

“ I do not. "

“ Had you ever seen him before the day he
sailed in the schooner as commander?”

“I had not, nor did I see him on that day, for
I was sick in my hammock when the schooner
sailed, and we were off this coast when I got

i

u .

p" The schooner ran into the river haven that
high? I believe?”

‘ es, sir. I piloted her in.”

“You!”

“Y sir.”

“Why, you were cabin-b0 on board.”

“I was pilot that night, or we were chased
by an English sloop-of-war and would have
been captured had we not run into the river

’ harbor, so, as Iknew the channel, I ran her in.”

This was ev1dently news to many resent,
and the major glanced at a letter he hel in his

hand and said:

“Have here a letter from Lieutenant El-
more,/who was unable to appear as witness
against you, and he does not speak of you as
other than a cabin-boy."

“ Why should he?” was the blunt question of

"‘ he says.” and the major read aloud from
the letter—" .
“ ‘ The boy you speak of is the same who was with

me.
\ “ ‘ He was cabin-boy on the schooner, and desert.
ed the night we reached the river haven.

“ ‘If, as you say, he has been discovered to be a
British spy. he is without doubt the one who iloted
the sloop-ot-war in that captured my vesse . and I
heard from a seamen that e was really the Eng-
“‘i'l‘i‘i'i" 91:10“ n h id m1 1 h d

' oun gat,hesou ce nvbe ange,
and his fate willybe an exam la and warning to
others along the Maine Coast. w 0 can be too easily

by gold to aid our toas.‘

/ ' ,‘tNow this is what the lieutenant says, and

' you "can see thatrhis testimony is sadly against
you.
“ Yes, sir, I see it is,” said Ned with a smile.

s

 

 

, ., 54,7 _..;‘.‘ .J "_  H ,, . V , ‘ -
' A,j-V'exits-magma?Weaver/smear.1m.294; ,. .  ., v r,» ,

“It seems to please you,” angrily said the
major, nettled at the boy’s indifference.

“ I do not care one way or the other."

“ You will when this trial is over.”

“ If it is decided that i am guilty beforehand,
why try me?” came the put question, and the
ma or and his officers winced under the shot,
an Constable Drake was called as a witness
against the young sailor.

CHAPTER XIII.
THE CONFESSION.

“ CONSTABLE DRAKE, who is this prisoner?”
asked the major, when that oflicer had taken the
witness stand.

“ He’s a boy terror, your Honor, that is known
as Cabin-Boy Ned, the Boy Skipper, and the
Pilot of the sles; but his real name, as I knows
him, is Ned Norcross, or Evans."

“ You have held a warrant for his arrest for
some little time, I believe?”

“ Yes, sir.”

“ On what charge?”

“ Desertion from the great American Navy,
your Honor.”

“ And you arrested him on this charge?”

“I arrested him on m papers for desertion,
sir; but I have another c arge to make against
him, which is worse than deserting his ship.”

“ Well, sir, what charge is it you have to
make!”

“ [ accuse him of being a British spy."

“ Indeedl Will you state upon what grounds
you make this very serious charge?”

“ 1 will tell you, sir.

“ Me and Pindar, my deputy, your Honor,
has been looking for the boy for some time, and
t’other night sir, we was watching up near his
new home, where Judge Elmore once ived, you
know, and we seen a large launch come into the
river.

“ We had Ereviously noticed a Britisher com-
ing along t e coast before dark, and seen his
lights as he 1a to oil! the Graveyard Reefs.

“ Well, sir. indar and me run down to the
Riverview pier, and from the bushes where we
bid we seen the prisoner talking to the officer
of the boat. I

“ Then the got into the launch, and with the
boy‘s surf-sk if in tow, went out of the river.

“ After some time the boy came back alone in
his shift, and so we just seized him.”

“ You are sure the vessel was an English
craft?” asked the major.

“Yes, sir, certain; for we seen her the next
day, when she went in chase of an American
pnvateer that hove in si ht.” _

Pindar. the deputy. t en gave his evidence,
which was the same as that given by the con-
stable, and then the major turned to the young
prisoner with the air of a man who had made up
his mind that the boy was guilty, and there was
nothing too bad to accuse him of.

“ Well, young sir, you have heard the testi-
mon of these honorable gentlemen against you,
so w at have you to say against it?” asked the
manor. .

“ I have to sa that appearances seem to he
against me, sir; at I can explain all,” was the
calm reply. ‘*

“ I do not see how.”

 

 

 

 

 

 s  y“,

 

 

. .

 

«an»:

‘ Ned, the Boy Skipper“ II

1

 

“ Am I to be permitted to say a word in my
own defense?”

“ Certainly, for we hold the scales of justice
here, and we are, like J uStiCB, blind.”

“ Then, sir, to begin, I will say that I asked
permission of Lieutenant Elmore to visit my
mother, upon arriving in the river; but, althoug
I had saved his vessel, he refused, and even
rudel refused when he knew who I was.

“ 9 went on shore then, and I asked the
second officer, but he too was forced to refuse,
as Lieutenant Elmore had given orders that no
one was to leave the ship.

“ I knew that the schooner was to sail at day-
light, and that there was no telling how'long it
would be before I could again see my mother
and sister.

“ I had run off to sea, and I wished to beg
their forgiveness.

“ I had just saved the Schooner and the lives
of all, and yet was refused permission to go
ashore, and it hurt me.

“ So as I was allowed to turn in for the
hi ht, determined to go home, and be back
he ore daybreak. '

“ I slipped over the side into the river, and
swam ashore.

“Then I ran to my home to find my sister,
as all supposed then, to be dead, and as she was
believed by my mother to have been murdered
by Lieutenant Elmore, for his act drove her to
attempt suicide, as all now know, so I need not

keep it a secret, I could not return to his vessel, -

while his refusal to ermit me to go to my home,
when he knew who was, I then understood.

“Before dawn the English vessel was piloted
by some one into the river and captured the
American schooner, while her commander, who
was alone on shore escaped.”

“ Were you that vessel’s pilot?” asked the
major. .

“ I was not.”

“ Do you know who it was?”

All breathlessly awaited the reply, for though
some believed that the boy had een the Eng-
lishman’s pilot, many more did not so believe,
and not one suspected Elsie of having been.

Calm and pale she sat between her husband
and daughter, her gaze riveted upon her son.

Once she was almost tempted to arise and
state that she had urged him to bathe ilot of the
English vessel to get revenge upon ieutenant
Elmore,“ and that, he refusing, she had herself
acted as the pilot; but her husband restrained
her, saying in a low tone:

“Be calm, Elsie, for one is enough, in our
small circle, to 'be under the ban now.”

“ Do you know who was the traitor that
brought that British vessel in to capture Lieu-
tenant Elmore’s schooner?" mitigated the major.

“ I do know who was the pi t.”

A deathlike silence fell upon all present at
this confession. '

“Who was the traitor?” cried the judge, in
angr 1tones, after a pause and silence that was
pain u . -

“ The person was no traitor."

“ Who was he, I asked?”

“ I will not tell you."

“ Ha! you refuse?"
“I do.”

 

“ You insult this august court-martial of hon-
orable and distinguished gentlemen and 011109er
cried the military judge, working himself into
a re. 6. ‘

“ .meau no insult in refusing, sir.

“ I simply decline to answer your question."

” I demand it."

“ And I still refuse,” was the cool reply.

” You confess that you know i"

“ Yes, sir.”

“ Then, gentlemen, this confession will con-
demn this prisoner without other charges being
made against him,” almost savagely laid the
major, turning toward the officers of the court-
martial.

 

CHAPTER XIV.
run STRANGE WITNESS.

“P4113011 me, but I do not intend that this
shall be a one-sided trial to hangna boy.

“He is entitled to a full hear g, and to wit-
nesses in his own behalf." ’

The clear voice of the speaker fell like a thun-
derbolt upon all, especially the court-martini.

All eyes were turned upon him, and the major
slightly winced under 1: 9 charge that he was
tryin to hang a. boy. 4

‘ ho are you, sir, that dares interrupt this
august court?" he cried, though he know well
who it was.

“ I am one, sir, who sought to see that poor
boy in prison, and- was refused. -

“ I am one who has here in this room eminent
lawyers from Boston and Portland watching
your criminal management of this trial, and my
name is Norcross Evans.” 1

The words were delivered in clear, measured

tones. and the major turned pale and glanced
quickly over the assemblage to see those “ omi-
nent lawyers.” '

He that} notifidzim‘aggerl?‘ pimresent whombh‘:
was air y par y ng a partner
now he felt small when hey - discovered that,
were sitting in judgment upon his conduct of
the trial.

He knew that Captain Evans was rich, very

rich, and had certain influence with Governa’

ment, for he had obtained a commission as a
Erivateer captain and he was alarmed that be

ad allowed his dread and hatred or Elsietho
Witch with a desire for self-ag
carry him to such extremes a a nst a boy, who,-
after all might be innocent, In spite of appear-
ances against him.

premion, the major was thoroug .
determined to “crawflsh,” so he d quietly: f
“I do not wonder, Captain Evans, that you
take deep interest in your son, but he has got-
ten himself into an awkward box, and we malt
not let him escape, if uilty.”
“ No, sir, if guilty, would myself hnn him
to the yard-arm of my own Vessel. can t
he be of mine. '
“But he is not gull
charge him with, and
allowed to tell his own story."
An ap lause greeted these words, which

To use a homely but old and a pro to ex- '
’ Illa-l} seal-£1 and

of the crimes you

showed t at the tide .was turning in babel! , r

the hitherto friendless boy. ,
“He shall give what testim y he likes.

 

andiument to “

demand that ho br-

w.

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

a,

 

 

   
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
  
  
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  

:doin with the Eu

16 Ned. the Boy Skipper.

 

“Arise, Master Ned and explain your being
with the officer of a hritisb vessel-of-war the
other night,” and the major turned upon Ned
with a smile that was meant to be patronizing
and kind. but which missed the mark sadly.

“If you wish a witness to state that I was
not the pilot of the British vessel in to attack
the schooner, my mother can testify that I visited
her that night in her cottage and never left the
shore.”

“ Your mother, the—”

But the major did not speak the word, witch,
that was u%n his tongue, for he caught the eye
of Ca tain vans.

“ es, sir, my mother,” repeated Ned.

“ Ah, yes; well, madam, may I ask you, under
oath. you know, if your son was the pilot of the
Englishman that night?"

' He was not, sir ’ said Mrs. Evans calmly.

“ Ab! and may ask, under oath, remember,
if on know who was?"

‘ I believe that I am not on trial,” was the

.oontem tuous remark of Mrs. Evans, and the

or ushed, and again turned to Ned.

‘ Now, sir, the (fuestion is what were you
g isb oflicer

“ left my home sir, on a yacht, to go after
my sister, who had n ill for a long time at
an island 11 the coast.

“Return ng, we were chased by an English
Vesselcrfit'sloop-ofowar, and to escape, I beached

In .

Y‘But we were hotly pursued by a party in
boats and captured, and the English commander
m kind enough to bring us oi! our home and

us.
“Hesent his launch ashore with us, and I

. filoted the boat out through the channel, return-

E in my surf-skid.
That, sir, is the story of my being a British
y, as Constable Drake tries to make me out, and
w c you we never ve ear , an more
hi h uld be h d y
of my being a deserter, had I bribed the
constable and his deputy to release me.”

“The Lord forgive him,” groaned Constable
Drake, while Pindar fervently gasped.

“ Amen!”

“Have you witnesses that the British com-
mander captured and released you as stated?”
asked the major.”

“ I have.”

“ Who are the 1"

“ My sister an the fishermen from the islands,
who were with me on the yacht.”

“Ahl will you testify to the case as stated by

our brother, miss?” and the major turned to

oraea and noticing her beauty mentally ob-
serv .

“ Pretty asa satin slipper, and rich too. I

,mMajor Esra Norton, you have made a mis-

pnshing the boy, for you are not too old

to yet.‘

Then he smiled his sweetest, which, however,
was but a grin, and waited for Nora’s rep‘liy.

“ The facts are as my brother has state , sir,”

Lane-m in her soft, musical voice.

“Abel thank you, miss.
“I will accept your testimony as verbatim,

'withont seeking to question the fishermen on this

int, but, not being with your brother, Miss
vans, when he returned with theEnglish oflicer,

G

 

you cannot give an account of what then oc-
curred, and that is when Constable Drake swears,
yes swears, that he boarded the Englishman,
an , alone as he then was, gave testimony of a
detrimental character regarding our glorious
Government and country. ’

The major glanced around for an approval,
feeling that he had made a few clinching and
eloquent remarks, and turning to his colleagues
he held a short conversation with them, the re-
sult of which was that he said:

“ This court-martial would be glad to find the
prisoner guiltless of the charges against him, but,
it being asserted by an officer of the law that he
returned on board the British vessel and there
remained some time, it has the appearance of
guilt, and nothing short of a reliable witness
from the said British vessel, swearing in his
favor, could clear the accused of this serious ac-
cusation, for which we will be bound to hold him
as guilty.”

“ Permit me to testify in the behalf of young
Evans, sir, and to the falsity of the cha e
made against him by those narrow-minded o -
cars of the law.”

At the first words of the speaker Nora Evans
uttered a. low. startled cry and Ned’s face be-
came very pale.

Upon him every eye was riveted, and other
than the young prisoner and his sister, no one
seemed to recognize him, unless it was some few
of a group of women over in the corner of the
room.

“ Who are you, sir, for you are an utter
stranger to this court?" asked the major, fixing
his eyes upon the strange witness.

, CHAPTER XV.
a SAILOR’S SACRIFICE.

THE stranger was a tall man, elegantly
gormed, and attired in an undress naval uni-
orm. -

His face was darkly bronzed by exposure
frank, fearless, and the features were refln
and well out, while he had about him the air of
one “ to the manor born.”

His eyes were dark-blue, his hair wavy and
olden, and his face was beardless, as was the
ashion of that time.

As be advanced toward the major’s seat, Ned
arose and made a sign, as though in warning to
him, but unheeding it, and with a pleasant
smile, the stranger walked up to the witness-
stand, where had stood the constable and his
deputy in giving their testimon .

“ Who are you, may I ask, 3” repeated the
major, gazing with considerable deference u n
the stranger, whose mien certainly comman ed

respect.

‘ I am a witness, sir, in behalf of that gallant
Boy Skipper,” was the reply.

‘ What have you to say in his favor, sir?”

“ I have to say that the man who accuses him
of being a traitor to his country, utters a lie in
his false threat." was the ringing reply, and the
words created a sensation.

“ This is strong language, sir,”said the major,
standing in a certain awe of the witness.

“ It is the truth.” I _

“ You are in a position to know, an?”

“ I am."

 

\ u

(12%.,121‘"5””“ ‘

Ned. the Boy Skipper. . ‘ 1‘3

 

“ You are a naval oflicer, sir?”

“ I am a sailor and an oflicer, sir, holding the

rank of first lieutenant,” was the cool reply.
. “Ji‘hen your testimony is worthy of credence,
Sir.
“ I certainly never have had my word
doubted.”

“ And you assert that the boy is no traitor?”

“ I assert that this trial is a farce, and that
some base motives have prompted his accusars
in bringing the charges against him which they

ave.

“ He was no more the pilot of the British sloop-
of-war, that ran in and captured the American
schooner, than I was, and he has stated wholly
the truth in regard to his chase and capture by
the English Vessel, and his return to run the
boat out to see. again.

“Not a, seamen of. that beat landed, though
an ofl‘lcer did do so to aid Miss, Evans ashore,
and her brother did not go on board the British
vessel, but returned in his skiff as soon as he
had iloted it through the channel.”

“ ay,I ask, sir, how you know all this?"

“ I was an eye-witness to the entire aflair."

“ Ahl as an American naval officer?”

“ No, sir, I am an Englishman, and the senior
lieutenant on the British sloop~of-war which
you accuse that noble boy of goxng on board of
as a s y.”

Ha the sloop-of-war sent a broadside from
the sea, miles away, crashing into the little
town-hall, it would not have created a greater
confusion than did the bold words of the Eng-
lishman.

yghen the major could find words to speak, he
so! :

“ You are, sir—”

“ Sir Lucien Lonsdale, sir, a senior officer in
his British Majesty’s service afloat,” was, the
calm re ly.

“An what do you here, sir, in this free land
of America?” shouted the major, and he looked
as though he expected to see a party of British
seamen dash into the room and whisk him oil!
of his judicial seat.

“ Two days ago sir, while cruising along
our coast, in searc of a rize, we captured a
sherman, and he gave us e information that

{Ion were about to try the prisoner there as a
aitor, for having boarded our vessel.

“Knowing his innocence, as I was the oflicer
who ca tured him and than landed him and his
party, determined to save him if I could, for
my informant says that you intended to hang
him, and from what I have seen of your con-
duct of this trial, I do not doubt but that you
did so intend.

“ 1 therefore landed upon an island, where
there is a fishing-hamlet, took the man with me
who had told us the story of the prisoner’s
danger, and then surrendered‘myself to them
to bfhbrought here to testify in behalf of the

on .
y “Back there you see my fishermen guards,
and you already have heard my testimon as
to the falsity of the charges against this g ant
boy, who, willing to serve his country is ham-
red and rsecuted by a party 0 sta -at-
ome milit a who have not the courage o the
opinions they flaunt so grandly."

 

The mayor and his colleagues turned deathly
pale at t 's, and there was war in their eyes I
against the bold Englishman, who had certame
won the admiration of the crowd.

" Well, Sir Britisher, I will take your testi-
mony in favor of this boy, and upon it find him
not guilty of the charges against him; but you
having placed yourself in our power, I shali
hold as a prisoner, and send you to Boston un-
der a strong guard where the chances are that
you will be shot as a s y, for having come into
our great and glorious and to see what you can
find out regarding us.”

“As you please, sir; I submit myself to you
as a prisoner of war,” was the calm replg of the
Englishman, and while Ned the Boy kipper
was set free, he was held as a. captive to take
the chances of his noble self-sacrifice.

CHAPTER XVI.
SAILORS TO THE RESCUE. I
NED was certainly most deeply worried at th
turn affairs had taken for he disliked to owe
his escape to one whd’ he felt would be sacri-
ficed through his noble act of friendship to save
1m.

 

He had not expected such nobleness in a. fee,
and it touched him to the heart, while Nora
was deeply moved by the Englishman‘s daring
deed to save her brother.

“ He said we would meet again; but little he
dreamed then how soon it Would be,” murmured

Nora, as she drove homeward with her parents -_

and Ned in the carriage.

Ned had wished to remain with the British
officer, to see what he could do for him' but his
gfither bade him come along to. River-view with

em.

“ But he will think that I have deserted him,”
urged Ned. '

He will discover to the contra ’ when we
act,” was the calm reply of the capfl. "

“ Then you do intend to do something to save
him, father?” asked Nora.

“I shall start for Boston to see what I can do,
and will see the President and la the facts be-
fore him, if necessary, while the wo law are I
had here to look after your interest, N , and
who return in the stage this afternoon, will
make their report before the garbled statements
of that big-heeded major arrive,” answered
Ca tain Evans.

3 the carriage reached the steps leading to
the front piazza a horseman was seen coming
at full 3 ed along the highway bordering the
river-ban , and which led from the village.

He was urgin his horse hard, and the
was covered wit foam and dust. '

sin: is Tip, theson of the mum-keeper,” cried

d The next instant a youth dashed uptothe
oor.

His face was ale, in spite of his hard exercise,
and it was evi out that he had ridden attop
speed all the way from the village.

“ Nedl cap’nl Pa says come a-runnin’baok
to the town, for theyis stirrin’u ariot.

and
says they intend: tor hang ther Bri isher,”cried I

the youth in breathless haste.

“Ah! who is doing this?” calmly asked the 

captain.

 

 

  
  
  
 

 

 

. ing militia uniform, the loo

r,-‘L 1,.  .
2' 1J4}.  fi"" “5/? ‘4’Wtf‘xn;

18 « Ned. the Boy Skipper.

 

“The folks, and they is red-hot ag’in’ the
Britisher, and they swears they’ll hang him.”

“Come, Ned, we must return at once, and
lose no time, so get your belt of arms and we’ll
be off, for that brave Englishman shall not die
if we can save him.

“Quick, Dan, throw the saddles upon the
horses."

The servant addressed ran to the stables to
obey, while Ned and his father hastily armed
themselves, and were ready for their ride by the
time the horses were brought round.

Ned at once sprung into the saddle, while the
horse held for the captain suddenly became
alarmed and jerked away from the groom, to
run gallo ing about the ground.

“ her ritisher will be strung up store you
git there,” shouted Tip, and his words caused
the captain to call out: '

“ Go, Ned, and I will follow; but do not be
rash.”

“ Ay ay, sir,” cried Ned, and his horses rung
away ike an arrow from a bow, leaving ip far
behind. '

Like the very wind Ned rode on to the vil-
lage dashed up the street, and into the back
yard of the tavern, before which a large and

' excited crowd had gathered.

Ned instantly sprung to the ground, and was
met b the host of the tavern.

“ G you have come, boy, for you’ve got the
nerve of a dozen men.

“ Where’s ,your pal"

“ Coming.

“ And my son Tip?"

i‘l‘dIu distanced him. But the crowd seem
w .

“ The are, and between you and me, lad, I
think t e ma'or would just as soon see ’em
strin up the nglishman, though he pretends
not; ut you see he has got but two men to
guard him, and he’s gone up home, hoping
they'll hang him while he's away."

“And they’ll do it, for listen to that i” cried
Ned as a loud voice shouted:

‘ “Come, men, we lose time! Let us hang the
cursed British spy now i"

A shouted greeted these words, and the crowd
moved toward the piazza of the tavern, the pris-
oner and his guards being upon it.

As for the two guards, in s‘pite of their flam-

ed terribly fright-
ened, and held on to air muskets as though
tlfiey were afraid they would go of! and hurt
t em,

The prisoner, however, was calm and un-
moved, though a trifle pale, and azed into the
faces of the excited crowd with a ook of perfect
tanglessness, and a sneer at their eflorts to fright-
en 1m.

Seeing how matters stood, Ned was glad to
discover, coming in at the back door of the
tavern, Leander the fisherman and his ship-
mates, who had been on the yacht with him.

“ Leander, just stand in the hall there ready
to support me for that crowd shall not kill Sir
Lucien," said N . '

“ No, sir, they shall not. the cowards, and
we’ll. back on with our knives and hands,
which are a] we have." » a

“ They will do—Ah! they are coming, I see!"

l ‘ fl .
~  , _ , r , . .
.503; r3 “fiat/:- ' -. :1" i‘ "'

 

 

and Ned sgrun out upon the iazza, directly in
front of t e nglishman an his guards, and
confronted the excited crowd, who were at last
led on to their cowardly work by a huge fresh-
water boatman, who shouted:

“Come, messmates, and help me string up
the firitisher! We have already lost too much
time.

“Back my man, if you don’t wish to die!”
cried N , confronting him, a pistol in one hand,
a cutlass in the other.

For an instant there was dead silence, and
the crowd gazed upon the daring youth in a
startled kind of way.

Then the huge boatman, having recovered
from his astonishment, again advanced to the
steps of the piazza, for he had shrunk back at
the unexpected obstacle that had so suddenly
barred his way. ,

“What! Does you interfere, when it hain’t
been long since you come near being strung up
too?” cried the boatman.

“ I do interfere, and you will find it out if you
press me,” was the calm reply.

“ Come. lads. let us board the tavern and seize
the Britisher!” yelled the riverman, who, like
most fresh-water sailors, aflected sea terms.

“ Back all! This is no deck, but the first man
who boards it, as that bully says, I will kill i”
cried Ned, in a voice that reached every ear.

As he spoke he leveled his pistol full at the
breast of the burly leader.

“ Come, lads, he won’t dare fire, and he’s
nothing but a boy,” shouted the bully, and rais-
ing his sheath—knife threatenineg he sprung
toward the daring boy.

But Ned kept his threat to the letter, for his
finger touched the trigger, the flash and report
game together, and the riverman fell dead at his

set.

With cries of horror the crowd shrunk back
untila voice in the rear, out of danger, cried
out: “ Avenge our leader!”

Then, with yells, they moved toward the brave
bo once more, but again came to a sudden
ha t, as there glided out upon the piazza, from
the tavern hal way, Captain Evans, Leander
and his shipmates, and the fishermen to whom
the British officer had surrendered, to come to
aid Ned by his testimony, and who had been
awed by the crowd from protecting him.

“ Ho, sailors to the rescue!” cried Ned, as he
saw this support, and seizing a musket from one
of the two ards over the prisoner, he moved
forward, while with him advanced the solid line
of seamen, who were determined-to protect the
British officer, enemy though he was. _ .

This bold front scattered the crowd in all th-
rections, and many, cooling down from their ex-
citement, were anxious not to have been thought
amon the rioters. _

As ed acted in self-defense and wholly in
the right, even Constable Drake dared not at-
tempt to arrest him for the kllling of the ring-
leader of the mob, and Captain Evans gave him
to understand that he would stand no more
trifling, while he said: _

“ In your hands, sir, I leave this risoner,
and you will do well to has him from ‘arm, as
you will find that you wi lbs held strictly ace
countable for your actions." ‘

A

a ‘fly 

:-R\-

-.:..-».

A ‘_')-p

Ned, the Boy Skipper.K

1

 

This cowed the constable, for he began to feel
that Captuin Evans was going to be a power in
the land, and that he was a man to wish the
friendship of, rather than the ill—Will.

So he said:

“I’ll see that he is cared for, captain, and no
harm comes to him, until I turn him over to the
guard that goes with him to Boston to—morrow."

“ Keep him here at the tavern, and remain
with him,” ordered the captain, and turning to
the English officer, he continued:

“ Sir Lucien, I have to thank you, sir, for
your kindness to my children while on your ves-
so], and more lately for your noble selfasacriflce
in coming to save Ned from the ugly scrape he
was in.”

“ Do not speak of it, Captain Evans, for Ned
has more than returned the favor, I assure you;
and if he was a British boy the king would soon
send him a commission."

After conversing a short while longer with
the Englishman, Ned and the captain mounted
their horses and started homeward, the latter
telling Leander and his shipmates to remain in
the village until the guards had departed with
their prisoner, and ordering the host of the tav-
ern to entertain the lads with the best he had at

_ his expense.
“ Should there be any further trouble brew-
ing Leander, send for me with all s ,”

sai the captain, as he rode olf wit his
daring son, of whom he seemed so justly proud,
for he remarked warmly as they left the vil-
age:

“ Ned, my boy, you did work to-day that few

‘ men would dhre attempt.”

“I am sorry, father, thatI had to take life,
butI would have died rather than that they
should have harmed that splendid man, our
enemy though he be," was the response of the
brave boy.

 

CHAPTER XVII. ‘
WAYLAID BY Gnos'rs.

THE excitement following the arrest of the.

English officer was so great that the major, who
feared he had made another mistake in urging
on the mob, as he really had done, was anxxous
to get the prisoner off his hands, so detailed an
officer and two men to go in the stage with him
to Boston.

Major Bounce, as he was inappropriater
named, did not Wish to do one act to anger Cap-
tain Evans any more than he had done.

In the first place he admired a man who was
rich.

The richer a man was the more he
the major’s admiration, and he had taken pains
to find out, and discovered that the captain was
by far the wealthiest man of whose acquaintance
he had ever boasted.

Then, too, he had an idea that the captain
had some influence with the Government, while
the host of the tavern told him that his belief
was that the new master of Riverv1e_w Mansion
was secretly an officer in the United States
service.

“I made amistake in pushing the boy as I
did; but I let him of! so nicely that I am sure 1
won the captain’s gratitude and the admiration
of his lovely daughter, too. _

 

, any one attempts to hal you.

4,» ,-.-  'I»a?.at.‘.*f~ -.

“ How beautiful she is, and how she seemed to
han upon my every utterance.

“ ell, Major Bounce, you are not so bad-
looking after all, and you may some day win a
pretty wife, and a. rich one to boot, for there are
but two children to divide the property.

“ Go in and win, you sly dog,” and the maJor
gave his own ribs a punch with his long, bony
fin ers, and smiled in complacent self—conceit.

he hour arrived for the departure of the
stage the following afternoon, and all of the vil-
lagers were gathercd about the tavern to see the
prisoner start.

The major was there in full regimental uni-
form, and his sword dangling about his long
1e s nearly trippfd him up several times.

e looked so -important, and tried to look
austere, but the effort was a failure, the stem-
ness about his mouth had the appearance of one
who has eaten unri persimmons.

“Constable Dre 6, is ivlgur prisoner ready?”
called out the major to t t worthy, who stood
at an open window on the second floor of the
tavern. '

“ He is, sir.”

“ Then bring him out, for my aide-de-camp
and his escort are ready to receive him,” was
the in us command.

T e aide-de-camp was a fat young man who
(lid not have a happy look.

His uniform set in wrinkles about his body,
his sword was longer than his short legs, and his
hat was too small for his bullet-shaped head.

His escort consisted of two militiamen, armed
to the teeth, for the carried a musket, a sword

and a dra oon- isto each, and they also had an-

unhappy ook, or some wag had hinted that a.

mob was on the highway, awaiting to riddle the‘

coach with bullets, being perfectly willin , as
patriotic American citizens, to kill a trio o 801-
diers, so that the méght also slay an enemy.
“Lieutenant an oost, thereis your prisoner.
“ Prisoner, there is your guard, said
Bounce, as Drake and his deputy appeared w th
Sir Lucien Lonsdale between them. ‘ -
A flush was upon the face of the young officer

as he held out his bands, which were ironed, .

and asked:

“ s this the way, sir, an English oflcer in
treated by Americans?”

“ You come under the head of a. spy, air, and
should not complain,” returned the major.

“ And you, sir, come under the head of a
major of militia; and I should not complain, for
an American officer of the regulars knows the
courtesy due a prisoner,” was the retort of the
Englishman. '

“ Lieutenant Van Voost, here is the he to
the manacles, and you are to be careful 1:
your prisoner does not escape.

“Also, sir, you are to defend him with your
life, should an effort be made to release him or
to harm him, or remember, sir, he is a prisoner
of our glorious country.”

“ Yes, major," said the lieutenant nervously
taking the key and thrusting it in the holster of
his dragoon pistol. , »

“ Now, coachman, here are your passengers,

and drive through with haste, for no one also

goes along; and mind on, lay on the whip if

A

~ ' v

“H

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

. f. 7r!“ .anmc

 

‘ hill, was

20 Red. the Boy Skipper.

 

“ Yes, sah," said the stage-driver, who was a
runaway negro from Virginia. that had drifted
up into Maine and become a whip on a stage
route.

A crack of the whip and the stage was oii‘,
Sir Lucien seated upon the back seat alongside
of the fat lieutenant, and the two soldiers con—
fronting him with a look of boldness upon their
faces that they were far from feeling.

Charcoal Sam, as the negro stage-driver was
called, sent his horses along at a lively pace for
the first relay, where a halt was made for

an r.

E en just a little while before sunset the
coach started again, and the road led toward
the sea.

Charcoal Sam was always anxious to ass one
spot on the road before darkness shou d over-
take him.

This was where the highway ran along in
view of the sea b day, and where once had
stood a fishing-ham et.

But those who had once lived there had nearly
all been massacred by Indians one night, and
the others had fled to safer quarters.

Some of the hats still remained, desolate and
decaying, with the windows and doors swin ‘ng
about with a creaking noise that sounded ike
the shrieks of the d ing.

Upon one side 0 the highway was the ham-
let 'and utgon the other, dotting the slope of the

e village of the dead.

There rested fully a hundred bodies, and above
their heads the pine trees sighed a requiem.

The place was wild and picturesque by day,
but at night, with the roar of the surf near by,
the deserted hamlet, the windows and doors
creaking in the wind, and the sighing ines, it
was a place of desolation and solitu e to be
avoided by the timid.

Never but once had Charcoal Sam allowed
himself to be caught there after nightfall, and
then he got free drinks at the taverns at each
end of the route by telling of the ghosts he had

seen.

All looked lovely for him to get by on this
occasion before the shadows began to lengthen
into gloom, and he sent his team whirling
along.
But suddenly one of his horses went lame,
and Sam was compelled to come down to a
slower pace.

This delayed him, and he was pained tosee
nightfall before he reached the old deserted
hamlet.

With the nightfall the moon rose, and Char-
coal Sam muttered:

“ N0w do ghosteses walk sure.”

He wished he could turn back, wanted to be

back in Old Virginia, and would have been will-

ing to go back into slavery, rather than go
through that hamlet by night.

But he knew that he had to go on, and he
nerved himself to the task.

Suddeglg the hamlet came in view, then the
white he -boards above the graves on the hill-
side, and the pines sighed more mournfully, the
surf fall with a hollow, sepulchral sound upon
the aggdre, and Charcoal Sam was utterly

wrote .
Guild he have sent his horses flying along the

 

rough road he would gladly have done so; but
the oil-leader was going almost upon three legs
and could not be hurried, so he was forced to
go slow.

He reached the hamlet upon one side, and had
just begun to cross a little rivulet that ran
across the road, when suddenly a white form
stood in his way and even the lame leader shied
violently.

“ De ghost! ‘fore gracious dis am a warnin’ o’
esvil, an' I is a gone nigger," cried Charcoal

am.

Could he have turned his team in that narrow
road, he would have done so quickly, and that
lame horsc would have been lashed into a speed
that was terrific.

I Bait he could not, and he sat like one para-
yze .

Then, to his horror there glided toward the
stage upon either side a white-robed form.

Turning his gaze Sam beheld a fourth ghost
in the rear, and more weird forms in sight.

“ Oh gollyl de Jedgment Day hev come, and
day is all risin', do’ I didn’t hear Gabr’el blow he
horn,” groaned the poor negro, in an agony of
terror.

“ What is it, driver?” called out Lieutenant
Van Voost.

“ J ist look out an’ see, boss."

“ See what?”

“ De gravayard hev bu’sted loose, boss, an’
de ghosteses is waylaid us.”

One glanco out of the window, and Aide-de—
camp Van Voost uttered a terrific yell, which
was echoed by his soldiers as they too saw the
ghastly forms coming toward them.

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
ran nor smrrsa‘s RUSE.

WITHOUT a thought of other than the horrid
objects upon which they gazed, and a desire to
get out of the way as quickly aspossible, Lieu-
tenant Van Voost dashed open the doors of the
stage and lprung out, 'ust as Charcoal Sam had
nerved himself for ight and jumped down
from his box.

The lieutmant and his soldiers were tripped
up with their first bound, by their swords, and
this caused them to unfasten their belts and
cast them away, and then a foot-race was begun
that was ludicrous in the extreme, for, fat as
he was, as was his duty being an omoer, Lieu-
tenant Van Voorst led t e way.

Upon each side of the coach the beheld what
certainly appeared to be a shrou ed form, and
back on the hillsides were more coming slowly
toward them, and waving their arms in a most
weird fashion. '

Back up the road tore the fn htened quar-
tette, either most equally match in speed, or
keeping close together from the belief that in
unity there is strength.

And, amazed at the conduct of his guards, the
English officer also glanced out, and the weird
forms were revealed to him, too.

Sir Lucien was above superstition, and his
was a fearless nature, so he did not flinch at the
sight. but muttered:

“This is some horrid mockery of country
boys, to frighten, the negro and his passengers;

«M‘s _.._

..a.. A.-- m.

-— wvf ___‘.g.,

.m.....n_.e__‘.

_.-_ I... -.._ ‘6. ,

Nod. the Boy Skipper. 8-1

 

but .il will take advantage of it to escape, it
51 e.

“ Ah! there lies the lieutenant’s sword, and I
remember that he dropped the key of my man-
acles into his pistol-holster.

“ Now I am free."

Stooping quickly he soon found the key, and
managed to get it into the lock of his irons and
release himself.

Then he grasped a pistol and sword, just as
the nearest white—robed form halted near him.

“ Well, do you attempt to bar my way?”
coolly asked the English officer, as he presented
his pistol.

“ No, indeed, Sir Lucien; but I could not
speak before for laughing at that fat lieutenant,
his soldiers and the negro, the way they did
run.

“ ,Iiarkl you can hear the patter of their feet
yet.

This strange remark came from one of the

hosts, while the others gathered around, seven
In all, and presented certainlya most ghastly

crew.

“The voice of the gallant Boy Skipper, as I
live!” cried the British ofiicer.

“Yes, Sir Lucien, and I played my little game
to save you.

“Here, this ghost is my sister, Nora, who
knew of this deserted hamlet and graveyard,
and roposed the plot, and that midnight
prowlgr is Leander, while the others are his
shipmates.

‘ We came down the coast in~two surf-skii’fs,
and Leander went over to the stage station and
pulled a shoe ofl’ of one of the horses so that he
would quickly go lame on these rocky roads
and fetch Charcoal Sam along here after dark.

“ So now you have our little ruse.”

Sir Lucien had listehed in silence to the
quickly told story of Ned, but now he said,
earnestly: _

“ From my heart I thank you all, my friends,
for such I may call you, though our lands are at
war with each other. ‘

“ But now, give me a small boat, let me put
to sea and give you no further trouble on my
account, for you will only place yourselves in
peril by befriending me.”'

“No, Sir Lucien, we have a plan for your
escape, and you must be governed by my
brother until we can regain your vessel. \

“As for to—night, we will go back home be—
fore daybreak, and no one will suspect us of
laying ghost; but let us not delay here,” and

on led the way toward the shore.

“ What shall I do with the horses, sir?”
called out Leander to Ned.

“ Oh, yes; just unhitch them and turn them
loose. and they’ll return to the station,” answer-
ed Ned, with another hearty laugh. as he re-
called the race of the gallant soldiers.

At the beach Leander and his men got into
one skifl, while Ned, the British officer and
Nora entered the other, and the former called
on :

“ You can make your island by day, Leander,
and when the sloop comes along after Sir
Lucien, tell the captain to lay to one week from
to-ni ht of! the Haunted Fort, and I will bring
the eutenant out to his vessel.”

 

“ Ay, ay, sir, and luck to you,” answered Le-
ander, as he started on his return to his island
home, while the other skiff, urged by a pair of
ours in Ned‘s hands, went close inshore on its
way toward the Haunted Fort.

CHAPTER XIX.
LIEUTENANT ELMORE MEETS A FRIEND.

“ WELL, Elmore, I learn that you have sold
your place up in Maine."

The speaker was a young man who had been
a purser in the navy and whom Lieutenant El-
more knew well.

They had met upon the street in Boston, when
after a. greeting the ex—purser had addressed the
finestion to the young ofl‘lcer regarding the

iverview Mansion.

“ Yes, my duties keep me here. and my father
was tired of living alone up at Riverview, so
sold out and came to the city.”

“ Then you can tell me all that I wish to know
about getting there, for I take the stage to-
nigh for your old home, as I understand it was.”

“ ndeedl What can carry you there?” asked
Elmore with considerable interest.

“ I don’t mind telling you, though it is a ee-
cret; but you know I left the navy to accept a
position in a large mercantile house.”

“ Yes, Rodney, I do remember it.”

“Now the house failed, and that ruined me;
but one of the partners had some property be-
longing to his wife, which he is to get money
on, an we are to put it in a privateer, for there
is more money in privateering now against the
English than in any thing else.”

“ If you are successful, there certainly is.”

“ So we think, and we have a schooner new
building that is just what we want, and I am
flow” going up to Maine to get the money for

or.

“ To get the money in Maine?”

U Yes.”

“ From whom there, pm i”

“ The purchaser of your ome.”

“ Norcross Evans?”

" Yes, the captain is an old friend of my em.
ployer, and he wrote him for a loan of the mou-
ey on his notes, secured by property.”

“ And his answer?"

" That he would invest the money for him that
was needed, without security, in case he was to
have one-third interest in the profits.

“ Of course, my partner in the enterprise

jumped at this, and Ca tain Nor-cross, who, it’

seems, keeps his gold in is mansion, wrote fora
messenger to come after the sum needed, and I
start to-night, and wish you would tell me just
how to get there.”

“ i’ll tell you what I will do,” said the ofloor,
sudden] .

“ We 1?”

“I will take you with me.”

“ No—are you going?”

“Yes, I was going up to the neighborhood to
collect payment upon a small farm. my father
sold, and on can easily reach the village from
there, an drive over to Riverv1ew.

“ I will not promise to go to the homestead-

with on. for I had some little trouble with
Capta n Evans, and do not care that he shall
know when I am in his neighborhood. .

y

.  i, 31" "a
, ‘_, .v  _‘ .v are,”

"its

 

 

 

  
 
  
   
  
    
 
  
  
  

 

 

‘easi

22 ‘ Ned, the Boy Skipper.

 

I“ But I will take you within a league of the
p ace.

“ This is splendid, for I dreaded the trip alone;
but do you go in to-night’s stage?”

“ [do not go by stage, but in my own stiff
lggtle’pleasure sloop, which lies here in the bar-

r

“”So much the better, for I do love the wa-
terl

“ Do you mind being sailor for the voyage?”

“No, indeed, I would rather like it; but we
will have to keep our eyes open for British ene-
miss.”

“ Oh, there is no danger, as we can hug the
coast, which I know well, and run into any of
the coves if we are in danger.”

“ Good. But when do you start?”

“ III” was to go this afternoon; will that suit
you

“ Yes, and I will let my partner know the
chan e in my plans.”

“ 0, do not speak of it, for he may think it
safer for you to go by stage, and I want your

. com ny.’
“ Ell not desert yon, Elmore.”

“ Then we’ll get elf soon, and I’ll meet you at
the Bull’s Head Inn in a couple of hours.”

“ Agreedl” and the two parted, Rodney Vail
to make immediate arrangements for his trip,
and Lieutenant Elmore to hasten to the piers.

“I want the best small craft you have,” he
said, to a man seated in a small omce upon the

. end of a pier.

“ Well, sir, I have some good pleasure-craft
to hire and sell, for I suppose that is what you
want?”

“It is, and I want a boat that can stand
rough weather and be handled by two men

1’
“ flow do you like that little sloop Oh? there i”
and the boatman pointed to a graceful craft of
some live tons burden.

“ She's a beauty and looks like a goer.”

“ She is fast and can stand up in a. blow,
while, if need be, she lays to in a gale like a
line-of-battle ship.

“ Then she has a cabin for four and all com-
plete.”

“ Her price?”

“ To buy?”

“ No, to h .”

“ For ho ,lon l”

“ Say two Wee ”

“ Vic’s“, you can have her for twenty-five a
wee

“ I will take her.”

“Will you give me the name of some one to
whoa:1 I clan refgr, lfork ygu ar:l not knnown to
me, orig you 0 00 9 gen eman.

“ I wi give you a defiosit, which is better, as
I am a stranger here. ow much do you want?"

“ She cost me a clean thousand, sir.”

“ Here is your money, and take this and
store her wel with the best provisions, for say,
two Weeks.” ,

“ I will, sir.”

“ and have her ready for me at once.”

With this Lieutenant Elmore turned away
and walked ra idly toward the house where he
had establish himself in the city with his wife
and father.

 

 

Simply stating that he would be out of the
city for a week or so, and seizing his cloak and
arms he departed for the Bull’s Head Inn, and,
meeting Rodney Vail there, they were soon
after on board the little pleasure-sloop, flying
swiftly out of the harbor on their cruise to
the coast of Maine.

CHAPTER XX.
HAUNTED.

THE moon streamed brightly down upon the
coast of Maine, making its rugged shorse stand
out in bold and picturesque relief.

“ That is a forbiddin coast to be off in a storm,
Elmore,” said Rodne ail, as he sat by the side
of his friend in the ittle pleasurevcraft which
had safely made the run from Boston.

“Yes, but to one who knows its inlets, chan-
nels and harbors, the coast is a safe refuge.”

“ Is that not a fort yonder?" and Rodney Vail
pointed to a cliff that towered up grandly in the
moonlight.

“ It was an old fortification, but was long ago
deserted.

“ Here, I shall run in now and we will anchor
in a cove round yonder point.

“ From there it is but four miles to Riverview,
and five to the village, but I would advise that
you go to the village and stop at the tavern to-
night, driving out to Rival-view after break-
fast.”

“ That would be best, I guess.”

“ Yes, and you can dine at the homestead,
return in the afternoon to the village, and leave
the vehicle at the hill upon which stands an old
tower. \

“ Then take the road leading from the villa e
by the tower and it will bring you tc that o d
fortification on the cliff there and I will be there
awaiting you.’

“ But if I should be delayed?”

“I will be there when you come; but, remem-
ber, do not speak of how you came, or that I am
with you, for as I told on, the summoned me
to appear at the trial of vans’s y and as I did
not go, not wishinIg to iet him into trouble as I
could have done, mig t be held for contempt,
you know.”

“ Yes; I will not speak of it, but lead the cap-
tain to think I came by stage; but come up to
the clifl? with me first and start me well from
there, and then I can readily find my way back
even if I come by night.”

Landin
went u t e ridfile pathway to the clifl and Lieu-
tenant lmore s owed Rodney Vail just where
he would meet him and then walked on With
him for a mile or so toward the village.

“ Now, the man I wish to see lives over there,
Rodney, so I will leave you here, and go and
collect my money.”

“We will have to be careful on our we back,
Elmore, as we would enrich an Eng] shman
who captured us, for I expect to get, as I told
You, twenty thousand dollars from Captain

vans;

“ Yes, it would be a. nice sum for an English—
man to grasp.

“ Well, luck to you, and I’ll expect you by
this time tomorrow night.” _

The two friends than parted, Rodney Vail

in the little cove, the two friends

“uk,,,, .4... .,_  .,

..y..,__ a"

._~ M...“ .a M.

.H, I] _. V, M...“ W.

o. ..._.. ......,._.. .- _ Anna“...

2. not... .\ m. when. -.,....__..._- "

Ned, the Boy Skipper. 28

 

continuing on toward the village, and Lieuten-

, ant Elmore, standing where he had parted from

him.

For some moments he stood still and then
slowly retracerl his way.

He had nearly reached the Haunted Fort when
he stopped suddenly.

“ Fool that I was! why did I bid him meet
me there?

“ The spot ever was hateful to me and now it
is terribly so, since, from the vessel’s deck that
day I saw poor Nora spring to her death from
the old fort, and dash into the sea.

“ Will I never shut that horrible sight forever
out of my mind, I wonder?

“ 1t haunts me from day to day and nightly I
see her in my dreams.

“1“ F001! fool that I was to tell him to meet me
ere.

“ It is haunted, they say, and they tell the

truth.

“ And I, too, am haunted, haunted with mem-
ories that will never down at my bidding.

“ If I could catch him, I would hasten on
after him to tell him; but no, I will head him off
before he gets there, for I dare not visit that
spot.
“No, no; I dare not go there, for she would
rise before me in spirit, as I saw her last in

flesh.

“ Ah! but I made a mistake, a fatal mistake
in not marrying Nora, for I loved her, and did
not love the one to whom I am bound.

“ I married her to gain some wealth, and now
she is a pauper, and I have but two thousand
dollars in the world, and I owe twice that for
gambling-debts that must be paid. '

“ Had I taken Nora, whatever Captain Evans
might have had against my father, he is not the
man to visit upon me the sins of my parents,
and I would have been rich and happy with the
woman I loved.

“But, alasl the die is cast, and I made the
fatal mistake, so must drift with the tide of cir-
cumstances, be they what they may,” and Lieu-
tenant Elmore, a man with a haunted heart,
hastened back to his 5100 , little dreaming that
Nora, whom he believed cad, was so near him
in flesh and blood, alive and well.

CHAPTER XXI.
ran assassm.

WHEN the shadows of night an to deepen
the following evening, Lieutenant lmore wend-
ed his way slowly up the ridge pathwa from
the cove to keep his appointment with uey

 

all.

He had he t his boat hidden in a. little creek
all day, and e t quiet, not desirous to attract
the attention 0? any fisherman that might pass
the cove in his boat.

Now, as he walked slowly along, his face was
pale, and wore a set look. ‘ _

At last he reached the roadway, and In the
distance he saw glimmering in the moonlight,
the white cottage where had dwelt Elsie and her
children. .

Some uncontrollable feelingl drew his steps
thither. and he stood at the ittle gate gazing
upon the cottage.

It was dark and tenant-Jess, and yet it did not

 

wear the air of neglect that generally hangs
about a deserted house.

Some kind hand had kept the weeds out of the
garden and walks, and tenderly cared for the

owers, which were rapidly feeling the biting
breath of the coming wmter.

From the cottage Lieutenant Elmore involun-
tarily went toward the Haunted Fort.

Some power which he seemed unable to resist
drew him thither.

The old ruin loomed up grandly in the moon-
light, and following the impulse that drew him
on, he boldly entered the tunnel entrance and
stood within the fortress.

The moon shone brightly down, revealin the
old guns, the graves over in the corner 0 the
plaza, the cavernous rocks in the background,
dig]. the towering moss overhead and upon either
81 e. 
Walking to the very spot where he had seen
Nora Evans stand, the day she took the suicidal
leap into the sea, as he was sailing away with his
bride, he too stood there and the thou hts that
worked upon him almost overwhelmed im.

Then he turned and was just about to sprin
over the rock breastwork, when he crouohe
down upon h s knees, transfixed with horror,
while from his quivering lips came the words:

“ Great God! can such things really be? ,It
is Nora’s ghost! the spirit of her I murdered
hauntin the spot from where she took her fatal
lea to eath l’

nd it was no wonder that the guilt man,
whose desertiou of poor Nora had caus her to
wish to die, was horror-struck, and trembled in
mortal a ony, for, slowly crossing the fort plaza,
was the orm of a young girl, and the moonlight
falling full upon her revealed the face of Nora
Evans!

She passed on into the larger of the caverns
of the rocky background and disappeared.

Then the almost fear-maddened man sprung ‘

to his feet, bounded over the parapet of rook,
and rushed toward the tunnel exit.

But again he started back, for a form sud- ‘

denlfi appeared before him.
“ o, Elmore I am here, and delighted to
meet you,” crie Rodney Vail, for be it was.

“ Did you get the gold?" hoarsely demanded
the ofilcer.

“ Yes, I got the money in gold and bank-
notes, and have all here in this sachel, and a
heavv weight it is to carry, I assure you.”

“ 'I‘hen iel for what more fitting place than
this for me to kill you.

“ Die, I say, and lie here, for no one will ever ‘

seek your body in this spot.”

And deep into the heart of the youn
sunk the knife, held in the hand of one 9 had
believed his friend.

A loud cry of agony and despair went from
the pallid lips. as a second time the knife was
buried to the hilt, and Rodney Vail sunk down
upon the rock, crying out:

“ Elmore, ou have killed me!”

“‘ Yes, an I did it for your gold, Rodney

all.

“ I did intend to hurl you into the sea on "our
run back. but this is the very spot where such a
iiegd should be done by me, and I have done

to. .

 

man

 

 

 

Ned. the Boy Skipper.

 

“ And you are my risoner, sir.”

The stem words fel like a cannon's discharge
upon the ears of Lieutenant Elmore, and ara-
lsed with fear, he turned, while his nife

ropped with a loud ring upon the rocks, the
sight he beheld taking all power from his
nerveless hand.

CHAPTER XXII.
' CAIN-ACCURSED.

STANDING before him, when he turned at the
stern words that fell upon his ear, Lieutenant
Elmore beheld three persons.

One was a tall, handsome man in uniform,
and he held a sword with the point toward the
heart of the assassin.

The second one was a outh, whom the reader
knows as Ned, the Boy kipper, while the third,
upon whom the eyes of the lieutenant were fixed
with horror, was Nora, looking wondrously
beautiful in the moonlight.

“Great Godl am I dreaming?” gasped the
murderer.

“ It you will look down upon the body of the
man you but now killed to get his gold, or if
you attempt resistance, sir. you will discover
that on are very wide awake,” said Sir Lucien,
stern , for be it was.

“ And Nora, are you then not dead?”

“ No; was ared that I might live to dis-
cover what a too I was in ever believing that I
loved such as you,” was the scathing re ly.

, “And ion, sir, who are you?” hang tily de—
manded imore, gaining courage when he dis-
cngred that he did not have a ghost to deal
w1 .
“I am, sir, an officer, and you are my pris-
oner.” was the reply.
r “ Your words have an English ring to them,

“ It matters not, Lieutenant Elmore, who, or
what I am.

“I heard your words, saw your act, which I
was too late to prevent, and, as an assassin and
highway robber, I make you my prisoner.

‘ Resist, and you die.”

“ One moment, I pray you,” and Nora stepped

toward the speaker, and then continued earn-

y:
“ This man won, as I believed my love.
“Now I know that I was only fascinated by
him as a bird might be by a serpent.
“ but in his veins and mine flow the same
, blood, and for the sake of the past, I would not
see him hanged.
“ Let him go, I of you, sir, and maybe
from this night he wil lead a different life.
“What he has done cannot be undone, and
the world must know of his crime, and eternal
disgrace come upon him.

But I would not see him die at the yard-arm

for his crime, and soIsay to you now, Lieu-
tenont Elmore, go and sin no more, and hide
yourself from those who will track you down

- I for the murder you have this night committed.

.“Ned, my brother, do you not say as I do?"
and she turned to Ned, who stood calmly by, a
pistol in hand.

“Yes, sis, let him go: but let him hide out of
the State of Maine.

,“Go, Lieutenant Elmore, and do not forget

fiwgww.-.“.--.~_.s....,. I“. _-.. .. , .V . ..  .1

 

that you owe your life to the one you so cruelly
deserted!”

“ But, Nora—”

“ Go, sir, or I will be tempted to save the
hangman trouble, and hurl you over yonder
clifl’,” sternly said the English officer.

“ Lieutenant Elmore loved life, and shuddered
at the thought of dying upon the gallows.

He had committed murder for gold.

He saw disgrace staring him in the face, and
death if he did not fly.

But life was offered him, and the world was
before him, and without a word he turned and
walked uickly away.

Then Sir Lucien knelt by the body of Rodney
Vail and said sadly:

“ fie is dead.”

“Poor man, he is the one who left Riverview
only a few hours ago to return to Boston.

“He did not say that he had come here by
sea; but led’ us to believe that he had arrived in
the stage; but the words of his slayer showed
the lot against him.

“ ed, a fisherman came to the mansion at sun-
set, and reported that a pretty little sloop was
lying concealed in Hideaway Creek, and know-
ing that you were here with Sir Lucien, I
mounted to horse to ride over and tell you."

“It was t e craft that they came in, sis; but
now, will you return home, and send the car-
riage after this poor young man, and ask father
to drive, for it must not be known that he was
killed here, as then some bus bodies might
invade the old rain, and find Sir ucien.”

“True, brother, and—”

“ Light ho l” sudden] called out the British
ofiicer, as he spied a lig t oil! at sea.

1 turned their ass in that direction, and
placing his glass to his eye, Sir Lucien said:

“Now, my good friends, I will relieve you of
your kind care of me and my troublesome
presence, for yonder vessel is the sloop-of—war—
yes, there she displays the signal agreed upon.

“ I owe you, ed, my life, and both of on
havetbeen most kind to me, and I will not or-
geti .

“ Miss Evans, again I say we will meet again,
and Ned, I trust never to meet you n n the
seas while this unhappy war is raging tween
your country and mine.

“Now, good-by, and I will go down to the
glace tw’here you hid the skin? for me, and

epar .

A few more words of farewell, and the noble
Englishman departed.

Soon they saw him glide awa from the hora
in his skiff, and head for the s oop-of-war, now
lying to not far from the reefs, for the sea was
not fretted by any wind.

As the sloop-of-war glided away a blaze shot
out from her side, and then another,_ and the
deer:i boom of two heavy guns came rolling land-
war . ~

It was the British oflicer’s last good—b to
the brother and sister standing in the ru ned
fort. ,

Then, as they were about to turn away, they
beheld a small sloop shoot Out from the shadow
of the land and head seaward.

It was the little craft bearing Lieutenant
Elmore in his flight for life. _

 

 

 

fl—Au-¢o, “0* < *———>- - — ..

i, gm ‘

 

Ned, the Boy Skipper. ' es

 

Then Ned took up the sachel of the dead
man, and, with his sister, left the fort, Nora,
having come on horseback, mounting and riding
rapidly liomeward to tell the sad tidings to her
parents of the tragedy in the old rum, and who
it was that had to wander a Cain-accursed man
throughout the world.

CHAPTER XXIII.
BOISTING THE BLACK FLAG.

MIDWINTER has passed and the snows are
melting from the Maine hills and valleys.

The thunders of war yet resound upon land
and sea, and the cruisers of England are almost
daily seen along the coast.

Changes have come to some of the scenes and
characters of our story, for a garrison has been
placed in the Haunted Fort, and new guns re—
place the old ones, and command the entrance
to the dangerous channels that run into the
river, while a small fortress has been built on
the river near Riverview Mansion, so that the
inmates of that pleasant home had a lively win-
ter of it, with gallant young officers so near at
hand, and an occasiona vessel—of-war lying at
anchor in the river.

The home of Captain Evans always had its
latch-string hanging on the outside of the door,
and a hospitable welcome awaited all; but many
a young officer’s heart got a wound there from
the eyes of Nora, who, friendly to all, seemed to
love no one in particular.

Captain Evans had gone to Boston with Ned
just after the death of Rodney Vail, and the
youth had made his report of the scene which

is sister and himself had witnessed, keeping
back, however, the fact that there was an
English officer as a third witness, yet stating the
scene of the murder, as, Sir Lucien being gone,
there was no reason for keeping that secret any

 

longer. .

The result of this report was that Lieutenant
Elmore was dismissed from the service, branded
as an outlaw, and a reward placed upon his
head. ,

In the village near Riverview changes had
also occurred, for the militia had given place_ to
a few companies of regulars, so that Major
Bounce found his occupation gone, ad was
forced to retire to a quiet and obscure l is.

But the denizens of that sleepy hamlet were
still troubled in mind over the affair of the
ghosts wayla ing the stage-coach,

The fat at 2, with his two soldiers and Char-
coal Sam, had returned to the relay station
with their startling story, and nearly stampeded
all that lived in that vicinity.

With dawn a party visited the place. for no
one would go b night. and found_the stage
with the horses hitched to it, but no Sign of the
ghosts or the prisoner. . _

The closest search also failed to discover
either the former or the latter and Charcoal
Sam drove the valiant uards hackto the vil-
lage, and resigned fort with his situation as
driver. \

Through the whole winter this was a weird
topic of talk, as also the other numerous rumors
of how the war was progressing on sea and

shore.
“Well, Ned, next week we leave to take

 

charge of our vessel,” said Captain Evans, as he
opened his mail at breakfast ono morning, and
read a letter from his agent.

“ I am glad of that, sir, for now we will have
a chance to .see lively service,” responded Ned
Joyfully, while his mother and sister looked and
at the news.

“Ah! what is this?" cried Captain Evans, as
he opened a letter, and then he read aloud:

“ ‘ The sensation here is the cutting out of the new
schooner built by Foley for a privateer, by young
Elmore, who, you remember, was once a. lieutenant
in the navy.

“ ‘He boarded her by night with a large crew of
des erate men, threw overboard the half-dozen men
in c urge, and boldly sailed out m sea.

“ ‘Vcssels COIDillL’ in the next da reported that

at sunrise the schooner ran the blac flag u to her -

Beak, and saluted it with minute-guns, so at now
a

is Elmore the Pirate.‘

“ This Folev is the man who was poor Vail‘s
partner, so, Ned Elmore has stolen a vessel
that I advanced t e money to buy, and‘ we will
have to look him up and put a noose about his
neck, if he is kin to us, for such kindred as he
is had better be hanged," said the captain
sternly.

As for Nora, she said nothing; but most
deeply thankful was she that she had escaped
being the wife of a man who had raised the
black flag of a pirate above his decks.

CHAPTER XXIV.
ran in EST PRIZE.

AT last the privateer was finished, and, with
every rope in lace a crew of seventy-five men
on board, the éorceress, as Captain Evans
called his new vessel, set sail on her cruising for
En lish foes.

er guns were of the very best, and her
crew was made up among the island fishermen.
Leander bemg second lieutenant, while Ned was
next in rank .to his father, a position the can-
tain considered him fully capable of taking, for
he had proven himself com tent on many oc-
cas10ns of doing the duties 0 a man.

Once at sea, and every seaman on board turned
his eyes anx10usly upon the raceful hull and
ta r rigging of the new vessell. ‘

k Ihemwtii‘is I: muty, ltchath was certain, from
so uc;uwou se rov herself!
good as she looked? p 9 a

The wind was stiff, and the sea rough; but
after regarding the vowel for half an hour, one
and all burst forth in a hearty cheer for they
saw that the Sea. Sorceress was stanc , carried
her sail splendidly, and flew like the very winds
over the waves.

Hardly had the cheer died awn when the,
cheery cry came from the mast-head:

“ Sail ho!”

“ Whereawa‘yr’ called out Captain Evans.

“Dead ahea , sir.”

Soon after came the question to Ned, who had“
ascended to the cross-trees:

“ What do you make her out, Ned?”

“A schooner, sir, and armed.

' Perhaps I can tell you just what she is in a
little while," answered Ned who was examin-
in her closely through his glass. 1,

n a little while he returned to the deck, and
said quietly: ‘ ,

 

 

 

   
    
 

° ‘ Ned, the Boy Skipper.

 

“ Father, I know that schoonerl”

“ Indeed! what is she, Ned?”

“ She flies the English flag.”

“ An Englishman, eh?” .

“No sir, an American schooner, but at pres-
ent under English colors.”

“ Well, Ned, you have something else to
tell?”

“ Yes, sir, it is the vessel I would give much
to take, for it is Lieutenant Elmore’s schooner.”

“ What! the Pirate?”

“Ah, no, sir, but the one on which I was a
cabin-boy, and which was captured by the
’ British sloop-of—war that mother piloted in,
hoping to capture Elmore on board.”

“ Ned, we must retake that vessel, and, my
« son, as you were accused of having been the
pilot that brought the English vessel in to cap-
ture her, you shall command this schooner now,
so take charge at once, for the Sea Sorceress is
in our hands.”

ed’s face brightened at this for he was most
anxious to recapture the sc ooner, knowing
that it would delight his mother to know that
what she had lost in seeking her revenge, had
been regained by her son.

Instantly he took command, gave his orders
in a clear, ringing voice, and had the schooner
quickly bounding away toward the other ves-
sel, while he had her covered with canvas.

The English schooner had also sighted the
American, and finding that she was a toe
worthy of hersteel, she squared away to meet
her, anxious to gain another fast-sailmg Amer-
ican, craft to add to the British Navy.

The two vessels were well matched in size and
guns; but the Englishman seemed\to have the
advantage in crew as far as numbers went, for
.she showed fully a hundred.

But the Americans cared little for this, and
Ned ordered the firt gun of defiance to, be fired
and the Stars and Stripes to be run up.

The En lish schooner replied by showing her
colors an sending a broadmde u n the Sea

rceress but as she fired while stays, she
sent her shot flying wild.

Instantly the Sea. Sorceress fired a broadside,
and a. cheer broke from her crew as they dis-
covered how true had been their first fire upon
a foe, for the bowsprit and fore-topmast of the
enemy were cut away.

Taking advantage of her success the Sea Sor-
ceress now fired rapidly and her iron hail was
so hot that it drove the Englishmen from their
work repairing damages.

“Boarders he!” cried Ned, who had thus far
given every order that was issued, his father
not opening his lips and acting simply as an
under ofi‘icer.

_Ned lanced at him to see what he thought of
his cal for boarders, and determination to
board the enemy; but Captain Evans gave no
sucgtn that he either approved or disapproved the
a .

“ D0 you think it wise, sir, to board her?”
asked Ned, feeling some doubt upon the subject
as he saw his enemy had the largest crew.

“ You are in command, my son; use your own
discretion," was the non-committal replv.

Thus left to his own judgment wholly, Ned
at once gave orders for a broadside to be deliv-

    
   

 

ered at close quarters, the guns to be loaded
with grape.

With the rebound of the guns he saw the wis—
dom of this act, for the grape cut down num—
bers of the English crew, and before they could
recover from its effects the two schooners were
alongside.

The sea was rough, but both were Well
handled, and springin on board with his
boarders, two-thirds of iis crew being at his
back the Boy Skipper showed his nerve and
foret ought by at once ordering the Sea Sor—
ceress to haul ofl.’ from the enemy, as the pound-
ing of the two together might injure their hulls
seriously.

Captain Evans had purposely remained on the
schooner and sung out an affirmative reply at
Ned’s or er as the two vessels swung apart.

In the mean time the fiercest fight was raging
upon the deck of the Englishman, and Ned, fol-
lowed by his unresistible boarders, was driving
all before him.

Once on the deck of his foe, Ned determined
that'nothing should prevent the capture of the
Epfiishman. ‘

is the enemy seemed to realize, for they be-
gan to cry for quarter, and step ing forward,
the commander of the schooner ca led out:

“ I am forced to haul down my colors.

“ To Whom do I surrender my sword?"

N‘ZLTO me, sir, if you please,” modestly returned

e

“ To you, a boy?” said the officer, with won-
derment in look and manner.

Yes, sir.” . V

“ Do you command that schooner?" ,4?

“At present, yes, sir." '

" I see that you wear an oflicer’s uniform; but

on—

“ Pardon me, sir, but this delay is not neces-
$8.13 and the wounded are suflering for care,”
sai Ned, haughtily.

“True, I was wrong; here is my sword,
young air, and I must certainly say surren-
der it to a gallant youth indeed.’

“Thank you, sxr, and rmit me to return
your sword to you,” and ed handed back the
weapon with a kindly smile, for his heart was
touched for his brave enemy.

In a short while the dead had been buried and
the wounded cared for, and Ned was placed on
board the (prize to run her into port, which he
did, surren ering her tothe admiral of the fleet,
who at once said to him:

“ My word for it, my Boy Lieutenant, that
you will win your way to a captain’s rank be-
fore this war ends.”

 

CHAPTER XXV.
ran rwo rues.

AGAIN did the Sea Sorceress spread her sails
and fly seaward, having already gained fer her-
self a name, for her first prize was not only an
English cruiser a little her superior in the num-
ber of her crew, but an American vessel that
had been recaptured from the British.

The battle. in which numbers had fallen upon
both sides, and in which the Sea Sorceress had
sought the conflict, proved that the rivatser
had not started out only as a seeker 9 defense-

 

 

 

..,,_

 

‘ «fink. 

 

Ned, the Boy Skipper. 97

 

less prizes and gain, but was willing to strike a
blow for her country when need be.

As vessels coming in from Southern waters
had lately reported ravages committed by a
pirate schooner answering the description of the
vessel sent out by Elmore, Captain Evans de—
termined to look him 11 and capture him, if in
his power, and said to ed:

“ If we capture Elmore, my son, we can do
the country a. service by hanging a. pirate,
avenge ourselves for every wrong he has done
us, and at the same time I can get back the
twenty thousand it cost me to build and equip
the schooner which he stole."

“ I hope we can capture her, for father, I
fear all the time, while he is afloat as a pirate,
that he will go and pay them we love at iver-
view a visit.”

Captain Evans turned Very pale at this, and
said with emotion:

“I never thought of this wickedness on his
part, Ned, and now that you suggest it, and it
is very possible for him to carry out such a
thing, I am determined to hunt him down."

Then the Sea Sorceress was put away upon
her southward course, and the neit day a sail
was sighted.

The schooner was put away for a nearer look
at the stranger, and soon the lookout at the
mast-head reported her to be:

“ A large schooner with masts raking i‘ar
aft, a narrow, long hull, and heavily armed.”

“ What colors, Ned?” called out the captain.

“She does not show any."

“ Is she larger than we are?”

“ About our tonnage, sir, and her decks seem
crowded."

“Let me hear from you if you make any new
discoveries.”

“ Ay, ay, sir,” answered Ned, and he kept his
eye steadily upon the stranger.

As the two vessels drew nearer together, Ned
placed his glass once more to his eye, and after
9. ion look called out:

“ oi the deck 1"

“ Ay, ay,” answered the captain.

“ I notice that her sails are patched in many
places, as though to cover up ball-holes, and her
masts and spars have niches in them as from
the same cause.”

“ She has seen hot work then, and her rig
looks American.”

“ 1 think she is an American, air, but I can-
not make her out yet.”

Nearer and nearer the two vessels drew to
sac: other, and then Ned again hailed the

so .

“ Ay, av, sir,” responded the captain.

“ An officer with a glass has just ascended to
the mastahead, sir.”

Kefipdyour eye on him while he takes a look
at us. e ."

“ I will, sir,” and almost immediately the Boy
Lieutenant continued:

d “kHe is giving some order to an oflicer on the
ac . ‘
“ There! the schooner goes about and is crowd-
ing on soil.

‘ She is running from us, sir."

“ Ay, ay, Ned, and no brave En lishman
would do that, nor would an Amer can pri-

 

vategr run of! before she knew what her too
was.
“ It looks suspicious, sir,” remarked Leander.
“ Of what?” asked Ned, Joining them.
“ It looks as though she was in sou-ch of easy
rizefi, and wanted no hard knocks,” continued
ean er.

“ You are right. She is in my mind a pirate, .

and I trust the one we wish to find.

“ Square away in chase, Ned, and run up your
colors."

The Sea Sorceress was at once put away in
chase of the strange schooner, which had a
league start, and, as she crowded on sail, the
stranger was seen to do likewise.

“ Now up with the colors, Leander,” called
out Ned, and the Stars and Stripes went flutter-
ing to the peak.

Almost instantly, and while every eye was
watching, there came a puff of smoke from the
stranger’s ort bow, and a gun was fired in de-

fiance, win 0 over her deck fluttered the black

flag of the lawless searover.

“Hal he is not ashamed of his hideous en-
sign, though he does run 011'.

“ Crowd on all sail, Mr. Leander, and we will
see if we cannot replace his sable flag with the
Stars and Stripes."

Under the tremendous pressure of canvas
upon her masts, the Sea Sorceress fairly flew
over the waves, and began to gain, though very
slowl , upon the pirate.

“ e has a fleet craft at any rate, and it will
be a long chase; but I do not like the looks of
the sky, and fear we are goingato have a stormy
night, said the captain, g nciug anxiously
about him.

“ And it it comes on to storm he may dodge
us in the darkness,” responded ed. *

“ Yes, that is just what I fear.” ‘ I

For two hours, until the sun went down, the
two beautqu vessels went skimmin over the
Elia, both under all the canvas that ey would

ar. -

But in that time the Sea Sorceress had not
gained more than a quarter of a mile, so that it

id indeed threaten to be a long chase.

With the going down of the sun the wind in-
creased to halt a gale, and an hour after dark
it was blowing a. gale, while the skies were
black with clouds, and the darkness became, al-
most tan ible.

The p rate had shown no lights at dark, and
the Sea. Sorceress had followed her example, so
that there was not a twinkle to be seen upon

either vessel as they sped along over the wa- ‘

tars.

Then, in spite of every eye bein on the look-
out, the pirate was lost si ht o ,and the Sea.
Sorceress was at a loss whic course to pursue.

“ He is likely to lay to and ride out the storm
until morning, and we might as well do the
same,” said the captain. .

“May I make a suggestion, father?"

“ Certainly, Ned.”

“ I eyed that vessel pretty closely, as longas
there was a ray of light.”

“ So I noticed."

“ And I discovered that she was about the
size, build and rig of the vessel that Elmore cut
out, and which you had that pretty model of.”

 

 

1

 

 

 

28 Red, the Boy Skipper.
“Well Ned?” running in under the guns of the fort,” Mrs.
“ And I believe it is the same craft.” Evans said.

“ Such was my opinion, Ned, when I first saw
her; but it seems we have lost her now.”

“ We have lost sight of her; but did you no-
tice the course she was heading when we caught
sight of her?"

i No 1!

" She was on a course that was northward,
and she may have been bound to the Maine
Coast.”

“ By Heaven! Ned, you me be right.”

“ I fear that I am, air, and think it would be
a good idea to crack on what sail we can and
head for home as quickly as possible.”

“ I Will do so, Ned, so ive the necessary or-
ders, my boy, and the rceress shall lose no
time in getting there, I assure you."

Five minutes after the fleet schooner was
bound upon her trip northward.

 

CHAPTER XXVI.
ran maacnnaous SIGNALS.

ONE blustering afternoon, some ten days after
the Sea Sorceress was headed for Riverview
Mansion, a arty of half a dozen persons stood
in what h been the Haunted Fort, gazing sea-
ward and watching the maneuvers of a pretty
schooner that was in the ofling.

The party consisted of several officers of the
fort and as many ladies, among the latter being
Nora Evans and her mother. who had gone to
the fort to spend the day with the wife of the
commandant.

“ It is certainly a beautiful vessel.” said Cap-
tain Routh, the commander of the fortress.

“Yes, and her ii is American, so it she flies
English colors, she as been captured from us,”
re oined Nora.

‘ You seem to be a perfect sailor, Miss Evans,
to know the rig of a vessel as you do,” remarked
a young lieutenant, who was desperately in love
With the fair maid of Riverview.

“_ Living on the sea as I have so long, and
seeing so many vessels of different nations ities.
I have come to know their rig and build, as one
recognizes a German, an Englishman and an
fimerican by his face,” modestly responded
' ora.

“ Well, she stands in as though she wished to
run in," remarked Captain Routh.

“ You will soon know, sir, for lf'she does, you
will find her fire a signal for a ilot.”

“ And, Miss Nora, it will be u vain, for there
is not one on the coast that I know of.”

“And none who would dare attempt to run
a vessel in with the sea as rough as it is, and
half a gale blowing ” said Mrs. Evans.

“ Oh, mother! w at if it should be father’s
schooner?” suddenly cried Nora.

“ I hope that it is; but see, she lays to and
fires a on for a pilot.

“ It s not the Sorceress, Nora, for Ned is the
best pilot that ever ran a vessel through yonder
channel,” and Mrs. Evans spoke with evident
pride in her gallant boy.

“ She wants a pilot, that is certain. and 896,
she runs up our flag,” remarked Captain Routh.

“She. is oertai y an American. for an Eng-
lishman would not place himself in jeopardy by

 

“Have you a signal-book, Captain Routh?"
cried Nora.

The captain had such a. book, and the lieuten-
ant darted after it and soon placed it in Nora’s
hands
N“ Oh, mother! it is the Sea Sorceress!” cried

ore.

“ Then why does not Ned bring her in?

“ Great God! can harm have hefallen my
boy?” said Mrs. Evans, turning deathly pale.

“ Have you signal lie 5, captain?” asked Nora,
Mmly, though she too ame gale.

The flags were soon broug t, and hauling
down the flag, and stepping to the halyards,
Nora ran up the signals. asking:

” Why do you wish a pilot?”

“ To run in,” came the answer. .

‘1‘ Where is Ned i” asked Nora, with her sig-
na 5.

Breathlessly all gazed upon the maiden to
await her reading of the signal response.

It soon came: ,

“ We captured a prize and he took it into
Portland!“

“Thank God,” cried Mrs. Evans, fervently,
and more than one present breathed a fervent:

“ Amenl”

“ Can you send us a pilot?” again came the
signal from the schooner.

“ Mother I will go myself, for night will soon
be here, and father must not remain in sight of
us when I am able to bring the schooner in.”

But a cry arose from all at this, all but Mrs.
Evans, who said calmly: ‘

You are right, Nora."

“ But Mrs. Evans, will you permit Nora to do
such a thing?” asked Mrs. Routh anxiousl .

“ Oh yes, for she knows the channel we l, and
once brought a schooner in at night, and in a

e.
ta; 1H,,ave you any surf-skit! in the cove, cap-
n

“ Yes, madam, there is one there, and it Miss
Nora is determined to go, I will accompany
her,” said the captain.

“ No, I must risk the danger alone.

“ Let me signal that I will come," and Nora
sent the words:

“Panam—I will come out and pilot you in.

r H NORLi‘

Instantly came back the signal:

“ Bless you, my child 1”

Then Nora, throwing about her a wrap left
the fort and descended to the cove, accompanied
by Captain Routh. _

There she found the surf-skiff, and again Cap-
tain Routh urged to go. I n .

But Nora was firm, and spun ng into the
little craft, she seized the oars an sent it spin-
ning out of the cove. -

Going back to the fort the captain joined the
others, and all of. the party anxiously watched
the little skill as it headed out from the land.

Interested in the act of the daring girl, the
soldiers of the fort crowded upon the parapets
and gazed after the receding boat.

Out through the dangerous channels she held
her way, and never resting upon her oars, they

 

 

 

 

 

Ned, the Boy Skipper. 89

 

saw her reach the schooner, and run under her
lee side. .

A gangway was then lowered for her, and
she was soon on board.

Then the schooner was at once gotten under
way again, and, instead of standing in toward
the channel, she turned ‘her sharp prow about
and headed seaward, while up to her peak sud-
denly went the blackfiag of the pirate.

A cry of horror broke from every lip, and
Mrs. Evans sunk down in a swoon, murmuring:

“God have mercy upon my poor child, for
she is in the power of Elmore, the Pirate.”

CHAPTER XXVII.
Tar. BOY LmUTEsANT’s REVENGE.

IN the excitement attending the flight of the
schooner, with the black flag flying at her peak,
and Nora Evans upon her deck, it was some
moments before any one noticed a second vessel
coming at a tremendous pace along the coast.

That an island hid the one vessel from the
other was evident to those who watched them
from the fort.

The stranger was a schooner of graceful build
and rakish look.

She was also armed and carried at her peak
the Stars and Stripes.

Swiftly she came along, and although the
wind increased in severity and the waves ran
higher, she held straight on toward the chan-
ne into the haven under the lee of the island,
notwithstanding that it was growing dark.

Straight for the channel between the Grave-
yard Reefs she headed, and, when those on the
fort listened, ex ctin to hear the crash and
shrieks of her ownin crew they saw her
lights pass safely throng the dangerous chan-
nel and head for the Island Pass.

Through this, too, she glided, and then put her
helm down and steered for the river haven.

“It is my husband’s vessel, and my boy ran
her in,” said Mrs. Evans, when, recovering
from her swoon, she heard about the strange
schooner. _

Then she got into her carriage and, accom-
panied by Captain and Mrs. Routh, was driven
rapidly homeward.

As the carriage drew up at the door, Ned
sprung to meet her. .

But she could not utter a word, and the Boy
Lieutenant said:

“ Well, mother, we have come to see lyou; but
I am sorry that father is slightly woun ed.

“ We had a running-fight With a pirate the
other day, and for the second time he escaped
us at night and in astorm, while father got
Wounded in the leg, but it is not very severe, he

89.

ms. Evans bounded into the house to the side
of her wounded husband, while Captain Routh
quickly told Ned of the capture of his mm.

Without waiting to hear more the boy darted
away toward the river.

Springing into a. boat he rowed on board, and
startled the crew, who were expecting a. mat
night of it, by ordering the anchor up an all

sex] set.
All saw that the Boy Lieutenant was terribly
earnest, and in a few minutes otter his arrival J

 

on board, the Sea Sorceress was under way and
heading out of the river.

Hails were. heard from the shore, and Ned
recognized his mother’s voice; but he heeded
not, and was soon dashing out to see. through the
storm and the perils of the channel.

Once clear of the land, search was made by
every eye on board, and from the mast-head
came the cry:

‘ Ifi‘ght ho l”

“ hereaway, Leander?” called out Ned, for
it was the second lieutenant who had gone up to
the mast-head.

“ Oil-shore. and dead ahead.”

“ Ay. ay, I’ll head for it.”

The light soon was seen from the deck, and
it was evident that the vessel that bore it, was
approaching in the direction of the Sea. Sor-
caress.

Seeing this, Ned ordered ever light on his
vessel put out, and away she
ness.

After some time had passad, Leander came
gpidly down from aloft, and said in a hurried

ne:

“ I believe without doubt that it is the pi-
rate!”

“ I hope so,” said Ned ‘

Then the men were sent quietly to quarters,
and the Sea Sorceress was brought up into the
wind and al10wed to lay to.

That she had not been seen from the pirate’s
deck was evident, for the coming schooner held
on her course, running along about a league oil?
the land.

Nearer and nearer she came, until but a quar-

ter of a mile divided them, and then Ned order- _

ed the Sea Sorceress gotten under way once
more.

The creaking ol‘ her blocks and fluttering not
her sails was the first admonition those on the ’
stranger had of her near vicinity.

Instantly loud voices were heard, and a ter-
rent ot profanity was poured forth upon the
head of the lookout.

“ That sounds piratical,” said Leander.

“It is Elmore’s vessel, I know," answered

ed.

Following the excitement on the pirate came
the drum calling the crew to quarters, and then
Ned called out: I

“Lads, I do not intend to fire upon him for '
my sister is on board that craft. and the sail on v
the schooner now is all she will need, so every
man go below until I call you to carry yonder,
pirate by boarding." ,

The men demurred at this, but Ned was firm,
urging that they should not risk the fire of their
foe and not- return it, and the crew weresent
below decks forward and aft, armed to the
teeth, and to there await a call upon deck.

But Leander was firm and would not go, and
stepped to the wheel by the side of Nod:

Just at that moment came a broadside from
the pirate, and some of the shot sent showers of .
sglinteifss over the deck while others out through
t e as . *

But the Sea Sorceress was held firmly'on her
wuzhy in hot chase of the pirate, who was now in
t flight. ‘ _
But t was ancient that the Sorceress was the .

 

in the dark-i » ’

 

 

. ,.  

 

 

 

80 ’ Ned, the Boy Skipper.

 

better sea boat in rough weather, for she car-
ried more canvas and forged ahead more rapid-

ly through the waves.

The pirate felt that he dared not carry more
sail, as he feared he would run his vessel under,
and gave orders to his crew to cripple their
pursuer or they would be taken.

A. hot fire was therefore turned upon the Sea
Sorceress, and she did not by any means escape
unscathed, for her fore-topmast was cut away
and her bulwarks were badly riddled.

But no vital part was struck, and not one of
her crew was hurt. r

The gale in the mean time had swept entirely
around, and the wind decreased in force from
a gale to a stifl breeze, while a uring rain
beat down the waves, and ca. Leander to
remark:

“ If this keeps up, we’ll have calm weather to
board in.”

“ I am glad of it, for it would have been ter-
ribly risky boarding an hour ago; but I would
have done so before he should have escaped me,”
was Ned’s firm rejoinder. ' .

The two vesels had now run back to a point
almost directly opposite to the fort, and not a
length now divided them.

Still firing from his stern guns, the pirate held
on while hot upon her heels came the Sorceress.

‘ earer and nearer she crept, until her prow
was even with the stern of the other schooner,
and-a loud voice shouted:

“ Boarders to repel boarders!”

“ It is Elmore’s voice,” said Ned, and then he
cried in clarion tones:

“ Boarders, ahoyl ho, boarders, I want you!”

Just then a broadside from the pirate went
tearing over the decks of the Sorceress; but,
fired an instant too soon, not a man was hurt,
while up from the cabin and steerage poured
the gallant crew.

Hard down then went the helm of the Sor-
ceress, and with a hard thump she was laid
alongside of the outlaw craft, and grapnels
were thrown to make them fast. -

Then over upon the deck of his foe leaped

. Ned, his crew at his back, and the mad rush of

the privateersmen beat the pirates down before
t am.
To stem the mad current of humanity was

«impossiblerand in ten minutes the deck was

won‘ by the Boy Lieutenant and Elmore, the
Buccaneer, was in irons.

Dashing into the cabin, Ned found his sister
white as a corpse, and throwing herself into his
arms, she crie :

“ Oh, brother! he intended to run into the
river to-night, burn the mansion, kill mother,
and then force me to become his wife."

“I-was just in time, then, sis; but he’ll trou-
ble us no more after this nigh ” and Ned left
the cabin.

“ Leander, get a noose ready, and burn a blue
light, for I intend to show Captain Routh and
h s soldiers that the days of Elmore, the Bucca-
neer, have ended.”

'The q'der was obeyed, and Elmore faced his
victor with the noose about his neck. \
“ Well boys, you have triumphed,” he said.

“ I will have triumphed when I see you dang-

. an: 1}! yonder rigging.

 

 

‘h‘ Burn that blue light, Leander, and lads,
hoist that pirate up!”

The doomed man uttered no cry, nor prayer,
and was the next instant drawn into mid-air,
while, as the blue light made the two vessels
stand out as light as day, the soldiers broke
forth in one prolonged cheer that was heard by
all on the Sorceress.

Then darkness followed and the two beau-
tiful vessels were headed inshore, Leander at
the helm of the pirate, and piloting her in by
following close in the wake of the Sea Sorceress,
whose wheel was of course under the master
hand of the Boy Lieutenant.

 

CHAPTER XXVIII.
CONCLUSION.

A FEW words more. kind reader, and the ro-
mance of Sailor Boy Ned’s early life is ended.

His capture of the pirate Elmore, added re-
newed fame to his name, and he became the
idol of the dwellers about Riverview, where
once he had been hated as the son of Elsie the
Witch.

The Sea Sorceress was found to be pretty
well shattered by the hot fire of the pirate, so
she was laid up for repairs, as was also the
buccaneer craft, which was sent to Boston with
the prisoners, and to undergo an overhauling

ere.

By the time that the two vessels were ready
for sea, Captain Evans’s wound was healed, and
he at once placed Ned in command of the cap-
tured pirate, getting privateer papers for him,
and the two vessels sailed together as consorts,
the one named the Sea Sorceress, the other the
Sea Wizard, and their daring exploits through
the war caused many superstitious people to be—
lieve that their commanders were indeed pos-
sessed of powers beyond the human.

When at last the long war ended, and Ned
and his father returne to Riverview, they
were accompanied by a distinguished gentle-
man who had joined them in Boston, running
his vessel into port as soon as peace was de—
clared.

This person was Captain Sir Lucien Lonsdale,
who had won a distin uished name during the
war, and was respec and admired as a gallant

oe.

But, with the war's close, he came to River-
view to tell Nora that he loved her with all his
heart, and ask her to become his bride.

Nora confessed her love in return for the noble
English oflicer, but said that she wished ever to
remain an American, and rather than lose the
idol of his heart, Sir Lucien consented to make
her home his home, and thus the twain became

one.

As for Ned, being a natural born sailor, he
could not leave the service he loved so well, and
accepted a lieutenant's commission in the navy,
where he rose to a high rank and died at a ripe
old age, respected b all. while the boys of ene-
rations after, rea with pleasure his 3 t
career as Ned, the Sailor Boy.

THE END.

t- '; ‘4-.-~‘1’:_-'as'l.’;i-L",'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEAD'LE’S POCKET LIBRARY.

Published Every W‘ednesday. Each Issue Oomjdlete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents.

 

 

mpau~o=mdaahem~

Hips—sub!

 

kkkkkkkkk

oaa
anamhuuuo‘éawam Esau—ea ama

 

we:
3

TB
78

T4
?5

76
f?

;% I'll‘eadwood D
80 Old Frosty. the Guide. By '1‘. C.
81 The Son Viper. By Cni. Prentiss ingraham.

89
88
8

88
3?

walnut—n:=n~asuhwm~e=mq=miau crewman:
_

0 Sure Shot Seth the B0 Rifleman. ByOl
1 Sharp Born: orf'l'he Adventures oraFrlendlou Boy. By J.

4'“. D .
85 T e umbPage

Deadwood Dirk, the Prluco of the Road. By E L. Wheeler.
Kant-us Kin ; or, The Red Right Hand. lly Buffalo Bill.
The Flying ounce. Bv Col. Prontiss ingralunn.
The Double Daggers. By Edward L. \theler.
This Two Detectives. BV Albert W. Aiken.
The Prairie l’ilot. By Buffalo Bill.
The Buffalo Demon. By. Edward L. Wheeler.
Antelonc Abe, the Boy Guide. By (Hi Commas.
Ned Wvlde. the Buy Smut- By “ Texas dark."
Buil'nlo liens, Prince of the ham]. By E. L.Wh.:eli-r.
Rulph Boy. the Boy lilu'i‘nurer. By C l. Prenth lngrahnm.
Nit-k o’ the NI ht. By T. ('. i-iarbaugh.
Yellowstone auk. By Joseph E. liadgor. Jr.
\VlldIVfllli "Hi My Clxuuln Duval. By E. L.Wheeler.
Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. By
Colonel l’routiss lugrahluu.
Keen-Knife. Prince of the Prairies. By OliCoomss.
Dragon Sol, Nick Vl'lilillvn'l Buy Spy. ByJ. F. C. Adams.
Death-Fave, the Detective. By E. 1.. Wheeler.
Lasso Jack, the Yuung Mustaager. iiv ()Ii Conmss.
llonrlng Rulph Ihwkwood. By llnrry St. George.
' Vht”: Boy Clown. Iiy Frank S. Film.
The Phantom Miner; or. Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. By
Edward L. Wheeler.
The Sen-Cut. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.
The Dsunls Soy. By Oil Gnomes.
lluttllu Rube. By Hurry St. George.
01d Avalanche. t‘na Annihilator. By E. L. Wheeler.
Gloss-Eye, the Great Shot of the \‘l‘est. By J. F. C. Adams.
0 Boy Captain. Bi Raga Starbuck. ~
Dis-k Darling. tho Pony Express Rider. By Capt. F. Whittaker.
"ob Woolf. the Border Radian. By Edward L. Wheelrr.
Nightingale Nni. By T. C. l'iurbauxh.
"luck John. the erd Mom. 8 Jose h E. Badger,.lr.
Onmhn (ill, tho Masimi 'i‘crror. y E. . Wheeler.
Hurt Bunker. tho Tra rev. By George E. Lasalle.
The Boy lllllen or, " o [iudergmuud Camp. By A. C. Irons.
The White Bu nlo. By Georgn E. Lasalie.
Jlln Rindsne. Jr. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Ned Hillel. the Boy Trapper. By Capt. J. F. 0. Adams.
homily Eryn. the Unknown Smut. By Buffalo Bill.
Nit-k Wh ii‘lcs’a Pet. By Capt. J. F. C. Adaius.
Deadwood Dick’s Eagles. By Edward L. Wheeler.
The Border King. By all Coomes.
0ld Hickory}; or, l’midv Eilis’s Scalip. By Harry St. George.
The White ndiun. By Cnpt. J. . C. Adams.
Buckhorn Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler.
The Shadow Slain. By Col. Prentiss ingraham.
The lied Brotherhood. By W. J. Hamilton.
Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaw of the Dragon 'l‘raii. By T. C.
Harbauzh.
Hurricane Bill. By Joseph E. Bndizer. Jr.
Single Hand: or. A lie for a Lifo. By W. J. Hamilton.
Patent-leather Joe. By Philip S. Warns.
The Border Robin Hood. By Buii'nlo Bill.
Gold Rifle, the Simrpshnotnr. By Edward L. Wheeler.
01d Zip’s Cabin: or, AGroeuhorn in the Woods. By Capt.
J. F. C. Adams.
Delaware Dick, tlm Young Hangar Spy. By Oil Coomes.
Mad Tom “'csterll. By W. J. Hamilton.
Deadwood Dick on Deck. By Edward L. thsier.
Hawkeye Harry, the Young: Trapper. ll Oll Cuolnss.
The Bo Duelist. By Col. Prentiss Ingra tam.
Abe ()0 t, the Crow-Ki ler. By Albert W. Aiken.
Corduroy Charlie, ths Boy Bravo. By Edward L. thslsr.
Will Somers. the Boy Detective. By has. Morris.
Sol Ginser, tha Giant Trapner. By A. W. Alksn.
Roaebu Rob. By Edward L. W'heeler.
l'dfhtniu Joe. By Cn tain .i. F. 0. Adams.
1: “are not the Woo -iinwk. By '1‘. c. Harbsugh.
Rollo. the 30y auger. By Oll Cnomas.
Idyl- the Glrl Miner; or, Rasebnd Rob on Hand. By Edward
. Wheeler. ‘
Detective Dicks ar.'i"he Hero in Rags. B Charles Morris.

Coomrs.

Thlexild" Pl’nlrn' a a. w an

e ono t e ea. BvA art . (on.

Photon-ugh Phil.tho Boy Sleuth; or, Roubud Rob's Reappsar-
nuce. By .. L. W'huelsr.

Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the: Dog Dstoctivo. By
Charles Morris.

Island Jimi nr,’l‘he Pet of the Family. By Brusbridgo
Hsmynz (Jack Harkaway).

Watch-E50 tha Shadow. By Edward L. Wllsslsr.

Dick Den izlye. the Bov Smuggler. 31y catninrrnbam-

ek’sDevloe. B E . A. Wheeler.
he Dinck Mustanger. By .a t. Mayne Reid.
nrhauzh.

. S. Ellis.

30th Jones; or. The Captives of the Frontlor. B
hulsr.

C d 0 it it Clif. BVE.L.

1"an he“ 9 COI‘!‘;%;':t.ll;reSd‘e£i;il'r Whittaker.
0 0y Miners. By Edward . s.

Jack Harkaway in New York. BLBrlcobridgs Hsmyng.

The nlmr Otptnin. By Col. Prsnt Ingrshsm.

 

RR Deadwood Dick in Leadvlllu. By Edward L. Wheel".
39 lilll lilddon. 'l‘rupprr- By Edward S. Ellis. .
90 ’l'lppy, the 'l‘exssn. liy Gnome Gleason.
91 Mun-tun]: Nuns, thu King oi" the Plains. By Jon. E. Badger, Jr.
92 The "Penn Bloodhound. Bv Samuel '. Foam.
93 l'hll "only. the Bold Boy. By Charles Morris.
94 Deadwood Dick up Detective. By E. L. theiar.
95 linek But-krnrn. Bv Cn lulu J. F. C. Adams.
96 Gilt-Edged Dis-k. By E1 ward i.. Wheeiur.
9? The liluok Htocd oi'thc Prairies. By James L. Bowen.
98 The. Son Form-ht. By Juan Lewis,
fliiiilonanzn Dill, ihu Man 'l'rlu'ker. By E, L. Wheeler,
100 Not Todd: M. The Fair! of the Sioux Captive. By E. 5. Ellis.
101 During Davy: tho YMan Bear Killer. By Harry St. Georg.
102 The. X ollow Chief. “Y ('l‘l"'- MW“ R9”-
108 Chip, this Girl S mrt. By Edward L. Wheeler.
104 The Blqu Sc sooner. “If “"2” Smilllgdi-
105 Handsome Hurry, tho limitblnck Dutcctlvo. By C. Morris.
106 Night-Hawk Kit. By Jousph E. Badger, Jr.
107 .I lack Ho 16: Lead. By Edward L. Wheeler.
10% Rock olustnin Kit. BV T- C. Hnrbnuirh.
101! The l rsmdcd "and. By Frank Dumont.
110 The Dread Rider. By oorgo W. Browne.
1 Boss Hols. this King or Bootblacks. By Lawsrd L. Wbulsr.
93 The Helpless “and. By Cant. Mayne Reid.
3 sour-Foot: Haul, the Silent Hunter. By t 'rl Coomes.
4 Pine Paul. the Mountain Boy. iii 1‘. C. Harbauxh.
5 Den wood Dick’s Double. By ‘dward L. Wheel”.
6 Juhoz Collin. Ski I wt. By Capt. F. Whittaker.

Faun-V Frank, at Calurado. By “ Buffalo Bill."
18 w m Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. ay Chas. Morris. >
119 Dionldcl Bill; or. Deadwood Dick’s Home Batu. By Edward

. ' lee sr.
120 Gopher Gid, the Boy Trapper. By '1'. C. iisrbsugh.
121 Harry Armstrong, the Captain of the Club. By Bnca— ’
bridge Hemyuit. (luck Hathaway.)
129 The Hunted Hunter. By Edward S. Ellis.
128 Solid' Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. By Edward L. Whaler.
124- dudgo Lynch. Jr. By ’1‘. C. Harbaugh.
125 The Land Pirates. By Capt. Mayan Rold.
126 lilue Blazes: or, The Break 0’ Day Boys of Rocky Bar. By
Frank Dumnnt.
12'? Tony Fox. the Farrst. By Edward L. Wheeler.
1214 lllack Bess. Will Wildflre’s Racer. Bv Charles Morris.
129 E“¢la Kit. the Boy Demon. By Oil Cuoinas.
0 Gold Trigger. the Sport. B) ’i‘. C. Harbaugh.
181 A Game of Gold; or. 0 \dwood Dick'l Big Strike. By
Edward L. Wheeler. I

i Dainty Lance, the my bws- By J. E. Badnar, Jr.
1 Wild-fire. the Boss oi the Emmi. By Frank Dumant.
Mike Merr , the Harbor Polica Boy. By Charles Morris.
Deadwood lick of Deadwood. By E. L. Whaler.
01d Rube, the Hunter. By Capt. Hamilton Haimss.
Druid Rook, the Man from Texas. B G. Waldo Browns.
Bob flockett. tho Bur Dodger. By C as. Morris. -
The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. By Jon V
E. Badiieryilr.l n PM“ E w ‘
A n n r zonn. y . . mu.

9  York Nell, the Boy-(Hr Detective. By E. L. Whealsr.
2 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. By 0! Coomes. ‘
3 Deadly Duals; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. By Jos. E.
Bad or Jr.
l: Llfl‘llc'Gs-lt, the Wild Rider. By Col. Prentiss inn-sham.
Jr The Tiger oi’Tuos. By Gsa. Waldo Browns.
I The Cattle Kin . By Frank Dumont- ‘
Nick 01’ evadn. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Thunderbolt Tom. Bv Hurry St. George.
D Hob Roukett, ths Bank Runner. By Charles Motrin.
) The Mad Miner. By G. Waldo Browne.
B Col. Prentiss ingrahsm

l
i
l
1
l
1
1

t-lssltdidi-IH-H-l
fl

0:10-4— Hi-lhlflhlt—IHH

KKK...
2
a
5‘
5‘
v4

The Sea Trailer. . .
punt] Dal-kc; or, Tho lgers oi‘lligh l’lnn. ByNW. R.Eystsr.
\Vild rank, the Buckskin Bravo. By E. L. hsoior. '

0 Trailers. By Jos. E. Badgar, .ir.
zkfdll’llsme, the B0 Bandit By Col. Prentiss lngraltam. ‘
Will Wildfire In t e Woods. By C. M'orrls. ‘ '
qu Tam Io, tha Border Boy. B T. .Harbnugh.
Deadwo Dick's Doom. By . L. Whanlur.
l’ntent.l.cnther Joe's Dci’cot. By Phlii . S. Wnrno.

p fluff-lo lfllly, tho Boy ‘Buliwhacksr. By Co . P. laminar.

n ' t. t "

cinema

he P y Charles Morris.
.. , the Boy Captain. By Oil Coomu. ,
Mek’s Dream. By E. L. Whular.
-. Tornado ’ om. By T. C. Harbnugh'. ,
llul’nlo B ll" Dot. By Col. Prentiss lam-sham,
Will \Vilt lire Wins and Loses. Bv Cliarlsa Moria.
Dandy Roe t’s Pledno. By Georg. . mow“,
Dond wood lick’sIWarg. EBiy Edlwwfiafiwhuhn

Do 0 horn» on. y wan r, , _
g lllhfi’RoZkont's Fight for Life. By Charles Morris. ‘ ‘

Beadle's Pocket Library is for little by all Neruda-1m. fin -
cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six coats each;
BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers,
98 William Street New York.”

 

 

 

ilob
2 Little liu .
Daadwoofl

a-
a.
.1

.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY.

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Mce'of Five Cents.

 

71 Frank Morton. the Boy Hercules. Bv 0]] Guam“.
15 The Yankee Ranger. By Edwin Ememn.
7! Dick Dingle. Scout. liy Edward s. Ellil.
74 Dan? Roek’n Scheme. B\' G. W. Browne.
75 The rah Driective. By Edward L. Wheeler.
:19 VlillillBWiigiire’n I’Auck. By Charles Moms.
e oy omman or. 8 Col. Prentmn In rahnm.
The Manluo. llunter. By’liurtou Snxc. K
g Lance; or, The Myntic harksmnn. By J. E. Badgers
B T. C. Hnrhnugh.
‘llnrlrs Morris.
B Liuut. Col. aneltine.
3 Jubez Dart, Detective. B gnomes.
L Featherwelght, the Buy hry. By Edward VVlllrtt.
I Bison Bill, the Overlnnd Pr nee 5y Col. l’rvnt‘ms Ingrnhnm.
Du nty Lance und "in Purd. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.
The ’ira pod Tiger King. By Charles Murrlr.
rlloguist Detective. Bv Erlwmd L. Wheeler.
{’s oys. By Mu). Sum. S. Hull.
Ins, Scout. By Joules L. Bowen.
Dandy ock’a Rival. By Gen. \ancln Browne.
Hickory Harry. Bv Hurry ‘ . George.
Detective Jouh Grlm. By hdwnrd L. Wheeler.
Pros ect Pete, the liui Miner. By Oll COUIIWB.
The ‘enderi’oot Trui er. By ’1'. Cullurlruugh.
The Dandy Detective. By Chnl'lel Morris.
Roy, the Youn Cattle Kink. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahnm.
Ebony Dan’s ask. B Frnnk Dulnont.
Dictionary Nut, Detect vr. By T. (7. Hnrhnueh.
t The Twin Horsemen. By Cnpt. Frederick Whittaker.
Dandy Darke’n Par-do. By Wm. R. Eylter.
Tom, the Texan Tiger. By Oll Cmmen.
Sam the Ollice Boy. By (.hnrlva Morris.
The Young Cowboy. By Col. Prentiss lnrmhrrm.
The Frontier Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Whlte nghtulug; or. The Boy Ally. By '1‘. C. Hnrhrmgh.
Kentuok Tolhot’s Band. By Capt. Mnrk Wilton.
Trapfier Tom’s Cnntlc Myutcry. By 01] Cumnel.
The easenzer-Boy Detective. By Clmrleu Mnrr ..
The Hunchback ofthe Minen. By Jnreph l-Z. Bndzer, Jr.
Little Giant und lilo Band. By Philly S. “'nrne.
D i '.ll:he Jimtown Sport. By Edw-ml L. Vi heelcr.
he Pirate’s Prize. B C. Dunnln Clark.
914 Dandy Dave, «rah-mi Bv r. chum...»
315 ll‘tarlng Dan, the Ranger; or, The Denver Detective. By Oll

.mmea.
18 The Cowboy Captain. B Col. Prentiss In rahum
17 Bald Head of the Round... By Mnj. gm? 5. run.
18 The Miner Sport. By Edward L wllrulllr.

19 Buck, the Detective. léy Allmt W. Aiken.

1320 Crack-Shot Frank. By hurles Mnrn’l.

By Col. Prenth In mlmm.
822 Rosebud Ben’s ya. By Oll Chum;

m Gold Conrad’s Watch-Do n. B T. C. Hnrhn h.
Dad-Frinkfi’li‘ergua, the New Yofik Bo .y By G. L. Alhgn.
.25 Dick row. the Miner’s Sun. By dward L. Wheeler.
use D‘almtu Dick in Chico o. By Chnrlea Morris.
93'? Merle, the Boy Cruiur. y Col. Prantm lnzrnham.
328 The Preacher Detective. By 01! Gnomes.
380 Old Hickory": Grit. By John J. Marshall.
380 Three Boy Sports. By Capt. Fnderlck Whlttnker.

281 Sierra Sam, the Detective. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.
98% Merle Monte’s Treasure. By Col. Prentiss lngnlum.
$88 Rook: Rover Kit. By Ensign C. D. Warren.

284 Baldy, the Minor Chief. By Capt. J. I". C. Adan“.

885 Jack Stump’s Cruise. By Roger Sturbuck.

886 Sierra Sam’s Double. By Edwud L. Whular.

.37 Newsboy Ned Detective. By Charla: Morril.

988 lierle Monte’s Sea-Scraper. By Col. Predtlu lug-rah...
389 Ben’s Bic Boom. By Capt. Mqu Wilton.

840 Sharp Shoot Mike. By 01] Cnomel.

841 Sierra Sam’s Sentence. By Edward L. Wheeler.
94: The Denver Detectlve. By T. C. Harhnugh.

“8 Dutch Jan’s Dilemma. By Maj. L. W. Canon.

944 Merle Monte’s Disguise. By Col. Prentlu lngrahlm.
M5 Baldy's Boy Partner. By Edward 5. Ellis.

B46 Detective Keen’s Apprentice. By Charla Morris.
341' The Girl Sport. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.

248 Giant George’s Pard. By Buckakln Snm.

M9 Ranch Rob’s Wild Ride. By T. C. llnrhaugh.

950 Merle Monte’n Pardon. By Col. Prentlu lugrnhm.
.51 The Deaf Detective. Bv Edvard Wlllett.

959 Denver Doll’s Device. By Edwnrd L. Wheeler.

.58 The Boy Tenderfoot. By Capt. Mark Wilton.

m Black lull. Ben. By Mac: 1.0wa. Canon.

O

 

a5m.-gegeeesaecgeeeeeegcQuadrature:

 

 

 

255 Jolly Jim. Detective. By Chnrlcs Morris.

256 Merle Monte’n Lon-t Cruise. By Col. Prentln Iugrnhun.

25? The Boy Chlei’ oi’Rocky Pun. By Maj. E. L. St. Vraln.

258 Denver Doll nu Detective. By E. L. Wheeler.

B59 Little Foxeye, the Chlnrndu Spy. By O‘.l Counurl.

260 fikit. the Crrhln llny. By Edward “'lllvtt.

261 Bludo. the Sport; or, The Giant ulClewr Grit Cnlnp.
C. llnrhuugh.

262 Billy, the Boy Rover; or, Terror Tum of Tues. By Col. P.
lngrnhnm.

268 Hunter Bob’u Buoy; or, Lige, thr nglrt-Hounn Keeper.
By Cnpl. J. l". C. Adnlns.

264 Denver Doll’n l‘urtnor; or, Big Buck-kin, the Sport. By
E. L. Wheeler.

265 Billy, the Baggage Buy; or, The Young Rallrond De-
tcctlve. By Chnrlvs lilorrls..

266 Guy’s Boy Chum; or, Thu Fun-st Wall‘s )luk. By Capt,
Cumstock.

>267 (Hunt Georgo’n Revenge: hr, The Boys of “Sllp Up
Mine.” By Buckskin Sum.

7368 Dead-Shot Dumly; or, The Rlu Grnnde Mnrauden. By
Cu]. Prentiss lngrnhnrn.

269 The Quurizvllle Bonn; or, During David Darka. By
Edward “'lllett.

270 Denver Doll’rl Mine; or, Litile llill's Big Lou. By E.
L. Wheeler.

9871 Ebony Jim’s Terror; or, Rnnuer Rainbolt’s Rune. By
Oil Coomes.

By Tr

272 Kit, the Girl Detective: or, dely Duh in California. By
T. C. Hurbnugh.

278 The Girl Rider; or, Nimble Ned’s Surprlle. By Jon. E.
Badger, Jr.

274 Dead Shot, Dundy’n Double; or. Benito, the Buy Yard.
By Col. 1’. lngrnlnun.

275 Fred, the Ocean Wail; or, The Old Sailor‘s Prutvzv. By
Charles Morris.

276 Deadwood Dick Trapped; or. Ruxey Rnlph’l Ruse. By
Edward L. Wheeler. ’

21'? The Idiot Boy Avenger; or, Cnpmn Wild-CW. Bl;
Game. By Albert W. Aiken.

278 Arizona Alf, the Mlner; or, Lillie Snap Shot’: Luck. By
’1‘. (3. linrhnngh. .

279 (.olurudo Jack, the Tiger; or, The Ghost of the Trailr-r. By
Frederick Drwuy.

280 Deud Shot Dundy’n Lust Deal; or, Keno Kit’l New
Role. By Col. Prentiss Inxmhmn.

281 Ned, the Boy Pilot; or, The l’lrnte Lieutenant’n Doom.
By Jack Farragut.

282 Buck llnwk. Demctlva; or, The Men-anger Boy'l Fortune.
By Edward L. Wheuler.

283 Kevin: S ort Kit: or. The Ghost of Chucknluck Camp.
By Edwnrd Wills“.

284 The Shown-en’s Bent Curd; or, The Mad Anlnml’l‘mnur.
By Capt. Frederick Whittnlmr.

235 Old Rocky’s l’urd; nr,l.mla lh-u’i Chase. By Buckskin
Sum.

236 Dick, thaDnhotn Sport. By Charles Murril.

987 Ned, the Boy Skipper; or, The San Sortereu‘ Cruile. By Jack
l~nrregut.

288 Deadwood Dick’s Disguise; or,Wlld Walt, the Sport.

_ By Edward L. Wheeler.

989 Colorado Nick, the Lnuolit; or, Old 51’s Protege. By Mn].

H. B. Stoddard.

290 Rube, the Tender-foot; or, The Boys of Torpl'do Gulch.
By Maj. E. L. St. len. Randy July 3].

291 Peacock Pete, the Lendville Sport: or, Hnwlr, the Ron

Miner. By Albert W. Aiken. Really Augurt '1.

$92 Joe Morey, thr Night Hnwk', or,Tlre Blnch Rider. By Jon.
E. Badger, Jr. Randy Augmt ii.

293 Dwarf Jake, the Detective; or. Kit Kruyon’u Mun-Hunt.
By Ed. Willett. Randy Augult ‘2].

294 Dumb flit-R’s Port]; or, Elim June, the Girl Minor. By
Edward L. Wheeler. Reedy August 98.
Beudle’s Pocket Library is for ilile by all Newaiulors, In
con“ per copy, or sent by mail on recelpt ni :1: anti uch.
BEADLE AND ADAM, Publishers,
98 William Street, New York.